Thursday, April 30, 2009

2009 WHL Bantam Draft

Press Release

Selections in Thursday’s WHL bantam draft of 1994-born players (with position and hometown):

1st Round

1. Portland, Derrick Pouliot, D, Weyburn, SK; 2. Moose Jaw, Morgan Rielly, D, W. Vancouver, B.C.; 3. Edmonton (from Chilliwack), Griffin Reinhart, D, W. Vancouver, B.C.; 4. Red Deer, Matt Dumba, D, Calgary, AB; 5. Regina, Chandler Stephenson, C, Saskatoon, SK; 6. Prince Albert, Mike Winther, C, Trochu, AB; 7. Tri-City (from Prince George), Connor Rankin, C, N. Vancouver, B.C.; 8. Everett, Nicolas Walters, D, St. Albert, AB; 9. Chilliwack (from Edmonton), Stephen Hodges, C, South Delta, B.C.; 10. Kamloops, Brady Gaudet, D, Redvers, SK; 11. Everett (from Lethbridge), Seth Jones, D, Dallas, TX; 12. Seattle, Brandon Troock, RW, Edmonton, AB; 13. Kootenay, Colby Cave, C, N. Battleford, SK; 14. Medicine Hat, Hunter Shinkaruk, C, Calgary, AB; 15. Swift Current, Evan Richardson, C, Nanaimo, B.C.; 16. Spokane, Reid Gow, D, Killarney, MB; 17. Kelowna, Jason Siebert, RW, Abbotsford, B.C.; 18. Brandon, Eric Roy, D, Beauval, SK; 19. Prince George (from Tri-City), Joshua Smith, D, Rimbey, AB; 20. Saskatoon, Ryan Olsen, C, Delta, B.C.; 21. Vancouver, Dalton Sward, C, Abbotsford, B.C.; 22. Calgary, Chase Clayton, C, Abbotsford, B.C.

2nd Round

23. Moose Jaw, Andrew Johnson, C, Saskatoon, SK; 24. Portland, Taylor Leier, RW, Saskatoon, SK; 25. Chilliwack, Kade Pilton, D, Parksville, B.C.; 26. Prince George, Troy Bourke, C, Spruce Grove, AB; 27. Red Deer, Mason Burr, RW, Airdrie, AB; 28. Regina, Taylor Balog, LW, Weyburn, SK; 29. Everett, Jari Erricson, C, Prince George, B.C.; 30. Edmonton, Mitchell Moroz, LW, Calgary, AB; 31. Prince Albert, Shayne Danyluk, C, Salmon Arm, B.C.; 32. Kamloops, Logan McVeigh, C, Kenaston, SK; 33. Lethbridge, Ryley Bennefield, C, Leduc, AB; 34. Seattle, Justin Hickman, C, Kelowna, B.C.; 35. Kootenay, Matt Benning, D, St. Albert, AB; 36. Medicine Hat, Dawson Macauley, G, Prince Albert, SK; 37. Swift Current, Shea Howorko, LW, Regina, SK; 38. Spokane, Connor Chartier, RW, Calgary, AB; 39. Kelowna, Colton Heffley, C, Swift Current, SK; 40. Brandon, Dylan Kuczek, D, Winnipeg, MB; 41. Tri-City, Marcus Messier, C, Canmore, AB; 42. Saskatoon, Levi Bews, RW, Longview, AB; 43. Vancouver, Mathieu Bellerive, RW, N. Vancouver, B.C.; 44. Moose Jaw (from Calgary), Shayne Gwinner, D, Drumheller, AB.

3rd Round

45. Kamloops (from Moose Jaw), Troy Trombley, G, Sherwood Park, AB; 46. Prince George (from Portland), Dane Phaneuf, D, Edmonton, AB; 47. Lethbridge (from Chilliwack), Samuel McKechnie, C, Airdrie, AB; 48. Chilliwack (from Prince George), Brett Cote, D, Oakbank, MB; 49. Brandon (from Red Deer), Dakota Conroy, LW, Edmonton, AB; 50. Regina, Landon Peel, D, Virden, MB; 51. Prince Albert (from Everett), Connor Sutton, D, Calgary, AB; 52. Edmonton, Morgan Zulinick, C, Kamloops, B.C.; 53. Kelowna (from Prince Albert), Cole Martin, D, Arlington, TX; 54. Kamloops, Landon Cross, D, Brandon, MB; 55. Lethbridge, Adam Henry, D, Winnipeg, MB; 56. Seattle, Jetlan Houcher, LW, Winnipeg, MB; 57. Kootenay, MacKenzie Skapski, G, Abbotsford, B.C.; 58. Medicine Hat, Jayden Hart, C, Spruce Grove, AB; 59. Portland (from Swift Current), Reece Wilcox, D, Surrey, B.C.; 60. Saskatoon (from Spokane), Tommy Stipancik, D, Vancouver, B.C.; 61. Kelowna, Ryan Berlin, LW, Edmonton, AB; 62. Kamloops (from Brandon), Brandon Morley, C, Burnaby, B.C.; 63. Tri-City, Riley Guenther, D, Calgary, AB; 64. Everett (from Saskatoon), Kohl Bauml, C, Saskatoon, SK; 65. Vancouver, Blake Orban, D, Calgary, AB; 66. Calgary, Keaton Lubin, D, Okotoks, AB.

4th Round

67. Moose Jaw, Matthieu Vigier, RW, Notre Dame, MB; 68. Portland, A.J. Michaelson, C, Apple Valley, MN; 69. Prince George (from Chilliwack), Peter Quenneville, C, Edmonton, AB; 70. Spokane (from Prince George), T.J. Reeve, RW, Grenfell, SK; 71. Red Deer, Joel Hamilton, LW, Cochrane, AB; 72. Prince Albert (from Regina), Brent Lashuk, LW, Winfield, B.C.; 73. Brandon (from Everett), Tyrel Seaman, LW, Choiceland, SK; 74. Edmonton, Matthew Miller, D, Winnipeg, MB; 75. Prince Albert, Sawyer Lange, D, Prince Albert, SK; 76. Moose Jaw (from Kamloops), Travis Brown, D, Winnipeg, MB; 77. Lethbridge, Jaimen Yakubowski, LW, Dalmeny, SK; 78. Prince Albert (from Seattle), Brenden Fiebelkorn, G, Winnipeg, MB; 79. Kootenay, Jeff Hubic, D, Regina, SK; 80. Tri-City (from Medicine Hat), Chris Driedger, G, Winnipeg, MB; 81. Swift Current, Sutton Olsen, C, Deloraine, MB; 82. Spokane, Brennan Rooney, D, Edmonton, AB; 83. Kelowna, Bradon Seyl, D, Revelstoke, B.C.; 84. Chilliwack (from Brandon), Brandon Magee, C, Edmonton, AB; 85. Tri-City, Wyatt Garagan, C, Estevan, SK; 86. Saskatoon, Adam Todd, G, Courtenay, B.C.; 87. Kamloops (from Vancouver), Brenden Enns, D, Quathiaski Cove, B.C.; 88. Calgary, Brodie Burdeny, G, Richmond, B.C.

5th Round

89. Moose Jaw, Brayden Cuthbert, C, Brandon, MB; 90. Saskatoon (from Vancouver/Portland), Brett Stovin, RW, Stony Mountain, MB; 91. Chilliwack, Zane Jones, LW, Olds, AB; 92. Kelowna (from Prince George), Austin Plevy, C, Langley, B.C.; 93. Red Deer, Marc McCoy, C, Edmonton, AB; 94. Regina, Mason Logan, D, Gull Lake, SK; 95. Everett, Andy Desautels, G, Regina, SK; 96. Tristan Sieben, C, Edmonton, AB; 97. Medicine Hat (from Prince Albert), Luke Johnson, C, Grand Forks, ND; 98. Kamloops, Chase Souto, RW, Yorba Linda, CA; 99. Spokane (from Lethbridge), Jarrid Hauptman, RW, Morinville, AB; 100. Seattle, Jayson Ness, RW, Drayton Valley, AB; 101. Kootenay, Kurt Johnas, RW, Winnipeg, MB; 102. Tri-City (from Medicine Hat), Justin Hamonic, D, Winnipeg, MB; 103. Lethbridge (from Swift Current), Mitchell Guiel, RW, Langley, B.C.; 104. Calgary (from Spokane), Jared Potter, D, Drumheller, AB; 105. Kelowna, Tyrell Goulbourne, LW, Edmonton, AB; 106. Brandon, Carter Proft, LW, Spruce Grove, AB; 107. Tri-City, Tyler Kunz, D, Whitecourt, AB; 108. Saskatoon, Mike Statchuk, D,Wadena, SK; 109. Vancouver, Scott Cooke, RW, Surrey, B.C.; Calgary, Hayden Dawes, RW, Stony Plain, AB.

6th Round

111. Lethbridge (from Moose Jaw), Braxton Bilous, D, Langley, B.C.; 112. Portland, Brendan Leipsic, LW, Winnipeg, MB; 113. Moose Jaw (from Chilliwack), Jesse Gartland, D, Stony Plain, AB; 114. Prince George, Devon Fordyce, G, Cochrane, AB; 115. Spokane (from Red Deer), David Readman, G, Dawson Creek, B.C.; 116. Red Deer (from Regina), Lucas Grayson, D, Port Hardy, B.C.; 117. Everett, Jordyn Boyd, LW, Winnipeg, MB; 118. Edmonton, Cody Pettpiece, D, Saskatoon, SK; 119. Prince Albert, Allan Kilback, C, Emerald Park, SK; 120. Kamloops, Mitchell Schwark, LW, Saskatoon, SK; 121. Lethbridge, Russell Maxwell, C, Magrath, AB; 122. Seattle, Evan Wardley, D, Vulcan, AB; 123. Kootenay, Mike Simpson, D, Semiahmoo, B.C.; 124. Prince Albert (from Medicine Hat), Brendan Kennedy, D, Terrace, B.C.; 125. Swift Current, Matthew Allen, D, Coquitlam, B.C.; 126. Spokane, Cole Wedman, D, Edmonton, AB; 127. Swift Current (from Kelowna), Arthur Gordon, LW, Edmonton, AB; 128. Brandon, Brendan Harms, C, Steinbach, MB; 129. Tri-City, Joel Steve, LW, Milestone, SK; 130. Saskatoon, Stefan Burzan, C, Surrey, B.C.; 131. Red Deer (from Vancouver), Chase McMurphy, RW, Chestermere, AB; 132. Calgary, Kenton Helgesen, LW, Fairview, AB.

