Playing Daily Fantasy Hockey Strategies!

Daily league owners need to know Spezza could be out more than 6-8 weeks. (Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports)

Any fantasy sport can spawn a strategy or several for that matter. Daily fantasy hockey is a little different in the shortened season as so far. It has been a little bit of a challenge to find a way to incorporate certain angles and hunches to use in a workable and most importantly winnable methodology. It has been fun trying to craft new ways to find the all important payout.

It is always essential to check what threshold the daily league you enter is at. Strategy dictates that one wants to win the whole darn thing as they say. However, when you put your money right into it, a daily player wants to at least finish in the dollars. Now thanks to DraftKings, we can tinker and experiment a little with a variety of ideas that may just work. Hey, you never know.

There are some very easy to quantify methods for the beginner just getting into the daily fantasy hockey scene. Not everything can guarantee money but at the very minimum the table will be set. The site does offer a “freeroll” for those just starting out but for those who have had the taste but do not want to quite put so much of their money on the line, the $1 NHL contests are perfect. If you do not win, hey it is only a dollar and at the very least it is a learning experience.

Strategy Time:

• PDO Method
• High-Low
• A Wing And A Prayer

Granted there are more ways to play it but we are sticking to basic methods more or less. There are flaws in each of these but daily fantasy hockey is going to be a learning process always. Let’s dive in.

PDO Method:  The PDO was created more or less by stat geeks to measure small sample sizes (hey that seems to work with daily fantasy hockey). Simply you take a player’s on ice save percentage plus their on ice shooting percentage and there you have it. 1000 is considered average and players well above are usually due for regression while those well below are due for a hot streak. That at least is the theory. The other significance is players often seem “primed” for that breakout. Here is a list of PDO’s courtesy of Behind The Net. Also, the PDO would work if the right amount of “consistent performances were added in. Thanks to Michael Clifford for allowing me to help on this theory. For example, a player like Mike Richards is still below a 1000 right now while Cory Conacher is a good ways above. Now, Conacher may become a consistent performer but he is still a rookie. There has to be a regression coming at some point.

For example, Daniel Winnik has a PDO of 1240 right now. Yes he is starting to return to Earth a bit. The key to using PDO is to know when to use it and for the right sample sizes. Using it long term can be akin to fantasy death. It just will not work at all once you go outside a few games range. A guy like Paul Stastny has a PDO of 902 and let us be honest was due. Last night, he is pretty effective for Colorado and the Avalanche did win. The key is combining this PDO with daily values in your DraftKings salary structure ($55,000 cap). This is a method we will be applying from time to time so do look out for it.

High-Low: This is a different method in the sense of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. There are certain guys that are going to have a high salary no matter what because of their consistent performance. Then the cheap players are purchased as more of a gamble but some based on their potential. Combining the high with the low inevitably fills your cap and hopefully fields the best product. Because daily fantasy hockey involves so many categories, there are quite a few ways to sneak in a cheap player who say blocks four or five shots a night. The high-low theory allows a fantasy general manager to go not only low and high by salary but also by production to determine who is due to rise, fall, or stay the same. It has similarities to the PDO but one key difference is the more simplistic nature.

Clowe has seen lots of refs. (Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE)

I may take Anton Volchenkov just because he blocks shots or Mark Streit just because of his power play ice time (consistent high salary). Typically one is looking for categories to exploit to save money so that more consistent high end talent can be brought in while staying under the cap. If I can find a guy who hits and blocks shots at a high rate for low dollars, I can then afford Evgeni Malkin just for example. There is always a way. If I can get Ryan Clowe or even Keaton Ellerby just for penalty minutes, I can gamble on Ilya Kovalchuk who might have a favorable matchup. High-low involves exploiting back to backs and every possible advantage imaginable along with PDO and other strategies. The difference is there is a little less thought. Challenges often involve when to go too high or too low and that is where the gambles often turn into dilemmas. The less dilemmas seen mean the better chance of success. It is all about setting up a roster that will put you in the money and give you the possibility of winning outright. Winning outright leads to more opportunities.

A Wing And A Prayer: This is like the classic “see what sticks” attitude. Most daily fantasy hockey players use this to be quite honest because it is so easy. Why muss and fuss over all sorts of complicated methodology when one can just put a team together and see how it goes. This is probably not the strategy to try in Draftkings’ $25 Light The Lamp qualifier but some would do it anyway. This type of player just throws caution to the wind and picks players based on what they have done for their regular season leagues. Does it work? It works very rarely when compared to other strategies. No one can guarantee a method is going to win money. There are so many variables. Conservatively there are more than just the normal offensive and goaltending scoring categories so though luck exists, finding an actual strategy that works is pretty much essential.

