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By
Fiona Quick |
| 09.25.06 |
 Brandon Bochenski had a goal on three shots in the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 preseason victory against the St. Louis Blues.
Former Gopher Jon Waibel has been named assistant coach of the Chicago Steel of the USHL, joining fellow Minnesotan, head coach Chris Imes behind the bench. Waibel had been working for Brian Lawton and his sports agency and has been an assistant coach with Buffalo High School since graduating from the University of Minnesota.
Thomas Vanek scored three goals to push the Buffalo Sabres past the Ottawa Senators 4-3 in preseason action.
Looks like Phil Kessel is a lock to start the season with the Boston Bruins, but as Brandon Bochenski and many others know, that stay could be short-lived if he starts to struggle or if he can't stay on the top two lines. Because Kessel isn't a third line checking center he would be better served playing on a scoring line in the minors than sitting on the bench in Boston. Kessel had two assists in his preseason debut against Montreal.
Joining Kessel on the opening night roster for Boston will be Minneapolis defenseman Andrew Alberts. Alberts is the only remaining blueliner from last year's Bruins roster.
A Boston newspaper has reported that Phil Kessel has worn the same new brown suit to all his Bruins' preseason games. Those who reported on the University of Minnesota Hockey team know that's nothing new as Kessel wore the exact same suit and tie for every Gopher game last year.
Ryan Potulny scored in the Philadelphia Phantoms' preseason opener but the team fell 6-5 to the Lowell Devils in overtime.
Paul Martin has still not signed a contract with the New Jersey Devils with Lou Lamoriello scrambling to get his club under the cap to make room for Martin & Brian Gionta. Neither Gionta nor Martin have played in a preseason game, thought the club insists there is no reason they have been held out. Both players have insurance that would allow them to play without a contract.
Matt Koalska was one of the cuts from the New York Islanders roster today, he was reassigned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Still in camp with the Isles is former Wild center Richard Park. Koalska did not play in a preseason game with the Islanders.
So far Kessel is the only Gopher to leave the program after last year still on an NHL roster. Chris Chucko was reassigned to Omaha, Potulny to the Philly Phantoms and Danny Irmen was sent to the Houston Aeros.
Patrick O'Sullivan, the blue-chip prospect the Wild gave up in the Pavol Demitra trade, appears to have secured a roster spot with the LA Kings.
Former Wild defenseman Alex Henry is fighting for a spot on the Nashville Predators roster. He is one of five blueliners fighting for the last spots. The Preds reasassigned Karl Goehring to Milwaukee.
Dustin Byfuglien may start the season with the Chicago Blackhawks, his size has come in handy in games like that against the Blue Jackets, but his scoring touch may be relied upon as well as another scorer is out with an injury. This time bad-luck forward Tuomo Ruutu is out for several weeks with a knee sprain from a questionable it from Columbus' Rostislav Klesla.
Ben Clymer scored a goal in his new/old position on the blueline with the Washington Capitals in their exhibition game against the Devils. So far Coach Hanlon's move to return Clymer to defense seems to be working.
Quick Speculation:
When the Minnesota Wild reassigned both high prospects Benoit Pouliot and Roman Voloshenko to Houston more than a few eyebrows were raised. The moves likely had just as much to do with salary cap issues as their readiness to play in the NHL. The Minnesota Wild is precariously close to the salary cap, with only enough room reserved for an emergency. Quick Facts thinks Doug Risebrough would love to dump Mattias Weinhandl and his one-way contract if they could find anyone interested in picking him up in a trade for future considerations, which would give them a little more breathing room.
Quick Quotes:
"He's an interesting guy. It's all about becoming part of the recipe of baking a cake. Though he played very well at both ends of the ice and showed he's lethal around the net, it becomes a question of, will he be the fit? He'll get another opportunity.''
