Canada Day is a day to celebrate, spend time with friends, and more likely than not, party to some extent. Whether it be a beach day, cookout or bonfire, versatility in your outfit is key, while mixing in comfort and practicality as well. While our Team Look of the Week this week isn’t exactly team based, you could certainly sub in some hockey apparel if you’d like. Who doesn’t love a hockey tank top? Light weight maxi skirts are pretty much the key to the summer look and the sooner you get behind the movement, the happier you’ll be – trust us! With the Canadian flag being red and white, we stuck to that color scheme, with a few simple maple leafs thrown in for good measure, as seen on the sunglasses and the maple leaf bracelet.
While we picked a crop top to go with the maxi skirt, not everyone feels comfortable rockin’ that style and that’s perfectly okay – a red tank top or t-shirt tucked in would make for a cute alternative! Simplicity in hot weather is always the way to go, but choosing a statement necklace will dress up the basics and give your outfit a little extra sparkle.
Flip flops or sandals are a smart decision, because you never know when you’ll be kicking them off and no one wants to deal with strappy stilettos when you’re key objective is to have fun as quickly as possible.
Lastly, bring a sweater, jacket, something with you. Despite the unbearable temperatures during the day, you’ll thank us when you have a layer of bug protection as you roast marshmallows around the camp fire or watch the fireworks light up the sky. We chose a non traditional moto style jean jacket to pair with the tank and maxi, but the traditional style would look just as great.
Remember, you can mix and match the color scheme and pair these items for any event, get creative… while you may not be rockin’ the rink in the offseason, there’s no reason why you can’t still be dominating the fashion game.
(Photo: US Presswire)
The NHL has two classifications for the free agents when they reach the end of their contract term: restricted free agents (RFAs) and unrestricted free agents (UFAs). Unrestricted free agent, as the name implies. have much more freedom in where they sign for the next season. They are players that are either 27 years of age or older or have played 7 seasons.
Restricted free agents (players that are under 27-years-old and have played fewer than 7 seasons) could potentially have fewer options. This season, teams have until 5pm EST on June 30th to make qualifying offers to their restricted free agents. Any RFAs not receiving a qualifying offer become unrestricted free agents. Once a qualifying offer has been issued, the team retains the rights to negotiate with that player. The team also retains the right to match any offer made to the player by another team interested in signing him.
To make it easier on all of you, we’ve compiled a list of which teams have issued qualifying offers so far and who got them. This list does not include any players who have already signed extensions. The deadline has passed, but some teams have not yet released the information.
Anaheim Ducks
No information available at this time
Arizona Coyotes
Issued qualifying offers
Forwards: Brandon McMillan, Jordan Szwarz
Not issued qualifying offs: Mathieu Brodeur, Justin Weller
Boston Bruins
Issued qualifying offers
Forwards: Reilly Smith, Matt Fraser, Jordan Caron, Justin Florek, Craig Cunningham, Tyler Randell
Defensemen: Torey Krug, Matt Bartkowski, Zach Trotman, David Warsofsky, Tommy Cross
No RFAs were left without qualifying offers
Buffalo Sabres
Issued qualifying offers
Forwards: Luke Adam
Defensemen: Chad Ruhwedel
Goalie: Matt Hackett
Not issued qualifying offer: Cory Conacher, Connor Knapp, Jamie McBain
Calgary Flames
Issued qualifying offers
Forwards: Joe Colborne, Lance Bouma, Ben Hanowski
Defensemen: Chad Billins, Mark Cundari
Goalie: Joni Ortio
Not issued qualifying offers: Paul Byron, TJ Galiardi, David Eddy, James Martin, Olivier Roy
Carolina Hurricanes
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Zach Boychuk, Greg Nemisz, Justin Shugg, Jiri Tlusty
Defensemen: Michal Jordan, Rasmus Rissanen
Not issued qualifying offer: Andrei Loktionov, Drayson Bowman, Aaron Palushaj, Kellen Tochkin, Tommi Kivisto
Chicago Blackhawks
No information available at this time
Colorado Avalanche
Issued qualifying offers
Forward: Joey Hishon
Not getting qualifying offer: Ryan O’Reilly (arbitration)
