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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 8, 2010 10:21:40 GMT -5
A little heads up for fans of the QMJHL and our prospects, as Sportsnet is showing their second national CHL game on Sunday, January 10th and it features two Hab prospects.
The game is between Drummondville and PEI and so Gabriel Dumont and Philippe Lefebvre will both be in action. Game time is 7:00 pm ET, it is on live on three of the Sportsnet channels and a half hour time delay on Sportsnet East. I believe it is also on RDS.
As "they" say, check your local listings.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 10, 2010 23:22:34 GMT -5
Hope folks had a chance to watch the Volts-Rocket tilt tonight on either Sportsnet or RDS. Our two prospects were both pretty visible all night, as was their team from Drummondville who dominated this puppy from start to finish.
Dumont looked to have a first assist early on the PP as he fed a puck across the crease to 2011 top three prospect Sean Couturier (this kid is the real deal). The refs called it back saying it was a hand pass, but replays showed it bouncing off the goalie's glove not Dumont's glove. Oh well, they got one back later on in the first from Lefebvre (our other prospect) as he deflected a nice pass in front of the net. Dumont was buzzing all night, and put the home town kids up 2-0 with a PP marker in the third. The teams swapped goals and new Volt Jake Allen got the win with his new team (the only PEI goal was not high glove side!!). He did not face a lot of rubber unlike his opposing netminder at the other end of the ice, who faced a ton.
Dumont wears the "A" and is constantly in motion. You can see Coach Boucher's legacy on this team as they work hard, led by vets Dumont and Levesque. Dumont is always after the puck, and their team plays a very similar style to the current Bulldogs (this should not be a total surprise given the coach in common). The kid also does not shy away from the hard spots nor the physical play, despite being under 6 feet tall. I was a fan after watching him last year in the Memorial Cup, and I am a bigger fan now. He also plays both the PP and PK.
The Volts made three recent trades to bolster their roster as they clearly have a plan to try and get back to the Memorial Cup despite losing a number of vets at the end of the season. Based on their play to date and what I saw tonight, this team should be in the running to get out of the Q come April.
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Post by ValkyrieNS on Jan 11, 2010 13:44:14 GMT -5
Hope folks had a chance to watch the Volts-Rocket tilt tonight on either Sportsnet or RDS. Our two prospects were both pretty visible all night, as was their team from Drummondville who dominated this puppy from start to finish. Saw it, loved it! Mr. Val and I have an opportunity to see the boys live on Sunday. They'll probably crush the local kids (Mooseheads), because everybody seems to do so (record: 8-33-1-2), but we should go, right? It's an afternoon affair, so chances are he won't fall asleep either ;D Mr. Val says if we go he'll cheer enthusiastically for Dumont (because he liked him). |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 14, 2010 0:05:36 GMT -5
Another Habs prospects on TV alert!!
On Friday night, at 8:00 pm ET and 6:00 pm out here in MT, the Big Ten Network is showing a NCAA game featuring three of our prospects...how good is that? Check your provider to see if you get the network for free or not. It does not show a lot of hockey since there is no Big Ten conference for hockey, but it is able to show a few games featuring Big Ten schools under a special arrangement with the CCHA and WCHA.
North Dakota vs Minnesota.
The Sioux have Danny Kristo and Mike Cichy, and the Golden Gophers have David Fischer in his last NCAA season.
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Post by OopyDoopy on Jan 14, 2010 0:59:17 GMT -5
Thanks for the heads up I set a timer. I really want to see Fischer to see if I can understand why he was drafted where he was. I also enjoyed watching Kristo in the World Juniors and I am not familiar with Cichy so it will be nice to watch another prospect.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 15, 2010 22:58:23 GMT -5
Kristo with a great game on TV tonight with two goals (both nice snipes) in a 3-3 tie. Cichy was quiet and did not get a lot of ice time tonight. Fischer was quietly solid. Good skater, good defensive vision, and no major mistakes (one turnover in his own end with 4 minutes to go was the biggest blunder). He does not come across as a game changing first rounder though, but is solid enough in his own end and has a nice first pass. He had the first pass and "third" assist on the tying goal late in the third.
Cannot ignore the performance by Gabriel Dumont tonight with 4 goals!! He now has career highs in all categories with tons of hockey left to play. I do like this little dynamo.
