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Thursday, October 04, 2007

Thursday News

The USHL had their Futures draft last night. The results can be found here. In a related story, Fargo's roster for inaugural season taking shape...

Chris over at Western College Hockey makes a great point about the expectations of NHL 5th rounder Jamie Benn selecting the WHL over the NCAA in order to fast track to the NHL. Has Jamie looked at the numbers recently? How many other 5th round draft choices have made the NHL out of the WHL, and how many games have they played? How does this compare to NCAA 5th rounders taken in the same time period?

WHL
2005-Masi Marjamaki, 1 game
2004-Steve Regier, 10 games
2003-Nigel Dawes, 8 games
2002-Robert McVicar, 1 game
2001-None
2000-Travis Moen, 203 games
1999-Justin Mapletoft, 38 games, Jordan Krestanovich, 22 games

NCAA
2005-None
2004-Ben Walter, 10 games
2003-Lee Stempniak, 139 games
2002-John Zeiler, 23 games
2001-Kevin Bieksa, 120 games
2000-Mike Stuart, 3 games, Matt Koalska, 3 games, Greg Zanon, 70 games, J-M Liles, 232 games, Nolan Schaefer, 7 games
1999-Ryan Miller, 129 games, Niko Dimitrakos, 158 games

Not much comparison, eh? The NCAA would have been a better choice.

Green Bay has some Gamblers players to watch...

Gamblers plan to step up attack this season...

Local TV station hits the ice to find out what it takes to be a Topeka Roadrunner (includes video)...

Serious hockey takes to Missoula’s ice in the form of the Maulers...

Réal Paiement set to tie all-time QMJHL record behind bench...

American goalie Armour making mark in Manitoba. (second story)...

Quebec Remparts fined for Patty's big mouth...

Gouchie receives additional game suspension...

Early signs indicate good things for the Spirit...

Quiet leader Gareau gains respect in Melfort...

Silvertips place overager Campos on waivers, who then lands in Chilliwack...

New is good for Clippers' Smith...

Nipawin Hawks entertain at fish fry...

Broncos send Leavold to Rockets...

Vancouver Giants give 'C' to Machacek...

Prince George Cougars can call themselves winners again...


In other news... Just when I thought some progress was being made on the South Jersey Raptors situation, I get the following fan mail:
Yo Buddy

I dont know who you think you are, but get a life. Guess what? Kids do drink beer. Your kids probly getting hammered right now, and your lucky that wasnt your car! I dont play for the raptors but you need to stop putting this bullshit up on that website and you know what i did play for the team last year and i had the most fun i have ever had in my life. The only thing we ever did on roadtrips was go to clubs and dance, which YES does involve alcohol. One question for you? Were you once a kid or where you born the mature adult that you are today?? I guess writing a big article slandering a team and its players is real mature huh. I just have one thing to say. GROW UP. Please do email back because i want to hear what you have to say and go ahead put this on your little website to.

thunderb77@aol.com

Allow me to respond directly to him in order of his statements.

I dont know who you think you are, but get a life.

I have a life, including a family, a career, and a passion for this game. You may not know who I am, but I'll bet your coach does. In a nutshell, I am someone within this game that demands accountability from leagues, teams, coaches, and players... basically, anyone within the game. Maybe you'll understand what that means when you get a little older.

Guess what? Kids do drink beer. Your kids probly getting hammered right now, and your lucky that wasnt your car!

Why, what happens to the car? Oh yes that's right, it is vandalized. Yes, kids do drink beer. That doesn't make it right. My kids happen to be 8, 6, and 4 years old, so the only hammering that takes place is by my youngest with his Fisher Price Tool Set.

I dont play for the raptors but you need to stop putting this bullshit up on that website and you know what i did play for the team last year

First you're not, but then say you were a Raptor last season. Nothing I posted was "bullshit," but basic observation of the video which your own teammates decided to make public. I simply shined a little light on them.

i had the most fun i have ever had in my life. The only thing we ever did on roadtrips was go to clubs and dance, which YES does involve alcohol.

I'm glad you had fun last season, but clubs and dancing do not have to involve alcohol.

One question for you? Were you once a kid or where you born the mature adult that you are today??

Was I once a kid? Yes. Did I drink underage? Yes. Did I pay the consequences for that behavior? Yes. Apparently you never have.

I guess writing a big article slandering a team and its players is real mature huh.

I did not slander (I'll spare you the difference between libel and slander). Everything I observed in my posts was clearly evident in the videos. Two of the three major observations, the alcohol and the vandalism, you acknowledge in your email. If you don't think anything wrong was done in these videos (and apparently you don't), my only conclusion is that Mack Brown will be phoning you shortly and ask if you'd like to play football for the Texas Longhorns.

I just have one thing to say. GROW UP.

Likewise, young man... before you find yourself behind bars.

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Comments on "Thursday News"

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (3:32 PM, October 04, 2007) : 

Awesome post Marc. I have a son playing in the WSHL this seson, and if my son had been involved in activities such as these, he would be on the next plane home. As parents who intrust our young men to the GM's and Coaches of JR. Hockey we should DEMAND more accountability.
Patrick Smythe

 

Blogger FormerBaron said ... (3:54 PM, October 04, 2007) : 

Marc,

As a former player in the CSHL and then NAHL and now grown adult and contributing member of society, I have to say thanks for a terrific post. It's not a mystery that kids drink underage. The major difference between kids 10 years ago and kids today is the respect factor, respect for others, respect for property and respect for elders. During my 4 years of juniors we consumed alcohol and had our own little parties (I'm not saying it was right) but we never lost focus on the fact that our first job was to play hockey and that many people put a lot of time, effort and money into giving us that opportunity. It was an honor to have the opportunity to play for a junior team and we respected that and those who provided that opportunity to us. These kids have disgraced the team and those who have enabled them an amazing opportunity.

Some (not all)kids today think it is there right of passage to play a year or two of juniors for nothing more then to party. They have lost respect for all other people and think it is ok to act in this manor. The development of more junior teams, both "A" and "B" is a great thing for hockey but unfortunately it also enables players who have other motives for being on the team to participate and taint the others around them.

Someone needs to tell these kids that Junior hockey is not about drinking beer and destroying property, it's about an opportunity; an opportunity to develop your skills for the next level and an opportunity to develop as a person.

I not only think your blog is fantastic but the fact that you pour so much of your free time into keeping all of us updated is amazing!!!!

The parents, team and league should all take action.

 

Blogger fangers said ... (9:33 PM, October 04, 2007) : 

Great post Marc, keep up the great work.

 

Blogger fangers said ... (9:34 PM, October 04, 2007) : 

formerbaron: would that be former Cleveland Baron? My son is in his 2nd year as a Baron (Midget Major this year)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:54 AM, October 05, 2007) : 

Marc,

As a parent of a Midget Major player who is striving to get to Juniors, thank you for the post and for your blog.

I hope the team, coaches and parents take action. Incidents like this, albeit maybe not the norm, potentially damage the opportunity for many current and future players to achieve their dreams. Thank you again for your time and effort to inform all of us on the developments in junior hockey.

 

Blogger FormerBaron said ... (12:17 PM, October 05, 2007) : 

Fangers - yes I did play for the Cleveland Barons. I played 95-96 and 96-97 for the Junior "A" team under Tim Alexander.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:43 PM, October 07, 2007) : 

I think we should let it go already. Now its just out ot ruin the team. Give them a chance to realize you cant do that. We all make mistakes. Let it ride unless it happens again.

 

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