Coz for thought: Rielly should go back to Moose Jaw

Big props to the QMJHL. The league has been consistently working to improve its web content, especially with player information seriously lacking across the CHL. Denis Demers, Karl Jahnke, Photi Sotiropoulos and a host of others have raised the bar this year. Here’s an example of the new player profiles.

It was pretty typical that Anthony Mantha was taken by the Detroit Red Wings. I spoke to a number of scouts who felt he had a one-dimensional game. They believed he was lackadaisical at times, and wasn’t interested unless the puck was on his stick. But size and the knack for goal-scoring are two uncoachable traits and Mantha possesses both. Due to their self-imposed over-ripening of prospects, the Red Wings have never been afraid to venture away from the “safe pick.”

Yes, it was still worth it. That’s what I predict Shawinigan fans will be saying two years after their MasterCard Memorial Cup win in 2012. The Cataractes won 15 games in 2012-13, finished out of the playoffs and have yet to register a win this season. Sometimes the price for hosting a Cup is steep.

I’ve been watching Patrick Roy since his debut as a rookie coach in the QMJHL during the 2005-06 season, so it’s easy to see why his team is having success early on in Colorado.

First, Roy is working with a young group, something he became accustomed to in Quebec. Second, he appreciates the offensive side of the game more than people expect. Roy is a master diversionary tactician. Some of the antics he pulled while in Quebec diverted attention away from his team or individual players for the betterment of the team. His blow-up with Bruce Boudreau won’t be the last thing you see from the Avs coach in order to get the most out of his team or to get his team to believe in him.

Ontario Hockey League

It was nice to see a Battalion team supported for a change. North Bay’s home opener last Friday at the renovated Memorial Gardens drew 4,236 spectators and resulted in a 2-1 loss to Peterborough. Sportsnet’s own Nick Kypreos was in attendance. He was a dynamo in his North Bay days, amassing 162 goals and 285 points in 221 games played.

The Battalion’s Thanksgiving Day special resulted in the city’s first OHL victory in 11 years, a 5-4 shootout win versus Niagara. The 3,506 fans that attended the game were 917 more than any of the 15 previous Thanksgiving Day editions played in Brampton.

The Kingston Frontenacs might not be the only OHL team with three first-round picks in the 2014 NHL Draft. Check out the Plymouth Whalers, where Alex Nedeljkovic, Matt Mistele and Alex Peters could garner some first-round consideration.

Erie’s Dane Fox has been bypassed two straight years in the NHL Draft. He was invited to the St. Louis Blues’ rookie camp but is currently an NHL free agent. If I were an NHL general manager, I’d strongly consider signing Fox. I see him as a Cal Clutterbuck type of player with slightly less edge and slightly more skill.

Former Kitchener Rangers head coach Steve Spott is off to a brilliant start with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. The Marlies have won all three of their games. Of the current roster, Spott has either coached or coached against 12 of his players in the past.

Speaking of the AHL, Sportsnet will carry a package of games beginning Feb.9, 2014. Check back with sportsnet.ca for an updated broadcast schedule coming soon.

Western Hockey League

I’ve watched Morgan Rielly play three times for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season and while he doesn’t look out of place, I feel a return to Moose Jaw would benefit him greatly.

A trip back to Moose Jaw would allow him to really take a leadership role, play a ton of minutes in all situations, likely play deep into the spring (if not with Moose Jaw, then with another team through a trade) and give him an opportunity to shine at the world juniors.

Young players can play through their nine-game trial period on adrenaline and ignorance, but once the season starts to set in, young players tend to play like young players. Not to mention, the immense pressure that comes with being the next big thing in the fishbowl known as Toronto. And don’t forget, he missed almost the entire 2011-12 season with a knee injury, which cost him a year of development.

I had a couple of flashbacks watching the Leafs game against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night with former Red Deer Rebels goalie James Reimer up against his Red Deer successor Darcy Kuemper.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get better for the Seattle Thunderbirds, along comes Ryan Gropp, who was taken sixth overall in the 2011 draft.

After a couple of miserable seasons, the Thunderbirds were supposed to have gotten back on track with the three high bantam picks. They picked fourth overall in 2010 (Jared Hauf), sixth in 2011 (Gropp) and first in 2012 (Matthew Barzal). Hauf has been steady, but it was Gropp and Barzal that were going to put Seattle back on the map. Both took their sweet time to sign, but getting Barzal done in the summer really opened the door for Gropp, and now both will be in the lineup for the 8-2 Thunderbirds.

Be sure to check out the WHL’s Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup. Details can be found here.

Stat Trick

Friday Night Hockey: The 2013-14 schedule for FNH kicks off with an all-Maritime match-up featuring the defending MasterCard Memorial Cup Champion Halifax Mooseheads playing host to the Moncton Wildcats on Friday, Nov. 8. The rest of the broadcast schedule through November should be up on sportsnet.ca shortly.

Completely Off Topic: How good has the pitching been in the ALCS and NLCS?