PR - Hurricanes

HURRICANES CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT \ ALSO RETIRE JERSEYS #10 and #1

Calgary, AB - With Milan Hnilicka standing on his head after 31 shots,
the Hurricanes still managed to put 3 passed the Aces netminder for a
3-2 victory
on Friday.  With the win, the Calgary Hurricanes clinched a playoff spot
for the 7th season in a row.

In fact, as of Friday, the entire Eastern conference had clinched, and
only the Atlanta Flames of the Western conference had clinched.  "Well I
think it comes down to the fact
that our conference does have some weaker teams.  There is no arguing
the last 3 TFHL Champions came from the West." said GM Major.

On a night when the Hurricanes clinched a playoff spot, they also
honoured two retired hockey players.  Former all-star winger John
LeClair, who played for the Hurricanes from
TFHL9 - TFHL11 had his #10 officially retired.  Jason King had
previously worn the jersey this season, but in honour of LeClair,
changed his number to #71.

LeClair, holds several distinctions with the Hurricanes, including:
TFHL10 Art Ross Trophy, TFHL10 Hart Trophy, and the TFHL10 Rocket
Richard Trophy.  John LeClair was part of the spectacular
underdog team that went to the TFHL finals in TFHL10 against the
Roadrunners where they lost, in overtime and in Game 7.

The jersey to Sean Burke, the all-star goaltender, also had his #1
jersey retired.  Sean Burke played two season's for the Hurricanes while
winning the William Jennings Trophy for the lowest GAA and also led the
Hurricanes to their only TFHL Champion in TFHL12.


Calgary Sun 2006

PR - Wheat Kings

Restful Week after Deadline

With eleven games left the atmosphere in Saskatoon has mellowed.  The Kings now
sit relatively solid in seventh and return to action tonight after a three day
break.  An injury to Eric Fehr necessitated the call-up of Byron Bitz, who will
get a shot to finish the season on the pro.  In the five games the 'Big Three'
have been together they have nine goals and sixteen points.  However, although
Hennessy and Kazionov seem to be playing well together, Bernier was been
relatively quiet and many are suggesting that the Kings also call-up Nik Bergfors to
finish the season with Bernier since the two have chemistry.

"Our farm team isn't doing much, I'm tempted to call everyone up," GM Tyler
Young stated, "but I'm not sure what would be best for our guys' development,
finish the year on the farm or get some time on the pro.  As it is the roster is
ok, we don't really have our typical third line, just a mucker line, but we can
finish the year with them - heck Larsen and Fata are doing quite nicely with
some extra playing time.  Overall, unless something drastic occurs, it looks like
we're headed into the playoffs, sixth or seventh seed.  We'll sort things out."

News & Notes:  Dimitri Kazionov is looking strong to finish with the
goal-scoring lead, which surprisingly would be his first.  He needs seven goals in eleven
games to get to fifty though. . . Mattias Ritola has had four points (1g, 3a)
in five games since joining the Kings at the deadline.




Future Watch

Jimmy Howard has been solid in net this year so far, which got me thinking:
there are few talented goalies in the league aged 24-29 and with most of the #1
goalies in the league having passed or around 30, there is only about three to
five years left until there will be a shift to the group of goalies who are
developing right now.  At that point a team's future will be largely based on
whether they have a good, reliable goalie developed within three or so years (teams
drafting this year will be behind the curve).

So with that in mind I though it would be interesting to look at the future of
the league.  Here's the Top-10 Goalie prospects in my view:

10.  Mark-Andre Fleury, 21, Clubbers (3.69, 28-45-4, SO3, .867)
Fleury has had two seasons on the pro and has never looked all that good. 
Nevertheless, he is ahead of the pack as far as development and could still
turn-into a top 10 goalie.

9.  Cory Schneider, 18, Hurricanes  (3.60, 2-3-0, SO0, .870)
Schneider is young and solid.  However, unless he develops at an exponential
pace he will never be a truly elite goalie.

8.  Darren Machesney, 19, Wheat Kings (n/a farm)
Machesney is well-rounded and reliable, but won't necessarily stand-out in and
by himself.

7.  Tuuka Rask, 19, Saints  (3.33, 3-2-2, SO0, .888)
Similar to the above two in being balanced yet unspectacular, but ahead in his
development.  This year Rask looked good for a couple games, bad for a couple -
he's young though, and will be given time to develop.

