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Blue Jackets CHL Prospect Update

Written by: Aaron Vickers on 02/29/2004

Columbus Blue Jackets Canadian Hockey League Update - February Review

The month of February is almost forgotten in the hockey world, as junior clubs throughout the Canadian Hockey League are either looking towards the playoffs, or looking towards the 2004-05 season.

Quite a few Columbus Blue Jacket prospects certainly do not want their season ending early, and have stepped up their play considerably. Players such as Tim Konsorada of the Brandon Wheat Kings, former Columbus Blue Jacket Danny Fritsche of the Sarnia Sting, and Philippe Dupuis of thee Gatineau Olympiques are going to great lengths to make sure their clubs are rolling come playoff time.

The Western Hockey League
The Columbus Blue Jackets have several players spending the 2003-04 season in the Western Hockey League. Brandon Wheat King teammates Tim Konsorada and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen were selected in the 2002 National Hockey League Entry Draft, as well as Steven Goertzen of the Seattle Thunderbirds, also selected in 2002.

Steven Goertzen - Right Wing/Defense - Seattle Thunderbirds - Selected in the 7th Round (225th Overall) in 2002
Although Steven Goertzen sits tied for fifth on the Seattle Thunderbirds in goals scored, and is one point behind teammate Aaron Gagnon for fifth on the club in points, the Columbus Blue Jackets have to be disappointed in Goertzen's offensive production in his third season in the Western Hockey League. Goertzen will have only mildly improved his point totals from his previous season, in which he registered 31 points on the strength of 12 goals and 19 assists. One positive to take from Goertzen's season is the number of diverse roles he has seen this season. His work on both special teams was increased in intensity over the course of this season, and being a veteran, was counted on to be a leader both on and off the ice, something the associate captain likely didn't take lightly.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Seattle Thunderbirds	WHL	63	13	18	31	111	+15
Since Last Update		13	2	3	5	8	+1

Tim Konsorada - Right Wing - Brandon Wheat Kings - Selected in the sixth Round (168th Overall) in 2002
Despite his shoulder not being at 100 percent, it was Tim Konsorada that returned to the Brandon Wheat Kings lineup some 18 games ago. His shoulder, as expected coming off major surgery, still gets fatigued from game to game, making Konsorada less effective then the Wheat Kings undoubtedly hoped. His physical play has not been sacrificed because of this, however, and Konsorada has even dropped the gloves on several occasions, displaying a nasty attitude patrolling the ice. His shot has not been sacrificed either, and even quarterbacks the Wheat Kings powerplay with fellow Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Ole-Kristian Tollefsen. Brandon finally has their captain back.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	18	3	11	14	19	+1
Since Last Update		11	1	8	9	13	+1

Ole-Kristian Tollefsen - Defense - Brandon Wheat Kings - Selected in the 3rd Round (65th Overall) in 2002
Injury trouble reared its ugly head again for prospect Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, who missed almost a month of action in February due to a sternum/collerbone injury. Tollefsen missed 13 games in all, and was very much relieved to return to the Wheat Kings line-up. Everyone recalls the horrid string of injuries Tollefsen suffered last season, ranging from whiplash suffered in a car accident, to a lacerated arm from a skate, to a separated shoulder. Tollefsen has arguably been Brandon's top defenseman, and for the Wheat Kings to have him back in the line-up will greatly improve their chances at a playoff spot.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	48	3	25	28	80	+8
Norway	WJC	5	1	3	4	2	+2
Since Last Update		5	0	2	2	8	-

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 National Hockey League Entry Draft Selections, while Columbus' second round selection Dan Fritsche, who may be returned to the Sarnia Sting, continues to skate with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Dan Fritsche - Center - Sarnia Sting - Selected in the 2nd Round (46th Overall) in 2003
For those waiting for Parma, Ohio native Danny Fritsche to break out upon his return to the Ontario Hockey League have to wait no more. Fritsche, after a relatively slow start adjusting back to the junior level after a 19 game stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets, has tallied eight times in his last eleven games, which includes eight helpers as well for 16 points. Despite his tear in the month of February, Frtische failed to earn player of the week or player of the month honors for the Ontario Hockey League. Blue Jacket fans can take comfort in knowing that Danny Fritsche did not lose his offensive touch while with Columbus this season.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Sarnia Sting	OHL	21	13	12	25	18	-2
Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL	19	1	0	1	12	-5
Team USA	WJC	6	2	2	4	4	+5
Since Last Update		11	8	8	16	12	+3

Trevor Hendrikx - Defense - Peterborough Petes - Selected in the 9th Round (283th Overall) in 2003
It appears as though Peterborough Petes defenseman Trevor Hendrikx is only doing two things out on the ice; being physical in his own end, and being in the right place at the right time in the offensive zone. Hendrikx, over his last ten games, has registered six points. Through his entire rookie season, 46 games, Hendrikx had only registered four points. With these points in February, Hendrikx has effectively tripled his point totals from the 2002-03 season, which saw Trevor register 9 points (1-8-9) through 56 games. This season, Hendrikx has played in 57 games, registering seven goals, a career high. His 22 assists are also a career high, surpassing his mark of eight set last season.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/
Peterborough Petes	OHL	57	7	22	29	187	-4
Since Last Update		10	1	5	6	30	-1

Marc Methot - Defense - London Knights - Selected in the 6th Round (168th Overall) in 2003
Marc Methot continues to sit second in the Ontario Hockey League in plus/minus, with a +37 ranking. Only teammate Dennis Wideman, who sits at +45, is ahead of Methot. In fact, the top four players in the OHL in terms of plus/minus, all belong to London, with Corey Perry and Danny Syvret both at +35 as well. This season, Methot is four points shy of his career high, set in the 2002-03 season that saw him register 2 goals and 13 assists for 15 points.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
London Knights	OHL	59	2	9	11	64	+37
Since Last Update		10	0	3	3	14	+5

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 National Hockey League 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 continues his offensive mediocrity for the Shawinigan Cataractes, who, like the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, expected more offensive prowess from the big forward. His career highs appear to be safe, as Gravel will be hard pressed to reach 24 goals and 50 points, set over the course of the 2002-03 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Shawinigan Cataractes	QMJHL	57	13	20	33	50	+1
Since Last Update		9	3	1	4	4	+1

Philippe Dupuis - Center - Gatineau Olympiques - Selected in the 4th Round (104th Overall) in 2003
Simply put, Philippe Dupuis has finally caught fire for the Gatineau Olympiques, and his timing couldn't be better. Gearing up for a playoff run, Gatineau currently sits first in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, two points up on Cape Breton. During this time, Philippe was named Canadian Hockey League Player of the Week for the week ending February 8th. He was named so after registering 11 points (4-7-11) over a three game period. Finally, Columbus Blue Jacket fans are getting the production expected from their fourth round selection in the 2003 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Team	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Gatineau Olympiques	QMJHL	53	16	34	50	66	+23
Since Last Update		11	7	11	18	18	+10

All statistics as of February 28th, 2004.

Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.

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