Category Archives: Miami Alumni
RedHawks and Redskins Hockey Alumni
>CBC Features Ryan Jones
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CBC.ca has published a great article on Ryan Jones’ journey to the NHL. In it, he discusses what inspired him to continue hockey, his shoulder surgery over the summer, and many other topics.
It’s one of the best articles I’ve read in a long time. They do, however, mention that Jones is a cousin of New York Islanders great John Tonelli. In actuality, Jones is the nephew of Tonelli.
You can find it at this link.
>Reading Between the Lines
>This article, from the Dayton Daily News, has some interesting qyotes from Miami players and coaching staff. I’ll provide the lines…head on over to the DDN web site to read the rest of the article:
“I can tell you one thing, we’ll probably be a lot better in January than we are right now.”
“It’s a work in progress, but we feel we have a very talented group.
– Rico
“It’s going to be a tough year, I can feel it. We’re going to have a bit of a learning curve. We may get off on a bumpy road, but we have an exceptional coaching staff.”
– Jarod Palmer
Discuss: Is anyone worried/concerned about our inexperience this season? I especially like the line from Rico about “being better in January than we are now,” as I think this team still has a lot of “gelling” to do. Let’s just hope we play well enough in the fall, to play well enough in March and April.
>Ganzak Released By B-Sens
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“Sharp on the Sens”, the official Binghamton Senators blog, is reporting that the team has released defenseman Mitch Ganzak.
Check it out here.
>Wednesday Tidbits
>- Today’s Miami Memory is a Goggin classic. Alec Martinez’ OT goal against the Western Michigan Broncos to send the RedHawks to Detroit and close out Goggin Ice Arena. You can view it at this link. Listening to Dave Allen’s call of the final goal gives me the chills…boy, do I miss that place.
– Justin Mercier has been named to the Inside College Hockey preseason All-American third team. No other RedHawks were listed on either the first, second, third or rookie team. Yikes.
– Former RedHawk Joe Cooper, signed with the Toronto Marlies, has been assigned to the Reading Royals of the ECHL.
– CollegeHockeyNews has released their CCHA season preview. The CHN staffers have the RedHawks finishing in third place.
With two unproven netminders and a young and inexperienced defense, Miami will have a hard time closing out games in a grueling conference.
– Ohio State has some “pre-Miami” audio/video on prepping for the RedHawks this weekend. Here, they have an interview with Defenseman Shane Simms, Captain Zach Pelletier, and Head Coach John Markell. Check it out to see the Bucks’ take on playing one of their in-state rivals. Pelletier sounds pretty confident that OSU can handle the ‘Hawks come this weekend.
– The Buckeyes have also released their game notes for the weekend series. Those can be found at this link and a game preview from the Columbus Dispatch, can be found here.
– AND…one final note. Photos from the Have Fun Play Hockey clinic from Tuesday night have been posted. Check them out here.
>Zatkoff to Play for Ontario Reign
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The Manchester Monarchs have assigned former RedHawk standout goaltender Jeff Zatkoff to the Ontario Reign of the ECHL.
I must say I’m surprised to see this move, as I thought Jonathan Bernier would have been playing with the Kings in net this season, but with Bernier’s assignment to the AHL, and Jonathan Quick also in Manchester, Zatkoff wouldn’t have gotten much playing time in all probability.
Is this the right move for the Kings and Zatkoff’s development? Is Zats too good for the ECHL? What do you think?
>Ryan Jones Makes the Predators Roster
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Well…he did it. The Nashville Predators have announced their opening night roster…and yes, it does include Ryan Jones. But…the question remains, where will the former RedHawk captain fit in on the Predators line chart? Brandon Felder, from HockeyBuzz, offers his take:
For me the type of game Ryan Jones plays fits better on a line with Legwand and Erat. Jones will go to the net and allow Legwand and Erat to continue their chemistry. Legwand is a playmaker and best used as a set up man. Erat is a finisher if he would just shoot the puck more. Jones will be in front of the goalie allowing Erat to be more comfortable shooting instead of passing.
From The Tennessean:
Jones possesses an attractive presence around the net. Ward, who edged out Pihlstrom for the final spot, is a strong penalty killer with good instincts.
“I told myself that I wasn’t coming here just to have my name be in the organization, I was going to compete for a spot from Day 1,” said Jones, who was acquired from Minnesota for Marek Zidlicky. “Whether or not that was realistic I don’t know, but some things happened this summer in this organization that left some spots open for the younger guys and the cards just played out right.”
Coach Barry Trotz stressed that the roster could change by next week.
Nick Tarnasky, who has a broken thumb, has been practicing and could be ready to join the lineup as early as Monday, when the Predators visit Chicago, Trotz said.
Jones and Hornqvist do not need to clear waivers, meaning they could be sent to Milwaukee at any time.
Let’s hope he stays with the club, however…a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Ryan Jones…we all know what type of guy Jonesy is on and off the ice…he’s sure to make Miami proud.
>RedHawks Meet With Media
>Coach Blasi, Captain Brian Kaufman, and Jarod Palmer all sat down with members of the media today for a little O &A about the program.
Thanks to the Miami Athletic Department for uploading these videos.
>Adams Released & Ryan Jones News
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Just a couple tidbits for now, as NHL teams are slicing and dicing to make their opening night roster decisions. The Chicago Blackhawks have released Miami alum Kevyn Adams, a free agent invitee to this years training camp. Adams played for the Blackhawks last season and was an unrestricted free agent this past summer and received the invite to Chicago’s camp. Last season, his time was cut short due to a torn knee ligament suffered in November of 2007. Kevyn was reportedly in good shape once again and ready to add a veteran presence to a young Chicago team.
Hopefully, someone will still have some use for the former Redskin captain and he’ll be able to continue his playing career. On the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him “hang ’em up” either. Best of luck Kevyn.
Onto the big story…Ryan Jones…
The Tennessean is reporting that the Predators have assigned forwards Josh Gratton and possibly Antti Philstrom to Milwaukee of the AHL meaning that remaining forwards Patric Hornqvist, Joel Ward and Ryan Jones have in all likelihood, have made the opening night roster. Here’s a snippet of the article:
Among players still with the team are prospect forwards Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Jones, as well as Ward, who was an offseason signee.
Trotz said it looks like all three players will be on the opening-night roster, with Ward being the biggest surprise of training camp.
And this comes from Brandon Felder at HockeyBuzz:
Ryan Jones is the type of player this team needs. He will go to the net, take the body, essentially be that Scott Hartnell type of player the Preds lacked since Hartnell’s departure to Philly. Some people have stated they weren’t impressed with Jones in pre-season but I for one liked what I saw and felt that he deserves some NHL ice time.
As I said, things are still unofficial at this point. I’ll keep up on the situation and if anything develops this evening, I’ll post it here.
>Guerin Released to Charlotte
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The Hartford Wolf Pack have released forward Marty Guerin on the basis of returning him back to the Charlotte Checkers of the ECHL.
Making a difficult subject easier to understand: Guerin went to camp with the Wolfpack, but didn’t make the team, so he’ll play for Charlotte this season. Same situation with Musitelli and the WB/Scranton Penguins.
>Martinez Sent to Manchester
>The Los Angeles Kings have announced that defenseman and former RedHawk blueliner Alec Martinez has been assigned to the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL.
You can view the release at this link.
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