Hockey World Update #1
Hey, it’s Marshall! Since Garret’s doing our entire career updates, we decided that I’ll be the one who’ll update you guy on what happens beside us in the hockey world.
It was a tough season as a Sabres fan as the team was just awful, they finished 29th in the league after trading all of their players: Satan to Toronto, Biron and Paillé to Carolina, Noronen to Pittsburgh, Afinogenov to Washington, Dumont to Colorado, Drury to Florida, Hecht to Ottawa… At least we got a few good players from these trades: Jeff Glass, Joni Pitkanen and Scottie Upshall could be important players in the team’s future.
After finishing first in the league with 56 wins and 118 points, the Devils respectively beat Toronto, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals were they were gonna face the Detroit Red Wings who had eliminated, following a 102 points season good for 2nd place in the west, San Jose, Dallas and Colorado, the last series being quite spectacular as it finished in a close 7th game in which Brian Holzinger scored the OT Game winner for the Wings.
In the Finals, each team separated every game, as the first six games went D-N-D-N-D-N before the 7th game rolled on June 6th. May I note that we had decided to reunite in Ann Arbor with our friends of the USNDP, Atkinson being a huge Red Wings fan. And it was amazing for him as the Red Wings, with Chris Osgood getting the first star, won the game 3-0 on their way to win a Stanley Cup which was lifted by Steve Yzerman! Robert Lang won the Conn Smythe with 19 points in 24 games.
The NHL awards ceremony went like this: Joe Thornton (BOS) won the Art Ross trophy after getting 37 goals and 71 assists for 108 points as leading scorer of the league. He also received the Hart as MVP as he lead the Bruins to a 4th place in the East along with his linemate Jaromir Jagr (BOS) with whom he formed one of the most dangerous duos in the league, Jagr won the Pearson as MVP chosed by the players. Martin St. Louis (TB) won the Rocket Richard trophy after getting 54 goals in 82 games; he also finished with 102 points. Dan Boyle (TB) had an impressive season, getting 16 goals and 42 assists for 58 points on his way to win the Norris trophy for best defenseman. Arguably the best goaltender in the league with the best team, Martin Brodeur (NJ) won the Vezina trophy for best goaltender following a 50 wins season where he had a 2,02GAA and a ,932SAV% with 6SO. Former 1st overall pick Alexander Ovechkin (WAS) won the Calder trophy as Rookie of the year following a 67 points season, winning it in front of former 2nd overall pick Evgeny Malkin (PIT) who had 65 points.
Among other awards, Kirk Maltby (DET) won the Selke trophy, Mike Comrie (PHO) won the Masterton trophy, Coach John Tortorella (TB) won the Adams trophy, Jiri Hudler (WAS) won the King Clancy trophy and Alex Tanguay (COL) won the Lady Byng trophy. The First All-Star team, Second All-Star team and All-Rookie team consisted of:
Näslund (VAN) – Thornton (BOS) – St. Louis (TB)
Boyle (TB) – Redden (OTT)
Brodeur (NJ)
Palffy (OTT) – Sundin (TOR) – Sakic (COL)
Blake (COL) – Kubina (TB)
Luongo (FLA)
Ovechkin (WAS) – Malkin (PIT) – Salmelainen (EDM)
Whitney (PIT) – Dallman (BOS)
Fleury (PIT)
In other leagues, Chicoutimi were the QMJHL champions, Sudbury were the OHL champions and Kootenay the WHL champions as they were going to face each other as well as hosts the London Knights in the Memorial Cup. London won it against Sudbury in an all-OHL final. The Rochester Americans beat the Portland Pirates to be named AHL champions, at least this is something good for us Sabres fans.
In the WJC, Canada won the finals 6-1 against Czech Republic to finally claim a long awaited gold medal in the U20 tournament. USA won the bronze medal.
And now the greatest non-related to us news of the year, the Buffalo Sabres won the draft lottery and are going to get the 1st overall pick in the 2005 entry draft and the chance to draft phenom Sidney Crosby!
