Torey Krug; something brewing in Boston

Think about this, Torey Krug has played in a grand total of five Stanley Cup Playoff games, all in the second round  of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Boston Bruins are 4-1.

Krug scored (4g-1a—5pts) in that second round and that is the most by a rookie defenseman since Glen Wesley scored six goals during the 1988 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when Wesley scored (6g-8a—14pts) in 23 games. The Boston Bruins would go on to lose to the Edmonton Oilers in the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals.

So yeah, in my opinion, Torey Krug is something special, if your comparing him to Glen Wesley who played 20 season in the NHL.

Related articles

• Torey Krug and Carl Hagelin goals; Rangers vs Bruins game (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• (video) The legend of Torey Krug keeps growing; four goals five games. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• (Video) Torey Krug scores his second goal in two games for the Bruins (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Torey Krug's Unlikely Emergence as Playoff Hero Pushing Rangers to Brink of Elimination (Video) (nesn.com)

Second Round: Former College Hockey Players in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs (5/17/2013)

Here is the list of NHL hockey players that are currently playing in the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs that have played college hockey (Division I & III).

The players are listed by their NHL team. These are players that have played in at least “one” Stanley Cup Playoff game during in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I have also listed their point totals as well.

This list doesn’t include players from teams that have been eliminated. The list doesn’t include players that are currently injured, or on their teams roster, but haven’t played in the Stanley Cup Playoff games yet.  I will update the list as much as I can.

Former Vermont Catamout forward Patrick Sharp leads all former college hockey players with (6g-3a—9pts). Wisconsin Badgers forward Joe Pavelski, (4g-4a—8pts) is in second place and former Ferris State forward Chris Kunitz, (3g-4a—7pts) and former Gopher defenseman Paul Martin (2g-5a—7pts) are tied for third place in points.

Former Michigan State defenseman Torey Krug, who was signed as a free agent last spring by the Boston Bruins, scored his first NHL goal, in only his fourth NHL game. Krug made, in Stanley Cup playoff debut  in game one against the New York Rangers. Krug’s power play goal at the mark 02:55 of the third period, tied the game 2-2 to send the game to overtime. Boston forward Brad Marchand won the game in overtime with a goal at the 15:40 mark of the overtime period.

Boston Bruins

Richard Peverley, F, St. Lawrence University, 7GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Matt Bartkowski, D, Ohio State, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Torey Krug, D, Michigan State, 1GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 6GP, (6g-3a—9pts)

Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 6GP, (1g-4a—5pts)

Jonathon Toews, F, North Dakota, 6GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Nick Leddy, D, Minnesota, 6GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Victor Stalberg, F, Vermont, 5GP, (0G-1A—1pts)

Brandon Bollig, F, St. Lawrence, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Detroit Red Wings

Gustav Nyquist, F, Maine, 7GP, (1g-2a—3pts)

Justin Abdelkader, F, Michigan State, 6GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Brendan Smith, F, Wisconsin, 8GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Patrick Eaves, F, Boston College, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Danny Dekeyser, D, Western Michigan, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jimmy Howard, G, Maine, 4-4, .913 SV%, 2.77 GAA

LA Kings

Dustin Penner, F, Maine, 8GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Alec Martinez, D, Miami, 6Gp, (0g-2a—2tps)

Rob Scuderi, D, Boston College, 8GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Jonathan Quick, UMass, 8GP, 6-2, .947 SV% 1.56 GAA

New York Rangers

Carl Hagelin, F, Michigan, 8GP, (2g-3a—5pts)

Brian Boyle, F, Boston College, 7GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Derek Stepan, F, Wisconsin, 8GP, (3g-0a—2pts)

Ryan McDonagh, D, Wisconsin, 8GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Chris Kreider, F, Boston College, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Darroll Powe, F, Princeton, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ottawa Senators

Kyle Turris, F, Wisconsin, 6GP, (3g-2a—5pts)

Erik Condra, F, Notre Dame, 6GP, (1g-4a—5pts)

Cory Conacher, F, Canisius College 5GP, (3g-0a—3pts)

Eric Gryba, D, Boston University, 4Gp, (0g-0a—0pts)

Patrick Wiercioch, D, Denver, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Pittsburgh Penguins

Chris Kunitz, F, Ferris State, 7Gp, (3g-4a—7pts)

Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 7GP, (2g-5a—7pts)

Douglas Murray, D, Cornell, 7GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Mark Eaton, D, Notre Dame, 4GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Craig Adams, F, Harvard, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tanner Glass, F, Dartmouth, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Beau Bennett, F, Denver, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Matt Niskanen, D, Duluth, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Brooks Orpik, D, Boston College, 4GP,  (1g-0a—1pts)

San Jose Sharks

Joe Pavelski, F, Wisconsin, 6GP, (4g-4a—8pts)

Dan Boyle, D, Miami, 6GP, (1g-3a—4pts)

Tommy Wingels, F, Miami, 6GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Justin Braun, D, UMass, 6GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Matt Irwin, D, UMass, 6GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tim Kennedy, F, Michigan State, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Adam Burish, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

T.J. Galiardi, F, Dartmouth, 6GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Cross-posted @ the Hockey Writers Combine.

