Keith Ballard scores on his own net.

Former Gopher Keith Ballard must feel bad after knocking the puck into his own net with his hand during tonight game against the Senators. [props]

Vandy signs with Oilers

I am kind of surprised it took as long as it did to get Chris VandeVelde signed, during last Tuesday's show on Coming Down the Pipe, VandeVelde said his agent was working on the contract and it was supposed to be done in the next couple of days. None the less VandeVelde is now moving on to the next stage of his hockey career. Here is the official announcement from the Oilers.

The Oilers remained busy on Monday as they also signed NCAA prospect Chris Vande Velde.

The 23-year old Vande Velde will report to the Oilers' AHL affiliate in Springfield this weekend. The University of North Dakota product was chosen in the fourth round, 97th overall by the Oilers in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. In 43 games for the Fighting Sioux this season, the Moorhead, Minnesota native had 18 goals and 17 assists.
[TSN.COM]

Maple Leafs' frat pack...

Here is another interesting story from the Toronto Star about former college hockey star Tyler Bozak (DU), Viktor Stalberg (UVMJ) and Christian Hanson (ND), this is a different story than the hard hitting one by Damien Cox in yesterday's Toronto Star.

Three university kids, each 24 and single, come to the big city to make it in Canada's most fanatical hockey market. They become fast friends, share an apartment and, just to stretch credulity even further, end up playing together on a line with the Maple Leafs.

Imagine the hijinks? Kind of a new-age Slap Shot. Except with players who have mad skills, instead of anger management issues. There'd even be a Hanson in it.

Nah, who'd ever believe that?

"It really is unusual isn't it?" says Christian Hanson. "We all came from college. We all have the same birth year and we all signed within a week of one another. Then we all lived together over the summer. Now it so happens we're back together. I don't know if that happens too often."

No, it could be an NHL first. But the Frat Pack – the line of Tyler Bozak, Viktor Stalberg and Hanson that earned a catchy nickname and a lot of media attention at training camp – was reunited by Leafs coach Ron Wilson last week and he was impressed enough that he mused about keeping them together as a unit next season.

In roughly seven periods in their latest incarnation, they've scored three goals – all from Stalberg – with six points.

"I think we have all the different skills you need on a line really," says Stalberg. "Tyler is obviously the brains behind most things. He's a real good playmaker and a smart guy out there. He wins a lot of faceoffs and gets the puck in our hands with a lot of speed. Christian is a big guy who wins a lot of battles; gets pucks out and is pretty solid defensively. I think I can help out with my speed, find ways to get open and put pucks in the back of the net." [Read the rest of the story here]

Leafs still not ready to compete

Check out this article. There are a few zingers and it's kind of what we have seen with different teams in divsion one college hockey, this article also kind of reminds me of certain WCHA teams that like to play offense but don't like to hit or play a gritter style hockey. To make it at the next level you have to play in all three zones of the rink.

In Viktor Stalberg (UMV), Christian Hanson (Notre Dame) and newly signed Brayden Irwin (UVM), the Leafs had some size in the lineup, but none of those players yet have a solid concept of how to use their bulk at the NHL level.

To some degree, that can be taught.

But all those players were U.S. college stars who found their way to the Leafs mostly by being talented offensive players in the NCAA, not by being nasty pieces of work.

It's fine to be well over 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, but quite another to go into a corner with the likes of Chara, Denis Wideman or Johnny Boychuk and emerge unbruised and/or with the puck.

That's why the coming summer is so important to the Leafs beyond what the unrestricted free-agent market may offer. Forwards like Tyler Bozak (DU), Stalberg, Hanson, Irwin, Luca Caputi and Nazem Kadri will all need to apply themselves to become more thorough professionals and harder players to compete against.

If any decide to treat the off-season as a holiday, they won't be in the NHL next fall. [The Star]

The book on Kessel seems to be the same where ever he goes, all flash and offense no grit, doesn't hit or back check. Plays one way.

The oft-winded Kessel, meanwhile, delivered a disappointing performance in a game crying out for him to assert himself. When the Leafs resume competition next fall, they will need Kessel to be a much fitter, grittier athlete.

