Monthly Archives: September 2008
>Blue Jackets Training Camp Comes to Oxford
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According to the Columbus Blue Jackets official web site, the team will wrap up it’s 2008 training camp in…none other than Oxford, Ohio.
Here is the link to the article. The only important part reads:
The team will conclude its preparations for the season with team building and on-ice practices in Oxford, Ohio from October 6-8.
You can view the training camp schedule at this link. No times have been posted yet for the Jackets workouts in Oxford.
It’ll be very interesting to see how this pans out and if it’s open to the public.
>Boyle Ranked Top Fantasy Defenseman
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For you fantasy hockey guru’s out there, Dan Boyle has been ranked the top defenseman to select on fantasy draft day. Here is the assessment of the former RedHawk blue liner:
What’s this? Brian Campbell is leaving for big money in Chicago? No problem! GM Doug Wilson brought in somebody even better. Personally, I can’t wait to watch this stud offensive defenseman light up the West in teal and black. A freak wrist injury marred his 2007-08, one season after he scored 20 goals for the first time and had career-highs in assists (43) and points (63). Since 2005-06, Boyle is tied for sixth among all defensemen in goals (39), 18 of those on the power play.
2007-08: 37 games, 4-21-25 (9-47-56 prorated for 82 games; with Tampa Bay) 2008-09 projection: 23-52-75
To see the rest of the defensemen, ranked 2-75, click click here.
>December WMU Game Re-Scheduled
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According to the Western Michigan University website, the first game of the weekend series against the Broncos (originally scheduled for Friday, 12/5) has been moved to the Sunday, December 7th to accommodate the game’s live broadcast on ESPN U.
Here is the official release from Western Michigan.
>Hockey’s Future Features RedHawk Skaters
>Over on Hockey’s Future, they’re in the process of compiling each organization’s Top Twenty Prospects. Former RedHawks Jeff Zatkoff and Alec Martinez were ranked 12th and 15th, respectively in the LA Kings Top Twenty, while Freshman defenseman Will Weber was rated the 14th best prospect in the Columbus Blue Jackets franchise. Here are a few snippets from each:
Los Angeles Kings
12. Jeff Zatkoff, Goaltender
Jonathan Bernier is not the only goaltender in the Kings system with legitimate NHL starting potential. Zatkoff left college hockey early, signing an entry-level contract during the offseason. With Bernier and Jonathan Quick already in the system, it will be tough for Zatkoff to find significant playing time. But the Kings were high enough on Zatkoff to bring him into the already packed minor league system to begin his training under the watchful eyes of the Kings coaching staff. He does not have the future franchise goaltender tag that Bernier has, but can be a solid and steady No. 1 goaltender in the right situation. He will spend a couple of seasons in the minor leagues before he can be expected to see meaningful minutes in the NHL, whether with Los Angeles or with another organization. If both Bernier and Zatkoff develop to their full potential, the Kings will have a valuable trading chip in Zatkoff that they can use to fill any hole in their roster in future years. Or, if Bernier falters, Zatkoff is a good insurance policy to have..
You can read JZ’s profile analysis by clicking here.
15. Alec Martinez, Defenseman
With no graduations from these rankings, it stands to reason that most prospects would drop a couple of spots as new faces from the 2008 Entry Draft are added. But Martinez is one of the few prospects who actually moves up after an outstanding season with Miami University. He demonstrated enough skill and maturity last season to seriously be considered a viable candidate to join Los Angeles as early as this season. Martinez is a two-way defenseman with respectable enough skating ability to keep pace with the forwards at the NHL level. He does not have as high of a ceiling as the first three defensemen on this list, but like Harrold, can be serviceable enough at the NHL level. If he does not join Los Angeles to start the season, he will likely take the spot in Manchester vacated by Harrold’s promotion to the Kings.
This link showcases Alec’s prospect profile.
Columbus Blue Jackets
14. Will Weber, Defenseman
Weber has all the physical tools to become a very good NHL defenseman, but he is extremely raw. He has strong skating, has a good build for an NHL defenseman at 6’4, 205, and he has a good shot.
The big Michigan product had an up and down season last year with the Steel and did not stand out overall as one of the better defensemen on his team. He had a total of 18 points in 46 games. He is committed to play at Miami University and will need a few years there to mold himself into a premier quality, polished defenseman.
View Will’s profile, click here.
These really are very good reads. I strongly encourage you to check them out. I’ll have these permanently linked in the upper right corner of the page, for future reference.
>Monday Tidbits
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NHL.com has a great series of team by team previews for the upcoming 2008-2009 season. As you may expect, Nashville has a great bit about Ryan Jones. Enjoy!