Again in the coming weeks, we will be exploring strategy, daily values, and more. We want to hear from you. What methods do you use? Is there something you want us to spotlight? Hopefully we see you on DraftKings because the money is out there for the taking. Go out there and capture it! Good luck in your leagues.

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Chris WasselSenior Fantasy Hockey Writer at The Hockey WritersSimply a hockey and fantasy hockey writer who shoots straight from the hip. We will shout it down from the mountain tops if necessary. No question is too big or too small and in fantasy hockey there is no such thing as a stupid question. Now a proud, accredited member of the FSWA. You can find me on Twitter at @ChrisWasselTHWTwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedIn

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

NCAA Women's Hockey: Week 15 Recap

Current Rankings (Week 16):

1. Minnesota
2. Boston College
3. Cornell
4. Harvard
5. Clarkson
6. North Dakota
7. Boston University
8. Wisconsin
9. Minnesota-Duluth
10. Northeastern

Week 15 Notes

Minnesota continued their torrid pace against Wisconsin, giving up one goal the entire weekend as they earned 2-0 and 5-1 wins. The Gophers are now in sole possession of the NCAA unbeaten streak, with 34 wins in a row and counting. There’s not much else to say about this team that hasn’t already been said. Minnesota is dominant in every aspect, and they’ll overpower anyone with whatever they need to each game, whether it’s scoring prowess or exceptional defense and goaltending. Upcoming Games: vs. Minnesota-Duluth, Fri. 2/1 @ 7:00 PM E.T. & Sat. 2/2 @ 3:30 PM E.T. **Note: Saturday’s game will be televised live on Big Ten Network.

Boston College beat Providence 4-3 on Saturday and 8-0 against Connecticut on Sunday. The Eagles’ key to success this year has been balance, both offensively and defensively, and they showed that in their two games this week. They’ve got a couple of go-to players, like Alex Carpenter and Haley Skarupa, but the scoring has been pretty evenly distributed throughout their top-six, and that makes BC very dangerous. Upcoming Games: @ Maine, Sat. 2/2 @ 7:00 PM E.T. & vs. Harvard, Tues. 2/5 @ 5:00 PM E.T. (35th annual Beanpot Tournament at Matthews Arena)

After earning two Ivy League wins against Yale (5-0) and Brown (4-2) over the weekend, Cornell had an excellent showing against Mercyhurst, winning 4-0. The Big Red had a great start to the game, out-shooting the Lakers 11-6 and scoring three of their four goals during the first 20 minutes. With the win against the Lakers, Big Red coach Doug Derraugh became the winningest coach in school history. On another note, Cornell will be hosting a “Do It For Daron” Series this upcoming weekend, in hopes of raising awareness of depression, suicide, and youth mental health. Upcoming Games: vs. Union, Fri. 2/1 @ 7:00 PM E.T.& vs. Rensselaer, Sat. 2/2 @ 4:00 PM E.T.

Harvard suffered an upset on Friday, losing 3-1 to Clarkson, but were able to to bounce back with a 3-2 overtime win against St. Lawrence on Saturday. The loss to the Golden Knights was probably the Crimsons’ least-dominant performance of the season; they only put up 19 shots on goal. They played well against the Saints, but had to deal with a great performance by SLU goaltender Carmen MacDonald. Upcoming Games: @ Dartmouth, Fri. 2/1 @ 7:00 PM E.T. (game will be aired live on FCS Atlantic) & vs. Boston College, Tues. 2/5 @ 5:00 PM E.T. (35th annual Beanpot Tournament at Matthews Arena)

Clarkson had a very good showing this weekend, defeating Harvard 3-1 and Dartmouth 5-0. The Golden Knights got higher quality scoring chances and cashed in on them, with a few different players chipping in production-wise. They’ve cooled off a little bit lately but this is a precedent-setting year for their program, and the win against Harvard is just another reason why. In other news, Clarkson will face St. Lawrence this weekend, who are hosting a “Saints Go Social” event on Saturday. Upcoming Games: vs. St. Lawrence, Fri. 2/1 @ 3:00 PM E.T. & @ St. Lawrence, Sat. 2/2 @ 3:00 PM E.T.

North Dakota earned a sweep against St. Cloud State, winning 6-2 and 3-0. The victories were huge for them as they desperately need all the wins they can get down the stretch here. They currently sit 9th in the PairWise rankings, one spot out of a NCAA Tournament slot. Losing three out of four against Wisconsin really hurt UND, but the good news for them is they still have time to right the ship. They just can’t afford any big mistakes or lapses. Upcoming Games: @ Minnesota State, Fri. 2/1 @ 8:07 PM E.T. & Sat. 2/2 @ 4:07 PM E.T.

