Long Beach Ice Dogs update

[Andrew]

NWTHabsFan said:

Interestingly, they play Victoria five more times this month after meeting them three days in a row this past weekend.

Cool - I'm going to attend on either the 18th or 19th, or both. I wanted to check out a game last series but the New Years weekend was to hectic. I'll keep a close eye on our prospects.

[Bob]

Urquhart picks up two assists vs. Idaho last night as the Dogs win another.

[NWTHabsFan]

Ice Dogs lost two of three this week against Idaho, losing 6-3 on Wednesday night, winning 7-2 on Friday and losing 6-0 last night. Madden in net for all three games so Michaud saw no action. Cory Urquhart had a goal in Wednesday's loss and two assists in Friday's win (as per Bob's earlier post). Shasby was not on any of the three linescores, so not sure if he is injured or called up to Hamilton.

[NWTHabsFan]

Long Beach beat Victoria 6-2 last night, improving their record to 5-0 against the new franchise for the season. Cory Urquhart had a goal, his eighth of the season (30gp 8g 7a 15pts) and Olivier Michaud was in net for the win to even his record at 7-7-3. Shasby still out with an injury.

[NWTHabsFan]

Long Beach wins two of three this weekend, both against Victoria. Michaud was in net for both wins. Neither Shasby or Urquhart played, so our prospects are depleted due to injury it would appear.

[NWTHabsFan]

Long Beach is officially at the half way point of the regular season, and their first year affiliated with the Habs has been a success so far. In Part 1 of my Mid-Term Review, I have looked at the progress of the Habs' prospects assigned to them so far this season:

Cory Urquhart (30gp 8g 7a 15pts 10pim +5)
- At 20, Cory is the youngest player on the team and has missed the last few games due to injury (I am guessing), but still is a decent 6th in team scoring and 5th in goals, despite his young age and relative inexperience. He has seen some action on both the LW and C this season, a change from his normal C position. He was just starting to get into a bit of a groove before missing those last few games, so let's hope that keeps up when he returns. Cory still needs to learn to play a more physical style if he ever hopes to make a bigger splash with the organization, so let's hope his decent ECHL ice time in a minor pro league against older competition will add that to his tool box. In one game with Hamilton this season, he had the following stats: 1gp 0g 0a 0pts 0pim -1.

Matt Shasby (12gp 1g 6a 7pts 4pim +4)
- 24 year old Matt started the season in Hamilton, but was sent down to Long Beach after the bolstering of the Dogs defence with the Focht signing and with Cote's return from injury. Matt currently is 5th in scoring for Dmen, but is only 4 points behind the scoring leader for D. Not bad considering that he has played an average of 20 games less than those 4 other guys. Matt was also finding his groove and being a strong two way contributor out there before getting injured. He has missed the last two weeks and we hope to see him return soon. In his second pro season, Matt has once again shown he is an excellent defenceman at the ECHL level, but has failed to play a full season in the AHL yet. In Hamilton earlier this season, his stats were 11gp 0g 0a 0pts 0pim -2.

Christian Larrivee (17gp 2g 3a 5pts 6pim -1)
- This long time Hab prospect, at 22, is once again bouncing between the ECHL and AHL. He was the first forward to be assigned to Long Beach before the AHL seasons started, despite being up against rookie forwards like Corey Locke, Michael Lambert, Andrei Kostitsyn, and Cory Urquhart. Larrivee did warrant a call up part way through the first half when Andrei Kostitsyn left the Bulldogs to join Team Belarus at the WJC in North Dakota. Larrivee was just reassigned to Long Beach with AK likely returning after an inury at the end of the WJC. At 6'3" and 200 lbs, Christian has a similar tall and lanky frame like Cory U, so he doesn't play an overly physical game. He also has yet to find his scoring touch that he was blessed with in the QMJHL. In Hamilton this season, he managed 9gp 1g 0a 1pt 2pim +0.

