Saturday, August 30, 2008
Bruins Commercial on NESN
Bruins Commercial on NESN
Sunday, August 24, 2008
David Warsofsky
Jack Parker is often reserved, but mention David Warsofsky, and the Boston University hockey coach has trouble containing his excitement.
Jarmo Kekalainen, the assistant general manager of the St. Louis Blues, also believes his club has a winner in the diminutive defenseman from Marshfield, who will head to BU this fall after being chosen by the Blues in the fourth round (95th overall) of the National Hockey League draft in July.
Standing 5 foot 9 and weighing 168 pounds, the 18-year-old has spent a young career erasing doubts caused by his size.
"He's such a talented player and a competitor," said Parker. "He's one of the top players in the world at his position. He's not the biggest defenseman in the world, that's for sure, but he's got everything else."
Kekalainen said, "We think he's going to be an NHL player some day. People might pass on him because he's short, but I don't think that's the whole thing."
Warsofsky, despite the absence of a bruising frame, has world-class hockey sense, dynamic offensive skills, and excellent skating ability. He was captain of the US National Under-18 team this year, finishing third on the team in scoring.
Warsofsky has had his puck passport stamped in Ashburnham and in Ann
"I'm really excited," he said by phone, after having dinner with his parents in Marshfield. "I've been away from home for three years."
He's come back to where he got his first taste of hockey - Mark and Dawn Warsofsky's driveway. That's where he battled with older brothers Ryan, now a sophomore defenseman at Sacred Heart, and Adam, an assistant coach at Curry College.
David went on to play against top local talents such as Dorchester's Jimmy Hayes and fellow BU import Andrew Glass in junior leagues, then spent his freshman season at Marshfield High under coach Dan Connolly. As a sophomore, he transferred to Cushing Academy. US national team coach John Hynes invited him to the Under-18 program after Warsofsky scored 49 points in 29 games his senior year at Cushing. Warsofsky was the Under-18s' second-leading scorer (9-31-40 in 56 games) last year.
"I think the thing that's special about him is his hockey sense," said Hynes. "He can anticipate where the puck's going to go."
Parker agreed. "He's got Larry Bird court sense," said the BU coach. "He sees things before everyone else can see it."
Independent scout Kyle Woodlief, who has seen Warsofsky play since his Cushing days, likens the defenseman's skills to NHL players Brian Rafalski and Kimmo Timonen."He's a guy who can move the puck and beat the neutral-zone trap with a home-run pass," said Woodlief.
Parker says Warsofsky isn't limited to one position. "We figure on him playing a big role for us," said the longtime BU boss. "He's a freshman, so he has to step in and earn his ice time, but at the same time he's projected as being a power-play defenseman and an offensive force 5-on-5 as well. He's also a solid defenseman. I think he can be physical when it really needs to be done, but I think he can avoid that and take the puck off a guy's stick. He's pretty clever."
According to his coaches, he's also a leader.
Nearly all the U-18s had played together the previous season as Under-17s, but though he had been in Ann Arbor only a few months, Warsofsky's new teammates voted him captain at midseason. "He came in and he was extremely hungry to learn and make his game better," said Hynes, who instantly plugged in Warsofsky on both power-play units.
In February, Woodlief was in Varkaus, Finland, watching Warsofsky lead the United States to gold at the Five Nations Tournament. Woodlief said he was impressed by how Warsofsky played ice general, quarterbacking the power-play, leading the rush, and even positioning his teammates on face-offs.
"He was the only kid who was out there doing that," said the scout.
Warsofsky captained the United States at April's IIHF Under-18 championships in Kazan, Russia. The Americans dreamed of gold, but they lost a semifinal match to Russia and had to play Sweden for the bronze. Warsofsky paced the team in tournament scoring (7 points), but Hynes said it was his off-ice leadership that carried the squad. "We fell short, and less than 24 hours later we had to go back and play," said Hynes. "At the bronze medal stage, it's all about a team's ability to bounce back and lay their hearts on the line. When you're successful in those games, your captain's a major part of it."
"We practiced the whole year to win that gold medal," said Warsofsky. "It was kind of a heartbreaker, but we rebounded well."
Warsofsky might have his shot at international redemption this December, but on a grander stage. Though he's younger than most of the players, he might have played his way onto the US roster for the Under-20 World Junior Championships in Ottawa. He scored twice during the Aug. 1-9 National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., impressing US coach Ron Rolston with his wicked one-timer and puck sense. "We're always looking for a couple of guys who can create offense from the blue line," said Rolston.
NHL teams feel the same way. Warsofsky's skill set is suited to the way the game has changed in recent years. Puck movers are in high demand, and Warsofsky looks to have a long career.
Since returning home from a trip to St. Thomas, Warsofsky has been working out three days a week and playing pickup with Ryan Whitney, Keith Yandle, and Jim Fahey of the NHL. He took summer classes at BU in July. His parents are longtime BU season ticket holders, so they're even more excited about their son's rise.
But there will always be questions about his size.
"I think whenever I talk to someone it's about my height," he says. "They ask, 'How do you think you're going to get to the next level being that size?' It just makes me work that much harder. I think I've proven that at every level so far."
His new coach has no doubts about Warsofsky's ability.
"Not at all. Not at my level and not at the next level," said Parker. "I think he's got a real good shot of making a living at this."
Warsofsky has no doubt about his own ability.