Columbus Blue Jackets
Issued qualifying offers
Forwards: Ryan Johansen, Cory Tropp, Sean Collins, Dana Tyrell
Defensemen: David Savard, Tim Erixon, Cody Goloubef, Will Weber
Not issued qualifying offers: Oliver Gabriel, Anton Blomqvist
Dallas Stars
Issued qualifying offers
Forward: Cody Eakin, Antoine Roussel, Scott Glennie
Defensemen: Brenden Dillon, Cameron Gaunce
Not issued qualifying offer: Ryan Button, Dustin Jeffrey, Tristan King, Hubert Labrie, Austin Smith
Detroit Red Wings
Not issued qualifying offer: Cory Emmerton, Gleason Fournier, Max Nicastro, Trevor Parkes, Willie Coetzee
Edmonton Oilers
Issued qualifying offers
Forwards: Luke Gazdic, Andrew Miller, Tyler Pitlick, Curtis Hamilton, Roman Horak
Defensemen: Justin Schultz, Jeff Petry
Goalie: Richard Bachman
Not issued qualifying offer: Phillip Larsen
Florida Panthers
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Jimmy Hayes, Brandon Pirri, Ryan Martindale, Garrett Wilson
Defensemen: Erik Gudbranson, Dmitry Kulikov, Dylan Olsen
Not issued qualifying offer: Jonathan Hazen, Anthony Luciani, Mattias Lindstrom, Steven Anthony
LA Kings
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Dwight King, Andy Andreoff
Defensemen: Brayden McNabb
Goalie: JF Berube
Not issued qualifying offers: James Livingston, Steve Quailer, Jonathan Parker
Minnesota Wild
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Justin Fontaine, Nino Niederreiter, Jason Zucker
Defensemen: Jonathon Blum,
Goalie: Darcy Kuemper
Not issued qualifying offer: Tyler Cuma, Kris Foucault
Montreal Canadiens
Issued qualifying offers:
Forward: Lars Eller
Defenseman: PK Subban
Not issued qualifying offer: Ryan White
Nashville Predators
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm
Not issued qualifying offers: Michael Del Zotto, Joonas Rask, Charles-Olivier Rousel
New Jersey Devils
Not issued qualifying offers: Riley Boychuk, Harry Young
NY Islanders
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Anders Lee, Casey Cizikas
Defensemen: Matt Donovan, Calvin de Haan
Goalies: Anders Nilsson, Kevin Poulin
NY Rangers
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Derrick Brassard, Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello
Defenseman: John Moore
Not getting qualifying offer: Justin Falk
Ottawa Senators
Not issued qualifying offer: Ben Blood, Wacey Hamilton, Corey Cowick
Philadelphia Flyers
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Jason Akeson, Tye McGinn, Brandon Manning
Defensemen: Erik Gustafsson
No information about players not issued qualifying offers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Brandon Sutter, Nick Spaling, Jayson Megna, Bobby Farnham
Defensemen: Simon Despres, Philip Samuelsson
Not issued qualifying offers: Spencer Machacek, Harry Zolnierczyk, Zach Sill
San Jose Sharks
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Tommy Wingels, James Sheppard
Defensemen: Jason Demers, Matt Tennyson, Taylor Doherty
Goaltender: Harri Sateri
Not issued qualifying offers: Sena Acolatse, Brodie Reid, Nick Petrecki, Marek Viedensky, Sebastian Stalberg, Adam Comrie
St. Louis Blues
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Vladimir Sobotka, Jaden Schwartz, Sergey Andronov, Sebastian Wannstrom
Defensemen: David Shields
Not issued qualifying offers: Tyler Shattock, Brett Ponich
Tampa Bay Lightning
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: Richard Panik, Brett Connolly, Cody Kunyk, Phillipe Paradis
Defensemen: Dmitry Korobov, Andrej Sustr
Not issued qualifying offers: Keith Aulie, Charles Landry, Geoff Walker, Anders Lindback
Toronto Maple Leafs
No information given
Vancouver Canucks
Issued qualifying offers:
Forward: Zack Kassian
Defenseman: Chris Tanev
Not issued qualifying offers: Yannick Weber, Zac Dalpe, Jordan Schroeder
Washington Capitals
Issued qualifying offers:
Forward: Michael Latta
Defensemen: Chad Schilling, Nate Schmidt
Goalie: Eddie Pasquale (recently acquired from Jets)
Not getting qualifying offer: Nicolas Deschamps, Brett Flemming, Peter LcBlanc (signed overseas)
Winnipeg Jets
Issued qualifying offers:
Forwards: John Albert, Carl Klingberg, Patrice Cormier, Eric O’Dell
Defensemen: Ben Chiarot
Goalie: Michael Hutchinson
Not issued qualifying offer: Keaton Ellerby, Matt Halishuk
This list only includes the information available so far. For more information about who’s under contract, how long contracts are for, and how much players are making, check out Cap Geek.
