Lamoureux gets closer to NHL dream

Here is a really nice story on former Fighting Sioux goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux and how he has caught the eyes of the Buffalo Sabres. It will be interesting to see how Lamoureux's year plays out in the AHL.

Considering the impressive numbers he put up as a first-year pro with the ECHL's Alaska Aces, it's really no surprise that goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux is climbing the ladder.

Lamoureux, who turns 25 on Aug. 20, impressed Buffalo Sabres brass at a prospects camp last month and was rewarded with a one-year contract. The Grand Forks, N.D., native went 33-16-2 with a 2.29 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. He also set an ECHL record with eight shutouts.

The next likely stop for Lamoureux will be the Portland Pirates in the American Hockey League -- just one step away from where the undrafted goalie wants to be.

"You work to play in the NHL someday," Lamoureux told NHL.com. "My first year of pro, my goal was to get a two-way deal with an NHL team and that was what I was able to accomplish."

As sharp as Lamoureux was during the regular season, it may have been his performance in the ECHL playoffs that caught Buffalo's attention. In 21 appearances for Alaska, Lamoureux went 15-6 with a 1.95 GAA and a .934 save percentage. He helped the Aces reach the Kelly Cup Finals, where they lost to the South Carolina Stingrays in seven games.

"Anytime you get a phone call and someone wants to take a serious look at you, you've got to show up and play well," Lamoureux said. "I was just coming off our playoff run (with Alaska). I didn't have too much time to get prepared for it, so I just wanted to play real solid and work hard. I felt pretty good. I wasn't lights out by any means, but I felt I was real consistent throughout the week."
[NHL.COM]

Top Ten USA Hockey Players.

NHL.COM has the top ten ranked American players in the NHL. Nice to see the ex-college hockey players getting recognized. As an alum of UND it's nice to see Zach Parise ranked number one.

1. Zach Parise, F, New Jersey (UND)-- Parise was a big reason the Devils won the Atlantic Division in 2008-09. He ranked third in the League in goals (45), fifth in points (94), tied for first in overtime goals (3) and tied for seventh in game-winning goals (8) while setting a team record for shots in a season (364). The 2009 All-Star also is regarded as one of the NHL's finest defensive forwards, accruing 65 hits, 34 takeaways and a career-best plus-30 rating.
2. Tim Thomas, G, Boston (UVM)
3. Patrick Kane, F, Chicago (OHL)
4. Ryan Miller, G, Buffalo (MSU)
5. Brian Rafalski, D, Detroit (UW)
6. Mike Komisarek, D, Toronto (Mich)
7. Jamie Langenbrunner, F, New Jersey
8. Phil Kessel, F, Boston (UMN)
9. Dustin Brown, F, Los Angeles (OHL)
10. Paul Stastny, F, Colorado (DU)-- Stastny was born in Quebec has opted to play for the United States in international competitions.

Oshie article.

In today's Grand Forks Herald, Fighting Sioux beat writer Brad Elliott Schlossman has a nice article on former Sioux hockey player T.J. Oshie if you remember last year the Oshie pummeled Rick Nash twice in two games. [Pummel number two]

Oshie’s popularity shot up in the second half of the season after a sequence of highlight-reel plays that included devastating hits on star players of opposing teams.

On March 24, Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown — known as a tough forward — picked up the puck near the boards and turned around to face the Blues goal. As he turned, Oshie closed in and delivered a shoulder check, knocking Brown off of his skates to a stand-ing ovation by the St. Louis crowd.

On March 26, Oshie picked up a puck in the neutral zone, skated around a Vancouver Ca-nucks defenseman, deked out another, got All-Star goalie Roberto Luongo to commit early and he shelved it. NHL.com named it the goal of the year.

On March 28, Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash was standing in the corner with the puck, looking to make a centering pass. Right after the 6-foot-4, 218-pound Nash released the puck, Oshie came in and delivered a devastating hit that knocked Nash off of his skates.

