The Evolution of the Hockey Video Game

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With another contentious NHL lockout looming, fans will be searching for something to fill the hockey void. For some of us, the best way to do that is by getting into a game that you can actually have some control over. Rain or shine, the EA Sports franchise will be releasing this year's installment of NHL in the coming weeks, so what better time to have a look at how the hockey video game has evolved.

screen shot from 1988′s Ice Hockey for the NES

The first hockey video game was essentially the first video game ' pong. Most Atari sets came with a 'hockey' function in which to play Pong. The only difference between regular ol' pong and hockey pong was that you were given an extra player situated in front of your opponent's goalie, theoretically making it possible to pass the pixel up to yourself, though as you can imagine this wasn't very true to life.

 

It wasn't until 1981 and the release of the aptly named Ice Hockey for Atari there was a game depicting something close to resembling actual hockey game play. The game was two-on-two, but allowed for some rough stuff, hacking, and tripping. If you were around then, you'll remember this commercial for Ice Hockey starring Phil Hartman:

There was somewhat of a halt in the production of hockey video games in the early 80s. Hockey didn't have the following of other major sports that permitted multiple baseball and basketball games, for example. Still, 1984 brought the early home computer's Slapshot Hockey and International Hockey which featured some fantastic rock 'em sock 'em robot-esque fighting (with a few more head butts).

Then came that weird phenomenon known as The Arcade. A time when video games were exclusive enough that you were to play in public and you had to pay per use. If you remember quarter dispensers, button mashing and tricks to steal free games, you will remember either Blades of Steel (no Will Ferrell to be found) or Hat Trick, two of the only available hockey arcade games. Hat Trick offered the first appearance of ice resurfacing with players who would leave skate marks as the game progressed, and in between periods a strange almost tank-like machine with what appeared to be a periscope at the top would resurface the rink.

view from ice level for the exclusively arcade game Hat Trick

Then there was Blades of Steel which offered the most realistic fights around and real NHL teams ' although not licensed, they did offer appropriate color co-ordination and city names. Blades of Steel was later adapted for the NES and became a huge success.

Nintendo showed the same creativity as Atari when naming their hockey games with another instalment of 'Ice Hockey' for the NES (presumably to differentiate it from the many field hockey video games of that era). As some may remember, this instalment allowed you to select a roster of skinny, average and chunky players. The team selections were based on international hockey with representatives from the US, Czechoslovakia, Canada, Poland, the Soviet Union, and of course, what's any hockey game without Japan.

Once there was some competition between platforms with the introduction of the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo and the now-forgotten TurboGrafX-16, there was a hockey game on each of these platforms. The first sponsored game was Wayne Gretzky Hockey for the NES, followed by Mario Lemieux Hockey for the Sega Genesis. Brett Hull would have to wait until '93 to get his own game.

Then came EA Sports NHL '91 for the Sega Genesis. This was the first game to get licensing from the NHL, however as things tend to go, the NHLPA didn't sign off on the deal. While the teams were all well represented no player names were used in actual game play, though Kelly Hrudey was prominently displayed on the cover.

The franchise, skipping the '92 installment altogether, released NHL '93, which was finally able to get licensing from the NHLPA' but not the NHL. This meant players names were used, but team names were not. (Yeah, this piece doubles as a history of inconsequential NHL/NHLPA disputes. You're welcome.) The NHL and NHLPA came to terms on NHL '94 and both the team and player names were used. The success of the EA franchise early on can be chalked up to its ability to customize gameplay by adjusting penalties, offsides, and more. The EA games were given a mainstream shoutout in the 1996 Vince Vaughn comedy Swingers:

From this point on games came and went, with more unrealistic arcade-style games like Hit The Ice which involved 'street-rules' hockey, much like the later NHL Hitz franchise, and cartoon goon hockey players. And of course there was the Mutant Hockey League game in which you can chose from a team of robots, undead skeletons or trolls. That game involved exploding pucks, referee bribes, landmines, 'demon goalies' and an array of other nonsense.

words of advice from Coach Bricka in the game Mutant Hockey Leauge

 

The games into the late '90s and 2000s stuck to more realistic gameplay. The one exception was Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey, which allowed goalies to transform into literal brick walls. This game was intended to compete with the increasingly life-like EA games. Into the 2000s the competition between hockey video games came down to the EA Sports camp and the 2K Sports camp, going back and forth with installments each year until the EA Sports franchise won out after 2K announced they would be discontinuing the franchise in 2011.

 

Now, lockout or not, you can rest assured you have some quality gaming ahead of you in which your favourite team may actually conceivable win the cup, though even in an unrealistic video game world, Leafs fans probably shouldn't count on it.

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This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Does Brian Burke Have Any Players Worth Trading?

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Does Brian Burke have anything worth trading? (Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE)

Trading can be like a poker game. No matter how good your hand is you never know what the other player has up his sleeve. To draw a direct analogy, most general managers know what they have in their own players, but no matter what a rival GM is willing to give up in return for one of your assets, you really never know what you are getting in return.

When Toronto Maple Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke shipped veteran defenseman Francois Beauchemin to the Anaheim Ducks in return for Joffrey Lupul, Jake Gardiner and a conditional fourth round draft pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft most fans felt it was a good deal, but were also quick to point out that is could be a risky venture for the Maple Leafs.

Lupul had a long history of injuries and a big contract, while Gardiner, whom Burke drafted 17^th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft when he was the GM in Anaheim, was a virtual unknown to many.

Of course, looking back on the deal Burke completely hosed Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray in this deal, as Gardiner is looking like a sure-fire NHL star, while Lupul developed immediate chemistry with Phil Kessel, culminating in a 25 goal/67 point season in 2011-12.

Meanwhile, Beauchemin registered an eight goal/22 point season for the Ducks in 2011-12 to go along with a paltry minus-14 rating.

NHL general managers do not have crystal balls with which to look into the future, which is why every deal is a risky venture. In this case Burke easily won the deal, but it could have gone the other way, especially if Lupul turned out to be damaged goods, as many expected him to be.

Many fans of the Blue and White are steaming mad over an off-season of little movement by Burke which, in the minds of many, has done little to improve the team's ability to make a push for the playoffs next season.

Sure, Burke managed to add a top-six forward in the form of James van Riemsdyk, but the cost was high as Burke shipped steady defender Luke Schenn to the Philadelphia Flyers.

To be fair, both JVR and Schenn have much to prove. Both players addressed organizational needs, but there are no guarantees that JVR will develop into that scoring threat Burke believes he has added to the team, while Schenn may never be much more than a bottom pairing defenseman.

Should JVR fail to develop and Schenn blossoms in Philly, fans will be quick to criticize Burke. That said, if JVR has a significant impact in Toronto and Schenn fails to impress Burke will be applauded for his genius. Let's face it, when a GM makes a trade he has gone 'all-in', and you never know how those hands are going to turn out.

Looking at Burke's current roster it is safe to say that few players would be untouchable, although an argument could be that Kessel, Lupul and Captain Dion Phaneuf must be retained.

When we dig deeper into the current roster a number of players emerge as potential trade bait. Of course, the CBA agreement will have a lot to say about just how active NHL general managers will be in the trade department as recent proposals would call for a significant reduction in the salary cap.

On the one side, a reduction in the salary cap could make several top-tier players available as NHL general managers fumble around trying to reduce payroll. On the other hand, should the salary cap remain the same big money contracts will be almost impossible to move as many teams are looking to reduce costs.