(Photo: Jean-Yves Ahern/USA TODAY Sports)
It’s been another big day for trades and contract announcements in the NHL.
Earlier today, the Colorado Avalanche acquired forward Daniel Briere from the Montreal Canadiens, in exchange for forward PA Parenteau and a fifth-round pick in the 2015 draft. Briere had a no-move clause with Montreal, but he waived it for this trade.
“Daniel is a veteran who brings experience to our hockey club,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President Joe Sakic. “We’re looking forward to him joining our team.”
Briere, 36, spent the 2013-14 season with the Canadiens after signing with them as a free agent in July 2013. He had 13 goals and 25 points in 69 regular season games for Montreal, and he registered an additional 3 goals and 7 assists in 16 playoff games. Prior to signing with Montreal, Briere spent time with the Coyotes, Sabres, and Flyers. He has 299 career goals and 684 points in 916 regular season games. Briere is a notably consistent playoff player; he averages nearly a point a game in the postseason with 116 points in 124 games.
Parenteau, 31, has spent the past two seasons with the Avalanche, but suffered from knee injuries last season and played only 55 games. He put up 32 goals and 76 points in 103 games with Colorado (14 goals, 33 points last season). Parenteau has also played for the Blackhawks, Rangers, and Islanders in past seasons. He has a career 73 goals and 205 points in 291 regular season games, as well as 1 goal and 3 points in 7 playoff games.
On Sunday night the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Edmonton Oilers swapped forwards, sending Teddy Purcell to Edmonton and bringing Sam Gagner to the Lightning.
Gagner, 24, of London, Ontario was drafted by the Oilers in the first round of the 2007 draft. In that time, the 5-foot-11 forward has played in 481 games with the Oilers. He has amassed 101 goals and 295 points. In 2007 he was the youngest player on Team Canada’s World Junior team, helping the nation to win their third of five straight gold medals.
Purcell, 28, of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, went undrafted and played one season with the University of Maine before getting a deal with Los Angeles Kings. He spent his time between the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs and the Kings before getting traded to the Lightning on March 3, 2010. In his time with Lightning the 6-foot-3 forward has played in 310 games, achieving 67 goals and 203 points. He has also played in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Lightning where he netted seven goals and had 18 points.
That wasn’t the end of the bouncing Gagner however, just hours later, Gagner was dealt to the Arizona Coyotes for a sixth-round pick and B.J. Crombeen.
The New Jersey Devils went into the 2014 draft with the 30th pick. With their first pick in Philadelphia, they selected forward John Quenneville.
Quenneville is a Center from Brandon, Manitoba. He previously played for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League. He finished the season with 25 goals and 58 points.
The Devils’ Director of Scouting David Conte said, “We’re quite satisfied we got a very complete player that’s scratching the surface of his potential in John Quenneville…We’re optimistic that his development will be both positive and useful to the Devils.”
After last season, the Devils were searching for players to provide scoring and toughness. By drafting 4 forwards and a few strong physical players, New Jersey hopes to see some better results with their new talent.
