Blue Jackets CHL Season In Review

Three CHL Blue Jacket prospects have parted ways with the club this offseason: Kiel McLeod, Ryan Bowness and Cole Jarrett. McLeod signed with Phoenix; Bowness and Jarrett were not tendered an offers. The 2003 Entry Draft brought CHL additions such as Phillipe Dupuis, Dan Fritsche, Trevor Hendrikx, Mathieu Gravel and Marc Method. A glimpse into the 2002-03 CHL season may also allow a glimpse into the future for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Western Hockey League

Steven Goertzen – Forward – Seattle Thunderbirds - Selected in the Seventh Round (225th Overall) in 2002

Steven Goertzen, the pride of Stony Plain, Alberta, completed his second Western Hockey League season with the Seattle Thunderbirds. While his play wouldn’t be described as spectacular, his steady contribution from the third line allowed others on the club, like Brooks Laich to focus solely on the offensive chores of the club. Finishing with 31 points (12-19-31) in 71 games, Goertzen set career marks in every category.

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2001-02	Seattle Thunderbirds	WHL	66	6	9	15	45	11	2	0	2	4
2002-03	Seattle Thunderbirds	WHL	71	12	19	31	95	14	4	3	7	9

Tim Konsorada - Forward – Brandon Wheat Kings - Selected in the Sixth Round (168th Overall) in 2002

Tim Konsorada had his most successful season in the Western Hockey League in 2002-03. Simply put, Konsorada established himself as a force with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Adding secondary scoring including Jordin Tootoo, Ryan Craig and 2003 first round selection Eric Fehr established the Wheat Kings as a club to watch in 2003-04. Konsorada himself received recognition for his abilities as well, and was named to the 2003 Canadian Junior Developmental Summer Camp. Among Jacket prospects, Konsorada elevated his play like no other, and increased his stock within the organization.

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2000-01	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	4	0	0	0	0
2001-02	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	63	11	16	27	29	12	1	1	2	0
2002-03	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	70	26	29	55	76	17	4	8	12	2

Ole-Kristian Tollefsen - Defense – Brandon Wheat Kings – Selected in the Third Round (65th Overall) in 2002

To say the least, the first season of North American hockey was trying for Ole-Kristian Tollefsen. A season riddled with injuries marked Tollefsen’s adjustment to junior hockey in Western Canada. Tollefsen suffered from at least a half-dozen different injuries this season, including a concussion, whiplash, a shoulder injury and laceration to his forearm. Despite this, Tollefsen’s play seemed to rebound after each injury, and was a solid contributor for the Wheat Kings.

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2002-03	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	43	6	14	20	73	17	0	2	2	38

Ontario Hockey League

Andrew Penner - Goaltender – Guelph Storm – Signed As A Free Agent (Sept 17th, 2001)

Andrew Penner was the only survivor of Columbus Blue Jacket prospects in the Ontario Hockey League. Offered a contract nearly two years ago, Penner finished up his junior career with the Guelph Storm after starting with the North Bay Centennials. In fact, it appears as though Penner saved the best for last, finally emerging as a true no. 1 goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League. Setting career marks in games and minutes played, Penner also set career marks in goals against average, wins and save percentage. Penner will experience life in professional hockey next season, likely with the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL.

Season	Team	League	W	L	T	SO	EN	GA	GAA	SV	SV%	MIN
1999-00	North Bay Centennials	OHL	3	12	0	0	1	79	4.43	544	.873	1070
2000-01	North Bay Centennials	OHL	10	19	1	1	3	117	3.93	763	.867	1787
2001-02	North Bay Centennials	OHL	4	8	4	1	1	52	3.40	437	.894	917
2001-02	Guelph Storm	OHL	18	12	5	0	3	107	3.11	939	.898	2066
2002-03	Guelph Storm	OHL	21	21	7	0	0	137	2.76	1298	.905	2975

Ryan Bowness – Forward – Brampton Battalion - Selected in the 8th Round (236th Overall) in 2001

Ryan Bowness was a victim of the contract game, as he was not tendered an offer from the Columbus organization. The interesting aspect of this is that the now unrestricted free agent had attended the Columbus Blue Jackets Developmental Camp, which concluded July 5th. The Halifax, Nova Scotia native significantly improved his offensive numbers in 2002-03, which may be why the Columbus Blue Jackets are considering giving the Battalion forward another look.

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2000-01	Brampton Battalion	OHL	52	5	10	15	51	9	0	2	2	9
2001-02	Brampton Battalion	OHL	66	7	10	17	104
2002-03	Brampton Battalion	OHL	55	15	17	32	70	3	0	0	0	9

Dan Fritsche – Centre – Sarnia Sting - Selected in the Second Round (46th Overall) in 2003

When Dan Fritsche was still on the board when the Columbus Blue Jackets selected in the second round, 46th overall, there was no hesitation in selecting Dan Fritsche. It is interesting to consider that, with the departure of the 6’5″ Kiel McLeod, General Manager Doug MacLean would use a high draft selection to take the 6’1″ Fritsche, ranked 10th among North American Skaters entering the draft. While there may be concern with his shoulders, an injury sustained in the 2001-02 season, Fritsche showed little to no effect of the injuries in 2002-03.

