Greetings all – with the NHL getting going and most prospects (the healthy ones at least) having played a few games, I thought it was time to get going. First in Springfield, the Falcons played their three preseason games but due to the AHL not keeping track/someone asleep at the switch in Springfield, I can barely tell you who played, let alone scored. The team went 1-2 with the win coming in a shootout.
Let’s look at the rest of the boys playing in the CHL:
Blake Siebenaler-Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Season Stats 3GP 1-1-2 +2 0PIM
Its been a rough start for the IceDogs. They’ve gone 0-3 as the team starts the year on a long road trip due to a new arena opening soon. Blake went pointless in the teams first two games – losses to Sudbury and Sault Ste Marie. Finally, in a game against Mississauga, Blake earn his first points of the season. In the third with the Dogs trailing 3-1, a trailing Blake fired a shot and picked up his own rebound to fire again with Blake’s D partner Vince Dunn picking up the rebound. Late, (ok very late) in the third, Blake scored his first of the season when he kept the puck in, and snapped a shot to make it 4-3 with only five seconds remaining.
Nick Moutrey-Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Season Stats 3GP 0-2-2 E 6PIM
When he was returned to Saginaw, Nick had an A waiting for his jersey as the Spirit are following the CBJ lead of going with four As for now until someone earns it. In his season debut, Nick picked up an assist on the game winner. Nick collected a rebound and got the puck to the point where Marcus Crawford fired a shot. Mitchell Stephens picked up the rebound to win the game 4-3. Nick would be held pointless in a 6-4 loss to Sault Ste Marie. Nick did pick up another point in one of the first prospect matchups of the year against Windsor. In the second, Nick got the puck out of a board battle and found Dylan Sadoway in the slot who finished for his second of the game in a 4-1 win.
Markus Soberg-Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Season Stats 4GP 0-1-1 -3 6PIM
Markus was the first CHL prospect sent back to his junior club that was invited to Columbus and like Nick would be asked to take on a leadership role. In probably what is a rare a occurrence, a rookie European was given an A to wear while earning high praise from Head Coach Bob Boughner ““Soberg’s been a pleasant surprise on and off the ice,” Boughner said “He’s been vocal and takes his game and being a pro very serious. Guys gravitate to him.” Like the Spirit, the Spits are going with four As while they assess the roster further. In his North American debut, with Windsor leading 1-0, Markus gathered a loose puck, skated down the wing and placed a saucer pass to Chris Marchese who tapped the puck past the Otters goalie. The Otters would score the next five goals in a 5-2 win. Markus has been held pointless in the Spitfires next three games.
Julien Pelletier-Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
Season Stats 8GP 4-7-11 +2 2PIM
Julien was one of the few draft picks on the Traverse City roster not to make it to Columbus for Training Camp. In his season debut Julien would pick up a goal and a assist in a 5-4 loss to Charlottetown. The next night in the rematch Julien would pick up two more assists in a 7-1 win. Up next against Gatineau Julien would pick up an assist on what they thought would be the game winner but the Olympiques would tie it later scoring the game winner 33 seconds into overtime. Julien would score two goals in a 7-5 loss in which the Eagles trailed 5-1 at one point. In a 5-4 overtime win Julien would score his fourth goal of the season. At the end of September the Eagles would announce their captains with Julien being named an alternate(noticing a pattern folks). In a back to back against Saint John and fellow CBJ prospect Olivier LeBlanc in a split Julien would pick up three assists with Julien picking up two in the Eagles 5-4 loss on Friday.
