Book Review- 'Hockeytown Doc' Gives Readers Rare Perspective

“I’d never before seen a player  leave the bench and go into the medical room in the middle of a game unless he was injured and needed immediate attention … [it was] a watershed moment in the history of the franchise.”

Thus opens Hockeytown Doc, the newly published memoirs of Dr. John Finley, a man who served as the team physician for the Detroit Red Wings from 1957 to 2003. Who left the bench? Why? And why was it a watershed moment in the storied history of the Red Wings?

You’ll have to buy the book to find out.

And you don’t need to be a Red Wings fan to enjoy Hockeytown Doc. I confess to going into this book prepared to be critical, not because of its focus on the Wings, but because the author is a physician. Great physician-communicators are even more rare than great physicist-communicators; physicians tend to speak in their own language and think that it’s as entertaining to the rest of us as it is to them. Furthermore, you don’t keep a job like Dr. Finley’s job for nearly fifty years if you have any trouble at all with confidentiality.

That said, if Dr. Finley’s writing style were on skates, he would be no Fedorov; yet nor is he awkward or stilted or at all convinced of his own importance. Rather, he looks back on his long and impressive career in Hockeytown Doc with his own subdued brand of awe that, if not edge-of-your-seat gripping, is entertaining none the less. Some lighter moments include:

• Darren McCarty losing a patch of skin from his face, Sergei Fedorov retrieving it from the ice, the doctors re-grafting it back onto McCarty, and McCarty forever losing it in a scrap shortly thereafter.
• Several Canucks fans in a car mooning the Red Wings team bus in 2002 as Vancouver was up 2-0 in the playoff series.
• Jack Adams committing the Red Wings to play a team of maximum security convicts in Michigan, including a convicted murderer in goal who vowed to kill anyone who tried to score on him.
• Gordie Howe introducing a star-struck Steve Yzerman to tennis star Ivan Lendl at an All-Star game.

THE DOCTOR ON INJURIES

In some ways, Dr. Finley’s book reads like an anachronistic telling of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, with the ghosts of Hockeytown’s past and present, as well as the ghost of hockey’s future, weaving in and out of the text. Rather early in the book Finley discusses hockey-related injuries at some length, always using some unfortunate player’s fate as an example. The scene he depicts as he and others work to stitch up a player anxious to get back on the ice is reminiscent of an episode of M*A*S*H, and the impression is that both then and now, the medical staffs who work behind the scenes in pro hockey are the next best thing to battlefield surgeons. His discussions of steroid use in the NHL as well as the severity and gravity of concussions–including Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)–are both relevant and readable.

THE DOCTOR ON ICONS

As the book unfolds, Finley begins devoting chapters to specific icons in Red Wings history (including Olympia Stadium), and it’s here where the book is at its best and at its worst. His profile of legendary coach Jack Adams can hardly be called flattering, but Adams was such a massive personality that any profile that hopes to be honest can’t possibly be too flattering. To his credit, Finley does a fair job of remembering the recalcitrant Adams, noting how he would stalk the dressing room with train tickets visible in his jacket, a reminder to any player that if his performance was sub-par he could be on that night’s train to the minors.

His profile of Mr. Hockey is perhaps a bit too colored by his fondness for and long friendship with Gordie Howe, openly contributing to the myth-making of Howe as the ideal physical specimen and most perfect hockey player of all time. That said, I sheepishly admit that as much as I grew up to Gretzky, the stories attached to Howe and his subtle, vengeful, yet wholly productive brand of hockey represent, for me, the game at its finest, and I can read all day long of Gordie putting rookies in their place, scoring oh-so-timely goals, and getting revenge on players months after the fact. Plus you have to smile at the advice Howe gives to the author’s kids while skating around on a backyard rink one day: if they need to teach an opposing player a little respect, just “rap the back of his calf with your stick blade, just above the top of the boot.”

Even fans who despise the Red Wings give props to Steve Yzerman, and Finley’s profile of Stevie Y is compelling in part for the laundry list of injuries number 19 played through. Equally admiring are the profiles of Ted Lindsay and Nick Lidstrom, although his recollection of Detroit’s famed Russian Five was, for me, the most intriguing. The only puzzling profile is the one devoted to forgettable coach Ned Harkness. I can not for the life of me figure out why it’s in the book.

THE DOCTOR’S WORK 

Hockeytown Doc is richly illustrated with dozens of photos spanning the decades, and in some cases the photos are not for the squeamish: before-and-after photos of massive lacerations to Borje Salming and Greg Smith, for example, graphically display both the vulnerability and the resiliency of the hockey face. Another features legendary coach Jack Adams as a kid playing on a YMCA team from 1914, hardly at all suggestive of the fierce, intimidating competitor he would become; and a great shot from 1976 of Olympia Stadium, made even better by the marquee’s announcement that KISS was playing that night.

Whether the hardcore Wings fan finds much of the material in this book new or not, I can’t say, but a lot of it was new to me. I found it especially revealing that Dr. Finley comes very, very close to admitting that he discouraged Wings GM Jimmy Skinner from drafting Bobby Clarke in 1969 on account of Clarke’s diabetes. While it’s no secret that Clarke dropped in that year’s draft to the second round,  #17 overall, because of his diabetes, it was compelling to read Finley’s brief account of his advice to Skinner, in which he says despite knowing athletes with diabetes, Skinner should keep in mind that Clarke may not heal as quickly from injuries and may be susceptible to infections. He goes on to note that the Wings instead took goalie Jim Rutherford, and that “both players went on to have great careers.”

Umm, no. Fortunately that’s the only blatant falsehood in this otherwise entertaining and recommended hockey read from the rare perspective of a team physician.

Published by Triumph Books, Hockeytown Doc is available through the usual sources such as Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Furthermore, at noon on October 6, Dr. Finley will be at Hockeytown Authentics in Troy Michigan with Hall-of-Famer Bill Gadsby signing copies of his book.

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Boston Bruins Prospects ' Fall 2012 Rankings: 20-11

The Boston Bruins own a deep and talented prospect system. In the following rankings, I've listed the more than thirty Calder-eligible young men under contract or control of the Bruins' organization. In part-three, I’ll count down the Bruins twentieth through eleventh-ranked prospects.

Because of the system's depth, I split the rankings into five parts:

Part One: Honorable Mentions, Part Two: 30-21

Methodology:

Unlike some prospect-rankers, I don't value all prospects equally. While I rate excellent defensemen and goaltenders as slightly more valuable than their forward counterparts, they're significantly more risky (and goaltenders more so than blueliners). Consequentially, these players are devalued slightly in my rankings.

