The Coquitlam Apocalypse weren't looking to shake up their team this
offseason, just add a little talent. And they did that when they signed
unrestricted free agent Peter Bondra. But when their financial
situation got tight due to a couple of generous offers on restricted
free agents Michael Tessier and Matt Ellison, GM James Sykes decided he
needed to create a little breathing room with the salary cap.
Considering GM Sykes was disappointed with Ellison's development and the
rumours that he was being shopped around last season, the former Rookie
of the Year was the obvious choice to be traded. Ellison was shipped
off to the Flames for R.J. Umberger, an exciting young playmaker Sykes
has had his eye on for some time.
"I felt secure enough in our goal scorers that I didn't think it would
hurt to trade for a set-up man who's not going to get many goals
himself." GM Sykes told a news conference yesterday.
The Apocalypse also held a mini training camp this week where GM Sykes
was impressed by the progress of a number of players, including
Umberger. "R.J.'s stick handling and skating are even better than I
expected, he really worked hard over the off season."
He also mentioned the progress of Michael Tessier and prospect Warburton
Pike but saved most of his praise for young goaltender Devan Dubnyk.
"We were amazed to see how far this kid has come in such a short time.
His speed and puck control have improved so much that he could be in the
pro line-up tomorrow."
But he won't be. The GM and coaching staff believe he's better off
developing a little more in the minors. "He's going to be a stellar
goalie in this league," head coach Terry Crisp said. "We don't want to
rush him into action and we're confident in the goaltending duo we have
right now with Jo [Jocelyn Thibault] and Wade [Dubielewicz]."
As far as more trading before the new season begins, GM Sykes had this
to say: "There's a little more fat I'd like to trim, but we're not
looking at anything major."
The fat that he's refering to is widely believed to be veterans who will
see little playing time due to the signing of Bondra and the emergence
of younger players, namely:
25 Niklas Sundstrom RW L OK 67 74 72 65 92 69 71 72 68 78 62 75 78 75
13 Dan Hinote RW R OK 96 71 69 53 74 68 71 59 58 78 63 53 50 72
44 Alexei Zhitnik D L OK 72 71 64 83 99 68 77 72 67 63 31 75 70 71
28 Chris Nielsen LW R OK 78 76 81 55 59 90 80 70 70 75 64 50 58 76
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Third Time's a Charm
TFHL 15 was supposed to be the year of 3 championships in a row. It was
however another 3 that broke the Michigan team. The Achaeans did not let the
Michigan Pain embarrass them 3 years in a row. The undisputable team to beat
this year fell to a team that has fallin short of great expectations in
years past. The TFHL 15 season predictions discounted the Achaeans of TFHL
cup glory. So with young talent and little expectations they rose to the
ultimate glory; eliminating the burden of playoff failure.
The Michigan Pain offseason began alot sooner then most of players expected.
The sting of their first playoff loss since thear of the Hurricane does not
sit well with the players, fans and local sports meadia. The media and fans
are pointing fingers at Coach Wilson. Even though the top line was
unsuccessful in the first two games, averaging a plus/minus of -2, coach
Wilson stuck with his guns and limited Daze and Yashin's playing time. This
proved to be their fatal flaw.
GM Elliot had a few comments the past season, "It is a shame to have our
best regular season effort go to waste. Everything in the second round just
didn't go our way; it happens to the best of them from time to time.
Unfortunatly its back to business and I will need to make few tough changes.
As for the Achaeans, am I happy for them? You know not really because I now
see how it feels to know that we lost to the champs. With that said, I give
Butchart and the players all the credit in the world but I am still bitter
about the loss. However we will be back and in full force next season.
Redemption will be our word for the year.
however another 3 that broke the Michigan team. The Achaeans did not let the
Michigan Pain embarrass them 3 years in a row. The undisputable team to beat
this year fell to a team that has fallin short of great expectations in
years past. The TFHL 15 season predictions discounted the Achaeans of TFHL
cup glory. So with young talent and little expectations they rose to the
ultimate glory; eliminating the burden of playoff failure.
The Michigan Pain offseason began alot sooner then most of players expected.
The sting of their first playoff loss since thear of the Hurricane does not
sit well with the players, fans and local sports meadia. The media and fans
are pointing fingers at Coach Wilson. Even though the top line was
unsuccessful in the first two games, averaging a plus/minus of -2, coach
Wilson stuck with his guns and limited Daze and Yashin's playing time. This
proved to be their fatal flaw.
GM Elliot had a few comments the past season, "It is a shame to have our
best regular season effort go to waste. Everything in the second round just
didn't go our way; it happens to the best of them from time to time.
Unfortunatly its back to business and I will need to make few tough changes.
As for the Achaeans, am I happy for them? You know not really because I now
see how it feels to know that we lost to the champs. With that said, I give
Butchart and the players all the credit in the world but I am still bitter
about the loss. However we will be back and in full force next season.
Redemption will be our word for the year.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Wheat Kings - PR
WHEAT KINGS OFF-SEASON PERSPECTIVE
After their spectacular late season collapse and early playoff dismissal by the eventual champions, the Achaeans, the Wheat Kings have a had a lot of things to think about and a lot of time to do it. The two benefits of the season have been that, first, it gave the young team another year to develop, and second, in calamity the various strengths and weaknesses of the team came to the fore. However, Kings GM Tyler Young has pledged that this year he will minimize the trades: "We have a plan to get what we need through the off-season, and then in all likely hood our opening day roster will remain intact throughout the season. Our team is pretty much set now, and if I learned anything this season, it's that if you force a trade you will only be decimated by it."
FORWARDS
A disappointing 2.76 GF after being amoung the league leaders in scoring the previous season, the Wheat Kings will likely be looking to find some help here over the off-season. One lesson learned, perhaps a little too harshly, is that the offence of the Kings is bound and chained to Dimitri Kazionov - when he scores, they do, when he doesn't, they don't: in the first half of the season with the Kings hovering around .700 while Kaz was on track to a record-breaking 68 goal season, in the second half he failed to carry through and only broke the 45 goal mark thanks to a late season surge. The deadline addition of Eric Staal and the development of Masi Marjamaki, Steve Bernier, Eric Fehr, and Josh Hennesy should all help the Kings next year. Niklas Bergfors was the highlight of the season: the 18-year old rookie racked-up 51 points in 64 games, a pace which would have put him second in rookie scoring had he played the whole year, yet after such a season the still quite young
Bergfors may find himself playing next season in the minors.
Likely changes: look for the Kings to try and pick-up one forward. Pavel Bure was not overly impressive in his tenure in Saskatoon and will likely be allowed to depart; the Kings have about 25 million dollars in cap room, so they will likely use that money to pull in a replacement for Bure/Guerin/Tkachuk.
DEFENCE
The Kings defence was somewhat re-shaped for this season - Dan Sprang and Karol Rachunek came in for Kim Johnsson and Martin Skoula. Both of them were solid and improvements over the former two, the real problem came to be with the play of the team's #4 d-man. At the beginning of the season TFHL14 Alka-Seltzer Trophy winner, Slava Suchy, was considered a safe bet and a defensive stalwart, but over the course of the year it became apparent that he was inadequate to play in the team's top 4 and was indeed comprimising the unit as a whole. A desperate search began for a decent fourth d-man, Brian Leetch and then Brian Rafalski were brought in and both were horrible. Matt Jones continued his development, albeit at a slightly slower pace than was hoped, towards becoming a legitimate elite defenceman in this league and an eventual Norris contender. Sprang is an interesting wildcard: he has the talent to wrack-up both points and at the same time prevent them, but only rarely s
howed glimpses of realizing that talent. Rachunek was a revelation with the Kings, arguably their best defenceman this year, he provided one stabilizing element on the back, when it was often in chaos.
Likely changes: If the Kings do anything this off-season, they must acquire a capable defenceman to play in their top four.
GOALTENDING
The Kings had one of the best tandems in the first half, one of the worst in the second half, and the blame for this collapse seems to have fallen on Ilja Bryzgalov. Immediately after the season the talk around Saskatoon was that, being as Bryzgalov was the Kings goalie of the future, Weekes was likely on his way out and the Kings would sign or trade for a veteran goalie. After his playoff showing Weekes earned the respect of the Kings management, which meant that Bryzgalov, whom the Kings paid grossly to bring into the fold, was on his way out. The Wheaties found an oppotunity to bring back long time Wheat King, one-team team MVP, and former Vezina winner, Roberto Luongo in exchange for Bryzgalov, giving the Kings likely their best goaltending tandem ever.
Likely changes: none, now.
PROSPECTS
The Kings have long used their draft picks for trade leverage, which has had the unfortunate effect of preventing them from stocking the cupboard. Despite their trade-induced deprivation, the Kings have had success drafting with what little they have had - their two first rounders, Steve Bernier and Nik Bergfors, are both solid pros and key components of the team even at their young age - a point coupled with the relative youth of their pro roster that relieves the general lack of talent in the system. No player is capable of stepping up now: Byron Bitz needs another year; Drew Stafford, Leo Tjay, Greg Moore, Jamie Howard and Erka Lepannen are more longterm projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRADE POSSIBILITY
I don't really have a player to use my contract extension on, so if you have a player entering UFA I would be willing to give you some picks or something for him before you loose him. That way you get something instead of nothing.
AND...
Congratulation to Matthew, who has finally claimed the cup after years upon years of careful management and guidance. I should also thank him for winning, since it makes my first round loss to his eventual championship team bearable. The Achaeans were definately a sleeper this year, but a careful perusal of his roster and the little gems here and there shows the careful and quiet work which Matt has done in building his team into a Cup winner. So congrats again, and it looks like the top echelon of the Western Conference continues to get more crowded - sleeper no more.
After their spectacular late season collapse and early playoff dismissal by the eventual champions, the Achaeans, the Wheat Kings have a had a lot of things to think about and a lot of time to do it. The two benefits of the season have been that, first, it gave the young team another year to develop, and second, in calamity the various strengths and weaknesses of the team came to the fore. However, Kings GM Tyler Young has pledged that this year he will minimize the trades: "We have a plan to get what we need through the off-season, and then in all likely hood our opening day roster will remain intact throughout the season. Our team is pretty much set now, and if I learned anything this season, it's that if you force a trade you will only be decimated by it."
FORWARDS
A disappointing 2.76 GF after being amoung the league leaders in scoring the previous season, the Wheat Kings will likely be looking to find some help here over the off-season. One lesson learned, perhaps a little too harshly, is that the offence of the Kings is bound and chained to Dimitri Kazionov - when he scores, they do, when he doesn't, they don't: in the first half of the season with the Kings hovering around .700 while Kaz was on track to a record-breaking 68 goal season, in the second half he failed to carry through and only broke the 45 goal mark thanks to a late season surge. The deadline addition of Eric Staal and the development of Masi Marjamaki, Steve Bernier, Eric Fehr, and Josh Hennesy should all help the Kings next year. Niklas Bergfors was the highlight of the season: the 18-year old rookie racked-up 51 points in 64 games, a pace which would have put him second in rookie scoring had he played the whole year, yet after such a season the still quite young
Bergfors may find himself playing next season in the minors.
Likely changes: look for the Kings to try and pick-up one forward. Pavel Bure was not overly impressive in his tenure in Saskatoon and will likely be allowed to depart; the Kings have about 25 million dollars in cap room, so they will likely use that money to pull in a replacement for Bure/Guerin/Tkachuk.
DEFENCE
The Kings defence was somewhat re-shaped for this season - Dan Sprang and Karol Rachunek came in for Kim Johnsson and Martin Skoula. Both of them were solid and improvements over the former two, the real problem came to be with the play of the team's #4 d-man. At the beginning of the season TFHL14 Alka-Seltzer Trophy winner, Slava Suchy, was considered a safe bet and a defensive stalwart, but over the course of the year it became apparent that he was inadequate to play in the team's top 4 and was indeed comprimising the unit as a whole. A desperate search began for a decent fourth d-man, Brian Leetch and then Brian Rafalski were brought in and both were horrible. Matt Jones continued his development, albeit at a slightly slower pace than was hoped, towards becoming a legitimate elite defenceman in this league and an eventual Norris contender. Sprang is an interesting wildcard: he has the talent to wrack-up both points and at the same time prevent them, but only rarely s
howed glimpses of realizing that talent. Rachunek was a revelation with the Kings, arguably their best defenceman this year, he provided one stabilizing element on the back, when it was often in chaos.
Likely changes: If the Kings do anything this off-season, they must acquire a capable defenceman to play in their top four.
GOALTENDING
The Kings had one of the best tandems in the first half, one of the worst in the second half, and the blame for this collapse seems to have fallen on Ilja Bryzgalov. Immediately after the season the talk around Saskatoon was that, being as Bryzgalov was the Kings goalie of the future, Weekes was likely on his way out and the Kings would sign or trade for a veteran goalie. After his playoff showing Weekes earned the respect of the Kings management, which meant that Bryzgalov, whom the Kings paid grossly to bring into the fold, was on his way out. The Wheaties found an oppotunity to bring back long time Wheat King, one-team team MVP, and former Vezina winner, Roberto Luongo in exchange for Bryzgalov, giving the Kings likely their best goaltending tandem ever.
Likely changes: none, now.
PROSPECTS
The Kings have long used their draft picks for trade leverage, which has had the unfortunate effect of preventing them from stocking the cupboard. Despite their trade-induced deprivation, the Kings have had success drafting with what little they have had - their two first rounders, Steve Bernier and Nik Bergfors, are both solid pros and key components of the team even at their young age - a point coupled with the relative youth of their pro roster that relieves the general lack of talent in the system. No player is capable of stepping up now: Byron Bitz needs another year; Drew Stafford, Leo Tjay, Greg Moore, Jamie Howard and Erka Lepannen are more longterm projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRADE POSSIBILITY
I don't really have a player to use my contract extension on, so if you have a player entering UFA I would be willing to give you some picks or something for him before you loose him. That way you get something instead of nothing.
AND...
Congratulation to Matthew, who has finally claimed the cup after years upon years of careful management and guidance. I should also thank him for winning, since it makes my first round loss to his eventual championship team bearable. The Achaeans were definately a sleeper this year, but a careful perusal of his roster and the little gems here and there shows the careful and quiet work which Matt has done in building his team into a Cup winner. So congrats again, and it looks like the top echelon of the Western Conference continues to get more crowded - sleeper no more.
PR - Achaeans
Against seemingly impossible odds (with Cloutier in goal), and when no one seemed to give them a chance, the Ayton Achaeans won the TFHL cup.
This was the first cup win for GM Matthew Butchart - who had to this point only made the finals once before in TFHL as the Stormtroopers in
TFHL 8.
The Achaeans were seeded 5th overall in the West, and were always the road team throughout the playoffs. However, they never went past Game
6 in any of the series that they played in.
The Wheat Kings gave them their toughest challenge, taking 2 of the 6 games that they played against each other. The Wheat Kings will most
definitely be a good team this season, assuming that they keep their roster together.
After defeating the Kings, the Achaeans had the unenviable task of playing against the extremely talented Pain team. This seemed to many
as the end of their playoff run, since the Pain had knocked them off the past 2 seasons. However, the Pain were knocked out of the
playoffs for the first time, ending their series winning streak at 9 and denying them their "Ultimate Hat Trick".
