Want to get a look at some future Tigers? The USHL Fall Classic begins today in Sioux City, Iowa, and will be broadcast online via B2 networks, the same service that will be available on cctigers.com this season. Here's the link to watch. All times listed are Central.
Games involving recruits are:
Thursday, Sept. 27
10:00 a.m. Omaha Lancers (Dakota Eveland--2009 or 2010) vs. Green Bay
1:00 p.m. Lincoln Stars vs. Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets (Tim Hall--2008)
3:00 p.m. Sioux Falls Stampede (Nick Dineen--2008) vs. Waterloo Black Hawks (Andrew Hamburg--2008)
Friday, Sept. 28
10:00 a.m. Waterloo Black Hawks (Hamburg) vs. Des Moines Buccaneers
1:00 p.m. Chicago Steel vs. Omaha Lancers (Eveland)
4:00 p.m. Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets (Hall) vs. Sioux Falls Stampede (Dineen)
Saturday, Sept. 29
12:00 p.m. Omaha Lancers (Eveland) vs. Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets (Hall)
4:00 p.m. Sioux Falls Stampede (Dineen) vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
7:00 p.m. Sioux City Musketeers vs. Waterloo Black Hawks (Hamburg)
***
With the demise of the Wayne State (Mich.) hockey program announced yesterday, Grand Forks Herald hockey reporter Brad Elliott Schlossman poses an important question: Will Bemidji State join the WCHA in 2008?
***
Tiger Tracks:
Colin Stuart was reassigned to Chicago (AHL), but Brett Sterling made on the Atlanta Thrashers' roster.
Noah Clarke is still in the hunt for a spot on the New Jersey Devils' roster.
Curtis McElhinney will start the season as the Calgary Flames' backup.
***
For those who are curious, the Tigers have a practice scheduled for tonight at 9:15 at Honnen Ice Arena (NW corner of Cascade and Cache La Poudre Streets). I'll get the rest of the schedule tonight.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Gutbuster
Apparently, the five "too many men on the ice" penalties that Colorado College took during the 2006-07 season was five too many.
At Tuesday's practice, which was sparsely attended because the Tigers are ending their first block of classes this week, strength and conditioning coach Mark Stephenson made a point to address those five penalties.
The players, listed below, started practice with no sticks, which I took as an ominous sign. I was right. Just 15 minutes long, the workout had most of the team doubled over.
White Sweatt
Red McCulloch--Johnson--Testwuide
Blue DeBoer--Rau--Schultz
Maroon Lampl
Gold McMillin--Patrosso
Defensemen Hillen, Lowery, Gannon
Goalies O'Connell, Bachman
It began with a series of sprints from the goal line through the blue line. Then came the bench drills. For the first one, Stephenson divided the team in two and put each group in a box. The players had to clear the boards, skate from goal line to goal line and get back over the boards as fast as possible. The other team would go once the first team had finished and the Tigers did two sets of four or five "suicides." Then, Stephenson had the players jump over the boards, touch the opposite wall, and get back in the box as quick as possible. Each set took about two minutes, but to the players it was probably an eternity.
After Stephenson was done with the Tigers, they did a few shooting drills and played 3-on-3 in the north end of the rink. In one sequence, goaltender Richard Bachman got caught out of position on the right side of the net and managed to come across the entire face of the goal to rob Bill Sweatt on a wrist shot. Goaltender Drew O'Connell made a nice save of his own less than a minute later, when Jack Hillen skated around the back of the net, planning on stuffing it inside the left post. But O'Connell made a backhanded snag to thwart the score. With the defensemen-plus-red-line team up 2-1, Hillen yelled, "Next goal wins" and Derek Patrosso scored the game-winner, beating Bachman over his right shoulder.
I chatted with Stephenson after practice and he said, of the four CC teams he has coached, this season's squad is the fittest and also the most focused. Stephenson coached for seven years at Providence College before joining the staff at the National Strength and Conditioning Association's headquarters next to World Arena.