6.  Alexandre Vincent, 19, Rednex  (3.96, 1-0-1, SO0, .851)
An early draft choice by the Rednex, Vincent is well-rounded and given time to
develop should be a solid keeper.  He is very competitive, but may lack some of
the intangibles to be an elite goalie.

5.  Jimmy Howard, 22, Wheat Kings  (3.01, 13-13-3, SO1, .883)
In this list he is the freak.  He has likely the best rebound control in the
league and that could make him a monster among men.  He is inexaustible, but
needs to improve in his movement and his intensity - if he does he could be an
elite goalie, otherwise he should be a decent tandem man.  As rookie he is
putting-up solid stats.

4.  Pascal Leclaire, 21, Flames (3.08, 5-7-2, SO0, .887)
Although he is no longer looking like an uber-flop, Leclaire still is somewhat
questionable.  He is supremely talented in so many respects that one would
think that he would soon hit it big time, but he is weak in puck control - the
fatal flaw for a goalie - and his skating is none too sharp either.  Leclaire could
one day be a Vezina candidate or end-up just another mediocre goalie. 
Fortunately he has Theodore in front of him for a few more seasons.

3.  Tobias Stephen, 21, Ice  (3.23, 18-19-4, SO2, .876)
To say that the Ice solid the farm to acquire Stephen is an under-statement. 
Stephen is the best of the well-rounded but unspectacular goalies (see Vincent,
Rask, Schneider, Fleury, Machesney below) which seem to be the future of the
TFHL (kind of the TFHL equivalent to the NHL card-board cut-outs like J-S
Giguere, Alex Auld, Cam Ward, etc.).  Certainly the Ice will continue to work with him
in order to get the most out of him and given some time so that he can justify
the cost of acquiring him, but right now he is playing on one of the best
defensive teams in the league and is looking like their biggest weakness.

2.  Maxime Ouellet, 21, Sioux  (3.05, 25-16-4, 1SO, .883)
Enjoying the second best rookie campaign by a goalie in league history, Ouellet
is solid and spunky.  He lacks intensity and elite puck control and speed, but
he is the only proven winner in the pack.

1.  Barry Brust, 21, Aces  (2.93, 24-25-7, SO2, .889)
In five years when Theodore, Biron, and Giguere are packing it in, Brust will
be a god among mortals.  The only one of the under-30 crowd who is both balanced
and has truly elite talent.  His one weakness is puck control and his endurance
will always require a solid back-up, but Brust is a full league ahead of
everyone right now.

Other notables:
Ray Emery, 19, Renegades (n/a farm)
In five years Emery could be the best back-up in the league.  His stats are
peppy and the boy has spunk, but he just tires fast and falls flat.

Devan Dubnyk, 19, Apocalypse (3.50, 1-1-0, SO0, .857)
Dubnyk is the least of a series of solid, well-rounded goalies who will likely
develop into 'ok' net-minders, but - barring freak developement - lack the
skills to be an elite man.

Al Montoya, 20, Patriots  (3.44, 0-2-0, SO0, .866)
A former top ten pick, he is the back-up on a bad team this year.  He is weak
in lateral movement and puck control and only adequate in his other abilities. 
He has some time to develop though.

David Leneveu, 21, Spirit  (3.34, 2-1-0, 0SO, .871)
Controls the puck well and has some speed.  His skating is sub-standard and he
has tendency to lose focus.

Dan Blackburn, 23, Canucks (3.59, 23-41-4, SO3, .876)
What many of the goalies below will look like in a couple seasons.  Blackburn
has some talent and is well-rounded enough not to be a total liability, but he
doesn't have what it takes to be an elite man.

Marek Schwarz, 18, Blades (4.03, 1-3-1, SO0 .832)
A top 4 pick last year, he is young and has a lot of things which are good
about him.  But his ability to control the puck is quite simply atrocious and
unless he figures that out in the next couple years, he will be a constant
liability.

Maxime Daigneault, 21, Achaeans (4.29, 2-1-0, GA0, .836)
He has some solid strengths and some key weaknesses.  Outside chance of
developing into a #1.

Kari Lehtonen, 21, Sioux,  (4.47, 1-3-1, SO0, .844)
Signed as a free agent from the Wheat Kings to an absurd salary and costing the
Sioux a first (Niklas Bergfors) and two thirds (Tuuka Rask and Erka Leppanen),
Lehtonen is looking like a full-fledge flop.  He has speed and endurance, but
nothing else.

Ryan Munce, 21, Bobcats
Acquired from the Blades, Munce will be at best a #1b.

