I think its almost ingrained into our identity as human beings to remember our ‘firsts’ that occur in our lives. We record the date of our first steps, the day we take the training wheels off of our bicycle, the first day of school, your first kiss, and while we probably never record the date we usually remember when we lost our virginity. These ‘firsts’ leave often leave an impression, and often are fraught with great anticipation. A few weeks earlier we talked about the emotional roller coaster a potential draftee goes through while waiting for their name to be called on draft day, but what happens after your name is called? Sure, its a relief to have your name called but you have a whole new level of expectations to meet. I have little doubt that for any of these young players attending the Wild prospect camp for the first time they will have their share of butterflies as they are put through their paces by the combined coaching staffs of the Minnesota Wild and the Houston Aeros starting on July 12th culminating in two scrimmages on July 16th and 17th which are both open to the public.
For some of these players, their name was never called. This is the journey of the tryout player. Not only do tryout players help round out the prospect camp so you can have two full teams but it is their opportunity to make an impression on NHL and AHL coaches and if they’re lucky they may just earn themselves a professional contract. For the tryouts, Prospect Camp is an extended audition, perhaps very like tryouts they attended as a youth or junior league player. Where you may worry about a bad drill, or making a foolish mistake that can make you an easy cut. For myself, the tryouts are like stocking stuffers for Christmas. They’re small, so its unlikely they’re going to wow you but you still have a chance to get something really fun and unexpected. They are the great unknown, the ultimate underdog and they are pitted against the bulk of the Wild’s ‘drafted’ prospect pool. As a fan who follows the team very closely, the drafted prospects are critiqued and analyzed (perhaps too much) by rubes like myself at places like Hockey’s Future and their message boards. The ‘drafted’ prospects are the known commodity and for these ‘day traders’ of the NHL they follow these players like the stock market and a player’s projected future can go up or down depending how good of a week they had. For Wild fans, they will have perhaps their best selection draftees in prospect camp history as 2010 1st round pick Mikael Granlund makes his debut in a Wild practice uniform (in North America). Granlund has to be considered the team’s most exciting draft selection since perhaps Marian Gaborik and considering the Finnish phenom has played very well in the Sm-Liiga and for Team Finland at the World Championships playing a key role in leading the team to gold. Not excited yet? You must’ve forgotten about this move Granlund pulled off at the Semifinals against Russia.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmHQt8BT4Ek&w=425&h=350]That alone should get you jacked up about this year’s prospect camp, as you hear Finland’s version of Rick Jeanerette go crazy over Granlund’s lacrosse-style goal. Yet, there are 41 other players there which includes 11 tryout players giving any fan plenty of reasons to want to pay attention to what has the making of the franchise’s best prospect camp ever.
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Perhaps the best example of a tryout player turned into a ‘dream season’ in Wild Prospect Camp history is Jared Spurgeon turned his invitation to prospect shot into a 50+ game stint with the Minnesota Wild, and while that scenario is unlikely to occur again it still gives the NHL ‘dream’ aspect of a development camp like this from legitimate fodder to draw from. I don’t believe anyone could’ve predicted Spurgeon fast rise to the Wild’s roster, albeit helped in some regard by injuries but the fact he was able to keep that spot is a testament to his consistency and poise. By the end of the season, Spurgeon who still looks like he’s 16 rather than 21 years old looked quite comfortable on the blueline and even started to show some of the offensive acumen that was his signature at the major junior level with the Spokane Chiefs. If these tryout players need an inspiration, they can look to former University of Minnesota: Duluth Bulldog Justin Fontaine. For Fontaine, a player who is attending his 3rd Wild Prospect Camp he turned his good effort at camp and back with the Bulldogs into a national title. Fontaine was a key member of the top line that made the UMD Bulldogs offensive attack go and the Wild felt compelled to give the Bonnyville, Alberta-native a pro contract.
Not every tryout success story has such a ‘dream’ season as Spurgeon did, or win a national championship like Fontaine. Rugged defenseman Josh Caron won over coaches at camp, and was rewarded with a roster spot on the Wild’s Traverse City Tournament team and impressed Wild brass for the way he stuck up for his teammates earning a professional contract in the process. The Kamloops Blazer struggled with injuries this season and it remains to be seen whether he was able to develop and improve his game as much as the brass would like to see. Joel Broda was another tryout from last year’s camp who showed good ability to score, convincing the Wild to sign the former Washington Capitals draft pick (144th Overall in 2008) to a professional contract.
Joel Broda
Yet it was probably a tough season mentally for Broda who sort of lost out in the numbers game with the Houston Aeros and he was sent to the ECHL’s Bakersfield Condors (the Wild’s ECHL affiliate) in order to have the ice time he needs to develop his game. Broda was nearly a point-per-game player with the Condors and with the departures of scorers Patrick O’Sullivan, Robbie Earl and Jean-Michel Daoust it is very unlikely he will get caught up in a numbers game in Houston.