Olivier Michaud (21gp 9W 7L 3T 1SO 2.57gaa .920sv%)
- The 21 year old from South Shore Beloeil, QC had a very rough start to the season. Between some early bad losses and the stellar play of veteran Chris Madden, Michaud very quickly saw his ice time dry up and he was only given infrequent starts when the team was resting Madden. An injury to Madden changed all that, and Michaud was pressed into the regular starting role. During that stretch, Michaud was able to settle his game down and get in some decent consistency. His save % and goals against average have been dropping ever since. He has benefitted from 6 starts against the very weak Victoria Salmon Kings, but he seems to be turning the season around and has given the coach an option now that Madden has returned from injury. With the signing of free agent Yann Danis at the end of last season and the Dallas affiliation agreement that brought Dan Ellis into the Dog pound, Michaud early on found himself the odd man out in Hamilton and was assigned to Long Beach at the start of the season. His future is still uncertain, but with the departure of Ellis to join the new Stars' AHL team next season, Michaud still has the possibility of an AHL spot for which to compete. Olivier likely will be in competition with others that may include up and coming Slovakian junior Halak who is enjoying a good season in the Q. The Dogs could even invite impressive vet Madden to camp as part of their affiliation agreement...only time will tell, but until then, Michaud needs to keep putting up good numbers.

In Part 2 of my Mid-Term Review later this week, I will look at some of the changes to the Long Beach team that has helped its 180 degree turnaround in fortunes in the ECHL from last season.

[montreal]

Urquhart is injured, he got slashed on his wrist out for a week. Shasby just got back from an injury, he was out for about a week. Larrivee was just sent back down.

[BadCompany]

Good job, NWT...

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

NWTHabsFan said:

Olivier Michaud (21gp 9W 7L 3T 1SO 2.57gaa .920sv%)
- The 21 year old from South Shore Beloeil, QC had a very rough start to the season. Between some early bad losses and the stellar play of veteran Chris Madden, Michaud very quickly saw his ice time dry up and he was only given infrequent starts when the team was resting Madden. An injury to Madden changed all that, and Michaud was pressed into the regular starting role. During that stretch, Michaud was able to settle his game down and get in some decent consistency. His save % and goals against average have been dropping ever since...

Good to hear. I've always liked Michaud and saw him in tandem with Danis this season. Then Ellis entered the picture. Oh well, next year in Hamilton.

*

Nice read NWT!

[NWTHabsFan]

montreal said:

Urquhart is injured, he got slashed on his wrist out for a week. Shasby just got back from an injury, he was out for about a week. Larrivee was just sent back down.

I have found that injury details about the Long Beach prospects has been hard to come by all season. Shasby has missed the last 7 games and last played on January 2nd against Victoria, so that is good news that he will be back. Urquhart missed the last three games and last played on January 12th against Victoria, so I am hoping he will be back soon as he was starting to produce more before he was injured.

I saw a recent game that was televised on the NHL Network and in that game, Cory was playing LW and ended up shooting on net more than in previous reports about him. He has a quick release on his wrist shot and it is pretty accurate, so let's hope he keeps using that more.

[NWTHabsFan]

In Part 2 of my Long Beach Ice Dogs Mid-Term Review, I have focused on how the team has turned itself into a Kelly Cup contender in just half a season.

As likely is the case with many of you, I really didn’t pay much attention to the ECHL prior to the lockout. I have seen players over the past few years like Michael Ryder and a host of other prospects spend some time in the ECHL, but haven’t really followed the ECHL affiliated teams in the past other than an occasional check on prospects’ stats.

That changed this year, as I have become more and more intrigued with our latest addition to the Dog pound: The Long Beach Ice Dogs. It was inevitable that the organization would affiliate with an ECHL team after news that their previously affiliated team, the Columbus Cottonmouths, folded. After all, the Habs needed a place to send players when either their AHL team was full or those that needed more development before securing a spot in Hamilton. What I have become very impressed with in Long Beach is how they totally rebuilt their team from last season to this.

Take this comparison into account. After 36 of their 72 game schedule (the exact half way mark reached on Sunday against Victoria), the Ice Dogs had a record of 22W 11L 3T, which was good for 47 points, and the 2nd best point total in the entire ECHL. Last season, after a full 72 game season, the team had a record of 23W 44L 5T, good for only 51 points, last place in the Pacific Conference, and near the bottom of the entire league. So, in half the time this season, the Dogs are only one win and four points away from matching their entire production from last season. What has happened? (at least this had me thinking, and that led to some snooping around)

The team, it appears, made wholesale changes from last season. The single biggest change, in my opinion, was its change behind the bench. 35 year old career minor leaguer, Malcolm Cameron, was brought in as Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations in between seasons. It appears he was given carte blanche to re-model this team, and it appears to have worked. Unlike AHL teams where their NHL parents can parachute in their own bench bosses and front office guys like Andre Savard, Doug Jarvis and others in Hamilton, Long Beach seems to be a bit of a one-man show. And this one man seems to have made a difference.

