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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 21, 2006 18:27:41 GMT -5
For those of you in and around the Toronto area, the Habs rookies are coming to town in early September as you may have read earlier.
The Habs will be playing against the Toronto and Florida rookies as well as against the York University team in this annual affair.
Here are the games involving our boys, with all games at the Ricoh Centre:
Friday Sept 8th 7:00pm vs Toronto
Saturday Sept 9th 4:00pm vs Florida
Monday Sept 11th 7:00pm vs York Univ
Tuesday Sept 12th 1:00pm 3rd vs 4th; 4:00pm 1st vs 2nd
Look forward to some good reports from those that can attend. I saw this schedule on ticketmaster, and it looks like tickets will be on sale this Friday, and of course at the box office as there should be lots of seats available. With Grabovsky, O'Byrne, Chipchura, D'Agostini, Mikus and Aubin to name a few, this should be a fun and fast team to watch this year. Great value for $5-8.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 21, 2006 20:24:08 GMT -5
Another bit of news that I was able to find on the tourney as well. I read a Ottawa Citizen article from August 15th in which the Sens management explained why they were not either hosting or participating in the tourney this year. It appears as though they have a dearth of first year prospects and would not be able to field a team, as most of their guys are either in Europe (and will be playing soon or already) or in the NCAA (those sticky rules about paying your own way, attending camps, etc.).
The spokeperson stated that he expects 20 of the 30 teams not to participate in a rookie tourney because of lack of newly signed prospects in the system. I guess the Habs are lucky to have some good depth on which to call year after year. The Sens did indicate that they would be back with their tournament next season, so all you fans in TO enjoy the games this year as they likely are headed back to the nation's capital in the fall of 2007.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 31, 2006 18:02:29 GMT -5
Here is the roster of the players coming to don the bleu-blanc-rouge. Alexandre Picard-Hooper will be an interesting try out forward to watch as Frederic St-Denis who is an offensive defenseman. Petit gets his second try out with the club. Of the prospects from the development camp, Fischer is staying in Minnesota, Korpikari is already getting geared up for his season in Finland, and Wyman is also staying put with his NCAA team as those rules for attendance are quite strict. The other good news is that it will be the first chance for folks to see Grabovski wearing that storied jersey. First puck drop is next Friday night at 7:00 pm at the Ricoh in Toronto. www.canadiens.com/eng/news/redirect.cfm?sectionID=habsNewsDetails.cfm&newsItemID=5141Forwards Aubin, Mathieu Chipchura, Kyle D'Agostini, Matthew Grabovski, Mikhail Kostitsyn, Sergei Latendresse, Guillaume Maxwell, Ben Mikus, Juraj Mouton, Pier-Olivier Neilson, Eric Petit, Keven Picard-Hooper, Alexandre White, Ryan Stewart, Gregory Defensemen Carle, Mathieu Cepek, Cameron Fréchette, Martin Gleed, Jon Joanisse, André Martin, Conrad O'Byrne, Ryan St-Denis, Frédéric Goaltenders Lacasse, Loïc Desjardins, Cédrick Price, Carey Coaches Kirk Muller Ron Wilson |
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Post by Goldthorpe on Aug 31, 2006 22:07:22 GMT -5
The forward group is very deep, with plenty of firepower. But the defense... ouch. O'Byrne will have all the opportunity to shine.
It sucks that Fischer can come, but IIRC it's because of the NCAA rule (the habs can't pay for his trip, he has to pay everything himself). Oh well.
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Post by habmeister on Sept 1, 2006 1:45:15 GMT -5
The forward group is very deep, with plenty of firepower. But the defense... ouch. O'Byrne will have all the opportunity to shine. It sucks that Fischer can come, but IIRC it's because of the NCAA rule (the habs can't pay for his trip, he has to pay everything himself). Oh well. there seriously has to be a way around that, flip his "brother in law" the money and magically he's paying for fischer to go. its a short cheap flight, why doesn't a veteran put him up? |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Sept 1, 2006 7:42:38 GMT -5
Wow! Good research NWTHF. Wonder if any of our Hamilton-based, or Toronto-based brethern will make it to any of the games. All scouting reports are helpful.
I think you're right Goldthorpe. I think this will be a very competative camp given the talent that is there.
Cheers.
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Post by Gogie on Sept 1, 2006 8:32:25 GMT -5
I just picked up tickets for the Habs' games vs. Toronto and Florida. Looking forward to seeing Lantendresse and Price for the first time (also interested in seeing how SK compares to big brother AK). Interesting how the "cost" of the tickets adds up. The face value for each ticket is $8. Add to that a $1 "facility" charge and a $2 convenience charge per ticket plus a$2.50 delivery charge per order (for the privilege of having the tickets e-mailed and saving Ticketmaster any real processing costs) plus a $4.00 order processing fee (per order) and all of a sudden the tickets end up costing $14.25 each  ! Amazing how this works. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 2, 2006 13:53:16 GMT -5
I look forward to hear how Picard-Hooper looks against those other kids that were drafted. He is a smaller (what's new!!) forward who, as a 19 year old, racked up 57 goals and 100 points in the Q last season. Nothing to sneeze about. 19 year olds are a bit tricky, as they can still enter the draft and teams cannot sign them and send them to the AHL, so it would be back to the CHL for him even if signed. He is up against a pretty good batch of forwards this year, so should be fun to watch for those lucky enough to attend.
