NHL FanHouse

Theo Fleury Plans Charges Against Former Junior Coach

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:25:00 EST

Theo Fleury's ill-fated NHL comeback this past summer opened some opportunities for him. By getting his name back in the hockey mainstream, Fleury was successful in promoting his autobiography, which chronicled his career and life in the sport of hockey.

In that book, Fleury accused his former junior coach, Graham James, of sexual abuse. Getting the story off his chest wasn't enough, as Fleury has apparently decided to press charges against James.

The New York Post says Fleury revealed his decision while in New York to promote his book. He strongly believes the alleged abuse contributed to the problems he encountered as an adult.

"That made me who I was," said Fleury, who is a recovering addict following a lifetime of alcohol, drug and gambling issues.

"You saw the anger on the ice. It was uncontrollable. I cringe when I see it. "Never in my life did I want to be like that but that's the person that the abuse turned me into; an alcoholic, doing drugs and completely out of control."

James was jailed in 1999 for his crimes after former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy spoke out about his experiences. He was sentenced to 42 months behind bars for sexually assaulting players.

Even though it's been close to 30 years since Fleury played junior hockey, one has to hope that his book helps other James victims speak out and try to prevent these horrific acts from happening in the future.

Theo Fleury Plans Charges Against Former Junior Coach originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Knuckle Puck: Michael Jackson and the Skivvy Shootout Imitators

Kevin Schultz — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Lightning, Maple Leafs, Minor League Hockey, Junior 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.

You've got to love the spirit of minor league hockey. The promotional departments for the teams love to give fitting tributes to things that usually have a tenuous relation -- if any -- to their teams, sport and locales. I'm not criticizing, simply stating an observation. The latest team to host a promotional night chosen from their Wheel-O-Random Promotions (I hear all minor league teams keep one snugly in the back of the marketing office for when the mood strikes them) is the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors.

The team hosted King of Pop Tribute Night on Friday complete with Michael Jackson jerseys and players wearing one white glove. And don't worry, the media was naturally all over the clever puns.

This one is from the Condors' own press release:

Friday night is for all of those "Smooth Criminals" out there looking to honor the "King of Pop."

Nothing I loathe more than quotations to make sure that we all get the joke. Deadspin's entry was much better:

ECHL Team Should Stop Before We Get Enough

And the groaner from from local ABC affiliate KERO (sic):

Even the Condors players will all wear one white glove for the game. It should be a real thriller....you can't beat it!

Sigh. Glad to see the lame pun folks were out in full force for this one. The Condors came up short in the game losing 6-3 -- and the jerseys were as awful looking as they are in your nightmares -- but hey, the jerseys were auctioned off to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network so at least the kids were winners.

Knuckle Pucker of the Year Nominee

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...

... Maple Leaf fan Lee Kirby. Earlier this week the Ebay auction ended in which Kirby placed his Leafs loyalty for sale to the highest bidder. He was so fed up with the franchise -- apparently it was the 0-7-1 start that broke the proverbial camel's back -- that he created the auction, which ended last week at $25 CDN (~$23 USD). The money was donated to charity and by instruction of the winning bidder Kirby is now a Dallas Stars fan and is worshiping Mike Modano and Company. So thank you, Lee Kirby, for your efforts in giving me something to write about.

Joke Already Written for Me

"[The auction] hovered at around 9 cents for a while, before picking up steam near the end."

If only it had ended near 9 cents, that would have been much funnier. The demand for Leafs fans is clearly not high and their prices are clearly dropping. I blame the economy. I also imagine the charity angle inflated the price a bit, which is always good to see.

Idaho Does Not Endorse Stripper Shootouts

Last week, I wrote in this space about the Tampa Bay Lightning playing a shootout game in which players would take off an article of clothing each time they failed to score. Driven by the inspiring tale of the Lightning, a junior team from Idaho decided to try the same thing. However, they failed to adhere to Idaho's strict no naked hockey players laws. For their actions, they were banned from Idaho Ice World in Boise for four days. FOUR DAYS. WHATEVER WILL BECOME OF THEIR ICE HOCKEY TEAM NOW?!?

