How good is this Tyler Seguin–Patrick Kane combination on a big, open rink with extra space to manoeuvre and toy with their creativity?
As soon as your Winter Classic refund finds its way back onto your Visa bill, you might want to consider a flight to Switzerland.
EHC Biel-Bienne is loving its luck, landing a pair of two guys under 24 who have already won Stanley Cups, and Kane-Seguin is lighting up the Swiss-A.
“Proud to be Biel” declares the Grayskullesque poster above. EHC “KANE” and “SEGUIN” scarves are on sale now.
Through his first three matches, Kane – averaging better than two points per game – has racked up seven points. Seguin was doing just fine without Kane, but his production has increased since he was joined by a fellow NHLer.
Seguin scored a hat trick the day Kane’s signing was announced, and had a four-goal game a couple days ago in large part because he had Kane setting him up. Through 15 games, he’s averaging 1.53 points per; he has 13 goals and 10 assists all told.
The only NHLer overseas with more goals than Seguin is Tomas Plekanec (14 for the Czech Elite League’s HC Kladno), and he’s played two more games.
On Wednesday, Biel posted an interview with its rent-a-stars, described as “two gifts that the NHL lockout has brought the EHC Biel.”
Seguin explained how struck he’s been by the environment (“mountains and trees”) and the kindness of the locals and warmth of the Swiss fans.
“I’ve only been here a few days, but what surprised me above all the rest compared to the big cities, Boston and Chicago, where we come from, here everything seems peaceful,” Kane said. “There are different traditions before and after the match. Here, for example, no national anthem before the game is played.”
Alright. Get a room already, fellas:
#Seguin, after previously being attacked in a brawl, to #Kane: I didn’t do anything… twitter.com/SwissNHL/statu… — Swiss NHL (@SwissNHL) November 6, 2012
#Seguin, after previously being attacked in a brawl, to #Kane: I didn’t do anything… twitter.com/SwissNHL/statu…
— Swiss NHL (@SwissNHL) November 6, 2012
Tuesday we relayed that Nashville Predator Patric Hornqvist paid for his own insurance so that he could compete for Team Sweden in the Euro Hockey Tournament.
Wednesday’s game brought this scare:
#Preds Hörnqvist left the Swedish national team game after a blindside collision. Did not look very good but no word just yet. — Stefan G:son (@steffeG) November 7, 2012
#Preds Hörnqvist left the Swedish national team game after a blindside collision. Did not look very good but no word just yet.
— Stefan G:son (@steffeG) November 7, 2012
#Preds Hörnqvist back on the bench for second period. Nasty collision to shoulder and/or head late in first. — Stefan G:son (@steffeG) November 7, 2012
#Preds Hörnqvist back on the bench for second period. Nasty collision to shoulder and/or head late in first.
New Jersey Devils forward David Clarkson is leaving EC Red Bull Salzburg, reports the Devils’ Fire and Ice blog.
Same goes for Clarkson’s overseas teammate, Winnipeg Jets defenceman Tobias Enstrom.
The Austrian Hockey League is on a break until Nov. 12, after which clubs must make roster cuts. If Clarkson and Enstrom decide to stay, they will be taking work from native players.
“I came over here to get into shape and to train, but I didn’t come over here to take some guy’s job when he has two kids or three kids,” Clarkson told Fire and Ice. “So that’s the decision I have to make.”
Swedish news source Expressen reports that New York Rangers player Carl Hagelin’s shoulder might be worse than originally believed. An official diagnosis has yet to be released.
Nice work, Matt Duchene:
Taking the chance to coach some youth hockey here in Frolunda. Should be fun! #FrolundaHC yfrog.com/nu6y6kpj — Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) November 6, 2012
Taking the chance to coach some youth hockey here in Frolunda. Should be fun! #FrolundaHC yfrog.com/nu6y6kpj
— Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) November 6, 2012
