OCTOSAM: G8GNER’s Big Night
on February 4th, 2012 by Pulver Sports
Congratulations to Sam Gagner for his transcendent performance against the Chicago Blackhawks. Sam became the first NHLer to post 8 points in a game since the 1988-89 season, also tying Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey for the Oilers’ all-time record for most points in a game.
Here’s some of the coverage from Sam’s memorable game, where he was named the first, second and third star of the game:
The Best Part Of Sam Gagner’s Eight-Point Night: Being Awarded All Three Stars
Barry Petchesky
Deadspin.com
Sam Gagner gave Edmonton something it hasn’t seen since the days of Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey, and something nobody’s done in 23 years. Despite a scoreless first period for the Oilers, Gagner scored four goals against the Blackhawks, assisted on four more, and clocked in just the 16th eight-point game in NHL history.
We had collectively forgotten that eight points was a “thing,” since it had been so long (Mario Lemieux in the 1989 playoffs), but once upon a time these were as common as four-goal games. Of the 16 ever accomplished, 13 came in a 13-year stretch beginning in 1976. Lemieux alone had three eight-pointers in the 1988-89 season.
On Sam Gagner, Era Effects, and the greatest games ever
Bruce McCurdy
Edmonton Journal
When 22-year-old Sam Gagner exploded for the first eight-point game recorded in the NHL in his lifetime, he immediately joined a select list. Since Mario Lemieux last performed the feat in the spring of 1989, the group of players who had done so had held fast at just a dozen players who among them had produced 15 games of eight or more points.
Most of these outbursts, including Lemieux’s three 8-point games (all in 1988-89!) and Wayne Gretzky’s two (both during his 51-game point streak in 1983-84), occurred during the highest-scoring era in hockey history. By contrast Gagner produced his snowman during the so-called “Dead Puck Era” when 1-0 and 2-1 scores are very much the norm. Just for fun I decided to compare all the eight-point scoring outbursts and adjust them for era effects. When examined in this light Sam’s explosion is truly extraordinary.
It’s fun to note that with Gagner’s addition the Edmonton Oilers are the only NHL team to have three different players on the list, and also the only franchise to feature as many as four such performances. The high-flying Oilers, indeed!
Gagner’s performance stands out in a few respects, however, even when compared to the likes of Gretzky and Coffey. For one thing he figured in on every goal the Oilers scored Thursday, just the second player to do this.
Sam Gagner’s Fairly Decent Night
Steve Dangle
RealSports.ca
Sam Gagner vs the Rest of the NHL in 2011-12
Sam Gagner registered more points in his eight-point game alone than 45.4% of the players who have played in the NHL so far this season.
Not including goalies, 834 skaters have played in at least one NHL game in 2011-12. Of those 834 players, only 455 have registered at least eight points in 2011-12 thus far, and 379 have not. One of those 379 players is the Habs’ $7.3 million man Scott Gomez. Also worthy of mention is Gagner’s four goals in this game. Only 353 of the 834 skaters that have played in the NHL this season have four or more goals, which means Gagner scored more goals in that game alone than 57.6% of the NHL.
Sam Gagner vs Every NHL Player in the History of Ever
Sam Gagner registered more points in his eight-point game alone than the career totals 34.3% of the players who ever have played in the NHL…ever.
Not including goalies, NHL.com holds the basic career stats for 6,114 players. For a random example, you can easily find stats for Fred Doherty, a man born in 1887 from Norwood, ON, who played one game with the Montreal Canadiens during the 1918-19 season. The site even tracks his non-NHL stats back to the 1908-09 season with the Guelph Professionals of the OPHL. Of the 6,114 NHL players listed on the site, only 4,016 of them have ever registered eight or more points in their career. This means that in just one game, Sam Gagner surpassed the career point-total of 2,098 present and former NHL players.
Sam Gagner vs the 2007 Draft
Sam Gagner scored more points in his eight-point game alone than 80.1% of the 2007 NHL draft class has so far in their career.
Gretzky Thrilled for Gagner
Sportsnet Staff
Wayne Gretzky was happy to see Sam Gagner tie one of his many Edmonton Oilers records.
The Great One watched Gagner’s eight-point performance against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday and was thrilled to see the 22-year-old forward and Oilers fans enjoy a memorbable night.
“I was excited for him,” Gretzky told Doug MacLean and Nick Kypreos on HOCKEY CENTRAL @ Noon on Thursday. “That’s what the game is all about. It was wonderful for him obviously and great for the Oiler fans to see something so special. It was a great night for him. He made a couple really good shots and got a couple really great bounces off the boards… It was a really great night.”
Gretzky said he’s a fan of how Gagner plays the game and he was happy to see the Oilers forward garner some league-wide respect during what has been an up-and-down tenure for him in Edmonton.
“He always says the right things, never complains,” Gretzky explained. “He is always positive, upbeat, and puts team ahead of himself. He’s gone from the second to the fourth line. Always battles and gives 100 per cent effort…He slides out and blocks shots — just a good team player. You always want to see good people have success.”
Gretzky was most impressed that Gagner was able to accomplish the feat in this era of hockey, where the players are bigger and stronger and the goaltending is better across the National Hockey League.
“What he did last night was really special,” Gretzky said. “Playing against good tough competition. Against one of the best teams in hockey — not a 10-win team. He did it against a very good hockey club.”
Oilers’ Gagner still having trouble accepting his record-tying performance
The Canadian Press
EDMONTON – Sam Gagner was still having trouble Friday believing his name is in the Edmonton Oilers record book alongside the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey.
But Gagner moved himself into such lofty company after registering a club record-tying eight points in Edmonton’s 8-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
“It feels good,” Gagner said following the Oilers’ skate Friday morning. “You can’t really re-create a memory like that. I’m not sure if it’s even sunk in fully yet.
“Once the summer hits, it might. For myself, I’m trying to stay even-keeled as much as I can. It’s hard but we have games coming up. It seems like we play every other day. I’ve got to find a way to just kind of relax and get some sleep and get ready for the next one.”
Gagner had four goals and four assists to become just the 11th player in NHL history to register eight points in one game. Gretzky did it twice, against New Jersey in 1983 and Minnesota in 1984, while Coffey did so against Detroit in 1986.
Gretzky’s No. 99 and Coffey’s No. 7 hang in the rafters at Rexall Place and both players are in Hockey Hall of Fame. They also contacted Gagner to offer their congratulations and Gagner said he still hasn’t read all the text messages he received following his record-tying performance.
“I had 60 (messages) last night and another 50 when I got up this morning,” he told a large group of reporters. “It’s a lot of work texting everyone back, but it’s nice to see the support from everyone.
“I got a couple of really big ones, too. Wayne Gretzky texted me and Paul Coffey as well. To be mentioned in a record with those guys is a pretty special feeling and just really an honour . . . to get a text someone like that, who is the best player of all time, it’s something he didn’t have to do. To take time out of his day to do that, it was really special for me and it meant a lot.”
Mario Lemieux twice had eight points and was the last to do so before Gagner did. In fact, the 22-year-old Gagner wasn’t even born when Lemieux did it for the second time Dec. 31, 1988 against New Jersey.
“I think it speaks volumes to how crazy getting eight points in a game in today’s era is and how it just doesn’t happen,” linemate Taylor Hall said. “I’m not sure how many games have been played since then, but it’s got to be crazy and how about the number of games before that?
“It’s just an amazing stat and I’m grateful I was there to see it.”
Hawks 4 Oilers 8 – Gags bags EIGHT POINTS in transcendent performance
Bruce McCurdy
Edmonton Journal
#89 Sam Gagner, 10 – Funny thing, in the first period I thought he was off his game, it seemed like the puck was going through his stick at times. Some magic pixie dust must have fallen on that stick in the first intermission, cuz from there ’til the end of the game Sam could do no wrong (give or take that butt save, an unfortunate consequence of stirring things up in the crease area). Entering the game with just two points in nine games and no goals in his last eleven, Gagner erupted for an astonishing 4-4-8 over just 33:53 of game time, with a +6 for the cherry on top. Twice he scored by beating Corey Crawford to the open side of the net, he scored from outside and he scored from close range. Besides the four (!) goals he had three primary assists, two of those solo assists, so these weren’t exactly cheap points, ignoring for the moment the Dave Reece-quality netminding that allowed a few of them to find twine. He made a couple of wonderful long passes: a stretch pass to Hall on the far blueline that broke the young star for the 2-1 goal that started Oilers’ comeback, later a lovely soft dump up the boards that Hall was able to skate on to and eventually feed back to Gagner for the clinical snipe. It seemed like every time he touched the puck good things would happen. He was in on 11 scoring chances and 8 of them went into the net for goodness sake. He was also charged with 0 chances against, and even managed to to lead the Oilers with a credible 7/13=54% on the dot. So not technically perfect, I suppose, an impossible achievement for any “out player”, but a fabulous combination of both process and results deserving of the Cult of Hockey’s first ever grade of 10.
Sittler marvels over Gagner’s ‘magical’ night
Associated Press
Darryl Sittler knows exactly how Sam Gagner felt.
“Everything falls into place,” he said. “Every shot you take pretty well goes in or you make a pass and the guy completes it. It’s magical those types of nights. They don’t happen very often.”
Gagner finished with eight points _ four goals, four assists _ in Edmonton’s 8-4 victory over Chicago on Thursday night. The Oilers’ forward became just the 12th NHL player to total at least that many points in a game _ and the first since Mario Lemieux on Dec. 31, 1988.
Sittler, the former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, has held the NHL record since Feb. 7, 1976. His landmark game against Boston featured six goals and four assists. It remains an evening he still can’t explain.
“I would never have thought that in my wildest dreams that I would be the one to score 10 points in a game, but it happened,” Sittler told The Canadian Press on Friday. “I’m sure Gagner probably never thought he’d have eight.
Record night for Oilers’ Gagner
Terry Jones
Edmonton Sun
EDMONTON – It’s not every night when, after everybody has thrown all their hats on the ice, the guy scores again and somebody throws a shoe.
It’s not every night when a modern-day Edmonton Oiler ties a record previously shared by Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey, after breaking a mark which hasn’t been equalled since Jari Kurri did it back in 1988.
It’s not every night a player is named the first, second and third star.
Four goals. Four assists. Eight points.
Heck, the guy was even 54% in the faceoff circle.
Sam Gagner had his night of nights, his game of games to lead the Oilers to their first back-to-back wins since before the Grey Cup, a third win over Chicago and a two-game goal total of 17 against the Blackhawks at home in an 8-4 win.
Maybe that will finally take Sam Gagner’s name off the trade rumour list.
Gagner admits he was kind of thinking of something a little like that when he went out to take his skate in front of the fans chanting “Gagner! Gagner! Gagner!” for the three-star selection of Gagner, Gagner, Gagner.
“This year has been tough,” he said after the media mob had cleared and he started to peel his uniform off.
“There have been a lot of rumours. It’s hard to keep your mind focused. I’ve said it before. I want to stay here and be part of the future of this team,” said the Oilers first-round pick, sixth overall, of 2007.
“And I want to keep playing with him,” said Taylor Hall, who was moved to join Gagner and Jordan Eberle after the first period.
“I feel like a bit of a pigeon in the game with four points,” laughed Hall of what was a record points night for him. “I was really happy to be on the ice with him. It was a really cool moment.”
It was more than cool. It was a payoff.
“It just shows you how badly Sam wants to be part of what’s going on here,” said coach Tom Renney, making a point about the trade rumours.
“This is a guy who has fought for his teammates this year. He wants to provide leadership as well, and sometimes you have to suck it up and keep your mouth shut to lead. He has done that.”
People forget. The kid is only 22 years old.
Oilers Gagner still in spotlight
Terry Jones
Edmonton Sun
EDMONTON – More than anything, the town needed it.
Four games ago, before the players chose to save Tom Renney from spending the rest of the season coaching from the edge of a cliff, with three wins at home and a loser point in Vancouver, Edmonton fans were running out of patience. Oilers fans were having a difficult time focusing on the future.
But then they experienced Sam Gagner’s night of nights — four goals and four assists, for an Edmonton Oilers NHL record-equaling eight-points — and the future came back into focus.
“The town?” said coach Tom Renney. “Start with the team. The team really needed it.
“It could be as galvanizing a moment as we’ll have this year. This might be one of those moments where guys kind of bring it all together and look at it as something special and say ‘What else can we do?’ ”
Then he went there.
“This team is going to be special. No question. It’s got special people in it, kids who are deeply committed to where this can go,” said Renney.
There was more to Sam Gagner’s unforgettable moment than Sam Gagner. It was eight points but it kind of worked like eight pills.
Because of his night and an 8-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, the Oilers are back to where they were (minus the possibility of making the playoffs) when the team went 8-2-2 to start the season.
You can see the future again. Happy days aren’t here again. But happier days have returned.
Mark Messier in awe of Sam Gagner’s eight-point night for Oilers
By Daniel Nugent-Bowman
National Post
Mark Messier was two days too soon.
The Hall of Fame centre was at Rexall Place on Tuesday night watching his former team, the Edmonton Oilers, edge the Colorado Avalanche 3-2.
But he missed the historic night by one game.
Messier was in Saskatoon on Thursday preparing for a charity event on Friday. As a result, he wasn’t able to catch the live view of Oilers centre Sam Gagner tying a club record with eight points in a game during an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.
“We were being filled in as it was going on,” said Messier. “I couldn’t believe it. For this day and age, to score eight points with the calibre of the competition in the league is incredible.
“I finally got to see the highlights this morning and, as someone said, there weren’t any fluky goals in the bunch. They were tremendous highly-skilled plays. To tie Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey, it must have been an amazing night in Edmonton. I wish I was there.”
Sam Gagner on HNIC Radio
THE RIG 28 week ending January 15th
on January 14th, 2012 by Pulver Sports
Flames Honour Jokinen for Playing 1,000 Games
Al Charest/QMI Agency
Sergeev’s Silver (Larionov)
Artem Sergeev was honoured by the Foreurs prior to a game against the Quebec Remparts after returning from the World Juniors in Alberta.
Jan 9
JOG line still hot
John Down
Calgary Herald
The line of Iginla, Olli Jokinen and Curtis Glencross remains red-hot for the Flames.
Glencross scored his club-leading 17th goal and added an assist Saturday to boost his recent take to 14 points (nine goals) in the last 15 games. Iginla, with that 500th goal, now has nine goals among 21 points in the last 19 games, while Jokinen, with an assist, can point to 19 points (12 assists) in the last 19 games.
Top prospect Yakupov won’t require surgery (Larionov)
Mike G. Morreale
NHL.com
Nail Yakupov, considered by many to the be the top player available in the 2012 NHL Draft, will not require surgery after suffering a knee injury playing for the Russian National Junior Team in the gold-medal game of the 2012 World Junior Championship last week.
Yakupov underwent an MRI on Sunday to determine the extent of his injury. According to Mark Glavin, assistant general manager of the Sarnia Sting, surgery is not required.
“The MRI indicated no significant damage,” Glavin told NHL.com via email. “He will continue therapy both with Dr. John Vargo here in Sarnia and at the Fowler Clinic in London. His return is expected in three-to-four weeks.”
Yakupov, who won a silver medal for Russia at the WJC after producing 9 assists and a plus-4 rating in seven games, has 21 goals and 53 points in 26 games this season for the Sting of the Ontario Hockey League. His teammate in Sarnia, fellow Russian Alex Galchenyuk, is out for the season after undergoing ACL surgery. Galchenyuk is also considered to be a high first-round draft pick in June.
Yakupov is currently in his second OHL season. In 2010-11, the 5-foot-10 1/2, 189-pound right wing broke Steven Stamkos’ Sarnia records for a first-year player with 49 goals and 101 points.
Jan 10
Trio Grande! Flames have a top line
Randy Sportak
QMI Agency
Despite all the lack of success over the past few seasons when Iginla and Jokinen have been together, he decided to give it another shot.
The reasoning was to try kicking Iginla’s game into motion, alongside Jokinen and Glencross, who have been a strong duo since midway through last season.
The results have been what the Flames needed.
Over the past 22 games, Iginla has collected 10 goals and 23 points, while Jokinen has totalled seven goals and 20 points and Glencross has netted 10 goals and 17 points.
Could it be Iginla and Jokinen have finally become the combination the club expected when that big trade-deadline swap was made in the 2008-09 NHL season?
“I play different hockey than I played before — more selfless,” Jokinen said. “I have really good chemistry with Glennie — we’ve played over a year on the same line. With Iggy, he fits in.
“I don’t think this was the plan going into the season — that me, Glennie and Iggy would be a line — but it’s been good.”
Jokinen figures the fact he and his linemates have committed better defence is the difference.
“If you want to be a high-scoring line in this league, you’ve got to be a really good defensive line. The less time you spend in your end, the better chances you’ll have offensively,” Jokinen said. “I think Iggy’s changed his game, too. If you see the way he backchecks now — the little things — he plays a really good team game and has been effective.”
Varone with 5 goals, 11 points in last 10 games
Roy: Goalie of the Week, Again
STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, announced in conjunction with the ECHL that goaltender Olivier Roy has been named Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week for Jan. 2-8.
Roy, 20, earns his second award of the season and also received the weekly honor on Nov. 22. He was 2-0-0 with a shutout, a goals against average of 0.96 and a save percentage of .970 in two victories at Pacific Division rival Bakersfield last week.
Roy turned aside all 29 shots he faced in a 1-0 win at Bakersfield on Friday, tying the Thunder single-season record with his third shutout of the season. He followed up with a 35 save performance in regulation and overtime, and a 4-for-4 effort in the shootout, in a 3-2 win against the Condors on?Saturday.
Roy Reacts to Award
Greyhounds Pick Up Some Wolves
Gerry Liscumb Jr
local2 sault ste. marie
Soo Greyhounds GM Kyle Dubas announced a deal on Tuesday morning involving three players and pair of picks with the Sudbury Wolves.
In the deal the Hounds acquire 17-year old defenseman CODY MINTZ, 18-year old forward GREG JAMBROSICH and Sudbury’s 4th Round pick in 2014 in exchange for MICHAEL KANTOR and a conditional 15th Round pick in 2013.
…
“In the trade we got younger and added two players that we believe will be solid performers for our club now and moving forward.”
MINTZ, who was originally selected in the 4th Round of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection and has played in 26 games this year for Sudbury. The Bowmanville, ON product stands 5’9” while weighing 174 lbs.
One year ago Cody lead all 16 year old defensemen in scoring at the Ontario Jr. A level playing for the Cobourg Cougars. In 40 games he had 8 goals 19 assists (27 points) and 47 PIM’s.
“Cody is in his first full OHL season. He plays the game very hard and has great competitiveness. He adds to our compliment of young defenceman and we look forward to seeing Cody in a Soo Greyhounds uniform.”
Meanwhile JAMBROSICH is in his 3rd season in the OHL. The Stoney Creek, ON product has 2 goals and 5 assists in 33 games played this year. A former 6th Round pick of the Wolves, Jambrosich stands 6’1” while weighing 182 lbs.
“Greg plays the game with very good speed and adds depth at centre for us. Greg had 10 goals as a 17 year old in Sudbury and we see him as a solid penalty killer for our team. He will bring energy to our forward group.”
Jan 11
Tyler Seguin Shows Incredible Finishing Touch to Give Bruins Late Lead
NESN.com
Jokinen with two assists in Flames win
Injured Galchenyuk still considered top talent (Larionov)
Mike G. Morreale
NHL.com
Just because Sarnia Sting center Alexander Galchenyuk doesn’t have a number beside his name on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for North American skaters, it doesn’t mean he won’t be a top-five selection at the 2012 NHL Draft in Pittsburgh on June 22.
Galchenyuk had season-ending surgery Oct. 27 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and hasn’t played a single minute all season in the Ontario Hockey League. He suffered the injury in a preseason game against the Windsor Spitfires on Sept. 16.
“I’m just trying to support our guys from the sidelines, although I can’t describe how hard it is to watch,” Galchenyuk wrote in a recent blog for NHL.com. “I would much rather be out there with them, but at least I get to spend more time at the rink now. I guess sometimes life throws out these challenges for you and you start appreciating things a lot more after you don’t have them for a while. Right now I’m making the most of my situation and I’m hungrier than ever to get back out on the ice. I know that when I do go back that I will appreciate my time on the ice and being with my teammates even more.”
Playing alongside Nail Yakupov in Sarnia last season, Galchenyuk had 31 goals and 83 points in 68 games. It was enough to make believers out of any scout who had the opportunity to watch him.
“One element for Galchenyuk is the fact he played last year, and going into this season he was already recognized as one of the top prospects,” Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr, told NHL.com. “I think most of the teams are pretty comfortable in knowing the type of player they’ll be getting. Obviously you’d like to see him play during his draft year, but the scouts and general managers are going to be more concerned with how the surgery went, what type of surgery it was and how the recovery process is going along.”
There’s little doubt Galchenyuk will be in high demand at the NHL Scouting Combine in May.
Ouellet with 6 goals, 6 assists in last 6 games
Kerdiles ranked 27th on CSS mid-term North American list
Iafrate, Kontos ranked in Top 100 on CSS mid-term North American list
Windsor’s Devlin ranked on CSS mid-term North American list
Jan 12
Seguin named to All-Star Team
Douglas Flynn
NESN.com
Seguin makes his first All-Star appearance after participating last year as one of the rookie selections. He leads Boston with 17-21-38 totals and is a plus-33 in 38 games.
Russia’s Nail Yakupov named No. 1 prospect in midseason 2012 NHL draft rankings
Postmedia News
Heading the North American top 10 are a pair of Russian forwards who play in the Canadian Hockey League. Nail Yakupov of the Ontario Hockey League’s Sarnia Sting is rated to go first in the draft, while Mikhail Grigorenko of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Quebec Remparts sits second.
Yakupov is currently on the shelf with a knee injury suffered at the world junior tournament — he’ll be on the sidelines for another month.
“He’s a dynamic player who plays with offensive energy . . . he wants the puck and he loves to score,” NHL director of Central Scouting Dan Marr told NHL.com. “But what he’s learning now is how to play the game without the puck; he’s not an individual player and he has a pretty good sense of responsibility.”
After earning the CHL rookie of the year award in 2010-11, Yakupov has collected 21 goals and 53 points in 26 games for the Sting this year.
Gomez is Back
MacDermid to finish season with Attack
Jason Pirie
yourgbsports.com
The Owen Sound Greys have released defenceman Kurtis MacDermid to the Owen Sound Attack, enabling him to join the Ontario Hockey League club on a full-time basis.
A Sauble Beach, Ont. native, MacDermid, 17, had collected nine points (three goals, six assists) and 80 penalty minutes in 20 games as co-captain of the Greys this season.
The 6-3, 186-pound rearguard was originally drafted by the Attack in the seventh-round (139th overall) of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection. He has two assists and seven penalty minutes in nine games with the Attack this season.
“It was our goal at the beginning of the season to assist with his development and we are excited to see him earn a full-time opportunity with the Attack,” said Greys assistant GM Steve McIver. “We would like to thank Kurtis for his leadership and commitment to our organization over the past two seasons and wish him the best of luck and continued success.”
Greyhounds newcomers ready to go
Peter Ruicci
The Sault Star
When he donned the Soo Greyhounds red and white jersey Wednesday, in order to have his official team picture taken, Greg Jambrosich saw it as an omen of sorts.
The 18-year-old native of Stoney Creek, Ont., one of two players who joined the Hounds in a Tuesday trade with the Sudbury Wolves, had worn those colours previously.
During his days in minor hockey, the St. Catharines Falcons also wore red and white.
“That brought back good memories,” said Jambrosich, part of a deal that sent veteran Hounds winger Michael Kantor to the Wolves.
Jambrosich, a centre, 17-year-old defenceman Cody Mintz and a fourth-round draft choice in 2014 were acquired for the 19-year-old Kantor and a conditional 15th-round selection in 2013.
The deal was completed just prior to Tuesday’s 12 noon Ontario Hockey League trade deadline.
“It was a little bit of a surprise,” Jambrosich said of the transaction. “They (the Wolves) didn’t call me until 12:05 to tell me I’d been traded. When the deadline passed, I thought I’d be staying.”
Instead, Jambrosich joins a Greyhounds team that was looking to add more youth to a lineup heavy with veterans.
“I’m excited. The Wolves and the Hounds both told me this would be a great opportunity for me,” said Jambrosich, a third-year player taken by the Wolves in the sixth round of the 2009 OHL draft.
After scoring 10 goals and assisting on seven others during the 2010-2011 campaign, Jambrosich, known as an excellent skater, had managed just two goals and five assists in 33 games this season.
Part of the problem, said the six-foot-one, 182-pounder, is he hasn’t been shooting enough.
And while confidence in his ability to contribute some goals has never been a problem, Jambrosich, who’s been known more as a defensive specialist, believes he’ll be even more confident playing for the Greyhounds.
“The coach (Mike Stapleton) and GM (Kyle Dubas) have told me they have plans for me and that’s boosted my confidence,” he said. “I’d like to show more offensively. Penalty-killing is a big part of my game and I hope to give the team more depth at centre.”
Galchenyuk hits major milestone in recovery
Alex Galchenyuk
NHL.com
Hey everybody. Hope all of you had a good time over the holidays.
I have some exciting news this month — I went out on the ice! It was Dec. 19th, and it only was for about 10 minutes, but it still felt great. It made me feel like I am getting closer and closer to recovery.
The second time was Dec. 31, and of course the second time around I felt more comfortable on the ice. I was still taking it very easy, but I went out there and took a few good shots. I guess all my upper-body workouts are paying off. So that was a very exciting way for me to start the New Year.
Therapy in London is going well. I can do mostly everything now, and we decided to reduce it to two times a week. I’m visiting Dr. Vargo’s office daily for additional physiotherapy and massages. I’ve started swimming and I’m doing squats and lunges. My legs are getting bigger and stronger and I still focus on my upper body and core, too. Also, daily cardio is in my routine now, so I can get in shape faster. If in the beginning it was mostly therapy and a little workout, now I’ve started working out almost at full strength. My doctor says that hopefully closer to the end of this month I will officially be allowed to skate. I’m pretty pumped about that.
Christmas and New Year’s was fun with my family, but I didn’t really take any time off during the holidays this year. I don’t want to lose any time. Our family also celebrated Russian Christmas which is Jan. 6-7.
I watched most of the World Junior Championship. It was a very intense competition and a lot of exciting games. Although I enjoyed watching, I admit I wasn’t that crazy over it because it’s hard to just watch and not be able to participate. I’m very happy for my buddies from Team Russia, “Jambo” (Nail Yakupov) and “Dino” (Artem Sergeev) for winning the silver medal. Also for Filip Forsberg and Sebastian Collberg from Team Sweden. I had a chance to play with both of them on one line when we played for Europe Selects and both are great players. I’m especially happy for Ludvig Rensfeldt, my teammate from Sarnia, for winning the gold. It was a great level of hockey.
Jan 13
Cammalleri bubbling with excitement
Eric Francis
Calgary Sun
CALGARY – It wasn’t all that long ago that the Calgary Flames were faced with having to decide whether to keep Mike Cammalleri or Olli Jokinen.
Now, they have both.
Question is, who gets to wear the No. 13 Jokinen grabbed upon his own shocking return?
“I’ve got to talk to him (Friday),” laughed Cammalleri, his voice bubbling with excitement from the Boston hotel where he was cabbed to after being pulled from last night’s Habs game and told he’d been traded.
“I don’t know if he’ll give me 13. He’s playing great hockey. I’ve really never worn anything else. Man, I’m not worried about it. I’m just so excited … I can’t wait to get there.”
The numbers game is also what prompted a move as the Canadiens cleared cap space by moving Cammalleri’s US$6-million hit for the next two years for Rene Bourque ($3.33 million for four more years) as part of the shocking swap that also included non-NHL players and picks.
Jay Feaster’s announcement was played lived on the Jumbotron during the first intermission, prompting a loud cheer from fans who adored the pint-sized sniper when he was here in 2008-09.
Both clubs move players in need of a change of scenery and a key part of the deal is the fact Cammalleri never hid the fact he never wanted to leave here in the first place.
“I would have loved to stay if it had worked out that way,” said Cammalleri, whose 39-goal season in Calgary priced him out of a team that already had cap issues.
“The writing was on the wall in terms of having to move. It was a decision they made at the time. It was amicable. We kept in touch. Darryl said what he had with cap room but said that was all he could do. There wasn’t even much of a discussion.”
There’s been plenty of talk since as the chatty Cammalleri has endless connections with many current Flames.
“I spend summers with (Mark) Giordano, (Tom) Kostopoulos and I have been friends for 10 years, (Brendan) Morrison and I got to alumni weekend in Michigan, Jarome (Iginla) and I keep in touch all the time, (Jay) Bouwmeester and I roomed together at the world juniors,” rambled the media darling.
“Getting traded is always weird because there’s emotions involved. When I found out I was traded, they didn’t tell me where, but I was really excited to find out it was Calgary. I have such fond memories of my time there.”
Cammalleri will have little time to adjust before being thrown into Flames’ fire
Darren Haynes
The Canadian Press
“I had such a great experience here my last time here. There’s so many familiar people for me in this locker-room,” he said. “I know where the team stands right now. It’s an exciting thing to be a part of to be three points out of a playoff spot right here and coming in for a big push here on this end of the season. It’s exciting for me, so it means a lot to be back.
“I would have liked to stay the first time around. The experience was great and I thought we had a pretty good team at the time. It was exciting then too.”
Cammalleri will be looked upon to inject some scoring into an offince that ranks in the bottom third in the league.
“One of the main reasons I was brought here is to produce offensively,” he said. “That’s something I’ll look to provide for sure.
“I would imagine I’ll be pretty excited. It’ll be fun for me to get out there. I’ll probably go out there really anxious and excited and be exhausted after 10 seconds and make it a quick short one.”
Cammalleri’s presence will give the Flames an emotional boost against the Kings, and it comes after they got some good news Thursday with the return of steady defenceman Mark Giordano, who had missed 21 games with a hamstring injury.
“I know Cammy personally. I played with him before and know him from back home. The guy works exceptionally hard off ice and on ice and we all know what kind of damage he can do around the net with the puck,” Giordano said. “Any time you see guys like that who take a lot of pride in off-ice stuff and commitment in the gym and carry it over onto the ice.
“Cammy, he’s a very confident player and that rubs off on guys.”
Cammalleri will be wearing jersey No. 93, a departure from his No. 13, currently worn by Jokinen. With Jokinen wearing No. 21, the two were teammates for the latter part of the 2009 season after Jokinen was acquired in a trade with Phoenix.
“I didn’t have a lot of options. There’s a lot of numbers taken,” said the native of Richmond Hill, Ont. “Pretty simply put, I thought of Dougie Gilmour. He played here. I know he was wearing No. 39. I grew up in Toronto as a kid watching him play for the Leafs with 93. That was one of the kind of five numbers that was sent in a text message to me with kind of some options. I said sure.”
All-Star nod a sign of Tyler Seguin’s improvement
Lenny Neslin
Boston Globe
Before the Bruins edged the Canadiens at TD Garden last night, Zdeno Chara and Tyler Seguin joined Tim Thomas and the Bruins coaching staff as selections for the All-Star Game at the end of the month.
Chara and coach Claude Julien were happy with Seguin’s improvement and selection.
“It’s an honor for him and anybody who is selected,” Chara said. “There’s a lot of top players from different teams in the league all get together and hopefully he’ll learn from them and carry it with him. He’s come a long way from last year.”
Seguin already has nearly doubled last season’s point output in about half the games, as he had 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) last year while this season he has 38 points (17, 21). Seguin, 19, participated in the skills contest last year but did not make the team.
“It’s a great experience for him,” Julien said. “Last year was even more so because he wasn’t in the lineup every night. This year he goes back again with a bit more confidence because he’s accomplishing more.”
Game Day: David Savard
Leivo still clicking with linemates
Ben Leeson
The Sudbury Star
There was nary a beaker or a test tube to be found.
But there was no shortage of chemistry at Sudbury Community Arena on Sunday, when Josh Leivo reunited with Michael Sgarbossa and Andrey Kuchin on the Sudbury Wolves’ top line.
The trio, which had run rampant in last year’s playoffs, combined for nine points — a goal and two assists each — in a 7-2 win over the Windsor Spitfires.
It was Leivo’s second night on the big line, after the rightwinger spent much of the first half of the season skating alongside captain Michael MacDonald and Kristoff Kontos. But after Kontos was traded to the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors last week, newcomer Derek Schoenmakers took the second-line spot and Leivo was reunited with Sgarbossa and Kuchin.
“To be honest, I didn’t know if it was still there, after the first game against London, because we had some big chances and we couldn’t bury it,” said Leivo, an 18year-old native of Innisfil, Ont. “But against Windsor, we showed what we could do and we were able to provide some offence for the team.”
Leivo’s goal Sunday was his sixth in six games, giving the second-year OHLer career highs of 17 goals and 17 assists in 35 starts.
Last year, he scored 13 goals and assisted on 17 others in 64 games, helping convince the Toronto Maple Leafs to make him their third-round selection, 86th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
“Josh Leivo always seems to have one, two or three qualities chances every night,” Wolves head coach Trent Cull said. “And with Derek coming in, we toyed with the lineup a bit. That’s not to say that Brody Silk wasn’t doing a good job with Kuch and Sgarby. He was doing a great job. But with Derek coming in, we thought we’d try something different and put Josh back with those guys. And it worked out pretty well against Windsor.
“Josh definitely has the skill to match those guys. But, of course, we always want to make sure the work is still there, because when Josh is working, he’s pretty effective.”
Agozzino scores team leading 22nd goal
Jan 14
GTHL Top Prospect Ho-Sang Still Turning Heads
jrhockeyrecruit.com
Allstate All-Canadians — The Experience from NHLPA on Vimeo.
It’s no secret that Thornhill, Ontario’s Josh Ho-Sang plans to play in the OHL next season and he will undoubtably be drafted in the first round of the OHL Entry Draft.
He was one of the strongest personality (check out his goal at the 7:23 mark above) in the short film produced by the NHLPA this past summer for the Allstate All-Canadians Camp in Toronto, a mentoring event that included forty-two 15-year-old hockey players from across the country.
Ho-Sang is now one of the most sought after young hockey players in the country. While he’s currently playing for the Marlies in the GTHL, some OHL scouts claim he should have been granted exceptional player status and suited up to play as a 15-year-old in the OHL. Aside from 15-year-old Aaron Ekblad, the 6’3 200 lbs. defenceman who joined the OHL earlier this season, the last player to be granted exceptional player status was John Tavares in 2005. That is, exceptional player status isn’t handed out very often by the 7 member panel of Hockey Canada.
This week, Ho-Sang took a break from his regular play with the Marlies and joined Wendel Clark’s team in the Scotiabank Top-Prospects (click for photos). The game was broadcast on Rogers TV and will air again on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 8:00 pm.
Kudos for Oilers Gagner
Derek Van Diest
Edmonton Oilers
EDMONTON – Sam Gagner was the only member of the Edmonton Oilers to put up a fight Friday night and he had the wounds to prove it.
Unfortunately for the Oilers forward, the beating he took from Anaheim Ducks defenceman Francois Beauchemin did little to inspire his team in a lackluster 5-0 loss.
Gagner challenged Beauchemin to a fight after he had taken a run at Oilers winger Taylor Hall in the second period.
“It happens a lot with Hallsy, guys take some liberties,” said Gagner. “It was just kind of a situation where I was there and I hit him. There was nothing going on in the play and I felt like the opportunity was there. But he throws lefts and it’s not something I was aware of, yet I don’t think that would have made me change what I did.”
Gagner paid a price in the fight, although it appeared Beauchemin let up after landing a number of lefts to his opponent’s face, opening up a small cut on the bridge of his nose.
“I’m not really a guy who studies fights or anything,” Gagner said. “I don’t know which way guys throw or how tough they are. That’s just way it goes sometimes, but I’m no worse for wear, so it’s no big deal.”
To his credit, Gagner hung in with Beauchemin, who is as tough as they come, and did not go down.
Apparently, the Ducks six-foot, 207-pound blue-liner, knowing it was a mismatch, gave the Oilers centre a chance to opt out of the confrontation prior to the fight, which was declined.
“That just shows the character that he has,” said Oilers winger Ryan Jones. “If somebody is going to take a run at Hallsy, that’s big on Gags for stepping up and throwing some punches.”
Gomez speak to media after practice
Andreoff Scores OT Winner for Oshawa
Goodrow scores third period tying goal
D’Agostini stops 27 shots in win
Clendening goal sparks BU Rally
Jambrosich, Mintz post points in first game as Greyhounds
Nazarian gets two assists in win
Jan 15
more..THE RIG 28 week ending January 8th
on January 14th, 2012 by Pulver Sports
Jan 2
Rupert, Welychka find chemistry
Ryan Pyette
London Free Press
SARNIA – Brett Welychka can’t see inside Ryan Rupert’s head.
“I don’t have twin telepathy or whatever they call it like Matt does,” the London Knights forward said. But the speedy 17-year-old should still at least be granted honorary Rupert status.
