With less than a week to go before NHL teams must submit protected lists for the annual NHL Waiver Draft, Toronto’s training camp roster has been pared down to 34 players. And except for a few mild surprises, this current batch of players bears a striking resemblance to the group that took Pat Quinn to the Eastern Conference Finals in his first year as coach of the Maple Leafs.
In goal, Curtis Joseph had the starting job locked up before camp even started, and Glenn Healy was all but guaranteed the job as backup to the man they call Cujo. Joseph has seen limited action, but has looked strong, stopping 30 shots from his former Edmonton teammates for a 4-2 victory on September 14th.
During the off-season, Healy underwent a rigorous training program and in his most recent pre-season game on September 17th, he dazzled by stopping three breakaways and was by all accounts the difference in the game.
Off-season acquisition Jim Waite has been solid in camp, but will start the season in St. John’s of the AHL, the Leafs top farm team, where he is expected to receive the brunt of the work. Waite signed a two-year deal with Toronto in the off-season, a two-way deal for this season and a one-way deal for next season. With Healy expected to retire next summer, Waite is the early favourite to back up Curtis Joseph for the 2000-2001 season.
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1999-2000 season opens
The 1999-2000 Ontario Hockey League season opened Wednesday with two games featuring each of the 1999 OHL finalists. The Belleville Bulls, who defeated the London Knights in seven games to win the 1999 OHL Championship Series, hosted the Peterborough Petes, while the Knights traveled to Owen Sound for a rematch of the 1999 Western Conference final. The Petes spoiled Belleville’s home opener by defeating the Bulls 6-4 on the strength of three goals late in the third period, while the Platers defeated London 6-2. Greg Jacina, Owen Sound’s first pick in the 1999 OHL Priority Selection, scored the first goal of the year for the Platers, beating Bill Ruggiero 11:22 into the first period. The 1999-2000 season sees the introduction of the four on four overtime format that was introduced in the National Hockey League this season(see accompanying story). Each team will now receive a point for a tie in regulation time, with an additional point up for grabs during the overtime period. Read more »
This month’s article will look at the ongoing happenings surrounding the Dallas Stars training camp. The focus will be on the progress of the Dallas youngsters, with my observations being based on local newspaper reports, and on my own observances.
Jamie Wright-LW
Has really reestablished himself throughout this years camp. Jamie has added seven pounds of muscle, and has increased his determination and focus. Also, his speed has seemed to fit into the Stars new puck possession attack as well. In one recent pre-season game I observed, Jamie was all over the ice. He was robbed twice from the slot, was throwing checks along the boards, fought for loose pucks, and was double shifted for much of the game. All of this is very encouraging, but at this point a roster spot is not at all guaranteed. He still must show a little more offensive touch in order to have a long term future with the club.
Pavel Patera-C/W
After coming over from the Czech Republic, Pavel has really found favor amongst the Stars coaching staff. This is due to the fact that his skating, vision, and passing are assets that the Dallas club has needed for sometime. Further more, the staff has elected to play Patera on the left side of Joe Nieuwendyk, a position that should become a rather nice fit for the rest of the season. If for some reason this pairing doesn’t work then look for Pavel to be the 3rd line center-man.
Aaron Gavey-C/W
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With most of the attention these days focusing on which players will stick with the big club, several Islanders prospects have started off their seasons in various leagues on a tear. In the Quebec league sniper Juraj Kolnik opened up with a goal and 6 pts in his first two games then added a hatrick to raise his totals to 4 goals and 9 points in only 3 games. Meanwhile goaltender Frederik Brind’amour was named defensive player of the week posting a shutout along with a 1.33 GAA and a .944 save%. Skilled pivot Justin Mapletoft who won the praise of Butch Goring in camp opened his season with a two goal three point performance, carrying Red Deer to a 4-4 tie.
As reported by HF’s own Peter Westermark Mattias Weinhandl has been paired with the Sedin-twins in MoDo, and Weinhandl has 1 goals and 2 assists with a +4 after three games. That line, featuring perhaps the three most promising 1980-born Swedes, is one of the most interesting ones to watch for the Elitserien-crowds. As a rookie in the Eliteserien Weinhandl is sure to put up impressive numbers on that line, and may prove to be a huge steal in the third round.
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After all the personnel changes by the Lightning organization, I assumed the first couple of days of camp would be taken up with introductions. Between trades, signings, invitations, and every other conceivable means of acquiring players, the Tampa Bay training camp roster looked very little like last years. The Lightning had a horrible past two seasons, but they did have a core of good players. Injuries were also a problem for the Bolts. Rick Dudley, G.M. of the Lightning, did a good job of bringing in a lot of players. One of the biggest problems in the last couple of years in Tampa was depth. With having to hurry draftees into the lineup and no real minor league system to speak of, the team was not able to develop any depth within the organization.
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With each passing day the Rangers team continues to mould itself into a finer well oiled machine, one that looks to be without 1st round selections Pavel Brendl and Jamie Lundmark. Brendl has been less than impressive of late due to his conditioning or lack of. His skating needs work as it appears he is NOT ready for NHL action. During the Rangers latest day of practice Captain Brian Leetch had Brendl lead the skating group in laps. Veteran Kevin Stevens started a group chant that included “come on Pavel, you can do it…”. It seems as the one time roster lock has just about had his bags packed and is headed back to the Western League and Calgary Hitmen for an encore. Many outside of the Rangers management believe that Brendl can still score 15-20 goals at the NHL level this year if he is given the proper amount of ice time but not under John Muckler`s system. With Brendl just about out of the running one has to wonder about the draft day trade that sent a first rounder as well as up and comer Daniel Cloutier and Niklas Sundstrøm to Tampa. The positive is Brendl can learn from his first NHL camp and flourish in the WHL and hone his skills for the 2000-01 season in NYC and open a spot on the wing allowing Mike Knuble to gain more ice time as he has deserved with a strong pre-season.