Boston University came away with two wins this week after defeating Vermont 5-2 and New Hampshire 3-2, extending their win streak to 12 games. They’ve been a little bit up and down this year but they’re getting everything in order at the right time of the year. BU just wants to make sure they don’t get a little cold as we head into the postseason. Upcoming Games: vs. Northeastern, Sat. 2/2 @ 3:00 PM E.T. & @ Northeastern, Tues. 2/5 @ 8:00 PM E.T. (35th annual Beanpot Tournament at Matthews Arena)

Wisconsin was unsuccessful in their efforts to upset the Gophers, losing 2-0 and 5-1. It was the first time the Badgers have been swept by Minnesota at home since 2003. It was not for lack of effort on Wisconsin’s part, however; the Gophers have been simply too much to handle for every team they’ve faced so far this year. The Badgers were playing well before falling to Minnesota, and they’ll want to get back on the right track right away to build momentum heading into the playoffs. Upcoming Games: N/A for Week 16

Minnesota-Duluth had a huge weekend on the road at Ohio State, sweeping the Buckeyes with a 7-5 win and 3-2 win. Their defense can still afford to be more consistent (they almost lost a 3-0 lead in the second victory after some breakdowns) but their offense has really come together nicely in the past few weeks. This upcoming weekend against Minnesota will be huge for the Bulldogs. They matched up pretty well against the Gophers earlier in the year, but they need to take advantage of their scoring opportunities if they expect to pull off an upset. Upcoming Games: @ Minnesota, Fri. 2/1 @ 7:00 PM E.T. & Sat. 2/2 @ 3:30 PM E.T. **Note: Saturday’s game will be televised live on Big Ten Network.

Northeastern had a good outing this weekend, beating Vermont 6-3. The Huskies had to come all the way back and erase a 3-0 lead in order to earn the win. The fact that they got off to such a slow start is not an encouraging sign, but they were able to gather themselves and eventually overpower the Catamounts. Kendall Coyne’s hat trick helped carry Northeastern to victory, and her production has certainly been a huge part of the success they’ve had this year. Upcoming Games: @ Boston University, Sat. 2/2 @ 3:00 PM E.T. & vs. Boston University, Tues. 2/5 @ 8:00 PM E.T. (35th annual Beanpot Tournament at Matthews Arena)

Three Stars of the Week

1. Carly Mercer, Junior, Forward, Clarkson: Recorded a hat trick in the Golden Knights’ upset win over Harvard, continuing to help her team reach new heights this year.

2. Jillian Saulnier, Sophomore, Forward, Cornell: Had a goal and seven assists in three games this week, showing off her play-making abilities and sparking the Big Red offense.

3. Ali Binnington, Sophomore, Goaltender, RIT: Made 22 saves to help RIT tie Robert Morris Saturday, then posted a 24-save shutout on Sunday in the Tigers’ upset win over the defending CHA Tournament champs.

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Gabriella FundaroAn avid sports and hockey fan. Currently working towards a journalism degree and covering women's hockey for THW.

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Nine Lives: The Panthers Return To Life Against Winnipeg

With fan’s hopes hanging by a thread and the entire season in doubt, the Florida Panthers came back from the dead on Thursday night as they defeated a talented Winnipeg Jets team 6-3 and in convincing fashion.

Marcel Goc (Jean-Yves Ahern-US PRESSWIRE)

The Florida Panthers started off the night wonderfully as they outshot the Jets 16-8 and killed off two early penalties, something they had not been able to do during their recent losing streak. Where had this team been since opening night? I had to take a long stroll around the BB&T Center during the first intermission just to make sure I was in the right place and these were the Florida Panthers.

The whole night the team played with a sense of urgency and passion that had been missing in recent games, for the first time in a while they actually resembled a respectable NHL franchise.

The impact of forward Marcel Goc’s return from injury was evident throughout the evening as he anchored the team’s top line and brought back and intense two-way style of hockey to the ice. Speaking of the team’s first line – WOW! Both Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg looked like the players that we remembered from last season as they combined for 6 points (2G 4A), including Tomas Fleischmann’s assist on Alex Kovalev’s game winning goal.

'I was so open. I don't know why everyone stopped. Maybe they got caught out of play or they heard a whistle. I was wide open. Flash just gave me the pass and all I had to do was rip it as hard as I could.' Kovalev told Panthers.nhl.com when asked about his game winning goal.

