NHL FanHouse

Hi, My Name Is ... Kyle Palmieri

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Ducks, NHL Draft, College Hockey

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

College hockey can be a humbling experience, even for highly-touted NHL prospects. It doesn't make a kid a lesser prospect, but being 18 and having to deal with guys who are often 22-25 years old can be tough. This is true no matter how talented a kid is. For Notre Dame freshman forward Kyle Palmieri (NHL rights: Anaheim), the first part of the season has been spent adjusting, and the Fighting Irish are about to be rewarded for their patience.

Palmieri -- the 26th overall pick this past June -- scored the only regulation goal for Notre Dame Thursday against Michigan State, and the Irish went on to win in a shootout. Then on Sunday, he picked up his first career game-winning goal, as Notre Dame beat the Spartans 4-1 in Fort Wayne, Ind.

In 14 games this year for Notre Dame (6-5-3), Palmieri has picked up four goals and two assists. It might not be what some expected of him, but it's not uncommon for even first-round picks to struggle out of the gates in college.

Palmieri has all the tools to succeed. He's a great skater, has a nose for the net, and as many people found out at the NHL's pre-draft combine, the kid is absolutely ripped.

20th-ranked Kyle Palmieri is ripped - he took off his shirt and everyone in the room turned their heads to see that the guy is cut.

Raw strength might not mean much without skill, but the point is that Palmieri is not a kid who has to kill himself in the weight room to become a decent pro prospect. He just has to work on his game, and the early signs are that he'll come around quite nicely, both for Notre Dame and the Ducks.

Other Players to Watch

Led by a slew of upperclassmen who are playing very well, Quinnipiac is off to a blistering 10-1 start. The Bobcats program has been consistently solid since joining Division I in 1999, making one NCAA Tournament and not yet posting a single losing season. It's early yet, but they have the best record in the country right now. Senior Brandon Wong (undrafted) -- the team's leading scorer -- had three points in a Friday win over Colgate, then the Bobcats took a 3-0 lead and held on to beat Cornell 3-2 on Saturday.

Junior defenseman Erik Gustaffson (undrafted) of Northern Michigan is considered a top free agent. The star had a huge weekend as NMU swept Nebraska-Omaha. Gustaffson picked up four assists in the wins, while forward Mark Olver (Colorado) scored twice and assisted on two other goals. NMU is unbeaten in their last four.

Denver goalie Marc Cheverie (Florida) returned from injury Friday against North Dakota. The results were quite impressive, as Cheverie pitched his fourth shutout in six games in a 1-0 win. Saturday night, Cheverie stopped 24 shots as Denver completed the sweep with a 3-2 win. Cheverie had 58 saves on 60 shots for the weekend. He has a 1.19 goals against and a save percentage of .961.

Sophmore center Jack Connolly (undrafted) scored three goals over the weekend for Minnesota Duluth in a weekend sweep of rival Minnesota. It was UMD's first sweep of the Gophers since the 2003-2004 season. Sophomore goalie Brady Hjelle (2010 draft eligible) turned aside 36 shots in Saturday's 3-2 win.

Hi, My Name Is ... Kyle Palmieri originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hi, My Name Is ... Cody Goloubef

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, NHL Draft, College Hockey

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

Last year, the Wisconsin Badgers were loaded with defensemen. Entering the season, their top four were all high NHL draft picks. Three of those four are back this year, but it seems that junior Ryan McDonagh (NHL rights: N.Y. Rangers) gets a lot of the attention. While people gush -- justifiably -- about McDonagh's skills, junior Cody Goloubef (Columbus) might have become the best of the bunch.

While McDonagh is struggling a bit to start the season, spending too much time in the penalty box and not producing a lot of offense, Goloubef continues to show all-around improvement to his game.

After starting out in 2007 as the youngest player in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Goloubef showed he was mature beyond his years. He picked up ten points in 40 games as a freshman, then improved his output in his sophomore season.

Goloubef is a smart player. He makes great first passes out of his defensive zone, and is very capable offensively. It's very hard to trap the Badgers in their own end with Goloubef on the ice, because he has such a good sense for the forecheck pressure and can get the puck away from heat. He doesn't have a booming shot, but he is effective at finding shooting lanes and getting the puck to the net. While he's a good positional player who is rarely in the wrong spot, Goloubef isn't the most physical, and he can be a bit limited trying to play against bigger forwards.

Already possessing plenty of international experience, Goloubef is going to be a nice addition to the Columbus organization in the near future. Yes, they've done well populating their team with forwards, but Goloubef can bring them an offensive dimension they really don't have much of right now.

Not only that, but a full season of playing against some of the big, tough, and experienced forwards he'll see in the WCHA is only going to help his pro preparation.

Other Players to Watch

It's not often that a team can boast two five-point performances in a single game, but it happened Saturday. Minnesota Duluth -- off a 3-2 upset loss Friday in which they outshot visiting Michigan Tech 50-19 -- blitzed the Huskies 8-1. Junior Justin Fontaine (undrafted) had four goals and one assist, posting UMD's first four-goal game in nearly 12 years. Sophomore forward Mike Connolly (undrafted) scored once and assisted on four other goals. If that wasn't enough, junior Rob Bordson (undrafted) had four assists.

Sophomore forward Zac Dalpe (Carolina) assisted on two goals Friday, then scored twice Saturday, as Ohio State swept Western Michigan with matching 4-2 wins.

Two years ago, then-freshman goalie Richard Bachman burst on the WCHA scene, leading Colorado College to a league championship and NCAA bid. Now, with Bachman gone to the Dallas Stars organization, another freshman has taken the ball. Joe Howe (2010 draft eligible) stopped 59 of 61 shots as the Tigers swept Minnesota State, Mankato, over the weekend. Howe is now 7-1-1 in nine starts for CC, who has the unexpected early lead in the league (they were picked in the bottom half of the league in preseason polls).

After suffering their first loss of the year Friday at Yale, Cornell rallied to blow out Brown 6-0. Senior Colin Greening (Ottawa) had three assists, while senior Blake Gallagher (undrafted) scored twice and assisted on a goal. Senior goalie Ben Scrivens (undrafted), who was one of the nation's best last year, pitched the shutout with 28 saves.

Merrimack and Boston University split an exciting home-and-home series. The Warriors won on their ice Friday, 6-3, while BU won at home Saturday 6-4. Merrimack freshman Stephane da Costa (undrafted) had four more points (two goals, two assists) on the weekend, and now has 14 points in just eight games. Meanwhile, BU got three points from sophomore forward Chris Connolly (undrafted) in their Saturday win, and defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (Colorado) had three points on the weekend.

Hi, My Name Is ... Cody Goloubef originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Islanders Coach Caught! (Rapping and Dancing in 1986 Video)

Christopher Botta — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Islanders, NHL Fans, NHL Videos, College Hockey

Scott Gordon was told, with a purposeful tint of vagueness, that a reporter had a question "about your days in Boston College."

"I bet you do," said the head coach of the New York Islanders.

Gordon had been warned about this two weeks ago. The video, the one he filmed in 1986, was recently re-discovered, dropped on the world wide web and slowly but surely was starting to go viral.

Hey, it could have been a lot worse.

In 1986 Gordon and several of his teammates at Boston College filmed "The Beanpot Trot," college hockey's answer to the Chicago Bears' "Super Bowl Shuffle." Indeed, the nine student-athletes rap and dance.

"This is our song ... we're not gettin' cocky/We're just here ... to rap about hockey." And so they did, to hilarious and charming effect.

"It wasn't supposed to get out," said Gordon, known in the song and still by his close friends today as "Flash." The video was produced before the 1986 Beanpot -- the legendary Boston hockey showdown featuring BC, Boston University, Northeastern and Harvard -- but was supposed to stay under wraps until after the tournament. Oh yeah, also part of the plan was for the Eagles to actually win the Beanpot. They lost to BU, 4-1.

Maybe the hockey gods were just waiting for him to get his first NHL head coaching job. Now 46 years old, Gordon is known for his composure and serious approach. Maybe he's not Tom Landry, but few could picture the Islanders' coach jubilantly performing a split.

Among his BC teammates, including future NHL players Doug Brown and Bob Sweeney ("the one with the 'stache"), Gordon is easily the least rhythm-deficient. The former goalie pulls off the split like he's Fred Astaire.

In what is purely a startling coincidence, Scott is married to a professional dancer and dance instructor. Jennifer Gordon is the founding director of the Northeast Atlanta Dance Center, the Northeast Atlanta Ballet and the Grayson School of Ballet.

"I'll let everyone else judge my dancing," said Scott, "but I guarantee you, I can still do that split today."

Then Gordon added, "The trouble would be getting back up."

(H/T Puck Daddy for the Video)

Islanders Coach Caught! (Rapping and Dancing in 1986 Video) originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knuckle Puck: Area Sports Fans Ask for New Hockey Joke

Kevin Schultz — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Media Watch, College Hockey

Each and every Saturday this season I'll be taking a look at the random happenings and absurdities that occur in the world of hockey. Feel free to suggest stories, complain or otherwise babble at me via electronic mail.

Earlier today, a group of local sports fans led a petition for originality from sports media humorists*. Standing outside a local bar the group spoke to reporters with local citizen Michael Davidson representing the group, which was composed of about 10 18-to-35-year-old males and females. The group of fans say that they are "upset" and "distraught" by blogs, websites and sports media who continue to make the same joke about hockey each year.

"We've had enough and we're not going to stand around and let them continue to recycle the same garbage over and over," Davidson said. "I can't tell you how many times I've logged onto The Onion or read a hockey post on Deadspin only to see the same joke made over and over -- that nobody pays attention to hockey. Maybe if they did a little research, they could at least make jokes about how Alex Ovechkin badly needs a shave or Sidney Crosby being a whiner. Instead, we're left with the same material about how nobody in the mainstream knows anything about hockey. Honestly, we think sports humorists have been mailing in their lone hockey joke since 2002 and we've had enough."