Erstwhile Jamie Lundmark has been most impressive and looks most ready for the NHL although his size(strength) has been his downfall. Another year of Juniors and an NHL strength training regimen could very solve this problem.
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Issue # 10
1999 – 2000 SEASON PREVIEW
Team eyes playoffs as second campaign gets underway
The Brampton Battalion kick off their second season in the Ontario Hockey League’s competitive Midwest division Friday night against the powerful Barrie Colts at home in the Bunker. Unlike last season, when head coach Stan Butler and his young squad concentrated more on being competitive every night, rather than winning right away, this year’s lineup clearly has a playoff position in its sights.
Despite the loss of Jason Spezza to the Mississauga IceDogs in June’s OHL Priority Selection, the Battalion look to be much improved this year. The team has returned all but five players from last year’s lineup which compiled a record of 8-57-3 and, augmented by such impressive rookies as Jay McClement, Mike Rice, Matt Grennier and Rostislav Klesla, racked up a 2-2-2 record in the pre-season. The Battalion split a pair of games with the Oshawa Generals and Owen Sound Platers and managed two ties with the Guelph Storm. By contrast, during their inaugural exhibition slate last year, they only managed one tie in six outings.
Here is a quick look at how this year’s team shapes up by position:
GOAL Read more »
TWO MORE GONE…
Two more players gone was the news coming out of the Kootenay Ice office yesterday. This means that the Kootenay Ice is very close to setting the opening day roster. Because this is Junior Hockey, no roster has to be finalized until January 10th.
Forward Charlie Mattersdorfer, who had four goals during exhibition play, has been released back to the Fernie Ghostriders of the American West Hockey League. The other player is forward Jeremy Yablonski who announced his retirement from hockey due to personal reasons.
STILL IN CAMP…
Defenceman Steve McCarthy is still at NHL training camp. McCarthy is with the Chicago Blackhawks. He is expected to be in Cranbrook by October 1st when NHL rosters are completed.
THE WAITING GAME…
The Kootenay Ice are hopeful that defenceman David Tanabe will be coming to play in the system very shortly. Tanabe, 18, left the University of Wisconsin after one season where he had nine goals and 20 points in 33 games. Tanabe was selected 16th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 1999 draft. We certainly have our fingers crossed at this point, but it is in Carolina’s court right now.
CURRENT ROSTER…
FORWARDS: DEFENCEMEN:
Jason Jaffray Jarret Stoll
Trevor Johnson Jesse Ferguson
Mike Green Kyle Wanvig
Scott Roles Dean Arsene
Wade Burt Tyler Beechey
Dion Lassu Steve McCarthy Read more »
Well, the Soo Greyhounds training camp has come and gone for another season and this year’s camp has produced a few surprises. All things considered though, the 1999-2000 Greyhounds are in great shape.
The Greyhounds had four rookie goalies in camp (Jeremy Day, Tyler Mercier, Jeremy Elliott and Ray Emery). Last season’s goalies, Jason Flick and Jake McCracken, were attending NHL training camps and missed part of the camp. Flick was in Tampa Bay and McCracken was in Detroit. Both have since returned.
As for the rookie goalies, fifth round pick Ray Emery had a good camp but the only way he is going to be a regular in the Greyhounds lineup is if either Flick or McCracken are dealt during the season. Jeremy Day also played well making 50 saves in an exhibition game against the Sudbury Wolves on September 10th.
The Greyhounds have a lot of experience on their blueline this year. With six returning defensemen the Greyhounds had only a spot or two open for rookies. First round draft pick Trevor Daley has given Greyhound fans a good reason to smile. Daley’s skating is great and he has good on-ice vision.
CHL import pick Vaclav Zavoral spent a good part of camp at the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp. He played his first game as a member of the Greyhounds this past Saturday against Sudbury and he played pretty well. He has good size and mobility. He also handles the puck well.
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Adrian Aucoin officially made a commitment with Team Canada on Tuesday and will join Tom Renney and the gang in Calgary at Father David Bauer Arena. This, however mean’s a lot for the rookies playing with Vancouver currently and not shaved from the roster.
Zenith Komarniski and Rene Vydareny have a chance to stick with the club until Aucoin signs the papers and Jovo-Cop does the same. A little off topic on the youngsters with the Canucks, Greg Hawgood may have his chance also, he is playing without a contract right now however the Canucks haven’t cut the 31 year old. This could be an opportunity for him and Kormarniski and Vydareny.
“I don’t think anyone’s paying that much attention to it,” said Greg Hawgood, who’s trying to win a spot on the defence. “It’s out of the control of anyone who’s in that dressing room.”
On to other news involving Pre-Season is Bryan Allen. The 4th overall pick of the 1998 Entry Draft is undeniably the ideal candidate for a personalized hospital room. Allen has been told to stay in Vancouver for the Canucks trip to Eastern Canada for games against Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. Allen had his left knee checked Monday and the results still aren’t in. With Jovanovski and Aucoin out, Burke is going to pray that the results are pretty or else the NHL’s promising young defense core in Vancouver may turn flip flop and make the offense more appealing.
(Quotes from the Vancouver Province)
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