Marshall and I decided to watch the draft at home with our dad. Here’s how the first round and the Sabres’ entire draft went:
1- Buffalo Sabres – Sidney Crosby – C
2- Anaheim Mighty Ducks – Kenndal McArdle – LW/RW
3- New York Rangers – Gilbert Brulé – C/RW
4- Minnesota Wild – Bobby Ryan – RW
5- Carolina Hurricanes – Luc Bourdon – LD
6- Chicago Blackhawks – Carey Price – G
7- Los Angeles Kings – Michael Blunden – RW/C
8- Washington Capitals – Alex Bourret – C
9- Nashville Predators – Benoit Pouliot – LW/C
10- Atlanta Thrashers – Martin Hanzal – LW/C
11- Edmonton Oilers – Jakub Vojta – RD
12- Columbus Blue Jackets – Matt Lashoff – LD
13- New York Islanders – Anze Kopitar – C/RW
14- Philadelphia Flyers – Wacey Rabbit – C
15- Phoenix Coyotes – Nicklas Bergfors – RW
16- San Jose Sharks – Jack Johnson – RD/LD
17- St. Louis Blues – Tomas Kudelka – LD
18- Colorado Avalanche – Lukas Vantuch – C
19- Toronto Maple Leafs – Devin Setoguchi – RW/C
20- Montreal Canadiens – Perttu Lindgren – C
21- Calgary Flames – Radek Smonelak – RW
22- Florida Panthers – Tomas Pospisil – C/LW
23- Pittsburgh Penguins – Ryan Stoa – LW/RW
24- Boston Bruins – Ryan O’Marra – C
25- Dallas Stars – Vladimir Karpov – RW
26- Tampa Bay Lightning – Marek Zagrapan – C
27- Chicago Blackhawks – Vladimir Sobotka – C
28- Vancouver Canucks – Jussi Peltomaa – LW
29- New Jersey Devils – Tuukka Rask – G
30- Detroit Red Wings – Jack Skille – RW/C
32- Buffalo Sabres – Chris Moran – C
82- Buffalo Sabres – Alexander Täng – LD
90- Buffalo Sabres – Adam Hobson – C
132- Buffalo Sabres – Denis Pakhomov – RD
152- Buffalo Sabres – Timo Välimäki – G
154- Buffalo Sabres – Matt D’Agostini – RW
182- Buffalo Sabres – Pat Cullity – LD/RD
212- Buffalo Sabres – Petr Horava – RD
242- Buffalo Sabres – Igor Cvetek – LD/RD
In the QMJHL, the PEI Rockets drafted Michael Biega first overall. Kevin Guérette-Charland was the second overall pick by Drummondville and Nicolas Bruneau was drafted third overall by Baie-Comeau.
In the OHL, the Guelph Storm drafted Sam Gagner first overall. Anthony Geldart was the second overall pick by Windsor and Blake Parlett was drafted third overall by St. Michael’s.
In the WHL, the Seattle Thunderbirds drafted Dale Hunt first overall. Travis Bobbee was the second overall pick by Swift Current and David Toews was drafted third overall by Moose-Jaw.
After getting drafted first overall in the CHL Import draft by Seattle, Lukas Vantuch said that he wanted to play in the WHL but he changed his mind following the NHL Draft and will likely stay in Czech Republic. Tuukka Rask, who was drafted second overall by Guelph, said that although he will likely stay in Czech Republic for another season, he might come to the OHL in 2006-2007. The same thing will likely happen to the third overall pick by PEI, Tomas Pospisil. Richard Lelkes will likely come over immediately to Swift Current after being drafted 4th overall.
So that’s what happened in the 2004-2005 Hockey World. I’m going to steal a bit of Garrett’s spotlight to tell you we’ve been training very hard this summer to be in the best shape for the U18 team next season, and it seems to work as we both put up a few pounds. Garrett seems a bit bigger though, but that’s not going to matter on the ice.
Chapter 9: NCAA commitment and USNDP Season 2 should be posted on Wednesday September 14th.