Trading days

Mitchell Theoret (Niagara IceDogs)

Hard work does have it's rewards as New York Islander 2011 7th round pick Mitchell Theoret found himself traded to the OHL Eastern Conference leaders, the Barrie Colts. The Niagara IceDogs made the move in part because they expect to lose fellow Islander prospect Ryan Strome as well as possibly 2 more key players from the IceDog lineup because of the NHL lockout being settled.

The IceDogs were living on borrowed time as it was because of the NHL lockout but with it being settled then the rebuilding that most felt would be the IceDog season will now start.

Theoret has been having a breakout season so far going 18-24-42 in 35 games with the IceDogs. The only real concern with Theoret that I would have would be can he stay healthy and in the Colt lineup to help them win an OHL Championship?

Injuries also were a factor in the QMJHL as the Islander's 2012 4th round pick Loic Leduc's lower body injury is serious enough that the Cape Breton Screaming Eagle cited it as a factor when they traded for Robert Samuel. Leduc is expected to undergo an MRI but few think that he will return this season.

There remains another day before the WHL will reach their trading deadline but it is very doubtful that any Ranger or Islander prospect in that league will be traded.

Game Action

Samuel Noreau (NYR 2011 5th) may not have scored but he was very active as his Baie-Comeau Drakkar earned their 7th straight win, 4-3 over the Sherbrooke Phoenix. The Drakkar had to rally twice from 1 goal deficits to earn this win.

Noreau led the Drakkar with 7 shots on a +1 evening and added 2 hits. The win keeps the Drakkar in 2nd place overall in the QMJHL.

Brenden Kichton (NYI 2011 5th) if it was up to me would be heading to Bridgeport in the AHL as he has more than proven to me that he deserves a professional contract. Kichton who is the captain of the Spokane Chiefs is also the leading scorer among WHL defenseman.

Kichton had the primary assist on Spokane's 3rd goal as the Chiefs defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-1. It was the 3rd straight win over Seattle by Spokane helping them open a 6 point lead over Tri-City for the 4th seed in the WHL's Western Conference.

Kichton's assists gives him a 12-37-49 mark on the season.

Adam Pelech (NYI 2012 3rd) and his Erie Otters are starting to find themselves under new coach Kris Knoblauch. The Otters used to find ways to lose one goal games but now they are learning how to win them.

The Otters played host to the Owen Sound Attack and the first period was as wild as one can get. The two teams combined for 6 goals in the first which led Coach Knoblauch to yank Otter starting goalie Victor Dansk after he game up 3 goals on 11 shots.

In came Devin Williams (write his name down he has the talent) who over the next 40 minutes shut Owen Sound out. In the 3rd period instead of finding a way to lose the break went Erie's way as Owen Sound got called for delay of game giving Erie a power play at 18:26.

Erie took advantage and with 34.8 seconds remaining in regulation scored on the power play to earn a 4-3 win. Erie just might be a sleeper in the 2nd half of the OHL season as they are 6-3-0-1 after starting the season 8-18-2-3.

Pelech was strong on the blueline in the last 2 periods helping shut down the Attack who are the 3rd place team in the OHL's Western Conference.