Hockey's Future - The #1 Online Prospects Resource

The AHL Hershey Bears lineup has been under revision. Bears General Manager Doug Yingst thought that perhaps the team needed more grit and presence. Underproductive 22-year-old Colorado Avalanche prospect Charlie Stephens with only five goals and nine assists in thirty two games was traded to the Ottawa Senators for Dennis Bonvie. Stephens’ career, which resembles a wild rollercoaster ride with call-ups to the Avalanche and a call-down to the Quad City Mallard during a seven game stint, abruptly took a turn for the best with this trade as a change of scenery did him good.

Under Coach John Paddock’s Binghamton Senators, Stephens scored a pair of goals with an assist against the Albany River Rats. Doug Yingst believes that this trade is beneficial as the Hershey Bears earn a gritty right winger and all time penalty minute titleholder in the American Hockey League who is able to teach new prospects defensive plays and respect on the ice.

Jeff Finger is one such prospect. The 24-year-old defensive product of St. Cloud State who earned all time penalty minute honors in a season quickly has climbed the learning scale. In fact, General Manager Doug Yingst and Coach Paul Fixter are both impressed with his underlying development and level of skill. At the beginning of the season, the Avalanche rookie prospect was sent down to the ECHL’s Reading Royals where he achieved two goals and five assists during ten games. However, the change in his style of play took a turnaround with the addition of right winger Dennis Bonvie. Lately, Finger quickly pushes the opposition of the puck making smart decisions in the neutral zone. He has evolved to become a player full of grit.

Unlike Finger, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Ryan Craig’s adjustment to the American Hockey League has proven to be slower. In the last 45 games, the 21-year-old ex-Brandon Wheat King has two goals, six assists and eight points. However, his defensive style is improving as he emulates teammate Sheldon Keefe attempting to make in-your-face plays.

Yet another young player who appears to slowly develop is Colorado Avalanche prospect Tomas Slovak during thirty five games, he has achieved a +8 with three goals and seven assists. His teammate and Colorado prospect goalie Peter Budaj still battles with consistency especially on home ice. A short-handed goal halted Budaj’s shutout streak on January 31^st during a game against the Providence Bruins. It appears that Budaj’s downfall still lies in allowing rebounds despite spectacular body and stickhandled saves.

Twenty-two-year-old Colorado Avalanche prospect Jordan Krestanovich is yet another player stuck on the growth chart. This speedy left winger shows much spark on the ice earning a position as assistant captain. His fourteen game stint with the Colorado Avalanche from November 23^rd to January 5^th however was virtually unproductive despite 25 shots on goal. In Hershey, the native of Langley, British Columbia acquired sixteen points in 29 games and stands currently as a +5. His strict work ethic maintains his hold as a strong prospect.

Despite a good work ethic, Mikhail Kuleshov, Colorado’s first round pick, 25^th overall, in the 1999 Entry Draft is quite frustrated with his development. He had a subpar sophomore year playing for the Hershey Bears in 77 games earning only 20 points. This junior year appears to be a replay of the past, however the left winger and native of Perm, Russia has learned to use his 6’2” frame in roughing up his playmaking skills. Coach Paul Fixter pointed out this marked difference as he paired him in a line with rookie center Cody McCormick and veteran Dennis Bonvie quickly roughing it up with the opposition.

Linemate Cody McCormick made the Colorado Avalanche straight out of rookie camp. As Michel Goulet, Vice President of Player Personnel said about his development, “Cody is a young prospect in our organization who is most definitely going to be a part of our future. He has made solid contributions to our club, but in order to improve his development as an NHL-caliber player, he needs to play in more game situations.”

McCormick in 34 games played for the Colorado Avalanche scored two goals, three assists and had 51 penalty minutes.