Prospect Pulse: Late Rounder

Prospect Pulse is pleased to offer some thoughts on players Illegal Curve has seen this past year who were taken in the later rounds:

42nd (Ottawa)- Patrick Wiercioch- A smooth skating defenseman from BC that plays in the USHL, Wiercioch is adept at moving the puck but needs to add some bulk to his frame. He looks very gangly on the ice. Headed for college at Wisconsin.

51st (New York Rangers)- Derek Stepan - A forward playing for Shattuck St. Mary's, Stepan is a very talented offensive player with good individual skills. Illegal Curve saw him at a Midget Tournament in January, and he didn't disappoint. Was able to make things happen on the ice and looked after his own zone. Did appear a little disinterested against weaker opposition.

60th (Toronto Maple Leafs) - Jimmy Hayes - Hayes, a towering forward, has been featured on a previous Prospect Pulse. Though he slipped quite a bit from some previous rankings, Hayes has some interesting power forward type tools and is a willing competitor. His skating may hold him back a little.

66th (New York Islanders) - David Toews - Another Shattuck St. Mary's forward, Toews certainly possesses good blood lines. When we saw him in January, he was a little underwhelming. Though he certainly possesses some talent, he didn't do anything to stand out in the games we saw. Illegal Curve will offer updates on him next season, when he is expected to play at UND.

81st (Buffalo Sabres) - Corey Fienhage - Illegal Curve saw him only once, in a late season game in Sioux City. A big kid, 6'4, 210lbs, he uses his size well in front of the net and down low. He is a tough guy to get around but could use some more skill with the puck. Will be with UND next winter.

86th (Montreal Canadiens) - Steve Quailer - IC saw Quailer at the same time as Fienhage and wasn't terribly impressed. He didn't compete very hard and was seen (and heard) yelling at teammates on the PP. Though thats not always a bad thing, he didn't seem to be offering constructive criticism. On a positive note, he did put up respectable numbers on a team that had trouble scoring.

89th (Dallas Stars) - Scott Winkler- A big centerman with speed, IC was very impressed when it saw Winkler at the January midget tourney. A feisty competitor, he is willing to stand up for teammates and will play a hard nosed game. He takes the puck to the net and battles hard for loose pucks, but can play a skating game too. He will play with Cedar Rapids this season.

91st (Detroit Red Wings) - Max Nicastro- A defenseman playing for the Chicago Steel in the USHL. A kid with some offensive upside, he has a good shot and good wheels. Likely a project for the Wings at this point, as he really needs to fill out.

96th (New York Islanders) - Matt Donovan- Illegal Curve hasn't seen this young man play since last fall, but was impressed with his poise. Only 17 at the time, Donovan was very cool under pressure and not afraid to carry the puck.

108th (Calgary Flames) - Nick Larson - The Flames got a good kid with this selection. A fiery competitor, Larson is dogged in his pursuit of the puck and willing to play a physical game. He also had a deft scoring touch with a quick release shot. A prototypical Calgary Flame.

128th (Toronto Maple Leafs) - Greg Pateryn - Another kid that IC hasn't seen since the fall, Pateryn also impressed with his skating ability. Though nothing else really stands out about him (at least to us in our limited viewing), he is headed to Michigan where he will continue to hone his game.

160th (Tampa Bay Lightning) - Luke Witkowski- At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Illegal Curve also saw Witkowski last in the Fall of 2007. Another great skater, Witkowski played a physical style of game and always had his feet moving.

190th (Florida Panthers) - Matt Bartkowski- A lynch pin of the Lincoln Stars' defence, Bartkowski plays in all situations and excels in doing so. The PP quarterback and 1st option on the PK, he had a strong season and doesn't get pushed around.

203rd (Tampa Bay Lightning) - David Carle- The Shattuck defenseman is loaded with potential. Easily the the 2nd best defender Illegal Curve saw at the aforementioned midget tournament. Calm and collected, he runs the power play very well and is good in his own. Closes the gap quickly and plays an NHL style defensive game. I am surprised he lasted this long.

Edit: David Carle has been diagnosed with a heart condition and will no longer be able to play hockey. Illegal Curve regrets the error in reporting and wishes David all the best. Kudos to Tampa for selecting the young man.

