Thanks to the anon comment for the heads up. Here is the BCHL article.
Salmon Arm SilverBacks forward Mark Zengerle has been named the British Columbia Hockey League's Player of the Week for the week ending September 20th, the league announced Monday.
Zengerle, who is the reigning Interior Conference MVP, scored four goals and added five assists in three weekend road games -- all wins -- for the SilverBacks.
On Friday, the 20-year old scored twice and added a pair of helpers in a 9-5 win over the Williams Lake Timberwolves. One night later, he netted a power-play goal and assisted on the tying and winning goals in a 3-2 overtime victory in Quesnel. And on Sunday, Zengerle wrapped the weekend with a goal and an assist in a 7-6 win at Prince George.
The Rochester, New York native now has five goals and six assists to show for his first five games of the 2009/10 regular season. Zengerle totalled 31 goals and 62 assists in just 54 games in his first season in the BCHL.
The SilverBacks return to the ice on Friday when they visit the Penticton Vees, who boast league-leading scorers Denver Manderson (15 points) and Beau Bennett (14). Gametime is 7:00 PM from the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Recruit Stat Sheet Updated
First of all, I just wanted to apologize to Gandalf for posting this after his awesome preview for today. Especially since It's Derek Stepan day. Anyways, I just wanted to make everyone aware that I've updated the recruit stat sheet website to reflect the changes for the upcoming hockey season.For reference, here are the updates on committed recruits: Tyler Barnes is now a 2010 recruit, not a 2009 recruit. Michael Mersch is now a 2010 recruit, not a 2011 recruit. Tyler Lapic has moved on from New Prague (HS), to Omaha (USHL). Michael Mersch and Frankie Simonelli have moved up from the NTDP U17 squad to the U18 squad. Matt Paape has moved on from Appleton (HS) to Sioux City (USHL). Cody Strang has moved on from Madison Edgewood (HS) to Youngstown (USHL). Jefferson Dahl was selected in the expansion draft by Youngstown (USHL). Jordan Schmaltz has moved from the Chicago Mission minors to the major squad.
Potential recruits that have been added to the database are: Russell Blaser (Monona Grove), Tim Davison (Green Bay Notre Dame), Matthew Fosdick (Brookfield), Barrett Kaib (US NTDP), Nick Szopinski (Beaver Dam).
If all goes well, the statistics will hopefully be updated weekly.
If you have any corrections, comments, or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment on the blog or e-mail me at chuckschwartz@live.com anytime.
09/10 Men's Previews: #21 Derek Stepan
Vitals:
Position: Forward
Year in School: Sophomore
Shoots Right
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
Hometown: Hastings, MN
Major: making bags of $$$ w/ McDonagh in the Rangers organization in the near future
Previous Team: Shattuck St. Mary’s in 07/08
NHL Considerations: 2nd round pick of the NY Rangers in 2008 Draft, and was praises excessively during prospect camp this summer.
08/09 Stats: 40 games, 9-24-33, +4, 6 PIM
07/08 Stats: 60 games, 42-62-104, 16 PIM
09/10 Role: 3rd line, 1st PP, PK
08/09 Recap: Derek started off the season slow, but as the season progressed, he was like a wave building and building and building and then all of a sudden he was crashing down on the WCHA. He worked his way into all situations and did well in all situations. He was the most effective forward on the team in the last 20 games, scoring 20 points. By the end of the season he was one of the top PKers after not even participating on the PK to start the season. Derek and the Bohmber did an exceptional job, especially on the same PK against North Dakota on Senior Night, scoring two SH goals on the same PP. Derek should have been on the WCHA All Rookie team.
Biggest Strength: Derek is a talented playmaker, and he is only going to get better this season.
Biggest Weakness: I don’t think he has an obvious weakness, he is good at most things and outstanding at everything else.
09/10 Thoughts: Derek is ready for a breakout year; I think he is ready to go Joe Pavelski on the WCHA. Do I really need to say anything else? He will be key in all situations, continuing where he left off last season. He will be joining Jake Gardiner on the WJC at mid-season, and should be one of the top forwards on that team. I’m very anxious to see Derek on the ice again, he was playing so well at the end of last season, he does that for a whole season and the WCHA will quake in their skates.
Prediction: 32 games, 14-28-42* (go big or go home)
*All predictions for regular season only
Photo from uwbadgers.com
09/10 Women's Previews: #21 Lauren Unser
Vitals:
Position: Forward
Year in School: Freshman
Shoots Right
Height: 5-4
Hometown: West Salem, WI
Major: undeclared
Previous Team: Madison Capitols last season
08/09 Stats: ???
09/10 Role: 4th line
08/09 Recap: Lauren played the last few seasons w/ the Madison Capitols winning three state championships. She also competed in cross-country and track and field at West Salem. In the Spring she helped West Salem to a 2nd place team finish in DII w/ the fastest time in all divisions on her way to winning the 400m, and was a part of the team that won the 4x800 title and was 3rd in the 200m.
09/10 Thoughts: Lauren joins the team as a walk on, but should see some PT this season as the team is a little short handed to start the season. Beyond that I don’t know much about Lauren, but glad to have another WI native in the Cardinal and White.
