| Tyler Arnason | Chicago (NHL) 21 3 1 4 4 / 3 0 0 0 0 |
|   | Norfolk (AHL) 60 26 30 56 42 |
Arnanson is learning example of exactly how difficult a jump to the NHL can be. Arnanson had a dream rookie season in the AHL, surpassing any timetables set for him by the organization. Quick skating and shooting were what he showed in the AHL and that warranted a look-see for the parent team. His arrival coincided with the Blackhawks slump around and after the Olympics. He was played on various lines and with the arrival of Tom Fitzgerald, put with him to cover Tyler’s ineffectiveness as a defensive player. Certainly should he could burst into playing situations and threaten, but ended up as a minus three in the limited minutes he played. The Hawks were unafraid of his defensive limitations when the dressed him at the start of the playoffs,or did they feel they were lacking fire-power with the other rostered players? His situation seems tied to any movement at the centre position over the summer. Whether they subtract a player there or add a vet will determine where he plays,as game time experience is what he needs. An unexpected surprising option the team now has. NHL Grade: |
| Steve McCarthy | Norfolk (AHL) 77 7 21 28 37 / 2 0 3 3 2 |
After playing three games in Chicago, management made a wise decision to send McCarthy to Norfolk to play. Despite Chicago press hype as the real deal on defense, McCarthy’s size limits projecting into any higher than the #3 spot on defense. We all know he is a gifted puck carrier, disher and shooter, and having coach Trent Yawney work on the defensive side of the game while he gets stronger will only enhance his chances of being an NHLer at a later date. Moving Spacek freed room for the type of game he plays, but I would expect you would have to see a Mironov traded before he would be added to the parent club for 2002-2003. Grade: |
| Mike Leighton | Norfolk (AHL) 52 3114 27 16 8 6 2.14 .920 / 4 238 1 2 0 0 2.02 .927 |
A perfect example of how the draft can help you in the middle rounds. Drafted while an OHA back-up, Leighton grew to an accomplished OHAer whose transition to the AHL was an easy one. Cool and able to ignore the goals that have already been scored on him, Leighton showed brilliance and his future looks bright. Will he become an NHL back-up soon? I think the team strategy will be bring along slowly. He certainly has added himself to the mix of goaltender prospects improving in the Hawk system. Grade: |
| Ty Jones | Norfolk (AHL) 55 6 14 20 172 / 4 0 0 0 2 |
Did nothing to establish himself as an NHL prospect. Although the Hawks felt that Trent Yawney had some positive effects on him, he sat out many games for reasons more than injuries. Skating and shooting have never been an issue;it is knowing when to stop skating circles and when to actually shoot that he still needs to learn. Has the organizational clock stopped ticking for him? Stay tuned. Grade: |
| Kent Huskins | Norfolk (AHL) 65 4 11 15 44 / 4 0 1 1 0 |
After a solid college career Kent Huskins didn’t embarrass himself in the AHL. He is working on his strength and has the tools to be given a chance to play in the bigs. No team rushed their defensive prospects, no matter what their age is. An outstanding training camp would certainly get his more minutes in the NHL to prove his meddle. Grade: |
| Dmitri Tolkunov | Norfolk (AHL) 51 1 18 19 20 / 4 0 0 0 2 |
Had another good year as a minor league defensemen and continues to show good skills. When it was time for the Blackhawks to reach down to the farm for depth during injuries he was passed over for Vladimir Chebaturkin, who plays a more physical game. Maybe that will be the signal to Tolkunov to start bringing his A game to camp. Grade: |
| Mikhail Yakubov | Red Deer (WHL) 71 32 57 89 54 / 23 14 9 23 28 |
No one expected Mikhail Yakubov who warmed the Russian league bench the season before to come into the Western league and emerge a scoring machine. Granted he went to Red Deer team that was already a good one, but he fit in well with linemates and they all played to each other’s strengths. Despite Red Deer’s missing a Memorial Cup berth, no one would have expected Yakubov to lead the scoring on the team, up until, and including their last playoff game. The Blackhawks are an organization crying for more scoring.speed and size. Two preseasons before, they rewarded Ty Jones with a stick around as the season began. If this guy could erupt in September-October, you may see him filling a major league slot, solely based on his combination of speed, size and savvy. I know that is a stretch but there is major upside if he continues showing up. Grade: |
| Igor Radulov | Mississauga (OHL) 62 33 30 63 30 |
