Wednesday, March 16, 2011
NHL Prospects on Display This Weekend
By Jared Shafran, College Hockey, Inc.
With all five conferences in division 1 college hockey hosting their conference tournaments this weekend, here’s an NHL team-by-team guide to where fans can catch their favorite team’s prospects in action. Find the games on TV with the help of our National TV Schedule.
Anaheim
Kevin Lind (Notre Dame)
Justin Vaive (Miami)
Chris Wagner (Colgate)
Radoslav Illo (Bemidji State)
The Ducks have four players in action this weekend. Two of them will face each other in the semifinals of the CCHA Tournament. Kevin Lind, a freshman defenseman for Notre Dame will be going up against Justin Vaive, a senior forward at Miami. Vaive has been a nice role player for the Redhawks in his final season, playing in 36 games and posting 9 goals and 7 assists for one of the best offensive teams in the country. Also in action will be Chris Wagner of Colgate, who has scored 9 goals and 10 assists as a freshman for the Raiders and Radoslav Illo, another freshman who has chipped in with three goals this season for Bemidji State.
Atlanta
Jesse Martin (Denver)*
Boston
Mark Goggin (Dartmouth)*
Tommy Cross (Boston College)
Boston College defenseman Tommy Cross has been solid for the Eagles all season on the blue line. Playing for BC, which has spent much of the season at the top of the polls, Cross has been in his share of big games. Last season he was part of a National Championship team, and already this year he has helped to win a Beanpot, scoring the game winning goal in overtime to knock off BU in the first round.
Buffalo
Connor Knapp (Miami)
Brad Eidsness (North Dakota)
Although the Sabres already have a former college goaltender in Ryan Miller, they also have the rights to Miami backstop Connor Knapp. While splitting his duties in net this season, Knapp has a goals against average of 2.03 through 17 games. Most recently, the junior shut down Alaska on Saturday, only allowing one goal and picking up the win.
Calgary
Bill Arnold (Boston College)
Nick Larson (Notre Dame)
The Flames have a pair of forwards in action this weekend in Bill Arnold of Boston College and Nick Larson of Notre Dame. As a freshman, Arnold has been in the lineup for this dominant Eagles team all season, scoring 10 goals and adding 9 assists. Larson, a sophomore, has improved from his freshman season to also net 10 goals and has assisted on 7 others.
Carolina
Brian Doumoulin (Boston College)
Justin Faulk (Minnesota Duluth)
Carolina has two solid defensemen waiting in the wings. Brian Doumoulin has had an outstanding season on the blue line for Boston College, racking up 28 assists. As a sophomore, he plays on the power play, moves the puck well, and has only taken 3 penalties all season. At Minnesota Duluth, freshman Justin Faulk has been a great addition to the Bulldogs. In 34 games, he has 8 goals and 18 assists, helping lead UMD to the Final Five this weekend.
Chicago
Dylan Olsen (Minnesota Duluth)
Dan DeLisle (Minnesota Duluth)
Joe Gleason (North Dakota)
Paul Phillips (Denver)
Kevin Hayes (Boston College)
Braden Birch (Cornell)
Steven Johns (Notre Dame)
Joe Lavin (Notre Dame)
The Blackhawks and Panthers have the most players in action this weekend with 8 apiece. Chicago has players on some of the most talented teams in the country. With Joe Lavin and Steven Johns, currently at Notre Dame, Dylan Olsen and Dan DeLisle at Minnesota Duluth, Paul Phillips at Denver, Braden Birch at Cornell, and Kevin Hayes at Boston College, these are all players who have won a lot of games. Lavin and Johns have been solid defensemen for the Irish, racking up 17 and 12 points respectively, while Kevin Hayes has been a mainstay in the BC lineup as a freshman, playing in 28 games and registering 10 points.
Colorado
Luke Moffatt (Michigan)
Paul Carey (Boston College)
Gus Young (Yale)
Brad Malone (North Dakota)
The Avs have some high scoring forwards that will be on display this weekend. Paul Carey has been a bright spot all year for Boston College, scoring 12 goals and adding 13 assists. Brad Malone is 5thon the top-ranked North Dakota team in scoring with 12 goals and 23 assists. In Ann Arbor, Luke Moffatt has scored 13 points as a freshman for Michigan.
