Saturday, June 26, 2010

The rest of the NHL Draft

Emerson Etem was selected 29th overall by the Anaheim Ducks( See previous post)
Tyler Pitlick was selected 31st overall by the Edmonton Oilers
Tyler Bunz was selected 121st overall in the 5th round by the Edmonton Oilers

List player goaltender SAM BRITTAIN was selected in the 4th round 92nd overall by Florida


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Edit
With Pitlick and Bunz going to Edmonton I found an article in the Edmonton Journal that captures the thoughts of the scouts who drafted both players.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/Edmonton+Oilers+grab+Tyler/3206328/story.html

Excerpt
"The Oilers thought seriously of taking Pickard, who played 62 games in Seattle, but felt Bunz had the same upside and they could get him later. So, they moved on Hamilton."

"Bunz is a 17-year-old who carried the mail in Medicine Hat," said MacGregor. "Willie Desjardins said he was one of the reasons why they beat Kootenay in the first round of the playoffs.

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Edit2: Away

Going camping for a few days. The CHL Import draft is on Tuesday but I wont be anywhere with internet access, so I wont be able to dig up any info on the new selections.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Emerson Etem Selected by Anaheim

Emerson Etem was selected 29th overall by the Anaheim ducks.



I found a post draft interview from Ducks media asking Emerson about his draft Experience. You can find it here http://www.anaheimcalling.com/

On the discussion on where he will play next season Emerson said that It's his goal to make the team, like any other player going to camp. He's gonna work hard in the off-season and see where he's at come training camp.

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There might be an outside shot he makes the Ducks if he scores in Anaheim like he did in the Hat. However I think that more than likely he eventually will be sent back. Its either NHL or Junior for his next two seasons.

Anaheim fans for the most part are ecstatic as they picked two players in the first round who both dropped down unexpectedly in the draft. Emerson was projected to go in the middle of the first round.
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For the Ducks fans who happen to stumble on my blog I made a post about my thoughts on the Tigers players potential a couple months ago, including a recap of Etem. you can find that post here http://tigerturf.blogspot.com/2010/04/tigers-arm-chair-nhl-scouting-report.html

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Tentative Schedule Out

ALL GAMES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

http://www.tigershockey.com/media/media.php?stype=browsei&season=2010&month=Jun&lim1=1


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Edit:

I found a blog from a scout who is a Contributing Editor for Red Line Report. He has recently wrote up some reviews of potential 2010 entry draft prospects. In his blog he covered a variety of prospects from the WHL including Emerson Etem and Tyler Bunz.
You can find what he has to say about them here http://nhldraftnotes.blogspot.com/
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Also An article from the Cochrane Times on Wacey Hamilton's thoughts about the upcoming draft.

“From what they have told myself and my agent there is some interest in me but I’m not going to bank on getting drafted,” Hamilton said.

http://www.cochraneeagle.com/2010/06/cochrane-skaters-eye-draft-day-redemption/

Monday, June 21, 2010

Crazy Flooding in The Hat

This is not hockey related but I've gathered a few videos from youtube about all the flooding in and around the medicine hat area. Most of the flooding is due to all the creeks and low lying areas already completely saturated with water and having no where to go.

Flood Overview




TransCanada completely washed away in Maple Creek


Ross Creek Golf Course Under Water


General Flood Video of Highways


Cottonwood Golf Course under Water


Slideshow of the prairies


Funnel Cloud on Saturday

Friday, June 18, 2010

Tigers Trade Matt Mackay to Giants

Medicine Hat, AB - Medicine Hat Tigers' general manager/head coach Willie Desjardins announced today the Tigers have dealt 20-year-old forward Matt MacKay to the Vancouver Giants.

MacKay will be entering his third season in the WHL after spending the first two seasons in Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat. He appeared in 68 games for the Tigers last season, collecting 52 points on 23 goals and 29 assists.

The Tigers will receive a fourth round pick in the 2011 Bantam Draft in exchange for MacKay.

"Matt was a big part of team last year coming in from Moose Jaw, putting up 52 points and did a great job for us," stated Desjardins.

"When we looked at our 20-year-old situation coming into the new season, there is obviously an abundance of players who will not return to our line up this year due to numbers," said Desjardins.

"We felt is was best for Matt and our organization to give him the opportunity in Vancouver so he could get on with his plans for the summer and give him the best opportunity for a good year next season".

"I would like to thank Matt and his family for his time with our organization and we wish him the best luck with his future hockey endeavors. He was a well liked player on our team," concluded Desjardins.

http://www.tigershockey.com/media/media.php?stype=browsei&season=2010&month=Jun&lim1=0
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I think this is a pretty fair deal. Usually 20 year old's go for 5th round picks, and the Tigers got a 4th. I could see Mackay fitting in pretty nicely in Vancouver. He has a skill set which is a little above average at the whl level. He was Overshadowed a little by other players, perhaps even a little underrated at times, but I think he sometimes had confidence issues. I think he has the potential to reach a .85 PPG pace with the Giants given he plays on the first 2 lines.

That leaves:
Thomas Carr
Jace Coyle (very strong case for returning)
Wacey Hamilton (A Lock barring pro contract)
Joey Frazer
Taylor Gal
Zdenek Okal- ( Probably Not coming back)
Tristan King ( Contract with Dallas unlikely of returning)
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Vancouver Article on the trade

"I want to step into a role where I'm counted on, where I'm needed game in and game out," said MacKay.

He shows that, and Don Hay will love him. The Giants coach forever talks about wanting players who want to be difference makers.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Small Updates

Yesterday Hockey Canada announced their Summer Development Camp Roster.

Current Tiger Linden Vey has been invited to attend
Tyler Bunz will be attending the goaltending portion.

Alan Caldwell has started his WHL wide team-by-team prospect list. He posted the Tigers prospects Friday afternoon. http://smallatlarge.blogspot.com/

Friday, June 4, 2010

Season Ticket Reminder

Friday is the last day for Season Ticket Holders to renew their Tickets.

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I've been a little curious on whether or not Willie Desjardins will be involved with the world junior tournament again next year. Last year Hockey Canada announced their decision on May 13th. With hockey Canada taking their time to make a decision one starts wondering if their unsure whether or not to go in a new direction.

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Summer Prospect Camp
Some of the tigers recently drafted Prospects will be in town this weekend. I heard through the grapevine that after wards they will be playing another teams prospects in Calgary.

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Edit:
Team Canada World Junior Coaches Named
The task of bringing the world junior hockey crown back to Canada will fall on the shoulders of Dave Cameron the head coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors

Bob Boughner, the head coach of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires; Andre Tourigny, the head coach and general manager of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies; and Ryan Huska, the bench boss of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets were named as Cameron’s assistant coaches.

http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/Cameron+takes+over+Canadian+junior+team/3123473/story.html