Prediction: 10 games, 1-2-3*
*All predictions for regular season only
Photo from uwbadgers.com
Sunday, September 20, 2009
1st Star...Zengerle
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks played three games this weekend, and Mark Zengerle helped his team go 3-0 while scoring 4 goals and notching 5 assists. He is up to 11 pts now in 5 games.
On friday, no "stars" were named, but Zengerle had 2 goals and 2 assists as the Silverbacks won 9-6. On saturday he was named 1st Star after being part of all three Silverback goals w/ a goal and 2 assists in a 3-2 victory. This afternoon, he finished off his nine point weekend w/ another goal and assist as Salmon Arm held off Prince George to win 7-6.
We will be following 1st Star Zengerle throughout the season as he chasing the BCHL scoring title.
On friday, no "stars" were named, but Zengerle had 2 goals and 2 assists as the Silverbacks won 9-6. On saturday he was named 1st Star after being part of all three Silverback goals w/ a goal and 2 assists in a 3-2 victory. This afternoon, he finished off his nine point weekend w/ another goal and assist as Salmon Arm held off Prince George to win 7-6.
We will be following 1st Star Zengerle throughout the season as he chasing the BCHL scoring title.
09/10 Women's Previews: #20 Brooke Ammerman
Vitals:
Position: Forward
Year in School: Sophomore
Shoots Right
Height: 5-8
Hometown: River Vale, NJ
Major: undeclared
Previous Team: North American Hockey Academy in 07/08
08/09 Stats: 40 games, 27-27-54, +30, 20 PIM
07/08 Stats: 74 games, 62-56-118
09/10 Role: 1st line, PP & PK
08/09 Recap: Brooke was one of the top freshman in the WCHA last season, earning her a spot on the WCHA All-Rookie Team and 3rd Team All-WCHA. She was nothing short of stellar while spending a good chunk of the season on the 3rd line w/ Jasmine Giles and Kyla Sanders, and contributing to the 2nd PP unit.
09/10 Thoughts: As Winter turns to Spring, so does the Freshman Sensation become the Sophomore Sensation. Brooke is the top returning scorer w/ Hilary Knight and Meghan Duggan looking for Olympic gold. Her role on the team this season will definitely increase, instead of facing lesser competition on the 3rd line, she’ll be playing the opponents best all season as she becomes one of the go to players. I have no doubts she’ll succeed and help the Badgers to another successful season.
Prediction: 34 games, 25-35-60*
*All predictions for regular season only
Photo from uwbadgers.com
09/10 Men's Previews: #20 Ryan Little
Vitals:
Position: Defenseman
Year in School: Sophomore
Shoots Left
Height: 5-11
Weight: 185
Hometown: Fond du Lac, WI
Major: Undecided
Previous Team: Green Bay (USHL) in 07/08
NHL Considerations: He has a ways to go, but he has the right coach to get him to the pros.
08/09 Stats: 22 games, 0-3-2, -1, 12 PIM
07/08 Stats: 58 games, 2-11-13, 100 PIM
09/10 Role: Fighting for PT
08/09 Recap: Ryan was a regular in the lineup during the first half of the season, sometimes in street clothes when Eric Springer played. In the 2nd half, as the calendar turned to February, he never saw the ice again, at least in a game, as Craig Johnson became the regular 6th defenseman.
Biggest Strength: I’m not sure if this is a strength, but I sure enjoy it. Ryan is the little biggest hitter on the team, often going after opponents w/ some reckless abandon. He owned a lot of people, and his hit during the minnesota series in October led to Patricia “Whitey” White getting beat down by Ben Grotting in the ensuing extra curriculars.
Biggest Weakness: His decision making at times is suspect, but he was a freshman and he needs to get better to see more PT on a crowded blue line.
09/10 Thoughts: The blue line is crowded this season. Its going to be tough for several defensemen to crack the lineup, even occasionally, and I think Ryan will be one of them. One thing I love about speculation and predictions is that there are always surprises, both the good kind (Derek Stepan last season) and the bad kind (Ben Street’s injury). The blue line could be like that this season, or it could easily be like everyone thinks, w/ Ryan, Eric Springer and John Ramage as the odd men out fighting for PT. In the past, Eaves has used 7 dmen, but w/ 16 forwards and the depth there, I don’t see that happening either. I like Ryan, I like his gritty play and the big hits, but I might have to wait until 10/11 to see them regularly.
Prediction: 8 games, 1-1-2*
*All predictions for regular season only
Photo from uwbadgers.com
Saturday, September 19, 2009
09/10 Men's Previews: #19 Jake Gardiner
Vitals:
Position: Defenseman
Year in School: Sophomore
Shoots Left
Height: 6-2
Weight: 184
Hometown: Minnetonka, MN
Major: Business
Previous Team: Minnetonka (MN HS) in 07/08
NHL Considerations: 1st round pick of Anaheim (17th overall) in the 2008 draft.
