It's about Victor Oreskovich.
Apparently, the overage winger is no longer with the team. Rangers coach and general manager Peter DeBoer refused to elaborate on what he called "an internal matter." Oreskovich disappeared after the first period.
"We don't really know what happened," Rangers captain Jean-Michel Rizk said minutes after scoring the winner with 55 seconds left in OT.
"We were sitting in the room. As we were going out, Vic didn't follow. We didn't get a chance to know what's going on there. I think we're going to have a team meeting (today)."
Good idea. Just before the Rangers hop on a bus for tonight's game in Erie, Pa., they can talk about how and why DeBoer sent Oreskovich packing during last night's game.
This had been building.
"It was a series of events," Oreskovich said when reached on his cellphone after the game.
"I don't fault Pete at all here. It's something I have to deal with. It's been my fault. I've been, not disruptive, but I haven't been a good teammate. Pete grew tired of me yelling at guys when they made mistakes. It came to a front tonight. He told me he's had enough, that was the last straw. To just pack up my things."
Oreskovich, a 20-year-old from Oakville who joined the Rangers a year ago next week after leaving U.S. college hockey at Notre Dame, admitted to yelling at a teammate after a Rangers power play last night.
"I can basically take responsibility," Oreskovich said. "Pete was trying to help me throughout the year with the mental side of my game. I have a tendency to get frustrated pretty easily. It's something I have to deal with."
Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of the OHL trade that saw the Rangers acquire the rights to Oreskovich from the Windsor Spitfires.
Now, his future is uncertain.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
The Grass is Browner
Catching up with Victor Oreskovich, who left Notre Dame for the Kitchener Rangers mid-year last year in an attempt to jump-start his pro career. A second round pick of the Avalanche, he failed to earn a contract this year, so returned to the Ontario Hockey League as an overage player. Now, he's persona non grata with Kitchener, following the footsteps of Alex Lalonde another former golden domer who jumped to the OHL.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Letters of Intent (trickling in)
Ferris State Ferris State Hockey Announces Four Early Period Signees
Western Michigan Broncos sign three
Northern Michigan Three cats sign letters of intent
Minnesota Duluth Signs two
And an eastern team
Boston College Eagles sign four
Western Michigan Broncos sign three
Northern Michigan Three cats sign letters of intent
Minnesota Duluth Signs two
And an eastern team
Boston College Eagles sign four
Friday, November 17, 2006
Letters of Intent
Canisius Canisius Signs 3
Alaska-FairbanksAlaska inks first recruit
Alaska hockey squad signs another brother
Alaska hockey team lands fifth recruit of season
Miami-Ohio Miami Hockey Signs Five For 2007-08 Season
Michigan Wolverines Sign Five Skaters in Early Signing Period
Wolverines Ink Four More Players for 2007-08
Michigan State Spartans Add Three to Incoming Class of Recruits
Notre Dame Irish Hockey Signs Seven To National Letters-Of-Intent
Ohio State Men's Hockey Adds Five Recruits to 2007-08 Roster
Mankato State Mavericks sign seven hockey recruits
Minnesota Gophers sign six to letters of intent
Michigan Tech MICHIGAN TECH HOCKEY TEAM ADDS SIX RECRUITS
NebraskaOmaha Mavs
Hockey Signs 3
North Dakota UND men’s hockey team signs five to national letters of intent
St.Cloud State St.Cloud Hockey Letters of Intent
Wisconsin Men’s Hockey Signs Six Elite Recruits
Bemidji State Trio of USHL veterans to join Beavers for 2007-08
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Wow, you mean they don't dress 9 defensemen?
I wonder when this thought first occurred to Nigel Williams. We know it occurred shortly after Wisconsin's 10th game, last Saturday, where, with another DNP, Williams had seen action in only one game. At that point, he decided that seeing playing time was important to his development, and that with Wisconsin's defensive depth, he might not see regular ice time as a freshman.
OK. He's an NHL prospect, having been ranked 13th overall by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau for last year's NHL draft. He went 51st overal to Colorado. If he got a good education promise from the OHL's Saginaw Spirit (they of the positive Stephen Colbert fame, and the negative Matthew Corrente fame), then hockey-wise this might work out.
But it doesn't answer many questions. Clearly, having gone the NCAA route, he preferred the NCAA route to the OHL. While the question may be "why back out now?", it seems to me the more pertinent question is "if freshman PT was essential to you, why did you choose a team with 8 regular defensemen?"
The context for Williams' choice of Wisconsin is as follows. He was the last memeber of the current defensive group to commit, meaning he was not blindsided by Mike Eaves bringing in too many defensemen. Wisconsin already returned 6 regular defensemen in 06-07 (Klubertanz, Likens, Piskula, Drewiske, Olinger and Engel), received an early commitment in October 2004 from Garret Suter, and another in February 2005 from Jamie McBain. So, with 8 guys lined-up for 2006-07, how exactly did Williams figure he was guaranteed playing time?
Guys, there's a correlation between playing time and scholarship guys already on the depth chart. If you want the prestige of a top program, and one that has an inordinate number of defensive recruits, what can you expect?
Let's hope he can make the best of it up in Saginaw.
OK. He's an NHL prospect, having been ranked 13th overall by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau for last year's NHL draft. He went 51st overal to Colorado. If he got a good education promise from the OHL's Saginaw Spirit (they of the positive Stephen Colbert fame, and the negative Matthew Corrente fame), then hockey-wise this might work out.
But it doesn't answer many questions. Clearly, having gone the NCAA route, he preferred the NCAA route to the OHL. While the question may be "why back out now?", it seems to me the more pertinent question is "if freshman PT was essential to you, why did you choose a team with 8 regular defensemen?"
The context for Williams' choice of Wisconsin is as follows. He was the last memeber of the current defensive group to commit, meaning he was not blindsided by Mike Eaves bringing in too many defensemen. Wisconsin already returned 6 regular defensemen in 06-07 (Klubertanz, Likens, Piskula, Drewiske, Olinger and Engel), received an early commitment in October 2004 from Garret Suter, and another in February 2005 from Jamie McBain. So, with 8 guys lined-up for 2006-07, how exactly did Williams figure he was guaranteed playing time?
Guys, there's a correlation between playing time and scholarship guys already on the depth chart. If you want the prestige of a top program, and one that has an inordinate number of defensive recruits, what can you expect?
Let's hope he can make the best of it up in Saginaw.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Revisiting Stacey
Since it's move to Tier I in 1987-88, the Notre Dame Hounds have used its pipeline from its famous midget program to produce top end talent out of the Saskatchewan league. The latest in the line is Wahs Stacey, a native american Mohawk from Quebec, who moved to the flatlands of Saskatchewan for bantam hockey. Drafted in the Quebec draft, he got 71 points in 44 midget games, and then bypassed the major junior route to move up to the Junior A Hounds. Last year, he earned the SJHL rookie of the year honors with 46 points in 49 games. Along the way, he visited Minnesota Duluth and made a commitment at the end of November. By April he had second thoughts, and withdrew his commitment, opening the process up again. This year he has narrowed his college choice down to a new group of schools: Maine, Vermont, St. Cloud or Colorado College.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
North Dakota legacies
The commitment of Brett Hextall to the Fighting Sioux effectively limited what they could offer Mario Lamoureux, brother of goalie Philippe Lamoureux and son of former Sioux goalie Pierre Lamoureux. Instead, Mario will be joining his brother Jacques with the Northern Michigan Wildcats. An older brother elected to go the WHL route with the Red Deer Rebels, and two younger sisters are highly regarded hockey players at Shattuck St.Mary's.
So, does that end the matriculation of Lamoureuxs to North Dakota? Not quite. Up in Drumheller Alberta, Cam Lamoureux is working through his first junior season. Cam is a '89 born power forward from Calgary. While not a progeny of Pierre, Cam's father Roger starred for the Sioux back in the mid-70s. No doubt the Sioux are keeping close tabs on the young winger.
Another Sioux target is Jason Gregoire, an '89 winger from Winnipeg. Last season's Manitoba Junior Hockey League Rookie of the Year has taken his game down to the USHL where he plays for former Sioux winger Steve Johnson. A fast start to his USHL season (5 points in 2 games) also has him on the radar of Denver and Wisconsin.