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2001-02	Sarnia Sting	OHL	17	5	13	18	20
2002-03	Sarnia Sting	OHL	61	32	39	71	19	5	2	2	4	4

Marc Methot – Defense – London Knights - Selected in the Sixth Round (168th Overall) in 2003

It is very likely that Marc Methot was selected to add some size to the Columbus Blue Jackets defensive core. Standing at 6’3″, Methot’s role would simply be that of a stay at home defenseman, similar to the role he plays with the OHL’s London Knights. Methot, the youngest defenseman in the Jackets organization, certainly wasn’t considered an offensive threat, nor will he be mistaken for one in the future, however he can chip in with some points from time to time. Methot certainly had an impressive rookie campaign in 2002-03 with the Knights, and Columbus management hopes he can replicate that success next season, hoping he can raise his game to another level now that he’s accustomed to Major Junior hockey.

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2002-03	London Knights	OHL	68	2	13	15	46	14	2	4	6	6

Trevor Hendrikx – Defense – Peterborough Petes – Selected in the Ninth Round (283rd Overall) in 2003

Trevor Hendrikx, much like Marc Methot, was selected in the ninth round of the 2003 Entry Draft, simply to add some depth to the pool of talent the Columbus Blue Jackets may be able to dip into in the distant future. No one will mistake Hendrikx’s offensive flair (or lackthereof) with that of a Derrick Walser, however it is Hendrikx’s ability to clear the crease that makes him attractive and valuable to the Columbus Blue Jackets. It will be his crease clearing ability and defensive zone coverage that will decide how far Hendrikx can go with his hockey career.

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2001-02	Peterborough Petes	OHL	46	1	3	4	37	5	0	0	0	4
2002-03	Peterborough Petes	OHL	56	1	8	9	128	7	0	0	0	4

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Aaron Johnson – Defense – Quebec Remparts - Selected in the Third Round (85^th Overall) in 2001

Aaron Johnson remains the best defensive prospect in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. His season with the Rimouski Oceanic and later with the Quebec Remparts in 2002-03 was his best season on record, and the first time in his QMJHL career where he averaged over a point-per-game. The trade which sent him to Quebec 25 games into the season also gave Johnson the opportunity to compete for the Memorial Cup, and went up against former Jackets prospect Kiel McLeod and his Kelowna Rockets. Aaron was recently signed by the organization, and will likely begin play with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League.

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	GP	G	A	P	PIM
1999-00	Rimouski Oceanic	QMJHL	63	1	14	15	57	8	0	0	0	0
2000-01	Rimouski Oceanic	QMJHL	64	12	41	53	128	11	2	4	6	35
2001-02	Rimouski Oceanic	QMJHL	68	17	49	66	172	7	1	2	3	12
2002-03	Rimouski Oceanic	QMJHL	25	4	20	24	41
2002-03	Quebec Remparts	QMJHL	32	6	31	37	41	11	4	4	8	25

Phillipe Dupuis – Centre – Hull Olympiques – Selected in the Forth Round (104th Overall) in 2003

In a draft that was North American dominated, the 2003 Entry Draft saw Hull Olympiques centre Phillipe Dupuis fall into the hands of the Columubs Blue Jackets. Originally ranked 56th in the final installment of the Central Scouting Bureau North American rankings, Dupuis was selected 104th overall. At that placement, Dupuis may very well develop into a steal. Phillipe managed to have a very strong 2002-03 campaign, which saw him tally a total of 56 points (22-34-56) in 68 games, an improvement of 35 points over his previous season. The offensively dominaged QMJHL may very well be a good breeding ground for the Laval, Quebec native to develop his offensive skills, while worrying about developing his two-way game at a later date.

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2001-02	Hull Olympiques	QMJHL	67	7	14	21	59	12	6	5	11	14
2002-03	Hull Olympiques	QMJHL	68	22	34	56	89	20	2	4	6	22

Mathieu Gravel – Left Wing – Shawinigan Cataractes – Selected in the Eighth Round (233rd Overall) in 2003

Mathieu Gravel was added  to the Columubs organization for two reasons. Gravel has an offensive flair when he gets around the net. As well, Gravel stands at a reported 6’3.5″. An imposing frame is something the Columbus Blue Jackets are lacking, both in their prospects as well as with the main club. Gravel could be one of the more interesting prospects that Jacket fans should watch out for.

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2001-02	Shawinigan Cataractes	QMJHL	71	16	15	31	87	10	1	2	3	0
2002-03	Shawinigan Cataractes	QMJHL	72	24	26	50	60	6	2	2	4	2