In The Nest: Fledgling Report (2009 Prospects)

I intended my “In the Nest” features to showcase the prospects from the most recent draft. So this year I’ve been focusing on the 2010 draft with the likes of Telegin, Melchiori and Owuya. I can’t forget my first babies though, so I deciding to do a “fledgling report.” These guys aren’t fresh out of the egg, but are still “in the nest.”

Levko Koper LW (Spokane Chiefs WHL) -
Levko Koper has been tearing the WHL up this season! In 69 games he has 81 points and is a plus-20! The Chiefs star had four 3 point games and two four point games. Recently Levko displayed his shootout skills while leading the team to their 7th victory in a row. He scored the only goal in the shoot out to help the team beat the Kootenay Ice 4-3. He is also in the Top 20 scorers (18th) in the WHL. Nice job, Levko!

Ed Pasquale G (Gwinnet and Chicago) - Former Sagina Spirit Goalie, Ed Pasquale, has hit the big time. He split the season serving as back up on both the Gwinnet Gladiators and the Chicago Wolves. He played a total of 28 games and had 15 wins. According to my (butchered) math, he had a GAA of about 3.27 and a SV% of .900.

Cody Sol D (Kitchener Rangers OHL) - Cody Sol was playing with a new team this year. The Saginaw Spirit traded him to the Kitchener Rangers where he is now playing with fellow Thrashers property, Julian Melchiori. Valued for his defensive ability and big-bodied stay at home play, Cody’s powerful shot does contribute to the score sheet at times. Cody played 57 games this season and scored 15 points.

Ben Chiarot D ( Saginaw Spirit OHL) - Ben Chiarot has been on Thrashers fans’ radars this week as he’s been in the news for signing an entry level contract with Atlanta. Ben split his 2010-11 season between the Sudsbury Wolves and the Saginaw Spirit. He played a total of 61 games, scoring 34 points (9 goals 25 assists).

Jimmy Bubnick RW (Calgary Hitmen WHL) - Jimmy Bubnick had an eventful season last year that included scoring 53 points, being traded to the Calgary Hitmen and playing for the Memorial Cup! Jimmy’s numbers aren’t as grand so far this season. He’s played in 60 games and has only scored 27 points. The Hitmen as a team have struggled this season and are not expected (as of March 2) to make the playoffs. Jimmy was one of several regulars lost due to injury or illness. Feel better and hit the ice! See you in training camp!

Jordan Samuels-Thomas F( Bowling Green State University) - Another of my favorites from this draft was Jordan Samuels-Thomas, a good Connecticut boy like my husband. In the regular season, Jordan played in 36 games and had 21 points. Post season, Jordan is doing his part to help the Bowling Green Falcons be successful in the playoffs. He has now scored in four of his five career postseason games he has played in. He scored in all three playoff games last weekend.

Carl Klingberg LW (Vastra Frolunda HC Goteborg) - It’s no secret my favorite of the 2009-10 draft is Carl Klingberg. Even after he de-friended me on facebook, I’ve enjoyed following him. Hey I understand, you are a big star and all now. Carl has had an exciting year. In addition to playing 38 games this season with the Frolunda Indians (scoring 3 points) he played 11 games with Timra and scored 5 points. Carl didn’t feel like he was getting enough ice time with the Indians, so he asked for and was granted a loan to Timra. After the SEL season was over, it was reported that Carl was headed to the Chicago Wolves for the remainder of the season though I can’t find any information on him playing there. I guess as of this time (3-16-11) he has not played for the Wolves. Carl also had some international play, representing Sweden along side his brother John in the WJC U20. He played in 6 games and had 3 goals and an assist.

For My Levko Lovers!

My husband was fabulous enough to go to Rookie Camp for me this week, but he didn't get much to satisfy the Levko Koper fans who follow him with the Spokane chiefs. Fortunately, one of my photo buddies, Tim Stoklas snapped these shots of Levko.



Enjoy!

Thanks, Tim!

Rookie Camp and First Scrimmage

I couldn't be a rink rat this week and check out rookie camp, fortunately I found a job! Even more fortunately, my husband is off this week and agreed to go and check out the camp for me and take some pictures.