However, risk (and NHL-readiness) are small pieces of the puzzle compared to 'upside'. I hold 'upside' in the highest regard ' enough to diminish all but the greatest risk. For example:

A forward with first-line potential but significant risk is more valuable than a more ready, less risky forward with second-line potential. Similarly, a high-risk defenseman with first-pairing upside is worth more than a very low-risk defenseman with #4/5 upside. In other words, in all but the most extreme examples, Potential trumps Risk.

Additionally, I include my 'Current Favorable Projection' (CFP) for each prospect (where I expect them to land should their career advance positively); an Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) for significant NHL action under the same circumstances; and other rankings for the prospects.

 

20. Craig Cunningham, LW ' 5'10, 175 lbs., Shoots: L; 9/13/90

Other Rankings: Kirk Luedeke (NEHJ) ' 22; Bill Ladd (HF) ' 15; Corey Pronman (HP) – NR

2011-12 Club: Providence Bruins (AHL)

Projected 2012-13 Club: Providence Bruins (AHL)

Boston's 2010 fourth-round selection, Craig Cunningham performed well during his first professional season in '11-'12. Spending the entire year with the Bruins' AHL affiliate in Providence, Cunningham led the team with twenty goals and finished third with thirty-six points.

Cunningham was drafted as an overager thanks to impressive scoring numbers in his second draft-eligible season. He's a solid playmaker with decent grit and the potential to develop into a solid two-way presence at the next level. His skating (more shifty than fast) and size won’t win awards but his vision, hands and competitive fire are all worthy of acclaim. He could grow into a solid secondary-scorer.

With an incoming infusion of forward talents from the OHL, Cunningham may lose minutes ' but see a net improvement in his linemates' skill-level. Hopefully, a breakout AHL campaign for Cunningham won't be far behind.

Current Favorable Projection: Third-Line Two-Way Forward (ETA: 2015)

Previously Ranked: 11

19. Tommy Cross, D ' 6'3, 210 lbs., Shoots: L; 9/12/89

Other Rankings: Kirk ' 25; Bill ' 12; Corey ' 15

2011-12 Club: Boston College Eagles (Hockey East)

Projected 2012-13 Clubs: Providence Bruins (AHL)/ S.C. Stingrays (ECHL)

The last vestige of the Bruins 2007 Draft-Class, Cross captained the Boston College Eagles to the 2012 NCAA Championship. After four years in Chestnut Hill which included another national championship and 60 points in 134 games, Cross should suit up for Providence in the fall.

Cross plays a simple north-south defensive game with a physical edge. He possesses an above-average point-shot but must continue develop his transition and puck-possession games. His future as a special-teams contributor will likely remain limited to penalty-killing. He's faced some serious knee injuries and the organization takes a collective 'deep breath' any time he hits a rut in the ice.

While his overall upside is somewhat limited, Cross remains an intriguing prospect. Like many Providence-bound blueliners, Cross will have to fight for minutes ' and may even see a trip to S.C. Still, expect him to finish the year in Rhode Island as a much-improved defender.

CFP: Low/Mid-Pairing Shutdown-Defenseman (ETA: 2015)

Previously Ranked: 9

Anthony Camara (Photo courtesy, Sarah Connors)

18. Anthony Camara, LW ' 6'1, 195 lbs., Shoots: L; 9/4/93

Other Rankings: Kirk ' 20; Bill ' NR; Corey ' NR

2011-12 Clubs: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)/ Barrie Colts (OHL)

Projected 2012-13 Club: Barrie Colts (OHL)

Bruins prospect-watchers were pleased with the standout performance of OHL winger Camara at the B's Development Camp last summer. Initially pegged as an 'energy player', Camara showed solid skating, puck-skills and his usual potent physical game in his brief visit to Ristusccia Arena; leaving observers predicting a breakout campaign back in Saginaw. His offensive numbers nearly doubled across the board (16-17-33), but many had higher hopes.

Of course, setting personal bests while playing for two different teams (he was traded mid-season to Barrie) is no small feat. Rather, it may force a re-evaluation his development curve. On his energy/pugilistic game alone Camara possesses NHL potential. He's one tough hombre and more than willing to throw his weight ' and fists ' around. If his offensive growth keeps pace, a third-line opportunity could follow.

Camara is playing on a line with Winnipeg top-prospect Mark Scheifele and should see his numbers bounce significantly yet again in '12-'13. He started the season with a hat-trick on opening night to boot. Continued offensive improvement will only help his stock.

CFP: Physical Bottom-Six Forward (ETA: 2016)

Previously Ranked: 14

17. Rob O'Gara, D ' 6'4, 200 lbs., Shoots: L; 7/6/93

Other Rankings: Kirk ' 17; Bill ' NR; Corey ' NR

2011-12 Club: Milton Academy (MA-Prep)

Projected 2012-13 Club: Yale University Bulldogs (ECAC)

Rob O’Gara (Photo: Bob Mand)

The big, extra-mobile defenseman completed his senior season with Milton Academy this past spring. While the Mustangs were unable to repeat 2010-11's New England championship, O'Gara continued to develop, setting personal bests in goals, assists and points (5-20-25) in Milton's 24-game season.

O'Gara turned heads with his performances at the past two development camps despite being one of the youngest and least experienced participants. He doesn't project as a plus-offensive player at the NHL level, but he has the chops to be a competent two-way defenseman. With his outstanding size (6'3), intelligence and excellent skating chops, he may be the Bruins' highest-upside defenseman after Hamilton.

The problem comes with his path ' which is unconventional to say the least: He heads from prep school to the somewhat less-than 'pro-pipeline' of Yale. He probably won't be destined for the pro ranks anytime soon. Consequently, he's not ready for my top-fifteen quite yet.

Current Projection: Middle-Pairing Two-Way Defenseman. (ETA: 2017)

Previously Ranked 21

16. Michael Hutchinson, G ' 6'3, 192 lbs., Glove: R; 3/2/90

Other Rankings: Kirk ' 13; Bill ' 18; Corey ' NR

2011-12 Clubs: Providence Bruins (AHL)/ Reading Royals (ECHL)

Projected 2012-13 Club: Providence Bruins (AHL)

Hutchinson ' a third-round selection in '08 ' overcame whispers of 'inconsistency' to fuel a sterling 2011-12 campaign. Hutch's numbers tell the tale: In 29 games as Anton Khudobin's backup in Providence, the second-year pro posted three shutouts, a 2.36 GAA and a stratospheric .927 Sv%.