Ahem. Excuse me.

An adult whose young daughter was on an adjacent rink saw the 17- to 20-year-old Steelheads skating in their skivvies and complained to a city hotline.

A very vigilant parent, indeed. The way youth sports are nowadays I'm surprised they took such calm action and resisted any urges they had to jump over the boards and beat up the kids. But what really bothers me about this quote is that the city actually has a hotline set up for situations like these. The article doesn't say the person called 911. They called a hotline. That's different. That's specialized.

Rink employees who also noticed the scantily clad skaters urged them to cover up.

But those juvenile delinquents didn't listen did they? We tried to warn them! WE TRIED! But the kids are rebels who don't play by the rules!

The best part of this story is that no one is really sure if any laws, rules or regulations were actually broken.

Police who were alerted on Thursday are now looking into whether Boise's public decency laws were broken by the incident.

The city forbids people from showing their buttocks in public, largely to curb erotic dance parlors. Exemptions include dance, ballet, music or dramatic performances, or artistic displays; nudity during hockey practice isn't on the list.

That would have been one heck of a list if hockey practice was on it. Well, I'm sure it will be now after this incident.

John Oliver, the Idaho Junior Steelheads owner, wasn't at the practice where the players held the "strip shootout."

But an assistant told him the players were emulating a professional team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, whose members held a similar shootout last week where they discarded pieces of equipment after failing to score.

Oh heavens! They got their crazy ideas from TV! That's where it always starts. First it's strip shootouts then they're trying out for American Idol and going straight for hard drugs. It's a slippery slope!

Internet videos show a Lightning right winger, Martin St. Louis, stripping to his long, dark shorts and shirt;

Now the internet is involved in the blame process. It's always the internet. And TV. Video games too. And if it's not any of those then the school system is probably failing the kids.

the Junior Steelheads apparently went further,

OH... GOD... NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! They fast-forwarded through the American Idol tryouts and went straight for the hard drugs, didn't they? SAY IT AIN'T SO ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT!!

with some disrobing down to their sports briefs. At least one 17-year-old player doffed his underwear completely, to "moon" another player.

*Writer passes out completely*

Knuckle Puck: Michael Jackson and the Skivvy Shootout Imitators originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

DraftWatch 2010: Kirill Kabanov Embraces North American Style

Christopher Botta — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Draft, FanHouse Exclusive, Junior Hockey

When he's not pursuing his goal of becoming the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, 17-year-old Kirill Kabanov helps out with renovations on the home of his host family in Moncton, New Brunswick.

"They treat me like a son," Kabanov said of his billets. "I want to help out any way I can. This is my home."

It will likely be for just one year. The super-skilled left wing is a certain top-10 pick in the draft next June. His decision to move from his native Russia to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season has elevated his already-lofty status in the NHL scouting community.

"If Kabanov stayed in Russia, even with all that uncertainty about contracts and the KHL, I still think he would have gone somewhere in the first 12 picks," said a scouting director for a Western Conference team. "Now that he's demonstrated the commitment to play in North America, he could go in the top five -- maybe the top three."

In a phone conversation with FanHouse, the amiable teenager did not try to play it cool when stating his intentions.

"It's important for me to be No. 1," said Kabanov. "I'm trying to be No. 1. Am I going to cry if I don't get picked first? Of course not. But this is one of the reasons I came to Canada."

Okay, but why is it so important to be the first overall pick?

"It means you were the best of all the great young players in the world," said Kabanov. "I always want to be the best. My goal is to help Moncton win a championship and to be No. 1 in the draft. For me, that would be a great year."

Realistically, the skinny, 6-3 left wing may have to settle for being second, third or a bit higher in the draft. Taylor Hall, a center with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, has been projected as a franchise player and the cream of the 2010 draft. Teams looking for a No. 1 defenseman with one of the top five picks will lust after Hall's teammate Cam Fowler.

Kabanov's playmaking ability and heavy shot are enough to have him near the top of most early-season draft lists. To have a chance of reaching his goal of being No. 1, Kabanov will have to show scouts all year in Moncton that he's more than just a gifted finisher, but a leader, a clutch performer, a true franchise player.