***
The Grand Forks Herald released its annual preseason coaches' poll and the Tigers were picked no. 3. A closer look at the votes shows that Denver and Wisconsin were just two and three votes behind, respectively, meaning that the Western Collegiate Hockey Association coaches think it will be a dogfight for spots 3-5. A little research by Herald reporter Brad Elliott Schlossman shows that, in the five times CC has won the MacNaughton Cup since the 1990-91 season, the Tigers were not tabbed to finish first place. Look for more in tomorrow's Gazette.
37th Annual Grand Forks Herald WCHA preseason coaches poll
Rank School Points
1 UND (7) 79
2 Minnesota (3) 74
3 Colorado College 55
4 Denver 53
5 Wisconsin 52
6 St. Cloud St. 43
7 Michigan Tech 41
8 Minn.-Duluth 23
9 MSU-Mankato 19
10 Anchorage 11
Tiger Tracks:
Former CC defenseman Brandon Straub began training camp Tuesday with the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL) this week and encountered a familiar face among the defensive corps: Colorado Springs native Preston Briggs, older brother of former Minnesota goaltender Kellen Briggs (who has landed with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL), by the way).
What are the odds? The Briggs', Straub and former CC player Scott Polaski are the only Colorado Springs natives I'm aware of who are playing professionally. If you know of more, please drop me a comment or an email at kate.crandall@gazette.com.
UPDATE: Colorado Springs native Luke Fulghum, a former Denver player, agreed to terms with the Stockton Thunder (ECHL). Another Springs product, former Mitchell High student David Hale is a near-lock to make the Calgary Flames' roster. That brings the grand total of Colorado Springs natives in professional hockey to six players, but please contact me if there are others I am missing.
At Tuesday's practice, which was sparsely attended because the Tigers are ending their first block of classes this week, strength and conditioning coach Mark Stephenson made a point to address those five penalties.
The players, listed below, started practice with no sticks, which I took as an ominous sign. I was right. Just 15 minutes long, the workout had most of the team doubled over.
White Sweatt
Red McCulloch--Johnson--Testwuide
Blue DeBoer--Rau--Schultz
Maroon Lampl
Gold McMillin--Patrosso
Defensemen Hillen, Lowery, Gannon
Goalies O'Connell, Bachman
It began with a series of sprints from the goal line through the blue line. Then came the bench drills. For the first one, Stephenson divided the team in two and put each group in a box. The players had to clear the boards, skate from goal line to goal line and get back over the boards as fast as possible. The other team would go once the first team had finished and the Tigers did two sets of four or five "suicides." Then, Stephenson had the players jump over the boards, touch the opposite wall, and get back in the box as quick as possible. Each set took about two minutes, but to the players it was probably an eternity.
After Stephenson was done with the Tigers, they did a few shooting drills and played 3-on-3 in the north end of the rink. In one sequence, goaltender Richard Bachman got caught out of position on the right side of the net and managed to come across the entire face of the goal to rob Bill Sweatt on a wrist shot. Goaltender Drew O'Connell made a nice save of his own less than a minute later, when Jack Hillen skated around the back of the net, planning on stuffing it inside the left post. But O'Connell made a backhanded snag to thwart the score. With the defensemen-plus-red-line team up 2-1, Hillen yelled, "Next goal wins" and Derek Patrosso scored the game-winner, beating Bachman over his right shoulder.
I chatted with Stephenson after practice and he said, of the four CC teams he has coached, this season's squad is the fittest and also the most focused. Stephenson coached for seven years at Providence College before joining the staff at the National Strength and Conditioning Association's headquarters next to World Arena.
***
The Grand Forks Herald released its annual preseason coaches' poll and the Tigers were picked no. 3. A closer look at the votes shows that Denver and Wisconsin were just two and three votes behind, respectively, meaning that the Western Collegiate Hockey Association coaches think it will be a dogfight for spots 3-5. A little research by Herald reporter Brad Elliott Schlossman shows that, in the five times CC has won the MacNaughton Cup since the 1990-91 season, the Tigers were not tabbed to finish first place. Look for more in tomorrow's Gazette.