08/09 Stats: 39 games, 3-18-21, +4, 16 PIM
07/08 Stats: 25 games, 20-28-48
09/10 Role: 2nd Pairing, PP & PK
08/09 Recap: Jake burst on to the scene in the Cardinal and White and never looked back. He had a few issues on defense at times, but overall he looked more like a returning player instead of a freshman. He made an impact on offense early in the season and saw that role expand when Brendan Smith went down w/ injury and he stepped up to the top pairing w/ Jamie McBain and they barely missed a beat. I was worried he'd struggle on defense like Smith did as a freshman, but he blew me away at times at how quickly he transitioned from HS to the WCHA. For his outstanding freshman season, he was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team.
Biggest Strength: He is the best skater on the ice regardless of position. Sometimes the wind stops to applaud he is moving so fast, yet it looks effortless. His offensive skills from all those years at forward don’t hurt either.
Biggest Weakness: Still a little rough around the edges on defense, but for a kid who played forward 3 seasons ago, he is improving by leaps and bounds.
09/10 Thoughts: Jake should be given every opportunity to step up and contribute in all situations this season as a sophomore. It will be interesting to see how he progressed over the summer, defenseman has a bigger learning curve at the NCAA level, and other blue liners on the roster were noticeably improved their sophomore years. McBain really took off, while Cody Goloubef and Ryan McDonagh really asserted themselves on the Badger blue line. If Jake follows this progression, he could be in for a stellar year. He’ll likely miss a few games at mid-season as he should be part of Team USA at the WJC’s along w/ Derek Stepan.
Prediction: 33 games, 5-25-30*
*All predictions for regular season only
Photo from uwbadgers.com
09/10 Women's Previews: #19 Breann Frykas
Vitals:
Position: Forward
Year in School: Freshman
Shoots Right
Height: 5-4
Hometown: East St. Paul, Manitoba
Major: undeclared
Previous Team: Little Caesars & Team Canada’s U18 last season
08/09 Stats: 1-2-3 @ WJC, couldn’t find much for Little Caesars
09/10 Role: 2nd or 3rd line, PP
08/09 Recap: The third member of Team Canada’s U18 team that won silver at the 2009 WJC who will wear the Cardinal and White this year. She is friends and lived w/ future Badger Madison Packer while she played w/ Little Caesars over in Michigan.
09/10 Thoughts: Similar to Brianna Decker, Breann should have a chance to step right in and contribute offensively for the Badgers this season. I don’t know a lot about her game, but she has had some success on the international stage and is another fine addition to the Badgers’ group of forwards for the future.
Prediction: 32 games, 10-15-25*
*All predictions for regular season only
Photo from usahockey.com
Friday, September 18, 2009
09/10 Women's Previews: #18 Brianna Decker
Vitals:
Position: Forward
Year in School: Freshman
Shoots Right
Height: 5-4
Hometown: Dousman, WI
Major: undeclared
Previous Team: Shattuck St. Mary’s & Team USA U18 last season
08/09 Stats: 80-46-126 @ Shattuck
09/10 Role: 1st or 2nd line, PP
08/09 Recap: As team captain last year at Shattuck St. Mary’s, Brianna cleared dominated. Her domination continued as alternate captain of the USA Women’s U18 team that won gold at the 2009 Women’s WJC, coaching by Mark Johnson. Have you seen reference to this before? Almost every freshman played in that championship game.
09/10 Thoughts: Brianna is arguably the best freshman in the country this season, and I think there are a lot of followers of girl’s hockey in the state who are anxious to see her play this season. I have high hopes for Brianna this season, and honestly I wouldn’t have been totally surprised to have seen her on the Olympic team. Glad to have her in the Cardinal and White though. W/ losses to graduation and the Olympic team, the chance will be there for her to star right away. If Hilary Knight is da bomb, what will that make Brianna Decker?
Prediction: 34 games, 25-25-50*
*All predictions for regular season only
Photo from www.gmtoday.com
We're going to Houghton, everybody!
Yeah, that's right, I'm quoting either Wooger or The Rug (can't remember who exclaimed it, perhaps Imaginary Dave will stop by and remind me), but hey, it works.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
This Weekend for Team Wisconsin
TW Minor is in Blaine, MN this weekend -- starting today, actually -- for the NAHL's Future Prospects Tourney. Here's their schedule:
9/17 @ 2 PM -- Chicago Fury -- L 4-3 (SO)(Thanks to DPlaya, of course, for the links.)
9/18 @ 10 AM -- Chicago Young Americans
9/18 @ 8 PM -- Alaska All-Stars
9/20 TBA
TW Major is in New Hope, MN this weekend. Here's their schedule:
9/19 @ 1 PM -- Great PlainsGo TW!
9/19 @ 8:30 PM -- NE
9/20 @ 12 PM -- NW
MacMurchy assigned to Springfield & other items
- I made a bit of an error this morning. In my TG/RM post, I wrote that Ryan MacMurchy was no longer @ TC in Edmonton. Which is true now, but I wrote my post before the Oilers' officially sent him (and 12 others) down. Since I didn't see his name on the Oilers' roster and since he didn't play in either preseason game, I just assumed that he had already been assigned but that I had missed it. Oops.
Anyway, Mac has been assigned to Springfield Falcons (AHL), and hopefully he'll stick. From limited comments by Gregor and Lowetide (included in my earlier post), it sounds like Mac had a decent camp and might earn an AHL job.
