Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill appeared on WDFN’s “Shep, Shower and Shave” show on Friday morning, mostly discussing the World Championship with host Matt Sheppard. You can listen to the interview here:
Month: May 2018
Chase Pearson’s coach praises U of Maine co-captain’s pluck
This morning, DetroitRedWings.com’s Arthur J. Regner examines the 2017-18 season of University of Maine Black Bears co-captain Chase Pearson.
Pearson had a superb sophomore season at Maine, posting 27 points (7 goals and 20 assists) in 37 games, and Pearson’s coach told Regner that Pearson overcame adversity along the way:
Quotable: “First off with Chase, you have to take into consideration he was co-captain as a sophomore and that’s not easily done at the college level. The fact that he assumed that level of formal leadership on the team as only a sophomore speaks volumes about his character. He is committed to be the best he can be. As far as his goal production is concerned, he was a little snakebitten at the start and in the first half of the season. He started to score goals in the second half, but over the course of the season if you don’t score a lot over the first 16 to 17 games, you don’t have a lot of time to get your numbers back. It wasn’t anything in his game, it’s just the way the game of hockey can be sometimes. His overall offensive production was improved, his face-off percentage improved, his defensive efficacy improved. Clearly, he is a prospect for the National Hockey League.” – Dennis “Red” Gendron, University of Maine head coach
It’s a YouTube afternoon for the Red Wings, Griffins, AWood40 and U.S. NTDP
Of video-related note this afternoon:
- The Red Wings posted a video recapping the World Championship…
2. And today, the Wings recapped the bicycle giveaway that the organization and Chevrolet conducted earlier this week…
Red Wings announce details of equipment sale on June 2nd
Per the Detroit Red Wings:
Annual equipment and memorabilia sale to be held on Saturday, June 2
Limited-edition “Inaugural Season at Little Caesars Arena” Red Wings jerseys, game-used equipment & autographed items available for purchase
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings will hold their annual equipment and memorabilia sale at Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (1845 E. Big Beaver Rd.) on Saturday, June 2 from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Highlighting the sale, fans will have the opportunity to purchase limited-edition, game-used jerseys from the team’s “Inaugural Season at Little Caesars Arena.” Red Wings Reebok practice jerseys will also be available at a discounted price.
This one-day-only sale includes Red Wings game-used hockey equipment such as sticks, skates, gloves, helmet visors, socks and more. Red Wings fans can add to their autograph collections by purchasing signed items at the merchandise sale, including pucks, photos, skates, sticks and gloves. Quantities are limited for all of these one-of-a-kind items.
Additionally, fans can take advantage of 50 percent off select Red Wings, Tigers and Pistons merchandise such as T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats.
The sale will open to the general public starting at 10:00 a.m. and will be run on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans who cannot attend the equipment and memorabilia sale can still make a purchase by calling Hockeytown Authentics at 248-680-0965. Phone orders will be taken starting at 1:00 p.m.
Take this Tavares rumor with salt(?)
Boston Bruins hockey writer Jimmy Murphy suggested on Twitter that the Red Wings may make a strong pitch for John Tavares’ services should the Islanders’ captain not re-sign with the Lou Lamoriello-led New York regime:
NHL scout to me just now: You forgot two teams for Tavares! Detroit and Boston. And put the Wings in top 2! #JohnTavares
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) May 23, 2018
Griffins announce 6 guaranteed home dates
The Grand Rapids Griffins Tweeted out 6 guaranteed home dates for the 2018-19 season:
ICYMI – Here are our 6 guaranteed dates for the 2018-19 season including @Huntington_Bank Opening Night on Fri. Oct. 12! Mark your calendars: https://t.co/y5xdu2sU1K pic.twitter.com/ZAb8PiW1pn
— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) May 23, 2018
HSJ’s mailbag: Mike Green may yet be re-signed
The Free Press’s Helene St. James answered mailbag questions today, and she clarifies the Mike Green situation:
HSJ: Green was the Wings’ top source of offense from the back end among the regulars, and it’s meager after him. Green had a .50 points-per-game average this past season, with Niklas Kronwall coming in second at .34. Trevor Daley was third at .21. If Green is not on the team, who is going to help with the points? Prospect Filip Hronek had a very good first year of pro hockey with 39 points in 67 games with Grand Rapids, entrusted with running one of the power play units. He played well at the World Championship. Dennis Cholowski (drafted 20th overall in 2016) is a smooth skater with good offensive instincts who is headed into his first year of pro hockey. Maybe one of them can make the team out of camp.
Green had neck surgery in April, so I know there’s a wariness there about his health. I’d expect the sides to talk sometime in June, see if there’s a fit.
USA Hockey names John Vanbiesbrouck assistant executive director
From USA Hockey:
John Vanbiesbrouck Tabbed Assistant Executive Director of Hockey Operations for USA Hockey
Will take over for the late Jim Johannson; To begin duties June 4
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – John Vanbiesbrouck (Detroit, Mich.), a Hall of Fame goaltender who has spent the last five years as general manager and director of hockey operations for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks, has been named assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey it was announced today.