However, the team’s turnaround was not only about scoring goals and racking up statistics. Throughout the evening, the Panthers played a much more physical game on both sides of the ice, delivering a combined 29 hits including a monstrous check by Scottie Upshall on Jets’ defenseman Zach Redmond. Although the hit looked to be clean, the intense nature of the blast invoked the rage of former Panthers’ forward James Wright who immediately came to the aid of his teammate. Both Wright and Upshall were slapped with a heavy amount of penalty minutes, but to see that kind of intensity coming from the Panthers was very refreshing.

The most impressive thing about the Panthers’ win on Thursday was their ability to overcome two deficits before finally pulling away from the Jets. Players like Jonathan Huberdeau, Alex Kovalev and Brian Campbell all tallied at least one point and looked more like the players that we saw shine so bright not too long ago.

The Panthers now face the tough challenge of putting together a string of victories in what I am told is called a “winning streak,” though I have not seen or heard of such a thing in quite some time. The Panthers next opportunity to continue their success will be on Sunday at 3 p.m. from Buffalo against Thomas Vanek and talented Sabres squad.

 

Notes:

• Drew Shore stood out once again for his impressive play on Thursday night and looks as if he has been in the NHL for years. The talented rookie not only continued his faceoff dominance (63.6%), but was also constantly in the right position to make good plays and just nearly missed out on several scoring chances. I wouldn’t be surprised if Shore nets his first goal of this season on the upcoming Panthers’ road trip. 

 

• After several nights of limited minutes, forward George Parros was finally a healthy scratch for the Panthers on Thursday night and it looks as if it was the right decision. As more Panthers return from injury, I expect that this will most likely be Parrros’ role from now as he will most likely be used a limited amount for the rest of the season.

 

• Forward Scottie Upshall (unknown), Stephen Weiss (groin) and Ed Jovanovski (knee) are all currently nursing injuries and will most likely be out of the Panthers lineup this Saturday against Buffalo. However, the full extent of Upshall’s injury is still unknown and it is possible that he is ready to go by game time. 

 

• Speaking of Jovanovski, it seems as if the team did just fine without their “Captain” on Thursday night and were much better off having alternate Captains Brian Campbell and Tomas Kopecky on the ice and leading by example. I continue to harp on Jovanovski’s on ice leadership, but until I am proven otherwise I still believe that the Panthers may have made a mistake. 

 

Follow Jameson on Twitter @JamesonCoop

 

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Jameson CooperA Florida resident, Jameson is currently in his first year of covering the Florida Panthers for The Hockey Writers as well as doing THW's weekly NHL Power Rankings.TwitterFacebookGoogle+

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

The Vancouver Canucks Goalie Controversy is Not Very Controversial

After shutting out the Colorado Avalanche 3-0 two nights ago the Vancouver Canucks and head coach Alain Vigneault have decided to give goalie Roberto Luongo another start against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. It will be the third consecutive start for Luongo and seems to have people worked up.

At first glance, starting a veteran goalie who is coming off a shut-out against your rivals doesn't seem that abnormal.

Roberto Luongo gets the nod Friday against Chicago

The problem is that we all thought this was supposed to be the year Cory Schneider took over the Canucks number one goalie position. So why is Luongo getting a third consecutive start?

This move has people crying 'Controversy!'

But is this move really that controversial? Is there really a goalie controversy in Vancouver? The answer is no, there is not.

For starters, Vigneault has said from day one of training camp that he looked at the situation as having two number one goalies, and that's how he's deployed them so far. He has played the hot hand. When Schneider played brilliantly in getting a shut-out against the Anaheim Ducks last week, he started the next night and the team struggled against San Jose.

Luongo has had two excellent games in a row, giving up two goals to Los Angeles and blanking Colorado, and now, with the red hot Blackhawks coming in, he is getting the call. There is nothing controversial with playing the hot hand.

So far Luongo has put up better numbers than Schneider has. He has played four games and has been stingy to a tune of 1.61 goals against and a .938 save percentage. If you're a coach and have committed to having two number one's then why wouldn't you play those numbers?

For his part Schneider has put up lesser numbers, a 3.13 goals against and a .897 save percentage. Clearly Schneider has not found his feet yet after a short training camp due to the NHL lockout. Instead of it being a controversy it's a luxury to have Luongo to come in and play well while Schneider gets his bearing this year.

Most goalie controversies are fan and media created in the first place, as is this one. The players on the Canucks roster seem to trust both goalies equally and don't seem to play better for either guy. Both Luongo and Schneider have said the right things, have acted professionally and show no signs of grousing or complaining.

