Gotta give big props out to whoever created the latest tigers TV video "This Year In Highlights"
-If you haven't seen it yet I suggest you head over there and watch it now. It has all the biggest Hits, goals, and a few fights, from this past season. Very well done!!
http://www.tigershockey.com/multimedia/mc.php
Edit:Hrm it looks like the Tigers website took the video down
Edit2: Tyler Bunz
Hockey Canada and the CHL also announced one roster change, as goaltender J.P. Anderson (Toronto, Ont./Mississauga, OHL) will not be available for the camp due to an injury.Tyler Bunz(Medicine Hat, WHL) will take his place and be at camp on August 1.
The final roster will be named the evening of August 4, and the team will depart for Europe the morning of August 5.
Edit3: Matt Keetley
AN article in the Calgary Herald about Matt Keetley's learning experience.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/calgary-flames/Keetley+finds+gains+learning+lose/1829756/story.html
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Handful of Tiger News
Scott Wasden
Former Tiger Scott Wasden who was later traded to the Kamloops blazers has committed to join the UBC Thunderbirds for the 2009-10 season.
Brent Thompson
Tiger Alumni Brent Thompson has been named head coach for the ECHL Alaska Aces. He had been previously coaching as an assistant with Peoria Rivermen.
Matt Keetley, Gord Baldwin
Flames fans, Matt Keetley fans, and Gord Baldwin fans will be pleased at this bit of News. Their are fan reports over on the HF boards saying both of them played extremely well during the flames development camp taking place this week.
Matt Keetley has apparently played pretty phenomenal during the camp and has stood out. Flames Backup Curtis McElhinney has a 1 way contract this year with the flames. Which means Keetley will be battling Leland Irving for the #1 spot in Abbotsford this year.
Last Year Keetley played real well early on giving him a brief stint in the NHL. However he started to struggle a little bit towards mid-season and Leland Irving took over the job.
Gord Baldwin has been reportedly developing a bit of a mean streak in him.
Mark Lamb
Also a bit late but Former Tiger great Mark Lamb is now the head coach and GM of the Swift Current Broncos....
It's the second coach in a row for the Bronco's who is a Medicine Hat Tiger Alumni.
Matt Lowry
The American Hockey League's Binghampton Senators have announced the signing of former Brandon Wheat King Matt Lowry. Lowry was also member of the Tigers 06/07 WHL Championship team.
Former Tiger Scott Wasden who was later traded to the Kamloops blazers has committed to join the UBC Thunderbirds for the 2009-10 season.
Brent Thompson
Tiger Alumni Brent Thompson has been named head coach for the ECHL Alaska Aces. He had been previously coaching as an assistant with Peoria Rivermen.
Matt Keetley, Gord Baldwin
Flames fans, Matt Keetley fans, and Gord Baldwin fans will be pleased at this bit of News. Their are fan reports over on the HF boards saying both of them played extremely well during the flames development camp taking place this week.
Matt Keetley has apparently played pretty phenomenal during the camp and has stood out. Flames Backup Curtis McElhinney has a 1 way contract this year with the flames. Which means Keetley will be battling Leland Irving for the #1 spot in Abbotsford this year.
Last Year Keetley played real well early on giving him a brief stint in the NHL. However he started to struggle a little bit towards mid-season and Leland Irving took over the job.
Gord Baldwin has been reportedly developing a bit of a mean streak in him.
Mark Lamb
Also a bit late but Former Tiger great Mark Lamb is now the head coach and GM of the Swift Current Broncos....
It's the second coach in a row for the Bronco's who is a Medicine Hat Tiger Alumni.
Matt Lowry
The American Hockey League's Binghampton Senators have announced the signing of former Brandon Wheat King Matt Lowry. Lowry was also member of the Tigers 06/07 WHL Championship team.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tristan King's Dallas Stars Invite Confirmed
Their is a new post up at www.tigershockey.com which confirms his invite. It is also confirmed by the The Elk River Star News which was the first one to break the news 6 days ago.
King is expected to attend the annual Travers City prospects tournament which is held directly before NHL Main Camps get underway.
Tristan King goes on to say that he is now 100% healthy from the concussion and groin injuries that plagued his first season as a Medicine Hat Tiger.
