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September 5, 2006
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
Juniors will get shot to skate with Savard
EYE ON CAMP There’s no such thing as the status quo in Boston, but at least some carryover is anticipated. The expectation is incoming coach Dave Lewis will keep the top unit of Marco Sturm-Patrice Bergeron-Brad Boyes intact. Also, look for Glen Murray to line up with import playmaker Marc Savard. If all that pans out, the fight to play left wing with Savard and Murray will be the best in camp. It may well be fought by kids, too, with 2006 first round pick Phil Kessel (fifth overall) in the mix. Competition includes incoming junior prospects Martin Karsums, Petr Kalus and possibly David Krejci. The addition of free agents Jason York, Nathan Dempsey and Wade Brookbank means second-year NHLers Milan Jurcina, Andrew Alberts and Mark Stuart must earn their jobs on the blueline.…
Farm team upstarts key to Wings’ depth
EYE ON CAMP The Wings have up to four forward spots open in training camp, and several young players who flourished last season in Grand Rapids (AHL) will be competing for those jobs. Small but skilled winger Jiri Hudler has the best chance of making an impact. He’s coming off his best pro season, finishing third in AHL scoring with 96 points, including 36 goals. Both Tomas Kopecky and Darryl Bootland are coming off their best seasons and will get an opportunity to make the Wings as fourth-liners. The team is trying to become more difficult to play against, and Bootland brings that abrasive, agitating element. Valtteri Filppula was impressive last season in Grand Rapids, but he can be sent down without waivers, which is a competitive disadvantage. Experienced newcomers fighting for jobs…
A Warrior’s persistence
Four years later than planned, a member of the Holzapfel family is finally getting his crack with the Atlanta Thrashers. Moose Jaw Warriors left winger Riley Holzapfel will be one of Atlanta’s rookies participating in a prospects tournament held in Traverse City, Mich., Sept. 8-12. His older brother, Cody, was to follow a comparable path until suffering two broken arms in a car accident en route to the Red Deer Rebels training camp in 2002. Cody was forced to miss the Thrashers camp (he was invited as a free agent) and played only three more WHL games. But Atlanta beckoned a second Holzapfel. “It’s pretty much like a storybook unfolding,” said Riley of being drafted by the Thrashers. “You just saw a glow on the whole family,” said Warriors GM Chad Lang of watching the…
Chemistry with Sid buoys Armstrong
EYE ON CAMP The most prized jobs are the wings surrounding top two centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, assuming Malkin signs and coach Michel Therrien keeps the two apart. Mark Recchi will be one of the wingers on the top two lines, while Colby Armstrong – who enjoyed great chemistry with Crosby late last season – and Ryan Malone also figure in the mix. After that, it’s a crapshoot with Nils Ekman, John LeClair, Ronald Petrovicky and Jarkko Ruutu. Ekman’s speed and 20-goal pedigree work in his favor. Josef Melichar, Noah Welch, Eric Cairns and Rob Scuderi will fight for the final few defense spots. Melichar’s experience and Welch’s raw talent will help them, though Cairns impressed with his toughness and leadership. Dominic Moore, Maxime Talbot and Erik Christensen are among the…
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