The next night, Columbus and St. Louis played again, and Nash was looking to even the score. Oshie carried the puck behind the net, looking to start a rush the other way. Nash made a run at Oshie, but the Blue Jackets captain once again got knocked off of his skates with a huge hit.

After that, Blues fans started campaigning to have Oshie elected mayor. In nearby O’Fallon, Mo., a fan took a cell phone picture of his vote for Oshie on the mayor ballot, anger-ing city officials because it is illegal to take pictures of a ballot.

At home games, “You got Oshied,” signs popped up frequently, and t-shirts were made with the most popular definition of the newly created verb: To destroy with reckless abandon.

Moron(s) of the Week

From the comments section of the article we also have our candidates for Moron/douche bag of the Week. Anyone want to guess what team they probably cheer for? It’s like give it a rest already. Please put aside your pettiness. The Oshie Sports celebrity golf tournament was a blast and all of the Celebrities acted with respect and were very gracious and fun to interact with.

Joel P.
08/02/2009 2:13 AM

I hear at the "celebrity" golf tournament, all of the port-a-potty's were converted to elevators for all the players to use the bathroom in.
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scott e.
08/02/2009 1:07 AM

You should have seen him campaigning in the local bars this weekend, begging for waitresses to sign his shirt and for them to give him their phone numbers. Seems like there's nothing better for him to do. I can understand having a blast in the offseason, going out in a community where you were once respected (until you started urinating all over it) waiting for people to approach you, and "ask" for your autograph, not demanding it, is something to be appreciated. show some class now that you're representing a professional organization. oh, and be sure to make sure daddy's credit cards are paid in full. hope when you go back to st. louis you can play on the ice as well as you think you can play the barmaids

Celebrity hockey game video featured ex-Fighting Sioux.

Check out this video there are a lot of ex-Fighting Sioux hockey players in this video; you have Jonathan Toews, Zach Parise, Jason Blake, Drew Stafford. This would have be a fun game to go to and watch, an incredible amount of talent participated in this game.

The Heatley Saga marches on.

Former Wisconsin Badger Dany Heatley will not be going to the Oilers and the funniest quote I have seen on this matter comes from Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy, "Whatever the case, the Oilers formally announced today that they're tired of being the fat girl at the dance ("More To Love" made the world safe again for that analogy) and are moving on from the Heatley Saga." That is some funny stuff right there, unless you're the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers.

Steve Tambellini held a "Friday before the long weekend" press conference to talk about the soap opera that has become the Dany Heatley trade.

Tambellini said Ottawa has been informed that the Oilers are no longer involved in any trade participation for Heatley. He stated their #1 priority was goaltending and their #1 name was Nikolai Khabibulin. They are moving on.

Jim Matheson asked the "Heatley holding you hostage" question, and Tambellini said (apparently they were using the Pizza Hut order center phones) it was never a problem with regard to the player. He did say that they told Ottawa after last weekend about the opt out.[Lowetide]

Here is the audio of the Dan Tencer interview of Oilers GM Steve Tambellini [click for the interview] Interesting stuff here. Tencer asks some good tough questions.

No Progress Between Kessel and Bruins

Sounds like more of the same, nothing new to report and the Bruins are no closer to a deal with their RFA Phil Kessel. I think the Bruins should move on the deal that sends Marco Sturm to the Islanders, that could probably land the Bruins a prospect or a draft choice, which could free up some cap space to get Kessel signed to a deal.

I spoke to Phil Kessel’s agent, Wade Arnott, on the ride up Thursday night and got the latest on Kessel and his contract negotiations with the Bruins.

“Nothing really new to update,” Arnott said. “I wish I had some new news for you, but there’s really nothing major to report.”

Arnott said that he and Kessel have had some discussions with Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli recently, but nothing serious. Both sides have made it clear that they would like to reach an agreement, but unfortunately, that has been about the only common ground found so far.

“We’ve had a few more discussions recently," Arnett added, "but are we any closer to an agreement? I’d have to say no at this point.”