The entire draft lineup for New Jersey went as follows:
1st round, 30th overall: John Quenneville, C
2nd round, 41st overall: Josh Jacobs, D
3rd round, 71st overall: Connor Chatham, RW
5th round, 131st overall: Ryan Rehill, D
6th round, 152nd overall: Joey Dudek, C
6th round, 161st overall: Brandon Baddock, LW
New Jersey has also resigned a few current players to 2-way deals. They reached a 1-year deal with forward Cam Janssen and a 2-year deal with forward Mike Sislo. In addition they have re-signed defenseman Marek Zidlicky to a one year contract.
Photo Courtesy of www.northjersey.com
(photo: Vancouver Canucks)
It’s been a busy couple days for the Vancouver Canucks. Ahead of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, the club set to work Friday trading two players who boasted former top spots on the roster despite a perceived under-performance in previous seasons. The moves mark the first major transactions under the club’s new management trio – President Trevor Linden, GM Jim Benning and newly-appointed Head Coach Willie Desjardins.
First, Ryan Kesler. Trade rumours started around trade deadline in March of this year and the question was not if but when. The club decided to make the trade happen, free up cap space and trade Kesler to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the 24th and 85th picks in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft plus a third-round pick in 2015. The Canucks also acquired centre Nick Bonino and defenceman Luca Sbisa in the deal.
“This trade reinforces our goal to add youth, support our core players and develop draft picks who will contribute to the future success of our team,” said Canucks GM Jim Benning in a statement issued by the team following the transaction. “Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa are talented players who immediately bring youth and skill to our roster. An additional first and third round pick gives us the opportunity to add two strong players to our system.”
Next up was Jason Garrison, who the team traded to Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for 50th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, the rights to Jeff Costello and the seventh round pick in 2015. The two moves positioned the team for success in the draft, providing the Canucks with a total of nine selections – the 6th, 24th, 36th, 50th, 66th, 85th, 126th, 156th and 186th picks.
Asked about the two major trades, Benning answered, “Well, you know, with Ryan, when I took the job, he came to me and asked to be moved. He’s been a great player for our organization for the last 10 years. I said that I’d try to honor his wishes. He gave me a couple teams that he would agree to be moved to, so I worked with those general managers and worked with Bob a lot the last couple weeks and was finally able to get the deal done this morning. The Sbisa deal and getting Bonino, I think getting Bonino was an important piece. Ryan scored 25 goals for us last year. Getting Bonino is good on the power play. He scored 22 goals last year. So being able to replace his goal production for our team next year, and he can play the power play and he’s a play making center iceman, I thought that was important.”
The much-anticipated 6th draft pick, the highest pick the Canucks have obtained in recent years, secured left wing Jake Virtanen of the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. Virtanen, 17, is a local guy hailing from Abbotsford, BC just outside of Vancouver. He spent three seasons with the Hitmen in neighbouring Alberta, racking up 71 points in the 2013-14 season and finishing fifth in the league for goals scored. He also won gold for Canada at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and claimed bronze at the 2014 Under-18 World Championship in Finland, tying for the team lead with six points in seven games.
The moves represent an crucial milestone in the rebuild of the Canucks franchise. The team, amidst reported struggling season ticket sales for 2014-15, have donned the slogan ‘Change Is Coming,’ arguably a nod to fans’ frustration at the outcome of the team’s past three seasons. The slide started after the infamous Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011, where the team fell 4-0 to the Boston Bruins.
Change is coming. The fans sure hope so.
(photo:bluejackets.nhl.com)
The Columbus Blue Jackets selected seven players in the 2014 National Hockey League Draft, beginning with forward Sonny Milano in round one. The 16th overall pick comes from the United States National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he registered 29 goals and 56 assists in 58 games.
Overall, Columbus selected three forwards, three defenseman, and one goaltender, consistent with the team’s focus on building depth at the blue line as well as up front.
