Sunday, March 26, 2006

PR - Wheat Kings

GO FIGURE

After dumping most of their talented veteran players the Wheat Kings played
solid .600 hockey and climbed into the playoffs. If the Kings management was to
be honest they would likely admit that this winning spree is somewhat contrary
to their desired 'all-out rebuilding', but no one is complaining. In the end
the deals offered a very important lesson: having a lot of talent isn't as
important as having the right chemistry and the right guys getting the puck.

Josh Hennessy, Stever Bernier, and perhaps most significantly, Dimitri Kazionov
have all relished in their new found roles as 'go-to guys'. Kazionov is a
tiger on the ice and has already won a couple games single-handedly; this after not
making any impact with one of the best set-up men in the league, Peter
Forsberg. Hennessy who flourished on the third line early in the season, is now the
team's #1 center and has nicely developed into a wonderful two-way pivot like
Doug Gilmour or Mark Messier. Stever Bernier has found chemistry with Craig
Conroy, the lone veteran who survived the purge, with secondary sniper Eric Fehr
riding shot-gun.

In retrospect the series of 'selling' deals the Kings did a couple weeks ago
have worked for everyone all around. Twenty-two players and two draft picks
changed teams during the spree. Both the Bobcats and the Misconduct have been an a
tear since the Kings gave up such players as Forsberg, Daymond Langkow, Thomas
Vokoun, Roberto Luongo, Matt Jones and Masi Marjamaki. In turn the Kings have
also flourished: perhaps the most spectacular addition has been Duncan Keith,
who is averaging .88ppg in a Kings jersey - Sergei Gonchar numbers - while also
averaging 3.4 hits per game (when the Kings dealt Jones he had 10 hits total
for the season). Although no one is holding their breath yet, Keith may be the
premier #1 d-man which Wheatwatchers have long dreamed about seeing in a Wheat
Kings jersey since the far-off days of the old TFHL when Rob Blake wore the red
and gold. Surprise additions have been Mark Bell and Nik Tselios - both were
acquired ostensibly as depth players: but
Bell has found an ability to score and right now pilots the third line with
aplomb and Tselios cannot be underestimated, his ability to injure opposing
players has thrown many a team's lines into total disarray allowing the Wheaties to
eek out a victory.

Overall the Kings are still looking to deal - there have been some reports that
GM Young is looking to a big-impact deal - but in general the mood in 'toon
town is that the core is for sure, and as they continue to develop they will be
able to lead the Kings into the pantheon of the TFHL elite.

Friday, March 24, 2006

PR - Bobcats

Brantford Bobcats Towers Of Power...
AP: After the first 2 seasons under the guidance of general manager Glenn Merkir, the Brantford Bobcats are having a record breaking year in Bobcat history. After a dis-appointing first season going 32-48-8 for 72 points on the season, the Bobcats rebounded with a strong effort in the franchise's quest for the TFHL cup the following year improving last years totals in every category with a astonishing 18 point improvement in the standings with a 40-40-8 record for 88 points.
Now in the franchises 3 year in the TFHL, the Bobcats sit in first place in the entire league with 72 points in only 58 games, led by the trio of Gagne, Jagr and Samsonov each having a solid year, and the solid goaltending and Vezina trophy candidate Marty Biron. With 30 games left in the season General Manager Glenn Merkir hopes to keep the team focused on taking each game one at a time and play as if its game 7 of the TFHL cup!! With how competitive the TFHL has become in the last 3 years, first place is up for grabs by any team at this point but the Bobcats will promise to make every game thats remaining in the regular season and as far as we go in this years playoffs one to remember for Bobcats fans!!!!

Sunday, March 19, 2006

PR - Wheat Kings

WHEAT KINGS LANGUISH IN BASEMENT

The Wheat Kings over the last month have sold-off much of their roster and are
very much in a 'next year' mentality. The most sudden and definate of these
moves was the (re-re-re-)dealing of All-Star/Vezina winner Roberto Luongo to the
Bobcats last week in return for prospect Dennis Seidenburg (drafted 8th overall
last year by the Maurauders).

The jetisoning of Luongo should have triggered a downward spiral, but it
actually started a mini winning spree and .500 overall hockey since, keeping the
Wheaties close to the playoffs - especially with the spiraling Blades heading
downwards. Nevetheless, the resurgent Ice are nipping at the Wheaties' heels in
the always exciting Western Conference.