While some onlookers of the press conference were clearly confused by the sight of a press conference outside the local watering hole, a few were heard cracking jokes like "hoc-key?" or saying things like "if it doesn't involve a grown man putting his hands between another's legs and yelling manly things I don't care about it" to each other. The press was only slightly more coherent.

"But doesn't the joke still apply since hockey is still irrelevant?" asked one reporter.

"That's not what this is about," replied Davidson. "This is about websites we know and love mailing it in time and time again. If College Humor was making the same beer or boob joke everyday you would be pissed too. It's headlines like 'Hockey Hall Of Fame Ceremony Held At Steve's Place,' 'NHL Star Called Up To Big Leagues To Play For NFL Team,' and 'People Probably Affiliated With Hockey In Some Way Inducted In Hockey Hall Of Fame' that grind our gears. It's been five years since the lockout and in that time, you would think they could have come up with another angle."

Dr. Scott Slausmann, a sports humor professor at UC Berkley had some sympathy for the protesters. "Imagine David Letterman cracking the same joke every night for five years... Wait, no... Imagine Jon Stewart continually laying into conservatives and republicans... Err... Look. The fans simply would like some variety but the truth is most comedy is copied or regurgitated."

The protesters didn't seem to make a lot of head way during their press conference, but Davidson vows that they will continue on. "You can laugh at us, but deep down you know that there's room for more than one hockey joke in this world."

*None of this ever really happened

YouTube of the Week and Knuckle Pucker of the Year Rolled Into One

Each week, we'll nominate someone who deserves to be recognized for their outstanding service and commitment to giving me something to write about. By the end of the year I'll come up with some way to declare a winner. Today's nominee is...

...the 1986 Boston College hockey team. They're at the head of the pack right now alongside the Killer Cyber Bear from Alaska for this... For whatever in the name of Peter, Paul and Mary this is.

Jokes I Can't Resist Making
- This has as many awkward white guy high fives as there have been in the entire history of golf.
- Aerosmith realized they needed the help of Run DMC to break into hip hop. These guys need Jay-Z, DMX and at least half the Wu Tang Clan.
- It's a tragedy that this is the height of Scott Gordon's rap career.
- There's a 'high quality' button on the video. If you press it a giant hand pops out of your monitor and slaps you for your insolence.
- This makes the 1985 Chicago Bears look like the Jackson Five.

Knuckle Puck: Area Sports Fans Ask for New Hockey Joke originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hi, My Name Is ... Carl Sneep

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Penguins, NHL Draft, NHL Fans, College Hockey

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

More and more underclassmen are signing pro contracts and not playing four years of college hockey. This puts additional pressure on seniors to help carry the load for their teams. Coaches love to lean on experience when the playoffs come, and while the freshmen and sophomores might have all the talent, it's the older guys who bring valuable experience to a locker room. For Boston College, there's hope that a big defenseman -- who happens to be off to a great start -- can help lead them back to the NCAA Tournament.

Carl Sneep (NHL rights: Pittsburgh) has played three years under legendary head coach Jerry York. While he has shown flashes of offensive ability, he has yet to fully realize his potential as a contributor. Not only is he off to a hot start offensively this year, but Sneep is in the role of experienced leader for a young group of defensemen.

"Probably the most pleasant surprise has been Carl Sneep's play for us," York said. "He's a fourth-year player with us and the only upperclass defenseman we can go to. So he's kind of standard-bearer. He's had a real good start for us and (has) shown improvement."

So far, so good for Sneep. He has three goals and eight points in the Eagles' first six games. That matches his career-high for goals in a season, and he's more than halfway to his season-best of 15 points, set in his sophomore season. The Nisswa, Minn., native scored twice on Friday, as the Eagles settled for a 4-4 tie at New Hampshire, then assisted on three goals in a 5-1 win over Northeastern Saturday.

While Sneep is a bigger guy, he isn't the most physical defenseman you'll ever see. That's probably the one major knock on his game as he prepares to move on from college hockey after this season. Instead, he appears to have a much more notable offensive upside than people may have thought. He's a steady player who moves the puck well, and he doesn't easily succumb to pressure in his own zone.

Odds are Sneep will get even better this season. He figures to see a lot of ice time in all situations, both even-strength and on special teams. The Eagles figure to be playing deep into March again this season, so that will only aid Sneep's preparation for the next level.

Other Players to Watch

One has to think this was a banner weekend for Miami. The RedHawks swept Michigan in Ann Arbor, winning 3-1 and 5-1, and Michigan coach Red Berenson went after his team pretty hard Saturday.

"I'm embarrassed," Berenson said. "We played like a bunch of spoiled brats, and we've gotta suck it up. When you're getting beat, you just keep working hard for the team. You don't take it out on the other team and take stupid penalties that are going to hurt your team even further. That's not the way we play hockey, and this team will learn that."

For Miami, senior Jarod Palmer (undrafted) and freshman Curtis McKenzie (Dallas) each had three points. Sophomore goalie Cody Reichard (undrafted) played both nights, stopping 47 of 49 shots faced.

Notre Dame senior defenseman Kyle Lawson (Carolina) had a hand in three of the four goals the Irish scored (one goal, two assists) in a weekend split at Alaska.

Sophomore forward Gustav Nyquist (Detroit) helped lead Maine to a big win Sunday over Boston University. Nyquist scored a first-period goal and assisted on the game-winner as the Black Bears hung on to beat BU 3-2. It was Maine's second straight win over a ranked Hockey East opponent after a 1-5 overall start.

College Hockey America's leading scorer, Bemidji State junior Matt Read (undrafted), had another big weekend. He tallied two goals and two assists as the Beavers swept Robert Morris (Pa.) at home, winning 2-0 and 6-1.

Colgate senior David McIntyre (New Jersey) helped the Red Raiders sweep weekend games against Harvard and Dartmouth. The Hobey Baker candidate scored once and also picked up four assists over the two games.

Hi, My Name Is ... Carl Sneep originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brett Hull: Bulldog, Blues and Beyond

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blues, Stars, Red Wings, NHL Hall of Fame, College Hockey

In 1984, a kid with a famous name and loads of potential in his game showed up on the campus of the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Calgary Flames had drafted the kid, but they knew he wasn't ready to play.

After two years at UMD, Brett Hull -- son of the great Bobby Hull -- was ready to tear up the NHL. Boy, did he ever do that.

Turns out Hull was quite the impact player at every level he ever played at. He finished his career as the only player to ever score 50 goals in college hockey, the minors, and the NHL.

The Hockey Hall of Fame Class of '09:
Steve Yzerman | Brian Leetch | Brett Hull
Luc Robitaille | Lou Lamoriello

With his 2009 Hockey Hall of Fame induction, Brett joins Bobby as the only father-son combination to be inducted into the Hall. One year ago, the pair became the first father-son tandem to make the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, as Brett was inducted.

Before signing with the Flames, Hull set records that will never be touched at UMD. He scored 32 goals as a freshman, then answered that with a 52-goal season as a sophomore. With Hull on campus, the Bulldogs went an incredible 62-22-6, making the Frozen Four in 1985. It was unprecedented success for the program at the Division I level, as UMD qualified for back-to-back Frozen Fours. They wouldn't make another one until 2004.

Kids who grew up in the 1990s likely tried to emulate Hull's huge shot in their driveways, basements, and at the local rinks. When it came time to choose numbers on youth hockey teams, they always wanted No. 16 more than anything, because Hull was their favorite player. While Hull would go on to great professional success, most of his teammates weren't so lucky. While Norm Maciver (500 games) and Jim Johnson (829 games) had long careers in the NHL, they were the only ones to come close to Hull's long run as a pro. No one on that UMD team could claim the kind of fame Hull enjoyed in the NHL. The stigma in the 1980s was that college players were not good enough to make it in the NHL. Fans who think the major junior/NCAA debate is bad now should have been around back then, when there really was no debate to be had.

Everyone knows Hull's impact on the NHL. Over 21 years in the league, Hull amassed 741 goals, nearly 1,400 points, scored over 100 career playoff goals, and was one of the most entertaining players in the sport -- both on and off the ice. Hull's willingness to share his opinions on any subject left him equal parts loved and disliked. When he felt unwanted on the Canadian national team, Hull instead became a mainstay on United States international teams. He took part in two Olympics, two World Cups, and one Canada Cup, all for Team USA.

His 86 goals in the 1990-91 season rank him second all-time to Wayne Gretzky. Two times, Hull matched Gretzky's achievement of 50 goals scored in 50 games or less. He and Gretzky, who did it three times, are the only players to score 50 goals in 50 games more than once.

Fans would find it difficult to not respect Hull's game. Everywhere he went, he scored goals. Hull practically patented the one-timer, using his deadly release to be an absolute force on the ice. He was the kind of player you could never truly stop, because he could launch a hard shot from just about anywhere in the offensive zone. Sometimes forgotten in all the talk about Hull's ferocious shot was his accuracy. In his prime, Hull shot the puck where he wanted it to go. When he missed, it was still effective.

Kids who grew up in the 1990s likely tried to emulate Hull's huge shot in their driveways, basements, and at the local rinks. When it came time to choose numbers on youth hockey teams, they wanted No. 16 more than anything, because Hull was their favorite player.

In 2006, after his playing career had ended, UMD became the first team to retire Hull's jersey number. He wore No. 29 during his years at UMD, and it now hangs in the rafters at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Hull has spoken highly of the Duluth area ever since he left, and he still maintains a home at a lake near the city. Proving his tremendous impact on the game, Hull has since had his jersey retired by the St. Louis Blues, and he is a well-known figure in the Dallas Stars organization.