The Flames were next opponent. The Flames had the Achaeans number all season, until now. It appeared that both teams were feeling the
effect of the playoff season, but the Flames seemed to suffer more, losing 2 key players during series (one to a suspension in the series
against the Ice). Due to this, the Flames were dispatched in 4 games, a result not fitting of a talented Flames team that surely was
disappointed with this result.
The Aces were the finalists of the Eastern Conference, and looked to be quite the force to be reckoned with. They had been getting terrific
goaltending from rookie sensation Barry Brust and Tim Brent had been playing fantastic leading into the series. Due to the length of the
playoffs, both teams were forced into using their backup goaltenders for fear of injury to either Cloutier (who finally won something for
someone) and Brust. In the battle of the backups, J.S. Aubin clearly won over Milan Hnlinka. This turned the tide in the series, and the
Achaeans were able to take the next 4 straight games in a series that appeared to be a battle of eventual attrition.
For the Achaeans, Elias played outstanding and should be considered for the Conn Smyth. He led the team in scoring, and was consistently
named as one of the three stars throughout the playoffs.
Sophomore LW and 2 time! Lady Byng winner Gregory Campbell also had a terrific post season, picking up where he left off during the regular
season. Big things are expected from this man for years to come.
Craig MacDonald, viewed as a mistake in Ayton as a preseason RFA pickup, played a very impressive post season. The Achaeans were
forced into giving up their 1st round pick this upcoming draft, but it appears that the gamble played off when it really counted.
Rookie Alexander Ovechkin, who will be a rookie next season, looks to be a future force as well, as he posted great numbers during the post
season.
The best surprise came from Clark Wilm in the final game of the season. He may have only played 5 minutes, but these were arguably the greatest 5 minutes in the history of hockey. He scored his first goal of the post season, short handed to put the Achaeans up 3-0 at
the time. After the Aces had tied the game up, Wilm scored his second goal of the game, on the power play in overtime. While he was -1, he scored these 2 goals on 3 shots, and had a hit to boot. All he needed was a regular strength goal for one of those rare cycle hat
tricks.
Ok, enough gloating about my team. I barely finished above .500 in the regular season, so now everyone will get a nice fuzzy feeling when they beat me this year. I'm looking forward to this season, and hopefully making the playoffs.
Matthew - I have no fancy pictures, since I lack the time and effort to find and doctor them like some have in the past.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Round 3 Predictions - by Tyler Young
Round 3 Predictions
Boy oh boy! man oh man! Well the Achaeans toppled the seemingly impenetrable citadel of Pain - no doubt it involved a wooden horse or something - and now the odyssey begins! With the Prez cupped 'Canes also taking an early trip to the links, the playoffs having suddenly become the most open I can remember since the old timey TFHL.
Spirit vs Aces
Two solid clubs which faced off in the first round of last year's playoffs. I picked the Aces back then to wallop the Spirit, and the Spirit ended-up taking it in five. Both of these teams have a good combination of youth and veterans - the Spirit's seventh game, overtime, series winning goal was potted by their fourth overall pick of a couple years ago, Dion Pheneuf, assisted by their other top 10 pick of that draft, Zach Parise; while the Aces are being capably powered by youngster Tim Brent. The Aces real trump card though is the potent Pavel Demitra. Despite winning, Barry Brust has been a liability, and the Aces have had an easier trip to the conference finals, while the Spirit have had to knock-off the top two teams in the conference to get there. Lalime is playing well and as long as the rest of the Spirit keep their Geist up, this should be theirs. Spirit in six.
Achaeans vs Flames
Well, imagine my pleasure at seeing the Achaeans knock-off the Pain - it's always a good thing when the team which beat you keeps the show going. That being said, the Achaeans will have a heck of a challenge in getting by the Flames: Jose Theodore, acquired mid-season from the Blades for a thank you card, is playing incredible and, besides Jose, the Flames are firing on all cylinders - with such going on they ought to be a safe bet to win it all. However, I'm going to take a flyer here and put my money on the Achaeans: they aren't exactly Achilles, indeed the Flames have a few sons of Pellas while the Achaeans are stuck with your average, run-of-the-mill type heroes, but sometimes you just have to cheer for the seeming underdog. Besides you don't knock-off the Pain with peanuts. Achaeans in seven.
Boy oh boy! man oh man! Well the Achaeans toppled the seemingly impenetrable citadel of Pain - no doubt it involved a wooden horse or something - and now the odyssey begins! With the Prez cupped 'Canes also taking an early trip to the links, the playoffs having suddenly become the most open I can remember since the old timey TFHL.
Spirit vs Aces
Two solid clubs which faced off in the first round of last year's playoffs. I picked the Aces back then to wallop the Spirit, and the Spirit ended-up taking it in five. Both of these teams have a good combination of youth and veterans - the Spirit's seventh game, overtime, series winning goal was potted by their fourth overall pick of a couple years ago, Dion Pheneuf, assisted by their other top 10 pick of that draft, Zach Parise; while the Aces are being capably powered by youngster Tim Brent. The Aces real trump card though is the potent Pavel Demitra. Despite winning, Barry Brust has been a liability, and the Aces have had an easier trip to the conference finals, while the Spirit have had to knock-off the top two teams in the conference to get there. Lalime is playing well and as long as the rest of the Spirit keep their Geist up, this should be theirs. Spirit in six.
Achaeans vs Flames
Well, imagine my pleasure at seeing the Achaeans knock-off the Pain - it's always a good thing when the team which beat you keeps the show going. That being said, the Achaeans will have a heck of a challenge in getting by the Flames: Jose Theodore, acquired mid-season from the Blades for a thank you card, is playing incredible and, besides Jose, the Flames are firing on all cylinders - with such going on they ought to be a safe bet to win it all. However, I'm going to take a flyer here and put my money on the Achaeans: they aren't exactly Achilles, indeed the Flames have a few sons of Pellas while the Achaeans are stuck with your average, run-of-the-mill type heroes, but sometimes you just have to cheer for the seeming underdog. Besides you don't knock-off the Pain with peanuts. Achaeans in seven.
Aces - PR
Aces Prepare for Conference Final
By: Phil Erup, Chepstow Times
By: Phil Erup, Chepstow Times
After stumbling into the playoffs following a lackluster second half of the season, many are surprised that the Aces are still around to contend for the Conference title. And to make things more interesting, the Aces will meet the arch rival Spirit who eliminated the Aces in round 1 of last year's playoffs.
Coming off a big game 7 win against the heavily favoured Hurricanes in round 2, the Aces are going to have to expect the Spirit to come out firing on all cylinders in game 1. The Aces have the luxury of having a rested team, but with that rest comes the onus of having to regain the momentum gained when they sent the Clubbers golfing in 5 games.
The Spirit have made it this far with the stellar play of netminder Patrick Lalime, while the Aces have managed to win in spite of the below average performance of their rookie goaltender, Barry Brust. Can the Aces win? It will all depend on what happens between the pipes. If Barry Brust can get back to his heroic regular season form, and if the Aces' snipers can find a way to solve Lalime, then yes. If not, the Aces are screwed I'm afraid.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
On another note, one thing is for sure in the TFHL this season, and that is that with the Pain and Hurricanes defeated, Season 15 will crown a first time cup winner. Giddy Up!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
PR - Round 2 Predictions, by Tyler Young
Round 2 Predictions
Considering I at least got the right team in more than half of the round 1 series, I guess I ought to continue this daunting challenge with a look at yeat another round of playoffs (which are all rather time consuming, shouldn't we just give the cup to the Pain and get on with the off-season? ;))
Spirit vs Hurricanes
The two old time GMs will now go at it with the Prez Cup Canes taking on another late season surger. This should be a very good series, a lot of talent, a lot of cheap shots, but not a lot of excitement - like watching any NHL Eastern conference series. The Spirit, piloted by the respectable Patrick Lalime will likely take this series unless the Canes' power hitters run rampant. Spirit in seven.
Clubbers vs Aces
Both of these teams fooled me in the first round, winning against younger clubs. I liked the Aces once upon a time until they were decimated by the Spirit in the first round of last year, but their last round kind-of brought me back into the fold. The Clubbers are a good, sold, all-around club, lead by a king, but the Aces have five Jacks and an Ace up their sleeve. Aces in six.
Achaeans vs Pain
Well, having suffered the wrath of the Achaeans I ough to hope they will spread a little more pain and k.o. the two-time defending champ... not likely though, Pain in six.
Ice vs Flames
Fire and ice, hot and cold, opposites perhaps, but they are both rather dry - the masters of ho-hum, the Ice, take on the errant erratics, Flames. The problem here is if I say the Ice will win in seven, the Flames will walk over the Ice in four; if I say the Flames will walk over the Ice in four, the Ice will triumph over the Flames in seven - so who do I like more? hehe, perhaps I should entertain bribes... Flames in four.
Considering I at least got the right team in more than half of the round 1 series, I guess I ought to continue this daunting challenge with a look at yeat another round of playoffs (which are all rather time consuming, shouldn't we just give the cup to the Pain and get on with the off-season? ;))
Spirit vs Hurricanes
The two old time GMs will now go at it with the Prez Cup Canes taking on another late season surger. This should be a very good series, a lot of talent, a lot of cheap shots, but not a lot of excitement - like watching any NHL Eastern conference series. The Spirit, piloted by the respectable Patrick Lalime will likely take this series unless the Canes' power hitters run rampant. Spirit in seven.
Clubbers vs Aces
Both of these teams fooled me in the first round, winning against younger clubs. I liked the Aces once upon a time until they were decimated by the Spirit in the first round of last year, but their last round kind-of brought me back into the fold. The Clubbers are a good, sold, all-around club, lead by a king, but the Aces have five Jacks and an Ace up their sleeve. Aces in six.
Achaeans vs Pain
Well, having suffered the wrath of the Achaeans I ough to hope they will spread a little more pain and k.o. the two-time defending champ... not likely though, Pain in six.
Ice vs Flames
Fire and ice, hot and cold, opposites perhaps, but they are both rather dry - the masters of ho-hum, the Ice, take on the errant erratics, Flames. The problem here is if I say the Ice will win in seven, the Flames will walk over the Ice in four; if I say the Flames will walk over the Ice in four, the Ice will triumph over the Flames in seven - so who do I like more? hehe, perhaps I should entertain bribes... Flames in four.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
PR - Wheat Kings
Wheat Kings Season Review (Sept 1)
The Wheat Kings season can best be summed-up in one word: cursed. Despite making the playoffs, finishing fourth in their conference, fifth in the league, nothing went well for the Kings this year: standing on top of the league at the mid-point the Kings played below .500 hockey for the last part of the season and lost a lot of ground, over half their roster finished on the negative side of +/-, their goaltending tandem of Kevin Weekes and Ilja Bryzgalov collapsed in the most epic fashion and have left a most troubling question as to the competive future of the Kings, but perhaps most hurtful of all has been their bad fortune in trades - time and again the Kings would send-off a player playing well below his ability only to see that below suddenly come alive with his new time and perform beyond all possible expectations: Scott Hartnell, Martin Cibak, Andre Kostitsyn. This only compounded the pain being felt by the Kings as their own players were almost all to the man playin
g below their ability, the only player that in any way surpassed expectations was eighteen year-old Niklas Bergfors. Bergfors, the Kings first round selection (12th overall) in the last draft, was not expected to make pro, but because of his solid play ended-up playing sixty-four games and earning fifty-one points, at which ppg over the course of the full season he would have been at the top of the rookie-scorers and a very worthy Calder candidate.
Other than Bergfors though this season was a terrible disappointment to the Wheat Kings and GM Tyler Young recently went on record stating that he will try to make some significant changes over the course of the off-season. Free agency would be the most immediate option and with only about twelve million dollars tied-up for next year the Kings could definately throw their weight around there; GM Young also stated that trades are also possible with no King being untouchable, although core-players such as Dimitri Kazionov, Stever Bernier, Nik Bergfors, and Matt Jones would likely be somewhat more difficult to attain.
"We'll have to see what happens in the playoffs," Mr. Young said, "but after our last forty games I'm not expecting much. So yeah, expect a major overhaul: we will need to work on all our positions, defence - maybe deal one or two of our guys and bring in some other guys - forwards need some work, I'll see if I can do anything as far as trades, but we will need to add at least one more player - and goal, we need to pick-up a veteran, talented goalie so we have someone we can rely on."
The Wheat Kings season can best be summed-up in one word: cursed. Despite making the playoffs, finishing fourth in their conference, fifth in the league, nothing went well for the Kings this year: standing on top of the league at the mid-point the Kings played below .500 hockey for the last part of the season and lost a lot of ground, over half their roster finished on the negative side of +/-, their goaltending tandem of Kevin Weekes and Ilja Bryzgalov collapsed in the most epic fashion and have left a most troubling question as to the competive future of the Kings, but perhaps most hurtful of all has been their bad fortune in trades - time and again the Kings would send-off a player playing well below his ability only to see that below suddenly come alive with his new time and perform beyond all possible expectations: Scott Hartnell, Martin Cibak, Andre Kostitsyn. This only compounded the pain being felt by the Kings as their own players were almost all to the man playin
g below their ability, the only player that in any way surpassed expectations was eighteen year-old Niklas Bergfors. Bergfors, the Kings first round selection (12th overall) in the last draft, was not expected to make pro, but because of his solid play ended-up playing sixty-four games and earning fifty-one points, at which ppg over the course of the full season he would have been at the top of the rookie-scorers and a very worthy Calder candidate.
Other than Bergfors though this season was a terrible disappointment to the Wheat Kings and GM Tyler Young recently went on record stating that he will try to make some significant changes over the course of the off-season. Free agency would be the most immediate option and with only about twelve million dollars tied-up for next year the Kings could definately throw their weight around there; GM Young also stated that trades are also possible with no King being untouchable, although core-players such as Dimitri Kazionov, Stever Bernier, Nik Bergfors, and Matt Jones would likely be somewhat more difficult to attain.
"We'll have to see what happens in the playoffs," Mr. Young said, "but after our last forty games I'm not expecting much. So yeah, expect a major overhaul: we will need to work on all our positions, defence - maybe deal one or two of our guys and bring in some other guys - forwards need some work, I'll see if I can do anything as far as trades, but we will need to add at least one more player - and goal, we need to pick-up a veteran, talented goalie so we have someone we can rely on."
TFHL15: Play-Off Preview - By Tyler Young
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Rednex vs. Hurricanes
The biggest question of course is the sustainability of the 'Canes. Like the Wheat Kings last year the Hurricanes this year benefited from an incomprehensible rocket ride to the President's Trophy and like the Kings they may not have the muscle to hold their ground. On paper there is not a lot of difference between the two teams and this series could be a tight one, however the Canes do have the advantage of a long history of making it through at least the first round and have the grit to make it through this series, so expect them to at least limp through to the next round. Canes in six.
Spirit vs. Owls
The Owls are a worthy team, composed of a fair degree of skill and depth, which is enough to get you second in the East. The Spirit, like the Rednex, were Eastern surprise bottom dwellers at the mid-point and managed to climb into the playoffs over the course of the second half. Early season predictions had the Spirit among the cream of the conference and their team is still the same unit as then, so Owls beware! The second half is the real indicator of the spirit of, well, umm, the Spirit. Spirit in five.