7th Round

133.Moose Jaw, Colin Baudry, RW, La Broquerie, MB; 134. Portland, Brayden Low, C, Richmond, B.C.; 135. Chilliwack, Turner Popoff, D, Richmond, B.C.; 136. Brandon (from Prince George), Ryan Pulock, C, Grandview, MB; 137. Red Deer, Davin Stener, D, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB; 138. Regina, Ryan Leonzio, D, La Salle, MB; 139. Everett, Darian Henry, D, Strathmore, AB; 140. Red Deer (from Edmonton), Bolton Pouliot, G, Calgary, AB; 141. Kelowna (from Prince Albert), Tanner Moar, D, Canwood, SK; 142. Vancouver (from Kamloops), Landon Robin, C, Saskatoon, SK; 143. Chilliwack (from Lethbridge), Matt Bissett, C, Ridge Meadows, B.C.; 144. Seattle, Johnny Dora, D, Erie, CO; 145. Edmonton (from Kootenay), Wade Moyls, G, Kamloops, B.C.; 146. Medicine Hat, Kyle Becker, D, Langley, B.C.; 147. Swift Current, Ashton McLeod, D, Claresholm, AB; 148. Spokane, Anthony Paskaruk, C, Airdrie, AB; 149. Portland (from Kelowna), Troy Stetcher, D, Richmond, B.C.; 150. Kamloops (from Brandon), Travis Blanleil, LW, Kelowna, B.C.; 151. Tri-City, Matt Lloyd, D, Aldergrove, B.C.; 152. Vancouver (from Saskatoon), Matias Cleland, D, Longmont, CO; 153. Vancouver, Dennis Kravchenko, San Clemente, CA; 154. Moose Jaw (from Calgary), Tanner Eberle, C, Regina, SK.

8th Round

155. Calgary (from Moose Jaw), Robert Trzonkowski, RW, Calgary, AB; 156. Portland, Josh Hanson, D, Anchorage, AK; 157. Chilliwack, Brendan Dusik, D, Oak Bluff, MB; 158. Prince George, Carter Rigby, LW, Penticton, B.C.; 159. Red Deer, Brooks Maxwell, C, Raymond, AB; 160. Regina, Jack Rodewald, LW, Winnipeg, MB; 161. Everett, Josh Racek, LW, Colorado Springs, CO; 162. Edmonton, Ashton Sautner, D, Wolseley, SK; 163. Prince Albert, Justin Lund, RW, Langham, SK; 164. Kamloops, Jeffrey Ness, D, Humbolt, SK; 165. Lethbridge, Mason Blacklock, C Whiterock, B.C.; 166. Seattle, Jared D’Amico, G, Chestermere, AB; 167. Kootenay, Jared Iron, C, Canoe Narrows, SK; 168. Medicine Hat, Mark Foster, D, Tisdale, SK; 169. Swift Current, Michael Fredrick, G, Lethbridge, AB; 170. Spokane, David Pope, LW, Edmonton, AB; 171. Kelowna, Nicolas Kerdiles, LW, Irvine, CA; 172. Brandon, Daniel Asham, C, Winnipeg, MB; 173. Tri-City, Dylan Fluter, C, Saskatoon, SK; 174. Saskatoon, Devan Fafard, D, Carlyle, SK; 175. Swift Current (from Vancouver), Colten Cassidy, D, Leduc, AB; 176. Calgary, Calder Brooks, C, Emerald Park, SK.

9th Round

177. Calgary (from Moose Jaw), Clay Carson, C, Victoria, B.C.; 178. Portland, Adam Smith, C, Nanaimo, B.C.; 179. Chilliwack, Austin Carroll, C, Scottsdale, AZ; 180. Prince George, Sam Johnson, C, Okotoks, AB; 181. Red Deer, Nikolas Olsson, LW, Escondido, CA; 182. Regina, Garrett Lockeridge, RW, Regina, SK; 183, Everett, Dale Nerland, D, Okotoks, AB; 184. Edmonton, Bowen Croft, RW, Sherwood, Park; 185. Prince Albert, Gavin Stoik, RW, Littleton, CO; 186. Spokane (from Kamloops), Chris Buchanan, D, San Jose, CA; 187. Medicine Hat (from Lethbridge), Austin Ho, D, Chino Hill, CA; 188. Seattle, Kyle Horsman, LW, Sechelt, B.C.; 189. Kootenay, Mitchell Fyffe, RW, New Westminster, B.C.; 190. Medicine Hat, Connor Garden, C, Calgary, AB; 191. Prince George (from Swift Current), Dustin Cave, D, Calgary, AB; 192. Kelowna (from Spokane), Damon Severson, D, Melville, SK; 193. Kelowna, Sean MacTavish, RW, Edmonton, AB; 194. Brandon, Tanner Jago, D, Brandon, MB; 195. Tri-City, Justin Klimek, D, Langley, B.C.; 196. Saskatoon, Hudson Morrison, RW, Brandon, MB; 197. Vancouver, Brett Kulak, D, Stony Plain, AB; 198. Calgary, Jordan Greig, D, Souris, MB.

10th Round

199. Chilliwack (from Moose Jaw), Regan Santoro, G, Saskatoon, SK; 200. Portland, Adam De Champlain, C, Sherwood Park, AB; 201. Chilliwack, Quentin Shore, C, Denver, CO; 202. Medicine Hat (from Prince George), Nicholas Anderson, LW, San Jose, CA; 203. Red Deer, Tyler Bateman, C, Kelowna, B.C.; 204. Regina, Jesse Roden, D, Saskatoon, SK; 205. Everett, Rhys Gilbert, LW, N. Vancouver, B.C.; 206. Edmonton, Anthony Borri, LW, Coquitlam, B.C.; 207. Edmonton (from Prince Albert), Darren Kramer, LW, Peace River, AB; 208. Regina (from Kamloops), Darrin Robinson, G, Aurora, CO; 209. Saskatoon (from Kamloops/Vancouver), Brodyn Nielsen, C, Garibaldi Highlands, B.C.; 210. Vancouver (from Seattle), Luke McColgan, C, Manhattan Beach, CA; 211. Kootenay, Steven Myland, G, Surrey, B.C.; 212. Medicine Hat, PASS; 213. Prince George (from Swift Current), Yankik Tetreault, C, Winnipeg, MB; 214. Prince George (from Spokane), Drew Newmeyer, D, Scottsdale, AZ; 215. Spokane (from Kelowna), Dillon Bogart, LW, Spokane, WA; 216. Brandon, Lyrik Friesen, RW, Winnipeg, MB; 217. Tri-City, Brandon Halbgewachs, C, Emerald Park, SK; 218. Saskatoon, Tyler Santos, G, Sherwood Park, AB; 219. Vancouver, Carter Coben, LW, Saskatoon, SK; 220. Calgary, PASS.

11th Round

221. Moose Jaw, PASS; 222. Portland, Jake Montgomery, LW, Oakdale, MN; 223. Chilliwack, PASS; 224. Prince George, Kolten Anderson, LW, Lloydminster, AB; 225. Red Deer, PASS; 226. Regina, Sean Whelan, D, Moose Jaw, SK; 227. Everett, Mark Valtr, G, Edmonton, AB; 228. Edmonton, PASS; 229. Prince Albert, PASS; 230. Kamloops, PASS; 231. Portland, PASS; 232. Seattle, Patrick D’Amico, RW, Winnipeg, MB; 233. Kootenay, PASS; 234. Medicine Hat, PASS; 235. Swift Current, PASS; 236. Spokane, PASS; 237. Kelowna, PASS; 238. Brandon, Jordan Dracojevic, RW, Winnipeg, MB; 239. Tri-City, Matthew Hughesman, RW, Winnipeg, MB; 240. Saskatoon, Turner Lawson, C, Kelowna, B.C.; 241. Vancouver, PASS; 242. Calgary, PASS.

12th Round

248. Regina, Tyler Mueller, D, Regina, SK; 253. Lethbridge, Harrison Harper, D, Calgary, AB; 254. Seattle, Alex Kerfoot, C, W. Vancouver, B.C.; 261. Tri-City, Zane Schartz, C, Plano, TX.

13th Round

275. Lethbridge, Valik Chichikin, D, Burnaby, B.C.; 276. Seattle, Dan Kowalski, G, Centennial, CO.

14th Round

298. Seattle, Jordan Houghton, D, Sherwood Park, AB.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Windsor all over Brampton

Press Release

In Windsor, Justin Shugg fired home three goals to pace the Spitfires to a 10-1 win over the Brampton Battalion in the opening game of the Rogers OHL Championship Series.

Andrei Loktionov scored two of the Spitfires’ four goals in the first period. Taylor Hall and Adam Henrique also scored in the first and Lane MacDermid and Eric Wellwood scored in the second period. Shugg scored all three of his goals in the third period while Conor O’Donnell also counted in the third.

“I thought we came out to a slow start and then picked it up at the 10 minute mark,” Shugg said. “The coaches have been on me and I knew that I had to pick up my play.”

Hall, Henrique, Mark Cundari and Scott Timmins all had two assists in the win.

“It seemed like we relaxed a bit after our first goal,” said Spitfires’ coach Bob Boughner. “We capitalized on a lot of our chances. We battled all year to get home ice advantage and it’s always nice to play in front of almost 7,000 fans. Our guys drew energy off of that.”

Josh Day scored Brampton’s only goal, tying the game on a powerplay midway through the first period.

Thomas McCollum allowed six goals on 25 shots before being replaced by Patrick Killeen in the second period. Killeen allowed four goals on 19 shots.

“Obviously it was an embarrassing performance by our hockey team,” said Battalion coach and GM Stan Butler. “We lose 10-1 in the final – there is no excuse for that. From a coaching perspective, we’ve got two days to turn this thing around. I’ve got to give Windsor credit – they played a good game, but we were just terrible.”

Andrew Engelage made 22 saves in the win, including 12 in the first period when the Spitfires were outshot 13-12.

“We talked about how solid he was,” Boughner said. “He looked confident in there and that was great. We needed him early. He was one of the best players on the ice for the first 10 minutes and that gave us a bit of a push.”


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

USHL back to Ohio

Press Release

The Commissioner's Office of the United States Hockey League today announced that it had awarded an expansion USHL membership to Bruce Zoldan, effective commencing with the 2009-2010 season.

The new USHL team will be located in Youngstown, Ohio as a member of the USHL's Eastern Division, and will play its regular season games at the Chevrolet Centre in downtown Youngstown. Team USA, representing the National Training Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will also join the USHL Eastern Division. The USHL will therefore enter the 2009-2010 season as a 14-team league.

Mr. Zoldan is currently and separately the owner of the NAHL Mahoning Valley Phantoms, who are participating in the 2009 NAHL Robertson Cup Championship Tournament.

USHL Commissioner Skip Prince stated, "The sole purpose of this announcement at this time is to confirm and put into place the procedures necessary for the USHL to conduct an expansion draft according to its rules and regulations. Out of respect for our partners in hockey at the North American Hockey League, and in order not to take away from attention to the Robertson Cup and Mr. Zoldan's Mahoning Valley Phantoms, we will defer any further details about expansion until the completion of the Robertson Cup and the NAHL season."

Representatives of Mr. Zoldan have confirmed they will also withhold comment about their new USHL entry until the Phantoms' season has concluded.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Presidents Cup Preview

Press Release

SHAWINIGAN
(2nd in the overall standings – 105 points – 2nd in the TELUS CENTRAL Division standings)

VS.