Prospect Pulse: Jimmy Hayes

Lincoln Stars forward Jimmy Hayes, ranked 63rd amongst North American skaters heading into the NHL Entry Draft, is a prospect of some interest. Obtained by Lincoln via trade, he stepped into the Stars lineup and was a big factor in their push to the USHL conference finals. A big kid (6'5, 210) with good hands, Hayes is hampered a little by his mobility. He gets his large frame up and down the ice, but doesn't have a quick first step.

That being said, he does have an excellent nose for the net and always seems to be around the puck. He competes hard and seems to possess sound hockey sense. If he can improve his skating, he may be a late round steal.

Prospect Pulse: The Little Caesars North American Showcase

Note: I will now be doing the Prospect Pulse posts after I see players skate live, rather than garnering information from web sources and other first hand accounts.

Today's post will feature some brief notes on notable players from the Little Caesars' AAA Showcase.

1990’s

1. Alex Krushelnyski - Little Caesars Illinois- decent skater who didn’t seem to display much offensive skill. Always involved in the play and was sound defensively. Threw some nice hits. Fierce competitor.
2. Armond deSwardt – Dallas Stars AAA – big kid who uses size effectively. Up and down the wing type of player who plays position well and always goes hard to the net. I liked that he didn’t show any signs of quitting after Shattuck staked out a 3-0 lead in about 4 minutes.
3. Kevin Moderer – Dallas Stars AAA – lanky kid who is just a smart player. Does a lot of little things well.
4. Alexander Fallstrom – Shattuck St. Mary’s – my favorite forward on the Shattuck team. Hard nosed kid who displayed some deft playmaking ability. Smart in his own zone and appears to be able to play an agitator type game if he wants to.
5. Jordy Murray- Shattuck St. Mary’s – good offensive instincts. Saw him on the PP quite a bit (2^nd unit) and he is a slippery type of player that seems to find open spots. Good quick shot.
6. Matt Bruneteau– Shattuck St. Mary’s – Plays with David Carle, but holds his own defensively and doesn’t hurt the team offensively. Distributes the puck well when he gets the chance. A little small but doesn’t shy away from physical play.
7. Scott Winkler– Russell Stover – The best forward I saw play. Makes something happen every time he is on the ice. Punishing checker and can make something out of nothing offensively. Very good individual skills and can get a quick shot off from anywhere.
8. Broderick Browne– Texas Attack – Big left winger that played on the top line. Good offensive skill. Plays well along the boards and in front of the net.
9. Johnnie Searfoss – Texas Attack – I only saw him in one game as I believe he was injured. Not an overly physical player but excellent offensive skills. Another guy who makes something happen when he touches the puck.
10. Jussi Olikinuora- Chadders- I am no goalie expert, but he is a tall kid who covers a lot of net. Always seems to be in position for the shot and rarely gives up rebounds.

Other players of Note:

1. Jon Merrill – Little Caesars – good in his own zone and makes a nice breakout pass. Played on the PP but I didn’t see a lot of offensive spark. Always seems to make the simple play.
2. David Carle– Shattuck – No surprises here. Very good defenseman who controls the play when he is on the ice. I didn’t see any glaring flaws in his game.
3. Travis Belohrad – Colorado Outlaws – one of the few offensive players on the team. Seemed to be able to generate results with some weaker linemates.
4. Edgars Lipsberg– Texas Attack – Lazy player who can turn on all kinds of skill when he touches the puck. Just purely offensive minded.
5. Garrett Clarke- After David Carle, the best defenseman I saw in the tournament. Sublime puck skills and an excellent skater. Rushes the puck at will and quarterbacks the PP with flourish.
6. Jeff Weselake- Winnipeg Thrashers- Smallish defenseman who may skate faster backwards than forwards. Good with the puck and a good open ice hitter despite his size. Heavy shot.

Prospect Pulse: Jeff Glass

Anyone remember this guy? Me either. It was not until a Tuesday night trip to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch Marc Hoe assault a flock's worth of chicken wings that the netminder's name came up in conversation, resurrected from a World Junior tournament in days of yore.

Glass came out of nowhere to be the unknown on a team of all-stars as Team Canada Hot-Karled the opposition on their way to the Gold Medal in Grand Forks. Glass didn't have to be great or even that good as Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron played keep-away from the hapless Euros and Celine Dion Phaneuf decapitated anyone who crossed the blue-line, but he was. Canada only gave up 7 goals the entire tournament, 3 of those coming against Slovakia, which perfectly illustrates the dominance of the team and Glass, who went 5-0.