- Chicago Blackhawks Head Coach Trent Yawney on Brandon Bochenski. (Chicago Sun Times)
``I want to make this team really badly. It's the reason I left college. I know it's hard for [the Bruins management]. They want to look out for my best interests. I've got to live with whatever they decide, but I'd be disappointed if I don't make it. I came here to play for the Boston Bruins."
- Phil Kessel on whether or not he'll be send down to the AHL in Providence.(Boston Globe)
"In the initial stages, I don't see why Clymer can't do this. I haven't seen anything to deter my enthusiasm for his ability as a defenseman. He can skate and move the puck and do everything that you want a defenseman to do."
- Washington Capitals head coach Glen Hanlon on his experiment moving Ben Clymer back to the blueline. (Washington Post)
Quick Facts Exclusive Feature: Student Athletes and their use of Social Network websites has consequences
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By
Fiona Quick |
| 09.19.06 |
After Ted Nolan got on his Islanders players to show more aggression Jason Blake heeded the message, fighting camp invitee Joe Grimaldi during a scrimmage.
Gino Guyer was reassigned to Peoria from the St Louis Blues training camp. The Rivermen's camp opens on Thursday. Guyer will be playing with former MSU Mankato Maverick Brock Becker and former Badger Ryan MacMurchy.
The Washington Capitals have asked Ben Clymer to step back to the blueline, the position he played with the Gophers and in Juniors and the position he played when he broke into the league with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Its an experiment so if the results aren't positive Clymer will return to his checking forward position.
Erik Westrum scored two goals in a training camp scrimmage, on a line with former Badger Robbie Earl and first round pick Jiri Tlusty. John Pohl is also making his case to be considered a go-to forward, scoring in regulation and in a shootout in his scrimmage.
Toby Petersen tallied an assist and Dwayne Roloson pitched a shutout before being replaced by Jussi Markenen as the Edmonton Oilers cruised past the Phoenix Coyotes in an exhibition game in Winnipeg.
Karl Goehring is currently out of Nashville Predators training camp after being knocked to the ice and possibly suffering a jaw injury.
Expect former Wisconsin Badger Ryan Suter to make the Predators' roster out of camp.
Daniel Briere centered Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville for the Sabres in their first preseason game against the Maple Leafs. Vanek tallied an assist on Jiri Novotny's goal as the Sabres shut out the Leafs 4-0, with all the goals scored with a man advantage. Unfortunately Briere strained a hip flexor in the game and won't likely suit up again for a while. Adam Berkhoel backed up Martin Biron in goal.
Matt Hussey's scoring touch has been evident in training camp with the Detroit Red Wings and he is expected to be in the lineup as the Wings face the Wild in preseason action on Tuesday. Also expected to suit up is Josh Langfeld, who has also scored some scrimmage goals in camp for Detroit.
Former Houston Aeros head coach Todd McLellan, now an assistant with Detroit, suffered a dislocated shoulder after being bumped in practice. No word on what happened to the player who caused the injury.
After being persona non grata in Chicago former Husky Tyler Arnason is getting a fresh start in Colorado, and is looking good. He has shown the offensive talent that made him a rookie prospect in Chicago before his work ethic came into question.
Arnason's teammates include three former Denver Pioneers, Antti Laaksonen, Mark Rycroft and Paul Stasny. he Avalanche are practicing at Magness Arena.
Jordan Leopold remains out of the Avalanche lineup following hernia surgery.
Junior Lessard is competing with fellow winger Loui Ericksson for a spot on the Dallas Stars' roster. Ironically, they've been paired together with centerman Jeff Halpern in exhibition play.
Troy Riddle has returned to Minnesota from Europe where his tryout didn't work out as planned. He hasn't ruled out playing again, perhaps in the minors.
Several NHL teams have players not dressed for exhibition games signing autographs on concourse levels during games.
The San Jose Mercury News ran a nice story on the return of Sharks' goalie coach Warren Strelow. You can read it here. Strelow had some life threatening moments following a kidney transplant three years ago, suffering some major complications including infection, gall bladder surgery, liver damage and a broken leg, but he is back with the team and coaching the netminders.