Hull played a long time -- and achieved a lot of individual success -- before ever achieving the ultimate team goal. His first college team fell painfully short of a national title, and he never was able to get the Blues to the Stanley Cup Finals. In 1999, the Stars had a special season under coach Ken Hitchcock. They made the Finals against Buffalo, and rallied nicely after losing the series opener at home. With a chance to clinch the Cup in Buffalo in Game 6, the teams battled into a third overtime before Hull scored a controversial goal. He appeared to have his skate in the crease before the puck was there, but the play was allowed to stand, and Hull had his first championship. After moving to Detroit, Hull added another Cup title in 2002. He retired while a member of the Phoenix Coyotes after the 2004-2005 lockout.

Players on the team that wins the Cup are allowed to have the trophy for a single day.

Both times that Hull played for a championship team, he brought the Cup back to Duluth.

Brett Hull: Bulldog, Blues and Beyond originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hi, My Name Is ... Chris Brown

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coyotes, NHL Draft, College Hockey

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

It's been a pretty good start to the season for Michigan. The Wolverines took care of business on the road last weekend, sweeping Lake Superior State (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) to open their Central Collegiate Hockey Association schedule.

Even though junior star Louie Caporusso (NHL rights: Ottawa) has just one goal in the Wolverines' first six games, Michigan has gotten early contributions from a highly-touted freshman.

Second-round draft pick Chris Brown (Phoenix) was expected to become a really good player for Michigan. It was likely not assumed that he would rip off four goals and six points in their first six games. Brown had two goals in a 6-3 win Saturday over Lake Superior State that finished off the weekend sweep.

Brown has been playing on a line with experienced forwards Matt Rust (Florida) and Carl Hagelin (N.Y. Rangers). Surely, working with a pair that has combined for over 100 points at Michigan has helped Brown make the transition to college. The former Dallas Junior Stars product came to Michigan from the U.S. National Team Development Program, which is based in Ann Arbor. He is one of seven NTDP products currently skating in the Maize and Blue.

While he's a good skater, Brown has to get some more muscle. He projects as more of a power forward as he gets older, and 195 pounds is not going to be enough for him to play that type of role. The Coyotes are likely to be patient with Brown, as they have done a good job letting young players develop in college before turning them pro.

Certainly, Brown is in the right program and with the right coach (legendary Red Berenson) to fulfill his potential and be a polished product for Phoenix to sign, even if it takes two or three years to make it happen.

Not only that, but Brown is likely to have opportunities to experience elite-level college hockey while he's at Michigan. The Wolverines are an NCAA Tournament regular, and this year's team is anxious to atone for a loss to underdog Air Force in last year's first round.

Other Players to Watch

Hopefully, this isn't the sign of a jinx on this column. Last week's subject, Denver goalie Marc Cheverie (Florida), was injured Friday in a collision with a Minnesota State (Mankato) player. Forward Justin Jokinen (Buffalo) was driving the net when he was tripped by Denver defenseman Patrick Wiercioch (Ottawa). Jokinen's skate caught Cheverie in the leg, and the ensuing cut required stitches at a local hospital. Cheverie could miss a couple weeks for the Pioneers, who won Friday and tied Saturday's series finale. There is no blood visible at any point in this video, which gives you a better idea of what happened.

Minnesota finally won games and scored goals this weekend, sweeping Alaska-Anchorage 5-1 and 4-1 at home. Captain Tony Lucia (San Jose) -- head coach Don Lucia's son -- scored three times and assisted on two other goals in the series. 2009 first-round pick Jordan Schroeder (Vancouver) had two assists in each game for his first four points of the season.

New Hampshire was whipped pretty badly in Madison over the weekend. The Wildcats were outshot 94-35 and outscored 10-2 in a non-conference sweep by Wisconsin. The Badgers have a couple well-known prospects on their blue line, including former first-round picks Ryan McDonagh (N.Y. Rangers) and Jake Gardiner (Anaheim). Junior Brendan Smith (Detroit) was the star against UNH, however, racking up four assists and playing very well in his own zone.

Boston University and UMass-Lowell split a home-and-home series in Hockey East. The defending national champions needed a Colby Cohen (Colorado) goal to steal Friday's game at Lowell in overtime. UML senior Ben Holmstrom (undrafted) scored a power-play goal in the second period that proved to be the game-winner in Boston on Saturday. BU sophomore defenseman David Warsofsky (St. Louis) had a good weekend, scoring twice on Friday and picking up an assist in Saturday's game.

Merrimack is off to a good start this season, thanks in large part to high-scoring forwards Chris Barton and Stephane Da Costa (both undrafted). The pair combined for two goals and seven points in a home-and-home split against Boston College over the weekend (each team won on their home ice). Barton leads the team with seven goals and ten points in eight games, while Da Costa -- who scored five goals in his Merrimack debut -- has eight points in four games. Merrimack, a longtime cellar dweller who hasn't had a winning season since joining Hockey East 20 years ago, sits at 5-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

Cornell stars Riley Nash (Edmonton) and Colin Greening (Ottawa) each had two points in the Big Red's season-opening 3-2 overtime win over Niagara Friday.

Hi, My Name Is ... Chris Brown originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hi, My Name Is ... Marc Cheverie

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Panthers, NHL Draft, College Hockey

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

Two big stories emerged from a Western Collegiate Hockey Association weekend series at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, most college hockey followers only know about one of them. While everyone is well aware of the early-season struggles of Minnesota (0-3-1 record, three goals scored in four games, and all three losses have been shutouts), they've probably dismissed the accomplishments of the Denver goalie who held the Gophers off the board for 120 minutes.

Despite facing a lineup that featured 16 NHL draft picks Friday and 17 Saturday, junior goalie Marc Cheverie (NHL rights: Florida) didn't allow a single goal.

Cheverie was very good as a full-time starter last year, winning 23 games, pitching four shutouts, and posting a .921 save percentage while leading Denver to the NCAA Tournament. However, the Pioneers were upset by Miami in the first round of regional play, and Cheverie faced competition this year from freshman Adam Murray (undrafted), who came from the U.S. National Team Development Program.

Head coach George Gwozdecky made it clear before the season that he would rotate Cheverie and Murray early in the season. Gwozdecky, who won his 500th career game over the weekend, said he had talked to Cheverie long before the season, and the veteran was well-aware of the situation going into the season.

However, that rotation only lasted two weeks. Cheverie won both his starts, getting the first game of series against Vermont and Ohio State. Murray started the next day of both series and took the loss in both games.

Cheverie then shut out Minnesota Friday night with a 30-save effort. That would be -- at least for now -- the end of the goalie rotation. Gwozdecky came back with "Chevy" Saturday night, and he was rewarded with another 30-save shutout, marking the third straight start where Cheverie held his opponent off the scoreboard.

Denver won both games by matching 3-0 scores, and they have some serious momentum as they embark on the long, taxing WCHA season.

Cheverie has good fundamentals for a goalie, but he is more aggressive than most. He likes to challenge shooters, and he plays his angles well. If he continues to play at this high a level throughout the season, he has the talent to carry a loaded Denver team far, and it's likely that he would earn a shot at professional hockey after this season.

Gwozdecky has handled complicated goalie situations very well over his tenure at Denver. He's used rotations more than a few times, only to settle on a goalie for the postseason. It usually works for him, and it's doubtful that a highly-touted goalie like Murray is going to sit too long. That said, Denver's best bet might to be to ride this "Chevy" as far as they can go.

Other Players to Watch

After a bit of a rough start for freshman Mike Lee (Phoenix) in his WCHA debut, St. Cloud (Minn.) State used junior Dan Dunn (Washington) Saturday night against Minnesota Duluth. Dunn was outstanding, stopping 31 of 33 shots faced in a 4-2 win. The Huskies were buoyed by two short-handed goals in the second period, and Dunn also stopped a penalty shot during the middle stanza.

Staying out west, senior forward Bill Sweatt (Chicago) had seven points (one goal, six assists) in Colorado College's weekend sweep of Michigan Tech. Sweatt had a hand in all four goals as CC won 4-1 Friday, then chipped in three assists in the Tigers' 8-5 comeback win Saturday.

New Hampshire's Blake Kessel (N.Y. Islanders) had a big weekend. The sophomore defenseman scored one goal and assisted on four others as the Wildcats beat Northeastern 4-2 and Maine 5-2 in Hockey East action. Blake is the younger brother of Toronto Maple Leaf Phil Kessel.

Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (Colorado) of Boston University assisted on two goals in a 3-2 win over Michigan Saturday, marking the defending national champions' first win of the season.

Hi, My Name Is ... Marc Cheverie originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hi, My Name Is ... Corey Tropp

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:40:00 EST

Filed under: Sabres, NHL Draft, College Hockey

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

Last year, he was vilified. Fans wanted to run him out of college hockey. Instead of finishing his sophomore season at Michigan State, forward Corey Tropp (NHL rights: Buffalo) found himself looking for a place to play hockey. A vicious assault of Michigan's Steve Kampfer (Anaheim) got Tropp suspended by the school for the rest of the season. What's happened since is a great story of redemption.

MSU head coach Rick Comley believed all along that Tropp's behavior was out of character, and this incident would be an isolated one.

Tropp first planned to spend the rest of last season playing with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. The USHL, however, imposed a suspension of their own on Tropp, and then he eventually decided to return to school without playing a game for the Stampede.

Only time will tell if Comley's hunch is correct, but so far, he and the MSU program have been rewarded for the decision to reinstate Tropp.

The players have welcomed Tropp -- now a junior -- back with open arms. Tropp was named an assistant captain for the Spartans this year, and Comley didn't waste time putting him on the ice.