According to capgeek.com, the Maple Leafs currently have a total of $62,873,333 dedicated to 21 players for the 2012-13 season with two restricted free agents left to sign in defenseman Cody Franson and goaltender Ben Scrivens. Both Franson and Scrivens will likely be re-signed, as Burke would benefit from adding some depth to both positions.

Should the cap limit get reduced, Burke will have to cut salary, unless of course the new CBA allows for an adjustment period next season.

When you consider which players might be attractive to rival general managers few players jump off the page. At a cap hit of $4.75 million, underachieving forward Tim Connolly will be all but impossible to trade, as will defenseman Mike Komisarek who carries a hefty $4.5 million cap hit.

Complicating matters is the fact that both Connolly (who has one year left on his deal) and Komisarek (who has two years left on his deal) have modified no-trade clauses, making them even tougher to deal. Both players are underachieving, both players have little upside left.

Forwards Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, Clarke MacArthur and Mikhail Grabovski also have some form of modified no-trade clauses as does veteran defenseman John-Michael Liles.

In the case of Kessel, Grabovski and Lupul you would think Burke would like to hold onto these players, but MacArthur could likely be had, for the right price.

Trouble is, MacArthur is not about to bring you a big return. More likely, a draft pick or mid-tier prospect would be sent to Toronto in any deal for MacArthur, which may mean Burke sticks with him rather than settle for an unflattering return.

As for Grabovski, Burke just signed him to a multi-year deal over the summer'he’s not going anywhere.

Lupul developed incredible chemistry with Kessel last season and with this dynamic duo set to take the NHL by storm again in 2012-13 there is little sense in breaking them up.

A few weeks ago I speculated that Kessel could eventually leave the Maple Leafs, but there is no way Burke would ever get the kind of return that he gave up to the Boston Bruins (two first round draft choices and a second rounder) in order to bring Kessel to Toronto.

Nikolai Kulemin (who signed a two-year deal this summer) could emerge as trade fodder, but with Kulemin coming off a career-worst season having gone from a 30 goal scorer in 2010-11 to a seven goal scorer in 2011-12, his value would be negligent as well.

Could Burke move JVR? Sure, but until he gets a good look at him don’t expect Burke to move his newest asset.

If Burke is to orchestrate a deal he will probably have to part with one of his youngsters which means the likes of Tyler Bozak, Matt Frattin, Carl Gunnarsson or Jake Gardiner would be on the move. In the case of Gardiner Burke will not bite on a deal unless he is completely overwhelmed with an offer he cannot refuse, which is not likely.

Frattin is a player that a lot of rival general managers would like to add to their roster. He is skilled, a hard worker, has decent size and has a measure of upside to his game. Frattin might just be the one player that Burke could get good value for, maybe even that coveted starting goaltender?

With Burke assembling a decent amount of forward depth Bozak could be had, but what value would he bring in return? Gunnarsson (who is signed to a cap-friendly $1,325,000 deal could also be had, but he still has plenty of upside, so don't expect Burke to pull the trigger unless he gets fair value in return.

Trading the likes of David Steckel, Korbinian Holzer or Mike Brown would bring little more than a mid-tier draft back in return, so there is no point in making those moves.

From my seat, Burke has little in the way of assets to trade, unless he wants to ship out some of his prospects, which goes against everything he has accomplished by holding onto his draft picks.

Does Burke have any players worth trading? Sorry Leaf fans, it appears as if he is stuck with what he has'

Until next time,

Peace!

 

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This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

NHL Lockout Rumors: Russian Edition

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(Kevin Hoffman-US PRESSWIRE)

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeny Malkin will play in the KHL this season should there be a NHL work stoppage. Talking to Russian Sport-Express newspaper, Malkin said he would return to his hometown of Magnitogorsk and suit up for Metallurg, debunking rumors that he would sign with CSKA Moscow.

'It's my home town,' Malkin told Sport-Express. 'I wouldn't want to go to another club.'

Malkin was born in Magnitogorsk and played there for three years before going to the NHL in 2006.

Metallurg vice-president, Gennady Velichkin, recently said the club would like to extend an offer to Malkin's teammate Sidney Crosby if the NHL is locked out. However, Malkin believes Crosby will wait till the entire NHL season is cancelled before leaving North America.

Alex Ovechkin (michael starghill/Flickr)

Other rumors around Russia are that Washington Capitals sniper Alex Ovechkin will return to the Russian capital and sign with Dynamo Moscow. Ovechkin spent three years with Dynamo before he jumped to the NHL in 2004.

Many speculate New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk will land in Yaroslavl. The Lokomotiv team will return to the KHL this season after missing last year following a tragic plane crash that killed most of the team and its coaches. Kovalchuk, along with Malkin, recently hosted a charity hockey game for the families affected by the crash. It is also being rumored Kovy could head back to Ak Bars Kazan where he played during the last NHL lockout.

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OHL 2012-13 Season Preview Part 4

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Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Garret Ross will help in providing leadership and offensive power to a Saginaw team that benefited from such attributes from another Blackhawks draft pick, Brandon Saad. (OHL Images)

This is Part 4 of a 4 Part Series.

Part 1: Barrie Colts, Belleville Bulls, Brampton Battalion, Erie Otters & Guelph Storm

Part 2: Kingston Frontenacs, Kitchener Rangers, London Knights, Mississauga Steelheads, Niagara Ice Dogs

Part 3: Oshawa Generals, Ottawa 67′s, Owen Sound Attack, Peterborough Petes, Plymouth Whalers

Part 4: Saginaw Spirit, Sarnia Sting, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Sudbury Wolves, Windsor Spitfires

 

The Saginaw Spirit were the surprise of the 2012 OHL playoffs, upsetting the heavily-favoured Sarnia Sting despite the youth they had on their roster. They went from being one of the worst teams in the league to one of the better teams after hiring Greg Gilbert as their head coach last year, something that resulted in Gilbert being named the OHL’s coach of the year. This season, they are hoping to have even more success, especially since the core of the roster from last year will be returning. The team is, however, losing some key contributors, including Brandon Saad, Josh Shalla, Michael Fine and Vadim Khlopotov. That being said, they will benefit from the returns of Garret Ross, Carlos Amestoy and Vincent Trocheck, all of whom were key down the stretch for Saginaw. Several young forwards, including Justin Kea, Terry Trafford, Sam Povorozniouk, Nick Moutrey and David Perklin (whom they acquired from Ottawa) will also be able to play in big roles for the Spirit; so can first-round draft pick Jeremiah Addison.

On the defence, returns of Brandon Archibald, Steven Strong and Grant Webermin can surely help a youthful blueline that includes Ramon Lopez, Jacob Ringuette and Brandon Prophet. The goaltending for the Saginaw Spirit is going to be young but it is going to be very solid. Jake Paterson, whose stellar play in parts of the last two seasons, especially last year when he replaced Tadeá' Galanský as the #1 goaltender, found himself staying in Michigan as he was chosen by the Detroit Red Wings at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The handsome Mississauga native will now be a teacher to Russian rookie import Nikita Serebryakov, who was an absolutely dynamic talent at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. As a late 1995-born netminder, Serebryakov will have to wait until the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and the Spirit are willing to be patient with their new import goalie, hoping not to make the same mistakes with him as they did with Galanský.