The 6'2, 182 pound goaltender had an inauspicious debut in the WHL, and didn't become a full-time starter until the 2004-05 season. After his stellar World Junior tournament, Glass dominated the WHL and finished with a 34-11-5, 8 shutouts, a 1.76 GAA and a .932 save percentage with the Kootenay Ice. He also went 10-6 in the playoffs that year.

Glass, who was drafted by the Ottawa Senators by the 3rd round in 2004, turned pro in 2005 and spent the year in the ECHL after failing to stick with the Binghamton Senators. He made the AHL team in 2006-07 but had a terrible year, posting only 9 wins in 43 games on a poor Binghamton team. Glass has now been passed on the depth chart by Brian Elliott and is the backup with the Baby Sens.

The Calgary native is a big guy and covers a lot of net. He excels at playing the puck but had trouble adjusting to the new rules. Solid positionally, Glass plays the angles well and gives shooters little to look at. He is very good down low and is adept at steering shots into the corners. He has quick reflexes and a good glove, though I really have no idea if any of this is true because I know shit about goalies. I just hear they are weird.

Prospect Pulse: Chris Porter

Watching the Sioux sleepwalk through a few periods this weekend got me thinking about some of the sparkplugs that used to play for the team. One of these guys was Thunder Bay's own Chris Porter. The former Sioux captain was originally a 9th round pick by the Blackhawks in 2003. After spending all four years in Grand Forks, he participated in some camps with the Hawks, who chose not to sign him despite impressive showings.

Porter eventually inked a deal with the St. Louis Blues and was assigned to Peoria of the AHL. Never really a scorer in college, (he averaged in that 20-30 point range), Porter has put up solid numbers (3-9-12) thus far playing limited minutes. A solid two way guy (I use this phrase so much) with excellent speed and good hockey sense. In his years in Grand Forks, he would often be the guy that would spark the team with a goal/hit/fight (hugging match as per NCAA rules) or whatever was needed.

He has good size (6'1, 210) and plays with a mean streak. A punishing hitter, Porter is effective when playing a physical game. He is good along the boards but could use some seasoning on his defensive positioning. He scores most of his goals from in close but does possess a hard shot with a quick release. As he adjusts to the pro game, he will need to learn to be stronger on the puck when skating, for as good as he is in tight spots, Porter can be easily separated from the puck in stride.

Prospect Pulse: Spencer Machacek

Spencer Machacek (Hat Tip, Hockey's Future) is an Atlanta Thrashers draft pick (3rd round, 2007) who is currently the captain of the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. A 6'0, 182 pound winger, Machacek has developed into a scoring threat for this year's edition of the Giants.

A hard working, two way type player, Machacek has developed a mean streak and has admirably filled the void left by the departure of former captain Milan Lucic. He fought Alternate Captain Jonathan Blum in practice and has seen his play improve ever since.Scoring at a point per game clip, he has developed some outstanding chemistry with linemates Mario Bliznak and Michael Repik on the top line. Able to play any forward position, this versatile forward has been running the power play from the half wall this year after spending the previous season parked in front of the net.

Machacek participated in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge but didn't get an invite to the World Junior camp. Atlanta GM Don Waddell is quoted as saying that in addition to Machacek's solid two way game, they like that fact that he is a winner.Giants coach Don Hay feels that Spencer's best skill is his work ethic. Though he has no glaring weakness, it should be noted that Machacek is one of the oldest players in his draft class, so his numbers may be a little skewed.

Prospect Pulse: Johan Motin

The last in the series of Euro prospects this week, Johan Motin is another Swedish defender who is likely close to NHL ready. He has already played half a season in the Swedish Elite League and boasts a steady, mature game at 18 years of age.

Not an overly offensive player, Motin does have a good shot and offensive instincts, but plays more of a solid 2-way game and leans a little to the defensive. He has all the tools that you hear scouts repeat when talking about defenseman that they like: size, strength, mobility, lateral quickness, instincts and hockey sense. What I like specifically is that, based on reports, he is mean.

You can't really teach someone to be mean, they either are or aren't. In my estimation, its a very good quality to have if you are a defenseman because chances are at least some of your opposition are fraidy cats. If they know you are mean, you are going to have all kinds of room and time because they won't come near you. I realize these players become fewer and fewer as the leagues get better, but as we all know, some of these guys make the NHL.

In addition to being mean, Motin plays a simple low risk game and doesn't give up on any play. He connects on his passes and makes the correct decisions with and without the puck. Though he won't impress enough to stand out, he may turn into one of those guys whose play you don't notice, but will nevertheless be an effective player.

