Prospects tournament, camp dates set
By Sarah Lindenau - R--W----Central.com / June 8, 2009
The Detroit R-- W---- will hold their annual prospects tournament and training camp at Center Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich., starting Sept. 6.
The prospects tournament, which will host the Columbus Blue Jackets, Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues, runs through Sept. 10. One more team will also be invited.
Prospects tournament, camp dates set
By Sarah Lindenau - R--W----Central.com / June 8, 2009
The Detroit R-- W---- will hold their annual prospects tournament and training camp at Center Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich., starting Sept. 6.
The prospects tournament, which will host the Columbus Blue Jackets, Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues, runs through Sept. 10. One more team will also be invited.
I wonder why nearby division rival, Chicago Blackhawks don't participate in The Traverse City Tournament? Also, division rival Nashville, makes more sense than The Rangers or Atlanta or Dallas.
I wonder why nearby division rival, Chicago Blackhawks don't participate in The Traverse City Tournament? Also, division rival Nashville, makes more sense than The Rangers or Atlanta or Dallas.
From what I heard a year or two ago, there are a bunch of teams that want to participate but since they limit it to 8 teams, it's been pretty much the same 8 teams that have been there from the start as none of them want to give up their spots. I think Van, Cgy, Edm and maybe a couple others have a similar prospects tournament but I think a majority of teams don't have a tournament that their prospects go to like these teams do. Gotta give the Wings (Kenny Holland in particular) props for putting this together years ago.
From what I heard a year or two ago, there are a bunch of teams that want to participate but since they limit it to 8 teams, it's been pretty much the same 8 teams that have been there from the start as none of them want to give up their spots. I think Van, Cgy, Edm and maybe a couple others have a similar prospects tournament but I think a majority of teams don't have a tournament that their prospects go to like these teams do. Gotta give the Wings (Kenny Holland in particular) props for putting this together years ago.
8 teams is a pretty big tournament for prospects.. there's an Eastern one held in Kitchener (it's about an hour or two out of Toronto) every year that's just 4 teams, all NE except Pittsburgh.
I'm not sure how they really decide which teams are in which tournaments or if there are any others, but there's 12/30 teams in just 2 of these things.
8 teams is a pretty big tournament for prospects.. there's an Eastern one held in Kitchener (it's about an hour or two out of Toronto) every year that's just 4 teams, all NE except Pittsburgh.
I'm not sure how they really decide which teams are in which tournaments or if there are any others, but there's 12/30 teams in just 2 of these things.
ooh is that or Detroits prospect tournament going to be on tv, last year Detroit's was on the NHL Network!
The most important things to me were:
- Cole is going to make his NCAA/pro decision within the next few days
- Piet, Allen, McRae, Warsofsky all off to WJC summer camps in August
- EJ benched 270 lbs at the prospects camp
- Murray had individual meetings with every single guy at the prospects camp
Also, not prospects-related: Greg Millen and Ray Ferraro were asked to join the Blues before they got to Panger.
The most important things to me were:
- Cole is going to make his NCAA/pro decision within the next few days
- Piet, Allen, McRae, Warsofsky all off to WJC summer camps in August
- EJ benched 270 lbs at the prospects camp
- Murray had individual meetings with every single guy at the prospects camp...
What stood out to me was that he wrote, "that word “Rebuild” should be officially tossed out the window." Huh?
The Blues have had only ONE good season since the lockout. Make no mistake, The Blues are still rebuilding. Unless our new guys come together quickly expect some severe shortfalls along the way to glory. It all depends if the young players can come together and excel. I know this tacit knowledge, but we sometimes have to be reminded that The Blues are just getting started again after some true suckiness and I think a lot of people are jumping the gun. And if you do, then be prepared to be, at least slightly, disappointed.
What stood out to me was that he wrote, "that word “Rebuild” should be officially tossed out the window." Huh?
The Blues have had only ONE good season since the lockout. Make no mistake, The Blues are still rebuilding. Unless our new guys come together quickly expect some severe shortfalls along the way to glory. It all depends if the young players can come together and excel. I know this tacit knowledge, but we sometimes have to be reminded that The Blues are just getting started again after some true suckiness and I think a lot of people are jumping the gun. And if you do, then be prepared to be, at least slightly, disappointed.
It depends on how you would consider the term rebuilding. My thoughts are rebuilding is when draft high draft picks and lots of them are the key importance in building the team. I believe we're in more of a developing stage now as we have a core of the team that is getting established and NHL ice time is what the team needs the most.
It is nice to see Pietrangelo ranking near the top in the strength tests though. If he was able to cut 3-4% body fat that's a good deal of strength in it's place.
It depends on how you would consider the term rebuilding. My thoughts are rebuilding is when draft high draft picks and lots of them are the key importance in building the team. I believe we're in more of a developing stage now as we have a core of the team that is getting established and NHL ice time is what the team needs the most.
It is nice to see Pietrangelo ranking near the top in the strength tests though. If he was able to cut 3-4% body fat that's a good deal of strength in it's place.
The most important things to me were:
- Cole is going to make his NCAA/pro decision within the next few days
- Piet, Allen, McRae, Warsofsky all off to WJC summer camps in August
- EJ benched 270 lbs at the prospects camp
- Murray had individual meetings with every single guy at the prospects camp
Also, not prospects-related: Greg Millen and Ray Ferraro were asked to join the Blues before they got to Panger.
I share Strickland's view in "I wonder if fans still view Phil McRae's selection as a charity pick". Another great selection/evaluation by Jarmo and the scouting staff, and like I've said before, the intangible here is that Al McInnis has watched this kid grow up since age 5, so he knows this kid better than anyone.
I like the term developing stage. This team looks like it has solid goaltending, 3 scoring lines and a strong checking line along with a solid D that could use another veteran offensive D man. This is a good skating team with good speed and skill. This is a young team but I expect it to easily make the playoffs and hopefully make some noise. It will also be fun to watch the boatload of prospects the Blues have as well.
Kids ages 5 – 16 are learning hockey techniques from current Blues players such as Erik Johnson, David Backes, Cam Janssen, Ben Bishop, Carlo Colaiacovo and more.
I guess Bishop is the only real prospect there, but I thought I'd throw it in here. Just a note that at least those guys are in St. Louis and helping out with the team's hockey camp.