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Charles Sarault led the OHL with 67 assists last year in Sarnia. His 87 points were better than his three years in Kingston combined. He will be counted upon to help lead a young Sarnia Sting forward group in 2012-13. (OHL Images)

The Sarnia Sting are going to be a team on the rise this coming OHL season. They will have to balance players who will be on the cusp of graduation with the youthfulness of those just coming into the league. Their forward corps has been decimated by graduation, with the likes of Nail Yakupov, Brett Thompson, Tyler J. Brown, Ryan Spooner and Ludvig Rensfeldt all leaving. Alex Galchenyuk could return this season which could actually do more good than harm since the third overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft missed such a significant portion of last year’s campaign. Sarnia will benefit from the return of Charles Sarault, who became one of the better scorers in the OHL after recording an 87-point season, leading the OHL with 67 assists; this came after two years in Kingston where he had 63 points combined in three years with the Frontenacs. He also brought leadership to the team, something that he will be called upon to do again in 2012-13 with the help of fellow forwards Nickolas Latta, Domenic Alberga, Craig Hottot and Reid Boucher, the latter being a draft pick of the New Jersey Devils. Younger players expected to have bigger roles this year include Justice Dundas, Daniel Nikandrov, Jordan Addesi and, hopefully, Russian import forward Nikolai Goldobin.

On the defence, the key core of the blueline remains intact with Adrian Robertson being the only graduate. Captain Nathan Chiarlitti returns for an overage campaign, joined by Phoenix Coyotes prospect Connor Murphy, Jack Kuzmyk, Alex Basso and rising star Anthony DeAngelo, who is not eligible to be drafted until the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. This veteran defence will surely help a rather young goaltending tandem in Sarnia this season. With Brandon Hope traded, JP Anderson could secure the #1 job (unless the San Jose Sharks have other plans) and he will be backed up by Brodie Barrick. If, for some reason, Anderson cannot return, the team also has Gunner Rivers in their system, playing in the Central Tier 1 Junior Hockey League.

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Corey Durocher had a solid season in his first year with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. This year, he can help them and their youthful team upset some teams in the OHL’s tight Western Conference. (OHL Images)

The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds have missed the playoffs in each of the last two OHL seasons so, this year, they are hoping to buck that trend. The offseason has been one of several moves that the Greyhounds are hoping will help their team succeed this season, something that many believed that the acquisition of Jack Campbell would do for them last year. The team’s forward corps has lost captain Carson Dubchak and German import David Elsner to graduation so the majority of the veteran leadership will fall into the laps of overagers David Quesnele, Corey Durocher and Brandon Alderson. Durocher, who found himself with a significantly impressive first season in the Soo, will be a great choice as captain or as an alternate on a team brimming with youth. Brett Findlay is now in Peterborough so the team could benefit from leadership anywhere they can get it from. 1993-born NHL drafted forwards Nick Cousins, Andrew Fritsch, David Broll and Michael Schumacher — picked by Philadelphia, Phoenix, Toronto and Los Angeles, respectively — can also help in that regard. Schumacher can also assist in bringing significant size to the team yet again as the Swedish native (yes, he’s Swedish unlike the German race car driver of the same name) stands 6’5″ and is a towering presence on the ice. Younger forwards such as Dylan Staples, Mark Petaccio, Alexander Morgan, Mitchell Dempsey, Jared McCann and Nick Halagian will also be able to provide significant offence.

The defence is going to be very young this year, too, with Detroit Red Wings prospect Ryan Sproul (who led all OHL defencemen with 23 goals last year) and Kings draft pick Colin Miller will surely help a blueline devoid of Joe Rogalski and Mike Schwindt due to graduation and Gianluca Curcuruto due to a trade. Alex Gudbranson was brought in from Kingston to provide stability and leadership, helping with the cultivation of Darnell Nurse and Kevin Spinozzi. With Campbell gone, the new #1 goalie in Sault Ste. Marie will be Matthew Murray, who has become one of the more reliable goaltenders in the OHL, warranting his selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Murray’s backup will be Justin Nichols, a 2013 NHL Draft-eligible goaltender who played last season at Salisbury Preparatory School in Connecticut.

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A late 1994-born forward, Brody Silk is hoping that he can be as smooth as his last name implies for the Sudbury Wolves this OHL season as he is eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He missed time last year with a lengthy suspension for an incident against Niagara. (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

The Sudbury Wolves are hoping that their recent gold medal at the World Junior Club Cup in Omsk, Russia, is going to be the start of a successful 2012-13 OHL season. The team knows that they are going to lose some key players up front, including 2012 OHL leading scorer Michael Sgarbossa, Russian import forward Andrey Kuchin, co-captains Josh McFadden and Michael MacDonald, and their #1 goalie from last season, Johan Mattsson. Out of the players coming back, it is amazing to think that none of the players on the team were chosen at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft this past summer, including their three eligible forwards — Mathew Campagna, Nathan Pancel and Samuel Schutt — who all played well enough to warrant being selected. Perhaps an even stronger season from each one could have them all drafted in 2013. Speaking of 2013 NHL Entry Draft hopefuls, forward Brody Silk is hoping to build upon a solid year last season, one that had him miss several games due to a lengthy suspension for a sucker punch to the face of Ryan Strome in a game against Niagara. Second-year forward Nicholas Baptiste, Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Joshua Leivo and overager Michael Kantor, who was the World Junior Club Cup MVP, can also provide significant offensive contribution; as well, the team can rely on Jacob Harris, Danny Desrochers and Frankie Vilardi. One player expected to be another major force offensively is rookie import Dominik Kahun, a small Czech-born German forward who had 69-point, 126-point and 206-point seasons in the Schüler-Bundesliga between 2008 and 2011.

On defence, the Wolves will benefit from the returns of two NHL draft picks, Justin Sefton (San Jose) and Frankie Corrado (Vancouver), as well as MacKenzie Braid and overager Charlie Dodero. The Wolves’ first-round pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection, Conor Cummins, is expected to be a key fixture on the blueline; as will be 1995-born rookie Evan de Haan, the younger brother of Calvin de Haan. Many NHL teams will also be looking this year at Jeff Corbett, a late 1994-born defenceman eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. In goal, the Wolves have lost Mattsson to graduation but they will have Joel Vienneau returning. In addition, the Wolves will also have John Chartrand to contend for the #1 job and rookie Taylor Dupuis will be looking for net time, too.

THW Says: “Fresh of a Junior Club World Cup championship in Russia, the Wolves look to continue their winning ways as they head into the upcoming OHL season. The team will be likely relying on veteran netminder Joel Vienneau to keep them in a lot of games this year, but they should be able to snag the fifth or sixth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Josh Leivo and Michael Kantor were very strong in the final of the JCWC, and Sudbury fans will be hoping they can bring some momentum back to North American ice.”

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Kerby Rychel has surely shown that he does not need to use his last name to woo admirers. His talents have been demonstrated on several occasions since he has been in the OHL and they will surely help him be a first-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

The Windsor Spitfires are going to be a considerably young team this year but they are going to be one filled with optimism. Despite the fact that they may see some of their future plans compromised with the recent sanctions that saw many of their draft picks taken away, the team still has a key core born between 1993 and 1996 who could surely do well in the next few seasons. It is the group born in 1994 that could be the most incredible in the league and that will surely make head coach Bob Boughner, general manager Warren Rychel and the fans happy. Up front, Kerby Rychel is one player surely expected to have a strong campaign. The late 1994-born forward is one of the highest ranked OHL prospects for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and he has been delivering ever since being acquired by the Spitfires a year and a half ago. Many of Windsor’s other 1994-born forwards are going to have the opportunity to shine after being chosen in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Florida native Brady Vail, a draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens, is expected to keep improving after a 520% increase in point production from his rookie OHL season to last year. New Jersey Devils prospect Ben Johnson and Colorado Avalanche prospect Michael Clarke will also be key fixtures on the offence. They, as well as Brendan McCann, Jordan Maletta and Chris Marchese, could be key cogs, as well, especially now with Alexander Khokhlachev leaving to return home to Russia. That being said, another Russian import, Vladimir Ionin, will surely help out as the 2013 NHL Entry Draft hopeful is anticipating a big season after losing all of the 2011-12 campaign with injury. Overage forward Nick Czinder, who found himself having an incredibly offensive outburst of a year last season, could benefit from having a new Russian on the team, especially with the chemistry he built last season with Khokhlachev. No player on the Spits forward unit is more eagerly anticipated than Joshua Ho-Sang. The rookie, whose superlative talents have been well-known for several years now, could surely come in and be an impact player right away.