Geno Parrish will play for the Corpus Christi Ice Rays in the CHL this season. He played in Stockton in the ECHL last year.
Craig Johnson has two goals and an assist in four games with the DEG Metro Stars so far this season, good enough to put him tied for an 8th place league ranking. Kelly Fairchild also has three points in four games with Eisbären Berlin.
David Lundbohm is already making his physical presence known with the DEL Straubing Tigers, ranking third in the league after four games with 33 PIMs.
Quick Speculation:
Boo-Boo Fight? Should both be placed in the lineup for the Wild/Wings exhibition game, Quick Facts wouldn't be surprised to see a Derek Boogaard vs Darryl Bootland fight.
Quick Quotes:
"Jason Blake was feisty today. That maybe rubbed off on other players because the energy level was up today. You look for leadership on your team to do that and Blake did that with his energy level."
- Islanders head coach Ted Nolan on Jason Blake during a scrimmage. (Islanders.com)
"I've wanted to play in the NHL my whole life. I've been lucky enough to play 25 NHL games in my career, and I'm hoping to stick with a team."
- Erik Westrum on playing this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs (Toronto Sun)
"Last year (at camp), I just wanted to work hard and see what the other guys did ... I didn't know where I was going to be, but I wanted to get used to the pro game. I'm just going to go out and play my game, not do anything differently. (Spezza and Heatley) are so smart, you always have to be ready for the puck, things happen so fast. But I don't look at it as any added pressure or anything ... I'm just going to go out there and have fun. It's a good time when we're all out there moving and skating."
-Patrick Eaves on trying to make the Ottawa Senators roster out of camp. (Ottawa Sun)
"These games are obviously more important for me than for a kid or for a guy who has a roster spot. My opportunity to catch their eye is going to be a little more limited than those guys. I'm putting some pressure on myself, but that goes with the territory."
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Toby Petersen on his chances to make the Edmonton Oilers roster. (Edmonton Sun)
"He made some pretty significant inroads with the way he played last year. He's definitely going to get a long look. I give him a better than 50% chance of starting the season with us right now. He can improve on those odds by playing the same way that he did when we had him up here. Not in only in games, but practises, he was extremely impressive. He's going to get a good opportunity."
- Oilers Head Coach Craig McTavish on Toby Petersen's chances to make the Oilers out of camp. (Edmonton Sun)
"Regardless of the league, you get 98 points, it shows you have a certain intelligence," Toronto Maple Leafs head Coach Paul Maurice on Erik Westrum (Toronto Sun)
"Where is Jake Taylor in his development in the new game? Where does he really fit in? He's a big, tough kid. He's a hard guy to play against. Is he capable of bringing to us what we need or not?"
- NY Rangers Head Coach Tom Renny on former Gopher Jake Taylor and whether he has a chance to make the NHL club. (NY Newsday)
"He had a lot of chances. He looks quicker than I've seen in the past. He has patience with the puck and he made some real nice nifty plays to get out of traffic and apply some pressure. I think he's had a real good camp. You can see his attitude . . . it looks like he's got something to prove and some motivation behind it, and, hopefully, he'll continue to do it. I just think he needs to play consistently, to play with some passion and to play hard every night. Every shift is going to be important for him. That's a challenge for us and for him, and I think he's aware of it."
- Colorado Avalanche Head Coach Joel Quenville on how well Tyler Arnason has looked in camp.
``I told everybody he was cryogenically frozen for three years until we were ready to win the Cup. And that's why he's back.''
- Sharks head coach Ron Wilson on Warren Strelow's absence while recovering from a kidney transplant. (San Jose Mercury News)
``I think maybe it wasn't my time because I hadn't won a Stanley Cup. That's the goal. I've won Olympic medals and I've got NCAA championship rings. I want a Stanley Cup ring, and I'm not getting any younger.''