With only seven rounds in the draft now, I fully expect teams to be looking for a diamond in the rough with these try outs each year. Montreal has done quite well in this regard, as they acquired JP Cote, Yann Danis, Andre Benoit and Francis Lemieux as unsigned free agents over the past few seasons.
Look forward to the reports from those who are able to attend this weekend.
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Post by habmeister on Sept 2, 2006 15:15:13 GMT -5
I just picked up tickets for the Habs' games vs. Toronto and Florida. Looking forward to seeing Lantendresse and Price for the first time (also interested in seeing how SK compares to big brother AK). Interesting how the "cost" of the tickets adds up. The face value for each ticket is $8. Add to that a $1 "facility" charge and a $2 convenience charge per ticket plus a$2.50 delivery charge per order (for the privilege of having the tickets e-mailed and saving Ticketmaster any real processing costs) plus a $4.00 order processing fee (per order) and all of a sudden the tickets end up costing $14.25 each ! Amazing how this works. its the biggest scam ever, don't know how ticketmaster hasn't been charged with monopolistic tactics, and their service charges are ridiculous. if you have the option always buy at the box office as there are almost never any extra charges. |
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Post by bladesofsteel on Sept 7, 2006 16:17:26 GMT -5
I just picked up tickets for the Habs' games vs. Toronto and Florida. Looking forward to seeing Lantendresse and Price for the first time (also interested in seeing how SK compares to big brother AK). Interesting how the "cost" of the tickets adds up. The face value for each ticket is $8. Add to that a $1 "facility" charge and a $2 convenience charge per ticket plus a$2.50 delivery charge per order (for the privilege of having the tickets e-mailed and saving Ticketmaster any real processing costs) plus a $4.00 order processing fee (per order) and all of a sudden the tickets end up costing $14.25 each ! Amazing how this works. You would have been just as well to buy the tickets at the gate. No way it would sell out. |
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Post by cigarviper on Sept 8, 2006 1:48:52 GMT -5
From the little I've read from people who attended the practice in Pierrefonds, O'byrne is scary big, 6'5" 235 lbs. and skates well for a guy his size, also possesses a mean streak. Naturally Lats, Chips, Kost jr and Garbovsky led the show in highlights. Price also looked head and shoulders above Lacasse and Cedric the Entertainer. One nice surprise was Aubin. A replacement for Ribs in the making. Anyway, looking forward to some in depth reporting from the Ricoh Centre by anyone willing to share. I can smell it, can you? Hockey's around the corner. That deserves my favourite smiley.  |
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Post by Yeti on Sept 9, 2006 6:28:03 GMT -5
Habs lost 6-5 in OT but Grabovsky stole the show with 2 goals and one assist. Latendresse was ok but no points.
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Post by Gogie on Sept 9, 2006 7:56:00 GMT -5
Here's my brief take on what I saw in the first game.
Grabovski - Wow!!! He was by far the best player on the ice. He's fast, smart, can take a hit and is exciting to watch. He'll be with the big team before long.
Chipchura - He played a very strong game. He set up one goal when he drew two Leafs to him on the side boards, took a pretty big hit, but still made an outstanding pass to the open man.
Lantendresse - As Yeti said, he was just ok. I was expecting more from him after what I heard about him at last year's training camp.
Kostitsyn Jr. - He was also a dynamic force on the ice. He played on a line with Grabovski and the two of them were impressive together.
Price - Hot and cold. At times I was impressed with how cool he was under pressure. At other times he looked ordinary to so-so. He's not ready for prime time yet, but I can see why the Habs' brass likes him. He shows signs of greatness, but he's going to be a bit of a project, me thinks. Having said that, he certainly outplayed Pogge last night (the Leafs outshot the Habs by a wide margin).
O'Byrne - He's huge, but he needs work. The defense on the whole was pretty thin. This could have been because the team didn't have much time to work on a system - and it showed. Play at times was pretty ragged.
Didn't have much of an impression of the rest of the crew, other than Mikus, who looked lost the first part of the game but seemed to find his stride later on. He seems to be a pretty good puck handler but overall he didn't stand out.
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Post by Yeti on Sept 9, 2006 8:26:08 GMT -5
I keep reading that Grabovski is a left winger but didn't he play centre in Russia? If Saku is not ready in October could he be stepping in as an offensive C?
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Post by Gogie on Sept 9, 2006 9:08:54 GMT -5
I keep reading that Grabovski is a left winger but didn't he play centre in Russia? If Saku is not ready in October could he stepping in as an offensive C? He played centre last night. |
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Post by Yeti on Sept 9, 2006 18:11:34 GMT -5
Habs win 5-1 against the Panthers.
Desjardins in goal- did well.
Latendresse 1 G and 1 A
Chipchura with 2 pts
Grabovski 1 A.