On the defence, Windsor is going to benefit from signing Patrick Sieloff, a Calgary Flames draft pick whose rights they acquired from Sault Ste. Marie in the deal that sent Jack Campbell to the Greyhounds. He will help bring a significant leadership to an otherwise young blueline, assisted by Los Angeles Kings prospect Nick Ebert and overager Saverio Posa, the only member of the Spitfires remaining from their first Memorial Cup championship in 2009. Adam Bateman is hoping for a big year this campaign, especially with his high ranking for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Rookies Patrick Sanvido and Graeme Brown are also hoping to be stalwarts on the back end. In goal, the Spitfires are losing John Cullen but they are welcoming back Jaroslav Pavelka, who played extremely well for them after being acquired from Niagara; the Czech native has secured the #1 job and the organization has high hopes for him, especially since it was his play that garnered them a playoff berth last year. Rookies Jordan Dekort and Dalen Kuchmey are expected to battle it out for the backup position with Dekort appearing in three games last season.

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I would like to say a big thank you to David O’Connor for providing me with the “THW Says” quotes used in this article. I really appreciate it!!

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Reading Between the Lines: Drafting Fantasy Hockey Goalies

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This post is a THW Chirp, What is this?A THW Chirp is marketer created content. It gives an opportunity to marketers to share their insight with our audience and participate in our conversations. For more information please email chirp@thehockeywriters.com

By David Dickenson

Goaltenders are one of the most important positions available in fantasy hockey. Partially because of the sheer number of categories for goaltender statistics pools often incorporate and more so that there are so few good goaltenders in today's NHL.

When I was a much younger man, there were guys like Mike Liut, Bob Essensa, Darren Puppa and Sean Burke, all of whom were very fundamentally good keepers in their own rights, but were low on the goaltender totem pole since they were on poor NHL teams at the time. Today's NHL is not so lucky, where most fantasy owners would be lucky to grab one of the top 5 keepers in the game since there's a giant drop-off after them.

With that being said, there are still valuable keepers out there to grab, but you have to be able to follow the trends and read between the lines in order to flush them out and look like a genius in your pool, while all your friends shoot you the stink eye looking up from beneath you.

Defensive style of play = inflated stats

One of the first factors to consider when choosing a goaltender is the type of system and game style each team plays.

Some may think of this is a moot point, but it's actually a very important thing to know since it will help unearth the kind of statistics you will be getting from each goaltender and you'll be able to pick out guys who will put up statistics above what their real world skill indicates.

(Icon SMI)

One good example of this is the St. Louis Blues goaltending tandem of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott. Halak is the starter here, but there is a good chance it will be more of a platoon situation since the Blues indicated last season they liked both keepers and would ride the hot hand. That information should downgrade both goaltenders in your consideration, but what's possibly more important to know is the fact their coach Ken Hitchcock runs one of the most stingy defensive styles in the NHL and with that the goaltenders will receive a ton of support, which should greatly inflate their statistics. They may not get the most saves every game, but they'll have low goals against averages, a slightly increased chance of a shutout and a pretty solid win total; especially considering there is a lot of skill on the team.

Wide open to be a bust

Steve Mason

While Halak and Elliott may see inflated stats from their situations, there's other goaltenders, which may suffer from the more wide-open systems and scoring philosophies their teams play. Columbus' newly acquired Sergei Bobrovsky and holdover Steve Mason should be good examples of this. Previously the Blue Jackets played a defensive style of game which helped their keepers out, but now with new coach Todd Richards the more wide-open style of game will make them more exciting to watch and have more scoring, but also leaves more openings for other teams as well to pounce as their defensive players will be inclined to join the rush and leave open ice for their opponents. While Columbus should be starting to show signs of improvement, these keepers are a risky pick in any pool since they will likely be more exposed by offensively skilled opponents; though also prone to maybe steal some save categories, since they'll receive more shots on goal as well.

 

The Wild Card

The wild cards of these scenarios are teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have a tendency to slip into the dreaded neutral-zone trap philosophy.

On first thought, you think this will be a beneficial thing since inherently this is a defensive style of play designed to slow the game and prevent the other team from scoring' however, this can also backfire on you quite easily as the team keeps a fore-check in the neutral zone especially in the early going of games to try to take advantage of their offensive skill to get an early lead, but also leaves their team vulnerable to odd man rushes and strikes from quick first passes.

A guy like Anders Lindback, who is young, athletic and very fundamentally sound looks like a very enticing package to any fantasy GM trying to round out his roster, especially giving the expectation for Tampa to show a major improvement from last season, however it's important to remember the number of 6-5 games they were in last season isn't going to do anything for your goaltender statistics in a hockey pool.

For more fantasy hockey tips be sure to check out the 200-plus-page FHC Hockey Pool Playbook, which can be purchased at www.fantasyhockeycoach.com.

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Three Cities in Three Days: OHL Breakout Candidates

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The Ontario Hockey League season is upon us and with the NHL Lockout looming ever so likely, hockey fans should begin to familiarize themselves with this equally entertaining hockey league . Over the past week, I have travelled the rural and city roads of Southwestern Ontario attending the training camps of the Sarnia Sting, London Knights and Windsor Spitfires.  Throw in a few minor midget games on the scouting docket as well and it is safe to say my hockey itch has been scratched.

The OHL training camps represent new opportunity for hopeful major junior players as they embark on their hockey careers. Hockey players of all sorts convene to compete in practices and on-ice scrimmages hoping to leave enough of an impression for management to award them more opportunity throughout camp. Top OHL-drafted prospects, veteran junior players and even walk-on hopefuls all share a common goal of cracking that elusive opening day roster.

After taking in hours of hockey over the past days, two realizations have become quite apparent. First, competition is fierce. Secondly, there is no shortage of talent in the Ontario Hockey League as many gifted players are left on the outside looking in – not because of their shortcomings but for a lack of opportunity.

Heading into the 2012-13 OHL Season, I share with you a few names to watch as potential breakout candidates from the Sarnia, London and Windsor franchises.

 

Davis Brown, LW (Sarnia Sting)

Davis Brown ready to become the next Sarnia Sting star (Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

Sarnia fans are undoubtedly disappointed that winger Nail Yakupov won't be rejoining the team this season after being selected first overall to the NHL by the Edmonton Oilers but opportunity knocks for another dazzling sniper in Davis Brown. For London native Davis Brown, scoring goals is the only thing he knows how to do. As a member of the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs, Brown led all OHL draft eligible players with 71 goals in 113 points during his minor midget playing days. Selected 54^th overall in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection Draft by Sarnia, Davis Brown joined the Strathroy Jr. B Rockets last season and quickly notched a team leading 45 goals and 81 points (49 games) en route to being named Rookie of the Year. Brown was a standout at the Sting's 2012-13 training camp as he formed instant chemistry with last year's team scoring leader Charlie Sarault. Sarnia will be in search of players to replace the departing goal scoring ability of Yakupov and Davis Brown is a prime candidate.

