MarchHockey

Southern Stampede vs Dunedin Thunder Weekend Preview

After splitting last weekend’s series and being upset in a shocking thriller by the West Auckland Admirals, the Southern Stampede will be looking for redemption in the form of the Dunedin Thunder.

(Photo credit: www.dunedinthunder.co.nz) — (Photo credit: http://www.dunedinthunder.co.nz)

Goaltender Kane Eastbrook backstopped the Stampede to a 6-0 shutout on the final game of the set last weekend after being trampled by the Admirals in the first game. Combined with that confidence, the Stampede are eager to cut down a notch on the Thunder. The Stamps currently sit in 4th position in the standings but only 3 points behind the tied for first Dunedin Thunder. British Columbia native, Matt Schneider picked up 4 goals in the win and will look to add to his stats in this weekend’s foray as he currently sits second in league points leaders.

On the Dunedin Thunder side, they also split their last weekend series two weeks ago against the Botany Swarm. Connor Harrison will be looking to add to his goal total as he sits second in league leaders for goals. The Dunedin Thunder will be pumped and looking to retaliate from their 8-1 loss to Botany. They will be flying right out of the gate. The key for the Thunder this weekend will be to take less penalties and stay out of the box. This is critical as it cost them much of their last game.

Both the Southern Stampede and Dunedin Thunder are tight in the standings which will make for great hockey. You know what that means. Find your way to Queenstown Ice Arena and get ready for some hard hitting and fast paced hockey. Puck drops for the first game at 7pm local time.

Kingston Frontenacs Sign Forward Connor McGlynn

http://www.kingstonfrontenacs.com

Big news from the Limestone City. The Kingston Frontenacs announced Tuesday afternoon that they have signed 18 year old Connor McGlynn. McGlynn was originally selected in the 6th round of the 2011 priority draft by the Frontenacs but had committed to the NCAA with Boston College.

The Oakville, Ontario native started his hockey career with the Junior A Oakville Blades posting 20 points in 43 games. From there he laced up for the Sioux City Musketeers for two seasons. Last year he put up 10 points in 48 games.

General Manager Doug Gilmour had this to say about his new forward: “During the season of his OHL draft year, Connor was a prolific goal scorer with the Oakville Rangers Minor Midgets. We feel Connor’s size, compete level, and ability to score goals will compliment what should be a very exciting team.”

The 6’2” McGlynn has had plenty of experience in his career as he has attended numerous USA Hockey development camps. At one time he had thoughts of playing out west but has since changed his mind.

The Kingston Frontenacs will start their 2013-2014 campaign on the road as the face the Peterborough Petes on Thursday, September 19th. From there it’s a three game home stand as the fans fill up the K-Rock Centre to see the invasion from the newly moved North Bay Battalion, Niagara Ice Dogs and Plymouth Whalers. That takes them through to October.

After signing a Ontatio Hockey League Standard Agreement, McGlynn will head to the Kingston Frontenacs training camp which opens up on August 29th.

SOCHI 2014: Team Slovenia

The Slovenian men’s national team is making the Olympics for the first time ever. Although there’s not many players you’ll recognize by name, you might want to get familiar with them now.

Let’s start with a familiar family.

Anze Kopitar currently plays for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League and he’ll be right at home with Team Slovenia. Hell, the team is coached by his father Matjaz. His brother Gasper, who played junior with the Portland Winterhawks will also be suiting up along side him. It’ll be a one-two Kopitar punch.

Slovenia’s best goaltender Robert Kristan, will likely see his time to shine. He has represented Slovenia on numerous occasions and has accumulated an extensive history of awards. His last IIHF tournament, he boasted a .904 save percentage. He currently plays for KHL Medveščak Zagreb.

Right winger Marcel Rodman spent his junior years with the Peterborough Petes. Drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2001, he never did quite make it up to the big time. He went back and played for numerous Slovenian teams, including representing the national team on several occasions and he currently players for Schwenningen Wild Wings of the German Elite League.

Although most of the names on the Slovenian roster are not well known, it’s no reason you should overlook them. Competing in Group A alongside Russia, The United States and Slovakia, they definitely have their work cut out for them. Between them, Latvia and Switzerland, one team could emerge as the underdog and surprise everyone. (I mean, remember Canada and Belarus? Torino disaster.)

The Sochi Olympics are coming fast and furious. Not much long to wait now folks.

Q&A With Canterbury Red Devils Terry Watt

Terry Watt is one of many Canadians who are sorted throughout the world playing the game we love. A native of Ajax, Ontario, he has spent most of his career in the Federal Hockey League while winning a championship with my close to home Akwesasne Warriors. He is currently down under playing for the Canterbury Red Devils of the New Zealand Ice Hockey League.