Bobcats vs. Aces
GM Glenn Merkir did some interesting maneouvres over the course of the season, attempting to position his team among at the top of the East. His roster is definately solid now, but the question which needs to be answered is whether this squad has enough time to develop into a team? The Aces sort of stumbled in the second half of the season after a solid first half. The team is overall quite decent, but doesn't really have the 'it' needed to take it to the next level and Barry Brust may need some time before he can sing baritone and take this team into the deep play-ifs. Cats in seven.
Clubbers vs Saints
The Saints are looking good, especially after a series of well-healed moves and fortunate developements. They have a young squadron and (finally) a more-than-less reliable goalie in Roberto Luongo. Luongo, however, has a history of playoffs flops, while on the other hand the Saints have a long history of playoff upsets. The Clubbers are a solid club lead by superstar Jarome Iginla, but are somewhat questionable in goal. This series will be an interesting competition between two very well built clubs - the Saints are young and looking to prove themselves, the Clubbers are a team in their prime and looking to cash-in on their current state, going to be fun to watch! Saints in seven.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Renegades vs Pain
The Renegades played a solid season of hockey and were one of the surprises of the year, no doubt earning respect around the league. Tommy Salo, once much maligned, finally had the type of season which more than one GM has hoped and expected to get from him, pulling the Renegades into the playoffs. That being said, it would be easy enough in this situation to say that they have done themselves well and should just pack-up and go home, but they will no doubt stick around and hope for a few lucky bounces: they face-off against the TFHL powerhouse Pain, a team built for playoff supremacy and with fourth-liners twenty-three GMs in this league should envy. Pain in five.
Blackhawks vs Flames
The Flame recouped from an aweful season last year and finally did well for themselves, rising to second by playing consistent six hundred hockey while the Kings and Ice fell with late season slumps. That being said, it may not have been much of a reward in the end, for their consistency they draw perenial playoff pests the Hawks, a team which could well snuff the Flames. On paper this series will be a battle of goalies, Khabibulan and Theodore, but in reality this series will be a fight between the heart of the scrappy Hawks and the skill of the languid Flames. Hawks in seven.
Raiders vs Ice
Well the Ice certainly surprised us this season, dealing away their secret to playoff success, Martin Biron, plus their prime sniper Simon Gagne to the Bobcats in return for some interesting variables, none of which though can currently fill those two players sizable gaps - a fact demonstrated by the last twenty or so games of the season. The Raiders on the other hand played a solid season, carried by the impressive Evgeny Nabokov. However, Nabo is already tired from a long season (refreshed he could take the Ice), but as he is and given the long history of the Ice managing to win despite the odds, this series should be carried by the Ice. Ice in six.
Achaeans vs Wheat Kings
The Kings had a tragic season worthy of Homer, while the Achaeans are in transition with some solid youth in position to take over from the veterans. This series is going to be all about perplexity: both of these teams are legitimate contenders, but also legitimate losers - it all depends on what team shows up, especially in the case of the Kings. If you want to get the true jist of this series just look in net: the Achaeans have Dan Cloutier, never overly capable, but back in the Achaean's day he was by no means an impediment to the power of the Achaean onslaught; at the mid-point of this season the Wheatie's tandem of Kevin Weekes and Ilja Bryzgalov were atop the league in every significant statistic, nary a puck squeezed its way past them, but then in the last forty games both Weekes and Bryzgalov were as easy as bribing a Liberal, and the Kings had no chance of victory with the two of them in net. Hence this series is a mystery and who really knows what will happen, b
ut the Achaeans are the more reliable pick. Achaeans in six.
Rednex vs. Hurricanes
The biggest question of course is the sustainability of the 'Canes. Like the Wheat Kings last year the Hurricanes this year benefited from an incomprehensible rocket ride to the President's Trophy and like the Kings they may not have the muscle to hold their ground. On paper there is not a lot of difference between the two teams and this series could be a tight one, however the Canes do have the advantage of a long history of making it through at least the first round and have the grit to make it through this series, so expect them to at least limp through to the next round. Canes in six.
Spirit vs. Owls
The Owls are a worthy team, composed of a fair degree of skill and depth, which is enough to get you second in the East. The Spirit, like the Rednex, were Eastern surprise bottom dwellers at the mid-point and managed to climb into the playoffs over the course of the second half. Early season predictions had the Spirit among the cream of the conference and their team is still the same unit as then, so Owls beware! The second half is the real indicator of the spirit of, well, umm, the Spirit. Spirit in five.
Bobcats vs. Aces
GM Glenn Merkir did some interesting maneouvres over the course of the season, attempting to position his team among at the top of the East. His roster is definately solid now, but the question which needs to be answered is whether this squad has enough time to develop into a team? The Aces sort of stumbled in the second half of the season after a solid first half. The team is overall quite decent, but doesn't really have the 'it' needed to take it to the next level and Barry Brust may need some time before he can sing baritone and take this team into the deep play-ifs. Cats in seven.
Clubbers vs Saints
The Saints are looking good, especially after a series of well-healed moves and fortunate developements. They have a young squadron and (finally) a more-than-less reliable goalie in Roberto Luongo. Luongo, however, has a history of playoffs flops, while on the other hand the Saints have a long history of playoff upsets. The Clubbers are a solid club lead by superstar Jarome Iginla, but are somewhat questionable in goal. This series will be an interesting competition between two very well built clubs - the Saints are young and looking to prove themselves, the Clubbers are a team in their prime and looking to cash-in on their current state, going to be fun to watch! Saints in seven.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Renegades vs Pain
The Renegades played a solid season of hockey and were one of the surprises of the year, no doubt earning respect around the league. Tommy Salo, once much maligned, finally had the type of season which more than one GM has hoped and expected to get from him, pulling the Renegades into the playoffs. That being said, it would be easy enough in this situation to say that they have done themselves well and should just pack-up and go home, but they will no doubt stick around and hope for a few lucky bounces: they face-off against the TFHL powerhouse Pain, a team built for playoff supremacy and with fourth-liners twenty-three GMs in this league should envy. Pain in five.
Blackhawks vs Flames
The Flame recouped from an aweful season last year and finally did well for themselves, rising to second by playing consistent six hundred hockey while the Kings and Ice fell with late season slumps. That being said, it may not have been much of a reward in the end, for their consistency they draw perenial playoff pests the Hawks, a team which could well snuff the Flames. On paper this series will be a battle of goalies, Khabibulan and Theodore, but in reality this series will be a fight between the heart of the scrappy Hawks and the skill of the languid Flames. Hawks in seven.
Raiders vs Ice
Well the Ice certainly surprised us this season, dealing away their secret to playoff success, Martin Biron, plus their prime sniper Simon Gagne to the Bobcats in return for some interesting variables, none of which though can currently fill those two players sizable gaps - a fact demonstrated by the last twenty or so games of the season. The Raiders on the other hand played a solid season, carried by the impressive Evgeny Nabokov. However, Nabo is already tired from a long season (refreshed he could take the Ice), but as he is and given the long history of the Ice managing to win despite the odds, this series should be carried by the Ice. Ice in six.
Achaeans vs Wheat Kings
The Kings had a tragic season worthy of Homer, while the Achaeans are in transition with some solid youth in position to take over from the veterans. This series is going to be all about perplexity: both of these teams are legitimate contenders, but also legitimate losers - it all depends on what team shows up, especially in the case of the Kings. If you want to get the true jist of this series just look in net: the Achaeans have Dan Cloutier, never overly capable, but back in the Achaean's day he was by no means an impediment to the power of the Achaean onslaught; at the mid-point of this season the Wheatie's tandem of Kevin Weekes and Ilja Bryzgalov were atop the league in every significant statistic, nary a puck squeezed its way past them, but then in the last forty games both Weekes and Bryzgalov were as easy as bribing a Liberal, and the Kings had no chance of victory with the two of them in net. Hence this series is a mystery and who really knows what will happen, b
ut the Achaeans are the more reliable pick. Achaeans in six.
PR - Bobcats
CP - After the Bobcats first year disappointment of not making the playoffs, the team strived forward in the next years offseason bolstering the teams depth with some key acquisitions. After a TFHL15 season that saw a dominant team away from the friendly confines of "The Cage" and a disappointing performance at home, the Bobcats go into there first playoffs under the management of Glenn Merkir the under dog which may prove to be a blessing in disguise. The Bobcats first round match up are the powerful Aces lead by the solid goaltending of Barry Brust and solid players like Demitra, Roenick and Pallfy the Aces not only have a solid team all around but the experience needed in the playoffs. When GM Glenn Merkir was asked what he thought his team needed to do in order to move onto the next round of the playoffs he replied "Bottom line is we need all lines firing on all cylinders and solid goaltending the Bobcats have come accustomed to from Marty Biron. Its the teams chemistry that got us here and its up to those guys in the dressing room to win this as a team!!!". Big words coming from a rookie GM that seems to have all the confidence in the world in his coach, his players his TEAM!!
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
PR - Pain
Michigan Looking for the Ultimate Hatrick
The Pain enter this years playoffs in hopes of an unprecedented third championship in as many years. The team has never finished the regular season on top of the Western Conference. This must be of most horrofic concern for any unlucky team to face the Offensive Terror of the Michigan Pain. Never before have they been so powerful. With the aquistions of Roman and Guerin, the Pain have added depth and security heading into the playoffs. Although the Pain are feared by all who enter their house, the Pain are not unbeatable. Michigan lost first line D-man Nolan Yonkman for the entire playoffs. The depth on D comes in very handy but it will still be
hard to replace Nolan. Another concern for the Pain was the lack luster of effort after the all-star game. The team slumped out of first only to regain its composure for the final stretch. Although the players shy away from stating they lost the President's trophy race on their own accord, they must feel as though it is their own fault. The Pain only needed to cruise through the final stretch but they let teams like the Ice and Hurricanes back into the race. However the playoffs is where the Pain shine. They have proven that the playoffs is a whole new season; they start their quest for the grail tonight.
PAIN vs. RENEGADES
The Renegades have been quite the hang nail to the Michigan Pain in the regular season. The Renegades seem to match up against the previous champions very well. They are not full of superstars but they play as a team which can produce great chemistry. The Pain will be gunz a blazin in hopes to smuther the Gades quickly.
Michigan Press
The Pain enter this years playoffs in hopes of an unprecedented third championship in as many years. The team has never finished the regular season on top of the Western Conference. This must be of most horrofic concern for any unlucky team to face the Offensive Terror of the Michigan Pain. Never before have they been so powerful. With the aquistions of Roman and Guerin, the Pain have added depth and security heading into the playoffs. Although the Pain are feared by all who enter their house, the Pain are not unbeatable. Michigan lost first line D-man Nolan Yonkman for the entire playoffs. The depth on D comes in very handy but it will still be
hard to replace Nolan. Another concern for the Pain was the lack luster of effort after the all-star game. The team slumped out of first only to regain its composure for the final stretch. Although the players shy away from stating they lost the President's trophy race on their own accord, they must feel as though it is their own fault. The Pain only needed to cruise through the final stretch but they let teams like the Ice and Hurricanes back into the race. However the playoffs is where the Pain shine. They have proven that the playoffs is a whole new season; they start their quest for the grail tonight.
PAIN vs. RENEGADES
The Renegades have been quite the hang nail to the Michigan Pain in the regular season. The Renegades seem to match up against the previous champions very well. They are not full of superstars but they play as a team which can produce great chemistry. The Pain will be gunz a blazin in hopes to smuther the Gades quickly.
Michigan Press
PR - Blackhawks
Blackhawks Ready for Battle!
Well its that time of year again...Playoffs!! The Blackhawks have suprised yet again and have staked their place in the post season against another formidable foe... in fact its against their bitter division rivals...the Flames.
The two teams split their season series 3-3 with the Flames narrowly outscoring the Hawks 13-12. It would appear that it will once again come down to goaltending and the major question remains: "can Khabbibulin return to his playoff form of 3 seasons ago when he led the 8th seeded Hawks to the cup finals?".
Lets not forget to mention the abundance of talent on this Flames roster which greatly over powers the Hawks. The Blackhawks will have to rely on their gritty play to shut down the snipers on the loose in Atlanta. Not only that but the Hawks traded away two of their top playoff performers at the deadline. Lindros and Fedorov's numbers will greatly be missed for as long as the Hawks can survive in the post season. All these questions remain to be unanswered as this tale of David vs. Goliath begins to unfold.
The strong play of newly acquired centreman Jason Williams has been a welcomed suprise in Chicago and it will be needed ten-fold during the playoffs. Blackhawk coach Brian Sutter says the work ethic of this team is second to none and it will be the deciding factor in whether or not they advance. "No one can question why we are in the playoffs again....Yet again they told us we wouldn't be here but here we are. We have to come out every night and prove again and again why we are here. We aren't going to lay down and let them take this easily. If they want to move on, they're going to have to want it more than us and I'm telling you that isn't going to be an easy task."
Its shaping up to be an exciting series and as we all know, anything can happen in the TFHL playoffs. The action begins tomorrow in Atlanta. GO HAWKS GO!!!
The Blackhawk Reporter --- August 30th, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
PR - Spirit
Guelph Spirit rev up for Playoffs
Another regular season is in the books and the Guelph Spirit are counting their lucky stars to be in the playoffs. The first two-thirds of the season were terrible for the Spirit. After 62 games they had only 48 points and were playing .387 hockey. Their starting goalie, Patrick Lalime, had been traded to the Saints for Martin Brodeur, and then re-acquired for Brodeur later in the season. They had suffered through stretches of no wins for 10 games and another of one win in 9 games.
But then something happened. No one's quite sure what, but it was big. "If I knew what I did," says GM Warren Goodlet, "I'd bottle it and make millions. Instead I run a fantasy hockey team. I think that says something."
What happened was, the Spirit turned their entire season around. They beat the Renegades, then the Sioux, then reeled of six more consecutive wins. They acquired David Turon on defence and cashed in some younger chips for UFA-to-be Eric Lindros. His arrival sparked another five game winning streak, and then a five game undefeated streak to lead the Spirit to seventh place. Over the last 26 games, the Spirit are 19-6-1, good for a .750 winning percentage. They have scored the fifth most amount of goals in the league (fourth best among teams in the playoffs).
The Spirit will open the playoffs on the road against the Owls. The Spirit won the season series 4-2 against the Owls, outscoring them 23-20. No one should be taking the Spirit lightly, but it's still possible the team from the first half will show up.
"We've been a weird team all year," stated winger Marian Hossa, one of three 40-goal scorers on the team. "Consistently inconsistent. The last three weeks have been great though. It's been really fun coming to the rink. And I must admit, even though I thought Lindros was a total jackass pansy who I'd never want to play with, he's been good for us. He hasn't been afraid to drop the gloves and he's pumped in a ton of points (17 points in 15 games)."
"We're ready for the war of the playoffs," assured gap-toothed defenceman Dion Phaneuf, proud winner of this year's Dave Schultz trophy for most PIM. "No one's coming around our net without paying the price."
An exciting first round matchup is up next - ain't playoff hockey great?
Another regular season is in the books and the Guelph Spirit are counting their lucky stars to be in the playoffs. The first two-thirds of the season were terrible for the Spirit. After 62 games they had only 48 points and were playing .387 hockey. Their starting goalie, Patrick Lalime, had been traded to the Saints for Martin Brodeur, and then re-acquired for Brodeur later in the season. They had suffered through stretches of no wins for 10 games and another of one win in 9 games.
But then something happened. No one's quite sure what, but it was big. "If I knew what I did," says GM Warren Goodlet, "I'd bottle it and make millions. Instead I run a fantasy hockey team. I think that says something."