Scouting Analysis: Brown is a strong skater with good mobility who searches for loose pucks with great tenacity. He's got one of the best shot releases at the OHL level and is deadly accurate. He is a sniper by the truest definition and thrives with the puck on his stick. Davis Brown has the potential to become one of the OHL's most lethal scoring threats.

 

Anthony DeAngelo, D (Sarnia Sting)

Drafted in the second round in 2011 (26^th overall), Anthony DeAngelo is proving to be a huge steal for Sarnia. In his rookie campaign, DeAngelo showed tremendous progression as the season unfolded. The slick skating New Jersey native shows remarkable patience with the puck as he dangles opponents with his elusive puck skills. Anthony thrives on the powerplay and Sarnia will rely heavily on his offensive instincts as he makes a case to become an OHL star. DeAngelo is not eligible for the NHL draft until 2014 and early indications have shown he owns first round potential.

Scouting Analysis: DeAngelo is a swift skater with exceptional four-way mobility that allows him to open up time and space for himself and teammates. He owns an underrated accurate point shot and is especially talented at sending creative passes to open teammates. His on-ice vision, elite puck skills and elusive skating ability makes him an instant threat with puck possession.

 

Bryan Moore, C (Sarnia Sting)

One of the new faces at Sting camp this season was Bryan Moore, selected in the 6^th round of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Last season, Bryan Moore skated for the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede where he put up 17 points in 43 games in his sophomore campaign. The former 3^rd overall selection of the USHL (2010) opted to come to Sarnia for some new challenges and he was impressive during their camp earning one of the few coveted roster spots.

Scouting Analysis: Moore is a strong skater that gets to top speed very quickly and shows good puck control in full flight. He shows good patience in puck control and a willingness to drive the net on the attack. Moore displays strong compete levels and showed sound positioning throughout the scrimmages to become a reliable contributor. On a scoring by committee team such as Sarnia, Moore has a potential to make an impactful first OHL season.

 

Alex Broadhurst, C (London Knights)

The 2011 Chicago Blackhawks' prospect (199^th overall) was selected in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection draft by the Hunter Brothers' 29^th overall (2^nd round) and will join the defending OHL Champions. Broadhurst, a 2011-12 Champion himself, spent the past two seasons playing for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL where he has totaled 39 goals and 106 points in 108 regular season games. In training camp, Broadhurst elevated his game as the scrimmages evolved showing that he is more than capable of providing secondary scoring for the Knights team. Broadhurst showed good on-ice awareness as he scoured the ice in search of prime scoring areas and he was able to cash in on being in the right spots at the right time.

Scouting Analysis: Alex Broadhurst's best attribute is his on-ice hockey sense as he sees the ice extremely well. As mentioned above, Broadhurst knows where to be to score but also uses his vision to send equally impressive passes to open teammates. Depending on Broadhurst's linemates in London, he stands a good chance at posting impressive numbers as a 19-year-old OHL freshman.

 

Remi Elie, LW (London Knights)

The Knights' training camp presented some nice surprises but no other non-returning player was as impressive as Remi Elie. At the 2011 OHL Priority Selection draft, Elie was the 91^st selection (5^th round) of the London Knights in the same year that he was drafted 1^st overall to the Hawkesbury Hawks of the CJHL. Remi Elie finished second in team scoring for Hawkesbury after posing 21 goals and 46 points in 59 games. Elie added another 9 points in as many playoff games. The Eastern Ontario boy has made significant strides in his game since last season and simply dominated at times during the Knights' recent training camp, likely ensuring himself a spot on the team.

Scouting Anaylsis: Remi Elie is an above-average skater that originates from a powerful stride that shows good edge work. His ability to control the puck with confidence makes him appear as a savvy veteran but he remains just 17 years-old. Elie has good creative instincts and makes crisp accurate passes displaying both playmaking and scoring ability. His strong hockey sense assists him in being a valuable player in both the offensive and defensive zones. It appears at this stage that the London Knights have struck gold with another prospect as I truly believe he could be a star in the OHL. Remi Elie is eligible for the upcoming 2013 NHL Draft and it appears he stands a very good chance of being drafted.

 

Bo Horvat, C (London Knights)

London Knights’ Bo Horvat looking to take advantage of more responsibility (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

What isn't to like about London Knights' pivot Bo Horvat? Horvat enters his sophomore season as one of the top-rated 2013 NHL draft-eligible players in the OHL (in my opinion at least). The Rodney, Ontario native has accomplished a lot early in his career and it's not surprising considering his remarkable work ethic and overall hockey skills. Bo Horvat has represented Canada several times as members of the Ontario U17 team (Captain) and 2012 Ivan Hlinka team (Asst. Captain) winning gold both times. Beyond his admirable leadership skills and dedication to excellence, Horvat has shown to be a valuable player offensively and defensively. It's expected that Bo Horvat will adopt a bigger offensive role for London in 2012-13 as several veterans move on and if his training camp performance is any indication then 'Bowie' Horvat is in for a breakout season.Scouting Anaylsis: Bo Horvat's two-way game stems from his impressive powerful skating stride that allows him to get to where he needs to be quickly. Skating in a stocky frame, Horvat is difficult to knock off stride and he uses that advantage as an offensive weapon. His puck possession game is strong and he operates well in traffic showing a unique ability to dish creative passes at unexpected times. Horvat possesses a complete shooting arsenal featuring a heavy accurate shot with a quick release.

 

Chris Tierney, C (London Knights)

London's Tierney is primed for a breakout season after riding the momentum of being selected 55^th overall by the San Jose Sharks at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Tierney, London's 1^st round pick in 2010 (19^th overall), was among the standout returnees at training camp showcasing his silky hands on almost every shift. With more opportunity in London, Tierney is among the secondary scorers last season that stands to benefit and he should approach point-per-game numbers.

Scouting Analysis: Chris Tierney shows good offensive instincts and confidence in his one-on-one abilities. He displays crafty puck handling skills that he uses well in traffic to beat defenders. His ability to release his shot at varying locations in stride tends to fool the opposing netminders.

 

Nikita Zadorov, D (London Knights)

'Intimidating' describes the Nikita Zadorov perfectly. London selected Zadorov 9^th overall in the 2012 CHL Import Draft to replace the physical presence of Jared Tinordi. Zadorov, who speaks almost no English, didn't take long to introduce himself in the best way he knew how, by physically punishing the opposition. Zadorov stands at over 6'6' on skates and he burrowed down hard on several players during camp showing that he will be a feared defenseman in the OHL this season.

Scouting Analysis: Beyond his board-rattling body checks, Zadorov skates well for a big man showing good acceleration and a smooth stride at full speed. Improvements can be made in his transition from forward to backward skating as he was beat a few times wide by some speedier opponents but his wingspan and pure size should help contain the opposition. Nikita Zadorov is draft-eligible for the upcoming 2013 NHL Draft and he will become a vital member of a sizeable blue line in London.

 

Adam Bateman, D (Windsor Spitfires)

Originally drafted to the Niagara Ice Dogs 19^th overall (2011), Adam Bateman arrived in Windsor last summer ready for a fresh start. It appears that Bateman has a re-gained confidence as he prepares for his sophomore OHL season. During the Blue and White game, Bateman patrolled the blue line with an improved confidence allowing him to play to his own strengths. The former Don Mills Flyers defensive star will attempt to earn more offensive minutes this season alongside the likes of Nick Ebert, Saverio Posa and Brandon Devlin but it may not take too long for this youngster to surpass a few on the depth chart.