With Matt Rupert still out and likely to return from a shoulder injury this week, Welychka ushered in the new year by teaming with Ryan Rupert to account for all three goals in a shutout victory over the struggling Sarnia Sting before 4,546 Sunday afternoon at the RBC Centre. Welychka struck twice, just like he did Friday night, to sink the Sting, who have lost five straight.
The Londoner had just one goal this season coming into the weekend. “Ryan and I have been able to find some good chemistry (on a line with Dane Fox),” Welychka said.
“We’re missing some guys, including Matt, and I’m getting some more minutes. That’s my personality to try to step up and do more. “It shows our depth. We worked hard for every puck.”
He has also helped one Rupert put to rest a familiar complaint the Knights twins play much better together than they do apart or when one of them is out of action. They aren’t fans of Vancouver’s Sedin twins, who have almost always played on the same line during their careers.
“I’ve heard that before and I just try to ignore the people who say that,” rough-and-tumble Ryan Rupert said. “Last year, I got called up and Matt stayed in junior B for a while and I proved I could play at this level. “We haven’t always been on the same line. I hope the last few games show we can play well without each other. He (Welychka) plays similar to me and I think that’s helped us.”
After drilling the opening goal past Sarnia goalie Brandon Maxwell, Rupert sent Welychka to the races on a short-handed break to open an early two-goal lead. Then he outmuscled six-foot-three Sting defenceman Connor Murphy to set up another Welychka marker in the opening minute of the third.
This, like the Hunters, feels like a home game for Rupert, who grew up in Grand Bend and played competitive minor hockey for the Lambton Junior Sting.
Thomas scores GWG for Generals
Jan 3
Ex-Wing Larionov watches under-17 prospects
Joel Boyce
Windsor Star
Three-time Stanley Cup champion Igor Larionov was in Windsor the past week to watch the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
He wasn’t here as a spectator but as an agent. The former Detroit Red Wings represents more than a dozen professional hockey players, including ex-Spit Andrei Loktionov of the Los Angeles Kings.
“I came to watch a couple of young players,” Larionov said. “One of them is Sergei Tolchinskiy.”
Tolchinskiy is a five-foot-seven, 150-pound centre and assistant captain for Team Russia.
Larionov said he wants to see how he takes to the smaller rinks, with the thought of bringing him to the CHL in the near future.
Tolchinskiy made a big impact by scoring a highlight reel goal in the first minute of the international tournament.
“I love his attitude and approach to the game,” Larionov said.
“He plays very smart hockey and gives it all in every shift. He’s not a big guy but he has a big heart.”
Presently working from Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Windsor is a convenient drive for Larionov.
“So far it’s been good,” Larionov said.
“It’s nice to see young talent from all across the world. It’s good for everybody to prepare themselves with what to expect and what’s the next step to get better.”
The Hockey Hall of Famer was watching a few other players to possibly represent. Russia defender Denis Alexandrov and forward Pavel Buchnevich, as well as an unnamed Czech Republic player.
“I had to watch a few games to watch these guys to see how they compete, since those guys will be my interest for the next 20 years if so,” he said.
Larionov is also representing Sarnia Sting forwards Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk and Erie Otters goaltender Ramis Sadikov.
As well, Val-d’Or, Foreurs defenceman Artem Sergeev of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and other players in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Though, not only is he an agent, Larionov is the co-owner of the Triple Overtime Wine Company, which exports Australian and Californian wines to Russia, Switzerland and small parts of Michigan.
Jokinen picks up assist in 100th game
Kontos scores 11th goal, career high
Jan 4
Boston Bruins winger Tyler Seguin adding a new dimension to his game
Mike Loftus Patroit Ledger WILMINGTON —Nobody will ever accuse Tyler Seguin of being a bully.
Then again, he doesn’t want people thinking he’s a baby.
The 19-year-old winger, who leads the Bruins with 32 points entering Game 36 of the season tonight at New Jersey, moved into a first-place tie with linemate Brad Marchand when he scored his 15th goal on New Year’s Eve at Dallas. A few minutes later, he nearly gave the B’s a 2-1 lead, but his bid for goal No. 16 hit the post. Boston’s scoring chances were the product of Seguin’s willingness to take and give contact. He scored from directly in front of the net, tipping in David Krejci’s shot while being cross-checked in the back. The post shot came after he bumped Stars forward Mike Ribeiro hard enough to create a loose puck, which Marchand fed to Seguin for a point-blank shot.
“It’s part of his game he wants to improve on – going to those dirty areas, if he wants to score more goals,” Coach Claude Julien said of Seguin, who has two goals and six points in his last five games after going 1-2–3 in the previous nine. “To be a bigger factor, he’s got to do that, and he’s willing to do it.”
Gagner with goal and assist against Sabres
Gomez returns to practice with Habs
Irwin named to AHL All-Star Team
Kevin Kurz
CSNBayArea.com
Matt Irwin and Tyson Sexsmith will represent the Worcester Sharks in the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic in Atlantic City on Jan. 29-30.
Irwin, a defenseman, has seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points and 12 penalty minutes in 27 games. He was recalled by the Sharks in December, but did not appear in a game.
Varone extends point streak to five games
Spitfires captain Robertson traded to Sarnia
Jim Parker
Windsor Star
WINDSOR, Ont. — Defenceman Adrian Robertson had been hearing the rumours for weeks and Wednesday it became a reality.
The Windsor Spitfires traded Robertson, who was the team’s captain, to the Sarnia Sting. In exchange, the Sting sent Windsor a third-round pick in 2012, which had been acquired in an earlier trade from Sault Ste. Marie, along with the Sting’s second-round pick in 2016 and 2017.
“The past couple of days things have heated up and I’ve gotten messages from different people asking if I had been traded,” Robertson said as he left the Windsor dressing room for the last time. “I hadn’t heard anything, so I just said, ‘No.’”
But the 20-year-old Robertson, who is in his overage season, knows the deal makes sense for a young Windsor team looking to the future.
“Absolutely, it makes sense for Windsor,” said Robertson, who is second in the Ontario Hockey League in scoring for defenceman with nine goals and 33 points in 39 games. “I’m not here next year and this helps them going forward.”
But as captain of the team, the six-foot-two, 210-pound Robertson was happy to be leading a young Windsor club building to the future and looking to scramble for a playoff spot in a tough Western Conference.
“Everyone believed we could make it and I didn’t want to be one of those people to take the easy way out,” Robertson said of being traded. “I would have been completely happy here.”
But the Sting, who picked up veteran defenceman Craig Duininck and overager Taylor Carnevale earlier in the season, are looking to make a long run in the playoffs, which should provide Robertson more exposure in his quest to sign a pro contract. Ironically, it was season-ending shoulder surgery for Carnevale that opened an overage spot in Sarnia for Robertson.
“This should give him the opportunity for a long playoff run this season,” Spitfires general manager Warren Rychel said. “Adrian was a class act on and off the ice.
“He represented himself and the team very professionally. I’d like to thank him for everything he’s done for the Spitfires’ organization.”
Yakupov with four assists in semi-final win over Canada
Clendening Scores in Team USA Win
Ouellet Update
Matthew Wuest
RedWingsCentral.com
Defenseman Xavier Ouellet (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL) is on fire lately, having piled up five goals and an assist in his past three games and 11 points in his past nine contests. His 12 goals n 35 games are second in the QMJHL to Buffalo Sabres free-agent signing Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, who has 20 goals in 36 games
Jan 5
Yakupov Post-game interview (Larionov)
Jokinen named NHLPA player of the week
NHLPA.com
Hockey players are a highly conditioned group of athletes. One thing they learn to do at a very young age is to take their careers “one game at a time.” This is something that helps them stay focused and grounded after wins and losses, as well as keeps their routine of preparation as consistent as possible.
For Olli Jokinen, this “one game at a time” routine recently took him over the threshold of an impressive milestone: the 1,000-games-played plateau. This is a major milestone for the dynamic Finnish-born player, something he will undoubtedly look back on with pride once he completes his career.
The NHL is the best hockey league in the world, and there are hundreds of players who suit up but never have the chance to reach a milestone such as the one Jokinen just achieved. This adds to an already-impressive career accomplishment list that includes success both in the NHL and on the international stage.
Jokinen has been key in helping the Calgary Flames right the ship after a slow start in 2011-12. His chemistry with Jarome Iginla has been quite evident, especially recently, as the Flames have positioned themselves for a push in the second half of the season in the tough Western Conference. With Jokinen returning to form, notching timely points and continuing to take it “one game at a time,” the Flames are definitely a team to watch in the 2012.
• Jokinen became the 268th player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-games-played milestone.
• Jokinen has returned to the offensive production he is known for, leading the Flames in scoring to date with 32 points.
• Jokinen is a decorated and veteran member of the Finnish international team, capturing medals at the junior and men’s levels.
Cammalleri post-game interview
AHL: Worcester Sharks Tyson Sexsmith, Matt Irwin are All-Stars
Bill Ballou
Telegram.com
Irwin’s selection makes it two straight years a former UMass defenseman has been one of the Sharks’ all-star selections. College teammate Justin Braun made it last season. In just 1 1/2 AHL seasons, Irwin has scored 17 goals, and only two other Worcester defensemen, Derek Joslin and Patrick Traverse, have more career goals on defense.
The quality of Irwin’s goals is even more impressive than the quantity. Of those 17, 12 have put the Sharks ahead or tied the score, and 11 of them have come in the third period or overtime.
Hard to believe, then, that when he was a rookie last year, Irwin was a healthy scratch in seven of Worcester’s first 17 games.
“All I ever wanted,” he said, “is the same that any hockey player wants, I think, and that’s the opportunity to play and show what you can do.”
In their first five years here, the Sharks had nine players named to an All-Star Classic roster. All nine played in the NHL either before or after their selections. Neither Irwin nor Sexsmith has NHL experience yet, though Irwin has come close. He was called up last year and has been called up already this season, but didn’t get into a game either time.
“First time,” he remembered, “I didn’t get out of the airport. This time, I got out of the airport and made it to the rink. So next time, that should mean I get into a game. Either way, just being up to get a taste of what it’s like was a great experience.”
Records show that almost everybody who is an AHL All-Star plays in the NHL, so Irwin’s taste of the big leagues is almost certain to lead to a bigger bite of the show.
Kontos traded to Mississauga
Ben Leeson
The Sudbury Star
It’s also a draft year for Kontos, one of the Wolves’ best offensive players, with 12 goals and 13 assists in 35 starts.
“You never want to see a good person and a good hockey player leave your organization,” Smith said. “But, unfortunately, when you want to acquire a good player you have to give up something of significance. Kristoff is really starting to show that offensive skill that he has and he has really represented the team and the city well and we wish him all the best.”
Kontos is excited about the prospect of increased ice time in Mississauga, a team which also dealt veteran forward Joseph Cramarossa to the Belleville Bulls on Thursday.
“They told me they’re looking for a top-end centre to play on their top two lines,” Kontos said. “I’m looking forward to that, for sure.”
But he’ll look back fondly on his time in the Nickel City.
“I was here two years and a built some great relationships with some of the guys on this team,” Kontos said. “I was always treated well here. This is a great organization, 10 out of 10, for sure, so that makes this a little hard to swallow. It’s bittersweet.”
Playing for Mississauga, a team which has had Sudbury’s number the last few seasons, will be a little surreal for the 6-foot-2, 205-pound native of Penetang, Ont.
“I have been at that rink many times and we used to say there was a curse there, that we would not play well or get beat,” Kontos said. “But now I’m excited to play there. It’s a good organization and I look forward joining it.”
10 world junior players who stood out (Larionov)
Daniel Girard
Toronto Star
• Nail Yakupov — The 18-year-old Russian forward, who plays for the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, came into the tournament widely regarded as the top prospect ahead of the June NHL entry draft. He’s not disappointed. Showcasing the high-end skill that sees him compared to fellow countryman and former superstar Pavel Bure, Yakupov dazzled with speed and playmaking, particularly in four-assist effort in semifinal win over Canada.
Former Lewiston resident Clendening gets assist for U.S.
Belowthefalls.com
It wasn’t exactly the finish he wanted, but former Lewiston and Wheatfield resident Adam Clendening finished off the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in style.
Clendening had an assist on the game’s winning goal to help the U.S. National Junior Team defeat Switzerland, 2-1.
Kevin Gravel collected a pass from Clendening, who plays at Boston University, and fired a slap shot at 16:15 that proved to be the game-winning goal.
Jack Campbell made 21 saves, including 16 in the final two periods, as Team USA finished the tournament in seventh place with a 3-0-0-3 (W-OTW-OTL-L) overall record.
“You always want to win your last game of any tournament and we did just that,” said Dean Blais, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. “I’m proud of our guys for giving their all to the end.”
Russia conjures some old magic at world juniors
George Johnson
National Post
CALGARY — They were, both back in their day and for always, a singular three-sided wonder to behold.
As tight, as together on and off the beat, as the piano, double bass and drums of a superb jazz trio. The rink was their recording studio — big occasions, top-step-podium games, their jam sessions.
Krutov-Larionov-Makarov.
The legendary KLM Line.
And count Igor Larionov a big fan of the way coach Valeri Bragin has structured this Russian team at the IIHF world junior championship gunning for gold on Thursday night, the direction he has them pointed.
To enthrall. To enrich. To entertain.
“I like it very much, the way they play,” critiques the former Detroit Red Wings star, long renowned a saavy, cerebral analyst of the sport.
“When you watch them the whole tournament — and I’ve watched a lot of games . . . they’ve brought back a fast, exciting game to Russian hockey. Even that game against Latvia, when they showed that kind of skill, that’s how we played on the KLM line.
“One-touch passes, skating through the neutral zone, slowing down the game a little bit. All different aspects.
“That’s what I thought. This is like the greatest hockey.
“It brings back memories of when I played.
“It shows this game can still take people off the seats.”
Larionov, in his guise as player agent, sits in the small, semi-circular stands overlooking Rink 3 at Winsport Arenas on the eve of Thursday’s gold medal game between Russia and Sweden. He’s watching two of his clients, the projected No. 1 pick in this year’s NHL entry draft Nail Yakupov and defenceman Artyom Sergeyev, prepare for the most nerve-jangling night of their young lives.
Tolchinski has blast in final (Larionov)
Bob Duff
Windsor Star
WINDSOR, Ont. — His smile beaming, a world championship gold medal dangling from his neck, Russia’s Sergei Tolchinski still struggled to express his emotional state.
“I don’t have some words,” he said after scoring a hat trick to lead Russia to a 7-4 win over the United States in Wednesday’s gold-medal game of the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge at the WFCU Centre.
The Russians, and just about everyone who was involved with the week-long event came armed with plenty of descriptives regarding the quality of performance turned in by Windsor as a first-time host city to the event.
“We’re really pleased with everything,” said Jeff Beck, Hockey Canada’s manager of marketing services and events. “The host committee did a great job, the volunteers have been outstanding.
“It’s a great hockey community.”
With an overall tournament attendance of 33,145, you couldn’t find someone with a bad word to say about Windsor.
“It was the best time,” said Tolchinski, who was lobbying to make this his new home.
“I really like Windsor. I would be very glad if I were to get invited to play for the local team in the OHL.”
Rupert’s revenge tops Soo
Ryan Pyette
London Free Press
“I showed them (the Hounds and their fans) I can score goals, too,” the 17-year-old Grand Bend native said. “It’s not just about a slash. We expected (a hostile environment). I thought it would be worse than it was.”
The game featured 32 minutes in penalties, but this time around, no fighting or suspensions.
Cousins finished the game pointless and was a minus-2. Rupert silenced the Soo crowd by scoring 5:32 into the game – the only goal in an opening period during which the Knights recorded a mere two shots.
“We ended up with six goals and we worked hard for every one of them,” Rupert said.
Rupert teamed up on the play with Vladislav Namestnikov, who had four assists in his first game back from a pelvis injury that cost him a spot on the Russian world junior team.
“Vladdy gave Ryan a nice pass and you always want to get off to a good start and score first on the road,” Seth Griffith said. “That got us going. The Soo’s a tough team and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
“We’re missing a lot of guys and the defence really stepped up for us.”
Leivo with two goals, Jambrosich with two assists
Oligny with two assists in win
Bradley to play in USHL Top Prospects Game
Nikandrov chosen as alternate for Top Prospects Game
Jan 6
Seguin speaks after 9-0 win
Robertson named top OHL defenceman for December
Sting teammate Adrian Robertson was named the OHL defenceman of the month. He led all OHL blue-liners in scoring with two goals and nine assists.
Yakupov, Sergeev win Silver with Russia
Jan 7
Thiessen recovers to boost Penguins
Tom Venesky
TimesLeader.com
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — After losing his last three starts and giving up 14 goals in the process, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Brad Thiessen made a play that would’ve doomed most netminders.
It occurred during a Penguins power play in the third period of Friday’s 4-3 win against the Rochester Americans. With the game tied 2-2, Thiessen had the puck stripped from him as he tried to play it in the corner. Rochester scored a shorthanded goal to go up 3-2, but amazingly Thiessen wasn’t rattled.
“Maybe it was a good test for me,” he said.
Thiessen came up big later in the night when he stopped Rochester’s Mark Voakes in the eighth round of a shootout to give the Penguins the victory.
The win improves the Penguins to 19-11-1-4 and provides a much-needed confidence boost after Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to Norfolk.
Olivier Roy’s shutout ties Stockton Thunder franchise record
Mike Weaver
Stockton Hockey Examiner
Stockton Thunder goalie Olivier Roy matched a team record Friday night (Jan. 6) by posting his third shutout of the season.
Roy stopped all 29 shots he faced and made a single goal by Jordan Fulton hold up for a 1-0 victory over the Bakersfield Condors in front of 5,120 spectators at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, CA. The teams will meet again at the same location on Saturday night (Jan. 7).
Roy’s performance allowed him to tie the club record for shutouts in a season, matching the mark previously set by Tim Boron during the 2007-’08 season and repeated by Andrew Perugini during the 2009-’10 season.
“We got one goal and he made it stand up,” Thunder Coach Matt Thomas said by telephone after the game. “We needed a big game from him and he delivered it.”
The victory was the second in a row for Roy and the Thunder, and allowed the team to start a five-game road trip on a positive note.
Roy post-game interview
Andreoff, Thomas with three points each in win
Agozzino with goal, assist and shootout winner
Goodrow scores both Brampton goals
Rupert and Rupert score in London win
Jan 8
Jokinen sets up Iginla for 500th career goal
Varone’s Goals Help Amerks to Win
(Rochester, NY)… Rochester Americans rookie forward Phil Varone scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, and David Leggio made a season-high 44 saves to power the Amerks to a 3-2 win over the defending Calder Cup champion Binghamton Senators tonight at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. The win improves Rochester (15-13-4-2) to 3-1-0-0 this season against the B-Sens as it has now collected points in six of its last seven games.
The two-goal effort was the first multi-goal game for Varone, who also extended his point streak to six games.
Roy perfect in shootout to lead Stockton to win
Thomas with goal and assist in win
more..THE RIG 28 week ending January 1st
on January 14th, 2012 by Pulver Sports
Dec 26
Flames recall past World Juniors
Steve MacFarlane
Calgary Sun
CALGARY – Olli Jokinen knows what it’s like to win the world junior hockey championship on home soil.
But over in Finland, it might not have been quite the same as it would be for the Canadian kids playing in front of their fervent fans in Edmonton and Calgary over the next couple of weeks.
“The building was full — that’s very unusual over there in the junior stage,” the Flames centre said of the 1998 world juniors in Helsinki and Hameenlinna. “I remember we played against Canada Dec. 25, and there was maybe 5,000-6,000 people in the first period. People were watching the game on TV and saw there was a lot of empty seats.
“By the end of the second period, the building was full.”
By the end of the game, Finland had filled the Canadians’ stockings with coal. Losing to the hosts in the first game of the tournament started Team Canada towards a shocking eighth-place finish in the annual event.
“Nobody was expecting us to win. We kind of took off after that — we didn’t lose a game,” recalled Jokinen, who was named top forward at the tournament. “We ended up beating Russia in overtime (on a goal from former Flames forward Niklas Hagman) in front of the home crowd.
“It was a good experience.”
Clendening on point for Team USA
Ryan Nagelhout
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS — Twelve months after getting cut for the first time in his life, things are different for Adam Clendening.
First, the Wheatfield native finished a strong freshman season on the blueline at Boston University, raising his draft stock and getting snagged by the Chicago Blackhawks early in the second round (36th overall).
He shined in the Team USA Under-20 camp this summer and, a year after being one of the final cuts from the World Junior Championship roster, Clendening will be one of Team USA’s biggest assets on the point in Alberta over the next two weeks.
“It felt different this time,” Clendening said. “I think it’s just the right time. I’m just kind of maturing as a player and as my career goes on. I think everything is just starting to fall into place now.”
Clendening has certainly kicked his game up a notch after watching the World Juniors unfold without him in Buffalo last year. Another year of slick assists and good skating meant not worrying “what you could have done better” this time.
A little luck always helps, of course.
Some top talent on the back end will be missing for the Americans, which means more responsibility for Clendening. The Carolina Hurricanes are keeping blueliner Justin Faulk, making him inelligable for the tournament, which runs today until Jan. 5 in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta.
Team USA defenseman Seth Jones suffered an upper-body injury in an exhibition game against Russia on Wednesday, just hours before the final 22-man roster was to be announced.
“You never want to see anyone hurt, but those are guys that play a similar style to me,” Clendening said.
Clendening got a few bumps and bruises of his own in the 6-3 exhibition loss to Russia. Twice he was hit with enough force to knock his helmet off. Once he was sandwiched by two Russians, Sergei Barbashev and Yaroslav Kosov.
A Canadian photographer caught a snapshot of the three players colliding, the American’s helmet empty between two Russian elbows as Clendening goes to the ice. It wasn’t enough to knock him out of the game, but it was cause for concern for his mother, Ann.
“She saw the picture,” Clendening said. “I have a black eye. I know my mom’s pretty nervous but I can handle myself out here.”
Clendening and his family know that sacrifices are necessary to succeed at this level. The 19-year-old spent Christmas practicing with the team in Camrose, Alberta. Holiday dinner with the Americans may lack the family charm most enjoy on Christmas, but the Clendenings agreed it’s the best holiday they’ve had in years.
“It’s a better one than last year,” Adam’s father Frank Clendening said. “It’s really a thrill. We’re very happy for him. It’s not every day someone makes a national team.”
Dec 27
Clendening posts 2 assists for Team USA in opener
Dec 28
Top prospect Yakupov focused on now
Scott Fisher
Toronto Sun
CALGARY — Good thing Nail Yakupov isn’t a scout.
He’d be missing out on some pretty good talent — like himself.
Asked if it was important to be selected first overall at this summer’s NHL Entry Draft, the Russian superstar said his stock had fallen after failing to hit the scoresheet in the tournament opener Monday night.
“I had a terrible game (Monday), so I can be in the sixth round,” Yakupov deadpanned.
There’s no chance of that happening.
Some have called Yakupov the best prospect since Sidney Crosby and the 5-foot-11, 161-lb. scoring machine is the consensus No. 1 pick. Russian teammate Mikhail Grigorenko could be second out of the gate.
But the draft, he insists, is the last thing on his mind as he tries to help Russia defend it’s world junior gold medal for the first time since 2002-03.
“I don’t think about the draft,” said Yakupov, who received a few souvenir stitches on his lip in the Boxing Day tilt. “I’ve been asked 10 questions in three days about the draft.
“But we’re at the world juniors right now, so I don’t think about the draft.
“I have to think about the world juniors. We want to win. We have a good team and we’re going 100% to win. I think everybody understands how we need to play good D.”
He came up empty — something that’s happened just four times in 26 tilts with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting this season — in the curtain-raiser against the Swiss.
Which likely means the rest of his opponents are going to pay.
Lokomotiv crash haunts Russians (Larionov)
Scott Fisher
Calgary Sun
Canadians often talk about hockey as though it’s life and death.
But it isn’t.
It’s just a game — a game this country is extremely passionate about — but a game nonetheless.
Unfortunately, it takes a tragic event to put things in perspective.
Russia lived through, and is still dealing with, that tragedy.
Nearly four months after a plane crash claimed the lives of an entire team — the powerful Yaroslavl Lokomotiv — the country is in mourning.
Two members of last year’s world junior championship squad — forward Danill Sobchenko and defenceman Yuri Urychev — were on the plane.
Russian superstar Nail Yakupov said the tragedy is never far from players’ minds.
“When I heard this news, it was a shock,” Yakupov said. “These were good players, like NHL players. I knew a couple of guys. It’s hard for hockey.
“I think everyone thinks about Lokomotiv, and if we win, it will be for Lokomotiv.”
M Hockey: Unsung Hero of the First Half
Jashvina Shah
wtbusportsradio.com
Assistant captain Justin Courtnall has some of the lowest point totals on the team, recording just one assist and one goal this season. But points aren’t everything, and Courtnall proved that over the first half. He became the team’s emotional and physical leader, never being afraid to stand up for his teammates or participate in post-whistle extra-curricular activities.
Not many people think of junior Justin Courtnall when they think of BU hockey, but he’s been a force for the Terriers this year. BU has enough players who can guide the puck to the back of the net, but they’ve been a little starved for emotional leaders. Courtnall may not star in the goals or assists columns, but he’s been one of those emotional leaders the Terriers have needed this season.
Dec 29
UW men’s hockey: Big weekend awaits Kerdiles
Andy Baggot
Madison.com
A milestone weekend is on deck for 17-year-old center Nic Kerdiles as long as the health of the University of Wisconsin men’s hockey signee for 2012-13 holds up.
Kerdiles will accompany the U.S. National Team Developmental Program under-18 squad to Madison Saturday night and fully intends to mix it up with his future teammates in an exhibition game at the Kohl Center.
That’s the plan even though Kerdiles has been sidelined since Dec. 11 with a lower body injury that hasn’t completely healed.
“I’m going on the trip,” Kerdiles said, referring to an itinerary that also includes an exhibition game at Minnesota State-Mankato Friday night. “I should be playing unless there’s some type of minor setback.”
Kerdiles, who leads Team USA with 11 goals in 26 games, said he caught an inadvertent knee in the back during a U.S. Hockey League game against Sioux City.
“I skated (Wednesday) and it felt pretty good,” he said. “It was a lot better than it felt (Tuesday). I think I’m going to be pretty good.”
In addition to skating against the Badgers, Kerdiles will use the weekend to make his official campus visit. His parents, Michel and Nathalie, are flying in from Irvine, Calif., to share the experience with their son, who is based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Yakupov from WJCs (Larionov)
Strong Prince County presence on Panthers
Jason Simmonds
Journal Pioneer
Player to watch
Another Panther for fans to keep an eye on is Carter, notes MacPherson.
“Matt Carter would be in the debate of the top player in the league,” continued the head coach. “He (Carter) has drawn a lot of interest from NHL teams, and he went to the Dallas Stars’ training camp this year.
“He won the scoring race in the league last year, and he’s up in the top two or three this year. As far as gifted offensive players, he’s as good as they come in this league.”
Nazarian scores OT GWG with 1 second remaining
Dec 30
Cammalleri on Sportsnet590 The Fan
Varone posts two assists in win
Yakupov with 3 assists in Russia win over Latvia
Andreoff with two assists in win
Dec 31
Marlies Christmas Stories: Blacker & Mikus
UW men’s hockey: Sneak peek on tap for Kerdiles, Badgers
Andy Baggot
Wisconsin State Journal
Nic Kerdiles received two belated holiday gifts this week, neither of which was wrapped, but both generated a wondrous response.
Kerdiles is a 17-year-old center who will play for the University of Wisconsin men’s hockey team next season. He’s the primary storyline Saturday night when the U.S. National Team Development Program under-18 team comes to the Kohl Center for an exhibition game.
A Californian who committed to the Badgers in February of 2010 and signed a National Letter of Intent last month, Kerdiles leads Team USA in goals with 11 and has endeared himself to NHL talent evaluators in advance of the 2012 entry draft.
Many project Kerdiles as a first-round pick, which helps explain two thoughts from the UW coaching staff this week.
Asked if Kerdiles could play for the Badgers right now, UW coach Mike Eaves nodded his head.
“With the young team that we have, I would think so,” Eaves said, adding Kerdiles would be among the top 12 forwards in a lineup now dominated by freshmen and sophomores.
“Coming from a coach like that, who has such a big and successful resume, that’s a huge compliment,” Kerdiles said.
Kerdiles, who is listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, is judged to have the whole package in terms of skills and intangibles. He has an excellent shot from the perimeter, but is more than willing to venture into the messy areas of the ice. He skates and passes well while bringing an edgy attitude. He blocks shots, is adept at faceoffs and is a conscientious defender.
“He has the skill, but he plays both ends of the rink,” said UW assistant coach Gary Shuchuk, who has seen Kerdiles play twice this season. “The biggest thing is he plays 200 feet. That’s perfect.”
In expressing his gratitude toward Shuchuk for that analysis, Kerdiles credited Team USA coach Danton Cole with instilling that all-around approach to his game.
“Last year I had a little bit more of an issue with that,” Kerdiles said, referring to time spent with the under-17 team. “This year he’s really stressed on me playing more defense than I was before. What comes out of that is you become a lot more successful starting in the (defensive ) zone, playing well there and moving the puck up. Good offense is created through defensive play.”
That evolution has caught the eye of NHL scouts, who have Kerdiles among their top 40 prospects in the world. Red Line Report, an independent international evaluation service, had Kerdiles ranked 75th in October. Two months later he was 31st after scoring five goals in three games to lead the U.S. to the gold medal in the Four Nations tournament in Switzerland.
LeBlanc scores tying goal, 10th goal of the year
Savard recalled from Springfield
Lynch scores tying goal late in Michigan comeback win over MSU
Thomas with 2 points, Andreoff with three assists
Goodrow with goal, 2 assists in 4-1 win
Agozzino scores winner in shootout as the IceDogs beat the Majors 6-5
Leivo scores twice for Sudbury in OT win
Jan 1
1,000 games no big deal for Flames’ Jokinen
Scott Cruickshank
Calgary Herald
NASHVILLE — Olli Jokinen is a man who clearly wants to live in the moment.
His world is now — not yesterday, not tomorrow.
So, sorry, details from his first appearance in the National Hockey League are not forthcoming. That was too long ago. Things are too hazy.
And his upcoming 1,000th game?
Well, that doesn’t really resonate either. Its mention the other day barely rates a shrug.
“I’ve been able to play and stay in the game,” says the Calgary Flames centre, who, when he touches the ice Sunday evening, will officially earn his silver stick — the 268th player to reach the 1,000-game benchmark. “I think I still have a lot of years ahead of me. But the biggest thing this year — I’m not going to lose my focus. It’s a tough league to play, a tough league to stay in, a tough league to be good in. So you can’t really make plans about what you’re going to do in two weeks, in three weeks, or the 1,020th game or whatever it is, you know? It’s a number. Obviously, a nice milestone. But at the end of the day, what do you play for? Winning the Stanley Cup. That’s it.
“It’s not about points or point streaks or milestones. It’s one thing only — to win the games. We all want a chance to be in the post-season.
“Everything else . . . don’t matter.”
One thing the 33-year-old does freely acknowledge is the changing NHL — and how he’s managed to change with it. Transforming himself from offensive centrepiece to dependable workhorse.
Evolution equals survival in pro sports.
“It’s not like I learned a new skill or anything,” Jokinen says, “but I learned to think the game differently. Defensively now, I try to do everything possible to help this team win games. Not necessarily putting up 30 goals. I realize when I do things right — the way the coaches want me to play — I can be a pretty effective player. Block the shot. Win the faceoff. Have a take-away. Dump the puck in. And maybe, once in a while, score.
“But if the coaches don’t believe you can do the job, who knows?”
For that support, he thanks the Sutters — Darryl, the general manager who signed him; Brent, the bench boss who re-tooled him.
In the last half of the 2010-11 campaign, in particular, Jokinen overhauled his game — swooping around less, buckling down more. Even with an eye on his own zone, he’s likely to put his ninth consecutive 50-point season into the books.
Loktionov with two assists in Kings win over Vancouver (Larionov)
BADGERS 4, U.S. UNDER-18 3
Andy Baggot
Wisconsin State Journal
The outing gave UW fans a tantalizing glimpse of the near future. Nic Kerdiles, a 17-year-old center who signed to play for the Badgers in 2012-13, factored into a lot of good things for Team USA.
He assisted on the first two goals of the night — converting turnovers into heads-up plays.
“It was an exciting night for me,” Kerdiles said, “but everyone on our team gave a good effort.”
Kerdiles made his presence felt on the first shift, outdueling Schultz, a reigning All-American, for possession along the wall and triggering a quick transition that led to an open shot by left winger Kyle Osterberg.
On his next shift, Kerdiles pounced on a poor clearing pass by junior defenseman and captain John Ramage and set up right winger Brendan Silk for a conversion. Silk angled left to right through the slot, faked a shot to get Thompson out of position and converted at the right post.
“It was a nice play,” Thompson said. “I wish I’d been a little more patient.”
Roy perfect in shootout to lead Stockton to win
Erlich leads Barrie with 4 assists
Ryan Rupert with 3 points in 3-0 win
more..THE RIG 28 week ending December 25th
on January 14th, 2012 by Pulver Sports
Dec 19
Tyler Seguin, Sophmore of the Year?
Jokinen with goal and assist in Calgary loss
Seguin postgame interview
Kleinburg’s Agozzino wins OHL honour
By Michael Hayakawa
Yorkregion.com
Andrew Agozzino, a Kleinburg resident and forward with the Niagara IceDogs, was named the OHL’s Player of the Week for the week ending Dec. 18, the league announced Monday.
The 20-year-old Agozzino scored two goals and five assists and recorded a plus-minus rating of plus-four during that week.
Agozzino led the IceDogs to a pair of wins to end the first half of the OHL season tied for third place in the Eastern Conference with 41 points.
In a game against the Erie Otters Dec. 15, Agozzino had the best offensive game of his OHL career with five points including two goals and three assists in a 7-0 win and was named the game’s first star.
The IceDogs’ captain also picked up two assists in a 3-1 win over the Sudbury Wolves Saturday.
Agozzino is in his fifth OHL season with the IceDogs.
He has scored 258 points in 285 career OHL games including 40 points with 17 goals and 23 assists in 34 games this season.
Spitfires Captain Adrian Robertson
Lessard named QMJHL 2nd star of the week
Erlich scores OT winner for Barrie
Oligny scores first goal of the season
Dec 20
Clendening: ‘I’m not going anywhere’
Scott McLaughlin
collegehockeynews.com
Scott McLaughlin: So you’re at World Junior camp right now. Last year you were one of the final cuts. What have you taken from that experience for this year?
Adam Clendening: I’m just trying to do the stuff I normally do. Play my game and not try to think too much or try to get recognized. Just play my style and not worry about trying to impress people. Just try to fit the role they want me to fit. Hopefully that’s good enough to get a roster spot.
SM: Last year, Coach Parker said he thought that early in the season, you might’ve been pushing a little too much and trying to impress for World Juniors. Was that true? And did you feel more relaxed the first half of this season?
AC: I don’t know. I feel like just being in your second year of college hockey, you feel more confident. You know what to expect. You know the different rinks, the different teams, the different players in the league, that kind of thing. You just get more comfortable and fall into your role, and your team’s more confident in you. I wouldn’t say I was nervous the first year, but the World Juniors were in my hometown, so I kind of put some pressure on myself to make it and play in front of my friends and family at home.
SM: I also wanted to ask you about everything going on at BU right now. Now that you’ve had a couple days to let it sink in a little, what are your thoughts and reactions?
AC: Not much, really. We just need to look forward and keep doing what we’ve been doing. I’m sure the coaches have thought about the adjustments that need to be made. We can’t let it be that big of a deal. With Corey, nobody really knows exactly what happened and nobody can really comment on it. And Charlie’s thing was a personal decision. I just feel like we’re gonna have to soldier on, just keep going, and not change what we’ve been doing. We had a solid first half, I think, so we just have to keep doing what we’re doing and some people will have to play a bigger role. That’s it.
Christian Thomas says he’s ready to move on
Brian McNair
durhamregion.com
OSHAWA — Christian Thomas assured that he’s over it already, and will be cheering for Canada just like every other hockey fan in this country.
The ‘it’ being the painful news he received last Wednesday, that he, in his final year of eligibility, didn’t quite make the grade to participate at the world junior hockey championships.
Thomas was one of 13 players cut Wednesday, a day that went far better for Oshawa Generals teammate and captain Boone Jenner, who made the Canadian team.
“Sure I was disappointed a couple of days after, but it’s one of those things you’ve just got to let go and play your own game when you get back,” Thomas said Sunday, following a 5-3 loss to the Ottawa 67′s. “I gave it all I’ve got over there, but it just didn’t work out.”
Nail helps punch the ticket (Larionov)
Dec 21
Recovering Mitchell still an asset for Royals
ReadingEagle.com
The stat sheet doesn’t care about Dale Mitchell’s road to recovery.
It’s brutally honest that way.
Whether a player is rehabbing, injured or fatigued, the numbers only pay attention to offensive productivity.
That makes Mitchell’s recent stretch with the Reading Royals all the more impressive.
Getting back on the ice seven months after surgery for a torn knee ligament was a feat. Scoring eight goals in the first 10 games after returning was an off-the-charts success.
