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Will Jamie Benn be Team Canada’s Bobby Ryan?

For some strange reason that I can’t seem to explain, I have never been fond of Jamie Benn. Maybe it’s because he’s on a west coast team and I have an east coast bias that’s been instilled into me since the day I was born. He just never really stood out to me.

That is, until this year.

Since being named captain, the Dallas Stars franchise player has come around full circle in my eyes and I’m finally starting to see what the fuss is all about (not that my opinion matters in this vast world of hockey but I digress). Maybe it’s because he finally has rock solid linemates in Tyler Seguin and Valeri Nichushkin but the kid is setting up and finishing plays like there’s no tomorrow.

In terms of points, Benn is notched at 36 and when we look at Canadian players in the NHL, that’s only one behind the likes of Claude Giroux and Matt Duchene. It also puts him ahead of Team Canada veterans Eric Staal and Logan Couture who some say are shoe ins. In my eyes, Benn has proven himself worthy enough over any of those four this season.

Another thing.

While projecting a Team Canada roster, you’ll have arguably the best gold medal team at any given time on paper. Let’s not kid ourselves here though. I’m a proud Canadian but let’s face it, facts are facts. This is the Olympics. In Russia. (With sub-par goaltending.) History doesn’t like Canadians on foreign ice. Olympic and European sized rinks require speed, finesse and stick handling abilities.

Enter P.K. Subban.

Hopefully Stevie Y and company got a good look at last night’s game between the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens. Subban was just filthy in his win for the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge. His style of play is perfect and is built for international play. In a game that could have went either way, both Benn and Subban looked remarkable and are definitely making sure their names get brought up during roster selection.

Hey, Yzerman. No pressure eh.

What is wrong with David Poile and Team USA?

USA Hockey unveiled its 2014 Olympic roster after the Winter Classic on a snowy Sunday afternoon at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While most of the usual suspects were on the team, as always a few surprises were left off. You can say all you want about Bobby Ryan and Keith Yandle. They deserve to be there more than a couple who were picked in their spots but one name that didn’t get called that really upsets me is a New York Islander.

Kyle Okposo.

The St. Paul, Minnesota native is a having a phenomenal first half of an NHL campaign. He has combined for 9 points in his past five games; scoring two game winning goals despite the Islanders in general having a very poor outlook. All said and done, he’s sitting at 40 points and is well ahead of a few that made the team.

David Poile’s explanation is that Okposo wasn’t made for big ice. Well, most of the American and Canadian players weren’t made for big ice to begin with. Most never trained on it growing up. Well, Mr. Poile, you can’t give me that excuse. Okposo played on an Olympic size sheet of ice at the University of Minnesota and proved to be exceptional. Damn shame.

Another player that I think deserves a shot at Olympic…..well maybe not a medal but Olympic experience is Tampa Bay’s goaltender Ben Bishop. I saw Bishop play live a few times while he was in Ottawa and he is remarkable. His huge frame takes up most of the net and is decisive to what Team USA is going to face in Sochi. He’s second in the NHL for save percentage. Jonathan Quick is ranked 24^th and Jimmy Howard doesn’t even place in the top thirty.

Something’s wrong with this picture. I think we need to stop focusing on who has “Olympic experience” as a means to be able to choose them to an international team. Yes it’s great that they’ve been here before but how is anybody else going to be able to get a shot if they’re never chosen?

Anyway, good luck in Sochi Team USA. You’re going to need it.

Former Cornwall Ace, Mike Hurlbut, to be inducted into Rochester Americans Hall of Fame

While the Aces of yesteryear seem to have taken place years ago, I often find myself searching for players who stuck out when I kid in the stands watching them. Players like Aaron Miller, Serge Roberge, and Rene Corbut just to name a few. However another player who was watch and an all too familiar name popped up on Twitter over the weekend.

Massena, New York native Mike Hurlbut played in the Frozen Frontier game in Rochester, New York which featured Buffalo Sabres alumni squaring off against Rochester Americans alumni. Hurlbut is an alumni of both teams but suited up for the Americans. As an added bonus, it was announced that he will be inducted to the Rochester Americans Hall of Fame, class of 2014.

After a successful collegiate career with St. Lawrence University, Hurlbut was drafted by the New York Rangers in 1988. After bobbing around between both the NHL and AHL for a few teams, he found himself in the Seaway Valley suiting up for the Cornwall Aces for two seasons. He was a pivotal asset to the Aces in capturing two division titles.

Hurlbut retired in 2002 with 29 career NHL games under his belt with the New York Rangers, Quebec Nordiques and Buffalo Sabres.

Brampton Beast, the Central League and Matt Suderman

For a first year team, the Brampton Beast are proving themselves to be more than just a push over. Not that they intended to be but before today’s game against the Tulsa Oilers, they sit a game above .500 and 6^th in the 10 team league. That’s a pretty healthy position to be in as we come to mid-season’s Christmas break.