Scouting Analysis: Adam Bateman is at his best with the puck on his stick displaying his strong puck skills. His ability to hold the offensive blue line is impressive as he utilizes his mobility and stick handling abilities to elude attacking forwards. Bateman is a strong distributor of the puck but also has a talent to get his point shots to the net quickly and accurately. If Adam Bateman can earn secondary powerplay minutes then he has the potential to improve substantially on his 10 point rookie season totals.

 

Joshua Ho-Sang, C (Windsor Spitfires)

Windsor’s Ho-Sang looking to post rookie of the year numbers (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

The easiest way to replace a departing dynamic winger in the mold of Alexander Khokhlachev is to draft an arguably more-talented and younger player in Ho-Sang. Windsor selected Ho-Sang 5^th overall at the 2012 OHL Priority Selection draft and he is arguably the most talented player of his age group. During Spitfires' training camp, Ho-Sang was able to introduce himself to Windsor fans using his elite-level on-ice talents. It's expected that the Spitfires will provide Ho-Sang with the offensive minutes needed to succeed right from the start. During camp, Ho-Sang skated between Kerby Rychel (2013 draft-eligible) and Chris Marchese.

Scouting Analysis: Joshua Ho-Sang's dynamic game comes from his ability to operate at high speeds using his quick feet and elusive skating style. As Ho-Sang gains speed through the neutral zone he is able to draw in the opposition creating time and space for his teammates. He has elite level puck skills and shows a willingness to drive the net hard. Look for Ho-Sang to become a vital member of the scoring committee in Windsor this season and take a run at rookie of the year honours.

 

Ben Johnson, LW (Windsor Spitfires)

The New Jersey Devils selected Ben Johnson in the 3^rd round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft after the Michigan native posted rookie numbers of 18 goals and 38 points in 60 games. Never drafted into the OHL, Ben Johnson was Michigan's Mr. Hockey recipient as the state's top high school player and the Windsor Spitfires added him to the mix soon after. During Spitfires' Blue and White game, Ben Johnson was the most impressive player on the ice as he notched a hat trick in the Blue and White game. Entering his second OHL season, Ben Johnson will challenge Brady Vail and Kerby Rychel as Windsor's top scorer.

Scouting Analysis: Ben Johnson is a gifted skater with tremendous hockey instincts proving to be valuable in all three zones. His quick hands and eye coordination are valuable attributes when he's killing penalties as well. Despite being average-size, Ben Johnson displays a willingness to engage physically and his puck pursuit is top-notch. Johnson's slick puck handling skills allows the winger to retain puck possession allowing enough time to set up streaking teammates.

 

Jordan Maletta, RW (Windsor Spitfires)

The former 13^th overall pick of the Spitfires (2011), Jordan Maletta enters his sophomore season after struggling to stay healthy in his freshman campaign. Looking to improve upon his 20 point rookie season, Maletta has an opportunity to more than double his offensive output from last season if he can remain healthy. Maletta is a big winger with good upside and if he can find himself on a scoring line this season then he stands to become a breakout sophomore.

Scouting Analysis: Jordan Maletta's size allows for him to maintain puck possession using his large wingspan and quick feet. He tends to thrive in and around the crease as he gains body position on opposing defenders cashing in on loose pucks with his quick hands. Maletta is a potential power forward looking to gain momentum as he enters into his NHL draft year.

 

Honorable Mentions:

Max Domi, C (London Knights) ' Max Domi is a dynamic and elusive skater with wizard-like puck skills that is fully expected to take a massive jump in offensive production as he enters into his NHL draft year.

Reid Boucher, LW (Sarnia Sting) ' The New Jersey Devils 2011 4^th round selection enters his second OHL season ready to showcase his lethal shooting skills. After posting 50 points last season, Boucher appears to have more confidence in his puck skills and with improved consistency he should be able to post near point-per-game numbers.

Brady Vail, RW (Windsor Spitfires) ' Similar to Boucher, Brady Vail looks to shake the inconsistencies in his game to become one of the OHL's leading scorers. His improved strength and size is already noticeable in camp and he's playing the game with increased confidence after being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 4^th round.

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This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

OHL Season Preview Part 3

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This is Part 3 of a 4 Part Series.

Part 1: Barrie Colts, Belleville Bulls, Brampton Battalion, Erie Otters & Guelph Storm

Part 2: Kingston Frontenacs, Kitchener Rangers, London Knights, Mississauga Steelheads, Niagara Ice Dogs

You Are Here –> Oshawa Generals, Ottawa 67′s, Owen Sound Attack, Peterborough Petes, Plymouth Whalers

Part 4: Friday

A draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, defenceman Colin Suellentrop could become one of the Oshawa Generals’ more reliable players this OHL season, especially with so many veteran players leaving. (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

The Oshawa Generals are going to be a very enigmatic team this year. They will have a new head coach, D.J. Smith, who knows success from his time as an assistant to Bob Boughner in Windsor; as well, their general manager Jeff Twohey helped build a roster for the Peterborough Petes that won them the OHL championship in 2006. That being said, however, Oshawa fans will find that this team may not be at the same level as those teams. Losing Christian Thomas up front is surely going to hurt their offence. Thomas had back-to-back 50-goal seasons in his last two years of junior hockey, making him one of the most feared players in the league. As well, Nicklas Jensen is going to be playing in Europe this year; the Denmark native’s offensive power will also be surely missed. To add, Andy Andreoff has graduated, too. Thankfully, for Oshawa, they will have three other players capable of putting up big numbers in captain Boone Jenner, alternate captain Lucas Lessio and Philadelphia Flyers first-round pick Scott Laughton. Sebastian Uvira’s return could help as the German import, who may not have had a statistically decent season last year, could benefit from some of the added ice time he will get with Thomas and Jensen out of town. Overage forwards J.P. Labardo, Scott Sabourin and Emerson Clark can also help.

On the defence, the team can benefit from the return of overager Geoffrey Schemitsch but it is not known which overage forward will have to leave to secure him a spot on the roster. Thankfully, the Generals will have the return of Colin Suellentrop this year. The Flyers draft pick has become a very solid two-way blueliner, recording a personal best 17 points this past season. Suellentrop has a heavy shot and great skating ability, something that will be quite beneficial since the Florida native is one of the new leaders on the blueline in Oshawa. In goal, Daniel Altshuller’s play last season garnered him a draft choice by the Carolina Hurricanes and the #1 job. That being said, though, with Kevin Bailie gone to London, it is not known who will be his backup.

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The OHL’s top prospect for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Sean Monahan could build upon a 2011-12 season in which he finished 16th in OHL scoring. Monahan will surely be a catalyst on the attack in Ottawa again this year and a 100-point season is surely not unlikely. (OHL Images)

The Ottawa 67′s have lost their top scoring forward, three of their top defencemen and their #1 goaltender from last year. Tyler Toffoli became one of the best scorers in the OHL over the last two years, scoring over 100 points in each of those seasons. In addition to his point production, his leadership is going to be sorely missed in Ottawa as the alternate captain was a pillar of strength on and off the ice. The 67′s are also losing significant offensive contributions up front from Shane Prince, Dalton Smith and John McFarland. This all being said, offensive production from the forwards in the nation’s capital comes down to two words: Sean Monahan. The dynamic, Sidney Crosby-lookalike centreman, who is the OHL’s top prospect for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, added upon a 20-goal rookie season by finishing 16th in OHL scoring last year. Monahan is also expected to be a leader on the team this year and he is likely going to be Ottawa’s new #1 centre. Thankfully, however, he will not have to shoulder the offensive load by himself as Steven Janes, Brett Gustavsen and Ryan Van Stralen all have shown that they can be capable of scoring, too. 1993-born rookie import Richard Mráz can also be a key contributor on the attack.

