Not easy to make it, even for the best Juniors
Oct 10, 2004 14:30:58 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 10, 2004 14:30:58 GMT -5
The Bozolator assembled this:
07-10-2004
Mathias Brunet
La Presse
Brantford
It is not a given that all the good junior players adapt quickly to professional hockey.
Corey Locke and Cory Urquhart, two centers ranked fairly highly by the Canadiens organization, shone last year with their respective junior teams. Urquhart, a second round choice in 2003, totaled 79 points in 67 games with the PEI Rocket.
Locke, selected in the fourth round the same year, was even more productive: 118 points, including 51 goals, in 65 matches with Ottawa. The previous year he had obtained 151 points in 66 games and the title of Canadian Junior Player of the Year for 2003.
But such statistics do not guarantee a position in the American League, especially during this NHL lockout which makes it possible for the clubs of the American League to count on a superabundance of talent. Locke and Urquhart will have to offer solid performances in the next two Bulldogs exhibition games if they do not want to be with Long Beach in the ECHL at the beginning of the season.
Locke's situation appears less tenuous, especially after his beautiful performance Wednesday night against Rochester, where he finally seemed more at ease. But both will have to develop more physicality if they want to make a success of their careers as professionals.
"We will play two games in Manitoba this weekend and they will have the chance to play a game each", mentions André Savard. "After, we'll see. It's always hoped that our prospects are enough good to make the American League club, but it isn't the end of the world if they don't reach that point. We already have a very young team with many second or third year players like Plekanec, Higgins, Milroy and Ferland. At any given time the coach wants to win. It's necessary to look at the overall picture and to think of long-term development. Michael Ryder spent time in the ECHL. Andrei Markov found himself in the American League at age 23."
The two other first year players of the Bulldogs, Andrei Kostitsyn and Michaël Lambert, will probably remain with the club. Kostitsyn earned his place on the second line while Lambert, in spite of mediocre performances, will undoubtedly remain in Hamilton.
07-10-2004
Mathias Brunet
La Presse
Brantford
It is not a given that all the good junior players adapt quickly to professional hockey.
Corey Locke and Cory Urquhart, two centers ranked fairly highly by the Canadiens organization, shone last year with their respective junior teams. Urquhart, a second round choice in 2003, totaled 79 points in 67 games with the PEI Rocket.
Locke, selected in the fourth round the same year, was even more productive: 118 points, including 51 goals, in 65 matches with Ottawa. The previous year he had obtained 151 points in 66 games and the title of Canadian Junior Player of the Year for 2003.
But such statistics do not guarantee a position in the American League, especially during this NHL lockout which makes it possible for the clubs of the American League to count on a superabundance of talent. Locke and Urquhart will have to offer solid performances in the next two Bulldogs exhibition games if they do not want to be with Long Beach in the ECHL at the beginning of the season.
Locke's situation appears less tenuous, especially after his beautiful performance Wednesday night against Rochester, where he finally seemed more at ease. But both will have to develop more physicality if they want to make a success of their careers as professionals.
"We will play two games in Manitoba this weekend and they will have the chance to play a game each", mentions André Savard. "After, we'll see. It's always hoped that our prospects are enough good to make the American League club, but it isn't the end of the world if they don't reach that point. We already have a very young team with many second or third year players like Plekanec, Higgins, Milroy and Ferland. At any given time the coach wants to win. It's necessary to look at the overall picture and to think of long-term development. Michael Ryder spent time in the ECHL. Andrei Markov found himself in the American League at age 23."
The two other first year players of the Bulldogs, Andrei Kostitsyn and Michaël Lambert, will probably remain with the club. Kostitsyn earned his place on the second line while Lambert, in spite of mediocre performances, will undoubtedly remain in Hamilton.