Category Archives: Miami Alumni
RedHawks and Redskins Hockey Alumni
>Zatkoff Seeing Stars
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The good news continues for Jeff Zatkoff today, as he was named to the National Conference roster for the 2009 ECHL All Star Game.
Zatkoff put up impressive numbers this season with the Ontario Reign, posting an 8-6-1 record, with a 2.39 goals against average; numbers that are second best in the ECHL.
Currently, he’s with the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. In his only appearance, the Chesterfield, MI native Zatkoff is 0-1, with a 3.05 GAA.
The 17th annual ECHL All-Star game takes place on January 21, in Reading, PA. Rosters for the American Conference, will be announced later today.
Here are the former Miamians in the American Conference and their updated stats:
Marty Guerin- Charlotte Checkers (0gp, 0g, 0a)
Nino Musitelli- Dayton Bombers (24gp, 6g, 13a)
Ernie Hartlieb- Florida Everblades (28gp, 11g, 14a)
Joe Cooper- Reading Royals (24gp, 1g, 3a)
Charlie Effinger-Trenton Devils (11gp, 5-5-1, 3.14 GAA)
Mitch Ganzak- Wheeling Nailers (27gp, 3g, 17a)
>Knapp Ranked a Top 7 NCAA Pick
>Over at Hockey’s Future, the prognosticating for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft has already begun, and while the NCAA crop isn’t very deep, HF has identified seven NCAA players that could go early, come draft day. It was a nice surprise to see Connor Knapp mentioned:
At 6’5, Knapp certainly stands out. But his size isn’t the only impressive thing about the RedHawks rookie netminder. His athleticism is really quite remarkable for such a big man. He is also very focused and does an outstanding job of following plays and staying square to shooters.
Knapp has been splitting time with fellow freshman Cody Reichard, continuing a growing trend of superb goaltenders manning the nets for the RedHawks. The York, NY native has appeared in nine games thus far, posting a 7-1-1 record that includes one shutout. His 1.77 GAA ranks 11th in the nation, while his .924 save percentage ranks 22nd. He earned his lone CCHA Rookie of the Week honor back on Nov. 17.
Do you expect Knapp to be picked? What NHL teams could use a blue chip goaltending prospect in their system?
>Davis Yet to Find Groove in Rockford
>Hockey’s Future has released it’s assessment of the Chicago Blackhawks minor league prospects and former RedHawk forward Nathan Davis is ranked 14th on the list of the top 19 prospects. Here’s HF’s take on the Rockford IceHog:
In his first professional season out of Miami of Ohio, Nathan Davis has yet to show flashes of the brilliance he displayed in college. He has scored 3 goals and 2 assists this season in 27 games, with a team-worst -7 rating. A fourth-round pick in 2005, the 22-year-old winger will be given plenty of time to find his game in Rockford.
Davis played in today’s game against the Chicago Wolves and registered no points, but was called for a penalty late in the game. Here are his current numbers:
28 games played
3 goals
2 assists
-7 rating
10 PIM
Personally, I wonder what affects, if any, Nate is feeling from his shoulder injury that plagued his senior season at Miami. When he’s 100 % healthy, he can put up big numbers, take for example, his junior season, a 50 point season, in which he scored 21 goals. Hopefully, he can find his scoring prowess in the near future.
>Zatkoff, Robitaille, & More
>– Jeff Zatkoff made 19 saves for the Manchester Monarchs in his first AHL game, however, it was in a losing effort as the Manitoba Moose beat the Monarchs, 3-2 on Wednesday night. Alec Martinez also added an assist on the first Manchester
goal.
– Foxsports.com 
has compiled a list of the top ten NHL trades of the past year. Featured on the list is Sharks’ defenseman Dan Boyle, who comes in at number two on the list, after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in July.
Check it out here.
– Randy Robitaille has been selected to play for Team Canada’s Spengler Cup team. The Spengler is the second oldest international tournament in the world and is held in Davos, Switzerland. The first winners of the Cup were the Oxford University Ice Team, in 1923.
You can read the rest of the article and check out the rest of the rosters by clicking here.
>Zatkoff Gets the Call & More
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– The Manchester Monarchs have announced that they have called up goaltender Jeff Zatkoff from Ontario of the ECHL. This is due to Jonathan Quick’s call up to Los Angeles, under emergency conditions.
– The RedHawks has moved up to number two in the latest USCHO Division I poll. Other CCHA notables are Michigan (12), Nebraska-Omaha (16) and Alaska (18).
– Still no official word tonight on Nino Musitelli’s reported shoulder injury. He hasn’t been placed on the IR as of yet.
– The New Jersey Devils have taken defenseman Andy Greene off of the injured reserve list, after recovering from a broken hand. Greene may return tonight, against Toronto, or tomorrow night, when the Devils take on the Sabres.
– After a six point weekend against RPI, sophomore forward Carter Camper has been named as one of the CCHA Players’ of the Week.
>Report: Musitelli Injured
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I’ve received more than one report that Nino Musitelli left Dayton’s game on Sunday night against Charlotte in the third period with a dislocated shoulder and that he’s going to be examined and placed on the IR as early as tomorrow.
I’ll try and track down the official word on this and post an update as soon as I find out.
>What a First Half!