So, does that end the matriculation of Lamoureuxs to North Dakota? Not quite. Up in Drumheller Alberta, Cam Lamoureux is working through his first junior season. Cam is a '89 born power forward from Calgary. While not a progeny of Pierre, Cam's father Roger starred for the Sioux back in the mid-70s. No doubt the Sioux are keeping close tabs on the young winger.
Another Sioux target is Jason Gregoire, an '89 winger from Winnipeg. Last season's Manitoba Junior Hockey League Rookie of the Year has taken his game down to the USHL where he plays for former Sioux winger Steve Johnson. A fast start to his USHL season (5 points in 2 games) also has him on the radar of Denver and Wisconsin.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Western Canada Updates
The recent story confirms that Tyler Gron will pursue the NCAA route, begining his flydowns this month.
Brett Hextall, son of former NHLer Ron Hextall, and nephew to former North Dakota great Dennis Hextall (1963-66) has committed to North Dakota. Hextall has bounced around quite a bit, growing up in southern New Jersey, moved to Milton Academy as a sophomore, then playing last year at Northwood Prep after being asked to leave Milton. The fiesty Hextall has piled up penalty minutes and points in his rookie BCHL season.
North Dakota picked up another top forward in Brad Malone. Although his family has lots of NHL roots (his uncle Greg was a 15 year NHLer and his father was an NHL first round pick), he grew up in small-town Miramichi New Brunswick. He had western connections, having attended Chuck Grillo's Minnesota summer camps and his cousin Ryan Malone attended St.Cloud State. Ultimately, his college decision came down to Wisconsin and North Dakota and Grand Forks reminded him of home.
Brett Hextall, son of former NHLer Ron Hextall, and nephew to former North Dakota great Dennis Hextall (1963-66) has committed to North Dakota. Hextall has bounced around quite a bit, growing up in southern New Jersey, moved to Milton Academy as a sophomore, then playing last year at Northwood Prep after being asked to leave Milton. The fiesty Hextall has piled up penalty minutes and points in his rookie BCHL season.
North Dakota picked up another top forward in Brad Malone. Although his family has lots of NHL roots (his uncle Greg was a 15 year NHLer and his father was an NHL first round pick), he grew up in small-town Miramichi New Brunswick. He had western connections, having attended Chuck Grillo's Minnesota summer camps and his cousin Ryan Malone attended St.Cloud State. Ultimately, his college decision came down to Wisconsin and North Dakota and Grand Forks reminded him of home.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Gron Long Gone?
One of the top prospects out of the Alberta Junior Hockey League is Tyler Gron. Gron was a third round pick of the WHL Prince George Cougars, but didn't want to report to the remote city in British Columbia. Yesterday, the Cougars traded Gron's rights to the Medicine Hat Tigers, a team in Gron's home province of Alberta. The question is whether Gron will report to Medicine Hat. Prince George received a somewhat promising prospect in Jordie Deagle, and a conditional third round bantam pick. My take on the trade is that the 3rd round pick is equivalent to where Gron was picked by Prince George. Thus, if Gron doesn't report, Prince George receive the equivalent value. That the trade contains this condition suggests that Gron's reporting to the WHL is far from a done deal.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
College Hockey Freshmen
With the startup of the college season just on the horizon, I've taken the opportunity to put together my pre-season ratings for the incoming freshmen. In the coming week I'll also try and assemble a listing of my pre-season all-rookie teams and all-conference teams.
I assembled this listing blind, meaning I did not refer back to the order in which they appeared on my 06 listings. While there are a few differences in order, that can best be attributed to the fact that this is more of an "art" than a science. With this listing I also tried to focus more on initial college impact, rather than overall impact, meaning that players such as James O'Brien and Michael Forney, younger freshmen, may struggle initially, while others will impact sooner.
Forwards
1.Kyle Okposo, Minnesota
2.Billy Sweatt, Colorado College
3.Blake Gallagher, Cornell
4.Andreas Nodl, St.Cloud State
5.Ted Purcell, Maine
6.Michael Carman, Minnesota
7.Rhett Rahkshani, Denver
8.Ryan Flynn, Minnesota
9.Ryan Lasch, St.Cloud State
10.Matt Butcher, Northern Mich
11.Blake Geoffrion, Wisconsin
12.Michael Forney, North Dakota
13.Chris Auger, UM-Lowell
14.Doug Rogers, Harvard
15.Dion Knelsen, Alaska-Fairbanks
16.Mike Davies, Wisconsin
17.Josh Gillam, Dartmouth
18.David McIntyre, Colgate
19.Aaron Lewicki, Ferris State
20.James O'Brien, Minnesota
Defensemen
1.Erik Johnson, Minnesota
2.Kevin Montgomery, Ohio State
3.Jamie McBain, Wisconsin
4.Kris Fredheim, Colorado College
5.Brian Strait, BU
6.Alex Biega, Harvard
7.Chris Summers, Michigan
8.Nick Schaus, UM-Lowell
9.Keith Seabrook, Denver
10.Michael Ratchuk, Michigan State
11.Carl Sneep, BC
12.Ed Del Grosso, Nebraska-Omaha
13.David Fischer, Minnesota
14.Eric Gryba, Boston University
15.Jason Lepine, Ferris State
Goalies
1.Joe Palmer, Ohio State
2.Alex Stalock, Minnesota Duluth
3.Brett Bennett, BU
4.Brad Theissen, Northeastern
5.Ryan Simpson, Providence
I assembled this listing blind, meaning I did not refer back to the order in which they appeared on my 06 listings. While there are a few differences in order, that can best be attributed to the fact that this is more of an "art" than a science. With this listing I also tried to focus more on initial college impact, rather than overall impact, meaning that players such as James O'Brien and Michael Forney, younger freshmen, may struggle initially, while others will impact sooner.
Forwards
1.Kyle Okposo, Minnesota
2.Billy Sweatt, Colorado College
3.Blake Gallagher, Cornell
4.Andreas Nodl, St.Cloud State
5.Ted Purcell, Maine
6.Michael Carman, Minnesota
7.Rhett Rahkshani, Denver
8.Ryan Flynn, Minnesota
9.Ryan Lasch, St.Cloud State
10.Matt Butcher, Northern Mich
11.Blake Geoffrion, Wisconsin
12.Michael Forney, North Dakota
13.Chris Auger, UM-Lowell
14.Doug Rogers, Harvard
15.Dion Knelsen, Alaska-Fairbanks
16.Mike Davies, Wisconsin
17.Josh Gillam, Dartmouth
18.David McIntyre, Colgate
19.Aaron Lewicki, Ferris State
20.James O'Brien, Minnesota
Defensemen
1.Erik Johnson, Minnesota
2.Kevin Montgomery, Ohio State
3.Jamie McBain, Wisconsin
4.Kris Fredheim, Colorado College
5.Brian Strait, BU
6.Alex Biega, Harvard
7.Chris Summers, Michigan
8.Nick Schaus, UM-Lowell
9.Keith Seabrook, Denver
10.Michael Ratchuk, Michigan State
11.Carl Sneep, BC
12.Ed Del Grosso, Nebraska-Omaha
13.David Fischer, Minnesota
14.Eric Gryba, Boston University
15.Jason Lepine, Ferris State
Goalies
1.Joe Palmer, Ohio State
2.Alex Stalock, Minnesota Duluth
3.Brett Bennett, BU
4.Brad Theissen, Northeastern
5.Ryan Simpson, Providence
Monday, September 11, 2006
Training Camps Open
Sure, You're Good at 15, but...
The exceptional Western College Hockey Blog, a usual stopping point for me, contains an interesting analysis of the 2002 Select 15 Festival, and what that snapshot shows about player development.
