Blue Jackets: CHL Prospect Update

A new season springs new efforts for Columbus Blue Jacket prospects playing in the Canadian Hockey League. The team saw prospects Kiel McLeod, Aaron Johnson, Andrew Penner, Cole Jarrett and Ryan Bowness leave the junior ranks, and in the case of McLeod, Jarrett, and Bowness, leave the organization.

The 2003 National Hockey League Entry Draft brought in new Blue Jacket hopefuls, such as Philippe Dupuis of the Hull Olympiques, Mathieu Gravel of the Shawinigan Cataractes, defenseman Trevor Hendrikx of the Peterborough Petes, and Marc Methot of the London Knights.

The Canadian Hockey League season has officially got underway, meaning that the Columbus Blue Jacket prospects playing in the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League now have some games under their belt.

The Western Hockey League

Steven Goertzen - Right Wing – Seattle Thunderbirds - Selected in the 7th Round (225th Overall) in 2002
Steven Goertzen was welcomed back to the Seattle Thunderbirds on September 22nd after a lengthy stay with the Blue Jackets at their 2003-04 training camp. Goertzen, who has only played in two of four games for the Thunderbirds this season, has gotten off to a solid start, with one goal. Goertzen, after participating in his first NHL training camp, certainly will be taking his memories and using them as motivation with the Thunderbirds in the 2003-04 season.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Seattle Thunderbirds	WHL	2	1	0	1	0	+1

Tim Konsorada - Right Wing – Brandon Wheat Kings – Selected in the 6th Round (168th Overall) in 2002
Unfortunately for Konsorada, his season will not get underway until the new year. It was discovered at training camp that Konsorada had been nursing an injury from the previous season, something unknown even to Konsorada himself. He was scheduled to have shoulder surgery on September 22nd, discovering the injury after failing the Blue Jackets team physical prior to camp. On the upside, he was named the captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings prior to the commencement of the season.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	0	0	0	0	0	-

Ole-Kristian Tollefsen – Defense – Brandon Wheat Kings – Selected in the 3rd Round (65th Overall) in 2002
It was Tollefsen who may have turned the most heads at training camp before being reassigned to the Brandon Wheat Kings. Tollefsen, who definitely isn’t ready to skate a regular shift in the National Hockey League, was nonetheless playing the body like a veteran, sending the Blue Jackets leading goal-scorer from 2002-03 Geoff Sanderson to the sidelines. This wasn’t the only player injured from receiving a hit from the Norwegian native. Trevor Letowski was another who missed some time after being targeted by Tollefsen. Wheat King fans have already noticed Tollefsen’s poised play, as well as much more of a physical domination of opponents.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	5	0	0	0	11	+2

The Ontario Hockey League

Dan Fritsche - Center – Sarnia Sting – Selected in the 2nd Round (46th Overall) in 2003
Unfortunately for the Sarnia Sting, Dan Fritsche has not yet dressed for the club this season. Fortunately for Fritsche, however, he’s dressed numerous times with the bug on his chest. Dan Fritsche, above all other youngsters, has impressed the Blue Jackets organization. He’s done so to the point where he is making it difficult to return him to his junior club. Fritsche, who has set up goals, finished them, and has even dropped the mitts, is the only remaining junior-eligible player left on the training camp roster. Will he make the club? The odds are very much against it for Fritsche. He shouldn’t get discouraged, however, as he’s likely to see some NHL regular season action before returning to his junior club.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Sarnia Sting	OHL	0	0	0	0	0	-

Trevor Hendrikx - Defense – Peterborough Petes – Selected in the 9th Round (283th Overall) in 2003
Trevor Hendrikx certainly made an impression on the Columbus Blue Jackets brass at his first National Hockey League training camp. In fact, Hendrikx made a few impressions on his opponents as well — on their heads. Hendrikx dropped the gloves on several occasions, with an intensity the Columbus Blue Jackets must have enjoyed. The Peterborough Petes are more comfortable having Hendrikx back on their blueline as well, as his steady, crease-clearing play will certainly help in the defensive end.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Peterborough Petes	OHL	3	0	1	1	14	0

Marc Methot - Defense – London Knights – Selected in the 6th Round (168th Overall) in 2003
Although Marc Methot may not have made quite the impression on the Columbus Blue Jackets that fellow defense prospect Trevor Hendrikx did, the London Knights may very well be just as happy to have him back. Simply put, things have been happening for the London Knights while Marc Methot has been on the ice. Despite not having any points to show for these actions, Methot is a sparkling +5 in a mere two games this season. The 6’3″ 193 lb stay at home defenseman has provided a reassurance on the blueline in London.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
London Knights	OHL	2	0	0	0	6	+5

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Mathieu Gravel – Left Wing – Shawinigan Cataractes – Selected in the 8th Round (233rd Overall) in 2003
Mathieu Gravel, fresh off his shortened stint at the Columbus Blue Jackets Rookie Camp, has taken what he’s learned from the professional camp, and seems to be utilizing it in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Although Gravel has participated in only two of the club’s first six games, he is off to a good start. On a club that is already boasting a player at -5 (Sebastien Gauthier), Gravel is at a respectable plus three. His assist total, also at three, places him one off of the team pace.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Shawinigan Cataractes	QMJHL	2	0	3	3	0	+3

Philippe Dupuis - Center – Gatineau Olympiques – Selected in the 4th Round (104th Overall) in 2003
Philippe Dupuis, now of the Gatineau Olympiques, has found a spot anchoring the second line of one of the most offensively talented clubs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Dupuis, who like Gravel took in a lot from the Columbus Blue Jackets Rookie Camp is off to his best offensive start of his young career, posting over a point-per-game average in his four contests.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Gatineau Olympiques	QMJHL	4	1	5	6	2	+4