Here's what Lowetide had to say today after the 13 cuts were made:L Ryan MacMurchy: I had him 35/36 but he impressed with a couple of nice plays in scrimmage on the weekend. An ECHL player who might make the leap to AHL this season.
- An anonymous poster commented that Josh Engel is at the Toronto Maple Leafs' TC. I thought I should post it here for those who don't read the comments.
- Another anonymous poster commented that Scott McConnell, one of Badger Bob Johnson's grandsons, has been named video coach for the WBS Penguins (AHL). And thanks to dggodard, here's the link.
- Puck Daddy has a bit on Dany Heatley and some differences between San Jose and Ottawa.
- For those of you (like me) who have a hard time keeping track of these things, here's a list of NHL/AHL/ECHL affiliations, courtesy of HF. And hey, lookie, the K-Wings have been reincarnated in Kalamazoo, this time as an ECHL team. Most of you probably don't care, but as I have a really cool K-Wings jersey from their IHL days, this caught my interest.
09/10 WCHA Previews: North Dakota
School: North Dakota
Mascot: Fighting Sioux (for awhile yet)
National Championships: 7 (’59, ’63, ’80, ’82, ’87, ’97 & ’00)
Head Coach: Dave Hakstol, 130-71-19, 6th season
Last Season: 17-7-4, 1st Place WCHA; 24-15-4 Overall
Predicted 09/10 WCHA Finish: 4th
Key Departures:
F Ryan Duncan, 20-19-39*
D Brad Miller, 6-29-35
F Matt Frattin, 13-12-25 (booted for drunken escapades)
F Ryan Martens, 10-12-22
F Andrew Kozek, 8-12-20
*All stats listed from 08/09
Key Returnees: (54.1% of scoring returns)
F Chris VandeVelde (Sr), 18-17-35
D Chay Genoway (Sr), 3-29-32
F Jason Gregorie (So), 12-17-29
F Brett Hextall (So), 12-14-26
F Evan Trupp (Jr), 7-13-20
Top Sieve:
Brad Eidsness, 24-12-4, 2.56 GAA, 0.906 save %
Key Additions:
F Michael Cichy (USHL), 34-42-76
F Carter Rowney (AJHL), 35-43-78
D Andrew MacWilliam (AJHL), 8-21-29
G Aaron Dell (AJHL), 25-17-8, 2.53 GAA, 0.924 Save %
F Corbin Knight (AJHL), 34-38-72
F Danny Kristo (USHL), 22-35-57
Freshman Scouting Report: Wow are all the best players in the AJHL going to NoDak? Carter Rowney was the AJHL playoff MVP leading his team to the title last season. His new teammate Michael Cichy did the same thing w/ the Indiana Ice in the USHL; he is a good looking player. Corban Knight is a late addition to the roster after Matt Frattin threw a landmower in the road and a few weeks later drove drunk and was AJHL Rookie of the Year. Andrew MacWilliam was a AJHL All-Star and Aaron Dell was one of the top goalies in the same league last season. I’d have to give NoDak the nod on the best class in the WCHA.
When Wisconsin Beats the Sioux: @lgm 12/11 & 12/12
08/09 Recap: In typical recent Sioux fashion, the team struggled in the 1st half of the season and then in the 2nd half went on a tear on their way to winning another MacNaughton Cup. Note to WCHA teams, request all games against NoDak before Christmas. The Sioux arrived at the Final Five as the favorite, only to fall flat on their face losing in the 3rd place game to Wisconsin. In the 1st round of the NCAA tourney, they had the game firmly in hand only to watch New Hampshire mount an epic comeback to end their season. Brad Eidsness was solid all season, but really fell apart when it mattered the most. Brett Hextall firmly established himself as every opposing fan’s new most hated player (hey Denver fans you guys are first in line), while Joe Finley had his mom write a note to Coach Hakstol that he had an injury and missed most of the season. And can a Sioux fan tell me what happened to David Toews?
Team’s Biggest Strength(es): Hakstol coaches an intimidating style of play, which I’d have to say has been very affective. Teams hate to play NoDak and opposing fans love to hate their players.
Team’s Biggest Weakness(es): Youth, the team is young, but talented. They have a huge freshman class, and huge freshman classes don’t regularly take the WCHA by storm. I’m not convinced that Brad Eidsness is a superstar goalie either.
09/10 Thoughts: I’ve seen North Dakota regularly in the top 3 in other WCHA pre-season rankings (1st by Western College). I think youth puts them behind to start the season to facilitate their normal poor start, strong finish model, but this season I think that start will put them too far behind to catch up. North Dakota will be a tough team by the end of the season, they always are. They lost a lot of offense and that takes time to overcome. Ryan Duncan has signed a lifetime contract w/ Travelocity to be their roaming gnome, and Joe Finley is now a janitor w/ the Washington Caps ECHL team; they will be missed. The leadership and play of seniors Chris VandeVelde and Chay Genoway will go a long way to determining the success for the Sioux. Again, Brad Eidsness does not impress me like he has others; I guess his soft play against Duluth at the Final Five is burned into my mind.
