The Weekend Warrior

by Randy Nicholson
on
Another in a series of weekly articles summarizing activity in Leafland during the previous 7 days – with some personal observations, commentary, prospect updates and fun thrown in for good measure.

Elvis signs on: Danny (Elvis) Markov inked a multi-year contract with the Maple Leafs on Friday… the deal is rumored to be for 2 years with the team holding an option for a third… Markov made quite an impact in Toronto during his rookie campaign 2 seasons ago… fans quickly fell in love with his exuberant, physical and often reckless performances on the Maple Leafs’ blueline… for some reason, Danny’s overall level of play took a tiny step backward last season… on a more positive note, Markov provides the team with a needed tough guy in the rearguard and also possesses the skill to eventually become a bigger factor in the attacking zone… the new contract reflects management’s faith in Danny’s ability to get back on track this year…
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Preliminary Maple Leafs Rookie Camp Roster

by pbadmin
on
The Leafs’ Rookie Camp Roster has been set – at least the preliminary roster has been set. Like last year, the Leafs’ rookies will be participating in a tournament against the prospects of the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers. The Rookie Tournament is again taking place in Kitchener and will run from September 1st to September 4th . Here is an early look at Toronto’s probable roster.

Goaltenders: Sebastien Centomo, Jamie Hodson, and Jean-Francois Racine

Defensemen: Jean-Philippe Cote, Peter Reynolds, Allan Rourke, Petr Svoboda, Vaclav Zavoral, and Jonathan Zion.

Forwards: Brad Boyes, Luca Cereda, Miguel Delisle, Lance Galbraith, Jonathan Gagnon, Jacques Lariviere, Franticek Mrazek, Mirko Murovic, Alex Ponikarovsky, Vadim Sozinov, Michal Travnicek, Kris Vernarsky, Morgan Warren

Some of the bigger names in the Leafs’ system such as Jeff Farkas and Mikael Hakansson aren’t included above as they are going directly to the main training camp that opens at the conclusion of the Rookie Tournament. Other players may still be added to this roster at a later date.

With special thanks to Brendan McCarthy of the St. John’s Telegram and to Karlo Berkovich of the Kitchener-Waterloo Record.

Avalanche Midsummer News

by Mike Kretschmer
on

Summer hockey news has been pretty slow in the Rocky Mountain region this summer. Knowing Pierre Lacroix, we can never know what to expect…but judging by the amount of free agents he has on his hands, we can expect some ‘new’ news very soon.

Joe Sakic is headed to arbitration on the 15th. Can we expect a deal beforehand? Yes. Will it have a ‘no-trade’ clause? Maybe, but not likely. At the small chance it does, expect it to be very much like the partial one that Roy had.

Peter Forsberg has injured his ankle in a scrimmage/preparation match for a for MoDo’s reunion/farewell game for the Sedin twins. It’s just a minor injury, and should have no real relevance to his condition come training camp. Someone told me Chris Drury also had a little injury (hamstring) while training in Boston with the usual assortment of former BU and BC players, but, once again, such an injury is of little importance.

Will Russian winger Mikhail Kuleshov be in this year’s camp? Sorry, but it’s very unlikely, as the period to sign a foreign prospect without being fined as passed. If Kuleshov wanted to come to camp, he could, but if he wanted a contract, the Avs would have to pay a release fee, plus an addition transfer fee to his European club. With the current budget, I really doubt we will see Kuleshov until next year’s camp.

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Norway’s Myrvold Signs With Islanders

by Evan Andriopoulos
on

Norwegian Anders Myrvold (6-1 200) defenseman out of Lørenskog (Oslo), Norway has signed a contract with the New York Islanders. Myrvold, a former Laval (QMJHL) player was originally a 3rd round choice by the Quebec Nordiques in 1993 for his high scoring ability and touch of feist.

Myrvold differs from many Scandinavian players as he has adapted to the NHL game of being physical. He has nothing against fighting and will try to bang with the best of them. In Sweden at Djurgården and AIK he was known as one of the toughest players in the league.

Myrvold played in Colorado in 1996-97 and then in the Boston Bruins system as part of the deal that brought Boston Landon Wilson. He spent most of the season in Providence of the AHL before returning to Scandinavia. Myrvold joins recent Blue Jacket and Norwegian Star Espen “Shampoo” Knutsen in the NHL with prospect Tore Vikingstad in camp with St. Louis. Myrvold has been training with Knutsen in Oslo with VIF-Hockey to stay in shape during the summer months.

Myrvold’s strengths are his ability to pass and use his smarts in forcing the play. Sometimes he tries to hard to make the play and forces mistakes in his own zone as we saw in the AHL at Providence with a -7 rating in one game. Myrvold is excited and will accept a minor league position (2 way deal) until he can earn a spot back with the club. Myrvold has an excellent opportunity to gain with defensmen Roman Hamrlik and Kenny Jonsson out in contract disputes.

Vikingstad in First Camp With Blues, Norway Notes

by Evan Andriopoulos
on

Tore Vkingstad who tallied (9G 4-5-9 10PIM)for the National Team of Norway has willingly accepted an offer from St.Louis to attend camp. Vikingstad has impressed the Blues scouts with his uncanny knack to find open ice and the net. Vikingstad a 6th round selection will leave Norway at the end of August and test himself with the Blues in dry-land workouts and on ice training.

Vikingstad`s ultimate goal is to make the parent roster of St.Louis and if he is assiged to their minor league affiliate he plans on returning to Sweden until his time is right to try a run at the NHL again.
In Norwegian Daily VG a translated version of what Vikingstad had went:
TV: I could have taken the contract offer now and been assured a place in the minor league, but I would like to have a shot at the NHL and if not return to play in Sweden. I would like to see how I can play in the exhibitions.-Told to Stavanger`s Aftenblad via VG.
If I am not on the team after I will return and play for Leksand in the Swedish Elite Series leaving Fårjestad.
Also Aker IHK of Oslo will participate in Gjøvik Mountain Hall, the site of some of the 1994 Olympic Ice Hockey Tourney. The roster has been set:

Rune K is only playing on Saturday. He is not staying, 


PLAYER       POS.              1999-00 CLUB HT WT AE
Kent Nyholt (Goalie)           AIHK      6.01 230 27
Evan Andriopoulos (Coach-Def.) AIHK-Inj. 6.02 225 31    Read more»
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