In fact, they seem to be perfectly fine with the situation, and are using it for motivation.

So what's the big deal? Where's the controversy?

There is none.

Instead what you have is a team that features two top flight goaltenders who can get you a win any night. Most teams in the NHL would love to have that kind of depth in net. While Luongo may still get traded at some point, why not use him while you still have him? Get valuable wins out of him before he’s sent off to Toronto, Florida or parts unknown? Besides, when a guy is making saves with the knob of his stick you play him as much as you can:

Vancouver has bigger problems to be worrying about anyway. Their defense has been inconsistent, which has made life more difficult for both Schneider and Luongo, and they are struggling to get scoring from anyone not named Zack Kassian. Those problems are more urgent and troublesome than who is in net. So Canucks fans should take a deep breath and enjoy watching Luongo battle his good friends in Chicago. Who knows, the next time it will probably be Schneider’s turn.

 

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Andrew EideAndrew covers the NHL, Canucks and WHL for The Hockey Writers and THW-Combine. Also covers the Seattle Thunderbirds for 710 ESPN Seattle. Follow me on twitter @andyeide for more thoughts, sometimes of the snarky variety, about hockey, the Canucks and the WHL.

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

The NHL in Seattle Draws Inexorably Closer

Street level rendering of the new arena. Credit: 360 Architecture.

The NHL is closer than ever to becoming a reality in Seattle.

A little over a year ago, facts came to light that immediately raised the hopes of sports fans throughout the region that not only could the NBA return to Seattle, but very possibly the NHL as well. Bay area hedge fund manager Chris Hansen, who grew up in Seattle’s Rainier Valley, made public his intent to build an arena in the SoDo region of the city for the twin purposes of obtaining two anchor tenants: a resurrected Sonics team, and a yet-to-be-named NHL franchise as well.

Fast forward to the present. Providing it passes a year-long formal review process and possible legal challenges, an arena capable of seating 18,000+ will be constructed. Furthermore, an NBA team appears to have been secured, as an investment group featuring Hansen as well as area titans Steve Ballmer and Peter and Erik Nordstrom has announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to purchase a controlling interest in the beleaguered Sacramento Kings franchise for an estimated $340 million, with the obvious intent to relocate them to the Emerald City.

Next up: the NHL?

The sale of the Phoenix Coyotes falls through

(Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE)

Former San Jose Sharks CEO Greg Jamison had agreed to purchase the Coyotes from the NHL for a reported $170 million, with a deadline of January 31st to close escrow, due to a sweetheart lease deal with the city that Glendale mayor Jerry Weiers said he would not honor “one second past midnight.” With Jamison unable to arrange sufficient financing in time, he issued a statement late Thursday night that said:

“We will not be able to complete our purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes today in time to meet our deadline with the city of Glendale. However, our journey to purchase the Coyotes will continue. We realize this will require additional conversations with the city of Glendale and the NHL. We still believe we can reach an agreement that satisfies everyone. We hope negotiations with the city proceed as smoothly as possible, as everyone involved wants the Coyotes to remain in Arizona.

“To the Arizona’s sports and hockey fans, and the City of Glendale, we appreciate your patience and diligence. We wish everything was completed today as we worked extremely hard on the deal. However, we have taken significant steps to keep the Coyotes in Glendale for the long-term. I’ve seen first-hand the wonderful support Arizona hockey fans have provided the Coyotes and we will continue our efforts to keep the NHL in Arizona.”

Hockey in Seattle

Seattle’s Stanley Cup winning Metropolitan franchise folded in 1924.

Although there has never been an NHL franchise in Seattle, the Pacific Coast Hockey Association’s Seattle Metropolitans played for the Stanley Cup three out of four years in the early 1900s. They won the Cup in 1917, defeating the Montreal Canadiens three games to one. Two years later, the two teams matched up once again, but due to the rampant outbreak of the Spanish influenza, the series was called off after being tied 2-2-1. Lastly, in 1920, the Metroplitans reached the finals for a third and final time, losing the Cup to the Ottawa Senators three games to two. The franchise eventually folded in 1924.

Junior hockey remains strong in Seattle. At present, two Western Hockey League (the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Everett Silvertips) are in the region, with the Silvertips in the top 20 in attendance within the Canadian Hockey League, and the Seattle Thunderbirds just outside that list. Considering the history and strength of hockey in the Puget Sound, and given that an arena will be built in the heart of the nation’s 12th largest media market, Seattle is as attractive a destination for relocation as there is.

What’s next?