In the article it also mentions that Dallas had interest in him before the draft, but didn't know if they should draft him because of a shortened season.
To read the article first hand here is a direct link.
http://erstarnews.com/content/view/8489/70/
Edit: I readjusted page margins to leave more room for text. Please leave a comment if something appears buggy or if the page looks completely misaligned. Firefox users may have an issue with the sidebar dropping to the bottom if their page is zoomed in too much. If that is the case for you there is an easy fix.
In the firefox browser GO to view, Zoom, and select zoom text only.
King is expected to attend the annual Travers City prospects tournament which is held directly before NHL Main Camps get underway.
Tristan King goes on to say that he is now 100% healthy from the concussion and groin injuries that plagued his first season as a Medicine Hat Tiger.
In the article it also mentions that Dallas had interest in him before the draft, but didn't know if they should draft him because of a shortened season.
To read the article first hand here is a direct link.
http://erstarnews.com/content/view/8489/70/
Edit: I readjusted page margins to leave more room for text. Please leave a comment if something appears buggy or if the page looks completely misaligned. Firefox users may have an issue with the sidebar dropping to the bottom if their page is zoomed in too much. If that is the case for you there is an easy fix.
In the firefox browser GO to view, Zoom, and select zoom text only.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Linden Vey's L.A Camp
I managed to find a writeup on L.A kings development camp. A fan went to all 3 days of sessions and had a brief write-up of every player there. This is his take on Linden Vey
http://www.letsgokings.com/bbs/f4/kingspawns_2009_developmental_camp_review-123015.html
-Sometimes the site wont load if it has heavy traffic.
57 – Linden Vey
Vey was quietly one of the top scorers in the WHL last season, and his tenacious, albeit unspectacular play showed why. He skates just as well as anyone else, but he’s not noticeably fast, and his strides aren’t economical. He just gets to where he needs to be. His shot isn’t very hard, but is accurate enough. His passing surprises even his teammates, as nobody expects a player on his knees to stickhandle a puck and then do a backhand pass right on the tape of a teammate.
He doesn’t crunch people with hits, but he battles through the grittiness. He even had a little bit of fun with a fan trying to take a picture. He’s that unsung hero who will become a fan favorite through his personality, work ethic, and willingness to do what the coach needs him to do. The puck seems to find him, and while he has at times tried to do too much with it, there’s a purpose in everything he does.
Likelihood to make the NHL: 35%. He’s not the biggest guy, nor is he the most explosive or dynamic, which makes things seem so unfair since he does everything else so right.
If he plays in the NHL he would be a: bottom 9 forward. He’s not quite talented enough to be on the first line, but in time, should be able to hold his own in a secondary line, or tenacious enough to be a checking line or energy player.
http://www.letsgokings.com/bbs/f4/kingspawns_2009_developmental_camp_review-123015.html
-Sometimes the site wont load if it has heavy traffic.
57 – Linden Vey
Vey was quietly one of the top scorers in the WHL last season, and his tenacious, albeit unspectacular play showed why. He skates just as well as anyone else, but he’s not noticeably fast, and his strides aren’t economical. He just gets to where he needs to be. His shot isn’t very hard, but is accurate enough. His passing surprises even his teammates, as nobody expects a player on his knees to stickhandle a puck and then do a backhand pass right on the tape of a teammate.
He doesn’t crunch people with hits, but he battles through the grittiness. He even had a little bit of fun with a fan trying to take a picture. He’s that unsung hero who will become a fan favorite through his personality, work ethic, and willingness to do what the coach needs him to do. The puck seems to find him, and while he has at times tried to do too much with it, there’s a purpose in everything he does.
Likelihood to make the NHL: 35%. He’s not the biggest guy, nor is he the most explosive or dynamic, which makes things seem so unfair since he does everything else so right.
If he plays in the NHL he would be a: bottom 9 forward. He’s not quite talented enough to be on the first line, but in time, should be able to hold his own in a secondary line, or tenacious enough to be a checking line or energy player.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Prospect Camp updates
There was a comment on the Tigers Roars and Purrs board that Tristan King was invited to the Dallas Stars Preseason camp. I haven't been able to find anything on the web about it, but invites like that aren't really newsworthy until preseason camp rosters get announced.