Mitchell still feels lingering effects from his injury, which he suffered during Reading’s playoff series against Cincinnati in April, but he hasn’t let it stop him from contributing.
“I’ve had some good days and bad days,” he said. “Overall, it’s getting better.”
Recuperating from ACL surgery is an ongoing process and there will be setbacks.
Mitchell made his season debut Nov. 19. Early in his second game with the Royals, the right wing aggravated the injury and missed another week.
Mitchell has excelled since. He posted nine points during a seven-game stretch that included three key wins over division rival Wheeling.
The hard part is staying patient.
“That Toledo game after I first got sent here, it blew up on me,” Mitchell said. “After that I didn’t have any big emergencies. It’s been pretty good.”
Mitchell’s production has been a shot in the arm for the Royals, who have struggled to score goals. It also has been remarkable for a player who relies on his skating skill to find space on the ice.
Andy Andreoff – Generals Player of the Week
The Generals rolled into the General Motors Centre at 5:30 AM on Monday morning, marking the end of a long and tiring road trip during which the Generals roster changed drastically. In a couple of games that proved challenging for the Gens, Andy Andreoff earned himself Player of the Week with his leadership and commitment.
The Generals played Friday against the Sudbury Wolves and Sunday against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. With Emerson Clark injuring his wrist in Sudbury and Christian Thomas and Boone Jenner leaving for Team Canada`s World Junior Selection Camp, the team`s lineup dwindled quickly.
On a tough weekend, Andy Andreoff stepped up to fill the holes, not only offensively, but in a leadership capacity.
Andy`s weekend was highlighted by a beautiful power play goal against the Greyhounds that brought the Gens within one goal, making the score 4-3 late in the third. Andy worked hard to give his team a chance, the team`s fate was sealed with an empty net goal.
Nail Yakupov dazzles junior hockey fans (Larionov)
Kristen Odland
Postmedia News
RED DEER, Alta. — If you haven’t already heard of the name Nail Yakupov, don’t worry.
You will.
The 18-year-old sublimely skilled Russian forward and potential first-overall pick at the 2012 NHL entry draft next summer was in the business of jaw-dropping Tuesday at Red Deer’s Enmax Centrium in front of 5,946 fans.
Still evaluating their rosters and making cuts ahead of the 2012 IIHF world junior hockey tournament, both teams were able to use real game action for the first time on Tuesday. The Russians, for one, iced a dangerous lineup — even by scratching lone returning player and captain Evgeny Kuznetsov, 2012 NHL draft eligible Mikhail Grigorenko, and Saskatoon Blades netminder Andrey Makarov — and beat the Americans 6-3 in exhibition play.
“I’ve played against Canadian guys and U.S. guys for two years so I know how they play,” Yakupov said. “But yeah, we were nervous because this is the first game at the world juniors. Everything’s different but we won and we played good.
“I think everybody was nervous because someone will be cut after these two (exhibition game). Everybody wanted to play hard and we played good (Tuesday). So, we’ll see after our second game against the Czech Republic (Thursday in Lethbridge).”
And Yakupov, for one, is not going back to the Sarnia Sting — his Ontario Hockey League club — before Christmas.
As expected, he was dynamite in the neutral zone and is as every bit as skilled as they say. He had fans out of their seats with jaws dropped in the third period as he picked up a pass from defenceman Igor Ozhiganov and absolutely undressed U.S. goalie Jack Campbell on Russia’s fourth goal — short-handed.
A Tale of two seasons for Windsor Spitfires’ Defenseman Brandon Devlin
Todd Cordell
TheHockeyGuys.net
Since the trade, things have really been looking up for the 2012 draft eligible defenseman. Devlin has been playing big minutes for Bob Boughner’s Spitfires and has produced much more than in Barrie. Devlin had three points and a +4 rating in 16 games with the Colts and since the trade he has tallied two goals, five assists and a +2 in 16 games. That’s almost a half of a point per game since being traded which isn’t bad for a defenseman; especially one who’s best asset is arguably his physicality or play in his own zone.
I managed to talk to Devlin recently and he told me that: “Playing in Windsor has helped a lot, I’ve regained my confidence and am playing my game.”
He mentioned Bob Boughner has played a big part of helping him regain his confidence and I asked if there was any particular reason as to why: “Just by giving me the opportunities to prove myself in every situation, he said.”
Dec 22
Clendening makes U.S. Junior team
Paul Peck
WIVB.com
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (WIVB) – Last year, Adam Clendening was one of the final cuts from a USA team that would play in his hometown. This year, while it won’t come close to his family, Clendening will wear the Red, White and Blue. The defenseman has earned a spot on the team that will play in this year’s World Junior Championships in Edmonton and Calgary.
The Wheatfield native will debut with Team USA on Monday, when the Americans play Denmark in Edmonton. Currently playing at Boston University, Clendening was a second round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks this summer.
Clendening was hugely disappointed when he was cut from last year’s team. He was excited about the chance to play in front of his family and friends in Buffalo, which hosted last year’s tournament.
Seven players return from the squad that won the bronze medal in Buffalo. Clendening, a fast skating and puck moving defenseman, will be counted on to play a key role for this year’s team.
Clendening is the only local player to be part of this year’s USA team.
Young Oilers recall ‘exciting’ world junior experience
Evan Daum
EdmontonJournal.com
While Eberle didn’t crack the Team Canada roster as a 17-year-old for the 2008 tournament in the Czech Republic, having to wait until he was 18 to make the squad, fellow Oilers teammate Sam Gagner was one of the select few who managed to crack the Team Canada roster as a 17-year-old for the 2007 tournament in Sweden while playing for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.
“I had got cut from the under-18s a few months earlier and went back to junior and had a lot to prove because of that,” Gagner recalled. “I never really expected to get the invite to world junior camp that year, so when I did it was exciting. It was an opportunity to make the team and get a chance to play for a team you grew up idolizing and dreaming of playing on.
“I just wanted to go in there and play the way I had been playing all season and let the chips fall where they may and it ended up working out.”
Work out it did for Gagner, as Team Canada went on to win gold in Sweden over Russia to claim the country’s 13th world junior championship. That tournament proved to be Gagner’s first and only trip to the world juniors, as he was drafted later that year by the Oilers and cracked their roster as an 18-year-old in the fall.
For Gagner, the support Team Canada received from Canadians at the tournament in Sweden and at home, really intensified the joy of winning the gold medal. That support will surely be felt by this year’s world junior contingent as they compete in Alberta.
“We had a lot of fans over there and when we won the gold medal it felt like we were at home, because of how loud the Canadian fans were. It just makes it such a great experience knowing that they’re behind you and I’m sure with it being in Edmonton and Calgary it will be a lot of fun for those guys playing in front of the home crowd,” Gagner said.
Dale Mitchell recalled by Marlies
Dec 23
Tyler Seguin Beats Santa to the Punch
Matt Scholley
WilmingtonPatch.com
Santa Claus is coming to town on Saturday night. But on Thursday, Tyler Seguin was the one delivering gifts to one Wilmington family.
The Boston Bruins young star visited the home of Mikey Murphy, who remains hospitalized following his collapse over the summer on his way to the Bruins Stanley Cup parade. Seguin came with gifts for the Murphy family, who spends much of its time in Boston with Mikey.
Though Mikey wasn’t home at the time, several family members were thrilled with Seguin’s appearance.
The fast skating NHL forward even had the chance to reunite the Murphy family dog. His name? You guessed it. Seguin. The pair met at Ristuccia Arena when the four-legged version was a puppy, and when the human version walked into the house on Thursday, he immediately asked where the dog was.
Cindy Murphy, Mikey’s mom, said the player gave each family member a bag that included Bruins shirts, sweatshirts, sweatjackets, hats, scarfs and more. There was a separate bag for the family which had a few different Bruins games, the new book, a DVD player and more.
“It was so overwhelming and surreal,” said Cindy. “It meant the world to the whole family but we all wished it was under different circumstances.”
Dec 24
Yakupov says all bets are on at world juniors (Larionov)
George Johnson
Postmedia News
CALGARY — The wager that night at Crabby Joe’s Tap and Grill in Sarnia, Ont., had as much to do with the belly as the heart.
“There were a few of us there to watch the game,’’ recalls Nail Yakupov, thoughts drifting back to the 2011 world junior hockey championship final from Buffalo, New York. “We were in a bar: Me, our coach (Trevor Letowski) from Sarnia, a Russian coach and his son. (Letowski) said ‘Canada’s gonna win. Let’s go. Food and drinks.’
“No beers.
“Just for fun.
“Boy, was he excited after second period. The score was 3-0. And he was like ‘C’mon guys, pay up.’ And we’re like ‘No, no, we still have third period.’
“Then it was 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, and he’s getting worried. Then 4-3, 5-3. . . . Wow!
“So he lost. He paid.
“We ate a lot of chickens wings and burgers that night. A lot.’’
A satisfied pat of the tummy.
“I was full.’’
In the fading glow of memory, Yakupov estimates Letowski’s billfold being roughly $200 lighter by the time the evening ended. In jubilation for the Russians, catastrophe for Canada. But for current Sarnia Sting coach, Jacques Beaulieu, this year’s wager with the prodigious winger carries graver consequences. The stakes, higher.
Beaulieu’s son Nathan, you see, happens to be a part of Team Canada.
“So if Canada wins,’’ reveals Beaulieu, “Nail has to wear a Team Canada jersey for an entire week at practice. On the flip-side, I’ll be wearing a Russia jersey for a week if they win.
“So, yeah, it’s serious.”
Sergeev named to Team Russia (Larionov)
Dec 25
Clendening grows in adversity
Bucky Gleason
BuffaloNews.com
Adam Clendening allowed himself a pity party for about 24 hours last year before going back to work. Of course, it would have been incredible. How many Western New Yorkers ever had a chance to play in the World Junior Championships when they were held in Buffalo?
None.
Clendening would have been the first but instead experienced a different first. For the first time in his career, the defenseman failed to make a hockey team. He was part of the final round of U.S. cuts days before the 20-under tournament began in First Niagara Center (then HSBC Arena) and Niagara University.
Seeing the dream temporarily derailed was especially tough for a kid who lists Niagara Falls as his hometown. (He’s actually from Wheatfield and spent his freshman year attending Niagara-Wheatfield High). In the end, he came away a stronger person and better player after a lesson about overcoming adversity.
“Obviously, the day they tell you that you’re going home is never the best day,” Clendending said last week by telephone. “It was one day that hit me. I was like, ‘Oh [shoot], I can’t play in front of my family.’ But it was a learning experience. I played my game and thought I played real well, but I just wasn’t on the good end of it.”
Looking back, it was little more than a pothole. Clendening is expected to be a key member of the U.S. team in the WJC this year in Calgary and Edmonton. The best amateur hockey tournament on the planet starts Monday. The United States, which won the bronze medal in Buffalo a year ago, is again among the favorites.
Clendening, now 19 and a slick-passing sophomore at Boston University, officially made the team last week. He had been on USA Hockey’s fast track, which included two years in its development program and going to high school in Ann Arbor, Mich. He helped the U.S. to its second straight gold medal last season in the under-18 world championships, tying for the team lead with 10 points.
The world juniors are a different beast.
“All the veteran guys that are here say the same thing: it goes by so quick and it’s such a fun experience and just embrace each moment,” he said. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do. We’re all expecting the fans to be on the opposite side of us, but it should be a fun environment either way.”
It will be wild.
more..THE RIG 28 week ending December 18th
on January 14th, 2012 by Pulver Sports
Dec 12
Christian Thomas knows Dad’s got his back
George Johnson
Calgary Herald
Beyond the sparkly trimmings and trappings, past the TV face time and those breathless, dumbstruck I-can’t-believe-it’s-him autograph requests, NHL dads are, deep down, just everyday hockey dads.
“I remember his very first goal,” Steve (Stumpy) Thomas is reminiscing, waiting to board a flight from Toronto to Tampa.
“He must’ve been, oh, six years old.
I was playing for the Devils then and he was involved in the New Jersey Youth Hockey League at the time.
“After the game he scored we took his stick and wrote on it, to remember the moment, you know. And I stared at this stick and it looked as if it’d been sitting on the driveway or the front lawn all winter, buried underneath snow.
“It looked like a forgotten road-hockey stick.
“I always think about it like, ‘Why is it always the shoemaker whose son has the worst shoes?’
“Well, he sure looked like he had the worst hockey stick. And he used it to score his first goal.”
Christian Thomas (using updated equipment) has scored plenty through the intervening 13 years.
Ninety-five over the past two seasons for the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals. Thirteen more in 21 starts so far this campaign.
Which is, only in part, why he’s here, trying to crack the Canadian World Junior roster.
A chip off the old Stump? In many ways, yes.
“He’s got a little mean streak in him like his dad and he shoots the puck like his dad,” critiques Team Canada head scout Kevin Prendergast. “Not quite as big as his dad, but it doesn’t hinder his play. He’s got the big ticker.
Jesse Blacker after Marlies practice
Spitfires finish it in OT
Jim Parker
Windsor Star
With all-time leading scorer Billy Bowler’s No. 9 being raised to the rafters, it only seemed fitting that the Windsor Spitfires should put up a few goals Saturday.
But few could have expected a comeback from a four-goal deficit midway through the second period that resulted in a 6-5 win by the Spitfires in overtime over the Erie Otters before 5,977 at the WFCU Centre.
“To come back like that is pretty special and hopefully it leads to something,” said Spitfires captain Adrian Robertson, who had a goal and two assists.
Aside from Bowler’s number being retired, it was also the team’s annual teddy bear toss for charity.
…
“The biggest thing is to lead by example,” Robertson said.
“If your body language shows you’re down, the team falls. Keep positive and keep working hard.
“We felt if we could get 20 or 25 shots in the third period, we’d tie the game. We kept chipping away.”
A banged up Erie squad, which iced a roster three under the limit, could not slow the Windsor charge in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
“We found a way and that’s the important thing,” said Robertson, whose team held a 25-4 edge in shots in the third period and 55-25 overall.
Johnson’s slap shot from a bad angle got Windsor started.
Robertson grabbed a puck out of the air and beat Erie goalie Ramis Sadikov on a power play to get the Spitfires within one.
Mitchell scores sixth goal in eight games
Dec 13
Savard scores twice in Springfield win
Schofield shops for Toys for Tots
Thomas with strong showing for Team White
Morton-Boutin scores shootout winner for Sundogs
Yakupov retains #1 status on Button’s draft list (Larionov)
Dec 14
Ryan Murphy takes world junior snub in stride
Thiessen stops 22 of 24, WBS wins 500th in franchise history
LeBlanc scores twice in Rockford win
Mitch Dunning posts goal and assist for Elmira
Dec 15
Matt Beaudoin scores GWG for Vipers
Windsor Star
Joel Boyce
“It’s our time now.”
Those were the words LaSalle Vipers captain Matt Beaudoin used in the locker-room before the game against the Leamington Flyers Wednesday night.
The Vipers responded to the firing of head coach John Nelson with a 4-3 win against their Essex County rivals in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
“I can’t say enough good things of how we played tonight,” Beaudoin said. “For us to step up like that especially after the things we’ve gone through this week, it’s just an awesome way to respond going forward. It was a huge win – top to bottom.”
Yakupov invited to Top Prospects Game (Larionov)
Dec 16
Future Watch: Olivier Roy
By Mike Benton | Stockton Thunder
STOCKTON, Calif. – Everyday when he arrives at Stockton Arena, goaltender Olivier Roy enters the Thunder locker room and is greeted by a few visual reminders.
Those are photos including Devan Dubnyk, Theo Peckham and Liam Reddox – all who began their career and ascension to the Oilers as a member of the Stockton Thunder.
At the top of the wall is an eye-popping inscription, plastered in old English font, written “Making the Jump.”
Roy (no relation to “Patrick”) knows that he’s playing on a potential springboard.
“It’s always fun to see all of those players,” said Roy. “It’s always fun to see that you can be one of those guys to play in the NHL and make it to your dream.”
As a spectacular prospect who fashions his game on quickness and athleticism between the pipes, Roy was selected by the Oilers in the fifth round of the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
His resume boasts proven commodities. After earning the elite honour to represent Canada in the World Junior Championship last season, he signed his first NHL contract with the Oilers in March and got a second turn in as many years with the Oilers at the YoungStars Tournament in September.
He opened up the Oilers run in Penticton donning the blue, orange and white sweater to match his mask and pads, making a series of spine twisting and limb flaring stops in a 24 save performance against the Vancouver Canucks (7-2 Oilers win on Sept. 11).
The next turn in his journey has taken his path to warmer climates in Stockton, where energetic and passionate Northern California crowds awaited his arrival in October.
Agozzino with 5-point game for Niagara
Cutting scores tying goal for Attack
Dec 17
Rangers beat Soo in shootout
Josh Brown
TheRecord.com
KITCHENER — Ryan Murphy doesn’t feel that he has anything to prove.
“I am where I am because of the way I play and I’m not going to change the way I play because of pressure,” said the Kitchener Rangers defenceman.
The 18-year-old was back in town for Friday’s 3-2 shootout win against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds after being a surprise cut from Canada’s world junior hockey selection camp earlier this week.
It was the third time the Aurora native has been passed over by Hockey Canada. He was one of the final nine cuts at last year’s world junior camp and didn’t make the Under-18 team that same year.
“I went in there and they knew what I bring to the table offensively,” said the Carolina Hurricanes first round draft pick. “It was the defence part of the game that they had a question mark beside.
“I know, and the coaches here in Kitchener and in Carolina know that I can play defence. I guess Hockey Canada wanted me to answer that question.”
Murphy kept his smooth stride in check and held back a bit on jumping into the play at camp. But proving he could be responsible in his own end may have been his undoing.
“Maybe if I had to do it all over again, I’d play my game,” he said.
His usual style was on display Friday at the Aud. Murphy weaved through the Greyhounds virtually at will.
Galchenyuk settling into rehab routine (Larionov)
By Alex Galchenyuk – Special to NHL.com
Hi Everyone!
It’s been a very busy month for me. I’ve been going to the Fowler Kennedy clinic for therapy daily, where I work with trainers Nancy and Kim. In Sarnia, Dr. Vargo, Mike Anning and Eric Corda also work with me on a daily basis. I’m doing workouts for my back, shoulders, arms and core. My leg workouts now consist of leg press, bike and elliptical balance exercises. I work mostly at the rink, and my dad and our trainer Mark Anderson have been helping me with that. So far my road to recovery has been going pretty good. I can do a lot more now, so the past month has been like a daily routine of therapy and training for me. Trying to get a little better every day.
I’ve been going to all our games lately; I just don’t go on the road trips because I can’t miss any therapy right now. Trying to support our guys from the sidelines, although I can’t describe how hard it is to watch. I would much rather be out there with them, but at least I get to spend more time at the rink now. You know, I guess sometimes life throws out these challenges for you and you start appreciating things a lot more after you don’t have them for a while. Right now I’m making the most of my situation and I’m hungrier than ever to get back out on the ice. I know that when I do go back that I will appreciate my time on the ice and being with my teammates even more.
Varone scores first professional goal with Rochester
Dec 18
Mitchell scores twice in Reading win
Lessard nets hat trick for Drakkar
Beukeboom scores first goal as an IceDog
Erlich scores twice, including OT winner
more..THE RIG 28 week ending December 11th
on December 10th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Josh Ho-Sang in Documentary on NHLPA’s All-State All-Canadians Mentorship Camp
Dec 5
Stockton Thunder goalie Olivier Roy too much for Ontario Reign
Mike Weaver
Stockton Examiner
At least this time, getting a shutout was good enough to also get Stockton Thunder goalie Olivier Roy a victory.
Roy earned his second shutout of the season on Sunday (Dec. 4), when he recorded 32 saves in beating the Ontario Reign 2-0 in front of 4,644 witnesses at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA.
In his previous shutout, Roy was unable to celebrate a victory because the Thunder failed to support him offensively and ended up losing to the Utah Grizzlies in a shootout on Nov. 4 at Stockton Arena. The Thunder (10-7-3) didn’t leave Roy with much margin for error in Sunday’s game, either, but third-period goals by Jesse Fratkin and Jordan Fulton proved to be all Roy needed to improve his record to 4-4-3.
“He definitely deserved this shutout,” Thunder Coach Matt Thomas said by telephone after the game. “He was the best player on the ice.”
Fratkin played a big part in making sure Roy’s efforts weren’t wasted. In addition to scoring the game’s first goal not quite two minutes into the third period, Fratkin also was credited with an assist on Fulton’s insurance goal, which came with just 1:31 remaining to play.
Tyler Seguin gets up to speed
Jackie MacMullan
ESPNBoston.com
BOSTON — The routine for healthy scratches for the Boston Bruins is to skate pregame with the guys, take a quick shower, straighten the tie and retreat to the press box to watch the team do what they are aching to do themselves — play the game.
That ritual didn’t work for Tyler Seguin. The walk to the Garden rafters elevator in street clothes was humbling, humiliating, even though he was only 19 years old, even though the Bruins explained in great detail the grand plans they had for him in the future — as long as Seguin was willing to be patient and understanding.
It didn’t take long for second-year player Tyler Seguin to emerge as a potential franchise player as he leads the league in plus-minus.
The rookie nodded while coach Claude Julien emphasized the need to dig in the corners for the puck, to become a better two-way player, to become bigger, stronger, more experienced.
Seguin tried to do everything his coaches asked — except when the games started. On the nights Julien left him out of the lineup, Seguin took part in the pregame skate, but when the other healthy scratches hit the showers, the kid veered off to the weight room. There, while the Bruins went about the business of winning hockey games, Seguin pumped iron and released some private frustration, sometimes for as long as the first two periods.
Looking back, he concedes, he wasn’t as well equipped for the quantum leap from juniors to the NHL as he had thought.
“Very few are,” offered veteran Shawn Thornton.
On Seguin’s first day of training camp, the players zoomed past him at warp speed, as if someone had turned a switch and put the action on fast forward.
“The quickness and how fast they made decisions wasn’t something I was used to,” Seguin admitted.
His stall in the locker room was next to Patrice Bergeron, across from Zdeno Chara. He fired pucks at the head of Tim Thomas, who played hockey at his dad’s alma mater, Vermont, and had reached legendary status among Catamount alums. He was far from home and didn’t know anyone, and there were moments when Seguin glanced at his surroundings and thought, “What am I doing here?”
“You feel like you don’t belong, but you want so badly to belong,” Seguin explained. “You have to figure out that fine line between a dream and a goal.”
His tremendous release and his quick stride were on display in the early days of his arrival. He had these incredibly soft hands than enabled him to make top-notch goalies — even the great Tim Thomas — look foolish.
Tyler Seguin could score. The teenage center represented the potential antidote to so much that had ailed the underachieving Bruins.
“He does absolutely ridiculous things with the puck,” Bruins forward Brad Marchand said.
When practices ended, the players lingered on the ice, engaging in shootouts and other contests. They had competitions for accuracy, for the most goals, for end-to-end rushes. Seguin won most of them. Then he’d go home and call his father after another night of tortured watching from on high gnawed at his psyche.
Cutting Takes Weekly Honor
Attackhockey.com
The Owen Sound Attack is announcing that defenseman Keevin Cutting has been named the teams Becker Shoes Attacker of the Week for the week ending Sunday, December 4th, 2011.
Cutting, a Bracebridge native picked up 2 assists and finished the weekend with a +3 rating while playing considerable minutes on the back end. Cutting’s best game was on Friday evening in Guelph which saw him pick up an assist and finish the game with a +2 rating.
In 31 games this season, the 6’01, 187lb rearguard has 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points to go along with a +13 rating.
Adam Clendening invited to Team USA WJC Camp
Crane Scores, Ohio State up to 11 straight
Andreoff with two goals, assist for Generals
Dec 6
Generals’ Thomas CHL’s best
Oshawa Generals forward Christian Thomas picked up nine points in only two games to earn the Canadian Hockey League’s player of the week award.
Thomas had three goals and six assists, including a hat trick and two assists in Friday’s 8-4 Ontario Hockey League win over the Sarnia Sting. He added four assists in a 9-1 win over the Peterborough Petes on Sunday.
The Toronto native, who finished the week with a plus-6 rating, was selected 40th overall in the 2010 NHL entry draft by the New York Rangers and has been invited to Canada’s national junior team selection camp which opens on Saturday in Calgary
Oilers forward Sam Gagner hopes early season scoring woes are behind him
Robin Brownlee
The Canadian Press
EDMONTON – Sam Gagner and the Edmonton Oilers are hoping his first goal of the season will provide a spark that ignites an offensive flame.
Gagner snapped a 21-game goal-scoring drought dating back to last season when he scored in a 5-3 loss to Calgary at Rexall Place Saturday. It came as much relief for Gagner who has been slowed by an ankle sprain that kept him out of the first six games of the season and foiled by bad bounces and good goaltending when he returned to action.
“I’m hoping that’s the way it goes,” Gagner said Tuesday as the Oilers, who have just one win in the first four games of a six-game homestand, prepare to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.
“I don’t even think it’s just the goal,” he continued. “It seems the last six or seven games, I’ve felt a lot better and I’m playing a lot better. I knew it was going to take some time to get back to where I wanted to be after the injury. I just didn’t think it was going to take that much time.”
While youngsters Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall shared the spotlight and dominated the score sheet as the Oilers jumped to a surprising 8-2-2 start to the season, Gagner was either injured or struggling to regain his confidence and find his game.
Since being moved to left wing on a line with captain Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky, Gagner’s showing signs of doing exactly that, even if modest offensive totals of 1-7-8 through Edmonton’s first 27 games represent his slowest start in five NHL seasons.
“Since he’s come on our line he’s been solid,” Horcoff said. “We know he’s talented, and his confidence is starting to come a little bit more now.
Seguin scores on Pens
VIDEO: One-on-one with Alyonka Larionov
The Hockey News
Hockey runs through the blood of Alyonka Larionov so it was no surprise when the 24-year-old media guru found herself immersed in the world her father, Igor, chose for his career path.
And despite being in the business for such a short time, she already has an impressive resume. Larionov has worked with Sauce Hockey, TSN, Hockey Night in Canada, and was part of HBO’s widely popular 24/7 Penguins-Capitals series. But if you ask us, this savvy Russian is just getting started.
Ryan Kennedy sat down with Larionov after an exclusive photo shoot for THN’s latest issue of Fully Loaded, on newsstands now, to discuss her connection to NHL prospects Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk, her most recent documentary project and much more.
Dec 7
Andy Andreoff Named Man of Movember
OshawaGenerals.com
By the end of Movember, Andy Andreoff sported so much hair on his upper lip that people kept mistaking him for Super Mario and asking where his overalls were. And we thought he was Macedonian, not Italian.
For all of Andy’s hardwork, concentrating on growing facial hair and putting up with the itchiness, the Generals awarded Andy with a prize pack which included: A customizable Movember T-shirt, razor, deodorant, movie pass, pizza pizza coupons, and an East Side Mario’s coupon. Thanks for hanging in there Andy! Check out his photo gallery here!
Andy and the Generals organization raised valuable funds for prostate cancer research and raised awareness for men’s health. To learn more about this important issue, visit ca.movember.com
LeBlanc goal Triggers 1221 Teddys
Brad Thiessen’s New Mask
InGoalMag.com
Matt Irwin scores seventh goal of the season
Dec 8
Gagner starting to click
Derek Van Diest
Edmonton Sun
EDMONTON – Sam Gagner felt a little lighter Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Having finally shrugged the monkey by scoring his first goal of the season on Saturday, Gagner went into the next contest looking to build on his previous outing.
“I think the goal or not, I feel like the last five or six games I’ve been creating a lot more (chances),” Gagner said. “I feel a lot better out there. It’s something that I want to keep going and help contribute to wins. We’ve had a tough stretch here and it’s time we turned things around, and everyone needs to be pulling if we’re going to do that.”
Gagner scored in a losing cause to the Flames Saturday.
Despite playing well in the two weeks leading to that point, Gagner had failed to find the net in his first 19 games of the season. However, he figured it was only going to be a matter of time.
“It’s kind of a cycle, you start playing better and you’re game comes from that, you get more opportunity and you gain confidence from that,” Gagner said. “I think it’s really important in this league to find confidence anyway you can. I’m feeling better out there, I’m playing a lot in a lot of different situations and that’s helped me and hopefully I can continue to improve and get better as the season goes along.”
Murphy puts concussion behind him, eyes spot on world junior team
Daniel Girard
Toronto Star
Ryan Murphy is known as a real character, an upbeat guy with an easy smile, a practical joker who keeps his Kitchener Rangers’ teammates at ease.
So, perhaps there’s no surprise he’d find a bright side in the huge hit he sustained in early November, which left him concussed and out for a month.
“Obviously, I would have loved not to suffer that injury,” the 18-year-old defenceman said in an interview following his return to the Rangers’ lineup over the weekend after missing 10 games with his second career concussion.
“But if I had to pick a time, it probably would have been around that time. Any later then I wouldn’t have been competing at the world junior camp,” said Murphy, who will be in Calgary beginning Saturday looking to crack the roster of Canada’s entry in the tournament which opens Boxing Day.
Dec 9
Jokinen’s late goal gives Flames 3-2 win over Avs
Dec 10
Gagner scores twice as Oilers dump Avs
Jim Matheson
PostMedia News
EDMONTON — After sleeping through a 5-3 loss to the woeful Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night, the ill-prepared Edmonton Oilers were much more alert against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Oilers scored early and often, with Sam Gagner popping a pair while being a cagey decoy on another one-timer by Jordan Eberle off a classic Ryan Nugent-Hopkins feed as they rolled to a 4-1 victory on Friday night at Rexall Place.
Gagner broke the game open with three minutes left in the middle frame after Nugent-Hopkins slid a pass over on a two-on-one to give the Oilers a three-goal lead.
“Slow motion all the way down the ice,” said Gagner, who came into the game with only one goal in 21 games, but has six points in his last four matches.
“Two-on-one from our blue-line. Great play by Ebby to get the puck out and all I was thinking on the backside was being ready for a one-timer. I knew (Nugent-Hopkins) was getting it over to me. He’s got such great vision and I had a whole open net.”
After that, the Oilers smothered the Avalanche.
Gagner’s play on Eberle’s goal showed he’s either got eyes in the back of his head or he heard Eberle yelling at him to lay off the pass.
“The way Nuge controls the puck on the half-wall — I knew what he was thinking. He looked right through me,” said Gagner. “Hard pass and I didn’t want to wreck it, so got out of the way.”
“(Gagner) seems to be able to tell when I’m passing through to Ebs,” said Nugent-Hopkins, who has 13 goals and 19 assists on the season and sits sixth in the scoring race. “It’s pretty easy. I don’t have to say anything to him.”
Stars blank Checkers as Beskorowany stops 29 shots
Steve Habel
Statesman.com
CEDAR PARK — Perhaps playing the top teams in the American Hockey League brings out the best in the Texas Stars, who showed they are always up for a good skate and a fight or two while dominating Charlotte 3-0 Friday before 5,601 at Cedar Park Center.
Texas goalkeeper Tyler Beskorowany stopped all 29 shots he faced in earning his second career shutout and first of the season.
The victory snapped a five-game home losing streak and was the second in a row and in less than a week for the Stars (10-11-0-1, 21 points) over Charlotte, who handily lead the AHL’s Western Division. Texas’s past three games have been against the Checkers (15-9-1-1, 32 points); the Stars split a pair of games last week in Charlotte.
The win was also Texas’s first in regulation at home since opening night.
Charlotte pressured Beskorowany throughout the third period, outshooting Texas 10-3, but couldn’t get the puck into the net.
“The defense played great in front of me and I was able to get a piece of some of Charlotte’s shots the few times they had an opening,” Beskorowany said. “This team feels like it’s starting to come together. A lot of our young guys are realizing that with some of our more experiences player called up to Dallas this is their time to make things happen.”
Beskorowany Post-game Interview
Sarnia Sting signs forward Daniel Nikandrov
lambtonshield.com
Daniel Nikandrov, who currently plays with the Sarnia Legionnaires, has been signed with the Sarnia Sting.
Sarnia Sting Head Coach and General Manager Jacques Beaulieu said he’s pleased with what he’s seen, prompting the decision.
“I have seen Daniel play a lot this year with the Legionnaires and I am very impressed with both his skill level and hockey knowledge. Again we are thrilled to have Daniel and his family commit to both the Sarnia Sting and the Ontario Hockey League.”
Nikandrov, who was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, calls Richmond Hill home. He was the Sting’s 4th round selection (68th overall) in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection.
He played last season with the Markham Majors Midget team.
Royals top Wheeling
ReadingEagle.com
Recap: The Reading Royals found a dramatic way to end their nine-game winless streak. They rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat first-place Wheeling at WesBanco Arena Friday night.
The Royals trailed 2-1 entering the third period. Dale Mitchell’s goal at 12:21 tied it before Dennis McCauley’s power-play score at 16:59 gave the Royals their first lead.
Mitchell, who has five goals in seven games since being sent down on injury rehab by AHL Toronto, added an empty-netter in the final seconds.
Yakupov, Sergeev Invited to Russian WJC Camp (Larionov)
Ouellet sets up four goals for Armada
MacDermid sets up game-tying goal in Providence Win
Lynch scores GWG, Michigan beats Michigan State
Erlich with three points in Barrie win over Guelph
Goodrow scores 10th goal in twelve games
Leivo posts 2 goals and assist in Sudbury win
Iafrate returns to Kitchener lineup
Dec 11
Sharks Recall Defenseman Matt Irwin from Worcester
Press Release
SAN JOSE, California – San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has recalled defenseman Matt Irwin from the Worcester Sharks, the team’s top development affiliate in the American Hockey League.
Irwin, 24, is tied for the team lead with 16 points (7-9=16), which are tied for the fourth most amongst AHL defensemen, in 21 games played. His seven goals are tied for second in the AHL and rank second on the team overall. Six of his goals have come on the power play, which lead all AHL defensemen and are tied for sixth overall in the League.
Irwin has never appeared in an NHL game. In 96 career games with Worcester over the past three seasons, he has posted 47 points (17-30=47) and 53 penalty minutes.
The six-foot-two, 210-pound native of Brentwood Bay, British Columbia was originally signed by San Jose as a free agent on March 23, 2010.
Irwin excited to join Sharks
Kevin Kurz
CSNBayArea.com
CHICAGO – Matt Irwin got the call a little past midnight.
Around 12:30 a.m. in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Irwin was notified that the Sharks would need him in Chicago prior to Sunday’s game against the powerful Blackhawks. He left the team hotel around 3:00 a.m. local time, caught a 6:00 a.m. flight, and arrived at the United Center at 1:40 p.m. CST.
“It’s been a long day, but it’s something I’ve been waiting for, and it’s exciting,” he said before the game, in which he ended up being a healthy scratch.
Todd McLellan was asked to describe Irwin’s game.
“Offensive catalyst for [Worcester]. He shoots the puck well, and hard. Obviously, at that level, he’s been very, very confident, skating pucks out of trouble, making initial passes. A puck-moving, reliable defenseman at that level. We hope that he brings some of those skills here tonight.”
One area Irwin could see some action is on the power play. The Sharks are just one for their last 25 with a man advantage, including an 0-for-6 effort on Saturday night. Irwin has six power play goals for Worcester, and is second on the team in scoring with 16 points (7g, 9a).
“He could play in that situation. He’s an offensive guy and had a hell of a year down there,” said McLellan. “He’s been seeing the ice very well and deserves the opportunity to come up.”
“If that’s where they put me, I’ll do my best,” said the 24-year-old, who signed as a free agent with the Sharks in March, 2010. “Hopefully, I can contribute wherever the coaching staff feels that they can slide me in. I’ll be happy to do whatever. I’m here to help the team win, and contribute.”
New line seemed to fit Loktionov (Larionov)
Rich Hammond
LAKingsinsider.com
MURRAY: “I thought he played well. There’s still areas that I can see that, as he matures, where he will become a better hockey player, but his possession time was really good. He moved his feet. He was very good with composure on breakouts. He’s got some instincts that are hard to find. He’s going to be a good player. He got an opportunity (against Minnesota) to play with a couple pretty good hockey players, and I think he took advantage of it and had nice energy and had a smile on his face. It was a good thing. It’s coming.’’
Savard scores twice in Falcons win
Robertson posts goal and two assists, Windsor wins in OT
Goodrow with goal and assist, Brampton moves into first place
Clendening’s three-point night for BU
Yakupov returns to lineup for Sarnia, posts two points (Larionov)
more..Pulver Sports Welcomes Olli Jokinen
on December 10th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Pulver Sports is excited to work for new client Olli Jokinen of the Calgary Flames.
Here are some things you may not know about Olli:
1. He’s had 8 straight 50+ point seasons.
2. He’s only missed 16 total games over the last 11 seasons.
3. Since 2002-03 he’s 12th leaguewide in goals and 18th in points.
4. Since the lockout he’s 18th in goals and 21st in points.
5. He’s highly decorated internationally, having won silver and bronze medals at the Olympics, silver at the World Cup, gold at the World Juniors and two silvers, three bronzes at the World Championships.
more..THE RIG 28 week ending December 4th
on December 10th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Check out Tyler Seguin and John Walters on Hockey Night in Canada’s Inside Hockey HERE.