What happened was, the Spirit turned their entire season around. They beat the Renegades, then the Sioux, then reeled of six more consecutive wins. They acquired David Turon on defence and cashed in some younger chips for UFA-to-be Eric Lindros. His arrival sparked another five game winning streak, and then a five game undefeated streak to lead the Spirit to seventh place. Over the last 26 games, the Spirit are 19-6-1, good for a .750 winning percentage. They have scored the fifth most amount of goals in the league (fourth best among teams in the playoffs).
The Spirit will open the playoffs on the road against the Owls. The Spirit won the season series 4-2 against the Owls, outscoring them 23-20. No one should be taking the Spirit lightly, but it's still possible the team from the first half will show up.
"We've been a weird team all year," stated winger Marian Hossa, one of three 40-goal scorers on the team. "Consistently inconsistent. The last three weeks have been great though. It's been really fun coming to the rink. And I must admit, even though I thought Lindros was a total jackass pansy who I'd never want to play with, he's been good for us. He hasn't been afraid to drop the gloves and he's pumped in a ton of points (17 points in 15 games)."
"We're ready for the war of the playoffs," assured gap-toothed defenceman Dion Phaneuf, proud winner of this year's Dave Schultz trophy for most PIM. "No one's coming around our net without paying the price."
An exciting first round matchup is up next - ain't playoff hockey great?
Monday, August 29, 2005
TFHL Award Nominees
Regular Season Award Nominees
Following is nominations for reg.season award voting. Please send your votes in to me by the end of the week. Also is the list of the automatic winners for awards. I'll be away throughtout this week so goodluck in your first couple games, and forgive me if I miss some of your e-mails until the weekend or so.
Thanks,
Geoffrey Young
The following trophies will be awarded based on voting by franchise gm's and coaches
at the end of the season. The nominations are:
- Hart Trophy (League MVP)
Todd Bertuzzi (Rednexs)
Peter Forsberg (Patriots)
Barry Tallackson (Pain)
- Lady Byng Trophy (Sportsmanship)
Gregory Campbell (Achaeans)
Nicklas Lidstrom (Ice)
Jaromir Jagr (Bobcats)
- Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
Nicklas Lidstrom (Ice)
Mikko Kalteva (Spirit)
Sergei Gonchar (Blades)
- Calder Trophy (Top Rookie)
Marc Pouliot (Patriots)
Chuck Kobasew (Saints)
Tim Brent (Aces)
- Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
Jose Theodore (Flames)
Evgeni Nabakov (Raiders)
Brian Boucher (Hurricanes)
- Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)
Adam Henrich (Raiders)
Petr Dvorak (Flames)
Scottie Upshall (Ice)
- Executive Trophy (Top GM)
Patrick Amantea (Flames)
Glenn Mirkir (Bobcats)
Geoff Elliot (Pain)
Derek Major (Hurricanes)
- Jack Adams (Top Coach)
Craig McTavish (Hurricanes)
Ron Wilson (Pain)
Bob Hartley (Ice)
- Press Release Award (Best Pr of the Year)
Derek Major (Hurricanes)
Tyler Young (Wheat Kings)
Geoff Elliot (Pain)
Patrick Amantea (Flames)
The following trophies are awarded based on season stats :
- Rocket Richard Trophy (Most Goals in a Season)
T.BERTUZZI (Red)
- Art Ross Trophy (Most Points in a Season)
T.BERTUZZI(Red)
- William Jennings Trophy (Lowest Goal Against Average)
J.THEODORE (Fla)
- Alka Seltzer Trophy (Best Plus/Minus)
T.NELSON (Ice)
- President Trophy (Best team in the regular season)
Calgary Hurricanes
- Dave Schultz Trophy (Most PIM)
D.PHANEUF (Spi)
- Chepstow Cup (Most Improved team from last Season)
Flames (29 pts)
Following is nominations for reg.season award voting. Please send your votes in to me by the end of the week. Also is the list of the automatic winners for awards. I'll be away throughtout this week so goodluck in your first couple games, and forgive me if I miss some of your e-mails until the weekend or so.
Thanks,
Geoffrey Young
The following trophies will be awarded based on voting by franchise gm's and coaches
at the end of the season. The nominations are:
- Hart Trophy (League MVP)
Todd Bertuzzi (Rednexs)
Peter Forsberg (Patriots)
Barry Tallackson (Pain)
- Lady Byng Trophy (Sportsmanship)
Gregory Campbell (Achaeans)
Nicklas Lidstrom (Ice)
Jaromir Jagr (Bobcats)
- Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
Nicklas Lidstrom (Ice)
Mikko Kalteva (Spirit)
Sergei Gonchar (Blades)
- Calder Trophy (Top Rookie)
Marc Pouliot (Patriots)
Chuck Kobasew (Saints)
Tim Brent (Aces)
- Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
Jose Theodore (Flames)
Evgeni Nabakov (Raiders)
Brian Boucher (Hurricanes)
- Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)
Adam Henrich (Raiders)
Petr Dvorak (Flames)
Scottie Upshall (Ice)
- Executive Trophy (Top GM)
Patrick Amantea (Flames)
Glenn Mirkir (Bobcats)
Geoff Elliot (Pain)
Derek Major (Hurricanes)
- Jack Adams (Top Coach)
Craig McTavish (Hurricanes)
Ron Wilson (Pain)
Bob Hartley (Ice)
- Press Release Award (Best Pr of the Year)
Derek Major (Hurricanes)
Tyler Young (Wheat Kings)
Geoff Elliot (Pain)
Patrick Amantea (Flames)
The following trophies are awarded based on season stats :
- Rocket Richard Trophy (Most Goals in a Season)
T.BERTUZZI (Red)
- Art Ross Trophy (Most Points in a Season)
T.BERTUZZI(Red)
- William Jennings Trophy (Lowest Goal Against Average)
J.THEODORE (Fla)
- Alka Seltzer Trophy (Best Plus/Minus)
T.NELSON (Ice)
- President Trophy (Best team in the regular season)
Calgary Hurricanes
- Dave Schultz Trophy (Most PIM)
D.PHANEUF (Spi)
- Chepstow Cup (Most Improved team from last Season)
Flames (29 pts)
Sunday, August 28, 2005
PR - Hurricanes
HURRICANES PREPARE FOR ROUND 1 VERSUS THE REDNEXS
The Calgary Hurricanes have propelled themselves back to the top of the TFHL. Capturing the President's Trophy and now looking forward to taking on the 8th seed Rednexs.
SEASON IN REVIEW
The Hurricanes struggled early on in the season. The goaltending was weak and defense lagged even with newly acquired Bryan Mccabe. Quickly goaltender Pascal Leclaire and veteran Bill Guerin were quickly moved out to the Western conference, which then saw Brian Boucher, Martin Cibak and Brian Campbell join the Hurricanes.
FORWARDS
This season's line up for the Hurricanes contains the greatest scoring punch the franchise has ever possessed. Markus Naslund provided 105 points after starting the season on a low end. His linemates in Shawn Bates and Alexandre Svitov tallied 87 points and 79 points respestively. The second line, which could substitute as a first line on many teams saw Brendan Morrison, Jason King and Martin Cibak score 86 points, 76 points and 61 points respectively. 20-year-old sensation Alexandre Svitov finished the season with 45 goals, which was best for
the Hurricanes.
DEFENSE
Bryan Mccabe took him the award as the best Hurricane defenseman as his consistant play throughout the season helped the Hurricanes rejuvenate. Captain Chris Pronger stepped up to the plate at the All-Star break and quickly became one of the league's best defensemen once again. Mccabe finished the season with 62 points while Pronger finished with 57 points. Other notables included Pavel Kubina with 43 points and Brian Campbell finishing the season +19.
GOAL
Critics will all agree, the Hurricanes would not be successful without the sensational goaltending of veteran Brian Boucher. Boucher, who should receive nods for the Vezina Trophy, compiled a 55-17-4 record while being arguably the best goaltender in the TFHL. His 2.63 goals against average and even tallying 13 assists made him among the leaders in statistics for the TFHL.
UP NEXT....The Rednexs
The Hurricanes will be taking on the Rednexs and the top two scorers in the TFHL, Todd Bertuzzi and Alexei Kovalev. The key to beating the Rednexs will be to contain these two players as the Rednexs struggled to make it to the playoffs this season. The Hurricanes high octane scoring machine should be able to take down the weak Rednex defense while countering their own defensive style with goaltender Boucher and defensemen Chris Pronger, Bryan McCabe and Brian Campbell.
Calgary Sun 2005
The Calgary Hurricanes have propelled themselves back to the top of the TFHL. Capturing the President's Trophy and now looking forward to taking on the 8th seed Rednexs.
SEASON IN REVIEW
The Hurricanes struggled early on in the season. The goaltending was weak and defense lagged even with newly acquired Bryan Mccabe. Quickly goaltender Pascal Leclaire and veteran Bill Guerin were quickly moved out to the Western conference, which then saw Brian Boucher, Martin Cibak and Brian Campbell join the Hurricanes.
FORWARDS
This season's line up for the Hurricanes contains the greatest scoring punch the franchise has ever possessed. Markus Naslund provided 105 points after starting the season on a low end. His linemates in Shawn Bates and Alexandre Svitov tallied 87 points and 79 points respestively. The second line, which could substitute as a first line on many teams saw Brendan Morrison, Jason King and Martin Cibak score 86 points, 76 points and 61 points respectively. 20-year-old sensation Alexandre Svitov finished the season with 45 goals, which was best for
the Hurricanes.
DEFENSE
Bryan Mccabe took him the award as the best Hurricane defenseman as his consistant play throughout the season helped the Hurricanes rejuvenate. Captain Chris Pronger stepped up to the plate at the All-Star break and quickly became one of the league's best defensemen once again. Mccabe finished the season with 62 points while Pronger finished with 57 points. Other notables included Pavel Kubina with 43 points and Brian Campbell finishing the season +19.
GOAL
Critics will all agree, the Hurricanes would not be successful without the sensational goaltending of veteran Brian Boucher. Boucher, who should receive nods for the Vezina Trophy, compiled a 55-17-4 record while being arguably the best goaltender in the TFHL. His 2.63 goals against average and even tallying 13 assists made him among the leaders in statistics for the TFHL.
UP NEXT....The Rednexs
The Hurricanes will be taking on the Rednexs and the top two scorers in the TFHL, Todd Bertuzzi and Alexei Kovalev. The key to beating the Rednexs will be to contain these two players as the Rednexs struggled to make it to the playoffs this season. The Hurricanes high octane scoring machine should be able to take down the weak Rednex defense while countering their own defensive style with goaltender Boucher and defensemen Chris Pronger, Bryan McCabe and Brian Campbell.
Calgary Sun 2005
PR - Hurricanes
HURRICANES CAPTURE PRESIDENT'S TROPHY WITH A 6-1 WIN OVER THE RENEGADES
The fans of the Calgary Hurricanes gave a standing ovation for their team after a 6 - 1 thumping of the 8th seed Western Conference team. Markus Naslund was the typical Markus Naslund as he scored 2 goals. Goaltender Brian Boucher continued his miracle season by stunning the opposition.
Brian Boucher, one of the strongest candidates for the Vezina Trophy has one of the best GAA's while also being goaltender with the most wins in the entire TFHL at 55 wins. The next closest goaltender sits at only 43 wins, which is J.S. Giguere of the Michigan Pain.
"There is no doubt that Brian is one of the key reasons this club did so well down the stretch. Since the first day you came to our team we have been unbelievable. It makes a big difference when you have this much confidence in your goalie." said Assistant Captain Shawn Bates.
On the backend, Chris Pronger and Bryan Mccabe solidied themselves as a top duo in the TFHL. The defense core for the Hurricanes is quite deep with other notables including Brian Campbell, Pavel Kubina and Richard Matvichuk.
Up front, the Hurricanes, who in the past have been noted as a one-line team now have two forceful lines. The top line combination of Shawn Bates, Alexandre Svitov and Markus Naslund have excelerated like before but now the addition of Brendan Morrison, Jason King and Martin Cibak on the 2nd line has been incredible. The Hurricanes top scorers are all young including Svitov at 20 years old, King at 23 years old and Cibak at 25 years of age. The veterans of Morrison (30), Naslund (32) and Bates (30) have proven to be a group of strong leaders for the youngsters.
On the farm, it appeared the farm team went from being a contender for the TFFHL Cup and then slid down the standings right when the parent club began to excel. Although bright notables include goaltender Peter Budaj, who continues to develop, as well as forwards Alexandre Sundstrom and Martin Karsums. On defense both Ryan Parent and Frank Redliker
continued to improve. It's expected Parent will be able to develop into a top-four defenseman in a couple of seasons.
With the seeds pretty much defined for the playoffs, the Hurricanes will find out later today whether or not they will be playing the Rednexs or Marauders in the first round of the TFHL playoffs. Keep an eye out for the Hurricanes post-season report prior to the playoffs.
Calgary Sun 2005
The fans of the Calgary Hurricanes gave a standing ovation for their team after a 6 - 1 thumping of the 8th seed Western Conference team. Markus Naslund was the typical Markus Naslund as he scored 2 goals. Goaltender Brian Boucher continued his miracle season by stunning the opposition.
Brian Boucher, one of the strongest candidates for the Vezina Trophy has one of the best GAA's while also being goaltender with the most wins in the entire TFHL at 55 wins. The next closest goaltender sits at only 43 wins, which is J.S. Giguere of the Michigan Pain.
"There is no doubt that Brian is one of the key reasons this club did so well down the stretch. Since the first day you came to our team we have been unbelievable. It makes a big difference when you have this much confidence in your goalie." said Assistant Captain Shawn Bates.
On the backend, Chris Pronger and Bryan Mccabe solidied themselves as a top duo in the TFHL. The defense core for the Hurricanes is quite deep with other notables including Brian Campbell, Pavel Kubina and Richard Matvichuk.
Up front, the Hurricanes, who in the past have been noted as a one-line team now have two forceful lines. The top line combination of Shawn Bates, Alexandre Svitov and Markus Naslund have excelerated like before but now the addition of Brendan Morrison, Jason King and Martin Cibak on the 2nd line has been incredible. The Hurricanes top scorers are all young including Svitov at 20 years old, King at 23 years old and Cibak at 25 years of age. The veterans of Morrison (30), Naslund (32) and Bates (30) have proven to be a group of strong leaders for the youngsters.
On the farm, it appeared the farm team went from being a contender for the TFFHL Cup and then slid down the standings right when the parent club began to excel. Although bright notables include goaltender Peter Budaj, who continues to develop, as well as forwards Alexandre Sundstrom and Martin Karsums. On defense both Ryan Parent and Frank Redliker
continued to improve. It's expected Parent will be able to develop into a top-four defenseman in a couple of seasons.
With the seeds pretty much defined for the playoffs, the Hurricanes will find out later today whether or not they will be playing the Rednexs or Marauders in the first round of the TFHL playoffs. Keep an eye out for the Hurricanes post-season report prior to the playoffs.