Of the players on the roster at the end of last season, only one started the season with Long Beach this season – defenseman Trevor Read. Cameron brought in a bunch of his cronies and players he either knew or knew about. Of the top 16 skaters on the team at the half way point, Cameron has interesting connections to many of them. #2 point guy Evan Cheverie hails from Cameron’s home town of Cole Harbour, NS, as does defenseman Gary Zinck. Zinck also played on the same CHL and UHL teams that Cameron coached. Cameron also coached D-man Dan Watson in 2002-03 and forward Joe Cardarelli (5th in team scoring) last season. Cameron’s CHL team played against Mike Vellinga’s CHL team last season, so he would have had a good look at him all year. In addition, D-man David Walker is from down the road in Bridgewater NS and also played a couple of years at Dalhousie University with Zinck.

When you add in the signing of key veterans Chris Kennady, ex-Hab Bill Lindsay and ex-Bulldog Chris Madden, good younger guys like Marco Rosa and Nathan Martz, and the Montreal clan of Michaud, Shasby, Urquhart and Larrivee, you now have the core of an ECHL contender.

There are some immediate benefits to the Habs. Chris Kennady, Nathan Martz and Evan Cheverie, along with forward Marco Rosa and vet goalie Chris Madden, all have had good enough ECHL seasons to get considered for an invite to the next Hamilton training camp for a try-out. Once Dallas has departed the scene, this will give Hamilton GM Andre Savard some options for filling those spots with folks they likely will have seen play while scouting his ECHL prospects. Ideally, I would like to see the Habs leave room for their own prospects at the AHL level, but some of these guys might help fill in some of the blanks on next year’s roster as there likely will be some players leaving Hamilton destined for the big club in Montreal. None of these guys may ever get contracts with Hamilton, but more options are good, in my opinion.

Overall, Montreal may not have had much influence on the wonderful turn-around in fortunes of the 2004-05 Ice Dogs, but Long Beach’s current commitment to winning makes it an organization that I am glad that Montreal is affiliated with and a worthy home for some of the Habs’ prospects.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Terrific work NWT! Keep it going for the second half. I'm sure Habs management antennae have tuned into Cameron Mitchell's presence at Long Beach.

Hmmm, Mitchell as Dogs' bench boss and Jarvis as Habs' assistant coach?

[NWTHabsFan]

M. said:

Terrific work NWT! Keep it going for the second half. I'm sure Habs management antennae have tuned into Cameron Mitchell's presence at Long Beach.

Hmmm, Mitchell as Dogs' bench boss and Jarvis as Habs' assistant coach?

Thanks.

Ron Wilson, the current Bulldogs assistant coach has some pretty good credentials as well and likely would get first right of refusal. He had worked with the baby Flames before they departed Saint John, and so many of those guys are now part of a very young and exciting Calgary team. Mitchell does seem to have a decent coaching and player evaluation combo from his early success this year, so someone to keep an eye on.

I haven't found anything definitive about how Long Beach and Montreal found each other, but it seems like a good fit to me right now.

[Bob]

NWTHabsFan said:

In Part 2 of my Long Beach Ice Dogs Mid-Term Review, I have focused on how the team has turned itself into a Kelly Cup contender in just half a season.


There are some immediate benefits to the Habs. Chris Kennady, Nathan Martz and Evan Cheverie, along with forward Marco Rosa and vet goalie Chris Madden, all have had good enough ECHL seasons to get considered for an invite to the next Hamilton training camp for a try-out.

Thanks for the great report. I have been wondering about some of these ECHL players. Marco Rosa (1982) seems to be playing better as a pro than he did in college but does Dallas (who drafted him) still own his playing rights?

Another player who looked very steady from what I saw on television was Steeve Villeneuve (1983). I know he isn't big but he seems to make good decisions with the puck and doesn't get caught out of position very often. He did attend a Habs evaluation camp a couple of years ago and then went back to junior.

Chris Madden (1979) and Chris Kenady (1973) are veteran players and I doubt they would fit into the plans of a development team like the Buldlogs. Nathan Martz (1981) and Evan Cheverie (1980) would probably be at the upper end of the preferred age group.

I was wondering if you knew any more about the contract status of these players?

[NWTHabsFan]

Ice Dogs win two more from Victoria this week, as Madden in net for Tuesday's 5-2 win and Michaud in net for last night's 3-1 win. Larrivee played in both, but was held pointless. Shasby and Urquhart still missing due to their respective injuries. This is the 7th win against Victoria this month and the 9th victory against them in the last four weeks, so now the Ice Doggies get to take on other opponents for a change. The top line of Cheverie, Martz and Kennady continues to dominate the scoring.