Nov 28
Rangers Murphy invited to Canada’s world junior hockey camp
Josh Brown
The Record
KITCHENER — The world junior hockey championship is a big deal around the Murphy household.
“It was open the presents and then watch the world junior game,” said Kitchener Rangers defenceman Ryan Murphy. “That’s what it was like every year.”
This time, Murphy is hoping be in the game. The 18-year-old was one of 41 players invited to Canada’s national junior team selection camp in Calgary running Dec. 10-14.
Kitchener’s Mark Scheifele and Tanner Pearson, both forwards with the Barrie Colts, were also invited to camp. Scott Walker of the Guelph Storm will be assistant coach.
Murphy was sitting with some of his teammates when Rangers’ head coach and general manager Steve Spott called him with the news.
“Everybody’s dream is to represent their country,” he said. “I’m just going to make the best of my opportunity and go out there and show them what I’ve got.”
Christian Thomas invited to Team Canada WJC Camp
Cammalleri after practice
HockeyInsideOut.com
Vincent Dunn first QMJHL goal
Lafontaine with two assists, Gatineau wins
Matt Carter scores third period tying goal in UPEI comeback win
Nov 29
Thomas closing in on World Juniors
newyorkrangers.com
Rangers prospect Christian Thomas, the Blueshirts’ 2010 second-round draft pick, is one step closer to his dream of representing Canada at the World Junior Championships.
On Monday, Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, included Thomas on the list of 41 of Canada’s top junior-aged players (born in 1992 or later) who will take part in Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp from Dec. 10-14. The camp will be held at the WinSport Canada Athletic & Ice Complex in Calgary as a tune-up for the World Junior tournament, which is also being held in Alberta and begins on Dec. 26.
Thomas, who plays for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League, scored 54 goals last season and earned an invitation to Team’ Canada’s summer evaluation camp. He was one of 46 players at that camp and has made it through the first cut down to 41.
Gagner looks to raise game
Derek Van Diest
QMI Agency
EDMONTON – Sam Gagner wants to get back into the conversation, and it’s not the one that involves him being traded.
The Edmonton centre is starting to find his skating legs after missing most of training camp with an ankle injury.
While Gagner was still looking for his first goal heading into Monday’s game against the Nashville Predators, he did have six assists on the year and four in his previous three games.
“I feel better,” Gagner said. “I think sometimes it takes a while at the beginning of the season, especially when you get an injury. I don’t think I ever lost confidence in my game, but I wasn’t playing the way I know I can. I think in the last few games, I’ve had a little bit more jump and I’ve been getting to those danger areas a little more and raising my battle level a little bit.”
Seguin Answers Bruins Questions
NESN.com
Russian star Yakupov pegged to go No. 1 in NHL draft (Larionov)
Darren Yourk
Globe and Mail
There is a tendency among the cynics in the press box to want to toss a wrench into the gears of the hype machine when writing about “The Next One” in any given sport.
In this case the subject is 18-year-old Nail Yakupov, the left-handed Russian right winger tearing apart the Ontario Hockey League for the Sarnia Sting. The second overall pick in the 2010 Canadian Hockey League import draft, he arrived in this southwestern Ontario border town with a bang last season, scoring 49 goals and 101 points to smash the franchise rookie scoring record previously held by Steven Stamkos.
Yakupov is the darling of the NHL 2012 draft class, the kind of elite talent scouts say doesn’t come along all that often and a player with the sort of raw potential that has fans of the NHL’s more moribund squads advocating “Fail For Nail” campaigns.
“Just talking to guys at rinks, they all say they don’t need to watch him any more, he’s the No. 1,” said a scout from a Canadian-based franchise who first saw Yakupov play in 2009 as an underage member of Team Russia at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament.
“He stood out back then against guys who were two years older than him,” the scout said. “I thought we’d pick over the kid so much that by the time he was draft eligible he’d be just another ordinary player. It hasn’t happened because he’s one of those kids who every night does something unexpected and that makes him a special player.”
Leafing through a pile of scribbled notes taken while watching Yakupov play twice in a week, it’s hard to find negatives among the endless lines of superlatives and exclamation points. Sometimes when he comes over the boards it feels as if the entire rink tilts to the right and the puck just finds him, like it does all the special ones.
He has explosive speed and a lightning-quick release; he sees the ice well and finds his teammates with accurate passes; at 5 foot 10 and 170 pounds he’s not physically imposing, but doesn’t shy away from contact. He has an intense, focused glare that Mark Messier would approve of. Under the tutelage of first-year Sting head coach Jacques Beaulieu he’s rounding out his defensive game, backchecking just as hard as he goes toward the offensive zone.
Yakupov’s style unique, with splashes of NHL superstars (Larionov)
Darren Yourk
Globe and Mail
It’s not really fair to compare an 18-year-old kid in junior to a fully formed NHL player, but we tend to do it anyway to prospects, if for no other reason than it gives us a marker to imagine what they might one day become.
On my recent trip to watch Sarnia Sting winger Nail Yakupov, the topic came up often. An explosive Russian winger, the easy comparison would be with Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin.
Ask Yakupov about his game and he’ll tell you he’s borrowed heavily from his idol, Pavel (The Russian Rocket) Bure.
A scout for a Canadian-based NHL franchise told me that comparison falls short.
“He has a much more complete game than Bure,” the scout said. “He back-checks just as hard as he goes up ice with the puck and plays hard in his own end. He doesn’t mind the physical part of the game. Even though he’s not really big, he plays big.”
Sting head coach Jacques Beaulieu said Yakupov reminds him of a dominating winger he coached while serving as assistant for the London Knights.
“I say it every day: He reminds me of Rick Nash,” Beaulieu said. “He’s got dynamic speed like Rick and he shoots better than Rick did at this age. They’re both as physical as they have to be for skilled players. Both guys have the ability to bring the fans out of their seats.”
Olivier Roy, ECHL Goalie of the Week
Nov 30
Bruins Seguin on the Verge of Stardom
The Canadian Press
TORONTO – The door opens for the dressing room of the NHL’s hottest team and all of the cameras immediately gravitate to one player: Tyler Seguin.
It’s just another morning availability in a road arena for the Boston Bruins forward, who appears to be on the verge of becoming the league’s next big thing. Not only is Seguin piling up the points — he needed just 20 games to surpass his rookie total of a year ago — but he’s started to draw a big crowd wherever he goes.
In fact, teammate Chris Kelly dropped the word “superstar” when answering a question about Seguin on Wednesday morning at Air Canada Centre. Wait … superstar?
“Yeah, I think so,” said Kelly. “He’s 19 years old. Most 19-year-old guys are playing junior hockey getting $50 a week. They’re not being a consistent point producer in the NHL on a good hockey team (who) won a Stanley Cup.
“The sky’s the limit for him. I think it’s in his hands how far he wants to go.”
For his part, Seguin makes no secret of where he expects to end up. He carries the confidence of a big-time scorer — he had 106 points for Plymouth in his last of junior — and has been among the NHL leaders all season. He plans to remain there for years to come.
“I look at it as somewhere I want to be for sure,” said Seguin.
Adding to the teenager’s star appeal is a flair for the dramatic that all special players seem to enjoy. Recall Seguin’s two-goal, four-point performance in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final against Tampa Bay last spring after he’d been a healthy scratch through the first two rounds. Or even that he registered his first career NHL hat trick on “Hockey Night in Canada” during Boston’s visit to Toronto on Nov. 5.
Dec 1
Immediate impact
Gene Pereira
Barrie Examiner
Daniel Erlich sure knows how to make a good first impression.
The newest Colt didn’t wait long to make his mark with the club, recording a goal and assist in each of his first two games with Barrie last weekend.
Now, that’s quite an introduction.
“It’s a good start, for sure,” the crafty overage winger said. “I didn’t know what to expect coming back to the OHL. I haven’t watched one OHL game (this year), to tell you the truth.”
Actually, the Ontario Hockey League had been the farthest thing from Erlich’s mind at the start of this season. The talented, diminutive forward was playing pro hockey with EC Red Bull Salzburg in Austria’s Erste Bank Hockey League.
But after three months with Salzburg, Erlich’s ice time was dwindling, not to mention the big adjustment of being a 20-year-old living overseas away from family and friends.
“It wasn’t the right fit for me at this time,” said Erlich, who had a goal and six assists in 16 games with Salzburg and was playing with former Colts captain Erik Reitz. “I think coming back to North America was the better choice for me and I’m going to give it another shot here.”
The Thornhill native hasn’t ruled out playing pro overseas down the road, but with a year left of junior eligibility, he decided it was time to come home.
“It’s tough living in a country where English is a second language and as a 20-year-old you’ve got to fend for yourself,” said Erlich, who had to do his own cooking and cleaning. “It’s a little bit difficult. Coming here for another year doesn’t hurt much.
“It was high-level hockey (in Austria),” he added. “A bunch of guys played in the NHL, so it was pretty high calibre and it felt good playing there.”
Erlich, who spent some four years in London with the Knights before being dealt at last year’s OHL trade deadline to the Guelph Storm, returned home almost three weeks ago.
With three overagers on the club already, Storm general manager Mike Kelly sat down with the speedy forward and told him he would try to work out a deal to send him somewhere to complete his junior career.
Another option was school and playing Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) hockey. Erlich was actually scheduled to meet with University of Western Ontario officials in London last Friday before the Colts completed a deal the day before, sending fourth- and fifth-round picks, along with a conditional eighth-round selection, to Guelph.
“I just wanted to play in the league with a contending team and hopefully go for another (long) run in the playoffs and Memorial Cup, and see what happens from there,” he said. “I’ve only been here a few days, but Barrie’s a great place and I’m real happy where I ended up.”
Olivier Roy wins third straight, stopping 36 shots
Dec 2
Team Canada hopeful Murphy back from concussion
Doug Harrison
CBC Sports
A suddenly livelier Kitchener Rangers dressing room filled with more energy and excitement was a dead giveaway: Ryan Murphy was on his way back.
The third-year Ontario Hockey League defenceman had just been cleared for contact in practice, less than three weeks after absorbing a bone-jarring hit from Niagara forward Tom Kuhnhackl in a Nov. 4 game that resulted in Murphy’s second diagnosed concussion.
“Ryan is the oil in the engine here. When I saw his mannerisms start to go back to where he was the guy in the dressing room who could be heard stirring the pot … that’s when I knew he was coming back sooner rather than later,” Rangers head coach Steve Spott said in a phone interview.
The 18-year-old Carolina Hurricanes prospect played his first game since Nov. 4 and just his 10th of the season Thursday night, helping Kitchener to a 2-1 shootout victory over the hometown Brampton Battalion.
Spott said the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NHL entry draft could have played against Sarnia on Nov. 27 but was held out to give Murphy more practices with contact and instill more confidence in management that the player had returned to full health.
Spott and his staff did numerous 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 battling drills with Murphy after practices that saw the five-foot-11, 176-pound blue-liner take some punishment.
“I actually felt pretty good a couple of days after the hit but since I had previous concussions they [Rangers] made me sit out a couple of extra days. It was more precautionary than anything,” said Murphy, who has been skating for two weeks after being cleared by team medical staff in Kitchener and Carolina.
One-on-one with Worcester Sharks defenseman Matt Irwin
Jon Allred
Fearthefin.com
You just celebrated your 24th birthday on November 29. Did you do anything for your special day?
No, I just relaxed during the day. We had a late team practice and then skating with the Sharks.
I saw the news clip on YouTube of your signing with the San Jose Sharks organization, which was posted by “TheNanaimoClippers” on March 23, 2010. Did you buy your dad that truck with your first professional paycheck?
No, I didn’t {laughs}. That was just kind of a joke going around {laughs}.
How did you first become interested in hockey?
I guess just growing up back home in Canada, everyone my age was playing it and I started at a young age, four years old. I played both soccer and hockey, although neither of my parents played hockey growing up. Eventually, I had a choice to make and I went with hockey.
Was there a particular moment when you knew you wanted to be a professional hockey player?
I just took it year-by-year and one step at a time. After playing in the British Columbia Hockey League {BCHL}, I wanted to play in the NCAA. I told them {Umass Amherst} of my intentions of being there for four years. I played well enough that the opportunity to pursue playing professional hockey came early, which is something everyone strives for when playing hockey growing up.
What did you enjoy most about playing for the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL and how much did your time there help you prepare for Umass Amherst?
Playing in Nanaimo was very personal to my development. I just enjoyed being there and around guys who had the same goals of wanting to play NCAA hockey. Being around head coach Bill Bestwick, who was a great role model for me, helped developed me into the player I am now. He was a hard nose coach who expected a lot from his players and the players respected him for that.
During your time in Nanaimo, the team won four consecutive Chevrolet Cups {now known as the Ron Boileau Memorial Trophy}, which is awarded to the team that accumulates the most points during the regular season, and won the Centennial Cup championship in 2007. How was the team able to be that consistent?
Coach Bestwick had a good system in place and the team recruited well by doing their homework. The team recruited players from Saskatchewan and other areas of Canada. We also had a couple of American players on the squad as well. Once you build your reputation as a winning organization, players want to go there. We were lucky enough to win the regular season each year I was there and lucky enough to win the championship in 2007 {we lost in the finals to Penticton in 2008}.
What attracted you to UMass Amherst and what was it like playing there?
They were the first school that became interested in me. I had a good start to my second year in Nanaimo after not having a good first year {3-6-9} and started getting attention from schools. UMass Amherst was the first school to approach me. I talked to assistant coach Len Quesnelle, and he told me what the coaches wanted and expected out of me if I decided to go there. From there, I went on a recruiting trip and met the coaches. I had a good feeling for the program and the direction they were going in. It was a no brainer as I loved the campus, the school and I had a chance to come out east, which I had never been before.
You played both seasons {2008-10} at UMass Amherst with James Marcou and Justin Braun. What was it like playing with them in college and what has it been like playing with them in Worcester?
It was a good experience. James was a sophomore my freshman year and Justin was a junior. Justin and I were on the power play together and were defensive partners for most of the year. I looked up to Justin as he had success his first two years at UMass Amherst and was seen as a leader on the team. It was nice to play with him. It’s funny how it all worked out in that James and I knew Justin had got drafted by San Jose and then James got the same opportunity I got by signing with San Jose at the same time I did. It was nice to have familiar faces when I got to Worcester and its been fun continuing our hockey careers with each other.
What went through your mind when you signed with the San Jose Sharks organization in 2010 as an undrafted free agent and had San Jose been scouting you?
I went to their development camp in July after my freshman year at UMass Amherst to see what everything was about. I learned a lot from the scouts and coaches through video and everything. It was nice to see how an NHL organization is operated. I went back to school and San Jose kept an eye on me during the year but I didn’t know much about it or if they wanted to sign me as I kept that stuff to my advisor at the time. My parents were more involved in that process than I was as I was more concerned with hockey at the time and trying to make the playoffs. After the playoffs, Casey Wellman was getting approached by many teams and decided to leave to pursue professional hockey. I talked it over with my dad, who informed me of everything that had been going on between them and the Sharks, and it just came down to a decision of whether I wanted to leave school and pursue hockey. I had the support of my family, who left the decision in my hands and said it was up to me if I wanted to leave. I’ve always dreamed of that moment and school will always be there for me to go back and get my degree. That’s what I’m doing right now, pursuing hockey because its there.
Andrew Agozzino scores 3 straight goals as IceDogs hammer Otters 7-2
The Canadian Press
ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – Andrew Agozzino scored a natural hat trick as the Niagara IceDogs dominated the Erie Otters 7-2 in Ontario Hockey League action Thursday night.
Agozzino scored two goals in the first period, and one in the second to give him 13 on the season.
Daniel Nikandrov scores twice in Sarnia Legionnaires’ Win
Dec 3
Sharks make college pay off with win
Bill Ballou
Telegram.com
WORCESTER — There’s nothing like a college education to get you started on the road to success in business, medicine, law and — for that matter — the American Hockey League.
The Sharks outsmarted and, most importantly, outscored the Springfield Falcons last night, 4-3, in overtime to move back above .500 for the season. The OT goal was scored by Matt Irwin (UMass), assisted by Justin Braun (UMass) and Ryan Del Monte (Brock U).
John McCarthy (BU), Del Monte and Cam MacIntyre (Princeton) had the other goals for Worcester. Irwin also had an assist, as did Tony Lucia (Minnesota), Nick Petrecki (BC), Brodie Reid (Northeastern) and Jimmy Bonneau.
Irwin’s goal came at 2:22 of overtime. He skated out of the right corner and snapped a shot at the Falcons’ net that hit Brett Lebda in the pad and deflected past goalie Manny Legace. It capped a nice little comeback for Worcester, which trailed, 3-2, going into the third period.
Irwin didn’t see how the puck went in.
“The goalie was tight to the post,” he said, “and that left some room on the far side. I don’t know if it went off something, or someone, or maybe off him and in.”
Irwin and former UMass teammate Braun, just back from San Jose, were the game’s dominant players.
Huge night from Christian Thomas lifts Generals over Sting
Durhamregion.com
Thomas scored three goals and five points in an 8-4 victory over the Sarnia Sting at the General Motors Centre.
..
In the third period he assisted on goals by Andy Andreoff and Nicklas Jensen to close out his big night.
Thomas’s first goal, just over 11 minutes into the opening period, brought down the stuffed animals from the stands on Teddy Bear Toss Night at the GM Centre. A total of 3,983 stuffed animals were collected and will be donated to charity during the holiday’s.
Meanwhile, Thomas wasn’t the only General to enjoy a big game.
Nicklas Jensen collected a goal and four points, while Andy Andreoff finished with a goal and two helpers.
Captain Boone Jenner also scored for Oshawa, as did Josh Graves and Lucas Lessio, while a pair of players, Scott Laughton and Kyle Hope had three assists each.
Hunter era 2.0 a winner
Ryan Pyette
The London Free Press
This new edition of Hunter hockey in London — let’s call it version 2.0 — doesn’t look much different than its original.
The Knights started their season with Dale Hunter behind the bench and pounded Saginaw 8-0 at home.
On Friday night, they played their first game for GM and new head coach Mark Hunter and pasted the dreadful-looking Spirit again, this time 6-0 before 9,046 at the John Labatt Centre.
“It was a different feeling before the game,” said veteran forward Dane Fox, who potted another goal and continued his current run of effectiveness. “It was tough to lose Dale (to the Washington Capitals this week) but we wanted to impress Mark. We went out there and had some jump early and didn’t let up.
“It was good to see and I thought we played pretty well.”
The adjustment wasn’t all on the ice. It’s been the biggest change for twins and Ryan Rupert, who are still living in Dale Hunter’s house here in London.
“Every morning, Dale would make us breakfast,” Matt said. “We missed that. He made us good stuff. He made us eggs and bacon, a lot of different things.
“He did a lot for us (to get them ready for school at 7:45 a.m.). It was weird to wake up in the morning (this week) and him not be there.”
It was difficult for Dale, too, who has lost two in a row with the Caps. The Knights haven’t lost consecutive games all season.
The new Washington boss, without a game of his own on Friday, had been trying to find a way to tune in to the Knights-Spirit clash from D.C.
“I watched both of his games (against St. Louis and Pittsburgh),” Matt Rupert said. “It’s too bad he didn’t win one of them, but he’s going to get one soon.”
“He’s a good coach.”
Fighting Saints Acquire Cody Bradley from Indiana
Our Sports Central
DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Fighting Saints remained busy in the USHL trade market today, acquiring Cody Bradley from the Indiana Ice in exchange for forward John Doherty. Bradley, a 5’9″, 150 pound left wing, is a native of Tampa, Florida, and a USHL veteran despite being only 17 years old. Last season with the Ice, Bradley scored 11 goals and 20 points in 51 games. In sixteen games this season, he has added three goals and eight points.
Fighting Saints Head Coach Jim Montgomery is hopeful that Bradley can add to the team’s playmaking ability – a need that he partially addressed last week with the acquisition of Jono Davis from Cedar Rapids.
“Cody brings high-end creativity, hockey sense, and skill. He will help our scoring lines,” he said.
Leivo with two assists in Sudbury win
Crane Scores, Ohio State wins 8th straight
Dec 4
Crane leads Ohio State’s sweep of Lake Superior State
Justin Boggs
USCHO.com
Chris Crane scored the eventual game-winner with 13:01 left in the third when Lakers goalie Kevin Murdock couldn’t handle a rebound off an Alex Lippincott shot. Crane promptly took the loose puck and poked the puck through the five-hole of Murdock.
“It is our mentality,” Crane said, “coming out with that first punch every single period. We went down 1–0 and we had to come back. Bottom line. We had to continue to play Ohio State hockey no matter what happens.
“I think once we got into the game there, we started wearing Lake State down and it worked out for us.”
Crane finished the game with seven shots and was a threat all night from around the net.
Sam Gagner scores first goal of the season
Besko, Texas beat Charlotte 4-2
Blacker with assist, +3 in Marlies win
Murphy with goal and assist in Rangers win
Thomas Triggers Teddys for Second Straight Year
Blain with two assists in Titan win
Morton-Boutin scores shootout winner
more..THE RIG 28 week ending November 27th
on December 10th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Nov 21
Hard work pays off for Habs’ Gomez
Pat Hickey
The Gazette
Gomez wasn’t around after the game to talk about his playmaking, but Gionta praised his longtime friend.
“He worked hard and played great,” Gionta said. “He was on the puck and doing the right things. When he does that, he’s a great player. He was moving and hitting the seams.
“Gomer made two great reads,” Gionta added. “I was kind of disappointed, because a shift or two before the first goal I should have one-timed it and I didn’t, so the second time I wanted to make sure that I got it off.”
That play was set in motion when Gomez displayed his instinct and familiarity with Gionta. He was being checked in the neutral zone, but sent Gionta into the clear with a blind backhand pass along the boards.
Scott Gomez: ‘This whole thing is surreal’
Dave Stubbs
The Gazette
Gomez didn’t make a post-game dressing room appearance after Saturday’s 4-0 win over the New York Rangers, puzzling given that his highly involved two-assist, four-shot, plus-2 effort had clearly been his best game of the season.
The centreman’s no-show in the room wasn’t a media snub. He was elsewhere in the Bell Centre shooting a video promo for next month’s Guns N Hoses hockey game between firefighters and police in his native Anchorage, an annual event that this year will benefit his own charitable foundation.
On Sunday, Gomez spoke about the “surreal” situation in which he finds himself – it’s been 40 regular-season games, 47 including the playoffs – since he has scored.
And he said that for the first time since his return from a torn latissimus dorsi muscle just beneath the armpit, still not 100 per cent: “I’m feeling like: ‘Here we go, this is what I’ve worked for.’
“There’s nothing I can do about the time lost. It’s gone. You have to go forward and work even harder. Dwell on what’s been and you’ll go nowhere. It will tear you up inside.
“I look at nine games lost and I view it as being lucky that it was only that. I could have been out the whole year.”
Gomez had a glorious opportunity to end his scoring drought Saturday when he went in alone early in the third period, the scoring chance perishing in the glove of Rangers goalie Martin Biron.
“I felt good to have had the chance,” Gomez said. “I know I’m going to score. But honestly, I wouldn’t have felt any happier to score than I did setting up (Brian) Gionta in the slot.
Breakout Second Season a Good Case of Deja Vu for Tyler Seguin
DJ Bean
WEEI.com
Top-two pick to top scorer. Contributor to superstar. Occasional healthy scratch to occasionally earning upwards of 20 minutes a night and playing against top lines. Regardless of how one chooses to describe Tyler Seguin’s leap from his rookie year to his highly impressive sophomore campaign, the 19-year-old has shown that though his first year on the job featured flashes of brilliance, he has simply taken it to another level on his second try.
If you’re surprised that by how much of a jump Seguin’s been able to make from his first year to his second year, perhaps you shouldn’t be. After all, it’s happened before.
“All the things that he went through last year in Boston, he went through with us,” Plymouth Whalers (Ontario Hockey League) head coach and general manager Mike Vellucci recalled this weekend.
Well, Seguin didn’t win the Stanley Cup in his first year in the OHL, but aside from that, Vellucci makes a great point. Though the season ended with Seguin hoisting the most coveted trophy in sports, his rookie campaign in the NHL was far from a walk in the park. After scoring his first career goal in just his second game (a tally that was assisted by Michael Ryder and Tim Thomas), Seguin hit some roadblocks in his first professional season, often appearing timid and not trusting his skill as much as he does now.
That’s something that Seguin also experienced in his first OHL season. A fourth-liner to begin the 2008-09 season under coach Greg Stefan, Seguin had only one goal over his first 17 games. Stefan eventually left to take a scouting gig with the Hurricanes, and after Vellucci took over and promoted Seguin, the rookie saw improvement over the rest of the season and finished with a solid 67 points. It was that second year that saw Seguin really take off, and he finished the season with a league-leading 106 points.
Through 18 games, Seguin’s 21 points this season put him just one shy of matching his rookie total, something it took him 74 games to achieve. Stats don’t tell the whole story, though. Watching Seguin, he’s clearly a different player. He’s just as fast as he ever was, but he’s using his speed more. He isn’t shying away from contact as much. He’s showing just why he was the top-ranked player in the 2010 draft, and he’s certainly reopened the debate over who should have been the first overall pick.
“It’s just experience,” Seguin said recently. “Every game you play, you get more experience under your belt. That’s what’s been helping me out the most.”
Matt Carter tied for 2nd in scoring, Atlantic University Sport Conference
LeBlanc scores third goal of the year
Roy stops 31 of 32 for second win in two nights
Goodrow scores breakaway goal in Brampton win
Nov 22
Mike Cammalleri Post-game Interview
Irwin Finds Niche on Power Play, Leads AHL
Andrew Stepanek
Sharksahl.com
The Worcester Shark’s record for most power play goals by a defenseman in a season is nine, set by Garrett Stafford in 2006-07, the Shark’s first season in Worcester. Derek Joslin holds the career record with 16. Joslin spent parts of four seasons suiting up in Worcester before becoming a regular in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks and now the Carolina Hurricanes.
Both of these Worcester Sharks records have appeared to be safe, until now.
Enter 2011-12 Worcester Sharks defenseman Matt Irwin.
For the diehard hockey fans that have been following the individual statistics of Worcester Sharks players and those who read Bill Ballou’s article entitled “Sharks Break Down in OT” this past Saturday in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, you are already well aware of Matt Irwin’s staggering power play production.
Irwin has been an offensive machine on the blue line in 2011-12 totaling 13 points (6g, 7a) in 14 games. He is well on the way to surpassing his numbers from 2010-11 that included 31 points (10g, 21a) in 72 games.
Last season, Irwin had 6 power play goals, a number he has already reached this season, to give him 12 for his career which puts both of the aforementioned records in jeopardy.
These numbers make a case for Irwin being a 2-way defenseman that can create plenty of noise in his second full professional season. If the Brentwood Bay, BC native can keep the production going he is on pace to reach the 70 point (32g, 38a) plateau in 76 AHL games in 2011-12.
Matt Irwin has been on a tear and people throughout the entire hockey community are starting to notice. The 23 year old defenseman currently ranks first among all AHL defensemen in goals scored with six, second in the AHL with six power play goals, trailing only Casey Wellman of the Houston Aeros who has 7, and fourth among all defensemen with 13 points.
Aside from league implications, Irwin is currently second on the Worcester Sharks in scoring trailing only rookie sensation forward Mike Connolly.
Irwin’s moments of offensive greatness have included two game winning tallies and six of the Sharks 13 power play strikes. In fact, he has either scored or assisted on four of the last seven Worcester Sharks goals.
Stockton’s Roy Named Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week
PRINCETON, N.J. – Olivier Roy of the Stockton?Thunder is the Reebok Hockey ECHL?Goaltender of the Week for Nov. 14-20.
The 20-year-old was 2-0-0 with a goals against average of 1.50 and a save percentage of .959 in two victories over Ontario last week as the Thunder impoved to 7-4-3 on the season.
Roy made 40 saves in a 3-2 win against the?Reign on?Friday to earn his first?ECHL?win and followed that up with 30 saves in a 3-1 victory on?Saturday.
A native of Causapscal, Quebec, Roy is 2-3-3 with one shutout, a 2.32 goals-against average and a save percentage of .925 in eight appearances with the?Thunder this season.
Goodrow scored once in each of the Battalion’s three road games on the weekend.
UW men’s hockey: Kerdiles gets some Red Line love
Andy Baggot
Madison.com
Nic Kerdiles, a University of Wisconsin men’s hockey signee for 2012-13, is turning heads in the NHL scouting community, according to Red Line Report.
The independent international scouting service has Kerdiles, a projected winger, 32nd on its ranking of worldwide prospects for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. That translates to a high second-round pick and is big when you know he was ranked 75th by Red Line in October.
Kerdiles, a 17-year-old from Irvine, Calif., is No. 1 on Red Line’s list of draft board risers after leading Team USA in goals en route to the gold medal in the Four Nations under-18 tournament earlier this month in Switzerland.
“Easily the most dangerous forward on (the) team,” wrote RLR of Kerdiles, listed at 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds and playing center for the U.S. National Team Developmental Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. “Worked hard both ways on every shift. … Takes no time off and is a relentless forechecker. … Good speed coupled with excellent strength makes him too much to contain for smallish opponents at times. Scored most of his goals between right faceoff circle and hash marks. Very good two-way player.”
Nov 23
Stockon Thunder’s Olivier Roy wins ECHL Goaltender of the Week award
Mike Weaver
Examiner.com
Earning the first two victories of his ECHL career also landed Stockton Thunder goalie Olivier Roy the league’s Goaltender of the Week award.
Roy won the award for the week of Nov. 14-20, during which he posted back-to-back wins over the Ontario Reign to close out a six-game road trip for the Thunder.
The announcement was made on Tuesday (Nov. 22) as the Thunder prepared for a Wednesday night home game against the Alaska Aces at Stockton Arena.
“It’s always fun when you work hard and get recognized,” said Roy, who turned in a 40-save performance in a 3-2 win at Ontario last Friday (Nov. 18) and then stopped 30 shots in a 3-1 victory the following night. “I’ve been working really hard. To finally get (a win) on the board . . . the feeling was really good.”
In his two victories, Roy, who credited his teammates for strong defensive play in front of him, posted a goals-against average of 1.50 and a save percentage of .959. For the season, Roy is 2-3-3 with one shutout, a GAA of 2.32 and a save percentage of .925.
“This is a nice accomplishment for him,” Thunder Coach Matt Thomas said of Roy being selected for the award. “He deserved it previous, and it’s good for him to get it.”
Goodrow scores in seventh straight game
Clendening talks about rivalry with Cornell
Iafrate scores short-handed goal, first goal with Kitchener
LeBlanc scores first of the season
Morton-Boutin scores shootout winner for Arizona
Crane takes over team scoring lead with three-point game
Nov 24
Colts acquire speedster
Stephen Sweet
The Barrie Examiner
The Barrie Colts added some scoring punch on Thursday, acquiring overage forward Daniel Erlich from the Guelph Storm.
Barrie receives Erlich in exchange for Niagara fifth-round pick in 2012, Barrie fourth-round selection in 2014, and a conditional eighth rounder in 2017.
Erlich, 20, has spent four seasons with the London Knights and Guelph Storm, where he amassed 188 points in 223 games.
The Thornhill native began the 2011-12 campaign with defending Austrian league champion Red Bull Salzburg, putting up seven points in 16 games before returning to Canada.
Josh Graves – Generals Player of the Week
OshawaGenerals.com
Josh Graves has landed himself the title of Oshawa Generals Player of the Week for the period ending November 20th.
In what was a trying weekend for the Generals, Graves kept his effort at the highest level and did not let the adversity the team has been facing get the best of him. Graves showed determination every shift and worked to make a difference whenever he was on the ice.
In the three games the team played last week, Graves tallied 1 goal, 1 assist, and a +2 rating. He contributed offensively, was responsible defensively, and most of all, showed consistency through a difficult stretch of games.
Patrick Lalime interview on FAN 590
Nov 25
My Story: Andrei Loktionov (Larionov)
By Andrei Loktionov
LAKings.com
When I was four years old my father brought me to the local ice arena and I remember the coach didn’t think I could do anything because I was only four years old. I went onto the ice and made a couple of circles, which impressed the coach because he put me on the second line. Growing up I also played some tennis, ping pong, and soccer, but I really loved hockey right away.
Hockey was – and remains — very popular in my hometown of Voskresensk, Russia, which is located about 50 miles away from Moscow and about a 10-12 hour bus ride from St. Petersburg. It is a very small town with maybe 110,000 people, and we had just one ice rink. Right now the rink is better because they improved it recently, but when I was there it was so old. I think every kid tried to play hockey at first and then if you weren’t good enough you would do something else.
I grew up wanting to play in the National Hockey League and the Olympics and my favorite player was Igor Larionov, who is now my agent. I first met him when my dad introduced us in Voskresensk while I was practicing with other young kids. There were a lot of good players in my league growing up. A couple of them are playing in the Kontinental Hockey League and Dmitri Kulikov is playing for the Florida Panthers now. We would always travel by bus and usually play in Moscow or a nearby city against teams like UHC Dynamo and Spartak Moscow. When I was 13 years old, I was selected to play for Spartak and we played a game in Sweden which was my first time leaving Russia.
When I was 17 years old I never really thought that I would get to play for a big team like that but I always worked as hard as I could. I always gave 100 percent, did my best and did what my trainer told me without really thinking about the future. I graduated from high school and I am one semester away from graduating from a University near Moscow with a Sports Education degree. Through it all, I never thought about what I would do if hockey didn’t work out.
Robertson fourth among OHL defencemen in scoring
Jim Parker
The Windsor Star
“Being in Peterborough, I loved it there and have some great friends,” said Robertson, who faces his former team Sunday at the WFCU Centre.
“Leaving and coming here with that playoff run (to the Western Conference final), even though we didn’t win it all, was the most fun I’ve had in the league. Ever since I got here, I feel I’ve improved. It might be the best coaching staff in the (Canadian Hockey League) and I’m happy I’m here.”
The six-foot-two, 210-pound Robertson delivered on the defensive side, but coming to Windsor also brought out an unexpected offensive side.
“Before that (trade), I was content to being a stay-at-home defenceman,” the 20-year-old Robertson said.
“Here, I got more of an opportunity with the coaching and learning different techniques.”
In 170 regular-season and playoff games with Peterborough, Robertson had seven goals and 24 points.
After arriving in Windsor, he had 13 points in 22 regular-season games and was fourth among OHL defencemen in playoff scoring with 15 points in 18 games.
He hasn’t slowed this season with a career-high six goals and 21 points in 27 games.
That brings his total to 10 goals and 49 points in 67 regular-season and playoff games in Windsor.
“I had five goals last year and thought, ‘How am I going to top that?’” Robertson said.
“I just try to make a good outlet pass. In the offensive zone, I don’t shoot to score. I shoot it hard to get it through traffic and create rebounds.”
Verhaeghe Scores First Career Goal in 6-1 Win Over Battalion
Goodrow extends point streak to eight games
Gomez and Thiessen named to BCHL’s all-time top 50 players list
Max Iafrate goal
Nov 26
Kontos a chip off the old block
Gene Pereira
The Barrie Examiner
Ask Sudbury Wolves winger Kristoff Kontos and he’ll tell you father does know best.
The Penetanguishene native is eager to make his own name in the world of hockey, but unlike most teenagers who often roll their eyes when dear old dad dishes out words of advice, Kontos is more than eager to hear what his old man has to say.
That’s because when it comes to hockey, his father certainly knows a thing or two. Chris Kontos spent parts of eight seasons in the National Hockey League, as well as more than 16 seasons playing pro hockey in the American Hockey League, International Hockey League and in Europe.
“He’s been in every situation and he knows how to handle things. How to treat yourself. How to be professional,” said Kristoff, who will be in Barrie on Saturday night when his Wolves take on the Colts at the Barrie Molson Centre. “He’s been a big impact for my career so far and, hopefully, he continues to be a big impact.”
Kristoff has leaned on his dad at times to help him get through his first couple of years of junior hockey, but now in his third season with the Wolves and with this being his draft year, dad’s words of wisdom mean more than ever thanks to his experience.
Chris also played forward in Sudbury, spending two seasons with Wolves from 1980 to 1982 before being dealt to the Toronto Marlboros.
In 1982, the New York Rangers selected Chris 15th overall in the NHL Entry Draft. When the NHL’s preliminary Central Scouting Rankings for players eligible for the 2012 NHL draft came out last week, Kristoff was rated 23rd overall among OHL skaters.
The 17-year-old centre is truly starting to blossom this season and having someone who has been through it all is a major plus, especially when this has been the year you’ve been waiting for almost all your life.
Kristoff says he leans heavily on his dad.
“I was on the ice a lot with him this summer and he’s always bickering at me about little things and making sure I do certain things properly,” he said. “He’s been a big influence, as I said, and he’s got a lot of experience in that department, so it’s great to have him.”
After racking up 13 goals and 24 assists over his first two seasons in the OHL, Kristoff is well on his way to surpassing that combined total with seven goals and eight helpers in 21 games this season.
His improved play certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by Sudbury head coach Trent Cull.
“I like how Kristoff’s come back,” Cull said after practice this week. “He’s a year older, a year more experienced and he’s still a pretty young guy. I’m happy to see him catching some of the eyebrows of the NHL guys and I hope with Kristoff he gets better and better as time wears on this season for him and for our team.”