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Post by seventeen on Jan 16, 2010 2:06:39 GMT -5
I caught the tail end of the 3rd. For that level, Kristo is definitely one of the better players. He is able to create space for himself. I didn't see his goals. Totally forgot about Cichy, so didn't watch for him. Fischer was ok, as you said. I think he has to pattern himself as a defensive d-man, who can move the puck out of his zone. The offense was not evident at all, though he threw a puck at the net near the end of regulaton, looking for a tip-in and it was a smart play given a forechecker was coming right at him. At least he didn't hit the guy in the ankles. It was hard to figure out the quality of play. The CHL seems smoother, guys reacting faster and moving the puck better than in this game. The university guys probably think too much  |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 16, 2010 3:28:37 GMT -5
I caught the tail end of the 3rd. For that level, Kristo is definitely one of the better players. He is able to create space for himself. I didn't see his goals. Totally forgot about Cichy, so didn't watch for him. Fischer was ok, as you said. I think he has to pattern himself as a defensive d-man, who can move the puck out of his zone. The offense was not evident at all, though he threw a puck at the net near the end of regulaton, looking for a tip-in and it was a smart play given a forechecker was coming right at him. At least he didn't hit the guy in the ankles. It was hard to figure out the quality of play. The CHL seems smoother, guys reacting faster and moving the puck better than in this game. The university guys probably think too much In the post game analysis they gave Kristo the first star. He was the most noticeable guy out there for sure. Pretty impressive for a freshman season although he did have a transition season in the USHL. North Dakota loves kids from Canadian Junior A leagues it seems, and they seem to have a very successful program mixing the Canadian kids with some from the USHL and US high school programs. They have 11 on their roster from Canadian Junior A, 6 from Alberta alone, and I did a weird count and figured that I had seen 8 kids on the ice tonight (including a back up goalie on one team) in games lives (yikes, do I watch too much hockey? I actually saw most of the kids from some AJHL games and three US kids from the World Junior A Challenge, so it is not so bad lol). One kid that is on the roster but I don't remember him playing also played for Penticton Vees at the same time as Hextall, and I think I saw him but don't recall his name or anything about his game. Minnesota on the other hand, really tends to favour home grown kids and recruits extensively from the state's very impressive high school programs. They do get kids who go from high school to the nearby USHL, but they do tend to be the U of choice for kids from the land of 10,000 lakes. Danny Kristo going to UND is one of the exceptions, but he looked darn decent in his homecoming (he is from Eden Prairie, MN). Loved seeing that game at the new Mariucci with that great maroon and gold crowd and on that olympic sized ice. It's a new version of the old barn that I remember at their campus just off the Old Miss river. Did a quick check online and they get a good crowd, third in the nation for average NCAA attendance, just a bit behind North Dakota and Wisconsin (both who have bigger rinks). All three average just over 10K in attendance. Amazing. As for NCAA versus CHL comparisons, that is a hard one. A different style of game for sure. The CHL really seems more in tune with trying to be a stepping stone to the AHL and eventually the NHL. The NCAA seems a bit of a hybrid between the pro and the European game. It is fun to watch. The NCAA teams are older players on average, but they are weekend warriors in that all games tend to be on the weekend, and the Ivy League teams even take a number of those off. The CHL kids get used to a long season of lots of games and travel. Again, likely part of the intentional development of kids towards the minor pro and NHL world, for those so lucky. |
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Post by ValkyrieNS on Jan 18, 2010 20:19:24 GMT -5
Mr. Val and I have an opportunity to see the boys [Volts] live on Sunday. They'll probably crush the local kids (Mooseheads), because everybody seems to do so (record: 8-33-1-2), but we should go, right? It's an afternoon affair, so chances are he won't fall asleep either ;D We went, and lo and behold, the Moose won! That never happens  Well, almost never. The Moose took the Volts 2-1, Dumont assisted on the goal (which was a 3rd period affair with 3:06 left in the game). One of my coworkers was there with his son, I popped over to tell him who I was checking out [since he's a huge Habs fan as well]. At the end of the game, he looked over at me and smirked... knowing I wanted the Volts to tie it up and take it into o/t. The fact that I was w00ting and clapping madly after the Volt goal got me some dirty looks from the parents around me ;D Good game, really. Usually the Moose just give up in the face of better teams... and for once, they held their ground and won. I think I'm a jinx... |
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Post by OopyDoopy on Jan 20, 2010 0:39:14 GMT -5
Another Habs prospects on TV alert!! On Friday night, at 8:00 pm ET and 6:00 pm out here in MT, the Big Ten Network is showing a NCAA game featuring three of our prospects...how good is that? Check your provider to see if you get the network for free or not. It does not show a lot of hockey since there is no Big Ten conference for hockey, but it is able to show a few games featuring Big Ten schools under a special arrangement with the CCHA and WCHA. North Dakota vs Minnesota. The Sioux have Danny Kristo and Mike Cichy, and the Golden Gophers have David Fischer in his last NCAA season. I got to see the first period and over all I liked what I seen from Kristo and Fischer. Kristo impressed me in this game and in the World JR., he sure looks like a sniper. I hope it translates to the NHL. He seems to have some hockey IQ and knows when to shoot. Fischer looked steady with a bit of offensive flare, but I still don't see a first round pick. I understand he was injured a bit in previous years so his development has been slowed, I think he is still a couple years in Hamilton away. But it is also hard to judge with the bigger ice size, some AHL hockey would really help these two get more NHL ready. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 29, 2010 15:03:50 GMT -5
Prospect on TV watch!!