Last week, Tropp scored once and had three assists in the Spartans' season-opening sweep of Clarkson. When MSU traveled to Orono, Maine, this past weekend, Tropp was even more explosive. The forward picked up a hat trick in Friday's 5-3 Spartan win, as he scored once five-on-five, one power-play goal, and added a short-handed tally. Tropp chipped in another goal and an assist on Saturday, as Maine won 5-3 to split the series.

After making headlines for the wrong reasons last year, Tropp has been to the sin bin just once this year, more in line with his normally disciplined style of play. Tropp had 16 penalty minutes in 42 games during his freshman season, then 45 in 21 games last year. He totaled 97 penalty minutes in 100 games with Sioux Falls before going to college.

The five-point weekend gives Tropp nine points (four goals and five assists) in just four games this season. He's tied for the NCAA lead with Minnesota Duluth forwards Jack Connolly and Justin Fontaine (both undrafted).

While there is no denying the awful nature of Tropp's behavior that fateful night in Ann Arbor, there is also no question that he accepted his punishment and has worked hard to win the trust of his teammates once again. None of this is going to change how Tropp is treated by Michigan fans when the Spartans visit Yost Ice Arena Nov. 13.

Tropp's hot start does show that some people can take advantage of their second chances. For him to get a chance in the pros, he needs to continue playing with discipline. His goal-scoring touch is clearly developing, but no one will care about that if he isn't behaving himself on the ice. Tropp's story may lead some to wonder why he's still allowed to play college hockey, but it will be gone and forgotten as long as he doesn't come close to repeating what he did to Kampfer.

(Kampfer, by the way, is a senior defenseman for the Wolverines this season. He was in the lineup for each of Michigan's two games so far, but has not registered a point.)

Other Players to Watch

If you're going up against Minnesota Duluth, stay out of the box. UMD has scored seven of its 13 goals with the man advantage. Fontaine and Connolly are responsible for a mind-boggling ten goals, with six of them coming on the power play. Fontaine scored four goals and assisted on another in the Bulldogs' weekend sweep of Minnesota State, Mankato.

St. Cloud State fans can't complain about the start they've had in goal. Yes, the team is 1-2-1, but freshman Mike Lee (Phoenix) has a 1.97 goals against and a .933 save percentage over his first three career starts.. He's been a star at every level he's played at, and there's no reason to think Lee will falter in college.

Alabama-Huntsville doesn't have a conference to play in after this season. College Hockey America is disbanding, and UAH is the only school yet to find a home. In other words, the future of the program is -- at best -- uncertain. After splitting with CCHA power Notre Dame in their opening weekend, the Chargers visited Air Force this week. They came away with back-to-back 4-2 wins. 3-1 Huntsville is led by junior goaltender Cameron Talbot (undrafted), who has posted a .947 save percentage in four starts. It should be an interesting weekend coming up, as UAH plays their home opener against Western Michigan, a CCHA team.

Freshman Curtis McKenzie (Dallas) of Miami had four points for the RedHawks in a weekend set at New Hampshire. Miami won the first game 6-3 before rallying to gain a 5-5 tie Saturday. Junior Carter Camper (undrafted) had two goals in the Friday win.

Hi, My Name Is ... Corey Tropp originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hi, My Name Is ... Mike Cichy

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Canadiens, NHL Draft, College Hockey

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

As the college hockey season gets underway, freshmen are often just trying to get some game experience and adjust to the speed of the college game, which is much different than the high school, prep school, or junior team they came from.

For North Dakota forward Mike Cichy (NHL rights: Montreal), you couldn't have scripted a better start to his college career.

The Connecticut native picked up three points in two Fighting Sioux wins over Merrimack. Cichy assisted on both of North Dakota's second-period goals on Friday before putting the Sioux ahead for good with his first collegiate goal Saturday.

Cichy was a forgotten man in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, going 199th overall to Montreal. The Canadiens have a chance to leave Cichy in college for a couple years, but early returns seem to indicate that they'll have a nice prospect on their hands soon.

His draft day adventure was chronicled in a story for The Hockey News.

1:26 p.m. - You just got picked by the Habs, congratulations!

- Wow, ha ha, thank you! Shock for me right now, wasn't expecting it at all.

- You gonna call some people, celebrate?

- Ha ha, it's possible. I think I'm going to spend some time with my mom, she deserves it.

Cichy does need to put on some more muscle. He had some room to skate against Merrimack, a school that put up a fight over the weekend, but hasn't had a winning season since they joined Hockey East in 1989. That room will likely diminish greatly as the Sioux open their Western Collegiate Hockey Association schedule Friday and Saturday against rival Minnesota.

Generally, he looks like a player who will continue to contribute for the Sioux, who were picked second in the WCHA in pre-season polling by both the league's coaches and media. However, you can see the need for more strength, and no one really knows how he'll respond to the physical pounding skilled players take on a nightly basis in this league.

Surely, he'll experience tougher weekends than this one. Freshmen always do. However, this was a fine start to his college career, one that has to raise at least a couple eyebrows in Montreal.

Other Players to Watch

Two potential All-American defensemen had huge weekends. Northern Michigan junior Eric Gustafsson (undrafted) scored two goals and assisted on two others in a weekend split of non-conference games in the Superior Showcase. Gustafsson is an impressive puck-moving defenseman who might be a bit undersized, but isn't afraid to mix it up and can win physical battles. He could be a top free-agent once NMU's season ends. The Wildcats lost to Michigan Tech 5-3 on Friday before beating Minnesota Duluth 3-1 Sunday. Meanwhile, North Dakota's Chay Genoway (undrafted) had three assists against Merrimack.

Michigan State was awful last season, but their season was largely defined by a January night in Ann Arbor, where two of their players carried out a heinous on-ice assault of a Michigan player whose only crime was throwing a clean hit. One of the involved Spartans, Corey Tropp (Buffalo), was reinstated to the program after last season ended, and he got his junior year off to a good start. In a weekend sweep of Clarkson, the forward scored once and assisted on three other goals. Perhaps more importantly, Tropp was only penalized once, a holding minor in Friday's game.

Senior forward Nick Fanto and junior Rich Purslow (both undrafted) had four-point weekends (two goals, two assists) for Nebraska-Omaha, as the Mavericks won the Icebreaker Tournament in Omaha. Playing for the first time under new head coach Dean Blais, UNO beat Army and UMass-Lowell to claim the title.

Notre Dame had to settle for a split against Alabama-Huntsville, as the Chargers scored with five seconds left to win Friday, 3-2. The Irish rallied to win 3-1 Saturday. Freshman Kyle Palmieri (Anaheim), a 2009 first-rounder, scored once in each game for Notre Dame, while senior defenseman Kyle Lawson (Carolina) scored the game-winner Saturday and added an assist.

It was a great start to the season for Quinnipiac. The Bobcats swept a two-game set at Ohio State, winning 4-2 Thursday and 3-1 Friday. Senior center Eric Lampe (undrafted) had a hand in four of QU's seven goals, scoring three and assisting on another.

Hi, My Name Is ... Mike Cichy originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hi, My Name Is ...: Meet This Year's Best

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Draft, College Hockey

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

Last year, we scoured the 58 Division I hockey schools for the best players we could find. As the 2009-2010 season gets underway this weekend, and Boston University tries to defend their dramatically-won NCAA title, it's time to take a sneak peek at this year's top talent.

Let's take a look at the top NCAA players conference-by-conference.

Atlantic Hockey

Jacques Lamoreux, F, Air Force (NHL rights: Undrafted)
The junior was one of the top scorers in the nation a year ago, leading the upstart Falcons within one goal of the Frozen Four. He's a tad undersized, but is a prolific goal scorer at the college level. While his military commitment isn't likely to go away, he's going to be an interesting prospect when his college eligibility winds down.

Andrew Volkening, G, Air Force (Undrafted)
While Lamoreux led the way offensively during Air Force's super 2008-2009 season, Volkening was the rock. The junior was among league leaders in all major goaltending categories last season, and surely he is motivated by the very odd goal that ended the Falcons' season against Vermont. Volkening enters the season as one of the more experienced goalies you'll find anywhere in the country, and he would love nothing more than to go out with a trip to Detroit (the site of the 2010 Frozen Four).

Central Collegiate Hockey Association

John Albert, F, Ohio State (Atlanta)
On a team full of talented youngsters, it's Albert who leads the way. The crafty playmaker was tops among OSU returnees in points a year ago, picking up 11 goals and 39 points. For the Buckeyes to improve on a first-round NCAA exit (a blowout at the hands of eventual champion Boston University), they'll need more out of Albert, who could be in his final season of college hockey.

Carter Camper, F, Miami (Free agent)
Though undersized at five-foot-nine, 173 pounds, Camper competes his tail off, and he is one of the top free agents in the country. He was a huge part of Miami's run to the national championship game last year, and he's on virtually everyone's All-America watch lists heading into the season. As long as Miami is a top dog in the CCHA, he'll get plenty of attention.

Louie Caporusso, F, Michigan (Ottawa)
With former running buddy Aaron Palushaj now with the St. Louis Blues organization, Caporusso will be expected to take on a heavy role for the Wolverines. He's coming off a 24-goal season, and is only a junior, but the Senators figure to be keeping close tabs on him.

Ian Cole, D, Notre Dame (St. Louis)
All told, there are six NTDP recruits on the Irish roster. Cole might be the most NHL-ready. The defenseman showed a goal-scoring touch at times last year, picking up a big one late in a game at Ohio State, but he's going to make his money in his own zone. Cole doesn't back down, is great at protecting his net, and looks like a future NHL captain.

Erik Gustaffson, D, Northern Michigan (Free agent)
A serious All-America candidate, Gustaffson is another player who has to be considered among the best free agents in college hockey. Off a 34-point sophomore season, Gustaffson will pilot a NMU power play that has serious expectations attached to it. They hit on only 13.4 percent of their chances last year, which was the difference on a relatively low-scoring team. The Wildcats made the CCHA semifinals in Detroit after a disastrous start to the season.

