2005-06 Statistics

Need-to-know Guy

If you don’t know who this guy is, read and find out NEED-TO-KNOW GUY This guy isn’t the best player on the team, but he’s crucial to his team’s success, or – in the case of teams not doing so well – the opportunity for success, if the rest of the team could only get their act together. He might be the shutdown defenseman who keeps the flashy and dangerous snipers off the scoresheet in the late stages of the third period, such as Calgary’s Robyn Regehr. He could also be the top line player lurking in the shadows of his more famous linemates, such as Philadelphia right winger Mike Knuble. But he might also be that overlooked young player who was just called up and stepped in to play a key role,…

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

As Olli Jokinen goes, so too do the Florida Panthers. The 27-year-old center has been an offensive contributor in every one of Florida’s victories this season. The Panthers have not won a game without him registering a goal or assist. So as the Panthers got hot in December, it goes without saying Jokinen was heating up as well. He carried a 10-game point streak into his second game of 2006. The Kuopio, Finland, native had eight goals and 20 points and was a plus-7 in 15 December games for Florida. He was held off the scoresheet just three times during the month. Skating on a line with Gary Roberts and Chris Gratton, Jokinen has scored half of his 18 goals on the power play. “Gary has developed some good chemistry with Olli,”…

Stay-at-home…for now

After playing against college teams last season with the U.S. national under-18 squad, Michigan defenseman Mark Mitera had a leg up on most incoming NCAA freshmen. “Last year gave me the exposure to what it was going to be like,” Mitera said. “It really made me realize I needed to be quicker, smarter and stronger, and make decisions faster.” Mitera took a brief holiday from the NCAA to play for Team USA at this year’s World Junior Championship and he could be a first round draft pick in 2006. From Day 1 at Michigan, the 6-foot-3, 196-pounder has manned the left point on the Wolverines second power play unit, killed penalties and played a regular shift. “He has come in and played above his years,” said Michigan assistant coach Billy Powers. “He has a physical presence,…