Grant Potulny is out two to three weeks with a hand injury suffered during a game. He had just returned from an abdominal pull last week. It sounds like a pretty significant injury. Potulny is in Ottawa seeing a hand specialist.

Mike Dorr, a Mr. Hockey finalist, has revoked his verbal commitment to attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth and explored other options in the WCHA.  He visited Minnesota, Mankato and St. Cloud.  Quick Facts learned that the Gophers were his first choice, but that he wanted information about his status based on whether players, like Erik Johnson, were likely to leave early, making room on the roster and making a scholarship available next season.  Dorr has committed to the Gophers, and should no current players leave the program early, will play in Des Moines in the USHL next season.

Matt Koalska scored only the second successful penalty shot for the Binghamton Senators franchise against the league-best Norfolk Admirals. The league-worst Sens beat the Ads 4-1 in the game.

Former Minnesota Moose goaltender Tom Draper was signed as an emergency back-up goaltender for the Binghamton Senators after Kelly Guard was called up to replace suspended Ottawa netminder Ray Emery.  The 40-year old Draper last played three years ago in the United Hockey League.

Brian Gornick has transferred from Valerenga in Norway to EC Bad Tolz in Germany.
 
Former Wild prospect Rickard Wallin will play for Dynamo Moskva next season after playing this year in Switzerland.
 
Aaron Fox is the leading scorer in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga in Austria with 34 goals and 36 assists in 44 games for HK Acroni Jesenice.  Darby Hendrickson is ranked 47th in the league with nine goals and 18 assists for Red Bulls Salzburg.
 
Mike Dorr, a Mr. Hockey finalist, has revoked his verbal commitment to attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth and is exploring other options in the WCHA.  He has visited Minnesota, Mankato and St. Cloud. Quick Facts learned that the Gophers were his first choice, but that his status was dependent on whether players, like Erik Johnson, were likely to leave early, making room on the roster and making a scholarship available. Obviously, with his recently reported commitment to the Gophers, there is a predominant opinion that the Gophers will lose at least one defenseman early after this season.
 
Jeff Sauer coached the US Men's Hockey team to a Gold Medal in the 2007 Winter Deaflympics. Faribault's Ben Johnson lead the team with 9 points followed by Bemidji's Stephen Wangberg with 8 points.  
 
Tom Sagissor has been named Midwest Manager for RBC Dain Rauscher, relocating him from Milwaukee to the Twin Cities.  According to the RBC release, Tom began his career at RBC Dain Rauscher in 1994 as an FC trainee. He was promoted in 2002 to assistant producing branch director in Minneapolis and in 2004 was named Milwaukee complex director.  He is a long-time President’s Council member. He was also named 2006 Complex Director of the Year, received the RBC Dain Rauscher Diversity Award and is a member of RBC Dain’s Diversity council.

Jeff Taffe has two goals, five assists and a +8 rating in his last six games with the San Antonio Rampage.

According to an AHL report, All-Star defenseman Curtis Murphy is one point shy of 200 in his career, having played 295 games in a Houston sweater.  Murphy, who played for UND, got a cup of coffee with the Wild but has been a star at the IHL and AHL level.  

Drew Stafford is one of several Rochester Americans recalled to the Buffalo Sabres, who are currently decimated with injuries.  In fact Sabres' coach Lindy Ruff joked to the media that they could get rid of Randy Cunneyworth, the Amerks' head coach, since Ruff was coaching both their teams right now.

Erik Westrum still leads the Toronto Marlies in scoring with just a hair shy of a point-a-game pace.  He has 22 goals and 32 assists in 55 games this season.  He is definitely comfortable with home-cooking with 11 goals, 16 assists and 27 points in 27 games at home, where the Marlies will play seven of its next nine contests. Teammate Chris Harrington continues to struggle with his +/- and currently has a rating of -20, though he is ranked sixth in scoring for the Marlies with seven goals and 15 assists in 51 games.

In his rookie season with the Lowell Devils Goaltender Jordan Parise is unbeaten in regulation in his last three starts, going 2-0-1 with a 2.25 goals-against average.

Rookie Head Coach Todd Richards saw his Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins shut out for the first time this season, dropping a 1-0 decision to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Clear Day, the day that AHL teams must submit Calder Cup playoff rosters to the league, is March 1.  Only the 22 players listed on a team’s Clear Day roster are eligible to compete in the remainder of the AHL regular season and in the Calder Cup Playoffs, unless emergency conditions arise as a result of recall, injury or suspension.

Brett Sterling is not only leading the AHL rookie scoring race, he is second in the league in scoring in his first season out of Colorado.

UHL Rockford IceHogs head coach Steve Martinson is not a candidate to be hired by the Chicago Blackhawks for their AHL affiliate to play in Rockford next season.  The AHL club will be called the IceHogs but Martinson, who, since leaving Saint Cloud State, has made a career of coaching A or AA-level hockey teams, will not be offered a job at the higher AHL level.  Current owners of the IceHogs have said they will allow Martinson to interview for any other minor league openings.  According to the Rockford Star, the IceHogs team is 126-63-23 (.653) under Martinson. The franchise’s record before his arrival was 142-190-32 (.434). Attendance has increased more than 400 fans a game since Martinson’s hiring, from 3,549 in 2003-04 and reached 3,973 last season. The team is at 3,891 this season but had 5,880 at its last home game.

 
Quick Take:

It looks as though the NHL may relax the suspension rules for instigator penalties next season. Currently players are suspended after three instigator minors. That rule would change to five instigator minors to earn a suspension. There was no mention of whether the league was examining the coach fine and player suspension for earning an instigator penalty in the last five minutes of a game. 

Anyone who has watched teams take liberty with Marian Gaborik and other star players this season should welcome this change. "The Code" needs to be allowed back into the game, and other players who take cheap shots at the marquee players need to be held accountable.

 
Quick Quotes:
 
“I thought if this team won and entertained the fans, it’d be appreciated by the city instead of being taken away.  I thought I could do it within the budget and do what we’ve done." After Rockford beat Quad City 3-2 on a goal in the last two minutes in a game that opened with three fights in six seconds Martinson said: "The city of Rockford is going to spend $4 million to throw that kind of entertainment out the window? That’s a joke. That’s embarrassing. Our fans have been very entertained.  What frustrates me is I buy a house and move my family here — and I’d never have foreseen this. I’m going to make sure wherever I go they have a long-term lease.  I’ve worked hard; you’ve seen the fans’ response. It’s not like it’s crappy hockey. It’s an elite double-A team, and our NHL affiliate (Nashville) is in first place overall in the NHL. It’s frustrating. It’s a fight I’m not allowed to fight, and I don’t like that. All the hard work we put into this, this is a top ... it was not like this three years ago.” - Steve Martinson on his UHL Rockford IceHogs being taken over and changed into an AHL franchise. (Rockford Star)

 

Gopher forward Evan Kaufmann reports that in his first full week of practice since returning from injury things are going well and he expects to play this coming weekend against Colorado College. "The knees are feeling better, not 100% yet, but well enough for me to be playing," said Kaufmann. Nothing is definite, but looks like Kauffman will be on a line with Mike Carman & Ryan Flynn, the players he's been skating with in practice this week, when he returns on Friday.
 
