MarchHockey

LA Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs Exchange Backups

Dave Nonis is getting a head start on the rest of the field this summer and creates the first big trade of the offseason.

Toronto sent back up Ben Scrivens and forward Matt Frattin, plus a second round draft pick to Los Angeles in exchange for Bernier. The Maple Leafs finally made a trade in their favour.

Bernier has been back up to Jonathan Quick the past four years and his playing time got dismal as Quick got hotter. Not to outdo Toronto’s young James Reimer, Bernier is a hint of added depth to the position and also has a shot at being the Leafs number 1 netminder. Bernier is set to become a restricted free agent but I don’t not see any doubt in why that contract will not take place.

In LA’s case, Scrivens could turn out to be a solid backup for Quick; not that Bernier wasn’t. Matty Frattin a speedy forward is definitely a great addition as well.

In any case, it’s a great day for Leaf fans. Bernier has been looked at being a franchise goaltender for years now. Let’s just see if he holds up to it.

Q & A With Cardiff Bay Lightning Goaltender Matt Richards

Matt Richards is a six year veteran with the Cardiff Bay Lightning of the British Hockey Conference; a six team league in the United Kingdom. I was eager for him to give me his take on the state of hockey on his side of the pond.

March Hockey: How would you consider the style of play different in the UK or Europe in general compared to that of North America?

Matt Richards: “The style of play in the UK is fairly unique in Europe, being similar to that of North America, in terms of physicality and build up play. The other European leagues play a more patient, less physical passing game. I would place the EIHL (Elite Ice Hockey League) average skill level around ECHL standard, perhaps AHL/ECHL in the top teams.”

MH: As a goaltender, who was your inspiration growing up?? Favourite current goalie??

MR: “Growing up, I loved watching Dominik Hasek, Chris Osgood, Marty Brodeur and Marty Turco. I play a fairly different style to all of them but some of their save choices have leaked into my game. For example, i will freeze the puck with my blocker hand if its that side (Hasek), I’ll stack my pads more than a “normal” goalie would (Hasek, Brodeur) and I love playing the puck (Brodeur, Turco – I use the ‘Turco grip”). My current favourite goalies would be Jimmy Howard, Jonathan Quick and Tuukka Rask. They’re all quite technical in their approach to the game but can pull off the sprawling saves when needed.”

MH: Is there a lot of support for UK hockey? A lot of support for Cardiff?

MR: “Support for UK hockey is growing all the time, however I believe it needs better management from the top in order to be more successful. The governing bodies need to be totally independent from the EIHL teams and do more to promote the sport within the UK. It has the potential to be huge, it’s the perfect sport for the UK considering our changeable weather! Cardiff has always enjoyed a very strong fan base and there are actually so many teams below the top league playing out of our temporary rink right now that ice time is very limited!”

MH: Who’s shot would you be most afraid of saving?

MR: “I really enjoy stopping the hard shots, especially with my glove, but I’d have to say Zdeno Chara. I always get out as far as possible when I see a player winding up for a shot but i’m not sure I’d come out as far for his!!”

MH: And finally, if you could play with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why??

MR: “Well honestly, I’d love to have the chance to play with any of the NHLers; I’ve practiced with the pro guys over here a few times and that’s been great. But if I had to pick, I’d say for a goalie it has to be Brodeur. He’s a legend; his numbers say it all and to still be playing at the level he is today is phenomenal. Non-goalie wise, I’d love to play with Datsyuk. In my opinion the greatest hands the NHL has ever seen. Penalty shot practice would be interesting!”

Cardiff Bay’s next game is July 13th against the Sheffield Squeelers, who sit above the Lightning in first place. Puck drop is 8:30 pm, UK time!

Goalie Mask Sunday: Antti Niemi’s New 2013 Lid

What a true work of art this mask is.

The San Jose Sharks netminder has detailed the great Finnish Winter War of World War 2. The Winter War was a battle between the Finnish forces and Stalin’s Red Army. The Finns were outnumbered by three times the amount of their own forces.

As a tribute to his native land for their valiant and noble effort, Antti Niemi called upon the services of Swedish mask designer Dave Gunarsson who has also handcrafted masks for Ben Bishop and Henrik Lundqvist.

Finnish Chief Commander Gustaf Mannerheim can be seen on one side while the map of Finland can be viewed on the top. Soldiers fighting through the cold and snow along with the Winter War Campaign Medal wrap up the remaining side.

I hope the Finnish people beam with remarkable price at the sight of this mask. A true historical work of art, it keeps the memory alive of those who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom.