LSSU’s GTA connections includes standout sophomore Kellan Lain
Linda Bouvet
LSSU Sports Information
Hockey is a unique sport. The typical developmental progression of the athlete, particularly one on the college track, allows for second chances.
The LSSU hockey team benefits from athletes who have made the most of their second chances. One of those is sophomore forward Kellan Lain, who missed most of his 2009-10 junior season due to a serious injury suffered during the 2009 playoffs.
Lain shares a line with junior Domenic Monardo, who also endured a difficult recovery from a life-threatening injury that nearly ended his career. Monardo and Lain, along with current Laker forward Nick McParland, were teammates at Oakville at the time.
“You never want stuff like that to happen,” Lain said. “But to get past that shows your true colors. It makes you a stronger person in the end, makes you a better player. You appreciate what you have and take nothing for granted. Both injuries were scary, and easily could have ended our lives or our hockey careers.”
Instead, Lain and Monardo are thriving. Monardo is LSSU’s second leading scorer with 5-6—11, while Lain has a goal and two assists and leads the Lakers in faceoff wins.
“We kind of have similar paths,” Lain said. “We both had to deal with injuries. Dom was hurt early during my first year. Like me, he was also cut by teams. It’s kind of cool to share those similar experiences. It shows you that hard work pays off. Never give up on your dream.”
Lain deferred enrollment at LSSU until the 2010-11 season due to his injury. He played only 16 games in Oakville in 2009-10, but finished strong. He was named most-valuable player of the 2010 Dudley Hewitt Cup while playing on a team ranked among the top five in Canada.
Erlich scores penalty shot goal in first game with Barrie
Josh Graves scores GWG for Oshawa
Leivo scores shootout winner for Sudbury
Iafrate posts goal and two assists in Kitchener win
Nov 27
Lodge scores first NHL goal with Saginaw
Ouellet scores shootout winner for Armada
Seguin Dunkin Donuts
THE RIG 28 week ending November 20th
on November 21st, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Nov 14
U.S. National Under-18 Team Bests Switzerland, 6-2, to Claim Title
USA Hockey Communications
JuniorHockey.com
at 2011 Under-18 Four Nations Tournament, Team USA Earns Fourth Straight Championship in Event
MONTHEY, Switzerland – Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif.) notched two goals, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team bested Switzerland, 6-2, to claim its fourth consecutive Under-18 Four Nations tournament title here today at Monthey Arena. Team USA finished round-robin play with a 3-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OLT-L) record.
***
Nicolas Kerdiles led all players in the tournament in points (5-0) and goals scored
NHL Workout with Cammalleri & Seguin
Seguin NHL’s First Star of the Week
Joe MacDonald
ESPN Boston
WILMINGTON, Mass. – Boston Bruins forward Tyler Seguin has been named the NHL’s First Star of the Week. Detroit’s Jimmy Howard was named the second star, while Chicago’s Jonathan Toews was named third star.
“It’s pretty cool,” Seguin said of the honor. “Obviously it’s never happened to me before and I’m feeling pretty good about it. I’ve got the boys all over me. Everyone is making sure that I know Star of the Week doesn’t make your career.”
Seguin posted four goals and two assists and finished with a plus-4 rating last week. He currently has goals in four straight games and points in his last six. He leads the Bruins with 11 goals and 20 points. Also, he leads the NHL with a plus-14.
It’s safe to say he’s having a breakout season in only his second year in the NHL.
“It’s great. It’s deserving,” said Bruins coach Claude Julien. “He’s had a tremendous start to the season and even now I see him getting better and better, which is even more encouraging. His confidence is growing.
Loktionov Recalled by Kings (Larionov)
Goodrow scores and scores again in shootout
(image from bramptonguardian.com)
Yakupov & Galchenyuk Highlight Reel (Larionov)
Yakupov with goal & 2 assists vs Majors
Devlin scores first as a Spitfire
Nov 15
Cammalleri After Practice
Tyler Seguin in Joking Mood After Being Named NHL First Star of the Week
Douglas Flynn
NESN.com
WILMINGTON, Mass. — Tyler Seguin has earned plenty of accolades over the years, but Monday marked the first honor he’s received in the NHL.
The first individual honor anyway. He does have his name engraved on that nice shiny Cup. And maybe the experience with the Stanley Cup raised his expectations about what he’ll do with the NHL First Star of the Week he earned on Monday.
“I’ve got to plan out my day with it,” joked Seguin. “Hopefully my family can make it.”
Seguin remained in good humor, and with a healthy dose of humility, when he was asked if he actually does get anything for being the league’s first star.
“I get the boys all over me,” Seguin said. “Everyone is letting me know that a week doesn’t make a career.”
But it was quite a week for Seguin. In three games, the 19-year-old forward had four goals and two assists and finished plus-4. That helped the Bruins extend their win streak to five games, and the B’s weren’t the only winners from Seguin’s efforts. In honor of his recognition, the Boston Bruins Foundation will make a $1,000 donation to the children’s charity of Seguin’s choice.
“It’s pretty cool,” Seguin said of receiving the award. “It’s obviously never happened to me before, so I’m feeling pretty good about it.”
Kings hope Loktionov can wing it (Larionov)
Rich Hammond
LaKingsInsider.com
MURRAY: “With Penner going on I.R., we’ve talked about our scoring a lot here in the last couple years. We need to get our 5-on-5 scoring to have more depth, more balance. We feel with Loktionov, he’s a very creative guy, he’s a puck-possession player. He can, we’re hoping, make some good things happen on that line. I felt comfortable using him last year with Kopitar. He played five games and went back down to the minors and came up and played some more in that situation. So I feel that he’s got some games under his belt at that position, although I do still feel he is a center iceman. He fits there right now, again, because he’s a puck-possession player and he’s got a real good IQ on the ice. We’re looking to see if that can get some chemistry to start to get some scoring for us.”
Thomas Larkin, International Man of Mystery
gogatehockey.blogspot.com
Colgate junior defensemen Thomas Larkin won a gold medal with the Italian National Team at the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Division I World Championships in Hungary. This past weekend, Larkin and Team Italy returned to Budapest for the 2011 Euro Hockey Challenge. The Italians were joined by host Hungary, Japan and Austria in the three-game, four-team pod.
The Italians went 3-0-0 and finished the three-day tournament in first place. Thomas Larkin played in two of Italy’s three games. He handed out two assists and earned a plus-1 rating. The Colgate junior also earned a two-minute minor penalty. Both of Larkin’s helpers came in Italy’s 3-2 victory over Austria on Fri., Nov. 11, in the opening game of the tournament for each team. The Cocquio Trevisago, Italy, native earned a secondary power play assist on Italy’s first goal in the second period that tied the game at one and then he notched the primary helper on the eventual game-winning goal in the third. The following day, Larkin was plus-one in Italy’s 3-2 triumph over host Hungary.
Thomas gets one + one for Team OHL vs Russia
Yakupov first, Galchenyuk fifth on Craig’s List (Larionov)
Nov 16
Opportunities arise for Loktionov (Larionov)
Jon Rosen
FoxSportsWest.com
…
Loktionov, on the other hand, will see a different forward grouping from the one with which he recorded seven points in 19 games a season ago before an assignment to Manchester and subsequent shoulder injury derailed his 2010-11 season. Instead of Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams, he’ll skate with Mike Richards and Dustin Brown.
“They’re good players. They can find me anywhere. I just have to leave my stick on the ice and open up,” Loktionov said about his linemates.
Naturally a center – and one who led the Manchester Monarchs with 14 points through 17 games in such a role – Loktionov will once again be shifted to left wing, a transition that Loktionov said “should be a little easier for me” due to his experience on that side last season.
Ouellet with an assist, +1 in two Super Series games
Andreoff has three point night for Oshawa
Nov 17
Cutting’s edge is volunteer work
CottageCountryNow.ca
BRACEBRIDGE — Helping others off the ice is Keevin Cutting’s way of staying sharp as a leader on the ice.
The Owen Sound Attack player says that burying himself in volunteer work has helped prepare him to take on the challenges of his fourth OHL season. Originally from Bracebridge, Cutting was first drafted to the Attack as a defenceman in 2008.
In his downtime, Cutting volunteers as a motivational speaker for students at elementary schools in and around the Owen Sound area. He first heard about the chance to volunteer through Dave and Doris Lang, his billets in Owen Sound.
“We talk about bullying and times where we might have been bullied when we were kids, because they (students) kind of look up to us and they might not think that we were bullied when we were kids,” said Cutting. “Also, (we talk about) the sacrifices of making your goals in life, what we had to do in order to play in the OHL.”
Cutting also helps out with certain classes at Notre Dame, a Catholic School in Owen Sound.
“I help out a Grade 6 class with their reading period and gym class, once, twice or sometimes three times a week, depending on my schedule,” he said. “It’s really rewarding, it makes me feel like a better person.”
Since he began as an OHL rookie four years ago, Cutting has become a team veteran whom newer players are now looking up to. Though the Attack captured first place in the OHL Midwest division last season, the team’s lineup has since changed.
Cammalleri scores GWG on slap shot
Seguin Post-Practice Interview
Kerdiles ranked 19th in ISS Rankings
Initial Central Scouting rankings rank Yakupov first (Larionov)
Nov 18
Loktionov picks up assist in second game (Larionov)
Chris Crane Previews Michigan Series
Ask a Wolverine: Kevin Lynch
MGoBlue.com
From Rodger Hunwick: What was your favorite class in middle school?
Lynch: History. Actually, Shawn Hunwick’s uncle was teaching the class and he’s a pretty funny guy. That was my favorite class because he was teaching it and he was one of my favorite teachers growing up.
From Dan Rosenberg: Who came up with the nickname Kenmore? Do you like that nickname?
Lynch: I think it was Chris Brown, actually. And I’m not too happy about that, either. It’s one of the nicknames I dislike most.
From Mike Allen Szumski: What’s the best part about playing for Red?
Lynch: I think just his knowledge for the game. He gives everyone the same opportunity and he doesn’t play favorites. His philosophy is work hard and you’ll get rewarded. And I think those are some of the things that everyone likes about him.
From Mike Allen Szumski: What does it mean to you to be a Wolverine?
Lynch: It’s everything I wanted and everything I expected growing up. As a kid, that’s the dream that I had, to play here. And it’s exceeded all of my expectations. I realize everyday that I have to wear the jersey with pride. It’s a tradition and you have to live up to it.
Adrian Robertson Post-game
Kontos 23rd among OHL Players in Prelim CSB Rankings
Nov 19
Campbell Wins it in OT over Worcester
Manchester Monarchs
MANCHESTER, NH – Defenseman Andrew Campbell scored at 3:55 of the overtime period to lift Manchester Monarchs over the Worcester Sharks, 3-2 in overtime, at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Friday night.
Manchester (8-9-0-1) moves into a tie with the Providence Bruins (8-9-1-0) for second place in the Atlantic Division with 17 points each. The Sharks (5-4-2-2) are in fifth place in the Division with 14 points.
“We used a couple of great efforts by Jordan Nolan to scratch our way into the game,” said Monarchs Head Coach Mark Morris. “It was a penalty filled affair and kudos to our goaltender for keeping us in it. (Andrew) Campbell scored a big goal. It was a hard fought game. We knew we were in for a battle when there was a dust up in the warm-up. We will take the two points. It was an emotional win and hopefully we ride this momentum into what should be a packed house tomorrow night.”
Campbell tallied his first goal of the season, a game-winning strike, at 3:44 of overtime. Right wing Jordan Nolan found defenseman Jake Muzzin at the left point who passed up the one-timer to send a pass over to Campbell at the right point. Campbell teed up a slap shot that beat Sharks goaltender Harri Sateri for the game-winner.
Andrew Campbell Video
Stockton Thunder goalie Olivier Roy earns first ECHL victory
Mike Weaver
Stockton Hockey Examiner
The Stockton Thunder finally rewarded goalie Olivier Roy with his first ECHL victory on Friday night (Nov. 18).
Roy turned in a 40-save performance and Kevin Baker broke a 2-2 tie with a clutch third-period goal as the Thunder escaped with a 3-2 decision over the Ontario Reign in front of a crowd of 6,787 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA.
The victory ended what had been a run of hard luck for Roy, who was 0-3-3 in the first six starts of his ECHL career despite playing well enough to win most of those games. Roy entered play Friday with a goals-against average of 2.59 and a save percentage of .911, but the Thunder had averaged only 1.67 goals per game in support of the rookie goaltender.
“Olivier stood his ground and played great,” Thunder Coach Matt Thomas said by telephone after the game. “He kept us in it for two periods, and then we found a way to win for him.”
If not for Roy, whose 40 saves were a season high, the Thunder (6-4-3) might have found itself buried by the second intermission. Ontario held a 31-14 advantage in shots through two periods, but was clinging to just a 2-1 lead entering the final 20 minutes. Stockton’s Milan Kytnar evened the score with a goal at 2:24 of the third period, and Baker scored on a rebound at 11:45 to give Roy the cushion he needed to nail down his first victory.
Scott Gomez Postgame
Matt Irwin on two-game goal streak
Daniel Maggio vs Guelph (via guelphmercury.com)
Agozzino scores in Niagara Win
Kontos &; Leivo score in Sudbury win
Goal Raphael Lafontaine VS Val d’or
Nov 20
Scott Gomez played best game of season, setting up Brian Gionta for two goals
Dale Mitchell back from injury, scores in first game of the year
Crane scores two as Ohio State completes road sweep of Michigan
Roy stops 31 shots in Stockton win
more..Larionov Article from NHL.com
on November 21st, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Top OHL prospects can count on renowned agent
Thursday, 11.17.2011 / 10:00 AM / 2012 NHL Draft
By Mike G. Morreale – NHL.com Staff Writer
Igor Larionov was always considered a thinking man’s hockey player.
That probably factored into his becoming the sixth Russian-born inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame back in 2008. But following a much heralded international career and 14 seasons in the NHL, Larionov now finds himself thinking for others as a player agent.
Two of his clients this season just so happen to be the top two prospects on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary list of the top 25 skaters from the Ontario Hockey League — teammates Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk of the Sarnia Sting. Yakupov is listed No. 1 and Galchenyuk, despite being sidelined by injury, is No. 2.
Yakupov is considered by many as the frontrunner to become the first Russian-born player since Alex Ovechkin in 2004 to be selected with the No. 1 pick. Galchenyuk, meanwhile, is on the mend after undergoing surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament on Oct. 27.
What advantage does Yakupov have that Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk or Evgeni Malkin didn’t in their draft years? He’ll already have spent two seasons perfecting his craft in North America prior to hearing his name announced at the podium on June 22 in Pittsburgh.
“Nail has always been a big fan of the North American game … the fact it was more physical and played at a more intense level than in Europe,” Larionov told NHL.com. “His mindset was to be the top guy, and he said during his first press conference in Sarnia that he wanted to learn how to play a 68-to-80 game season that’s physical and fast. That’s why he decided to play in North America.”
Larionov, who was part of the “Russian Five” in Detroit with Sergei Fedorov, Slava Kozlov, Viacheslav Fetisov and Vladimir Konstantinov, has but one concern regarding the future of his young clients.
“It’s up to coaches and GMs in the NHL not to take away what they each can bring to the game,” he said. “It’s easy to tell the boys to keep it simple, that it’s not junior hockey anymore. But that requires the boys to be in the right hands with the right people. That’s my biggest concern right now.”
After winning a pair of World Junior Championships, two Olympic gold medals, four World Championships, a Canada Cup and three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings, who would argue with Larionov?
more..THE RIG 28 week ending November 13th
on November 21st, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Nov 7
Blog: Chris Crane Checks in from Alabama
ohiostatebuckeyes.com
This week for the Buckeyes wasn’t a typical week because of the early departure for Alabama. We were served lasagna and chicken along with some fruit before our departure. For the first time this year we traveled through the night on a sleeper bus. This isn’t the typical bus our team takes on road trips, so the arguing for beds was entertaining. Some of the guys started up a competitive card game in the back of the bus along with country music in the background. Cal Heeter and I took the title of the KEMPS Champions. Other guys were watching movies in their bunks and soon thereafter the lights went off. The morning was here before you knew it and we arrived in Huntsville around 4 a.m.
Carter scores twice in UPEI upset win over UNB
Goodrow scores twice for Brampton
Sergeev named to Russian Team for Subway Series (Larionov)
Nov 8
Raising the Bar
Damien Cox
Thestar.com
Kuhnhackl, playing for the Niagara IceDogs after being traded from Windsor this fall, appeared to leave his feet as he crashed into Murphy behind the Kitchener net. Murphy didn’t have the puck when he was hit. He suffered a concussion and is out indefinitely.
Kuhnhackl, son of former German great Erich Kuhnhackl, is a fourth round pick of the Penguins. Murphy was taken 12th overall in last June’s NHL entry draft and was expected to be part of Team Canada for this year’s world junior championships.
His agent, Ian Pulver, said Murphy is improving slowly.
“I think this was a hit that was totally unnecessary and could have been avoided,” said Pulver.
Spitfires acquire defenceman Devlin from Barrie
Jim Parker
Windsorstar.com
The Windsor Spitfires youth movement continued Tuesday as the club acquired 17-year-old right defenceman Brandon Devlin from the Barrie Colts.
In return, the Spitfires sent Barrie the club’s second-round pick, which had just been reacquired from Sault Ste. Marie in the Jack Campbell trade, along with a conditional 15th-round pick in 2017.
“Brandon is a strong, two-way defenceman with unlimited potential,” Spitfires general manager Warren Rychel said. “He will fit nicely into our future plans.”
The six-foot-two, 200-pound Devlin was Barrie’s third-round pick in 2010. In his rookie season, he had three goals and 12 points in 64 games along with 78 penalty minutes.
Bergeron to Seguin
Wisconsin planning to add Kerdiles
Nov 9
Tyler Seguin’s Strong Start Garnering Praise From Opponents and Teammates Alike
Douglas Flynn
NESN.com
BOSTON — With his stellar start to the season, Tyler Seguin has quickly become the toast of the town in Boston.
But the second-year star’s emergence hasn’t gone unnoticed around the rest of the league either. That tends to happen when a 19-year-old sits tied for 10th in the NHL in points with 15 and tied for seventh in goals with eight, leading the reigning Stanley Cup champions in both categories as well as leading the entire league in plus/minus at plus-11 through 13 games.
And while Seguin’s impressive early scoring binge has come as a bit of a surprise after his modest rookie campaign produced just 11-11-22 totals in 74 games, it’s not completely unforeseen for a highly-touted prospect to make a leap like that with a season’s worth of experience under his belt.
“It makes the world of difference, just knowing what to expect, how to handle everything, feeling part of the group, knowing everybody and knowing your surroundings,” Islanders center John Tavares said prior to his club’s game against the Bruins on Monday. “You just learn about the game and what makes you successful out there and what you have to do to get better. Especially for him, he came into a real good team and learned what it takes to win and the good habits that their team has. That’s certainly helped him for sure.”
Maggio scores twice to lead Generals over Petes
20 Qs with Jesse Blacker
Mapleleafs.com
Trade for ex-Colt Devlin strengthens Spits blue-line
Jim Parker
Windsorstar.com
“If I made this deal on Jan. 5, 2014, it would be more than a second-round pick when he’s a 19-year-old,” Rychel said.
“I like this kid. He’s big and strong and we were missing some strength back there.”
The six-foot-two, 195-pound Devlin was Barrie’s third-round pick (55th overall) in the 2010 OHL Draft. In his rookie season, he had three goals and 12 points in 64 games along with 78 penalty minutes.
“I like to think I’m a good, strong defenceman that can put the puck in the net,” said Devlin, who hoped to arrive in Windsor Wednesday.
“I can grind things out, win battles and get the puck out of the corner.
“I can be both. I can be a defensive defenceman when needed and jump into the play.”
First Star: Matt Rupert
Nov 10
Tyler vs. Taylor, 2.0
James Murphy
ESPNBoston.com
BOSTON — Tyler Seguin approached his stall in the Boston Bruins’ locker room after practice Wednesday and turned around to face the reporters camped out waiting for him.
“Just one thing: no questions about Taylor,” Seguin said with a smile.
But he knew — as did anyone who saw that Seguin, whom the Bruins picked second overall in the 2010 NHL draft, would play against the No. 1 pick, Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall, for a second time Thursday — that an inevitable trip down memory lane awaited. As that draft approached, Seguin and Hall flew through a whirlwind of hype together, wondering along with the rest of the world which player would be the top pick. For months leading into the draft, Seguin and Hall traveled in tandem for promotional and media events, entertaining questions about themselves and each other and where they would like to end up — Edmonton or Boston?
So as the rest of the reporters gathered around Seguin on Wednesday– as they would around Hall, after the Oilers practiced at TD Garden — the déjà vu began. Both players were bombarded with the “What if he went there and you went here” scenarios and the questions of how each feels he stacks up when compared to the other.
“It feels like five years ago,” Seguin said of June 25, 2010, the day of the draft, when their paths finally split in different directions. “It feels like a long time ago. I think so far both of us have been playing well. I still keep up with the other guys my age, I’m not going to lie, and he seems to be doing well.
“But it was crazy, and it does feel like such a long time ago. There’s a lot of memories from the ‘Taylor-Tyler’ mania. Four or five months especially of me and him, and it feels like a long time ago but it’s something you don’t forget.”
Nov 11
Graves pushing to crack lineup
Gene Pereira
TheBarrieExaminer.com
The Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors have shown a great deal of patience over the last few years when it comes to grooming their blue-line prospects.
Jacob Graves, a fourth-round selection of the Majors in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, finds himself on that same developmental path.
The Barrie native has got into just five of Mississauga’s first 18 contests, with the majority of his game action this season coming with the affiliate Tier II Jr. ‘A’ Mississauga Chargers.
Graves admits he was a little disappointed at first when he understood he would be spending some time down in Tier II Jr. ‘A’, but he understands it’s all part of his development.
“I’ve kind of got past that
now,” the 16-year-old admitted. “I know it’s just a developing year for me and I just have to work hard, listen to the coaches and take everything in.”
For Majors head coach James Boyd, it’s simply a matter of doing what’s best for Graves.
They love the potential they
pound rookie, but with stalwarts Stuart Percy, Dylan DeMelo, David Corrente and Alex Cord returning on the blue-line, ice time might have been a hard thing to come by.
“He’s practising with us as much he can,” Boyd said. “He’s getting the best of both worlds, playing games with (the Chargers) and playing games with us when we need him, and developing that way.
“One thing we didn’t want to do was rush him in,” Boyd added. “It’s tough coming out of minor midget to this league for anybody. We’ve got a number of young defencemen who are a year older who were developing here (last year), so there’s no rush.”
Crane scores GWG against No 14 Northern Michigan
D’Agostini, OHL Beats Russians
Nov 12
Seguin developing into complete player for Bruins
Matt Kalman
NHL.com
BOSTON — For his family and friends attending the Boston Bruins game at Toronto last Saturday night, Tyler Seguin brought along a special treat.
The second-year winger carried with him his Stanley Cup championship ring, which he admitted he hadn’t looked at since the home opener, to show off during his first trip back to his hometown since the ring ceremony.
Little did anyone know that Seguin’s performance would overshadow the opportunity to view the 300-diamond prize.
Seguin’s first NHL hat trick highlighted the Bruins’ 7-0 rout of the Maple Leafs. Back on home ice for Monday night’s game against the New York Islanders, Seguin wasn’t thinking about producing another offensive eruption as an encore.
“We’ve got, what, 12 games down. I don’t know the math, but a lot more to go,” said Seguin, who now leads the Bruins in both goals (7) and points (14). “So [I'm looking for] consistency, that’s for sure.”
Seguin’s ability to produce like an offensive machine was never questioned from the time he was taken with the second pick in the 2010 NHL Draft. It was evident in spurts over the course of his 11-goal regular season and when he scored 3 goals in two games against Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Blog: Chris Crane Recaps the Sweep at Alabama-Huntsville
ohiostatebuckeyes.com
The weekend for the Buckeyes was very successful. Friday night’s game we showed Alabama-Huntsville we were ready to play. Our program’s mentality was to come out in the first period and play Ohio State Hockey. Well that’s exactly what we did, while Danny Dries scored a career high hat trick for our squad. Ryan Dzingel and Alex Szczechura also tallied two assists each. The final score ended with an Ohio State 4-0 victory as Brady Hjelle acquired his first shuout of the season.
Saturday night was just as satisfying for the team. We came out again ready to play and with his first goal as an Ohio State Buckeye, Nick Oddo put us up 1-0. The second period was mostly solid besides a few penalties. Tanner Fritz also scored his first career goal as a Buckeye making the score 2-0. The boys continued to play Buckeye style hockey as the third period elapsed for a two game sweep. Cal Heeter also recorded his second shutout of the season.
Nov 13
Tyler Seguin Continues Stellar Start to Season, Takes Just 15 Games to Match Rookie Year’s Goal Total
Douglas Flynn
NESN.com
BOSTON — It took Tyler Seguin 74 games in his rookie season to score 11 goals.
Technically, it took him just 63, as the Bruins forward didn’t score a goal in his final 11 games of the regular season.
Seguin hasn’t had to worry about such droughts this year. In fact, just 15 games into the season he’s already matched last year’s goal total. Goals No. 10 and 11 came Saturday night against the Sabres, with Seguin playing a major role in Boston’s 6-2 victory.
It was Boston’s fifth straight win, and pushed the Bruins over .500 for the first time this season at 8-7-0. Boston has scored 30 goals in those five wins, making their early struggles a fading memory.
But even when Boston was at its lowest point in dealing with its Stanley Cup hangover, Seguin was the one constant. He’s failed to collect at least one point in just three games all season, leading the club with 11-9-20 totals.
Seguin has really elevated his game during the team’s turn-around, though, collecting eight goals and 11 points in his last six games. He’s gotten so hot that even linemate Brad Marchand had no choice but to give up the puck to him on a 2-on-1 break for Seguin’s first goal on Saturday.
“I saw Segs coming from the bench but the whole time, I even told him right after I was laughing because I wanted to shoot the whole way,” Marchand said. “I wanted to take the shot I had the whole lane but he was just too wide open, the goalie was frozen, and I just had to give it to him. But you are kind of looking for the option and the defenses in this league are good at taking away the pass. He just happened to have enough speed to get by him.”
Carter scores GWG in Panthers Win
Yakupov posts goal and two assists, Sarnia beats Mississauga (Larionov)
Galchenyuk happy to have surgery behind him
more..THE RIG 28 week ending November 6th
on November 13th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Oct 31
Tyler Seguin ICE School Visit
BostonBruins.com
Nov 1
Crane with 2+1 in Ohio State Win
Nov 2
Tyler Seguin Looking to Shoot More to Augment His Playmaking Skills
By Douglas Flynn
NESN.com
“I do think I need to shoot more,” Seguin said after practice Wednesday at the Garden. “I remember there was one play last night where I went down on the D and went one way and cut back the other way. I watched the replay and I almost had a clear breakaway but I decided to pass. My instinct is always to look backdoor, but I’ve got to stop trying to be maybe too fancy and put pucks to the net. I know I’ve seen myself this year when I shoot more being rewarded, so I have to continue doing that and not giveaway good shots.”
Seguin was actually harder on himself for that decision than his boss.
“In that case, you probably wish he would have taken it to the net and maybe even drawn a penalty on that because he had half a step,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said. “But you’ve got to also realize that those two players behind him were kind of open and a guy like him is a really good playmaker so you don’t want to be too hard on those kinds of decisions.”
Seguin played primarily as a center coming up through the junior ranks where his role allowed him to be more of a distributor and playmaker. He’s been mostly on the wing with the Bruins though, and that position requires more willingness to let the shots fly when opportunities present themselves.
“My whole life I’ve always been more of a playmaker than a sniper, but I’ve always had goals,” said Seguin, who had 69 goals to go with 104 assists in two seasons with the Ontario Hockey league’s Plymouth Whalers. “I do think I need to shoot more and not give away those clear shots and opportunities just to make a pretty pass. Sometimes the best route is just getting pucks on net and that’s something I’m still working on. But if I look at how I’m playing I still am getting a lot of shots. I have 30-something shots, so I am shooting, but there are still opportunities where I need to shoot more.”
3 factors lead to Penquins’ turnaround
By Jonathan Bombulie
Citizensvoice.com
In the last four games, Thiessen has stopped 105 of 110 (.955 save percentage).
It doesn’t take a math genius to see the difference.
“I just needed to play my game a little more,” Thiessen said. “I had one game I wasn’t happy with. Got that out of the way and have been able to be pretty consistent lately.”
Robertson named Windsor Player of the Week
(Windsor) The Windsor Spitfires announced today that captain Adrian Robertson is the Tecumseh South Walkerville Vision Centres Player of the Week for the week ending October 30th for his solid defensive play and leadership as well as scoring a goal and an assist against Owen Sound and Kingston respectively over the weekend.
Robertson, the 20-year-old Mississauga, Ontario native is playing his second season with the Spitfires and is currently fourth in team scoring with 3 goals and 12 points in 18 games.
Nov 3
Seguin working towards shoot-first mentality
Bruins Talk
CSNNE.com
“I do think I need to shoot more,” said Seguin. “I remember there was one play last night where I went down on the D and went one way and cut back the other way. I watched the replay and I almost had a clear breakaway but I decided to pass.
“My instinct is always to look backdoor, but I’ve got to stop trying to be maybe too fancy and put pucks to the net. I know I’ve seen myself this year when I shoot more being rewarded, so I have to continue doing that and not give away good shots.”
But on the other hand Seguin is second on the B’s with 36 shots in 11 games, and has done a good job of putting himself into scoring position as attested by his team-leading four goals – a spot he shares with Milan Lucic on a team that hasn’t really hit its goal-scoring stride quite yet. Bergeron actually leads the Bruins with 39 shots on net this season, and it makes sense to pair the teen-aged playmaker with a skilled two-way center like Bergeron that will be able to finish off some of the plays out on the ice.
Yakupov tops in OHL (Larionov)
Postmedia News
Sarnia Sting forward Nail Yakupov is the Ontario Hockey League’s player of the month for October.
The 18-year-old native of Nizhnekamsk, Russia led the OHL in scoring with 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 13 games. He also had league’s second highest plus-minus rating of plus-13. He is eligible for the 2012 NHL entry draft.
Nov 4
Seguin Finds a Home at the Top
Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com
BOSTON — It’s only been two games, but it’s looking like Tyler Seguin has found a home on the Bruins’ top line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.
The trio hasn’t enjoyed the explosive scoring stretch that Marchand and Bergeron had last season when they were finally paired with Mark Recchi in the month of January, but it would take an act of the hockey gods to break up a group of forwards that seem made for each other.
Clearly Seguin is a phenomenon to himself as a 19-year-old mega-prospect finally coming into his own after getting tapped as the No .2 overall pick in the draft last summer, but he also knows that he needs skilled players like Bergeron and Marchand to compliment his offensive game. Both Bergeron and Marchand can help finish off Seguin’s creative play on the ice, and all three skate with the kind of speed, force and suffocating tenacity that far outweigh any downside.
“I like playing with [Bergeron] and [Seguin]. I thought we played well together and really clicked out on the ice in the offensive zone,” said Marchand. “If we play like that consistently then hopefully we’re going to be a dangerous line, and that will allow us to stay together.”
Nov 5
Great Besko Photo – ahlinphotos.blogspot.com
Olivier Roy notches first pro shutout
London wins Perry way
Ryan Pyette
London Free Press
First, the London Knights retired Corey Perry’s No. 94.
Then, they honoured one of the franchise’s great clutch performers with a heart-stopping last-minute victory.
Matt Rupert, who was 11 years old when Perry and his Knights hoisted the Memorial Cup on home ice in 2005, scored the winner in a wacky pin-ball shot with 40.1 seconds left in the third to top the Brampton Battalion 4-2 before 9,046 Friday night at the John Labatt Centre.
“I was just trying to muck and grind and find a way,” Rupert said. “The puck was in my skates and I just kicked it to my stick. Just get it to the net and it hit (Zach Bell’s skate) and went in.”
It was a vintage Perry-type goal.
Rupert, who scored twice, was one of five Knights starters who donned a sweater special to Perry’s career during the pre-game ceremony. Rupert sported Perry’s familiar black Anaheim Ducks jersey with No. 10 on the back.
It was a nice touch.
“We found out right before we went out the starters were going to wear those,” Rupert said. “Everyone in the room likes him (Perry). It was a great ceremony and everyone around here would’ve grown up idolizing him.”
Nov 6
Seguin, Bruins leave Maple Leafs in ruins
Kevin Paul Dupont
Boston.com
It was by far Seguin’s most impressive game as a pro, one that added further context to the question whether he might blossom into one of the game’s rare elite talents. The speedy Toronto homeboy, selected No. 2 in the 2010 draft, connected for Boston’s first goal in the first period, then added two more in the second, boosting his team-high total to seven (7-7-14 through 12 games).
Seguin’s first strike was a one-time rip job out of the Mike Bossy school of quick-release sniping. On No. 2, for the 2-0 lead, he batted a chest-high puck into the net with a backhander. No. 3 was another Bossy knockoff, picking the top righthand corner, short side, and sending netminder Ben Scrivens to the bench for the night. Scrivens, from Cornell, was in Big Red form – the big red light behind him never stopped flashing.
Tim Thomas, who stopped 25 creampuff shots for his first shutout this season, figures Seguin is much stronger and confident this season. What took the kid a season-plus to get it going?
“Well,’’ offered Thomas, “he’s an 18-year-old kid with size 13 feet. It takes a while to get used to it.’’
Seguin Hat Trick Video
Thiessen wins 6th straight in shootout
Lynch posts goal and assist in Michigan win
more..Tyler Seguin Nets 1st Career Hat Trick
on November 6th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Tyler Seguin Nets First Career Hat Trick, Becomes Youngest Bruin to Accomplish Feat Since Sergei Samsonov
NESN Video
Claude Julien Noticing Growing Confidence in Tyler Seguin As Young Forward Continues to Thrive
NESN Video
Seguin, Bruins leave Maple Leafs in ruins
By Kevin Paul Dupont
The Boston Globe
Excerpt:
It was by far Seguin’s most impressive game as a pro, one that added further context to the question whether he might blossom into one of the game’s rare elite talents. The speedy Toronto homeboy, selected No. 2 in the 2010 draft, connected for Boston’s first goal in the first period, then added two more in the second, boosting his team-high total to seven (7-7-14 through 12 games).
Seguin’s first strike was a one-time rip job out of the Mike Bossy school of quick-release sniping. On No. 2, for the 2-0 lead, he batted a chest-high puck into the net with a backhander. No. 3 was another Bossy knockoff, picking the top righthand corner, short side, and sending netminder Ben Scrivens to the bench for the night. Scrivens, from Cornell, was in Big Red form – the big red light behind him never stopped flashing.
Photo Credit:FRANK GUNN/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Tyler Seguin Tortures Toronto As Young Star’s First NHL Hat Trick Paces Bruins’ 7-0 Rout of Maple Leafs
By Douglas Flynn
NESN.com
Excerpt:
“I never really pictured getting the hat trick in this barn,” said Seguin, who hails from Brampton, Ontario and had a large contingent of family and friends on hand to watch his historic performance. “It’s definitely very special, but we had a full, complete team game out there.”
Seguin opened the scoring with a one-timer on the power play off a perfect cross-ice feed by Rich Peverley for the lone goal of the first period.
“He’s one of those guys who can bury his opportunities,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said. “That first goal was huge for us on the power play. The way he scored that just kind of gave us the confidence we needed to keep moving forward here.”
The Bruins were even more confident 34 seconds into the middle frame. That’s when Seguin made the play of the night, batting in the puck out of mid-air after Patrice Bergeron’s pass was deflected in front.
“I definitely had the bounces going my way,” Seguin said. “The second goal, it was just in mid-air. You’ve got to get pretty lucky to hit it out of mid-air, so it worked out. I can’t say enough good things about my linemates tonight. They did a great job. We had some great plays, some good 3-on-2′s, and luckily I was just able to finish some of the plays off.”
The hand-eye coordination Seguin displayed on that goal will be what most fans remember from that play, but the real impressive thing he did in that sequence came well before that. Seguin, whose need to learn his defensive responsibilities limited his ice time as a rookie, began the play by forcing a turnover in the neutral zone. He gained control, got the puck to Bergeron and drove hard to the net, putting himself in position to make the spectacular mid-air finish.
“It was one of those nights that he had a nose for the net and he made some awesome plays,” Bergeron said. “Not just on the goals, but also creating some turnovers in the neutral zone and stuff like that, so it means a lot.”
Seguin fills hat, shows Leafs what could have been
By Staff Writer
Winnipeg Free Press
Excerpt:
“Segs has been playing great and obviously every time you play in your hometown you want to step up and have a big game,” Lucic said. “It’s a big moment in any hockey player’s career to get your first hat trick, and it’s great for him to get it here in Toronto, on a team he was supposed to be on if it wasn’t for that trade.”
Despite being at opposite ends of the Eastern Conference standings, with the upstart Leafs atop the East and Boston in the basement, it was the Bruins carrying the play for most of the night.
It was the Bruins’ second straight win over the Leafs after a 6-2 victory in Boston more than two weeks ago.