DRUMMONDVILLE
(1st in the overall standings – 112 points – 1st in the TELUS CENTRAL Division standings)

During the 2008-09 season:

2008/10/14 DRUMMONDVILLE 0 @ SHAWINIGAN 7
2008/10/26 SHAWINIGAN 6 @ DRUMMONDVILLE 3
2008/11/01 DRUMMONDVILLE 2 @ SHAWINIGAN 5
2008/12/12 SHAWINIGAN 1 @ DRUMMONDVILLE 4
2008/12/18 DRUMMONDVILLE 3 @ SHAWINIGAN 2
2008/12/28 SHAWINIGAN 4 @ DRUMMONDVILLE 3
2009/01/06 DRUMMONDVILLE 5 @ SHAWINIGAN 4
2009/01/28 SHAWINIGAN 5 @ DRUMMONDVILLE 3

SHAWINIGAN

The best performers for the Cataractes during their regular season match-ups versus the Voltigeurs (goals-assists-points):

Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll: 6-9-15
Matthew Pistilli: 8-3-11
Nicholas Petersen: 4-6-10

The Cataractes swept the Victoriaville Tigres before defeating the Gatineau Olympiques and the Quebec Remparts in five games.

The Shawinigan power-play is impressive. The Cataractes have recorded 28 goals in only 86 opportunities (32.6%). Moreover, they have allowed only 11 goals with a man down; third-best in the League at 85.5%.

Head coach Éric Veilleux counts on a strong core of veterans. Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll is the team’s most prolific scorer. In fourteen games, he has 11 goals and 14 assists. The 20-year-old native of Longueuil has gotten plenty of support from Pierre-Alexandre Vandall (4-16-20) and Nicholas Petersen (9-9-18).

Matthew Pistilli, who won the President Cup with the Gatineau Olympiques last season, is the team’s game-breaker. He has recorded four game-winning goals.

The additions of Mathieu Bolduc and Alex Grant at the trade deadline have fortified an already strong blue-line. Charles-Olivier Roussel has continued to impress in the playoffs. He has fourteen points in as many games.

Goatlender Timo Pielmeier has been steady. He boasts an 11-2 record with a 2.43 goals-against-average and .905 save percentage.


DRUMMONDVILLE

The best performers for the Voltigeurs during their regular season match-ups versus the Cataractes (goals-assists-points):

Yannick Riendeau: 7-6-13
Dany Massé: 4-4-8
Mike Hoffman: 4-3-7

The Voltigeurs have yet to lose a game so far this postseason. Drummondville swept the Lewiston MAINEiacs, the Montreal Juniors and the MasterCard Memorial Cup hosting Rimouski Océanic.

The Voltigeurs possess the League’s best offence. They have scored 85 goals in 12 games – an average of slightly more than 7 goals per contest. Their offensive output is largely due to their extraordinary power-play, which boasts a League-best 40.2% success rate (43/107).

Seven players have registered at least one point per game in the playoffs. The team’s top point-getters have been Yannick Riendeau (19-16-35), Chris DiDomenico (4-29-33), Dany Massé (11-19-30) and Mike Hoffman (17-9-26).

Rookie sensation Dmitry Kulikov is the quarterback of the defensive squad. He has 2 goals and 17 helpers in the second season.

Since the beginning of the semi-final, Marco Cousineau has gotten the nod in net. In ten starts, Cousineau has earned 9 wins while posting a 2.20 goals-against-average and .899 save percentage.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Guggenberger is Goalie of the Week

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Mark Guggenberger of the Kelowna Rockets is the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending April 26. Guggenberger posted a 2-1-0-0 record with two shutouts and a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .952. He allowed just three goals on 63 shots in three games.

On Tuesday night Guggenberger made 21 saves as the Rockets dropped a 3-2 decision to the Vancouver Giants in game three of the WHL Western Conference Championship Series. Trailing 2-1 in the series, Guggenberger rebounded with a 3-0 shutout win in Kelowna Thursday night to tie the series. He made 14 saves and was named third star of the game. Back in Vancouver Saturday night for game five, Guggenberger and the Rockets closed the door again on the Giants offense with a 1-0 shutout win where he made 25 saves to grab a 3-2 series lead. The Rockets finished the series with a 5-4 overtime win Monday of this week and will now face the Calgary Hitmen for the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Guggenberger, a 20-year-old from Richfield, Minnesota, is in his second full WHL season. He posted a 17-3-1-2 record after joining the Rockets from the Swift Current Broncos midway through the season. In 16 playoff games he has posted a record of 12-3-1-0 with a 2.21 goals-against-average and a .906 save percentage with two shutouts.

Also considered for the second straight week from the QMJHL is Marco Cousineau of the Drummondville Voltigeurs. With a goals-against-average of 3.00 and a save percentage of .867, he maintained his perfect playoff record with two wins to sweep the Rimouski Oceanic in four games to advance his club to the QMJHL finals to compete for the President Cup against the Shawinigan Cataractes. Also considered for the second straight week is the OHL’s Andrew Engelage of the Windsor Spitfires. He made 80 saves in two overtime wins with a 3.20 goals-against-average and a .920 save percentage to help advance his club to the Rogers OHL Championship Series for the J. Ross Robertson Cup where they will face the Brampton Battalion.



(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Lalonde-McNicoll Player of the Week

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll of the Shawinigan Cataractes is the Boston Pizza CHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 26. Lalonde-McNicoll scored three goals and four assists for seven points in three games.

Lalonde-McNicoll and the Cataractes began the week at home Tuesday night tied 1-1 in their QMJHL semi-final series against the Quebec Remparts. He opened the scoring early in the second period with his eighth goal of the post-season and would add two more goals in the third period to complete the hat-trick as first star of the 4-1 win. On Wednesday night trailing 3-0 after the first period of game four, Lalonde-McNicoll led the offensive comeback scoring the first goal early in the second period to get his team on the board. He assisted on the second goal and the game-winner for three points on the night as first star of the 5-4 win. Lalonde-McNicoll added two assists Friday night as the Cataractes defeated the Remparts 6-1 to win the series in five games. They will now face the Drummondville Voltigeurs for the President Cup.

Lalonde-McNicoll, a 20-year-old from Longueuil, QC, is in his fourth full QMJHL season with the Cataractes. In 14 playoff games he has scored 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points. Signed as a free agent by the Colorado Avalanche, he led his team and finished third overall in regular season scoring with 104 points.

Matt Duchene of the Brampton Battalion was nominated from the OHL for scoring four goals and one assist for five points in three games. His week was highlighted by scoring a hat-trick as first star in the 7-4 win Friday in game six over the Belleville Bulls to help the Battalion capture the Bobby Orr Trophy as Eastern Conference Champions. They will now face the Windsor Spitfires in the Rogers OHL Championship Series for the J. Ross Robertson Cup. The WHL’s nominee Kris Foucault scored two goals and an assist for three points in two games to lead the Calgary Hitmen to a four-game series sweep over the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Husky WHL Eastern Conference Championship Series. He was named the most valuable player of the series. The Hitmen will now face the Kelowna Rockets for the Ed Chynoweth Cup.



(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Officials Named

Press Release

Toronto, ON – Conrad Hache, Director of Officiating of the Ontario Hockey League, today announced the officiating staff for the 2009 Rogers OHL Championship Series between the Windsor Spitfires and the Brampton Battalion. Referees named to work the series are veterans Mark Hicks of LaSalle, Ontario, Craig Spada of Ridgeway, Ontario, Sean Reid of London, Ontario, Scott Hoberg of Clinton Township, Michigan along with Brent Holdsworth (pictured) and Darcy Burchell, both from Hamilton, Ontario.Linesmen selected to work the series are Jason Finley (Guelph), Brian Hoard (Oshawa), Ryan Lachine (LaSalle), Kendrick Nicholson (Sauble Beach), Matt Traub (Thornhill) and Darryl Wolfe (Kitchener).

Hicks is working his fifth final, Hoberg and Spada their third while Holdsworth, Reid and Burchell are working their second. Among the linesmen, Lachine and Traub are working their fourth final series, Hoard and Nicholson working their second while Wolfe and Finley are each working their first final.

OFFICIATING STAFF

Referees Yrs (Yrs as Referee)
Darcy Burchell 6 (6)
Mark Hicks 22 (13)
Scott Hoberg 13 (5)
Brent Holdsworth 13 (4)
Sean Reid 10 (7)
Craig Spada 6 (5)

Linesmen
Jason Finley 3
Brian Hoard 6
Ryan Lachine 6
Kendrick Nicholson 4
Matt Traub 4
Darryl Wolfe 4

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Hodgson wins the Tilson Trophy

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Cody Hodgson of the Brampton Battalion is the recipient of the Red Tilson Trophy for the 2008-09 season. The award is presented to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year as selected by the writers and broadcasters that cover the league.

Hodgson finished fourth in league scoring with a career-high 43 goals and 49 assists for 92 points in 53 games with a plus-minus rating of plus-41 with 33 penalty minutes. The Battalion captain led the league with 11 game-winning goals and had a league-high point scoring streak of 23 games from November 21 to February 11 where he collected 40 points. Hodgson recorded 26 multi-point games with four hat-tricks. He had a five-point game November 6 in an 8-4 win over the Plymouth Whalers with four goals and an assist as first star of the game.

Hodgson, a 19-year-old from Markham, ON, has played three OHL seasons with the Battalion. He was drafted by Brampton in the first round, 17th overall at the 2006 OHL Priority Selection. This season, Hodgson competed at the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge and was an assistant captain for Team OHL. He was named game MVP with a hat-trick and an assist in the 6-3 win November 20 over Team Russia. He represented Canada as an assistant captain at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa, capturing a gold medal and leading the tournament with 16 points in six games. He competed at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic in Windsor as an assistant captain for the Eastern Conference All-Stars. Hodgson was named game MVP scoring a hat-trick and an assist in the 11-6 victory over the Western Conference. He was named the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week twice for the week ending November 10 and February 2. He also claimed Kal Tire OHL Player of the Month honours twice for November and March of this season.

Hodgson was selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, 10th overall by the Vancouver Canucks. He has scored 106 goals and 117 assists for 223 points in 184 career games. He was also named the recipient of the William Hanley Trophy as the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player for the 2008-09 season. Hodgson also led the 2008-09 Eastern Conference Coaches Poll where he was voted the smartest player, the hardest worker, best on face-offs, and best penalty killer. This season Hodgson led the Battalion to second place in the Eastern Conference setting club records for wins and points in a season with a record of 47-19-1-1 for 96 points.
The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented by the Ontario Hockey League. It is awarded each year to the player that is voted the most outstanding during the regular season by OHL writers and broadcasters. Players received five points for a first place selection, three points for second place and one point for a third place selection.

Hodgson received 161 points in the voting process ahead of John Tavares of the London Knights who finished second with 115 points and Mike Murphy who finished in third place with 76 points.