Tonight, on the Big Ten Network, Michigan is on against Michigan State at 7:00 pm ET.
19 year old Greg Pateryn is a big bodied defenseman (6'2" 223 lbs) who plays for Michigan. We got him as part of the trade with TO for Grabovski. He doesn't put up a lot of points but is a solid skater, and does handle himself quite well on the point and has a good shot. He is a big body though and the Habs do not have a lot of those types of defenders in the system. I saw him a few times last season on TV and he looked good as a freshman. Nothing flashy or fancy.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 6, 2010 12:51:02 GMT -5
NCAA prospects on TV later today!! Another pair of prospects hit the outdoor ice today in the Camp Randall Classic between Michigan and Wisconsin. The game is on the Big Ten Network at 6:00 pm ET. Patrick Johnson (grandson of Badger Bob, dad was on Miracle team) who is looking more and more like a kid not likely to get a contract, plays for Wisconsin (as does ex prospect McD). Big blueliner Greg Pateryn wears the maize and blue. www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/mich-m-hockey-body.htmlEdit: Pateryn is #2 in blue and Johnson #10 in red. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 7, 2010 0:58:23 GMT -5
Okay, almost time for an end of regular season prospect top three, but I have to throw some props out to one of our teenagers for his performance tonight (and all season really). Little Gabriel Dumont is showing that hustle, jam and some skill can all be packaged together. A big 4 point night for him with a 2+2 night (his 46th and 47th goal of the season). He now has a 8 game point streak with 18 points in those last 8 games. The Volts sure looked poised to make a decent run at getting back to the Memorial Cup this season, but still a long road ahead.
I am a fan of this kid.
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Post by Boston_Habs on Apr 20, 2010 14:41:28 GMT -5
So what happens now with David Fischer? He's 22 years old and just finished his 4th and I assume last year at University of Minnesota. I suppose we need to sign him to a minimum 2-year entry level contract to retain his rights. Does he need to play in Hamilton? Is he good enough to play in Hamilton?
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Post by jkr on Apr 20, 2010 15:28:50 GMT -5
So what happens now with David Fischer? He's 22 years old and just finished his 4th and I assume last year at University of Minnesota. I suppose we need to sign him to a minimum 2-year entry level contract to retain his rights. Does he need to play in Hamilton? Is he good enough to play in Hamilton? I'm not up on the rules like some of the posters in this particular area of the forum but I would guess that they will sign him to play with the Bulldogs & see how he does under Boucher. I can't see them giving up on another 1st rounder.  |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 21, 2010 15:23:27 GMT -5
So what happens now with David Fischer? He's 22 years old and just finished his 4th and I assume last year at University of Minnesota. I suppose we need to sign him to a minimum 2-year entry level contract to retain his rights. Does he need to play in Hamilton? Is he good enough to play in Hamilton? They have to sign him by August or else lose his rights. I am a little surprised they have not announced it yet and assigned him to Hamilton on a amateur try-out to practice and hang with the team during their playoff run. He has size and really good skating ability. I am not ready to write him off yet by any means. Right now Minnesota has a bit of a bad rep in terms of top prospect development and lots of top end draft picks have been signing early with their teams. He stayed back due to his mom's illness. Get him with Boucher and the boys and see what they can do. He is still only 22 so far from a write-off, although not likely worth the early pick with which he was chosen based on his progress so far. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on May 14, 2010 10:10:02 GMT -5
A little break in between Habs game gives me some time to reflect on some of the post season performances of our prospects. Time for another Top Three list again, this time celebrating the notable second season performances by our prospects this past spring. Onto the list. 1. Alexei Emelin (D, Ak Bars Kazan, Russia) – Okay, the rumours of the Habs being close to signing Emelin are a perennial subject on some Habs’ boards, and yes, they have just surfaced again in the last 24 hours. Truth be told, he really saw his development stall for the last few seasons and this regular season was nothing to write home about. Then he awoke in the playoffs, and showed some two way skill to complement his documented tough and physical play. In fact, the 24 year old only had 7 points in the regular season and erupted with 13 points in 22 playoff games. He even had a five point night and the highlights of his play are quite impressive. His team went on to win their second straight KHL title. Good puck poise, good heads up passing and shooting. Not bad for a guy who is better known for being a punisher in the back end. His recent play has been noticed, as he currently is playing alongside NHL stars like AO and friends at the Worlds in Germany. 