This seems to be a streaky time for former Gophers in the ECHL. Reggie Berg has points in 10 of his last 13 games (9g-8a) with the Florida Everblades. Andy Sertich has an eight-game point streak (1g-9a) with the Utah Grizzlies.

Shorewood's John Curry was named the Beanpot Tournament MVP after his BU Terriers secured the championship for the second consecutive year. Curry is also being mentioned as a Hobey Baker favorite, especially considering the adversity he faced earlier in the season.
 
Bloomington's Nick Jaskowiak is attending Salisbury Prep School in Connecticut this season. The defenseman reports to Quick Facts that he has narrowed his college choices to five schools, Denver, Maine, Wisconsin, Northeastern, and Quinnipiac, but said he is also open to any offer, meaning he may not have received an offer from a school he would like to attend. Jaskowiak has 7 assists in 20 games played this season for the Scarlet Knights, and has an outstanding +21 rating.
 
Kris Chucko was named the AHL's third star of the night Monday, February 12th after scoring a goal and an assist in a losing effort against the Manitoba Moose. Jeff Taffe scored the OT winner for the San Antonio Rampage against Peoria on Monday.
 
Andrew Alberts is just one of three BC Eagles on the Boston Bruins roster now that they have acquired Chuck Kobasew, assisted on the game winner against North Dakota in the 2001 NCAA Championship game. Alberts has missed practice with the Bruins recently, reportedly due to the flu. Alberts is expected to be paired with Andrew Ference, acquired with Kobasew in the deal for Brad Stuart & Wayne Primeau.
 
Brandon Bochenski scored three goals in his first two games since being traded to the Bruins but went scoreless in his third game with the B's despite skating on the first line.  Phil Kessel had two assists in that third game, and was bumped up to the first line at the end of the game.
 
Matt Koalska has five assists since being acquired by the Binghamton Senators, who have the worst record in the AHL. Teammate Grant Potulny has missed a few games with pulled abdominal muscles but is expected to return for the B-Sens' next game.
 
PJ Atherton ranks fourth amongst active Johnstown Chiefs players in scoring, with four goals and 21 assists in 43 games.  All four of his goals have been scored on the power play. Fellow Chiefs defenseman John Adams has two goals and nine assists in 24 games with a +5 rating and Bryan Nathe has a goal and six assists in 30 games with the ECHL farm team of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
 

Quick Facts Exclusive:
 
The National Post of Canada obtained leaked information on current NHL gate receipts. That information was shared with Quick Facts.  The document shows that The Wild rank 7th in avgerage gate receipts per night, just over $1 million a game,  behind Colorado, but ahead of Edmonton, according to the report. That is a 5.5% increase over last season, but considering the Wild raised ticket prices 6.5% from last season, revenues from tickets are a bit down over last year.  The Wild's average ticket price of $54.52 ranks 12th in the NHL.


Quick Quotes:

"Give John Curry credit for this. We kind of stole it."

- Boston University head coach Jack Parker on Shorewood's John Curry's performance in goal for the Terriers that secured the second consecutive Beanpot Championship for BU. (AP)

"It's a big chance for me. There's not a whole lot of pressure on me. They expect me to produce and do what I can."

- Brandon Bochenski on his fresh start with the Boston Bruins. (Boston Globe)
 

Quick Facts sends most sincere condolences to the Pohl family on the loss of their beloved mother and grandmother Mary Catharine Pohl, who passed away on January 31st at St Mary's Home. Kaye, as she was known to loved ones, was a lifelong resident of Saint Paul and proud grandmother to Gopher hockey players John & Tom Pohl.  Services will be held on Friday. Memorials preferred to Our Lady of Good Counsel Home, Guild of Catholic Women, or Home of the Good Shepherd.

The Buffalo Sabres will honor Saint Paul native Phil Housley by inducting him into their Hall of Fame in a pre-game ceremony on Wednesday.  Housley played 21 years in the NHL and retired with the most points of any American-born player with 1,232 points. In seven seasons with Buffalo, Housley set the Sabres record for all-time points by a defenseman (558), which ranks fifth on the franchise's all-time list.  He also ranks fourth all-time in assists by a Sabre (380) and set single season records for assists (60) and points (81) by a defenseman. (tsn.ca)

Barry Tallackson had two goals and notched an assist on the game-winning goal in overtime for the Lowell Devils in their 5-4 victory over the Hershey Bears.

Brandon Bochenski has been traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Kris Versteeg and a conditional pick.
 
Ryan Potulny scored the first goal of the game but failed on his shootout attempt as the Philadelphia Phantoms fell to the Norfolk Admirals 3-4 on Saturday.  It was Potulny's second game with the Phantoms since being reassigned by the Flyers on Thursday. Potulny had seven shots on goal in his first game back in the AHL but was held scoreless in the Phantoms' 2-1 loss to the Hamilton Bulldogs.
 
Matt DeMarchi is a -5 with one assist for the Iowa Stars in 11 games since joining the team after returning from Siberia, literally.   
 
Joe Dustin, fresh off competing in the Pond Hockey Championships on Lake Nokomis, signed with the Oklahoma City Blazers.  He played with the team last year.
 
Justin Maiser scored his first career hat trick for the Dayton Bombers on February 2, and added an assist in Dayton's 6-3 victory over the Wheeling Nailers.  
 
The Trenton Titans are 10-0-1 when Troy Riddle scores more than one point. Riddle has 16 goals and 18 assists in 39 games with the Titans this season.
 
Veteran Florida Everblade Reggie Berg is on a hot streak, notching points in 10 of his last 13 games.
 
Former Minnesotans Brian Burke and Ray Shero have been named to the USA Hockey National Team Advisory Committee. They will be joined by Don Waddell & David Poile. They will work with another Minnie boy, Jim Johansson. It is a fine assembly of managers but Quick Facts wonders, wasn't Waddell the one in charge of assembling the debacle of a US team sent to the 2006 Olympics? Hopefully he learned what not to do in the future, like have Derian Hatcher on the team.
 
Quick Speculation:
 
There has been talk that the NHL may revisit the Collective Bargaining Agreement with regard to the language about absorbing contract value in the event of a trade. Changing that language, allowing for teams to share contract value in order to complete trades and remain under the salary cap, would allow for much greater movement at the trade deadline.  
 
