While it’s always exciting to watch new players and scout new prospects, having so many new names on the roster makes the writing of my usually style of Bulldog Report somewhat difficult. Quite honestly, I haven’t seen enough of the new players to make anything more than “first impression” reports. So, let’s start with that and once I compile enough notes to do more in-depth player profiles, I’ll be getting back to my usual modus operandi.
The First Impressions
LW Tony SALMELAINEN 8: At 5’9” and 176 lbs, Salmelainen is the smallest member of the team, but he makes up for his lack of stature by having the fastest feet on the team. He has great acceleration abilities. Unfortunately, his size allows him to be knocked around a lot on the ice, though to his credit, he battles the best he can to keep the play going.
RW Jozef BALEJ 57: Playing in his first professional season, Balej comes to Hamilton with impressive junior numbers (51 goals, 41 assists in 65 games with Portland in the WHL). Much like Salmelainen, Balej appears to be getting pushed around quite a bit, though at 6’1” and 187 lbs, he’s not quite so easily knocked off the puck. Hasn’t yet shown any concept of defence and even though that’s never really been his job, he’ll need to do better to be successful in the AHL and NHL, should he make it that far.
D Mike KOMISAREK 55: Next to Jani Rita, Komisarek is perhaps the highest-profile Bulldog. One of the final cuts from the Canadiens training camp, Komisarek’s size alone is impressive – 6’4”, 240 lbs. He’s played adequately, but aside from a couple big hits, hasn’t done anything to make himself stand out. I suppose in one way that’s a good thing – he hasn’t made any glaring mistakes, either.
D Ales PISA 4: Pisa has all but been handed the #1 defenseman position with the departure of Sven Butenschon (though Bobby Allen may argue that point) and based on last year’s performance, I’m honestly surprised that Pisa is even on the Bulldogs roster as I picked him to make the Oilers this season along with Kari Haakana. Pisa has developed a mean streak he didn’t seem to have last season – perhaps grumpy about being sent back to the AHL – and is currently tied with C Jarret Stoll for the team-lead in PIM with 12 in 5 games.
Other Notes
Montreal property C Benoit Gratton was named team captain, with Edmonton prospects RW Fernando Pisani and D Bobby Allen as his alternates.
Edmonton prospect RW Michael Henrich is skating with the team again after being off the ice for several weeks. Henrich contracted a nasty case of mononucleosis during training camp.
Former Bulldog C Peter Sarno has signed a tryout contract with the Espoo Blues in the SM Liiga, Finland, but has yet to play a regular-season game for the team.
Former Bulldog RW Kevin Brown is playing for the Agusta Lynx of the ECHL, where he has 1 goal and 3 assists in five games
Former Bulldog D Alex Henry, who had been playing for the Oilers, was claimed off waivers by the Washington Capitals on October 24th, 2002.
And finally, I’ve found a Hamilton Bulldogs connection to the newest hockey league on the block. The Orlando Seals of the newly established Atlantic Coast Hockey League feature RW Joe Seroski, who played four games for the Hamilton Bulldogs between 1997 and 1999, notching a single goal.
Jim Harnock
Hockey’s Future, Hamilton