Prospect Pulse: Mikkel Bodker

Going back to the Dutch well (which would be a perfect name for a sex act), Prospect Pulse looks at Mikkel Bodker of the Kitchener Rangers. Bodker is projected to be a Top 10 pick in this year's NHL Entry Draft. A little bulldog type of player, the Dane stands at 5-11, 201 and is adepting well in his first season in the OHL.

An offensive player who skates well and has an explosive first step, Bodker is described as having pure speed with an extra gear to boot. He can draw penalties with his wheels and always keeps his feet moving, which makes his difficult to check or contain. Aggressive in traffic and along the boards, Bodker almost always wins battles for the puck and is able to use his size to leverage players away from the puck or the play.

He has been gaining muscle over the last couple of years and his new found strength has aided his skating and his shot. The winger uses a quick release to score goals and loves to step out from the corners to get shots on net and attempt wrap-arounds. He has stated that he prefers to play the role of set up man, and displays remarkable patience with the puck.

Prospect Pulse: Kirill Petrov

Keeping the Euro theme going, Prospect Pulse takes a look at Kirill Petrov. Petrov, a winger from AK Bars Kazan who can play either side, is the Russkie who has the scouts all aflutter. Described as a dominant and exciting player, Petrov is a physically mature player who can do it all.

Expected to be at least a Top 10 pick and possibly a Top 5 despite the lack of a transfer agreement, Petrov could be best described as a power forward with outstanding touch. He excels on the cycle and is supposed to be nearly impossible to knock off the puck. Requires very little room to make a play, he is dangerous from the blue line in every time he steps on the ice. The winger can keep the puck for as long as he wants it, Georges Laraque style, but can either score himself or make plays when need be.

In addition to his puck skills, Petrov is a powerful skater who can back opposing defenders into the zone with ease. Once he has gained the blue line, the other team is forced to give him an inordinate amount of attention or he will burn them. He has quickness to go with his straight ahead speed and can find openings almost anywhere, and doesn't need much time or space to get off his hard and accurate shot. Has soft hands and is adept at touch passes.

The only negatives that I can find written about him is that he doesn't like to share the puck and his defensive game is described as "willing to make a fair effort in his own zone" (Red Line Report).

Prospect Pulse: Victor Hedman

Following up on the esteemed Ezra Ginsburg's Euro Curve post, Prospect Pulse will look ahead to the 2009 draft at a defenseman that some feel will be a close second to consensus #1 John Tavares.

Hedman burst onto the scene by dominating the Swedish under-20 circuit at the ripe old age of 16. He put up 10 points (12th amongst rearguards) in the defense first league and was a +10. Already standing 6'5, 212, the 1990 born Hedman plays an edgy bordering on dirty game and has sublime offensive skills. Currently playing for Modo in the Swedish Elite League, he also boasts a very heavy slapshot to go along with his solid positioning.

Described as "the best Swedish hockey prospect in years", this superstar in the making was considering coming to the CHL before he signed a 2-year deal with Modo. Another product of the hockey hotbed of Ornskoldvik (The Sedins, Naslund, Forsberg et al), Hedman also has an older brother who has been drafted by the Washington Capitals.

Aside from the usual platitudes about Hedman's skills, the most interesting aspect about this prospect may be that he is a product of Modo Hockey's program of individual and small group practices (3-5 players). Modo's braintrust stands behind this program, which has produced solid results for all of Modo's teams, and states that this program is one factor as to why Hedman is so far ahead of his peers.

Prospect Pulse: Toni Ritter

Going back to the World Junior A Challenge well, Prospect Pulse goes overseas to profile German Toni Ritter. Ritter, a left shooting forward who can play either wing, was a guy that no one really knew much about until the tournament. Its likely fair to say that pretty much everyone knew about him afterwards, for good or for bad.

The good is that Ritter is a big man with good skating ability. He has a powerful stride that, although he isn't the fastest skater, gets him to where he needs to go and allows him to win most races for the puck. He is one of those freight train type players who are hard to stop once they get a head of steam up. A very hard worker (he is German after all), Ritter plays a two-way game and won't be found cheating on the defensive side of the puck. Scouts observe that he will hustle despite long odds, and was seen to break up odd man rushes and clear rebounds on breakaways. He displays patience beyond his years when he has the puck and makes smart plays. He gets his shot off quickly (Thats what she said) and follows the shot to the net.