Phil Kessel Looking to end jinx against former team Saturday

I have to admit that I have enjoyed watching Phil Kessel have no success against his former team and I love hearing the boos and the Kessel jeers every time he steps on the ice or touches the puck against the Boston Bruins at the TD North Garden. I have watched every game (the wonders of NHL Center Ice) and I am not bitter but I do wish this would have ended better, it was kind of a buzz kill going into the season. I know that some day I will forget about this trade if the Boston Bruins end up with a top notch first round draft choice like Taylor Hall. Kessel’s absence this season caused a huge hole in the Bruins’ offensive scheme that they were unable to replace.

There hasn't been a drop off for Phil Kessel’s play this season, some thought his numbers would fall off when he didn't have Marc Savard to pass him the puck, however, that is not the case and his numbers this season are pretty similar to last season point totals. This season Kessel missed 12 games because of the shoulder surgery and only has 5 points less than last season’s numbers (30g-25a-55pts) compared to last season (36g-24a-60pts). I think with a full season Kessel could very well score 40-50 goals, I think that is what hurts Boston the most and I think he was worth the money he was asking for.

Now, there's no question Phil Kessel is a gifted sniper.

Most of the time.

Just not when it comes to playing the Boston Bruins, because against his former team, Kessel is remarkably less than ordinary.

In five games this season against Boston, Kessel has zero goals and one assist. This despite 16 shots and an average of 19 minutes, 55 seconds of ice time a game, most among Toronto forwards. But he's a minus-4, worst on the team.

"I'd like to get (a goal), but sometimes they don't come," said Kessel. "I've had a bunch of chances, I've had three or four breakaways on them and I haven't been able to score yet. It's one of those things where it's just not going in."

Kessel has a chance to break his goose-egg Saturday night when the Bruins – who are in the playoff hunt – come to town for the final time this season. Kessel insists he doesn't take any particular pleasure in watching Boston stumble to the finish line.

"We're going to play to win," said Kessel. "But they're going to be there. They're a good enough team to be there."

The Leafs have a much better record in games when Kessel scores, 15-7-2. That the Leafs have a winning record against the Bruins – 3-2-0 – suggests to coach Ron Wilson the team isn't a one-trick pony, that there is more to Toronto's offence than just Kessel.

"I'm sure the Bruins would be cognizant of his strengths and what he likes to do and try to take that away," said Wilson. "It's nice to win games when Phil doesn't score. I want Phil to score every game. But if he doesn't (and we win) that's just showing we're starting to develop some of our other guys and do some of the right things that creates offence for guys who aren't as naturally gifted as Phil."

That includes Tyler Bozak, who thrived when playing with Kessel at the beginning of February and hasn't slowed down since being reunited with Christian Hanson and Viktor Stalberg.

"He has the ability to make anybody he plays with better," Wilson said of Bozak. "He's playing with two other rookies and he looks better than he did two weeks ago with (Nikolai) Kulemin and Kessel.
[The Star]

What a night for Jason Blake

Check out this night that former Fighting Sioux Jason Blake had for the Anaheim Ducks on March 31st, 2010, Blake had (1g-4a-5pts), Blake has (5g-7a-12pts) in 20 games since coming over to the ducks. Blake also with his five point night tied a franchise record.

Jason Blake has another assist in tonight's game against the Vancouver Canucks.

Erik Johnson vs Jamie Benn

Former Minnesota Golden Gopher Erik Johnson is not known for being a fighter, he has been in two fights his whole NHL career, ironically both fights havve been in the second half of this season. I am also sure that Erik Johnson will probably never try to throw off his elbow pad while his opponent is knocking the snot out of him. Ouch! Benn feed Johnson about three hard punches to the head.

Nothing to do in Fairbault and Grand Forks but skate.

This one is too good not to share. Having lived in Grand Forks, ND since 1993 there isn't a lot to do here in the winter. Maybe that is why I watch so much hockey.

When asked in a recent interview how he had become such a powerful, quick skater he replied, ” I went to high school in Faribault, Minnesota and college in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Skating was the only thing we could do for fun.” [read the whole article here]

Jason Blake's first goal as a Duck.

Former Fighting Sioux forward Jason Blake has been traded to the Ducks this past week and he scored his first goal as a duck in his third game. Notice that Blake has shed the number 55 and is now wearing number 33.

Jack Hillen smoked in the head by Alex Ovechkin Shot

So you want to be a defenseman in the NHL, it can be a dangerous job blocking shots. Unforunately former C.C. Tiger Jack Hillen took a laser in the head. Hillen is going to be out 6-8 weeks.

Toews makes team Canada.

Former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews has made team Canada. [Roster]
Goalies

Martin Brodeur (NHL)
Roberto Luongo (NHL)
Marc-Andre Fleury (NHL)

Defense

Chris Pronger (A) (NHL)
Shea Weber (NHL)
Brent Seabrook (NHL)
Scott Niedermayer (C) (NHL)
Dan Boyle (NHL)(Miami University - CCHA)
Drew Doughty (NHL)
Duncan Keith (NHL)

Forwards

Sidney Crosby (A) (NHL
Jarome Iginla (A) (NHL)
Jonathan Toews (NHL)
Rick Nash (NHL)
Eric Staal (NHL)
Mike Richards (NHL)
Brenden Morrow (NHL)
Dany Heatley (NHL)(University of Wisconsin, WCHA)
Joe Thornton (NHL)
Ryan Getzlaf (NHL)
Patrick Marleau (NHL)
Corey Perry (NHL)
Patrice Bergeron (NHL)

Shawn Thornton Doesn’t Like Phil Kessel…

The was the response that Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton gave a local radio show in Boston when asked about Phil Kessel. This really shouldn't be a shock to anyone since we have heard a lot of rumblings in the off season about Kessel. Where ever Kessel has gone there have always been rumblings. Like in this story, Kessel's draft combine wasn't pretty.

”…..I don’t like him.”

Shawn Thornton stated the obvious this morning on the Toucher & Rich morning show and admitted he wasn’t the biggest fan of Phil Kessel. ”I don’t know if we’re better off without him, but I know he wasn’t the best fit.” Granted it took some prodding from the T&R, but it was nice to finally hear it. After discussing the team’s dynamic with & without Kessel, Thornton talked about the crowd’s reaction to Phil the Thrill’s return on Saturday night. “I hope he didn’t come here thinking he was going to get cheered whenever touched the puck.” He mentioned that there are some players who love getting the hate from the crowd, but from the looks of it, Phil isn’t one of them. Pitty. Not really. [According to Cameron Frye]

Latest Versus Hockey Comercial (Toews)

Goon's world is going to have a partnership with Versus hockey and the folks at Versus sent us this video to get things rolling. Former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews is featured in this commercial. Stay tuned for details.

OILERS RECALL TAYLOR CHORNEY

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Taylor Chorney has been recalled by the Edmonton Oilers. Nice to see Chorney get called up, hopefully he will stick with the Edmonton Oilers this time.

[Official Press Release] General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have recalled defenceman Taylor Chorney from the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League.

Chorney, 22, currently leads the Falcons in scoring (tied with three others) and is third among all AHL defencemen in scoring with five points (2-3-5) in four games.

The Thunder Bay, Ontario native made his National Hockey League debut last season, appearing in two games with the Oilers.

In 68 games with the Falcons, Chorney tallied five goals and 16 assists for 21 points and 22 penalty minutes.

St Louis Blues turning the corner.

It would appear that the St Louis Blues hockey team is headed in the right direction and should be a force to be reckoned with this season. Personally, I really enjoy watching great young American players like Erik Johnson (UMN) David Backes (MSU-M) and T.J. Oshie ( UND) play hockey.

Fans haven’t been this jacked up since the old President’s Trophy days, when the Blues finished first overall in 1999-2000 and then reached the Final Four the following spring.

Those were heady times. Blues fans believed Bill and Nancy Laurie and their big Wal-Mart dollars would power this franchise to its first Stanley Cup.

But the Lauries lost tens of millions of dollars during their Cup quest. They threw their support behind the NHL lockout, then decided to abandon the team when the league resumed play.

Now Blues fans are hopeful again. They are a bit uneasy about David Checketts’ quest for an NFL team, since his ownership group hasn’t quite finished its job with the Blues.

Otherwise, all is well in Blues Nation. This team commands league-wide respect again. Kariya’s return adds star power to an already entertaining group.

The franchise has developed its best corps group of young players since the Bernie Federko/Brian Sutter days. Johnson is legit, as are David Backes, David Perron, T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund and Roman Polak.

If Chris Mason falters in goal, Ty Conklin will be a worthy stand-in. Our Town’s Ben Bishop offers huge long-term potential in the nets and numerous other top prospects are toiling for the team’s AHL affiliate this season.

The hockey operation is in great shape. Good organizational depth extends to the low minor league, junior hockey, the college ranks and Europe. The Blues are good now and they should remain good for many years to come.
[stltoday.com]