Hutchinson was plagued by inconsistency issues early in his career but has superlative size and a solid all-around technical and athletic game. He has all the pieces to earn a NHL job, but another full year of solid AHL action is a must.

This season, he'll battle the newly-acquired Svedberg for starting duties at the Dunk. If he's able to mirror last season's totals with expanded icetime, the B's may come calling in '13-'14 with Anton Khudobin's expiring contract.

CFP: NHL Journeyman Starter (ETA: 2014)

Previously Ranked: 18

15. Niklas Svedberg, G ' 6'2, 180 lbs., Shoots: L; 9/4/89

Other Rankings: Kirk ' 15; Bill ' 13; Corey ' NR

2011-12 Club: Brynäs (Elitserien)

Projected 2012-13 Club: Providence Bruins (AHL)

The B's acquired Svedberg in May, following his outstanding performance leading Brynas to the Elitserien championship this past spring. After several solid but nevertheless unspectacular seasons in the SEL, Svedberg broke out in the playoffs, posting a 1.70 GAA, four shutouts and a .947 Sv%.

Svedberg plays straightforward butterfly with limited 'extra' movement, preferring to 'square-up' to the threat rather than reacting to make the save. He’s not an overtly aggressive goalie – but will challenge shooters if necessary. His pro-caliber size benefits this style and makes him a challenger for the starting job in Providence this fall.

CFP: Journeyman NHL Starter/Euro Starter (ETA: 2017)

Previously Unranked

14. Matt Grzelcyk, D ' 5'9, 171 lbs., Shoots: L; 1/5/94

Other Rankings: Kirk ' 19; Bill ' 17; Corey ' 13

2011-12 Club: U.S. National Team Development Program U-18 (USHL)

Projected 2012-13 Club: Boston University (Hockey East)

As the youngest of Boston's trio of undersized blueline prospects, Matt Grzelcyk just squeezes into my preseason top-twenty. Like Torey Krug and David Warsofsky, Grzelcyk is listed at 5'9 ' League-wide, only five defensemen of similar or lesser stature dressed for more than two games in '11-'12.

Still, few defensemen of any size possess Grzelcyk's hands or advanced puck-moving game. Grzelcyk (B.U. bound this fall) isn't the prototypical 'home run PMD' but makes smart, creative passes and rushes the puck very well. Grzelcyk jumps into the offensive zone often and effectively while limiting counter-attack risk.

His defensive game isn't elite ' but he has a good head on his shoulders and reads the play well. While his physical game projects as a NHL 'minus', he's not adverse to going into corners and battling or throwing the occasional hip-check.

As a college-bound athlete, Grzelcyk has time to bulk up and round out his game before turning pro in a few years. With his skillset, I'm bullish on his NHL potential, but his size puts a limit on our ultimate expectations for the Bruins' 2012 third-rounder.

CFP: Bottom-Pairing Puck-Moving-Defenseman (ETA: 2017)

Previously Unranked

13. Zane Gothberg, G ' 6'2, 195 lbs., Catches: L; 8/20/92

Other Rankings: Kirk ' 10; Bill ' 11; Corey ' HM

2011-12 Club: Fargo Force (USHL)

Projected 2012-13 Club: University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux (WCHA)

During the 2011-12 USHL regular season, Gothberg became the league's leader in save percentage (.921) and shutouts (7), second in goals against average (2.23) and fifth in wins (24). The University of North Dakota commit has been a huge reason why the middling Force allowed the second-fewest goals in the USHL and qualified for the postseason.

Gothberg twice participated in the World Junior-A Challenge, helping the US to medal on each occasion and posting a 0.50 GAA and .979 Sv% for the Americans last November including a shutout in the bronze medal game.

This season has obviously been a great one for Gothberg ' and he's ending it on a high-note: Three times since mid-January he's been named the USHL's 'Goaltender of the Week'. He's still a long way off ' a few years from contending for a spot in Providence and a few more from competing for a NHL job ' but he's trending upward. Gothberg is a real battler and 'instinctive' goaltender, not so different from the stylings of fellow Bruin properties Anton Khudobin and Tim Thomas.  He has to work on his technique and angles, but don't be surprised to see him grace the top-ten (or higher) in the next edition of these rankings.

CFP: NHL Starter (ETA: 2017)

Previously Ranked 24

12. Seth Griffith, RW ' 5'11, 185 lbs., Shoots: R; 1/4/93

Other Rankings: Kirk ' 14; Bill ' 16; Corey ' 8

2011-12 Club: London Knights (OHL)

Projected 2012-13 Club: London Knights (OHL)

London Knight’s Seth Griffith (Aaron Bell/CHL Images)

The Bruins traded Benoit Pouliot to Tampa in order to get a shot at the once passed-over forward from the London Knights, Seth Griffith. After lighting-up the OHL to the tune of 45 goals in 2011-12, Griffith announced to the hockey world that passing him over again would be a mistake.

The knocks on Seth's game are considerable: He's undersized. He lacks strength. He's not fast.

However, in the past few seasons, Griffith developed a very intriguing offensive skillset. He has quick hands and impressive agility. His vision and hockey-sense border on 'elite'. I love his upside as a puck-possession forward.

If Griffith continues to grow his defensive-game and add muscle, his offensive skillset alone should warrant a top-nine role at the NHL level. Obviously, improving his speed would improve his chances even further but his 'shiftiness' may be enough.

This season, he'll lead the younger (but still contending) Knights as they look to make noise once again in the OHL. After earning 'Player of the Week' honors right off the drop of the puck (thanks to five goals in his first two games) ' expect him to contend for the OHL's scoring title and earn an NHL contract in the spring.

Methodology: Both Griffith and Grzelcyk could be considered 'project picks' ' but as a rule defensemen take longer to develop. I value Grzelcyk's upside higher than Griffith's ' but not enough to overcome the significant risk that comes with his size.

CFP: Second/Third-Line Scoring Tweener (ETA: 2015)

Previously Unranked

11. Zach Trotman, D ' 6'3, 215 lbs., Shoots: R; 8/26/90

Other Rankings: Kirk ' 9; Bill ' 14; Corey ' 7

2011-12 Club: Lake Superior State Lakers (CCHA)

Projected 2012-13 Clubs: Providence Bruins (AHL)/ S.C. Stingrays (ECHL)

Trotman took major strides in 2011-12, jumping five spots to the verge of my top-ten. He exploded for a double-digit goal total with Lake Superior State and added three points in his first stint with Providence.