Dylan Olsen is getting some pretty good reviews in Chicago. The fans are saying he is pretty quick for a big guy, and makes smart decisions with the puck. They also say he doesn't look one bit out of place after playing in a lower tiered league compared to Chicago's other prospects.
I cant find any info on Isherwood. Apparently all the Boston players are wearing non-marked jerseys and no one has commented about him.
Tyler Ennis was injured during Buffalo's camp. There were fan reports saying he was on the bench during most of yesterdays practice, and didn't skate during todays Ice sessions. No word on what the injury was.
There are a few other former tigers at prospects camps like Schlemko, Bendfeld, and there are probably others.
Bendfeld suffered a season ending knee injury midseason last year. It appears as if the Oilers are trying him out at forward in their prospect camp.
I almost forgot The Tigers are unofficially holding a prospects camp over at the leisure center. The news says 42 players have attended. Jerrid Sauer is running the camp
Dylan Olsen is getting some pretty good reviews in Chicago. The fans are saying he is pretty quick for a big guy, and makes smart decisions with the puck. They also say he doesn't look one bit out of place after playing in a lower tiered league compared to Chicago's other prospects.
I cant find any info on Isherwood. Apparently all the Boston players are wearing non-marked jerseys and no one has commented about him.
Tyler Ennis was injured during Buffalo's camp. There were fan reports saying he was on the bench during most of yesterdays practice, and didn't skate during todays Ice sessions. No word on what the injury was.
There are a few other former tigers at prospects camps like Schlemko, Bendfeld, and there are probably others.
Bendfeld suffered a season ending knee injury midseason last year. It appears as if the Oilers are trying him out at forward in their prospect camp.
I almost forgot The Tigers are unofficially holding a prospects camp over at the leisure center. The news says 42 players have attended. Jerrid Sauer is running the camp
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tigers Tentative schedule released
http://www.tigershockey.com/media/media.php?stype=browsei&season=2009&month=Jul&lim1=3
Just gonna Link it for now. The Tigers schedule is a little road heavy during the early season and a little Home heavy during the latter stages of the season.
The Tigers play games on Halloween, Remembrance Day, New Years, and Valentines Day.
The NEw years Day game is at swift Current.
27 of their 36 home games are played on the weekend (fri,sat,sun)
I did notice that during one of their road trips they Play Prince George on back to back nights, which seems a little weird.
The tigers play lethbridge 8 times.
Kootenay 6 Times
Swift Current 4 times
Calgary 6 times
Edmonton 5 times
Vancouver 2
Kelowna 2
Other News
Former Tigers Tyler Swystun has committed to play next season with the Calgary Dinos CIS hockey team.
Blog News
I was going to make a complete custom design for my blogger from scratch, however the blogger specific code which has to be implemented is giving me some headaches, so i have to start over again. I will probably be playing around with the design a little bit during the next couple days. So if something looks screwy it may change
Just gonna Link it for now. The Tigers schedule is a little road heavy during the early season and a little Home heavy during the latter stages of the season.
The Tigers play games on Halloween, Remembrance Day, New Years, and Valentines Day.
The NEw years Day game is at swift Current.
27 of their 36 home games are played on the weekend (fri,sat,sun)
I did notice that during one of their road trips they Play Prince George on back to back nights, which seems a little weird.
The tigers play lethbridge 8 times.
Kootenay 6 Times
Swift Current 4 times
Calgary 6 times
Edmonton 5 times
Vancouver 2
Kelowna 2
Other News
Former Tigers Tyler Swystun has committed to play next season with the Calgary Dinos CIS hockey team.
Blog News
I was going to make a complete custom design for my blogger from scratch, however the blogger specific code which has to be implemented is giving me some headaches, so i have to start over again. I will probably be playing around with the design a little bit during the next couple days. So if something looks screwy it may change
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Former Tiger Re-signs with the Hawks
Dale Tallon the GM of Chicago made a pretty big mistake when it came to retaining the rights of 4 players. Apparently the qualifying offer he mailed to Former Tiger star Cam Barker didn't reach him in time for the July 1st deadline.