Player Movement
With the major junior training camps now open and exhibition season in full gear, a few potential NCAA picks have made their decision about their future course. Two highly regarded Ontario '89 defenders, Steve Tarasuk and Kevin Mole each selected the OHL route, after having their rights traded from the Ottawa 67s. Mole, whose brother is at Yale, plays for the Kingston Frontenacs, and Tarasuk was traded to the Kitchener Rangers. Ottawa also had Scott Pitt ('88) leave the team after having earned a roster spot, choosing instead to take a scholarship with Mercyhurst. Lastly, Ohio State lost its first '90 commitment when Kelly Geoffrey, who had been picked in the 3rd round of the OHL draft, elected to play with the Erie Otters.
Early Returns
Getting out of the gate strong in the BCHL is Riley Nash, a highly regarded 89 with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. In Vernon, tiny '90 dynamo Kyle St.Denis, a top scorer in Jr.B and a member of this year's BC Under-17 team, recorded in 4 points in his first game of the year. In Alberta, highly regarded Tyler Gron has set an early pace that should make him one of the top recruits from the league.
The exceptional Western College Hockey Blog, a usual stopping point for me, contains an interesting analysis of the 2002 Select 15 Festival, and what that snapshot shows about player development.
Player Movement
With the major junior training camps now open and exhibition season in full gear, a few potential NCAA picks have made their decision about their future course. Two highly regarded Ontario '89 defenders, Steve Tarasuk and Kevin Mole each selected the OHL route, after having their rights traded from the Ottawa 67s. Mole, whose brother is at Yale, plays for the Kingston Frontenacs, and Tarasuk was traded to the Kitchener Rangers. Ottawa also had Scott Pitt ('88) leave the team after having earned a roster spot, choosing instead to take a scholarship with Mercyhurst. Lastly, Ohio State lost its first '90 commitment when Kelly Geoffrey, who had been picked in the 3rd round of the OHL draft, elected to play with the Erie Otters.
Early Returns
Getting out of the gate strong in the BCHL is Riley Nash, a highly regarded 89 with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. In Vernon, tiny '90 dynamo Kyle St.Denis, a top scorer in Jr.B and a member of this year's BC Under-17 team, recorded in 4 points in his first game of the year. In Alberta, highly regarded Tyler Gron has set an early pace that should make him one of the top recruits from the league.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Wisconsin State Journal Updates
Today's Wisconsin State Journal reports that Brad Malone, featured here back on February 25th ("you looking at me?") has narrowed his choices to 4 western schools, including Wisconsin, North Dakota, Denver and Michigan. Malone's narrowing of his choices to western teams seems a change of perspective, as the web page he created at Cushing while a sophmore reported that he wanted to attend school in the Boston area.
It also notes that Finnish forward Jan-Mikael Juutilainen, who I reported as having verbally committed to Nebraska-Omaha back in March, is still being recruited by Miami-Ohio, UNH and Wisconsin. At Omaha he'll play with Omaha native Brett Bruneteau, who also is in the middle of a recruiting battle between Wisconsin, hometown Nebraska-Omaha, Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota and Michigan.
Edit: Correction, Juutilainen will be playing for Waterloo, not Omaha.
It also notes that Finnish forward Jan-Mikael Juutilainen, who I reported as having verbally committed to Nebraska-Omaha back in March, is still being recruited by Miami-Ohio, UNH and Wisconsin. At Omaha he'll play with Omaha native Brett Bruneteau, who also is in the middle of a recruiting battle between Wisconsin, hometown Nebraska-Omaha, Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota and Michigan.
Edit: Correction, Juutilainen will be playing for Waterloo, not Omaha.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Odds and Ends
Early Frost
Back on April 26, I noted the numerous allegations against agent and former Junior A operator Dave Frost, as they related to a TV report on misconduct by the Pembroke Lumber Kings. Last week Frost was arrested on charges of
sexual misconduct. While this is a positive step, one question that remains is how the Central Ontario Junior League has reacted to the news. Background on the relationship between Frost and Marty Abrams was in my earlier blog entry. And the earlier news related to misconduct by the Pembroke Lumber Kings, which was operated by Kevin Abrams. Well, the COJHL obviously realized that it had to do something, so it highlights its policy on its web page:
Laudable. So, what is my question? After the incident the COJHL had a major political battle, involving long-time Pembroke coach Mac MacLean(who was fired by new Pembroke owner and Frost protege Sheldon Keefe) who then became league Commissioner. As Commissioner, MacLean banned David Frost from involvement in the league. Well, that battle has been won by the Frost group, by which Pembroke owner Kevin Abrams became the COJHL commissioner. How will Abrams enforce his new zero-tolerance policy?
USHL notes
Some last minute shuffling always occurs heading into the season. Last year it was the exodus of goalies, leaving the USHL pretty weak at that position. This year, the USHL shapes up pretty well so far. Sioux Falls lost Jay Barriball, when he took Phil Kessel's spot at Minnesota. Filling that spot is Massachusetts native Robbie Vrolyk, a promising former member of the 2005 USA Under-17 team. 1990-born Californian Max Nicastro has earned a spot on Omaha's pre-season roster, which will again be a pretty young team, with another 1990 born player, goalie Jordan Tibbett. Chicago retained a good scorer in Brandon Coccimigio, who had looked to be headed to Mercyhurst, but who will instead put in another USHL season.
Back on April 26, I noted the numerous allegations against agent and former Junior A operator Dave Frost, as they related to a TV report on misconduct by the Pembroke Lumber Kings. Last week Frost was arrested on charges of
sexual misconduct. While this is a positive step, one question that remains is how the Central Ontario Junior League has reacted to the news. Background on the relationship between Frost and Marty Abrams was in my earlier blog entry. And the earlier news related to misconduct by the Pembroke Lumber Kings, which was operated by Kevin Abrams. Well, the COJHL obviously realized that it had to do something, so it highlights its policy on its web page:
The CJHL is committed to ensuring that the teams within the league operate in a responsible manner. Any inappropriate conduct directed towards a player within the league will be dealt with firmly. The CJHL encourages anyone with concerns regarding conduct detrimental to the players to report their concerns to the team management or if necessary to the League Executive.
Laudable. So, what is my question? After the incident the COJHL had a major political battle, involving long-time Pembroke coach Mac MacLean(who was fired by new Pembroke owner and Frost protege Sheldon Keefe) who then became league Commissioner. As Commissioner, MacLean banned David Frost from involvement in the league. Well, that battle has been won by the Frost group, by which Pembroke owner Kevin Abrams became the COJHL commissioner. How will Abrams enforce his new zero-tolerance policy?
USHL notes
Some last minute shuffling always occurs heading into the season. Last year it was the exodus of goalies, leaving the USHL pretty weak at that position. This year, the USHL shapes up pretty well so far. Sioux Falls lost Jay Barriball, when he took Phil Kessel's spot at Minnesota. Filling that spot is Massachusetts native Robbie Vrolyk, a promising former member of the 2005 USA Under-17 team. 1990-born Californian Max Nicastro has earned a spot on Omaha's pre-season roster, which will again be a pretty young team, with another 1990 born player, goalie Jordan Tibbett. Chicago retained a good scorer in Brandon Coccimigio, who had looked to be headed to Mercyhurst, but who will instead put in another USHL season.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
USA Hockey has announced the composition of the two Select teams that will compete for at the Under 17 tourney this year. Unlike past years, in which USA sent one team to the Under 17 tourney in Priestany, Slovakia, this year USA will host a tourney August 12-18 in Rochester, NY, featuring teams from Switzerland and Germany. To fill the rosters, USA dipped into the 91 pool, with each team made up of 16 90s, and 4 91s.