I guess for myself, the tryout players have always interested me because of that level of ‘unknown’ they bring to the table. Effort, skill, coach-ability and persistence can make an impression and give teams reason to consider whether or not to tender you an offer. So for this year’s crop of tryouts like J.T. Brown, Jack Connolly, Mike Kramer, Taylor Peters, Carter Sandlak, Kyle Thomas, Dylan Willick, Dylan Busenius, Derik Johnson, Sam Lofquist and David Makowski it is their big chance to show the Wild that they should’ve drafted them when they had the chance. Which (if any) tryouts have a chance to earn pro contract?
J.T. Brown (UMD) – This smallish-forward was pure energy for the Bulldogs; especially in the post-season where he seemed to be everywhere at once. A tenacious competitor may not list that big, but he is a good skater, with great lower body strength to power his way through checks and seemed to make things happen every time he was on the ice. Simply put, J.T. Brown is the type of player that just will not be denied and I really hope he performs well and the Wild add his skills and his competitive drive to their prospect pool.
David Makowski (Denver) – Most of the national media focused on super sophomore Matt Donovan, but David Makowski had a very impressive freshman season for the Pioneers. Like Spurgeon, Makowski is a defensively responsible, and mobile, puck-moving defenseman but also possesses the knack to get his shots on goal. He may be a dark-horse to earn a pro contract with the Wild, but then again many thought the same of Spurgeon.
Wild series ‘Becoming Wild’ opens to rave reviews
Last night after the Twins come-from-behind 8-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox, the Minnesota Wild debuted the first episode of their 6-part reality series that looks behind the scenes as Minnesota attempts to rise back into prominence in the ultra competitive Western Conference. You can watch the first episode of ‘Becoming Wild’ here. I don’t want to ruin any part of it for you, so I won’t go into detail over what you will see but if Twitter, the wild.com and Hockey’s Future message boards are any indication the series is going to be a smashing success. You will get a real good first look at what makes new Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo tick, as well as some of the preparation that goes into a series as he was coaching the Aeros through the Calder Cup playoffs. I think after you watch this episode you will see why so many Wild fans are chomping at the bit for the 2011-12 season to begin.
Here is Episode 2 of ‘Becoming Wild’
Here is Episode 3 of ‘Becoming Wild’
Here is Episode 4 of ‘Becoming Wild’
Here is Episode 5 of ‘Becoming Wild’
Here is Episode 6 of ‘Becoming Wild’
Without further adieu here is the complete 2011 Wild Prospect Camp Roster.
Johan Larsson
Forwards
#27 Cody Almond (Houston, AHL) – C ~ 6’2″, 199lbs – 65GP 15G 19A = 34pts 124 PIM’s -2
#73 Joel Broda (Bakersfield, ECHL) – C ~ 6’0″, 203lbs – 32GP 17G 13A = 30pts 39 PIM’s +9
#62 J.T. Brown (UMD, WCHA) – W ~ 5’10”, 170lbs – 42GP 16G 21A = 37pts 50 PIM’s
#54 Brett Bulmer (Kelowna, WHL) – LW ~ 6’3″, 180lbs – 57GP 18G 31A = 49pts 109 PIM’s -12
#38 Nathan Burns (Vancouver, WHL) – LW ~ 6’0″, 165lbs – 59GP 14G 9A = 23pts 52 PIM’s +3