On the defence, the team will be losing captain Marc-Anthony Zanetti, as well as Daniel Broussard and Michal 'ajkovský. Despite that, the 67′s could benefit immensely from a return of Cody Ceci. Despite being under contract with the Ottawa Senators, Ceci may find himself back in the OHL due to the surplus of defencemen with the Sens at the present time. Overager Jake Cardwell can help Ceci and Sean Callaghan played well enough last year to get an invite to Calgary Flames rookie camp this summer. Nevin Guy, a 1995-born rookie, scored 49 points in 38 games with the Winchester Jr. B Hawks last year and he can become another key offensive force. In net, there could be a lot of question marks. With Petr Mrázek gone, the new de facto #1 is Keegan Wilson, an overager who was brought in from Brampton. Michael Nishi also played well enough last season to show that he was capable of being a top-notch OHL goalie. The future of Shayne Campbell with the organization, however, seems to be jeopardized.

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Jordan Binnington will be called upon to play big minutes again for the Owen Sound Attack this OHL season. Thanks to him, and based on the talent on this year’s roster, the Attack could be favourites to win the league championship for the second time in three years. (OHL Images)

The Owen Sound Attack is going to have one of the stronger rosters in the OHL this year in terms of NHL drafted talent and that is why they could win their second league championship in the last three seasons in 2012-13. Despite losing their three overagers from last year — forward Mike Halmo, defenceman Jay Gilbert and goaltender Scott Stajcer — the Attack still have a resoundingly strong roster that can help them compete in the always-tough Midwest Division. Up front, they have five forwards who are all drafted to the NHL. The former first-overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection, Buffalo Sabres draft pick Daniel Catenacci will be counted upon to show the talents that garnered him that honour in 2009. The small, yet shifty forward has started to reinvent himself in Owen Sound and he is starting to find some of the success that he hoped for in Sault Ste. Marie. Jarrod Maidens, who scored the Attack’s OHL championship-winning goal in 2011, can become a key fixture offensively if he can remain healthy; the Ottawa Senators draft pick’s point production has been superlative despite the fact that he has not played in a significant amount of games each year he has been in the league. Additionally, the three other forwards all drafted this past summer — Artur Gavrus (New Jersey), Gemel Smith (Dallas) and Joseph Blandisi (Colorado) — are capable of putting up significant numbers. Cameron Brace, Kurtis Gabriel and rookie Jaden Lindo are also expected to help out.

On the defence, the Attack will have the veteran presence of Matt Petgrave, Kyle Hope and Keevin Cutting to balance out the youthfulness of Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick Jacob Dotchin, 2013 NHL Entry Draft hopeful Chris Bigras, and 2012 OHL first-round pick Jacob Middleton. The team will have two solid goaltenders, as well, with St. Louis Blues draft pick Jordan Binnington coming into his own as a solid #1 netminder, especially with Stajcer’s absence for most of last season; in addition, Brandon Hope comes over from the Sarnia Sting to help solidify the goaltending position. With this balance in all of the roster, the Attack should be a favourite to do well this season.

THW Says: “Owen Sound will look to return to the top of the Western Conference once again this season. After somewhat of a transition year last season, the Attack should be able to make a run into into the playoffs. Under second-year head coach Greg Ireland, Owen Sound returns a handful of experienced OHL veterans. Look for Daniel Catenacci to step up this season and once again be a thirty-goal scorer. It is expected that general manager Dale DeGray will make one or two deals prior to the season to upgrade the team.” ~ David O’Connor

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Clark Seymour found himself drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins after a resurgent season last year. This year, he and Slater Koekkoek can help a young Petes defence to succeed this OHL season. (Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

The Peterborough Petes have lost four of their top six scorers from last season but the team is optimistic about the prospects of this coming OHL campaign. Andrew Yogan and Joey West have both graduated as overagers, Lino Martschini is returning home to Switzerland, and Matt Puempel has been traded. Detroit Red Wings draft pick Alan Quine, who finished second in team scoring last season, and Nicholas Ritchie, who had 39 points as a rookie last season, are the only two coming back. Despite that, the Petes have made roster moves to get players who could bring leadership and offensive ability to an otherwise young squad. In the Puempel trade, they received Zach Lorentz from Kitchener, who had 33 points last year with the Rangers. As well, they brought in two overagers, Francis Menard from Guelph and Brett Findlay from Sault Ste. Marie, both of whom had offensively best seasons last year. The resurgence of JC Campagna as an OHL player, Chase Hatcher becoming a solid threat, and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Derek Mathers starting to show his offensive touch, can help a young forward group that includes Ritchie, Stephen Nosad, Jonatan Tanus, Eric Cornel, Greg Betzold and Joshua Maguire.

On the defence, the team will be a balance of veteran leadership and youthful felicity. They have lost only one blueliner from last year’s roster to graduation in Jonathan Jasper but they still have a healthy rearguard corps. Slater Koekkoek is expected to be the leader on the back end as the Tampa Bay Lightning first-round 2012 draft pick missed the majority of last season with a shoulder injury. Slovak defenceman Peter 'ere''ák, a draft pick of the New York Rangers, can also step up and be a solid two-way force. Clark Seymour, whose renaissance in Peterborough last season culminated in being chosen at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by Pittsburgh, can also help. The team’s younger blueliners — Trevor Murphy, Alex Robinson and Steven Varga — will surely benefit from their leadership. In goal, Andrew D’Agostini solidifies the #1 role for this OHL season while his backup is yet to be determined; a solid option can be Michael Giugovaz, who backed up D’Agostini while Michael Morrison (who is now in Kingston) was at Los Angeles Kings rookie camp last year.

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Matt Mahalak will be the new #1 man between the pipes for the Plymouth Whalers, who will employ one of the more talented rosters in the OHL this season. (OHL Images)

The Plymouth Whalers are going to have one of the strongest rosters in the West Division of the OHL, as well as in the entire Western Conference and in the league as a whole. The team is losing some of their key players from last year such as goaltender Scott Wedgewood, defencemen Beau Schmitz (who was also their captain), Dario Trutmann and Austin Levi, and forwards Mitchell Heard, Andy Bathgate and Jamie Devane. Despite that, they will have a very strong roster without them. Aside from Tanner Pearson, no 2012 NHL Entry Draft story from the OHL was more inspirational than Heard, who slipped through two drafts before being chosen 41st overall by the Colorado Avalanche. Even without him, the forward corps of the Whalers will be significantly strong with NHL draft picks Tom Wilson (Washington), Rickard Rakell (Anaheim), Stefan Noesen (Ottawa), Garrett Meurs (Colorado), J.T. Miller (New York Rangers) and Cody Payne (Boston) all expected to return. Alex Aleardi can return as an overager to help with the offence, as well. 1995-born forwards Matthew Mistele and Danny Vanderwiel can surely step up and contribute, too. It will be Wilson, however, who will find himself to be the key cog on the attack as well as to play physically, something that fits the 6’4″ forward’s job description to a T. The Whalers are also eagerly anticipating the arrival of Ryan Hartman, a late 1994-born forward out of the USNTDP who is expected to be a top pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

On the defence, the team was hoping that they could have both of their Swedish import draft picks but they will have to settle for one. Ludvig Byström has signed a contract extension with MODO so the Dallas Stars draft pick will be remaining in his hometown of Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, this year. Their other choice, Nashville Predators prospect Simon Karlsson, will be coming, though. The Whalers also made a significant trade with Sault Ste. Marie to bring in Gianluca Curcuruto; the Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick will fit in nicely with other older defencemen, including Nicholas Malysa, Curtis Crombeen and Christopher Albertini. As well, the team has traded for and signed Washington Capitals draft pick Connor Carrick in a deal with Guelph to help solidify their blueline even more. In goal, Carolina Hurricanes draft pick Matt Mahalak inherits the #1 job upon Wedgewood’s graduation to the professional ranks; his backup could very well be Darien Ekblad, the 1994-born brother of Aaron Ekblad. An OHL championship for the Whalers is not out of the question this season.