37th Annual Grand Forks Herald WCHA preseason coaches poll
Rank School Points
1 UND (7) 79
2 Minnesota (3) 74
3 Colorado College 55
4 Denver 53
5 Wisconsin 52
6 St. Cloud St. 43
7 Michigan Tech 41
8 Minn.-Duluth 23
9 MSU-Mankato 19
10 Anchorage 11
Preseason rookie of the year Kyle Turris, UW, 9; Evan Trupp, UND 1
Preseason player of the year Ryan Duncan, UND, 5; T.J. Oshie, UND, 3; Taylor Chorney, UND, 1; Kyle Okposo, Minn., 1
Tiger Tracks:
Former CC defenseman Brandon Straub began training camp Tuesday with the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL) this week and encountered a familiar face among the defensive corps: Colorado Springs native Preston Briggs, older brother of former Minnesota goaltender Kellen Briggs (who has landed with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL), by the way).
What are the odds? The Briggs', Straub and former CC player Scott Polaski are the only Colorado Springs natives I'm aware of who are playing professionally. If you know of more, please drop me a comment or an email at kate.crandall@gazette.com.
UPDATE: Colorado Springs native Luke Fulghum, a former Denver player, agreed to terms with the Stockton Thunder (ECHL). Another Springs product, former Mitchell High student David Hale is a near-lock to make the Calgary Flames' roster. That brings the grand total of Colorado Springs natives in professional hockey to six players, but please contact me if there are others I am missing.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Speed, Defensive Systems Are Focuses Monday
With less than two weeks until Colorado College's first hockey game, coaches Joe Bonnett and Norm Bazin began implementing defensive systems on Monday night. As in seasons past, the Tigers will play a man-to-man defense and minimize switches--when one player trades his defensive assignment to another player--which Bonnett said promotes an aggressive mentality.
During one-on-one defensive drills in the corners, defenseman Brett Wysopal was a standout. Even though he is the shortest player at 5-foot-7, Wysopal uses his lower center of gravity to his advantage. Against left wing Scott McCulloch, Wysopal was a downright pest with his stick and not afraid to check McCulloch whenever possible.
Bazin also had the forwards practice backchecking by having them sprint down the ice, take a shot, and sprint back.
Fitness in the form of cross-ice sprints and serpentine skating patterns was integrated throughout the practice to Bazin's and Bonnett's chorus of "speed, speed, speed!" and "go, go, go!"
All together the practice laid out the ingredients of success for the Tigers this season. They'll be going all-out up the ice, generating shots with their speed. With the forwards backchecking aggressively, they'll try to create turnovers in the neutral zone and keep the puck from even reaching the young defensive corps and untested goaltender. When the puck gets into the defensive zone, each player will play in-your-face defense with the hopes of never giving their opponents an open look or an easy lane to drive the net.
Of course, all of this is easier said than done.
Only 11 days left until the season-opening exhibition against Calgary and 24 until the first game against Minnesota.
***
Here were Monday night's lines:
White Sweatt--Vlassopoulos--Walsky
Red McCulloch--Johnson--Testwuide
Blue DeBoer--Rau--Schultz
Gold Overman--McMillin--Patrosso
Maroon Thauwald--Lampl
What are your thoughts about these combinations? Post a comment.
***
An interesting article on the utility of face shields, which features the contrasting stances of Boston Bruin and former CC defenseman Mark Stuart, and his father, Michael Stuart, who is USA Hockey's Chief Medical Officer. It mentions Stuart's older siblings and former Tigers, Colin and Mike Stuart.
Tiger Tracks:
--Mark Cullen assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL).
--Marty Sertich reports to Iowa Stars (AHL) training camp.
During one-on-one defensive drills in the corners, defenseman Brett Wysopal was a standout. Even though he is the shortest player at 5-foot-7, Wysopal uses his lower center of gravity to his advantage. Against left wing Scott McCulloch, Wysopal was a downright pest with his stick and not afraid to check McCulloch whenever possible.
Bazin also had the forwards practice backchecking by having them sprint down the ice, take a shot, and sprint back.