2. Gabriel Dumont (C, Drummondville, QMJHL) – The 19 year old from the old Guy Boucher hockey factory has recently signed his entry level deal and is getting some more playoff action alongside his old coach from juniors. After a hugely successful regular season in which he was near the top of the tables in league scoring, Gabriel continued to be an offensive sparkplug in the Q playoffs. He managed 21 points in 14 games, and the little sparkplug also is well noted for not shying away from the rough stuff and loves to get into all the dirty places to get the job done. The Volts playoffs did come to an end in the semis against Moncton, who did go on to win the Q and are in the Memorial Cup that starts today. With the injuries and callups in Hamilton right now, his playoffs are still ongoing as he has been getting ice time with the Dogs these days. As a 19 year old, that is impressive to say the least. I think his current coach knows what he is getting from him. 3. Andreas Engqvist (C, Djurgardens IF, Sweden) – The 22 year old big centre was a surprise late invite to the Habs development camp last summer, and walked away with a brand new three year entry level deal to show for it. His regular season can best be described as streaky. He started the SEL season scoring at a point a game pace, then went invisible for a long stretch, and awoke again. He ended up being a regular contributor to his team’s good playoff run as he netted 13 points in 16 games and used his good size and good skill down low very effectively. Djurgardens did make the SEL finals, but just came up short in the end. Expect to see Andreas at camp this fall, but you can catch him right now in Germany playing for a very young Swedish team at the Worlds. Honourable mention: Aaron Palushaj (RW, Hamilton, AHL) – Aaron is the young 20 year old American who came over from St. Louis in the Matt D’Agostini deal earlier this season. With injuries and callups, Coach Boucher has increased this speedster’s ice time and he is repaying the coach in kind with his play. He is a great skater and play maker, and is able to expose defenses with his speed and vision, as was witnessed in previous WJC play. His playoff run is still alive, as the Dogs prepare to open round 3 tonight at home against Texas. Aaron has 9 points in his first 12 games and has been a pleasant surprise on a team who just seems to get it done with no real stars (their only "star" is playing in Montreal and turning a whole lot of heads right now). EDIT: It appears that the AHL dot COM writers have noticed Palushaj as well. theahl.com/bulldogs-palushaj-productive-clairvoyant-p142650 |
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Post by seventeen on May 15, 2010 1:54:21 GMT -5
Thanks NWT. I think the D'Agostini/Palushaj deal was a good one for the Habs. D'Agostini was going nowhere fast with us and why not pick up a 2nd round pick with the kind of speed Palushaj has, who is still young? You get some potential for a guy who is unlikely to get any better and was suspect defensively and commitment wise. Maybe Matt can turn it around in St. Louis, but I like our odds better.
I sure hope Gauthier can get Emelin over here next year. We could use some more depth on our back line, especially since Hamrlik is showing his age. Emelin would fit a needed role quite well.
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Post by Disp on May 15, 2010 9:32:00 GMT -5
Palushaj sure seems like a good pick up. St.Louis sure gave up on him quick. Not sure why.
Another thing I don't get is the attendance in Hamilton? Really quite pathetic. Why is there not an ahl team in S'toon? Nice rink, I've always thought they could support it.
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Post by franko on May 15, 2010 10:04:20 GMT -5
Why is there not an ahl team in S'toon? Nice rink, I've always thought they could support it. really? when I lived there the Blades were mostly ignored . . . is it better now? of course, when I was there they played at the barn. have Hamiltonians have decided NHL or nothing? |
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Post by Disp on May 15, 2010 10:26:18 GMT -5
Blades attendance, last I saw, is still not great. They had 5-6000 for a couple playoff games vs Brandon in the playoffs. The Moose do pretty good, could become like that. They could split the home games between S'toon and Regina. Keep the interest up. Just surprised it hasn't been tried.
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Well, almost never.