"Who says I can't make it?" he asks.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Nick Bonino
August 22, 2008
The Terrier Hockey Fan Blog
Scoring has always come naturally to Bonino. The Farmington, Conn., native led his high school in points, then transferred to Avon Old Farms as a repeat junior and also led that team in scoring (26-30-56). He was the top scorer and co-MVP of 2006 Spring (Scholastic) Hockey Night In Boston and #2 scorer in the 2006 HNIB Major Showcase (14-19-33). As a senior, he captained Avon to the 2007 NEPHISA Div. 1 Championship, again leading the Winged Beavers with 23-43-66, finishing 3rd among all New England preps and earning U.S. Hockey Report’s Prep Forward of the Year award by a comfortable margin. In the 2007 NHL entry draft, he was selected by San Jose in the sixth round. Bonino recently took part in our Q&A interview series.
Q—Freshmen often take a while to adapt to the speed of the college game. Was there a fast or slow learning curve for you?
Q—You arrived at BU with a reputation for having great hands, but needing to improve your skating. While the improvement was during the season was evident, do you expect to be able to ratchet it up even more, working with Mike Boyle?
Q—Most observers cite your stick-handling ability as one of your strengths. Have you had to make any adjustments to your stick-handling to meet D1 competition? Can you do the same things as you did in prep/HNIB?
Q--You were an early addition to the penalty-killing corps which is somewhatunusual for a freshman. What makes you a solid PK guy?
Q—After earning co-MVP in the 2006 Spring Hockey Night in Boston event, you became a hotly pursued prospect. What led you to choose BU over Providence and New Hampshire?
Q—As an organization, San Jose tends to encourage its NCAA draft picks to develop in college. Have you discussed future plans with management?
Danny Kristo
August 22, 2008
Puckmania
Little was known about Danny Kristo when the Habs made him their first selection in 2008, on the homefront we knew that we could expect big things from Danny this year due to the fact he's always been a go to guy for the USHL, but what kind of player is Danny Kristo, what does he bring to the equation and most importantly how does he fit the Hab's equation.
Danny Kristo is 6 ft tall 180 Lbs right winger, born in Eden Prairie Minnesota
Scouted Strengths are : North\South Speed with Elite level decision making in all three zones, hard worker with puck possession tenacity.
Scouted Weaknesses : East\West mobility overall gritiness needs improvement as well as his ability to stand out from the pack. needs more imposing confidence to his game and toughness.
Puckmania caught up with Danny as he's preparing for a new Season, and got to learn allot from him ( including his love of Waffles ! )
Q - I was surprised to find out you've decided to join the Ranks of the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota instead of heading to your State's University of Minnesota in 2009 , can you give us some insight into your decision ?
A - I never grew up a Minnesota fan. I always wanted to play for Nodak.We have some family ties to North Dakota so i wanted to play there.
Q - What are your personal and team objectives going back to school this year ?
A - Definitly, my goal for this year is to make World Juniors and to play to the best of my ability. somewhere along top 3 scorers in the USHL would be great. As far as team, the Omaha Lancers won it all last year. I don't think anything less than that the team would be happy with.
Q - Talk to us about going to Russia for the U18's how did that experience mesh into the weave of experiences you've had this year ?
A - Going to Russia was very different. the tournament was great and very fun. i wish we would have came out on top but we fell short. as far the travel and everything it was very demanding. i got food poisoning at the start of the medal round.
Q - Prospect camp must have been an interesting experience, the media here was quick to notice your smooth skating and accurate shot, is there anything in particular Hab's brass wants you to work on ?
A - A lot of people say im a good skater but you can always improve there. i still need to get stronger and work on the little parts of my game.
Q - Describe your reaction the first time you saw Missiaen in goal ?
A - When I saw Jason the only thing I said was where the hell do i shoot? five hole?
Q - Allot of fans are curious about a prospect's mindset going into the combine and draft, what did you find the most grueling ? over two dozen interviews or sitting on that bench waiting to hear your name ?
A - The whole process is a good experience. It was stressful and difficult but exciting. I think the hardest part differs per player. for me it was the bike test at the combine and the interviews.
Q - Talk to us about your experience meeting the Habs at the Combine, did Trevor seem to put the emphasis on certain abilities vis a vis others ?
A - The meeting at the combine went well. I remember it and thought that they liked me after. It was pretty mellow and not to stressful.
Q - One of the funnier comments we've had was Timmins telling us : He's like a young buck in the headlights now, but watch his feet ... he's got really quick feet." Was the initial '' wow '' effect a bit overwhelming at first ? It reminded me allot of a comment he made about Chris Higgins several years ago, so your in good company !
A - Glad i could get compared to Chris Higgins ! But everything is overwhelming at first you tend to deal with it.
Q - Who was your idol growing up ? Was Hockey always your sport ? Any favorite teams then ( it's ok we'll forgive you if it isn't the Habs but it can't be the Bruins ... )
A - Growing up I loved hockey, I would have to say my favorite player is TJ Oshie. I now can say that he is my favorite NHL player now that he has signed. Mike richards from Philadelphia also.
Q - Equipment related : What Skates are you presently sporting ? Any prefered sharpening pattern ?
A - I'm using brand new Stuff from Reebok this year ! ( 9K Reebok )
Q - What stick - Curve style do you presently play with ?
A - Right now, the Easton Special Edition 85 flex Iginla Curve !
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Article on Wilson staying at BU
Monday, August 18, 2008
CCHA will implement Shootouts
I am curious how the stats will be implemented for the CCHA. How will the shootout win look in the CCHA standings, as a win, a tie or something else? In other words will the CCHA still show wins, losses and ties, with ties including both shootout wins and losses. If not, will a second set of CCHA team stats need to be tracked (including stats for possible non-conference teams playing a CCHA team that agrees to play a under the shootout format) so the PWR RPI can be calculated? How will individual stats be determined? Will shootout stats count towards a player’s individual records or will they be excluded?
At the end of the day I will concede my purest hat and consider that shootouts could be an exciting addition to college hockey. Can’t wait to see how it works in the CCHA.