There likely will not be as much movement at the trade deadline this season as most shoppers (playoff bound teams) are perilously close to the salary cap. The Minnesota Wild, for instance, have less than $2 million in cap room to acquire a player so any deals they complete will undoubtedly need to include a current player. The name proposed the most is Pascal Dupuis, but moving him will clear virtually nothing in cap room as his salary is below $1 million, though it would give the team value for the gritty forward who is due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.  
 
It will be interesting to see what kind of deal Doug Risebrough can make, but Quick Facts does not anticipate any major moves, unless some other team is willing to take Kim Johnsson or Martin Skoula off the Wild's hands in exchange for a scoring veteran defenseman and perhaps a veteran offensive right wing.
 
Any teams likely out of the playoffs by the end of next week (Boston, Florida, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Columbus, Saint Louis & Washington) will be sellers as will playoff bound teams with surplus players looking to add positionally.  
 
Added to Quick Facts' wishlist: blueliner Lubomir Visnovsky and former UND agitator Jason Blake.  Blake is without a contract next season, and though he as said he wants to remain in New York, it may be difficult for him to turn down returning home and reuniting with Mark Parrish.  Visnovsky is one of the most underrated offensive defensemen in the league.
 
Here's an interesting one to ponder:  How about Eddie Belfour as Manny Fernandez' backup? Manny needs someone to push him and they seem like two crazy eccentric peas in a pod. They are certainly familiar with each other from their time in the Dallas system.  It could even be a straight-up trade, Dupuis for Belfour as far as salary goes. Something to think about.
 
 
Quick Quotes:
 
"He's got a great release. He's a smart player. His biggest asset is his shot."

- Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli on Brandon Bochenski (Boston Globe).

"Phil Housley gave Sabres fans many reasons to cheer in his eight years with the organization. He left us with many great memories, and we are thrilled to make him the newest member of the Hall of Fame."

- Bob Swados, Chairman of the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame. (tsn.ca)

"He's got a great release. He's a smart player. His biggest asset is his shot."

- Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli on Brandon Bochenski (Boston Globe).
 

Adam Berkhoel is tied for the ECHL lead with a team record four shutouts for the Dayton Bombers.
 
Jon Francisco had a hat trick on Jan. 26 giving the Reading Royals a team record five hat tricks.

Former UMD Bulldog Evan Schwabe is tied for South Carolina Stingrays lead with 40 points (14g-26a) after five-point weekend at Texas.

Brett Hedican has been activated after missing 12 games following thumb surgery.
 
All Star Jason Blake has four goals in his last five games and leads the Islanders with 27 tallies on the season.

Former Wild prospective goaltender Derek Gustafson is on a nine-game win streak and has goals-against average of 1.48 in January for the Alaska Aces.

Just prior to the AHL All Star Break, Barry Tallackson played hero for the Lowell Devils, intercepting a pass from the Portland Pirates and powering a shot with less than 45 seconds left in overtime to give the Devils the win.  It was Tallackson's 7th goal of the season and snapped an 11-game streak without a goal for the former Gopher.

Paul Martin skated in his 200th NHL game on Sunday.

Minnesotans Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise are matched with Travis Zajac on a line for the New Jersey Devils. Zajac & Parise played together at the University of North Dakota.  The line had been struggling until Langenbrunner came through with three assists Monday night but the Devils lost in a shootout to Atlanta. The trio broke out of their 9-game goal scoring slump in a big way on Thursday. Zajac had two goals, his first multi-goal game of his career, Parise had the game-tying goal and Jamie Langenbrunner also tallied in the 6-5 overtime win for the Devils over the Flyers.

The New Jersey Devils are celebrating 25 years in the Garden State. Part of their celebrations will be to honor the members of the 1995 Stanley Cup winning team. Scheduled to attend are Tom Chorske, who does color commentary for the Devils radio broadcasts, Chris McAlpine, Mike Peluso and former North Star Shawn Chambers. Former Wild forward Jim Dowd, who is on the Devils' roster, will also be honored.  No word yet on whether Neal Broten will make an appearance. Broten scored the Cup-winning goal for the Devils.

Thomas Vanek missed a few practices with the Sabres suffering from what was called the flu.  It didn't seem to affect him much in the Sabres' rout 7-1 of the hapless Boston Bruins; Vanek had a goal and two assists.

Andrew Alberts escaped significant injury after being struck in the eye by a slap shot from Brian Campbell. Alberts needed an estimated 10-15 stiches to close a wound under the eye, but his vision was not affected.  Alberts wore a visor after returning to the ice but isn't likely to don it again.

Matt Cullen has been matched with Jed Ortmeyer and Peter Prucha with the Rangers lately.  The line has been pretty successful, garnering 9 points between them against the Bruins.

That was Al MacInnis in the Mariucci Arena press box catching his two top D1 prospects Erik Johnson and TJ Oshie last weekend.

From the Toronto Globe & Mail:  When John Pohl was informed that he and his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates just gave their head coach the perfect 40th birthday present, the first-year centre was startled. "It's his 40th birthday?" Pohl said, moments after the Leafs disposed of the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 in their own building. "We didn't know that." All of a sudden Pohl had a mischievous grin on his mug and was looking for a teammate to spread the news.
 
Minnesotan Paul Holmgren will likely be the busiest General Manager in the NHL before the trade deadline.  Peter Forsberg is seen as the prize of this year's impending free agents. Holmgren won't commit either way whether he plans to trade the wonky ankled Forsberg, but Forsberg has to approve any move.  Quick Facts believes that Holmgren would trade Forsberg if that is Foppa's wish, but the odds are good that Forsberg may retire next season if he can't square things with his foot and ankle problems. Reportedly seats at Flyers games are full of other teams' scouts.
 
Ryan Potulny turned a few heads when he drew a boarding call in a game against the New York Rangers' Ryan Holweg last week.  After Holweg had buried Potulny into the boards on a heavy check, Potulny returned the favor with a brutal one of his own, drawing the call.  There were a lot of behind the scenes back-slaps for the hit, which was appreciated by teammates and head coach John Stevens. The Flyers have always had a tough reputation and Potulny enforced that, drawing praise. Unfortunately Potulny was reassigned to the Philadelphia Phantoms on Thursday.
 

Quick Kudos:
 
To the Saginaw Spirit junior hockey club.  They embraced a gimmick by television's Steven Colbert, after a heavy internet campaign from Colbert's audience resulted in them naming their eagle mascot (Colbert uses one for his Colbert Report show as well) Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle.  A bet with the Osahwa Mayor over a game between the Oshawa Generals and the Spirit made for good television when Colbert's Spirit defeated the Generals 5-4. The payout? Oshawa has to declare Steven Colbert Day, on the Mayor's birthday, in March. The Spirit now receive regular publicity on Colbert's show. Recent episodes feature the following jabs to the Spirit opponents:
 
"Hey, I just read The Chronicles of Sarnia. The Lion, the Witch and the Losers," said Colbert about the Sarnia Sting (owned by Dino Ciccarelli).