Calgary Sun 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
PR - Saints
SASKATOON SAINTS LOOKING TO TAKE 2ND PLACE IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
The Saskatoon StarPhoenix
August 26, 2005
With four games remaing for each the Owls, Aces and Saints, the race for the three remaining home ice playoff spots will be decided likely on the final day of regular season action. GM Young of the Saskatoon Saints held a Press Conference today and spoke of the recent surge in the standings. "Probably the most instrumental change is the fact that for the first time this season our team is completely healthy and well rested. But success in this second half of the season has a lot to do with the acquisition of former Vezina winner Roberto Luongo." As well, Young listed the numerous mid-season improvements with the addition of Christopher Higgins (51,14,42,56pts), Ryan Getzlaf (70,29,45,74pts) the call-up of the Saints 6th overall draft choice from the offseason Devin Setogouchi (46,18,28,46pts) and the improved play of rookie defenseman Keith Ballard (84,11,44,55pts). Higgins, Getzlaf, Setogouchi, Ballard and roughly 90% of the Saints roster is 20 years and younger so the future looks bright in the organization.
"This season was part of a rebuilding process, but as the season draws to an end, I think we realized that we can compete with any team in this league and therefore could be the darkhorse for our conference." The Saints have never made it past the 2nd round of the playoffs. Last seasons' 7th game win over the Hurricanes was a proud moment for GM Young but the celebrations were short-lived when the Saints lost in 6 games to the Rednexs in the 2nd round. Right now, the Saints have a very good chance of finishing 2nd place in the Eastern Conference Standings, right behind their arch-rival Hurricanes. There a few reasons why this is so important to the Saints. Firstly, it would be the best season finish since the Modern TFHL was formed. As well as home ice advantage, it would mean that if both the Saints and Hurricanes win their first two rounds, there could be a great conference final match-up between the uber enemies.
Joe Sakic commented on the prospect of facing the Hurricanes in the playoffs for the 3rd time in franchise history: "We just hate those guys, and there is nothing more inspiring for this team then to face them in the offseason. We've played them twice before in our history and both times we have won the close, gritty battle in a 7th game nailbitter. It would be great for the fans, great for the city, and most importantly, I would love to win a cup with the Saints after these past four seasons with the club." Sakic, who has played the most total games with the Saints has been traded on numerous occasions but seems to always return to the Bridge City. As Captain, he led the Saints last year to a win over the high flying Hurricanes but this year he wants to bring the cup home, in what might be his last season in a Saints uniform. Sakic's 1 year 15 million dollar deal is up at season end and once again he will be a UFA. GM Young has hinted that he will likely not attempt to resign Joe for a 5th season with the team for financial reasons.
PR - Hurricanes
THE HURRICANES SECURE THE CONFERENCE TITLE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE TFHL13
The Hurricanes are back on top in the TFHL. With the 48th win of the season, the Hurricanes took over first place in the entire TFHL from the defending two-time champion Pain and clinched the Eastern Conference title for the first time since TFHL13 when the Hurricanes were knocked out of the playoffs after a 130point season.
"We still have a lot of work to do. The last task is to take home first place in the TFHL, and that will be a tough task as the Pain, Flames and Ice are all nipping away at us. We definitely have the momentum going on and have since the All-Star break. We also have one hell of a goaltender in Brian Boucher, and tonight Frederic Cassivi showed he could take a game in for us too." said Coach Craig MacTavish.
The Hurricanes have become quite a story for the TFHL as they went from dead last in the TFHL all the way to first place. The drive all started right before the All-Star break and hasn't stopped. Calgary fans are lining up for a chance to see what this team can do in the playoffs.
"It's definitely time for changing of the guard when it comes to the TFHL Cup. The Pain, well two seasons in a row is an impressive show. We're good to go to take them on." said Captain Chris Pronger.
BLAST TO THE PAST AND EXPERIENCE
The Calgary Hurricanes have 8 TFHL Cup champions from the TFHL12 winning team including Shawn Bates, Markus Naslund, Chris Pronger, Toby Petersen, Robert Lang, Pavel Kubina, Richard Matvichuk, and back up goaltender Frederic Cassivi.
Other stars on the Hurricanes were asked about the anticipation of the TFHL Playoffs:
"The playoffs tend to become a tight battle, but I think we have a solid defense core, that continues to improve." - Bryan McCabe
"We are the top scoring team in the TFHL. We'll need to keep it up." - Alexandre Svitov
"This is going to be one hell of a ride. Talking to Chris and Markus about their cup win, it just makes you want it even more." - Brian Boucher
"We have to atleast make it to the second round. Isn't that when the girls start stripping in downtown Calgary??" - Ryan Kesler
Calgary Sun 2005
The Hurricanes are back on top in the TFHL. With the 48th win of the season, the Hurricanes took over first place in the entire TFHL from the defending two-time champion Pain and clinched the Eastern Conference title for the first time since TFHL13 when the Hurricanes were knocked out of the playoffs after a 130point season.
"We still have a lot of work to do. The last task is to take home first place in the TFHL, and that will be a tough task as the Pain, Flames and Ice are all nipping away at us. We definitely have the momentum going on and have since the All-Star break. We also have one hell of a goaltender in Brian Boucher, and tonight Frederic Cassivi showed he could take a game in for us too." said Coach Craig MacTavish.
The Hurricanes have become quite a story for the TFHL as they went from dead last in the TFHL all the way to first place. The drive all started right before the All-Star break and hasn't stopped. Calgary fans are lining up for a chance to see what this team can do in the playoffs.
"It's definitely time for changing of the guard when it comes to the TFHL Cup. The Pain, well two seasons in a row is an impressive show. We're good to go to take them on." said Captain Chris Pronger.
BLAST TO THE PAST AND EXPERIENCE
The Calgary Hurricanes have 8 TFHL Cup champions from the TFHL12 winning team including Shawn Bates, Markus Naslund, Chris Pronger, Toby Petersen, Robert Lang, Pavel Kubina, Richard Matvichuk, and back up goaltender Frederic Cassivi.
Other stars on the Hurricanes were asked about the anticipation of the TFHL Playoffs:
"The playoffs tend to become a tight battle, but I think we have a solid defense core, that continues to improve." - Bryan McCabe
"We are the top scoring team in the TFHL. We'll need to keep it up." - Alexandre Svitov
"This is going to be one hell of a ride. Talking to Chris and Markus about their cup win, it just makes you want it even more." - Brian Boucher
"We have to atleast make it to the second round. Isn't that when the girls start stripping in downtown Calgary??" - Ryan Kesler
Calgary Sun 2005
Saturday, August 13, 2005
PR - Hurricanes
HURRICANES AMONG TOP TEAMS IN THE TFHL; BOUCHER SETS NEW HURRICANES RECORD
The Calgary Hurricanes are experiencing goaltending like never before, even when all-star and former TFHL Cup Champion Sean Burke led the team as one of the top goaltenders in the TFHL. It seems Brian Boucher is making a name for himself now.
45 wins, 15 loses, 4 ties. (next closest is J.S Giguere of the Pain with 39 wins).
12 assists (for a goaltender.....this is more points than some players on other teams)
The Hurricanes media is already talking about a Vezina Trophy nomination for this phenomenom that has his Calgary during his acquisition from the Atlanta Flames in the trade that saw under achieving youngster Pascal Leclaire traded to the Flames. "I just keep sticking to my game. We have a great team and we are just gelling at the right time. We are number one right now in our conference, we have a couple of teams to catch up to and take over the league lead here. " said goaltender Boucher right after the 6 - 0 thumping of the Wheat Kings.
Markus Naslund has been rejunvanted and leads the leagues 4th deadliest scoring attack in the TFHL with 87 points. 30 games ago Naslund was on pace to only hit about 80 points and the mid-season surge has him on pace for over 100 points for the first time since TFHL13 when the trio of Bill Guerin, Markus Naslund and Shawn Bates all exploded among the scoring charts and were 1, 2, 3 in the scoring race.
The Hurricanes are looking to capture the President's trophy for the first time since TFHL12 and then as the captain puts it. "I wouldn't mind capturing another TFHL Cup, I think that Michigan team has had a little too much fun the last couple of seasons." Said Captain Chris Pronger.
Calgary Sun © 2005
The Calgary Hurricanes are experiencing goaltending like never before, even when all-star and former TFHL Cup Champion Sean Burke led the team as one of the top goaltenders in the TFHL. It seems Brian Boucher is making a name for himself now.
45 wins, 15 loses, 4 ties. (next closest is J.S Giguere of the Pain with 39 wins).
12 assists (for a goaltender.....this is more points than some players on other teams)
The Hurricanes media is already talking about a Vezina Trophy nomination for this phenomenom that has his Calgary during his acquisition from the Atlanta Flames in the trade that saw under achieving youngster Pascal Leclaire traded to the Flames. "I just keep sticking to my game. We have a great team and we are just gelling at the right time. We are number one right now in our conference, we have a couple of teams to catch up to and take over the league lead here. " said goaltender Boucher right after the 6 - 0 thumping of the Wheat Kings.
Markus Naslund has been rejunvanted and leads the leagues 4th deadliest scoring attack in the TFHL with 87 points. 30 games ago Naslund was on pace to only hit about 80 points and the mid-season surge has him on pace for over 100 points for the first time since TFHL13 when the trio of Bill Guerin, Markus Naslund and Shawn Bates all exploded among the scoring charts and were 1, 2, 3 in the scoring race.
The Hurricanes are looking to capture the President's trophy for the first time since TFHL12 and then as the captain puts it. "I wouldn't mind capturing another TFHL Cup, I think that Michigan team has had a little too much fun the last couple of seasons." Said Captain Chris Pronger.
Calgary Sun © 2005
Sunday, August 07, 2005
PR - Pain
Pain get 'Wiser' at Deadline
The Michigan Pain aquired Jason Arnott for prospects but then quickly shipped Arnott to the potential playoff oppent the Wheat Kings for all-star forward Bill Guerin. The trade does not come as a surprise; GM Elliot has been known to rent players at the deadline for an improved chance at winning the TFHL Cup. Yzerman in TFHL 13 and Roenick in TFHL 14. Now Guerin, a
former member the Calgary Hurricanes famous cup winning line, the "Three Wise Men.," will help Michigan to their third straight championship. Guerin will bring leadership and a winnig attitude to the Pain. He also will add more scoring power to the already powerful arsenal of the Michigan Pain. Although Guerin is an all-star he will see reduced playing time, most likely
a third line center.
Michigan finds themselves in a unique situation. For the first time near the end of the regular season, the Pain will have a chance to finish first in the league. Coach Wilson has been quoted as saying that this is the best Michigan team to date. "The palyers are developing extremely well. One of the keys is that we have been able to keep our key guys to build chemistry,"coach Wilson commented. The Pain will look to close the season on a high note, and roll intt the playoffs better then ever.
Michigan Press
The Michigan Pain aquired Jason Arnott for prospects but then quickly shipped Arnott to the potential playoff oppent the Wheat Kings for all-star forward Bill Guerin. The trade does not come as a surprise; GM Elliot has been known to rent players at the deadline for an improved chance at winning the TFHL Cup. Yzerman in TFHL 13 and Roenick in TFHL 14. Now Guerin, a
former member the Calgary Hurricanes famous cup winning line, the "Three Wise Men.," will help Michigan to their third straight championship. Guerin will bring leadership and a winnig attitude to the Pain. He also will add more scoring power to the already powerful arsenal of the Michigan Pain. Although Guerin is an all-star he will see reduced playing time, most likely
a third line center.
Michigan finds themselves in a unique situation. For the first time near the end of the regular season, the Pain will have a chance to finish first in the league. Coach Wilson has been quoted as saying that this is the best Michigan team to date. "The palyers are developing extremely well. One of the keys is that we have been able to keep our key guys to build chemistry,"coach Wilson commented. The Pain will look to close the season on a high note, and roll intt the playoffs better then ever.
Michigan Press
Friday, July 15, 2005
PR - Saints
Saskatoon Saints Deal Spezza
July 15, 2005
With half the season gone, the Saints have decided to "re-launch" their TFHL 15 Season in hopes of reigniting their Championship aspirations. President, CEO, GM Geoffrey Young, who Saints' fans affectionately dubbed "El Duce" after this weeks franchise changing deal, held a press conference to discuss recent changes.
"Spezza is a bum, good riddance!" Coming to the team this week in return for former Rocket Richard winning centre Jason Spezza was fellow 20 year old Christopher Higgins who will now centre a line with 18 year old Devin Setogouchi (14GP, 18pts) and 19 year old Ryan Getzlaf (37GP, 34 pts). "This young trio will only improve each season as my #1 scoring line...I expect each of the forwards to produce over a point a game", says the GM who is anything but humble when discussing the future prospects of his young roster.
Other recent acquisitions included former Saint Roberto Luongo in net who is expected to finish the season in the new Saints colours. Luongo won the Vezina in TFHL 12 with the Wheat Kings. GM Young became unsettled when a Regina sports columnist asked about his acquistion and trading of almost every starting goaltender in the TFHL (sometimes more than once). "Maybe it's freudian; perhaps its my subconscious fear of commitment and failure rooted in my relationship with my father...or maybe you can go play hide and go fuck yourself!"
Other notable acquistions are Eric Staal and Pierre-Marc Bouchard who will be joining Brian McConnell on the Saints 3rd/4th lines. Along with the Sakic, Kostitsyn, Kobasew 2nd scoring line, the Saints hope to regain their previous (albeit brief) status as an elite offensive team over a season ago (i.e Forsberg, Sakic, Spezza, Gaborik combos).
Long Term Plans
Some questions surround the long term future of the Saints franchise with the recent Spezza trade but Young reassures fans that the future has never been so good for this franchise. With Sakic's 15M salary which expires after this season and the expected demotion of Ray Whitney (5.25M) to the farm for next season, the Saints are looking at a Pro salary with 20 players included of just around 12M dollars (with no mentionable RFA's) - this includes all current players minus Sakic, Nylander and Whitney. Whether this means Young will use that open space to sign short term UFA's is unclear, "I'm commited to bringing the best goaltender to this team so that within the next 3 seasons we will be able to have a formidable chance at the Cup for a prolonged period over the next decade with this core of young players. We have on defence, 20 year old Ballard, 19 year old Weber and Rozakov, 20 year old defensive specialist John "el presidente" Adams and Power play specialist David "can't play anything but the powerplay because of that bloody endurance thing" Turon. And there's those forwards guys, ya, those guys, lets just say if Higgins doesn't surpass Spezza's performance then there will be trouble for El Duce.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
PR - Blades
BLADES END 5 GAME LOOSING STREAK
The Saskatoon Blades ended their 5 game loosing streak earlier this week, bringing their last ten games standing to 3-7-0. In a rare Press Release, Blades' head coach Lorne Mulligan stated: "We know that we have been building a bad reputation for the franchise this year, but every team has a rebuilding period, and this is ours. Early on we knew that we wouldn't be competing this year, an early Theodore trade is proof of that."
The Blades traded top goalie Jose Theodore early in the season for some young prospects and draft picks. Said GM Brad Greer: "We figured that the Blades couldn't be a cup contending team with the members that we had; with numerous retirements in the works and lacking depth in every department, we decided to trade long time Blades staple Jose Theodore in order to round out the team." When asked to comment on the fact that the top 5 team is now at the bottom of the league, Greer simply replied "Some one's gotta be last." Someone's gotta be last indeed, Brad.
With a two game winning streak under their belt, (one of the Blades best streaks so far this season) and trades for top young bloods and stars like Lance Monych and Scott Hartnell, could the Blades be on their way to their former glory? "We just want to make it to the playoffs," was all Greer had to say. We won't hold our breaths.
