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Kings Camp Opens

by pbadmin
on
The Los Angeles Kings opened camp, at least first stepped foot on the ice, on this past Wednesday, September 10th. About 75 Kings fans were in attendance. Included in that figure was another Hockey 2000 writer, Donna Sarasin. Donna and I had the opportunity to talk to many people from the Kings front office. It amazed me at how open and accessible they were. I want to focus this article in two areas, one my evaluation of what I observed, and, two, a twenty-minute conversation Donna and I had with Al Murray, Director of Scouting.
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Young Panther Hopefuls

by Bryan Taylor
on
The Florida Panthers are a team on the upswing.
They are young, and have added some much needed leadership (with the loss
od Skrudland) by acquiring Esa Tikanen. The Panthers mind set for their
prospects is what I would literally call BIG!!! If you look at the top
5 or so Panthers prospects you will probably notice that not one
is under 6’4″. The Panthers are gonna get bigger and stronger,
which should allow them to bang with the big boys in the Eastern Conference.
With the 1st pick in this years entry draft, the Panthers added
more size to the system by acquiring 6’4″ bruiser Mike Brown.
Brown is noted for his fighting skills, but he can definitely put
the puck in the net. He is still a year or 2 away from sticking with
the Panthers though. The Panthers roster is pretty much almost full,
with a few exceptions. Dont get me wrong the Panthers definitely
have talent in the sytem, but they may be able to keep them in the minors
for 1 more year to get some more experience. There are only three or four legitimate candidates
of making the squad this year out of camp. There are a few other prospects who have great talent,
but will probably need another year of seasoning.
Surely these 3 prospects that are contending for a roster spot are no
slouches, but with the offseason
acquisitions of veterans such as Esa Tikanen, and Gagner, even if these youngsters
do make the squad, dont expect to see them get much ice time. Read more »

1997-98 Rookie Watch

by pbadmin
on
Ok, here are the rookies I think we should all watch for to have an impact in the NHL this year. The ones denoted by a ‘*’ indicate the guys I feel are most likely to be serious Calder Trophy Candidates. All these guys have the potential to make the NHL this year but that does
not mean that all of them will. A lot depends on injuries and whether there is room for them. We should all keep an eye on them though and I will be updating the progress of these rookies, and any I might have missed, through out the season. The next update should come shortly after the season starts and I will let you know which rookies made their respective NHL clubs.

Boston Bruins

————-

(*)Joe Thornton – Big, strong and talented. What more could you ask for. Will almost for sure develop into a top center in the NHL but don’t expect that yet. He is expected (and will) make the Bruins and play a prominent role for them. The ice time should get will make him a top calder trophy candidate.

(*)Sergei Samsonov – He is probably as talented, maybe more talented, than Thornton but lacks Thornton’s size to say the least. At just 5’8″ tall he won’t scare anyone in the corners but will certainly scare opposing defensemen and goalies with his pure offensive talent. Not bad defensively either. Should make the pro team from camp and maybe play with big Thornton.
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1997 draft reentries

by pbadmin
on
As the 1997 NHL entry draft quickly appraoches most of the names being
touted as the next stars in the NHL are Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and
Robeto Luongo. But there are a select few (51 to be exact) who have already
been drafted into the NHL but failed to come to terms with there respective
teams, so they will be re-entering the 1997 NHL draft. These players have
not been signed for numerous reasons such as money (which is the most
common), the player in the view of his draftee team did not feel the player
deserved a contract or the player may have felt he would have a better shot
at making the NHL with a different organization. Here is a list of the more
prominent players who will be attending the NHL draft in Pittsburgh Saturday.

Brad Larsen: A two time World Junior gold medalist with Team Canada. Larsen was
the team captain in 1997. An honest player who gives it his all
every shift and every game. A projected 3rd line winger, with
tones of leadership. A player every team needs come playoffs.

John Tripp: This guy hits like a Mack truck. Was a scoring force for the OHL
champion Oshawa Generals durin there playoff drive, but don’t
expect too many goals at the NHL level from yet another Kingston
born hockey player (Doug Gilmour & Kirk Muller). Another 3rd
line winger, who loves to hit and hit to hurt. If Tripp
gained some confidence from the OHL playoffs then just maybe he Read more »

Tommy Tartaglione named ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week

by League Press Release
on

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Tommy Tartaglione of the Regina Pats is the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Sunday March 4, 2007 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record, along with a 0.500 goals against average, a 0.980 save percentage and a shutout. 

Tuesday night, Tartaglione stopped 27 shots to backstop the Pats to a 3-1 win over the visiting Tri-City Americans.  On Sunday, he stopped all 22 shots to record his third shutout of the season as the Pats skated to a 5-0 home ice victory over the East Division rival Saskatoon Blades. 

The 18-year old from Harbor City, California is in his second WHL season and currently has a 9-5-1 record in 20 appearances.

Steve Mason of the London Knights was the OHL nominee after posting a 3-0-0-0 record with a 2.000 goals against average and 0.944 save percentage while Michel Dupont of the Baie Comeau Drakkar was the QMJHL nominee after going 2-1-0 with a 1.55 goals against average and 0.929 save percentage in three games last week. Read more »
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