Remember this Esposito

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

McKenzie: Remember this Esposito

TSN.ca Staff

10/7/2005

His name is Esposito, he wears no. 7 and he's scored eight goals in seven games.

But 16-year-old Angelo Esposito is not related to Hall of Famer Phil and he's not from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

This prolific and precocious 'Espo' is a born and raised Montrealer - his family owns the chain of Esposito grocery stores there - and he is ripping it up early in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season for Patrick Roy's Quebec Remparts.

After picking up just one goal and one assist in his first three games, the 6'1, 175 lb. centre has scored seven goals and 14 points in his last four games. His eight goals and 16 points put him second in the QMJHL scoring race.

The comparisons to Sidney Crosby are inevitable, especially since Esposito, like Crosby, played at Shattuck St. Mary's prep school in Minnesota before coming to junior. For what it's worth, Esposito has one more assist than Crosby had at the same age in his first seven games for Rimouski.

But in terms of style, he's more along the lines of a rangy centre like Vincent Lecavalier.

Esposito looks like a big timer. He has explosive, 'makes-you-go-wow' speed, which he credits to the figure skating he did until age 10. He has great vision and a terrific scoring touch. He's not just putting up points, he's been dominating with his play.

NHL scouts, who won't have a shot at him until the 2007 draft, are raving about his start to the season. And Hockey Canada's Director of Player Personnel Blair Mackasey is impressed, too.

Esposito is too young to be considered for Canada's National Junior Team - there is a policy that says young players must play in the Under-18 program before the World Juniors - but if he's available in April he'll get that Under-18 opportunity.

In the meantime, Angelo Esposito is certainly creating a big early-season buzz.

- www.tsn.ca/columnists/bob_mckenzie.asp

[NWTHabsFan]

He definitely is the future 2007 draft class member that is creating all the stir in the Q these days (even from his controversial selection at 11th in the Q draft when other teams thought he was headed south to the NCAA). He was the offensive player of the week this past week as a 16 year old. Lots of buzz about his offensive potential, and we should see him in a national jersey at the next U-18's.

Another young offensive star to watch in the Q is 17 year old James Sheppard from Sackville, NB. He will be eligible for the 2006 draft. He is already 6'2" 205 and is playing for Cape Breton as well as being one of the two top offensive players invited to the most recent U-18 camp (along with Jonathan Toews who is playing the NCAA this season).

Two good ones to watch for sure!!

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Esposito looks to crack Canadian lineup
16-year-old forward hopes to add his name to list that includes Gretzky, Crosby

By DONNA SPENCER

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 Page S2

Canadian Press

VANCOUVER -- Angelo Esposito can join a select group if he's named to the Canadian junior hockey team as a 16-year-old.

Sidney Crosby (2004), Jason Spezza and Jay Bouwmeester (2000), Eric Lindros (1989) and Wayne Gretzky (1978) all played for Canada at the age of 16 in the world under-20 hockey championship, which is considered a showcase of a country's best 19-year-old players.

Esposito, a lanky forward from Montreal, has to prove at selection camp this week he can contribute to Canada's chances of defending its gold medal when tournament play begins on Dec. 26 in Vancouver. And he has to do that against bigger, older and more experienced players.

At 6 foot 1 and 174 pounds, Esposito is a lot lighter than the other players, so he's not going to fill a physical role on the team. He has to demonstrate maturity and poise to overcome his lack of international experience.

Esposito has the speed and scoring ability to play on the power play and could be used in certain even-strength situations to provide an offensive spark. That's how Crosby started his first junior tournament in 2004 before he played himself into a bigger role on the team last year.

Esposito has 24 goals and 33 assists in 29 games in his rookie season with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Quebec Remparts, who are owned and coached by Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy.

Esposito has to show his scoring touch against the cream of the Canadian major-junior crop. The first of two intrasquad games is scheduled for tonight.

"He brings speed, he brings talent, he's a tremendously competitive kid on the puck," said Blair Mackasey, Hockey Canada's director of player personnel. "I think if he gets to the point where he feels comfortable in this group and confident in this group, he can help us.

"I think that's going to be the big question mark: how well does he adjust to competing at this level and how strong will his confidence be? If he gets off to a good start, he'll be very confident."

The 34 players Mackasey invited were split into two teams and got onto the ice for the first time with head coach Brent Sutter and his assistants at selection camp yesterday morning. It was a feeling-out session for all the players, including Esposito.

"Watching him out here, he's pushing a little bit and he's trying to make it happen all at once, but he'll be fine," Mackasey said. "His skill level fits right in with these kids.

"I don't think you should judge Angelo until you see him three days from now."

Esposito, born in 1989, is projected as a high pick in the 2007 National Hockey League entry draft. He is eligible to play in the world junior championship from now until 2009, when it will return to Canada.

But chances are good he'll be playing in the NHL as a 19-year-old, making this his lone opportunity to play in the world junior tournament at home.

For that reason, Esposito doesn't want to be one of the five forwards released at the end of the week.

"I'd be pretty disappointed because obviously it's one of my goals to make this team," he said. "If I don't make the team, there's always next year, but I'm hoping to make it this year.

"It would be pretty special if I got an opportunity to play in Canada in front of the home country."

Because Esposito's bid to make the Canadian junior team comes so soon on the heels of Crosby's, comparisons are inevitable, although Crosby's game is based more on power, while Esposito's is more finesse.

Crosby had previous international experience, playing for Canada's under-18 team when he was a 16-year-old at the selection camp. He was also more accustomed to the media attention this team receives, having dealt with an inordinate amount of it since he was branded a phenom in minor hockey.

"For Angelo, this is totally new," Mackasey said. "It's not just on the ice, it's off the ice.

"He's looking around like a kid in a candy store."

The pool of players vying for spots on the team varies from year to year. The talent pool for Canadian 19-year-old players, those born in 1986, is not deep, which is why Esposito was among the 18 players aged 18 and younger invited to this camp.

"If this was a year earlier, probably Angelo wouldn't be here," Mackasey said. "We wouldn't be in that position where we would need to bring him in.

"We'd say, 'Let's let him play with the under-17s, the under-18s.' This camp is more wide open. The parameters are different."

- tinyurl.com/ayewk

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Not ready to vote him into the Hall of Fame, but 16 years old, 6'1", and fast skater is a good start.

[NWTHabsFan]

He looked really good as a 16 year old in the WJC inter-squad game tonight. The only problem was that 17 year old Jonathan Toews looked even better. I don't see the Team Canada brass picking Espo this year, but he will be wearing the jersey next year methinks.