Friday, April 18, 2008

A few tidbits

Something for everyone in this post, I hope.

First, thinking in a 2008 draft mode, we have a great performance by Corey Trivino at the U18 World Championships this week, going on in Kazan, Russia (where Ilya Nikulin and Andrei Zubarev play).

Corey Trivino, of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League's Stouffville Spirit, was a one-man wrecking crew at the 2008 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Kazan, Russia, on Tuesday. The Toronto native not only picked up a hat trick, he also assisted on the other goal as Canada dumped Denmark 4-1. The win moves Canada to 2-0 and sets up today's battle for first place in Group A with last year's gold medallists from Russia.

Trivino is ranked No. 36 on ISS's April ranking for the 2008 draft. OPJHL guys are often wildcards in the draft because since they play against lesser competition than the CHL guys, it's harder to tell how they will do at a higher level. Some NHL teams might have them ranked highly, others very low.

In the OHL, Justin Azevedo is leading playoff scoring the same way he led regular-season scoring -- at about two points a game. Azevedo was an invitee to Thrashers prospect camp last July. Someone will likely sign the 5'8, 20-year-old undrafted free agent to a contract this summer, and there's no reason to think it wouldn't be Atlanta, since they've previously shown interest.

Did you know that former Thrashers prospect Pat Dwyer is captain of the AHL Albany River Rats?

And in the ECHL, here's an interesting Q&A with Craig Brush, President/GM of the Florida Everblades. I came across it due to my interest in the Rochester situation, but was sucked in and read the whole thing top to bottom without stopping. Of Gladiator interest is the fact that Everblades coach Gerry Fleming may leave for the AHL next year, and that Johnstown and Cincinnati will make swings through the South Division. Lots of good stuff in there.

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