Despite growing up a Leafs fan, Seguin says he doesn’t muse about what could have been had Toronto drafted him.
“To be honest with you, I don’t really think about that too much,” Seguin said. “Obviously, I was a Leafs fan growing up, so to get a hat trick against them is pretty cool. I’m going to remember this one for while, being against the Leafs.”
‘It’s nice to have the memory that my first hat trick was in Toronto’
By Noah Love
National Post
Excerpt:
How did it feel to come home and have a game like this?
“It feels great. I thought our line was clicking really tonight. Bit of a slow start in the first period, but in the second period we really picked it up.”
You could have been on the Leafs, there’s that Phil Kessel connection, you get your hat trick here. Does something like that cross your mind?
“I have to be honest with you, I don’t think about it that much. Obviously I was a Leafs fan growing up. I can’t really lie about that. To get a hat trick against them was pretty cool. You’re gonna remember that for a while.”
You seem a lot more comfortable this year versus last year.
“It comes from experience, learning all the aspects of the game. I spent almost the whole summer preparing for the season, and I knew what to expect on and off the ice. I think the comfort level comes for that.”
Did you think it was possible for you to be one of the top players on the team this year?
“Yeah, of course. I had a little taste of it here and there last year, getting bumped up to the second line a couple of times. Mostly I was on the third line, but it’s something I wanted to keep working at and when I got the opportunity, I really wanted to take advantage of it.”
When you were a kid, and a Leafs fan, and someone came in and did what you did tonight, would it have ruined your night?
“Well, I was a Leafs fan, so any time they were losing — it wouldn’t ruin my night, because it was always amazing to be at the ACC, but I always wanted them to win.”
Photo Credit:ABELIMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
THE RIG 28 week ending October 30th
on October 30th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Catch Ian Pulver’s ‘Life as an Agent’ on XM 204, Friday afternoons.
Here’s the segment from Friday the 27th:
Oct 24
Oilers Gagner ‘happy’ with first game back
Robert Tychkowski
Edmonton Sun
EDMONTON – How’s the ankle? And how’s the wing?
Those were the two obvious questions for Sam Gagner upon returning to the lineup Saturday after a high ankle sprain kept him out of the first six games of the season and a crowd at centre shifted him over to right wing.
“I felt pretty good, it held up throughout the whole game,” said Gagner. “A few minor tweaks here and there but I’m happy with the way things went for the first game.
“I’m not sure how much I played (12 minutes), but it felt like 30. I haven’t played in a league game in about six months, and pre-season in a month.”
The move to the right side with Eric Belanger and Magnus Paajarvi took some adjusting, too.
“You have to adapt mentally,” said Gagner, a centre by trade. “You have to really focus on moving your feet and I found at times that I was caught kind of standing still, but that’s part of the process. Next game I think I’ll be more comfortable and continue to grow there.”
Sam Gagner after practice
Ouellet named to Subway Series QMJHL Roster
Matt Rupert in the running for OHL POW with 4 G, 2 A
Oct 25
D’Agostini, Murphy & Thomas named to Subway Series OHL Roster
Oct 26
Boston Bruin Tyler Seguin Visits Beebe School
Chris Caesar
Malden.Patch.com
Jodi Berenson’s first grade class had an unusual substitute teacher this week – Boston Bruins forward Tyler Seguin dropped by during their math lesson at Beebe School Tuesday to sign autographs, take pictures and help teach students about “greater than” and “less than” signs.
Students will also be featured in an article in Sports Illustrated for Kids and the Boston Bruins website.
Students in Ellen Kee’s fourth grade class and Barbara Malo kindergarten class also enjoyed a more casual visit – but no math lesson – from Seguin.
Workload no problem for Thiessen
Tom Venesky
Times Leader
WILKES-BARRE — Despite having five days off before opening a back-to-back set of road games beginning last Friday against Springfield followed by a Saturday night match against Hershey, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins head coach John Hynes knew goaltender Brad Thiessen was ready to be in net for both contests.
How?
Well, Hynes said Thiessen was in the right frame of mind to handle the heavy workload.
“It was really important for him to get his mindset right throughout the week leading up to Friday’s game,” Hynes said. “He got some extra work in during the week to work on it.”
Still, being in the right frame of mind was just one part of the deal. It ensured Thiessen got the start on Friday, but he still had to earn a second start the following day.
A 26-save shutout against Springfield was certainly good enough to earn Thiessen another night in net.
Beskorowany wins first game of the season
Oct 27
Gagner Keeps Gloves On
Edmonton Journal
Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner swears he won’t be binding his gloves to his wrists with duct tape Thursday night so they don’t fall off, because he suffered a weird sliced tendon injury on his right hand the last time he played the Washington Capitals.
“I’m drinking water with my gloves on now,” said Gagner, who was accidentally nicked by teammate Ryan Jones’ skate blade while on the bench on March 9 at Washington.
Gagner missed the last 14 Oilers games and needed surgery to repair the wound.
“It was a freak injury, looking back on the way it happened. I haven’t had any issues with it since,” said Gagner, who will once again heavily tape his right ankle, however.
He’s still feeling his way through games after his high-ankle sprain midway through training camp. The Capitals game will only be his third of the season. He played 12 minutes against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday and 11: 56 against the New York Rangers last Saturday on a third line with Eric Belanger and Magnus Paajarvi.
Gagner had a few steps on the Canucks as he pounced on a loose puck inside their zone on his best offensive chance since he’s been back. But he didn’t the foot strength to pull away.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever had that breakaway speed,” said Gagner, “but I did work harder on that this summer and maybe in pre-season, I could have pulled away a bit.
“It’s frustrating in that regard, getting injured in exhibitions. I’m working to getting the rust off.”
Puckdaddy chats with Nail Yakupov (Larionov)
Dmitry Chesnokov
Yahoo.com
The International Central Scouting service released their October prospects list for the 2012 NHL Draft. Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting is the No. 1 name on virtually every prospects list. It is possible that Yakupov will become the third Russian ever to be selected first overall in an NHL entry draft. Ilya Kovalchuk(notes) was the first, and Alex Ovechkin(notes) was the second.
Both Kovalchuk and Ovechkin were stars in Russia when they were drafted. Both played for the first teams in the old Superleague, not the juniors. Ovechkin even won the Superleague title with Dynamo Moscow in 2005 before coming to the NHL.
Nail Yakupov is different. Hardly anyone knows him in Russia. He came to Canada from a Russian junior team with no Big League experience. It is even fair to say that more people in North America know about him than in his native country.
The most memorable thing about him here in North America? Probably his name. The name “Nail” is of Arabic origin and means “reaching” or “achieving” or “gaining success.” Quite fitting for Yakupov.
Who could he be compared to?
“That’s a good question,” TSN’s Bob McKenzie told me last week. “You can’t say Ovechkin because he is not as physical or as powerful. He will get his nose dirty to score a goal. But he won’t necessarily overpower you the way Ovechkin did. The very first time you see Ovechkin, we saw him as a 17 year old, the thing that impressed you was not just that he was fast, he could score goals and had a great shot, but that he ran people over. There’s a difference in that. But I am not sure there is a Russian winger that he could be compared to. I don’t want to say Semin either. I don’t have a good answer for you on that.”
“He reminds me of Bure,” Russian National Junior Team head coach Valeri Bragin told Sovetsky Sport’s Pavel Lysenkov on Monday. “He is just as quick, a good goal-scoring winger. He is not as big as Ovechkin or Kovalchuk were when they were drafted, but he is very quick. I am really looking forward to playing him for the National Team after not having seen him play a year.”
Stockton Thunder goalies are a dynamic duo
Mike Weaver
Examiner.com
Roy played in Stockton’s first three games of the season and Heemskerk made his pro debut last Saturday (Oct. 22), when he was a 5-4 winner against the Colorado Eagles. So far, each has made a positive impression on Thunder Coach Matt Thomas, who said he has noticed a lot of similarities between the two.
“They’re both young, hard-working goalies,” Thomas said. “They both have very good athleticism. So far, they haven’t shown me any real weaknesses.”
Roy and Heemskerk certainly didn’t show many weaknesses in juniors. Roy, a fifth-round draft pick by Edmonton in 2009, compiled a record of 123-57-8 with 14 shutouts and a goals-against average of 2.77 in 200 career games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and was on the Team Canada roster at the 2011 World Junior Championships. Heemskerk, signed to an entry-level contract by San Jose as an undrafted free agent in 2009, was 91-58-19 with nine shutouts and a 2.81 GAA in 179 games in the Western Hockey League and led the WHL in save percentage (.927) while playing for the Everett Silvertips during the 2009-’10 season.
“No matter who’s in the net, we have a good chance to win,” Roy said. “We have a good team all around. We have everything we need to win games.”
Jesse Blacker on LeafsTV after Marlies win
Beaudoin has 1 G, 1 A in Portland win
Schofield Score in Syracuse Shutout
Beukeboom is +3 in return from injury
Agozzino scored twice as IceDogs hand Otters seventh straight loss, 6-4
Yakupov scores twice, including GWG vs Greyhounds (Larionov)
Oct 28
Oct 29
Sam Gagner Update
Rochester Amerks’ Phil Varone itching for goals
Kevin Oklobzija
Democrat and Chronicle
Phil Varone is pretty sure it will be just a matter of time before he finally scores his first goal in pro hockey. For his sanity’s sake, he’d better hope he’s right.
While Varone wasn’t necessarily going to lead the Rochester Americans in scoring this season, he did expect to contribute.
Thus, frustration has grown with every goal-less game he plays. It’s nine and counting heading into tonight’s 7:05 game in Binghamton against the Senators.
“I’ve always been able to score goals,” the rookie center/left winger said after practice on Friday.
A year ago he scored 34 in 59 games in the Ontario Hockey League. The Amerks know he’ll find the net for them, especially since he has been creating chances of late.
Savard sets up OT winner for Springfield
Carter posts 2 G, 2 A for UPEI Panthers
Larkin scored first of the year for Colgate
Crane scores twice, adds assist for Ohio State
Oct 30
Brad Thiessen plays fantasy GM
Standing in net, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Brad Thiessen gets a perspective of the game that’s different from his teammates. He sees plays develop in front of him and he gets a first-hand glimpse at how a skilled forward maneuvers into the offensive zone or how a defenseman works the point on the power play.
Because Thiessen’s position affords him a unique perspective of the game, he knows exactly how his team would look if he were a general manager for a day.
“I’d have a couple of high-flying forward, plenty of good D and a good goalie,” he said. “The way they play would resemble our style.”
So just who would Thiessen pick to fill those slots and play that style if he were a fantasy hockey GM? How about a set of twins, a couple of familiar faces, a few superstars, a legend in the making and one of the greatest to ever lace up the skates.
Forward – Daniel Sedin (Vancouver) “He puts up points all the time.”
Defenseman – Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit) “He’s the best at everything, points and defense.”
Goaltender – Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh) “He can get you a lot of points in fantasy hockey.”
Thiessen wins fourth straight, stops 17 of 18 in win over Manchester
Beukeboom (Niagara) vs Beukeboom (Sudbury)
more..THE RIG 28 week ending October 23rd
on October 23rd, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Check out Tyler Seguin on the cover of this week’s issue of ‘The Hockey News’:BUY HERE
Oct 17
Sarnia’s Nail Yakupov named OHL player of the week (Larionov)
The Observer
A spectacular week for Sarnia Sting phenom Nail Yakupov in which he took the lead among league scorers was capped Monday with OHL Player of the Week honours.
Yakupov wracked up 12 points in four games, with a pair of goals and 10 assists and an impressive plus-minus rating of plus-8.
Yakupov led the Sting to four straight wins, beginning Monday, Oct. 11, in a 4-3 overtime win over the Windsor Spitfires, a game in which he recorded three assists.
He matched a career-high Friday night with four assists and was named third star in a 7-2 win over the Saginaw Spirit, before claiming second star honours on Saturday with a goal and two assists in a 5-4 overtime win over the Plymouth Whalers.
Yakupov then adding a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win over the arch rival London Knights on Sunday, vaulting Sarnia in first place in the conference and tied with Mississauga for top spot in the OHL.
Yakupov Leads International Scouting Service Rankings (Larionov)
TSN.ca
The International Scouting Services have released their October Top 30 prospects list for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Leading the way in the early-season rankings is Sarnia Sting winger Nail Yakupov.
Yakupov is quickly becoming the early consensus number-one selection for this year’s draft, having already topped pre-season lists compiled by TSN analysts Bob McKenzie and Craig Button.
After impressing with 101 points in 65 games en route to winning CHL Rookie of the Year honours in 2010-11, the highly-skilled Russian has already amassed seven goals and 18 assists in just 10 games with the Sting so far this season.
Tyler Seguin Harvard Lampoon Skit
Cody Bradley on THN Hot List
Ryan Kennedy
The Hockey News
Cody Bradley, RW – Indiana Ice (USHL)
Indiana’s off to a perfect 4-0 start in the United States League and Bradley’s contributions have been a big part of the success. The Florida native has been excellent on the power play and has tallied two goals and six points so far, putting him on pace for a breakout season as a USHL sophomore. Draft eligible in 2012.
Thomas scores winner as Generals beat Petes
MetroNews
OSHAWA, Ont. – Christian Thomas scored the winning goal 24 seconds into the third period Sunday as the Oshawa Generals held on for a 3-1 win over the Peterborough Petes.
The goal came on a rebound of a Lucas Lessio shot and gave the Generals a 2-0 lead.
Adrian Robertson with Matt Duchesne & Jay McClement (via Brampton Guardian)
Loktionov has two-goal game (Larionov)
Oct 18
Tyler Seguin up to speed for Bruins
By Joe McDonald
ESPNBoston.com
BOSTON — There are two words the Boston Bruins’ Tyler Seguin is gracious enough to talk about, but he would rather dismiss them as hyperbole than regard them as fact.
It’s understandable that the second-year forward is continually asked about his “confidence” and how “comfortable” he is this season. It’s obvious in the early going that he’s made leaps and bounds from where he was a year ago.
Being asked about “how comfortable and confident I am is worse than hearing ‘Tyler or Taylor,’” Seguin said, referring to himself and Taylor Hall.
Leading up to the 2010 NHL draft there was an enormous amount of attention focused on whether Seguin or Hall, Tyler or Taylor, would be selected as the No. 1 overall pick. The Edmonton Oilers settled on Hall and the Bruins grabbed Seguin.
While Hall had a fine first season, the Oilers were, well, the Oilers, and Seguin and the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. Not bad for a rookie. Now that he’s in his sophomore season and has quickly proved he won’t be a disappointment, the last thing he wants to talk about is how comfortable and confident he is.
During his rookie season, Seguin averaged 17 minutes of ice time per game. Five games into the 2011-12 season, he’s already surpassed that mark three times.
Coach Claude Julien’s confidence in Seguin was apparent last week when top-line center David Krejci suffered a core injury and Julien slid Seguin into Krejci’s spot between wingers Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton. The threesome quickly meshed and has continued to work together the last two games.
READ MORE
Sam Gagner Injury Update
Oct 19
Tyler Seguin Becoming Key Playmaker for Bruins
NESN Video
Five U.S.-born players in mix of top NHL hopefuls (Larionov)
Kevin Allen
USA Today
The top five American-born prospects for the 2012 draft in Pittsburgh in June:
1. Center Alex Galchenyuk (Sarnia, Ontario Hockey League): He is sidelined by a knee injury, but that’s not likely to disturb his place among the top prospects. The dazzling Russian-American was born in Wisconsin when his father, also named Alex, played for the Milwaukee Admirals. His dad started his pro career with famed Dynamo Moscow. The young Galchenyuk is being advised by Igor Larionov. Not surprisingly, he is a smart player who could be taken among the first five picks. He had 31 goals and 83 points in 68 games last season.
Scott Gomez Post-game
Ouellett takes leading role with Armada
Matthew Wuest
Red Wings Central
Last season, Xavier Ouellet was a young kid on one of major junior hockey’s top contenders. This season, he’s an old veteran on a team rebuilding for the future.
Although the 18-year-old blueliner was already logging his fair share of ice time for the Montreal Juniors, he’s taken it to a new level since the QMJHL team relocated to nearby Blainville-Boisbriand and renamed itself the Armada in the off-season.
Ouellet is the Armada’s captain and its No. 1 defenceman, anchoring both special team units and getting as many minutes as he can handle.
“It’s a great challenge for me,” said Ouellet, who the Detroit Red Wings selected in the second round (48th overall) of last June’s draft. “I just got drafted, and that first year after being drafted is very important for a player. I need to get stronger so I’ll take all year to concentrate on that and work out.”
The six-foot 185-pounder is off to a good start, with four goals and five assists for nine points in 12 games, not to mention 27 penalty minutes and three fights. While he doesn’t have any plans to trade in his smooth, two-way, puck-moving game for an enforcer’s role any time soon, he said it comes with the territory of being a team leader.
READ MORE
Oct 20
All Healed Up: Mike Cammalleri to return for Montreal tonight
Joe Yerdon
ProHockeyTalk.com
After suffering a scary skate blade to the leg last week, Montreal’s Mike Cammalleri is looking set to return to action tonight against Pittsburgh after missing his last three games.
With the Habs struggling early in the year, getting Cammalleri back to action to help their offense find their way is a huge relief. Cammalleri’s return also means bad things for Pittsburgh as he’s been a nightmare for the Penguins to deal with the last two years.
Last season in three games against Pittsburgh, Cammalleri had three goals and an assist as the Habs won all three of those games. Two years ago, Cammalleri was the main offensive weapon against Pittsburgh in the playoffs scoring seven goals and adding an assist in the seven game series that saw the Canadiens upset the Pens.
Cammalleri Back in the Lineup
Habsinsideout.com
Loktionov Second (Larionov)
The Windsor Star
Former Spitfires forward Andrei Loktionov is second in scoring in the AHL.
Loktionov has three goals and eight points in five games with the Manchester Monarchs this season.
Loktionov, who also has a plus-7 rating, is one point behind Springfield’s Nick Drazenovic and Charlotte’s Jon Matsumoto.
Matt Rupert scores 2, Knights down Majors
The Canadian Press
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Matt Rupert scored a pair of power-play goals Wednesday to lead the London Knights to a 6-3 win over the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors in an Ontario Hockey League game between the top two ranked junior teams in the country.
Twin brother Ryan Rupert also scored on the man advantage while Dane Fox, Jared Knight and Andreas Athanasiou had the other goals for the top-ranked Knights (9-2-0).
Nail Yakupov HNIC Radio Interview (Larionov)
Oct 21
With Phil Kessel in Town, Tyler Seguin Shines
Steve Conroy
BostonHerald.com
We will probably be measuring the Phil Kessel trade that netted the Bruins three high draft picks for years to come, but it’s still looking like a pretty good deal for the Bruins despite only one of those picks having played for them.
Tyler Seguin, the No. 2 overall pick last year, continues to show he’s blooming quite nicely in his second year. He had a goal and two assists last night and, perhaps even more indicative of his growth, made a terrific, desperate backcheck in the third period to break up a scoring chance.
“It was the end of my shift and I had to dive,” said Seguin. “I didn’t have enough juice in my legs — just tried to make the best out of something if I could.”
While Seguin is rounding into the complete player coach Claude Julien wants all his players to be, it is still the offensive gifts that could make him a special player. In the first period last night, he did a terrific job of moving the puck on a power play that led to Zdeno Chara’s goal. In the third, he and new linemate Milan Lucic took turns feeding each other for pretty goals.
“I’m going to do that every game now if he keeps giving me that nice pass,” said Seguin with a smile. “On his goal, he just drove to the net and luckily I got to his stick. And on my goal he took everyone with him. He’s got such a good body that protected the puck and put it right on my tape, and luckily it went in.”
Consider Lucic equally impressed with Seguin.
“Yeah, he has a great shot,” said Lucic. “The quickness, he’s got great hands, he’s got that scoring touch and that’s why he was picked so high in the draft and it’s great to see him play with more confidence and get more comfortable as he grows and matures.”
Keevin Cutting Feature – Owen Sound Attack
Oct 22
Cammalleri Video Prior to 500th Game
Toronto teenager ‘the elite of the elite’
Dave Feschuk
Toronto Star
More than 15 years ago, when Wayne and Ericka Ho-Sang were expecting their first child, their progeny’s athletic path seemed easy enough to predict. Wayne is a tennis pro. Ericka began taking tennis lessons during the pregnancy in anticipation of hitting balls with their first-born.
But when they presented their new toddler, Joshua, with a racquet, the lessons rarely went according to plan.
“He’d put the ball on the ground, take the racquet and stickhandle. . . . I guess hockey made more sense to him than tennis,” Wayne Ho-Sang says with a laugh. “When he got a little older, he said, ‘Dad, I like tennis, but I’m going to be a hockey player.’ I always said to him, ‘Don’t play sports for Dad. Choose your sport.’ I’m a big hockey fan, so it works. It’s working. It’s all good.”
All these years later, Joshua Ho-Sang, 15, is among the most talked-about teenaged players in hockey. A quick-skating, soft-handed centreman for the Toronto Marlies’ AAA minor midgets, he is expected to be among the top picks in next spring’s Ontario Hockey League draft.
Doug Gilmour, the Maple Leafs great who doubles as general manager of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs, calls Joshua “the elite of the elite” at his age level. Warren Rychel, GM of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, says it’s his opinion that Joshua should have been granted exceptional-player status and admitted into this year’s OHL draft a year early, when Rychel figures he would have been the first or second pick. Small wonder that even the occasional NHL scout has been seen at Joshua’s games.
“He gets you out of your seat,” Rychel says. “I think of all the guys I’ve seen since I’ve been here — (Steven) Stamkos, (Taylor) Hall, (John) Tavares — he’s the deadliest I’ve ever seen one-on-one with a goalie. He puts pucks away like nobody I’ve seen at that age.”
Gomez Out at Least a Week
The Canadian Press
MONTREAL – Scott Gomez will be out of action for at least a week with an upper body injury, Montreal Canadiens coach Jacques Martin said Saturday.
The veteran centre appeared to injure a shoulder in the Canadiens 3-1 loss in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
“I don’t know the exact length yet, whether it will be a couple of weeks or longer, but he’ll be out this week,” Martin said Saturday as the Canadiens prepared to face the rival Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre.
Scott Gomez After Practice
Penguins spoil Manny Legace’s return to the Nest
Fran Sypek
The Republican
SPRINGFIELD – This was a tale of two goaltenders, one still in the infancy of his career and the other in the December of his.
The up and coming kid, 25-year-old Brad Thiessen, came out on top in a brilliant duel with 38-year-old Manny Legace as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins beat the Springfield Falcons, 3-0 Friday before 2,532 at the MassMutual Center.
Thiessen and the Penguins spoiled the return of Legace, who had not played for the Falcons since the 1997-98 season. Legace, who remains the consumate pro, played well in his return to the Nest, but the Falcons could not score.
Of course, it didn’t help that their leading scorer, Nick Drazenovic took sick before the game, causing a lineup shuffle. The Falcons outshot the Penguins, 26-23, but Thiessen stopped them all.
“That kid’s a good goalie,” said Legace. “He made some big saves.”
Like Legace, Thiessen (26 saves) has a Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award, symbolic of being the American Hockey League’s outstanding goaltender, on his resume. The former Northeastern star won his award last season, while Legace got his during the 1995-96 season.
The Falcons, who are 1-2 at home, just could not bury their scoring chances. It was much like their home opener against Providence when they lost 4-1.
Thiessen had a lot to say about this one. He foiled the several strong bids for his 14th AHL shutout. That’s the same number of AHL shutouts Legace has during his AHL career and Thiessen is only in his third season.
“That’s what he does, Springfield coach Rob Riley said. “He did that at Northeastern.”
Prospect Watch: Nail Yakupov (Larionov)
DirtyDangle.com
Nail Yakupov was drafted 2nd overall in the CHL Import Draft in 2010 by the Sarina Sting and he didn’t disappoint. He won Rookie of the Year for the whole Canadian Hockey League by putting up 49 goals and 101 points in 65 games. Yakupov also broke the Sting’s rookie goal scoring record formerly held by Steven Stamkos. Yakupov is a flashy player, but he doesn’t shy away from the rough stuff and one of the reasons he chose to come to Canada was for its tough, physical brand of hockey.
So far to start the 2011-12 season Yakupov has been on fire putting up 25 points in the first 10 games. He is currently on pace for 48 goals, 122 assists and 170 points and has done all this without his linemate and roommate, Alex Galchenyuk, who has been injured. Galechenyuk is another top prospect that should be a top pick in June. They are a deadly combo together, which makes it even more shocking that Yakupov is playing so well without him.
Kontos Scores Twice for Sudbury
Oct 23
Cammalleri scores in 500th game
Lucic, Seguin, Kelly line keeps clicking
Joe Haggerty
NECN.com
Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin once again each provided goals and flashed the kind of chemistry with all-purpose center Chris Kelly that deserves a longer look.
Unfortunately not enough of the other three lines had as much luck finishing off plays or tapping into their line mojo.
Instead the Bruins dropped the 4-2 decision to the Sharks on Saturday night with the other three lines going dark, but Lucic and Seguin nearly resuscitated the Bruins on their own with two goals in 29 seconds on the same shift in the third period.
“They’ve been good. I said that the other night, too. Milan has played two of his best games here in the last two. When you give [Tyler] an opportunity, he makes things happen,” said Julien. “He’s playing very well for us also. Chris Kelly is probably the underrated guy on that line, but he has been tremendous with those two guys. I’m happy with that line. They’ve given us exactly what we were hoping for.”
Seguin continued to extend his team lead with nine points (3 goal and 6 assists) in eight games as Boston’s only point-per-game player, and likes what he sees around him on that suddenly productive line.
Sharks’ Matt Irwin sizzles with winning shot
Bill Ballou
Telegram.com
WORCESTER — A year ago at this time, Matt Irwin was an involuntary hockey fan.
The UMass product was a healthy scratch in the early going of his rookie season, but when he finally got a chance to play regularly, Irwin turned into one of the Sharks’ most productive defensemen.
This season has been more of the same. He got the winning goal last night and in four games has a pair of goals.
The winner was a low slap shot through a maze of skates and pads and eventually through Manchester goalie Jeff Zatkoff.
“I had chance before that,” Irwin said, “and put it over the net, so I didn’t want to do that again.”
His timing has always been just about as good as it was last night. Irwin has 12 AHL goals. Seven have been scored in the third period, and eight have either tied the game or put Worcester ahead.
Thiessen, W-B/S beat Hershey 3-1
Paul Sokoloski
Times Leader
Brad Thiessen thwarted an avalanche of early shots and Bryan Lerg continued his hot early-season shooting Saturday as the Penguins finally found their winning ways again by hammering arch-rival Hershey, 3-1 at the Giant Center.
The victory was Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s second straight in as many nights – both away from home.
“We needed back-to-back wins,” Lerg said. “We needed to string together a couple wins.”
An added bonus to the two-game surge was it pushed the Penguins over the .500 mark for the first time this season at 3-2-1-1.
The number 0 looked better to Thiessen.
The third-year Penguins goalie stopped all 17 shots against him in an action-filled first period, signaling Thiessen would be difficult to beat for the rest of the night.
He was.
Aided by a tenacious Penguins defense, Thiessen only had to turn away three more shots in the second period and seven in the third. He finished with 27 saves and helped the Penguins thwart five power play opportunities for Hershey.
Leivo scores hat trick as Wolves beat Gens
Ben Leeson
The Sudbury Star
Josh Leivo scored three goals, including the game-winner, and Johan Mattsson made 30 saves to help the Sudbury Wolves defeat the Oshawa Generals 5-2 at General Motors Centre in Oshawa on Saturday night.
Ryan Hanes and Mathew Campagna also scored and Jeff Corbett notched a pair of assists for the Wolves, who improved to 4-5-1-0.
Sudbury has won four of its last five games.
Andreoff’s return helps team take five of six possible points
DurhamRegion.com
OSHAWA — It looks like Andy Andreoff was just what the doctor ordered for the Oshawa Generals.
In a busy weekend against the three top teams in the Ontario Hockey League’s Eastern Conference standings, the Generals came away with five points, the final two in a 3-1 victory over the Peterborough Petes Sunday at the General Motors Centre.
Although Andreoff, sent back to the OHL by the Los Angeles Kings last week, had only one assist Sunday and three points all told on the weekend, his presence surely made a difference and helped spread out the attack.
Christian Thomas, who had his first three assists of the season in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Ottawa 67′s at home Saturday, scored the winner Sunday, his fourth goal of the season.
MacDermid sets up winning goal for Providence
Blacker sets up winning goal for Marlies
Chris Crane scores twice for Ohio State
Rupert & Rupert both score in London victory
more..Toronto teenager ‘the elite of the elite’
on October 23rd, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Toronto teenager ‘the elite of the elite’
Dave Feschuk
Toronto Star
More than 15 years ago, when Wayne and Ericka Ho-Sang were expecting their first child, their progeny’s athletic path seemed easy enough to predict. Wayne is a tennis pro. Ericka began taking tennis lessons during the pregnancy in anticipation of hitting balls with their first-born.
But when they presented their new toddler, Joshua, with a racquet, the lessons rarely went according to plan.
“He’d put the ball on the ground, take the racquet and stickhandle. . . . I guess hockey made more sense to him than tennis,” Wayne Ho-Sang says with a laugh. “When he got a little older, he said, ‘Dad, I like tennis, but I’m going to be a hockey player.’ I always said to him, ‘Don’t play sports for Dad. Choose your sport.’ I’m a big hockey fan, so it works. It’s working. It’s all good.”
All these years later, Joshua Ho-Sang, 15, is among the most talked-about teenaged players in hockey. A quick-skating, soft-handed centreman for the Toronto Marlies’ AAA minor midgets, he is expected to be among the top picks in next spring’s Ontario Hockey League draft.
Doug Gilmour, the Maple Leafs great who doubles as general manager of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs, calls Joshua “the elite of the elite” at his age level. Warren Rychel, GM of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, says it’s his opinion that Joshua should have been granted exceptional-player status and admitted into this year’s OHL draft a year early, when Rychel figures he would have been the first or second pick. Small wonder that even the occasional NHL scout has been seen at Joshua’s games.
“He gets you out of your seat,” Rychel says. “I think of all the guys I’ve seen since I’ve been here — (Steven) Stamkos, (Taylor) Hall, (John) Tavares — he’s the deadliest I’ve ever seen one-on-one with a goalie. He puts pucks away like nobody I’ve seen at that age.”
more..THE RIG 28 week ending October 16th
on October 16th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Oct 10
Mike Cammalleri scores 1st goal in Winnipeg
Seguin 2.0 helping to make Bruins offense click
Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com Bruins Insider
BOSTON — Tyler Seguin is on pace to score 123 points and post a plus-82 rating after the first two games of his second NHL season.
The 19-year-old rolled his eyes and laughed when apprised of the blistering pace he’s on after notching three assists in his first pair of NHL games, and that reaction comes with the knowledge he’s not likely to see those numbers in even his best seasons.
He’s had a pair of very good games while showing off the kind of confidence, poise, skill and strength that’s part of Seguin 2.0 in his second NHL season, and he’s also continuously placing new challenges in front of himself. Now it’s about getting that first goal after hitting a couple of posts in the first two games, and racking up three assists while setting up teammates all over the ice.
“I definitely did a good job in the preseason and training camp, and now it’s about staying consistent. That’s my goal during the season,” said Seguin. “I know I have a few assists, but I don’t have any goals.
“I guess the word for it is maybe ‘slowing down.’ It’s finding my game in this league and I’m still sort of working on it. It’s only been two games, so we have a long way to go this year.”
Coach Claude Julien has sounded like something of a broken record on his teenaged offensive catalyst, but actions are speaking just as loudly as the words from Seguin’s teammates and the coaching staff. The vision all over the ice has greatly improved, he’s anticipating things before they happen on the ice and he’s willing to do the dirty work required to help create scoring chances in the offensive end.
In other words Seguin is turning into exactly what the Bruins thought they were getting after they selected him with the No. 2 overall pick two summers ago – and it’s happening in only his second season.
Tyler Seguin is a complete player
Stephen Harris
Boston Bruins.com
It’s probably just a tad early, two games into 82, to be anointing Tyler Seguin as the second coming of Steven Stamkos.
But Seguin clearly got the better of the original last night at the Garden, producing a pair of assists in the Bruins [team stats] high-speed, 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The early signs in the 19-year-old’s second year are looking mighty good.
Already Seguin has three points (all assists) and several other near-misses. His increase in ice time was one of the obvious reasons the B’s played last night’s game at a far faster and more dynamic pace than was typical last season.
And most important — from the demanding viewpoint of the coaches and management — Seguin has gone from a kid who at times last year looked timid and uninvolved to playing much harder away from the puck.
“It’s only two games into the season, so you’re not going to be impressed with anything yet,” said Seguin. “The big thing I’ve been working on is being consistent. I’ve been happy with my compete level and my battles. Obviously there’s room for improvement, but over the summer I worked on my core (strength) pretty hard and I’m happy it’s paid off.
“I’ve said it a million times: It all comes down to having that compete level and confidence so you can make plays and not be scared of making mistakes. Last year, I think there were times I’d be choking my stick and not making the kind of plays I had made in juniors.”
With a few more bounces — like his shot off a post in the season-opening loss to Philly — or finish from his mates — like Benoit Pouliot, whom he set up nicely at the goal mouth late in the first period — Seguin could easily have several more points in the books.
Tyler Seguin Postgame Interview
Christian Thomas Named Generals Player of the Week
Oct 11
Seguin Postgame Interview
Cody Bradley Named USHL Offensive Player of the Week
Oct 12
Galchenyuk set for takeoff in Sarnia (Larionov)
By Alex Galchenyuk
Special to NHL.com
Alex Galchenyuk is a forward for the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League. The 6-foot, 198-pound forward was born in Milwaukee but is of Russian decent — his father, Alexander, spent five of his 22 professional seasons playing in the U.S. He was the first pick of the 2010 OHL draft, and last season had 31 goals and 52 assists in 68 games. He had 2 goals and 2 assists in four games for Team USA at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and returned to take part in the 2011 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp in August. Galchenyuk has offered to maintain a monthly blog for NHL.com that will chronicle his season leading up to the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Hi everyone! My name is Alex Galchenyuk. I’m 17 years old and playing for the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League. I was born in Milwaukee and took my first steps on the ice when I was 18 months old.
My family originally is from Russia, but since my dad was a hockey player we lived all over the world. He’s been helping me and giving advice my whole life. My mom Inna and sister Anna have been very supportive as well. They all moved to Sarnia when I decided to play there.
This year, I had a very exciting summer. Our family spent some time in Moscow so I could pass my school exams, then we visited our grandparents, who live in Minsk, Belarus — we had some good family time. Then we flew home to Sarnia and after training for a week there, me and my sister drove to Rochester, N.Y. for the Team USA U-18 camp. It was a dream come true to hear my name announced at the end of the week on the roster for the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Tournament.
Tyler Seguin Gets Shot to Center Top Line As Bruins Open Road Trip in Carolina
Douglas Flynn
NESN.com
Tyler Seguin will get his first shot at top billing.
The talented second-year playmaker will move back to his natural position at center and move up to the first line between Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton Wednesday night in Carolina. Seguin replaces David Krejci in that spot, as Krejci remained behind in Boston after suffering a core injury in practice in Tuesday.
Seguin was primarily a center in his junior career and saw time at that
position again this preseason.
“I think we knew that down the road we’d need him to step up in that area,” Bruins coach Claude Julien told reporters after Wednesday’s morning skate in Carolina. “We know [Rich] Peverley can be one of those guys too, but I like the way that [second] line’s played so far, so moving Tyler there is certainly one of our options and probably the one we’re going to start with.”
Seguin is tied for the team lead with three points (all assists) through three games, and will try to get Lucic (0-1-1, minus-2) and Horton (0-0-0, minus-2) going after a sluggish start to the season for the first-line wingers. Seguin showed some flashes of the potential he has at center during camp, but returned to wing to start the season due to the Bruins’ depth down the middle.
Cammy’s cut leaves Habs short
Chris Stevenson
QMI Agency
“I looked down and I could kind of just see right in, which wasn’t good,” he said.
“I don’t think I panicked, but you get a sense of urgency. By the time I got to the bench, I was going, ‘I’m cut, I’m cut.’ The trainers looked at my knee and I looked down at that point and the blood was filling up my shinpad. How much blood do you lose before it becomes unsafe? Is there an artery there? I’m not a doctor.”
Cammalleri’s left leg was cut between the top of his shinpad and the bottom of his pants when the skate of teammate Yannick Weber sliced across it during the game against the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre.
When he got to the bench, Canadiens head athletic therapist Graham Rynbend wanted to get Cammalleri to the dressing room. Only problem was, at the MTS Centre players leave the ice through the Zamboni entrance.
And the Jets were on a power play.
“The ref is there and I’m like, ‘You’ve got to stop the play.’ I know there’s a power play and I’m not panicking to the point where I don’t know what’s going on. In this scenario you would be kicking yourself if you didn’t yell at the ref and something serious happened and you needed the medical attention. I’m yelling, ‘You’ve to stop the play, man, I’ve got to get off. I’m pouring here.’ Seconds later, by the time I got off, there was a lot of blood. It was a little scary.
