Month: August 2023

The Windsor Spitfires are hosting the “All in 4 ALS” game to raise funds for Ottawa Senators assistant coach Bob Jones today at the WFCU Centre, and the Canadian Hockey League’s website’s Josh Sweetland reports that over 40 OHL Alumni are taking part in the event:

Over 40 OHL Alumni are in Windsor this weekend, lacing up the skates in support of a good friend and contributor to the Ontario Hockey League for more than 25 years.

Ottawa Senators assistant coach Bob Jones shared news of his ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) diagnosis back in January, an ailment also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. A star-studded lineup hits the ice at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Saturday afternoon at 2:00pm in support of a man whose well-travelled journey through the game has touched the lives of so many.

Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Jones played parts of five seasons on the Greyhounds blueline from 1985-90 and returned to the club following his professional career, serving as an assistant coach from 1995-99. Since then, Jones enjoyed coaching stints in Brampton, Sudbury and Windsor, taking the reins as Spitfires head coach in 2010-11. He was also the head coach of the Oshawa Generals from 2015-18 and has been in the professional ranks since, recently completing his fourth season with the Ottawa Senators.

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk headlines a list of current NHL players competing, one that also features more than 40 past and present OHL players and coaches.

The Windsor Spitfires organization, led by owners John Savage, Stephen Savage and Brian Schwab, has done a great deal of work to make the event possible, and a big crowd is expected on hand with proceeds being directed to ALS research initiatives.

For more on the game and to hear from some of Bob Jones’ closest friends, check out Bruce Garrioch’s coverage in the Ottawa Sun.

For more information on the event, visit allin4als.ca.

Continued

Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen takes this quiet Saturday in August to ponder several training camp-related “thoughts“:

Moritz Seider is Still Only 22 Years Old: It’s hard to remember how young Moritz Seider is because he plays like a veteran. It’s probably too early for him to be a Norris Trophy candidate, but it’s not unthinkable. He’s listed on the betting odds, although certainly not as one of the favorites.

Just the fact that it’s acceptable to discuss Seider’s future Norris potential speaks to how valuable he is to the franchise. When the Red Wings are a Stanley Cup contender again, Seider likely will be among the league’s top five all-around defenseman and playing 26+ minutes per game.

This season, the Red Wings will be hoping just for his continued steady improvement. No player in this league, regardless of his skill level, intimidates Seider in a one-on-one defensive situations.

Berggren and Veleno Need to be Better in 2023-24: Jonatan Berggren scored 15 goals last season, but only four goals in his last 28 games.  Joe Veleno only had nine goals and only two in his last 30 games. They are both 23 and need a breakthrough season.

Those two players served a mixed salad with their NHL performances in 2022-23.

“Some positives for sure,” Coach Derek Lalonde said after the season. “They took some steps but they need more growth. I have no problem saying they took a dip in their game towards the end of the year. Understandable for young players. We asked a lot of those guys. Even after the deadline their role increased more and there was an obvious dip in their production, and some of their five-on-five play. I think it’s natural for young players. I think it’s valuable to get those types of minutes in games. Now it’s on them…You would hope there’s a natural growth and progression in their game and they’ll be better for it once camp starts next year.”

Continued

DobberProspects’ Evan Sabourin examines the Red Wings’ prospect pool this morning, discussing 8 players:

Risers

Elmer Soderblom: The 6-8 behemoth was an early season surprise earning a roster spot with the team right out of  training camp and even scored in his first game against Montreal. He played 21 games total in Detroit registering five goals and three assists, but injuries and trouble adjusting to the North American ice would leave him in the press box and he was ultimately sent to Grand Rapids to finish out the season in early January. Skating could be an issue for Soderblom at the NHL level and he will have to work at it to keep up in the NHL. The 2019 sixth round pick has the potential to be a force at that height. His hands are one of his key assets and really stand out for someone with that kind of size. He could also become the net front presence that the Wings have lacked since Tomas Holmstrom retired. He is a very intriguing prospect and also worth a late round stash in most leagues.