Hodgson is the OHL's nominee for the CHL Player of the Year at the Canadian Hockey League awards.

Hodgson follows Wojtek Wolski, who won the award for the 2005-06 season, as the second member of the Battalion to receive this honour. Other winners include Frank Mahovlich (Toronto 1957), Mike Foligno (Sudbury, 1979), Doug Gilmour (Cornwall 1983), Jason Allison (London 1994), Brad Boyes (Erie 2001 & 2002). John Tavares of the Oshawa Generals won the trophy in 2006-07 and Justin Azevedo of the Kitchener Rangers won the award last season.

The trophy is named in honour of Albert "Red" Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II. Tilson was the OHA scoring champion for the 1942-43 season after scoring 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 22 games with the Oshawa Generals.

Hodgson will be formally presented with the Red Tilson Trophy at the 2008-09 OHL Awards Ceremony taking place on Wednesday June 3 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Soo Greyhounds announce press conference

Press Release

The Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club will officially select the first overall pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection a little after 9am on Saturday May 2nd, but a day earlier, he will be introduced to select fans at a press conference and participating fans at an autograph session to be held at the Essar Centre. The team has a lot of activities planned to help them welcome the first pick to the city, and are giving some lucky season ticket holders the opportunity to be part of the festivities.

The official press conference will be held at the Essar Centre Friday May 1st, and following that, from 3:30-5:00pm there will be an autograph session for the fans to meet our pick. The autograph session will be open to all Greyhound fans (limit of one item to autograph per person); however due to time constraints we cannot guarantee that everyone in attendance will have the chance for an autograph. Everyone will have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs including special t-shirts and autograph posters of our first overall pick at the Hound Pound.

Season Ticket Holders can enter for their chance to guarantee a spot in line by registering via email (deanna@soogreyhounds.com) or calling 253-5976 ext 30. The first 60 season ticket holders who register will be given a free autograph poster of our first round pick and will be guaranteed the chance to get his autograph. They will also be entered in the draw to win an autographed jersey and the chance to have their picture taken with our first pick (you must be in attendance on the day of the autograph session to be eligible to claim your prize).

Finally, ten lucky fans out of the first 60 registrants will be given the VIP treatment which includes the opportunity to participate in the official press conference, a prize package (official t-shirt and autographed picture) and time for personalized autographs and pictures with our first pick.

Don’t delay and register today for your chance to be a part of Soo Greyhounds History as we welcome the First Overall Pick in the 2009 OHL Entry Draft to Sault Ste. Marie and Greyhounds hockey.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Kelowna meets Calgary

Press Release

The Kelowna Rockets are the 2009 WHL Western Conference Champions after defeating the Vancouver Giants in six games in the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Championship series, culminating with a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 6 on Monday, April 27th, in Kelowna, B.C.

WHL Western Conference Champions for the first time since 2005, the Rockets will now face the Calgary Hitmen in the best-of-seven 2009 WHL Championship series.

Mikael Backlund scored three goals for the Rockets in Game 6, including netting the overtime winner four minutes into the extra frame. Backlund, who joined the Rockets in January after playing for Sweden at the World Junior Championship, redirected a Tysen Dowzak point shot early in overtime to lift the Rockets to the win.

Jamie Benn and Cody Almond also scored for the Rockets, who erased a 4-2 deficit with only 4:05 remaining in the third period to send the game to overtime. Mark Guggenberger made 13 saves to claim his 12th post-season win.

Evander Kane – with two goals – Jonathon Blum and James Henry scored for the Giants, who were outshot 32-17 by the host Rockets in the Game 6 defeat. Tyson Sexsmith made 27 saves in the loss. With the defeat, the Giants see their season come to an end.

Rockets defenseman Tyler Myers was named the MVP of the 2009 Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Championship series.

Kelowna wins best-of-seven series 4-2.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Players of the Week

Press Release

CALGARY, AB. - The BOSTON PIZZA WHL Player of the Week is forward Kris Foucault of the Calgary Hitmen.
Foucault picked up three points, scoring two goals and an assist to go with a +3 rating in two games over the last week, helping the Calgary Hitmen win the 2009 Husky WHL Eastern Conference Championship Series over the Brandon Wheat Kings 4-0.

On Tuesday, April 21st, the Calgary Hitmen were at Westman Place in Brandon for game three of the Eastern Conference Championship, leading the series 2-0. Foucault scored two goals and one assist as the Hitmen defeated the Wheat Kings 4-3 to take a 3-0 series lead. He was also named the games 2nd Star.

The next evening, Wednesday, April 22nd, the Wheat Kings hosted the Hitmen in game four of the series at Westman Place. Foucault helped pace the Hitmen to a 6-4 victory over the Wheat Kings and was on the ice for the game winning goal. With the win, the Calgary Hitmen claim their first Husky Eastern Conference Championship since 1999 and advance to the 2009 WHL Championship Series to contend for the Ed Chynoweth Cup. For his efforts throughout the series Kris Foucault was also named the Husky Eastern Conference Championship Most Valuable Player.

The Calgary Hitmen will host either the Kelowna Rockets or Vancouver Giants in games one and two of the WHL Championship Series, at the Pengrowth Saddledome, on Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2nd, times to be determined.

Foucault, an 18 year-old from Calgary, Alberta, is playing his second season in the WHL and the joined the Hitmen organization at the 2009 trade deadline. He picked up 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 22 games played with the Hitmen this season and is currently tied for most goals scored in the 2009 WHL Playoffs with 10 goals in 12 games.

The WHL has also nominated Mark Guggenberger of the Kelowna Rockets for the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Guggenberger posted a 2-1-0-0 record this past week with two shut-outs, allowing just three goals on 63 shots for a 1.000 goals-against average and .952 save percentage.

Guggenberger, a 19 year-old from Richfield, Minnesota, is in his second season of play in the WHL. After joining the Kelowna Rockets from the Swift Current Broncos earlier this year he posted an impressive 17-3-1-2 record to close out the regular season. Thus far in the playoffs Guggenberger’s record stands at 11-4 with a 2.100 GAA and .912 save percentage.

Press Release


Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Matt Duchene of the Brampton Battalion is the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 26. Duchene scored four goals with one assist for five points with a plus-minus rating of plus-1 in three games.

Duchene and the Battalion opened the week Tuesday night in game four of the Rogers Eastern Conference Championship Series in Brampton against the Belleville Bulls. Duchene scored the first of four unanswered goals to lift the Battalion to a 4-3 comeback win over the Bulls. He also assisted on the game-winner scored by Scott Tanski at 13:47 of the third period as third star of the game. Held pointless in game five, Duchene had his best offensive game of the playoffs scoring a hat-trick in the sixth and final game of the series Friday night leading the Battalion to a 7-4 victory as first star of the game. The win gave the Battalion a 4-2 series win to capture the Bobby Orr Trophy as Eastern Conference Champions. They will now face the Windsor Spitfires in the Rogers Championship Series for the J. Ross Robertson Cup beginning Wednesday night in Windsor.

Duchene, an 18-year-old from Haliburton, ON, is in his second OHL season with the Battalion. He has 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points in 16 playoff games after finishing the regular season ranked 14th in league scoring with 79 points. Duchene was named the winner of the Bobby Smith Trophy as the OHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year. He is eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and was ranked second overall amongst North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Also considered this week was Nick Palmieri of the Belleville Bulls. Palmieri scored six goals in three games highlighted by a two goal performance where he scored the overtime winner Thursday night in game five in Belleville as first star of the 3-2 win. Cody Hodgson of the Battalion scored three goals and two assists for five points in three games. In goal, Andrew Engelage of the Windsor Spitfires won two games in overtime to lead his club to the Rogers Championship Series. He made 80 saves with a goals-against-average of 3.20 and a save percentage of .920.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Monday, April 27, 2009

The Program

The RBC Cup

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Murphy is OHL's Goalie of the Year

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Mike Murphy of the Belleville Bulls is the OHL Goaltender of the Year for the 2008-09 season. Murphy was also awarded the honour last season and is the first back-to-back winner of the award since it was introduced in 1988.

Murphy, a 20-year-old from Inverary, ON, posted a record of 40-9-2-2 with a league-best goals-against-average of 2.08 with a save percentage of .941 which was also the best mark in the league. He recorded five shutouts in 54 games.

Murphy limited the opposition to two or fewer goals in 36 games this season, including the final five games of the regular season where he recorded five wins, including one shutout to help the Bulls clinch first place in the Eastern Conference. He made 40 or more saves in eight games including a season-high 50 saves in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Ottawa 67’s as first star of the game November 14. He won six straight games two different times this season including a streak from November 22 to December 11 and from February 11 to February 25.

“I definitely improved technically from last season” said Murphy. “My better numbers are a credit to our team, a phenomenal coaching staff, and our goalie coach Sebastien Farrese is always pushing me to be the best” added Murphy.

Murphy joined the Bulls as a fourth round pick in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection. He played for Team OHL at the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge and represented the Bulls and the Eastern Conference as the starting goalie at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic in Windsor. He was named the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 2 and was named the OHL Goaltender of the Month for November, December, and March of this season. Murphy is a Carolina Hurricanes prospect selected in the sixth round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

“Being the first back-to-back winner of the award says a lot about Mike” said Bulls head coach and general manager George Burnett. “It says a lot about his perseverance, about how hard he has worked, how determined he is, we have been happy to have him in Belleville” added Burnett.

The OHL Goaltender of the Year is awarded to the league's most outstanding goaltender as selected by OHL coaches and general managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for a goaltender from their own hockey club. Goaltenders received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

Murphy received 81 points in the voting process, followed by Thomas McCollum of the Brampton Battalion who received 44 points. Edward Pasquale of the Saginaw Spirit finished third with 19 points.

Past winners include Manny Legace (Niagara Falls 1992-93), Ray Emery (Sault Ste. Marie 2001-02), Adam Dennis (London 2005-06), and Steve Mason (London 2006-07). Jeff Fife won the award as a member of the Belleville Bulls in the 1989-90 season. Last season, Murphy won the award with a 36-7-3-1 record including three shutouts, posting a 2.24 goals-against-average and a .929 save percentage.

Murphy will be formally presented with the award at the 2008-09 OHL Awards Ceremony taking place on Wednesday June 3, 2009, at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

RBC Update

Press Release

There will be twice the B.C. content at the National Junior A Championship in Victoria.

With the host Grizzlies already in, the Vernon Vipers became the first team to qualify on Wednesday night, sweeping the best-of-seven Doyle Cup with a 5-2 win over the Grande Prairie Storm in Alberta.

This year’s RBC Cup marks the first time since 2001 (Weyburn and Flin Flon, SJHL) that two teams from the same league will compete in the same national championship.

After scoring 2-1 and 6-2 wins on home ice, the series shifted to the Canada Games Arena in Grande Prairie, where the Vipers finished off the sweep with 2-1 and 5-2 victories, advancing to their record seventh national championship; they had been tied with Weyburn for the all-time record.