The Saskatoon Blades ended their 5 game loosing streak earlier this week, bringing their last ten games standing to 3-7-0. In a rare Press Release, Blades' head coach Lorne Mulligan stated: "We know that we have been building a bad reputation for the franchise this year, but every team has a rebuilding period, and this is ours. Early on we knew that we wouldn't be competing this year, an early Theodore trade is proof of that."
The Blades traded top goalie Jose Theodore early in the season for some young prospects and draft picks. Said GM Brad Greer: "We figured that the Blades couldn't be a cup contending team with the members that we had; with numerous retirements in the works and lacking depth in every department, we decided to trade long time Blades staple Jose Theodore in order to round out the team." When asked to comment on the fact that the top 5 team is now at the bottom of the league, Greer simply replied "Some one's gotta be last." Someone's gotta be last indeed, Brad.
With a two game winning streak under their belt, (one of the Blades best streaks so far this season) and trades for top young bloods and stars like Lance Monych and Scott Hartnell, could the Blades be on their way to their former glory? "We just want to make it to the playoffs," was all Greer had to say. We won't hold our breaths.
PR - Wheat Kings
Midseason Perspective (July 9th)
The Saskatchewan Wheat Kings came out of the All-Star break sitting first in the league, standing strong to repeat as President Trophy winners. The first half of the season saw the Kings continue to maneuvre, and continue to maintain their overall perforance. Significant deals saw Roberto Luongo and Keith Tkachuk leave while the Wheaties continued to bring in young players to round out their team. The Wheat Kings have spent most of the season fluttering around the .700 mark, on par with their performance in the latter fifty games of the previous season. The Kings defy logic, winning games without any significant superstars nor as loaded depth-wise as some other teams. Sure Dmitri Kazionov is one of the preeminent snipers in the league, but so is Alexei Kovalev of the bottom-dwelling Rednex. Only Kaz and the unassuming Steve Bernier have stood in the top 25 scorers for any significant time this season, but neither are necessarily the secret to the Kings success. Nor, a
swell, is the excellent goaltending the Kings have received from Kevin Weekes and Ilya Bryzgalov.
When asked what he thought was the Wheaties secret of success, GM Tyler Young had this to say: "I think it's because we play a true team game. We are not the most talented team in the league, we don't even have the best players on the ice most nights, but what we do have is a group of talented, young players who go out and work their ass off. We've built this team so that heart was the primary quality of our players: these guys play together to win, and it shows in the results."
Despite their regular season success, the Kings can not make any claim to greatness until they perform likewise in the playoffs. To further their chances the Kings have added veterans like Bill Guerin, Pavel Bure, and Brian Leetch to strengthen their depth and add experience. The player though who may have the biggest impact on the Kings playoff chances will be Ilya Bryzgalov, as the number 1a he will be expected to win the big games - something which he, despite his relative youth, has done in the past for the Saskatoon Saints, and something the Kings have long missed in the playoffs.
The Kings pulled-off another deal at the end of the All-Star break, acquiring Masi Marjamaki and Kamil Kreps from the Saskatoon Blades for Konstantin Greshkov and Lance Monych. The deal is expected to help round out the wings, plus from the point of view of management, give the Kings a couple more talented, young players.
In action today against the Pain, the Kings were struck by one of the most devasting injuries in team history to date: Ilya Bryzgalov was injured in play and will reportedly miss the next three weeks of action. Although Kevin Weekes is capable of playing, if he exausts himself or is injured, the Wheat Kings may be seriously comprimised.
The Saskatchewan Wheat Kings came out of the All-Star break sitting first in the league, standing strong to repeat as President Trophy winners. The first half of the season saw the Kings continue to maneuvre, and continue to maintain their overall perforance. Significant deals saw Roberto Luongo and Keith Tkachuk leave while the Wheaties continued to bring in young players to round out their team. The Wheat Kings have spent most of the season fluttering around the .700 mark, on par with their performance in the latter fifty games of the previous season. The Kings defy logic, winning games without any significant superstars nor as loaded depth-wise as some other teams. Sure Dmitri Kazionov is one of the preeminent snipers in the league, but so is Alexei Kovalev of the bottom-dwelling Rednex. Only Kaz and the unassuming Steve Bernier have stood in the top 25 scorers for any significant time this season, but neither are necessarily the secret to the Kings success. Nor, a
swell, is the excellent goaltending the Kings have received from Kevin Weekes and Ilya Bryzgalov.
When asked what he thought was the Wheaties secret of success, GM Tyler Young had this to say: "I think it's because we play a true team game. We are not the most talented team in the league, we don't even have the best players on the ice most nights, but what we do have is a group of talented, young players who go out and work their ass off. We've built this team so that heart was the primary quality of our players: these guys play together to win, and it shows in the results."
Despite their regular season success, the Kings can not make any claim to greatness until they perform likewise in the playoffs. To further their chances the Kings have added veterans like Bill Guerin, Pavel Bure, and Brian Leetch to strengthen their depth and add experience. The player though who may have the biggest impact on the Kings playoff chances will be Ilya Bryzgalov, as the number 1a he will be expected to win the big games - something which he, despite his relative youth, has done in the past for the Saskatoon Saints, and something the Kings have long missed in the playoffs.
The Kings pulled-off another deal at the end of the All-Star break, acquiring Masi Marjamaki and Kamil Kreps from the Saskatoon Blades for Konstantin Greshkov and Lance Monych. The deal is expected to help round out the wings, plus from the point of view of management, give the Kings a couple more talented, young players.
In action today against the Pain, the Kings were struck by one of the most devasting injuries in team history to date: Ilya Bryzgalov was injured in play and will reportedly miss the next three weeks of action. Although Kevin Weekes is capable of playing, if he exausts himself or is injured, the Wheat Kings may be seriously comprimised.
Friday, July 08, 2005
PR - Flames
The Atlanta Flames have done a complete 180 degrees. They have entered the ½ way mark of the season boasting a solid 51 points, on pace for 100+ points for the season. This is quite the difference from last year. The Flames sit near the top in the Western Conference and continue to improve. A big shock came the past week when top defenseman Eric Brewer was dealt, along Williams, Hahl and Auld. The Flames were able to secure a 1st round selection to add to their prospect depth for next year but the main piece was Colby Armstrong. The Flames dealt super sniper Dimitri Kazionov last season and have now realized the scoring potential of such a player. With this in mind, the Flames have had their eye on Armstrong since last season. He has fit in quite well and in his first 3 games, has scored 2 goals, 2 assists and is +3. Auld at one point was the Flames future goaltending but with the addition of Leclaire in the last few weeks, Auld was let go so that he could one day play in the TFHL PRO league. The Flames also decided to get a bit tougher on the blue line with the addition of Brewer, in exchange for Redden. Another surprise is the development of Marek Chvatal in the minor league. GM, Patrick Amantea has been drooling over this guy, watching him slowly improve through the 1st half of the season. “It is amazing how well this guy can shoot. Not only that, but the guy is a beast when he hits.” With the future addition of Chvatal, the Flames blue line will be a scary place to cross with the likes of Brewer, Stuart, Chvatal all being very big hitters in the league. The Flames look to remain a threat for the last half. Now if only Jose Theodore would find some consistency and the special teams would improve.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
PR - Hurricanes
HURRICANES ON A 10 GAME WINNING STREAK
The Calgary Hurricanes have surged from last place in the standings to 5th overall in the conference. They trail 2nd place Clubbers by only 5 points.
"We seem to have found our game again. It is a lot of fun to be around this team right now and I can't tell you how exciting it is." Said Markus Naslund.
Much of the Hurricanes success has been the exceptional play of goaltender Brian Boucher. Boucher is currently 25-9-2, which is second best to only J.S. Giguere who only has one more win and 4 more loses than Boucher. "I am playing with a lot of confidence. I have some strong defensemen in front of me like McCabe, Pronger and Campbell. We have a really
solid backend now." Said the 'Canes goaltender.
The Hurricanes are also looking to chase down a 7 season old record produced by then Zombies. The longest winning streak in TFHL history is 14 games, and the Hurricanes are only 4 games away from tying that record. "Don't say that, you just jinxed it." Said goalie Boucher.
Calgary Sun 2005
The Calgary Hurricanes have surged from last place in the standings to 5th overall in the conference. They trail 2nd place Clubbers by only 5 points.
"We seem to have found our game again. It is a lot of fun to be around this team right now and I can't tell you how exciting it is." Said Markus Naslund.
Much of the Hurricanes success has been the exceptional play of goaltender Brian Boucher. Boucher is currently 25-9-2, which is second best to only J.S. Giguere who only has one more win and 4 more loses than Boucher. "I am playing with a lot of confidence. I have some strong defensemen in front of me like McCabe, Pronger and Campbell. We have a really
solid backend now." Said the 'Canes goaltender.
The Hurricanes are also looking to chase down a 7 season old record produced by then Zombies. The longest winning streak in TFHL history is 14 games, and the Hurricanes are only 4 games away from tying that record. "Don't say that, you just jinxed it." Said goalie Boucher.
Calgary Sun 2005
Friday, July 01, 2005
PR - Western All-Star Team Announced
Well, for better-or-worse here is the roster I have decided to go with. No doubt there will be some GMs who have qualms with my selections, but in such a deep conference the talent is quite deep and in the end I decided to just go with the pick of the crop for each position.
ROSTER
Alexei Yashin C - Pain
Erik Christensen C - Hawks
Gregory Campbell C - Achaeans
Barry Tallackson LW - Pain
Dmitri Kazionov LW - Wheat Kings
Dan Paille LW – Pain
Jonas Johansson RW - Canucks
Cam Janssen RW – Pain
Jeff O’Neil RW – Renegades
Alexei Shkotov PK - Sioux
Brandon Segal PK - Flames
Niklas Lidstrom D - Ice
Janne Niinimaa D - Raiders
Rob Blake D – Raiders
Sergei Gonchar D – Blades
Derek Morris D - Apocalypse
Matt Jones D - Wheat Kings
Dan Sprang PK - Wheat Kings
Evgeny Nabokov G - Raiders
Martin Biron G – Ice
LINE-UP
Tallackson Yashin Johansson
Kazionov Christensen Janssen
Paille Campbell O̢۪Neill
Lidstrom Niinimaa Nabokov
Gonchar Jones Biron
Blake Morris
PK: Shkotov, Segal, Sprang
ROSTER
Alexei Yashin C - Pain
Erik Christensen C - Hawks
Gregory Campbell C - Achaeans
Barry Tallackson LW - Pain
Dmitri Kazionov LW - Wheat Kings
Dan Paille LW – Pain
Jonas Johansson RW - Canucks
Cam Janssen RW – Pain
Jeff O’Neil RW – Renegades
Alexei Shkotov PK - Sioux
Brandon Segal PK - Flames
Niklas Lidstrom D - Ice
Janne Niinimaa D - Raiders
Rob Blake D – Raiders
Sergei Gonchar D – Blades
Derek Morris D - Apocalypse
Matt Jones D - Wheat Kings
Dan Sprang PK - Wheat Kings
Evgeny Nabokov G - Raiders
Martin Biron G – Ice
LINE-UP
Tallackson Yashin Johansson
Kazionov Christensen Janssen
Paille Campbell O̢۪Neill
Lidstrom Niinimaa Nabokov
Gonchar Jones Biron
Blake Morris
PK: Shkotov, Segal, Sprang
Thursday, June 30, 2005
PR - Eastern All-Star Team Announced
Hi all,
Below is the list of players that will make up the Eastern All-Star team. It was a tough selection process, but I tried to be as fair as possible. The top eight teams all have 2 players selected (with the exception of the Aces which have 3), and the bottom 4 teams have 1 player represented (with the exception of the Rednex who had 2 players voted in). I didn't really set out to make things that even, it just sort of worked out that way. Anyway, without further ado, your Eastern All-Stars:
PO HD CD IJ IT SP ST EN DU DI SK PA PC DF SC EX LD OV
Peter Forsberg C L OK 77 80 70 87 73 65 74 97 87 75 78 74 86 85 (Patriots)
Mike Modano C L OK 53 83 73 87 94 76 84 77 78 65 79 88 86 81 (Owls)
Jason Allison C R OK 73 68 85 87 88 66 68 91 80 70 70 74 72 81 (Clubbers)
Joe Thornton C L OK 83 83 89 82 91 48 75 99 84 74 80 48 55 87 (Owls)
Joe Sakic C L OK 76 80 58 87 99 80 84 83 80 75 68 92 92 81 (Saints)
Todd Bertuzzi LW L OK 81 74 85 80 87 59 74 87 82 71 88 61 83 86 (Rednex)
Paul Kariya LW L OK 69 86 56 88 99 79 88 73 84 65 79 80 85 81 (Colt 45)
Pavol Demitra LW L OK 59 81 69 76 99 78 86 77 79 69 83 72 56 81 (Aces)
Alexei Kovalev RW L OK 68 84 73 95 79 76 83 85 78 65 84 61 55 83 (Rednex)
Jaromir Jagr RW L OK 50 71 83 84 82 78 89 86 84 62 80 85 86 83 (Bobcats)
Jarome Iginla RW R OK 76 75 74 89 99 70 74 78 86 71 93 66 63 85 (Clubbers)
Chuck Kobasew RW R OK 55 73 74 74 92 54 70 80 76 67 79 43 60 77 (Saints)
Miko Kalteva D L OK 89 88 43 76 88 84 88 95 32 53 88 30 27 78 (Spirit)
Brad Ference D R OK 89 79 81 76 98 32 63 73 63 77 53 42 53 78 (Marauders)
Bryan Mccabe D L OK 90 69 79 84 99 55 68 73 75 74 79 67 87 81 (Hurricanes)
Ossi Vaananen D L OK 82 84 83 83 94 73 73 68 64 77 71 35 33 80 (Marauders)
Andy Delmore D R OK 77 70 72 72 90 90 77 73 83 85 81 58 55 82 (Bobcats)
Brett Skinner D R OK 85 55 44 78 84 65 85 70 92 74 82 38 35 79 (Patriots)
Barry Brust G L OK 92 89 82 78 86 69 78 99 81 NA NA 54 63 81 (Aces)
Roman Cechmanek G L OK 80 88 86 83 69 82 86 69 82 NA NA 55 48 79 (Misconducts)
Peter Forsberg C L OK 77 80 70 87 73 65 74 97 87 75 78 74 86 85 (Patriots)
Mike Modano C L OK 53 83 73 87 94 76 84 77 78 65 79 88 86 81 (Owls)
Jason Allison C R OK 73 68 85 87 88 66 68 91 80 70 70 74 72 81 (Clubbers)
Joe Thornton C L OK 83 83 89 82 91 48 75 99 84 74 80 48 55 87 (Owls)
Joe Sakic C L OK 76 80 58 87 99 80 84 83 80 75 68 92 92 81 (Saints)
Todd Bertuzzi LW L OK 81 74 85 80 87 59 74 87 82 71 88 61 83 86 (Rednex)
Paul Kariya LW L OK 69 86 56 88 99 79 88 73 84 65 79 80 85 81 (Colt 45)
Pavol Demitra LW L OK 59 81 69 76 99 78 86 77 79 69 83 72 56 81 (Aces)
Alexei Kovalev RW L OK 68 84 73 95 79 76 83 85 78 65 84 61 55 83 (Rednex)
Jaromir Jagr RW L OK 50 71 83 84 82 78 89 86 84 62 80 85 86 83 (Bobcats)
Jarome Iginla RW R OK 76 75 74 89 99 70 74 78 86 71 93 66 63 85 (Clubbers)
Chuck Kobasew RW R OK 55 73 74 74 92 54 70 80 76 67 79 43 60 77 (Saints)
Miko Kalteva D L OK 89 88 43 76 88 84 88 95 32 53 88 30 27 78 (Spirit)
Brad Ference D R OK 89 79 81 76 98 32 63 73 63 77 53 42 53 78 (Marauders)
Bryan Mccabe D L OK 90 69 79 84 99 55 68 73 75 74 79 67 87 81 (Hurricanes)
Ossi Vaananen D L OK 82 84 83 83 94 73 73 68 64 77 71 35 33 80 (Marauders)
Andy Delmore D R OK 77 70 72 72 90 90 77 73 83 85 81 58 55 82 (Bobcats)
Brett Skinner D R OK 85 55 44 78 84 65 85 70 92 74 82 38 35 79 (Patriots)
Barry Brust G L OK 92 89 82 78 86 69 78 99 81 NA NA 54 63 81 (Aces)
Roman Cechmanek G L OK 80 88 86 83 69 82 86 69 82 NA NA 55 48 79 (Misconducts)
Also, if Geoffrey will allow it, a few more guys to sit in the stands in case there's an injury:
Not Dressed:
Jason Ryznar LW L OK 81 73 53 78 89 87 84 70 56 66 88 33 25 76 (Patriots)
Jason Ryznar LW L OK 81 73 53 78 89 87 84 70 56 66 88 33 25 76 (Patriots)
Eric Brewer D L OK 84 72 87 84 98 81 72 69 69 74 66 43 39 80 (Owls)
Chris Osgood G L OK 69 82 74 92 90 82 84 69 83 25 25 67 65 76 (Mauraders)
Chris Osgood G L OK 69 82 74 92 90 82 84 69 83 25 25 67 65 76 (Mauraders)
Bring on those training camp points! :D
- Dave
Monday, June 27, 2005
Hurricanes - PR
HURRICANES DIGGING THEIR WAY OUT OF THE BASEMENT
The Calgary Hurricanes, and much of the pre-season favourites in the Eastern Conference, have all been spinning around in the bottom of the standings in the league. The Hurricanes currently are sitting with 33 points, and only 2 points out of a playoff position, are starting to come around. "This is the first time this season that we've actually won 3 games in a row, it's a good feeling." Said Captain Chris Pronger.