Normally qualifying offers are to be delivered via fax or courier, but instead it was mailed to Barker. Because of the long weekend the mail was delayed by a day and Barker didn't get the offer until after the deadline.
What this means is that Barker was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent, rather than a restricted free agent. If you dont know what the difference between the 2 is click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_agent and scroll down for info.
Now barker could very well have held out. NHL sources said he could probably fetch as high as 5 million a season on the open market. However Barker did an admirable thing signing in chicago for 9.25 mil over 3 years. Roughly 3 mil a season.
Former Dub player Kris Versteeg could possibly be a UFA because of this, and because of limited cap space they possibly wont be able to afford him anymore unless moves are made.
Edit: Versteeg was signed to a similar contract that barker signed
The NHLPA has filed a grievance regarding both players.
Normally qualifying offers are to be delivered via fax or courier, but instead it was mailed to Barker. Because of the long weekend the mail was delayed by a day and Barker didn't get the offer until after the deadline.
What this means is that Barker was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent, rather than a restricted free agent. If you dont know what the difference between the 2 is click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_agent and scroll down for info.
Now barker could very well have held out. NHL sources said he could probably fetch as high as 5 million a season on the open market. However Barker did an admirable thing signing in chicago for 9.25 mil over 3 years. Roughly 3 mil a season.
Former Dub player Kris Versteeg could possibly be a UFA because of this, and because of limited cap space they possibly wont be able to afford him anymore unless moves are made.
Edit: Versteeg was signed to a similar contract that barker signed
The NHLPA has filed a grievance regarding both players.
Monday, July 6, 2009
NHL Development Camps (Edited)
Well during this week in July many NHL teams are holding their prospect and Development Camps, and there are a few players with Tiger connections who have been invited.
Development camps are usually held so prospects can get a feel of whats expected from them and whats to come, to experience the city, and get a feel for the NHL rules, and team systems.
Tyler Ennis
-was spotted in Buffalo early along with his WJC teamate Tyler Myers from Kelowna.
Buffalo's camp runs from July 6th-10th
Will Buffalo Sign Ennis at the end of Camp?
Linden Vey
L.A Kings developmental camp takes place July 10th-12th
Dylan Olsen
With a 99% chance that he wont play here this season
Chicago holds their camp from July 6th-10th
Thomas Kundratek
Kundratek apparently was one of the Rangers standouts at thier Prospect camp which ended last week
Matt McCue
IS not on the Roster for Anaheim's Prospect Camp
Mark Isherwood
Even though he is undrafted The Boston Bruins have invited Mark Isherwood to join their prospect camp which beings July 7th
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/2009/07/bruins_developm.html
I'm sure I will dig up any info I can about these camps by the end of the week.
_________________________________________________________________
Edit:
I am curious about the chances of Mark Isherwood pulling a David Schlemko :) A very good junior player who hasn't gotten NHL draft attention, but ends up signing in the offseason and moving on?
If Isherwood had been drafted I think there would have been a reasonable chance that he wouldn't be playing in the hat this season.
If more than one team was interested in him and he has a good developmental camp and preseason camp, I think its possible that the bruins (or another nhl team) would sign him. That would lead to a question of what kind of depth Does that team have on the farm, as to where Isherwood would play this coming season.
I'm not saying that Isherwood will be a goner, but it is a possibility. There appears to be quite a few unknowns at this point from a Tiger standpoint, regarding overagers, and imports.
Development camps are usually held so prospects can get a feel of whats expected from them and whats to come, to experience the city, and get a feel for the NHL rules, and team systems.
Tyler Ennis
-was spotted in Buffalo early along with his WJC teamate Tyler Myers from Kelowna.
Buffalo's camp runs from July 6th-10th
Will Buffalo Sign Ennis at the end of Camp?
Linden Vey
L.A Kings developmental camp takes place July 10th-12th
Dylan Olsen
With a 99% chance that he wont play here this season
Chicago holds their camp from July 6th-10th
Thomas Kundratek
Kundratek apparently was one of the Rangers standouts at thier Prospect camp which ended last week
Matt McCue
IS not on the Roster for Anaheim's Prospect Camp
Mark Isherwood
Even though he is undrafted The Boston Bruins have invited Mark Isherwood to join their prospect camp which beings July 7th
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/2009/07/bruins_developm.html
I'm sure I will dig up any info I can about these camps by the end of the week.