Prospect to Watch: Vladimir Talasenko
The 6-1, 200-pound left wing from Russia is moving up draft charts after an impressive start to his KHL season. "He is a bull," said one European scouting director for an NHL team. "He's a player a lot of teams are starting to watch more closely."

"You can't deny the kid has star potential," said an Eastern Conference scout who watched Kabanov and the Wildcats win 4-2 in Montreal on Thursday. "I'm just not ready to put him in the top five. In the Montreal game, he was the best player in the first period, tailed off a bit in the second and by the third he was worn down.

"He made the right move to play this season in Canada. As a 16-year-old, he didn't match the year (Alexander) Ovechkin or (Nikita) Filatov had when they were his age. Now that he's in North America, he's learning it's a much different game than what he'd see back home. In Russia, Kabanov could make a pass and no one would touch him. Here, like we all saw Thursday, he made a pass and someone drove a shoulder into his chest. He has to prove he can battle. "

Early on, he has answered the bell. He has three goals and nine assists in his first eight games with the Wildcats. Entering a potentially difficult environment as a European teenager joining a team of Canadians (and one Slovak) a few weeks into the season, Kabanov has won everyone over with his work ethic and charm.

"Kirill is determined to be a star, but he's very down to earth," said Moncton general manager Bill Schurman. "He's always laughing and he's full of mischief. It didn't take long for him to start creating the pranks, instead of being on the other end of them. He's just a very likeable young man."

On game night, Kabanov -- who had a goal and an assist in his team's 5-3 win on Saturday in Rouyn-Noranda -- has made an immediate impact on a team that was predicted to contend in the QMJHL even before he arrived. "He's not just a good player, but a very exciting player to watch," said Schurman. "At our home games, there's been an electricity in our arena we haven't seen since Sidney Crosby used to come in with Rimouski."

Like most NHL scouts, the Wildcats GM is quick to point out that Kabanov is not in the Crosby-Ovechkin category. So is Kabanov himself. "No, no, no ... I'm not talking about that," he laughed. "One thing at a time. I'm in the Quebec League because it is my best chance to get to the NHL soon. No comparisons, please."

So Kabanov plays in the "Q" under Wildcats coach Danny Flynn, a former Islanders assistant who is highly regarded for teaching ability. On off nights, he watches the NHL Center Ice package -- keeping a close eyes on his longtime friend Filatov and the Columbus Blue Jackets. And whenever he has the time, he takes a break from building an NHL career by helping out at his home away from home.

"I like them and they like me," Kabanov said of his billets. "I feel like I'm where I belong, on the ice and in this house. Hockey is a like a religion in Canada. It's all good. It's all very exciting."

FanHouse's 2010 NHL Draft Top 5, 10/27/09
	Player	Team	GP	G-A-P
1.	Taylor Hall, C	Windsor (OHL)	15	15-17-32
2.	Cam Fowler, D	Windsor (OHL)	15	2-19-21
3.	Tyler Seguin, C	Plymouth (OHL)	14	17-13-30
4.	Kirill Kabanov, LW	Moncton (QMJHL)	8	3-9-12
5.	Mikael Granlund, C	HIFK Helsinki (Finland)	15	4-12-16
Note: While Hall could stay at No. 1 all year and Fowler is a safe bet to remain in the top five, the names and order of prospects No. 2-5 are likely to change for the next six months.

DraftWatch 2010: Kirill Kabanov Embraces North American Style originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Canadians Upset Over Green Jerseys

Kevin Schultz — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Team Canada, International Hockey, Junior Hockey

Next year, the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships will be held in Regina and Saskatoon, cities in the Saskatchewan province of Canada. To honor the province and their CFL football team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hockey Canada has decided to unveil a green version of the team's jerseys to be worn twice during the tournament.

In a press release, Hockey Canada COO Scott Smith had high praise for the jerseys. "We believe fans in Saskatchewan, and throughout Canada, will rally around the green jerseys prior to and during the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship," he said.

They're rallying all right, but it's not the kind that Smith had in mind.