THW Says: “The Whalers are expected to finish near the top of the Western Conference once again this season. They emerged as one of the best teams in the country last year, and after bringing in some talented hockey players from the USNTDP in Connor Carrick and Ryan Hartman, they are considered a favourite for the J. Ross Robertson Cup. They could be battling the London Knights for top spot in the West all season long.”

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This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Why the Rangers' Chris Kreider Will Win the Calder Trophy

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The last 12 months of hockey for Chris Kreider were a whirlwind. At this time one year ago, Kreider was sitting in a classroom, and preparing for his junior season at Boston College.  The 2011-12 season was a memorable one for the 21-year-old. Kreider recorded 45 points in 44 games for BC, while helping them win a NCAA title. And that wasn’t enough for the Rangers’ first round draft pick in 2009, as he signed with the Rangers just before their playoff run.

Although there were some who weren’t sure how big of an impact Kreider would have on the Rangers in the postseason (myself included), he silenced those critics by scoring five goals in 18 games.

After Kreider’s outstanding performance in the playoffs, both the Rangers’ organization and fans alike can’t wait to see what he will do going forward. Rangers head coach John Tortorella spoke with Stan Fischler from MSG.com a few days ago, and talked about working with the rookie this season.

“I’m really anxious to see how Chris does in camp,” the Rangers’ head coach told Fischler. “I’ll do a lot more coaching with him than I could do during the playoffs. He’s got to learn to be a pro and not miss any steps along the way. Plus, I want him to get to know me.”

Under Tortorella’s watchful eye, there’s a very good chance that Kreider will do something that no Ranger has done since fellow BC product Brian Leetch in 1988-89: win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.

(Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE)

There are a number of impressive players in this year’s rookie class, such as Edmonton’s Nail Yakupov, Florida’s Jonathan Huberdeau, and Columbus’ Ryan Murray. However, Kreider has a few advantages on them.

One of those advantages is that even though Kreider has yet to play in a regular season NHL game, he has the experience of the Rangers’ playoff run last year. Despite not having any NHL experience, Kreider stepped right into the lineup for a Rangers team that finished atop the Eastern Conference in 2011-12 and didn’t look out of place.

Kreider didn’t look out of place in the playoffs because of another advantage that he has on some of the other rookies in the league: his physical ability. Kreider’s impressive performance in the playoffs was due in large part to his unique combination of size and speed.

The 21-year-old is listed on the Rangers’ official website as 6’3” and 230 pounds. He already has the size of an NHL veteran, and his skating ability and quickness could already be among some of the best in the league.

Kreider’s ability last year forced Tortorella to give him an opportunity among the Rangers’ top-six forwards in the playoffs. Even though some his fellow rookies will get a chance to be in their team’s top-six rotation of forwards, particularly Yakupov and Huberdeau, the top-six rotation that Kreider is amongst in New York is one of the best in the league.

Throughout the season, the BC product will get a chance to be on a line with some combination of Rick Nash, Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, Derek Stepan, and Carl Hagelin. By playing with these players on a team that is already built to win, Kreider will get many scoring opportunities, and won’t have the pressure of having to the go-to-guy offensively. Although, even if he isn’t looked at as the go-to-guy, his numbers at the end of the year could say otherwise.

As mentioned before, everybody associated with the Rangers can’t wait to see what Kreider will do in 2012-13 and the years to come. The only hardware that the Rangers are focusing on heading into training camp is the Stanley Cup, which is how it should be. But, it certainly wouldn’t disappoint anyone in the organization (or surprise anyone either), if Kreider is chosen as the NHL’s Calder Trophy Winner next June.

 

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This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Reasons for Optimism Persist for the Blue Jackets' Fanbase

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(Vincent Muzik/Icon SMI)

The National Hockey League came to Columbus, Ohio in the form of the Blue Jackets for the 2000-01 season.  Now, 12 years later, what is the mindset of the team’s fanbase?  With just 342 wins in 902 contests, and only a single playoff appearance, you could say the fans have been frustrated.

Even with the lack of results, there have been signs of hope.  A young, talented, and exciting Rick Nash sparked the franchise for several years.  The sensational rookie season  Steve Mason compiled back in 2008-09 ignited energy among the fans.  Several other promising players and coaches have also been sources of optimism in the Buckeye State’s capital.

These signs of hope eventually turned into the Nash drama that surrounded the team for months, ending with him donning the sweater of the New York Rangers.  Steve Mason lost his rookie magic and has played  inconsistent hockey while taking up a large amount of cap space.  Factoring in three consecutive last place seasons with a lockout looming, is the Blue Jackets fanbase still optimistic?

The answer is yes.  The Jackets’ fanbase sees winning consistently as an attainable goal with their new cast of young talent ready to shine.  Nick Foligno (acquired from the Ottawa Senators), Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov (both acquired from the Rangers), and Sergei Bobrovsky (brought in from the Philadelphia Flyers) bring new life and potential to the franchise.  All four were playing in the shadows of stars with their previous teams and now have a chance to become stars on their own with Columbus.  Given the past disappointments, Jackets fans are not celebrating just yet, but they are hopeful.

We have HOPE #CBJ sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/a'

— CB619n614 (@619n614) August 28, 2012

Let’s not forget the biggest distraction clouding not just Columbus, but the entire hockey universe, the potential lockout.  Yes the upsides of it are few and far between, but there is a silver lining to everything.

For the team’s popular second overall pick in this year’s draft Ryan Murray, a lock out could mean a full year in the AHL, but that depends on what happens with the NHL-CHL transfer agreement.  For some of the team’s other prospects such as Allan York and Cam Atkinson who split time between the minors and the big club last season, and very promising young forward Michael Chaput, a lockout would most likely mean a full season in the AHL without the pressure of trying to earn a call-up, and added attention from the coaching staff.

(Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE)

The fan base is already grasping to straws of hope and is not exactly among the strongest in the league.  A year off could be a huge set back in the process of making hockey a solid fixture in the Buckeye State, among several other potential problems.  With everything considered, the fan base still has reason to look at things with a glass half full perspective.

Off the ice, the popularity of hockey as a whole, even with the lack of results from the Blue Jackets, has grown since 2000.  When it was announced that Columbus would be hosting the All-Star game, team President Mike Priest told NHL.com that attendance was up from the previous year.  Also, last season Ohio’s minor league franchises the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) and Lake Erie Monsters (AHL) were consistently among their league’s leaders in attendance.

A lockout might put a damper on the sport’s popularity across the state, but will not erase it.  In fact, it might just allow continued growth through the College and Junior teams that also call the Buckeye State home, such as the Ohio State Buckeyes (CCHA) and the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL).

On the ice, a new cast of young talent has a lot to prove, mixed in with some returning players ready to put past disappointments behind them. With the added talent, hockey’s future in Columbus looks much brighter.  The mindset and expectations very from fan to fan, but overall, optimism remains among the Jackets faithful.

 

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This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.