In round two, Columbus selected defenseman Ryan Collins, also from the USNDP. He registered four goals and 10 assists in 107 games over the last two seasons with the program, and helped Team USA to a gold medal in the 2014 IIHF Under-18 World Championships.
Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, Columbus’ first third-round pick, after a trade with the Detroit Red Wings, hails from Latvia. He posted a .925 save-percentage and one shutout in 22 games with Lugano (Switzerland) in 2013-2014. Immediately after, the Blue Jackets added Blake Siebenaler, a defenseman for the Ontario Hockey League. Siebenaler garnered 24 PI in 68 games in 2013, as well as 1-4-5 in seven J. Ross Robertson Cup Playoff contests.
For it’s only fourth-round selection, Columbus chose forward Julien Pelletier. Pelletier tallied 25-25-50 in 67 games with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in the 2013-2014 season.
Tyler Bird, a forward from Boston, tallied 33-27-60 in 37 games for the Kimball Union Academy in the 2013-2014 season.
Finally, Columbus used its final pick to select Olivier LeBlanc of the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL. The defenseman registered 11-40-51 and 99 PIM in 116 QMJHL games over the past two seasons.
(photo: fansided.com)
The 2014 NHL draft was held this past Friday and Saturday in the City of Brotherly Love and home of the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia PA. The New York Islanders, a team that is in need of some serious rebuilding went in having the 5th overall pick along with the 28th, 78th, 95th, 108th, 155th, and 200th picks.
5th Overall – Michael Dal Colle
Dal Colle, an 18 year old left winger currently playing for the OHL’s Oshawa Generals. Last season Dal Colle posted 95 points including 39 goals, (of which 16 were power play goals), and 56 assists in 67 regular season games. The 18 year old wound up with +/- rating of +8 and only had 34 PIM. His 2014 playoff stats were just as impressive. Dal Colle averaged well over a point per game, with 20 points in 12 games played.
Michael Dal Colle
28th Overall – Joshua Ho-Sang
Perhaps one of the more controversial picks from this year’s draft, the New York Islanders selected 18 year old right winger, Joshua Ho-Sang. Ho-Sang has a reputation of being outspoken and opinionated to the point where he was expecting and preparing himself to not be selected this year. As a result, the Toronto native said he will work as hard as he can for the Islanders to show that they made the right choice and that other teams will regret overlooking him. Ho-Sang currently plays for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires. Ho Sang, in 67 regular season games, had a total of 85 points including 32 goals and 53 assists, he also ha s a +/- rating of +26 and 44 PIM. In the 2014 playoffs, he had 3 points in 4 games played.
78th Overall – Ilya Sorokin
Filling a huge need for the organization, the New York Islanders selected 18 year old Russian goaltender, Ilya Sorokin. After trading their second round picks, the Islanders picked up Sorokin with their first pick of the third round. Ilya Sorokin currently plays for Metallurg Novokuznetsk of the KHL and has a 91.9 save percentage.
Ilya Sorokin – 78th Overall
95th Overall – Linus Söderström
With the 95th overall pick, the New York Islanders selected Stockholm, Sweden native, 17 year old goaltender, Linus Söderström. Söderström, currently playing for Djurgarden JR and is the second goalie the New York Islanders selected in the 2014 draft, hoping to eventually help end the team’s long-running goaltending issues.
Linus Söderström — 9th Overall
108th Overall – Devon Toews
Toews, a 20 year old defenseman currently playing for the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Toews only had 17 points, including 1 goal and 16 assists in 37 games. The British Columbia native wound up with only 10 PIM last season and he ended up with a +/- rating of +9. With numbers not nearly as impressive as the Islanders other draft picks, It will be interesting to see Toews will end up and if his stats will improve.
Devon Toews – 108th Overall
155th Overall – Kyle Schempp
Kyle Schempp, a 20 year old forward is currently playing for the Ferris State Bulldogs. The Michigan native played 43 games last year and had 10 goals and 15 assists for a point total o 25. Schempp had a +/- rating of + 10 and only 12 PIM.