The bad is that he rarely scores. Despite the hard quick shot and the good offensive work ethic, he is Marchant-esque in the goal department. Like I mean he has more trouble scoring than me at a Democratic convention (despite their trampy nature). Observers who were at the tournament note that he could have been hampered by an epic run of bad luck, but there may be more to his drought. Red Line projects him as a mid-3rd rounder.

Prospect Pulse: Brandon Burlon

Following up on yesterday's PP featuring Joe Colborne, today's Prospect Pulse examines another potential Junior A first rounder, Brandon Burlon. Burlon, who skates for the St. Mike's Buzzers in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (Andrew Cogliano's former squad) is a mobile defender blessed with excellent strength.

A prototypical 2-way defenseman built for the "new" NHL, Burlon is a fluid skater who excels positionally and thinks the game like a veteran. He is rarely caught out of position, nor does he make many mistakes with or without the puck. Like many great players, he seems to have great vision on the ice and be able to anticipate the action.

A good blend of size and mobility, the 6'0, 190 Burlon can play a physical game when called upon and is nasty in front of the net. He excels in breaking up the rush and is lethal in transition, where he can use his quick step to put defenders on their heels.

Scouts and officials who saw him play at the World Jr. A Challenge felt that he was dominant all week and outperformed many more highly touted European rear-guards. Rated 26th overall by the Red Line Report, Burlon has verbally committed to the University of Michigan.

Prospect Pulse: Joe Colborne

Joe Colborne is a centreman currently playing with the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL. He is draft eligible in 2008 and is likely to build upon the precedent set by Kyle Turris in the 2007 draft. Projected to go 20th overall by the Red Line Report, Colborne is the latest in the line of Junior A standouts who are getting noticed by the NHL.

The NHL took notice because of his size and physical tools. A towering 6-5 with a huge frame (though not yet filled out), scouts expect him to have grown significantly before the June draft. Blessed with soft hands and good straight line speed, Colborne can also play a gritty game and has impressed at each successive level with his strong work ethic.

A standout face-off man, he plays a smart 2-way game that belies his young age. He needs to take the edges off his offensive game, but scouts feel he is a solid bet in the first round. Observers who saw him play at the recent World Junior A Challenge felt that he was a dominant skater but would have liked to see him get involved in the play a little more, as he seemed content to play a perimeter game. They described him as cross between Brandon Sutter and James van Riemsdyk.

Prospect Pulse: Tomas Kudelka

Tomas Kudelka is an offensive minded defenseman who was drafted 136th overall by the Ottawa Senators, who seemingly can't get enough offensive defensemen. Kudelka was on everyone's radar in his 16 year old season, but regressed badly due to injuries and a lack of ice time and decided to make the move to North America to resurrect his game.

Kudelka joined the Lethbridge Hurricanes and a enjoyed a solid if unspectacular season in the WHL, where he put up 31 points in 64 games. He played 5 games with the Binghamton Senators after Lethbridge's season ended and earned himself a contract. The two-time member of the Czech World Junior team had a breakout year as a 19 year old, becoming the #1 defender with the Hurricanes. He posted 41 points in 59 games and boasted a +20 rating. He followed up that season with a return to Binghamton, where he skated in 11 games. Kudelka's strong play earned him a call up to skate with the Black Aces in Ottawa for a short stint.

A combination of the size, speed and skill that make coaches and GM's blind to glaring turnovers and a lack of a defensive acumen, Kudelka is nevertheless a prospect to watch. He is said to be faster skating backwards than forwards, has a heavy shot and is very calm with the puck. As mentioned, he is still prone to making bad decisions with the puck and needs to get physically stronger before he moves on to the next level. Kudelka himself acknowledge this, and said he feels his lack of bulk is the only thing keeping him out of the AHL. (He currently plays in Elmira of the ECHL).

Playing 1st pairing minutes in Elmira, Kudelka is putting up impressive numbers and is getting to play in all situations. He is working on his strength and conditioning and expects to finish the year in Binghamton. Ottawa projects him as being several years away due to their depth at D.

Prospect Pulse: Semen Varlamov

I attended a midget minor AAA (Bantam AAA in Canada) tournament this weekend in Detroit and had the opportunity to speak with some scouts. I specifically asked a number of them about goaltenders, and to a man they all admitted that no one really knows what to look for. One guy just basically said he watches to see if he can make saves. Pretty simple stuff. In light of these conversations and the fact that I don't know much about goalies, I thought it seemed like time for my 3rd ever Prospect Pulse featuring a goalie.

