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Blue Jackets CHL update

Written by: Aaron Vickers on 12/31/2003 Subscribe to HF's RSS Feed

With the month of December coming to a close, the Canadian Hockey League's 2003-04 season nears its midway point. For the most part, the Columbus Blue Jackets organization should be pleased with the play of several prospects currently lacing up their skates in Major Junior. There have been several pleasant surprises from the blueline, with the strong rise of Brandon Wheat King Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and solid play from 2003 ninth Round Selection Trevor Hendrikx. Up front, Seattle's Steven Goertzen has developed into a strong role player, playing in every situation imaginable. Columbus' only prospects in the QMJHL, Philippe Dupuis and Pascal Dupuis have also turned up their play as of late, hitting the mid-way point of the season on a high note.

The Western Hockey League
Blue Jackets prospects in the Western Hockey League include Brandon Wheat King teammates Tim Konsorada and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, as well as Steven Goertzen of the Seattle Thunderbirds, all selected in 2002.

Steven Goertzen - Right Wing/Defense - Seattle Thunderbirds - Selected in the 7th Round (225th Overall) in 2002
It was business as usual for the Seattle Thunderbirds and Steven Goertzen, as the club remained intact during the 2004 World Junior Championships. The Stony Plain, AB native had a successful run in the month of December, registering five points (1-4-5) in seven games. His plus seven rating leads the club, and his 54 minutes in penalties place him fourth on the club in that category. With only 35 games played in the season, Goertzen is on pace to eclipse his point total of 31 last season (12-19-31) in 71 games.

Team
 League
 GP
 G
 A
 P
 PIM
 +/-
Seattle Thunderbirds
 WHL
 35
 7
 13
 20
 54
 +9
Since Last Update
7
 1
 4
 5
 12
 +4

Tim Konsorada - Right Wing - Brandon Wheat Kings - Selected in the 6th Round (168th Overall) in 2002
A return for injured winger Tim Konsorada is on the way, as he remains sidelined indefinitely after shoulder surgery. Konsorada, who had the surgery performed after the Columbus Blue Jackets training camp in September, has targeted a return date of mid to late January or early February.
 
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen - Defense - Brandon Wheat Kings - Selected in the 3rd Round (65th Overall) in 2002
Wheat King rearguard Ole-Kristian Tollefsen only managed to participate in two games recently, returning to Europe to participate in the International Ice Hockey Federation's 2004 World Junior 'B' Championships. Tollefsen, who was captaining his native Norway, registered one goal and five points (1-3-4) in five games, finishing 20th among scorers on the tournament, and tied for fourth among defensemen. Tollefsen, who lead Norway to a second place finish, was named the club's top player. An interesting side note, on Brandon's Official Website, a poll is running, which places Tollefsen third on Team MVP voting, by visitors of the site. Ahead of him are forward Eric Fehr and Lance Monych.

Team
 League
 GP
 G
 A
 P
 PIM
 +/-
Brandon Wheat Kings
 WHL 37
 2
 15
 17
 57
 +2
Norway
 WJC
 5
 1
 3
 4
 2
 +2
Since Last Update
2
 0
 0
 0
 2
 +2

The Ontario Hockey League
The Columbus Blue Jackets have a pair of prospects currently playing in the Ontario Hockey League. Defensemen Marc Methot of the London Knights and Trevor Hendrikx of the Peterborough Petes are 2003 selections, while Columbus' second round selection Dan Fritsche, who may be returned to the Sarnia Sting, continues to skate with the Columbus Blue Jackets.



Trevor Hendrikx - Defense - Peterborough Petes - Selected in the 9th Round (283th Overall) in 2003
Opposing teams everywhere have been on the lookout for the sniper who goes by Trevor Hendrikx. The Peterborough Petes blueliner has been on an offensive tear of late, registering five points in his last five games, three of which for goals. Hendrikx, who had three goals in his previous 128 games, managed to deliver three tallies in a span of five games. The Russell, Ontario native, surpassed his previous season high of one goal and nine points earlier this season, and is on the verge of doing the same in terms of penalty minutes. Last season Hendrikx registered 128 minutes in the sin bin, just seven fewer then he has through 32 games this season.
Team
 League
 GP
 G
 A
 P
 PIM
 +/
Peterborough Petes
 OHL
 32
 4
 12
 16
 121
 -7
Since Last Update
5
 3
 2
 5
 19
 -5

Marc Methot - Defense - London Knights - Selected in the 6th Round (168th Overall) in 2003
Ottawa, ON native Marc Methot is beginning to round out his game for the London Knights. After starting the season with just two points (0-2-2) in his first 18 games, Methot, known best for his play on the defensive side of the puck, has registered four points (2-2-4) in the following 17. He's demonstrated his strong play in the defensive zone nightly, something his plus/minus reflects well. His +24 rating places him sixth on the club, and eighth in the Ontario Hockey League.

Team
 Leauge
 GP
 G
 A
 P
 PIM
 +/-
London Knights
 OHL
 35
 2
 4
 6
 20
 +24
Since Last Update
7
 1
 1
 2
 13
 +7

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Columbus Blue Jackets have two players currently playing in the Quebec Major Junior League. Mathieu Gravel, selected in the eighth round of the 2003 Entry Draft, as well as Philippe Dupuis of the Gatineau Olympiques, selected four rounds earlier in the same draft.

Mathieu Gravel - Right Wing - Shawinigan Cataractes - Selected in the 8th Round (233rd Overall) in 2003
Mathieu Gravel has finally taken a hold of his Quebec Major Junior League season, and has finally began to contribute regularly in the offensive end for the Shawinigan Cataractes. The right winger, who registered 50 points (24-26-50) in 72 games last season is on pace to put up very similar numbers, only with a significant increase in assists, and a decrease in his goal total. Should Gravel continue to play with a hot hand, he could very well catch and surpass his numbers from the 2002-03 season.

Team
 League
 GP
 G
 A
 P
 PIM
 +/-
Shawinigan Cataractes
 QMJHL
 34
 8
 16
 24
 29
 -3
Since Last Update
8
 4
 5
 9
 4
 0

Philippe Dupuis - Center - Gatineau Olympiques - Selected in the 4th Round (104th Overall) in 2003
Dupuis, much like Mathieu Gravel, has been heating up for the Gatineau Olympiques. With No. 1 center Maxime Talbot representing Team Canada at the 2004 World Junior Championships, Dupuis has been counted on to step up offensively, which he has done. Also in a similar fashion to that of Mathieu Gravel o fthe Shawinigan Cataractes, Dupuis is on pace to put up similar numbers to that of the 2002-03 season, in which he registered 56 points (22-34-56) in 68 games.

Team
 League
 GP
 G
 A
 P
 PIM
 +/-
Gatineau Olympiques
 QMJHL
 33
 8
 19
 27
37
 +12
Since Last Update
8
 3
 5
 8
 4
 +3


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