Euro Curve

Euro Curve takes a look at the latest international hockey news.

- According to hockej.cz, SC Bern of the Swiss Hockey League is interested in Free Agent forward Petr Cajanek, formerly of the St.Louis Blues. SC Bern recently found out that 1999 1st overall pick Patrik Stefan would be retiring.

- Robert Dome, drafted in the 1st round (17th overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1997, has recently transferred to HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga. Dome last played in the NHL in 2002'03 with the Calgary Flames. Dome had 13 goals and 10 assists in 50 games for MODO of the Swedish Elitserien last season.

A couple of signings to announce by Luleå of the Swedish Elitserien;
-Cory Larose, a center from Campbelton, New Brunswick has signed on after playing only 4 games with Ak Bars Kazan of the Russian Super League. The 32-year-old journeyman had an impressive 83 points for the Chicago Wolves of the American hockey league last season. Larose, a former standout with the University of Maine Black Bears, played 7 games with the New York Rangers in 2003'04.
- Former NHLer Lubos Bartecko arrives after transferring from MHK Kezmarok of the Slovakian Extra League. Bartecko had 22 goals and 27 assists in 44 games last year for Luleå. Bartecko last played in the NHL in 2002'03 with the Atlanta Thrashers.

- There is an excellent article on Russian Defenseman Darius Kasparaitis courtesy Gerry Cantlon of Eurohockey.net. Despite the fact Kasparaitis has been demoted to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League, Cantlon notes that Kasparaitis is far from done in the hockey world. Kasparaitis has bulked up 20 lbs. from last year, is in excellent physical condition and even has aspirations of playing for Team Russia in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Kasparaitis will be a great mentor for Rangers top prospect 6'3 210 lb. Russian Artem Ansimov.
*** The Wolf Pack have more international flavour as Cuban-American Goaltender Al Montoya will start this weekend versus the rival Bridgeport Sound Tigers, farm team of the New York Islanders..... Former Wolf Pack Jarkko Immomen has been dominant with JYP Javaslyka of the Finnish Elite League.

- Alessandro Seren Rosso (RussianProspects.com) writes about Florida Panthers Top Prospect Evgeni Dadonov and how he is drawing comparisons to fellow Russian and Detroit Red Wings superstar forward Pavel Datsyuk. Dadonov plays with hometown Traktor (Chelyabinsk) of the Russian Super League.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.

EURO CURVE

Euro Curve takes a daily look at the latest international hockey headlines.

- Rumours are rampant on the internet ( Hockeybuzz.com, Kuklas Korner) that Peter Forsberg may decide to stay in his native country and play for MODO of the Swedish Eliteserien.

- A moment of silence was observed during last nights Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins/ Bingamton Senators AHL game in honour of Darcy Robinson who suddenly collapsed last Thursday during a game in Italy. Robinson, who played for Asiago, collapsed during the first period of an Italian Ice Hockey League game on September 28, 2007. It is believed he suffered a massive heart attack.

I would like to announce the newest feature of Euro Curve: The international website of the week. This week's site profiles Romanian Team Sport Club Miercurea Ciuc. The site is http://www.sportclub.ro/. As most of the european sites are written in a native tongue, you will likely not understand the text, but that doesn't mean you can't expand your horizons.


SM Liiga- CURRENT STANDINGS

P W OTW OTL L GF GA PTS
Pelicans Lahti 10 7 0 1 2 41 24 22
Kärpät Oulu 9 6 0 0 3 26 21 18
Blues Espoo 9 5 0 1 3 28 20 16
JYP Jyväskylä 8 4 2 0 2 27 21 16
Lukko Rauma 9 4 1 2 2 23 21 16
Tappara Tampere 9 3 2 1 3 27 26 14
Ilves Tampere 10 3 2 1 4 28 28 14
Jokerit Helsinki 9 3 1 3 2 24 24 14
SaiPa Lappeenranta 9 3 1 2 3 24 24 13
HIFK Helsinki 10 2 3 1 4 23 25 13
HPK Hämeenlinna 10 4 0 0 6 25 28 12
TPS Turku 8 3 0 0 5 17 24 9
Ässät Pori 9 2 1 1 5 17 30 9
KalPa Kuopio 9 2 0 0 7 17 31 6

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.

EURO CURVE

Euro Curve takes a daily look at the latest international hockey news.

This news comes from http://www.spectorshockey.net/ ( Thanks Spector, you have a great site and provide some very useful news, rumours and links as it relates to the world of international hockey)

SVT.SE: reports Peter Forsberg is back on the ice, practicing with Swedish team MoDo. Forsberg said he won't hurry and remains undecided on if and where he'll play. He also suggested this'll be his last attempt and a comeback and could retire if it fails.

LINKOPINGS HC/HOKEJ.CZ: both report former Pittsburgh Penguin Josef Melichar has signed with Linkopings HC in Sweden.

- Illegal Curve's favourite Kazakh-Israeli Hockey Player Max Birbraer a.k.a 'The Israeli Iceman' scored a goal for the Cardiff Devils in a losing cause as the team fell by a score of 2-1 to the Belfast Giants of The British Elite League. The 26-year-old Left Winger was Drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2000 (3/67). Please check out this old article about Max Birbraer's story, including the religious persecution he and his family faced in Kazakhstan.

PAST JEWISH PLAYERS IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Ross Brooks Goalie, Boston, 1972-75,
Hy Buller Defense, Detroit, N.Y. Rangers, 1943-45 and 1951-54.
Justin Duberman Right wing, Pittsburgh, 1993-94,
Mike Hartman Left wing, Buffalo, Winnipeg, Tampa, N.Y. Rangers, 1986-95.
Gizzy Hart Left wing, Detroit Cougars, Montreal, 1926-28 and 1932-33.
Peter Ing Goalie, Toronto, Edmonton, Detroit, 1989-94.
Max Kaminsky Center, Ottawa Senators, Boston, St. Louis Eagles, Montreal Maroons, 1933-37.
Alex Levinsky Left wing, Toronto, Chicago, 1930-39.
David Nemirofsky Right wing, Florida, 1995-99.
Steve Richmond Defense, N.Y. Rangers, Detroit, New Jersey, Los Angeles, 1983-89.
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Sammy Rothschild Left wing, Montreal Maroons, Pittsburgh Pirates, N.Y. Americans, 1924-28.
Todd Simon Center, Buffalo, 1993-94.
Mike Veisor Goalie, Chicago, Hartford, Winnipeg, 1973-84.
Brian Wilks Center, Los Angeles, 1984-89.
Bernie Wolfe Goalie, Washington, 1975-79.
Larry Zeidel Defense, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, 1951-54 and 1967-69.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.