According to Chris Peters, Donald Audette - top QMJHL draft prosect - is considering an NTDP offer. Small player but interesting. Check his blog for more info.
How many more years do you guys think that Bill Arnold needs before he tries his luck at the NHL/AHL?
Just by watching him a good amount this year, I'd say he's a 4 year guy. He's a guy that plays in every situation and gives it everything he hasbut watching him at the beginning of the year versus the end of the year he wasn't as dynamic. He needs to get much stronger in order to compete at the next level. It took him a while to find his game again after the WJC at BC, probably because he was just a bit burnt out. That said, he's one of those guys that plays a really good defensive game as well as offensive game, is BC's go to penalty killer on 5-4 and 5-3, and blocks a lot of shots.
I have mixed feelings as to how his game will translate as a pro. I think it depends on how much stronger/bigger he gets. Good all around player but I see him as a 4 year player with a year or 2 as an AHL - NHL swingman. IMO could be anywhere from a 2nd line player to a 3rd/4th line do-all player.
Just by watching him a good amount this year, I'd say he's a 4 year guy. He's a guy that plays in every situation and gives it everything he hasbut watching him at the beginning of the year versus the end of the year he wasn't as dynamic. He needs to get much stronger in order to compete at the next level. It took him a while to find his game again after the WJC at BC, probably because he was just a bit burnt out. That said, he's one of those guys that plays a really good defensive game as well as offensive game, is BC's go to penalty killer on 5-4 and 5-3, and blocks a lot of shots.
I have mixed feelings as to how his game will translate as a pro. I think it depends on how much stronger/bigger he gets. Good all around player but I see him as a 4 year player with a year or 2 as an AHL - NHL swingman. IMO could be anywhere from a 2nd line player to a 3rd/4th line do-all player.
agree with all of this.
I will say this though, Billy is the type of kid that you know has the ability to make it as a NHLer in many different capacities. Billy has the skill to be a top 6 player one day, but his grit and two way game also makes him a pretty safe bet to crack a NHL lineup as a 3rd-4th line grinder if needed.
He does need to work on his strength and stride, but I dont see him bolting until he finishes his 4 years...unless he really has a breakout year and hits 25 goals or something he could go if the Flames need more prospects on their AHL squad.
Looking at the roster Team USA dressed for tonight's NTDP game, it's probably safe to say U18 players Miles Koules (F), Gavin Stoick (D), Brendan Silk (F) will not be on Team USA's U18 IIHF World Championship team for sure. They've been with the U17s for a few games now. I could see others getting left off as well. JT Compher and Will Butcher have been up with the U18s for awhile now too so it's safe to assume they'll be playing at the tournament as underage guys. The other other candidates I think you may see move up for the tournament would be Tyler Motte or Steven Santini.
Now that Galchenyuk is available, I really hope they offer him a spot. Don't be stupid, USAH.
Can someone give me some insight on Eric Comrie? Good stats for a 16 year old in the WHL as a goalie... Any chance he's a first rounder next year?
Anything can happen until next year, but if Comrie improves then no doubt he will be a 1st rounder, but not top 10-15 though, maybe middle to late is likely.
Looking at the roster Team USA dressed for tonight's NTDP game, it's probably safe to say U18 players Miles Koules (F), Gavin Stoick (D), Brendan Silk (F) will not be on Team USA's U18 IIHF World Championship team for sure. They've been with the U17s for a few games now. I could see others getting left off as well. JT Compher and Will Butcher have been up with the U18s for awhile now too so it's safe to assume they'll be playing at the tournament as underage guys. The other other candidates I think you may see move up for the tournament would be Tyler Motte or Steven Santini.
Now that Galchenyuk is available, I really hope they offer him a spot. Don't be stupid, USAH.
Agreed. This year's U18 team could really use an offensive boost.
Always surprised about the lack of accountability to USA Hockeyby members and fanbase. Today, after investing large amounts of money into players at the NTDP, Stepahane Matteau is found ineligible?
I guessing Hockey Canada and the Q wil be saying thank-you very much. I would hope that USA Hockey officials can persuade the IIHF into his participation at the U18's. I am also guessing that Hockey Canada would of said something. Maybe it is payback for the Audettes desire to jump ship.
Always surprised about the lack of accountability to USA Hockeyby members and fanbase. Today, after investing large amounts of money into players at the NTDP, Stepahane Matteau is found ineligible?
I guessing Hockey Canada and the Q wil be saying thank-you very much. I would hope that USA Hockey officials can persuade the IIHF into his participation at the U18's. I am also guessing that Hockey Canada would of said something. Maybe it is payback for the Audettes desire to jump ship.
I read Hockey Canada supports USA Hockey's claim that Matteau should be eligible for the USA.
Although I agree with you on the fact that USA Hockey didn't realize Matteau would be ineligible.
Going forward do you see USA Hockey going through the IIHF to see a player with dual-citizenship would be eligible for the U-18 Championships when putting their NTDP roster together before offering a player a spot on the team?
I read Hockey Canada supports USA Hockey's claim that Matteau should be eligible for the USA.
Although I agree with you on the fact that USA Hockey didn't realize Matteau would be ineligible.
Going forward do you see USA Hockey going through the IIHF to see a player with dual-citizenship would be eligible for the U-18 Championships when putting their NTDP roster together before offering a player a spot on the team?
Since one of the goals of the NTDP U18 team is to win gold at the U18 World Championship, I would suspect something would have to be done. The money spent on Matteau the past 2 years could have been spent on a US player or close to 1 years worth of a fully funded academy somewhere(which doesn't exist at this time, but maybe it should).
As for the player, family and team-mates, it would have to be disheartening.
Always surprised about the lack of accountability to USA Hockeyby members and fanbase. Today, after investing large amounts of money into players at the NTDP, Stepahane Matteau is found ineligible?
I guessing Hockey Canada and the Q wil be saying thank-you very much. I would hope that USA Hockey officials can persuade the IIHF into his participation at the U18's. I am also guessing that Hockey Canada would of said something. Maybe it is payback for the Audettes desire to jump ship.
Is this a closed and shut case? I don't see any updates on the USA Hockey or IIHF websites. Personally, I find the letter of the law here ridiculous-but that's sports for you. Rarely to sports organizations like the IIHF, FIFA, or IOC make ANY sense in their bylaws.
I read Hockey Canada supports USA Hockey's claim that Matteau should be eligible for the USA.
Although I agree with you on the fact that USA Hockey didn't realize Matteau would be ineligible.
Going forward do you see USA Hockey going through the IIHF to see a player with dual-citizenship would be eligible for the U-18 Championships when putting their NTDP roster together before offering a player a spot on the team?
You would think due dilligence is done. Looks like they will need a finer comb in the future.....
You would think due dilligence is done. Looks like they will need a finer comb in the future.....
like i said on twitter, this ruling on Matteau will affect the Daniel Audette possible signing with the NTDP or any other players with double citizenship. Feel bad for the young Matteau.
Is this a closed and shut case? I don't see any updates on the USA Hockey or IIHF websites. Personally, I find the letter of the law here ridiculous-but that's sports for you. Rarely to sports organizations like the IIHF, FIFA, or IOC make ANY sense in their bylaws.
He planned to place a call to the IIHF office in Switzerland on Friday to further pursue the issue. Brisson said it was his understanding that Canada has been fully supportive of the USA's claim on Matteau.
The Americans are trying to win the U-18 world title for the fourth consecutive year. The Americans appealed the Matteau eligibility decision, but the IIHF council denied the appeal Thursday.