His skating-game took significant strides (pardon the pun) over the past calendar-year, showing up at the Bruins' 2012 development camp as one of the most mobile d-men in the system. His shot is very heavy (though he needs to work on getting it consistently lower and more tip-able) and he has a future as a powerplay triggerman.

He plays with a good physical edge and has an active stick but some question his play-reading and puck-moving upside. If he continues to develop these areas, he has definite middle-pairing potential.

Trotman must contend with the blueline depth in Providence and the challenges of being a first-year pro. However, if his improvement over the past year is any indication ' big things are on the horizon for the Bruins' former last overall pick.

CFP: Number-Four Two-Way Defenseman and Powerplay Triggerman. (ETA: 2015)

Previously Ranked: 16

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Nashville Should Host the Next Winter Classic

Outdoor hockey worked in Vegas, why not have the Winter Classic in Nashville?

While everyone is talking Collective Bargaining Agreement, I thought it might be fun to go against the grain and talk about the next Winter Classic. We all know that this season’s Winter Classic is scheduled to take place in Detroit (well, Ann Arbor) on January 1, 2013, but that schedule is very much subject to change given the ongoing labor dispute.

Whenever the new CBA is agreed upon and the NHL returns, at some point they will have to put some thought into the next Winter Classic. Allow me to put an early bug in Gary Bettman’s ear: think about Nashville.

I know what you’re thinking. Outdoor hockey in Nashville? That will never happen and that’s not even possible, is it?

With advancements in modern technology, not only is it possible, but it won’t even be the most illogical place where the NHL has hosted an outdoor game before.

On September 27, 1991, the NHL played an outdoor game in a desert. The Los Angeles Kings took on the New York Rangers in a preseason game in the parking lot at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. The temperature at game time was 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but from all accounts the ice maintained its integrity and the game was well-received. Technically, it was the first official outdoor game in the NHL with the Kings beating the Rangers 5-2.

Man, watching that game really makes me yearn for those days when Gretzky owned the league. We were so spoiled by his skill and we didn’t even realize it at the time. But, that’s a story for another day. Was the game perfect? Of course not, between Biblical plague-worthy grasshoppers and bluelines falling apart, the game was more spectacle than anything else. But, it proved that outdoor hockey can be played in extreme conditions.

Twenty one years later, the fine residents of Pula, Croatia took the Roman outdoor hockey game to a whole new level when they hosted an outdoor game in a replica of the Roman Coliseum. Again, the conditions weren’t perfect, but with temperatures reaching into the mid 60s Fahrenheit, the game proved yet once more that hockey can be played in adverse conditions.

Nashville Winter Classic Logistics

Now that we’ve looked at the extreme conditions in which they have played outdoor hockey games, let’s get more specific with a potential Winter Classic game in Music City.

While it doesn’t snow regularly in Nashville during the Winter, the city does get a few snow squalls each year with negligible accumulation. So, while we can’t expect to have the perfect snow scenes from Buffalo’s Winter Classic game, we also don’t expect the ice to melt either. According to The Weather Channel, the average high temperature in Nashville in January is 47 degrees Fahrenheit, while the low is 28 degrees.

The logo and paint is now on the Winter Classic rink (JJohnson/THW)

As for the location of the game, while I would love the logistical nightmare that would ensue if they decided to hold it in Greer Stadium, I think it’s safe to assume that they would prefer for the game to be at LP Field, the home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. The seating capacity of just under 70,000 is a good number and while it won’t come close to the crowd size at “The Big House,” it’s a pretty ambitious number for an outdoor game south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Naturally, the setup of the rink would necessitate the move of the Music City Bowl, but I’m sure that cross-town facility Dudley Field on Vanderbilt’s campus would be a suitable one year replacement venue for the college football bowl game.

Selling 70,000 tickets would be a stiff challenge to the Predators front office staff, but I think that scheduling an opponent with a fan base that travels well would help in that department. The Detroit Red Wings would be the logical choice given their fan base and nascent rivalry with Nashville, but I’m not sure the NHL would give Detroit its third Winter Classic. The Chicago Blackhawks could be an interesting choice given that their fans travel pretty well to Nashville. Regardless, the NHL Winter Classic is a destination event and I think many NHL fans would make the trip to Nashville for the game as the city itself is a draw, more so than the cities of other recent Winter Classics.

With the completion of the new Music City Center in early 2013 and Omni Hotel shortly thereafter, the city will be well-equipped to host a world class event and the Winter Classic is just such an event that the city can use to showcase their new facilities.

Why Nashville?

The real question should be, why not Nashville?

Earlier this year, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman indicated that with the new facilities, Nashville is “a natural city to host the All-Star Game.” Hosting an All-Star game is all well and good, but they are doled out many years in advance and seem to be more political in nature than Winter Classics.

And timing is what’s key here.

(Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE)

When the NHL does finally come back, the league will find itself in the midst of a PR nightmare. The breadth and extent of that nightmare depends greatly on the length of the lockout and how much hockey is lost. The one thing that will remain the same, for better or worse, is that Gary Bettman will still be the NHL Commissioner. As we all know, the expansion of the NHL into non-traditional markets is the pet project of Bettman and will most likely be his legacy once he moves on from the NHL.

With the relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg and the financial turmoil in Phoenix, the league is desperate for another “win” from a non-traditional market. Combine that with the need of the league to make a huge statement upon its return and you can start to see that announcing an outdoor hockey game in the South is precisely something that Gary Bettman would do.

Not only would this game send a message to those outside of the NHL, but it would have a lasting impact on fans of clubs in non-traditional markets. These fans are the ones that will most likely be hurt the most by the current lockout. Fair or not, fans in Detroit, Toronto, Montreal and the like will return when the NHL is back simply because it’s what they do. Fans in markets like Nashville might be a bit more reluctant to embrace the league that has suffered through two work stoppages since it joined the league in 1998.

Finally, the Winter Classic is the non-playoff marquee event of the league, most likely even surpassing the All-Star game. However, the event itself has lost a bit of the wow factor that the first couple incarnations enjoyed. In order to remain fresh and relevant, the Winter Classic will need to do something unique to make sure that it continues to demand the headlines that fuel the excitement of the NHL. Playing a game outdoors in Nashville is exactly the sort of story that would be extremely newsworthy.

