jaybone87
11-23-2003, 03:35 PM
Just to let you guys know here is what has been going on with Ben Eager since the start of the OHL season.
He has been the Generals best forward and 2nd best player(next to Paul Ranger). He has stopped taking those penalties he didnt need to take in the past but has still dropped the gloves when he needed to. He played in the ReMax Canada Vs. Russia challenge and was player of the game with 2 goals and 2 assists and 2 PIMS. He didnt play in the second game of the series because of the flu. He should have a good chance to play for Canada at the upcoming WJC as a role somewhat as what Jordin Tootoo had as a pest because Ben loves to throw the body.
CoyoteBaloney
11-23-2003, 04:08 PM
Thx for the update. I am still not sure about Eager making the WJCs but I have hope.
gibber1600
11-23-2003, 07:14 PM
Ya, it sounds like he is having a great year!! :rolly:
G-Dog
12-01-2003, 07:15 AM
If eager doesn't make even the camp list on dec. 1st then there is something seriously wrong with the selection process. Let's have all start a campaign, even after the fact.
PhoPhan
12-01-2003, 05:16 PM
Not even invited.
That is really a joke. I can understand why Redenbach wouldn't go, but Eager was the best player in the game against Russia he played in. At least give him a look-see
That is really a joke. I can understand why Redenbach wouldn't go, but Eager was the best player in the game against Russia he played in. At least give him a look-see
Problem is that Russian team was a joke and a regular OHL team could probably take them. Eager also has a well-earned reputation as a hothead and is a huge disciplinary risk on the ice. However, if Team Canada gets physically dominated like they have for the past couple of years at the World Juniors they have nobody to blame but themselves because Eager can play on that ice surface and probably deserved some level of consideration.
Problem is that Russian team was a joke and a regular OHL team could probably take them. Eager also has a well-earned reputation as a hothead and is a huge disciplinary risk on the ice. However, if Team Canada gets physically dominated like they have for the past couple of years at the World Juniors they have nobody to blame but themselves because Eager can play on that ice surface and probably deserved some level of consideration.
Agreed on his reputation probably keeping him back. Skating is not an issue, he's probably a better skater than half of the kids that will be on the team. He just seemed like the perfect veteran 3rd or 4th liner for Canada.
The Viking
12-02-2003, 07:20 AM
That is really a joke. I can understand why Redenbach wouldn't go, but Eager was the best player in the game against Russia he played in. At least give him a look-see
Why wouldn't Redenbach go?
Gens snubbed by national team
Dec 5, 2003
Brian Mcnair, Staff Writer
OSHAWA- Ben Eager and Paul Ranger have every right to be disappointed.
But they should be given exactly one more day to get over it.
Although both are smarting after not being invited to Canada's selection camp for the upcoming world junior hockey championships, they need to put their focus back on the ice beginning Friday - no matter how badly they wanted to wear the red and white Maple Leaf.
After all, they still have a lot to play for, not the least of which being a surprisingly competitive Oshawa Generals team, one that will be trying to keep its hold on first place in the OHL's East Division when the Mississauga IceDogs come to town Friday night.
Beyond that, both are still trying to make an impression on the National Hockey League teams that drafted them last year. Eager is a first-round pick of the Phoenix Coyotes and Ranger a sixth rounder of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
George Burnett, Oshawa's head coach and general manager, was more than willing to part with his top forward and top defenceman for the better part of a month. And he believes they earned invitations to the 34-player camp being held in Kitchener Dec. 11-18.
"I'm extremely surprised," says Burnett. "I'm very disappointed for both of them. I know how hard they worked to be a part of it. I'm a little shocked."
But now that he has his two star players at his disposal for the entire season, he fully expects to see the same kind of effort he has already witnessed.
"I think they should be disappointed, but I think that they have to channel that in a positive direction," Burnett says. "In the bigger picture, it's a contract year for both of them and they have long professional careers ahead of them."
Eager, in particular, has shown an ability to compete at the highest possible level. He's an intimidating 6-foot-2, 220-pound winger with NHL speed. His hands and temper still leave a little to be desired, but he's made a concerted effort to improve both this season.
In addition to leading the Generals with 9-16-25 numbers in 27 games this season, Eager, when surrounded by more talent, was the best player on the ice in a 7-1 win for the OHL all-stars over a Russian select team last month.
"For 30 games, he's absolutely been our best player and he's played with discipline," Burnett says of Eager, who nevertheless still leads the Generals with 86 penalty minutes.
The trick now for Eager will be to vent his frustration in the right way.
The success of the Generals may depend on it.
link (http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/sports/generals/analysis/story/1549407p-1818684c.html)