Olivier LeBlanc-Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
Season Stats 7GP 2-4-6 +9 23PIM(leads team)
Like Julien, Olivier was not invited to Columbus but instead was sent back in time for the Sea Dogs home opener. When he arrived, Oliver had a C put on his jersey presented by ex-Sea Dogs captains including one time Jacket (Traverse City but who’s counting) Mike Thomas (wish I had video of him handing it over). As for the game, Olivier opened the scoring when he took a pass, skated in and fired a shot through a screen. Olivier was named first star. In the 5-1 win, Olivier picked up nine penalty minutes including a second period fight. In back to back wins over Halifax, Olivier earned two assists along with eight penalty minutes including six in one game. In a game against Charlottetown, Olivier picked up a goal and an assist. The assist came first when Olivier passed the puck to Thomas Chabot whose shot rebounded to Mathieu Joseph to make it 3-2. Later in the game, just two minutes after the Isles took the lead, Olivier tied the game with a shot off a face-off. The Sea Dogs won the game 5-4 in a shootout. Olivier was named second star in the win. In a 5-4 win over Cape Breton, Olivier picked up an assist before going pointless in the rematch.
Peter Quenneville-Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Season Stats 6GP 0-2-2 +1 0PIM
Peter was the only other prospect to not make the trip to Columbus as he was sent back for his team’s home opener but he went pointless in a 4-2 loss to Regina. Up next in a rematch against the Pats, Peter picked up his only points of the season. In the 6-1 win Peter earned assists on the Kings first two goals (sorry highlights are bad, can’t tell much, plus…the music). Peter has been wearing an A all season and probably will continue to wear one when a captain is chosen as he is one of the team’s three 20 year olds.
Oliver Bjorkstrand-Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Season Stats 3GP 2-2-4 +3 2PIM
The CHL prospect that lasted the longest in camp was a welcome site to his team as the Hawks have gotten off to a rough start under new coach Jamie Kompon. In his debut against Seattle, Oliver would do what Oliver does best; and shorthanded I might add. In other words, I’m not going to waste my time describing – just WATCH THIS. Ok you’re back? Pick your jaws up. In their next game Oliver picked up an assist when he sent a pass to Layne Viveiros whose shot was tipped by Chase De Leo to make it 1-0 for the Winterhawks first win of the season. Up next, Portland loaded up the bus on the ferry and were off to Victoria for a game with the Royals. Oliver earned his first multi-point game of the season in a 6-2 loss. The Hawks were trailing 5-0 before they scored when Oliver struck when he skated in and snapped a shot top corner. 52 seconds later, Oliver did the dirty work when he drove down the wing, taking a hit that would knock the puck loose along with Oliver’s helmet. But Chase De Leo gathered the loose puck and got it to Anton Cederholm to make it 5-2 Royals. Like almost everyone in this post, Oliver has been wearing an A since he was sent down, Portland again going with no captain but only three As.
Dillon Heatherington-Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Season Stats 6GP 1-1-2 -2 0PIM
Dillon, the hero of the Hurricanes at Nationwide, was held pointless in his first four games before picking up a goal and an assist against Vancouver. Dillon scored his first when he took a pass from Colby Cave who pinched in and fired the shot top corner to tie the game at two. Late in the second (19:55) off a face-off, Dillon fired a blast that was blocked by a Giant in front with Glenn Gawdin picking up the rebound to make it 4-3 Broncos in a 5-4 victory. Dillon, like most, is wearing a letter (A) but is the only one who is in his second season of wearing it (LeBlanc served as an A last season).
Quickly, the majority of the Jackets NCAA prospects played an exhibition game – the Jackets three prospects on Minnesota played a game against the NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) Ooks. In the 5-0 win, all three Jacket prospects picked up an assist with Ryan Collins and Seth Ambroz picking up assists on Travis Boyd’s goal to make it 5-0. Mike was paired with freshman Jack Glover while Ryan Collins was paired with Rangers first round pick Brady Skjei. Seth played on an all-senior line with Sam Warning and Boyd. The Gophers open the season this weekend taking part in the Ice Breaker Tournament against Minnesota-Duluth. 2014 pick Tyler Bird and the Brown Bears (Cleveland football fans may have just found their new favorite prospect just based on jerseys) haven’t even hit the ice yet due to playing in the ECAC/Ivy League.
There you have it folks! I’ll try to get on my normal Monday schedule soon along with a recap of what our three European Prospects are doing. I’ll also have my NCAA prospects preview soon!
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