How do Canadians feel about a national team donning a primary color that is nowhere to be seen on their country's flag? Well, I'll let some of the comments from the Globe and Mail's story (all sic) give you the answer.

They are recognizing FOOTBALL!.

FOOTBALL!

This is an international hockey tournament.
People from other countries who are proud of there countries colors
will be trying to figure out what the heck FOOTBALL is, let alone why we would change our countries colors

Well, to be fair, there was a little green in the Canadian flag until 1957. A teeny tiny bit. I don't think most commentors are old enough to remember, though, unless they pay attention to such history (or use Wikipedia like myself). And paying homage to a football team through hockey?

(Cricket sounds)

Really? I mean, really?!

Don't ask me who decided to use a junior hockey team to honor a professional football team, but that's what happened. This is one of those times where it's hard to picture the marketing or design meeting where these were drawn up and then, apparently, approved.

I figure there are a few folks in Saskatchewan who will be jazzed up by seeing the hometown colors, but this reeks of trying to make money off of a third jersey, as the NHL has done.

Great idea: use Canada's junior hockey team to honour a football team with 23 Americans on its active roster.
That'll be sure to capture the spirit of Canadian hockey

Then, in the great anger of the internet, someone calls out the Globe and Mail's spell checker.

Unbelievable G@M, you hilite 'colour' as incorrect spelling? Kill Yourselves.

Oh, the irony.

Canadians Upset Over Green Jerseys originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Duchene, O'Reilly Staying With Avalanche

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:25:00 EST

Filed under: Avalanche, Western, Junior Hockey

While in the midst of a youth movement, it appears the Colorado Avalanche have something going. After a disastrous 2008-2009 season that led to what was nearly a full housecleaning in Denver, the organization picked up two bright young players early in the June draft.

Those players -- Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly -- were thought to be big pieces of the future. Instead, the pair represent the club's future, too.

Duchene was Colorado's first-round pick, third overall. It's really no surprise that he wasn't sent back to his Canadian junior team before the season started, and it also doesn't register as a shock to hear that Duchene will be sticking with the Avalanche and not returning to the Brampton Battalion.

He won the job as the second-line center for the Avalanche, and he scored his first career NHL goal in the Avs' shootout win over Detroit Saturday. The teenager is averaging almost 17 minutes of ice time per game, and he's acquitted himself quite nicely with the veterans on the club.

"His computer," (defenseman Brett) Clark said. "In the room, he's pretty much got the laptop open all the time, propped up in bed, headphones on. But he's a pretty amazing kid. He's just all hockey, but he's smart with other things too. He was showing me some of the designs he's made, like the high school team logo he came up with, and it's pretty unbelievable."

O'Reilly was a bit of a longshot to make the team in training camp, and there were likely some who didn't think he had a chance to stick. However, the Avalanche are keeping him around, too. It makes sense. He's over 14 minutes per game, already has six points, and is so responsible defensively that he's become a trusted penalty killer. He leads all Colorado forwards in plus-minus (plus-five).

In case you're wondering, because both players had major junior eligibility remaining, the Avalanche had a decision to make.

According to NHL rules, if a player with junior eligibility remaining plays 10 NHL games, the first year of his entry-level contract goes into effect. The Avalanche still would be able to send Duchene back to his junior club, but that's unlikely due to his contract status and the fact that they wouldn't be able to recall him until Brampton's season was over.

(The same rules applied to O'Reilly, whose rights were owned by the Erie Otters.)

There may be some in the hockey world who criticize the organization for burning the first year of the youngsters' entry-level deals. For a rebuilding team that is off to a surprising start, however, this is much more of a no-brainer than you might think. The team gains nothing out of using marginal players to fill the roles Duchene and O'Reilly have been playing.

Instead, the kids will get better because they're getting real minutes in NHL games.

Duchene, O'Reilly Staying With Avalanche originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Would Seattle Work for the NHL?

Susan Slusser — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Economics, FanHouse Exclusive, Junior Hockey

SEATTLE -- This lovely and affluent city seems on the surface to be natural hockey country. Seattle is about 115 miles from Canada, and it's a two-hour drive to Vancouver; it is a sporty, athletic town where people spend a lot of time indoors because of wet weather; and the only pro team in town during the winter now is the NFL since the NBA departed for Oklahoma City.