It’s a good learning year and I expect them to jump a little higher in the standings come season’s end. I suspect them to end up in the top five which will pay dividends for next year as the Central League is expected to acquire two new expansion teams and up their squads to 12. No cities have been named or areas of interest have been announced but I would expect another Canadian team as to play rivalry for the Beast. Central league is difficult to pin point though as they have franchises in the most oddest places but they make it work.

Although a circle of controversy has followed him in his Elite league past, Matt Suderman has decided to lace the skates right back up with the Beast at home in Canada. After sending the first half of the season with the Hull Stingrays in England, Suderman left with a bad taste in his mouth from the league’s officiating and the fans. While I can’t comment on the officiating as I haven’t seen enough games (although what I have seen, it’s terrible. However, it’s been most Coventry Blaze games), I can comment on the accusations of the fans.

I’ve seen it in plenty of leagues. Some fans think it’s their god given right to antagonize the players. While that’s okay in some respects to haggle the opposing team (and there’s a fine line to be crossed their as well), when it comes to the home team, they think that they work for them. They feel entitled to harass the individuals who entertain them night in and night out. Of course, that comes with the territory I suppose but Suderman’s quote of “The fans think that they know hockey, but they don’t.”, is true to many teams and leagues.

The only difference here is that Suderman is just expressing himself out in the public eye as I’m sure many other players would love to do. While that might be showing a black spot on the organization and league, it’s nothing new or shocking and people need to put on their big boy panties and suck it up. Keyboard warriors indeed.

That being said, Suderman is going to make a huge impact for the Beast. It’s not his first rodeo in the league. He won the Ray Miron (shoutout Cornwall), President’s Cup back in 2008 with the Arizona Sundogs so he knows the teams and league well. His big 6’3 frame will do wonders guarding the blueline alongside the other giants of Michael Couch and Andrew Darrigo.

The Beast take on the Oilers today at 2pm eastern before they resume after the Christmas break with a set with the Quad City Mallards.

Catching up with Terry Watt in Kazakhstan

Friend of the blog Terry Watt is having quite the year. He’s currently on his third team and third country in just 6 months. Little did he know that as a young Watt growing up in Ajax, Ontario, he would one day be taking his hockey talents to almost every part of the globe.

After spending most of his early career in the Federal Hockey League and Southern Professional Hockey League, Watt made the jump down under this past summer and made his debut in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League with the Canterbury Red Devils. With Defenseman of the Year honours and an NZIHL championship under his belt, the ice from France came calling.

However his adventures in France were short-lived as former Red Devils head coach Anatoli Khorozov saved him a spot with his new found team in Kazakhstan, Beibarys Atyrau. He now skates alongside Olympians and former NHlers. Not bad for a kid from Ajax. I caught up with him to see how his Kazak adventures are fairing out.

March Hockey: How different is it playing in an up and coming hockey country such as Kazakhstan?

Terry Watt: First of all, playing here is a tremendous honor. I’m a player that has been given a really good and rare opportunity to play with and against some elite hockey players. The hockey here is really fast and filled with lots of skill. To be able to practice and learn every day from guys who have played in the Olympics, NHL and KHL is a bit surreal for me considering almost a year ago I was playing Single A pro back in North America. One thing that is noticeably different is that everything we do here is monitored and written down. Every day at practice we all wear heart monitors and our recover time is noted in every situation we do. The big thing for me this year is to just be a sponge and absorb as much information and learn as much as I can from these guys and try and translate it into my game to hopefully become a better player moving forward.

March Hockey: This is your third team and third country this year. What are some of the differences and similarities between them, hockey wise?

Terry Watt: Playing here is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. The hockey on and off the ice is very demanding. It is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do physically and mentally. With the exception of myself, all the Canadians on my team have played in the NHL, AHL, ECHL and CHL – from what they tell me, playing here is very comparable to those leagues in many regards for the exception of the NHL .

Each day we are usually at the rink for roughly 7-9 hrs. Some days we have two practices. When we aren’t practicing we are in the gym lifting or on the ice we are doing some type of aerobic workouts. Back in North America most pro teams practice in the mornings and then are done for the day; however some guys head to the gym for a work out, but after that their day is pretty much done. In Kazakhstan they take care of us pretty well. We have all our meals catered, and even at times brought to the rink so we don’t lose any time practicing or preparing for our next game. I’ve only been here for just under a month and I will be traveling with the team for the first time this week. We are going on a two week road trip where we will play 6 games all through the country. The guys tell me that they spend hours on planes and even some 36 hour train trips to games – so conditioning is going to play a huge role in me getting use to the Olympic size ice and intense travel schedule. These are just a few things that separate the difference in hockey here oppose to back in North America. The simple answer to your question is that this experience is something completely new to me.
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Hawks soar to 4 point weekend

After a stunning victory Friday night at home against the Kemptville 73’s, Hawkesbury rolled into the Navan Memorial Centre on Sunday afternoon with only one thing on their mind: keep the momentum going.