Colbert was recently irked by the Generals' Teddy Bear Toss for charity last month. Fans of the show know that bears of any kind according to Colbert are "the No. 1 threat to America."  On one recent show, Colbert comically said, "Hey, Oshawa Bin Laden, bears are a serious threat."  (some information provided by Toronto Star & Comedy Central).

Its a brilliant campaign to drive support for the Saginaw junior hockey team.

 
Quick Speculation:

Don't be surprised to see the Wild take interest in Milan Jurcina, the young defenseman the Boston Bruins are dangling as trade bait.  The struggling Bruins are looking to disassemble and rebuild at the trade deadline.  Wayne Primeau, Brad Stuart and Marco Sturm will be free agents for the Bruins this summer and are also being shopped.  

Quick Take:

Anyone else miss the physicality of the NHL?  Seems they opened up the game offensively, but they took the punch out of it, literally, with the new rules. Quick Facts recommends revising or eliminating the instigator penalty. That would allow the boys to drop the gloves, and also take care of problem cases like Jarkko Ruutu, who escapes punishment for his cowardly and cheap actions, because he won't fight the enforcers.  And let the boys go when they drop the gloves, these linesmen who jump in to prevent a fight are just asking for trouble and take away from what could be a pivotal momentum-changer.  If the players want to go, stand aside and let them go, you can step in when necessary, but not before they actually fight. And the rules governing when you can play enforcers are ridiculous.  Players like Ruutu can take all the liberties they want with Marian Gaborik in the last five minutes of a hockey game because they know they don't have to answer to Derek Boogaard.  Jacques Lemaire doesn't want to incur the fine and the team doesn't want to lose Boogaard for a game's suspension, so he sits and Gabby gets hit.  The rules were well-intended, but are not resulting in a safer game, just a more boring one.  The time has come to revisit these rules.  If the schedule isn't going to change then something else needs to be done. Quick Facts believes revising the instigator rules would bring back some of the excitement that old time NHL games used to have.  

Quick Quotes:
 
"I'm going to stay home and watch the (Vancouver) Canucks."  

-Crooner Michael Bublè on what he is going to do instead of going to the Grammy Awards, where he is nominated, but the award is given at a dinner prior to the actual award ceremony. (Vancouver Sun)

You can't see, so you're worried. I knew I was hit around the eye, but I didn't know what was wrong at first. Lucky, I guess."

- Andrew Alberts on being struck in the face with a slap shot. (Boston Globe)

"He's going to be a good player.  He's a guy that when he picks up the puck, he picks up speed. He's got a great reach, he's got great poise, he's got a great shot . . . I just wish he would use it a lot more. I told him, 'There's only one way to shoot and that's as hard as you can.' I think we're just seeing the beginning of a long career."

- Al MacInnis on Golden Gopher Erik Johnson (St Louis Post Dispatch)


"Being from Minnesota, I've had an opportunity to watch them play quite a bit. They've got great skill. They've really upgraded their offensive ability, adding a guy like (Pavol) Demitra. Brian Rolston is having a tremendous year. They've got solid veterans there. They've got Keith Carney that came in as a veteran defenseman. (Manny) Fernandez gives them great goaltending. ... I think I've covered all three positions. It'll be a battle."

- Faribault resident and former Shattuck coach Andy Murray the Minnesota Wild (St Louis Post Dispatch)

Joe Motzko and Mark Hartigan, longtime teammates with the Columbus Blue Jackets and their minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch have been traded to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in exchange for Curtis Glencross & Zenon Knopka with draft picks in the mix for both teams.  Motzko was just signed to a multi-year contract extension by the Jackets a few months ago.  Motzko and Hartigan are now in Portland with the Pirates.
 
In his first game after being reactivated from Injured Reserve for a groin injury Jordan Leopold scored a shorthanded goal for the Colorado Avalanche against Keith Ballard and the Phoenix Coyotes.  
 
Keith Ballard reports no recent problems with a wrist injury that has sidelined him more than once.  He is having fun with the recent success of the Phoenix Coyotes.
 
Troy Riddle of the Trenton Titans is tied for second in the ECHL in game-winning goals with four
 
Matt Hussey had a cup of coffee up with the Detroit Red Wings before being reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins again.
 
Congratulations to Winny Brodt and Justin Brown on their recent engagement!
 
And a belated congratulations to Casey Hankinson and his wife Holli on the birth of their 2-month old daughter, Stella, born November 6th, a little sister for Samantha!
 
The Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL have a decided Minnesota accent on the blueline. Playing defense for the Chiefs are PJ Atherton, Bryan Nathe and John Adams.
 
Dustin Byfuglien won the Hardest Shot competition in the AHL AllStar Skills competition with a shot of 98.7 miles per hour.  Erik Westrum didn't fare well in the shooutout competition but did help the PlanetUSA All Stars to a win in overall competition with his victory in the individual Puck Control Relay competition.
 
At Mariucci Arena during the AHL All Star Break was Chris Chucko, who is playing for the red-hot Omaha Knights. Considering the outcome of the weekend series against UND, the Gophers may think twice about inviting Chucko to the locker room again, however.
 
Evan Kaufmann & Tom Pohl will not return to the Gopher lineup until after the bye week. Kaufmann has been skating with the goaltenders instead of with the full team, but will attempt to rejoin full practices the week before the Alaska series.  His injuries are to the bones of the knee, and therefore no specific timetable is available for how fast he heals, its up to his body to decide.  Unfortunately, rest and patience is the usual course of action, which isn't always easy for someone with the work ethic of Kaufmann.  
 
Matt Koalska and Grant Potulny scored the second and third goals consecutively in the third period to bring their Binghamton Senators back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game, but saw the game slip away late in the third when the Rochester Americans tallied the final goal to win the game 4-3 Sunday night.  Ben Stafford had a goal and an assist on the game-winner for Rochester.
 
Brandon Bochenski will miss the AHL All Star Game due to injury.
 
John Curry made the ESPN SportsCenter top ten plays of the day on Friday night with a dramatic pinwheel save for Boston University against rival Boston College.  Host John Buccigross embellished the call with an over-emphasized Boston accent, favoring the word 'wicked', to describe the save.  Unfortunately Boston College won the game.
 
Blake Kessel, the younger brother of Phil Kessel, has committed to play hockey for New Hampshire, who rose to a number one ranking in the country after the Gophers' debacle against North Dakota dropped them to third.
 
