So when we were trying to figure out who deserved being named Prospect of the Week, we kept seeing David Skokan's name just about every other day last week.
We had Ryan Hillier with a hat trick then another goal along with an assist, Bobby Sanguinetti had a 2 goal game followed by another goal but then we looked closer and saw the difference maker.
On the 5th it was Skokan who played one heck of a defensive game in helping Rimouski defeated Prince Edward Island, then 2 nights later Skokan showed his offensive side with 2 goals and setting up the game winner in overtime. If that was not enough then to end his week Skokan on Sunday with yet another goal.
Others may have had better total offensive numbers for the week but none had the total all-around game that Skokan did. The Prospect of the Week is supposed to be for the best performance by a prospect and in our book that was David Skokan.
This is not to dismiss the week that either Sanguinetti or Hillier had as both played well but hockey is a 2 way game and Skokan was a star at both ends of the ice.
We spent some time talking with Justin Soryal on Thursday and while you have to be a subscriber to the Blueshirt Bulletin to see the rest of what he told us but a couple of things did stand out that make us want to share with you.
For starters, Soryal was chased by several teams but decided to sign with the Rangers mainly because he was excited about the opportunity. To hear a prospect say that he picked the Rangers because he felt he had a chance at an NHL career with them screams volumes about how the Ranger franchise has truly changed.
Sure go ahead and watch Soryal's fights on YouTube but know this; Soryal was not signed to be a goon, he was signed because the Rangers believe he can be a PLAYER. We agree and if you saw his goal against the Battalion then you would understand why.
The other point he made that we found interesting is that while still playing hockey, Soryal still finds the time to take university classes. What he is studying is an interesting choice and we would tell you but sorry you have to subscribe to find that out. We will tell you that we think is shows just how smart a person Soryal really is.
Are you Ready for CRUNCH TIME HOCKEY?
Wait you thought we were talking about the Rangers sorry while their games are important the prospects are already in playoff mode between the final weekend of CHL play and the race for an NCAA tournament selection really heats up.
Bobby Sanguinetti and Ryan Hillier each have 2 games but Tomas Zaborsky has 3 games in what is going to be a fun finish to the prospect scoring race. Sanguinetti and Hiller have 68 points while Zaborsky has 67. We would pick who we think will win but we do not want to give that prospect the "kiss of death" and jinx them.
Carl Hagelin is going to get his first experience at college hockey tournament action as his top ranked Michigan Wolverines host Nebraska-Omaha in a CCHA best of 3 series at Michigan.
Jordan Foote and his Michigan Tech Huskies have their work cut out for themselves as they have to travel to face 2nd ranked North Dakota on their home ice in a WCHA best of 3 series. As much as we like Foote, we believe that by midnight Saturday his college career will be over.
Greg Beller and his Vernon Vipers have to go on the road and try to extend their BCHL Interior Conference series already trailing 3-1 to the Pentiction Vees. Good Luck as we believe that series will end as well.
(Picture Credits: David Skokan/Rimouski Oceanic, Justin Soryal/Peterborough Petes)
No comments:
Post a Comment