Post by dallaspistols on Aug 20, 2011 10:13:53 GMT -5
Odessa American-YOUR SOURCE FOR PRAIRIE DOGS NEWS ALL SEASON LONG
ODESSA TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW
By Rick Johnson, Odessa Sports Writer
Yesteday the Dallas Pistols shipped down 16 players to the 'Dogs team and they will compete in Monday's tournament with the Montreal Wanderers, held at American Airlines Center over in Dallas, half an hour after Monday morning's skate for the big club. Here's a look at the sixteen, why the got sent down, and what they bring to the table. We'll keep you updated with news as the rookie tournament continues!
ETHAN MOREAU: The captain of the Prairie Dogs, and should stay put in Odessa for this season. At 35, Moreau's bounced around between a few teams, and can help develop young forwards like Lars Eller and Chris Conner, who will likely start out in Odessa but can work their way up to Dallas. Moreau was a former captain of the Edmonton Oilers, of the defunct National Hockey League, and he should be a top 6 forward if everything goes as planned.
DAVID KOCI: Looks like the Pistols aren't interested in too many goons as Koci was shipped down to Odessa. If Tanner Glass and George Parros join him, 3 of the toughest players around will spend the year in West Texas. Koci clearly was brought in two one thing, to provide energy through physical play and protect younger, smaller players like Eller, Chorney and Tim Stapleton.
BRETT CARSON: Carson was a 7th round pick in last week's dispersal draft, the last pick by the Pistols. Jordan Hendry was pencilled in as the 7th D-man here in Odessa, and when Hendry was shipped out of town for Abdelkader (dealt for Lupul), Carson was a fit for the spot. Carson will see a lot of minutes in the rookie tourney, he can move the puck well for a 6'4 defenseman but needs to develop speed and defensive consistency before he can be a big-minutes guy in Odessa. Carson is 25 years old.
MICHAEL HALEY: Haley was picked up late in the July entry draft, he looked to be in over his head at his 2 Pistols' skates, with a couple of turnovers. He didn't show much offensive ability, but the team saw his energy and scrappiness and took a chance on Haley. Michael's not very big for a fourth-line fighter, at 5'10 and will be lucky to average above 5 minutes per game in Odessa's inaugural season.
ADAM HALL: Hall was named one of the alternate captains for Odessa, he's got more experience than many guys at age 30 and was drafted back in June through the NLHS free-agent draft. Hall has shown penalty-killing and faceoff skills in the past, these are some skills he'll need to show in the rookie camp and in Odessa's season if he wants one more shot in Dallas. Hall's offense has been doubted in the past, but undoubtedly he'll be a valuable 2-way forward for the Dogs.
KRIS NEWBURY: Similar player to Haley, both 5'10 energy players who didn't show enough offensive ability and consistency to make Dallas. Newbury has taken many lazy penalties in the past, will need to work for his ice time in Odessa, here's a guy who needs to get off to a good start with the Prairie Dogs or things could get ugly.
ALEX AULD: While Joey MacDonald battles for the #2 spot in Dallas against James Reimer, Auld has a chance to shine in both the rookie tournament and preseason. He's a big goalie and covers a lot of net, but is unathletic compared to guys like Reimer, Marc-Andre Fleury and even 41-year-old Dwayne Roloson. Auld used to be a goaltender for the Manitoba Moose where he was a solid AHL tender, but does not quite have the ability to be a NLHS netminder.
TROY BODIE: Bodie's not much of a skill player, a common theme for these Praire Dog forwards, but is a good 2 way forward that is known to lay out some big hits. Bodie was a favorite of assistant Odessa coach Anson Carter.
JESSE JOENSUU: When Joensuu heard he was being sent to the minors, he threatened to leave the team and play in the FLHS, a Finish-elite Sim League. Joensuu was convinced to stay by GM Carter Liebzeit after being promised a spot on the second line and is a quick and energetic player that could rack up over 50 points between 5on5 time and the 2nd powerplay unit.
TIM STAPLETON: Speedy forward who spent time overseas in the past, could be a top 6, 20 goal forward in the farm club but at 5'8 he isn't much of a physical threat, and not very solid defensively.