Interestingly, unlike many, Arnott said that neither he nor Kessel believed the Aaron Ward trade was made as a precursor to re-signing Kessel.

“No not at all,” Arnott said.

So that is where the two parties stand. There were no reports of offer sheets, and while there have been recent rumors of the Islanders and Sharks inquiring about a Kessel trade and the Islanders possibly looking at Marco Sturm, follow-ups have turned up nothing substantial.

As of now, it appears both sides would like to make this work, but the chance is still very real that this might trickle into camp. With Kessel reportedly not due back from shoulder surgery until late November or December, a holdout is very possible. From the Bruins’ stance, Kessel is already out for almost two months into the season, so a holdout during that period would be rendered meaningless on the ice.

As for any moves by the Bruins, all is quiet. As Chiarelli promised last week, “I’m done for a while.” [NESN]

Smaby avoids arbitration.

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Matt Smaby has signed a two year contract and has also avoided his arbitration hearing. In looking at the arbitration list it appears that only one RFA has gone to their hearing.

The Tampa Bay Lightning avoided arbitration with defenseman Matt Smaby today, signing him to a two-year contract, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced.

"We are pleased to announce this agreement with Matt today," said Lawton upon making the announcement. "He is big, physical and really skates well for a man that stands 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. He played well for us last season and I expect his personal development to continue in 2009-10."

Smaby, 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, has played in 57 career NHL games, all with Tampa Bay. He has recorded four assists and averaged 17:22 in ice time during his career. Smaby made his NHL debut last season after being recalled on March 17, 2008. He has played in 149 AHL games with the Norfolk Admirals and Springfield Falcons, recording five goals and 28 points with 139 penalty minutes.

A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Smaby played in a career-high 43 games with the Lightning last season, recording a career-best four assists and 50 penalty minutes. His 19:05 average ice time was also the highest of his career and was fourth among NHL rookie defensemen with 20 or more games played. Smaby ranked fourth on the Lightning in hits with 122 and blocked hots with 68. He was recalled to Tampa Bay on December 27 and finished the season with the Lightning despite suffering a broken bone in his foot. Smaby recorded his first NHL point with an assist December 27 against Florida. [NHL.COM]

B's Re-sign Defenseman Matt Hunwick

The Bruins re-signed their promising young defenseman Matt Hunwick (Michigan), the argument was made that if the Bruins had Hunwick during the Carolina series they might have won. It will be interesting to see what he signed for. Hunwick was the top scoring rookie defenseman this past season. Now the Bruins front office needs to focus their efforts on signing super forward Phil "the Thrill" Kessel (Minnesota).

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has signed defenseman Matt Hunwick to a multi-year contract extension. Per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Hunwick registered six goals, 21 assists and a plus/minus rating of +15 in 53 games during his rookie season in 2008-09. His 27 points placed him third amongst Bruins defensemen and he scored his first NHL goal on November 17, 2008 against the Maple Leafs. Hunwick played forward in six games last year and posted 1-1-2 totals while skating up front.

He played in one postseason game for the Bruins before being sidelined with a spleen injury that forced him to miss the rest of the playoffs.

The 24-year-old native of Warren, Michigan was originally drafted by the Bruins in the seventh round (224th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Bruins on November 10, 2007 against the Buffalo Sabres and recorded his first career point on December 10, 2007 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played in 13 games for Boston during the 2007-08 campaign and registered one assist.

Hunwick spent most of the 2007-2008 season with the Providence Bruins notching two goals and 21 assists in 55 regular season games. Prior to joining the Bruins, Hunwick played four years of collegiate hockey for the University of Michigan with 24-73-97 totals and 256 penalty minutes in 163 career games.

Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews more relaxed in captain role.

Here is a nice Jonathan Toews video that was on the Chicago Tribune web site.

More Kessel rumors from Kevin Paul Dupont.