Overall the results from the selling spree have been mixed: Duncan Keith has
been generally solid and at times spectucalar since coming over from the Cats,
but Yuri Artemenkov has been a sound disappointment (although his play is picking
up - four points last two games). Seidenburg played so well that he earned a
brief pro try-out before being dispatched to the farm, meanwhile Jamie Howard
who came up to play goal on the pro was solid in his first three outings,
questionable in the next two - the boy is a sponge though, he has incredible rebound
control, and although he has long been slated as the Kings back-up of the
future, he is demonstrating that he may have the stuff of a #1 in him, or at least a
solid #1b.

The best and most comforting outcome of the selling spree has been that the
core group of Steve Bernier, Josh Hennessy, and Dimitri Kazionov have stepped it
up slightly, and have been at times indomitable.



FUTURE WATCH
Players ranked are players deemed not to be full-time pros yet.

1. Niklas Bergfors (Acquired: Draft TFHL15, 13th overall)
Slick Nik could have played on the pro this year, and likely should have. He's
sniper's dream: feathering light passes to gawking stick. He's big and tough,
which helps clear room for smaller players like Stever Bernier. If he could
improve his defensive awareness slightly he'd be a true #1.

2. Darren Machesney (Acquired: Trade TFHL16, Misconduct)
Although his stats this year on the farm don't show it, Machesney has all the
tools to be a solid #1 in the league. He still needs some grooming and it was
hoped he would learn something while playing on the farm this year, but he will
likely have to now learn on the job next year.

3. Byron Bitz (Acquired: Trade TFHL15, Flames)
Bitz-krieg is another player who likely would have been better off playing on
the pro this year. He can do it all, score, pass, back-check, skate. He is
more of finesse-first player and rarely takes the body. He also has a tendency to
tire fast and so likely will never be a true #1 line man.

4. Erkka Leppanen (Acquired: Draft TFHL15, 65th overall)
Don't expect him to rack up many points or do anything to catch your attention
most nights. Defensively solid, Leppanen is the model for the unnoticeable but
invaluable players which the Kings hope to keep adding.

5. Jimmy Howard (Acquired: Trade TFHL15, Saints)
His puck control is nearly perfect, he's big, and moves well for a big guy -
now only if he could keep his head in the game. Acquired as part of a package
which saw Tuuka Rask go to the Saints, Howard needs to play well in order to
redeem the Kings for the loss of Rask.

6. Dennis Seidenburg (Acquired: Trade TFHL16, Bobcats)
Recently acquired Seidenburg has instantly attacted notice. He's offensively
gifted, fast, and good on the defensive play - everything that could make him
into a solid top four man on the Wheaties d-core.

7. Kyle Chipchura (Acquired: Trade TFHL16, Misconduct)
Chipchura is a prairie boy, a commidity of which the Kings should have more.
He's solid all-around and could end-up being a decent third liner for years to
come.

8. Mark Fistric (Acquired: Trade TFHL16, Misconduct)
Fistric is another of a seemingly infinite number of young d-men in the system.
He's all-around solid and as an 18 year old still has a lot of time to develop.

9. Danny Roussin (Acquired: Draft TFHL16, 37th overall)
Roussin is likely three or four years aways from the pros, at best. He is a
solid sniping winger, who given time has an outside change of developing into a
regular top sixer.

10. Andy Alberts (Acquired: Draft TFHL16, 38th overall)
Leppanen Jr. Alberts is two to three years away from making the pro. A solid
defensive defenseman.

Others:
Jason Pominville, C; Raymond Macias, D; Constantine Augustus, RW

PR - Flames

This season has been a relatively quiet season for the Atlanta Flames. They
came into the new season boasting a very strong team. Flames GM, Patrick Amantea
had high hopes for potential super star Rick Nash BUT once again, "tubby" came
into camp quite out of shape and it showed on the ice. While he has world class
skill, his endurance was below that of an ECHL player. Hopes for Rick Nash
quickly shifted and his presence on the first line was surpressing the team.
Finally, Patrick told Nash that he was to be traded and that was final. Coming back
the Flames acquired a true top end sniper to fit perfectly on the side of
Gaborik and Michalek. So far he has become the Flames leading goal scorer and looked
very very good. The other part of the deal dealt the Flames a 1st round pick,
which will most likely be a top 3 pick (potentially 1st overall). It will be
interesting to see what happens with that pick, as the Flames boast quite a strong
farm system (even though their farm recor
d does not show it).