Fitness in the form of cross-ice sprints and serpentine skating patterns was integrated throughout the practice to Bazin's and Bonnett's chorus of "speed, speed, speed!" and "go, go, go!"
All together the practice laid out the ingredients of success for the Tigers this season. They'll be going all-out up the ice, generating shots with their speed. With the forwards backchecking aggressively, they'll try to create turnovers in the neutral zone and keep the puck from even reaching the young defensive corps and untested goaltender. When the puck gets into the defensive zone, each player will play in-your-face defense with the hopes of never giving their opponents an open look or an easy lane to drive the net.
Of course, all of this is easier said than done.
Only 11 days left until the season-opening exhibition against Calgary and 24 until the first game against Minnesota.
***
Here were Monday night's lines:
White Sweatt--Vlassopoulos--Walsky
Red McCulloch--Johnson--Testwuide
Blue DeBoer--Rau--Schultz
Gold Overman--McMillin--Patrosso
Maroon Thauwald--Lampl
What are your thoughts about these combinations? Post a comment.
***
An interesting article on the utility of face shields, which features the contrasting stances of Boston Bruin and former CC defenseman Mark Stuart, and his father, Michael Stuart, who is USA Hockey's Chief Medical Officer. It mentions Stuart's older siblings and former Tigers, Colin and Mike Stuart.
Tiger Tracks:
--Mark Cullen assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL).
--Marty Sertich reports to Iowa Stars (AHL) training camp.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Non-stop
When practice wrapped at 10:30 Tuesday night, Colorado College junior Cody Lampl had some words for the players stretching around him.
"That was awesome," he said, exhaling and prompting nods from the rest of the team.
Coach Scott Owens had 16 skaters and three goaltenders dripping with sweat after the high-intensity workout.
For the first time, the Tigers were organized into lines, which I'll put below. But I wouldn't place too much significance on them, considering that forwards Andreas Vlassopoulos, Chad Rau, and Tyler Johnson were not at practice. Defensemen Jake Gannon and Ryan Lowery also did not show.
Until October 6, the date of CC's season-opening exhibition against Calgary and the first official day of practice, players are not required to attend the thrice-weekly workouts. Usually, the only reasons the players will miss practice is for an academic purpose or for medically mandated rest.
Those who did attend participated in offensively minded drills, including the "three-goal" drill, in which one goal is placed at center ice and two are placed in the corners. The team is divided into two and the drill promotes offensive creativity and vision. If one net is clogged, players who go to the open space are often rewarded with breakaway and 2-on-1 situations. Some of the highlights of the three-goal drill were freshman goaltender Richard Bachman, who continues to impress with his saves, and sophomore wing Mike Testwuide, who said his left knee (partial tear of the medial collateral ligament) is healed, looked quicker to the puck than last year.
Testwuide said he focused on increasing his leg strength and speed in the off-season. When I asked Testwuide if he was planning on being involved more in cycling the puck than just sitting in front of the net, he assured me, "No, no, I'll be there."
[in no particular order]
Red McCulloch--Thauwald--Testwuide
White Sweatt--Walsky (not enough players to complete line)
Gold Overman--McMillin--Lampl
Blue DeBoer--Schultz--Patrosso
Defensemen: Wysopal, Fredheim, Hillen, Connelly, Prosser
Goalies: O'Connell, O'Brien, Bachman
***
Assigned to Manchester (AHL) Tuesday night, former Tiger Richard Petiot will not return to the Centennial State when the the Kings play the Avalanche in a 7 p.m. preseason tilt.
"That was awesome," he said, exhaling and prompting nods from the rest of the team.
Coach Scott Owens had 16 skaters and three goaltenders dripping with sweat after the high-intensity workout.
For the first time, the Tigers were organized into lines, which I'll put below. But I wouldn't place too much significance on them, considering that forwards Andreas Vlassopoulos, Chad Rau, and Tyler Johnson were not at practice. Defensemen Jake Gannon and Ryan Lowery also did not show.