 

Where are they Now? Former SCSU Husky Ryan Lasch Interview

Iltasanomat Photo

Cross posted at Inside Hockey.

Former Saint Cloud State University Husky Star Ryan Lasch who played at SCSU from 2006-10 agreed to answer a few questions of mine as part of a where are they now feature. Lasch is currently playing in Finland with the Lahti Pelicans of the SM-liiga. Lasch is also currently the leading scorer of the Pelicans and tied for fifth in the league for scoring as well.

Q: What influenced your decision to attend SCSU? Where there any other schools or major junior hockey teams that were recruiting you?  

Ryan: It came down to Northeastern and St. Cloud. And what influenced me the most was when I took the visit to St.Cloud. Right away I was hooked with the atmosphere and direction Coach Motzko wanted to take this program. Other factors were that St. Cloud played in the WCHA, which I consider the best conference in college hockey and we played out west so it was much closer to home and easier for my parents to come watch me play 

Q: Being from Lake Forest, CA, how did you end up playing hockey?

Ryan: My dad use to speed skate for fun when he was younger, so one day he just took me to a local rink when I was 3 years old. Hockey wasn’t that popular in California at that time, but it was something I loved doing and never considered anything else.

Q: How did you end up choosing college hockey?

Ryan: I’ve always watched college hockey growing up on T.V. and thought it would fit my style of play and it was important for my family and I to get that college degree.  I felt playing college hockey for 4 years I was able to better develop as a hockey player, but also mature as a person. College hockey worked out well for me and I’m happy with the path I took.

Q: What was your most exciting memory at SCSU?

Ryan: The most exciting memory at SCSU right away that comes to mind was beating Northern Michigan in OT at the West regional to get our first ever NCAA tournament victory in school history. It’s something you can always look back on being a part of. It was big step in the right direction for the hockey program at St. Cloud.

Q: Which team did you enjoy playing the most while you were a member of the SCSU Huskies?

Ryan: The team I enjoyed playing the most was the Minnesota Gophers. They were an hour away from us right down the I-94 and considered our big rival. I think we played them 4 times a year. Every game was a packed house. I know when the schedule came out every year the first thing I would look for was when we were playing the Gophers.  The games were always exciting and our fans were crazy!

Q: Which team did you consider your most hated/heated rival as a member of the Huskies? Why?

Ryan: The most heated rival while being part of the Huskies was when we played the North Dakota Sioux. It was a physical game every time we played them a lot more hitting and talking back in forth than normal. It felt like both teams hated each other on the ice more than any other team we played in the league. 

Q: Who was the hardest team(s) to play against in college hockey, WCHA?

Ryan: I don’t know if it was the hardest team to play against, but they weren’t fun to play against and that was Denver.  They played more of a defensive game and sat back and waited for your mistakes. Especially when they were at home it felt like every time we played them it was a low scoring game.

Q: What was your favorite opposition logo?

Ryan: My favorite logo had to be Wisconsin. I like the badger logo, but the big W on the front of their jersey and colors were sweet.

Q: What was your favorite road trip in the WCHA or college hockey?

Ryan:  My favorite road trip would have to be Denver. I just think the city is awesome and our Thursday team dinner would always be at the Denver Chophouse across the street from Coors Field where the Rockies play.

Q; What was your favorite arena in the WCHA to play in?

Ryan: I actually have two arenas that I liked to play in. They were Wisconsin and North Dakota. Those rinks had great energy in them every night. It was exciting to play in front and I look forward to it every year.

Q: What was it like to play on a line with Garret Roe?

Ryan: It was really fun to play alongside Roe. Roe is such a creative player who is always working hit butt off all over the ice to win the one on one battles and loose pucks. Every time he was on the ice he was a threat to score or make something happen.

Q: As a fan of another WCHA team; when our team played the Huskies it seemed like Roe and Lasch were always on the ice together.   

Ryan: Roe and I worked together on the Power play a lot through our husky career. Him being a left shot and me a right shot we complemented each other very well. We were able to have multiple plays from both sides that we could use and it ended up being really effective for us.