Mascot: Fighting Sioux (for awhile yet)
National Championships: 7 (’59, ’63, ’80, ’82, ’87, ’97 & ’00)
Head Coach: Dave Hakstol, 130-71-19, 6th season
Last Season: 17-7-4, 1st Place WCHA; 24-15-4 Overall
Predicted 09/10 WCHA Finish: 4th
Key Departures:
F Ryan Duncan, 20-19-39*
D Brad Miller, 6-29-35
F Matt Frattin, 13-12-25 (booted for drunken escapades)
F Ryan Martens, 10-12-22
F Andrew Kozek, 8-12-20
*All stats listed from 08/09
Key Returnees: (54.1% of scoring returns)
F Chris VandeVelde (Sr), 18-17-35
D Chay Genoway (Sr), 3-29-32
F Jason Gregorie (So), 12-17-29
F Brett Hextall (So), 12-14-26
F Evan Trupp (Jr), 7-13-20
Top Sieve:
Brad Eidsness, 24-12-4, 2.56 GAA, 0.906 save %
Key Additions:
F Michael Cichy (USHL), 34-42-76
F Carter Rowney (AJHL), 35-43-78
D Andrew MacWilliam (AJHL), 8-21-29
G Aaron Dell (AJHL), 25-17-8, 2.53 GAA, 0.924 Save %
F Corbin Knight (AJHL), 34-38-72
F Danny Kristo (USHL), 22-35-57
Freshman Scouting Report: Wow are all the best players in the AJHL going to NoDak? Carter Rowney was the AJHL playoff MVP leading his team to the title last season. His new teammate Michael Cichy did the same thing w/ the Indiana Ice in the USHL; he is a good looking player. Corban Knight is a late addition to the roster after Matt Frattin threw a landmower in the road and a few weeks later drove drunk and was AJHL Rookie of the Year. Andrew MacWilliam was a AJHL All-Star and Aaron Dell was one of the top goalies in the same league last season. I’d have to give NoDak the nod on the best class in the WCHA.
When Wisconsin Beats the Sioux: @lgm 12/11 & 12/12
08/09 Recap: In typical recent Sioux fashion, the team struggled in the 1st half of the season and then in the 2nd half went on a tear on their way to winning another MacNaughton Cup. Note to WCHA teams, request all games against NoDak before Christmas. The Sioux arrived at the Final Five as the favorite, only to fall flat on their face losing in the 3rd place game to Wisconsin. In the 1st round of the NCAA tourney, they had the game firmly in hand only to watch New Hampshire mount an epic comeback to end their season. Brad Eidsness was solid all season, but really fell apart when it mattered the most. Brett Hextall firmly established himself as every opposing fan’s new most hated player (hey Denver fans you guys are first in line), while Joe Finley had his mom write a note to Coach Hakstol that he had an injury and missed most of the season. And can a Sioux fan tell me what happened to David Toews?
Team’s Biggest Strength(es): Hakstol coaches an intimidating style of play, which I’d have to say has been very affective. Teams hate to play NoDak and opposing fans love to hate their players.
Team’s Biggest Weakness(es): Youth, the team is young, but talented. They have a huge freshman class, and huge freshman classes don’t regularly take the WCHA by storm. I’m not convinced that Brad Eidsness is a superstar goalie either.
09/10 Thoughts: I’ve seen North Dakota regularly in the top 3 in other WCHA pre-season rankings (1st by Western College). I think youth puts them behind to start the season to facilitate their normal poor start, strong finish model, but this season I think that start will put them too far behind to catch up. North Dakota will be a tough team by the end of the season, they always are. They lost a lot of offense and that takes time to overcome. Ryan Duncan has signed a lifetime contract w/ Travelocity to be their roaming gnome, and Joe Finley is now a janitor w/ the Washington Caps ECHL team; they will be missed. The leadership and play of seniors Chris VandeVelde and Chay Genoway will go a long way to determining the success for the Sioux. Again, Brad Eidsness does not impress me like he has others; I guess his soft play against Duluth at the Final Five is burned into my mind.
Yes, CHN's Pre-Season Poll!!!!
College Hockey News is the first to bust out a pre-season poll, isn't that just wonderful! Thanks to Goon for the link. Here is the top 10:
1. Denver
2. Miami
3. Boston University
4. Cornell
5. Michigan
6. minnesota
7. Princeton
8. Notre Dame
9. UMass-Lowell
10. Yale
None of this really matters, its just fun for discussion's sake. Reading the comments over at CHN and on Goon's blog, no one really sees the ECAC worthy of three teams in the top 10. I'd have to agree, simply because the PWR favors three good teams from the same bad conference doesn't mean they belong in the top 10 of any poll or in the NCAA tourney. Does an ECAC fan really want to debate that Cornell, Yale and Princeton all belonged in the NCAA tourney last year over Wisconsin and minnesota? See when you play a panzy ass schedule like the ECAC (or the CCHA) the PWR favors you because you can rack up wins against bad teams, only facing tough competition on occasion. In the WCHA, where are the bad teams? Oh sure Tech and UAA and Mankato are regularly at the bottom, but while they are bad by WCHA standards they are still better than any team outside of the top 3 in the ECAC, and probably just as good as those. Last season Wisconsin had something like 30+ games against TUC's in the PWR, I think Yale or Princeton had just enough (10) to use the criteria in the ranking. So they skate in w/ just enough TUC's, meaning that 2/3 of their games were against teams not in the PWR top 25, and that is suppose to be impressive?