BEN LOVEJOY: Lovejoy will be one of Odessa's American stars, he's a puck moving defenseman with some speed and a poweplay threat. Will likely be paired up with Adam Pardy on the PP when Pardy comes down, Lovejoy was one of the most surprising Dallas cuts as many thought coach Cherry would give him a look. GM Liebzeit likely decided Lovejoy wasn't as strong as other puck movers like Karlsson and Enstrom in the big leagues, and Odessa's gotta be happy to have a guy like this.
DERYK ENGELLAND: A rugged defensemen without a lot of speed, should be on the 3rd defense pair and probably will be a mainstay in Odessa. A good locker room guy (although has fought teammate George Parros a couple times in the past, Engel says it's "All part of the business")
ANDREW ALBERTS: Veteran D-Man that looked slow and out of shape at Pistols camp, a bit of a defensive liability. Alberts does have some size, smarts and experience and will be an Alternate captain.
TAYLOR CHORNEY-Accquired in the entry draft, a quick, smooth skating defenceman with a lot of potential. He'll be one of the interesting players to watch in camp as he plays for his ice time.
SCOTT NICHOL-Another alternate captain, is known for his faceoff ability and defensive skills, but has struggled with injuries in the past. He could be a Prairie Dogs fan favorite if he stays healthy
MIKE LUNDIN-He's quick and defensively sound, not physical but if paired with a guy like Engelland they could compliment each other quite nicely. Lundin has some potential to be a #6 or #7 Defender for Dallas later in the season.
SUMMARY: These Prairie Dogs are long shots for the playoffs but Odessa will be a tough place to play with the (hopefully) excited fan base here in West Texas, and likely a few brawls. The starting goalie job is up for grabs, MacDonald is the early favorite to start but Auld's got a chance. The 5 defensemen sent down by Liebzeit are 5 unique players with different skill sets. Hopefully their balance and size can make up for the lack of offense and shut other teams down, as the Prairie Dogs hope for success going in to camp here in Odessa!
The Lines for the rookie tournament are:
Moreau-Haley-Joensuu
Koci-Hall-Bodie
Nichol-Newbury-Stapleton
Lundin-Engelland
Alberts-Carson
Chorney-Lovejoy
Auld
ODESSA TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW
By Rick Johnson, Odessa Sports Writer
Yesteday the Dallas Pistols shipped down 16 players to the 'Dogs team and they will compete in Monday's tournament with the Montreal Wanderers, held at American Airlines Center over in Dallas, half an hour after Monday morning's skate for the big club. Here's a look at the sixteen, why the got sent down, and what they bring to the table. We'll keep you updated with news as the rookie tournament continues!
ETHAN MOREAU: The captain of the Prairie Dogs, and should stay put in Odessa for this season. At 35, Moreau's bounced around between a few teams, and can help develop young forwards like Lars Eller and Chris Conner, who will likely start out in Odessa but can work their way up to Dallas. Moreau was a former captain of the Edmonton Oilers, of the defunct National Hockey League, and he should be a top 6 forward if everything goes as planned.
DAVID KOCI: Looks like the Pistols aren't interested in too many goons as Koci was shipped down to Odessa. If Tanner Glass and George Parros join him, 3 of the toughest players around will spend the year in West Texas. Koci clearly was brought in two one thing, to provide energy through physical play and protect younger, smaller players like Eller, Chorney and Tim Stapleton.
BRETT CARSON: Carson was a 7th round pick in last week's dispersal draft, the last pick by the Pistols. Jordan Hendry was pencilled in as the 7th D-man here in Odessa, and when Hendry was shipped out of town for Abdelkader (dealt for Lupul), Carson was a fit for the spot. Carson will see a lot of minutes in the rookie tourney, he can move the puck well for a 6'4 defenseman but needs to develop speed and defensive consistency before he can be a big-minutes guy in Odessa. Carson is 25 years old.
MICHAEL HALEY: Haley was picked up late in the July entry draft, he looked to be in over his head at his 2 Pistols' skates, with a couple of turnovers. He didn't show much offensive ability, but the team saw his energy and scrappiness and took a chance on Haley. Michael's not very big for a fourth-line fighter, at 5'10 and will be lucky to average above 5 minutes per game in Odessa's inaugural season.