Their opponents for the night were the Cumberland Grads who just days before made a coaching change. The Hawks top line of Yanik Laliberte, Francis Landers, and Carl Faucher took advantage of the situation and exploded for 10 points to topple the Grads 5-1. Hawks goaltender Matthew Jenkins stood tall and and played a solid game to pick up the win.

Friday night’s home ice advantage certainly paid off as the Hawks rallied back from a 3-1 deficit and a very rough second period to bring the 73’s into a shootout. After 5 shooters it was Laliberte who became the hero and secured the win.
Hawkesbury will have to definitely keep this winning momentum going as they head into their next game this coming Friday, December 2nd. The Hawks host the Smith Falls Bears at the Robert Hartley Arena. Puck drop is 7:30.

Cornwall’s Jeff Legue makes Elite League milestone

Jeff Legue. (Photo: www.sheffield.steelers.co.uk) — Jeff Legue. (Photo: http://www.sheffield.steelers.co.uk)

What an illustrious career so far for Cornwall’s Jeff Legue. In his 7 seasons with the Sheffield Steelers of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom, Legue has become only the fifth player in Elite league history to reach 500 career points.

His time in Sheffield has made him a household name in the U.K. league. Legue’s assist on the game winning goal against Hull on Saturday night locked him into the league’s VIP. Sheffield fans flocked to Ice Sheffield to see their franchise player in action and on Sunday night they paid tribute to Legue in fine fashion. At the 11th minute, (a tribute to number Legue has worn since his Cornwall Colts days), the entire arena stood on it’s feet and gave him a one minute salute. Securing the win against Fife and Hull the night before on Saturday gave Sheffield a big 4 point weekend that was much needed.

Legue in his Colts days. (Photo: MarchHockey)

Legue is an alumni of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, most notably the Central Canada Hockey League. He stuck out his Junior A career with the Tier II Cornwall Colts. From there he skated to an outstanding collegiate career with Ferris State University. After a quick stop in the East Coast league it was off to Europe for the man they call “Leggy”.

Legue is over a point a game player and is proving that once against this season with his current 30 points in 28 games. His speed, skill and hockey sense are a joy to watch for Steelers fans for many more years to come.

Here’s to you, Leggy, Cornwall’s still looking out for ya!

50 years of Saskatoon Blades hockey

The 2013-2014 season in a monumental one for the Saskatoon Blades hockey club. Ushering in 50 years of hockey and being the last remaining Western Hockey League club still playing hockey out of their original city, you can see why. While the team doesn’t boast a WHL Championship, nor a Memorial Cup, (and currently have the longest championship drought streak going in the CHL), there are plenty of things to be proud of in this team’s storied 50 year history.

Take a look at their NHL alumni for example. The Blades have molded and spit out legends such as Mike Babcock, the greatest Leaf of all time Wendel Clark (I’m biased), Richard Matvichuk, Darcy Hordichuk, Brad McCrimmon, the late Wade Belak, Brain Skrudland, hell I could go all day. How about tough guys Tony Twist and Joey Kocur? Legends in their own special fist fighting way.

There’s also plenty who are making their names in the show right now. Devin Setoguchi, Brayden Schenn and Braden Holtby just to name a few. There are also plenty playing overseas.

This year is no exception.

Currently leading the team in points with 36, first year player and right winger Nikita Scherbak is bound to make a name for himself. 26 games in, the Moscow, Russia native has already bagged 16 goals and 20 helpers. As of the latest NHL “Players to Watch” list ahead of next year’s entry draft, they have Scherbak listed as an ‘A’ skater. Second to him is Nathan Burns out of Edmonton, Alberta. Burns himself is a centreman who has a strong skating ability to go along with his veteran presence. His second season with Saskaton and 5^th overall in the WHL, Burns is over a point a game with 33 in 27 games.

The community of Saskatoon have the upmost support for their junior franchise and have continued to do so throughout the years. This is a dominating feature as to why the Blades have stayed in one spot for 50 years. The fans are die hards and passionate and well, they bleed blue. A solid support system can only come from the top and the Blades ownership is an exceptional one at that. Mike Preistner has shown tremendous support and ability in building up the already storied Saskatoon Blades brand since taking over.

Here’s to another 50 years of Saskatoon Blades hockey. Bleed blue.

The Dallas Stars are shining. You should probably take notice.