Carter Mazur: There was no one in the organization whose stock rose more this past season than Mazur’s. The former University of Denver prospect registered 22 goals and 15 assists in 40 games at the NCAA level. He signed his entry level contract with Detroit in March and was assigned to Grand Rapids where he netted three goals and three assists in six games. After impressing in the AHL, he represented the United States in the World Championship where he recorded four points in ten games, and left quite an impression with Detroit head coach Derek Lalonde who was an assistant on the team. The 2021 third round pick plays with an edge while also possessing  some scoring ability. It remains to be seen how that will translate to the NHL level, but he looks like a player you could slot in for a top six role. It may be difficult for him to make the opening  night roster, but do not be surprised if you see his name called up at some point this season. The Jackson, Michigan native could be a fantasy surprise in the next few years and is definitely worth an add in most dynasty league formats.

Continued

The CHL’s website’s Matt Tidcombe posted a summary of the six Red Wings prospects who plied their trades in the Canadian Hockey League last season–a.k.a. the QMJHL, OHL and WHL:

Nate Danielson (F) — Brandon Wheat Kings
Acquired: 2023 NHL Draft (9th overall)
CHL career stats: 145GP | 59G | 91A | 150PTS

The second CHL player selected at the 2023 NHL Draft, Brandon’s co-captain had a career best 33 goals and 78 points last season. Danielson, whose 667 faceoff wins last year were the 10th most in the WHL, was named to the East Division Second All-Star Team.

Alexandre Doucet (F) — Halifax Mooseheads
Acquired: Free agent
CHL career stats: 240GP | 108G | 139A | 247PTS

During his fantastic 2022-23 season, Doucet penned a free agent deal with Detroit in March. Over the course of 70 games with Val-d’Or and Halifax, Doucet led the QMJHL in goals with 58 while his 115 points ranked third. With Halifax, he scored 31 goals in 36 games and then was tied first in postseason scoring across the CHL with 31 points.

The Sherbrooke, QC., native was selected to the CHL Third All-Star Team and QMJHL Second All-Star Team.

Emmitt Finnie (F) — Kamloops Blazers
Acquired: 2023 NHL Draft (201st overall)
CHL career stats: 112GP | 9G | 32A | 41PTS

Finnie’s second WHL season saw him record nine goals and 35 points in 64 games with Kamloops while in the postseason he had four goals in 14 games. Finnie also suited up four times at the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia.

Continued; Andrew Gibson (Soo Greyhounds), Amadeus Lombardi (Flint Firebirds) and Tnias Mathurin (North Bay Battalion) also played in the CHL this past season.

The “All in 4 ALS” game takes place at Windsor’s WFCU Centre today at 2 PM EDT, and the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch penned an article discussing what the game is about:

Bob Jones was always willing to lend a hand as he climbed the hockey ladder and moved into his current role as an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators.

Now, the club’s kindly coach is trying to help those facing the difficult battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The Senators announced in January that the club’s 53-year-old Jones has been diagnosed with ALS and he opted to share the news publicly to help raise awareness for the ailment, which is widely referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

A literal who’s-who of the hockey world will gather to honour Jones and help raise money for a good cause at the the “All in 4 ALS” fund-raiser in support of the Sunnybrook Hospital foundation on Saturday afternoon with a charity NHL all-star game at the WFCU centre Arena in Windsor.

Among the participants will be Senators captain Brady Tkachuk along with centre Josh Norris and former Ottawa winger Alex DeBrincat. Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, Boston’s Taylor Hall, Anaheim’s Adam Henrique, Philly’s Scott Laughton and Arizona’s Clayton Keller will be part of an impressive roster.

“The response has been outstanding and the amount of sponsorship we’ve been able to get has been unbelievable,” Smith said in a telephone interview from his Windsor home Thursday.

Continued

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed a profile of Red Wings free agent signing Shayne Gostisbehere on Friday:

“When you sign a one-year deal, you’re betting on yourself,” Gostisbehere said. “You’re trusting that organization and that opportunity that’s given to you. I need to have the right opportunity to show what I can do, and I thought it was a great fit.”

Gostisbehere pointed to defenseman Olli Maatta, who was in a similar situation the previous summer and signed a one-year contract with the Wings. Maatta played so well, the Wings extended Maatta for two more years (at a $3 million annual average value), showing one-year deals can work out for both sides.