PR - Wheat Kings

Here they come, Down the Stretch.

The playoff race which has been hot all season in the West is now entering the
final stretch run.  With nine points separating fifth from seventh there is
little room for error.  Both the Blades and Achaeans made smart moves near the
deadline which have substantially improved their rosters, while after decent runs
the Ice and Kings have been treading water and the 'Hawks, Renegades and
Apocalypse have all flat-lined.

In other news, the Wheat Kings completed two deals at the deadline, sending
Erkka Leppanen and Nik Tselios to the Raiders for Cam Barker and picking-up
Mattias Ritola, Andy McDonald and a pick from the Misconduct for Brian McConnell,
Eric Nystrom, Danny Roussin, and Mark Fistric.

"Some might question the math, giving up so much youth," GM Tyler Young
commented to the media, "but we're looking at our roster for the near future and
thinking what we will need and what we won't need.  We needed another right-winger
who could handle playing on the second line and we needed a guy who could be a
solid #4 d-man.  Ritola is a well-rounded scoring winger with a lot of maturity
for his age.  We hope he will turn into another Eric Fehr, a guy who will be
reliable 25-30 goal scorer and solid defensively, a secondary threat on one of
the top two lines.  Barker is an upgrade on Leppanen/Fistric, stronger
defensively, tougher and also closer to being pro-ready."

News&Notes: In his first game Ritola picked-up an assist before being injured
by Marian Gaborik.  "It was a cheap knee-on-knee hit," coach Mike Keenan fumed
after the game, "why a guy like Gaborik needed to take-out a good kid like Ritz
I don't know... just cheap, bush-league c**p, and then Gaborik doesn't get
suspended..." . . . Is there finally chemistry among the big three?  The unit of
Kazionov, Josh Hennessy and Steve Bernier lit-it-up against the Pain on Saturday
with four goals and a combined nine points.  Historically the three have not
played well together, but if they can find their collective mojo, the Kings could
finally have the kind of #1 line which is so critical for success in the TFHL. 
Although one game is not much, Wheat-watchers have slept easy for a couple
nights with memories of Keith Tkachuk, Daymond Langkow, and Daniel Briere dancing
in their head.  Coach Keenan has said that the unit will finish the season
together and will receive plenty of playing
time.

PR - Saints

Saskatoon Saints Upset Bobcats

After a brief slump, the Saints are looking good this week with 3 wins, one of which against the rival Bobcats. GM Young, "we have been doing surprisingly well against the best teams in the league but have struggled against the bottomdwellers - at this point, these young guys have to consider every game as a playoff game and take each team seriously." Young was referring to the recent loss to the Patriots and other out-of-playoff teams.

With a 2-1 win against the Bobcats yesterday, the Saints take a huge "4-point" game as they begin the final fifth of the season. With 18 more games to be played, the team seems confident with Cloutier in net who has started out with an impressive 4-1-0 record, .924 Save%, and a 2.29 GAA. If Cloutier can provide solid #1 goaltending, Bryzgalov will certainly be able to pick up the rest of the wins to finish this season.

There has been a few rumours about one or two more possible moves before the trade deadline approaches tomorrow but it seems as though Young will refrain from making any more changes so as to keep to this years relatively bizarre approach - relative to Mr. Young! - for there has only been two trades made by him this season. Most critics have in the past charged Young with over-trading and therefore, the neo-Saints management of TFHL 16 has taken a different approach. Thus far, the team is on track for its best season in franchise history and the team's core is the youngest in the league.

Tomorrow night, the Saints face the powerhouse Pain. Cloutier will be once again tested, for a big win would help the Saints inch closer to their goal: the President's Trophy and Eastern Conference Championship.

Pax Dioecesis Saskatoonensis!

PR - Wheat Kings

Those Who Liked Him, Like Him A Lot (now)

The Wheat Kings' recent surge into the playoffs was rather inexplicable, that
is until recently.  The Kings have gone 0-4 over the last week and are only
maintaining a spot in the playoffs thanks to poor showings by those below them. 
The losing skid began with an injury to defenceman Duncan Keith during a loss to
the Misconduct.

"After Keith went down we were a different team," coach Mike Keenan said.  "We
were walloped by the Patriots and the Misconduct twice.  Our defence collapsed,
I've never seen anything like it."