On a side note, the Flames are getting the reputation around the league as
being bullies. The Flames boast quite a physical team. They lead the league with
most hits and are very tough to play against. This was clearly evident in the
previous game vs the Apocalypse where they managed to injure 3 players and take
out Tessier (their leading scorer) for the rest of the year. This toughness
factor should bode well come playoff time when grit becomes huge.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

PR - Misconducts

VOKOUN SHINS IN SECOND STINT WITH TEAM
Tomas Vokoun shinned last night in Miami's 3-3 tie against the Michigan Pain. Vokoun stopped 41 out 44 shots to earn a much needed point for the Misconducts in their chase for a better playoff seeding. He earned the number one star of game but he could have easily won all three stars of the game with the way he played. Coach Lemaire has even decided to let Vokoun get another start tonight when the team faces the Spirit.
Vokoun who was reacquired last week to provide a solid backup to Martin Brodeur has played well this year. How long he can keep this play up is anyone's guess but if he continues to play like he has recently there is a possibilty that can claim the number one spot from Martin Brodeur. Until then Vokoun is contain with his role on the Misconducts and is very happy to be back in Miami for the foreseeable future.
STAR POWER RETURNS FOR MIAMI
For the past year and half the Misconducts were in the middle of a rebuilding phase that saw them acquire numbers draft picks and young players like Boris Valabik, Juraj Kolnik, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Mattias Ritola, Shawn Belle, Johnny Boychuk, Matt Smaby, Corey Perry, Rosario Ruggeri, and countless other good young players. Some of those players like Ponikarovsky and Ruggeri are no longer with the Misconducts. While others have failed to develop as planned but still remain in the organization. But over this time period one thing lacked on the Misconducts, and that was the lack of true star power. That no longer is a concern with the Misconducts. In the recent months they have gone out and gotten players like Daymond Langkow and Martin Brodeur to fill huge holes at goaltending and center. But the cream of the crop had to be the deal that land them one of the best players in the league in Peter Forsberg.
With Langkow, Forsberg, and Brodeur this team has set it self up not only to make the playoffs this year but in a wide open Easteren Conference anything is possible for this team. Especially if players like Teemu Laakso, Boychuk, Belle, Smaby, Kristian Huselius, Ivan Huml, Jan Hrdina, and Tomas Vokoun all continue to contribute to the success of the team. Not only does the outlook for the rest of the season look bright for the Misconducts but with the Felony doing so well this year and with 6 picks in the first three rounds of the draft the future for this team looks just as bright.
HRDINA CLOSE TO BEING GAME READY
Today at the morning skate Jan Hrdina was able to participate in non contact drills. He is still feeling a little sore but the team feels he will be able to return at some point this weekend and help the team. Once he returns he will be reunited with linemates Ivan Huml and Kristian Huselius who form one of the more productive lines in recent Misconducts history.
PREVIEW OF TONIGHT'S GAME
Tonight, the Misconduct face the Spirit in game that could turn into a high scoring affair. The Spirit are one of the worst defensive teams in the league giving up an average of over 3.5 goals a game. Only the Colt 45 and Patriots have given up more goals than the Spirit. However the Spirit also has a fair share of guys who can put the puck in the net with the likes of Krystofer Kolanos, Radek Bonk, and Marian Hossa up front. If the game becomes a shootout look for the Spirit to take this one especially with Jan Hrdina still out for this game. But if the Misconducts keep this game a low scoring affair they should be able to pull out a victory. Starting goaltenders tonight look to be Patrick Lalime for the Spirit and Tomas Vokoun will once again be between the pipes. Will Vokoun have enough energy ater last night''s 41 save performance to be just as good tonight ? If not the Misconducts will surely suffer a loss, but head coah Jacques Lemaire has faith that Vokoun will be just as good tonight.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

PR - Hurricanes

CALGARY OUTSIDE OF THE PLAYOFF PICTURE; MARC CRAWFORD RE-HIRED

Calgary, AB - The Calgary Hurricanes fired Craig MacTavish last week and
re-hired former TFHL Champion Marc Crawford. The move to fire
MacTavish was expected after the star loaded Hurricanes fell apart in so
many ways.

"It's an exciting day to be back in Calgary. Obviously the faces have
changed significantly since I left. It's simply a different team with a
bit of a different
identity. I look forward to working with this group." said Crawford.