Vernon will hit the ice in Victoria in search of its fifth national title, which would break a tie with Prince Albert for the most championships in Canadian Junior A history. The Vipers previously won titles in 1990, 1991 (both as the Lakers), 1996 and 1999.

Connor Jones, the Vipers’ leading scorer in the regular season and the playoffs, racked up a hat trick in the clinching Game 4 win and finished with a series-leading 10 points in four games. Two of his Game 4 goals were set up by his twin brother Kellen, who averaged a point-a-game during the Doyle Cup.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

NAHL Update

Press Release

The Bismarck Bobcats advanced to the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament after their 6-3 triumph over the Owatonna Express in the decisive Game 5 of the Central Division playoff finals on Sunday.

Six different players scored for the Bobcats, with Isaiah Bennis striking for the game-winner. Jordan Singer added a goal and an assist. Between the pipes, goaltender David Bosner turned back 15 shots.

The Bobcats, along with the North Division champion Mahoning Valley Phantoms, South Division champion St. Louis Bandits, West Division champion Wenatchee Wild and the host North Iowa Outlaws will compete in the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, which will be held April 28-May 3 at the North Iowa Ice Arena in Mason City, Iowa.

The Robertson Cup crowns the NAHL’s playoff champion, which also represents USA Hockey’s Tier II Junior A national champion.

The NAHL will announce its All-NAHL Team, Goaltender of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, Forward of the Year, Most Valuable Player and the league’s nominee for the Dave Tyler USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year at the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament banquet on Monday, April 27.

For more information on the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, visit RobertsonCup.com.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Sunday, April 26, 2009

USHL Update

Press Release

The Fargo Force advanced to the Clark Cup Finals after defeating the Lincoln Stars 2-0 in Game Three of their best-of-five series while the Green Bay Gamblers evened their series with the Indiana Ice by winning Game Two by a score of 4-3.

Fargo (6-0) remains undefeated in the playoffs having swept both series to earn a spot in the finals for the first-year club. Defenseman Chris Franks was playing in just his third playoff game and scored his first USHL playoff goal late in the first period for Fargo. Josh Birkholz scored his third goal of the series and Mike Lee did the rest stopping all 32 shots by Lincoln and earning the victory for the Force.

Fargo will now face the winner of the Green Bay vs. Indiana series for the Clark Cup. Green Bay earned a victory in Game One to even the series at one game apiece. Indiana led the game 3-2 midway through the third period until Green Bay defenseman Kevin Albers scored his first goal of the playoffs to tie the game. Chris Saracino netted two goals, including the game-winner with just 32 seconds remaining in the third period. Michael Forney registered three points (1g, 2a) and David Mokowski dished out three assists for the Gamblers. Steve Summerhays made 34 saves in net for Green Bay. The series now moves to Indiana for Game Three on Monday.

The USHL is celebrating its 30th season of junior hockey in 2008-09. With over 160 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 16 NHL Draft picks playing in the league, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com.



(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Rockets take the lead

Press Release

ROCKETS SHUT DOWN GIANTS TO TAKE SERIES LEAD –
Mark Guggenberger turned aside all 25 shots he faced to backstop the visiting Kelowna Rockets to a 1-0 triumph over the Vancouver Giants in Game 5 of the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Championship series on Saturday, April 25th.

Ryley Grantham scored the game’s only goal 18:22 into the opening period for the Rockets, who shut out the Giants for a second consecutive game. The victory gives the Rockets a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, and leaves them one victory away from advancing to the 2009 WHL Championship series.

Tyson Sexsmith made 22 saves in a losing cause for the Giants, who were scoreless on three power play chances in the contest.

The Rockets will host Game 6 of the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Championship series on Monday, April 27th.

Rockets lead best-of-seven series 3-2.

Game Summary

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

OHL Priority Selection Show

Press Release

Host Terry Doyle previews the 2009 OHL Priority Selection which takes place Saturday May 2, 2009.

Doyle is joined by the OHL's Director of Central Scouting and Player Development Rob Kitamura as they discuss some of the top minor midget aged players that will be selected in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. Many of these players from across Ontario and the United States competed at the 2009 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament.

Click here to watch the 2009 OHL Priority Selection Preview Show.

Last season, John McFarland of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens was drafted first overall by the Sudbury Wolves.

Be sure to catch the 2009 OHL Priority Selection Draft Show which takes place Saturday May 2, 2009, live at 9:00 am on www.ontariohockeyleague.com.

Click here to learn more about the 2009 OHL Priority Selection.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

OHL Finals Schedule

Press Release

BRAMPTON, Ont. – The Brampton Battalion will open the best-of-seven Ontario Hockey League Championship Series on the road against the Windsor Spitfires on Wednesday, April 29, it was announced Friday night.

The Battalion advanced to the OHL final for the first time when it eliminated the Belleville Bulls in six games in the Eastern Conference Championship Series.

Windsor, which has never faced the Battalion in the playoffs, defeated the London Knights in five games in the Western Conference Championship Series.

Following is the series schedule:

Wednesday, April 29, at Windsor 7:05 p.m.
Friday, May 1, at Brampton 7:30 p.m.
Monday, May 4, at Windsor 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, May 6, at Brampton 7 p.m.
*Friday, May 8, at Windsor 7:05 p.m.
*Saturday, May 9, at Brampton 7:30 p.m.
*Monday, May 11, at Windsor 7:05 p.m.

* if necessary

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Brampton meets Windsor

Press Release

The Belleville Bulls 2008-2009 season came to an end with a 7-4 loss to the Brampton Battalion Friday night in Brampton. The Bulls again held the lead heading into the third period but were unable to hold off the Battalion from winning their ever first Eastern Conference Championship.

It was the Battalion who got off to a quick start, opening the scoring less than four minutes into the first period when Jason Dale one-timed a quick shot from the slot past Mike Murphy. The Bulls did enjoy a glorious chance to tie the score midway through the period when they enjoyed a lengthy two man power play advantage but could not capitalize. Brampton increased their lead to 2-0 on the power play with just over five minutes remaining in the opening period when Matt Duchene fired a loose puck past Murphy after it had bounced to him at the top of the Bulls crease. Belleville did press to cut into the lead but Battalion goaltender Thomas McCollum was outstanding to keep the Bulls off the scoreboard. Shots on goal in the first period were 13-9 Belleville.

The Bulls came out hard to begin the second period and were able to cut the lead to 2-1 just over one minute into the middle frame when Brandon Mashinter was left alone at the side of the Battalion net to one-time a Cory Tanaka pass past McCollum. Luke Judson also assisted on Mashinter’s seventh goal of the playoffs. Belleville then tied the score on the power play nine and a half minutes into the period when Nick Palmieri took a breakaway pass from P.K. Subban and beat McCollum with a pretty deke. Murphy also assisted on Palmieri’s league leading 13th goal of the postseason. Palmieri then gave the Bulls the lead with less than six minutes remaining in the period when he backhanded a shot past McCollum from the front of the net. Nick Pageau assisted on Palmieri’s 14th goal of the playoffs and ninth in the past four games. Belleville pressed to increase their lead but were unable to beat McCollum. Murphy was very strong throughout the middle frame to help give the Bulls a 3-2 lead heading into final twenty minutes of play. Shots on goal in the second period were 11-9 Belleville.

Brampton was able to tie the score just two minutes into the third period on the power play when Duchene wired a hard shot past Murphy from the slot after the original Battalion opportunity had been blocked. Cody Hodgson then gave Brampton a 4-3 lead less than seven minutes into the third period when he one-timed a perfect no-look pass from Evgeny Grachev from the side of the net. Duchene completed his hat-trick just 37 seconds later when he skated off the boards and snapped a hard shot past Murphy to put Brampton ahead 5-3. The Bulls did not quit and were able to cut the lead back to 5-4 less than two minutes later when Mashinter backhanded a hard shot over the glove of McCollum from the slot. Judson and Shawn Lalonde assisted on Mashinter’s eighth goal of the playoffs and second of the game. Belleville pressed for the equalizing goal but were unable to beat McCollum. Murphy was also excellent to keep the score 5-4. Brampton rounded out the scoring with a pair of empty net goals from Grachev and Hodgson in the final 66 seconds of play to skate away with the 7-4 victory. Shots on goal in the third period were 14-6 Brampton and overall favoured the Battalion 32-30.

Murphy stopped 25 shots in a losing effort while McCollum made 26 stops in the victory for Brampton. The Bulls finished the game one for five on the power play while the Battalion converted twice in five opportunities with the man advantage. The three stars of the game were Duchene, Palmieri, and Dale. The Bulls will now prepare for the offseason beginning with the OHL Draft on Saturday, May 2nd. Be sure to continue checking bellevillebulls.com for all the latest news and information throughout the summer. The Belleville Bulls would like to thank their fans for all their wonderful support throughout another exciting season of OHL hockey.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Saint John names two coaches

Press Release

SAINT JOHN, Friday, April 24, 2009 - Saint John Sea Dogs Majority Owner and Chief Executive Officer Scott McCain announced today that the team has hired former NHL player and coach Gerard Gallant as the third Head Coach in franchise history. The Sea Dogs also announced today that former CIS Coach of the Year Mike Kelly has been named the team’s Associate Coach & Director of Hockey Operations.

"We’re absolutely thrilled to be adding Gerard and Mike to our organization," said McCain. "These were by far the two best candidates available, and we’re looking forward to having them lead our team to new heights of excellence in the coming years. With Gerard and Mike, Saint John now boasts a truly amazing coaching tandem, and we could not be more confident in their ability to take the Sea Dogs to the next level and have us contending for a league title in the near future."

Both Gallant and Kelly have signed three-year contracts with the Sea Dogs.

"This is a great day for our franchise," said Long. "We feel that the addition of Gerard and Mike to our staff gives Saint John the very best coaching unit in the Canadian Hockey League. Both coaches have highly-impressive credentials and each has a great history of providing strong leadership and tutelage throughout their esteemed careers. It’s definitely a real coup for our program to be bringing in not one, but two of the most well-respected coaches in the country, and we feel that this double hiring shows that our ownership group is wholly committed to providing a quality product for the wonderful hockey fans of south western New Brunswick."

Gallant, 45, most recently served as an Assistant Coach with the New York Islanders (NHL) during the 2007-08 season. Prior to his tenure in Long Island, the Summerside, PEI native spent seven years on the coaching staff of the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), serving as the team’s Head Coach from January 1, 2004 to November 13, 2007.

Kelly, 49, has coached at several levels throughout his 16-year career. Originally from Oakville, ON, Kelly most recently spent three years in the Vancouver Canucks organization (2005-2008) as an Assistant Coach with both the Canucks and the Manitoba Moose (AHL).

Finally, team President Wayne Long announced that longtime Head Scout, Norm Gosselin, has been promoted to Director of Player Personnel.

"Norm has done a fantastic job for us for four years now," said Long. "He has a great track record of effectively evaluating talent and we have tremendous faith in his ability to excel in this expanded role within our organization."

