The J Dub Club

The first chance to see New York Ranger's 2010 4th round pick Andrew Yogan of the Erie Otters turned out to be having the night stolen by Jason Wilson (2010 5th) of the Niagara IceDogs. With the Otters coming in off a 5 game winning streak (including a win over the IceDogs last week) and the IceDogs trying to forget what happened with Mississauga it shaped up as a good game.

Good old J Dub (sorry Jeff Blay, Willy just does not work for us) did exactly what you hope a veteran player does when 2 key players are missing from your lineup and that is step up their game.

Wilson's 15th goal of the season at 15:31 of the 3rd period broke a 3-3 tie and wound up being the game winner as Niagara came from behind to earn a 6-3 win. Wilson also added a primary assist on David Pacan's goal which put the game away at 6-3.

For his efforts Wilson earned the game's second star to help Niagara rebound from that 10-1 to Mississauga.
At 15-21-36, We see an AHL contract in Wilson's future as he really does fit the mold of a late bloomer.

As for Andrew Yogan who was scoreless in just his 2nd game back for the Erie Otters, we have to say we like how Erie Coach Robbie Ftorek is using him. It is really hard to play at the same the level as your teammates after missing 57 games.

So Ftorek is spotting him trying to get him playing time while not disrupting the chemistry on the team. For now forget about stats from Yogan as they will not tell you anything.

Ftorek has to get Yogan up to full speed and he only has 9 more regular season games to do it in. When 100% Yogan is a very good power forward with very good hockey sense.

The knock on Yogan has been his consistency as last season he put up a 25-30-55 season that most (including us) felt should have been higher. At 6'3 200, Yogan can play center and the Rangers getting him for a fourth round pick is a good gamble.

Kirill Kabanov (NYI 2010 3rd) missed his Lewiston Maineaics game with the Chicoutimi Sangueneens for all reasons being sick. Sad that Kabanov has not shaken his reputation but think Lewiston has been ideal for him to help him grow both as a player and a person.

That 3rd round pick used on him is going to be a bargain.

(Images: Aaron Bell/OHL Images)