Plus, this was the first city in the United States to win the Stanley Cup -- the Seattle Metropolitans beat Montreal three games to one in 1917.

But Seattle, the 15th-largest metro area in the country, seldom gets mentioned as a potential NHL location. And there are plenty of arguments against it.

There is no venue, there are few community ice rinks and next to zilch when it comes to youth hockey, and Phoenix -- the 12th-biggest metro area in the nation and the fifth-largest city overall -- is on the brink of losing its team after losing buckets of money over the years. Long Island and Atlanta have been mentioned as shaky spots in the past week, too.

Those in the existing hockey establishment here, though, say that Seattle would be a fine spot for an NHL franchise.

"I don't see any problems with the NHL surviving here," said former NHL player Doug Soetaert, who is now the general manager of the nearby Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League. "It is viable, with a new venue. It's a big market with a vast population, a high income level and lots of corporate sponsors. It is absolutely a market that could support an NHL franchise."

There are also plenty of possible deep-pocket owners and a citizenry that jumps on board with vigor given a good product that elicits community spirit. The Mariners got a beautiful new stadium after capturing the town's imagination with a great playoff run in 1995, and the Seahawks have a sparkling, spiffy new building right next door.

"There's definitely a void here, but there's no grassroots hockey." "I think the NHL would work here, but you'd have to have a long-term plan," said Russ Farwell, who is the general manager of the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds, based in nearby Kent. "The NHL would love to have this market. I think it would work. I believe it would work."

The best proof that the NHL might have a good shot to succeed here is the MLS Seattle Sounders soccer team, which has average crowds of more than 30,000 at Quest Field. They have shattered the league's attendance records.

"Look how this city has embraced soccer," Farwell said. "The people here have fallen in love with it. People are using soccer terms they didn't know a year ago, it's the trendy thing to do. They did a great job introducing the sport."

OK, so the Sonics -- a once-great franchise -- couldn't get a new arena here or get funding to update KeyArena, but that venue had been redone all of 12 years earlier, and the Sonics ownership wanted $500 million in public money.

That renovation was done with specific parameters, with former Sonics owner Barry Ackerley bent on preventing any NHL encroachment. The arena was left unsuitable for the NHL and the suitability in general for hockey was so poor, Farwell said, that it eroded the Thunderbirds' fan base, too, before the move to Kent.

The absence, at least for now, of the NBA could be an opening for the NHL.

"There's a large gap for the sports industry," said Soetaert, whose Everett club hosted a preseason NHL game between Tampa Bay and, yes, Phoenix on Sept. 22 that drew 7,300.

"There's definitely a void here," one Seattle sportswriter said. "But there's no grassroots hockey."

That's why Farwell said there needs to be more civic investment in the sport, period. In a metro area of 3.3 million, he said, there are four ice rinks, and none built in the past 11 years. Compare that to an area such as Dallas, which also had no hockey to speak of 15 years ago but which now has more than 20 rinks. Dallas also is producing some talent out of its youth programs: One of Seattle's best players, Farwell said, is Colin Jacobs, a 16-year-old center from Dallas. Farwell has never had a local player on the Thunderbirds.

Soetaert is adamant that the NHL could not work at KeyArena unless the building were drastically rebuilt, but he said that the area near Safeco Field and Qwest Field would be ideal. Seattle's location, meanwhile, would be perfect for a Pacific Division club, unlike, say, Hamilton, Ont.

"Vancouver is right down the road, and what a great rivalry that would be," he said. "And geographically, it just makes sense to have another team on the West Coast. If the NHL looks to expand, Seattle would be great."

Would Seattle Work for the NHL? originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Knuckle Puck: Maybe He Is Simply a Grain Enthusiast

Kevin Schultz — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:39:00 EST

Filed under: Maple Leafs, NHL Media Watch, NHL Coaching, Junior 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. This is the first edition. Feel free to suggest stories, complain or otherwise babble at me via electronic mail.