Oct 13
Generals’ Andy Andreoff Signs with LA Kings and is Assigned to Oshawa
Ontario Hockey League.com
Los Angeles Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today that they have signed Generals forward Andy Andreoff to a three year entry level contract.
The Kings also announced that they have assigned Andreoff back to the Generals for the 2011-2012 season.
Andreoff, 20, has spent his entire four year career with the Oshawa Generals after being the team’s 5th round pick in 2007. During that time he has scored 59 goals and 90 assists for 149 points in 224 regular season games with Oshawa.
Last year, the Pickering, Ontario native had a career year posting 33 goals and 42 assists for 75 points in 66 games while also leading the team with a +34 plus/minus rating and in penalty minutes with 109.
Andreoff was the Los Angeles Kings 3rd round pick, 80th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft this past June.
The 6-foot-1 forward was named an Assistant Captain with the Generals for this season prior to training camp.
He will re-join the Generals immediately and is expected to make his season debut this Friday when the Generals take on the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors on the road. Andreoff will make his home debut at the General Motors Centre this Saturday night when the Generals host the Ottawa 67’s at 7:05pm.
Murphy returns to Rangers
Josh Brown
Therecord.com
Steve Spott can breathe a little easier.
The Kitchener Rangers head coach and general manager received a major boost Thursday when the Carolina Hurricanes reassigned defenceman Ryan Murphy to the club.
Murphy, 18, had been with the Hurricanes throughout training camp and was a healthy scratch for the team’s first four NHL games. He is set to arrive in town Friday morning and will be in the lineup when the Rangers (3-3) host the Owen Sound Attack at the Aud later in the day.
The all-star blueliner will immediately improve the Rangers’ power play which, at 2-for-39, is the worst in the Ontario Hockey League.
“He might be the best offensive defenceman in our country,” said Spott. “Our power play becomes a lot more credible because he can beat you in a lot of ways with his shot and passing abilities.”
Radek Faksa’s first period marker back on Sept. 30 was the last time the Rangers scored with the man advantage. Since then, the team has struggled to get shots on net, let alone goals.
Murphy will change that. He led the Rangers with 14 goals and 33 assists on the power play last season and brings poise and patience to the point.
“It just makes us that much more dynamic and a lot better,” said Spott. “He’ll give our team a shot of adrenalin.”
Tyler Seguin’s focus re-centered
Stephen Harris
Boston Herald
But with Krejci injured, Seguin, who played center during most of training camp, moved into the middle of the B’s top line between Nathan Horton and Milan Lucic for last night’s game against the Hurricanes.
Seguin scored in the Bruins’ 3-2 loss, and looked rather good in his new role.
“He played pretty well,” Lucic said. “He was skating well, he was getting open, he was in the right spot. You could see how he grew as a player. That’s what he learned last year, was how to get himself open. Especially in the third period he was able to generate more speed through the neutral zone. He had that great shot on that goal.
“There’s a lot as a line that we can build off of. For me and Hortie, it was probably our most effective game (of the season) for creating opportunities, and spending more time in the offensive zone.”
Murphy is Coming Back
570 News
Murphy tweeted late last night “Had a great run, learned lots. Time to return to my one of my favorite cities. #greatride.”
So far the Rangers are 3-3 on the season in their 6 games but have only scored 19 goals – that’s the second lowest total of any team in the Western Conference.
No doubt the return of Murphy would help the team’s powerplay which is currently 20th in the league at just 5.1% efficiency. Kitchener has scored just twice with the man-advantage this season on 39 powerplays. Spott said “we’re a hockey club, that right now, is in need of a power play Ryan Murphy might be the best power play defenceman in Canada, not just the Ontario Hockey League, so he’s a great remedy for a team that’s power play really hasn’t found its way.”
Spott said he has no idea how the lines are going to shape up yet, but knows Murphy will be getting lots of ice time, “he’s going to be a 25 to 30 minute a night defenceman, we’ll pair him up obviously with Julian (Melchiori) or with Cody (Sol) and look obviously, not only for him to lead us offensively, but I think he’s very under-rated defensively.”
Kitchener is home to Owen Sound on Friday night at the Aud. According to the Rangers, Murphy is expected to be in the lineup for the game. Spott said Hockey Canada will be there and it will be a great opportunity for Murphy to “impress them for a World Junior team.”
Tyler Seguin Postgame Interview
Oilers prospect prepared to lead by example
Telegraph-Journal
He knows he can play better, but Jeremie Blain couldn’t help but smile after the Acadie-Bathurst Titan beat the Prince Edward Island Rocket 7-1 on Sunday at the K. C. Irving Regional Centre in Bathurst.
Acadie-Bathurst defenceman Jeremie Blain, shown here in a file photo, attended training camp for the Edmonton Oilers and is serving as co-captain for the Titan.
Like the rest of his teammates, Blain, who had a goal and an assist in the win, was finally glad to have something to celebrate after suffering through an agonizing nine-game losing streak.
“It feels awesome,” he said. “I think we had a good game overall. We played a solid 60 minutes and we did the things we had to do and came up with the win.”
Acadie-Bathurst followed that up with another victory on Tuesday, as they beat the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 3-2 in a shootout to improve their record to 5-8-1 this season. The wins were also the first this season for Blain, who missed the team’s first six games while attending training camp with the Edmonton Oilers, who drafted him in the fourth round, 91st overall, of the 2010 National Hockey League entry draft.
“It went pretty good,” he said of his time with the Oilers. “It went so fast though. Two weeks and you are back in junior, but it seems like you are just there for two days. It was fun though, you learn so much from the older guys and from guys who have been up and down from the NHL.”
At 6-foot-2, 189 pounds, the defencman said one thing pro camp taught him is he needs to play tougher if he wants to skate in the NHL.
“The most important thing I learned is (I need to be) tougher in front of the net and in the corners,” he said. “As a D you’ve got to own the front of your net and you’ve got to own the corners too. From there I just need to play my game, move the puck quick and support the attack.”
***
On his return from Edmonton, Blain was also asked to assume the role of co-captain with forward Christophe Losier. So far, Losier has been wearing the captain’s C at home and Blain has been doing so on the road.
“It is a lot of responsibility, even more with a young team like we have,” said Blain. “I need to lead by example, not just in the room and by talking. Talking is good but if you don’t support your talk with action it doesn’t mean anything. So I’ve got to lead by example on the road trips, in the practices and during the games. Helping the young guys, doing extra stuff and leading by example.”
“Jeremie did really well in (Titan) training camp as far as leading the guys and showing by example,” Dubois said. “Practice-wise he was always at top notch in intensity. I wanted him to show some leadership and carry the load of having to lead and he just showed by example every day.”
Xavier Ouellet scores tying goal late, forcing OT in win
Oct 14
Rangers PP gets a boost
570 News
It’s Christmas in October for the Kitchener Rangers.
They found out on Thursday that Ryan Murphy would be returning from the Carolina Hurricanes.
The 18-year-old defenseman was on Carolina’s roster for the start of the season, but did not see any action in the regular season.
He’s expected to be in the line-up tonight when the Rangers open a home and home with Owen Sound.
Murphy tells 570 News it was a great experience, but watching the games from the press box was hard.
“They said (Canes) they couldn’t find anything negative about my game right now. They said to go back and get faster, stronger and bigger.” Murphy said.
Murphy returned to Junior Team
Chip Alexander
Charlotte Observer
The Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday returned Murphy, their first-round draft pick this year, to the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League.
Murphy earned a spot on the Canes’ 23-man roster for the regular season but did not play in any of the first four games. He had hoped to follow the path set last season by forward Jeff Skinner, a former Kitchener teammate who was the NHL’s rookie of the year at 18.
“The fact that he went beyond the start of the season with us as an 18-year-old defenseman is really exceptional and tells what we think of him,” general manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday of Murphy. “We feel him staying with us an extra week and participating in practice and seeing regular-season games, getting a feel for the tempo of games and the tempo of practices, will help him this season and help in his development.”
Murphy, from Aurora, Ont., was the 12th overall pick of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and was arguably the best offensive defenseman in the draft.
“Obviously I’ve learned a lot,” Murphy said. “I found out what it’s like to be a professional hockey player but I guess it’s time to go back down to junior for another year.
Carolina Hurricanes assign rookie Ryan Murphy to Kitchener
Peter Koutroumpis
Raleigh Sports Examiner
During his time in Raleigh, Murphy earned one assist in four exhibition games for Carolina, but had been a healthy scratch for the Hurricanes’ four regular-season contests.
The team’s top draft pick in 2011 made quite an impression at all levels of the organization from the day he stepped onto the ice at Prospect camp, to his play at the Traverse City tournament, and to his full participation in training camp and the preseason.
The opportunities were afforded to him to show that he could learn, adjust and play up to the NHL level.
From the first day of camp, just after signing an entry-level contract with the Hurricanes, Murphy was composed and considerate of the opportunity he had and keeping his eventual target in mind.
“My main goal is to make to the NHL one day and that is just the first step, so I am looking forward to it,” Murphy said.
Thiessen stops 29 of 30, WBS Penguins win opener
Daniel Nikandrov posts three-point night as Sarnia Legionnaires beat Strathroy Rockets 6-2
D’Agostini stops 41 as Petes beat Attack 4-2
Harvard Lampoon honoring Bruins players with parade Sunday
Lalime participates in Minor Hockey Week
Senators Alumni Goaltending Clinic presented by Scotiabank, featuring Patrick Lalime Sunday, Oct. 16, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for goaltenders at Frank Robinson Arena, Aylmer, Que.
The second position-specific bilingual clinic at Frank Robinson Arena in Aylmer on Sunday will feature former Senators netminder Patrick Lalime, who will provide local minor hockey goaltenders with instruction on how to improve their play both in and around the net.
READ MORE
Seguin Cup Ring photo via Daylife.com
Cammalleri video
Oct 15
Ryan Murphy back with the Rangers
570 News
It was a sweet comeback to the Kitchener Rangers for Ryan Murphy Friday night.
After starting the season with the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL, Murphy never dressed and was sent back to the Rangers.
He told 570′s Mike Farwell it was a little frustrating.
“I got a little frustrated at times, but hey, I mean I stuck it out in the press box, had a couple of hot dogs, watched some NHL games and I learned a lot from just sitting there.”
Murphy had one assist last night, as the Rangers beat the defending Champs 5-3 at the Aud, and said it felt good being back on the ice.
“I had a lot of energy from sitting up there in the press box. I guess I had a couple of turnovers and I’ll try not doing that this year, but I felt good and I had a lot of fun.”
Murphy helps push Rangers past Attack
Josh Brown
TheRecord.com
KITCHENER — Ryan Murphy wasted little time making an impression at the Aud.
The 18-year-old defenceman, fresh off a month-long stint with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, sparked Kitchener’s struggling power play as the club defeated the Owen Sound Attack 5-3 Friday.
“He’s electric to watch,” said Rangers head coach and general manager Steve Spott. “He’s dangerous every time that he’s out on the ice. He provides the offence that we desperately need, especially on the power play.”
Murphy was hoping to latch on with the NHL club but was reassigned to the Rangers after being a healthy scratch for Carolina’s first four regular season games.
“I knew it was going to be pretty rare to make that team,” said Murphy. “They said they kept me around so long because they didn’t know what to do with me.
“I was just embracing the time while I had it. I had a great time and learned a lot.”
It didn’t take long for Murphy to make his mark in Kitchener. The blueliner, who was drafted 12th overall in the NHL draft this past June, skated circles around the Attack and stabilized the point on the team’s power play.
Yakupov’s four-point night (Larionov)
Christian Thomas scores shootout winner
Adrian Robertson on five-game point streak
Tyler Seguin’s Top-Shelf Tally Earns Captain Morgan Goal of the Week Honors
NESN
Oct 16
Seguin’s shootout goal a good sign
Joe Haggerty
NECN.com
CHICAGO — Tyler Seguin’s game awareness and overall approach have matured incredibly over one year of NHL experience, and Saturday night’s 3-2 shootout win over the Blackhawks served as an example of that.
Seguin finished with an assist and four shots on net in 20:08 of ice time in the victory, and – more importantly – bagged the game-winning penalty shot while gigantic Chicago names like Toews, Kane and Sharp were denied at the other end of the ice.
The second-year player is now 5-for-9 during his career in shootout chances and has two game-winning goals in the extra session – numbers that put Seguin into the “bona fide weapon” category when it comes to shootouts that have confounded the Bruins at times in the past.
“He was [a weapon] last year, so I would expect that out of him,” said Claude Julien. “In fact I’d expect him to maybe be even better than he was last year. He read the play really well when he went in there and shot. [Crawford] was probably expecting a deke and it was in the back of the net before he knew what happened.”
Christian Thomas scores shootout winner for Oshawa
Ryan Murphy’s Three Point Game Leads Rangers In Win Over Owen Sound
Yakupov adds another three-point night (Larionov)
more..THE RIG 28 week ending October 9th
on October 16th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Oct 3
Report: David Savard set to make Blue Jackets roster
The Sporting News
Columbus seems to like rookie defenseman David Savard to make its team. The Columbus Dispatch is reporting he’ll start the season on the roster as one of the Blue Jackets’ top seven blueliners.
Savard had 43 points in 72 games last season in the AHL. With the demotion of John Moore, Savard will likely get plenty of minutes on the second power-play unit.
Savard will join rookies Cam Atkinson, who earlier this week made the club after an impressive preseason, along with center Ryan Johansen and winger Maksim Mayorov.
The Blue Jackets open the season Friday at home against Nashville.
Canes’ Murphy, Faulk playing beyond their years
Chip Alexander
News Observer
RALEIGH In his more than 500 games in the NHL, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Bryan Allen has had many defensive partners.
But, perhaps, never two quite like Justin Faulk and Ryan Murphy.
Faulk is 19 but plays more like he’s 29, to hear Allen tell it.
“He’s a young kid but he’s not playing like a young kid,” Allen said. “He’s got poise and he’s got patience out there.”
And Murphy? He’s just 18 but also has Allen shaking his head.
“He’s got more skill than I could have ever thought about,” Allen said, smiling.
Allen, 31, has played with each of the two defensemen during the Canes’ preseason exhibition games. Faulk was a second-round draft pick by the Canes in 2010, and Murphy was the team’s first-round draft choice – and the 12th overall pick – this year.
Each is making a strong case for appearing on the Canes’ roster when the regular season begins Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Carolina coach Paul Maurice has said performance, not age, will dictate the makeup of the team he puts on the ice for the season opener.
Bruins Seguin to start season on Wing
Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com
Tyler Seguin led the Bruins in goal-scoring during the preseason and pried open plenty of doubting eyes along the way.
It’s pretty clear the 19-year-old is going to get his chance to jump up and seize a much larger role with the Bruins in his second NHL season. That could be a very good thing for the Bruins as a more explosive Seguin goes a long way toward alleviating some of the Stanley Cup hangover discussion.
In fact Seguin might just be the greatest hangover cure since Gatorade and greasy food were entered into the equation.
It also appears that the journey toward NHL stardom for Seguin will start at the wing spot in his second season with the Bruins – a fact that Claude Julien confirmed on Monday afternoon with the caveat that could evolve during the 82-game regular season.
Oct 4
Picking the Best of the Best
Bruce Garrioch
QMI Agency
G Patrick Lalime: It was unfair the way his career ended — sitting on the bench in an ugly Game 7 loss to the Maple Leafs in 2004 in what would be Martin’s final game with the Senators. Goaltending has always been an issue in Ottawa, but Lalime’s numbers were better than most others. He finished with 146 regular-season victories in 283 games — with 30 shutouts. He was great at times.
Knee injury KO’s Galchenyuk (Larionov)
Dave Paul
The Observer
Alex Galchenyuk will not be suiting up for the Sarnia Sting any time soon.
Galchenyuk’s knee injury, which was once hoped to be only a short-term “tweak”, is starting to sound much worse. In fact, under the best case scenario, it sounds as though he will be out until at least mid-November.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed that it might only be a month, or a month-and-a-half,” admitted Sting coach/GM Jacques Beaulieu, after Saturday’s 7-2 win over Sudbury.
“He’s not doing anything for the next two weeks — no exercise and no walking on it,” said Beaulieu, adding the team has “conflicting reports” from four different doctors on the severity of the injury to Galchenyuk’s MCL (medial colateral ligament).
Lane MacDermid Photo
Oct 5
Cammalleri excited for opening night at home
David Shoalts
Globe and Mail
Mike Cammalleri is entering his third season with the Montreal Canadiens but this is the first time he will have the chance to step on the ice in his hometown for a season-opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
One year ago, the native of Richmond Hill, Ont., a few traffic lights north of Toronto, missed his chance because he was serving a one-game suspension for whacking another player with his stick in the Canadiens’ final pre-season game.
Playing at the Air Canada Centre in the NHL’s oldest rivalry on Thursday night in front of his friends and family is so important, Cammalleri made sure he was not part of NHL vice-president Brendan Shanahan’s crackdown on head shots.
“I got some congratulations today from the boys for making it through the preseason without a suspension,” Cammalleri, 29, said Wednesday as the Canadiens wrapped up a team-building session on Georgian Bay. “It’s special for me to play in Toronto: Opening night, Habs-Leafs, all the implications, it’s a dream come true, that’s for sure.”
When he was growing up, Cammalleri got to see a few Leaf games at Maple Leaf Gardens when his father Leo would score some tickets. The younger Cammalleri said his father would sometimes exchange the pricy red tickets for greys up in the rafters “because he said that was where the real fans sit.”
Oct 6
‘A special place to play and live,’ CH sniper Cammalleri says
Kevin Mio
The Gazette
Former general manager Bob Gainey overhauled the Canadiens’ roster two seasons ago, and forward Michael Cammalleri was one of the biggest additions he made. And since his first strides on Bell Centre ice, the Richmond Hill, Ont., native has fallen in love with the city, the team and its passionate fans.
Entering his third season with the bleu-blanc-rouge, Cammalleri is hoping to enjoy a productive and healthy season. The 5-foot-9, 182-pounder, who was selected in the second round (29th overall) by the Los Angeles Kings at the 2001 NHL entry draft, has missed portions of the last two seasons because of injuries, playing in 65 and 67 games, respectively.
Last season, the 29-year-old scored 19 goals and added 28 assists, before adding 10 points (three goals) in the Canadiens first-round, seven-game playoff loss to the Boston Bruins.
Cammalleri spoke with The Gazette before his return to Montreal for training camp, discussing his fondness for the city, his penchant for a one-timer with a knee on the ice, and some of the biggest influences on his career.
Has playing for the Canadiens lived up to everything you expected when you signed here?
“Yeah, and then some. Maybe it’s the older I am getting, the more I appreciate things, but it’s just a special place to play and live. We love the city, we love being there. I can’t say anything bad about it. Playing here – it’s really one of those things that is hard to describe unless you experience it. The more I play there, the more I appreciate what it means, the more I like playing there, the more I want to not play anywhere else. It’s a love affair I have developed with the city.”
READ MORE
Hurricanes Try Youth Again
Bob Sutton
Times News
RALEIGH — Another influx of youth appears on tap for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Their roster for the start of the season has a couple of teenagers – in addition to 2010-11 NHL Rookie of the Year Jeff Skinner.
Whether defensemen 18-year-old Ryan Murphy, who was a first-round draftee in June, and 19-year-old Justin Falk, who played for NCAA champion Minnesota-Duluth, can stick with the Hurricanes remains a question.
But both players did enough to make the 23-player roster released Wednesday, putting them under consideration for ice time when the Hurricanes start their season Friday night against visiting Tampa Bay.
“There are some pieces there,” coach Paul Maurice said of the defensemen.
They come to play, they stay for the lifestyle
Lisa Wallace
Ottawa Citizen
Patrick Lalime is home. Oh sure, his actual hometown is Drummondville, Que., but after guarding the goal for the Senators for four-and-a-half seasons, Ottawa earned a special place in his heart.
So when he announced his retirement this summer and he and his family sat down to discuss where to settle after hockey — after all, his NHL career also took him to Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Chicago and Buffalo — Ottawa was at the top of the list.
The Lalimes are far from alone. Many former Senators players who grew up elsewhere have decided to remain in Ottawa after their retirement, saying they like the city’s size and they formed deep attachments to the community they did not want to give up.
“We talked about moving back to Quebec,” Lalime says. “We have family there and we have a great house there, but we liked the idea of coming back to Ottawa and this way we’re really not that far from family.
“It was really hard on us when we had to leave Ottawa. We were really happy here so it feels good to be back here.”
Lalime’s two oldest daughters Liliana, 9, and Rosemary, 7, were born in Ottawa. His youngest, Evangeline, 3, was born in Chicago.
During their time in the U.S., all three girls learned English, but Lalime and his wife Marie-Helene want them to maintain their French heritage, which a bilingual city like Ottawa can offer.
And Ottawa is not only a safe, medium-sized city, it is also big enough to offer an abundance of extracurricular activities and allow the girls to pursue any and all their interests.
For Lalime himself, Ottawa is the place where he had his most success. He played 283 regular season games for the Senators and still holds numerous goaltending records. Ottawa also gave Lalime the chance to do some broadcast work with the French sports network, RDS.
“We wanted stability for the family, but Ottawa also gives me opportunities,” he says. “I’ll still be at the rink and able to see some of the guys. I’m looking forward to it. I think it will be fun to be on the other side now. I liked the idea of having an NHL team so close by.”
Amerks rookie Phil Varone is out to prove he has a bright future
Kevin Oklobzija
Domocrat and Chronicle
Just because Phil Varone was good enough to play junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League didn’t mean he would be coasting later in life.
There is never a guarantee that very talented players will be welcomed into pro hockey. That’s why a college benefits package is almost always included in junior-league contracts.
For a moment this summer, Varone thought he might need to take advantage and find a college.
Drafted in the fifth round (147th overall) in 2009 by San Jose, the Sharks decided not to offer a contract. And coming off a second surgical procedure on his left shoulder, a whole lot of other NHL teams weren’t interested in offering any free-agent deals.
“My parents have always been big on school,” Varone said.
The Buffalo Sabres, however, had always liked what they saw in Varone when he played for the OHL’s London Knights (2007-08 through 2009-10), and then last season with the Erie Otters.
First, they invited him to their summer prospects camp. Then they invited him to join them in Traverse City, Mich., for the prospects tournament. Finally, an invitation to the real NHL training camp.
At each venue, he made them take notice. He was good with the puck. He was anxious to learn. He never stopped working.
Which is why the rookie centerman was given an American Hockey League contract to sign this week.
All in the family: Courtnall uses roots to drive success
Tim Healey
The Daily Free Press
Chances are, if you grew up in Canada, you learned how to ice skate at a relatively young age.
Chances are, if you have relatives playing professional sports, you have a pretty athletic set of genes.
And, chances are, if those relatives were your father Geoff and uncle Russ Courtnall, and when you were born, they were in the midst of 17- and 16-year NHL careers, respectively, you wouldn’t have much of a choice but to play the sport yourself.
But Boston University men’s hockey forward Justin Courtnall beat chance: He did have a choice.
“I think that you have to love the game to be good at it, and you have to have fun playing it,” Geoff said. “So that’s why I didn’t push [Justin and his brother, Adam] when they were young.”
But, given the choice, Justin responded exactly the way you would expect the son and nephew of NHL players to respond – he picked hockey.
Justin got skates for Christmas at age two, and realized his intense level of sibling competitiveness about a year later. During the warmer months of their early years, he and Adam – 20 months Justin’s elder – ditched the ice skates for a different kind of blade.
“Even in the summer we’d have our roller blades on and get all marked up,” Justin said. “My dad was always there helping us and making sure we were learning. From a really young age we always wanted to play hockey.”
Justin’s obsession was fed by Geoff bringing his sons to the rink on game days on a regular basis, and slowly but surely Justin let other sports – soccer, baseball and golf among them – fall by the wayside in favor of Canada’s favorite.
Titans Receive Two Players from Flyers System
TRENTON, N.J.- The Titans added three players to their training camp roster with the arrival of goalie Brad Phillips and defenseman Tyler Hostetter – the first two additions from the Philadelphia Flyers system – and winger Matt Germain.
“I’m looking forward to working with all three,’’ said Titans head coach Vince Williams. “All will help us as we prepare for our season.’’
Hostetter, 20 and a native of Lititz, Pa., played Major Junior Hockey with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League the past four seasons, he totaled 14 goals and 58 assists in 213 games. Signed by the Flyers to an entry-level contract in 2009, he has participated in three Flyers rookie camps in Voorhees and was a member of the Junior Flyers of West Chester, Pa. He appeared in three games with the AHL’s Adirondack Phantoms last season.
Scott Gomez Video
Mike Cammalleri pre-game Video
Oct 7
Seguin ready to take the next step
Mark Divver
The Providence Journal
BOSTON — The enduring image of Tyler Seguin’s rookie season was the night of May 17, when he exploded for two goals and two assists in the second period against Tampa Bay in Game Two of the Eastern Conference finals.
The dynamic speed and slick finish that the rookie displayed that night electrified the TD Garden, and momentarily shoved to the background the reality that Seguin’s play during his rookie season was mostly underwhelming.
So when can the Bruins expect to see more of the good stuff from the 19-year-old?
It won’t be long, says Pierre McGuire, the analyst for NBC and Versus.
“You can just see he’s fitter, he’s stronger, he’s shooting the puck with more precision,” McGuire said after Boston’s morning skate before the season opener on Thursday.
“He’s got a little extra bounce in his step. I know it’s early, but he looks better, more prepared to be an NHL player this year than he did last year.”
Look for “25 to 30 goals, close to 60 points” from Seguin this season, McGuire said. That would be a welcome upgrade from the 11-11-22 numbers Seguin put up in 74 games last season.
A year older, carrying a few more pounds of muscle and with a Stanley Cup ring in his pocket, Seguin skated at right wing with center Chris Kelly and left wing Jordan Caron on Thursday night.
And it didn’t take long for Seguin — the second pick in the 2010 NHL Draft — to make things happen. Using his speed, he generated a half-dozen offensive chances in the first 40 minutes.
One of them resulted in a goal when, on a power play, he found Brad Marchand with a long pass at the Flyers’ blue line, and Marchand beat Philadelphia goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to give Boston a 1-0 lead.
Tyler Seguin ready to segue into bigger role
Kevin Allen
USA Today
“With Claude Julien as coach, you’d better know how to play, and (Seguin) has that now,” NHL Network analyst Craig Button says. “I would expect him to be at least a 60-point guy now.”
The Bruins lost a pair of scorers when Mark Recchi retired and Michael Ryder signed with the Dallas Stars. General manager Peter Chiarelli is counting on Seguin to replace some of the scoring.
“He learned from sitting and playing in the playoffs,” Chiarelli says. “He knows the sacrifices that need to be made to win a Stanley Cup. … I don’t know if there are other players who have seen what he has seen at his age.”
Boston goalie Tim Thomas says Seguin, 19, benefited from learning how to play in the NHL without being asked to do too much.
“The way he was brought in, he got to avoid all of that pressure that gets put on those kids at an early age. And I think that could be helpful in the long run,” Thomas says. “There will be a time when he does face that pressure — the Taylor Hall-type of pressure. Some guys thrive on it. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane thrived on it. Maybe Tyler Seguin would have, too. But this is a way to let Tyler Seguin grow up a little bit.”
He can’t believe how mature Seguin is.
“I just can’t imagine playing in the NHL when you are 19,” says Thomas, who didn’t establish himself as an NHL player until he was older than 30. “It’s not the on-ice stuff. … It’s about being a celebrity and the availability of money. … When I went to school, I was 19 and it was the first time I hadn’t lived with my parents. It was an adjustment.”
Leivo, Wolves look to build on positives
Ben Lesson
The Sudbury Star
Josh Leivo was anything but a household name at the start of the 2010-11 OHL season.
But by the end, his name was all over the scoresheet.
Leivo, the Sudbury Wolves’ 11th-round choice in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, joined the team as a 17-year-old last season and was one of a handful of Wolves to enjoy a spectacular second-half surge.
After scoring only two goals in his first 30 games, the left-winger from Innisfil, Ont., tallied 11 markers in his next 34 starts.
By the post-season, he was skating on the first line with centre Michael Sgarbossa and right-winger Andrey Kuchin.
In eight playoff games, Leivo scored six goals and assisted on seven others, helping the seventh-place Wolves oust the second-seeded Ottawa 67′s in the first round before falling to the powerful Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors in the second.
Though he wasn’t listed in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings of draft-eligible players, Leivo clearly impressed Toronto Maple Leafs management, who made the 6-foot-2, 185-pound forward their third-round choice in this year’s NHL Entry Draft.
After a brief stay at the Leafs’ main training camp last month, Leivo returned to the Wolves.
He hopes to lead them to their first win tonight, when the Niagara IceDogs visit Sudbury Community Arena for a 7:35 p.m. start.
“I worked hard this summer and I was looking forward to getting back and helping this team get some wins and, hopefully, contend for a championship,” Leivo said.
Getting a taste of NHL action will only make him a better OHL player, he said.
“It’s all tape-to-tape passes, the positioning is smart and it’s incredibly fast,” Leivo said. “I hope to bring some of that to this team and use it to help the younger guys, now that I have a little more experience.”
Brad Marchand, Tyler Seguin Show No Signs of Letting Up With Strong Performances in Bruins’ Loss
NESN Video
Unfinished Business for Thiessen
Paul Sokoloski
Timesleader.com
AFTER A SEASON decorated with so much success, Brad Thiessen couldn’t fathom how it ended with such futility.
It made him feel like a failure.
He was ready to play a Game 7 against the Charlotte Checkers in the East Division finals, along with the rest of his Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Penguins teammates. They built a 3-0 lead on their home ice at Mohegan Sun Arena with 12:36 remaining in Game 6.
But the goalie who stopped everything all season suddenly couldn’t keep anything of his net.
The Checkers scored four goals in under 10 minutes, and it was checkmate for a Penguins team that had won 58 games – more than any other team in franchise history and more than anyone in the AHL last season.
It took Thiessen nearly a month to get over that.
“I didn’t put it on myself totally,” Thiessen said.
But he couldn’t keep from feeling at least partially responsible for the Penguins falling short of the Calder Cup Finals.
“Anytime you get a three-goal lead with 10 minutes left,” Thiessen said, “as a goalie, it’s your job to make the saves when you need them.”
How could this happen to him?
Wasn’t Thiessen the best goalie in the AHL last season? Didn’t he have the Bastien Award and a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre record 35 victories to prove it?
The end of the 2010-11 season only proved to Thiessen how fast the feeling of an aura of invincibility can evaporate.
“All the personal awards were nice,” Thiessen said. “But in the end, we’re here to win championships. It was very disappointing. Didn’t leave a good feeling in your stomach.”
It wasn’t Thiessen’s fault.
He held down a Charlotte attack that scored 265 goals during the regular season – the second-most in the league – for as long as he could and even stopped 34 shots while pitching a shutout in Game 2 of the series.
D’Agostini gets first OHL shutout
Mike Davies
Peterborough Examiner
Andrew D’Agostini and the Peterborough Petes made a statement Thursday.
A doubting Thomas could find reasons to poke holes in the Petes 3-0-1-1 start by pointing to missing players from Niagara, injuries to Belleville, Kingston and Barrie.
After D’Agostini’s first OHL shutout and the Petes 3-0 win over the Plymouth Whalers, considered by many pundits as a top Western Conference team, there may be fewer doubters.
The Petes got off to a dynamic start building a 3-0 first period lead and got spectacular goaltending by D’Agostini during a first period Whalers’ power play. He stopped four quick shots in a wild flurry using his pads and glove to block difficult shots. In the final minute he made a tough stop off J.T. Miller’s deflected shot to cement the shutout as the Petes killed a penalty.
After three starts D’Agostini is 3-0 allowing just two goals against for a puny 0.67 GAA and .976 Save%, both league bests.
“That one flurry sure set the tone for Andrew,” said Petes’ coach Mike Pelino. “We came out like a house on fire in the first period and there was no holding us back until we took an undisciplined penalty. When that happens you need your penalty killers and goaltender to bail you out and they did.”
Aigles Bleus host Tommies in Grand Falls
Rookie defenseman Simon Jodoin is looking forward to his first university regular season game. The former Moncton Wildcats captain of the QMJHL has changed teams, but not city. ”I’m adjusting well to university hockey after four games,” said Jodoin. ”My university career is going well and I now look forward to my first regular season game. The guys are bigger and faster than in major junior. The systems have some similarity. I now need to create chemistry between myself and my partner on the ice so we’ll play better. I have not yet played the Tommies, but I do know we can’t take them lightly. We have to be ready to play our last exhibition game.”
Blue Jackets’ Rookies are Just Living the Dream Tonight
To a man, it was all about a dream coming true. “Obviously, I’m very excited for the game,” Savard said. “I’ve been waiting for that moment all of my life. It’s a dream come true to play a game in the NHL.”
Meet the Canes: Ryan Murphy
Newsobserver.com
PHOTO
Thomas Larkin named Colgate captain
Oct 8
Tyler Seguin Immediately Shows Improvement With Play in Opener, Enters Second Season With Confidence High
NESN Video
Nail Yakupov’s four points leads Sarnia Sting over Sudbury Wolves 7-2 (Larionov)
Loktionov with three-assists on opening night (Larionov)
Oct 9
Seguin is definitely growing into the job
Kevin Paul Dupont
Boston.com
At times it’s easy to forget just how young some of the players are when they show up in search of full-time NHL employment. Case in point: Tyler Seguin, who arrived here a year ago at 18, landed a spot on the Bruins roster and often looked as if he were trying to find his way in an adult world while still balancing a high school mortarboard atop his helmet.
“I’ve got to admit that I am still adapting to the game, it’s only been one year,’’ said Seguin. “That’s on and off the ice. Coming to a family like this team has, you are going to have to earn your way on it. I feel more comfortable now that I’ve gotten to know everyone.’’
Seguin, the second overall pick in the June 2010 draft, began his sophomore season on right wing Thursday, skating on a line with young winger Jordan Caron and veteran pivot Chris Kelly. At about 190 pounds, he is some 10 pounds heavier than a year ago, and with better-developed core strength after spending much of the offseason (as abbreviated as it was) working out diligently in Toronto at Matt Nichol’s BioSteel athletic performance center.
“You learn a lot more about nutrition and stuff like that,’’ said Seguin, whose production – 22 points in 74 games last year – showed signs of blossoming in the postseason when he went 3-4-7 in 13 games. “It will help me in the long run, for sure.
“I was there last summer for two weeks, but this year for the full summer. We had 15-30 pro guys every week. Off ice and on ice. Learning about nutrition. They are serving breakfast and you are learning what’s proper to eat. And I think that is going to help me.’’
Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli and coach Claude Julien see a significant improvement in Seguin, which no doubt played a part in his getting a hefty 17:20 in ice time in Thursday’s 2-1 loss to the Flyers.
Tyler Seguin Becoming More Confident, More Comfortable in Second Season With Bruins
NESN Video
Oilers Gagner not rushing back
DEREK VAN DIEST
Edmonton Sun
EDMONTON – Sam Gagner is back on the ice, but it may be a while before he’s able to play.
The Edmonton Oilers centre skated on Saturday, recovering from a high-ankle sprain.
He won’t be available for the team’s season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins Sunday at Rexall Place.
“This is the second time I’ve skated, I skated (Friday) for about half an hour,” said Gagner. “I have to tape it up. It’s a little less taped up (Saturday) than it was (Friday). It didn’t hurt, but I couldn’t skate very well on it.”
Gagner was injured in an exhibition contest against the Calgary Flames two weeks ago when he crashed into the end boards and rolled his left ankle.
He was placed on the Oilers injured reserved list to start the season.
“It’s a matter if I tweak it, it sets it back,” Gagner said. “I don’t know how long it’ll be. You never know with these things, it can feel great walking around and running, then you get on the ice and something happens and you hurt it again.
“It’s that internal rotation when you’re digging it. It’s easier when I can control it, when I know where I’m skating and I know the patterns, but then when you’re thrown into a game and have to go to a different place and there is contact involved, that’s when it starts to hurt.”
Andrew Agozzino has 2 G, 2 A in Niagara’s 8-6 loss to Barrie
Olivier Roy assigned to Stockton
The 133rd overall pick in 2009, net minder Olivier Roy was the top ranked Quebec Major Junior Hockey League goalie prospect in 2008-09, Roy posted a 3.04 goals-against average and a .906 save-percentage in 54 games.
more..THE RIG 28 week ending October 2nd
on October 16th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Sep 26
Tyler Seguin Pregame Interview
BostonBruins.com
Brad Thiessen Interview
Sep 27
Rochester Americans Sign Forward Phil Varone to One-Year AHL Contract
(Rochester, NY)… Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today the Rochester Americans have signed forward Phil Varone to a one-year American Hockey League (AHL) contract.
Varone, 20, recorded a career-high 82 points (34 goals, 48 assists) in just 59 games last season with London and Erie of the Ontario Hockey League. After beginning the season with London and scoring one goal in four games, he played the remainder of the year in Erie, scoring 81 points (33+48) in 55 games. His 82 points on the season ranked third on his team. He also registered 13 points (3+10) in seven postseason games with Erie.