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Gosselin has been involved with the QMJHL for almost twenty years. Formerly the General Manager of the St. Jean/Sherbrooke/Lewiston franchise, Gosselin has also worked for the Val-d’Or Foreurs, Shawinigan Cataractes, and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. The Sea Dogs hired Gosselin as the team’s Head Scout in January of 2005.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Friday, April 24, 2009

Carson McMillan signs with Minnesota

Press Release

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild Acting General Manager Tom Lynn today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed right wing Carson McMillan to an entry-level contract.

McMillan, 20 (9/10/88), recorded career-highs with 31 goals, 41 assists, 72 points and 93 penalty minutes (PIM) in 68 games during his fourth season with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2008-09. The 6-foot-1, 206-pound native of Brandon, Manitoba added seven game-winning goals, five power play tallies and four shorthanded goals helping lead Calgary to a 59-9-3-1 regular season record. He has tallied eight points (2-6=8) in 12 playoff games this season. The Hitmen are undefeated in 12 playoff matches and will play either Kelowna or Vancouver in the WHL Championship series. The winner of the WHL Championship series will advance to the Memorial Cup.

McMillan was selected by Minnesota in the seventh round (200th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Campbell wasn't in Windsor

I have received confirmation it wasn't Jack Campbell at the game the other night.

I apologize for the misinformation.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Kelowna evens the series up

Press Release

ROCKETS BLANK GIANTS TO EVEN UP SERIES – Jamie Benn scored once and added an assist and Mark Guggenberger made 14 saves as the Kelowna Rockets beat the visiting Vancouver Giants 3-0 in Game 4 of the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Championship series on Thursday, April 23rd.

Ian Duval opened the scoring 7:15 into the second period for the Rockets, who held the Giants to just six shots on goal over the final two periods of the game, while Lucas Bloodoff also scored. With the win, the Rockets tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

Tyson Sexsmith made 31 saves for the Giants, who have been outshot in three of the four games in the series, so far.

The Giants will host Game 5 of the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Championship series on Saturday, April 25th.

Best-of-seven series tied 2-2.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Belleville extends the series

Press Release

Nick Palmieri scored his second goal of the game with just over one minute remaining in double overtime to give the Belleville Bulls a 3-2 victory over the Brampton Battalion Thursday night at the Yardmen Arena. Belleville now trails the Eastern Conference Championship series 3-2 with game six in Brampton on Friday night. Mike Murphy was spectacular in the win, stopping a career high 54 shots. The Bulls are now 3-0 in overtime in the 2009 playoffs.

The game got off to an ominous start for the Bulls, as they lost Captain Eric Tangradi to injury. Tangradi suffered a cut hand in the opening minute of play and did not return. Belleville was able to open the scoring just 51 seconds into the game when Palmieri banked a shot off Battalion goaltender Thomas McCollum from behind the net. Cory Tanaka and P.K. Subban assisted on Palmieri’s 11th goal of the postseason.. Brampton skated hard throughout the opening frame, forcing Murphy to make several great stops to hold the lead. Shots on goal in the first period were 15-5 in favour of the Battalion.

Brampton was able to tie the score just 53 seconds into the second period when Cody Hodgson finished a beautiful passing play with Matt Kang by sliding the puck into the empty corner of the Belleville net. The two sides traded chances during the period, as both Murphy and McCollum were solid when call upon. The Bulls were able to restore their one goal lead on the power play with six and a half minutes remaining in the middle frame when the puck bounced off Matt Tipoff and past McCollum following a Subban point shot. Subban and Brandon Mashinter assisted on Tipoff’s second goal of the playoffs. The Battalion were again able to tie the score with just ten seconds remaining in the second period when Evgeny Grachev snapped a hard shot past Murphy following a Hodgson faceoff victory. Shots on goal in the second period were 13-12 Brampton.

The two sides played a scoreless third period that saw the Battalion enjoy the majority of the quality scoring chances. Murphy continued his sensational play to force overtime. Brampton did appear to go ahead with just over seven minutes remaining in the third period when Hodgson fired a puck past Murphy but the goal was disallowed after the referees ruled that Kang had interfered with the Belleville goaltender. Shots on goal in the third period favoured the Battalion 9-5, as the game headed to overtime for the first time in the series.

The Bulls appeared to end the game early in the first overtime period when Mashinter snapped a wicked shot past McCollum but the goal was disallowed, as the referees ruled that there was incidental contact between the Brampton goaltender and Cory Tanaka. Murphy was excellent in the first overtime period, making several great saves to prevent the Battalion from ending the series. Brampton outshot the Bulls 11-5 in the period.

Belleville enjoyed a power play early in the second overtime period but were unable to capitalize. Both teams then settled into a very defensive style with very few quality scoring opportunities during the fifth period of play. Palmieri ended the game on the power play with just over one minute remaining in double overtime when he jammed a rebound from a Nick Pageau point shot between the pads of McCollum. Subban also earned his third assist of the night on Palmieri’s 12th goal of the postseason and seventh in the past three games. Palmieri is now tied for the OHL lead in playoff goals with Windsor Spitfires forward Dale Mitchell. Shots on goal in the second overtime were 10-8 Belleville but overall favoured the Battalion 56-37.

Murphy enjoyed his best game on the playoffs, making 54 saves to earn the victory while McCollum was also very strong, stopping 34 shots in a losing effort. Belleville finished the game two for nine on the power play while holding Brampton scoreless in four opportunities with the man advantage. The three stars of the game were Palmieri, Murphy, and Hodgson. Bulls forwards Cory Tanaka and Bryan Cameron played in their 58th career playoff game with Belleville in the win, setting a new franchise record. The previous record of 57 career playoff games with the Bulls had been held by Nathan Robinson, Randy Rowe, and Michael Jacobsen. The series will now shift to Brampton for game six on Friday night. If Belleville is able to force a seventh game, it will be played on Sunday night at the Yardmen Arena.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Ellis is defenseman of the year

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires is the Max Kaminsky Trophy winner as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman for the 2008-09 season.

Ellis, an 18-year-old from Freelton, Ontario, led all OHL defencemen in scoring in just his second OHL season with 22 goals and a league-high 67 assists for 89 points in 57 games. His 89 points ranked him seventh overall in league scoring. He finished the season with a plus-minus rating of plus-52 which was the second best total in the league. Ellis was selected by the Spitfires in the second round, 22nd overall at the 2007 OHL Priority Selection.

Ellis had 27 multi-point games and had a 15-game point scoring streak that began February 1 and stretched until March 8. He had a career-best five-point game with one goal and four assists October 30 as second star in a 7-4 win over the London Knights, leading to a Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week honour for the week ending November 2. He was also named the Kal Tire OHL Defenceman of the Month for October, February, and March. Ellis ranked first in three Western Conference Coaches Poll categories including Smartest Player, Hardest Shot, and Best Offensive Defenceman.

"As much as this is an individual award, we have great forwards and great goaltending that I couldn't have won this without them" said Ellis.

"It has been great to watch him develop" said Spitfires Head Coach Bob Boughner. "He has great natural skill, a hard shot, just a really complete player but he is also our shut-down defenceman and a great student and teammate off the ice as well."

This season Ellis competed for Team OHL at the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge in November before being selected to represent Canada at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa where he won a gold medal with Team Canada. Eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Ellis also competed at the 2009 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game for Team Orr this past January in Oshawa. He represented the Spitfires and the Western Conference on home-ice at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic in Windsor.

The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman as selected by OHL general managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for their own nominee. Players received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

Ellis received 67 points in the voting process ahead of runner-up P.K Subban of the Belleville Bulls with 57 points, and Cameron Gaunce of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors who finished third with 38 points.

Former winners of the award include Denis Potvin (Ottawa 1971-72 and 1972-73), Al MacInnis (Kitchener 1982-83), Chris Pronger (Peterborough 1992-93), Bryan Berard (Detroit 1994-95 and 1995-96), and Marc Staal (Sudbury 2006-07). Drew Doughty won the award last season as a member of the Guelph Storm. Ellis is just the second member of the Windsor Spitfires hockey club to win this award following Darryl Shannon who won the award in the 1987-88 season.

The award is named in recognition of Max Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston, and Montreal. After he retired from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catherine's Teepees in 1960.

Ellis will be presented with the award at the 2008-09 OHL Awards Ceremony taking place on Wednesday June 3, 2009, at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Thursday, April 23, 2009

ISS Top 30

Press Release

1 Tavares, John C 9/20/1990 L 6.00 200 London OHL
2 Duchene, Matt C 1/16/1991 L 5.11 196 Brampton OHL
3 Hedman, Victor LD 12/18/1990 L 6.06 220 Modo SweE
4 Svensson-Paajarvi, Magnus LW 4/12/1991 L 6.01 200 Timra SweE
5 Kane, Evander C 8/2/1991 L 6.01 180 Vancouver WHL
6 Schenn, Brayden C 8/22/1991 L 6.00 193 Brandon WHL
7 Cowen, Jared LD 1/25/1991 L 6.04.7 218 Spokane WHL
8 Kadri, Nazem C 10/6/1990 L 5.11.5 180 London OHL
9 Ekman-Larsson, Oliver LD 7/17/1991 L 6.02 176 Leksands SweAl
10 Kulikov, Dmitri LD 10/29/1990 L 6.00 190 Drummondville QMJHL
11 Josefson, Jacob C 3/2/1991 L 6.00 187 Djurgarden SweE
12 Leblanc, Louis C 1/26/1991 R 6.00 178 Omaha USHL
13 Schroeder, Jordan RW 9/29/1990 R 5.08.2 175 Minnesota WCHA
14 Ellis, Ryan RD 1/3/1991 R 5.09.2 183 Windsor OHL
15 Holland, Peter C 1/14/1991 L 6.01.5 188 Guelph OHL
16 Moore, John LD 11/19/1990 L 6.02 189 Chicago USHL
17 Ferraro, Landon RW 8/8/1991 R 5.11 169 Red Deer WHL
18 Shore, Drew C 1/29/1991 R 6.02 190 USA Under-18 NTDP
19 Glennie, Scott C 2/22/1991 R 6.01 180 Brandon WHL
20 Kassian, Zack RW 1/24/1991 R 6.02.5 212 Peterborough OHL
21 Leddy, Nick LD 3/20/1991 L 5.11 179 Eden Prairie MN-HS
22 Rundblad, David RD 10/8/1990 R 6.02 189 Skelleftea SweE
23 Palmieri, Kyle C 2/1/1991 R 5.10 191 USA Under-18 NTDP
24 Kreider, Chris LW 4/30/1991 L 6.02 201 Andover MA-HS
25 Caron, Jordan C 11/2/1990 L 6.02.5 200 Rimouski QMJHL
26 Werek, Ethan C 6/7/1991 L 6.00.5 191 Kingston OHL
27 Morin, Jeremy C 4/16/1991 R 6.00.5 189 USA Under-18 NTDP
28 Nattinen, Joonas C 1/3/1991 R 6.02 183 Espoo FinJrA
29 Orlov, Dimitri F 7/23/1991 L 6.00 197 Novokuznetsk KHL
30 Rajala, Toni LW 3/29/1991 L 5.09 163 Ilves FinJrA


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Drummondville in QMJHL Final

The Memorial Cup host will have a short vacation as Drummondville defeated Rimouski 7-2.