_________________________________________________________________
Edit:
I am curious about the chances of Mark Isherwood pulling a David Schlemko :) A very good junior player who hasn't gotten NHL draft attention, but ends up signing in the offseason and moving on?
If Isherwood had been drafted I think there would have been a reasonable chance that he wouldn't be playing in the hat this season.
If more than one team was interested in him and he has a good developmental camp and preseason camp, I think its possible that the bruins (or another nhl team) would sign him. That would lead to a question of what kind of depth Does that team have on the farm, as to where Isherwood would play this coming season.
I'm not saying that Isherwood will be a goner, but it is a possibility. There appears to be quite a few unknowns at this point from a Tiger standpoint, regarding overagers, and imports.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
More about the Euro's (Edited)
Willie Desjardin commented in today's Medicine Hat News about the new Import's chance of coming to play in Canada.
""There’s probably a 50-50 chance that he’ll stay and play back there this year,” Desjardins said on Wednesday. “We just have to wait and see, we’ll talk to him and figure it out.”"
Some Europeans have release clauses in their contracts, just in case a North American Team takes interest in them. I believe Rasmus Damgaard would need one of those clauses if he is interested in coming over, unless his club allows him to drop out of his contract which is rare.
Desjardin also went on to say that he still hasn't ruled out Thomas Kundratek coming back to play for the Tigers. Now A few things would need to align themselves for that to happen.
1. The New Dane doesn't report
2. The Rangers decide Kundratek development is best suited for the whl rather than the AHL, or ECHL
3. room is made for him on the tigers roster.
The Rangers do have a bit of a log jam on defenseman in the AHL, so I guess it is possible he is sent back. However I still think the chances are pretty slim. The rangers are currently running a summer prospect camp which Kundratek is taking part in.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Edit: It is Interesting that on Thomas Kundratek's Hockeys Future article, they list his future as expected to return to the whl next season.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/tomas_kundratek
----------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas Kundratek at Ranger Prospect Camp
"Based on this week, it's looking like the Rangers had a good draft in 2008. Defenseman Michael Del Zotto (20th overall), center Derek Stepan (51st), left wing Evgeny Grachev (75th) and defenseman Tomas Kundratek have all stood out at different times for different reasons."
- From the Blog Ranger Rants
http://njmg.typepad.com/rangersblog/2009/07/day-4-of-development-camp.html
""There’s probably a 50-50 chance that he’ll stay and play back there this year,” Desjardins said on Wednesday. “We just have to wait and see, we’ll talk to him and figure it out.”"
Some Europeans have release clauses in their contracts, just in case a North American Team takes interest in them. I believe Rasmus Damgaard would need one of those clauses if he is interested in coming over, unless his club allows him to drop out of his contract which is rare.
Desjardin also went on to say that he still hasn't ruled out Thomas Kundratek coming back to play for the Tigers. Now A few things would need to align themselves for that to happen.
1. The New Dane doesn't report
2. The Rangers decide Kundratek development is best suited for the whl rather than the AHL, or ECHL
3. room is made for him on the tigers roster.
The Rangers do have a bit of a log jam on defenseman in the AHL, so I guess it is possible he is sent back. However I still think the chances are pretty slim. The rangers are currently running a summer prospect camp which Kundratek is taking part in.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Edit: It is Interesting that on Thomas Kundratek's Hockeys Future article, they list his future as expected to return to the whl next season.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/tomas_kundratek
----------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas Kundratek at Ranger Prospect Camp
"Based on this week, it's looking like the Rangers had a good draft in 2008. Defenseman Michael Del Zotto (20th overall), center Derek Stepan (51st), left wing Evgeny Grachev (75th) and defenseman Tomas Kundratek have all stood out at different times for different reasons."
- From the Blog Ranger Rants
http://njmg.typepad.com/rangersblog/2009/07/day-4-of-development-camp.html
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