Columbus
Drew Olson (Minnesota Duluth)
Cam Atkinson (Boston College)
Sean Collins (Cornell)
Will Weber (Miami)
Trent Vogelhuber (Miami)
Kevin Lynch (Michigan)
BC forward Cam Atkinson is a star in the making for the Blue Jackets. He picked up right where he left off after last year?s standout season and is leading one of the top offenses in the country in scoring with 28 goals and 20 assists. With more success this weekend, Atkinson could be on his way to being a Hobey Baker Finalist in St. Paul. Jackets fans should also keep an eye on Miami forward Trent Vogelhuber, who has reached the 20-point mark for the Redhawks.
Dallas
Curtis McKenzie (Miami)
Reilly Smith (Miami)
Scott Winkler (Colorado College)
The Stars have a strong presence at Miami, having drafted Redhawk forwards Reilly Smith and Curtis McKenzie. As a sophomore, Smith has fit in to one of the best offenses in the country, scoring 26 goals and 22 assists while his 1.37 points per game mark is 9thin the country. McKenzie has also reached double-digits in points this season with 11. Miami will be taking on Notre Dame in the semifinals of the CCHA Tournament this Friday.
Detroit
Riley Sheahan (Notre Dame)
The Red Wings’ only player in action this weekend is Riley Sheahan of Notre Dame but when it comes to Sheahan’s future, there’s a lot to be excited about. The sophomore forward has 14 assists this season while helping his team reach the semifinals in the CCHA. The reports from South Bend have been positive and if he continues on his pace, Detroit may just have another top notch forward to add to the mix in a few seasons.
Edmonton
Kyle Bigos (Merrimack)
Merrimack defenseman Kyle Bigos is the only Oiler prospect playing this weekend as the Warriors take on New Hampshire in the Hockey East semis. Bigos has been a big part of the turnaround for the Warriors this season, as they will likely make the NCAA Tournament no matter their fate in the playoffs this weekend. At 6?5?? and 230 pounds, his size is a big reason for excitement among Edmonton fans.
Florida
Sam Brittain (Denver)
John Lee (Denver)
Drew Shore (Denver)
Corban Knight (North Dakota)
Derrick LaPoint (North Dakota)
Ryan Watson (Western Michigan)
Matt Rust (Michigan)
Joe Basaraba (Minnesota Duluth)
Panthers fans might have a conflict of interest this weekend when watching the WCHA Final Five. The team has the rights to three of the Denver Pioneers and two members of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Sioux forward Corban Knight is in the midst of a terrific season, currently with 42 points in 39 games. A sophomore who centers the second line, Knight is third on the team with a +25 rating. Florida also has the rights to Derrick LaPoint, another player who has been in the starting lineup for North Dakota all season on defense.
Los Angeles
Derek Forbort (North Dakota)
Kings fans can check out North Dakota freshman defenseman Derek Forbort, who has played in 33 games this season and picked up 15 assists for the Sioux.
Minnesota Wild
Sean Lorenz (Notre Dame)
Jason Zucker (Denver)
Wild fans have a few chances at getting to see one of their team?s prospects at the Frozen Four as they have the rights to Jason Zucker, the high scoring Denver forward and Notre Dame defenseman Sean Lorenz. Both freshman, Zucker has 21 goals and 19 assists for the Pioneers and will look to continue his productive play in the WCHA Final Five. Lorenz has been reliable on the back end while providing some offense for the Irish, playing in 39 games and accounting for 13 points.
Montreal
Mac Bennett (Michigan)
Greg Pateryn (Michigan)
Steve Quailer (Northeastern)
Danny Kristo (North Dakota)
Michael Cichy (North Dakota)
Scott Kishel (Minnesota Duluth)
Joe Stejskal (Dartmouth)
The Canadiens have a presence in the CCHA with Michigan defensemen Mac Bennett and Greg Pateryn and the WCHA with North Dakota forwards Danny Kristo and Michael Cichy. Kristo has been one of the better forwards for the Sioux this season, racking up 22 points in this his sophomore year.