Press Release

Quebec 4-Shawinigan 5

Remparts goaltender: Charles Lavigne
Cataractes goaltender: Timo Pielmeier
Referee: Dominick Bédard
Attendance: 4125

Complete game summary

1st period

1. QUE - Mikael Tam (4) (Benjamin Breault, Dmitri Kugryshev) 05:20

2. QUE - David Gilbert (4) (Jean-Simon Allard, Kevin Marshall) 10:07

3. QUE - Guillaume Monast (3) (Kevin Marshall, Benjamin Breault) (pp) 15:38

Penalties: SHA - Charles-Olivier Roussel (01:36), SHA - Simon Lacroix (12:03), SHA - Philippe Paradis (15:06), SHA - Mathieu Bolduc (15:17)

2nd period

4. SHA - Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll (11) (Pierre-Alexandre Vandall, Nicholas Petersen) 03:53

5. SHA - Nicholas Petersen (7) (Pierre-Alexandre Vandall, Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll) (pp) 12:27

6. SHA - Maxime Legault (6) (Dave Labrecque, Simon Lacroix) 14:16

7. QUE - David Gilbert (5) (Jean-Simon Allard, Mikhail Stefanovich) 18:08

Penalties: SHA - Banc (04:36), QUE - Guillaume Monast (07:44), QUE - Guillaume Monast (10:55)

3rd period

8. SHA - Maxime Legault (7) (Philippe Paradis, Alex Grant) 02:43

9. SHA - Matthew Pistilli (8) (Charles-Olivier Roussel, Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll) (pp) 11:20

Penalties: SHA - Maxime Legault (08:13), QUE - Alexandre Néron (10:55)



Goaltenders

QUE Lavigne, Charles (L-9-7-0)
SHA Pielmeier, Timo | Girard, Gabriel (at 00:00 per 2) (W-1-0-0)

Shots per period

QUE 14 + 4 + 8 = 26
SHA 9 + 16 + 16 = 41

Powerplays

QUE 1 / 6
SHA 2 / 3

Spectators: 4125

Match stars:

SHA - Lalonde-McNicoll, Cédric
SHA - Legault, Maxime
SHA - Petersen, Nicholas
Stars chosen by: Le Nouvelliste - S.Turcotte


On-ice officials
Referee: Dominick Bédard
Linesman: Yannick Massé
Referee: Nicolas Dutil
Linesman: Serge Carpentier

Off-ice officials
Scorer: Martin Gélinas
Announcer: Jean Huard
Goal judge: Jacques Lamy
Statistician: Marc Gosselin
Assistant-Statistician: Roger Boucher



(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Calgary in the WHL Final

Press Release

The Calgary Hitmen will play for the Ed Chynoweth Cup in the 2009 WHL Championship series after completing a sweep of the Brandon Wheat Kings with a 6-4 victory in Game 4 of the Husky WHL Eastern Conference Championship series on Wednesday, April 22nd.

It’s the 12th consecutive victory for the Hitmen in the 2009 WHL Playoffs, tying a WHL record for most consecutive playoff wins. The Hitmen swept the Edmonton Oil Kings in the first round then swept the defending WHL Eastern Conference champion Lethbridge Hurricanes in the second round.

Keith Seabrook, Alex Plante, Bostjan Golicic and Tomas Karpov each tallied a goal and an assist in the Game 4 triumph for the Hitmen, who outshot the Wheat Kings 35-16 and scored the game’s first five goals, while Paul Postma and Brett Sonne also scored. Martin Jones made 12 saves to run his playoff record to 12-0.

Jay Fehr and Nathan Green each notched a goal and an assist while Andrew Clark and Jordan Hale also scored for the Wheat Kings, who see their 2008-09 campaign come to an end. Andrew Hayes and James Priestner combined for 29 saves in the loss.

The Hitmen will face either the Kelowna Rockets or the Vancouver Giants in the 2009 WHL Championship series.

Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4-0.

Game Summary



(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Windsor in the OHL Final

Press Release

(Windsor) Spitfires forward Eric Wellwood scored 10:14 into overtime, leading Windsor to a 4-3 win over the London Knights and a four games to one series win in the best of seven Rogers Western Conference Championship final. The Windsor Spitfires will await the winner of the Eastern Conference Championship series between the Belleville Bulls and Brampton Battalion. Brampton currently holds a three games to one series lead.

The Spitfires also announced that tickets for the OHL Championship series will go on sale starting this Saturday at 10 am. Tickets can be purchased at the Spitfire and Firkin box office of the WFCU Centre, by phone at (519) 254-5000 ext. 1 or online at www.windsorspitfires.com.

Game Recap:

The Windsor Spitfires are going to be playing in the OHL Championship Series for the first time in 20 years after Eric Wellwood scored in overtime to lift the Spitfires to a 4-3 win over the London Knights in Game 5 of the Rogers OHL Western Conference Championship on Wednesday.

The Spitfires won the series 4-1 to claim the Wayne Gretzky Trophy and advance to the Rogers OHL Championship Series against the winner of the Eastern Conference championship between the Brampton Battalion and Belleville Bulls.

John Tavares opened the scoring on a powerplay in the final minute of the first period and the Knights jumped to a two goal lead when Leigh Salters counted on a powerplay 24 seconds into the second period.

Taylor Hall and Lane MacDermid replied with goals 35 seconds apart later in the second period to tie the game.

Zac Rinaldo put the Knights ahead again late in the second period with his first goal of the playoffs but Harry Young tied the game midway through the third period to set up Wellwood’s game-winner 10:14 into overtime.

“The puck was right in the middle of the slot and I got lucky,” said Wellwood, who also scored the overtime winner in Game 3. “It came right to me and I put it in the back of the net.”

All five games in the series went into overtime.

“It’s amazing that every game went to overtime. There were leads lost, there were comebacks - I don’t know what else you’d want in a series. The London Knights are a heck of a hockey team. Obviously they are well coached and they were in every game. It could have went either way. We found a way to win.”

Andrew Engelage made 41 saves for the win and Trevor Cann was back in the London net after missing Game 4. Cann made 50 saves in the loss.

“It was two evenly matched teams and when you go to five overtimes, anyone can win,” said Knights’ coach Dale Hunter. “It’s a credit to both teams. They didn’t quit and we didn’t quit. We didn’t get the bounces. They played hard and I can’t say enough about them.”

The Battalion lead the Bulls 3-1 in the Eastern Conference final and can wrap up the series with a win in Belleville on Thursday.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

More the same in the AHL

You think the opportunity to play in the AHL after a player's junior season is over would be a privilege. For Chicago prospects Kyle Beach and Akim Aliu, they have decided to continue to do what they have done in juniors.

The two have been kicked off the Rockford IceHogs for the remainder of the playoff series against the Milwaukee Admirals.

News flash, noticeably absent from last night's game was Blackhawks prospects Akim Aliu and Kyle Beach. Apparently both received disciplinary actions from the IceHogs front office. There is a code of conduct that is expected of the players by both the IceHogs and the Blackhawks. The IceHogs sent Beach & Aliu home for the remainder of the Milwaukee series. It is unknown if they will be returning this post season, should the IceHogs move on in the playoffs."

Hopefully this is a lesson for them because the precedent has been set for them at the professional level. The Chicago organization isn't going to let them do what they have been in juniors. They have to realize they won't be able to put themselves above the team.

Don't they want to show the parent club what they can do at the next level? The least they have could have done was blend in with the team and do what the coaches ask. It would show Dave Tallon and company you are mature and if the coaches sit you out for the game (using it as example about any player coming from juniors), you swallow your ego and learn from the press box.

What's concerning for Aliu is he can be in the AHL next season. He has to show Chicago he can dig himself out of the hole this summer during their development and training camps. If he doesn't he can count himself in the OHL for his overage season.

Beach looks like he's on his way to be a bust if he continues this path. Sure he has the skills but I think his attitude will keep him out of a regular spot in the NHL. I want to hold off my judgement because he's still a teenager.

Next year will tell us a lot on his future as a pro. The first thing will be how he handles the selection process for the World Junior Team. It will start in July with the development camp, November with the ADT Challenge, and obviously December with the training camp and the selection of the team.

If he can get by without stirring the pot in some fashion I have hope for him. The other thing will be on the ice. He can't get himself into a situation which will cost him a few games.

That's My Take

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

CHL Goalie of the Week

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Tyson Sexsmith of the Vancouver Giants is the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending April 19. Sexsmith went 2-1-0-0 with a shutout win and a goals-against-average of 1.80 with a save percentage of .931. He is now a two-time winner of this award having won for the week ending November 9 earlier this season.

Sexsmith began his week Tuesday night in dramatic fashion backstopping the Vancouver Giants to a 1-0 shutout and overtime win over the Spokane Chiefs in the seventh and deciding game of the second round of WHL playoffs. Sexsmith made 42 saves and was named first star of the game. With the win, the Giants advanced to the Kal Tire Western Conference Championship Series against the Kelowna Rockets which began Saturday in Vancouver. The Rockets grabbed game one and Sexsmith made 24 saves in the 4-2 loss. Game two went Sunday night and stretched into overtime before the Giants scored at 19:25 of the extra frame to earn the 4-3 win over the Rockets. Sexsmith made 28 saves including five in the overtime period to tie the series at one game apiece.

Sexsmith, a 20-year-old from Priddis, Alberta, is in his fourth WHL season with the Giants. In 13 playoff games he has posted a goals-against-average of 1.65 and a save percentage of .932. He was selected in the third round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks.

Marco Cousineau of the Drummondville Voltigeurs was also considered this week for winning two games in the QMJHL semi-finals over the Rimouski Oceanic. Cousineau posted a goals-against-average of 2.00 and a save percentage of .917 and has a perfect playoff record of 7-0-0-0 as the Voltigeurs remain unbeaten in 12 games. Andrew Engelage of the Windsor Spitfires represents the OHL nominee this week. He went 2-0-1-0 making 96 saves in three games including a 5-4 overtime win Sunday afternoon where he made 27 saves live on Rogers Sportsnet.