“Olli was in the same situation as me,” Gostisbehere said. “Fell out of favor somewhere, go somewhere else and resurrects his career and springboards that into a contract extension. That’s the dream of every NHL guy when he gets an opportunity somewhere.”

For Gostisbehere, playing in Arizona the last two seasons was a chance for him to re-establish himself on the NHL radar.

After three seasons of subpar performance in Philadelphia, the Flyers traded Gostisbehere to Arizona in July 2021. Gostisbehere regained his confidence and scored 82 points (24 goals, 58 assists) in 134 games with the Coyotes, before being dealt to Carolina at last season’s trade deadline. In Arizona, Gostisbehere earned significant ice time and sparked the Coyotes’ power play and offensive attack.

“I had a few good years in Philly and then injuries really caught up with me,” Gostisbehere said. “It’s just a blend of falling out of favor there. Thankfully, I got a great opportunity in Arizona and I got to showcase that I could still play in this league and resurrect my career, and a chance in showing people that I’m still a good player. I’ll be forever thankful to the Coyotes organization.”

Continued

Per TSN, former Red Wings center Pius Suter signed a 2-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks on Friday afternoon:

Free agent forward Pius Suter has signed a two-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks, the club announced Friday.

The contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $1.6 million.

Suter, a 27-year-old Swiss centre, arrives in Vancouver after spending the last two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings.

He contributed 29 goals and 31 assists in 161 games with the Wings.

Suter broke into the NHL as an undrafted rookie with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2020-21 season, recording 14 goals and 13 assists in 55 games.

“Bringing in Pius for the next couple of years really helps us strengthen our centre ice position,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in release. “Adding a player who has scored 43 goals the past three seasons will be a boost for us up front and he will also add to our penalty killing unit as well.”

For the price of a preseason game ticket to the Pittsburgh Penguins on September 26th or the Washington Capitals on September 30th, the Red Wings are offering a “silent disco” night on August 26th:

Hockeytown, let's DISCO! 🕺🪩🏒

Join us for the #RedWings Silent Disco on Aug. 26! Ticket includes admission, giveaways, tickets to a preseason game + more!

🎟️ » https://t.co/spJEDJAQxf pic.twitter.com/lmo8YOiQk2

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 11, 2023

DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills filed a profile of Red Wings prospect Amadeus Lombardi this morning:

Detroit Red Wings forward prospect Amadeus Lombardi does has not let his 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame deter him from pursuing his professional hockey dreams.

“I was always small growing up,” Lombardi said on July 3. “Late-bloomer, still kind of growing into my body. It’s obviously gonna take time. I think it kind of helped me growing up, being so small, because I had to learn how to deal with it at such a young age and dealt with it my whole life. It’s always gonna come up, but there’s a lot of small guys who play.”

That approach helped Lombardi enjoy a breakout 2022-23 campaign with the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League. This past season – his second with Flint – Lombardi recorded a team-high 102 points (45-57-102) in 67 regular-season games.

“Hockey is such a team sport,” said Lombardi, who became the first player in Firebirds franchise history to reach the 100-point plateau. “I think we had a really good staff that helped give us a lot to go out and play our best. I had great teammates and linemates, and it all kind of clicked together. For my game, I’m a fast-paced player, more of a playmaker than a shooter. But this year, I really tried to shoot more and be more deceptive.”

Continued

I don’t know whether any of this is true, and I’m going to be blunt: if the accusations are true, then Mr. DeMelo should file a police report. Period.

Anyway, per Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff, Daniel Sprong is being accused of assault via social media:

IndyCar driver Zach Claman DeMelo is accusing Detroit Red Wings forward Daniel Sprong of assaulting him. DeMelo claims the assault took place in a nightclub during the week of the Detroit Grand Prix. He’s also claiming that there were two separate incidents involving him and Sprong.

DeMelo took took social media to make his accusations, posting it on his Instagram stories. He also included a trio of photos of damage he claims Sprong did to his face. in the photos, DeMelo is displaying chipped teeth and a bloodied mouth, along with some scrapes on his arm. He also says he suffered a concussion from the alleged incident.

Continued; again, if these accusations are true, then Mr. DeMelo should file a police report, and these accusations should follow the legal process.