The Calgary Hurricanes, despite boasting stars such as Markus Naslund,
Alexandre Svitov, and Bryan McCabe, have failed to become legitimate
contenders
in the Eastern Conference. "I think we have got to step it up, and I
think we are doing that." Said Naslund. Naslund has been leading by
example, as he has potted
5 goals in his last 2 games and has once again become a force in the
scoring standings among players.

The top line of Shawn Bates, Markus Naslund, and Alexandre Svitov has
been reunited, and the entire unit is starting to click again. The
second line up is featuring a new
comer at center in Matthew Lombardi who has been able to compliment
Maxim Afinogenov who came over in the trade with Lombardi for Chris
Pronger. Jason King rounds
up the scoring punch on this speedy line.

The Hurricanes have began to go towards the youth movement with players
such as Alexandre Svitov, Jason King, and Matthew Lombardi. The defense
is expected to change drastically
next season as many newcomers such as Ryan Parent, Andy Rogers, and
Badass Jack are expected to begin battling for spots on defense. The
timing to add this individuals is great as key guys
such as Richard Matvichuk and Kenny Jonsson increase in age and decrease
in productivity.

"I would say our team is the deepest we've ever been in terms of
prospects. Both Alex Svitov and Jason King came through our system, so
we expect our defense to follow the same approach. In the next
few seasons it can be expected a goalie or two will join us up here as
well." Said GM Major.

Of course, the GM is referring to hot prospects Peter Budaj and Corey
Schneider. Schneider, at 18 years of age is regarded as the heir
aparrent to current start Brian Boucher, with Peter Budaj also
considered a possible starter in the future. The team hasn't had a
goaltender prospect like these two goalies since Tobias Stephan was
dealt away a few seasons ago.

The Hurricanes currently sit 2 points out of 8th spot in the Eastern
conference, and will continue the battle to make the playoffs.


Calgary Sun 2006

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Wheat Kings - PR

WHEAT KINGS KEEP BUSY MID-SEASON

The Wheat Kings have been quite active on the trade market this season,
remarkable (but considering the GM not suprising) after they vowed at the beginning of
the year to keep their roster in tact for the season. After the Forsberg
mega-deal, GM Tyler Young began to re-examine his roster:

"The radical imbalance of the league really hit-home when we stood at .530 and
were still in ninth place in our conference - with that record alone we would
have home ice in the East. Right now we have a better goal differential than
the first place team in the East and yet we sit two spots out of the playoffs.
In such a situation it seemed worthwhile to reacquire the team's first rounder."

"We dealt the pick because we expected it to be about 12-18th overall and since
that kindof prospect would take three to four years to be pro-ready, well
behind the developmental curve of our roster, it was better to get a potential #1
goalie in Daren Machesney with it and get him developing now. But the competive
nature of the West made it clear that it might be in our best interest to miss
the playoffs, get a decent top eight prospect, get rid of veterans and give ice
time to further the development of our young players - hence we are in the
process of doing so."

"We've had several year of cheaply achieved success, but the nascence of teams
like the Sioux, Raiders, and Blades after they developed a good young core over
several years, has made it clear that such success is no longer easily gotten
in the West. So we decided enough fooling around, let's just get serious."

One of the longest serving members of the Kings and their captain, Daymond
Langkow, was sent to the Misconduct along with Jay McKee and Matt Nickerson for the
Wheaties first rounder, Kyle Chipchura, and Shane Willis. With the development
of Josh Hennessy, Langkow was no longer needed and his value was still high.

"The other issue we have been trying to figure out is why, although we are
statistically strong, are we losing? In the end we decided that our team lacked a
competitive edge and a strong enough defensive awareness. So we sent talented
but soft Masi Marjamaki and Matt Jones, along with Willis, to the Bobcats for
the more gritty combo of Duncan Keith and Yuri Artemenkov. Keith and Artemenkov
bring certain intangibles to the table which will in the long run make our team
better."

Jones was long heralded as the Kings primo d-man, but despite strong offensive
showings, he never quite piloted the unit and was being overshadowed by Mark
Stuart this year.

"In reality we're in year four of a five year building plan and besides a
couple snags - the inability yet to develop a #1 goalie and a #1 center - we are
more or less on track. We have a strong supporting cast in place which is proving
itself quite strong offensively even in this immature state, as far as the
coming year we will likely be looking to add another d-man or two, and give our
small but talented group of prospects time to develop. Bergfors and Machesney
look especially good, they just need some more time."