Daultan Leveille, F, Michigan State (Atlanta)
Expectations in East Lansing are that the Spartans will be greatly improved this season, after last year's ten-win disaster. Leveille, a very talented scorer from Ontario, is a big reason for hope in this program. If Michigan State can find a couple other players to help Leveille out, the Spartans could make an impressive leap in the CCHA standings.

Kyle Palmieri, F, Notre Dame (Anaheim)
The 2009 first-round pick joins a Fighting Irish team that appears to be the CCHA's most talented. It's probably the most motivated, too, as the Irish lost to eventual Frozen Four participant Bemidji State 5-1 in their NCAA Tournament opener last year. Palmieri is the latest in an impressive line of recruits from the National Team Development Program (a program based in Ann Arbor, Mich.), and the Ducks draft choice should make an immediate impact.

College Hockey America

Matt Read, F, Bemidji State (Free agent)
Read made a name for himself by playing well in the NCAA Tournament. He's an older junior, as he'll turn 24 next summer, but he could still get a look if he continues to develop. Read led the Beavers in scoring with 40 points last year, and he'll be counted on for more production this season.

ECAC Hockey League

Zane Kalemba, G, Princeton (Free agent)
Kalemba was awesome last year, posting a miniscule 1.82 goals against and leading the Tigers to a second straight NCAA Tournament. However, it all blew up in his face. Leading Minnesota Duluth 4-2 with under a minute to go, Kalemba was victimized by two goals, including one with 0.8 seconds to play, and then UMD won the game in overtime on a power-play goal. It should be plenty of motivation for Kalemba to prove himself as a legitimate Hobey Baker candidate in his senior year.

Louis Leblanc, F, Harvard (Montreal)
It seemed to be a no-brainer that Leblanc would be the Canadiens' first-round pick, especially considering that the draft was held in Montreal. Now, it's time for Leblanc to help the Harvard program back to prominence. It's a lot of work for a very talented player, and he'll need help. The Crimson won just nine games and were awful offensively last year.

David McIntyre, F, Colgate (New Jersey)
McIntyre led the Red Raiders in scoring last year, and he'll be a captain during his senior year. He has decent size, can skate, is a good scorer, and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. In other words, he's the kind of college prospect who should work well in the Devils' system.

Riley Nash, F, Cornell (Edmonton)
Nash has the look of a future NHLer. He skates well, has good size, and is very good with the puck. He's the kind of player who can play a lot of minutes, and he will this year with Cornell. The Big Red will use him on their top line, the top power play unit, and they'll even stick Nash on the ice to kill penalties.

Hockey East

Nick Bonino, F, Boston University (Anaheim)
While Hobey finalist Colin Wilson got all the accolades last year, Bonino put together a great season. He picked up 18 goals and 50 points, including the game-tying goal in the final minute of the NCAA final against Miami. Bonino has good size and strength, and now we'll see how he performs with the spotlight. Wilson left for Nashville after last season, and Bonino should take over as BU's go-to guy up front.

Jimmy Hayes, F, Boston College (Toronto)
Hayes was ho-hum as a freshman, contributing eight goals in 39 games while learning the ins and outs of college hockey. The Eagles missed the NCAAs last year, something that doesn't happen often. With leading scorer Brock Bradford gone, guys like Hayes and Cam Atkinson (Columbus) will be expected to shoulder more of the load as sophomores.

Peter LeBlanc, F, New Hampshire (Chicago)
LeBlanc is one of only four seniors on the New Hampshire roster this season, and he is one of the players expected to help ease the early departure of star James van Riemsdyk, who made the Flyers' NHL roster out of training camp. LeBlanc scored 14 goals last year, third on the team, and he'll get plenty of top-line time this year. He's also a team captain.

Gustav Nyquist, F, Maine (Detroit)
Most of the time, a Maine freshman who leads his team in scoring will get some attention. However, times have changed at Maine. The Black Bears nearly missed the Hockey East playoffs last year, and Nyquist (13 goals, 32 points) is flying under the radar heading into this season. Maine should be better, with Nyquist leading the way. Once he's done at Maine, the talented 20-year-old will have a chance to join a long line of Swedes with the Red Wings.

Kevin Shattenkirk, D, Boston University (Colorado)
Like Bonino, Shattenkirk was somewhat overshadowed last year. Senior Matt Gilroy had a huge season, won the Hobey Baker, and signed a lucrative free-agent deal with the New York Rangers. Shattenkirk isn't the biggest defenseman on the team, but he moves the puck extremely well and has a lethal shot. Expect to see a lot of him on the Terriers' power play this season.

Western Collegiate Hockey Association

Zach Budish, F, Minnesota (Nashville)
No one knows how good Budish will be in college. He missed his senior season at Edina (Minn.) High School because of a blown-out knee suffered playing football. He's still going straight into college hockey, and the Predators thought enough of him to pick him in the second round of the draft. Budish is big and strong, but also has a great shot and is crafty with the puck. He's had plenty of time to rehab the knee, and could make a huge impact on a Gopher team that is trying to get back in the NCAA Tournament.

Joe Colborne, F, Denver (Boston)
The big forward is probably not going to be around the college game much longer, as he's very close to being ready for the leap. Colborne came on like a freight train late last season, earning respect from nearly everyone in the WCHA for his acclimation to the college game. There's enough talent and experience on this Denver team that he's not likely to go it alone, which is a good thing.

Cody Goloubef, D, Wisconsin (Columbus)
While Ryan McDonagh (N.Y. Rangers) and Jake Gardiner (Anaheim) are former first-round picks, Goloubef might be the most consistent of the Badger defensemen. He gets some power play time, but also works very hard in his own zone and is an extremely smart player.

Jason Gregoire, F, North Dakota (N.Y. Islanders)
For North Dakota, this is potentially a huge season. They have higher expectations than anyone in the league except Denver, and the Fighting Sioux look to an experienced crop of sophomores to help lead the way. Gregoire had 29 points last year, but looked very strong at times. Freshman Danny Kristo (Montreal) might get more headlines, but Gregoire is in a better position to be a factor this season from the start.

Dylan Olsen, D, Minnesota Duluth (Chicago)
He's a bit of a late bloomer, but Olsen turned heads at the World Under 18 Championships last year, and the Blackhawks snatched him up in the first round in June. Olsen should see plenty of time on UMD's top defensive pairing, and his size and hands are a welcome addition to a defense that struggled to move the puck at times last year.

Jordan Schroeder, F, Minnesota (Vancouver)
Schroeder fell a bit in the draft, and that may be a bit of motivation for him heading into what most believe will be his last year at Minnesota. The playmaking center had a perfect linemate last year in Ryan Stoa, who is now in the Colorado system. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to new linemates and if it has any impact on his production. As usual with undersized players in the WCHA, there is some worry about his durability, but he didn't miss a game last year, and he's got enough muscle and toughness that he can take the hits he'll get from opponents. If they can catch him first.

Patrick Wiercioch, D, Denver (Ottawa)
Yes, Wiercioch is a bit on the lanky side. He could stand to get a bit more muscular. However, that is about the only bad thing you can say about Wiercioch. He's tall, has great hands, and is a force at both ends of the ice. Wiercioch will work on his defensive skills in his sophomore season at Denver, and he'll do it as part of one of the best teams in the country.

Hi, My Name Is ...: Meet This Year's Best originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Is Bright: West's Top Prospects

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Draft, College Hockey, International Hockey, Minor League Hockey, Junior Hockey

Thanks in part to the salary cap, player development is a huge key in today's NHL. With that in mind, FanHouse presents a handy team-by-team guide to the league's top prospects. None of the players listed have played a game in the NHL, and there are also no 2009 draft picks on the list. After the jump, check out the best prospects from the Western Conference.

Central Division

Chicago Blackhawks

Kyle Beach, LW
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Everett/Lethbridge (WHL)
54 games, 24-39-63

Beach isn't far away from the NHL, though he's likely to spend the season in Lethbridge after a cup of coffee with the Blackhawks during training camp. He has the physical maturity to play in the NHL, but there isn't room for him in the Blackhawks lineup. Since he still has major junior eligibility, he can't go to the AHL. It just seems to be unrealistic for Chicago to keep him on their roster, unless they really think he's ready now.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Ted Ruth, D
2007 2nd round pick (Washington, traded to Blue Jackets February 2008)
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Notre Dame (CCHA)
36 games, 2-5-7

While he's never been known as a huge offensive contributor, Ruth has worked hard on that side of his game. In his first two years at Notre Dame, he's been used mainly as a stay-at-home guy, and that's clearly still his strength. Ruth has seen a lot of ice time in college, and he should see even more as he emerges as a big-time leader for the Fighting Irish this season.

Detroit Red Wings

Thomas McCollum, G
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Brampton (OHL)
54 games, 34-16-4, 2.11 GAA, .927 saves

For McCollum, last season was a mixed bag. Off being drafted in the first round in 2008 by Detroit, a strong season in the OHL was marred around the holidays. McCollum had an up-and-down World Junior Championships, playing in goal for Team USA. The tournament ended with McCollum and his teammates giving up 12 goals over two consecutive losses. McCollum is still a year or two away from being NHL-ready, and he's heading for Grand Rapids this season.

Nashville Predators

Colin Wilson, C
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Boston University (Hockey East)
43 games, 17-38-55

He did it all in college. Wilson was a major star at BU, and helped the Terriers to a national championship last spring. Now that he's in the pros, expect him to land in Nashville. There isn't much left for Wilson to prove. Not only that, but the Predators are so starved for offensive depth that it makes practically no sense to stash him in the AHL for any part of the season.