Jake Taylor is back to playing a regular shift after multiple injuries have kept him out of the lineup for parts of the last few years.  He is in the final year of a 3-year initial contract with the New York Rangers and will have to work hard to prove himself. According to his agent he is still in the Rangers' long-term plans, but he has to finish the season well this year.
 
Quick Speculation:
 
The Minnesota Wild have never drafted a defensive powerhouse, especially when you compare to their success with Gaborik, Bouchard and likely Pouliot on the foward lines.  Perhaps their best pick was Lubomir Sekeras, who was a perfect fit for the expansion era of the team. Brent Burns was a long-shot and is shaping up to be a good defenseman but not an offensive threat. AJ Thelan was a first round pick, but after being traded recently from Prince Albert to Vancouver and only tallying 5 goals and 9 assists, though all those goals were on the powerplay, he's not looking like he'll be as dominant on the scoresheet as first thought.  
 
There is good news, however, the Wild signed two promising free agents last summer, Mike Madill and Paul Albers. Albers was named to the ECHL All Star Team where he scored two assists.  He also ranks second in rookie scoring and 5th amongst league defensemen with 9 goals and 29 assists for the Texas Wildcatters. Madill is 6th amongst league rookies in scoring with 2 goals and 25 assists for the Wildcatters.  But the odds for ECHL defensemen making the leap to the NHL are not very good, meaning that though they are perfoming well at the AA level, that success may not translate to the major leagues.  
 
That leaves the Wild with little to rely upon the blueline with little depth past Shawn Belle.  They have virtually no scoring from their European prospects at all, and currently, only Petteri Numelin and Kurtis Foster look to help on the scoresheet amongst d-men on the current roster. What that translates to is a likely trade for a blueliner if they can find a lower-priced player to trade for Pascal Dupuis, or whomever they can trade.    
 
Here is Quick Facts' wish list for current NHL defensemen who are considered trade bait, realizing of course that the salary cap may prevent any acquisitions:
 
1. Joe Corvo, Ottawa Senators
2. Frantisek Kaberle, Carolina Hurricanes
3. Brent Sopel, Los Angeles Kings
4. Brad Stuart, Boston Bruins
5. Adrian Aucoin, Chicago Blackhawks
 
 
Quick Quotes:
 
“One of the highlights of my career was playing in that state final that year,” he said. “Just playing for your community, that’s the greatest gift for an athlete. The Olympics was the same type of deal, only there we were playing for a national community, theUnited States.  It’s an immense feeling, like having sex for the first time.”

- Henry Boucha on the honor of playing for community. (NY Times)
 
"They said I haven't been playing well enough defensively. Whether that's completely true or not, I don't know. But I'm going to play hard wherever I am, and eventually I'll get a chance."

- AHL All Star Brandon Bochenski on why he hasn't stuck with the NHL Chicago Blackhawks this season.  (Binghamton Press)

Adam Berkhoel was named the ECHL All Star Game MVP.  It is the second year in a row a Minnesotan was named the most valuable player in the game.  Luke Curtin won the honor last year.  Curtin had a goal in the game as did Tyler Mosienko.  
 
NHL Star Sidney Crosby was speared by Jason Blake of the Islanders in a game before the All Star break. Blake didn't receive a penalty on the play but Crosby received and unsportsmanlike conduct minor. Blake said the play was unintentional while the Penguins' head coach Michel Therrien is calling for Blake's suspension. The two players will play together in the NHL All Star game on Wednesday.
 
Former St Cloud State Husky Ryan Malone is one point away from 100 for his NHL career.
 
Former St. Cloud State Husky Mark Hartigan's hat trick against Albany on Friday gave him 106 career goals with Syracuse and made him the Crunch’s all-time leading goal scorer, surpassing Lonny Bohonos (104). (AHL)
 
2007 All-Star Dustin Byfuglien played the hero for Norfolk, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to lift the Admirals to 4-3 win in front of a crowd of 7,944 at the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia last weekend.(AHL)
 
Minnesotans playing for the Todd Richards-coached PlanetUSA All Stars at the AHL All Star Classic this coming weekend include:
Erik Westrum (Toronto Marlies), Dustin Byfuglien (Norfolk Admirals), Brandon Bochenski (Norfolk Admirals) and Drew Stafford (Rochester Americans).
 
Paul Martin scored his first goal of the season, 47 games in, for the Devils last Thursday.  It was a game-tying goal late in the third period, the Devils won the game in OT.
 
What a scary combination: former Gophers Phil Kessel and Thomas Vanek centered for a time during the YoungStars game by Zach Parise.  Kessel scored a hat trick in the game and Parise was named the MVP.
 
Luke Curtin of the Fresno Falcons has 322 assists in the ECHL to rank 16th all-time in league history.
 
Nick Angell is ranked 8th amongst defensemen in scoring in the Swedish Elitseiren. He has 13 goals and 10 assists in 37 games for Brynäs and has a +7 rating.
 
Adam Hauser, who will play in the DEL All Star Game next week, continues to dominate the the German Elite League. He has a 92.32% save percentage, and a goals against average of 2.37 playing for Kölner Haie, ranking him in the top position in the league in both statistics.  He has three shutouts so far this season and two assists!
 
Former Gopher Craig Johnson has 16 goals and 15 assists in 40 games with the DEG Metro Stars in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga while Kelly Fairchild has 10 goals and 14 assists in 39 games for Eisbären Berlin. David Lundbohm has 6 goals and 11 assists in 40 games for the Straubing Tigers in the same league.
 
 
Quick Speculation:
 
Don't be surprised to see David Tanabe moved by the Carolina Hurricanes if they can find a willing partner.  The Hurricanes are in the market to dump at least one of their surplus defensemen once theirs, including Bret Hedican, get healthy.  


Quick Take:
 
There has been a lot of talk about the HUGE party Dallas has put on for the All Star Game this year.  They talk about the Legends celebration and the concerts.  What they haven't mentioned is the lack of people.  Watching the YoungStars game on television it appeared as though half the seats were empty.  The last All Star Game in Saint Paul there was standing room capacity for all events.  For crying out loud, the event only garnered coverage in the newspaper on the 10th & 11th pages!  First they steal our team and then they attempt to steal our thunder.  They should have been able to put on a pretty spectacular event, they had four years to plan it!  Dallas was awarded the 2005 All Star Game in 2003, the lockout and Olympics gave them an extra two years.  Instead, while there will be a lot of spin, the event was not as well covered or embraced as it was in the State of Hockey!
 
The only thing I will say is that I miss the Celebrity AllStars game.  The Wild's All Star Game only attracted notable celebrities Peter Jennings and Larry Joe Campbell (yeah, I had to look him up too).  Would have been fun to see Keanu Reeves, Cuba Gooding Jr skating with Alan Thicke, Dennis Leary, Tim Robbins, Jason Preistley an other known hockey-playing celebs out there at the X and partying with the Barenaked Ladies after the game.  Its a sure bet that Dallas has a few more celebs in attendance.
 
