Kyle Chipchura missing the Habs
Mar 6, 2008 15:11:03 GMT -5
Post by cigarviper on Mar 6, 2008 15:11:03 GMT -5
thespec.com/article/335488
Garry McKay
The Hamilton Spectator
(Mar 6, 2008)
Kyle Chipchura wouldn't be human if he wasn't watching the Montreal Canadiens amazing climb up the NHL standings and wondering "what if." After all Chipchura was with them for 36 games this year before the Habs returned the 22-year-old centre to the Hamilton Bulldogs in early January.
"I'd definitely like to be there," he says. "I can just imagine what the atmosphere in the city is like. You watch the games on TV and of course you want to be there but I'm a young guy and I still have a lot to learn and I have to keep working each day to get there."
As disappointed as Chipchura is in not being in Montreal right now, the thought of not ever returning to the Habs is even more distressing. That possibility came up in the leadup to the NHL trade deadline last week when his name was bandied about as part of what the Canadiens might have to give up to acquire Marian Hossa -- although that deal never happened.
"I heard a few rumblings and I've enjoyed my time here and in Montreal and I don't want to change organizations. I want to be part of it for many years," Chipchura says.
"After the NHL trade deadline was the first time I felt a little worried about it but I don't know how serious it was. It might have just been speculation on who could have been traded."
While in Montreal, the Bulldogs centre had four goals and seven assists in his 36 games. Since returning to the Dogs he's scored six times and added nine assists in 24 games. He's been particularly hot lately with three goals and eight assists in the last 12 games including a goal and an assist Sunday in the Dogs 4-2 loss to the Syracuse Crunch.
While Chipchura's former team, the Canadiens, battles for first place in the Eastern Conference his current team, the Bulldogs is battling for its playoff life.
The Dogs, who are currently in a three-way battle with the Manitoba Moose and Syracuse Crunch for a guaranteed two spots in the post season, could do a lot to help themselves this weekend.
The Dogs are currently in third in the North Division two points behind Manitoba and two in front of Syracuse and they host Manitoba tomorrow night (7:30 p.m., 820 CHAM) and again Sunday at 4 p.m.
Notes: The Dogs have recalled centre Ryan Russell from the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. In three games there last weekend he picked up one assist.
By the Numbers:
0 -- Number of players currently in Montreal that the Canadiens put on the Hamilton Bulldogs playoff roster.
23 -- Number of NHL teams that did put players on their AHL affiliates playoff rosters.
5 -- The Leafs named five players off their roster to the Marlies playoff list.
2 -- The number of players currently with the Dogs that have played in the NHL this year. That's the fewest in the AHL.
13 -- The Rockford IceHogs have 13 players on their playoff roster who have seen action this year with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Garry McKay
The Hamilton Spectator
(Mar 6, 2008)
Kyle Chipchura wouldn't be human if he wasn't watching the Montreal Canadiens amazing climb up the NHL standings and wondering "what if." After all Chipchura was with them for 36 games this year before the Habs returned the 22-year-old centre to the Hamilton Bulldogs in early January.
"I'd definitely like to be there," he says. "I can just imagine what the atmosphere in the city is like. You watch the games on TV and of course you want to be there but I'm a young guy and I still have a lot to learn and I have to keep working each day to get there."
As disappointed as Chipchura is in not being in Montreal right now, the thought of not ever returning to the Habs is even more distressing. That possibility came up in the leadup to the NHL trade deadline last week when his name was bandied about as part of what the Canadiens might have to give up to acquire Marian Hossa -- although that deal never happened.
"I heard a few rumblings and I've enjoyed my time here and in Montreal and I don't want to change organizations. I want to be part of it for many years," Chipchura says.
"After the NHL trade deadline was the first time I felt a little worried about it but I don't know how serious it was. It might have just been speculation on who could have been traded."
While in Montreal, the Bulldogs centre had four goals and seven assists in his 36 games. Since returning to the Dogs he's scored six times and added nine assists in 24 games. He's been particularly hot lately with three goals and eight assists in the last 12 games including a goal and an assist Sunday in the Dogs 4-2 loss to the Syracuse Crunch.
While Chipchura's former team, the Canadiens, battles for first place in the Eastern Conference his current team, the Bulldogs is battling for its playoff life.
The Dogs, who are currently in a three-way battle with the Manitoba Moose and Syracuse Crunch for a guaranteed two spots in the post season, could do a lot to help themselves this weekend.
The Dogs are currently in third in the North Division two points behind Manitoba and two in front of Syracuse and they host Manitoba tomorrow night (7:30 p.m., 820 CHAM) and again Sunday at 4 p.m.
Notes: The Dogs have recalled centre Ryan Russell from the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. In three games there last weekend he picked up one assist.
By the Numbers:
0 -- Number of players currently in Montreal that the Canadiens put on the Hamilton Bulldogs playoff roster.
23 -- Number of NHL teams that did put players on their AHL affiliates playoff rosters.
5 -- The Leafs named five players off their roster to the Marlies playoff list.
2 -- The number of players currently with the Dogs that have played in the NHL this year. That's the fewest in the AHL.
13 -- The Rockford IceHogs have 13 players on their playoff roster who have seen action this year with the Chicago Blackhawks.