This doesn't even bring in the KRACH rankings from last season. Yale ranks 10th, Cornell 17th and Princton 20th. Wisconsin was 11th, BC was 12th, the gophers 13th and UMASS Lowell 14th. So you really want to tell me that these ECAC teams are better than those four teams and Cornell and Princeton deserved spots in the tourney over them?
I wasn't even planning on going on that tangent until I started in and realized once again the facts are there, and the ECAC has no business getting the respect it does, playing the weak ass schedules they do.
What I really wanted to point out was CHN's reason for putting the gophers at #6.
6. minnesota: A usual NCAA postseason staple, the gophers fell short of expectations last season, but if their late-season run showed anything, it was that they'd be back with a vengeance in 2009-10. They lose top scorer Ryan Stoa to the pro ranks, but return Jordan Schroeder, who excelled as a freshman, and Jay Bariball on a deep offense that will be complemented by a defense led by Cade Fairchild and Aaron Ness, both of whom matured nicely as the roller coaster season continued. The biggest piece of the puzzle will be seeing which Alex Kangas shows up in net -- the one who gave up 42 goals in a 12 game mid-season stretch, or the one who allowed just 19 over the final nine matches of the season.
I was unaware that INCH fired all their idiots and CHN gave them jobs. Late season run? You mean the three games in a row they won before losing to Duluth at the Final Five play-in game? I guess they forgot about them going 2-7-2 in the 11 games before that; quite the late season surge. They almost blew home ice by losing to Tech on the last friday of the regular season and they were making a run? That was Tech's second win in WCHA play.
I don't really care who is in any top 10, the only rankings that matters is first the WCHA standings, and second the PWR after the last buzzer sounds to end conference tourneys, but I expect a little more out of CHN, since someone is paying this writer to put this together (edit: I'm assuming this is true), they at least should qualify an absurd statement like "late season run," especially when one didn't happen. They are spot on about Kangas though, like poison in a well.
I'm glad Wisconsin is under the radar, good place to be to start the season.
1. Denver
2. Miami
3. Boston University
4. Cornell
5. Michigan
6. minnesota
7. Princeton
8. Notre Dame
9. UMass-Lowell
10. Yale
None of this really matters, its just fun for discussion's sake. Reading the comments over at CHN and on Goon's blog, no one really sees the ECAC worthy of three teams in the top 10. I'd have to agree, simply because the PWR favors three good teams from the same bad conference doesn't mean they belong in the top 10 of any poll or in the NCAA tourney. Does an ECAC fan really want to debate that Cornell, Yale and Princeton all belonged in the NCAA tourney last year over Wisconsin and minnesota? See when you play a panzy ass schedule like the ECAC (or the CCHA) the PWR favors you because you can rack up wins against bad teams, only facing tough competition on occasion. In the WCHA, where are the bad teams? Oh sure Tech and UAA and Mankato are regularly at the bottom, but while they are bad by WCHA standards they are still better than any team outside of the top 3 in the ECAC, and probably just as good as those. Last season Wisconsin had something like 30+ games against TUC's in the PWR, I think Yale or Princeton had just enough (10) to use the criteria in the ranking. So they skate in w/ just enough TUC's, meaning that 2/3 of their games were against teams not in the PWR top 25, and that is suppose to be impressive?
This doesn't even bring in the KRACH rankings from last season. Yale ranks 10th, Cornell 17th and Princton 20th. Wisconsin was 11th, BC was 12th, the gophers 13th and UMASS Lowell 14th. So you really want to tell me that these ECAC teams are better than those four teams and Cornell and Princeton deserved spots in the tourney over them?
I wasn't even planning on going on that tangent until I started in and realized once again the facts are there, and the ECAC has no business getting the respect it does, playing the weak ass schedules they do.
What I really wanted to point out was CHN's reason for putting the gophers at #6.
6. minnesota: A usual NCAA postseason staple, the gophers fell short of expectations last season, but if their late-season run showed anything, it was that they'd be back with a vengeance in 2009-10. They lose top scorer Ryan Stoa to the pro ranks, but return Jordan Schroeder, who excelled as a freshman, and Jay Bariball on a deep offense that will be complemented by a defense led by Cade Fairchild and Aaron Ness, both of whom matured nicely as the roller coaster season continued. The biggest piece of the puzzle will be seeing which Alex Kangas shows up in net -- the one who gave up 42 goals in a 12 game mid-season stretch, or the one who allowed just 19 over the final nine matches of the season.
I was unaware that INCH fired all their idiots and CHN gave them jobs. Late season run? You mean the three games in a row they won before losing to Duluth at the Final Five play-in game? I guess they forgot about them going 2-7-2 in the 11 games before that; quite the late season surge. They almost blew home ice by losing to Tech on the last friday of the regular season and they were making a run? That was Tech's second win in WCHA play.