Edit: With the second win, the Ice Dogs reached the 51 points plateau in their 38th game, a target that took all 72 games last season to reach. Well done!!

[Andrew]

I was at the game on the 18th. A little dissapointed to see only the 1 Hab in the lineup. Shasby was out for the pre-game skate, but didn't play. Larrivee looked pretty good, with decent moves and hustle - by no means a standout, but a solid 2nd line winger. The Dogs were out-played in the first but dominated the 2nd and 3rd.

[Bob]

Marco Rosa continues to put up great numbers. In 39 games he has 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points, is third in team scoring and is one of the youngest players on the roster.

His situation intrigues me. He was drafted by Dallas but there is no indication that they signed him. Hamilton invited him to their camp, but was that as part of the deal with Dallas, or was he a free agent.

All of this after an undistinguished career at Merrimack. Does anyone know his contract status??

[blaise]

Urquhart seems to have picked up his scoring pace. Does he look good enough for a promotion to Hamilton?

[mic]

Blaise said:

Urquhart seems to have picked up his scoring pace. Does he look good enough for a promotion to Hamilton?

And just out of curiosity : what's the record for players having played in the ECHL and despite that having a successful NHL career ? It was said so many times that Ryder came back from hell after a few games there that I'm wondering if any body else is a bit worried about Urquhart's development ? While I knew about his lack of physical play and that he's still a young player in his first pro season, I wouldn't have thought that he'd be having it so tough to score in the ECHL (16 points in 32 games) and that the other junior signed this summer Corey Locke would be leading the Dogs.

[NWTHabsFan]

Urquhart scored last night in the Ice Dogs 5-4 OT loss, in his first game back after an injury. That is his 6th goal in his last 7 games, with an injury in between, so he is starting to produce down in Long Beach. Shasby still out. Larrivee scored on Friday night in an Ice Dogs 4-1 win. Michaud did not play in either game.

[NWTHabsFan]

mic said:

I'm wondering if any body else is a bit worried about Urquhart's development ? While I knew about his lack of physical play and that he's still a young player in his first pro season, I wouldn't have thought that he'd be having it so tough to score in the ECHL (16 points in 32 games) and that the other junior signed this summer Corey Locke would be leading the Dogs.

Urquhart at 20 years old is probably better off getting good ice time in the ECHL than either getting 4th line ice time or even sitting out games in Hamilton. He is playing on a team that is having a superb season and gets to play alongside some veteran and experienced minor pro players. That can only help in the long run.

As for Locke, his hockey sense is just incredible, and when you combine with his work ethic, he just wasn't going to be denied this season. I never exected he could adapt this well or this quickly, but he is one committed guy determined to prove all those critics wrong.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

mic said:

And just out of curiosity : what's the record for players having played in the ECHL and despite that having a successful NHL career ? It was said so many times that Ryder came back from hell after a few games there that I'm wondering if any body else is a bit worried about Urquhart's development ? While I knew about his lack of physical play and that he's still a young player in his first pro season, I wouldn't have thought that he'd be having it so tough to score in the ECHL (16 points in 32 games) and that the other junior signed this summer Corey Locke would be leading the Dogs.

ECHL moves record numbers to the NHL in 2003-04

Written by Holly Gunning on 08/06/2004

There have been 255 players who have gone on from the ECHL to play in the NHL in the league’s 16-year history. Prominent names on this list include Andrew Brunette, Olaf Kolzig, Byron Dafoe, Bob Boughner, Ruslan Fedotenko and Tomas Vokoun.

The stream of graduates has been rising over time, but the record was shattered in 2003-04 with 40 graduates during the season, far surpassing the previous record of 27 set in 1999-00 and 2000-01. Of those 40, 11 players appeared in both leagues during 2003-04, which broke the previous high of five players in 2001-02. The increase in graduates is proof that the league’s recent push to become even more of a developmental league has in fact been successful.

The class of 2003-04 ECHL graduates was led by Michael Ryder, who was a finalist for the NHL’s Calder Trophy for outstanding rookie. He led NHL rookies with 63 points and 38 assists on the season. Ryder played 25 ECHL games for Mississippi and Tallahassee during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons.

Below is a close-up look at the record-breaking ECHL to NHL class of 2003-04 -- where they came from, where they went, and how they did when they got to the NHL.