>Wow…what a conclusion to the first half to the season, with a 7-1 win over RPI today. I think the question of “is this a rebuilding year or a reloading year” has most certainly been answered, given our play thus far. I for one would have never thought we’d be one point out of first place in the CCHA, with a 12-3-3 record and four consecutive weekend sweeps going into the New Year. What a nice surprise that is!
So now, without further ado, here are my first half awards, complete with cheesy names:
Gary DeLonge Most Valuable Player Award: Carter Camper, SO, 11 goals, 15 assists
Top Newcomer Award: Chris Wideman, D, 0 goals, 15 assists, +8 rating
Bobby Marshall Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin Roeder, 1 goal, 1 assist, + 6 rating
SDS Pizza Most Improved Player: Gary Steffes, JR, 6 goals, 5 assists, + 13 rating
Rich Shulmistra Goaltender of the Year Award: Connor Knapp, FR, 7-1-1, 1.77 GAA
So, there you have it. Our ‘Hawks are off until 2009, where they’ll meet the Clarkson Golden Knights, along with Army or Ohio State at the Ohio Hockey Classic, in Columbus. In the new year, the RedHawks get right back into it with a weekend series at Michigan, followed by a Michigan State homestand and then a trip out west to Omaha to take on the Mavericks. Another thing to keep in mind: The end of season home and home with Ohio State may indeed have meaning this year, as the Buckeyes, led by the stellar play of Dustin Carlson, are lurking in 6th place in the CCHA with a record of 11-6-1. I certainly didn’t see John Markell getting 11 wins out of that team the entire season. It’s sure to be a great matchup, come late February.
The CCHA standings have also been updated on the top left corner of this page. As you’re aware, there are some major surprises this season in the league. Here are my top three:
1. Michigan State (4-11-3)
– The Spartans were picked to be near the top of the CCHA, led by veteran goaltender and team captain, Jeff Lerg. This young MSU squad is 0-9-1 in their last 10 games. Next up for the Spartans, the Great Lakes Invitational on December 26.
2. Northern Michigan (3-10-3)
– The Wildcats have also been struggling as of late, going just 1-7-2 in their last 10 (not counting an exhibition win over the USNDTP this weekend). Projected fourth in the preseason coaches’ poll, Walt Kyle’s ‘Cats have quickly fallen out of CCHA title contention and will most assuredly go on the road for the first round of the playoffs.
3. Ohio State (11-6-1)
– One of the hottest teams in the country now…imagine that, the Buckeyes! OSU has strung together a 9-1 record in their last 10 with a solid weekend sweep in November over a very good Nebraska-Omaha squad. In the new year, conference play for the ‘Bucks has tight matchups at Bowling Green, at Ferris State, home with Western Michigan, and a long trip to Alaska. OSU is certainly a team to watch and very well could make it’s way into a top 4 finish.
Who would you hand out awards to, based on first-half play?
>Friday Update, Jones Sent Back to Milwaukee
>– NHL.com has a nice article about the impressive performance of Jeff Zatkoff, for the ECHL’s Ontario Reign.
These days, it’s the Los Angeles Kings who are far from mad with Zatkoff, who was selected in the third round by the club in the 2006 Entry Draft. Playing in his first professional season, Zatkoff is 7-6-1 with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage for Ontario, which is the Kings’ ECHL affiliate.
You can check the rest out at this link.
– USCHO “prognosticator” Paula C. Weston predicts a Miami sweep this weekend against hapless RPI:
The RedHawks swept the Engineers in Troy, N.Y., last season, outscoring RPI 12-4. RPI is 3-11-1 overall this year; last week the Engineers broke a six-game losing streak with a 7-2 win over Brown. This series is Saturday-Sunday. Miami 4-2, 4-1
– Ryan Jones has been sent back to the Milwaukee Admirals after being recalled yesterday by the Nashville Predators. Jones suited up for his 16th NHL game last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, seeing 10:43 worth of ice time.
>Knapp Showcases His Mask
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CBS College Sports has put together a neat feature on Connor Knapp, in which he reveals the inspiration behind the paint job on his mask.
You can check it out by clicking here.
>Jones Recalled to Nashville
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Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled forward Ryan Jones from the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.
Jones, who started the season with Nashville and has six points (3g-3a) in 15 games with the Predators this season, was reassigned to the Admirals on November 20. The 6-2, 215-pound forward has posted nine points (6g-3a) and a +4 rating in eight games with Milwaukee.
Jonesy will be in the lineup tonight against Columbus (TV: FSN-Ohio).
COLUMBUS, Ohio – It will be Round Two for Ryan Jones when the Predators play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight. Jones began the season on the NHL level, but was reassigned to Milwaukee of the American Hockey League about three weeks ago – along with fellow rookie forward Patric Hornqvist.
He’ll be wearing the Predators jersey once again tonight, as Jones was recalled this morning because of injuries to Jordin Tootoo and Scott Nichol. The 6-2, 215-pound forward had posted nine points (six goals, three assists) and a plus-four rating in eight games with the Admirals. “He’s been playing very well in Milwaukee,’’ Preds coach Barry Trotz said.
“He got a goal last night and he’s really been taking his game to the next level. It’s good. We want guys to come up based on accountability and performance versus reputation or draft status.’’
Jones said he feels the experience gained at the AHL level has benefited him.
“I think my confidence increased while I was there,’’ Jones said. “I can honestly say I think I’m a better player now than when I went down.’’
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