St. Louis Blues

Ian Cole, D
2007 1st round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Notre Dame (CCHA)
38 games, 6-20-26

Cole has "captain" written all over him. He's a tough player with offensive upside, and he brings the intensity to every shift. While Alex Pietrangelo -- a fellow first-round defenseman -- continues to struggle with his consistency, Cole may pass him on the prospect board. Another year at Notre Dame should leave Cole prepared for the transition to pro hockey in the fall of 2010.

Northwest Division

Calgary Flames

Greg Nemisz, C
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Windsor (OHL)
65 games, 36-41-77

Some taller players need to grow into their body. Nemisz is not one of them. He's a thick, skilled power forward who helped the Spitfires win the Memorial Cup, producing seven points in six games. Keep a close eye on Nemisz as he works to improve his skating. The Flames are dreadfully thin at center, and it might not be long before he gets a shot at making the team.

Colorado Avalanche

Ryan Stoa, LW
2005 2nd round pick
Age: 22
2008-2009 team: Minnesota (WCHA)
36 games, 24-22-36

After a knee injury wiped out his 2007-2008 season, Stoa returned and had a huge year for the Gophers. He showed signs of development into a big-time scorer, using great chemistry with freshman Jordan Schroeder to set career highs across the board. Stoa signed with Colorado a week after his junior season ended, but didn't get a chance to play in the pros. That will change this year.

Edmonton Oilers

Jordan Eberle, C
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Regina (WHL)
61 games, 35-39-74

Eberle is a confident, talented, fast pivot, and it's just a matter of time before he's dazzling the Alberta faithful. He's not the biggest player, but he has great hands, a nose for the net, and he feels he's ready for the NHL this year. Worst case, Eberle has to wait one more year. However, new coach Pat Quinn coached Eberle in the 2008 World Juniors, and it's not like the Oilers are full of centers who are locks to make the team.

Minnesota Wild

Tyler Cuma, D
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Ottawa (OHL)
21 games, 1-8-9

Odds are that Cuma will be returned to his junior team. That said, players beat the odds all the time, and no one should be betting against Cuma. He is off a serious knee injury, but his game fits new Wild coach Todd Richards. Cuma has quick feet and great passing ability. Richards wants defensemen who can move the puck and get up and down the rink in an up-tempo system.

Vancouver Canucks

Cody Hodgson, C
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Brampton (OHL)
53 games, 43-49-92

Perhaps the most prolific scorer in Canadian junior hockey last year, Hodgson is flat-out good. He's the kind of player who can be on the ice no matter the situation. His last year in junior hockey was perhaps his best, and now it's time for the Canucks to make a decision. They can try to leave him in the AHL for more seasoning, or they can find enough ice time to justify having him on the NHL roster. The latter is more likely, as Hodgson doesn't really much more to prove outside of the NHL.

Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks

Jake Gardiner, D
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Wisconsin (WCHA)
39 games, 3-18-21

Gardiner is a former forward, so it should shock no one that a Wisconsin team struggling to score used him as a forward on the power play. He should be strictly a blue-liner this year, and if he can improve like he did in his freshman year, things are looking good for the future. His offensive instincts are undeniable, but he's adjusted to playing defense well. Another year or two of college are in order, but Gardiner definitely bears watching as the Ducks re-tool their roster with younger defensemen.

Dallas Stars

Jamie Benn, LW
2007 5th round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Kelowna (WHL)
56 games, 46-36-82

A bit of a late bloomer, Benn should be on a fast track to the NHL. The winger was a big part of Kelowna's Memorial Cup run, and the Stars could use a dynamic young forward on their NHL roster. What's more likely is that Benn will be sent to the AHL and closely watched as a potential in-season callup.

Los Angeles Kings

Thomas Hickey, D
2007 1st round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Seattle (WHL)
57 games, 16-35-51

You've probably heard this story before. The Los Angeles Kings are stuffed full of tantalizing young prospects, and Hickey is the latest in the line. He has plenty of physical and mental maturity, and he could end up helping the Kings on the power play immediately.

Phoenix Coyotes

Nick Ross, D
2007 1st round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Vancouver (WHL)
74 games, 11-32-43

There isn't much about Ross' game that stands out. He's more of a defensive defenseman, in that he just does his job and stays out of the spotlight. Don't be fooled by his production in major junior, because Ross won't be a big goal scorer when he hits the NHL in a couple years.

San Jose Sharks

Logan Couture, C
2007 1st round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Ottawa (OHL)
62 games, 39-48-87

Where Couture is impressive is his commitment level. He's a hard-nosed player who will stick his nose in things defensively, but he also can put the puck in the net, and he's a good passer who can set up teammates. The catch here is that Couture is practically blocked from getting to the NHL this year by a strong Sharks roster. That's fine, because he'll be part of one of the NHL's better farm systems (especially when it comes to goalies).

Future Is Bright: West's Top Prospects originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Is Bright: East's Top Prospects

Bruce Ciskie — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Draft, College Hockey, International Hockey, Minor League Hockey, Junior Hockey

Thanks in part to the salary cap, player development is a huge key in today's NHL. With that in mind, FanHouse presents a handy team-by-team guide to the league's top prospects. None of the players listed have played a game in the NHL, and there are also no 2009 draft picks on the list. After the jump, check out the best prospects from the Eastern Conference.

As mentioned above, there are just two rules that will apply to everyone you read about. No players drafted in 2009 are on this list, and we've also eliminated anyone who has played in the NHL -- even if it's just one game. All statistics are from the 2008-2009 season.

Atlantic Division

New Jersey Devils

Mattias Tedenby, LW
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: HV-71 (Sweden)
32 games, 3-1-4

Tedenby lacks size, but has great speed and is a top playmaker. His regular season numbers don't impress, but he tallied six times in 18 playoff games. Tedenby's arrival in Jersey is expected to be put off one more season, and he should get some serious ice time in Sweden this winter.

New York Islanders

Travis Hamonic, D
2008 2nd round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Moose Jaw (Western Hockey League)
57 games, 13-27-40

The Islanders clearly like Hamonic's game and his character. He's the kind of player who can become a difference-maker on the blue line. He is projected as more of a stay-at-home player, but 13 goals in 57 games is nothing to sneeze at. Like fellow defenseman and 2008 second-rounder Aaron Ness (University of Minnesota), Hamonic is still a couple years away from the NHL.

New York Rangers

Ryan McDonagh, D
2008 1st round pick (Montreal, traded to Rangers June 2009)
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Wisconsin (WCHA)
36 games, 5-11-16

McDonagh was caught in a glut of top defensemen at Wisconsin a year ago. Despite that, he emerged as one of the top players on a team that recovered from an 0-6-1 start to narrowly miss the NCAA Tournament. Now that Jamie McBain (Carolina) has moved on, expect McDonagh to get a lot of power play time this season.

Philadelphia Flyers

James van Riemsdyk, LW
2007 1st round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: New Hampshire (Hockey East)
36 games, 17-23-40

The Flyers used a high pick (second overall) on van Riemsdyk, a big power forward from New Jersey. This is the year that Philadelphia expects to see some return on their investment. van Riemsdyk will spend a good chunk of this season in the AHL, but depending on how he adjusts to pro hockey, could be brought up if someone gets hurt. van Riemsdyk got two years of college hockey in, so he should be physically ready for the jump.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Eric Tangradi, LW
2007 2nd round pick (Anaheim, traded to Penguins February 2009)
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Belleville (Ontario Hockey League)
55 games, 38-50-88

At some point, at least one Philadelphia guy will be quite popular in Pittsburgh. Tangradi, a native of Philly, had three big years in the OHL, producing over a point per game in 52 career playoff games. There's a nice story with Tangradi, too, as he's still recovering from severing a tendon in his left hand during an OHL playoff game last spring. The comeback is going well, and Tangradi is likely headed to the AHL for more seasoning.

Northeast Division

Boston Bruins

Joe Colborne, C
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Denver (WCHA)
40 games, 10-21-31

Give Denver coach George Gwozdecky credit. He brought Colborne along slowly, and the player people saw in March was different than the one that started his college career in October. The six-foot-six forward still has to grow horizontally and fill out a bit, but he'll play a key role this year on a Denver team expected to be No. 1 in most preseason polls.

Buffalo Sabres

Tyler Myers, D
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Kelowna (WHL)
58 games, 9-33-42

With one year of WHL eligibility available, Myers is under a lot of pressure in Sabres camp. He will be given every opportunity to make the roster, but the team won't hesitate to send him packing for Kelowna again if they don't think he's ready. They have up to ten regular-season games to make that call. Myers is a big skater who can pass and shoot. He has the size and skill set to be a major player in the NHL.

Montreal Canadiens

P.K. Subban, D
2007 2nd round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Belleville (OHL)
56 games, 14-62-76

While Subban won't wow anyone with his physical play, he's more than adequate as a defender, and his passing is superb. Despite having an impressive offseason, Subban is not likely to make the big club this season. He's eligible to play in the AHL, though, and is a good candidate to head to Hamilton.

Ottawa Senators

Patrick Wiercioch, D
2008 3rd-round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Denver (WCHA)
36 games, 12-23-35

By the end of the season, Wiercioch was running the Pioneers' power play, and running it well. Expect to see more of that in his sophomore season at Denver. He is still a tad thin for a defenseman, but he has long arms, great hands, and is coming into his own as a defensive player. He could make a big impact on Ottawa's blue line by 2010.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Tyler Bozak, C
Free agent, signed April 2009
Age: 23
2008-2009 team: Denver (WCHA)
19 games, 8-15-23

A knee injury basically ruined Bozak's sophomore season at Denver, but scouts had already seen enough by the time he went down. A cameo appearance in the NCAA Tournament was made at less than full health, but Bozak will be good to go this season. Given Toronto's absence of high-level prospects, expectations are high for a kid most hadn't even heard of before last fall.

