TORONTO – An emotional Jason Blake – a former Moorhead High School standout – won the Bill Masterton Trophy at the NHL awards on Thursday as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The Toronto Maple Leafs winger was diagnosed with leukemia just before the start of the regular season but never missed a game.
Finley plans to return
Brad Elliott Schlossman Grand Forks Herald
UND’s goaltenders, who have a combined one college start under their belts, got some help Tuesday night.
Western Collegiate Hockey Association plus-minus leader Joe Finley said he called UND coach Dave Hakstol to say he plans to return for his senior season.
Finley, a defenseman who was a first-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals, has led the Sioux in plus-minus the last two seasons and led the league with a plus-24 rating as a junior.
The Edina, Minn., native also contributed offensively. He scored four goals and added 11 assists last year, more than doubling his output from his first two seasons.
Garrett Clarke, a defenceman from Moncton, was claimed sixth overall by the Lewiston MAINEiacs. He stated all along that he would play junior A in the U.S. for the next two seasons and then move on to suit up for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.
That was just a smokescreen to make other teams shy away from him so that he would still be available come Lewiston's turn to pick. He admitted that he had been speaking to Lewiston for about six months and that he had committed to go there well in advance of the draft.
Clarke played this season for the Russell Stover under-18 team in Kansas City. He was fifth best in the QMJHL central scouting rankings. International Scouting Services rated him as the second best offensive defenceman available.
He didn't show up for the top prospects presentation on Friday. He said all along that he wouldn't be attending the draft, but then came out of hiding in the Zamboni tunnel when Lewiston announced his name.
Johnson follows Red's lead
By Ian Robinson, Daily Sports Writer on 3/29/07
Berenson commends Johnson for holding out as long he did. When the coach was in school, there were no agents.
"Once a year they would (tell me) that I should leave school, that I would never be a hockey player if I stayed in school and so on," Berenson said. "But I didn't listen to them."
Forty years later, things are different. Berenson says NHL teams have been "all over Johnson."
"The biggest thing to me was that Red supported it," Jack Johnson, Sr. said Sunday. "He told him, you're doing the right thing."
Johnson is also deciding at the right time.
Berenson now has time to find another player to fill Johnson's roster spot, and the Kings want Johnson playing with them in the NHL.
"Jack is leaving at the right time for a spot in the NHL," Bacon said. "Other players have not done that."
Berenson's two complaints about players leaving early are when the player doesn't show a commitment to academics and when the player leaves college to spend two or three years in the minor leagues.
He doesn't see either of these things happening with Johnson.
Johnson has already registered for spring classes and plans on completing his Michigan degree over the next few years.
"He's coming back, he's going to get a degree from Michigan," Johnson, Sr. said. "That's the No. 1 thing, too. He promised Red he will graduate."
It's often said that Berenson takes more pride in how his players fare off the ice. When Berenson played hockey, most professional careers lasted just a few years. He continually looked to the future by earning both a BBA and an MBA from the Michigan Business School.
There is a brewing problem between Penguins coach Michel Therrien and some of his players -- a number of them despise playing for him. No one will choose the Stanley Cup final as a forum to call out their coach but there are far too many whispers out there that too many players can't stand working for -- or with-- Therrien. If that isn't an issue to be dealt with immediately, it is certainly something that will grow with time. If that isn't an issue to be dealt with immediately, it is certainly something that will grow with time.
Brooks Orpik, the free agent defenceman who will be coveted by many teams after July 1, has told people he will not re-sign in Pittsburgh if Therrien is the coach. Jordan Staal, the terrific young player who lives in the shadow of Crosby and Evgeni Malkin -- but is poised to bust out as one of the most complete centres in hockey -- is another Therrien complainer.
Malone joked Wednesday before Game Six that his wife might leave him because his puss was so ugly after Penguins teammate Hal Gill nailed with a slap shot him two nights earlier. A few stitches along the right side joined faded black eyes from a beak previously busted in the series opener against the Red Wings.
But there he was, having been treated and released from the Pens' medical room after the second period, ready for the third. And there he was in the third overtime, parked outside the crease and screening Chris Osgood for the winner in a 4-3 victory. There he was Wednesday, knowing that playing with an ugly nose was better than not playing.
And that's what made his nose so pretty.
"It could have been a lot worse, so I'm definitely thankful," Malone said before Game Six in the Igloo. "A broken nose, a swollen lip and some chipped teeth are a pretty good scenario for a puck in the face."
Malone's schnozz evolved into more than a breathing instrument during the finals. It became a symbol for the Penguins. They were beat up and knocked down, but they were willing to pay the price until they were knocked out. Malone underscored the collective personality of a team that refused to quit.
"Anybody in this room would be doing the same thing," Malone said. "You never know when you're going to back in the Stanley Cup finals. You have to make sure that you're doing whatever you can to help out."
No, you never really do know.
Ottawa barely made the playoffs this season after losing in the finals last year. Edmonton hasn't reached the postseason since losing to Carolina two years ago. Buffalo won the Presidents' Trophy last season and missed the playoffs this year. Pittsburgh should have a good team for a long time, but you never know.
Ask Ottawa. Ask Edmonton.
Ask Buffalo.
Detroit was the better team going into this series, and it seemed a matter of time before it was confirmed. The Red Wings had more talent, more depth and more experience. Pittsburgh could have surrendered after two games getting thumped twice to start the series. But with players like Malone, the Pens kept coming.
East Amherst defenseman Brooks Orpik has played the best hockey of his career. Sergei Gonchar suffered back spasms in Game Five, spent nearly three full periods in the dressing room and returned eight minutes into the third overtime and helped set up Petr Sykora's winner. It sends a strong message to both teams.
"It motivates you," winger Maxime Talbot said. "[Malone] is a warrior out there, and now he's marked for life. But the way he came back was definitely big. You look at him when you're on the bench and you're like, "Wow.' Same thing with Gonch. It gives you a lot of energy."
Malone probably played his final game in the Igloo as a member of the Penguins on Wednesday night. He's coming off a career year with 27 goals and 51 points while flanking superstar Sidney Crosby, and he's expected to draw attention when he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Chris Chelios and Brian Rafalski (Wisconsin), Mark Hartigan (St Cloud), Brett Lebda (Notre Dame) and Dallas Drake (Northern Michigan) add their names to the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings win over Pittsburgh. Drake now has both an NCAA Title (Northern Michigan, '91) and a Stanley Cup (Detroit '08) to his credit.
*Recently traded to Edmonton.
You know what? I'm gonna change the name now. It's gonna be Tiger Wuss. Here's a guy that took about three months to get over a simple arthroscopic surgery. You look at [Pens forward] Ryan Malone. His face exploded with a slap shot last night - he's back out in 10 minutes!
"Keep your yap shut, Tiger, or I'll send a couple of wingers down there - [Pens forward] Gary Roberts - to tidy you up a little bit, meat head." No doubt Tiger has doubled his personal security.
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee mandated the use of the two-referee, two-linesman system for all levels of NCAA hockey this season.
The decision was part of an emphasis for the committee on allowing players to "use their speed and skill to create scoring opportunities."
All rules proposals must be approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which meets July 2 via conference call.
"The committee strongly believes that having one officiating system for all levels of college hockey is the right decision," said John Harrington, secretary-editor of the committee and outgoing head coach at St. John's. "In today's game, two referees and two linesmen are necessary to properly enforce our rules."
Protection of the puck carrier and faceoff protocols were identified as the committee's points of emphasis. The committee believes officials have properly handled obstruction away from the puck, but believes the puck carrier must be afforded more opportunities to make offensive plays.
In the area of faceoffs, the committee will continue to emphasize the administration of the line change procedure and increase the enforcement of interference and obstruction fouls immediately after a faceoff.
The committee forwarded several major proposals intended to enhance the game:
* Goals scored by kicking. In the aftermath of the controversy in last April's NCAA championship game, where a Notre Dame goal was disallowed, the committee spent a considerable amount of time discussing goals that are scored with the use of the skate. To make this rule as clear as possible, the group proposed adjustments to its rules that will allow all goals scored as a result of deflections. This will include deflections off an attacking player who is in the act of stopping, provided neither skate is used to direct the puck into the net. Pucks that are directed or kicked with the skate moving toward the goal will not be allowed.
* Shootout. Last year, the committee said it was moving towards eliminating ties from college hockey. But after considerable time for feedback from coaches, there was little consensus on what the change should be, or if there should be any. Thus, the committee voted to maintain the traditional game structure (60 minutes, followed by a five-minute overtime), but will allow interested conferences to use shootouts at their discretion. This will in no way alter national rankings or the NCAA championship selection process.
* Icing. The committee approved a proposal dealing with icing. The rule will not allow a team that ices the puck to change its on-ice personnel.
* Faceoff locations. Starting next season, all faceoffs will be conducted at one of the nine faceoff spots.
A full listing of the committee's proposals will be distributed to the NCAA membership for comment. The Playing Rules Oversight Panel will consider these changes and membership feedback before final implementation.
PITTSBURG, PA (Sportsman’s Daily Wire Service) -- As the final second ticked off the clock, the Detroit Red Wings poured onto the Mellon Arena ice to begin celebrating their 3-2victory, claiming their fourth Stanley Cup in 11 years..”
While Penguins players slowly began their dirge-like procession to the losing locker room, their star forward, twenty-year old Sidney Crosby, stubbornly refused to acknowledge that the series was, by every reasonable measure other than his own, over.
“I admire the way our opponents have competed, they’re disciplined and talented and deserve to be one of the two last teams standing,” he graciously acknowledged. “But the final scores don’t give the complete picture, nor does the fact we were outscored 17-10 over the course of the series, particularly when you consider how many more scoring opportunities we had but didn’t cash in
Penguins enjoy fine whine
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Penguins knew the Detroit Red Wings would block their path to winning the Stanley Cup finals. Maybe just not this much.
Penguins coach Michel Therrien all but begged the on-ice officials again yesterday to enforce the obstruction rules, arguing that one of his team’s greatest strengths is being taken away by the Red Wings’ defensive tactics.
“It’s something that we base our team with, speed,” Therrien said. “And if we can . . . use our speed, we’re going to get effect.”
----snip-----
Therrien complained about the lack of obstruction enforcement before the Penguins’ 3-2 victory in Game 3 Wednesday, though it wasn’t apparent if his campaign was successful. The Penguins had only three power-play opportunities, though Sidney Crosby scored one of his two goals following Niklas Kronvall’s hooking penalty early in the second period.
Therrien pleaded again yesterday for more open ice, especially with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marian Hossa finding it difficult to get through the neutral zone compared to previous playoff rounds.
“If there’s obstruction, there’s obstruction,” Therrien said. “When I see about 13, 14 (video) clips . . . that I could tell there should be a penalty regarding the (rule) book, I know how it is. I’m not expecting that they’re going to call 14.
“(But) I’m expecting next game, the obstruction calls, they’re going to call it. I still believe there’s some space to improve again. When you break down the game, you’ll see that there’s a few times they should have been called. And calls are important. You need those calls.”
The Stanley Cup, the oldest and most revered trophy in all professional sports, made its "acting" debut on the set of the longest-running television show in broadcast history, "Guiding Light."
REPORTING FOR DUTY: Sean Avery started his internship at Vogue on Monday, and already staffers at Condé Nast Publications Inc. are buzzing about the New York Ranger star's presence at 4 Times Square. Observers say he's involved in all sections of the magazine, including features and accessories, and attends edit meetings. And while Avery pulled down $2 million last year with the Rangers, he's earning minimum wage for his time at Vogue, a magazine spokesman confirmed, denying speculation Avery was being paid $5,000 for his summer job. While Vogue has been mum on the specifics of Avery's internship, insiders say there's been talk of the hockey hard man attending the couture shows in Europe next month along with Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour and editors André Leon Talley, Hamish Bowles and Sally Singer (which would be sure to raise the eyebrows of jealous Voguettes). No word yet on if he'll be filing reviews on the shows, or, like tennis star (and Wintour favorite) Roger Federer, appearing on an upcoming cover of Vogue or Men's Vogue.
The blue-liner sat out of Detroit's series-clinching win against the Dallas Stars with a leg injury and even though Chelios believes he can play, head coach Mike Babcock chose not to reinsert him into the lineup for Game 1.
"I don't think I'll be playing the first game," said Chelios. "Whether it's superstition or not, they're not changing [anything]. We played a really good game to close out the last series.
"I'm good to go. I'm ready to go."
Tiger Woods scoffs at Stanley Cup final:
Woods, the world's No. 1 golfer, told reporters Monday that he had no preference when it comes to who captures the Stanley Cup, the Detroit Red Wings or Pittsburgh Penguins.
"I don't really care," he said. "Let's talk about the Dodgers.
"I don't think anybody really watches hockey any more."
Quite a bold stance from a guy who is about as PC as they come. This is a bit surprising to me that he would say that considering a lot of hockey players are big into golf. Then again, Tiger is a big a-hole so I doubt any of them hang with him. Except for maybe Sean Avery.
I could go on and on here about what a jerk Tiger (and seriously, you're a grown man, do we really need to call you Tiger?) is, but I'm not going to waste my time. Woods has probably never seen a hockey game in his life and should really just keep his mouth shut on this topic. Stick to complaining about people making noises on the course and bossing around your caddy Tiger. Leave all the talk about real sports to the people who have a clue.
And for the record, the only person I know who watches golf is my dad, and only because it's "good to sleep through".
Lightning fire coach
TAMPA, FLA.-- John Tortorella was fired yesterday as coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, four years after leading the team to its only Stanley Cup title. He had one season remaining on his contract. The Lightning were 239-222-36-38 and made the playoffs four times in 6 1/2 seasons under Tortorella, who took over a perennial last-place team in January 2001 and -- along with stars Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards -- helped transform it into a championship contender in three years.
It was particularly memorable considering Chorney’s father Marc suited up for the Sioux from 1978 through 1981.
“I grew up a Fighting Sioux fan my whole life and for me to be able to play a couple seasons there and get to know the people around the town of Grand Forks was a great experience.
“Everything I did up there was a positive experience. If I could spend another five years there I probably would. College is a fun time but it's probably best for me that I get everything squared away here, move on and start my career as a professional.”
-----snip-----
For Chorney, this is his second year at Development Camp but first with fellow Fighting Sioux teammate Chris Vande Velde.
“Having Vandy around is big. He's a good guy, I got to know him a lot this year. He's a good hockey player, too and I think he'll be a part of this organization down the road too.”
Vande Velde made huge strides at UND putting up career numbers with 15 goals and 32 points in 43 games to rank third on the team in his sophomore season.
“I played with more confidence and was put on better lines,” said Vande Velde of his success. “I was playing with TJ Oshie and Ryan Duncan who are elite players. That helped as well. I was playing with more confidence, got more points, scored more goals. It was a fun year. “
Vande Velde also played on the first power play unit and killed penalties as part of his added responsibilities. He had three goals and nine points in 38 games in his freshman season the year before.
(Read the whold article here)
By Nathan Fournier | June 3rd, 2008 The NBA has the summer league for rookies, MLB has Fall Baseball, and could the NHL have something similar? The Bleacher Report is reporting that it’s on the table at the GM’s meetings. TSN’s Darren Dreger is also reporting this.
Mike Barnett the former Phoenix Cayotes GM has proposed this. It would last four weeks and one scenario on the table will determine a champion. Each NHL club will fill their team with drafted players still playing in the CHL, some young AHLers, players from Europe, and undrafted free agents. I think you won’t see NCAA players just the simple fact of eligiblity issues. Players would have to pay their own way to maintain NCAA eligible.
Of course there are issues with the NHLPA, where will they play the games and money. The perfect place if they can get the ice time is the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts. The place has five rinks under one roof. I’ve been to this place and you can have five games going and fans can see them all. I know the place is pretty booked in the summer. I think there are a few other places in North America with a complex like this too.
The writer from the Bleacher Report mentions injuries that might happend. For starters, there are a couple of prospect tournaments that some teams take part in already. Most if not all teams have their own seperate rookie camps. They include games. Lastly, NHL teams will most likely not put there 1st round picks in this just for exactly for this reason. They might practice but most of them might not play. All the other players, they play in summer tournaments all the time. It’s nothing new to their NHL and Junior clubs.
This type of league is meant for the mid round prospects to get in a few more games. Maybe we will see a high profile pick play in a league like this.
Overall I like this concept. Hopefully it gets passed and maybe the NHL Network will broadcast so the fans can see the future.
