Category Archives: Uncategorized

Prospect round-up: Eliasson steps in for ‘mop up duty,’ stops 31 shots

Of prospect-related note:

In the ICE Hockey League, Jesper Eliasson played as the “reliever” after teammate Jean Phillipe Lamoreaux gave up 4 goals on 10 shots, coming in and stopping 31 of 34 shots as Red Bulls Salzburg lost 7-0 to Fehervahr AVS 19;

In NCAA Hockey, Seth Barton finished even in the University of Massachusetts-Lowell Riverhawks‘ 2-1 win over UConn;

And at the World Junior Championship, the Swedes got out of quarantine (except for the two team executives who have the coronavirus, who are stuck in their hotel rooms until December 27th) and practiced in Edmonton. No reports from the 4 PM EST practice as of yet.

Toledo Walleye offering fans the chance to be in the ‘audience’ via Fan Cutouts

From the Toledo Walleye and the Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe:

Griffins raise funds, food at ‘Virtual Teddy Bear Toss’

From the Grand Rapids Griffins comes good news:

GRIFFINS’ TEDDY BEAR TOSS & HOLIDAY DRIVE NETS SLEIGHFUL FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Griffins fans exhibited their generosity and holiday spirit during the team’s drive-thru Teddy Bear Toss & Holiday Drive at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park last Tuesday, Dec. 15, donating the following during the two-hour event:

• Nearly 800 stuffed animals for the Billy Bear Hug Foundation, giving comfort to children with critical illnesses in West Michigan and continuing the Griffins’ two-decade Teddy Bear Toss tradition. Event sponsor J&H Family Stores also collected some of these stuffed animals at their locations last week;

• 1,242 pounds of non-perishable food for Feeding America West Michigan, providing 1,035 meals to families facing hunger within our community;

• Cash, coins and online donations totaling $1,398.53 for The Salvation Army, helping rescue Christmas for those who need it most this season.

Those still wishing to make a donation to any or all of these organizations are encouraged to do so by using the links above.

“We were overwhelmed – but not surprised – at the outpouring of support from our fans last week,” said Bob Kaser, Griffins vice president of community relations and broadcasting. “Those couple of hours served as an emphatic reminder that our fans miss hockey and the Griffins organization misses our fans. What a night!”

Multimedia Links:

Griffins recap video
Griffins photo gallery
WOOD TV8 coverage
WZZM 13 coverage 

The final numbers are in from our Teddy Bear Toss & Holiday Drive event!

Nearly 800 stuffed animals collected

1,242 pounds of non-perishable food = 1,035 meals to families

Cash, coins & online donations totaling $1,398.53

Watch a full recap of the event ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/SRP4g9D67t— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) December 21, 2020

Tweet of note: On Lucas Raymond

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One more “Tweet of note,” via The Athletic’s Max Bultman, comes this from EP Rinkside’s J.D. Burke:

Tweet of note: McKenzie reports Sweden to practice today

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After over a week in quarantine due to positive coronavirus tests, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that the Swedish World Junior Championship (which includes Lucas Raymond, Theodor Niederbach, Gustav Berglund, Albert Johansson and Elmer Soderblom) will be emerging from their hotel rooms to skate in Edmonton today:

SWE ?? emerges from quarantine today at the @IIHFHockey World Junior Championship and are scheduled to have a full team practice at 4 p.m. MT in the EDM WJC Bubble.— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 21, 2020

Update: FYI:

The IIHF has announced the latest results from the pre-competition COVID-19 testing of all players, staff, and tournament officials in the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship Bubble.

Read more at https://t.co/LD2SyMsaFb pic.twitter.com/ElnCPCT7S5— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 21, 2020

Tweet of note: Keith Petruzzelli named ECAC’s 2nd star of the week

From the ECAC hockey conference:

Congrats to Keith Petruzzelli on earning #ECACHockey Second Star of the Week Honors after our first week of play! #BobcatNation pic.twitter.com/WCAplc4rOk— Quinnipiac Men’s Ice Hockey (@QU_MIH) December 21, 2020

Here’s the press release:

Second Star: Keith Petruzzelli

Petruzzelli (Sr. – Abriham, Mass.) started in net for all four games for the Bobcats this week, going 2-2 in games that were all against teams that were nationally-ranked or receiving votes. He posted 101 saves while allowing just eight goals for a .927 save percentage and 2.06 GAA. In both games against No. 12 Bowling Green, he made more than 30 saves and had a better than .925 save percentage. 

Talking about the ‘taxi squad’

WDIV’s Dave Bartkowiak Jr. wrote a fine primer on the 2020-2021 NHL season for Red Wings fans this morning, offering critical dates, important divisional notes and this question as to what the Red Wings might do with their four-to-six-man “taxi squad”:

The Red Wings — and all teams — will be allowed 36 players at training camp. Again, they’ll have to trim that to a 23-player roster before the season (remember there are no preseason games) with the addition of up to four to six players.

In the case of the Red Wings, training camp could be wild. We’re looking at a team with a long list of players who are trying to pry their way into a NHL lineup. Can you imagine the ferocity at training camp with so many young players working to make this team?

There will be at least one goalie required on the tax squad. Should we see 22-year-old goalie Filip Larsson in net at some point? What about 2017 first-round draft pick Michael Rasmussen? He just put up 18 points in 18 games in the Austrian league. Will defenseman Gustav Lindstrom be part of this?

I can’t wait to see what this taxi squad looks like. Mathias Bromé, the Swedish league goal scorer who Steve Yzerman signed to a one-year deal in April, is apparently making the trip to North America now. The 26-year-old left wing has 20 points in 23 games with Orebo this season.

Continued; this week’s podcast will have a little more about the concept.

LeBrun: Among coaches on the last year of their deals, Jeff Blashill’s fate is To Be Determined (TBD)

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun answers questions regarding important storylines which require resolutions prior to the upcoming 2020-2021 season, and he offers this tidbit regarding Wings coach Jeff Blashill’s future:

As I wrote in October, there are six NHL head coaches approaching the season on expiring deals. Travis Green (Vancouver), John Tortorella (Columbus), Jeremy Colliton (Chicago), Jeff Blashill (Detroit), Rick Tocchet (Arizona) and Rod Brind’Amour (Carolina) are up after this season.

If I had to guess, Colliton gets an extension early in the season, Green gets one during the season and Tortorella and Brind’Amour before the regular season ends May 8. We’ll see how things play out with Blashill and Tocchet.

Continued (paywall); you and I both know that the Red Wings’ attempts to ice a more competitive team this upcoming season will determine whether Blashill receives an extension by the end of the 20-21 season.

Steve Yzerman seems to be a believer in Blashill’s abilities, but there’s this lingering feeling that he’s going to bring in his own “guy” at some point.