Nashville
Anthony Bitteto (Northeastern)
Ben Ryan (Notre Dame)
The Predators have players in both the Hockey East with Northeastern freshman defenseman Anthony Bitteto and the CCHA with Notre Dame senior forward Ben Ryan. Bitteto leads all Husky defenseman in assists and points with 16 and 19 and was recently named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. Ryan on the other hand, gives his team some veteran leadership and is fourth in team scoring with a line of 6-18-24 through 39 games this season.
New Jersey
Brandon Burlon (Michigan)
Jon Merrill (Michigan)
David Wohlberg (Michigan)*
Derek Rodwell (North Dakota)
Devils fans should be watching Michigan closely this weekend as they have the rights to two Wolverine defensemen in Brandon Burlon and Jon Merrill, who have ratings of +14 and +10 respectively. In addition to their defenseman, the team has also drafted North Dakota forward Derek Rodwell. Rodwell has 9 points this season and will be in the lineup for the Sioux when they play in the WCHA Final Five on Friday.
New York Islanders
Matt Donovan (Denver)
Jason Gregoire (North Dakota)
Brock Nelson (North Dakota)
Brian Day (Colgate)
Blake Kessel (New Hampshire)
Anders Lee (Notre Dame)
The Islanders will have top-notch talent on display this weekend in four different conferences. Blake Kessel, brother of Phil, is one of the best defensemen at New Hampshire and should play a key role for the Wildcats as they compete in the Hockey East. In the WCHA, the Islanders have teammates Jason Gregoire and Brock Nelson (North Dakota) as well as Matt Donovan (Denver). Gregoire has had an outstanding junior year for the Sioux, scoring 24 goals and adding 17 assists. Nelson has also had an impressive freshman campaign, centering the third line and posting scoring totals of 7-12-19 while Donovan leads all Denver defensemen in scoring with 28 points. Colgate senior Brian Day will do battle in the ECAC Tournament in Atlantic City and is another Isles prospect that has had a successful campaign, scoring 10 goals and assisting on 14 others. Last but definitely not least, who could forget freshman Anders Lee of Notre Dame in the CCHA, who has had a breakout freshman season for the Irish, scoring 41 points.
New York Rangers
Carl Hagelin (Michigan)
Max Campbell (Western Michigan)
Chris Kreider (Boston College)*
The Rangers prospects in action this weekend both lead their respective CCHA teams in scoring. But it hasn?t been necessarily about how much they?ve scored, as much as when they?ve gotten their goals. Michigan’s Carl Hagelin has 17 goals on the season and six of them have turned out as the game winner. Max Campbell leads Western Michigan with 35 points on 18 goals and 17 assists, but he is also the one responsible for getting the Broncos this far. Campbell scored the game-winning goal 2:23 into overtime to send WMU to the semifinals, eliminating Ferris State in dramatic fashion.
Ottawa
Ben Blood (North Dakota)
Brad Peltz (Yale)
Jeff Costello (Notre Dame)
Chris Wideman (Miami)
Louie Caporusso (Michigan)
Senators fans don’t have the NHL postseason to look forward to this year, but a few of their prospects will be playing in meaningful playoff games this weekend. Michigan senior Louis Caporusso will look to continue his strong play as the Wolverines compete for a CCHA title. This season Caporusso is second on the team in scoring with 9 goals and 17 assists. The Senators also have rights to North Dakota defenseman Ben Blood. The Sioux head into this weekend?s Final Five as the top team in the country and Blood, who has played on defense in all 39 games, has hit double-digits with 10 points on the season.
Philadelphia
(None)
The Flyers don’t have any prospects in action this weekend but their fans shouldn’t worry too much, as they’re in first place. College guys currently playing in Philadelphia include James Van Riemsdyk (New Hampshire), Ben Holmstrom (UMass-Lowell), Darroll Powe (Princeton), Andreas Nodl (St. Cloud), and Matt Carle (Denver).