Make no bones about it, both the NHL owners and players will get black eyes from the second lockout in the last decade. The fans will be more hesitant to rush back to the arena after being denied the one thing that fuels their passion. Sure, awarding Nashville the Winter Classic might not be the most popular move to die-hard fans in more traditional locales, but with a league trying to re-launch its brand, this story would help make the NHL relevant again in sports while also showcasing a success story for Gary Bettman.

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Competition Heating-Up as Providence Bruins Training Camp Continues

The Providence Bruins played their second scrimmage of the weekend Sunday morning at the frigid Rhode Island Sports Center. While the previous contest was notable for frequent tallies ' today's action saw the net hit just twice in Team White's 2-0 victory.

But that two-goal margin became the subject of some debate amongst the audience. The first goal for White ' scored by P-Bruins' captain, Trent Whitfield on a rebound stuffed-past Niklas Svedberg ' appeared to be waived-off by the refs due to the dislodged net. The other tally was a long-distance empty-netter with twenty seconds to go off the stick of Jared Knight.

Torey Krug (Meowwcat/ Wikipedia)

So, really, the game was the equivalent of a scoreless tie. All four goaltenders made good saves. Adam Morrison deserves the most acclaim for his 'preservation' of Team White's 'lead' through the 28-minute second 'period'. Morrison was besieged by Team Black's attack, which put considerable pressure on the White defense ' particularly for the final ten minutes. He made several clutch, scrambly saves to deny key chances and secure the win.

The game's pace was far slower than Saturday's as White's forwards negated the opposition's point-play. Consequently, Zach Trotman was held to just a few shots a day after a four-point performance. Trotman still looked solid in his own zone and in-transition, but limiting his opportunities was a win for Team White.

Perhaps one of Sunday's best performances was put-forth by rookie defenseman, Torey Krug. He possesses an elite puck-moving game and outstanding mobility. Krug jumps into the attack frequently and intelligently ' and with his speed he recovers his positioning almost as an afterthought.

Defensively, he reads the attack well and makes smart decisions. Krug's quick hands are perfect tools for stick-checking. He gets good leverage and is a willing participant in the physical game. Krug doesn't blow up anyone in open-ice, but his low center of gravity permits him to dispossess opponents with solid hits ' like he did to Lane MacDermid during the second period.

On the subject of the checking-game Krug told me: 'It's something that I bring to the table, and it's one of the reasons I came to the Bruins ' because that's what they like, that's their style of play.'

Colby Cohen, Krug's defensive partner in the first couple of games, has helped the rookie make the adjustment to the pro game in training camp. 'He's done a great job talking to me and communicating a lot' one of the things, when you're trying to gain chemistry with someone ' it's always about dialogue.'

Krug has a hammer of a shot, but the same could be said for many of the other blueliners expected to contend for roster-spots. Still, he's more than willing (and able) to play the role of distributor: 'One of the things I always pride myself on is doing whatever's best for the team; if there's somebody who can shoot the puck better than me, I'll pass it to them' I'll do whatever it takes.'

A rookie with two games of NHL experience, Krug recorded his first pro point before he turned 21. This season he was expected to challenge for an NHL job, but the lockout has put those plans on-hold. Still, he believes that brief experience helped him acclimate quicker to a pro training-camp:

'It gave me a huge edge. I was able to go into the offseason understanding what I needed to do to be able to compete at the level I want to compete at ' the NHL' I was able to gauge how strong guys are and it gave me a great opportunity to learn.'

The Livonia, Mich. Native has had eventful six-months: In March, he led the Spartans to the NCAA tournament, where they were ousted by Union College. Just a few days later he was signed to his ELC with Boston and just a little over a week later he suited-up for the Black and Gold. Over the summer, he participated in B's Development Camp, leading to this week's training camp action. 'I'm just taking it as it comes,' he said, 'it's been a ton of fun and I'm excited to be where I am.'

 

Notes on the game and camp to-date:

Bobby Robins ' The thirty year-old journeyman threw his weight around like it was game seven, connecting with Justin Courtnall and Matt Pistilli (neither of whom is anything close to a lightweight) and leveling them both. Robins' feet are always moving.

Max Sauve & Ryan Spooner ' The duo were matched-up throughout the scrimmage (much like Bourque and Spooner were on Saturday) and responsible for much of the pressure their side had throughout the game. There's so much speed and skill in the combo.

Matt Pistilli ' The forward (who played for the Charlotte Checkers in '11-'12), grabbed two points yesterday, so the staff put him on Spooner's wing to see if he could step up. He didn't score, but he had some decent exchanges with Sauve and Spoons, and didn't look out-of-place.

Carter Camper ' Smart, smart player. Camper always has his stick in the passing lanes on defense (and he seems to backcheck at max effort even during these scrimmages). He shows patience and discipline on zone-entries and distributes well thanks to his vision. Much of the White team's offensive chances were created on his watch.

Jared Knight ' The rookie engaged physically throughout the game (including one scary check-from-behind on Trotman that had the blueliner get up slowly and head to the bench before returning), but his offensive presence wasn't as noticeable on this day. He skated with Camper (and Alden Hirschfeld) much of the morning.

Kevan Miller ' The former undrafted defenseman was a revelation back last season, earning more and more defensive responsibility (and an NHL contract). After missing the first day of camp thanks to a failed physical (a heart murmur), Miller's looked solid. Today, paired with Tommy Cross, he took some hits to make plays and moved the puck well while under-pressure. Not flashy ' but sound hockey.

 

 

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Leafs Ruining Chances Of Developing Kadri

The 2012-2013 NHL season is in limbo and the AHL season has yet to begin, but a new controversy is already brewing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nazem Kadri’s fitness has become a new topic of controversy in Toronto (Tony Ding/Icon SMI)

On Friday afternoon Dallas Eakins, the head coach of the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, went on the record with some very unflattering comments about prospect and former first round draft choice Nazem Kadri. From TSN’s Jonas Siegel:

“His body fat today is probably in the bottom three to five guys in our whole camp and that’s unacceptable,” said Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins. “That’s the easiest part of coming into camp is eating correctly and training correctly.

“There’s just no coming off if you’re an athlete,” Eakins continued. “It’s no different than the normal person. You make your choice. You can either go sit on the couch, put your feet up and have a bag of potato chips or you can go on the couch and put your feet up and grab some carrots and some apples.”

Kadri, taken 7th overall by the Leafs in the 2009 draft, has an abundance of hockey talent and scored 19 points in 51 NHL games over the course of three seasons split between the NHL, AHL and OHL, but has battled inconsistency and a lackluster work ethic since being drafted. Fans, management and local sports media alike have been left wanting more so far from the London, Ontario native.