Until October 6, the date of CC's season-opening exhibition against Calgary and the first official day of practice, players are not required to attend the thrice-weekly workouts. Usually, the only reasons the players will miss practice is for an academic purpose or for medically mandated rest.
Those who did attend participated in offensively minded drills, including the "three-goal" drill, in which one goal is placed at center ice and two are placed in the corners. The team is divided into two and the drill promotes offensive creativity and vision. If one net is clogged, players who go to the open space are often rewarded with breakaway and 2-on-1 situations. Some of the highlights of the three-goal drill were freshman goaltender Richard Bachman, who continues to impress with his saves, and sophomore wing Mike Testwuide, who said his left knee (partial tear of the medial collateral ligament) is healed, looked quicker to the puck than last year.
Testwuide said he focused on increasing his leg strength and speed in the off-season. When I asked Testwuide if he was planning on being involved more in cycling the puck than just sitting in front of the net, he assured me, "No, no, I'll be there."
[in no particular order]
Red McCulloch--Thauwald--Testwuide
White Sweatt--Walsky (not enough players to complete line)
Gold Overman--McMillin--Lampl
Blue DeBoer--Schultz--Patrosso
Defensemen: Wysopal, Fredheim, Hillen, Connelly, Prosser
Goalies: O'Connell, O'Brien, Bachman
***
Assigned to Manchester (AHL) Tuesday night, former Tiger Richard Petiot will not return to the Centennial State when the the Kings play the Avalanche in a 7 p.m. preseason tilt.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Coaches Emphasize Precision
With assistant coaches Norm Bazin and Joe Bonnett running practice Monday, the speed was cranked up a notch. Colorado College players spent most of the 90-minute practice split into separate groups: the forwards worked with Bazin and the seven-man defensive unit worked with Bonnett. No special teams work as of yet.
Among the forwards' focal points were precision passing and toughness. One drill was devoted to taking hits along the glass while protecting the puck.
On the defensive end of things, senior Jack Hillen and junior Jake Gannon took charge, setting a hard-working pace in footwork drills.
Alternate captain Jimmy Kilpatrick (hip) and reserve sophomore Dan Quilico (ankle) watched practice from the bench.
Coach Scott Owens and athletic director Ken Ralph observed practice.
***
Both members of the St. Louis Blues' American Hockey League affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, last season, Peter Sejna and Mike Stuart remain on the free agent list. Although I never saw Sejna play for CC, I can't imagine that many predicted he would be on the outside looking in at 27 years old. See Sejna's career numbers here. Sejna won the 2003 Hobey Baker Award.
In reference to his bad-luck injury, former CC goaltender Curtis McElhinney says he is still adjusting to the NHL.
Recent CC grad Matt Zaba was released from New York Rangers training camp and will report to Hartford (AHL). Defenseman Brian Salcido will report to Portland (AHL).
Also, Thrashers win 4-3 in OT with two goals from Joey Crabb, one from Brett Sterling and an assist from Colin Stuart. Crabb, one of 13 players reassigned from training camp, will return to Chicago (AHL).
Among the forwards' focal points were precision passing and toughness. One drill was devoted to taking hits along the glass while protecting the puck.
On the defensive end of things, senior Jack Hillen and junior Jake Gannon took charge, setting a hard-working pace in footwork drills.
Alternate captain Jimmy Kilpatrick (hip) and reserve sophomore Dan Quilico (ankle) watched practice from the bench.
Coach Scott Owens and athletic director Ken Ralph observed practice.
***
Both members of the St. Louis Blues' American Hockey League affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, last season, Peter Sejna and Mike Stuart remain on the free agent list. Although I never saw Sejna play for CC, I can't imagine that many predicted he would be on the outside looking in at 27 years old. See Sejna's career numbers here. Sejna won the 2003 Hobey Baker Award.
In reference to his bad-luck injury, former CC goaltender Curtis McElhinney says he is still adjusting to the NHL.
Recent CC grad Matt Zaba was released from New York Rangers training camp and will report to Hartford (AHL). Defenseman Brian Salcido will report to Portland (AHL).