Kyle Schemmp – 155th Overall
200th Overall – Lukas Sutter
Center, Lukas Sutter is no stranger to the NHL Draft. The 20 year old, son of Rich Sutter and nephew of L.A. Kings coach, Daryl Sutter, was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2012 draft but did not sign with the team. Sutter currently plays for the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels. The Lethbridge, AB native had 10 goals and 13 assists in 45 games. He had a +/- rating of -6 and the highest PIM of all of the Islanders 2014 selections, with 74 minutes spent in the box.
Lukas Sutter – 200th Overall
By Rochelle Bergman
You hear it everyday, another study has confirmed this or that. Studies are done in all areas of life. There is even studies about studies! I don’t know about you but I am not impressed nor surprised any more with a study of any kind. So when I read this study, I first thought of not writing about it. Then I re-read it and thought of putting it in front of all the readers of our website.
This study was done by the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada. This peak performance study was done by professor James Brander (an economist) from the Sauder School of Business. The study was to give team management an idea when a player hits his peak performance age. This was to help build the best roster for the team. The study was done for defencemen, forwards, and goalies.
Now to the numbers!
Goalies vary little by age. Defencemen peak around 28 and 29 years of age. They can play at their best levels from 24 to 34. Forwards can peak at 27 and 28. They can play near their peaks from age 24 to 32.
This study confirms that by age 24, most players are playing the best hockey that they can, 90% of their best. It also confirms the conventional thinking of players peaking in their late 20’s. The study did blow some management’s wishes out with the jock- strap. No more wishing that a player can improve significantly in their mid-20s.
Most players hit their best around age 24 but remember there are late bloomers in every game. By these numbers a player can play great hockey at least for 10 years, give or take a few. That is impressive when you think about the physical part of the game, and the mental aspect of always being on top. Don’t forget all the injuries that a player can get and any other pressures of life. Is that why they get so much money?
This study is just that, a study. What it really means is that like other mortals, hockey players do get old and their bodies do get worn down. I know, we all thought that players are kind of G-d like creatures who don’t die out but float to a rink near them and play till they get to the rink in the sky.
So, what do you think about this study? Or the thought of the players being just mortals?
(Photo: NHL.com)
For the Colorado Avalanche, the weekend began with a pun.
…Get it? The “draft”?
But over the next several hours, the Avs were all business. As the City of Brotherly Love played host to the 2014 NHL Draft, viewers across the world witnessed 210 young hockey players move one step closer to seeing their NHL dreams become reality. The draft, held at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, began Friday night with the first round of draftees and concluded this afternoon with rounds 2-7. And for the Colorado Avalanche, it was a busy and successful outing.
The Avs selected four forwards, two defensemen, and a goaltender to add to the organization:
# Rd Pick Player Pos Team (League)
1. 1 23 Conner Bleackley C Red Deer (WHL)
2. 3 84 Kyle Wood D North Bay (OHL)
3. 4 93 Nicholas Magyar RW Kitchener (OHL)
4. 4 114 Alexis Pepin LW Gatineau (QMJHL)
5. 5 144 Anton Lindholm D Skelleftea (Sweden)
6. 6 174 Maximilian Pajpach G Slovakia U18 (Slovakia)
7. 7 204 Julien Nantel LW/C Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
Colorado used their first-round, 23rd overall pick to select Conner Bleackley, a 6-foot, 197-lb center from High River, Alberta. Bleackley led the Red Deer Rebels (WHL) with 68 points last season, and he tied for the team’s leading goal-scorer with 29 goals. He was named captain of the Red Deer Rebels this past season in addition to wearing the ‘A’ for Canada’s 2014 Under-18 World Championship team, which ultimately took home the bronze. He was also an alternate captain for Team Pacific at the 2013 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge.
This past season saw a huge jump in Bleackley’s statistics; in his first season with the Red Deer during 2012-13, he tallied only 18 points in 66 games. Compared to his 2013-14 numbers, this shows that Bleackley is gaining skill and momentum rapidly as a player as he continues to grow.