All sides will probably be waiting much longer, however, due to the comments from Eakins, which are just as unacceptable as Kadri’s unhealthy diet.

There is no hockey hotbed in the world bigger than Toronto, and the wolves that the 21 year-old Kadri are being thrown to by his own coach are some of the most rabid and hungry. The list of players, coaches and hockey personnel devoured in Toronto is not a short one.

Yes, Kadri’s fitness levels are incredibly disappointing, especially considering he spent this summer training with renowned fitness guru and former Leaf Gary Roberts, but publicly deriding him under the scrutiny of the Toronto media spotlight is only going to make the situation a lot worse instead of better.

The Leafs have missed the playoffs every year since the lockout, and still face a significant uphill challenge before they will be able to find postseason success. Kadri, given his draft status, is an important part of that equation, so he should be supported by his organization, not left with a bullseye on his back. If Kadri’s body fat results were that bad, Eakins should have taken him behind closed doors and explained to him the severity of the situation, or provided him with more information about diet and exercise. What could he possibly hope to accomplish by making the comments he did in front of a scrum of reporters?

Criticisms and mockery about weight are tough to get rid of; just ask forwards Dustin Penner and former Leaf Kyle Wellwood, two players who are still the brunt end of fat jokes and whose careers have yet to return to the same prominence they were at before their diets became the topic of ridicule. Even if Kadri somehow radically improves his fitness levels and performs to the best of his ability with the Leafs he can still expect to carry the baggage of Eakins’ comments for years to come.

Kadri, despite his immense talents, has not done a good job so far in his career of handling the pressures of being a highly-scrutinized Leafs player, although the blame is only partially his. But now Eakins’ comments will add far more weight for Kadri to carry around than any junk food ever could.

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

The LA Kings' Cup Runneth Over: 53 Names Now Etched in History

2011-12 Kings names on the Stanley Cup (credit: Mike Bolt/Hockey Hall of Fame)

From Altieri through Westgarth, the 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings and their improbable, lightning-in-a-bottle championship team are now formally and forever engraved onto Lord Stanley’s Cup. And then some.

Although the limit is technically 52, the league added co-owner Ed Roski’s name on the far right of the top line, after owner Philip Anschutz, his wife Nancy Anschutz (surprisingly, their dog was snubbed) and team governor Timothy Leiweke. Why Roski’s name was left off the initial list has yet to be explained, but according to Helen Elliott of the Los Angeles Times, the league determined it was too important to omit.

The list of names on the Cup is as follows:

Ownership/Front Office:

Phil Anschutz
Nancy Anschutz
Ed Roski
Timothy Leiweke
Dan Beckerman
Ted Fikre
Luc Robitaille
Mike Altieri
Chris McGowan

Hockey Operations

Dean Lombardi
Ron Hextall
Jeff Solomon
Jack Ferreira
Marshall Dickerson
Lee Callans

Coaches

Darryl Sutter
John Stevens
Jamie Kompon
Bill Ranford
Ryan Colville

Players

Jonathan Bernier
Dustin Brown
Jeff Carter
Kyle Clifford
Drew Doughty
Davis Drewiske
Colin Fraser
Simon Gagne
Matt Greene
Dwight King
Anze Kopitar
Trevor Lewis
Alec Martinez
Willie Mitchell
Jordan Nolan
Dustin Penner
Jonathan Quick
Mike Richards
Brad Richardson
Rob Scuderi
Jarret Stoll
Slava Voynov
Kevin Westgarth
Justin Williams

Scouting

Rob Laird
Mike Futa
Mark Yannetti
Mike O'Connell
Nelson Emerson

Trainers/Equipment Staff

Chris Kingsley
Darren Granger
Dana Bryson
Myles Hirayama

Interestingly, Andrei Loktionov and his 38 regular season (along with two postseason) games was left off. The criteria for selection isn’t completely known, but Loktionov played in five more games than Davis Drewiske and Kevin Westgarth ' combined. However, both Drewiske and Westgarth were on the roster the entire year, likely the tipping point to permanent inclusion on hockey’s holy grail.

It’s a shame that broadcasters are not considered for inclusion. Bob Miller, the voice of the Kings since 1973 and a member of both the team’s Hall of Fame as well as the Hockey Hall of Fame, should absolutely be on the Cup. For that matter, so should Nick Nickson, who does the radio broadcasts and has called games for the Kings since 1981. However, in a fitting tribute, Bob Miller’s voice was carried over the Staples Center sound system as the final minutes ticked off the clock during game six of the Finals. As a long-time Kings fan, hearing his voice boom “It’s over!” as the final horn sounded sends chills up my spine. Here is the final 1:42 of the clinching game, as called by Miller:

Kings news and notes

The Monarchs will drop the puck on October 12. Credit: By Ryan Glenn from Murfreesboro, TN via Wikimedia Commons

-The raising of the championship banner is scheduled for October 12th, prior to their game with the New York Rangers. However, with little progress having been made with respect to the labor dispute, cancellation of that game (and others, of course) is a virtual certainty at this point.

-Anze Kopitar became the first high-profile NHL name to join the Swedish league HockeyAllsvenskan, joining his brother Gasper on Mora IK.

-Dustin Brown has offers to play in Switzerland’s top league as well as the KHL.

-The Kings’ AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs opened training camp on Saturday. Manchester finished second in the Atlantic division with a 39-32-2 record (83 points) before falling in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs.

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

International Spotlight: Em'ls Pot'povs

It seems almost stereotypical to think of how many young hockey players, several of them from small towns, get their starts on frozen ponds or rivers, hoping to make their dreams of going to the NHL come true.  The hope that all of those fun skates with friends and family members could amount to something great in the future.  Em'ls Pot'povs is one of those players who has enjoyed several skates on a frozen river, hoping to make his dream of professional hockey become a reality.  He may not be in North America yet but, just like when one begins to learn skating, he is taking small strides on his way to fulfilling his life’s passion.

Em'ls Pot'povs was born on May 3, 1994, in Riga, Latvia, but he has lived most of his life in Ogre, a town 40 minutes away.  Hockey was already in Pot'povs’ blood from the time he was a young child.  His father Lauris has been a fixture on amateur teams in the city and, while he never played professionally, his influence was certainly a positive one on his son.  It was the elder Pot'povs who taught Em'ls how to skate when he was six years old.  As time progressed, the Pot'povs family grew as Em'ls’ mother Jolanta, a housewife, gave birth to two other sons; Mikus was born in 1997 and Markuss was born in 2004.  In time, they were also taught to skate and play hockey, just like their father and older brother.  All three Pot'povs children were taught how to skate on the Daugava River, which freezes just perfectly in the winter for ideal skating.  The anticipation for the winter freeze is present every year for the three brothers.

