Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Watching the Whales you don't know

CT Whale
The CT Whale announced their training camp roster Tuesday and it is much larger than expected but also because of the NHL lockout missing a few guys who might have been invited to tryout.

Coach Ken Germander and his staff will have an older more experienced roster this year but that is not a bad thing as those veterans will be able to help the younger prospects adapt to the professional level. Camp opens this Sunday at the Ranger's training center in Tarrytown.

The roster

Goal: Bryan Hince, Jason Missiaen, Scott Stajcer, Cameron Talbot

Defense: Sean Collins, Steven Delisle, Kyle Haines, Colten Hayes, Brent Henley, Sebastien Piche, Sam Klassen, Dylan McIlrath, Jyri Niemi, Blake Parlett, Logan Pyett, Mike Vernace

Forwards: Matthew Bissonnette, Ryan Bourque, Andrew Courtney, Ryan Flanigan, Tommy Grant, Micheal Haley, Danny Hobbs, Marek Hrivik, Kyle Jean, Jordie Johnston, Chad Kolarik, Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Kris Newbury, Scott Pitt, Brandon Segal, Kelsey Tessier, Nicolas Tremblay, Francis Verreault-Paul, Christian Thomas, Shayne Wiebe, Jason Wilson, Andrew Yogan

The breakdown

Goal: Cameron Talbot comes into the camp as the incumbent starter with Jason Missiaen ahead of Scott Stajcer on the depth chart to start. Think Stajcer will wind up in Greenville in order to get more playing time.

Bryan Hince is interesting story, played college hockey for SUNY-Plattsburgh then turned pro playing in the SPHL for the Knoxville Ice Bears. Played well enough last year to earn 2 different call ups to the ECHL where he played very well for Greenville but not so hot in Idaho.

Longshot to earn Whale deal because the way things are setup only have openings for 3 goalies and can only send 8 players to Greenville. Could earn an ECHL contract with Greenville which keeps him in the system.

Defense: The only real name with legit NHL talent is McIlrath as the rest are longshot projects or fringe talents at best. Sam Klassen, Blake Parlett, Mike Vernace and Jyri Niemi played for either the Whale or Greenville (or both last season).

Steven Delisle came over from Columbus as part of the Rick Nash trade. Kyle Haines played with Kyle Jean at Lake Superior State last year. Colten Hayes, Brent Henley, and Sebastien Piche are ECHL players looking for a home.

Sean Collins and Logan Pyett are veteran free agents signed by the Rangers during the off-season.

Forwards: Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Christian Thomas, and Andrew Yogan are the key prospects on the roster. As a group you are looking at where the CT Whale will get most of their offense from.

J.T. Miller could be sent back to Plymouth in order to save his 10 game tryout in the event the NHL/NHLPA settle their differences. Think the Rangers would rather leave the door open for a Miller that burn an entire season of his ELC.

Ryan Bourque, Tommy Grant, Chad Kolarik, Kris Newbury, Kelsey Tessier, and Jason Wilson are returnees from last season. Newbury is the captain of the Whale and many see him going behind the bench when his playing career ends.

Marek Hrivik turned a very strong performance in last season's AHL playoffs into an entry level contract. Kyle Jean turned his performance at the prospect/rookie camp into a deal as well.

Danny Hobbs was a NYR 2007 7th round pick who signed a 1 year contract. Michael Haley spent the last 6 seasons as part of the Islander franchise; he split his time between the AHL and the Islanders.

Brandon Segal spent most of last season in the AHL but spent 10 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

These players are in Whale camp on a tryout basis:

Matthew Bissonnette from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the QMJHL, Andrew Courtney from the Missouri Mavericks in the Central Hockey Leaque, Ryan Flanigan via Merrimack College, Jordie Johnston via Ferris State, Scott Pitt via the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, Nicolas Tremblay via Clarkson University, Francis Verreault-Paul via McGill University, and Shayne Wiebe is back for a 2nd attempt to make the Whale.

College Hockey on TV

CBS Sports Network

CBS Sport's Network released their College Hockey schedule and both Ranger and Islander fans will be happy at the number of games featuring top prospects from both teams. (S/T Goon's World)

11/15 (Thurs) Notre Dame (NYI Anders Lee + Robbie Russo, NYR Steven Forgarty) at Michigan (NYR Cristoval Nieves) 7:30 PM ET

12/14 (Fri)Western Michigan at Michigan (NYR Cristoval Nieves) 7:30 PM ET

1/19/13(Sat) Alaska at Notre Dame (NYI Anders Lee + Robbie Russo, NYR Steven Forgarty) 7:00 PM

1/25/13(Fri) Ferris State at Notre Dame (NYI Anders Lee + Robbie Russo, NYR Steven Forgarty) 7:30 PM

2/8/13(Fri) Michigan (NYR Cristoval Nieves) at Notre Dame (NYI Anders Lee + Robbie Russo, NYR Steven Forgarty) 7:30 PM

2/15/13(Fri) Notre Dame (NYI Anders Lee + Robbie Russo, NYR Steven Forgarty)at Miami 7:30 PM

2/22/13(Fri) Notre Dame (NYI Anders Lee + Robbie Russo, NYR Steven Forgarty) at Western Michigan 7:30 PM

3/1/13 (Fri) Ferris State at Michigan (NYR Cristoval
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, MI 7:30 PM

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