The Hurricanes made many significant moves to improve their roster. The biggest was the youngster Pascal LeClaire, a flop with many other teams, couldn't handle the pressure of playing for one of the leagues powerhouses. The Hurricanes, once renowned for their defensive game as well as their offensive game have been simply relegated to offense only. The tandem of Chris
Pronger and Bryan Mccabe wasn't enough. GM Derek Major, after a fury outburst a weeks ago, acquired several key players.
Defensively, Calgary moved Bill Guerin to the Wheat Kings in exchange for Martin Cibak. Cibak has been a force on a line with super sniper Jason King and the playmaking Brendan Morrison. Cibak has amassed 12-points in 14 games for the 'Canes.
Following this move, Calgary traded goaltender Pascal LeClaire to the Flames in exchange for veteran Brian Boucher and forward Shane Endicott, who was previously traded earlier this season out of Calgary. Brian Boucher has become a staple-mark on the Hurricanes roster boasting an 18-9-2 record, which has proved to be much valuable as a Hurricane. "This team has a lot of great players. They have veterans like Naslund, Pronger and McCabe. This team is deep and I think we are seeing stability now." Said the new starting goaltender Brian Boucher.
The Hurricanes then flipped Shane Endicott to division rival the Bobcats in exchange for defenseman Brian Campbell. "We need a guy that was young. Our top two guys are 2 years away from unrestricted free agency, we need to have someone in here that can grow with the organization. Campbell is the guy, and at 26 years of age, we'll have him for quite
some time." Said GM Major.
Finally, during all of this fury of activity, Coach Marc Crawford was let go. After a TFHL Championship, and 3 and a half seasons as the Hurricanes coach, he was replaced by Craig MacTavish. MacT has had an immediate impact on the club as the team begins to climb the standings again.
"We have a lot of work to do. But I'll tell you this much, we'll be in the playoffs. We'll be back." MacTavish was quoted as saying.
Calgary Sun 2005
The Calgary Hurricanes, and much of the pre-season favourites in the Eastern Conference, have all been spinning around in the bottom of the standings in the league. The Hurricanes currently are sitting with 33 points, and only 2 points out of a playoff position, are starting to come around. "This is the first time this season that we've actually won 3 games in a row, it's a good feeling." Said Captain Chris Pronger.
The Hurricanes made many significant moves to improve their roster. The biggest was the youngster Pascal LeClaire, a flop with many other teams, couldn't handle the pressure of playing for one of the leagues powerhouses. The Hurricanes, once renowned for their defensive game as well as their offensive game have been simply relegated to offense only. The tandem of Chris
Pronger and Bryan Mccabe wasn't enough. GM Derek Major, after a fury outburst a weeks ago, acquired several key players.
Defensively, Calgary moved Bill Guerin to the Wheat Kings in exchange for Martin Cibak. Cibak has been a force on a line with super sniper Jason King and the playmaking Brendan Morrison. Cibak has amassed 12-points in 14 games for the 'Canes.
Following this move, Calgary traded goaltender Pascal LeClaire to the Flames in exchange for veteran Brian Boucher and forward Shane Endicott, who was previously traded earlier this season out of Calgary. Brian Boucher has become a staple-mark on the Hurricanes roster boasting an 18-9-2 record, which has proved to be much valuable as a Hurricane. "This team has a lot of great players. They have veterans like Naslund, Pronger and McCabe. This team is deep and I think we are seeing stability now." Said the new starting goaltender Brian Boucher.
The Hurricanes then flipped Shane Endicott to division rival the Bobcats in exchange for defenseman Brian Campbell. "We need a guy that was young. Our top two guys are 2 years away from unrestricted free agency, we need to have someone in here that can grow with the organization. Campbell is the guy, and at 26 years of age, we'll have him for quite
some time." Said GM Major.
Finally, during all of this fury of activity, Coach Marc Crawford was let go. After a TFHL Championship, and 3 and a half seasons as the Hurricanes coach, he was replaced by Craig MacTavish. MacT has had an immediate impact on the club as the team begins to climb the standings again.
"We have a lot of work to do. But I'll tell you this much, we'll be in the playoffs. We'll be back." MacTavish was quoted as saying.
Calgary Sun 2005
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Saints - PR
Saints Shuffle Pays off against hoity toity Flames
June 9, 2005
After a week long trading frenzy which is too complex to explain, GM Young finally announced today his intentions over the next (oh lets say 20 games). "This morning I assigned many of our underperforming 20 year old players to the Praetorian, in hopes to add to that already dominant farm franchise..." Joining the Praetorian are Andrei Kostitsyn, Denis Grebeshkov, David Turon and rejoining the farm team after a brief and successful Pro tryout (injury replacements) are future stars Devin Setogouchi and Frederik Sjostrom. Call ups include Mike Motteau, Bruno St. Jacques and GM Young also announced that Alexei Tezikov will now be called on to play roughly 20 min a game as the Saints #5 d-man - a unique honour, Tezikov is the only player from the original Saints Roster of the new TFHL (the one we joined with). "I hope that on the farm, some of these talented, yet young players, can develope their skills a bit more. Kostitsyn has showed promise on our pro roster by scoring a point a game since arriving here from the Wheat Kings but I don't feel that he can yet log the ice time needed of him."
Tucker rejoined the Saints roster for today's game - Tucker was the first player GM Young ever traded upon joining the new TFHL (to the Hurricanes for Radek Bonk). "Tucker has always played very well for us as a top end checker who can still rack up some points. The fans were very happy to see Tucker return for a run for the cup!" It is rumoured that Tucker will likely be dealt after this season as he is a RFA and starting next year there will be a surplus of younger talent available to the franchise.
On the goaltending front - after the shocking trade that saw league leading young goalie Ilja Bryzgalov leaving the Saints to join cross town Sasktoon rival Wheaties, the Saints goaltending situation looks better than ever. "I'm excited from what I'm seeing from Rask, our 18 year old starter on the farm...not to mention superb play by back-up Oliver Michaud!" And on the Pro, Martin Brodeur starts off with an impressive win over the "best of the west" Flames. The 3-1 win today over the flames came with the absence of #1 centre Sakic and Spezza line-mate McConnell...but to be fair to the Flames, Williams wasn't at 100% condition.
"We plan on winning the farm championship this year, and repeat the extraordinary season of TFFHL 11. We have the goaltending, we have the offence and now we have the defence which is comparable to many Pro lineups!" - Laurie Boschman, Ottawa Praetorian Head Coach.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Hurricanes - PR
HURRICANES ARE DISMANTLING: GUERIN GONE, CRAWFORD FIRED
As GM Derek Major walked the halls, he yelled back at everyone listening....
"Chris Pronger, Markus Naslund and Pascal LeClaire are all available, there is nobody untouchable right now!"
This message is on the heel of the firing of Coach Marc Crawford. Replacing Crawford will be Craig MacTavish.
The Calgary Hurricanes are in last place for the first time in nearly 12 seasons. The first casualty was Hurricane TFHL Champion Bill Guerin, who's pricey 5.1 million dollar contract was dealt to the Wheat Kings in exchange for Martin Cibak. Now the axe has fallen on the former TFHL Champion Marc Crawford.
"We got young too fast. I think that is the main casualty for this club right now. Unfortunately when things happen like this, there needs to be a big shake up. This is just the beginning." Said GM Derek Major.
According to the new coach it appears he is looking to find experienced forwards as well as younger defensive minded defenseman. "I think this situation will be tough. This team has a lot of great history behind it and we'll just need to battle back and climb into the post-season race. Nothing is ever out of the question, nor is this situation." Said newly appointed coach Craig
MacTavish.
There you have it folks, the flood gates are open with some of the best players from the last few seasons. Send those offers in. Just because I am shaking up doesn't mean I'll take sub-par offers, I'd expect equal value.
Cheers
Derek
As GM Derek Major walked the halls, he yelled back at everyone listening....
"Chris Pronger, Markus Naslund and Pascal LeClaire are all available, there is nobody untouchable right now!"
This message is on the heel of the firing of Coach Marc Crawford. Replacing Crawford will be Craig MacTavish.
The Calgary Hurricanes are in last place for the first time in nearly 12 seasons. The first casualty was Hurricane TFHL Champion Bill Guerin, who's pricey 5.1 million dollar contract was dealt to the Wheat Kings in exchange for Martin Cibak. Now the axe has fallen on the former TFHL Champion Marc Crawford.
"We got young too fast. I think that is the main casualty for this club right now. Unfortunately when things happen like this, there needs to be a big shake up. This is just the beginning." Said GM Derek Major.
According to the new coach it appears he is looking to find experienced forwards as well as younger defensive minded defenseman. "I think this situation will be tough. This team has a lot of great history behind it and we'll just need to battle back and climb into the post-season race. Nothing is ever out of the question, nor is this situation." Said newly appointed coach Craig
MacTavish.
There you have it folks, the flood gates are open with some of the best players from the last few seasons. Send those offers in. Just because I am shaking up doesn't mean I'll take sub-par offers, I'd expect equal value.
Cheers
Derek
Monday, June 06, 2005
Wheat Kings - PR
Shock Swap in Sas'toon
The Saskatchewan Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Saints completed one of the largest deals in TFHL history Thursday with both teams seeing their current rosters and prospects, both immediate and long term, significantly altered.
Heading from Kingship to Sainthood are the one-time Wheatie go-to guy Keith Tkachuk, disappointing young guns Jakub Hulva, Andrei Kostitsyn, Rosario Ruggeri, back-up Manny Legace, prospect Tuuka Rask, and picks in the year 17 draft. Joining the royal family are youngsters Lance Monych, Konstantin Glazachev, veteran Martin Cibak, prospects James Howard and Drew Stafford, the Saints top two picks in year 18, and the key to the deal, Ilja Bryzgalov. A couple days later the Kings shipped Martin Cibak to the Hurricanes for Bill Guerin.
"This deal was no doubt shocking, likely even more-so the our preseason Luongo deal," GM Tyler Young commented to the media. "But I've been trying to work on deals for the last while that would accomplish what this deal did in the end. As I said after the Luongo trade our current success is very much ahead of our plans and that despite our standing, and our desire to continue it, we would not waver from the rebuilding plan on which we set out at the beginning of last season. So with that plan in mind, the primary concern was our longterm goaltending situation: there are so few quality goaltenders twenty-five and under in this league that having one basically guarantees a team's future success in three or so years, the very point at which our team should be peaking. Moreover, I was worried about our financial situation and our ability to maintain our core - these two deals allows us that promise of stability. Dmitri Kazionov, Steve Bernier, Josh Hennesy, Dan Sprang, Matt
Jones, and now Ilja Bryzgalov will be our team for the next decade; this deal not only allows us to add one more player to that core group in a critical position without giving up any core players, but also allows us the financial leeway to keep that group together for a long, long time."
While the arrival of Bryzgalov and Monych help solidify the Kings' defensive ability, the loss of a proven scorer like Tkachuk and gifted, although not overly reliable nor productive, snipers Hulva and Kostitsyn could seriously comprimise the Wheaties offensive prowess.
"Yes, we will suffer some loss of goals for," Mr. Young stated in response to this concern. "But I do believe the reacquisition of Bill Guerin will fill the hole made by the departure of Tkachuk, plus I do think that Glazachev and Monych were somewhat underperforming on the Saints, so we will get some goals from them. Plus we have players like Daymond Langkow, Eric Fehr, and Josh Henessy, who given more opportunities, should respond well. So in the end our hope is that in the immediate future the loss of goals will not be devastating, and will be moreover counter-acted by improved defensive proficiency. In the long term our hope, given the youthful nature of our roster, is that the offence will continue to grow into its own as it matures and will continue to give us the high level of play, of which we have now grown accustomed."
The Saskatchewan Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Saints completed one of the largest deals in TFHL history Thursday with both teams seeing their current rosters and prospects, both immediate and long term, significantly altered.
Heading from Kingship to Sainthood are the one-time Wheatie go-to guy Keith Tkachuk, disappointing young guns Jakub Hulva, Andrei Kostitsyn, Rosario Ruggeri, back-up Manny Legace, prospect Tuuka Rask, and picks in the year 17 draft. Joining the royal family are youngsters Lance Monych, Konstantin Glazachev, veteran Martin Cibak, prospects James Howard and Drew Stafford, the Saints top two picks in year 18, and the key to the deal, Ilja Bryzgalov. A couple days later the Kings shipped Martin Cibak to the Hurricanes for Bill Guerin.