Team White, coached by Carey Eades, and assisted by Brian Renfrew is as follows:
2006 United States Under-17 Select Team White
No. Name Ht. (cm) Wt. (kg) Birthdate S/C Hometown 2005-06 Team
GOALTENDERS (2)
1 Jordan Tibbett 6-1 (185) 175 (79) 1/6/90 L Indianapolis, Ind. Honeybaked (Mich.) (midget)
30 Matthew Walsh 5-10 (178) 175 (79) 2/13/90 L Milton, Mass. Neponset Valley (Mass.) River Rats (midget)
DEFENSEMEN (6)
2 Cam Fowler 6-1 (185) 180 (82) 12/5/91 L Northville, Mich. Honeybaked (Mich.) (bantam)
3 Ryan Grimshaw 6-0 (183) 180 (82) 1/28/90 R Rochester, N.Y. Salisbury School (Conn.) (prep school)
4 Austin Handley 6-1 (185) 190 (86) 4/4/90 L Clarkston, Mich. Honeybaked (Mich.) (midget)
5 Brett Kostolansky 5-10 (178) 175 (79) 1/27/90 L Denver, Colo. Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.) (prep school)
6 Sam Lofquist 6-1 (185) 175 (79) 3/15/90 R Faribault, Minn. Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.) (prep school)
7 Drew Olson 5-11 (180) 195 (88) 4/4/90 L Brainerd, Minn. Brainerd (Minn.) (high school)
FORWARDS (12)
8 Chris Brown 6-2 (188) 180 (82) 2/3/91 R Flower Mound, Texas Dallas Alliance Bulldogs (bantam)
9 Zach Budish 6-2 (188) 200 (91) 5/9/91 R Edina, Minn. Edina (Minn.) (bantam)
10 Patrick Gaul 5-8 (173) 170 (77) 2/27/90 L Pittsburgh, Pa. Pittsburgh Hornets (midget)
11 Ben Hanowski 6-1 (185) 180 (82) 10/18/90 L Little Falls, Minn. Little Falls (Minn.) (high school)
12 Sean Logue 6-1 (185) 183 (83) 11/16/90 L Walpole, Mass. Boston Jr. Bruins (midget)
14 Kellen Michalak 5-11 (180) 185 (84) 6/20/90 R Caro, Mich. Midland (Mich.) Northstars (midget)
15 John O’Neill 6-0 (183) 160 (73) 4/4/90 L Ramsey, Minn. Anoka (Minn.) (high school)
16 Troy Power 5-11 (180) 172 (78) 3/29/90 R Camarillo, Calif. California Wave (midget)
17 Kenny Ryan 5-11 (180) 187 (85) 7/10/91 R Franklin, Mich. Honeybaked (Mich.) (bantam)
18 Shawn Szydlowski 6-1 (185) 210 (95) 8/5/90 R St. Clair Shores, Mich. Belle Tire (Mich.) (midget)
19 Alex Velischek 5-11 (180) 187 (85) 12/17/90 L Kinnelon, N.J. New Jersey Devils (midget)
20 Mitchell Wahl 5-11 (180) 170 (77) 1/22/90 R Seal Beach, Calif. LA Jr. Kings (midget)
Rick Bennett serves as the head coach for the Blue team, assisted by Kyle Wallack and Sean Tremblay.
No. Name Ht. (cm) Wt. (kg) Birthdate S/C Hometown 2005-06 Team
GOALTENDERS (2)
1 Garrett Beckwith 6-0 (183) 165 (75) 1/4/90 L Parsippany, N.J. New Jersey Devils (midget)
30 Josh Watson 6-1 (185) 160 (73) 8/7/90 L Lititz, Pa. Central Pennsylvania Panthers (midget)
DEFENSEMEN (6)
2 Joe Gleason 5-9 (175) 170 (77) 3/30/90 R Edina, Minn. Edina (Minn.) (high school)
3 Aaron Ness 5-9 (175) 155 (70) 5/18/90 L Roseau, Minn. Roseau (Minn.) (high school)
4 Max Nicastro 6-2 (188) 175 (79) 3/2/90 R Thousand Oaks, Calif. California Wave (midget)
5 Steven Spinell 6-0 (183) 190 (86) 9/9/90 R Vernon Hills, Ill. Team Illinois (midget)
6 David Warsofsky 5-9 (175) 155 (70) 5/30/90 L North Marshfield, Mass. Cushing Academy (Mass.) (high school)
7 Chris Wideman 5-10 (178) 165 (75) 1/7/90 R St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis Amateur Blues (midget)
FORWARDS (12)
8 Mark Anthoine 5-11 (180) 182 (83) 9/6/90 L Lewiston, Maine Portland (Maine) Jr. Pirates (AJHL)
9 Brett Beebe 5-11 (180) 176 (80) 2/16/90 R Redondo Beach, Calif. California Wave (midget)
10 Max Cook 6-1 (185) 160 (73) 6/3/90 R Frankfort, Ill. Chicago Mission (midget)
11 Nate Dewhurst 5-9 (175) 155 (70) 4/1/90 R Johnston, Iowa Culver Academy (Ind.) (prep school)
12 Kyle Jean 6-2 (188) 180 (82) 3/1/90 L Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Soo Indians (Mich.) (midget)
14 Pat Mullane 5-11 (180) 185 (84) 7/31/90 L Wallingford, Conn. Avon Old Farms (Conn.) (prep school)
15 Zach Tatrn 6-2 (188) 210 (95) 2/14/91 R Lower Burrell, Pa. Buffalo (N.Y.) Regals (bantam)
16 David Valek 6-2 (188) 186 (84) 3/19/91 R Orem, Utah Ocelari Trinec (Czech Republic) (Extra Liga)
17 Ryan Walters 5-10 (178) 167 (76) 7/30/91 L Rosemount, Minn. Rosemount (Minn.) (bantam)
18 Steven Whitney 5-6 (168) 155 (70) 2/18/91 R Reading, Mass. Lawrence Academy (Mass.) (prep school)
19 Jake Youso 6-0 (183) 173 (78) 6/8/90 L International Falls, Minn. International Falls (Minn.) (high school)
20 Matt Zarbo 6-1 (185) 185 (84) 5/7/90 L Grand Island, N.Y. Boston Jr. Bruins (EMJHL)
Team White, coached by Carey Eades, and assisted by Brian Renfrew is as follows:
2006 United States Under-17 Select Team White
No. Name Ht. (cm) Wt. (kg) Birthdate S/C Hometown 2005-06 Team
GOALTENDERS (2)
1 Jordan Tibbett 6-1 (185) 175 (79) 1/6/90 L Indianapolis, Ind. Honeybaked (Mich.) (midget)
30 Matthew Walsh 5-10 (178) 175 (79) 2/13/90 L Milton, Mass. Neponset Valley (Mass.) River Rats (midget)
DEFENSEMEN (6)
2 Cam Fowler 6-1 (185) 180 (82) 12/5/91 L Northville, Mich. Honeybaked (Mich.) (bantam)
3 Ryan Grimshaw 6-0 (183) 180 (82) 1/28/90 R Rochester, N.Y. Salisbury School (Conn.) (prep school)
4 Austin Handley 6-1 (185) 190 (86) 4/4/90 L Clarkston, Mich. Honeybaked (Mich.) (midget)
5 Brett Kostolansky 5-10 (178) 175 (79) 1/27/90 L Denver, Colo. Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.) (prep school)
6 Sam Lofquist 6-1 (185) 175 (79) 3/15/90 R Faribault, Minn. Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.) (prep school)
7 Drew Olson 5-11 (180) 195 (88) 4/4/90 L Brainerd, Minn. Brainerd (Minn.) (high school)
FORWARDS (12)
8 Chris Brown 6-2 (188) 180 (82) 2/3/91 R Flower Mound, Texas Dallas Alliance Bulldogs (bantam)
9 Zach Budish 6-2 (188) 200 (91) 5/9/91 R Edina, Minn. Edina (Minn.) (bantam)
10 Patrick Gaul 5-8 (173) 170 (77) 2/27/90 L Pittsburgh, Pa. Pittsburgh Hornets (midget)
11 Ben Hanowski 6-1 (185) 180 (82) 10/18/90 L Little Falls, Minn. Little Falls (Minn.) (high school)
12 Sean Logue 6-1 (185) 183 (83) 11/16/90 L Walpole, Mass. Boston Jr. Bruins (midget)
14 Kellen Michalak 5-11 (180) 185 (84) 6/20/90 R Caro, Mich. Midland (Mich.) Northstars (midget)
15 John O’Neill 6-0 (183) 160 (73) 4/4/90 L Ramsey, Minn. Anoka (Minn.) (high school)
16 Troy Power 5-11 (180) 172 (78) 3/29/90 R Camarillo, Calif. California Wave (midget)
17 Kenny Ryan 5-11 (180) 187 (85) 7/10/91 R Franklin, Mich. Honeybaked (Mich.) (bantam)
18 Shawn Szydlowski 6-1 (185) 210 (95) 8/5/90 R St. Clair Shores, Mich. Belle Tire (Mich.) (midget)
19 Alex Velischek 5-11 (180) 187 (85) 12/17/90 L Kinnelon, N.J. New Jersey Devils (midget)
20 Mitchell Wahl 5-11 (180) 170 (77) 1/22/90 R Seal Beach, Calif. LA Jr. Kings (midget)
Rick Bennett serves as the head coach for the Blue team, assisted by Kyle Wallack and Sean Tremblay.