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Post by Gogie on Sept 9, 2006 19:25:58 GMT -5
Habs win 5-1 against the Panthers. Desjardins in goal- did well. Latendresse 1 G and 1 A Chipchura with 2 pts Grabovski 1 A. Latendresse was actually the first star. I thought he played much better today then he did last night. Desjardins (third star) was impressive. I watched him quite a bit. He seems to play the angles very well and has a quick glove hand. He looked much sharper than Price did last night. Chipper had another solid game (second star). He's demonstrated a real leadership on the ice (he's wearing the "C"). I don't know why people question his offensive capabilities - he's shown a lot in the offensive zone in the first two games. Grabovski wasn't as dominating today, but he still showed a lot. He and Kostitsyn are magic out there - they seem to know exactly where each other is and have made some terrific plays together in the two games. The defense played better today. O'Byrne seemed a little more comfortable out there and Gleed also played a strong game. I've been impressed with the speed and intensity of the games. I guess the kids are really trying to impress and it's resulted in entertaining hockey, especially for this early in the season. |
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Post by habmeister on Sept 9, 2006 21:29:57 GMT -5
rds has dropped the ball by not broadcasting these games, this time of year habs fans are chomping at the bit and the ratings would be suprising good for something like this. the rights to it would probably be peanuts as well.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 10, 2006 12:25:44 GMT -5
Habitants over at HF put together this nice video of the second game against Florida. Just over 8 minutes and it shows most of the Habs goals, so nice to see!! The last game is tomorrow against York University, so the boys will get to pad some stats against a team that is a little out classed this tourney. It will be good to have the Sens back next season once they have a few more home grown prospects from which to field a team (the reason they did not participate this year). www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxQBmogFmtY |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 10, 2006 12:31:08 GMT -5
More fun stuff on the tourney. Here is a link to some great photos from the Florida game. The fellow who took them is also the official photographer for the Dogs, so expect to see lots of Dogs shots from him this year. Some really great shots in this batch, so hope you all enjoy as I did!! proamimages.smugmug.com/gallery/1872289 |
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Post by habmeister on Sept 10, 2006 13:44:49 GMT -5
is there any place where i can find the line scores, stats etc...?
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 10, 2006 13:46:43 GMT -5
An interesting note on this tourney is that they are using a Supersized net that is six inches taller and eight inches wider than regulation NHL nets. In Game 1, young Mr Price was not all that thrilled with the net; whereas, in Game 2, Cedric the Entertainer was able to stop all but one shot that was sent his and the big net's way. Ho hum, another good goalie prospect in the system. Timmins in today's Gazette was talking about how the camp in Hamilton should be good with the competition for the two goalie spots between Danis, Halak and Desjardins.
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Post by cigarviper on Sept 10, 2006 13:52:13 GMT -5
Boy, that uni photographs well doesn't it?
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 10, 2006 13:55:53 GMT -5
Boy, that uni photographs well doesn't it? Sure does. That gets me all pumped to see it in action soon for real! I think Chipchura, Latendresse and Grabovski look pretty darn good in the bleu-blanc-rouge. |
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Post by franko on Sept 10, 2006 14:49:28 GMT -5
Ah . . . hockey season . . . about time!  |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 10, 2006 15:52:48 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 11, 2006 21:38:27 GMT -5
Habs' rooks turn on the jets as they rout the York Lions 15-1 in their final round robin game. The Habs play the Leafs tomorrow in the tourney final for annual bragging rights. I am sure that the Habs want to avenge their opening game 6-5 OT loss to the Baby Buds. It was a big night for lots of the youngsters tonight, but none bigger than defender Mathieu Carle who had 7 points (2g 5a). Not bad for a guy who got hit hard and had to leave the game on his first shift of the mini tourney and only returned to the lineup tonight. Mathieu Aubin had five points, and all other guys not named Mathieu had less. The final tomorrow (4:00 pm eastern) will be broadcast live over the internet by Hamilton Bulldogs play by play guys. Check the Dogs main site for connections. www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20060911/CPSPORTS01/60911206/1006/CPSPORTS01 |
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Post by Toronthab on Sept 12, 2006 11:25:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the news and sites guys. Like Franko says, a taste sure goes along way this time of year.
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Post by Yossarian on Sept 12, 2006 18:37:31 GMT -5
3-2 loss to the Leafs in the Rookie Tournament final on a late goal. Goals by St. Denis and D'Agostini.
Dang!! Even rookie tournament losses to the Leafs sting!!!
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Sept 12, 2006 20:01:07 GMT -5
3-2 loss to the Leafs in the Rookie Tournament final on a late goal. Goals by St. Denis and D'Agostini. Dang!! Even rookie tournament losses to the Leafs sting!!! I was reading what a poster named "STOKA" had to say on another board about this game. Apparently the Leafs weren't all exactly rookies. STOKA went on to say that several of the Leaf players had semi-pro experience already while there were no Bulldogs in the Habs lineup. Heard it was 3-2 and that isn't too bad if the Habs stuck strictly to rookies. I'm interested in hearing how D'Agostini is doing? Opinions? Cheers. |
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! Amazing how this works.