March Hockey: You’ve played with numerous teams in the FHL including winning a championship with the Akwesasne Warriors. What was that experience like and how would you compare that league to the NZIHL where you are now?

Terry Watt: Playing for Akwesasne was a great experience. It was my first year playing pro and I was lucky enough to win a championship. The best part was playing on the same team with NHL players and my D partner was an Olympian. Winning a championship is great but being able to learn from these types of players is something you will carry on with you forever. The big difference between the NZIHL and hockey in North America is time and space. The hockey here is more European influenced. The game is less physical and you seem to have a bit more time and space with the puck, it’s more of a controlled game where each team is trying to run up the score board.

MH: How does the talent in the NZIHL stack up in general??

TW: The hockey talent in the NZIHL is a lot better than people in North America even know. I have seen some Kiwi’s that would defiantly compete for some jobs back home; Chris Eden, Brett Speirs, K.C ball and Gino Heyd, just to name a few.
MH: Growing up, who was your biggest influence on your style of play??

TW: Growing up a Toronto Maple Leafs fan I would have to say Mats Sundin was my favorite player growing up. I played forward my whole life until i turned pro; my coach tried me on D because I play a physical game and can make a good first pass. I don’t like comparing myself to NHL players because they are in a NHL for a reason and I can only inspire to be as good as they are at what they do.

MH: If you could play against anybody past or present, who would it be and why??

TW: Mats Sundin, no question in my mind. Sundin is one of the reasons I wanted to become a hockey player. I would just want to thank him for giving me hope that one day I could be a pro like him. I know I didn’t make it to the NHL, but I’m still playing the game and get to travel all over the world because of it, not many people in their life time have had a chance to do the same things I have.
MH: Where do you hope your hockey career will take you next??

TW: Right now I just want to play in as many countries as possible. I want to play for a new team in a new country for the next couple of years. Travel the world! And when it’s all said and done, I want to coach. I would love to coach when I’m done with hockey.

5 NHL Games To Watch This Season

Grab a pen folks and circle these dates on your calender.

The National Hockey League released its regular season schedule last Friday complete with new division names, realignments, stadiums games and everything in between.

The new divisions, Atlantic, Central, Metropolitan (Um….what.) and Pacific will feature some unlikely match ups but that was to be expected. Without mentioning the obvious games like the Winter Classic and any of the Stadium games, here’s what I think you should be tuning into.

1. Tuesday, October 1st, 2013 – Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens

Well of course, this is the first game of our first full season in two years and what better way to ring it in with an Original 6 classic. Both teams always play hard and very rarely does the game not come out with some kind of controversy. Also, on the same night, the Blackhawks will raise their Stanley Cup banner.

2. Saturday, October 5th, 2013 – The Battle Of Ontario. Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs

The first installment of the fight for Ontario begins. The Senators are fully charged with newest addition Bobby Ryan. Although lacking long time captain Daniel Alfredsson, don’t count the Sens out. Don’t count out Toronto either. They’ve improved with offseason additions such as David Clarkson. This game isn’t going to end well.

3. Sunday, December 1st, 2013 – Welcomed Homecoming? Detroit Red Wings at Ottawa Senators

Speaking of Daniel Alfredsson. In one of the biggest heal turns in hockey history that proves loyalty is a thing of the past, Alfredsson makes his return to Scotiabank Place. (I refuse to call it the Canadian Tire Centre. They missed out on not naming it the Canadian Tire Coliseum.) Will the fans still chant Alfie at the 11th minute of every period? Or will he be graced with a chorus of boos?

4. Wednesday, November 27, 2013 – Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning

Vinny Lecavalier will be back in the St. Pete Times Forum but this time in the black and orange. Another one to surely keep fans on their feet, not just because the return of Lecavalier. I’m sure the crowd will roar.

5. Saturday, January 25th, 2014 – Anaheim Ducks vs Los Angeles Kings at Dodger Stadium

Ok, I lied. I’m only mentioning this one because it’s the first of the Coors Light Stadium series. It’s not the first time these to meet this season but by then there might be a bit of a rivalry brewing as Dustin Penner was acquired by the Ducks from the Kings in the offseason. It’ll be interesting to watch. What could go wrong with hockey being played on a ball diamond?

The Rangers, Senators and Ducks all start their seasons on the road with 8 or 9 game stretches. Terrible for them, but good for us to watch.

Brand New AHL Team: Utica Comets

There is a brand new team gearing up for the 2013-2014 American Hockey League season and that team is the Utica Comets.

Back in March, Canucks Sports and Entertainment bought out the Peoria Rivermen and was looking to move a farm team for Vancouver closer to home. Looking at Abbotsford to rival the Heat, the brass seemed keen on that location. However they decided on Utica, New York and the Utica Comets were born. Their colour scheme and jerseys will mimic the green, blue and white of the Vancouver Canucks. I don’t know if it’s just me but I think they could have done a lot more with the logo. I find it looks too much like a soccer one but I digress.