Certainly, nobody knows for sure at this point. Although Jamison was unable to deliver in time, it is quite possible he ends up negotiating a new deal with the city of Glendale. Pundits seem to give that a low likelihood of occurring, but area leaders may feel Jamison is the last, best chance the Coyotes have of remaining in Arizona. Rumors of other investment groups circling the carcass are out there, however, and given the speed and decisiveness Hansen has demonstrated in negotiating both the arena deal in Seattle and the purchase of the Sacramento Kings, it’s a safe bet that his group is one of them.

The NHL in Seattle. Two years ago, the region couldn’t even spell NHL. Today, fans are hoisting their coffee cups up high in anticipation. Next thing you know, it’ll actually stop raining.

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Walter McLaughlinWalter McLaughlin is a Los Angeles Kings correspondent for The Hockey Writers. He is an avid sports fan, having followed the Kings since living in L.A. in the mid-1970's, as well as suffering through Seattle sports teams' general futility. He has a Bachelor's degree in Finance and has worked in community banking for over 20 years, specializing in SBA loans. He lives in the Seattle area with his wife of 25 years and two daughters.

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Kurt Etchegary Sets Sights On Return to Remparts

Everything was going swimmingly for Kurt Etchegary of the Quebec Remparts.  The team was coming off a solid season and he was slotted in the 2nd line in between two very high-skilled wingers, Adam Erne and Nick Sorensen.  In his first 13 games he picked up 11 points.  The 2013 draft eligible center seemed to riding high.

Then a hip injury forced him to get surgery and set his hockey on hold.

“Rehab has been frustrating since I'm the kind of guy who hates to miss one game, especially not a few months.  But I have been working with the doctors and the Remparts medical staff and training with Gabriel Hardy to get my body back into game shape,” said Etchegary.

The therapy has been nothing short of brilliant.  Scheduled to come back sometime in March or April, Etchegary has fought his way through grueling hours of rehabilitation and is slated to come back mid February – a month and a half early.

While injuries have a severe potential to hurt the draft stock of a player, Etchegary thinks his injury will do nothing but benefit him and his game.

“I had a great start to the season and I was being given great opportunity to succeed when I was playing with Erne and Sorensen, so I hope to pick up where I left off and I want to push myself and try to keep my injury from affecting my draft.”

Furthermore, not only has the injury fueled his fire, but seeing his name ranked in the top 60 has also added kindling to the flame.

“I don't go out of my way to look for rankings and scouting reports, but every player hears it eventually.  It's a huge motivator to be ranked within the top 60 and it pushes me to get back on the ice as soon as possible.”

He’s already been given words of wisdom from fellow Rempart and 2012 Calgary Flames draftee, Ryan Culkin.

“Culkin told me it was an amazing experience and that it would be the time of my life – given that I'm lucky enough to be in that position come June.”

The 5’11″ bulky center has a work ethic unmatched by his peers.  He’ll never be the most skillful player in the game, but his presence on the ice speaks volumes.  His pugnacious, truculent two-way style of play is a main reason why he was promoted to 2nd line duties early in the year.  His offensive abilities are just as prominent as his defensive acumen.  Partnered with his workhorse approach, Etchegary enjoys throwing his weight around and isn’t one to back down from some fisticuffs.

“I think my biggest assets would include my vision, play making and work ethic. I need to work a bit on my discipline and controlling emotions throughout the game,” he began.  ”I'm a two-way center and I like the ‘Canadian dump and chase’ style of hockey with a lot of energy.  I also take pride in my face-offs and try to win every single one.  I would compare myself to Mike Richards.”

Anyone who has seem Kurt play knows he gives it his all no matter the situation.  There is one main thing Etchegary wants you to take away from his game when you watch him on the ice.

“Just the leadership I try to bring every game and the energy I try to provide whether we are winning 4-0 or losing 4-0.  My work ethic never changes.”

In the past few weeks, the Remparts have been on a bit of a slump, but have since turned their game around.  When Kurt gets back on the ice, there is only one thing he feels the team needs to do to stay competitive and solidify their position in the playoffs.

“Just live everyday like a new one and forget what happened the night before.  Win or lose, today is a new day and we have to win to keep our image as one of the top teams in the country.”

The Remparts boast some of the best young talent the QMJHL (or even the CHL) has to offer.  The high level of skill, development, management and coaching is due in large part to Hall of Fame goalie, Patrick Roy.  He’s kept the Remparts a contender almost his entire tenure and this season is no different.

“The team definitely looks great right now and we made some key trades at Christmastime which I believe can really give us a run at the championship this year.  Patrick, as a coach, has motivated us from the day I first walked into the Colisee and pushes everyday to make us better.”

