Tuesday, October 8th
I was sitting in a small-town Windsor rink last night waiting for a game to start when I started reminiscing about how active I used to be on the Dobber Hockey forums. Admittedly, I was a forum junkie and probably spent way too much time chatting about hockey…but I loved it. I have certainly slowed down with my postings (too few now) now but I had a good time looking back at some of the thread series I started waaaaaaaaaaay back when. One of my favorite series was the Hockey History posts where I forwarded some interesting hockey facts happening that day, week or month. As a tribute, I start today’s ramblings off with a few historical facts from this day in hockey history (courtesy of the HHOF)….
October 8th, 1975 – Doug Jarvis played the first of his NHL record 964 consecutive games (over a span of 12 years). Jarvis started with Montreal, continued the streak with the Capitals and ended it with Hartford on Oct. 10, 1987 in a game against the Ranger
October 8th, 1975 – Rookie Bryan Trottier played in his first NHL game as the New York Islanders tied 1-1 against the Scouts in Kansas City.
October 8th, 1991 – San Jose Sharks won their first NHL game, 4-3 over Calgary, at the Cow Palace. Kelly Kisio scored the winning goal with 3:15 remaining in regulation.
October 8th, 1993 – The Mighty Ducks played their first game in NHL history, a 7-2 loss to the Red Wings at the Pond, in Anaheim. Ray Sheppard scored a goal and added three assists for the Red Wings.
October 8th, 2000 – Rookie Brad Richards recorded his first two career NHL points with a goal and an assist as the Lightning lost 5-4 to the the visiting Vancouver Canucks.
October 8th, 2002 – Boston Bruins named Joe Thornton as their new Team Captain, the 17th in team history.
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Hockey Canada officially unveiled the jerseys that the men’s, women’s and sledge hockey teams will be wearing at the Sochi Olympics. Thoughts?
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>RT <a href=”https://twitter.com/HockeyCanada”>@HockeyCanada</a>: Here they are! The jerseys Canada’s men’s, women’s and sledge teams will wear at <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Sochi2014&src=hash”>#Sochi2014</a>. <a href=”http://t.co/5PgjCWLOeJ”>pic.twitter.com/5PgjCWLOeJ</a></p>— Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) <a href=”https://twitter.com/RossyYoungblood/statuses/387585206846119936″>October 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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After the Flyers sent back 2012 1st round pick, Scott Laughton, to the Oshawa Generals, the young pivot riffled off three goals and nine points en route to being named OHL Player of the Week. The Philadelphia Flyers have scored a measly three goals in three winless games…just sayin’
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A worthy honourable mention for OHL Player of the Week….Sabres prospect Nicholas Baptiste
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Sabres&src=hash”>#Sabres</a> Nicholas Baptiste running red hot for <a href=”https://twitter.com/Sudbury_Wolves”>@Sudbury_Wolves</a> picking up 4PM Saturday night after hat trick on Fri. 6 game pt streak (12P)</p>— Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) <a href=”https://twitter.com/RossyYoungblood/statuses/386685868729442304″>October 6, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Flames prospect Emile Poirier was named the QMJHL First Star of the Week after a six point week. The 2013 1st round selection has six goals and 12 points in 7 games this season with the Gatineau Olympiques.
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Christopher Clapperton (best name in hockey) leads the QMJHL in scoring with 20 points through eight games this season. Clapperton was a 5th round selection of the Florida Panthers at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Detroit’s top selection in 2013, Anthony Mantha, leads all Queber leaguers in goals with 11 already and stands in second place in points with 18. This kid can snipe!
Other notable hot starts in the QMJHL include the undrafted Anthony Deluca (9GP-6G-15P), top ranked Q draft eligible skater Ivan Barbashev (14P in 10 games) and Habs Jeremy Gregoire (8G and 11P through 7 games).
Of note, Leafs 2013 1st round selection Frederik Gauthier hasn’t quite set the league on fire with him posting zero goals and only five assists in the opening seven games. Toronto’s Fabrice Herzog has made a strong QMJHL debut with five goals and eight points for Quebec (9 games). Furthermore, overseas….Andreas Johnson, drafted 202nd overall in 2013 by Toronto (7th round), leads his Frolunda club in scoring as an 18-year-old.
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From the WHL, 2014 NHL draft top prospect Sam Reinhart (7 games and 16 points), Coyotes prospect Henrik Samuelsson (7 games and 16 points), Blue Jackets 2013 3rd rounder Oliver Bjorkstrand (15 points in 7 games), Jets prospect Nic Petan (13 points through 7 games), and Connor Bleakley (11P in 8 games; 2014 NHL Draft prospect) are off to hot starts.
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Some relevant fantasy hockey tweets on NHL prospects…
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>Loved Jonas Brodin last year & it’s clear <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Wild&src=hash”>#Wild</a> see star potential too. Played 27:11 minutes last night picking up his 2nd pt in 2nd game</p>— Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) <a href=”https://twitter.com/RossyYoungblood/statuses/386850426790088704″>October 6, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Brodin is going to be one of the better NHL defensemen. His poise is unreal and there are very few (if any) holes in his game.
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Wild&src=hash”>#Wild</a> defenseman Mathew Dumba went pointless with one shot on goal in 10:22 minutes in his <a href=”https://twitter.com/NHL”>@NHL</a> debut</p>— Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) <a href=”https://twitter.com/RossyYoungblood/statuses/386849892209291264″>October 6, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Expect to see Dumba returned to Red Deer this season.
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<blockquote><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Caps&src=hash”>#Caps</a> Burakovsky (1G 4A), <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Leafs&src=hash”>#Leafs</a> Connor Brown (2G 2A) and Dane Fox (2G 2A) with massive nights for <a href=”https://twitter.com/ErieOtters”>@ErieOtters</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23OHL&src=hash”>#OHL</a></p>— Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) <a href=”https://twitter.com/RossyYoungblood/statuses/386683134198439937″>October 6, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Not a bad showing for Capitals first rounder Andre Burakovsky. Leafs’ Connor Brown is poised to have a monstrous season in the OHL. Dane Fox has a black shadow following him around because of previous bad decisions but based on talent alone…he should’ve been drafted in both of the past two drafts. He’s a fun player to watch.
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Check out some updates on Dallas Stars’ prospects…
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Stars&src=hash”>#Stars</a> prospect report. READ: <a href=”http://t.co/7jPoVBlAC0″>http://t.co/7jPoVBlAC0</a></p>— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) <a href=”https://twitter.com/DallasStars/statuses/387309193818279937″>October 7, 2013</a></blockquote>
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I will be back with more in a few days time…enjoy the hockey.
Thanks for Reading,
@RossyYoungblood