I don't really care who is in any top 10, the only rankings that matters is first the WCHA standings, and second the PWR after the last buzzer sounds to end conference tourneys, but I expect a little more out of CHN, since someone is paying this writer to put this together (edit: I'm assuming this is true), they at least should qualify an absurd statement like "late season run," especially when one didn't happen. They are spot on about Kangas though, like poison in a well.
I'm glad Wisconsin is under the radar, good place to be to start the season.
09/10 Men's Previews: #17 Ryan McDonagh
Vitals:
Position: Defenseman
Year in School: Junior
Shoots Left
Height: 6-1
Weight: 216
Hometown: Arden Hills, MN
Major: making $$$ in the NHL after the season
Previous Team: Cretin-Derham Hall (MN HS) in 06/07
NHL Considerations: 1st round pick of Montreal (12th overall) in the 2007 draft, but had his rights traded to the NY Ranger during the off season.
08/09 Stats: 36 games, 5-11-16, -2, 59 PIM
07/08 Stats: 40 games, 5-7-12, +7, 42 PIM
09/10 Role: 1st Pairing, PP & PK
08/09 Recap: Not long after the season started, Ryan found himself as an alternate captain. Eaves broke up the wildly successful pairing of McD/McB early in the season only to find Ryan as successfully paired w/ Cody Goloubef. While the McBain/Smith or McBain/Gardiner pairing was #1, the McDonagh/Goloubef pairing was the most consistent and the guys to bring out when a defensive presence was required. Ryan found himself on Team USA for the WJC, and though they didn’t medal he played well. Overall, he had another stellar season and established himself as a leader.
Biggest Strength: Ryan is great in all areas, but the thing I like about him the most is his physical presence on the ice. The other top defensemen have similar skill sets and are talented, but none of them lay down the big hit like McD.
Biggest Weakness: Is there really any weaknesses in Ryan’s game?
09/10 Thoughts: If you aren’t excited about Ryan McDonagh yet (first what the hell is your problem!) you will be by the end of the first period on Friday October 16th. His return to the Cardinal and White was never guaranteed this off season, but his return spells great things for the Badgers this season. He is clearly the leader on the blue line and should wear his tri-captain “C” w/ pride this season. What makes Ryan great doesn’t always show up in the boxscore, but you’ll know when he’s out there this season. W/ McBain gone to the pros, Ryan should see an expanded role in the offensive, which will be fun to see. I heard he showed up at the first captain’s practice ripped and ready to kick the WCHA’s ass, only 4 weeks til the domination begins.
Prediction: 35 games, 5-20-25*
*All predictions for regular season only
Photo from uwbadgers.com
09/10 Women's Previews: #17 Emily Kranz
Vitals:
Position: Forward
Year in School: Senior
Shoots Left
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Waukesha, WI
Major: uwbadgers.com needs to update the info
Previous Team: Shattuck St. Mary’s in 05/06
08/09 Stats: 41 games, 1-1-2, +2, 8 PIM
07/08 Stats: 41 games, 3-2-5, +7, 16 PIM
09/10 Role: 3rd or 4th line
08/09 Recap: Emily spent the season as a regular on the Badgers’ 4th line. As one might expect of the 4th line, they didn’t see nearly as much ice time as the top three lines, and for some reason tonight I’m really drawing a loss at their play last season.
09/10 Thoughts: Emily has played in every game during her Badger career and this year should be no different. She is one of four seniors (by eligibility) on the team and has been named an alternate captain. I’m not sure what Emily’s role will be on the team, though in a captain’s role and having 123 games of NCAA experience, her leadership and experience on the ice will needed to help the Badgers succeed this season.
Prediction: 34 games, 3-5-8*
*All predictions for regular season only
Photo from uwbadgers.com
Tom Gilbert / Ryan MacMurchy @ Oilers TC
Tom Gilbert obviously plays for the Oil, and Ryan MacMurchy spent last season with their ECHL affiliate in Stockton and is fighting for an AHL job in Springfield. And so both were at the TC that began earlier this month.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention -- Capobianco has a list of other Badgers at NHL training camps.
- At the 1st day of TC, Jason Gregor was stunned to see that Gilbert had cut his hair. I'm not nearly as stunned, because although Gilbert does love his locks, lol, it's not really out of character for him to cut 'em off from time to time.
Stortini and Gilbert are sporting trimmed locks, and to be honest it’s not a good look for either of them. Stortini’s shaggy look suits him and his on-ice persona much better. I’m betting he grows it out as the year progresses. Gilbert looks 15 with the short hair, and I’m stunned he trimmed it because he loved his locks last season. You wonder if both wanted to come in looking sharp for their new coach???
- Gregor also reports that MacMurchy had a great Day 2 at TC, scoring a couple of goals.
9:47…Penalty shot…MacMurchy comes in across the blueline and snaps one five hole and team blue leads 2-0.
9:56…MacMurchy rips his second of the day, a nice snap shot from the slot over Roy’s glove. MacMurchy had nine goals and 26 points in 33 games for Stockton last year. He is hoping to make the jump to the AHL this year. He isn’t that big, but if he can finish he might have a chance to play for Daum. 4-0 team blue.