In addition to having a funny first name, Semen Varlamov is also a first round pick of the Washington Capitals. The Caps, who obviously have no aversion to drafting Russians, see Varlamov as the heir apparent to Olaf Kolzig. Having worked his way up the Russian hockey ladder, the 19 year old is currently playing in the Russian Super League with Yaroslav Locomotiv. He put up a 15-7-6 record last year, with a 2.12 GAA in the defensively minded league.

The butterfly-style Russian impressed scouts at both the World Junior Championships and the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge, where he kept the mediocre Russian squad competitive with the CHL All-Star teams. Scouting reports on Varlamov are fairly predictable, with the usual platitudes about a quick glove hand and good reflexes. Fairly standard stuff. The one unique aspect of the various reports is that he can change his style of play to suit the game and the shooters. While he prefers the butterfly style, he is apparently quite adept at playing a throw back stand up game that can sometimes mystify shooters.

The weaknesses in his game are his skating, stick-handling and maturity. Though one should remember he is only 19. There are also concerns about him being Russian, but the fact remains that if he can stop pucks, he will be in the NHL.

Prospect Pulse: Tomas Marcinko

For a number of years I closely followed New York Islander prospects because I assumed they would eventually become Oilers' property. This trend really hasn't changed much in the last year, but with Mad Mike gone from the picture, no one knows if the pipeline will keep producing.

The Islanders drafted Tomas Marcinko in the 4th round of the 2006 draft. The Slovakian came over to the OHL in his draft year to skate with the Barrie Colts. He had a respectable first season, tallying in 19 goals and 21 assists, and has started this season with 11 goals in 15 games. Jason Ford, the Colts assistant GM, notes that Marcinko is becoming comfortable playing in Canada and his point totals are reflecting that. Described as having good skating ability and hands for a player his size, Marcinko himself notes that he doesn't see himself as either a defensive center or a scorer, he is just happy to contribute.

The 19 year has participated in two Islander camps to date and was a member of Slovakia's entry in last year's World Junior Championships. Prior to coming to Ontario, he played a few games in the Slovak Extraleague and this experience coupled with his NHL camps have buoyed his confidence. Scouts feel that this combination of size and skill should propel him to the next level.

The knocks on Marcinko's game are many. "Lost in the offensive zone", "weak on the boards", "fails to drive to the net" and "inability to finish" are all phrases that can be found when describing this Slovak. That being said, other scouts feel that he has 1st round talent if he can put all the pieces together. To do so, he must add some bulk to his 6'4 frame and play on par with his size. If he can get stronger and learn to play with an edge, he could be a very valuable prospect going forward. The top end potential for Marcinko figures to be as a solid 3rd liner with some offensive upside. Think Fernando Pisani.

Prospect Pulse: Kyle Klubertanz

Anaheim drafted this Wisconsin Badger in the 3rd Round in 2004. An averaged size (6'0, 178) defender who plays an offensive style game, Klubertanz has always caught my eye for his feisty-bordering on dirty play. A smooth skater, Klubertanz can be seen ranging all over the ice and jumping into the play. He has the speed to get back when the puck is turned over and he will often initiate the rough stuff, despite his lack of size.

In a recent game with North Dakota that was getting ugly in the 3rd period, he started a fracas after one of his teammates was run over down low. In the ensuing melee, he and fellow Badger Kyle Turris were moving from fight to fight, sometimes jumping in and other times just watching. He was also poking at the feet of Sioux players while the referees were not looking. Though I am not one to advocate hurting other players, I like the dirty nature of a player like this because it forces other teams to worry about him instead of worrying about the game. Before the other side knows it, they have taken a bunch of penalties trying to kill the pest and Kyle Turris et al. have pumped 3 PP goals on you.

In addition to his rambunctious game, Klubertanz has other marketable skills, namely as a puck mover. He sees the ice well and is adept at quarterbacking the powerplay. He had an off-year as a junior, but is scoring at a little better than a point-per-game clip as a senior. Scouts note that he will need to improve his defensive play and strength to move on to the next level, but also comment that his work ethic can carry him to the next level. He may be in tough to crack a reasonably deep Anaheim blue line, but would likely benefit from a stint in the AHL.

Prospect Pulse: Around the SJHL

Illegal Curve has conducted an interview about the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with Weyburn Red Wing colour-man and executive, Brad McNeil. Here is the transcript of that interview:

Brad, you have been around the SJHL for some time now, give us a quick run down of how the season is going thus far. Who is hot, who is cold?

