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Blue Jackets Prospect Watch
Written by: Aaron Vickers on 01/01/2004 
It is time to take another look at the happenings within the Columbus Blue Jackets prospects including a returnee from the IIHF's 2004 World U20 'B' Championships, another potential season ending injury for a European prospect, and a prospect leaving North America.
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen Returns From ChampionshipsColumbus Blue Jacket prospect
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen recently returned from the International Ice
Hockey Federation's 2004 World U20 'B' Championships, held in France. Tollefsen, a native of Lillehammer, Norway, was excused from Western
Hockey League play by his junior squad, the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The 2004 World Junior 'B'
Championships, considered to be Division 1, is held before the 2004
IIHF World U20 Championships begin. Norway, participating in the
Division 1, Group B pool, was matched up against teams from Japan,
Italy, France, Estonia and Belarus. The team with the best record
coming out of the Group B pool is promoted to the 2005 World U20
Championships.
Unfortunately for Tollefsen
and his teammates, Norway finished behind Belarus for second place,
posting a record of 3-0-2. Belarus, who is now invited to join the likes of
Canada, Czech Republic, United States, Sweden and Finland, finished
with a record of 5-0.
Tollefsen was named captain of the
Norway team prior to the games by a coaching staff that included head coach Orjan Lovdal.
Although Tollefsen had a
strong tournament, he finished third among defensemen scoring on his
own club, with one goal and three assists in four contests. Comfort
should not be far for Ole-Kristian, however, as he was named Norway's
top player. Honors for the top defenseman of the tournament went to Nicolas Besch of France, who
finished the tournament with seven points, all assists.
Tollefsen is now set to return
to action patrolling the bluelines for the Brandon in the WHL.
Mozyakin's Season Possibly Over
Sergei Mozyakin, who was
second in scoring for CSKA Moscow of the Russian Super League, suffered
a broken tibia, an injury likely to end his season. Mozyakin, who has
been paired with one of Russia's top offensive centers, Genadi Razin, currently sits third
in the Russian Super League in scoring, and first among goal scorers.
Mozyakin suffered the injury
in a game against the Czech Republic, during the Baltica Cup
Tournament. The game was Russia's last of the tournament. As a result
of the injury, Mozakin, a native of Yaroslavl, will miss at least the
next two months because of the leg, and will be wearing a cast, which
will be removed to give way for an extensive rehabilitation program.
Should Mozyakin be unable to
return to his spot on CSKA Moscow's top line, he will finish up the
season with 30 points (17-13-28) in 32 games played.
Andrej Nedorost Loaned To Metallurg
Magnitogorsk
Fresh off a demotion to
Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, Columbus Blue Jackets
prospect Andrej Nedorost, 23, has been loaned to the Russian Super
League. The left winger was loaned to Metallurg Magnitogorsk, at his
own request.
Nedorost, a native of Trenci,
Slovakia, felt that he had finally proved to himself and the Columbus
faithful that he deserved to remain in the NHL.
Nedorost also criticized the demotion to the American Hockey League as
a contract issue, saying that others deserved to be demoted ahead of
him.
Nedorost appeared in nine
games this season for the Columbus Blue Jackets, posting two goals and
registering six minutes in penalties. He averaged 13:02 minutes of
ice time per game. In eight games with the Syracuse Crunch of the
American Hockey League, Nedorost posted two assists, and added a minor
penalty.
Nedorost, Columbus' tenth
round selection, 286th overall in the 2000 Entry
Draft, has suited up for 28 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets over
the last three seasons. He participated in 12 games during the 2002-03
season, registering one assist and a -6 rating. 2001-02 saw Nedorost
suit up for seven NHL games, registering two points,
both assists.
Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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