- Lowetide made the following comments about Gilbert/MacMurchy.
Predicting the TC roster:D Tom Gilbert: He had a beauty season in 2008-09.
Commenting on the official TC roster:Tom Gilbert, 26: Despite the quality seasons I think he's a tad underrated in some quarters. Gilbert has impressive numbers and is also a bigger body (6.03, 206) and is the ideal defender for the new NHL: mobile, confident and intelligent.
Thoughts while watching the TC:
R Ryan MacMurchy, 26: Former St. Louis draft pick, he's been in Stockton for the last two seasons.
Team B D/GTom Gilbert: I think he's so smooth people don't notice how very good he is at all kinds of difficult things: moving the puck, changing the shooting lane at the blueline before firing one, skating backwards, forwards and laterally and he also has an impressive wingspan. He's a wonderful player, looks ready to me.
Team A ForwardsRyan MacMurchy: Scored a nice goal on a nice quick release.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention -- Capobianco has a list of other Badgers at NHL training camps.
"First practice", Derek Lee, Ben Street, Kelters and more . . .
- Yesterday, The Badgers took the ice @ the KC with the coaching staff for the 1st time this season. Per Andy Baggot's blog post, practices officially start 1 week before the season opener, but the NCAA allows 2 hrs/wk of instruction by the coaching staff starting Sept 15.
Baggot tells us that Derek Lee can't skate with the coaches until a paperwork snafu is resolved, and he also gives us a preliminary look at line combinations.P. Johnson-Street-Davies
Bohmbach-Geoffrion-Turnbull
Murray-Stepan-Smith
Mitchell-Dolan-Grotting
Meuer-Thurber-Bendickson - I've been waiting for quite sometime for Madison Newspapers to have an article about any random Badger and what they've been doing in the offseason / their outlook on the upcoming season, and yesterday Andy Baggot obliged with an article on Ben Street.
About his summer and rehabbing his knee:Earlier this summer, Street spent four weeks working out with other college and pro players in Vancouver, looking to measure his rehabilitation.
About the upcoming season:
"The (athletic) trainers basically said, 'We're going to beat the hell out of your knee and then you'll start to trust it,'" he said. "After the first two weeks there, I felt like I was pretty much back.""On paper, I think we look pretty good and stack up as good as anyone else, probably," Street said.
About the first look at line combinations:"There's a competitive air kind of laying over everything," Street said. "(Eaves) put some lines up (in the dressing room) so guys could sort of see where they're fitting in.
"I'm guessing he'll change (the combinations) about 94 more times before the season starts, but it helps guys (see) where they're starting off and who they might be playing with and who's ahead of them."
- I completely missed this last week (sorry!) -- the Badger Herald had an article about the Kelters' playing both soccer and hockey. (Thanks to Boscacci for pointing it out.)
- Good ol' DPlaya found this complimentary article about Brad Winchester.
- DPlaya also found this article about Ron Vincent's ownership of the Penctincton Vees.
- And while I'm stealing from DPlaya, let me refer you to his coverage of Wisconsities in the NAHL Showcase, the NAHL's Future Prospects Tournament, and the USHL preseason. TW Minor is playing in the Future Prospects Tourney.
- Jonathan Willis calls San Jose a winner, Dany Heatley a winner for now, and Ottawa a loser in the blessed end of the Dany Heatley Saga. (Hey, congrats on the new gig, Jonathan!)
- BadgersWHockey tells us that Mark Johnson competed in the Ironman again this year.
- NCAA president Myles Brand has passed away from pancreatic cancer. You can find more articles about Brand here.
- Patick Kane traded Badgers Adam Burish and Jack Skille for almost-Badger Sam Gagner in NHL '10. Hmmm. [Thanks, IC.]
- Here's a nice article on Patrick Eaves with the Red Wings. [Thanks again, IC.]
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
09/10 Women's Previews: #16 Saige Pacholok
Vitals:
Position: Defense
Year in School: Freshman
Shoots Right
Height: 5-5
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Major: Undeclared
Previous Team: Edmonton Chimos & Canada’s U18 Team last season
08/09 Stats: 0-8-8 @ Women’s WJC
09/10 Role: 2nd or 3rd pairing
08/09 Recap: Saige had a wealth of international experience from last season w/ Team Canada including a silver medal at the Women’s U18 Championships. She was joined on that team by current teammates Breann Frykas and Stepanie McKeough and faced the Mark Johnson coached Team USA which included Brianna Decker and Alev Kelter. Beyond Team Canada, she played the last three years w/ the Edmonton Chimos and I have to wonder living in Edmonton if she is a huge Tom Gilbert fan. It would only be logical.
09/10 Thoughts: Similar to Stepanie McKeough, I would expect Saige to step right into some significant PT on the blue line for the Badger Women. Both young women showed off some offensive talent during the U18’s last season, and that will be needed from the back end to keep the powerful Badger offense going this season. I’m excited to see Saige play, hoping for another Brittany Haverstock.
Prediction: 28 games, 2-12-14*
*All predictions for regular season only
Photo from www.quantumspeed.ca
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