Well Kyle, Humboldt and Melville both have had strong starts and lately the Melfort Mustangs have also been picking up their game. Melfort was bolstered by the addition of goaltender Ilia Ejov, who spent the past two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Taylor Watt in Melfort is one of the hottest forwards at the time as he is averaging over two points a game. The big three in Flin Flon - Pierre-Luc Boucher, Dennis Kubat and Reid MacLeod have all put up big numbers. The La Ronge scoring threats Jordie Johnston and Jarrid Dowhay have also been scoring points a lot more as of late. As for the cold, the Battlefords North Stars, albeit a very young team, have dropped 14 straight games and only have two wins on the season. The Estevan Bruins and Nipawin Hawks have both had a few struggles lately and have both been busy on the trade market trying to tweak the rosters.

The SJHL currently has one player, defenseman Tommy Brown of the Melfort Mustangs, on Team Canada West at the World Junior A championships. Are there any others you feel deserved a spot on the team? Has Brown committed to any NCAA colleges?

Well first of al I congratulate Tommy Brown on earning a well deserved spot on the team. As a rookie, he is already amonst the elite defenseman in our league. To my knowledge, Brown has not committed to a NCAA school yet but I have a feeling it will not be long coming. I would suspect this will be is one and only season in the SJHL.

As for who is not there, where do I begin. The most obvious omission in my mind is Flin Flon forward Reid MacLeod. Perhaps being tucked away up in Flin Flon he has not had the exposure that some other players have had and that is a shame. There are also a couple of other defenseman I felt could be there - Brady Wacker of the Humboldt Broncos and Michael Trebish of the Yorkton Terriers.

Is this year’s tournament the first that Weyburn coach Dwight MacMillan has participated in?

Actually Kyle, this will be Dwight's second consecutive appearance at the tournament. He was also an assistant coach last year in Yorkton when Team Canada West were crowned the champions.

Notre Dame rookie Rylan Schwartz is described by NHL Central Scouting as a C Prospect. How would you describe his game and do you feel he will be included in the upcoming NHL draft?

I have had a chance to see Schwartz play quite a bit this season already and the offensive abilities of this kid are unreal. He started a bit slow, as did most of his teams, but has quickly climbed back up amongst the league's scoring leaders. He already has committed to Colorado College for next year and I would not be surprised if we see Schwartz in the show at some point.

Narrowing the focus to your hometown Weyburn Red Wings, who is leading the team this year and do you expect any them to move on the NCAA?

In Weyburn, I feel we have a well balanced team. Preston Shupe, a hometown product, is currently our leading scorer and comes to play every night. Torrey Lindsay has also fit in well since being acquired from the OPJHL in the summer. Brayden Nargang, a former Portland Winter Hawk, has been a point a game player for us since returning from WHL camp. Youngster Rhett Bly, a former Regina Pat Canadian, has also impressed as of late. On defense, Kyle Haines, who played on Team Canada West last year, is our team captain and leader on defense. Stephen Simms, one of three Newfoundlanders on the team, is one of the best offensive defenseman in the SJHL. Our rookie goaltender AJ Whiffen is amongst the league leaders in all goaltending statistics. I should note that we only have two twenty year olds on the roster at this time - Haines and forward Josh Bray.
As for NCAA opportunities, I would think Haines should garner some interest, as well as Shupe, Simms and Whiffen in the future, although perhaps not this year.

The Flin Flon Bombers boast the top 3 scorers in the SJHL, is that an indication of the talent level on the team or do they play a run and gun style?

It may be hard for me to comment on the Bombers because I have only seen them play once this year, a 4-0 loss to Weyburn. The Bombers big line was invisible that night but that has been a rarity this season. The next night, Reid MacLeod had a seven point game in Estevan. Although I think much of the Bombers scoring comes from Boucher, MacLeod and Kubat, the Bombers also have a talented second line featuring recently acquired Barrett Penner along with David Linsley and Tommy Castonguay. Goaltender Calvin Bartel as recently returned from injury and provides a solid tandem with Carsen Chubak. The Bombers, like many teams, may need to add a bit more depth, especially on the blue line, in order to move themselves into the upper tier.

Its been a few years since I regularly attended SJHL games, is the style of play still very physical, or has it become a skill league like much of the rest of Canadian Jr. A?

