Friday Night Hockey
After lengthy deliberation, the Moncton Wildcats decided to appeal the Ross Johnston suspension. The Wildcats contacted several hockey people for advice and they want to be clear about the league’s implications of intent on Johnston’s part.
By rule, the independent committee can also choose to lengthen the suspension. Here’s how it was set out by the QMJHL.
Moncton will make life miserable for more than one QMJHL team in the playoffs.
Dmitrij Jaskin could play in the NHL right now.
All the Saulnier’s (East Coast Sedins) have ever done is produce.
He’s 19, but Moncton defenceman Danick Emond is big, tough and steady. I think he can play pro.
Spending time with Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil is not only informative, but entertaining.
Calgary native Lucas Grundy, he of almost 600 PIMs the last two years in the AJHL, ended up in Rimouski thanks in large part to Oilers goalie coach Frederic Chabot.
I’m glad Oceanic defenceman Kevin Gagne finally signed (he hinted at it after FNH). Good get, Anaheim. Although he may not be thought of as a top-flight NHL prospect, he’ll act like a pro and leave it all out on the ice. The same can be said for Charles Sarault of Sarnia, the Ducks got him too.
QMJHL
The latest relocation rumour for Acadie-Bathurst is Sorel. But then again, we’ve all seen this movie before.
OHL
I had my annual visit with Plymouth’s “Mr. Everything” Mike Vellucci on Sunday. Also got the annual question, “When are the Whalers going to be on Sportsnet?” Point well-taken…I don’t have that answer.
The Whalers have been riding just-turned 17-year-old goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic. He’s undoubtedly the most under-the-radar keeper in the CHL. Going into play on Tuesday he was 16-2-1-1 with a 2.17 GAA and a .927 save percentage. Nedeljkovic has not allowed more than 2 goals in each of his last 11 decisions.
First there was Justin, then Anthony and now Alex Peters. Plymouth’s 6-foot-4, 198 pound defenceman is already on the Whalers’ P.K., and will have early round consideration in the 2014 NHL draft. So too will forward Matthew Mistele.
Vincent Trochek is at the point where he’s dominant out there.
Here are four things that have lead to a second half surge by the Whalers:
1) Rickard Rakell’s return from Anaheim
2) The team has been together and relatively healthy only since mid-January
3) Vellucci prefers to play his entire team early in the season to have less wear and tear on his vets for later in the year
4) Good goaltending
Mississauga has trouble scoring on a good day. Without Riley Brace, the offence is simply anemic.
This is long overdue, but it’s great to see former OHL tough guy Adam DeLeeuw behind Mississauga’s bench as an assistant to James Boyd.
Since Feb. 9, Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects game goalie, Spencer Martin, has seen less and less of Mississauga’s net. Some have floated the notion he’s not 100 per cent.
If the Peterborough Petes make the playoffs, Jody Hull should get at least some consideration for Coach of the Year.
WHL
Brendan Ranford will end his junior career just shy of 350 regular season games played. That’s 15 games under the max with five games left on the Blazers’ 2012-13 schedule. Congrats.
Moose Jaw finally ended Saskatoon’s streak of 18 straight wins. It took a four-goal comeback and overtime to finally get it done.
It will be interesting to keep an eye on the Regina Pats now that they are officially eliminated from playoff contention. The annual “will the team be sold” rumours should heat up. Will Pat Conacher remain as the head coach? Will Chad Lang retain his position as the club’s GM?
It’s about time Alec Baer. He’s just one of the pieces Vancouver will lean on in its re-build.
NHL Draft
The NHL draft will take place Sunday, June 30 in New Jersey, here’s how it will shake down.
CIS University Cup
Congratulations to the six CIS teams that have qualified for the PotashCorp University Cup.
It took UQTR four overtime periods to finally upend Carleton Sunday to secure the final spot. Waterloo, UQTR, Alberta, Saskatchewan, St. Mary’s and UNB will compete for the national title in Saskatoon beginning Thursday, March 14, with two of the three league titles still up for grabs.
Stat trick:
| Shorthanded Points Leaders in the CHL | ||||
| Players | Team | Shorthanded Points | ||
| Victoria | 404 | 75 | 24.64 | |
| Seattle | 354 | 64 | 22.7 | |
| Calgary | 410 | 72 | 22.42 | |
| Vancouver | 364 | 65 | 21.63 | |
| Lethbridge | 383 | 61 | 21.39 | |
| Gatineau | 416 | 56 | 18.85 | |
| Owen Sound | 402 | 59 | 18.71 | |
Completely Off Topic: If you haven’t tuned into a World Baseball Classic game, it’s definitely worth a look. You can find it all on Sportsnet.
FNH: This week, we head back to Ontario for the Battle of the 402. Sarnia hosts London.
More CHL: For more on the CHL, be sure to check out the latest from Patrick King.