- Warren Strelow on how he survived three trying years of serious health issues (San Jose Mercury News)
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| Archive |
By
Fiona Quick |
| 09.18.06 |
As Quick Facts mentioned several weeks ago, the local hockey sports agency landscape has changed. Former Gopher Ben Hankinson's SPS Hockey sports agency has merged with Brian Lawton's Octagon Sports. Hankinson's partner, Jeff Solomon has resigned his position as a certified agent with the National Hockey League and has joined the Los Angeles Kings organization. Hankinson brings fifteen clients to Octagon, including Keith Ballard and Paul Martin. Also working with Octagon are Shjon Podein, Jon Waibel and Chris McAlpine.
Barry Tallackson has been placed on the New Jersey Devils' top line with Zach Parise and Scott Gomez during training camp and the for the first exhibition game against the Bruins. Tallackson scored a power play goal in the 5-0 Devils victory, Gomez & Parise also had tallies. According to a Bruins blogger, Tallackson was dropped with the hit of the game by fellow Minnesotan, Bruin blueliner Andrew Alberts. Jamie Langenbrunner was matched with Travis Zajac and Patrick Elias in the game and also scored for the Devils.
Nate DiCasmirro is getting his best chance to make an NHL line up in camp with the Bruins. He started the Bruins first preseason game against the Devils on the third line with Mark Mowers and Jeremy Reich. Phil Kessel was a scratch in the first preseason game.
Paul Martin does not yet have a contract signed with the New Jersey Devils but still reported to camp on time this week and will be allowed to participate in the majority of camp. Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello is still trying to make salary cap room to sign the young defenseman. Richard Matvichuk, Jason Weimer and perhaps Alexander Mogilny will be placed on Long Term Injured Reserve which may give Lamoriello enough cap room to sign the former Gopher. Martin will not likely be able to participate in preseason games until signed, however. The Devils also need to re-sign former Gopher Erik Rasmussen and star forward Brian Gionta as well as former Sioux defenseman David Hale.
Former Wild forward Jim Dowd is in camp with the Devils on a tryout but has lingering issues with a shoulder issue suffered with the Colorado Avalanche last year.
Matt Hussey and Josh Langfeld are both in Red Wings camp fighting for a roster spot. Coach Mike Babcock is looking for a more agressive team this season, so both players could possibly have a chance after spending several years in the minors. If not, both are expected to play in Grand Rapids this season. Langfeld is undoubtedly a happy man today, he reportedly had a friendly wager with fellow training camp attendee and Notre Dame alumnus Brett Lebda over the Irish vs Wolverines football battle on Saturday.
Gino Guyer is in training camp with the St. Louis Blues on a tryout. He is playing with fellow Minnesotans David Backes, Mike Stuart and Dan Hinote who are signed to contracts with the Blues.
Dustin Byfuglien's chances to make the Chicago Blackhawks' final roster just got a little better thanks to an ankle injury to prospect Cam Barker.
Luke Stauffacher will play with former teammate Drew Otten with the Quad City Mallards this season.
The Colorado Avalanche certainly thought more of Andrew Brunette than did the Minnesota Wild. The Avs have signed Brunette to a contract extension through the 2007-08 season.
Former Wild forward Richard Park, not re-signed by Vancouver, has been given a tryout by the New York Islanders. Park and Isles GM Garth Snow have played together with Team USA. The signings of Park and Viktor Kozlov increases competition for former Gopher Matt Koalska in camp with the Isles entering his third season in the organization.
Duvie Westcott has been a role player with the Columbus Blue Jackets for several years and will continue to be one as his hard work and determination has been rewarded with a three-year contract extension from the Jackets.
Aaron Fox has been given a tryout contract with HK Acroni Jesenice in Slovenia.
Wayzata's John Adams, who signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning's affiliate in Springfield Mass is in camp with the Bolts on a tryout.
