Higgins article in the Gazette
Dec 30, 2002 10:51:01 GMT -5
Post by MPLABBE on Dec 30, 2002 10:51:01 GMT -5
I know this belongs on the other board, but what the heck
Boy, this kid is looking like a good pick. In all likelyhood he should at least become a 3rd line center and in the best case scenario a 3rd line center with good offensive skills and great defensive skills. A guy who can step up and become a number 2 center if need be. And what more can you ask for--the guy is a Hab fan
www.faceoff.com/nhl/teams/canadiens/news/story.html?f=/news/20021230/310804.html
December 30, 2002
Higgins gives Habs brass an eyeful
Canadiens draft pick finishes plays well
By HERB ZURKOWSKY
Montreal Gazette
Although Canadiens draft choices Duncan Milroy and Jonathan Ferland were cut by Team Canada this month during its selection camp, there remains reason for Montreal fans to be optimistic about the NHL team's future.
Chris Higgins, the Canadiens' first choice (14th over-all) in June, had a strong game for the Americans on Saturday. The 19-year-old Yale University centre put on a one-man show, scoring two shorthanded goals in his team's 3-1 victory over Switzerland.
"He definitely played a good game, both offensively and defensively," Canadiens assistant general manager Martin Madden, scouting the Sydney-based portion of round-robin games, said yesterday in a telephone interview.
"Chris seems to have a good finishing touch," Madden continued. "We weren't that sure of that when we drafted him, although we knew he was a good skater and had a good shot. But he's improved his finishing touch this year. He had two great chances and buried them both. He's given us what we expected, with more offence."
This is Higgins's second consecutive appearance in the World Junior Hockey Championship.
He led the Americans in scoring last year, with four goals and two assists in seven games. But it wasn't enough to earn the U.S. a medal; the country placed fifth.
The Canadiens also have two draft picks on the Russian team - Alexander Perezhogin and Konstantin Korneev. Although Perezhogin, selected 25th over-all in 2001, scored a goal in Saturday's 4-0 victory over Slovakia, Madden said he wants to see more from the prospect.
"In my mind, I think he should give us more attack," he said. "He didn't drive to the net, and his chances were limited. He only had the one chance. I feel he can give us more."
Madden said he considers the 6-foot, 185-pound right-winger a good playmaker and passer. Plus he has been killing penalties for the Russians in the tournament.
Korneev is considered a longshot to ever play for Montreal; he was the Canadiens' final choice (275th over-all) last June. Montreal selected him as a centre, although the Russians have been using the 5-foot-11, 176 pounder on defence. He lacks the size to play that position.
"But he's very smart and has a good shot," Madden said. "He's played two great games. He's more of a surprise at this point."
The Canadiens are well-represented at the tournament. General manager André Savard flew into Halifax on Saturday, watched two games, and continued on to Sydney yesterday. He'll remain there with director of player personnel Trevor Timmins and amateur scouting co-ordinator Pierre Dorion.
All but Madden will transfer their base to Halifax on Wednesday to prepare for the start of playoff games the following day. Madden returns on Wednesday to Montreal.
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Hopefully yesterday's game for Perezhogin(1 goal, 1 assist) made Madden happier...
Boy, this kid is looking like a good pick. In all likelyhood he should at least become a 3rd line center and in the best case scenario a 3rd line center with good offensive skills and great defensive skills. A guy who can step up and become a number 2 center if need be. And what more can you ask for--the guy is a Hab fan
www.faceoff.com/nhl/teams/canadiens/news/story.html?f=/news/20021230/310804.html
December 30, 2002
Higgins gives Habs brass an eyeful
Canadiens draft pick finishes plays well
By HERB ZURKOWSKY
Montreal Gazette
Although Canadiens draft choices Duncan Milroy and Jonathan Ferland were cut by Team Canada this month during its selection camp, there remains reason for Montreal fans to be optimistic about the NHL team's future.
Chris Higgins, the Canadiens' first choice (14th over-all) in June, had a strong game for the Americans on Saturday. The 19-year-old Yale University centre put on a one-man show, scoring two shorthanded goals in his team's 3-1 victory over Switzerland.
"He definitely played a good game, both offensively and defensively," Canadiens assistant general manager Martin Madden, scouting the Sydney-based portion of round-robin games, said yesterday in a telephone interview.
"Chris seems to have a good finishing touch," Madden continued. "We weren't that sure of that when we drafted him, although we knew he was a good skater and had a good shot. But he's improved his finishing touch this year. He had two great chances and buried them both. He's given us what we expected, with more offence."
This is Higgins's second consecutive appearance in the World Junior Hockey Championship.
He led the Americans in scoring last year, with four goals and two assists in seven games. But it wasn't enough to earn the U.S. a medal; the country placed fifth.
The Canadiens also have two draft picks on the Russian team - Alexander Perezhogin and Konstantin Korneev. Although Perezhogin, selected 25th over-all in 2001, scored a goal in Saturday's 4-0 victory over Slovakia, Madden said he wants to see more from the prospect.
"In my mind, I think he should give us more attack," he said. "He didn't drive to the net, and his chances were limited. He only had the one chance. I feel he can give us more."
Madden said he considers the 6-foot, 185-pound right-winger a good playmaker and passer. Plus he has been killing penalties for the Russians in the tournament.
Korneev is considered a longshot to ever play for Montreal; he was the Canadiens' final choice (275th over-all) last June. Montreal selected him as a centre, although the Russians have been using the 5-foot-11, 176 pounder on defence. He lacks the size to play that position.
"But he's very smart and has a good shot," Madden said. "He's played two great games. He's more of a surprise at this point."
The Canadiens are well-represented at the tournament. General manager André Savard flew into Halifax on Saturday, watched two games, and continued on to Sydney yesterday. He'll remain there with director of player personnel Trevor Timmins and amateur scouting co-ordinator Pierre Dorion.
All but Madden will transfer their base to Halifax on Wednesday to prepare for the start of playoff games the following day. Madden returns on Wednesday to Montreal.
----------
Hopefully yesterday's game for Perezhogin(1 goal, 1 assist) made Madden happier...