ADAM HALL: Hall was named one of the alternate captains for Odessa, he's got more experience than many guys at age 30 and was drafted back in June through the NLHS free-agent draft. Hall has shown penalty-killing and faceoff skills in the past, these are some skills he'll need to show in the rookie camp and in Odessa's season if he wants one more shot in Dallas. Hall's offense has been doubted in the past, but undoubtedly he'll be a valuable 2-way forward for the Dogs.
KRIS NEWBURY: Similar player to Haley, both 5'10 energy players who didn't show enough offensive ability and consistency to make Dallas. Newbury has taken many lazy penalties in the past, will need to work for his ice time in Odessa, here's a guy who needs to get off to a good start with the Prairie Dogs or things could get ugly.
ALEX AULD: While Joey MacDonald battles for the #2 spot in Dallas against James Reimer, Auld has a chance to shine in both the rookie tournament and preseason. He's a big goalie and covers a lot of net, but is unathletic compared to guys like Reimer, Marc-Andre Fleury and even 41-year-old Dwayne Roloson. Auld used to be a goaltender for the Manitoba Moose where he was a solid AHL tender, but does not quite have the ability to be a NLHS netminder.
TROY BODIE: Bodie's not much of a skill player, a common theme for these Praire Dog forwards, but is a good 2 way forward that is known to lay out some big hits. Bodie was a favorite of assistant Odessa coach Anson Carter.
JESSE JOENSUU: When Joensuu heard he was being sent to the minors, he threatened to leave the team and play in the FLHS, a Finish-elite Sim League. Joensuu was convinced to stay by GM Carter Liebzeit after being promised a spot on the second line and is a quick and energetic player that could rack up over 50 points between 5on5 time and the 2nd powerplay unit.
TIM STAPLETON: Speedy forward who spent time overseas in the past, could be a top 6, 20 goal forward in the farm club but at 5'8 he isn't much of a physical threat, and not very solid defensively.
BEN LOVEJOY: Lovejoy will be one of Odessa's American stars, he's a puck moving defenseman with some speed and a poweplay threat. Will likely be paired up with Adam Pardy on the PP when Pardy comes down, Lovejoy was one of the most surprising Dallas cuts as many thought coach Cherry would give him a look. GM Liebzeit likely decided Lovejoy wasn't as strong as other puck movers like Karlsson and Enstrom in the big leagues, and Odessa's gotta be happy to have a guy like this.
DERYK ENGELLAND: A rugged defensemen without a lot of speed, should be on the 3rd defense pair and probably will be a mainstay in Odessa. A good locker room guy (although has fought teammate George Parros a couple times in the past, Engel says it's "All part of the business")
ANDREW ALBERTS: Veteran D-Man that looked slow and out of shape at Pistols camp, a bit of a defensive liability. Alberts does have some size, smarts and experience and will be an Alternate captain.
TAYLOR CHORNEY-Accquired in the entry draft, a quick, smooth skating defenceman with a lot of potential. He'll be one of the interesting players to watch in camp as he plays for his ice time.
SCOTT NICHOL-Another alternate captain, is known for his faceoff ability and defensive skills, but has struggled with injuries in the past. He could be a Prairie Dogs fan favorite if he stays healthy
MIKE LUNDIN-He's quick and defensively sound, not physical but if paired with a guy like Engelland they could compliment each other quite nicely. Lundin has some potential to be a #6 or #7 Defender for Dallas later in the season.
SUMMARY: These Prairie Dogs are long shots for the playoffs but Odessa will be a tough place to play with the (hopefully) excited fan base here in West Texas, and likely a few brawls. The starting goalie job is up for grabs, MacDonald is the early favorite to start but Auld's got a chance. The 5 defensemen sent down by Liebzeit are 5 unique players with different skill sets. Hopefully their balance and size can make up for the lack of offense and shut other teams down, as the Prairie Dogs hope for success going in to camp here in Odessa!
The Lines for the rookie tournament are:
Moreau-Haley-Joensuu
Koci-Hall-Bodie
Nichol-Newbury-Stapleton
Lundin-Engelland
Alberts-Carson
Chorney-Lovejoy
Auld