Former New York Islander and Toronto Maple Leaf, Travis Green has been hired on as their first franchise coach while Sacha Guimond is the first to sign on as a defenseman. You can trace back the history of the franchise all the way back to 1932 when they were then known as the Quebec Beavers. This is the second time an AHL team will call Utica, New York home. The Utica Devils who were affiliated with New Jersey were the first in the early 90’s.

Not all is lost for hockey fans in Peoria, Illinois though. The Peoria Rivermen who were an affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, will be playing out of the Southern Professional Hockey League this season with a complete overhaul of colours and logo. The SPHL is a league located in the southeastern United States.

Coach’s Corner Saturday: Nardwuar vs Don Cherry

For those of you who are not Canadian or did not grow up watching MuchMusic, (shout out to Rick The Temp, Master T and Bradford How), Nardwuar the Human Serviette is a journalist who has a very unique way of interviewing people.

In case you missed last week’s Rock’ Em Sock ‘Em techno edition of Coach’s Corner Saturday, I featured Don Cherry’s brief foray into techno music. Nardwuar picks up on that and has a little chat about it all the while giving Don a copy of the album. How he actually found a copy is beyond me.

He also brings along other records for Don. Bet you didn’t know Bobby Orr had a record. And Phil Esposito. And Rick Vaive. Anyway, watching Nardwuar interviewing anyone is always a laugh so check out this one.

And remember, keep on rocking in the free world and doo doodle loo do……

Admirals Stun Stampede; Notch First Win Of The Season

It was all business down at the ParadIce Avondale for the West Auckland Admirals and boy did they mean it.

1017348_546812488710074_2028561253_n — (Photo credit: Jo McCarthy)

On wear your old jersey night, Chris Belanger opened up the scoring 4 minutes into the first period but the Admirals were far from done. Nick Henderson and Robert Chamberlain added a power play goal each to take them into the second period with a 3-0 lead.

Goaltender Anders Jespersen was stunning in net as the Admirals capitalized on their lead. Henderson and Chamberlain (another PP goal for Chamberlain) added their seconds of the game along with George Scott to put the Admirals out front by an astonishing 6 goal lead. The Stampede were trying to make a game of it though as they cut the lead down to 4 by the end of the second period.

The third period started out even as both teams fought for possession of the puck. Jespersen was brilliant in net during the third period stopping all Stampede shots. The Stampede though became depleted with tens minutes ago and seemed a bit lifeless. Although trying to spur the team with a few fights, it proved to be nothing of significance. The Admirals pulled off their first win of the season!

1012795_546812192043437_875020425_n — (Photo credit: Jo McCarthy)

The West Auckland Admirals will try their hand at repeating this remarkable performance tomorrow as they play game 2 of their home and home set with the Southern Stampede. Will the Stamps be able to round-up some strength and mount a comeback to split the series?? Only one way to find out! Get down to the ParadIce Avondale for hard-hitting NZIHL action!

Perth Thunder’s Stan Scott on the importance of Imports

I came across a very in-depth article on the Australian Ice Hockey League’s Perth Thunder and the fact that they lost their best imported player (and best player in the league by far with 47 points in 16 games played) to a brand new contract with a club in Austria.

The coach of the Perth Thunder specifically pointed out the importance of imported players and how it helps to shape and mold not only the team, but the Australian Ice Hockey League itself.

“Recruiting players like Mike play well for us, but also help us develop the culture we strive for by imparting his influence, knowledge and experience. This, in turn, has and will guide and keep us on the right road to success.” Stan Scott, Perth Thunder head coach.

And he’s right. The only way to increase your development as a player, team, or league is to play against or with better players. I’ve been arguing and defending the importance of player imports in the CHL. The fact that the Canadian Hockey League may indeed ban all imported junior hockey draft picks is detrimental to the league itself. Did I mention that doesn’t include Americans though? How fair is that?

I realize that we are one of the best, if not the best, hockey nation in the world. Do you think we got here on our own? Of course not. It was playing against better players from all over the world. It came from playing the Soviets in ’72 and in numerous World Juniors and Canada Cups. It came from playing with Fins, Swedes, and Russians in the junior leagues through to the National Hockey League in the 90’s.

“Magic” Mike Forney might be gone from down under but his imported significance will live with the Perth Thunder for years to come. Bravo to Stan Scott and the whole Perth Thunder organization.

March Hockey article picked up by KingstonFrontenacs.com!

Woke up this morning to find my work on the front page of my favourite OHL’s team’s website! Just a little feature I wrote for HometownHockey.ca on what the New Jersey Devils were getting when they drafted Ryan Kujawinski. Click on Kujawinski to head there!