“We are beyond thrilled to have John join our staff,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. “Through his exceptional playing career, what he has done since retiring and his history with USA Hockey, John is well positioned to lead a very important part of our organization and I know he is excited to get started.”
Vanbiesbrouck’s responsibilities will include oversight of all of USA Hockey’s international efforts, including its men’s, women’s and sled programs as well as the National Junior Development Program.
“It is really exciting to get someone with John’s background,” said Jim Smith, president of USA Hockey. “He brings a unique perspective, including being a key volunteer for our organization for the last year eight years.”
Vanbiesbrouck, who will also play a significant role in maintaining and enhancing USA Hockey’s relationships with key constituent groups, including the U.S. Olympic Committee and NHL, began his volunteer work in 2008 as an athlete director on USA Hockey’s board of directors and was elected vice president and chair of the Junior Council in 2012.
“John brings knowledge, passion and commitment and will be a terrific leader in helping us continue to advance as a hockey nation,” said Gavin Regan, vice president of USA Hockey and chair of the organization’s International Council. “His credentials speak for themselves and we’re excited to welcome him to this new role.”
During Vanbiesbrouck’s tenure as GM in Muskegon, the Lumberjacks recorded a regular-season record of 162-115-6; won the Eastern Conference title in 2015; and made three trips to the Clark Cup Playoffs, including an appearance in the Clark Cup Final (2015).
“I’m really humbled and honored to have this opportunity,” said Vanbiesbrouck. “I look forward to building on the foundation that has been put in place by Art Berglund and Jim Johannson, among others, and while I know I have much to learn, it’s a challenge that I’m really excited about.”
Vanbiesbrouck had a remarkable NHL playing career that spanned parts of 20 seasons and included stops with the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils. The five-time NHL All-Star won 374 games, the most by any American netminder in NHL history. He earned the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender in the NHL in 1986 as a member of the New York Rangers and 10 years later helped the Florida Panthers advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007 and Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, Vanbiesbrouck has represented the United States on the international stage as a player on nine occasions, including the Olympic Winter Games in 1998; two Canada Cups (1987, 1991), four men’s world championships (1985, 1987, 1989, 1991) and two world junior championships (1982, 1983).
Vanbiesbrouck and his wife Rosalinde have four sons, Ian, Ben, Nick and Daniel.
He will officially begin his duties on June 4th and be based at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich.
The pride of Herning, Frans Nielsen, talks about the home-town World Championship
NHLPA.com’s Tim Wharnsby spoke with Red Wings center Frans Nielsen regarding the recent World Championship, which was held in Copenhagen and Herning, Denmark. The latter locale is Nielsen’s hometown:
“The worlds were great for Denmark,” the Detroit Red Wings veteran centre said. “I think we have gotten a lot of new fans that never watched hockey before. It got so popular they had to put our games on a [television] channel everyone in the country has.”
Hockey always had more appeal for Nielsen over Denmark’s two most popular sports, soccer and team handball.
You see, his father Fritz, coached the local pro team in his hometown of Herning and made it easy for Frans to fall in love with hockey. Herning played host to all of Denmark’s games in the worlds.
“My dad played and coached the pro team in Herning my whole childhood,” Nielsen said. “So basically I grew up in a hockey rink.
“It’s a small town of about 80,000 people. But it’s one of the only towns I would actually call a hockey town in Denmark. There always has been lots of hockey tradition here.”
Chris Osgood speaks with Cotsonika regarding Marc-Andre Fleury
NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika penned an article in which Chris Osgood compared resumes with Marc-Andre Fleury, who’s reclaimed his reputation as a tremendous clutch goalie with the Vegas Golden Knights:
“As your career goes along and you’re in one place, sometimes change is good,” Osgood said. “Murray was there [in Pittsburgh]. He’d won a Cup. Murray’s a great teammate, but at the same time, I think the change of scenery was great for [Fleury].
“Not that you’d ever think this was going to happen on an expansion team. No way. But he’s the centerpiece of that. You’ve got a goalie that’s won the Cup. Put him on that team, that’s the difference-maker. He’s proven that all year. … Not only that, he’s a great guy. He does everything the right way, and now he’s getting rewarded for it.”
Osgood said he thought if Fleury hadn’t sustained a concussion and missed two months of the regular season, he probably would have won the Vezina. Among goaltenders who played at least 45 games, Fleury tied with Antti Raanta of the Arizona Coyotes for first in goals-against average (2.24) and tied with Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators for second in save percentage (.927) behind Raanta (.930).
“It’s not easy, and I’ve done it,” Osgood said. “You lose your job. You’re not playing. You have to bring up these young guys, because you’re a good teammate. I see the difference in [Vegas backup Malcolm] Subban when he’s in there too, the way he plays. The trickle-down effect for having a goalie like that is so great on so many different levels, that people don’t even notice. It’s unbelievable to me, from Subban to the players to when times get tough and you know he’s going to play a great game.”