 
Quick Quotes:
 
"It's remarkable.  I'm happy for him. He's a tremendous player. It's an unfortunate thing that happened. But he recovered well and it seems like he's dealing with it just fine out there."

- Thomas Vanek on Phil Kessel's return to NHL play after treatment for testicular cancer. (AP)
 
"I'm sure any perspective I would provide would be uninformed and full of personal bias since friends are involved.  However I am very glad to see Don Lucia, another coach I hired, doing well. (I) hope that continues since these appear to be dangerous times for incumbent Gopher coaches."

-Former University of Minnesota Athletic Director Mark Dienhart on the firings of two of the three coaches he hired (Munson & Mason) and the last remaining one.
 
"(It's) great to be back with Poppers (a.k.a. Grant), nice to be playing again.  I have to play hard and consistent and do what I do best.  Happy though, to finish the season playing.  (It's been a) long year so far, but its all part of life and the biz of the game I love: hockey."

- Matt Koalska on being reunited with former Gopher teammate Grant Potulny with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL after almost a month of being without a team.
 
"Sidney Crosby would look pretty athletic if you put him in a tutu.''

-former NHLer Brad McKrimmon on the new NHL uniform's more form-fitting look (Bloomberg News)
 
"I feel like I've answered them with what I had to deal with and what I've gone through.  I think it shows that I'm pretty mature for a young kid. Hopefully, they'll look at me like that and not some young punk."

- Phil Kessel on whether his struggle to come back after testicular cancer has answered questions about his character. (Boston Globe)

 
"It's a thrill for me, an accomplishment that I thought was probably out of reach."

- Jason Blake on playing in the All Star Game (NY Post)

"It was OK.  It was good to meet some of the guys, but I think the game, if they do it again, maybe they should make it a little longer. You go out there and play two shifts a period. The most important thing is that the fans enjoy it, and it sounded like they did. But, obviously, the reason to be here was to play hockey. I wanted to do more than that."

- Thomas Vanek on skating only 8 shifts in the NHL YoungStars game. (Buffalo News)

Rosters for the US Pond Hockey tourney are out, a Quick perusal found several Minnesota Hockey and college hockey connections: Playing on the Footlong Meatball sub on white with double pepperjack cheese!  Team Garrett Smaagaard. New Brighton's Andy Disch is on the Healthy Scratch SHS team.  Dan Brooks, Rick Erdall, Marc Terris and Bill Kohn are playing on the Herb Brooks Foundation Team.  The Johnny Upton & Associates team is comprised of Nick Checco, Mike Crowley, Brian LaFleur, Dave Paradise, Cory Peterson and Dusty Anderson. Money Shot has Josh DeWolf & Ryan Trebil. Proform Team features Justin McHugh.  Brett Lievers is on the Rat Pack Team. Brian Bonin is on the Screeching Pterodactyls Team. Sweet Hockey Products (aka Got Hands) features the Brother & Sister Act of Erik & Krissy Wendell, with Pat O'Leary. Old buddies Brett Abrahamson, Dan Hendrickson & Dave Spehar team on The Tail Gators. Team Bullet is comprised of the Gopher class of '96 members Dan Trebil, Bob Dustin, Charley Wasley & Greg Zwackman. Dylan Mills, Stu Senden, Ryan Coole, Matt Mathias, Jon Toftey & Brandon Johnson will play for Team Duluth. Pete Armbrust & Jeff Sorem will play for the Federal League All Stars. The White Bear Bar/Southern Comfort team has Peter Roed.  Whiskey Bandits features Joe Dustin, Matt Elsen, Rheese Carlson, Doug Meyer & Jamie Steinert.  Dave Shute, who won last year, will be on the Wright Homes (aka Almost 40) team with Randy Gallatin & Dan Goff. The Tournament will take place this weekend January 19th-21st on Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis.

Gopher junior Evan Kauffman tried skating for the first time since knee injuries knocked him out of the lineup.  He reports that after a half hour the pain returned so doctors have advised him to stay off the ice for another week. "After this weekend it will be 3 weeks and the doctors have all said that I could be back anywhere from three to twelve weeks.  I am making some progress but it is just a bit of a process,"  said Kauffman.  The Gopher forward will be out of the lineup for the Denver series at the least, and could miss the Alaska series as well.

The NHL YoungStars Roster is dotted with several players connected with Minnesota and college hockey.  Included in the YoungStars game are former Gophers Thomas Vanek and Phil Kessel, former UND player Zach Parise, Boston College's Patrick Eaves, Former Denver Pioneer Matt Carle, Ryan Whitney of Boston University & Dartmouth's Lee Stempniak.

Former Gopher Todd Richards, current head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, has been named the coach of the AHL Planet AllStars for the AHL All Star classic. Richards coached the Baby Pens to the best record, just edging out the Chicago Wolves, giving him the honor.
 
Brett Larson has suddlenly found himself a free agent after his Southern Professional Hockey League team, the Florida Seals, have ceased operations. The Seals were locked out of their area for reportedly failing to meet contractual obligations. There was a dispursal draft with five players being selected and the remainder of the players becoming unrestricted free agents. No word on whether Larson has found a new home yet.
 
Reggie Berg is in the midst of a five-game goal scoring streak. He has seven tallies in his last five games with the Florida Everblades.
 
Gino Guyer suffered a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament playing for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL early December and underwent surgery to repair the damage. Reportedly the injury occured when Guyer caught a skate blade in a rut during a check.  He remains in Anchorage to rehabilitate the knee following surgery and hopes to return to the roster in time for the playoffs. Guyer had two goals and three assists in six games for the Aces prior to the injury. This is the first time Guyer has missed games at any level due to injury.
 
Minnesotans Andy Sertich and Luke Curtin will be teamed with Kevin Croxton for the In Glas Co Puck Control Relay during the Skills Competition for the ECHL All Star Game. Tyler Mosienko will compete in the one-on-one Puck Control Relay. Adam Berkhoel will have to stop shots from Dave Pszenyczny in the Rbk Hockey Rapid Fire challenge. Berkhoel will also defend the net in the Breakaway Relay competition. Former Husky Joe Jensen will compete in the Rbk Hockey Fastest Skater challenge. Former Bulldog Beau Geisler will take part in the MeiGray Group Shooting Accuracy Competition.
 
Ryan Potulny scored his fourth goal for the Flyers over the weekend.
 
With several New Jersey Defensemen injured recently Paul Martin has been one of three Devils blueliners to average more than 30 minutes a game. Over the weekend he logged more than 62 minutes on the ice.
 
Former Wild center Cliff Ronning is now a sales rep for Warrior hockey sticks.
 