The only good thing to come out of the recent losing streak was the recognition
of Keith's importance to the Kings.  Prior to his injury some had suggested
that the success lay with rookie goalie Jamie Howard or with the increased playing
time of the 'Big Three' - Stever Bernier, Dimitri Kazionov, and Josh Hennessy. 
But without Keith, the defence faltered and Howard proved incapable of
resisting the barage, allowing an incredible 15 goals on 60 shots and being pulled in
all three games.  Some think that the Kings should go with the veteran Kevin
Weekes down the stretch, but the Kings said that they made a commitment to go with
Howard for the rest of the season, no matter what.

"Our objective when we cleaned house was to allow some of our young players to
get a test run on the pro," GM Tyler Young said, "I really want to know what
some of our young guys can do.  We were out of the playoffs when Howard took
over, if we finish out of the playoffs when all is said and done then so be it - we
didn't lose anything."

Two other players receiving a 'sizing-up' on the pros for the rest of the year
are Eric Nystrom, who was injured in his first game but will return next game,
and Brian McConnell, both acquired as 'flyers' in a deal with the Saints a
couple weeks ago.

"In the end I can at least feel relieved that we have at last acquired a true
number one defenseman," Mr. Young stated.  "In our conference I've been
wathching guys like Nik Lidstrom and Sergei Gonchar for several years, trying to find a
premiere d-man that could do what those guys do - that whole package, you know,
the guy that makes your team better than it should be.  I had hoped that Dan
Sprang or Matt Jones would develop into that kind of player, but in the end both
weren't able to handle it - with Keith I think we finally have one."

The only good news to come out of the week from hell is that Kazionov has
jumped into the league goal-scoring lead with 37 juices, two ahead of the pack.  Kaz
is coming-on late since the departure of Peter Forsberg and Masi Marjimaki. 
The Kings had hoped to see Kaz get 50 goals this year, but he will need 13 in 18
games to achieve that - it is very possible that no player will make 50 goals
this season in the TFHL.

The Kings announced that they will most likely not be making any deals as the
Trade Deadline approaches.

"The cost is too high for even rentals and we don't really need any, or at
least not at the asking price. There's one deal out there that may be workable, so
we'll see, but if we do make a move it will be simply another prospect-type
transaction."

PR - Flames

The Atlanta Flames have been burning strong as of late. They have just finished
a long battle between the Canucks, where the Flames were able to dominate games
and show very good consistancy. In 5 games against the Canucks, the Flames were
able to win 4 of those games and tie the other game. Throughout that series it
was as if the Flames were playing a farm team. There is speculation that the
Canucks team may even be promoted to the National Womens League next season.

This season has been a very solid season for the Flames. They currently sit #1
in their Conference and Division. They boast an extremely young team, that is
quite balanced. It is quite interesting to note that the Flames currently have
no players on the top list of forwards for most points scored. That is quite
amazing. They are near the top in many team stats and have amazing depth come
playoffs.

Tonights game should be a good one against the Apocayplse. Last time these
teams met, the Flames phsyically dominated. The bullies were out to play. They left
the Apocalypse star forward, Tessier, injured and out for the season as well as
injuring other forwards as well. There should be some bad blood for tonights
game, which bodes well for the Flames physical style of play.

Patrick - Flames GM 

PR - Wheat Kings

THEY KEEP ON TRUCK'N

Well the Kings keep on winning after dumping much of their talent and going
with a patched together roster.

"In the end," Tyler Young commented yesterday, "that first team was a group of
pansy-ass wimps.  Being such a Flames fan, I decided to try the Darryl Sutter
formula: a bunch of third and fourth liners with grit and speed, a few reliable
snipers, a big, solid, mean d-core, and a goalie with speed, rebound control,
and endurance.  And its working!  Although I had kindof hoped to miss the
playoffs for the sake of the pick and development, I'm now curious to see how this
group will manage in the postseason.  Either way, this is just fun from now on -
there's no pressure because there are no longer any expectations for this
season, or next season for that matter."

The Wheat Kings completed one deal this week, although it turned out not to be
the block-buster which GM Young was rumoured to be working on.  The Kings
dispatched newly acquired Yuri Artemenkov and Dennis Seidenburg to the Saints for
Brian McConnell, John Adams, and Eric Nystrom.