Phoenix
Chris Brown (Michigan)
Brett Hextall (North Dakota)
Coyotes prospect Brett Hextall, a junior forward at North Dakota, racked up 26 points in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Through 34 games this year he’s at 26 for the third straight year. Hextall will look to set a career high when he steps on the ice in the WCHA Final Five this weekend for the Sioux.
Pittsburgh
Beau Bennett (Denver)
Kenny Agostino (Yale)
Nick D’Agostino (Cornell)
Phillip Samuelsson (Boston College)
Bryan Rust (Notre Dame)
The Penguins have two defensive prospects in action this weekend in Nick D?Agostino and Phillip Samuelsson. D’Agostino, a sophomore, will be competing for an ECAC title with Cornell while Samuelsson is looking for his second straight Hockey East title with Boston College. Both players play important roles on their teams and should see plenty of ice time this weekend.
St. Louis
Jaden Schwartz (Colorado College)
Max Tardy (Minnesota Duluth)
Colorado College is on the NCAA bubble and will need a good performance this weekend in the WCHA Final Five. One of the team’s leaders is freshman forward and Blues prospect Jaden Schwartz, who has put up 37 points in his first season with the Tigers. Check out Schwartz and the Tigers as they take on Alaska-Anchorage
San Jose
William Wrenn (Denver)
Drew Daniels (Northeastern)
Justin Daniels (Northeastern)
Cody Ferriero (Northeastern)
Issac MacLeod (Boston College)
Lee Moffie (Michigan)
When the Northeastern Huskies look to pull the upset of Boston College in the Hockey East semifinals this Friday, they will have three Sharks prospects in their lineup as brothers Justin and Drew Daniels and freshman Cody Ferriero have all been selected by San Jose. Drew is finally getting comfortable in his new position as he made the switch from forward to defenseman this season, while Ferriero has contributed three goals in his last six games, helping the Huskies knock off Boston University in the quarterfinals.
Tampa Bay
Luke Witkowski (Western Michigan)
Kirill Gotovets (Cornell)
Lightning prospect Luke Witkowski, a defenseman for CCHA?s Western Michigan, has played in all 39 of the Broncos games this season, scoring eight points. Kirill Gotovets, another Bolts prospect has played a big role in the success of Cornell this season. The freshman defenseman has played in 32 games, registering 7 points, and will compete for the ECAC title this weekend with the rest of the Big Red.
Toronto
Andrew MacWilliam (North Dakota)
Matt Frattin (North Dakota)
Jimmy Hayes (Boston College)
Ben Winnett (Michigan)
The Leafs have a feather in their cap with the rights to Hobey Baker candidate Matt Frattin. In this his senior year for North Dakota, Frattin has a scoring line of 33-21-54. His 33 goals lead the nation and he is tied for third in overall scoring. Frattin and his defensive teammate Andrew MacWilliam, also a Toronto prospect, will contend for the WCHA title this weekend. But that?s not all. Toronto also has the rights to Boston College junior Jimmy Hayes. Hayes, who will look to lead the Eagles to their second straight Hockey East Tournament title this weekend, has a scoring line of 20-10-30 which is good for third on the team.
Vancouver
Joe Cannata (Merrimack)
Canucks fans only need to have their eyes on one player this weekend and that’s Joe Cannata, staring goaltender for Merrimack. Cannata has been one of the biggest reasons for success in North Andover this season, posting 24 wins with a goals against of 2.40 and a save percentage of .911 in this his junior year.
Washington
Patrick Wey (Boston College)
Phil DeSimone (New Hampshire)
Greg Burke (New Hampshire)*
Both Capitals draft picks in action this weekend will be in Boston, as Phil DeSimone of New Hampshire and Patrick Wey of Boston College chase the Hockey East title. DeSimone’s teammate, fellow Caps pick Greg Burke, has been out due to injury lately. DeSimone centers an all-senior first line for the Wildcats that is one of the top forward units in the nation – all three players have at least 40 points. Wey is one of the Eagles’ top defensive defensemen, having posted seven points in 34 games as a sophmore.
* – Denotes player is injured