When Pot'povs was a young child, hockey in Latvia was starting to become a reputable sport, especially at the NHL level.  In 1996, Sandis Ozolinsh became the first Latvian player to win the Stanley Cup, winning with the Colorado Avalanche.  By the time Pot'povs started attending primary school, Sergei Zholtok was just starting to find his niche, Art'rs Irbe was becoming one of the league’s better goalies and K'rlis Skrasti'' was just starting his soon-to-be successful career.  It was a great turn of events for hockey in the country and it surely boosted the optimism of the country’s ice hockey federation.  It seemed like a matter of time before a rink was built in Ogre and, in 2003, one was finally built.  To bide his time before he started to play hockey on a more consistent basis, Pot'povs spent three years — from ages 6 to 9 — in martial arts, taken to lessons by his grandmother.  As soon as the rink in Ogre was completed, his father asked him and his brother Mikus, who was six years old at the time, if they wanted to start playing hockey.  They both said yes and they never looked back.  They knew that this was going to become their destinies.

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Em'ls Pot'povs has become one of the best 1994-born players in Latvia over the years. He had humble beginnings in hockey, having to wait until the age of nine for a rink in his hometown of Ogre. As years passed, Pot'povs honed his talents and he even got the opportunity to play with some great individuals along the way, including Zemgus Girgensons. (Photo: Erlends Eisaks)

It was not known at the time but Pot'povs was about to join a veritable plethora of talented players born in 1994 from Latvia.  Coming up and ascending the ranks were players such as Zemgus Girgensons, Teodors B'ugers, 'ikita Jevpalovs, Edgars Kulda, Roberts Lipsbergs, Nikolajs Je'isejevs, Kristaps Ba'evi's, Rinards Rosinskis and Ivars Punnenovs.  It seemed as though the future of Latvian hockey was getting brighter and brighter.  Pot'povs was given the chance to shine, thanks mostly to the coaching of Gun'rs Krasti'', a former professional hockey player in his own right.  It was Krasti'' who took Pot'povs under his wing and helped him practice his skills; with this passionate coaching, coupled with admiration of Joe Sakic and Marián Gáborík, Pot'povs feels that the best years of his career have been under his tutelage.

For the first two years of his hockey career, he stayed in Ogre, playing on a team that was quite poor.  He was playing on two squads, one with players his own age and one with players just a few years older.  As time passed, Pot'povs started to do so well that he graduated from the team from Ogre, heading to bigger and better teams in Riga.  These players were much stronger than what he was used to but, thankfully, he was incredibly strong considering his smaller stature. This allowed for Pot'povs to thrive in a league that could have been quite difficult for a smaller player.

Just as things were looking up for Pot'povs and Latvian hockey as a whole, tragedy struck in 2004.  On November 3 of that year, Sergei Zholtok, who had been not feeling well during the last few weeks of his NHL career, collapsed in the dressing room of HK Riga 2000 during a game in Minsk, Belarus.  Teammate Darby Hendrickson, who was playing with him on that team and also played with him on the Minnesota Wild, tried to help but it was too late.  Zholtok died in Hendrickson’s arms, not even a month before he was to turn 32; his death was ruled as heart failure.  His passing sent shockwaves and sadness throughout Latvian hockey and throughout the country as a whole.  Pot'povs admits that the tragedy was quite a shock for all to bear, especially since Zholtok was just starting to become of the ambassadors for hockey in the country.  The next year, Riga Secondary School #55 was renamed after Zholtok, rechristened as R'gas Sergeja 'oltoka vidusskol'.

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Despite the tragic setback, Pot'povs was quickly becoming one of Latvia’s most solid young hockey talents as the years progressed.  He started entering several tournaments and he would do well in all of them.  He led tournaments in scoring on several occasions, including ones in Turku, Finland, and Zell am See, Austria. At a World Selects tourney, which was held in Riga, he had nine points (five goals, four assists) to lead all scorers.  He also did well at a Bauer tournament in Chicago, his first time in North America.

By 2009, Pot'povs was ready to take his talents to the higher echelons of junior hockey in Latvia.  He knew that, with hard work, maybe he could be like his good friend Zemgus Girgensons, who was already playing in North America.  Pot'povs started playing with SK Riga’s under-18 team for the 2009-10 season with such players as Edgars Kulda and 'ikita Jevpalovs.  In only 18 games, the then 15-year-old scored 58 points (28 goals, 30 assists), making him one of the team’s top scorers.  That year, thanks to his stellar play, as well as solid goaltending from Nils Gr'nfogels, SK Riga’s under-18 squad captured their league championship.

Pot'povs started gaining significant credibility and praise from coaches around Latvia.  Coaches have raved about his solid playing skills, including crisp passes, a good shot, and sharpness and speed from his skating.  They also have found that not only is a a good player but also a good person; his attitude is always pleasant and he enjoys playing the game.

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The next year, 2010-11, Pot'povs was quite busy, playing in three different leagues: the Latvian under-18 league, the Belarusian under-18 league and the second-highest league in Latvia.  He played a total of 84 games in those three leagues combined.  In 20 games in the Latvian under-18 league, he had 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) and 30 penalty minutes.  In 44 games in the Belarusian under-18 league, Pot'povs shone even more, recording 55 points (27 goals, 28 assists); he also had 66 penalty minutes, which showed that, despite his smaller stature (5’11″, 170 pounds), he was incredibly strong and not willing to let anyone push him around.  Finally, in 20 games in the Latvia-2 league, he recorded 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) and 18 penalty minutes.

After the 2010-11 season was over, Pot'povs also got another incredible opportunity.  For the first time in his career, he wore the national team jersey for Latvia at the European Youth Olympic Festival, a tournament which was held in Liberec in the Czech Republic.  He scored a goal in the three-game tourney.  Despite it all, he was not invited to play at the 2011 World Under-18 Hockey Championships, despite the fact that he was one of the highest-scoring players in that age bracket in the country.