The 5-foot-10, 186-pound Varone played five seasons in the OHL with Kitchener, London and Erie, finishing his junior career with 230 points (78+152) in 228 games. He also notched 34 points (14+20) in 26 career OHL playoff contests. Earlier this month, Varone skated for the Buffalo Sabres in the 2011 Traverse City NHL Prospects Tournament, helping Buffalo to the tournament championship.
Seguin poised for second-year strides
James Murphy
ESPNBoston.com
MONTREAL — Bruins second-year forward Tyler Seguin played his second straight game Monday night in Montreal and once again was on one of the top two lines. In Sunday’s 7-3 win over the Canadiens in Halifax, Seguin — playing with Nathan Horton and Jordan Caron — bounced back from a so-so performance in his first preseason game at Ottawa last Wednesday with a goal and an assist. On Monday night, Seguin played well again, scoring a power-play goal and skating on the top line with Milan Lucic and David Krejci.
“I feel good. I thought I had an OK game in Ottawa and better game last night [Sunday],” Seguin said before Monday night’s game. “Just want to stay consistent. I’m just trying to get better every game at the little things and I think I know from last season they want my battle and compete level high.”
After the game, Seguin said he felt more comfortable on the ice but was careful not to get carried away with another impressive performance.
“I don’t think a goal here or the other night is going to make me that much more confident, but it helps,” Seguin said. “I think it’s what I was able to build over the course of last season and the summer working out, and now hopefully into this season. I felt good at the end of the season and felt I learned so much and got stronger as a person and player. Now I am just trying to carry that over into this season and learn from everything last year.”
Head coach Claude Julien said he sees that confidence building and notices it especially with Seguin’s improved physical play.
“He’s confident that he can go in the corners against anybody and, as we always told him, you don’t need to run guys over, you just gotta battle hard and try and win that battle for the puck,” Julien said. “Come out with the puck from the corner and that’s all we can ask from you. I think he understands that a lot better this year and is capable of doing that as well.”
Sam Gagner Update
Tyler Seguin video
Sep 28
Gagner sprains ankle
ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI
QMI Agency
EDMONTON – Sam Gagner would be excused if he decided to smash something right about now.
Like maybe a hockey stick over the cruel hand of fate.
After missing the last month of last season with an injury, he busted his tail all summer to come back faster and leaner and better than ever — only to get injured again before he can even get a skate blade wet in the regular season.
How long he’s out remains to be seen — the estimates range from two to four weeks — but no matter how long the high ankle sprain keeps him away, it’s terrible timing.
Unless you’re centre Anton Lander, and your audition with the Oilers just got a little longer.
“I think for now it’s week to week,” said Gagner, who slid into the end boards last Saturday against Calgary. “When I was in my skate there’s adrenaline and you don’t really feel it too much, but when I took off my skate I thought it was pretty bad.
“Over the last couple of days it really settled down and it’s feeling really good. I’m just going to take it from there and see how it goes in the next couple of weeks.
“It could be more than that, it could be less, I don’t know. They just said they want a week or two to let it heal and then progress from there.”
Cammalleri after practice
Scott Gomez after practice
Jesse Blacker interview
Ian Pulver on Fan590 with Millard, Kypreos & MacLean
Sep 29
Jeremie Blain named assistant captain of Acadie-Bathurst
Oct 1
Knights unleash scoring punch
Ryan Pyette
London Free Press
Ryan Rupert leaned against a wall with a celebratory black sombrero on his head.
The look spoke volumes about how explosive the London Knights offence can be this season.
How else do you explain one-half of the gritty Grand Bend twin combo failing to score on an early penalty shot, but bouncing back with a hat trick anyway and earning the right to wear the famous Mexican chapeau?
The Knights scored eight times again in an 8-2 dismantling of the Sudbury Wolves before 9,046 Friday night at the John Labatt Centre. They scored eight in their home opener last week when Max Domi bagged a hat trick against Saginaw (but wore a hard hat with the sombrero out of commission).
“We have quite an arsenal on this team,” the 17-year-old Rupert said. “It could be anyone of us who does it on any night. On the penalty shot, I had (Wolves goalie Brendan O’Neill) beat on the backhand, but I batted the puck away from the net (by mistake).”
He never missed again.
So what happened? Did he get angry, grit his teeth and bear down?
Well, that doesn’t seem possible. Rupert twins Ryan and Matt are always angry, gritting their teeth and bearing down on the ice.
“I’ve played against them since I was eight-years-old,” said O’Neill, the Ilderton native and former London Junior Knight. “They haven’t changed. Not one bit. They’re always trying to get under my skin and they were again tonight.”
Just like old times, Ryan admitted.
“We beat his team for the Alliance championship in minor midget,” he said with a grin. “We’ve always battled. We’ve even got in a few fights along the way.”
READ MORE
David Savard Photo
Oct 2
Seguin Seeks New Edge
Matt Kalman
CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) – In an effort to make sure his sophomore NHL season is the one that establishes him not just as a regular, but a star, Tyler Seguin has sought out every edge imaginable.
That search has turned up several ways for Seguin to get a leg up, including a better diet that will allow his body to develop into exactly what it should be – a
speedy, goal-scoring machine.
For the second straight summer, Seguin attended the BioSteel camp with more than 30 of his Toronto-area NHL-caliber colleagues. The camp is run by trainer Matt Nichol and ex-NHL-star-turned-trainer Gary Roberts. While most of the focus on the camp relates to the off-ice training and on-ice workouts, including the high-tempo scrimmages, that help the likes of Seguin, Steven Stamkos, Michael Cammalleri, James Neal and Jeff Skinner improve their games every summer.
But there are also lessons in nutrition, which Seguin absorbed and now is trying to put into use in his life.
“It’s just about learning more about proper portions the night before a game stuff and day of [a game] and just really proper nutrition and how bad it can affect you if you’re not properly eating or hydrating yourself well. I took a lot from it this summer,” he told CBSBoston.com over the weekend.
Yakupov’s four points lead Sting over Wolves (Larionov)
Jonathan Lessard scored three goals
Ryan Murphy Photo
Lane Macdermid assigned to Providence
more..THE RIG 28 week ending September 25th
on October 16th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Sep 20
Seguin at Home in the Middle
By Fluto Shinzawa
Boston Globe
For the second straight season, Tyler Seguin could be a right wing, with either Patrice Bergeron or Chris Kelly serving as his setup man.
But Seguin’s natural position is center, which is where he’s been skating for the opening days of Bruins training camp. Seguin has not looked like he’s forgotten how to play the position.
“He’s been very good. I’ve noticed him,’’ said coach Claude Julien. “He seems a lot stronger. He seems a lot more confident. From what I’ve seen these first three days, his skill level has really shown because of the way he’s competing with that confidence.
“I see a guy who’s got a year under his belt. He’s coming in this year and wants to make a difference. We knew all along that he’s got it. Now it’s up to him to show it. His first three days, I think he’s done that.’’
Seguin has been centering Kyle MacKinnon and Nathan Horton. Like he did his rookie season, Seguin has skated dynamically and shot pucks with purpose.
What’s made Seguin among the more explosive forwards in camp has been his competitiveness and his battle level in the danger areas. As a rookie, Seguin wasn’t always willing to use his muscle in the corners, along the walls, and in front of the net.
Robertson Named Spits Captain
By Jim Parker
Windsor Star
The Windsor Spitfires knew they were getting more than a solid, veteran defenceman when the club acquired Adrian Robertson from the Peterborough Petes prior to last year’s trade deadline.
“We had heard good things about Robby,” Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner said.
He steadied the defence and helped lead Windsor to the Western Conference final.
Now, the Spitfires are hoping he can help shape the future of a youthful club.
Tuesday, Boughner named the 20-year-old Robertson the team’s captain for the 2011-12 season.
“I wore an A in Peterborough for two years and in minor hockey, but I’ve never been a captain,” the six-foot-three, 207-pound Robertson said.
“It’s a challenge, but I’ve been around young teams in Peterborough and I can draw from that.”
Robertson is the third straight defenceman to be named captain of the club.
Windsor Spitfires new captain Adrian Robertson talks to The Windsor Star’s Jim Parker
Beskorowany wins pre-season game
UPEI Panther gets opportunity with NHL club
Al MacLeod
The Guardian
For three seasons, forward Matt Carter has been a dominant force for the UPEI Panthers in the Atlantic University men’s hockey conference.
His offensive numbers were good enough to get him an invitation this month to the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Mich. with the Dallas Stars. The NHL?team just wrapped up its training camp in Charlottetown.
Carter has enjoyed steady improvement over those three years and posted career highs with 20 goals, 24 assists for 44 points in 28 games last season, which brings his career totals to 51 goals, 55 assist for 106 points in 83 games.
Those numbers and his play earned the 24-year-old Mississauga, Ont. native a closer look by Dallas.
Carter, who is entering his fourth and final year in the bachelor of business program at the university, said he got a lot out of the tournament and looks forward to putting the experience to use in the upcoming AUS season.
“It was a great experience. It got me a little bit more ready for the year and it was a lot of fun,” Carter said.
“I expect to have the same kind of year I did last year and hopefully better. Hopefully, as a team, we can end up in Fredericton in the nationals.”
Carter had a good showing at the prospects tournament, notching a pair of goals to go with a plus-1 rating and four penalty minutes in three games.
Carter said the advice he received from the organization was valuable.
“(Things to work on include) just sort of working away from the puck and just the finer things, like becoming a professional and carrying yourself outside of the rink, little things like that,” he said.
“(I plan to) just keep doing what I’m doing and things will hopefully work out in the future. They preached about getting an education and how important it is so that was good.”
Sep 22
Murphy still hanging tough at Hurricanes training camp
Peter Koutroumpis
Raleigh Sports Examiner
Although it should not be surprising for the team’s top draft pick to still be around after less than a week into camp, Murphy’s situation raises interesting questions.
The Hurricanes announced that they had signed Murphy to an entry-level contract on the opening day of training camp and managerial and coaching staff members could not say enough good things about him.
“Ryan is a gifted offensive defenseman. He skates extremely well and is dynamic with the puck. He put up very impressive numbers as a 17 year old in the OHL, and he’s put himself in a position to push for a spot on the NHL level.” – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manger, Carolina Hurricanes
After the first day of on-ice sessions, coach Paul Maurice referred to Murphy as a ‘special’ player.
“He is going to be a very good defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes. When that is, I’m not sure. There’s some very special talent and skill there. Above saying that he is a skilled guy, there’s more than that there,” Maurice stated.
Maurice also indicated that Murphy would get his chance to show what he can do during the teams’ preseason games.
Scott Gomez Practice Video
HabsInsideOut Videos
Renney Compares Sam Gagner to Doug Gilmour
By David Staples
Edmonton Journal
This tweet just in from TV reporter Gene Principe: “Tom Renney saying he sees nothing but big things to come for Sam Gagner. Even saying his work ethic and talent remind him of Doug Gilmour.”
READ MORE
MacDermid opening eyes in Bruins’ camp
Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com
OTTAWA — Lane MacDermid has inspired little fanfare or breathless discussions about his bright future when he’s mentioned in terms of a career with the Bruins.
MacDermid is a B’s fourth round draft pick from the Windsor Spitfires back in the 2008 draft, and a player that spent the entirety of last season in Providence. He’s a 6-foot-3, 200-pound winger capable of scoring a little and fighting a lot — but sometimes it takes that little extra something to get noticed during an NHL camp.
MacDermid has had that little extra going so far in this year’s training camp as a 22-year-old looking to bust into the NHL. He’s beginning to earn some of that notoriety around camp with a carryover from his capable junior hockey career, and it all comes down to the willingness to work hard.
Fittingly MacDermid put on his helmet and work boots both Tuesday night in the Black and White scrimmage and Wednesday night in the Bruins’ 2-1 overtime loss in Ottawa, and got things done with goals in each game. MacDermid played with Shawn Thornton and Chris Kelly on a line that stood out in Wednesday night’s game, and enjoyed the most pressure they were able to put on the Ottawa defense while scoring only a single goal.
“Those guys play pretty hard and they’re good in the corners and whatnot, so I thought we played pretty well together,” said MacDermid. “It’s been a tough camp and I think everyone is feeling that a little bit, but it’s been a good start.”??In each instance MacDermid was rewarded when he spotted the breakdown in the defense and crashed the net while keeping his head upward looking for the puck. The goal in Providence arrived when Matt Bartkowski found him going to the net without the puck and targeted him for a cross-ice pass, and Wednesday night’s strike against Ottawa was simple crashing the net with speed and flicking home a long rebound of a Thornton shot.
Galchenyuk to Miss Opener (Larionov)
By Dave Paul
QMI Agency
SARNIA – Sting star Alex Galchenyuk Jr. was back on the RBC Centre ice Wednesday, but he’s not expected to be in the lineup for the regular season-opening game Friday against Erie.
Galchenyuk, one of the top-rated players for the 2012 NHL draft, was injured during Friday’s preseason game against Windsor. While preparing to cut around the Windsor goal on an innocent-looking play, Galchenyuk suddenly went down in a heap.
Sting coach/GM Jacques Beaulieu said his star centre had “caught a rut in the ice” and was suffering from a “sore MCL (medial collateral knee ligament).”
On Wednesday, Beaulieu said Galchenyuk was still sore, but that he “was able to skate, on his own, today.
“He probably won’t play this weekend . . . but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the lineup for us next weekend.”
Wolves welcome top forwards back to lineup
Sudbury Nothern Life Staff
Josh Leivo, 18, was also returned to Sudbury by the Toronto Maple Leafs after the Innisfil native enjoyed a successful rookie NHL camp. The big 6-1, right-winger was advanced to the Leafs main camp before being returned to Sudbury.
??
Leivo was the first Wolves’ player to be drafted in the NHL’s third round in June. The skilled forward will look to build on his 13 goal rookie season in the OHL, the release stated. ??
The two Sudbury forwards are expected to arrive in Sudbury in time for the Wolves’ home opener on Friday night when they host the defending Eastern Conference champion Mississauga Majors at 7:30 p.m.
Varone’s influence will be tough for Otters to replace
Victor Fernandes
Erie Times-News
Mark Gazdic assumed Phil Varone was another highly skilled, high-scoring forward with an ego.
Gazdic was almost right. Varone had immense skill in his final OHL season. He certainly produced offense.
But he had no ego — far from it.
“He ended up being the nicest guy you can meet,” Gazdic said of his former roommate in Erie. “He’d do anything for you. Definitely one of the best teammates I’ve ever had.”
On Oct. 26, 2010, the day Varone joined the Otters, the team dramatically changed for the better — as much in winning attitude and confidence as in their record and position in the OHL standings. From the moment he arrived after a trade with London, the Otters seemed like a vastly different team.
Varone was a mentor and teacher to Otters young and old. He taught them how to win immediately and lead in the future. He praised teammates when the Otters won. He accepted blame when the Otters lost.
He controlled games with his vision, playmaking ability and scoring touch. However, he put defense first.
He showed true emotion on and off the ice. Still, he kept the highs and lows of the season in perspective.
Varone is the best, most influential leader the Otters have enjoyed since Brad Boyes led the team to division championships, conference titles and, ultimately, the 2001-02 OHL crown.
That’s high praise, given the leadership past players like Michael Blunden, Chris Campoli and Brian Lee provided. But high praise is warranted.
Varone’s impact turned the 2010-11 season around.
The Otters were 3-9-1-0 when Varone arrived. He had two assists and was a plus-1 in his debut, a 4-1 win over Plymouth at Tullio Arena the day after the trade. The Otters won 36 more times during the regular season. He finished tied for first on the team in assists (48), fourth in goals (33), third in points (81) and tied for third in plus-minus (+22), even though he joined the team a month into the season.
Then he led the Otters within a late goal in Game 7 of beating Windsor, then the two-time defending league and Memorial Cup champion.
“He was always positive. He came ready to play every single game,” Gazdic said. “He was always thinking about the game, thinking about how he can be better.”
Lane MacDermid Post-Game Interview
Matt Irwin scores pre-season goal (via Daylife)
Lane MacDermid scores pre-sesaon goal (via KNOX News)
Sep 23
Gomez Trying to Bounce Back
By Pat Hickey
Montreal Gazette
The Scott Gomez redemption project will be in the spotlight Friday as the Canadiens look for their first exhibition win when they face the Ottawa Senators.
Gomez, who is hoping to rebound from his least productive season in the National Hockey League, has been nursing a lower-body injury but he said he was raring to go after taking part in a full practice Thursday in Brossard.
Gomez has admitted that he was embarrassed by his play last season but he took a lighthearted approach Thursday when asked if he had stepped up his offseason training regimen.
“I don’t think you get to play in the NHL for very long if you don’t work out. It wasn’t like I just found out what a weight was and decided to lift it. I might have changed some things up a little bit when it comes to my training this year, but at this level, keeping in shape is a year-round job.
“I didn’t spend that much time at home (in Alaska) this summer and just took the time to kind of focus and regroup and I’m ready to go,” Gomez added. “I’m ready to change things up with my approach, clear my mind and I just want to get out there and have fun again.”
Gomez had some fun with reporters who tried to get an insight into his injury.
“It was my pinky and it threw my balance off.”
Bruins Cup Rewind: Tyler Seguin Steps into Lineup for Conference Finals, Torches Lightning in Game 2
By NESN Video
Tyler Seguin started his first career playoffs up in the press box. However, he knew he needed to be ready at a moment’s notice to come down to the ice and make an impact.
When Patrice Bergeron suffered a concussion prior to the Eastern Conference final, the rookie forward got that chance and he responded.
Seguin made his playoff debut against the Lightning in Game 1, and in Game 2, the youngster stole the show. Seguin notched four points on two goals and two assists to allow the B’s to even the series.
Attitude the best asset for IceDogs rookie centre
By Rod Mawhood
St Catherine Standard
The Niagara IceDogs knew Carter Verhaeghe had the skill to compete at the OHL level. Now, they’re finding out he also has the attitude and personality to help him succeed long term in the league.
Verhaeghe scored his first goal in an IceDogs uniform, albeit in exhibition action, as Niagara battled back from a pair of two-goal deficits to tie the Oshawa Generals 3-3 Saturday night at Jack Gatecliff Arena.
The just-turned 16-year-old Verhaeghe scored 34 goals and had 64 points in just 45 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs minor midget AAA team last season. The numbers were good enough for the IceDogs to take the Waterdown native in the second round (38th) overall in 2011 Ontario Hockey League draft.
“He’s got real nice hands, he can make plays, and for a young kid that’s really tough in this league, but that’s what I like about him,” IceDogs head coach/general manager Marty Williamson said. “He shows great composure out there and he doesn’t seem to be overwhelmed by anything.
“I’ve been awfully impressed with him.”
Verhaeghe centered a line with IceDogs captain and fifth-year forward Andrew Agozzino and second-year winger Joel Wigle Saturday night. Verhaeghe, a six-foot, 165-pounder, cut the Generals lead to 3-2 on a power play midway through the third period, re-directing an Agozzino centering pass.
“It’s awesome playing with those guys,” Verhaeghe said. “Agozzino has been giving me a lot of tips and Wigle is good too.
“I mean all of them, look how many guys (from this team) are at NHL camps.”
MacDermid excelling during camp grind
Fluto Shinzawa
Boston Globe
Lane MacDermid knows better than anyone that the helmet and skates he wears might as well be a hard hat and work boots. As long as he keeps that in mind, the young grinder will continue to please his bosses.
In Wednesday’s 2-1 exhibition loss to Ottawa, MacDermid scored the Bruins’ goal. He did so by fulfilling one of the duties required of a grunt: going hard to the net.
“I thought MacDermid played well,’’ said coach Claude Julien. “I’m talking about players, their roles, and what you expect of them. He was a good, solid player for us.’’
MacDermid, skating on a sandpaper line with Chris Kelly and Shawn Thornton, gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 7:01 of the second period. Thornton handled the puck on the right side and spotted MacDermid approaching the top of the left circle.
With a rebound in mind, Thornton flung the puck on goal. As Thornton expected, Senators goalie Craig Anderson kicked out his shot, and the rebound bounced MacDermid’s way. The left wing buried the puck.
MacDermid, 22, the son of former Whaler Paul MacDermid, was the Bruins’ fourth-round pick in 2009. Last season, as a second-year pro, MacDermid had 7 goals and 12 assists in 78 games with Providence.
He also has shown that he can throw down with the big boys. Over his first two AHL seasons, MacDermid recorded 313 penalty minutes. During the 2010 preseason, he battled former NHL brawler Andrew Peters and held his own against the towering tough guy.
“I’m trying my best to fit in,’’ MacDermid said. “I’m trying to show that I can play at this level and play with these guys.’’
READ MORE
Yakupov tops TSN pre-season draft rankings (Larionov)
TSN.ca
After four straight years of Canadians going first overall, the 2012 NHL Entry Draft may turn out to be revenge of the Euros.
Russian winger Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting is No. 1 on TSN’s Pre-Season Top 10 Ranking for the 2012 Draft.
Seven of 10 scouts pegged Yakupov as the leader coming out of the gate. He had 49 goals and 101 points as a 16 year old OHL rookie. He’s a dynamic goal-scorer but who isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty to score goals and make plays.
Dale Mitchell Training Camp Video
MapleLeafs.com
Peter LeBlanc in pre-season game for Chicago (via Zimbio.com)
Sep 24
Newly Retired Lalime gets second taste of Hockeyville
By Brian Compton
NHL.com Staff Writer
CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, Nfld. — Patrick Lalime knows all about the Kraft Hockeyville experience. That’s why when he was invited to participate at this year’s event, he jumped at the opportunity.
Lalime, 37, was the Buffalo Sabres’ goaltender when the club faced the Montreal Canadiens in the 2008 Kraft Hockeyville game in Roberval, Que. This year, he is in Newfoundland as part of the Ottawa Senators’ alumni group, just two months removed from announcing his retirement.
“Just the ambience was unbelievable,” Lalime said, recalling his experience in the small Quebec town three years ago. “I remember when we were there, it was just non-stop. They were screaming. You could feel the excitement from the people from the city. Even when we came in last night, and then you look at this today … there’s not too many places where you open the door and you see the ocean right next door. This is something I had never seen before. It’s a lot of fun.”
After playing just seven games for the Sabres last season, Laime decided to retire this summer. He will remain in the game, however, as an analyst for RDS.
“Time flies by,” said Lalime, who went 200-174-48 with a 2.58 goals-against average in a 12-year career that had stops in Pittsburgh, Ottawa, St. Louis, Chicago and Buffalo. “I totally enjoyed every minute of it when I played. Now I’m on the other side and I’ll try to make the best of it and give back as much as I can. We’re very fortunate as players to have the time to travel and do the things we love. When we can give back and help, I think it’s awesome.
But that doesn’t mean the decision to retire wasn’t difficult.
“It’s not an easy day, that’s for sure,” Lalime said. “I’ve been doing that since I’m 5 years old. But you know, it comes to a point where it’s time to move on and I think I’m ready for that. Obviously, I’m sure as the season is going on, I’ll be like, ‘Uh,’ and I’ll miss the game a little bit. But that’s part of it and that’s why I’m staying in it right now and doing stuff like this. I think it helps. You see guys and you see people around and you just keep talking about the game you love.”
Yakupov posts goal and two assists on opening night (Larionov)
Sep 25
Hockey Clinic with Patrick Lalime
NHL.com
Goalies Bachman & Beskorowany pushing forward in their development
Mark Stepneski
ESPN Dallas
Beskorowany, 21, started last season with Idaho of the ECHL, where he posted a shutout in his first professional start and put together a 10-5-4 record, 2.35 goals against average and .928 save percentage during his stay there. The injury to Krahn pushed him to the AHL sooner than expected and he played well, posting a 7-8-1 mark, 2.58 goals against average and a .921 save percentage as a backup to Bachman.
“Just getting to know the area, the guys, being in the locker room and getting used to that mentality and that level of speed, I think it helped my development and my progress that much more,” said Beskorowany, a second round pick in 2008.
Like Bachman, he’s looking to make a case that he is ready to take a step forward in his career.
“We’ve got a strong core of goalies here with Kari Lehtonen, Andrew Raycroft, Bachs, me and Jack Campbell, but every year it’s a push, the next step. This year I am pushing for that No.1 job in Austin and some time up here if needed,” Beskorowany said. “Last year I got jumped up one step in my progress but right now I am back on track. I am starting as a backup. Richard has really earned his spot, so I have to really come and push for that spot.”
Beskorowany has had a solid training camp so far. He looked very sharp in the team’s scrimmage at the Charlottetown Civic Centre last Sunday and he was solid in the preseason opener against Montreal, stopping all eight shots he faced in 29:46 of playing time.
“It was quite the way to start off the season. In front of that crowd and quite a few family and friends up there,” said Beskorowany. “It was quite the experience and something I am never going to forget and hopefully there is going to be a lot more of those.”
Gagner limps off with ankle injury
Edmonton Journal
Edmonton Oilers centre Sam Gagner had a slight limp as he left Rexall Place Saturday night after crashing into the end boards in the second period.
The mishap, after he took a shot on his left ankle, doesn’t appear to be serious.
Gagner injured his ankle when Calgary Flames defenceman Brendan Mikkelson rode the forward into the wall on Gagner’s seventh shift of the night.
At the time, it looked like Gagner may have also hit his head on the boards because he was down for a couple of minutes as trainer T.D. Forss came out to see him, but the Oilers dismissed that.
He’s out day-to-day. “Just precautionary,” said Oilers head coach Tom Renney, when asked if Gagner, who played 2-1/2 minutes in the second period, could have returned as the Oilers beat the Flames 2-1. He wasn’t scheduled to play Sunday in Calgary anyway.
Loktionov Clears the Air (Larionov)
FrozenRoyalty.net
“I’ll be mad about me, about myself,” said Loktionov. “But I don’t want to talk about Manchester. I want to stay here, just focus on here.”
Enough said.
The 21-year-old native of Voskresensk, Russia was one of the Kings’ best players in their split-squad pre-season game against the Coyotes at Staples Center on September 21.
“I played good, actually, maybe, in the first period,” he said. “But then I slowed down. Then, I started playing good again in the third period. I think it was a good [first game].”
But Loktionov did not think he was one of the Kings’ best players in the game.
“I don’t think so,” said Loktionov. “I played my first game in a long time. I think I played, last time, February 28 [due to injury]. I think I played not too bad.”
“I think I played good offensively,” added Loktionov. “We had a lot of good chances to score, we had a lot of shots. I think we played good in the defensive zone, too.”
Loktionov is expected to get another long look tonight against Anaheim.
“We’ll see how things go,” said Murray. “I liked his game [against Phoenix]. He’s a very good hockey player, and a very good person who has shown great growth in a couple of years.”
“There’s a lot of hockey here in front of us,” added Murray. “There’s a lot of games to play, and he’s going to be a part of that. We’ll see how it all unfolds later on.”
Montreal Canadiens’ Scott Gomez off to promising start
Dave Stubbs
The Gazette
Only those quick enough to flip to RIS would see Gomez’s goalmouth pass deflect behind Senators goalie Craig Anderson with 36.5 seconds left on the clock, banked in off the skate of Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson.
(The next night, a much larger RDS viewership saw Ottawa’s Chris Neil carom the third-period equalizer off the skate of Canadiens’ Jeff Woywitka, then add the winner with 27.3 seconds left to play.) The highlight of Gomez’s Friday, then, was edited from the view of the vast majority, the Rogers feed restored for the shootout and the end of the Canadiens’ 4-3 come-from-behind win, their first of the preseason.
After hockey’s version of the erased Watergate tapes, how could a guy with Gomez’s cell number resist?
“TV feed died just before you scored, so your goal is just a rumour,” I texted him Friday night. “Need proof. Bring me the broomstick of the wicked witch!”
The reply came Saturday afternoon in a light-hearted text which neither produced nor promised the broomstick as evidence. NHL game summaries don’t lie, dropped television feeds notwithstanding.
Yet TV lightning almost struck again on Sunday in Halifax. RDS’s golf coverage wedged into the Habs-Bruins game by nearly four minutes, almost missing the pretty Gomez breakaway goal at 6:54 that gave Montreal its only lead in Boston’s 7-3 rout.
It’s a little early to say that Gomez is reborn, but his effort thus far is encouraging.
THE RIG 28 week ending September 18th
on October 16th, 2011 by Pulver Sports
Sep 12
Murphy hopes to follow in Skinner’s footsteps
Mike G. Morreale
NHL.com
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Just because Carolina Hurricanes defense prospect Ryan Murphy and reigning Calder Trophy winning forward Jeff Skinner play different positions doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not comparable.
In fact, position may be the only difference between the former Kitchener Rangers teammates.
“From a skill level point of view, Murphy has about as much skill as anyone in the 2011 draft, and in a lot of ways he has as much skill as Skinner, only he plays a different position and may take a little longer to get to the team,” Carolina General Manager Jim Rutherford told NHL.com. “But these are the types of defensemen you need with the way the game is played today.”
Like Skinner, Murphy is hoping to impress three months after hearing his name called in the first round of the draft at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament with the Hurricanes. It hasn’t been easy, but it isn’t as though Rutherford expected a carbon copy of his prized pick Skinner, either.
“It’s a lot harder to make it at that age as a defenseman,” he said. “We’re going to be careful of his confidence, but it’s only a matter of time until he’s with the Hurricanes. You can’t teach that skill — and you can’t find it every day.”
While there’s no denying Murphy’s immense potential, it probably would behoove the Hurricanes to allow Murphy to continue to mature and develop in Kitchener in 2011-12. Murphy isn’t concerned one way or another.
“If I had to be sent back to Kitchener, I’d be just as happy,” he said. “I’m still only an 18-year-old kid and another year of junior could never hurt me. I still have a lot to learn and I wouldn’t be upset at all.”
The 12th pick in the draft this past June has had two successful seasons with the Rangers, including a 2010-11 performance in which he finished first among OHL defensemen with 26 goals and second with 79 points in 63 games. He was voted into the top three by OHL Western Conference coaches in the Smartest Player and Best Offensive Defenseman categories.
Sep 13
Leaf prospect Blacker makes solid start to pro career
Mark Zwolinski
Toronto Star
Leaf defence prospect Jesse Blacker — as Marlies coach Dallas Eakins notes — loves hockey. How much hockey loves him back will be one of the more intriguing questions this season.
Blacker, the Leafs’ second-round pick in 2009, 58th overall, finished up this week’s rookie tournament in Oshawa having made a sound first impression in what is a pivotal year in his young pro career.
“He loves hockey, it’s crazy,” said Eakins in praise of Blacker, who joined the rest of the Leaf prospects in trying to wrench the tournament title from the Ottawa prospects Tuesday night in Oshawa.
“I know this kid totally expects to play in the NHL and I like that, I like to see kids who wear it on their sleeves.”
Blacker, who hoisted the OHL championship trophy last spring with the Owen Sound Attack, entered the Leafs scene with top-shelf expectations. Born in Toronto, Blacker has been targeted in all media accounts as a strong bet to play in the NHL, and the opportunity to play for his hometown team has not been lost on the 20-year-old.
Those expectations rose to a new level with the rookie tournament. Blacker, it’s expected, is not returning to junior as an overage player. His goal has always been the Leafs, but his next playing stop should be with Eakins and the Marlies.
“My goal is to play (with the Leafs), but you go and play your hardest and whatever the results may be, you can’t dwell on it,” Blacker said.
So far, Blacker has taken the first small steps in this pre-season that should see him land a job on the Marlies blue line.
Mike Cammalleri Interview with Montreal Gazette
Christian Thomas Interview before Prospects Game
MSG.com
Cammalleri says Crosby stand on headshots will help others speak out
By Bill Beacon
The Canadian Press
Montreal Canadiens sniper Michael Cammalleri says having superstar Sidney Crosby speak out about headshots will help other NHL players voice opinions on what used to be a taboo subject.
“What the immediate effect is for me is that it allows other players now to come out and say ‘OK, it’s not uncool to say what I really believe, and that I’m not a soft player because I don’t think we should have headshots. I’m not a player a general manager won’t want on his team. I’m now going to voice that opinion,“’ Cammalleri said Wednesday as the Canadiens gathered for their annual charity golf tournament.
“I think it’s very good of Sid to be able to do that. He’s under a big microscope, the biggest in our game, and I commend him for doing that. I think that it’s important that we don’t be ignorant to what’s going on in our game.”
Canadiens Scott Gomez Looking to Bounce Back this Season
By Dave Stubbs
The Gazette
MONTREAL – Canadiens centreman Scott Gomez didn’t easily forget a season that was entirely forgettable – the worst of his 11-year National Hockey League career.
But at some point last spring, after considerable time spent clearing the fog and taking stock of what he did and mostly didn’t do through his 80 regular-season games and seven in the playoffs, Gomez stopped looking back and started focusing his view forward.
“It was never like: ‘The season’s over, yay, summer’s here!’ ” Gomez said Tuesday night. “It wasn’t dandy. It wasn’t like: ‘Well, I’m glad that’s over.’ I asked myself a lot of questions and I had to clear my mind. It wasn’t a couple of days. I needed the time to think, to re-evaluate.
“But once I’d done that, it was: ‘Hey, here we go. Let’s get back to work.’
Scott Gomez at Golf Tournament
HabsInsideOutVideos
Bruins’ sensation Tyler Seguin scores big with kids
By Pat Tarantino
Dorcester Reporter
Kids at Dorchester’s Leahy-Holloran Community Center had a brush with greatness on Tuesday, when Boston Bruins center Tyler Seguin made a surprise appearance. After being met with a round of applause and cheers, Seguin announced that each of the 20 youngsters and a parent would be attending the Bruins’ October 6 home opener. The visit is part of Dunkin’ Donuts KidZone program, which awards non-profit child care centers with an opportunity to catch Boston hockey, baseball, basketball, and soccer games live from a special section. After receiving autographed hockey pucks, the kids had a few minutes to ask Seguin questions like “is Chara really that tall?”
Seguin ready to earn respect and ice time
By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com Bruins Insider
Tyler Seguin holds a simple individual goal in mind heading into his second NHL season as a 19-year-old puck prodigy with a Stanley Cup already under his belt.
After spending the summer working out with the trainers at BioSteel Sports and raising his body weight all the way up to 196 pounds heading into training camp, Seguin has diligently worked on increasing his size and physical strength.
For a guy listed as 186 pounds during his rookie campaign — that probably dropped to around 180 pounds during the postseason — Seguin has done plenty of work in the weight room. That should help him win battles in the corner for pucks, and make Seguin a tougher customer on the puck when the B’s desperately need it.
“I’ve talked to him and seen him, and I think he’s gotten taller actually,” said general manager Peter Chiarelli. “I’ll be curious to see when he’s measured on Friday. I know he’s gotten bigger. He told me he was 196. Usually that’s a high water mark and he’ll come down to 194 [pounds] or whatever, but he does look bigger.
“I see a more mature kid. It’s just maturation and growing up. He’s maturing, he’s getting stronger and he knows what to expect. With all of that comes more confidence and I anticipate some improvement.”
Tyler Seguin Gives Away Tickets to Season Opener
By NESN Video
Tyler Seguin may only be entering his second season, but with a Stanley Cup to his credit, he’s already a Boston hero. Now, Seguin is doing some good within the community, making the 19-year-old even more likable.
Seguin dropped by the Leahy-Holloran Community Center on Tuesday and handed out some tickets to the Bruins’ season opener, which will be even more special considering it will feature a banner-raising ceremony.
To hear Seguin’s take on the upcoming season, check out the video from NESN Daily.
Leafs unite OHL adversaries as prospects
Sean Fitzgerald
National Post
OSHAWA, ONT. . On May 15, buoyed by as many as three thousand visiting fans – several of whom had buoyed themselves with beer on the journey – Jesse Blacker and the Owen Sound Attack skated onto Stuart Percy’s home ice and skated off a few hours later with a championship trophy.
In the four months since that game, the seventh and deciding game of the Ontario Hockey League championship series, Blacker and Percy have become teammates, prospects with the Toronto Maple Leafs. They share a position and they have shared a dressing room but they have not, by Blacker’s mercy, shared many of their playoff memories.
“A little bit, here and there,” Blacker said. “Nothing too bad.”
Really? “I take it easy on him,” the 20-year-old Blacker said with a smile. “He’s a youngster.”
The Leafs selected Percy, the 18-year-old Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors defenceman, with the 25th pick in the National Hockey League Entry Draft in June. With Blacker, who was taken 58th overall two years ago, they form part of the youngest end of a pipeline the Leafs are hoping to develop through their system.
Neither player is expected to make the team out of training camp this month, with Percy a near-certainty to return to his junior club and Blacker likely earmarked for seasoning with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. With the logjam of veterans ahead of them – their rookie class also includes Jake Gardiner – there is no reason to rush.
Blacker and Percy are different defencemen in subtly different stages of development, but they shared a stage through a grinding OHL playoff series. The Majors won the first two games, only to have the Attack win three of the final five in overtime, including Game 7.
“It was fun, because they both sort of quarterbacked their team from two separates sides of the rink, both running power plays and being on the ice in critical parts of the game,” said Jim Hughes, director of player development for the Leafs. “You can’t buy that experience. You’ve got to earn the right to play in those games.”
Sep 15
Nine players who stood out in Traverse City
Mike Morreale
NHL