Since my beloved Philadelphia Flyers are off to what some may call a rough year, (I’d call it something much worse but I digress.), I’ve come to pay more and more attention to my adopted second team and favourite west coast team, the Dallas Stars.

What a couple of nights they’ve had in Alberta. If you combine both games, the Stars outscored the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, 10 goals to 3. Backstopped by two amazing performances from Kari Lehtonen, the Stars first line of Tyler Seguin, (thanks Boston!), Jamie Benn and 2013 first round draft pick Valeri Nichushkin exploded in a way that this Dallas team hasn’t seen for a very long time. The poor Flames were stunned as Seguin scored 4 goals on route to a 5 point night and Benn finished in his own fine fashion with 6. Both players are now tied for the team lead in points with 22. There’s no doubt that the Team Canada brass will be taking a closer look at both Seguin and Benn. Benn over Giroux at this point.

I’m glad for Tyler Seguin as well. Since he’s gotten away from Claude Julien’s defensive style of play in Boston, he’s been adapting insanely well with Lindy Ruff’s more offensive system.

Take into consideration that the average age of that line is 21. Assuming that nobody has a freak injury, gets traded or goes back to Russia (Hey, it COULD happen. *shrugs*), this line could spell trouble for a very long time, at least a good 10 years. These boys are just starting out their careers and have plenty of hockey to play.

And that’s just the first line.

The second line of depth features veteran Erik Cole, Cody Eakin and breakout sensation, Quebec native, Alex Chiasson. Chiasson is going to be another player to watch and a key player to Dallas’ success. He’s racked up 11 points in 19 games and has proven that he belongs up in the show. His speed and head for the ice is astounding.

I can’t write this article without mentioning how great Kari Lehtonen has been playing. The man is posting a .929 save percentage and will definitely be a shoe in for Team Finland in Sochi. It’s great to finally see him thrive as he is one goaltender who deserves it.

Dallas also have a very strong farm system in the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League. Travis Morin, Colton Sceviour, Jamie Oleksiak, and plenty more are just one step away from their big leap into the show. Believe me when I say that Dallas will be a force in the next couple of years. There definitely is a New Star Rising.

Blaze welcome back Egener and Guthrie

By Ed Kimberley
Coventry, England

It has been an up and down season for the Blaze so far and although the roster has some game changing talent, there are other areas which have caused fans discomfort in their seats. The two issues highlighted by many, including current and former Blaze coaching staff are secondary scoring and a weak defence.

In light of the second problem, it largely hasn’t been the current line-ups fault. The Blaze have battled injuries at the blueline all year and without the likes of Benn Olson (who has sat for a lengthy period following injury), the toughness at the back has suffered. Opposing players on the power-play are encroaching deeper towards Mike Zacharias in net, causing a lot of problems for the talented American netminder. Former coach Luc Chabot attributed this to the defence “not playing tough enough” in an interview during the Blaze loss to Sheffield on Saturday. Opposing skaters weren’t scared to play against the Blaze defence and that they need to stamp their authority in the zone they were defending.

Enter Mike Egener.

I wrote about the hole Egener would leave following his fight with guillain-barré syndrome and they never really replaced him like for like. While I expect he will be a few weeks away from the full Egener who terrified opposing players and was a rock in his own end, it is a good move by Coventry to bring him back. Who better to replace Egener then…well, Mike Egener. There has been talk about even giving him the Captaincy that he would have worn had he been able to come to Coventry. Doing this, however nice a gesture would be a massive show of disrespect to Ashley Tait, currently wearing the Captains badge and currently very much in form playing with the top line of Ginand and top Blaze point scorer Adam Henrich.

Shea Guthrie. (Photo: eliteleague.co.uk)

The first problem was secondary scoring. The Blaze are relying heavily on the above-mentioned top line who have combined brilliantly. Bringing in Shea Guthrie is simply superb. Rumours were that he was Sheffield bound to further increase their frightening strike force. Guthrie is very much the missing piece in the Blaze offensive puzzle. He is a smart playmaker who possesses good hands and is a good passer. He also can shoot the puck which he proved when he scored 35 goals in his first year with the team. Having a player as versatile as Guthrie will undoubtedly provide the Blaze that missing link as his versatility can work with players the Blaze already have.

The one drawback would be Guthries injuries. However, on a line with grinder Kevin Harvey to do the physical work, watch Guthries’ back and be able to keep up with the Carelton Place, Ontario natives blistering speed will be a force to be reckoned with. Their other partner in crime is a moot point. Now that the Blaze have added Egener and Guthrie, they are either carrying spare imports or will have to cut someone when Olson returns. Personally I would have Harvey on a versatile line with Guthrie and Tanaka, a speedy 2^nd unit to back up Tait, Henrich and Ginand that plays with grit, is solid on the forecheck and will undoubtedly boost the secondary scoring numbers.