The Viking Ship are back

Baie-Comeau Drakkar

The 2013-2014 CHL season got underway with a game in the QMJHL featuring the Baie-Comeau Drakkar taking on the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. The Drakkar are the team of New York Ranger prospect Samuel Noreau (2011 5th) and is the case the prospects if they have junior eligibility remaining are supposed to at least report (unless the NHL teams asks the junior team).

The Drakkar have one of the better team names and logos in junior hockey as Drakkar is French for "Viking Ship" which is part of the reason why I call Noreau "Thor."

Noreau who earned a entry-level contract after a career season last year has his overage season remaining should the Rangers chose to not wish to burn a year of that 3 year deal. The way the Rangers are adding defensemen during this off-season, that remains an option for them. Nothing against the ECHL but given a choice of sending Noreau back to the QMJHL or down to the ECHL that I pick the former.

I do however think Noreau should push for a spot on the Wolfpack which would make all of this a moot point. Still for the Rangers having options is always a good thing.

Noreau did not play in Thursday's game which Baie-Comeau won 4-3 in the shootout and I really do not expect Noreau to play until it gets closer to Traverse City time so he can get some ice time.

In any case what this game means is that others will follow starting Friday night so we might get looks at 2 of the newest Ranger prospect Anthony DuClair and Ryan Graves.