I sometimes wonder if Kevin Paul Dupont is trying to invent a story where there might not be one. It almost seems like KPD is trying to wish Kessel out of Boston. So if the Kessel and Chiarelli camps are not talking to KPD, who is he talking to in regards to Phil Kessel's contract status? It would be interesting to see who that anonymous NHL general manager is?

The Phil Kessel contract talks, if the sides are indeed still talking, have not progressed.

Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli slams down the Cone of Silence at the mere mention of No. 81, and agent Wade Arnott - not nearly as chatty as his boss, Don Meehan - has politely refused a handful of opportunities to comment on his client, a restricted free agent with no arbitration rights.

So, with about eight weeks to go before the start of training camp, here’s how it’s shaping up for the 21-year-old winger, who potted 36 goals last season. Kessel can:

►Cut a one-year deal, accepting only a slight bump over his 2008-09 wages, and use it as a bridge to arbitration as of next July 1. If he popped in another 36 goals or more in 2009-10, he could ring up the Causeway cash drawer for $5 million per year or more next summer. Remember, the players who scored more than Kessel last year will average $6.5 million in the coming season.

►Take something akin to David Krejci money (three years/$11.25 million), forget about finances for 36 months, and come to the table in the spring of 2012, ideally with a more mature and proven overall game.

►Force his way out of town, either by requesting a trade or refusing to sign, leading Chiarelli to deal away a non-performing asset (probably at the post-Olympic trading deadline).

►Wait for a Group 2 offer sheet, of which there have been none this summer, nearly three weeks into the free agency process.

“Kessel is an interesting, exciting player, and he had a very good year,’’ said another NHL GM, insisting on anonymity for fear of being slapped with tampering charges. “But from the outside, I wonder if he’ll get from the level of good player to great player. And great players are those who, by themselves, can lead the team when they are on the ice. In other words, just by being out there you alone can make the team have a better chance of winning. Kessel hasn’t proved that yet.

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s a brilliant offensive guy, but he still has to show more before he proves he’s an elite player worthy of elite money.’’

And why no offer sheets thus far around the league?

“People are running scared for a variety of reasons,’’ said the GM. “First of all, with [Dustin] Penner [whom the Oilers plucked off Anaheim’s roster in August 2007], the results aren’t there. And the cap [$56.8 million for the upcoming season] is expected to come down. I’m a little surprised that there haven’t been offer sheets to some lower-end players, but teams probably figure that the other team will match it, and then all you’ve done in the process is made an enemy . . . why create the monster?’’ [Boston Globe]

Joe Finley on Trevor Bruess.

Former Fighting Sioux hockey players Joe Finley on Trevor Trevor Bruess. I am sure Sioux fans will find this interesting. Yeah I was rolling my eyes as well, but I digress. I suppose we won't see another replay of the Paukovich and Green incident. [Click here to listen to big Joe]

Listening to Big Joe talk nice about Trevor Bruess almost makes me ill, I know, I know, big Joe probably can't say Trevor Bruess was a hack when we played against MSU-M. Trevor tried to take out the knees of one of our best defensive players.

More on the Heatley saga.

You have to wonder how this is going to play out, once the Gennie is out of the bottle you have to think it would be very hard to put it back in. Even Heatley's line mate can't get a hold of him. As good of a player as Heatly is I can't say that I would like to see him in a Wild uniform.

OTTAWA — Reporters and others unable to reach Dany Heatley shouldn't feel bad.

The captain of the Ottawa Senators is in the same boat, failing to connect with a player who has been his linemate for the better part of four NHL seasons.

On Tuesday, for the first time since Heatley's controversial trade demand, Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson spoke to a handful of Ottawa media via conference call. Alfredsson was speaking from Paris, where he is attending NHL Players' Association meetings.

Alfredsson admitted he hasn't even spoken to Heatley during this firestorm, though he has "tried to reach him a few times." As the team leader, Alfredsson wants to talk with Heatley to see if there is something that can be worked out between the high-scoring winger and the hockey club, some issue beyond the publicized concern with head coach Cory Clouston.