Q: You were on the first SCSU team in the history of your program to win an NCAA game; did pyou guys talk about the streak?  

Ryan: We were all aware of the streak going into the NCAA tournament every year. But it was nothing that was ever brought up in the lock room. All that matter to us was how we would go out and play as a team. This streak started way back when so we felt like it was nothing to serious that we had to worry about.

Q: How did you end up playing hockey in Finland?

Ryan: After the season Last year I had a few offers. One was to stay in Sweden and play the other option was to come back to America and then this offer came from Finland. Playing with a few Finnish guys last year I knew about the league and knew it was a tough league very similar to the North American style of hockey. I also that a few college players came to this league after their college careers and have done well like Tim Stapleton, Brian Rafalski, Tim Thomas, and Lee Sweat.

Q: I noticed that you’re currently the top scorer on your team the Lahti Pelicans.

Ryan: I have got off to a great start thus far and we have a really good team that sits in first place right now. I’m just really happy with the opportunity that they have provided me over here. Hopefully this team success can continue and the rest will come into place.

Q: Looking at the roster of your team it appears that you are one of the few players that aren’t from Sweden or Finland; is there a language barrier on your team?

Ryan: There really isn’t a language barrier on the team. For the most part everyone can speak English pretty well. When the coaches talk it was mostly in Swedish or Finnish, but you always had someone on the team right next to you translating the important information.

Q: Were you drafted by an NHL team?

Ryan: I was never drafted, but I don’t look at that as a negative thing. It just made me want it that much more and work harder to get where I want to be.

Q: Do you think someday you will get a chance to play in the NHL?  Is that a personal goal?

Ryan: I hope one day I will be able to have that chance. It’s for sure a personal goal of mine.  Something I’ve worked hard for my whole life and will continue to do until I get that chance.  The best I can do is wake up every day and give it my 100% and hope someone takes notice. Until then I just have to keep playing my style of hockey and prove people wrong.

Jason Gregoire to turn pro...

Hockey Futures image

Got home from my bike ride about 2:50 this afternoon almost instantaneously got a text message from Sioux Rube asking me if Gregoire had left (decided to sign a professional contract)? I then I went to the computer to see if any news was breaking on the subject and in fact it was true… Junior forward Jason Gregoire is going to forego his senior year of eligibility with the University of North Dakota to sign a professional contract… That is a big blow to the Fighting Sioux hockey team because Gregoire is one of the best two way forwards in the WCHA. I don't think anyone is really shocked because it had been rumored for some time that Gregs was going to leave and sign, however, it's a sad day for Sioux fans non-the-less. This is what Jason Gregoire tweeted on Twitter today - Always a tough decision to leave a place you love but I will never forget grand forks and the sioux family. Thanks for a memorable 3 years. Finally this as well - You guys truly are the best! #siouxforlife... Personally, I am going to miss watching him play in the green and white because he is an offensively and dynamic hockey player that will be greatly missed.

Brad Schlossman; UND Hockey Blog ---- Jason Gregoire has withdrawn from school and will sign an NHL contract this summer.

Because he’s four years removed from his draft year, Gregoire is allowed to take advantage of a loophole in the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement that allows him to withdraw and become a free agent if he’s not signed within 30 days by the team that drafted him.

Gregoire was drafted by the New York Islanders and said it’s very much a possibility that he will sign with them, but he’s keeping his options open and he’s looking to get more information.

Minnesota’s Blake Wheeler is the only other college player known to have taken advantage of this loophole. Most players aren’t able to do it, because they don’t play a year of juniors after they were drafted.

“I hold the Islanders in the highest regard,” Gregoire said. “In no way, shape or form have I ruled them out. I just don’t have all of the information right now to make a decision.

“I think very highly of them and they think the same of me. They know what’s going to happen as far as me keeping my options open. We’ll talk some more. If they are the best option, I will go with them.”

Sweet shootout goal by Mason Raymond’s

Check out this sweet shootout goal by former UMD Bulldog forward Mason Raymond. Apparently the Islanders goalie Kevin Poulin thought it was a showoff move… If the NHL is going to continue to use the shootout to decide games players are going to find creative ways to score goals.

Friday Links

I forgot to add this story the other day but former UND defenseman Rick Wilson will be an assistant coach with the Minnesota Wild. You can expect the Minnesota Wild to be better defensively with Rick Wilson on board.

A former University of North Dakota defenseman, Wilson brings a ton of experience to the Wild's relatively-inexperienced bench. He has spent the past 20 years as an assistant or associate coach with the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Wilson began coaching hockey 24 years before Todd Richards’ playing career even ended. In fact, when Wilson began coaching his alma mater, the University of North Dakota, in 1978 as an assistant, Richards was just 12 years old.