For Etchegary, wearing the Remparts crest is “all a matter of pride and it's just an honor to wear the Remparts sweater night in and night out in front of all those fans in the greatest barn in the league.”

When Etchegary returns in the next couple of weeks, you can bet that he will do all he can to get hockey pundits speaking about in the higher rounds of the draft.  When June rolls around, the man they dub “Etch” would like nothing more than to be present in Prudential Center when his name gets called.

“I will be at the draft if I feel confident in my chances of being drafted and if teams show some good interest.”

But first thing’s first.  I believe it’s been a long time coming for the Remparts to win a Memorial Cup.  Their last championship was in 2006 and this year’s team has as good a shot as any to come away with the trophy.  And oh how sweet it would be for Etchegary and his crew.

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Shawn Reznik

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Animal House: Panthers Building Through College Hockey ' Part 1

Toga! Toga! Toga! ' A simple yet incendiary chant, the battle cry of Delta Tau Chi and collegiate party goers everywhere. However, this youthful mantra could also signal the beginning of a new era of talent and prosperity in South Florida.

For many, college life is four rigorous years of binge drinking, cramming for exams, promiscuous sex and trying to avoid being expelled by conniving evil Deans. However, for the Florida Panthers, college is the new training ground for the future stars of their once prosperous franchise.

For decades, the prominent youth hockey talents of the world have gravitated to the Canadian Hockey League to groom their talents before heading to the NHL. However, the CHL is now getting some stiff competition from their North American neighbors as many talented skaters are now choosing to attend college in the United States to play hockey at the NCAA level.

Although the CHL can still be considered the premier outlet for high level hockey talents, the perks of playing hockey at the collegiate level are now starting to intrigue young skaters.  While playing college hockey, players have a much more relaxed travel schedule and play far fewer games than they would in the CHL. Young players find the idea of more downtime appealing as it gives them more opportunities to spend time in the gym - building muscle and conditioning themselves for the hardships of the NHL.

The Florida Panthers seem to be crafting the blue-print for drafting NCAA talents as they have accumulated eleven prospects who are currently competing at the NCAA level, the most out of any NHL team.

Only time will tell if this new way of thinking pays off for the Panthers and the players involved, but until then let's take a closer look at the group of Panthers' prospect who brushed off the CHL in favor of college hockey.

Please join me in welcoming the newest additions to the Florida Panthers' organization and the Delta Tau Chi brotherhood.

 

 Mike Matheson (Freshman)

College: Boston College

Delta Tau Chi Name: Firecracker

Analysis: Taken in the 1^st round (24^th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, defenseman Mike Matheson is currently playing in his freshman season for perennial hockey power, Boston College. Matheson's creativity with the puck as well as his scoring abilities makes him an impressive offensive threat from the blue line. Matheson will need to focus on improving his defensive game and physical play while at Boston College.

 'I know I need to get bigger physically, while also continuing to work on my speed. A little less games also lets me get on the ice during the morning to work on extra things as well,' Matheson told me in an interview earlier this year.

Currently, Matheson is nursing a minor concussion, but should return to full strength this season. Before his injury, Matheson compiled 14 points (4G 10A) through 21 games for Boston College.

Matheson is two or three years from being considered NHL ready and will have plenty of time to improve his defensive skills while at Boston College. If everything goes well, Panthers' fans can look forward to seeing Matheson's booming shot and offensive prowess on full display for many years to come.

Due to his red hair and explosive offensive capabilities, Matheson has been given the Delta Tau Chi name, 'Firecracker.'

 

Kyle Rau (Sophomore)

College: University of Minnesota

Delta Tau Chi Name: Hornet

Analysis: Taken in the 3^rd round (91^st overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, forward Kyle Rau is currently in his sophomore year at the University of Minnesota. At only 5'8, Rau compensates for his lack of size by using his impressive speed and hockey IQ to create plays for himself and those around him.

Currently, Rau is second in team scoring on a Minnesota team that seems destined to make it to this year's Frozen Four in Pittsburgh. Rau's 27 points (13G 14A) through just 26 games is a good indicator of just how deadly a scorer he can be. Both Kyle Rau and teammate Nick Bjugstad could become household names if Minnesota is able to take home a National Title this season as many experts project them to.

On a team in desperate need of speed, the Panthers hope that Rau will be able to fill out his frame and polish his game at Minnesota over the next few seasons. Panthers' fans can expect to see Rau potentially making an impact in the NHL in 3-4 years after completing his college career and most likely spending some time in the AHL.