No. Name Ht. (cm) Wt. (kg) Birthdate S/C Hometown 2005-06 Team
GOALTENDERS (2)
1 Garrett Beckwith 6-0 (183) 165 (75) 1/4/90 L Parsippany, N.J. New Jersey Devils (midget)
30 Josh Watson 6-1 (185) 160 (73) 8/7/90 L Lititz, Pa. Central Pennsylvania Panthers (midget)
DEFENSEMEN (6)
2 Joe Gleason 5-9 (175) 170 (77) 3/30/90 R Edina, Minn. Edina (Minn.) (high school)
3 Aaron Ness 5-9 (175) 155 (70) 5/18/90 L Roseau, Minn. Roseau (Minn.) (high school)
4 Max Nicastro 6-2 (188) 175 (79) 3/2/90 R Thousand Oaks, Calif. California Wave (midget)
5 Steven Spinell 6-0 (183) 190 (86) 9/9/90 R Vernon Hills, Ill. Team Illinois (midget)
6 David Warsofsky 5-9 (175) 155 (70) 5/30/90 L North Marshfield, Mass. Cushing Academy (Mass.) (high school)
7 Chris Wideman 5-10 (178) 165 (75) 1/7/90 R St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis Amateur Blues (midget)
FORWARDS (12)
8 Mark Anthoine 5-11 (180) 182 (83) 9/6/90 L Lewiston, Maine Portland (Maine) Jr. Pirates (AJHL)
9 Brett Beebe 5-11 (180) 176 (80) 2/16/90 R Redondo Beach, Calif. California Wave (midget)
10 Max Cook 6-1 (185) 160 (73) 6/3/90 R Frankfort, Ill. Chicago Mission (midget)
11 Nate Dewhurst 5-9 (175) 155 (70) 4/1/90 R Johnston, Iowa Culver Academy (Ind.) (prep school)
12 Kyle Jean 6-2 (188) 180 (82) 3/1/90 L Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Soo Indians (Mich.) (midget)
14 Pat Mullane 5-11 (180) 185 (84) 7/31/90 L Wallingford, Conn. Avon Old Farms (Conn.) (prep school)
15 Zach Tatrn 6-2 (188) 210 (95) 2/14/91 R Lower Burrell, Pa. Buffalo (N.Y.) Regals (bantam)
16 David Valek 6-2 (188) 186 (84) 3/19/91 R Orem, Utah Ocelari Trinec (Czech Republic) (Extra Liga)
17 Ryan Walters 5-10 (178) 167 (76) 7/30/91 L Rosemount, Minn. Rosemount (Minn.) (bantam)
18 Steven Whitney 5-6 (168) 155 (70) 2/18/91 R Reading, Mass. Lawrence Academy (Mass.) (prep school)
19 Jake Youso 6-0 (183) 173 (78) 6/8/90 L International Falls, Minn. International Falls (Minn.) (high school)
20 Matt Zarbo 6-1 (185) 185 (84) 5/7/90 L Grand Island, N.Y. Boston Jr. Bruins (EMJHL)
Friday, July 28, 2006
More on Mass hockey
I've had a college coach chime in with his insight on the issues confronting the lack of player development in Massachusetts. Below was his input, followed by my response:
I think the decline has to do with the state of high school hockey in Massachusetts. I grew up in Massachusetts and played youth and high school hockey there. I was neither the best player ever to skate for my high school team nor the worst, however much like my friends and teammates, I bled the school colors. And the reason for this love is clear to me. There is a sense of belonging and identity in growing up playing youth hockey on successful town teams; its almost like you are in the farm system of the big club, and that hopefully you'll get called up for a chance at the apple. We all wanted to taste it, the crowd, the prestige, the win.
The state of professional hockey in Boston did not have much influence on the development of my friends and me, and although we dreamed of growing up and playing in the NHL our true heroes were on the high school team. If you ask any of us who graduated around 1990 about our fondest memories watching hockey, they will most likely take place in a packed home rink during high school games against our rivals, at The Garden or in State Championship games.
Our idols and heroes would be the alums at our high school who had successfully moved on to college. For some, the goal after high school was to play college hockey. The route to college hockey was clear as well. Massachusetts high school kids were not leaving for prep-schools and juniors until maybe after their senior year. There was pressure from both sides where high school coaches could promote their talent to colleges and your teammates growing up saw it as a betrayal for leaving the town team. I think that familiarity is gone, with it the desire, and players today might not know what it takes because the path is not clear and lay out in front of them. The goal isn't there every winter weekend for them to feel, hear and see. The passion in those high school games was electric and moving. A sense of pride and respect for the town, the high school players and coaches was created by the local climate you grew up in. The rivalries that exist between different towns stem deep throughout the entire youth hockey system and all school sports. You grow up despising talented kids from other towns and will do anything to beat them in a game. All the moves you make coming up have a major influence on the way the coaches and players view your talent and commitment level when you get to high school. Peter Masters comment as he "refers to the parents' role in creating ego driven players unwilling to work as hard. 'Back then, parents would yell at their own kid, skate harder, move,' now the parents are yelling at the other players or the coaches or the refs" in some ways reflects my opinion. If you were lazy or bad kid, the word spread throughout the whole system all the way to the top, which was the varsity coach. You learn to take what coaches dealt; to get tough, to skate all day, because you had to, there was nothing else. That's what made kids better. Now the kid will just go to another team, which isn't that big a deal because it works for others. Now the coach has no control.
Kids have so many avenues now, that the focus is sometimes gone. It used to be hard for a freshman to make our high school varsity team, almost all played junior varsity. It was a right of passage. God, there were seniors on the j.v.. Now you see tons of freshmen on their varsity teams, because the better developed older players have most likely left. Look at high school hockey in states like Minnesota, and combine it with your comment of "Well, Minnesota did not send its players to the Select 14 festival." Why? They have the protection of the high schools still being the big show (packing the State Tourney), they don't have all the prep schools to worry about, most of their early departures go to the USHL (without all the Junior A, B and C teams that exist out east), they have their own junior elite league which actually promotes the high school hockey culture, the player pool is more condensed and the competition is greater, and because they don't want to turn into Massachusetts. I think that in order for Massachusetts hockey to improve from the bottom up, it would have to change at the top first.
My response on this issue:
You're probably right that this is a factor for many kids, but I still question how much it plays into the issue for the elite kids. No doubt the average hockey player will be more motivated by the prospect of playing HS, but my question focuses more on the lack of elite kids in Mass/NE. As you know, those kids usually hit the radar as early as age 14, as freshmen in HS. But looking at the tourney results for that age bracket, the Mass kids already are behind the curve. There are few Carpenters, Ryan Whitneys, etc. out there, and this is before the impact of their high school coaching or junior hockey. Its not a case of Mass having elite 13 or 14 year olds, but their skills stagnating from 14-18. So the issue to me is whether (1) the kids in Mass no longer have the skills (in comparison to Minn, Mich, etc.), or (2) the Mass. kids with those athletic skills are going into other sports, because they play baskeball/baseball instead of stick hockey at ages 8-13. My sense is that kids in Mass no longer play pond hockey, as hockey in the metro area is all finding a rink, which restricts access to playing (in comparison to the Land of 10,000 lakes, where the culture still has them playing pond hockey). Without the social "pressure" of it being the thing to do (created to a large degree by whether Boston is a hockey town), kids or their parents are less inclined to plunk down hundreds of dollars for ice time during the formative years. Hence, the smaller talent pool manifesting itself as early as age 13.