"This deal was no doubt shocking, likely even more-so the our preseason Luongo deal," GM Tyler Young commented to the media. "But I've been trying to work on deals for the last while that would accomplish what this deal did in the end. As I said after the Luongo trade our current success is very much ahead of our plans and that despite our standing, and our desire to continue it, we would not waver from the rebuilding plan on which we set out at the beginning of last season. So with that plan in mind, the primary concern was our longterm goaltending situation: there are so few quality goaltenders twenty-five and under in this league that having one basically guarantees a team's future success in three or so years, the very point at which our team should be peaking. Moreover, I was worried about our financial situation and our ability to maintain our core - these two deals allows us that promise of stability. Dmitri Kazionov, Steve Bernier, Josh Hennesy, Dan Sprang, Matt
Jones, and now Ilja Bryzgalov will be our team for the next decade; this deal not only allows us to add one more player to that core group in a critical position without giving up any core players, but also allows us the financial leeway to keep that group together for a long, long time."
While the arrival of Bryzgalov and Monych help solidify the Kings' defensive ability, the loss of a proven scorer like Tkachuk and gifted, although not overly reliable nor productive, snipers Hulva and Kostitsyn could seriously comprimise the Wheaties offensive prowess.
"Yes, we will suffer some loss of goals for," Mr. Young stated in response to this concern. "But I do believe the reacquisition of Bill Guerin will fill the hole made by the departure of Tkachuk, plus I do think that Glazachev and Monych were somewhat underperforming on the Saints, so we will get some goals from them. Plus we have players like Daymond Langkow, Eric Fehr, and Josh Henessy, who given more opportunities, should respond well. So in the end our hope is that in the immediate future the loss of goals will not be devastating, and will be moreover counter-acted by improved defensive proficiency. In the long term our hope, given the youthful nature of our roster, is that the offence will continue to grow into its own as it matures and will continue to give us the high level of play, of which we have now grown accustomed."
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Pain - PR
The Michigan Pain have a case of the championship blues. Most teams are
probably muttering "cry me a river," but in fact the Pain as a team and a
managerial unit are going through the motions. As of late the players have
come together to replace the beginning of the season with a nice stretch of
wins. Stomping notables like the Aces (P.S. don't mess around, or Paille
will put you out 5 games again) , Patriots, and giving a school lesson to
the smart ass Flames who spoiled Banner night in Michigan at the home
opener. The point here is that the Pain are waiting for the playoffs as
there mentality suggests that the regular season is long and meaningless. GM
Elliot has even got a case of the "Mondays." "Lately it has not been
business as usual. I have paid minimal attention to the league, and have not
examined other GM offers to the extent that they deserve. I think it is only
natural after two remarkable seasons to go on a mental vacation." It should
be noted that the Pain have won in the last two seasons but have never
finished on top of the conference. It begs the question how much does the
regular season impact the road to the cup.
Offseason Impact
The Michigan Pain lost corner stone defencemen Roman Hamrlik to free agnecy.
"Unfortunatley we could not retain Roman's services due to the fact the
Clubbers offered a exceptional price that did not meet our budget. He will
be missed." That was said a few months ago by GM Elliot but the defence is
one of the tops in the league without their heart and soul.
Also in the Free agnecy process GM Goodlet of the Spirit munched on a few
sour grapes. After the loss to the Pain in the finals that was billed an
ugly series from the standpoint of the players on the SPirit, GM Goodlet
bids aggresively on Pain players. "I have a good memory for these types of
things, I will have my day and raise his salaries" GM Elliot responded.
It seems the trading of young star Ryznar for Tallackson was a risky move
that paid off. He is second on the team in scoring in his rookie year.
Another surprise is the emergene of Yonkman on defence. HE has become a
solid d-man in his own right.
This season is already shaping up to be another dog fight in the West. The
Wheaties are right however, the President trophy winners are at the top of
the class but have to wait the whole year to take the exam. This goes for
every team; many teams will not even look the same come the trade deadline
(aka Misconduct/Flames/Wheat King). So the Pain will just have to wait; wait
for the time of the year that turns a sleepy city into a frenzy. A time of
the year that excites even a back-to-back champion. The TFHL Cup Playoffs.
Michigan Press
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
PR - Wheat Kings
Wheaties Stand Tall
First After Q1
The Saskatchewan Wheat Kings passed the first quarter mark of the season continuing their pace of the last fifty games of the previous season, standing first in the league with a solid .700 record. However, troubling was the fact that they have been seriously limping for the last ten games, suffering four losses whilst experiencing a weird series of injuries.
"The trouble all began when we faced the goon squads of the Misconduct and Spirit and lost a couple players in those two games," GM Tyler Young commented. "After that we overplayed some of our players to fill in for the injured players, and they became exausted and suffered injuries. It's been a painful tailspin, from which we hope we are now emerging."
During the first quarter the Kings have had some nice surprises, notably the play of newcomers Kevin Weekes, Karol Rachunek, Josh Henessey, and Eric Fehr, acquired in a risky preseason deal that saw pre-emininet netminder Roberto Luongo leave 'toontown. The continuing emergence of Dmitri Kazionov, Steve Bernier, and Matt Jones has been a badge of pride for Wheat fans and a great hope that this core of the Kings will secure the team among the league elite for the next decade.
Despite their success the Kings did not stop dealing, sending long time member and former core-prospect Scott Hartnell to the Blades for Shea Weber, and then dispatching Weber to the Saints in return for one time King Dan Sprang. The Kings also reaquired two other former Kings, Shawn Horcoff and Bryce Salvador, in a minor deal with the Clubbers.
"Overall I like how our team has played," Mr. Young stated, "but there is always room for improvement. I've said all-along that despite our President winning performance last year, and now our top spot this season, I consider the Pain the premiere team in this league, and so I'm building this team to beat them. I will not be satisfied with the success we have met with, nor should our players. Until we defeat the Pain in a best of seven playoff series we have accomplished nothing."
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
PR - Spirit
Spirit and Blackhawks duke ‘em out
Talk about a spirited affair. The Guelph Spirit and the Chicago Blackhawks had themselves a heck of an affair on the weekend. Things started nasty and early. Two of the Spirit’s punishing defencemen, Colin White and Dion Phaneuf, found themselves in the box, White for calling Randy Robitaille a “sissy” and Phaneuf for spearing Bryan Berard. The game went downhill from there. Sergei Fedorov, of all people, took a run at Marian Hossa, picking up an elbowing penalty. Thomas Vanek, the Spirit rookie, cross-checked Robitaille into the boards from behind, getting four minutes for his troubles. He didn’t go to the box alone, however, as Berard threw a vicious elbow at him. Robitaille sought his revenge later in the period, leaving his feet to take down Zach Parise, the Spirit’s skilled centreman, knocking him out of the game. Winger Kris Kolanos dealt Robitaille an elbow to the head, leaving Robitaille with a headache and a game misconduct and Kolanos with a ten minute misconduct to think about his misdeeds.
The second period was no less savage. Ryan O’Byrne collected a charging minor one minute in. Less than three minutes later, Phaneuf and Eric Lindros dropped the gloves, thrilling the fans with some no-holds-barred fisticuffs. Phaneuf found himself the object of the referee’s ire, receiving a game misconduct. Before the period was out Janne Niinimaa had a boarding minor, Hal Gill had an elbowing double-minor and Lindros had another charging minor in an unsuccessful attempt to challenge White to a fight. In between there were five goals scored, but the focus was on the physical play, which claimed another casualty as Spirit winger Matt Pettinger left the game.
In the third period, Lindros again tried to goad White into a fight, picking up an upsportsmanlike call for taunting. JP Dumont ran over Hossa and Vladislav Evseev picked up two minutes for making obscene gestures. White drew a two minute charging call when he flattened Byrne with three minutes to go. As soon as he stepped back on the ice, Byrne took a run at him and the punch-filled battle settled in a draw.
The game even went to overtime, where Berard left the game limping after a Chris Phillips hit. Radek Bonk eventually scored the game winner for the Spirit, but the talk afterwards was all about the nastiness that seemed to come out of nowhere. Games 85 and 92 are now being breathlessly anticipated by fans of both squads for the next round in this new rivalry.
After the game word came down that Dion Phaneuf had been suspended for a game. Phaneuf had previously received a five game suspension earlier in the season, so the league had little pity for him. Phaneuf expressed defiance and committed to being ready for the next matchup with the Blackhawks.
For those interested, here is the scoresheet for a great contest. The Blackhawks had 40 PIM and the Spirit 47 PIM. Not one of the penalties was for something whimpy like tripping or hooking.
Period 1
NO SCORING
PENALTIES: C. WHITE Spi (UNSPORTSMANLIKE-CONDUCT, Minor) 03:29, D. PHANEUF Spi (SPEARING, Major) 04:36, S. FEDOROV Blk (ELBOWING, Minor) 11:24, B. BERARD Blk (ELBOWING, Minor) 12:36, T. VANEK Spi (CROSS-CHECKING, Double Minor) 12:36, R. ROBITAILLE Blk (CHARGING, Minor, Game Misconduct) 17:41 (Served by Craig Rivet), K. KOLANOS Spi (ELBOWING, Minor, Misconduct) 17:41
Period 2
1. SPIRIT, MURRAY 6 (VANEK, BOYCHUK) (PP), 02:50
2. SPIRIT, KALTEVA 1 (VANEK, STEEN) (PP), 08:16
3. SPIRIT, KOLANOS 8 (BONK, MURRAY) (PP), 17:03
4. BLACKHAWKS, FEDOROV 5 (SATAN, CHRISTENSEN), 18:29
5. BLACKHAWKS, SPANHEL 2 (DUMONT), 19:40
PENALTIES: R. O'BYRNE Blk (CHARGING, Minor) 01:00, E. LINDROS Blk (FIGHTING) 03:49, D. PHANEUF Spi (FIGHTING, Game Misconduct) 03:49, J. NIINIMAA Blk (BOARDING, Minor) 07:25, H. GILL Blk (ELBOWING, Double Minor) 10:01, E. LINDROS Blk (CHARGING, Minor) 16:10
Period 3
6. BLACKHAWKS, DUMONT 2 (BERARD) (PP), 14:59
PENALTIES: E. LINDROS Blk (UNSPORTSMANLIKE-CONDUCT, Minor) 02:13, J. DUMONT Blk (CHARGING, Minor) 11:29, V. EVSEEV Spi (UNSPORTSMANLIKE-CONDUCT, Minor) 14:26, C. WHITE Spi (CHARGING, Minor) 16:39, R. O'BYRNE Blk (FIGHTING) 19:00, C. WHITE Spi (FIGHTING) 19:00
Overtime
7. SPIRIT, BONK 6 (EVSEEV, HOSSA), 04:40
Friday, May 20, 2005
PR - Clubbers
Has The Skid Finally Stopped?
BY Mike Oxolong for The Evening Telegram
After a very promising start the Clubbers had fallen on hard times. Going 0-3 in the last 3 games. Tonights game saw a determined effort against arguably the stingiest defence in the league. The Clubbers found themselves facing a Raider team that has only allowed 26 goals so far this year. Despite a very close game, game star Patrick Marleau's power play goal early in the third proved to be the game winner.
Meanwhile on the pros young goaltender Fleury has found himself back up to a very capable Roman Turek. Coach Nolan has expressed his disappointment in Fleuries performance so far this year and is hoping a little time on the bench will help him regain his focus. Coach Nolan" We are aware that Marc is our goaltender for the future, unfortunately last year we had to put Marc in there every game and he was really unable to develope his skills, this year he will get a chance to observe Roman and maybe take some pointers."
The past week has also seen a major shake-up on the team as well. Gone is long-time Clubber Jason Arnott as well as Mike Rathje and Scott Gomez. In their place are new faces Jason Allison, Patrick Marleau, and Jason Smith. There was also a shake-up on the farm, the loss of Matt Smaby and Anton Skorykh has done little to stop the early season domination. Lead by rookie Kevin Leland and his miniscule 0.50gaa....the Pelts now lead the league. It is hoped that he may be the next Barry Brust.
Tomorrow the Clubbers are at home to a young Canucks team.....hopefully another win is on its way
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Wheat Kings - PR
In Defence of the Future
After the preseason mega-deal with the Owls, the Kings found themselves loaded at forward with very talented, very young forwards. Although initially the plans had been to give Eric Fehr a season on the farm so as to allow him a chance to further improve and to assuage this depth, an early season injury to Daymond Langkow allowed Fehr a chance to strut his stuff on the big stage, and he did not disappoint. With five points in three games Fehr had solidified himself a roster spot and made Selke candidate Scott Hartnell expendable.
Coupled with the depth on the forward was a scarcity of comparable young defencemen. So given the situation, GM Tyler Young traded away three players who had fallen to the sidelines of the Kings' roster. Inaugrual King member and long time leading defenceman scorer Kenny Johnsson was dispatched with utility forward Danius Zubrus to the Saskatoon Saints in return for defenceman Rosario Rugerri. Then Scott Hartnell was sent to the Saskatoon Blades along with a pick for defenceman Shea Webber.
"With these two deals I feel we've solidified our d-core for the future, plus we've now trimmed down our offensive corp to its future form, more-or-less. Our choice was between Langkow and Hartnell, and in the end we felt we preferred Daymond's leadership and offensive skills over Scott's greater grit and defensive awareness. We love the defencemen we have brought in: Shea Webber is a great all-around d-man, solid defensively but offensively gifted, and he meets our criteria of disciplined play; Rosario Rugerri needs another year on the farm, but our hope is that given some more time to develop he might turn into a Sergei Gonchar-type defenceman and the future pilot of our powerplay."
News&Notes: Eric Fehr is not the only rookie making a premature push to stay on the pro roster. Niklas Bergfors, the Kings' 12th overall pick last draft, was brough up after an injury to Jakub Hulva and has had three points in two games, well actually, he had three points in one game after being given a shot on the #1 line between snipers Keith Tkachuk and Steve Bernier, whereat Bergfors' playmaking skills were on total display.
After the preseason mega-deal with the Owls, the Kings found themselves loaded at forward with very talented, very young forwards. Although initially the plans had been to give Eric Fehr a season on the farm so as to allow him a chance to further improve and to assuage this depth, an early season injury to Daymond Langkow allowed Fehr a chance to strut his stuff on the big stage, and he did not disappoint. With five points in three games Fehr had solidified himself a roster spot and made Selke candidate Scott Hartnell expendable.
Coupled with the depth on the forward was a scarcity of comparable young defencemen. So given the situation, GM Tyler Young traded away three players who had fallen to the sidelines of the Kings' roster. Inaugrual King member and long time leading defenceman scorer Kenny Johnsson was dispatched with utility forward Danius Zubrus to the Saskatoon Saints in return for defenceman Rosario Rugerri. Then Scott Hartnell was sent to the Saskatoon Blades along with a pick for defenceman Shea Webber.
"With these two deals I feel we've solidified our d-core for the future, plus we've now trimmed down our offensive corp to its future form, more-or-less. Our choice was between Langkow and Hartnell, and in the end we felt we preferred Daymond's leadership and offensive skills over Scott's greater grit and defensive awareness. We love the defencemen we have brought in: Shea Webber is a great all-around d-man, solid defensively but offensively gifted, and he meets our criteria of disciplined play; Rosario Rugerri needs another year on the farm, but our hope is that given some more time to develop he might turn into a Sergei Gonchar-type defenceman and the future pilot of our powerplay."
News&Notes: Eric Fehr is not the only rookie making a premature push to stay on the pro roster. Niklas Bergfors, the Kings' 12th overall pick last draft, was brough up after an injury to Jakub Hulva and has had three points in two games, well actually, he had three points in one game after being given a shot on the #1 line between snipers Keith Tkachuk and Steve Bernier, whereat Bergfors' playmaking skills were on total display.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)