OHL – Page 4

Well here’s a touchy subject. For lack of a better reason and for a few years of failed World Junior Championship gold, the Canadian Hockey League has put in a ban of drafting European goaltenders. Apparently ours suck and need a wee bit of conditioning.

I’m gonna look at this from both sides of the table though.

Justin Pogge. (Photo - Sylvain Nadeau, flickr.) — Justin Pogge. (Photo – Sylvain Nadeau, flickr.)

First off, tell me something. Let’s say you were General Manager of oh…I don’t know…let’s say the Erie Otters. And let’s say you formed one hell of a team, you had the next Sidney Crosby, the next Pavel Datsyuk, the next Al McInnis (How come everyone’s forgotten about Al?!), hell, even the next Wayne Gretzky. All you’re missing from your piece of the Memorial Cup puzzle is one hot goaltender. Are you really going to care where this guy is from??? Who would you rather, Mika Samsoniteov with a GAA of 0.02 from Russia or Johnny Canuck with a GAA of 10.93? I don’t know, but I’d be a little peeved.

Another question. Are they still allowed to draft American goaltenders?? Why sure they are! How is that really fair?

Sigh. But, as a patriotic Canadian I can see their point. Kinda. Our efforts at the World Juniors when it comes to goaltending the past few years have been dismal at most. While I won’t mention any names, (I’m sure you all know who they are), Team Canada has a HUGE reputation to uphold as the best hockey nation on the planet. They see that they are losing the goaltending battle and figure this is a way to save face.

Relax Bobby Lu. You're fine. — Relax Bobby Lu. You’re fine.

Last point though….no one’s saying these young Canadian goaltenders can’t go get signed over in the European leagues and get conditioned there. Hell, a bunch of the coaches are Canadian.

Second last point…..I hate to sound like a Don Cherry but, all you youngsters out there, STOP IT WITH THE BUTTERFLY. Stand up more, you’ll save more shots. But what do I know…..I’m just a woman, right?

Third last point. Kudos if you caught the Dumb and Dumber reference.

http://www.kingstonfrontenacs.com

General Manager Dougie Gilmour has been a busy little beaver as of late. The club announced the signing of Lawson Crouse; a first round pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection draft. At only 16 years old, the 6’3 Crouse is a whopping monster of a kid who will bring great skill. The Frontenacs are looking to build a championship team in the coming years.

Here is the official statement from the team:

“General Manager Doug Gilmour announced the Kingston Frontenacs have signed the club’s first round pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection. Lawson Crouse, a 1997 born forward who turns 16 on June 23, was the 5th overall selection by the club this past April, having played for the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lawson and his entire family to our organization, Lawson is the total package, size, skill and character,” said Gilmour. “With Lawson as a member of the team we feel it brings us that much closer to an OHL Championship.”

Crouse, a six-foot-three, 183-pound left winger, impressed scouts across the OHL with his 22 goals and 50 points in 27 games this season playing left wing. He was equally impressive at the recent OHL Cup, scoring four goals in five games. “I’m really excited to come to Kingston and be a part of the Frontenacs,” said Crouse. “I feel that I’m going to be part of a great team over the next number of years.” – http://www.kingstonfrontenacs.com/article/fronts-sign-first-round-pick_145105