Overall, I feel the league is still the most physical of the junior A leagues in Canada but admittedly not quite what it used to be. You don't see as many signature goons on team rosters that you used to see. Unfortunately though, I find hits to the head and checking from behind are becoming more prevalent and that is a concern.

Are there still a lot of fights?

You just don't see as many fights as you used too. It used to be as I said earlier, that every team had that signature goon. Now you just don't see that. Usually your "goon" has to be more of a multi-dimensional player now. In Weyburn, Eric Calibaba and Michael Seib are a couple of guys we lean on for the rough stuff but they are also very important role guys on our club that play a regular shift. That is how it has become around the league.

Humboldt appears to be the early favorites to win the SJHL crown. Do you see any other contenders in the field?

I definitely think Humboldt is the cream of the crop but it is still early and you never know what can happen. The parity in our league is unbelievable. With the exception of maybe one or two, I think every other team could be considered a legitimate contender. Melville has good depth and good goaltending. If 18 year old AJ Whiffen can keep up his game I think we have a shot here in Weyburn as well. I never count out a team coached by Dwight McMillan. Yorkton, under the guidance of Ed Zawatsky, always has something to say come playoff time as well.

In recent years, the BCHL and now the AJHL have become breeding grounds for NHL talent while the SJHL seems to produce few NHL players. Do you think the SJHL will eventually catch up?

I am cautiously optimistic but at the same time some realization as to set in. In Saskatchewan all of our teams are community owned with volunteer board of directors. The team budgets just do not allow us to make the same kind of offers that kids are getting in BC and Alberta. I have always been curious to know the player acquisition budget in Camrose for example, or Nanaimo BC, or Penticton, BC. Nothing made me prouder than in 2005 when the host Weyburn Red Wings were crowned the Royal Bank Cup champions over the free spending Kodiaks. It just proves that the SJHL is as strong as any of the other leagues. Sometimes it goes further than how many NCAA scholarships are awarded in a league. There are no doubt some guys prefer the warmer climate in BC than the long cold winters on the Prairies and that may also factor into the decisions being made.

Kyle - thank you for giving the SJHL exposure on your website. It is much appreciated and I know I have talked to a lot of people who enjoy your site. Keep up the good work.

Prospect Pulse: Kelsey Tessier

Kelsey Tessier of the Quebec Remparts is 5'5 (although some say 5'9), 164 pound winger that is draft eligible for 2008. Currently playing with Angelo Esposito and Mikhail Stefanovich, Tessier has been putting up point per game numbers thus far this year.

While that might not separate him from the pack in the offense first QMJHL, scouts feel Tessier has very good offensive upside and is solid without the puck. Another graduate of the Shattuck-St.Mary's factory, Tessier was uncertain about where his hockey future would take him. He suited for SSM, then played a year in Colorado and contemplated staying stateside before returning to Canada to play for the Remparts. He credits his time at SSM with convincing him he had a future in professional hockey.

Tessier also feels lucky to be coached by Patrick Roy, whom he says is always ultra-prepared for every game. That preparedness rubs off on the players and gives them the confidence that they can win every game they play. The speedy forward realizes that he will have to add some size to his frame, but feels that his quick acceleration and defensive awareness will allow him to play at the next level.

Prospect Pulse: Tyler Myers

Tyler Myers is currently a defenseman with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL. Eligible for the draft this year, you have likely never heard of the 6'7, 202 pounder because he plays on the same team as Luke Schenn, one the players Pierre McGuire went on and on about in the Canada-Russia Super Series.

Myers is a hot prospect in his own right. Currently ranked 29th amongst skaters by ISS for the 2008 draft, he is one of those rare big men who can move. A recent Illegal Curve interview with Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note indicated that while Myers may not be as mobile as Schenn, he isn't that far off and makes up for this shortcomings with an enormous wingspan.

Myers is now in his 3rd season with the Rockets and isn't yet 18. He graduated from the Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan AAA league and played a few games with the Rockets as a 15 year old. The Calgary native has had to overcome growth spurts which affected his balance and mobility, but Myers has accepted it as part of learning the game and seems to have found a comfort zone with his frame.

With his spot on the team secure, Myers has been focusing this year on adding an offensive element to his game. Working close with coach Ryan Huska, the defender has been looking to use his natural reach and skating ability as a basis for getting his name on the scoresheet more often. In addition to working on his offensive game, Myers has been trying to prepare better mentally for each game in the hopes that starting the process in junior will make him a better pro.

Watch for Myers' name to be called much earlier than 29th in the upcoming draft.