#78 Jack Connolly (UMD, WCHA) – C ~ 5’8″, 160lbs – 42GP 18G 41A = 59pts 34 PIM’s
#63 Charlie Coyle (Boston U., H-East) – F ~ 6’2″, 207lbs – 37GP 7G 19A = 26pts 34 PIM’s
#52 Justin Fontaine (UMD, WCHA) – RW ~ 5’10”, 160lbs – 42GP 22G 36A = 58pts 42 PIM’s
#72 Kris Foucault (Calgary, WHL) – LW ~ 6’1″, 202lbs – 65GP 25G 23A = 48pts 60 PIM’s -10
#53 Tyler Graovac (Ottawa, OHL) – C ~ 6’2″, 180lbs – 66GP 10G 11A = 21pts 10 PIM’s -4
#40 Mikael Granlund (HIFK, Sm-Liiga) – F ~ 5’8″, 169lbs – 39GP 8G 28A = 36pts 14 PIM’s +6
#81 Mike Kramer (Princeton, ECAC) – F ~ 5’10”, 200lbs – 31GP 13G 18A = 31pts 4 PIM’s
#47 Johan Larsson (Brynas, Eliteserien) – LW ~ 5’10”, 198lbs – 43GP 4G 4A = 8pts 18 PIM’s +3
#56 Mario Lucia (Wayzata, USHS-MN) – F ~ 6’2″, 183lbs – 24GP 25G 22A = 47pts 14 PIM’s +26
#77 David McIntyre (Albany, AHL) – C ~ 6’0″, 185lbs – 78GP 12G 18A = 30pts 51 PIM’s -5
#45 Carson McMillan (Houston, AHL) – C ~ 6’2″, 194lbs – 78GP 12G 10A = 22pts 80 PIM’s -4
#83 Taylor Peters (Portland, WHL) – C ~ 6’3″, 212lbs – 72GP 11G 19A = 30pts 47 PIM’s +5
#61 Zach Phillips (Saint John, QMJHL) – C ~ 6’0″, 180lbs – 67GP 38G 57A = 95pts 16 PIM’s +48
#75 Chad Rau (Houston, AHL) – C ~ 5’11”, 178lbs – 60GP 13G 27A = 40pts 12 PIM’s +10
#80 Carter Sandlak (Belleville, OHL) – LW ~ 6’1″, 190lbs – 34GP 9G 7A = 16pts 44 PIM’s -11
#58 Kyle Thomas (Norwich, Div.III) – F ~ 5’11”, 180lbs – 29GP 16G 12A = 28pts 20 PIM’s
#82 Dylan Willick (Kamloops, WHL) – RW ~ 5’10”, 183lbs – 72GP 24G 20A = 44pts 53 PIM’s -17
#59 Jason Zucker (Denver, WCHA) – F ~ 5’10”, 175lbs – 40GP 23G 22A = 45pts 59 PIM’s
Kyle Medvec
Defenseman
#64 Jonas Brodin (Farjestad, Eliteserien) ~ 6’1″, 170lbs – 42GP 0G 4A = 4pts 12 PIM’s +6
#44 Dylan Busenius (Medicine Hat, WHL) ~ 5’11”, 180lbs – 63GP 7G 14A = 21pts 33 PIM’s +14
#68 Josh Caron (Kamloops, WHL) ~ 6’2″, 200lbs – 27GP 1G 1A = 2pts 47 PIM’s -3
#71 *Tyler Cuma (Houston, AHL) ~ 6’2″, 192lbs – 31GP 1G 3A = 4pts 15 PIM’s -3
#42 Kris Friedheim (Houston, AHL) ~ 6’2″, 195lbs – 66GP 3G 6A = 9pts 24 PIM’s +3
#43 Chay Genoway (North Dakota, WHCA) ~ 5’8″, 165lbs – 36GP 6G 31A = 37pts 26 PIM’s
#74 Colton Jobke (Kelowna, WHL) ~ 6’0″, 170lbs – 51GP 1G 9A = 10pts 84 PIM’s +6
#49 Derik Johnson (Penticton, BCHL) ~ 6’0″, 195lbs – 57GP 2G 7A = 9pts 129 PIM’s
#51 Sam Lofquist (Guelph, OHL) ~ 6’2″, 205lbs – 62GP 8G 28A = 36pts 57 PIM’s +9
#65 Sean Lorenz (Notre Dame, CCHA) ~ 6’1″, 192lbs – 44GP 4G 11A = 15pts 36 PIM’s
#57 David Makowski (Denver, WCHA) ~ 6’0″, 205lbs – 41GP 6G 24A = 30pts 53 PIM’s
#67 Kyle Medvec (Vermont, H-East) ~ 6’6″, 225lbs – 29GP 2G 4A = 6pts 28 PIM’s
#6 Marco Scandella (Houston, AHL) ~ 6’3″, 190lbs – 33GP 3G 19A = 22pts 17 PIM’s Even
#76 Nick Seeler (Eden Prairie, USHS-MN) ~ 6’1″, 185lbs – 22GP 7G 27A = 34pts 38 PIM’s +8
#46 Jared Spurgeon (Minnesota, NHL) ~ 5’8″, 175lbs – 53GP 4G 8A = 12pts 2 PIM’s -1
Darcy Kuemper
Goaltenders
#50 Johan Gustaffson (Vasteras, Swe-1) ~ 6’2″, 180lbs – 26GP 2.33GAA 2 shutouts .911%SP
#31 Matthew Hackett (Houston, AHL) ~ 6’2″, 170lbs – 45GP (23-16-4) 2.37GAA .916%SP
#70 Darcy Kuemper (Red Deer, WHL) ~ 6’4″, 195lbs – 62GP (45-12-5) 1.86GAA .933%SP
#60 Stephen Michalek (Loomis-Choate, USHS-CT) ~ 6’2″, 183lbs – 23GP 3.95GAA .918%SP
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