The Canadian Women’s Team And The Road To Sochi

The Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team have started the long road of training for the 2014 Olympic games in Sochi, Russia.

A roster of 27 players just finished an intense month long boot camp in Penticton, British Columbia. The roster of 27 is made up of 3 goaltenders, 9 defencemen and 15 forwards. Veteran players Hayley Wickenheiser, Gillian Apps and Jayna Hefford were all in attendance. Team Canada is looking for another repeat gold medal in Sochi and head coach Dan Church is pleased with he the team he has put together so far.

In November, the team will take part in the famous 4 nations cup in Lake Placid, New York. Along with Canada and The US, Sweden and Finland make up the four teams. Team Canada has come out on top 12 times in 17 tournaments and is favoured to win it once again.

Women’s hockey has come a long way in the past ten years. Finland, Sweden and Russia have stepped their game up and now ice competitive teams. We can never count out Team USA though as they are still incredibly strong.

The 2014 Olympics in Sochi are right around the corner. Except Team Canada to announce the final roster sometime in late December.

2013 Draft Profile: Seth Jones

Well either the Colorado Avalanche or Florida Panthers are going to select this guy.

The 18 year old defenceman for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL is in for an exciting and nail biting draft experience. Jones would be an asset to any team dying for a strong defenceman (*cough*FLYERS*cough); his size and demeanour on the ice is intimidating. In 61 games for Portland, he amassed an astonishing 56 points.

He also has tons of experience in high calibur and highly stressful games. He won back to back U18 gold with Team USA in 2011 and 2012 and just recently collected another gold at the World Junior championships. At the U17’s in 2011, he was named to the All Star Team. Quite a resume for an 18 year old with only one year of WHL experience under his belt.

He’s been projected to go first overall by several scouting reports. If he still will though remains to be seen as both VP of Hockey Operations in Colorado, Joe Sakic and head coach Patrick Roy has stated they are going to pass on the defenceman.

Should be an interesting first couple of picks in the draft.

LNAH 2013 Draft: Marquis De Jonquiere

Up next as we take a look at the 2013 LNAH draft is the reigning league champs, Les Marquis De Jonquiere. (Say that 10 times fast.)

With the last pick in the first round, Jonquiere picked up a goaltender in Travis Fullerton. (What’s with all the goalies being drafted?!) Fullerton spent the past 5 years with the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds but also spent time in the “Q” with the Lewiston MAINEiancs and the Saint John Sea Dogs. In the 2010-2011 season, he was in the crease for 20 games and scored up 5 shutouts.

With the second pick, Jonquiere selected a player that needs no introduction to the fans in Cornwall. Ahmed Mahfouz is an agitating right winger who spent the past 3 seasons in the Federal Hockey League; 2 of them with the Akwesasne Warriors. With the Dayton Demonz last season, he somehow racked up an astonishing 111 points in 46 games!!! (Where was that in Akwesasne. Huh.)

Another player of note that is now Marquis property is Alex Penner. A towering 6’4 enforcer, Penner has spent his playing career among various leagues including the English Elite league, AHL and CHL, wining a championship last year for Mike Modano’s Allen Americans. And if you don’t believe me well….

Looks like the Marquis is trying for back to back championships. It’ll be interesting to see how this season plays out.

St. Louis Blues Accidental Jersey Leak?

Oh dear. Someone done goofed.

A post has appeared on Reddit of what seems to be a leaked picture of a St. Louis Blues third jersey. And It’s terrible.

I don’t understand the deal with NHL teams just wanting plain old text across the front. Same with numbers. Is this Bettman’s way of having more space on the jersey for the inevitable use of advertising?? Sweet lord, I hope not.

This jersey is dismal at most. It’s like the aren’t even trying anymore. Salute to original 6 hockey is most likely what they were going for but come on, you’re not even an original 6 team.

This makes me appreciate Dallas’s new ones SOOO much more.

Dumb Arena Names Part 2.

Considering the amount of feedback I got from my first piece on Dumb Arena Names, it’s time for the next installment. I think we all agreed as well that the “Canadian Tire Centre” is one of the dumbest names in the NHL. They better come up with some good promotions to make up for that. ANYWAY, onto some more fun!

1. Jobing.com Arena, Phoenix Coyotes.
Jobing.com? Really? A website dedicated to finding you a job? Jobing isn’t even a word! Ironically the Coyotes might be out of them soon. Better start putting up Job offers in Seattle along the boards.

2. Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Providence Bruins
“Hey guys, wanna go shoot some crueller’s down at the Dunkin’ Donut Center tonight?!” Restaurants should not be used for area names. Especially fast food. Period. You think the athletes eat that stuff? There’s a minor league ball team that plays out of Whataburger Field and a soccer team that plays out of Pizza Hut Park. No, just….no.

Donuts_and_homer_by_mirry92 — Sorry Homer, no donut for you. Unless you’ve got a good glove hand.

3. Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville Predators
Thankfully was renamed in 2007. This is just asking for trouble. I know the poor man’s last name is Gaylord, but adding Entertainment right next to it? Yeesh. I hate to think of what he went through growing up.

4. PostFinance Arena, SC Bern, Switzerland
Ok, what exactly is PostFinance? Is it a mix between the mail carriers and accountants?? Or the Finance section in the local paper?? Are they in debt to somebody?? Whatever it is, it’s terrible……and before you have a “post” you gotta gave a “pre”. PreFinance Arena, new home of your Phoenix Coyotes!

5. Mohegan Sun Arena At Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins
My god that’s a mouthful. As you can probably tell it’s named after a racetrack and casino. Nothing like horses and money to promote your hockey team. But I’m probably still bitter that this team is the former Cornwall Aces.

Please Snowman. Come back. :( — Please Snowman. Come back. 😦

Be on the lookout for Dumb Arena Names Part 3. Got some good ones? Drop me a line on twitter and let me know! @MissAMarch

Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 Preview

Aaaaaaaaaand we’re back in Chicago.

After a nail biter in Boston for game 4, we’re all tied up at 2 games a piece. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a playoff series, hell even finals series as close as this one. (I’m talking hockey here, the Miami Heat/San Antonio Spurs final was ridiculously close.)

Jonathan Toews. (Photo: Michael Zampanelli. Flickr.)

Chicago’s offensive FINALLY lit up and special teams seemed to finally start clicking. Jonathan Toews broke out of his 10 game goalless streak and Sharp and Handzus netted a couple on the powerplay. Corey Crawford should except the Bruins to keep firing at his glove hand as we’ve seen they may have solved him. Marian Hossa should be in the lineup even though he didn’t skate with the team at practice.

Tuukka Rask. (Photo: Gosha Images. Flickr.)

On Boston’s side of things Tuukka Rask finally had a struggle of a game. I don’t think that should haunt them though, it was bound to happen. Rask should be able to bounce back. The Bruins proved in game 4 that they can keep up and skate with Chicago. Their resilience is something to be measured with. Patrice Bergeron is as hot as ever with 6 goals in his last 7 games. If the Bruins can get past the sloppy play of game 4, we might be in for another close one folks.

Hard to say, but I’m going to give Chicago the hometown advantage.

Fun fact: Most expensive ticket going for tonight’s game 5 is $1,044 according to http://www.seatgeek.com.

2013 LNAH Draft: Riviere Du Loup 3L

I thought I might as well take a look at how some of the other teams faired in last week’s LNAH draft.

The 3L of Riviere Du Loup, (for all you english folk, that’s Wolf River 3L), played smart and drafted a wonderful pick in the first round. Simon Danis-Pepin is a native of Montreal and was drafted 61st overall in the 2nd of the 2006 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He was signed to a 3 year entry level deal but has spent most of his playing career in the AHL and ECHL playing for such teams as the Rockford IceHogs, Toledo Walleye and Orlando Solar Bears.

Simon Danis-Pepin (Photo: the_mel, flickr.)

Last season was spent with the San Franciso Bulls of the ECHL afer being exchanged through a trade with Orlando. Standing a 6’7, Danis-Pepin is a force to be reckoned with on defence. I’m sure 3L will use his size to their advantage.

Another notable pick came in the 3rd round with Jean Sebastien Berube. Drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2008, he has spent the past 3 years playing for New Jersey’s primary affiliate, the Albany Devils. Making his professional debut against the Binghamton Senators, he finished the 2011-2013 season tied for first on team with a plus 6 rating.

Other players of note that are now 3L’s property are goaltender Andrew Fleming who just finished a season with McGill University and Nicholas Tremblay who was a apart of the AHL’s Providence Bruins. All in all, not a bad draft for 3L.

Here’s the full 10

1. Simon Danis-Pepin2. TRADED
3. Jean Sebastien Berube
4. Nicholas Tremblay, Alex Belzile
5. Coderre Gagnon, Mathieu Olivier Daoust
6. Andrew Flemming
7. Alex Emond
8. Tommy Castonguay
9. Christian Ouellet
10. TRADED