Overall, the 2010-11 season was not just good for Pot'povs.  It was also good for some other 1994-born talents from Latvia.  Zemgus Girgensons graduated to the USHL to play for the Dubuque Fighting Saints and, in his first season, he played in that league’s All-Star Game and also won a Clark Cup as league champion. 'ikita Jevpalovs also made his own trip to North America and he signed with the South Muskoka Shield, a team in the independent Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League; as a 17-year-old, he finished third in GMHL scoring with 91 points (48 goals, 43 assists) in 41 games and was named the league’s top rookie.

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After the summer of 2011 ended, Pot'povs and Latvian hockey suffered yet another tragedy.  On September 7, 2011, K'rlis Skrasti'', the former NHL defenceman who was also the captain of the Latvian national team, was killed in a plane crash with his teammates from the KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’ on their way to a game in Minsk, Belarus.  He was 37 years old.  Pot'povs even admits that he cried when Zholtok died but Skrasti''’ death brought back all the sadness of that day back in 2004.

On a professional level, things actually looked up for Pot'povs.  He made the significant leap from under-18 hockey to under-20 hockey.  He found himself in the MHL’s B league, the second-highest junior league in Russia and the surrounding area.  Playing for HK Juniors Riga, Pot'povs appeared in 30 games for the MHL B squad, recording a goal and an assist as an underage player.  HK Juniors Riga also had a team that moonlighted in the top league in Latvia and he was given the opportunity to play for them, as well.  He appeared in 26 games, recording 13 points (seven goals, six assists), quite remarkable for a 17-year-old in such a top league.  Yet again, though, despite his obvious talents, Pot'povs was not invited to play for the Latvian under-18 team.

Despite everything, Pot'povs was happy yet again to see that many of his friends were also enjoying their own successes.  Zemgus Girgensons was named captain of the Dubuque Fighting Saints and he was named to the USHL’s First All-Star Team; he was poised to help the team go far in the playoffs and possibly repeat as Clark Cup champions but he was felled by a broken jaw.  Girgensons got the opportunity to make Latvian hockey history when he was chosen 14th overall at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, making him the highest-drafted player ever from that country.  Kristaps Ba'evi's played two games in the WHL with the Prince Albert Raiders before being released, eventually signing with the NAHL’s Alaska Avalanche, showing that his first season in North America was not a complete washout.  After a successful senior year at Shattuck St. Mary’s in which he scored 88 points (24 goals, 64 assists) in 51 games, Teodors B'ugers was chosen 52nd overall at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins; he was later chosen 48th overall by the Oshawa Generals in the 2012 CHL Import Draft but opted out to honour an NCAA commitment to Minnesota State University-Mankato.  Despite the fact that he was eligible, Pot'povs was not chosen in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Even though he was considered, Pot'povs was also not chosen in the 2012 CHL Import Draft, which was actually quite successful for Latvia.  In addition to B'ugers, four other friends of his were chosen, three by teams in the WHL and one to the QMJHL.  Edgars Kulda was chosen 38th overall by the Edmonton Oil Kings; 'ikita Jevpalovs was chosen 40th overall by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada; Roberts Lipsbergs was chosen 60th overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds; and Rinalds Rosinskis was chosen 65th overall by the Prince George Cougars.

Away from the rink, Pot'povs had a personally joyous occurrence.  On June 20, 2012, he graduated from R'gas T'lm'c'bas vidusskol', one of the best schools for distance education in the entire country of Latvia.  Not long after, he enrolled at RISEBA, the Riga International School of Economics and Business Administration, one of Latvia’s best business schools, for his post-secondary education.  He will graduate in 2016.

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Pot'povs went unpicked in both the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and the 2012 CHL Import Draft. After fielding three offers from teams in North America, he decided to stay home in Latvia, signing with HK Riga, the MHL junior team of Dinamo Riga, after a rigourous and competitive training camp. Pot'povs led HK Riga in scoring at the 2012 World Junior Club Cup in Omsk, Russia, this past September. (mhl.khl.ru)

During the offseason, Pot'povs thought about where he could emerge playing for the 2012-13 season.  He was given some offers in North America, one from the Ontario Hockey Academy, one from a team in the GMHL and one from the WSHL’s Arizona RedHawks.  It was a hard decision, especially with the fact that he also had a training camp with HK Riga. This team is in the MHL, the highest junior league in Russia and neighbouring countries.  It was tedious at first for Pot'povs, who found himself practicing with rookies despite being older than most of them.  It almost appeared as though they were not going to take him onto their roster.  After much doing, they finally signed him.  It was a good thing, too, because he was about to get another incredible opportunity in his hockey career.

In early September, HK Riga took part in the 2012 World Junior Club Cup, which took place in Omsk, Russia.  They joined a stacked tournament that included ten teams from several countries.  The other teams participating were the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves (the eventual champion); the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks; the MHL’s Omskie Yasterby (the host team), HC Energie Karlovy Vary U20 from the Czech Republic, and Dinamo-Shinnik from Belarus; Sweden’s Linköpings HC J20; Finland’s HIFK U20; and the national under-20 teams from Denmark and Norway. Despite the fact that HK Riga upset the Sudbury Wolves in the tournament opener in a shootout, they did not fare so well in the tournament.  Through it all, Pot'povs was ever solid and he led the team in scoring.  This season, despite going pointless in the first seven games of the year, he is hoping to have a big campaign, including a possible spot on the Latvian under-20 team who managed to avoid relegation and will remain in the top pool for the 2013 tourney, which is to be held in Ufa, Russia.

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If there is anything that has remained constant with Pot'povs, it is how much he is idolized by two aspiring hockey players who are very dear to his heart: His younger brothers.  Mikus is now on a similar path as Em'ls, making his Latvian under-18 league début this season with SK Riga, the team his older brother shone with for several seasons before making it all the way to the level he is now.  In addition, Mikus is wearing 16, the number his older brother has worn throughout his junior career.  Markuss is now playing minor hockey, taking his first steps toward joining his brothers in the same rink in Ogre that they started in, the one that they had to wait to be completed.  In a tribute to his idolization of his oldest brother, Markuss is wearing 94, symbolic of Em'ls’ birth year.  It seems as though things are coming full circle in the Pot'povs family.

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With the 2012-13 MHL season still in its infancy, there is no telling what the campaign will bring for this budding Latvian talent.  That being said, the future of hockey in the middle Baltic nation is starting to look brighter than ever and it is only going to continue.  While many thanks can go to several players who are in North America at the present time, it is also possible — nay, definite — that one must also say paldies to Em'ls Pot'povs, just another kid who grew up playing hockey with friends and family on a frozen river on the path to fulfilling his dream.

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.