Also, Thrashers win 4-3 in OT with two goals from Joey Crabb, one from Brett Sterling and an assist from Colin Stuart. Crabb, one of 13 players reassigned from training camp, will return to Chicago (AHL).
Monday, September 17, 2007
Tiger Tracks
Tracey Myers of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram asked Marty Sertich about his penchant for pingpong.
Former CC goaltender Curtis McElhinney experienced an unfortunate setback in his bid to become backup to Calgary Flames starter Miikka Kiprusoff.
***
Colorado Avalanche Official Release
AVALANCHE REDUCES ROSTER TO 38
Nine Players Reassigned
DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has reassigned nine players, reducing its roster to 38.
The Avalanche has reassigned the following players to its American Hockey League affiliate training camp (Lake Erie Monsters):
J.D. Corbin, LW
Dan DaSilva, RW
Brent Kelly, C
Mitch Love, D
Victor Oreskovich, RW
Andrew Penner, G
Brandon Straub, D
Michael Vernace, D
The Avalanche also has reassigned defenseman Nigel Williams to his junior team, the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.
Former CC goaltender Curtis McElhinney experienced an unfortunate setback in his bid to become backup to Calgary Flames starter Miikka Kiprusoff.
***
Colorado Avalanche Official Release
AVALANCHE REDUCES ROSTER TO 38
Nine Players Reassigned
DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has reassigned nine players, reducing its roster to 38.
The Avalanche has reassigned the following players to its American Hockey League affiliate training camp (Lake Erie Monsters):
J.D. Corbin, LW
Dan DaSilva, RW
Brent Kelly, C
Mitch Love, D
Victor Oreskovich, RW
Andrew Penner, G
Brandon Straub, D
Michael Vernace, D
The Avalanche also has reassigned defenseman Nigel Williams to his junior team, the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Straub To Report To Lake Erie Monsters (AHL)
Former Colorado College defenseman Brandon Straub learned Sunday afternoon that he will be sent to the American Hockey League affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, the Lake Erie Monsters (Cleveland, Ohio).
Once the Avalanche returned from the Burgundy and White scrimmage, held at Cadet Ice Arena in Colorado Springs, a cut list was posted. Straub estimated he was among "four or five" defensemen, one goaltender and "a bunch" of forwards who did not make the Avalanche roster for Monday's exhibition game at Phoenix, he said.
In his meeting with the Avalanche coaching staff, Straub received positive feedback about his performance during four days of rookie camp, two days of training camp and the scrimmage, in which he had two assists.
"They said they were happy with me, especially because I came out of nowhere as an undrafted free agent," Straub said. "They thought I was a pleasant surprise."
Straub's report was consistent with coach Joel Quenneville's comments after the game.
"He got our attention in rookie camp," Quenneville said. "I thought that he's done a nice job here. Not everybody had that opportunity to come to training camp . . . I didn't know that much about him but he showed his versatility and he was being active in the game."
Although he was disappointed that he didn't make the roster, Straub made a point to stress the positive.
"About a month ago, I didn't have a camp to go to," Straub said. "Now, I have a week off and I can go in there with an edge, having gained experience here."
During Sunday's scrimmage, Straub was mostly paired with John-Michael Liles, who was also his partner throughout the two-day training camp.
"I thought he did great," Liles said. "There's a reason why he's here."
Liles said he had to remind Straub not to apologize for mistakes.
"He's very humble," Liles said. "I told him, 'Don't worry about it.'"
Straub said being paired with Liles helped ease his nerves.
"I could ask him for pointers," Straub said. "He was really helpful and told me about their systems and where to be on face-offs and stuff like that. . . . With some guys, you're on edge and afraid to make mistakes. With him, it's the opposite. He encouraged me to take chances. As long as I was working hard out there, he was happy."
A contract still hasn't materialized and the organization can continue to evaluate Straub until the end of the month, per the terms of Straub's amateur tryout contract.
Straub said he will spend the week in Colorado Springs, training, skating and lifting. Tigers strength coach Mark Stephenson, who was in attendance Sunday, is directing Straub's lifting program.