- www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=7141

*

Regarding the Cory/Corey story. They are both 20 year olds, so there is no question of one having an edge in experience. At this point, to state the obvious, it seems that Locke has more talent and determination than Urquhart. Way too early to make a judgement on ultimate career development, but right now I just wonder what numbers Corey would be putting up if he had Cory's physique.

[mic]

Thanks both of you for your answers and thanks for the link, Mr Beaux-Eaux.

So statistically, the ECHL trip isn't a "kiss of death" for Urquhart. However, it looks like that he will have to overcome a few shortcomings before getting at the same level as Locke. I hope he does it, even if I'm still skepictal at this pick (at least at such a high spot).

[seventeen]

Bear in mind that this year, at least, the ECHL is probably a higher calibre league than ever it has been. And probably a little less roadhousey.

If Mr Urquhart can keep up the 6 goals in 7 games pace, that's a pretty good clip in any league and would certainly be enough for the cover charge to the AHL.

[montreal]

mic said:

And just out of curiosity : what's the record for players having played in the ECHL and despite that having a successful NHL career ? It was said so many times that Ryder came back from hell after a few games there that I'm wondering if any body else is a bit worried about Urquhart's development ? While I knew about his lack of physical play and that he's still a young player in his first pro season, I wouldn't have thought that he'd be having it so tough to score in the ECHL (16 points in 32 games) and that the other junior signed this summer Corey Locke would be leading the Dogs.

Ryder played more then a few games in the ECHL. He spent a few games in the ECHL during his first stint. The next year he couldn't crack the roster of Quebec so he spent close to half a season with the Sea Wolves, where he was named to the All Stars but never got to play cause he was recalled to Quebec where he caught fire in the 2nd half playing on the 2nd line with Darby and Ward I believe. Funny thing is he even had trouble getting ice time the next year when the team was move to Hamilton as roster spots where hard to come by, but he slowly got time and played well every time, getting more and more ice time, as he started the season in the press box or the bottom lines for Julien.

It is funny how Locke is on fire in the AHL as one of the leagues top rookies (only Parise is younger then him) and Urquhart can't make the ECHL All Stars game (the ECHL All Stars is more for show casing the younger players then your typical all star game) But I think one major thing to look at is the players heart. Jarvis seems to really like the fire and determination Locke plays with. Urquhart looks more like a little kid in a tall kids body, scared to face the school bully. I have not been impressed by him at all in the 1 AHL game I was at (his first and only AHL game so far) and the 2 ECHL games I've seen. But I do think the ECHL is a good place for him, as this kid must learn to assert himself more physically. He still shys away from the corners/boards, but I do think with his skill he could easily be a quality AHLer, as he has a long ways to go but if he fills out some, gets a lot stronger and finds a bit of a physical game, who knows what he will do.

[NWTHabsFan]

Ice Dogs win on both Friday and Saturday night. Urquhart gets the game winning goal on Saturday night for his only point in both games. Larrivee held pointless and Madden in net for both wins as Michaud gets to watch from the bench. Still no sign of Shasby who is still on the IR.

Edit: Urquhart gets another game winning goal tonight (Sunday) in the Ice Dogs big 5-0 win. Larrivee has a big night with 3 points (1g 2a). Michaud was the backup and Shasby still on the IR.

[NWTHabsFan]

Long Beach split a pair of games against Idaho this weekend, with Michaud in net for the 2-1 loss on Friday night. Chris Madden made 47 saves for the shutout win 2-0 on Saturday. Matt Shasby played on Friday night for the first time since January 2nd, and the only Hab prospect to get a point this weekend was Michaud with an assist on Friday night.

[NWTHabsFan]

Ice Dogs win 2-1 in OT last night and all 4 Hab-wanna-bees were playing. Michaud gets the win, Larrivee gets an assist on the first goal, and Shasby gets an assist on the winning goal by Marco Rosa in OT. Cory U played but was held pointless.

[NWTHabsFan]

Ice Dogs lose 5-3 (last goal into the empty net), but the Habs prospects all get on the scoresheet. Larrivee gets his fifth on the PP, and both Urquhart and Shasby get an assist in the game. Michaud was not in net and ex-Hab Bill Lindsay was back in the lineup after missing a bunch due to injury.

Update on Saturday Feb 12th result: Dogs lose 5-4 in OT to Bakersfield, which drops Long Beach into second one point behind Bakersfield. Shasby gets a goal in the game. Michaud not in net.

[NWTHabsFan]

Ice Dogs win all three this weekend. Urquhart gets goals in both Friday and today's games. Larrivee had an assist in Saturday's game. Michaud has a great weekend picking up three wins in three days.