Southeast Division

Atlanta Thrashers

Angelo Esposito, C
2007 1st round pick (Pittsburgh, traded to Thrashers February 2008)
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Montreal (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
35 games, 24-18-42

Given that Esposito is coming off a major knee injury, it makes sense for him to start the season in the AHL. However, if he's recovered, he won't stay there long. Given the lack of quality forward depth at the NHL level, the Thrashers probably can't afford to keep Esposito stashed away in the minors for very long. The former first-rounder had a huge World Junior tournament playing for Team Canada.

Carolina Hurricanes

Jamie McBain, D
2006 3rd round pick
Age: 21
2008-2009 team: Wisconsin (WCHA)
40 games, 7-30-37

McBain was ready to leave college, but is he ready for the NHL? The puck-moving defenseman had his best season as a junior for Wisconsin, but the Badgers just missed the national tournament as their forwards struggled to score consistently. McBain has grown into his body, improved his skating, and should be a nice player for the Hurricanes' AHL team, with a possible jump to the NHL by the end of this season or 2010-2011 at the latest.

Florida Panthers

Colby Robak, D
2008 2nd round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Brandon (WHL)
65 games, 13-29-42

The Panthers are a bit lean on defense thanks to the loss of Jay Bouwmeester, but there is plenty of help on the way. Robak may not make an impact on the NHL roster until 2010, but he bears watching as he develops in the WHL this winter. He's got a thin body, but is tall and can really skate well. He's a classic two-way defenseman who will get time both on power play and penalty kill.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Dustin Tokarski, G
2008 5th round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Spokane (WHL)
54 games, 34-18-2, 1.97 GAA, .937 saves

The 2008 Memorial Cup MVP helped Canada to the 2008 World Junior Championships gold medal, and now he's looking like he is ready to jump to pro hockey. Tokarski has dominated the WHL, has good fundmentals, and is about to join an organization in dire need of a "goalie of the future."

Washington Capitals

John Carlson, D
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: London (OHL)
59 games, 16-60-76

Carlson is a powerful skater who projects as a do-everything type in the NHL. He's capable of playing rough and tough, can move the puck, and has a strong shot. The Capitals may not have room for Carlson on the NHL roster when training camp breaks, but it's unlikely he'll stay away much longer. He's dominated major junior, and needs a bigger challenge for his game.

Future Is Bright: East's Top Prospects originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHLPA Relieves Paul Kelly of His Duties

Adam Gretz — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:50:00 EST

Filed under: College Hockey, NHL Economics

The NHLPA announced early Monday morning that it had voted "overwhelmingly" to relieve executive director Paul Kelly of his duties after nearly two years on the job at the groups annual meeting in Chicago. According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Sunday's meeting lasted nearly 10 hours and consisted of heated debates. Kelly had held the position since October 31, 2007.

The NHLPA executive board issued the following statement in a press release:

"Following the Executive Board's review of the overall operation of the NHLPA, it was decided that Paul Kelly should no longer continue to serve as Executive Director. We appreciate Mr. Kelly's service to our Association."

Ken Campbell of The Hockey News questions the direction of the NHLPA, and calls the reasons for Kelly's dismissal "so preposterous it risks making the NHL Players' Association the laughingstock of the sports world."

He continued:

The executive director of the NHLPA was on the job and had yet to negotiate a single collective bargaining agreement for his constituents, yet was fired because he hadn't turned every single issue with the league into a turf war. He didn't steal millions of dollars and get convicted of his crimes the way Alan Eagleson did. He didn't get the job under false pretenses and spy on members' emails the way Ted Saskin did. No, the reason why Kelly was fired is that he's not Bob Goodenow, the guy the players dumped when they found he was taking too hard a line against their employers and wouldn't deliver them what he thought was a namby-pamby CBA during the lockout.

Still no word on who will replace Kelly, though early speculation seems to point to Buzz Hargrove, Ian Penny or Ron Pink. More on this story as it continues to develop throughout the day.

NHLPA Relieves Paul Kelly of His Duties originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jordan Schroeder's Father Shoots Down Canucks/WHL Rumor

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Canucks, Western, College Hockey

A rather odd story was making the rounds in western Canada Thursday. The rumor involved Vancouver Canucks first-round pick, Jordan Schroeder. He's a forward with the University of Minnesota, and was one of the top freshmen in college hockey last year.

The rumor had Schroeder signing an entry-level deal with the Canucks, then either making the team (possible) or playing the season with the Everett Silvertips, who own his Western Hockey League rights (more likely).

The rumor made some sense. Doing this would give the Canucks a chance to take a long look at Schroeder in training camp, and even for the first ten games of the regular season, before making a decision on where he would play this season.

While there are some teams who believe that their draft picks are better off in major junior than U.S. college hockey, there are others who will let a kid make up his own mind. It appears the Canucks are that type of organization. Yes, they plucked Ryan Kesler out of Ohio State after his freshman year, but they also let Mason Raymond stick around for two years at Minnesota Duluth.

In the case of Schroeder, the Canucks aren't pushing. Schroder's father, John, has told The Vancouver Sun that his son will return to Minnesota for his sophomore season.

"I just talked to Jordan last night," John Schroeder said from Prior Lake, Minn. "We've told [the Canucks] he's going to go back to school for another year. He'll be a leader on his team and can work on some things, like his shooting. He can grow in maturity and be ready to step into professional hockey at the end of the season.

"Playing in the WHL is probably not an option for us."

While this is good news for the Gophers and their fans, it does come with a bit of a downer. After all, it doesn't sound like Jordan Schroeder will be in college beyond this coming season.

John Schroeder said his son could join either the Canucks or their farm team in Winnipeg after the college season ends in March. Jordan turns 19 on Sept. 29.

The Gophers just missed the NCAA Tournament in 2009. With the XCel Energy Center in St. Paul hosting an NCAA regional in March 2010, the pressure is on to return.

(Tap of the stick: Western College Hockey)

Jordan Schroeder's Father Shoots Down Canucks/WHL Rumor originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Satan Still Lurking; NCAA Doubleheader at Fenway

Adam Gretz — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bruins, Flyers, Islanders, NHL Free Agency, College Hockey

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our daily look at the previous night's action. During the offseason, it's our link dump that looks at some of the storylines and moves taking place around the league three times per week. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Satan Interested In Return To Islanders

There's still a few intriguing options on the free agent market -- Alex Tanguay probably being the best -- including former Oilers, Sabres, Islanders and Penguins winger Miroslav Satan. After splitting the 2008-09 season between the NHL and AHL, the 34-year-old is still interested in a possible return to Long Island, and according Newsday's Katie Strang, he skated at the team's practice facility on Wednesday.

From Strang:

Satan, who played three seasons with the Islanders from 2005-2008, confirmed that his agent, Allan Walsh, has spoken with the Islanders about rejoining the team, but they have yet to resume discussions this week. Walsh first announced the dialogue between the two camps on his Twitter page on July 25, then gave an update three days later, saying, "We are still deep in talks with NYI on Miro." "I know they spoke about it a few times last week," Satan said. "This week I don't think they have talked. Now, it's quiet again."

In three years with the Islanders between 2005 and 2008 he tallied 78 goals to go with 88 assists.

NCAA Doubleheader At Fenway Park

One week after the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers take part in the 2010 Winter Classic, the ice rink at Fenway Park will be used for an NCAA doubleheader. The first game will be a women's matchup between New Hampshire and Northeastern, while the second game will feature Boston University taking on Boston College. [Boston Herald, H/T Puck Daddy]

Loose Pucks

... Sharks Page has an interview with Mike Potenza, the team's strength and conditioning coordinator. [Sharks Page]

... Speaking of the Sharks, the team agreed to terms with goaltenders Thomas Greiss and Henrik Karlsson on Wednesday. [TSN]

... Blueshirt Banter takes a look at the Rangers' big free agent signing, forward Marian Gaborik. [Blueshirt Banter]

... Entering his third year with the team, Flyers forward Daniel Briere is ready to show fans he's worth the eight-year, $52 million contract he signed prior to the 2007-08 season. [Philly.com]

... It looks like virtual advertisements will be coming to your televisions during the 2009-10 season. [USA Today]

Satan Still Lurking; NCAA Doubleheader at Fenway originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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College Talent Taken in NHL Entry Draft

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Draft, College Hockey

College hockey continues to send more and more quality players to the NHL. This growing trend was underscored this week, when two former NCAA stars made up half the group of players named to the Hockey Hall of Fame's Class of 2009.

During the NHL Entry Draft this weekend, fans of the college game had to wait around a little while for their first selection. It wasn't until the 16th pick that incoming Minnesota freshman Nick Leddy was chosen by the Minnesota Wild. From there, things got a bit more active for college hockey fans.

Leddy was one of seven active or future college players picked in the first round. He was joined by four forwards, Minnesota sophomore-to-be Jordan Schroeder (22nd to Vancouver), Notre Dame recruit Kyle Palmieri (26th to Anaheim), Boston College's Chris Kreider (17th to the Rangers), and incoming Harvard freshman Louis Leblanc (18th to Montreal), and two defensemen, Colorado College recruit John Moore (21st to Columbus) and Minnesota-Duluth signee Dylan Olsen (28th to Chicago).

Schroeder was the only one of this group to play in college last season, and he had an impressive season at Minnesota, racking up 13 goals and 45 points for a team that narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament. He also performed well for Team USA at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championships.

All seven players are expected to play college hockey this coming season, even though mentions were made during TSN's coverage of a few of them defecting to major junior, most notably Moore and Olsen. Olsen says he plans on attending UMD this fall, and told the Duluth News Tribune he has the blessing of the Chicago Blackhawks.

As the draft moved into Saturday, a ton of players with ties to U.S. colleges came off the board. Among the notable names were Boston University goalie Kieran Millan, who went in the fifth round to Colorado after helping BU win the national championship in April. Highly-touted Denver recruits William Wrenn and Drew Shore went in the second round to San Jose and Florida, respectively.

