Graham Mink has been stellar and was a steal when the Capitals signed him as a free agent towards the end of last season. Technically, he was supposed to graduate from the University of Vermont last May but he was suspended from the hockey team, which ultimately led to Mink showing up at the Pirates Camp instead. He compiled 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) in 29 games with ECHL Richmond and 34 points in 56 games with AHL Portland, all this in just his first season playing professional hockey. Provided he has a good camp, Mink may have a real good shot of making the team this fall as he has likely already impressed the new Caps coach Bruce Cassidy by scoring one goal and 3 assists (+3) at the tournament.
Now the surprise/good news. Apparently the injury riddled forward from Portland, Roman Tvrdon has recovered nicely. Though not scoring any goals, he set up 4 goals and was considered the best forward on the ice in last night match-up against Minnesota (2-2). In his first professional season, Roman suffered a shoulder injury and only played through 49 games. He had a tough time working himself back into the line-up, but obviously he is well focused now and will fight for position on one of Portland’s top two lines this fall. Tvrdon was selected by the Washington Capitals in the 5th round (#132 1999 entry draft).
Other notable players thus far include Boyd Gordon (coming off an impressive showing at the Canadian Junior Development Camp last month), scoring 2 goals and adding one assist. Chris Corrinet, who also plans on making a big impression at the upcoming Capitals training camp, has scored 2 goals and an assist. Brian Sutherby, Marian Havel, and invitee Brad Parsons has also scored 2 goals a piece.
Goaltenders Maxime Ouellet, Rob Gherson, and Maxime Daigneault have all played splendid as coach Bruce Cassidy will have a difficult task in selecting the starting goaltender for tonight’s match-up. Look for either Rob Gherson (who was dazling late in last night’s game) or Maxime Ouellet to get the nod against the St. Louis squad.
Compiled by Seth Keggins-as of 9/9/2002. Next Game: Washington v. St. Louis 6pm (EDT) 2002 PROSPECT TOURNAMENT STATISTICS, TRAVERSE CITY, MI PLAYER NAME GP G A PTS +/- PIM SOG ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parsons, Brad 3 2 1 3 +4 0 8 Tvrdon, Roman 3 0 3 3 +3 0 7 Sutherby, Brian 3 2 1 3 0 8 4 Gordon, Boyd 3 2 1 3 +2 0 9 Yonkman, Nolan 3 0 0 0 +3 10 3 Mink, Graham 3 1 4 5 +3 2 2 Paestch, Nathan 3 0 1 1 0 2 3 Corrinet, Chris 3 2 1 3 +2 2 6 Cutta, Jakub 3 1 0 1 +3 2 6 Eminger, Steve 3 0 1 1 -2 8 3 Lindlof, Joni 3 1 0 1 +1 0 4 Wellar, Patrick 3 0 1 1 +2 17 1 Fussey, Owen 3 0 1 1 +1 0 1 Havel, Marian 3 2 0 2 +4 4 5 Zion, Johnathon 2 0 0 0 +4 0 0 Peters, Warren 3 1 0 1 +3 0 4 Lucky, Jeff 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 Desautels, J. 3 1 0 1 +1 9 3 Malyeko, Jason 1 1 0 1 +3 9 2 Bench 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 GOALTENDER NAME MIN GAA SH SVS SPCT -------------------------------------------------------------------- Ouellet, Maxime 60 2.00 41 39 .951 Daigneault, M. 65 4.62 34 29 .853 Gherson, Rob 60 3.00 31 28 .903