Sometimes when naming a child, a parent chooses to give their child a special name. Occasionally, they name their offspring after a parent, a friend or someone else who has been influential in their lives. Other times, well, the child is named after a Canadian junior hockey club in Western Canada. This is one of those times.

The Brandon Wheat Kings play in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. They're a WHL club, not some Western Conference team you've never heard of -- expect severe East Coast bias every Saturday, by the way. I cannot confirm, but what probably happened was about 18 years ago some expecting parent went a little overboard and named their child after their favorite junior hockey club. 'Well, what's the big deal about a kid named Brandon King?' you say. Not so fast. If his name was Brandon, this could be a coincidence. But no, not only did the parents go so far as to name the child after the team, they made sure to name him in such a way that tells the world, 'Yes, we named him after the team on purpose.'

Meet Wheaton King from Brandon, Manitoba who plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings. Somewhere, that kid who got named after Florida quarterback Tim Tebow -- Tebow Sanford Crumley -- is thinking that he doesn't have it so bad after all.

Jokes I Can't Resist Making
- His parents couldn't go with Wheat. That was a little too crazy.
- The worst part is he gets made fun of by teammates named Dayln, Dallas and Klarc.
- OK, to be fair, maybe he really likes Wheat a whole lot.
- Why doesn't it surprise me that this is what it takes to get Deadspin to acknowledge hockey?

Ron Wilson's Playbook
Maybe this is why the Leafs lost to Montreal on Thursday night. Hockey Night in Canada aired a pretty clear picture of coach Ron Wilson's gameplan. Maybe the Habs installed a television behind the bench over the summer.

Then again, maybe Wilson needs some better insights than "No Leaf is ever left behind" which, I guess, is now plausible since Kyle Wellwood is no longer with the team. But what happens if Jeff Finger oversleeps and misses the team bus? Do they just say 'screw it' and keep driving or show up during the second period? That would explain a few things about last season.

YouTube of the Week

This bear from the University of Alaska Fairbanks is ridiculous and clearly has superpowers. No wonder Stephen Colbert is always warning us about bears. This one flies through space blowing up the solar system and then smashes in the roof of a hockey arena! It's these kinds of glorious videos that make me wish I was old enough to remember the 80s... Wait... NAH!

Knuckle Pucker of the Year Nominee
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...

ESPN's NHL Power Rankings! Thank you ESPN for having baseball writer Tim Kurkjan fill out your opening week power rankings. Either that, or someone wanted to have fun at the expense of Barry Melrose. Clearly, nobody in the hockey world had a hand in it since the Lightning are 10th (Fifth in the east! That's playoff bound! Easily!), the Canucks are 17th (they do have that Luongo person, right?) and the Devils 24th (HAHAHAHAHA... Ah, man. That's just funny. I think ESPN just pissed off Brodeur into winning another Vezina).

Thank you, ESPN NHL Power Rankings for providing us with some unintentional comedy. It's good to know that none of your hockey writers were consulted during their creation. The article is attributed to Scott Burnside, but we know he's a bright guy and is clearly not behind this.

Knuckle Puck: Maybe He Is Simply a Grain Enthusiast originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Ottawa 67s Raffle Off Arena Name

Kevin Schultz — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Junior Hockey

Ever dreamed of having your businesses' name on an arena without breaking the bank? Want to leave your mark on a high profile sports team? Well, the Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League have a deal... Err... Raffle for you!

Taking after the Rochester Rhinos of the United Soccer Leagues, the 67s are raffling off the naming rights to their arena. The main difference aside from the sport the 67s play is that the raffle is only open to companies. So, my dream of having an arena in Southern Canada named after my first born will have to be put on hold.

For only $1,000 a company can enter into the raffle for the naming rights of the arena for the duration of the season. The winner will be drawn at center ice during the team's home opener on September 25th. And just for entering companies will get $1,000 in tickets and a night in a suite. So, that's not too bad of a deal. But the 67s are limiting themselves a bit.