I think the decline has to do with the state of high school hockey in Massachusetts. I grew up in Massachusetts and played youth and high school hockey there. I was neither the best player ever to skate for my high school team nor the worst, however much like my friends and teammates, I bled the school colors. And the reason for this love is clear to me. There is a sense of belonging and identity in growing up playing youth hockey on successful town teams; its almost like you are in the farm system of the big club, and that hopefully you'll get called up for a chance at the apple. We all wanted to taste it, the crowd, the prestige, the win.
The state of professional hockey in Boston did not have much influence on the development of my friends and me, and although we dreamed of growing up and playing in the NHL our true heroes were on the high school team. If you ask any of us who graduated around 1990 about our fondest memories watching hockey, they will most likely take place in a packed home rink during high school games against our rivals, at The Garden or in State Championship games.
Our idols and heroes would be the alums at our high school who had successfully moved on to college. For some, the goal after high school was to play college hockey. The route to college hockey was clear as well. Massachusetts high school kids were not leaving for prep-schools and juniors until maybe after their senior year. There was pressure from both sides where high school coaches could promote their talent to colleges and your teammates growing up saw it as a betrayal for leaving the town team. I think that familiarity is gone, with it the desire, and players today might not know what it takes because the path is not clear and lay out in front of them. The goal isn't there every winter weekend for them to feel, hear and see. The passion in those high school games was electric and moving. A sense of pride and respect for the town, the high school players and coaches was created by the local climate you grew up in. The rivalries that exist between different towns stem deep throughout the entire youth hockey system and all school sports. You grow up despising talented kids from other towns and will do anything to beat them in a game. All the moves you make coming up have a major influence on the way the coaches and players view your talent and commitment level when you get to high school. Peter Masters comment as he "refers to the parents' role in creating ego driven players unwilling to work as hard. 'Back then, parents would yell at their own kid, skate harder, move,' now the parents are yelling at the other players or the coaches or the refs" in some ways reflects my opinion. If you were lazy or bad kid, the word spread throughout the whole system all the way to the top, which was the varsity coach. You learn to take what coaches dealt; to get tough, to skate all day, because you had to, there was nothing else. That's what made kids better. Now the kid will just go to another team, which isn't that big a deal because it works for others. Now the coach has no control.
Kids have so many avenues now, that the focus is sometimes gone. It used to be hard for a freshman to make our high school varsity team, almost all played junior varsity. It was a right of passage. God, there were seniors on the j.v.. Now you see tons of freshmen on their varsity teams, because the better developed older players have most likely left. Look at high school hockey in states like Minnesota, and combine it with your comment of "Well, Minnesota did not send its players to the Select 14 festival." Why? They have the protection of the high schools still being the big show (packing the State Tourney), they don't have all the prep schools to worry about, most of their early departures go to the USHL (without all the Junior A, B and C teams that exist out east), they have their own junior elite league which actually promotes the high school hockey culture, the player pool is more condensed and the competition is greater, and because they don't want to turn into Massachusetts. I think that in order for Massachusetts hockey to improve from the bottom up, it would have to change at the top first.
My response on this issue:
You're probably right that this is a factor for many kids, but I still question how much it plays into the issue for the elite kids. No doubt the average hockey player will be more motivated by the prospect of playing HS, but my question focuses more on the lack of elite kids in Mass/NE. As you know, those kids usually hit the radar as early as age 14, as freshmen in HS. But looking at the tourney results for that age bracket, the Mass kids already are behind the curve. There are few Carpenters, Ryan Whitneys, etc. out there, and this is before the impact of their high school coaching or junior hockey. Its not a case of Mass having elite 13 or 14 year olds, but their skills stagnating from 14-18. So the issue to me is whether (1) the kids in Mass no longer have the skills (in comparison to Minn, Mich, etc.), or (2) the Mass. kids with those athletic skills are going into other sports, because they play baskeball/baseball instead of stick hockey at ages 8-13. My sense is that kids in Mass no longer play pond hockey, as hockey in the metro area is all finding a rink, which restricts access to playing (in comparison to the Land of 10,000 lakes, where the culture still has them playing pond hockey). Without the social "pressure" of it being the thing to do (created to a large degree by whether Boston is a hockey town), kids or their parents are less inclined to plunk down hundreds of dollars for ice time during the formative years. Hence, the smaller talent pool manifesting itself as early as age 13.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Mass Development Issues, Redoux
When the top '92 players gathered last week at Rochester, NY for the USA Select 14 festival, it represented further evidence of how far behind Massachusetts has fallen in developing talent. Charles Bando, who finished second in tourney scoring, was the only Massachusetts native to finish in the top 44 scoring. Of course, it would be wrong to read too much into the pure scoring statistics except that these results are consistent with the overall decline that we've seen among Massachusetts prospects.
So, where are the top scorers coming from? Well, Minnesota did not send its players to the Select 14 festival. Leaving aside Michigan and Illinois, which had their now usual strong showings, Pennsylvania had 6 players among the top 44 scorers, and California produced 3. Say, did the Penguins or LA Kings do something in the mid-90s to rejeuvinate the hockey community in the way Bobby Orr did to Massachusetts in the mid-70s? Texas also had 3 players (correlating to the arrival of the Dallas Stars). And, while we're at it, did Jeremy Jacobs do something to the Bruins in the mid-90s that correlates to the decline in interest among Massachusetts kids?
So, where are the top scorers coming from? Well, Minnesota did not send its players to the Select 14 festival. Leaving aside Michigan and Illinois, which had their now usual strong showings, Pennsylvania had 6 players among the top 44 scorers, and California produced 3. Say, did the Penguins or LA Kings do something in the mid-90s to rejeuvinate the hockey community in the way Bobby Orr did to Massachusetts in the mid-70s? Texas also had 3 players (correlating to the arrival of the Dallas Stars). And, while we're at it, did Jeremy Jacobs do something to the Bruins in the mid-90s that correlates to the decline in interest among Massachusetts kids?
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Here come the 91s
Today brings word that the second '91 -- and perhaps the highest one out there -- has committed to the college route. Central Ontario (up north near Sudbury) center Matt Duchene gave his word to the Michigan State Spartans that he intends to enroll in the fall of 2009. The International Scouting Service rankings (ok, crystal ball) for the 2009 draft has him fourth for the draft, meaning that he's a top-end 91. Duchene is the second 91 to commit, after Ferris State's April commitment of Beau Schmitz, and the fourth commitment for 2009, as Nebraska-Omaha already had secured Norweigan center Fredrik Csisar and Wisconsin has Nick Pryor for that fall. Of course, Saskatchewan '91 defenseman Jared Cowen expressed unhappiness with being selected by the Spokane Chiefs first overall in the WHL bantam draft, and already has expressed an interest in college programs such as Michigan.
Bear in mind, that all such commitments from 15 year olds are tenuous as the kids grow and change their perspective - moreso when the OHL plans get more specific after the OHL draft. State needs look no further than over to Ann Arbor to see what happened to A.J. Jenks, one of the first 90s to commit.
---------------------------
USA HOOCKEY announced its' Select 18 team that will travel to the Czech Republic.