Warren Strelow is back to work with the San Jose Sharks as the goalie coach. Strelow suffered complications from a kidney transplant that had sidelined him for the past three seasons.
The hair was still in tact, as was the television, but NHL referee Kerry "The Hair" Fraser will miss at least a month of the season after breaking his toe in three places tripping down his stairs whilst moving his TV. Under new NHL rules Fraser will have to wear a helmet this year upon his return.
Quick Quotes:
"He dropped his gloves with a guy who’s 6-6 in the ECHL last year. . . he's not afraid"
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QC Mallards coach Brian Curran on former Bulldog Luke Stauffacher.
"He’s a dynamic player. He’s another dimension of speed. His shot, his release, he was very good. Now, keep in mind the level of play jumps up considerably for the next level, the full camp, as it does from preseason to regular season. So, it’s a journey. We’ll see where it goes. But he was good (yesterday), really good.”
- Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli on Bruins prospect Phil Kessel during rookie camp. (Boston Herald)
“My girlfriend goes to school. She always tells me about her homework and stuff. She says she’s jealous I don’t have to do any papers or anything anymore. I’ll tell you, I’m happy about that.”
- Phil Kessel on being happy to not be at the University of Minnesota anymore. (Boston Herald)
“He’s doing things that I haven’t seen a lot of at his age. The one thing I really like is that he’s been consistent throughout the whole camp. Basically every day, there’s something different that he tries. He’s a pretty dynamic player. He makes plays. Every day, he’s scored a goal or two. (Yesterday) he got three.”
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Bruins Head coach Dave Lewis on Phil Kessel in rookie camp. (Boston Herald)
"The toughest thing is probably going to be mental, thinking you have a chance to go but you don't go because if you go you're afraid you might hurt your team. But I think it's easier getting used to playing offensively than it is playing defensively."
- Former Wild defenseman Filip Kuba on adjusting to the more offensive style if play with the Tampa Bay Lightning. (St Petersburg Times)
''When we first drafted him, he weighed almost 270 pounds and had 27 percent body fat. 'Now he's down to 12 percent [and about 240 pounds]. He deserves a lot of credit. He looks awesome. The one thing that Byfuglien has to change is that he's a bit of a high risk with the puck. He loves to have the puck. That comes from his youth and his poise, but at this level, you can't give up goals where you get the puck stolen from you because you should have passed it.''''
- Blackhawks head coach Trent Yawney on Minnesota defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. (Chicago Sun Times)
"It's not always about points. It's about how you can help your team and contribute. It's not always goals and assists. Ineed to prove to myself that I can play in this league. I know I can. It's about being more consistent and helping this team win again. After my finish it's nice to get back and prove yourself again that you should have been in there and hopefully will be when that time comes again. It's a team sport. Obviously, I would have liked to have been in there, and I like to think I could have helped the team. But it's over. It's nothing I can dwell on or change in the past. But, hopefully, I can change it for this year. "
- Thomas Vanek on a dissapointing end to his rookie season with the Buffalo Sabres where despite scoring 25 goals and 23 assists in 81 games, he was scratched for the majority of the Sabres' playoff games. (Buffalo News)
"The fact I came in a week early really helped. All those feelings of being back here and seeing a lot of familiar faces, it took a little while to get over that. I feel real comfortable now. I'm really happy to be a part of a good team. I've been through a lot of adversity with some injuries so it's a blessing every day that I'm healthy and have a chance to play."
-David Tanabe on returning to the Carolina Hurricanes. (Raleigh News & Observer)
"I'm happy with where I'm at right now after everything I've been through this summer. Now it's just a matter of getting my conditioning and my legs back. The biggest thing is power. I don't have it in my first few strides."
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Bret Hedican on starting this season with the Carolina Hurricanes after off-season hip surgery and surgery on his thumb last month. (Raleigh News & Observer)
Quick Facts Exclusive Feature: Student Athletes and their use of Social Network websites has consequences
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