Among the players drafted by Pittsburgh was Ben Hanowski. The third-round pick played high-school hockey at Little Falls, Minn., and became the state's all-time leading scorer this past season. Hanowski is signed to play college hockey at St. Cloud (Minn.) State.

Nine member of the United States' National Team Development Program -- based in Ann Arbor, Mich. -- were picked on Saturday. Of the nine, six of them went in the second round. It's another step forward for the NTDP program, which aims to develop players at a higher level than what can be found in a "normal" high school setting.

While it was surprising to see guys like Moore and Schroeder last as deep into the first round as they did, it was generally a good draft weekend for college hockey. Not only that, but there are plenty of undrafted talents who will have a chance to prove themselves in college and potentially move on to professional careers.

College Talent Taken in NHL Entry Draft originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHL Draft Preview: The College vs. Major Junior Debate

Adam Gretz — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Draft, College Hockey, Junior Hockey

Like its NFL, MLB and NBA counterparts, the NHL draft is an inexact science, and is often times a relative shot in the dark. Its past is littered with No. 1 picks that were supposed to be "the next one," that turned out to be complete and utter failures. Take, for example, 1993 No. 1 overall pick Alexandre Daigle, who, upon being selected by the Ottawa Senators with the top pick was quoted as saying: "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two."

The player selected with the No. 2 pick that year? Defenseman Chris Pronger. Like I said, it's an inexact science.

One of the debates that usually gets brought up this time of year is whether players out of the NCAA or the Canadian Major Junior programs turn out to be the best pros. After the jump, some data on the subject as well as some comments and opinions from a couple of NHL scouting directors.

To begin, I went back over every draft between 1990 and 2001 and compared the success rates of players taken out of the NCAA, OHL, WHL and the QMJHL and looked at the following:

1) How many players were selected out of each league?

2) How many players eventually played at least one game in the NHL?

3) How many players played 246 games in the NHL, the equivalent of three full seasons?

The results:

NCAA vs. Major Junior: 1990-2001
League	Picks	Made NHL	Rate	3 Years	Rate
OHL	583	269	46.1%	106	18.2%
WHL	570	266	46.7%	111	19.5%
QMJHL	305	140	45.9%	58	19.0%
NCAA	291	124	42.6%	52	17.9%

Obviously, not much of a difference, though, as a group the NCAA players had not only the lowest percentage of actually making NHL, but of also lasting at least three full seasons. Bottom line, however, is that over half of the picks in each individual group didn't even make the NHL, while over 80 percent didn't play three seasons in the league.

So, is there a difference on draft day? Depends on who you ask.

"No," said Calgary Flames director of scouting Tod Button with a laugh. "How's that for a simple answer? There's good players in both leagues, and where you choose to hone your craft it doesn't really matter."

"It's like going to school," Button continued. "If you want to be a doctor, there's schools that are better and programs that are better than others, but if you're going to be a top doctor you're going to be a top doctor. With hockey players it's the same thing. You have some really well run junior programs, there's some middle of the road ones, there's some poor ones, and the same with colleges. The top players are going to be the top players so I don't think it really matters where they come from."

Nashville Predators chief amateur scout, Jeff Kealty, acknowledged that there are some differences between the leagues, while each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Personally, I always believed players coming out of the NCAA had an advantage and would be more "NHL ready" based on the fact they're playing against better competition -- 20- and 21-year-old players as opposed to other 17- and 18 year-old players.

"From a strength and physical maturity standpoint, yes, the college players can be physically stronger," said Kealty. "They're older and they don't play as many games, so they have more time to workout and develop physically."

"But, on the flip side, the junior kids are playing more games, there's more travel, there's a longer training camp and preseason, the playoffs are different and each round is seven games. So there's benefits to both sides of it. The college kids can be a little bit older coming out, but there's certainly elements on both sides of the ledger that can benefit players and prepare them in different ways."

Since the 2005 draft, there has been a sharp decline in the number of players selected out of the NCAA. After the 2004 draft saw 28 players get selected, there were only 13 taken in '05, 18 in '06, and less than 10 in each of the past two drafts. Most mock drafts for this year have only one NCAA player going in the first round -- University of Minnesota forward Jordan Schroeder. Why the sudden drop? Button explained that it's all because of the new CBA and the fact that college players no longer have to opt into the NHL draft.

"I think what's happened now with the college, when you were going to college before you had to opt into the NHL draft, and usually kids were drafted a year later," said Button. "Now there's no opting rule, you can be drafted before you go to college. There's very, very few kids that are drafted now out of college because of the rules."

"In that regard they're all the same birth year and there's not too many 18-year-old kids, and that's the draft year, their first year of eligibility, the year they turn 18, so there's not too many 18-year-old kids playing college hockey anymore. That's just the new CBA and the change in the rule."

He continued: "When I first started scouting amateur players back in 2000, there were way more college kids, and most college kids always had to wait a year past their original draft year, so the junior kids were getting drafted a year earlier than the college kids because of the NCAA rules. Now you don't have that anymore. So if you took a kid that's going to be drafted in the first round this year, Jordan Schroeder, he's born in 1990 with the other kids. Most of the kids that go to college now are getting drafted out of US junior leagues, or US high schools or prep schools."

So, hypothetically, a team is making a pick and it has two players with an identical grade at the top of its draft board; one player plays for Brampton of the OHL, and the other is from Notre Dame, an NCAA player. Does the level of competition weigh into the decision of which player gets picked?

"We don't factor that into who we take," said Kealty. "We'll split the hairs on the player, but we won't let where the player plays be the determining factor. When we discuss a player we'll talk about where they're playing, what program they're in, and the pros and cons of it. At the end of the day, as an organization, we've always gone by the thought that a hockey player is a hockey player no matter where he plays, and that if he has the skills, the determination and the character, he's going to eventually find his way and succeed."

NHL Draft Preview: The College vs. Major Junior Debate originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bemidji State Hockey Still in Limbo

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: College Hockey

Earlier in April, we told you about the potential problems in the future of the Bemidji State men's hockey program. While they were about to play in the Frozen Four for the first time in their history, Bemidji was facing the possible dissolution of the program.

With College Hockey America set to go away after the 2009-2010 season, the Beavers need a new home to realistically remain intact. Their best option, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, still hasn't admitted the school.

While meetings Monday and Tuesday in Florida did lead to some progress, the Bemidji program is still waiting for clearance to join what is arguably the most prestigious college hockey league in the country.

The WCHA did not act on BSU's application Tuesday, choosing instead to investigate the possibility of adding a 12th team to the league. According to the press release, Bemidji's presentation to the league was well-received, and their application will remain open.

The Commissioner's office, in conjunction with the league's structure committee, will head up the expansion effort with the goal of identifying potential member teams as soon as possible. The earliest the WCHA would be able to integrate new teams into the men's league would be for the 2011-2012 season based on current contractual obligations.

During a conference call Tuesday afternoon, league commissioner Bruce McLeod made it clear that Bemidji's application was not an issue.

"Our issue was more with the number," McLeod said. "We've been through quite a few things the last six months, trying to work through the number of 11 or 12 (total teams in the league). I think you have to read between the lines a bit that the issue for us is to get to 12."

When asked about taking Bemidji in for an 11-team league and then hoping for a 12th team to gain membership soon after, McLeod shot it down.

"That's not a real good business plan," he said.

McLeod also set a goal of "mid-summer rather than next spring" in finishing the process of searching for that so-far-elusive 12th team.

How will the league go about finding that 12th team? McLeod said it's a delicate issue, and he was not planning on breaking any ethical rules in doing so. In other words, any team that may be a candidate would need to contact the WCHA before the WCHA would contact them.

Who would it be?

"I'm not going to talk specificially," McLeod said, "but we probably know who some of those potential candidates are."

He wouldn't say, but the top candidates are likely Nebraska-Omaha and Northern Michigan, both based in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. McLeod said Alabama-Huntsville, set to also be orphaned by the demise of the CHA, is not high on the league's list of candidates, nor have they applied to the WCHA (they do have an application in for CCHA membership).

As for Bemidji State, they appear prepared to show some patience in the matter.

"We've waited ten years. What's another six months," quipped veteran head coach Tom Serratore. He noted that - while it's undesirable - the Beavers were okay with playing the 2010-2011 season as an independent, which for now appears to be a certainty.

Bemidji State Hockey Still in Limbo originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Predators Sign BU Star Colin Wilson

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:10:00 EST

Filed under: Predators, Western, NHL Draft, College Hockey

When the Nashville Predators selected Boston University star Colin Wilson in the first round of the 2008 draft, speculation was that he would sign. Instead of foregoing his last three years of college eligibility to turn pro when he may not have been able to play in the NHL, Wilson returned to school.

It turned out to be a great decision. Wilson grew into the sport's top offensive player, his team won a national championship, and he has gotten a big payday from the Predators to turn pro now.

Wilson made his decision on Friday, signing a three-year deal with the Predators. The Tennessean reports the deal could be worth more than $5 million.

Predators general manager David Poile says Wilson will play in the upcoming World Championships in Switzerland. At 19, he'll be the youngest player on the United States team, and he's the only one who comes in without having any experience in professional hockey.

"As I said to him, 'You've been a pretty big boy playing against college guys these last couple years. Now you're going to be hopefully a big boy, but playing against men in the World Championship. So this will be a real challenge to you and certainly should give you and us a good feel of whether you're ready to play here in Nashville next year,'" Poile said.

Wilson could win a spot on the Predators' roster for next season, but he'll need a strong tournament and a better summer to do it. Nashville isn't loaded with NHL stars, but they have shown a willingness to be patient with young prospects in the past. There's no reason to buck that trend now and rush Wilson.

Predators Sign BU Star Colin Wilson originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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