No Name Ht (cm) Wt (kg) Birthdate S/C Hometown 2005-06 Team
GOALTENDERS (2)
1 Dayn Belfour 6-0 (183) 195 (88) 5/27/89 L Toronto, Ontario Victory Honda (Mich.) (midget)
30 Jeremy Smith 6-2 (188) 160 (73) 4/13/89 L Brownstown, Mich. Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
DEFENSEMEN (7)
2 Jonathon Blum 6-1 (185) 170 (77) 1/30/89 R Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. Vancouver Giants (WHL)
3 David Carle 5-11 (180) 170 (77) 11/9/89 L Anchorage, Alaska Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.) (prep school)
4 Tommy Cross 6-3 (191) 195 (88) 9/12/89 L Simsbury, Conn. Simsbury (Conn.) (high school)
5 Vincent LoVerde 6-0 (183) 205 (93) 4/14/89 R Chicago, Ill. Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
6 Ryan McDonagh 6-1 (185) 195 (88) 6/13/89 L Arden Hills, Minn. Cretin-Derham Hall (Minn.) (high school)
7 Nick Petrecki 6-3 (191) 215 (98) 7/11/89 L Clifton Park, N.Y. Omaha Lancers (USHL)
8 Matt Tomassoni 5-10 (178) 160 (73) 7/30/89 R Carol Stream, Ill. Chicago Mission (midget)
FORWARDS (13)
9 Cam Atkinson 5-7 (170) 155 (70) 6/5/89 R Riverside, Conn. Avon Old Farms (prep school)
10 David Brownschidle 6-1 (185) 185 (84) 5/23/89 R Lawrenceville, N.J. Tri-City Storm (USHL)
11 Brett Bruneteau 5-11 (180) 183 (83) 1/5/89 L Omaha, Neb. Omaha Lancers (USHL)
12 Joe Diamond 5-6 (168) 152 (69) 6/16/89 L Long Beach, N.Y. New York Apple Core (EJHL)
14 Shane Harper 5-10 (178) 178 (81) 2/1/89 R Valencia, Calif. Everett Silvertips (WHL)
15 Jimmy Hayes 6-5 (196) 210 (95) 11/21/89 R Dorchester, Mass. Noble & Greenough (prep school)
16 Mike Hoeffel 6-2 (188) 185 (84) 4/9/89 L North Oaks, Minn. Hill-Murray (Minn.) (high school)
17 Tyler Johnson 5-9 (175) 155 (70) 1/4/89 R Cloquet, Minn. Cloquet (Minn.) (high school)
18 Eddie Olczyk 5-11 (180) 172 (78) 6/17/89 R Long Grove, Ill. Pittsburgh Predators (midget)
19 Nico Sacchetti 5-11 (180) 185 (84) 8/21/89 R Virginia, Minn. Virginia (Minn.) (high school)
20 Thomas Serratore 6-0 (183) 170 (77) 7/16/89 L Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado Thunderbirds (midget)
21 Matt Thurber 5-10 (178) 185 (84) 10/2/89 R Beaver Dam, Wis. Omaha Lancers (USHL)
22 Patrick White 6-1 (185) 190 (86) 1/20/89 R Grand Rapids, Minn. Grand Rapids (Minn.) (high school)
Bear in mind, that all such commitments from 15 year olds are tenuous as the kids grow and change their perspective - moreso when the OHL plans get more specific after the OHL draft. State needs look no further than over to Ann Arbor to see what happened to A.J. Jenks, one of the first 90s to commit.
---------------------------
USA HOOCKEY announced its' Select 18 team that will travel to the Czech Republic.
No Name Ht (cm) Wt (kg) Birthdate S/C Hometown 2005-06 Team
GOALTENDERS (2)
1 Dayn Belfour 6-0 (183) 195 (88) 5/27/89 L Toronto, Ontario Victory Honda (Mich.) (midget)
30 Jeremy Smith 6-2 (188) 160 (73) 4/13/89 L Brownstown, Mich. Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
DEFENSEMEN (7)
2 Jonathon Blum 6-1 (185) 170 (77) 1/30/89 R Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. Vancouver Giants (WHL)
3 David Carle 5-11 (180) 170 (77) 11/9/89 L Anchorage, Alaska Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.) (prep school)
4 Tommy Cross 6-3 (191) 195 (88) 9/12/89 L Simsbury, Conn. Simsbury (Conn.) (high school)
5 Vincent LoVerde 6-0 (183) 205 (93) 4/14/89 R Chicago, Ill. Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
6 Ryan McDonagh 6-1 (185) 195 (88) 6/13/89 L Arden Hills, Minn. Cretin-Derham Hall (Minn.) (high school)
7 Nick Petrecki 6-3 (191) 215 (98) 7/11/89 L Clifton Park, N.Y. Omaha Lancers (USHL)
8 Matt Tomassoni 5-10 (178) 160 (73) 7/30/89 R Carol Stream, Ill. Chicago Mission (midget)
FORWARDS (13)
9 Cam Atkinson 5-7 (170) 155 (70) 6/5/89 R Riverside, Conn. Avon Old Farms (prep school)
10 David Brownschidle 6-1 (185) 185 (84) 5/23/89 R Lawrenceville, N.J. Tri-City Storm (USHL)
11 Brett Bruneteau 5-11 (180) 183 (83) 1/5/89 L Omaha, Neb. Omaha Lancers (USHL)
12 Joe Diamond 5-6 (168) 152 (69) 6/16/89 L Long Beach, N.Y. New York Apple Core (EJHL)
14 Shane Harper 5-10 (178) 178 (81) 2/1/89 R Valencia, Calif. Everett Silvertips (WHL)
15 Jimmy Hayes 6-5 (196) 210 (95) 11/21/89 R Dorchester, Mass. Noble & Greenough (prep school)
16 Mike Hoeffel 6-2 (188) 185 (84) 4/9/89 L North Oaks, Minn. Hill-Murray (Minn.) (high school)
17 Tyler Johnson 5-9 (175) 155 (70) 1/4/89 R Cloquet, Minn. Cloquet (Minn.) (high school)
18 Eddie Olczyk 5-11 (180) 172 (78) 6/17/89 R Long Grove, Ill. Pittsburgh Predators (midget)
19 Nico Sacchetti 5-11 (180) 185 (84) 8/21/89 R Virginia, Minn. Virginia (Minn.) (high school)
20 Thomas Serratore 6-0 (183) 170 (77) 7/16/89 L Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado Thunderbirds (midget)
21 Matt Thurber 5-10 (178) 185 (84) 10/2/89 R Beaver Dam, Wis. Omaha Lancers (USHL)
22 Patrick White 6-1 (185) 190 (86) 1/20/89 R Grand Rapids, Minn. Grand Rapids (Minn.) (high school)
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Quebec
Yesterday's Quebec midget draft carried a bit less drama than last year's event, during which Angelo Esposito and Patrick Roy played the "NCAA card". This year, 2nd rated Patrick Cormier made a weak attempt at the game, holding out of pre-draft media events, but them emerging from the shadows to become the 5th overall pick.
One player who is serious about the NCAA route is Dartmouth NS defenseman Alexi Pianosi - who followed Blake Gallagher as the Nova Scotia midget league MVP - who is headed to Salisbury Prep.
Of the US players, the only high selection was Junior Bruin forward Mike Cichy, who has a spot with the US National Development program and lots of NCAA offers. He became a 3rd round pick of Halifax. As is par for the course, their local paper is bullish about Cichy's chances of reporting.
U.Mass recruit Danny Hobbs appears to be less of a risk , although the article also is high on him:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/509477.html
One player who is serious about the NCAA route is Dartmouth NS defenseman Alexi Pianosi - who followed Blake Gallagher as the Nova Scotia midget league MVP - who is headed to Salisbury Prep.
Of the US players, the only high selection was Junior Bruin forward Mike Cichy, who has a spot with the US National Development program and lots of NCAA offers. He became a 3rd round pick of Halifax. As is par for the course, their local paper is bullish about Cichy's chances of reporting.
Cichy has not yet committed to the QMJHL, but he is a safe bet to report. He toured Moncton and Quebec City earlier this year and Mooseheads American scout/liaison Chris Hamel and Patenaude met with him and his family several times last year.
"The thing for me and Chris, but mostly Chris, is that we have a good relationship with his father," Patenaude said. "We went to see him often this winter and he likes what we do, likes our program. He’s very interested in Halifax so if he comes now or he comes later, that’s something we’ll have to wait and see. But we’ve got the feeling they like what we’re doing and they like the organization. We’ve got a good feeling from them."
U.Mass recruit Danny Hobbs appears to be less of a risk , although the article also is high on him:
One independent scout said 11th-round pick Danny Hobbs out of Stanstead College in Quebec was a major sleeper who has "top 10 ability."
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/509477.html
Friday, June 09, 2006
Ontario Goalies
With North Dakota's Jordan Parise choosing the pro route, today brings confirmation (long rumored by the North Dakota fans) that Wellington Dukes goalie Anthony Grieco will be enrolling this August to back up Phil Lamoureux.