Celebrating its 134th anniversary, ADT Security Services, Inc., a unit of Tyco Fire & Security, is the largest provider of electronic security services to more than six million commercial, federal and residential customers throughout North America. ADT's total security solutions include intrusion, fire protection, closed circuit television, access control, critical condition monitoring, electronic article surveillance, radio frequency identification (RFID) and integrated systems. ADT's web site addresses are www.adt.com or www.adt.ca.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

CHL Player of the Week

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Mikael Backlund of the Kelowna Rockets is the Boston Pizza CHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 19. Backlund had five points in two games including one goal and four assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Backlund and the Rockets opened the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Championship Series with a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday night. Backlund opened the scoring in the second period with a power play goal and set-up both the game-winner and insurance marker into the empty net to complete his three-point game as first star. In game two on Sunday, he was named second star of the game with two assists despite the 4-3 overtime loss to the Giants. The Rockets and Giants are now locked at 1-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Backlund, a 20-year-old from Vasteras, Sweden, has 13 points including six goals and seven assists in nine playoff games. Playing in his first WHL season, Backlund competed at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships and won a silver medal with Team Sweden before joining the Rockets on January 12. He was a first round selection, 24th overall by the Calgary Flames at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Ryan Ellis of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires scored two goals and five assists for seven points in three games. The defenceman scored two goals including the overtime winner plus an assist as first star leading the Spitfires to a game one 4-3 win over the London Knights on Wednesday night. Mike Hoffman scored three goals and two assists for five points leading the Drummondville Voltigeurs to two wins on the week. He scored two goals and one assist as first star in the 8-1 win over the Rimouski Oceanic in game one of their league semi-final series Friday night.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

QMJHL Round-Up

Press Release

Remparts goaltender: C. Lavigne / J. Roy
Cataractes goaltender: Timo Pielmeier
Referee: M Muylaert / P. St-Jacques
Attendance: 4125

Complete game summary

1st period

No goals

Penalties: SHA - Nicholas Petersen (02:02), QUE - Guillaume Monast (03:27), QUE - Kelsey Tessier (14:04), QUE - Kevin Marshall (15:56)

2nd period

1. SHA - Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll (8) (Pierre-Alexandre Vandall) 05:46

2. SHA - Philippe Paradis (5) (Dave Labrecque, Nicholas Petersen) (pp) 14:06

Penalties: QUE - Mikhail Stefanovich (01:26)(p.s.), QUE - Kevin Marshall (04:23), SHA - Nicholas Petersen (04:23), QUE - Mikael Tam (09:15), QUE - Jonathan Audy-Marchessault (12:34), SHA - Simon Lacroix (18:13)

3rd period

3. SHA - Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll (9) (Pierre-Alexandre Vandall, Alex Grant) 04:38

4. SHA - Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll (10) (no assist) (sh-en) 08:02

5. QUE - Benjamin Breault (4) (Dmitri Kugryshev, Sébastien Trudeau) (pp) 14:41

Penalties: SHA - Antoine Houde-Caron (06:54), SHA - Mathieu Bolduc (07:38), SHA - Maxime Legault (11:02), QUE - Frédérick Roy (11:44), SHA - Gabriel Lemieux (14:16), SHA - Alex Grant (16:09), SHA - Antoine Houde-Caron (19:46)

Goaltenders

QUE Lavigne, Charles (L-9-6-0) | Roy, Jonathan (at 04:38 per 3) | Roy, Jonathan (at 08:02 per 3)
SHA Pielmeier, Timo (W-10-2-0)

Shots per period

QUE 7 + 7 + 7 = 21
SHA 17 + 23 + 8 = 48

Powerplays

QUE 1 / 8
SHA 1 / 6

Spectators: 4125

Match stars:

SHA - Lalonde-McNicoll, Cédric
SHA - Vandall, Pierre-Alexandre
SHA - Bolduc, Mathieu

Penalty shot: Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll (SHA) has seen his shot stopped by the goaltender Charles Lavigne (QUE) at 01:26 in 2nd period.


On-ice officials
Referee: Marc Muylaert
Linesman: Serge Carpentier
Referee: Pascal St-Jacques
Linesman: Stéfan Capano

Drummondville 6 Rimouski 4

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

WHL Round-Up

Press Release

Ian Schultz scored 1:14 into overtime to lift the visiting Calgary Hitmen to a 4-3 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings in Game 3 of the Husky WHL Eastern Conference Championship series on Tuesday, April 21st.

Kris Foucault scored twice – his ninth and 10th goals of the playoffs – and added an assist while Brett Sonne added a goal and an assist for the Hitmen, who scored all four of their goals at even strength. Martin Jones made 24 saves to improve to 11-0 in the post-season. The win leaves the Hitmen up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series and needing one more win to move on to the 2009 WHL Championship series.

Colby Robak notched a goal and two assists, Matt Calvert tallied a goal and an assist and Aaron Lewadniuk also scored for the Wheat Kings, who led 2-0 late in the first period but surrendered three straight goals only to tie the game at 3-3 in the third period. Andrew Hayes made 28 saves in the loss.

The Wheat Kings host Game 4 of the best-of-seven series on Wednesday in Brandon, MB.

Calgary leads best-of-seven series 3-0.

GIANTS 3, ROCKETS 2

Lance Bouma’s seventh goal of the playoffs with just over a minute remaining in regulation broke a 2-2 tie to lift the visiting Vancouver Giants to a 3-2 victory over the Kelowna Rockets in Game 3 of the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Championship series on Tuesday.

Craig Cunningham – with a goal and an assist – and Garry Nunn also scored for the Giants, who killed off a lengthy two-man advantage early in the third period to preserve a 2-2 tie. Tyson Sexsmith turned aside 33 of 35 shots he faced to backstop the Giants to the victory.

Cody Almond and Jamie Benn scored for the Rockets, who went 1-for-6 with the man advantage in the contest while also outshooting the visitors 35-24. Mark Guggenberger made 21 saves in a losing cause.

The Rockets host Game 4 of the best-of-seven series on Wednesday in Kelowna, B.C.

Vancouver leads best-of-seven series 2-1.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

OHL Round-Up

Press Release

In Brampton, Scott Tanski scored a pair of third period goals that helped the Battalion to a 4-3 win over the Belleville Bulls in Game 4 of the Rogers Eastern Conference Championship Series on Tuesday. Brampton leads the series 3-1.
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OHL Classics

Nick Palmieri opened the scoring for the Bulls in the first period and Bryan Cameron pushed the visitor's lead to two with a powerplay marker early in the second.

Matt Duchene responded to put the Battalion on the board late in the second period and then Thomas Stajan and Tanski counted 1:25 apart early in the third to take the lead. Tanski iced the win with his third of the playoffs late in the third.

Palmieri scored again with Mike Murphy pulled for an extra attacker in the final minute of the game.

Thomas McCollum stopped 17 shots in the win and Murphy made 20 saves in the loss.

Game 5 is in Belleville on Thursday.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Draft Players of the week

Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) / International Scouting Services (ISS) 2009 Draft Prospect Performers of the Week presented by the Pipeline Show & Hockey Now ending Sunday, April 19, 2009.

Each week, International Scouting Services (ISS), Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW), Hockey Now, and The Pipeline Show recognize the Top Draft Eligible player from each of the WHL, OHL, QMJHL, & USHL leagues for the upcoming 2009 NHL Entry Draft based on their play over the course of the week. Players are nominated and the selected by graduates of the SMWW Hockey GM & Scouting with each of the winners receiving a gift acknowledging their selection.



ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE – OHL

Ontario Hockey League – Matt Duchene, Brampton Battalion

Matt Duchene takes this week’s award after scoring twice and adding a pair of assists in 3 games for the Battalion, who lead the Belleville Bulls in the OHL Eastern Conference Final 2 games to 1. Duchene, a Haliburton, ON native, has 9 goals and 18 points in 13 games in the 2009 playoffs. Duchene is a highly skilled offensive performer who is considered to be a lock first round pick in the upcoming draft.

Matt Duchene

Center

Born Jan 16 1991 -- Haliburton, ONT

Height 5.11 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots L


--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM

2007-08 Brampton Battalion OHL 64 30 20 50 22 5 1 1 2 10

2008-09 Brampton Battalion OHL 57 31 48 79 42

2008-09p Brampton Battalion OHL 13 9 9 18 10





WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE – WHL

Western Hockey League – Evander Kane, Vancouver Giants

Evander Kane is the WHL nominee this week after scoring a goal and adding an assist in Vancouver’s overtime victory against Kelowna on Sunday. Kane is continuing his strong regular season play in the playoffs with 5 goals and 13 points in 13 games thus far. Kane has made his case this season to be included amongst the premier prospects for the NHL draft and continued playoff success will only boost his credentials.

Evander Kane

Center

Born Aug 2 1991 -- Vancouver, BC

Height 5.11 -- Weight 160 -- Shoots L

--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM

2006-07 Vancouver Giants WHL 8 1 0 1 11 5 0 0 0 0

2007-08 Vancouver Giants WHL 65 24 17 41 66 10 1 2 3 8

2008-09 Vancouver Giants WHL 61 48 48 96 89

2008-09p Vancouver Giants WHL 13 5 8 13 37

QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE – QMJHL

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League – Mike Hoffman, Drummondville Voltigeurs

Mike Hoffman makes his first appearance as a playoff performer of the week after scoring 3 goals and adding 2 assists in 2 games for the Voltigeurs. Drummondville currently leads Rimouski 2 games to none in the QMJHL semi-finals and Hoffman is currently fourth in league playoff scoring with 16 goals and 25 points in 10 games.

Mike Hoffman

Left Wing

Born Nov 24 1989 -- Kitchener, ONT

Height 5.11 -- Weight 170 -- Shoots L

--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM

2006-07 Kitchener Rangers OHL 2 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 0

2007-08 Gatineau Olympiques QMJHL 19 5 7 12 16 -- -- -- -- --

2007-08 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 43 19 17 36 77 -- -- -- -- --

2008-09 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 62 52 42 94 86

2008-09p Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 10 16 9 25 20

UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE – USHL

United States Hockey League – Shane Berschbach, Indiana Ice

Shane Berschbach is this week’s winner in the USHL after scoring once and adding 3 assists in a series victory for Indiana over Cedar Rapids. Berschbach, a native of Clawson, MI is currently among the top ten scorers during the USHL playoffs with 5 points in as many games. Berschbach is a small winger who relies on his talent and ability with the puck to be an impact player.

Shane Berschbach

Forward

Born May 19 1991 -- Clawson, MI

Height 5.08 -- Weight 135

--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM

2008-09 Indiana Ice USHL 56 20 24 44 16


About International Scouting Services (ISS)

International Scouting Service’s (ISS) goal is to offer the highest quality scouting information to hockey clubs through the dynamic integration of hockey experts, scouting procedures and state-of-the-art technology. We know that this mission is not only achievable - it is well within our grasp.

ISS is an international enterprise, in the business of scouting, evaluating, analyzing and ranking young bantam, midget and junior aged hockey players wherever hockey is played. ISS uses an exciting combination of traditional scouting methods along with the most advanced technology to arrive at quality and efficient results on these players.

Among the number of ISS products are: Annual NHL Draft Guide, Annual OHL, WHL and QJMHL Draft Previews, Annual CHL Import Draft Preview, Monthly NHL Draft Report, Monthly Future Stars Report

For more information on International Scouting Services and other products and services that it provides please visit their website at www.isshockey.com.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)