Bleackley says that he thinks the Avalanche organization is “top notch” and is excited to prove that he belongs out on the ice with this young team on the rise. ” I think the biggest thing for me is my versatility, not being limited to one role,” Bleackley said in an interview. “I can play all four lines and center or wing so I think that’s an advantage that I have.”
Follow Conner Bleackley on Twitter: @Bleacks9
Colorado’s next selection came in the third round, where they used their #83 pick to draft defenseman Kyle Wood. Wood is 6’4″ and 195 lbs and is a native of Waterloo, Ontario. Though he missed the first half of the 2013-14 season with an injury, Wood is now healthy and ready to show what he can do. He registered 12 points in 33 games for the North Bay Battalion (OHL) in the second half of last season with 2 goals and 10 assists, and he put up 10 points in 22 playoff games this postseason as the Battalion reached the league finals.
The Battalion have produced several notable players, including current Avs center Matt Duchene. “[Duchene will] show me the ropes and let me know what to do there when I get [to Colorado],” said Wood. Wood also said that his main focus for next season is improving his defense.
Follow Kyle Wood on Twitter: @KyleWood_3
The Avs then had two picks in the fourth round, which they used to select right wing Nicholas Magyar (drafted #93) and left wing Alexis Pepin (drafted #114).
Magyar led the Kitchener Rangers (OHL) this past season with 46 points, putting up 20 goals and 26 assists in 66 games. At 6’2″ and 194 lbs, the Cleveland, Ohio, native was the first rookie to lead Kitchener in scoring since the 1999-2000 season. Magyar was named co-rookie of the year for his team and was named to the OHL’s Scholastic Team. He also represented Team USA at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria, where he had a goal and two assists in 6 games.
Follow Nicholas Magyar on Twitter: @NickMagyar2
Pepin is 6’2″ and 229 lbs, and he split this past season with Charlottetown and Gatineau (both of the QMJHL). The Montreal native finished the season with 34 total points, contributing 17 goals and 17 assists in 60 games. Pepin was also a member of the Canada’s Under-18 team at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and he was on Team Quebec at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he had 3 goals and 4 assists in 6 games.
Follow Alexis Pepin on Twitter: @alexispepin26
Colorado’s next pick came in the fifth round, where they selected defensemen Anton Lindholm at 144th overall. Lindholm, who is 5’11” and 185 lbs, played for his hometown junior team, Skelleftea, in Sweden. He had a goal and five assists in 39 games this past season for Skelleftea, which is part of the Swedish Hockey League. Since 2010, Lindholm has played 122 total games with Skelleftea and has registered 3 goals, 17 assists, and 82 penalty minutes.
The Avs then selected goaltender Maximilian Pajpach, a 6’1″, 209-lb native of Poprad, Slovakia; Pajpach went in the sixth round, 174th overall. He spent most of the 2013-14 season with Team Slovakia’s Under-18 team, putting up a 4.32 GAA and a .867 save percentage in 14 games. Pajpach also played two games last year for the Slovakia Under-20 team. Between 2010-14, he played 82 games with the HK SKP Poprad’s U18 and U20 teams, and he was rated 9th best European goalie in this year’s draft by NHL Central Scouting.
Colorado’s final selection of the 2014 draft came in the seventh round, and they used this #204 pick to select forward Julien Nantel. A Quebec native, Nantel is 6-foot, 193 lbs and spent the past season with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL). He was the second-highest scoring rookie last season with 34 points over 68 games, putting up 14 goals and 20 assists. He also had 4 assists in 9 playoff games. Nantel was one of three midget players on Team Quebec at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where the team took fourth place, and he was rated #51 among North American skaters for this year’s draft by NHL Central Scouting.
Follow Julien Nantel on Twitter: @jnantel11
So how is Colorado feeling post-draft?
“I think it was a successful weekend as we accomplished our goals and followed our draft plan,” said Avalanche Director of Amateur Scouting Rick Pracey. “Addressing our overall depth and bringing in increased size at all positions were two important factors for us, and I think we did that.”
Avs fans, here’s to a bright future.
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