Another Ontario goalie who may soon get a college offer is '85 goalie David Wilson of Streetsville. One rumor has Wilson next in line at Maine, after USHL goalie Josh Murray gave up trying to gain admission and instead chose the OHL route.
Another Ontario goalie who may soon get a college offer is '85 goalie David Wilson of Streetsville. One rumor has Wilson next in line at Maine, after USHL goalie Josh Murray gave up trying to gain admission and instead chose the OHL route.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Eastern Development Issues
A recent article in the Boston Herald has provoked a fair amount of discussion concerning the decline of the Massachusetts talent pool.
The article then identifies potential factors for a drop-off. However, the factors identified by those addressing the subject would seemingly apply everywhere in the U.S., and therefore not explain the decline in Massachusetts, but the rise in Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois. For example, the Junior Bruins' Peter Masters refers to the parents' role in creating ego driven players unwilling to work as hard.
NHL Scout Tom Songin focuses on hitting being allowed at a younger age:
Finally, Bob Turow, the President of ProspectsTourney.com and the chief scout for the USHL, cites the starting talent pool:
For Turow, one simple fact is at the core of the apparent growing ability gap between the Mass. and Canadian youngsters:
Again, while the point may be valid, it applies equally to kids in Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois. Yet, those areas are cranking out the Phil Kessels and Eric Johnson's of the world, both of whom will be going in the top 3 of the 2006 NHL draft, or Kyle Okposo, Peter Mueller or Michael Fortney who should go in the top 15. The development lag does not seem to be prevailant outside of Massachusetts.
Ultimately, the article concludes with the one real factor unique to the Massachusetts system: its "midget" system.
This undoubtedly is true, as the New England development system remains entrenched in the school model, rather than hockey-affiliated bantam/midget teams. This distinguishes the Mass system from the Illinois and Michigan systems dominated by midget teams, but Minnesota also follows the school system, and they have flourished.
Moreover, if the development gap is caused by the lack of premier play at the midget stage, one would suspect that the development gap would become apparent at ages 16 through 18. Yet, checking the USA Select festivals, the drop off in Mass talent viz. the rest of the US already is manifested at the Select 14 and 15 festivals. At the 2004 Select 15 Festival for 1989s, for example, none of the top 20 scorers, and none of the top rated defensemen were from Massachusetts. At the 2005 Select 15 Festival for 1990s, only Torin Snyderman was among the top 20 scorers, and none of the Mass players were ranked among the top 15 forwards or top 10 defensemen as rated by USHR. Bear in mind, these are all players prior to any potential development issues created by a midget vs. HS argument.
So then, what is it? I would defer to others closer to the situation, but it does not seeem coincidental that the rise and drop in Mass talent correlates with the rise and fall of the role-models Boston Bruins. Back in 1981 to 1983, when Mass produced Bobby Carpenter, Tom Barrasso and the like, and routed the Minnesota All-Star teams during their March head-to-head competitions, everyone noted that the players born in 1963 to 1965, started playing in early 1970s when Bobby Orr lead the Bruins to the cup. Today's picks, born in 1988, started playing in the mid-1990s, a time when Jeremy Jacobs and Harry Sinden killed the Bruins. I wonder how many kids were lost to other sports rather than being forced to emulate Hall Gill? Of course, Hockey East is glad for the NY Rangers' 1994 cup, which helped spawn the New Jersey development curve and 2006 and 2007 NHL first rounders Bobby Saguinetti, Nick Petrecki, Kevin Shattenkirk and James Van Riemsdyk.
“No question, no question at all,” said York. “Through the 80s and early-90s we were really producing some tremendous players. We still have some good players, but for some reason - and I really can’t put my finger on why - it’s not like it used to be. We see it at the college level and the pros see it at the next level.”
The article then identifies potential factors for a drop-off. However, the factors identified by those addressing the subject would seemingly apply everywhere in the U.S., and therefore not explain the decline in Massachusetts, but the rise in Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois. For example, the Junior Bruins' Peter Masters refers to the parents' role in creating ego driven players unwilling to work as hard.
“Back then, parents would yell at their own kid, ‘Skate harder, move,’ ” he said. “Now the parents are yelling at the other players or the coaches or the refs. It’s everyone else’s fault. When you’re sending the wrong message for 10 years, that has to have an effect on players by the time they’re 16 or 17.”
NHL Scout Tom Songin focuses on hitting being allowed at a younger age:
“The contact is killing the development,” said Bruins New England amateur scout Tom Songin. “Massachusetts hockey is really in trouble. The last few years, I’ve seen the quality of play go way down. If they don’t fix this fast, in a few years there won’t be anyone around here for me to scout.
Finally, Bob Turow, the President of ProspectsTourney.com and the chief scout for the USHL, cites the starting talent pool:
For Turow, one simple fact is at the core of the apparent growing ability gap between the Mass. and Canadian youngsters:
“In Canada, our best athletes are playing hockey,” he said. “An awful lot of your best athletes down there typically are playing baseball or football or basketball. Those are the sports that are ingrained in the USA, and I don’t see it shifting to hockey in huge numbers.
Again, while the point may be valid, it applies equally to kids in Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois. Yet, those areas are cranking out the Phil Kessels and Eric Johnson's of the world, both of whom will be going in the top 3 of the 2006 NHL draft, or Kyle Okposo, Peter Mueller or Michael Fortney who should go in the top 15. The development lag does not seem to be prevailant outside of Massachusetts.
Ultimately, the article concludes with the one real factor unique to the Massachusetts system: its "midget" system.
A city like Chicago has just four so-called youth teams at the AAA level - denoting the highest-quality of play. Pittsburgh has only two. Immediately around Boston, there are at least two dozen teams purporting to AAA status - and not nearly enough legitimately talented players to stock them. But youth hockey has become big business, with a single AAA team typically earning a team owner more than $30,000 - with rink owners also raking in thousands in ice rental costs.
This undoubtedly is true, as the New England development system remains entrenched in the school model, rather than hockey-affiliated bantam/midget teams. This distinguishes the Mass system from the Illinois and Michigan systems dominated by midget teams, but Minnesota also follows the school system, and they have flourished.
Moreover, if the development gap is caused by the lack of premier play at the midget stage, one would suspect that the development gap would become apparent at ages 16 through 18. Yet, checking the USA Select festivals, the drop off in Mass talent viz. the rest of the US already is manifested at the Select 14 and 15 festivals. At the 2004 Select 15 Festival for 1989s, for example, none of the top 20 scorers, and none of the top rated defensemen were from Massachusetts. At the 2005 Select 15 Festival for 1990s, only Torin Snyderman was among the top 20 scorers, and none of the Mass players were ranked among the top 15 forwards or top 10 defensemen as rated by USHR. Bear in mind, these are all players prior to any potential development issues created by a midget vs. HS argument.
So then, what is it? I would defer to others closer to the situation, but it does not seeem coincidental that the rise and drop in Mass talent correlates with the rise and fall of the role-models Boston Bruins. Back in 1981 to 1983, when Mass produced Bobby Carpenter, Tom Barrasso and the like, and routed the Minnesota All-Star teams during their March head-to-head competitions, everyone noted that the players born in 1963 to 1965, started playing in early 1970s when Bobby Orr lead the Bruins to the cup. Today's picks, born in 1988, started playing in the mid-1990s, a time when Jeremy Jacobs and Harry Sinden killed the Bruins. I wonder how many kids were lost to other sports rather than being forced to emulate Hall Gill? Of course, Hockey East is glad for the NY Rangers' 1994 cup, which helped spawn the New Jersey development curve and 2006 and 2007 NHL first rounders Bobby Saguinetti, Nick Petrecki, Kevin Shattenkirk and James Van Riemsdyk.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Maine's Goalie Situation
Goalie John Murray, who had been attempting to gain admission to U.Maine for next season, has abandoned those efforts by signing with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers. It will be interesting to see who Maine brings in to back up Ben Bishop, with incumbent Matt Lundin leaving school to transfer elsewhere after a USHL season. One name floated about was Fairbanks (NAHL)'s Bryce Christiansen, who was a top pick of the USHL draft and figured to spend another season before entering college.
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