Bulldogs' rookies are at an important stage
Nov 30, 2004 20:07:37 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Nov 30, 2004 20:07:37 GMT -5
30-11-2004
François Lemenu
Canadian Press
Hamilton, Ontario
The Bulldogs have three skaters who are in their first professional season. It's a significant stage in their development.
"It's a complete change", admits Michaël Lambert. "One has less time to make a play. There is also less operating space. The guys are bigger and stronger than in junior", the former PEI Rocket left winger adds.
Center Corey Locke and right winger Andreï Kostitsyn are the two other Bulldogs' rookies, if one excludes goalie Yann Danis, who comes from the American college ranks.
Lambert, 20 years old, took part in 16 of the 22 Bulldogs games. He has a record of two goals and an assist.
"I had the opportunity to play on the first two lines", says the Trois-Rivières native, who rounded out a trio with Jason Ward and Tomas Plekanec for the two matches against St. .John's.
"I'm starting to adjust to American League hockey. My reaction time is quicker than before. I'd say I've progressed since training camp."
The fourth line
Locke, who was chosen junior player par excellence in Canada in 2003, is relegated to the fourth line. It seems that he is less at ease than he was in junior. In 21 games he was limited to five goals and three assists.
Kostitsyn is, at 19 years old, the brightest prospect in Hamilton. Drafted 10th in 2003, Kostitsyn must adapt to a new environment, on the ice as well as off. In his case coach Doug Jarvis doesn't want to overload him. This is why the Belarusian is used almost exclusively on the fourth line. Even though he has beautiful skills, Kostitsyn quickly gets lost when he does not have the puck. A simple question of experience. In 22 games he has marked three goals and two assists.
"These young players are in a new environment. They should be given time", says Jarvis. "They must adapt to the pace and style of a more physical game. That's even truer for Europeans."
The poor goalies
Yann Danis has less impressive statistics than he did at the beginning of the season. Today his record is 7-5-1, with a 2.44 GAA and a .918 save %.
"Danis' play is consistent, like Dan Ellis'", Jarvis says, referring to the goalie who belongs to the Dallas Stars. "Unfortunately, our goalies don't benefit from the support of a good offense."
- texte français original
François Lemenu
Canadian Press
Hamilton, Ontario
The Bulldogs have three skaters who are in their first professional season. It's a significant stage in their development.
"It's a complete change", admits Michaël Lambert. "One has less time to make a play. There is also less operating space. The guys are bigger and stronger than in junior", the former PEI Rocket left winger adds.
Center Corey Locke and right winger Andreï Kostitsyn are the two other Bulldogs' rookies, if one excludes goalie Yann Danis, who comes from the American college ranks.
Lambert, 20 years old, took part in 16 of the 22 Bulldogs games. He has a record of two goals and an assist.
"I had the opportunity to play on the first two lines", says the Trois-Rivières native, who rounded out a trio with Jason Ward and Tomas Plekanec for the two matches against St. .John's.
"I'm starting to adjust to American League hockey. My reaction time is quicker than before. I'd say I've progressed since training camp."
The fourth line
Locke, who was chosen junior player par excellence in Canada in 2003, is relegated to the fourth line. It seems that he is less at ease than he was in junior. In 21 games he was limited to five goals and three assists.
Kostitsyn is, at 19 years old, the brightest prospect in Hamilton. Drafted 10th in 2003, Kostitsyn must adapt to a new environment, on the ice as well as off. In his case coach Doug Jarvis doesn't want to overload him. This is why the Belarusian is used almost exclusively on the fourth line. Even though he has beautiful skills, Kostitsyn quickly gets lost when he does not have the puck. A simple question of experience. In 22 games he has marked three goals and two assists.
"These young players are in a new environment. They should be given time", says Jarvis. "They must adapt to the pace and style of a more physical game. That's even truer for Europeans."
The poor goalies
Yann Danis has less impressive statistics than he did at the beginning of the season. Today his record is 7-5-1, with a 2.44 GAA and a .918 save %.
"Danis' play is consistent, like Dan Ellis'", Jarvis says, referring to the goalie who belongs to the Dallas Stars. "Unfortunately, our goalies don't benefit from the support of a good offense."
- texte français original