Quick Quotes:
 
"I just try and do the best with the time I get," he said. "It's out of my control how much time I get. What is in my control is how I play when I get the time."

- Former UMD Bulldog goaltender Issac Reichmuth on being a back-up goalie with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL (Anchorage Daily News)
 

"There's a lot of other guys on our team that could have went. I thought for sure one of those two [Drury or Afinogenov] would make it. But I guess maybe it's a numbers thing, but they deserved it."

- Thomas Vanek on not being selected for the NHL All Star game despite his team-leading 23 goals. (Buffalo News)

 
"All day (Tuesday), I just wanted to curl up in a little ball,''

- Gino Guyer upon learning the results of an MRI revealing a torn ACL. (Alaska Daily News)

According to Doug Spencer, Associate Commissioner for Public Relations for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Supervisor of Officials Greg Shepherd and league Commissioner Bruce McLeod have been informed of the incident between Minnesota State-Mankato assistant coach Eric Means and league Official Jon Campion following the Maverick's loss to the Gophers on Sunday night.
 
"(They) are aware of the situation and will be addressing it A.S.A.P.," said Spencer.
 
According to eyewitness reports, Means and Campion had words outside the officials' locker room at Mariucci Arena after the game, and the confrontation became physical. Reportedly, University of Minnesota Campus Police separated the two. 

Mankato head coach Troy Jutting then took exception to the police officer's actions and verbally confronted a group of officers, threatening to file a complaint against the officer involved in separating Means and Campion, and aggressively dressing down the  officers in front of media members waiting for post-game interviews.  Mavericks' assistant coach Darren Blue physically removed Jutting from the confrontation with the police, yelling at him to "stop!" and "settle down!."
 
Jutting began his post-game comments to the media with the statement "Give a guy a badge and a gun. . ." at which point Blue interjected again with a loud "Enough!" stopping Jutting from completing the comment.
 
WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod has been at the NCAA Convention meetings which has delayed his ability to promptly address the matter.  
 
The WCHA has no official comment about the incident at this time, but sanctions and discipline are expected from Shepherd and McLeod.  

Its All Star time in professional hockey. While voting is still being accepted through this week for the AHL and NHL the ECHL has already named starters for it's All Star Classic. Luke Curtin was named a starter for the National Conference, making his third consecutive start and his fourth start overall and is playing in his fifth ECHL All-Star Game which is the second most in league history behind Chris Valicevic, who appeared in seven games.  Curtin was named the MVP of the All Star Classic last year. Tyler Mosienko is making his second All-Star appearance, having been named as a replacement player as a rookie last year.  Also named a starter for the National Conference is Beau Geisler who is tied for seventh among ECHL defensemen with 20 points (4g-16a) for the Stockton Thunder.  Former Gopher Andy Sertich was named the representative for the Utah Grizzlies of the Western Conference. Adam Berkhoel was named the starting netminder for the American Conference.  The 15th Annual ECHL All-Star Game will be at 7 p.m. MT on Jan. 17 and the 10th Annual ECHL All-Star Skills Competition will be at 7 p.m. MT on Jan. 16.
Former Mankato standout David Backes netted his first NHL goal to help St. Louis beat Los Angeles just before Christmas.
 
The Minnesota Wild will not be holding a Skills Competition this year. Instead, the Wild will be holding a different "fan friendly event" according to Bill Robertson. Season Ticket holders have been invited to the first annual Wild Winter Bash on January 7th. The event is open to all season ticket holders, with activities including "Challenge the Pro" in bubble hockey, air hockey and foosball. The event is free for all season ticket holders but some activities involving players require a donation to Special Olympics.
 
The new Bemidji Regional Event Center design team has been confirmed.  Leo A. Daly is partnered with local firm Widseth Smith Nolting to design the new arena.  Preliminary designs are likely as early as March.  With the new building look for Bemidji State University to make the move to the WCHA conference if possible.
 
PJ Atherton was named In Glas Co Player of the Week in the ECHL. The former Gopher helped the Johnstown Chiefs close out 2006 with back-to-back wins scoring seven points (2g-5a) in three games. In a 7-1 win at Wheeling on Dec. 30, Atherton scored the game-winning goal and set a career high with four points including his third three-assist game of the season. He had two assists, including on the game-winning goal, in a 5-2 win against Toledo on Dec. 31 for his fifth multiple-point game and fourth multiple-assist game of the year.
 
Thomas Vanek and his Buffalo Sabres teammates will be dealers in the Sabres' second annual 'Aces & Blades' charity casino event. The event will be held Friday, February 9, from 7-11 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Buffalo. Tickets for the event are $100 each. According to the news release, "there will be casino gaming, first-class food and drinks, live and silent auctions, and so much more!" All proceeds from the event will benefit the Buffalo Sabres Foundation. The primary focus of the foundation is to assist youth hockey initiatives, non-profit organizations and groups that provide vital services to those in need.
 
Phil Kessel has been assigned to the Providence Bruins on a three-game conditioning stint after recovering from surgery for testicular cancer. He will play Friday against the Worcester Sharks and the following two nights. He took part in practice with the Boston Bruins on Wednesday.
 
Erik Rasmussen has missed five consecutive games for the New Jersey Devils and has only skated in one of the last seven games. Teammate Paul Martin has a surprising -10 rating this season.
 
Aaron Broten and Tom Kurvers will be at the New Jersey Devils 25-year Anniversary Celebration.
 
Bret Hedican will undergo surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left ring finger and will be out of the Carolina Hurricanes' lineup for a minimum of three weeks. No word on how his wife Kristi Yamaguchi feels about him not being able to wear his wedding ring for such a long period of time.
 
Matt Cullen has missed games with the New York Rangers recently with a knee injury.
 
Brandon Bochenski has been recalled by the Chicago Blackhawks and Joe Motzko has been recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
 
Former St. Cloud State star Joe Jensen has been assigned to the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL from the Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins of the AHL.
 
Craig Johnson and Adam Hauser are nominees for the Deutsche Eishockey Liga All Star Game.
 
TJ Guidarelli ranked 15th in scoring in the 2. Bundesliga with 15 goals and 21 assists for EV Landshut Cannibals. He is the only American on the leader board with the majority of the players from Canada.
 
 
Quick Speculation:
 
The Pittsburgh Penguins are examining options for relocation after the Pittsburgh Gaming Commission gave the city casino license to Don Barden's Majestic Star rather than the Penguins' partner Isle of Capri, meaning there is no guarantee for a new arena in Pittsburgh if the state and city do not contribute funding.  One of the cities the Penguins are planning to speak with is Houston, Texas, the current home of the Minnesota Wild's minor league affiliate (a team they also own) Houston Aeros.  That would mean Minnesota Sports & Entertainment would need to find a new home for the Aeros if the Penguins relocate to Toyota Center. There has been previous speculation that the Wild may attempt to relocate their minor league affiliate closer to home so this will fuel that fire again.  Don't be surprised to see the Wild consider placing their team in North Dakota's Ralph Englestad Arena should they lose their Houston home.