Due to his small stature and dangerous scoring abilities, Rau has been given the Delta Tau Chi Name, 'Hornet.'

 

Zach Hyman (Sophomore)

College: University of Michigan

Delta Tau Chi Name: Kamikaze

Analysis: Taken in the 5^th round (123^rd overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, forward Zach Hyman is currently in his sophomore year at the University of Michigan. Hyman is an above average skater and his 6'2, 195 lbs. frame is already suited for NHL play. Hyman is not afraid to attack the net with reckless abandon and also excels at battling in the trenches in order to help his teammates get better looks.

This season, Hyman has played well in a limited role on a talented Michigan squad. Hyman has accumulated 7 points (3G 4A) through 24 games this season, but has been a solid contributor in areas that don't show up on stat sheets. Expect Hyman's numbers to grow as he receives more ice time during his junior and senior seasons.

'I don't even remember one instance when the OHL popped into my mind when I was making a decision,' Zach told Matt Slovin of Michigan Daily 'I didn't ever really think about the OHL.'

It's clear that Zach Hyman lives and breathes college hockey and will most likely stay at Michigan until he graduates. However, his future in the NHL remains uncertain as of right now. Hyman is far from a can't miss prospect and will have to work hard and improve his game during his remaining years at Michigan. Panthers' fans can expect to see Hyman on the training camp radar after he completes his tenure in the NCAA.

Due to his fearless crashing of opponent's nets with no regard for his own safety, Hyman has been given the Delta Tau Chi name, 'Kamikaze.'

 

Rocco Grimaldi (Freshman)

College: University of North Dakota

Delta Tau Chi Name: Rabbit

Analysis: Taken in the 2^nd round (33^rd overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, forward Rocco Grimaldi is currently in his freshman year at the University of North Dakota. Standing at only 5'6, Grimaldi is a good example that good things really do come in small packages. With NHL caliber speed and acceleration, Grimaldi excels at getting the puck into the offensive zone as well as using his speed bursts to set up breakaway opportunities.

This year, Grimaldi had a nationally televised coming out party as he netted the game winning goal for Team USA during the gold medal game of the 2013 World Junior Championship. After the tournament, Grimaldi returned to North Dakota where he currently has 20 points (9G 11A) through 24 games played.

Already gifted with an NHL caliber skillset, Grimaldi's main obstacle in getting to the NHL will be convincing scouts that his abilities can translate to the professional level even with his small frame. Luckily for Grimaldi, players like Martin St. Louis and Cory Conacher have already dispelled the notion that small can't come up big in the NHL.

Panthers' fans should expect to see Grimaldi at training camp in 2-3 years after he has gained some muscle and gotten more experience at the NCAA level. With the Panthers' roster currently slower than a waiting line at the DMV, a player with Grimaldi's speed already has Cats' fans salivating.

Due to his small stature and combination of outstanding speed and agility, Grimaldi been given the Delta Tau Chi name, “Rabbit.”

 

Ed Wittchow (Freshman)

College: University of Wisconsin

Delta Tau Chi Name: Ogre

Analysis: Taken in the 6^th round (154^th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, defenseman Ed Wittchow is currently playing in his freshman season for the University of Wisconsin. Standing at 6'3, Wittchow has the size that you would like to see in an NHL defender, but will need to fill out and add muscle during his tenure at Wisconsin.

This season, Wittchow has accumulated 2 points (0G 2A) through 15 games played for Wisconsin while receiving limited ice time. Like other Panthers' underclassmen, expect Wittchow's numbers to improve each year of his collegiate career.

During his time at Wisconsin, Wittchow will need to learn how to perfect his already physical style of play and formulate some sort of offensive presence. Panthers' fans can expect to see Wittchow at training camp in 2-3 years if he continues to devlop and fills out his 6'3 frame. On a team currently filled with mostly finesse defensemen, a player with Wittchow's physical presence will be more than welcome.

Due to his height and physical presence on the ice, Wittchow has been given the Delta Tau Chi name, “Ogre.”

 

• Check back later this month as we examine the the upperclassmen of Panthers’  collegiate prospects and welcome them into the Delta Tau Chi brotherhood.

 

• A big thanks goes out to College Hockey News and their database for making it easy to follow these players and keep up with all NHL prospects at the NCAA level.

 

Follow Jameson on Twitter @JamesonCoop

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Jameson CooperA Florida resident, Jameson is currently in his first year of covering the Florida Panthers for The Hockey Writers as well as doing THW's weekly NHL Power Rankings.TwitterFacebookGoogle+

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.