Although the Mississauga players continually complained that coach GM Cherry’s practices were useless and antiquated, Radulov’s nature abilities helped him to have a more than adequate first year of North American hockey albeit at the Junior level. His more than a point a game pace with the rotten Ice Dog team placed him third among OHA rookies. He was signed and now will have to make to tough transition to the pro game where players are stronger and easily able to slow skilled guys down. Again terrific upside if we can be patient. Grade: |
| Matt Keith | Spokane (WHL) 68 34 33 67 71 / 11 5 5 10 16 |
The Chicago Blackhawks were only able to draft Keith so late because many teams saw him little or were afraid that his injuries would be a deterrent to him continuing to play his game. No one expected Keith to crash and bang his way to almost a point per game through-out the Western league season and playoffs. Grade: |
| Brent Maclellan | Rimouski (QMJHL) 67 7 23 30 165 / 7 0 0 0 4 |
Brent thought that in the season before last he dropped off due to the fact he stopped concentrating on D and tried to be a playmaker. He has improved his offensive talents while progressing as a huge crease clearer and hitter. Grade: |
| Adam Berkhoel | Denver (WCHA) 18 1026 12 4 1 1 2.34 .917 |
Is enjoying an incredible college career in a quality program. The word again slowly but the future looks bright for this goaler too. Grade: |
| Mike Souza | Norfolk (AHL) 66 20 11 31 58 |
Third rounders are never a guarantee, but one hopes that when you make a selection thereabouts, that results eventually are a major leaguer. So Souza has been a great team guy, a good checker, but hasn’t showed the same scoring prowess he displayed when paired with Jason Krug at University of New Hampshire. Has developed into a solid player at the AHL level. Grade: |
| Yorick Treille | UMass-Lowell (Hockey East) 30 10 16 26 24 |
The French born Yorick Treille was excused from the University of Mass-Lowell Riverhawks to represent this country in the Olympics. A shifty skater with a long stride who plays a hard working style that unearths pucks in the corners and along the wall. He is a decent passer and playmaker, anticipates well and plays well in traffic. Having graduated and signed, expect him to soon start as a minor pro trying to vie for a major league spot. May eventually fill a need at 3rd line forward. Grade: |
| Scott Balan | Saskatoon (WHL) 27 1 10 11 40 |
Balan definitely has the ability to develop into a major league defenseman. We can pigeon hole him as a #5 or 6 guy , but all that is jumping the gun. His knee injury this last season limited his playing time and he will have to play in some pro league somewhere to develop. I question if there is room for him in Norfolk unless decisions on other players presently playing defense there are made. Maybe he will be sent elsewhere but his career hinges on experience and his knee remaining robust. Grade: |
| Adam Munro | Erie (OHL) 43 2277 24 13 1 3 3.37 .893 / 6 361 4 2 0 0 2.83 .918 |
Did not have the same year he had in 2000-01 but when teams lack talent is when the better goalers lead by example. Munro still has much developing of his game. He did post more wins than losses in both regular and post season play, and seemed to come on as the year closed. He is a talented player at a position where the Hawks will be willing to let his game improve with time. Next season will have to be a break-out year to warrant his first round selection. Grade: |
| Craig Andersson | Norfolk (AHL) 28 1568 9 13 4 2 2.95 .886 / 1 21 0 1 0 0 2.83 .938 |
Andersson arrived in Norfolk and had to take a back seat to the superior play of Mike Leighton which allowed Andersson to only get into 35% of the season games and part of one play-off game. He certainly will continue to develop so his chances will improve as his play improves. I don’t think anyone is counting him out of the Blackhawks plans based on this last season. Grade: |
| Michael Ayers | New Hampshire (Hockey East) 20 1129 14 3 1 1 2.44 .915 |
Ayers posted 14 victories for New Hamphire and seems to be developing quite nicely at this point. Another late goaltender pick that may help the Blackhawks down the pike. Grade: |
| Peter Flache | North Bay (OHL) 59 7 8 15 92 / 4 0 2 2 8 |
Did improve over previous point totals but this big guy was drafted with the idea of him being a big disrupter. So far he has not reached agreement on a pro contract with the Hawks and may opt back in if they low ball him money wise (which seems to logical since his numbers do not warrant a blank check) or if he wants to try and play with his bother in Edmonton’s system. Grade: |