Quick Quotes:
 
"At just 19 years old and in his first season in the NHL, it would be difficult for Phil to come right back to Boston in the middle of the season. These few games in Providence will help Phil re-adjust to the speed of the NHL so that he is ready to join Boston on Monday morning."

- Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli in a statement regarding the assignment of Phil Kessel to Providence for three games.
 
"It's more than a conditioning stint.  It's an opportunity to play a lot of minutes and get his rhythm and game back. He's really had only one full practice with us. It's a great opportunity for him."

- Bruins coach Dave Lewis on Kessel being assigned to the AHL (Boston Globe).
 
"No. If I would have left here, I don't think (the Rangers) would've been in my plans. That would've been a little too close to here. I have a little too much respect for Lou (Lamoriello, the GM). I never got far enough into free agency. The Rangers sent me a videotape, but I think they send that to all the free agents."

- Jamie Langenbrunner on the prospect of signing with the New York Rangers last summer as a free agent (Newark Star Ledger)
 
"We had four shots by our forwards in the first period. Pohl had three of them. So that line was our best, without a doubt."

- Maple Leafs' Head Coach Paul Maurice after the Toronto 10-2 drubbing of the Boston Bruins.
 
"It was pretty sweet. It's neat when you've worked at something your whole life. It was an honor and a blast.  I just remember watching the players, soaking in what was different at that level. I think it was definitely a help for me to see that. I think I can always believe I can be at that level. You never know.''

- Former Apple Valley netminder Karl Goehring on being called up to the NHL for a short stint (NHL.com)

Quick Facts Exclusive: Gopher forward Evan Kaufmann is suffering from two very painful knees, injuries that prevented him from skating full shifts in the Dodge Holiday Classic last weekend and to barely be able to walk following the games. Team doctors predicted possible stress fractures under each kneecap after the game.  
 
An MRI was completed Tuesday to determine the full extent of his injuries. Kaufmann reports the news isn't as bad as originally thought and that he likely pulled himself off the ice just in time to prevent a very severe injury.  
 
"The images show a lot of stress in my bone and the doctors say it is like a very minor stress fracture or more or less the beginning signs of a stress fracture forming," said Kaufmann in an email to Quick Facts.

The speedy forward said he will sit out the weekend series against Mankato and likely the following weekend in Wisconsin. Doctors will determine whether the vital role player for Minnesota will also need to miss the Denver series as well, depending on how well the injuries heal, "but the total recovery time is hopefully going to be 3 weeks; could still be more or less", said Kaufmann.  
 
Kaufmann believes he suffered the knee damage during workouts on the Gophers' five-day break and will likely take it easier once he returns to the line-up.  
 
The injury to Kaufmann leaves the Gophers with only nine forwards for Friday night's game against the Mankato Mavericks (Mike Howe has a broken thumb but could still play), meaning you will likely see some more defenseman taking a spin at forward this coming weekend. Players competing in the World Junior Championships could possibly return to play on Saturday to help fill the ranks for the Golden Gophers, but the chance is remote.
 
Anaheim Ducks Chris Kunitz, Shane O'Brien and Dustin Penner took in the Championship game of the Dodge Holiday Classic with former Gopher Chris McAlpine. Kunitz was a star with the Gophers' opponent Ferris State, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Ducks. Former Gopher Ben Hankinson represents Kunitz who was in town for the Ducks' matchup against the Wild on Sunday night.
 
Bryce Lampman, who missed a majority of the season with a shoulder separation injury was recalled by the New York Rangers for a cup of coffee, but was returned to the Hartford Wolf Pack after two games of being scratched. Lampman has played in 28 games with Hartford this season, scoring three goals and five assists, a +4 rating and earning 36 penalty minutes.
 
Phil Kessel, recovering from surgery for testicular cancer has been cleared to resume skating with the Boston Bruins.
 
Josh Langfeld played six games in six nights last week, skating for Grand Rapids on Tuesday and the parent Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday and Thursday before returning to the Griffins for a three-game weekend.
 
Brandon Bochenski's 14-game scoring streak with the Norfolk Admirals was ended last Friday.
 
Not one penalty shot has been scored in the AHL this season out of 12 opportunities given.
 
Former Gopher Todd Richards might be named head coach of the PlanetUSA Team at the AHL All Star Classic. The coach with the best record as of January 15th will be named and right now Richards has his Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in second place in the East Division with a record of 24-6-2-2. Only the Chicago Wolves and Hershey Bears have better records than Richards in his inaugural season as bench boss of the Baby Pens. Bruce Boudreau, coach of the Bears is already named coach of the Canadian All Stars, leaving Richards to duke it out with John Anderson of the Wolves, who have one more point than the Pens.
 
Rockford Ice Hogs Head Coach Steve Martinson coached in his 800th career game on Friday night.
 
Former Gopher Nick Angell is ranked 8th amongst defensemen in scoring in the Swedish Elitserien. He has 12 goals and 7 assists in 30 games with Brynäs with 30 PIMs and a +5 rating.
 
Craig Johnson has 12 goals and 11 assists in 35 games with the DEG MetroStars in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga this season, that ranks him 63rd amongst all skaters.
 
Adam Hauser continues to dominate the DEL in goaltending statistics, ranking first in Save Percentage with 92.72 percent of all shots stopped. He also ranks first in the league in goals against average allowing only 2.22 goals on average this season for Kölner Haie. Hauser's Sharks are in third place in the league.
 
Darby Hendrickson's Red Bulls Salzburg continute to dominate the Austrian Bundesliga. Hendrickson has 5 goals and 16 assists in 33 games for the Red Bulls. He is 33rd on the league assist list.  Aaron Fox of Hastings tops that list with 31 assists in 33 games with HC Jesenice. He has 26 goals to go with the league leading assists for a whopping 57 points in 33 games.
 

Quick Quotes:
 
"Hockey is a bit like theater in a way. Every time there is a line change, it's like a change of decoration or new actors in a theatrical play. The story is going to go another way. Then, of course, it will change again. There is always a plot to the story of a game, shifting characters and action. There is a beauty to it. Somebody is always trying to make a masterpiece out of it. You sit there and wait for that to happen."

- Mikhail Ovechkin, father of Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin on the game of hockey. (Washington Post)
 
"To me hockey is less like theater and more like war. You come out five soldiers against five enemy soldiers. You are trying to defeat them and take what they think is theirs."

- Alexander Ovechkin on the game of hockey. (Washington Post)