As per the contest rules, they've put quite a limit on the types of companies that can enter. No one outside of Canada (that's lame). Nothing derogatory, alcohol, tobacco, pornographic or gun related (that's understandable). No car rental companies (that's odd). And -- worst of all -- no media companies. Alas, there will be no Playboy Marlboro FanHouse Hertz Car Rental Centre in Ottawa this season. I guess there's always next year.

Ottawa 67s Raffle Off Arena Name originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

NHL Draft Preview: John Tavares

Kevin Schultz — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Draft, Junior Hockey

FanHouse is previewing the prospects of the top players and teams with high picks in Friday's NHL Draft. This is the fifth post in a six part series.

As the draft is only hours away, we'll finish up our preview series with the 18-year- old that has been on the tip of everyone's tongue all year. In 2007 he broke Wayne Gretzky's OHL scoring record and since then has been projected to be the first overall pick in 2009. The majority of scouting services and experts project one John Tavares to be the best player available in this year's draft, but will the Islanders take him?

ESPN Poll: Americans Think Tavares is a Soccer Player

What He Is

Tavares is the best forward available and is a scorer, plain and simple. Scouts have described the 18-year-old as a dynamic scorer capable of multiple 40-goal seasons. If you can find a team that is offensively impotent and willing to pass on someone like this then they're probably crazy and love torturing their fans. Or they're the Islanders.

This kid is the next big scorer in the NHL. He's not Evgeni Malkin and certainly isn't Alex Ovechkin, but he should be in the vicinity. His competitive drive should help to fulfill the prophecy with whichever team he is selected by.

What He Isn't

A two-way forward. That's the major difference between Matt Duchene and John Tavares. Duchene is a two-way center, responsible in his own zone. That's not Tavares. Tavares is the dynamic scorer that doesn't play a ton of defense, but there is a catch. The catch is that Tavares was never asked to play a lot of defense in the OHL. A few years in the NHL and you can be sure that will be asked of him and he likely won't shy away from it.

For the Stat Geeks

John Tavares, London/Oshawa (OHL), Reg. Season
Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points	PIM
182	170	186	356	151

Your Obligatory Ridiculous Goal Highlight

NHL Draft Preview: John Tavares originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

NHL Draft Preview: Matt Duchene

Kevin Schultz — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:23:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Draft, Junior Hockey

FanHouse is previewing the prospects of the top players and teams with high picks in Friday's NHL Draft. This is the fourth post in a six part series.

In this year's draft, the consensus is that there are three players who are head and shoulders above all the rest: John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene. Today, we'll take a look at Duchene, a 5-foot-11 center from Peterborough, Ontario, and what he brings to the table.

NHL Draft Previews: Islanders | Lightning | Avalanche

What He Is

For most of the year, Duchene has been widely regarded as the second-best forward in the draft behind Tavares. Ahead of the rest of the pack, but not close to The Newest Chosen One. However, that gap has closed in many circles since the Islanders obtained the first overall pick in the lottery back in April. Maybe because of his performance at the combine and OHL playoffs, or simply an urge to sell scouting reports, many people who are a lot smarter than I and scout players for a living have moved Duchene up on their draft board.

And that is perfectly fine. What Duchene brings to the table is completely different than what Tavares or Hedman bring. Each player plays a different position and has different talents. If you're looking for a stud two-way center in this draft, Duchene is your guy. When you think of this kid, think of Steve Yzerman. A fast center -- scouts rave about just how fast he is -- with a scoring touch, who is responsible in his own zone.

What He Isn't

A few people have had made the argument that Duchene is the type of player who would bring home a Stanley Cup, while Tavares is simply a scorer who doesn't bring the intangibles to accomplish that. Make no mistake, either player could help bring home a Stanley Cup. A two-way center is no more valuable to a Stanley Cup winning team than a 40-goal scorer unless, you know, you have too many of one and too few of the other.

Both Tavares and Duchene should be great forwards in this league. Let's not start to declare that one can lead a team to the promised land and the other can't before they've even skated on NHL ice.