When he reflected on the experience of taking the ice at Cadet Ice Arena in an Avalanche uniform, Straub called it "one of the most fun times I've ever had playing hockey."
"I could do it in my hometown and next to NHL players and I was right there playing well and contributing," he said. "It was very exciting."
***
Former CC defensemen Richard Petiot and Tom Preissing are among 39 players and 13 defensemen left in the Los Angeles Kings' training camp. Preissing scored a goal for the Kings in Saturday's preseason game against the Ducks. The Kings play the Avalanche at Pepsi Center at 7 p.m. Sept. 19.
This writer called former CC defenseman Mark Stuart a "virtual lock" to make the Boston Bruins' final roster.
Former CC forward Aaron Slattengren signed on for another season with the Augusta Lynx (ECHL). Lynx training camp begins October 5 and former CC right wing James Brannigan will be bidding for a roster spot.
CC recruit David Civitarese (Calgary, AB), who is slated to join the Tigers in 2008, scored his first goal of the season Saturday.
Once the Avalanche returned from the Burgundy and White scrimmage, held at Cadet Ice Arena in Colorado Springs, a cut list was posted. Straub estimated he was among "four or five" defensemen, one goaltender and "a bunch" of forwards who did not make the Avalanche roster for Monday's exhibition game at Phoenix, he said.
In his meeting with the Avalanche coaching staff, Straub received positive feedback about his performance during four days of rookie camp, two days of training camp and the scrimmage, in which he had two assists.
"They said they were happy with me, especially because I came out of nowhere as an undrafted free agent," Straub said. "They thought I was a pleasant surprise."
Straub's report was consistent with coach Joel Quenneville's comments after the game.
"He got our attention in rookie camp," Quenneville said. "I thought that he's done a nice job here. Not everybody had that opportunity to come to training camp . . . I didn't know that much about him but he showed his versatility and he was being active in the game."
Although he was disappointed that he didn't make the roster, Straub made a point to stress the positive.
"About a month ago, I didn't have a camp to go to," Straub said. "Now, I have a week off and I can go in there with an edge, having gained experience here."
During Sunday's scrimmage, Straub was mostly paired with John-Michael Liles, who was also his partner throughout the two-day training camp.
"I thought he did great," Liles said. "There's a reason why he's here."
Liles said he had to remind Straub not to apologize for mistakes.
"He's very humble," Liles said. "I told him, 'Don't worry about it.'"
Straub said being paired with Liles helped ease his nerves.
"I could ask him for pointers," Straub said. "He was really helpful and told me about their systems and where to be on face-offs and stuff like that. . . . With some guys, you're on edge and afraid to make mistakes. With him, it's the opposite. He encouraged me to take chances. As long as I was working hard out there, he was happy."
A contract still hasn't materialized and the organization can continue to evaluate Straub until the end of the month, per the terms of Straub's amateur tryout contract.
Straub said he will spend the week in Colorado Springs, training, skating and lifting. Tigers strength coach Mark Stephenson, who was in attendance Sunday, is directing Straub's lifting program.
When he reflected on the experience of taking the ice at Cadet Ice Arena in an Avalanche uniform, Straub called it "one of the most fun times I've ever had playing hockey."
"I could do it in my hometown and next to NHL players and I was right there playing well and contributing," he said. "It was very exciting."
***
Former CC defensemen Richard Petiot and Tom Preissing are among 39 players and 13 defensemen left in the Los Angeles Kings' training camp. Preissing scored a goal for the Kings in Saturday's preseason game against the Ducks. The Kings play the Avalanche at Pepsi Center at 7 p.m. Sept. 19.
This writer called former CC defenseman Mark Stuart a "virtual lock" to make the Boston Bruins' final roster.
Former CC forward Aaron Slattengren signed on for another season with the Augusta Lynx (ECHL). Lynx training camp begins October 5 and former CC right wing James Brannigan will be bidding for a roster spot.
CC recruit David Civitarese (Calgary, AB), who is slated to join the Tigers in 2008, scored his first goal of the season Saturday.
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