This is my husband....hiding behind The Hockey News. He's not much on having his picture taken.



Esposito and Levko



Nice shot of Pasquale's mask.



Let the scrimmage start!



Levko puts a shot on net.



My husband said that Forney was being pretty fancy. Lots of through the legs and no look passes.



The guys getting some instruction.



It's all over when the bucket comes out! My husband said that after he put the camera away Cormier and Paquette were playing around. Cormier was holding Paquette by the throat against the boards, just goofing off. Aliu skated by and bumped him sending him sprawling into Paquette. Then they all started play fight. I think hubby learned his lesson...don't put the camera up so quickly!


As for how the guys looked, Serge agreed with the Blueland Blog, that it was more physical. The level of play was amped up a bit more than at Prospect Camp.

Patrice Cormier - vocal guy. Was jawing at some guys and joking around. Gave Bubnick some lip (good natured) when he came back on the ice after injury. Took and gave several hits.

Sebastian Owuya - Played well, good mobility. Not out of position often.

Fredrik Pettersson - fast good skater. Gave and took hits.

Alex Burmistrov - thought he was coasting a bit. He didn't do anything that stood out. He thinks that maybe he is waiting for training camp to really turn on the gas.

Big thanks to my husband for heading out to Duluth and taking pictures. He's more of a watcher, so he's still getting the hang of this taking pictures AND watching thing. He'll be back tomorrow!

2010 Prospect Camp - Day Five (Final Day)

Hard to believe another prospect has come and gone. I've enjoyed watching the camp immensely. Of course in July you are so happy to see anything happening on-ice that prospect camp is like Game 7 of the Stanley cup.


Camp was only 5 days this season, as opposed to 6 days last season. Since I live so far from the rink, I had been skipping the morning session, but since it was the last day, I wanted to go! The final day consisted of 2 hours of drills, an hour for each team. After a 4 1/2 hour break, there was another hour of drills followed by the final 4 on 4 scrimmage.


Team Blue was on the ice for drills first. They pulled bot nets close together and did some 2 on 1 and 2 on 3 drills. Alex Kangas is getting ready for action.



Some action on Carrozzi's end.



Melchiori and Kangas heading in after morning drills.



Obligatory Carrozzi stretching picture.



Team White takes the ice. Pasquale stretches.



Levko waiting his turn for drills.



Levin says no.



Time to drag the nets closer. Levin took a while doing some maintenance on the net. Here he is getting geared up.



Pasquale going down for a save.



Akim Aliu taking it to Pasquale.



Stretchy time. Levko wondering why the hell he gets all of the paparazzi attention.



Time to pick up the pucks! Our new Russians, Telegin and Burmistrov, play a little game where they try and flip the pucks into the bucket.



What ever their little game is, I guess they won!



Taking some action to Levin.



Klingberg, Forney, Albert and Jordan waiting their turn for drills.



Klingy in drills.



Our first round draft pick, Alexander Burmistrov.



Burmistrov taking it Levin.



More lines waiting for drills.



It's a good thing these guys are joking around, this isn't a battle Burmistrov would want.



More pushing and shoving.



Time for some 4 on 4!
Jordan and Bubnick battling for the puck.



Carl coming in to shoot on Pasquale.



Finally! A picture of Levin without the mask.



Face Off



Blue Team Score!



Cody Sol defending his net from Levko Koper.



Team White watching the action.



Face off for the second period.



Kangas makes a save.



Native son, Vinny Saponari, takes a shot on goal.



Bubnick wants to jump in the action.

Shoot out!
Mike Forney in the shoot out.



Team White watching the shoot out.



Owuya coming in for a shot.



Bubnick in the shoot out.



Scrimmage over! "Good games," hand shakes and butt smacks for all.



Lasu doesn't want it to be over and skates around for a while.



Burmistrov starts up his puck/bucket game again.



I guess Alex isn't playing correctly or quickly enough for Telegin's liking.


Training camp is over. Time to say good bye to (most of) the babies until next year. Now comes the worst part of the off season.