For the Stat Geeks

Matt Duchene, Brampton (OHL), Reg. Season
Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points	+/-	PIM
121	61	68	129	+30	64

Your Obligatory YouTube Tribute

NHL Draft Preview: Matt Duchene originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Welcome to Chicago, Kyle Beach

Adam Gretz — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Blackhawks, Minor League Hockey, Junior Hockey

While the present-day Chicago Blackhawks look to dig themselves out of a 2-0 hole in their Western Conference final with the Detroit Red Wings, they managed to lock up a piece of their future by signing 2008 first-round draft pick Kyle Beach on Wednesday afternoon.

In terms of pure talent, he has the potential to be a steal as the No. 11 overall pick, assuming he can keep his head on straight and refrain from pulling a Happy Gilmore and not attempt to stab somebody with his skate.

Entering the draft, Beach was regarded as one of the top talents available, but took somewhat of a fall due to concerns about his somewhat reckless style of play, perceived attitude problems, and injury concerns. After spending his junior career in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips and Lethbridge Hurricanes (scoring 82 goals and registering nearly 600 penalty minutes), Beach signed an amateur tryout contract with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League in April. In two regular season games with Rockford, the fiery forward tallied zero points and picked up 15 penalty minutes.

Following the first game of Rockford's playoff series with Milwaukee, Beach was disciplined by the IceHogs and sent home for violating team policy. According to ESPN Chicago's Al Cimaglia, Rockford general manager of minor league affiliation Mark Bernad said Beach -- along with 2007 draft pick Akim Aliu -- was disciplined because he "did not maintain the code of conduct expected of players affiliated with the Blackhawks."

With the news of Beach's signing in Chicago, Wrap Around Curl is asking folks to step up and guess how many games he will last with the Blackhawks (winner gets a free t-shirt).

Of course, we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that if the Blackhawks can keep him check, they could have quite a player on their hands. Hockey's Future currently has him as Chicago's top prospect and the No. 47 prospect in the entire NHL.

Welcome to Chicago, Kyle Beach originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 21 May 2009 12:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Oilers Sign First-Rounder Jordan Eberle

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Oilers, Western, Junior Hockey

The name of Jordan Eberle will go down in Canadian hockey history, regardless of what happens to him in professional hockey.

Eberle scored the game-tying goal in the dying seconds of Team Canada's dramatic shootout win over Russia in the 2009 World Junior Championships. The semifinal win set up the Canadians' relatively easy win over Sweden in the gold medal game. Now, Eberle is set to take his shot at an NHL career.

Eberle has signed a three-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers, the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft. He spent the last three seasons with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League. Eberle had 35 goals and 74 points in 61 games for the Pats, along with his exploits at the World Juniors.

The Oilers are high on Eberle's talents, but are clear that they won't rush him to the NHL.

"We look forward to the day we can see Jordan suiting up for the Oilers but it's not a race to get there," general manager Steve Tambellini said on Monday. "There are major steps. Being on the ice for practice with a junior team or a world-junior team feels different then stepping on the ice with players who have played pro for 10 years.

"He has great puck poise, great vision, a good release. He finds seams that goal scorers find. I think he has a great hockey mind," Tambellini said. "The next step of his progession will require another level of thinking and quickness and he's going to need to figure out a way he can have success when guys are bigger, stronger, faster. More experienced. But we feel he'll be able to do that.

Watching Eberle play in the junior tournament, it's clear he has a special kind of hockey sense. Not everyone has it, and you can't teach it. He'll have to learn how to handle stronger and smarter defenders, but I think he's a good fit for the Oilers organization. Edmonton has enough talent available to them that there is no need to rush Eberle, which means he should be ready for the NHL when he gets the call.

Oilers Sign First-Rounder Jordan Eberle originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

USHL Coach Loses His Composure

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Videos, Junior Hockey

The Waterloo (Iowa) Blackhawks beat the Chicago Steel, 7-4, in a United States Hockey League game Saturday night despite a ton of penalty minutes, along with the ejection of their head coach. P.K. O'Handley probably felt he was doing his job when he began arguing with officials during the third period, though using a water bottle to get their attention could fairly be considered a bad idea. O'Handley seemed remorseful after the game, but the smart money is on him getting some sort of punishment from the USHL.

(HT Western College Hockey Blog)

USHL Coach Loses His Composure originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments