Hello Jackets fans! I figured I’d give some thoughts on each player that played for the Jackets in Traverse City. Given the many players involved and differences in playing time, some of these thoughts will be brief, other a bit more. So, without further ado:
FORWARDS
Alex Aleardi (Invite Signed by Springfield) Stats 4GP 1-1-2 E 4PIM
I called Aleardi the Energizer Bunny. The guy is always moving and he scored a pretty shorthanded breakaway against Buffalo. I definitely saw him as one of the team’s top forwards. Alex’s strong tournament led to him being the only invite from Traverse City to earn an invite to the Jackets Main Camp.
Josh Anderson (2012 Draft) Stats 4GP 1-0-1 E 11PIM
Josh was a monster up in Traverse being physical as expected but also showing he has hands that can be used for more than punching.
Matej Beran (Invite) Stats 2GP 1-0-1 -1 0PIM
I cant say much about Matej, he only played two games and saw fourth line minutes. The lone positive point is he did score the Jackets only goal in the 7-1 loss to Dallas.
Oliver Bjorkstrand (2013 Draft) Stats 4GP 1-1-2 -1 0PIM
Oliver really impressed me once he was moved to a line with Boone Jenner and Kerby Rychel. He had previously been on the fourth line against Buffalo. Oliver was strong both ways including a shorthanded breakaway in one game.
Michael Chaput (Trade with Philadelphia) Stats 4GP 0-1-1 -3 4PIM
Didn’t really notice Michael that much but that’s kinda his game being a two way forward. Michael did serve as captain in the team’s opener and as an alternate against Dallas.
Jake Hansen (2007 Draft) Stats 4GP 0-1-1 -2 2PIM
I thought Jake had a solid tournament even with being dropped to the fourth line after the Buffalo game. He saw time on the PK and was a continued physical presence.
Boone Jenner (2011 Draft) Stats 0-4-4 E 2PIM
Boone was the team’s top forward and also their leading scorer as was probably expected. Guy looked bigger than I remember and he used that size – driving to the net, throwing checks, and even getting in a fight against Carolina. I think if Boone keeps this up he’ll be the one filling in for Nathan Horton as the two are similar players.
Jeremy Langlois (Invite signed by Springfield) Stats 4GP 1-3-4 +1 0PIM
Langlois was another player that mostly saw fourth line minutes and I didn’t notice much other than his breakaway goal, (the one he did score unlike the Aleardi goal that pointstreak gave him credit for).
Nick Moutrey (2013 Draft) Stats 4GP 1-1-2 E 2PIM
Despite what I thought of his first game, Nick ended up having a good tournament. Nick scored a pretty goal against Carolina and threw a few big hits showing he could be a physical presence playing mostly with Micheal Chaput and Alex Aleardi
Kerby Rychel (2013 Draft) Stats 4GP 0-1-1 -2 7PIM
Kerby was pretty quiet in the tournament save for his fight and a scuffle but the talent is there. After one practice, he sniped about five in a row from the side of the net near the wall. Along with Aaron Portzline, I think Kerby will be one of those “love him when he’s yours, hate him when he’s an opponent” kind of guys.
Peter Sakaris (Invite signed by Evansville) Stats 2GP 1-2-3
Sakaris was a surprise. He picked up two assists in his first game and got credit for a goal in his second. I was actually shocked when Peter was a scratch for the Dallas game as he’d played so well. Peter, like Bjorkstrand, was not scared to throw his weight around having one shift where he leveled a Canes player and then drove to the net almost scoring.
Lukas Sedlak (2011 Draft) Stats 4GP 0-1-1 E 2PIM
Much like Chaput, I didn’t notice Sedlak much in the tournament but he was solid both ways playing between the tough guy duo of Josh Anderson and Dalton Smith.
Dalton Smith (2010 Draft) Stats 4GP 1-1-2 -1 14PIM
I think this was the first tournament Dalton wasn’t relied on to be the tough guy and he actually played hockey. Despite having a rough game against Dallas, Dalton played well but still dropped the gloves when it was needed.
DEFENSEMEN
Alexandre Gosselin (Invite) Stats 2GP 0-0-0 -2 4PIM
Another player that didn’t play much and when he did saw 3rd pair minutes.
Dillon Heatherington (2013 Draft) Stats 4GP 1-0-1 -1 2PIM
Other than his goal, you didn’t notice Dillon much but from everything I’ve heard that’s Dillon’s game. He’s a defensive defenseman. Dillon was a steady presence on the blueline throughout the tournament.
Thomas Larkin (2009 Draft) Stats 4GP 1-0-1 -2 13PIM
Larkin was one of the Jackets top dmen all tournament and it hopefully helped his confidence going into his first full pro season. The one thing I found out is Thomas has a good shot from the point – his goal was a blast. I also found that he was more physical than I thought he’d be coming out of college, as proved in a decent tilt during the tournament.
Austin Madaisky (2010 Draft) Stats 4GP 2-0-2 -2 2PIM
Austin was another of the Jackets constant top 4 defenseman playing strong both ways and tying for the team lead in goals. Austin played strong both ways and played consistently on the team’s top pair.
Dakota Mermis (Invite) Stats 3GP 0-1-1 -1 2PIM
Dakota was another invite that played sparingly but I can tell you one thing, the undersized Dman can skate. Dakota appeared to suffer a shoulder injury in the loss to Dallas.
Ryan Murray (2012 Draft) Stats 4GP 2-1-3 +1 0PIM
To the shock of noone, Murray was the Jackets top dman. I guess I forgot, or didn’t read much, about Ryan Murray’s skating ability as he lead the rush on more than one occasion. Murray was given a leadership role wearing a letter on his jersey more than once. Murray’s strong defensive play kept the Dallas game from getting more out of hand.
Justin Sefton (Invite) Stats 3GP 0-1-1 +2 0PIM
Justin was a last minute invite and mostly saw third pair minutes. Sefton was a physical presence also having a decent point shot which the team was lacking with Gianluca Curcuruto missing the tournament with an injury.
GOALIES
Oscar Dansk (2012 Draft) Stats 3GP 2-1-0 3.35GAA .841Sv%
Oscar was the team’s main goalie at the tournament; yet he still is having a rough go of it. I’m not putting every goal on Oscar – there were a few breakaways and some he got at least a piece of.
Jordan DeKort (Invite) Stats 1GP 0-1-0 7.00GAA 708Sv%
Jordan’s only start was the Dallas game and it was rough. I’m not blaming Jordan though as the entire team seemed off. Jordan made a few good saves including one on a breakaway from Stars 2013 first round pick Valeri Nichushkin.
There you have it folks – some quick takes on all the players in Traverse. I’ll be back with a CHL/European prospect preview featuring help from my sources to get a better idea of what to expect on the other side of the pond.
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