"Adams was the key to the deal for us," Mr. Young stated, "he's a very smart
defensive defenseman and young.  He should be a solid #3 d-man for many years to
come.  We got McConnell because he is a skilled playermaker with size and we
think he might develop some chemistry with Kazionov.  Kazionov has never really
had much of a rapport with any of the centres he has played with and yet he is
still a goal machine - if we can find someone to play with him he could be
incredible - he's still in the hunt for the Rocket Richard this year, it would be
nice bonus to our season if would get it.  If it doesn't work out with Kaz,
McConnell has a great deal of grit and speed and will at least be another solid
depth player.  Nystrom is a bit of gamble: he can score and skate, but I'm not sure
he can do either well enough to make up for his other deficiencies."

The trade deadline is only ten days away so if the Kings are going to make any
more moves, they'll have to do it soon. 

PR - Saints

Saskatoon Loves the Saints

As the regular season enters its final month, the city of Saskatoon is overflowing with enthusiasm to what the fans believe will be the franchises most first real chance at a TFHL Championship. With great depth throughout the roster, the Saints have played consistently thoughout the season thus far and they have bounced back and forth between 1st and 2nd in the League Standings over the past 65 games. "I am confident that we will soon reclaim the lead for 1st in the league and bring home the presidents trophy by the end of the season," says Coach Ratzinger. Ratzinger took over at the beginning of this season after Young decided he would try a more apostolic approach to coaching. All hockey heresies have been squashed and the player's communal confidence is strong. This may explain the success of numerous players at their various positions: Bouchard and Sjostrom have consistently been leading and in the top 5 goal scorers list, Kreps is at t he top of best rookies, Ballard for top defensemen, Higgins for points. Bryzgalov has also been winning consistently in his starts but has not been able to play every game due to fatigue. For this reason, GM Young made his first trades of the season this weekend to strengthen their goaltending depth for a long playoff run.

Dan Cloutier, who led the Achaeans to their first TFHL Championship last season, joins the Saints roster. In his first game, he was solid with 34 saves and only 1 goal against against the high-flying Misconducts. GM Young: "I like my deals - I always do! I've had my eyes on Falardeau for some time. I didn't have to give up too much for a goaltender and for a good goal scorer...Kostitsyn played fairly average for us when you consider he played on the top line with Higgins, Getzlaf and Blake. I wish him and the Achaeans luck for i'd like to meet them in the Finals so we have the honour of defeating the champions definitively!" The Saints also acquired Artemenkov from the Wheaties in another deal.

The New Ice Age

The TFHL has an all new look with young stars topping the scoring charts and new teams building fresh dynastys. The Saskatoon Saints hope to be among the elite teams throughout the next five seasons or more. The core of the team, including Higgins (C), Ballard (D), Getzlaf (RW), Bouchard (RW), Sjostrom (LW), Rozakov (D), Kreps (LW), Weber (D), Kobasew (RW) is all 21 and younger. As well, Bryzgalov continues to improve each season and at 26, he has about 5 more seasons to give to the Saints at least. Also, with Rask at 19, the future is strong in goaltending. Cloutier provides immediate veteran experience and insurance in net which has given the fans hope for a cup run. If this season is different from any others, its because of the experience added by the signings of Rob Blake, Brian Leetch, and the resignings of Jason Arnott and all-time top Saints scorer - the Joe Sakic - who the fans lovingly proclaim as "Cappo Sako." This could be Sakic's last season and he has promised a cup win to the fans and to himself. Blake may return in the offseason for he has given Young the indication that he is quite happy and would like to stay for many more seasons.

PR - Hurricanes

MARKUS NASLUND COMES OUT OF NOWHERE TO LAY A BID FOR THE ROCKET RICHARD


Calgary, AB - The Calgary Hurricanes, battling for the final playoff
spot in the Eastern Conference, finally have a star standing up for
them.  Markus Naslund has recaptured his scoring touch,
and for the first time in his TFHL Career leads the league in goals
after 65 games with 35 goals.  The key to success?  Apparrently he was
re-united with two individuals, his centerman Shawn Bates and coach Marc
Crawford.

"Marc decide to stick us back together (with Bates).  Shawn and I have
had a lot of great success with this club over the years, it isn't long
ago, along with Billy Guerin that we were the top line in the league. 
Now we have Alex (svitov) catapulting us in that direction again, and I
think all three of us are having fun with this." said Assistant Captain
Markus Naslund.

UP AND COMING
Injuries to the defense has given Ryan Parent plenty of chances on the
big club.  After being drafted last season in the second round, Parent
has become to blossom into the next big defender for the Hurricanes. 
"It's always a challenge.  This team has a lot of depth but with
injuries to guys like Bouillon and Souray, I've been able to squeeze in
some ice time.  My time will come." said the young rookie.

Calgary Sun