Knowing that (Alexander Radulov’s NHL status), Predators Head Coach Barry Trotz said he’s banking on a pair of youngsters to make a significant jump into the top six, even though both Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Jones have yet to play a NHL game. As for Jones, who came to Nashville in a trade from Minnesota, Trotz said he has seen and heard enough to know he’s ready for the NHL.
“Talking to our scouts and scouts from other teams, everybody seems to think this guy is the most ready college player,” Trotz said. “We want to see him in the second hole, but if not he’ll play in a third- or fourth-line role.”
Jones, 24, recorded 147 points in 161 games over four seasons at Miami University.
If you’re interested in checking out any other of the “Miami alum” teams, you can follow these links:
Los Angeles Kings (Jeff Zatkoff, Alec Martinez)
>Cooper Signs With Marlies
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The Toronto Marlies have announced the signing of former RedHawk forward Joe Cooper. Here’s the excerpt from the official press release:
Cooper played five games with the Columbia Inferno last season, registering 12 penalty minutes. The 6’0, 200-pound defenceman skated in three games for Columbia in the 2008 ECHL playoffs and registered nine penalty minutes. The 23-year-old Toronto native was originally selected in the seventh round, 219th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Per club policy, terms were not disclosed.
At Miami, Cooper played in 145 games from 2003-2007, scoring 8 goals and 15 assists and serving as an alternate captain for a small part of his RedHawk career.
I must say I’m pleasantly surprised to see this move. I’ve always viewed Joe Cooper as an ECHL or CHL level talent. If he can draw some minutes with Toronto, then all the better things will be. It’s great for him to get some experience, especially at the AHL level. He’ll bring his tough nosed game to the Ricoh Coliseum night in and night out.
Congratulations Joe!
**On a side note, former UNO Maverick Juha Uotila was also signed by the Toronto Marlies.**
>Time Change: Michigan State Series
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Per MURedhawks.com:
The game times for the Miami Michigan State series in Oxford on Jan. 16-17 have been changed to 8:05 Eastern Standard Time in order for the game to be broadcast live on CBS college sports. The games had been scheduled for 7:35 p.m. on Friday and 7:05 p.m. on Saturday but have been moved back to accommodate television.
For those who aren’t aware, CBS college sports is the “old” CSTV. If you have DirecTV as I do, it can be found on channel 613.
>RedHawks Getting Some Work In
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As the RedHawks were enjoying an afternoon skate, a poster over on MiamiHawkTalk stopped by and had a few observations to make. Full credit goes to him on this update.
* Knapp looked very solid. Flashed the leather a couple of times nicely.
* Nate Davis skating w/ the team.
* Eichenlaub was skating; looked like he was paired w/ Tomassoni mostly.
* Weber was paired w/ LoVerde for most drills. Moves so well for such a big fellow as advertised. Nice snap-shot as well.
* Mercier practices like it’s the last time he’s ever gonna lace them up again. Very fun to watch.
* Palmer sure is fun to watch in one-on-one drills. He can really dangle.
A few observations, of my own, now:
– Nice to Knapp looking good. I realize that it’s VERY early on, but it’s still promising to see for the upcoming season. I’ll admit, that as soon as I heard Conner had committed to the program, I’ve been a big fan, simply because of his size. My one hope is that he’s coordinated for his size (as some big people aren’t).
– Good to see Ray Eichenlaub back in good form, after being hit by a car a few months ago.
– I’m also very excited about Will Weber. Personally, I don’t think he’ll stay for all four years of his college career, but I’m very hopeful that he will. Weber seems like a real gem and paired with Vincent LoVerde on the first line, will be very solid.
– I love the hustle from Justin Mercier. Personally, I thought he would wear the “C” for the RedHawks this season, based on his hard nosed play throughout the past three years. He seems as if he could really possess some great leadership qualities.
– I’m interested to see where Kevin Roeder winds up. Once again, it’s very early in terms of defensive parings, but my question remains, as to who’ll play on the second line with Roeder, if that’s where he ends up. There are a few options:
Weber/LoVerde
Roeder/ Wideman/Schilling/Smith/Findorff
Eichenlaub/Tomassoni
Realistically, I can’t see anyone of these four options playing on the second line, but I have yet to see/hear anything about Cameron Schilling, or Chris Wideman. I would also suspect that if Michael Findorff sees action this season, it would be on a third-line pairing, same with Brandon Smith.
>Jones Featured on Preds TV
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Just a short feature put together by the Nashville Predators about the summer workouts. Some good video of and good sound from Ryan Jones here. Check it out!
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