He turns 60 today and summers in Bemidji. As I've mentioned on here and Twitter, the delay had to do with working out the contract because Tampa Bay and Dallas each have to pick up a portion of his two-year deal.

After spending one season with the North Stars in 1992-93, Wilson moved to Dallas with the franchise’s relocation and spent the next 15 seasons with Dallas. Over that time, Wilson helped guide the team to seven division titles, two conference championships, two President’s Trophies and a 1999 Stanley Cup. [Russo's Rants]

There has been an on going debate this summer about the state of college hockey and how College Hockey has been losing top blue chip recruits to the OHL. While I don’t like seeing players leave early and sign with their professional teams, I would rather see that player play with their college team for one or two seasons than not have them play in college at all.

Julie Robenhymer from hockey buzz has a really good story on this subject.

I was then asked why I thought NCAA players were leaving school for the CHL or AHL. We could talk about the difference in educational opportunities and the number of games they can play or not play and the time available for them to spend in the weight room or not, but that's rather pointless because it's really all about having options.

What's the difference between what Cam Flower did in signing a pro contract and Nick Leddy signing a pro contract?? Fowler has the option of going back to his junior team if he doesn't make the cut in Anahiem where as Leddy had to cut ties with the University of Minnesota because of NCAA eligibility rules. He doesn't have the same options that Fowler does and in my opinion, is making more of a commitment.

Some guys think they're ready. Some guys just want a change of scenery. Maybe there was a coaching change and the new coach wants to make changes that don't allow a particular player to develop into the best player he can be... The real problem is that we only see college players leaving for juniors because they can, but we NEVER see junior players leaving for the NCAA because they CAN'T and it really skews the perception that one is better than the other when really they're just different paths with different options available to them.

I think the NCAA could improve if they gave a kids more options like major junior hockey does. Personally, I like the option where if a kid tries out with his professional team and doesn’t make his NHL team, that player has the option of going back to his junior team and continuing his development. While I know it’s never going to be an option with NCAA division I hockey, I can see why some players might choose the CHL over the NCAA. Like others have said there is no one size fits all route to the NHL and college is still getting great players into NHL. I am not going to bash one or the other.

Another thing that I don’t like is the fact that once a kid signs with a CHL team he is considered a professional and is no longer eligible for division one hockey, I think it is a dumb rule and I would like to see college hockey change that rule.

Fetch from the college hockey blog takes a stab at this issues in a blog post titled Two Early Departures, Very Different Circumstances [Click to read]

I do think that Sid Hartman should stick to writing about things that he knows about like football, basketball and finally baseball. I should think twice about quoting this Sid Hartman post on anything that relates to hockey but it does make for some interesting reading.

The Big Ten commissioner didn't see the 18-game conference basketball schedule being extended. But he did say that on the table is a possible Big Ten hockey championship, once another school adds hockey as a sport. Five conference schools now play the sport: Minnesota and Wisconsin in the WCHA, and Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

Sid are you sure they aren't talking about maybe a possible Big Ten Hockey Championship and maybe not a Big Ten Hockey Conference?

Maybe just maybe there is more to this than Jarred Tinordi backing out of his commitment to Notre Dame Fighting. I mean things aren’t always as they seem. However you look at it, it’s a big loss to the Fighting Irish. Also, I guess we can mark Dale Hunter down as not being a fan of Jeff Jackson or a fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Ouch! I was always told if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.

The London Knights have run against an old foe in the battle to sign Montreal Canadiens first-rounder Jarred Tinordi.

The coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is Jeff Jackson, a former Guelph Storm coach who once accused the Hunters' Knights of playing "prehistoric hockey."

Tinordi has committed to suit up for Jackson in South Bend, Ind., this fall. The Knights, who own the big defenceman's OHL rights, aren't giving up hope.

"We think he's a very good player," London coach Dale Hunter said, "and it's not like they're (Notre Dame) the best team in their league.

"They're not Boston (University) or anyone like that."

The Knights aren't the same club Jackson remembers, either. After his Storm departure in 2003, the Hunters transformed London into a team dominated by skilled forwards with puck possession and power-play success.

Jackson is regarded as one of the top coaches in U.S. college history. He guided Lake Superior State to two national titles in the 1990s, helped build the foundation of the United States national development program (where Tinordi played and captained the under-18 team to gold this year) and turned the Irish program around.

But Notre Dame finished a combined 13-17-8 last season. The Knights won 49 games and Hunter was named OHL coach of the year for a third time.
[London Free Press]