Goaltender Wylie Rogers invited to Thrashers prospect camp

From the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner:

A recommendation by Tavis MacMillan, a U.S. amateur scout for
Atlanta and a former Nanooks head coach, to the Thrashers front-office
personnel led to the Fairbanks native receiving an invitation to the
camp on July 8-14 in the Atlanta suburb of Duluth, Ga.
"We were looking for some goaltenders for the camp and I recommended
Wylie," MacMillan said Thursday from Rosemount, Minn., where he now
lives with his family. "He's a competitive kid and he'll go in and work
hard, and that's what you want in those situations. I thought he'd be a
great fit for the camp."

How the economy is impacting sports income

From: Reuters via Yahoo!:

In a Reuters/Zogby survey on June 12 to 14, almost 15 percent of those polled said they are attending fewer sporting events this year, and most of those people cited the weak economy as the reason. About 28 percent are spending less on food and souvenirs.

"The reality is people are going to spend less and be more careful about choosing what they spend it on," Rich Gotham, president of the National Basketball Association's Boston Celtics, said in a telephone interview.

It's the other side of the equation to keep in mind during this week of what will surely be mind-boggling spending in the NHL.
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Chouinard only an infant Atlantan

Eric Chouinard is a microcosm of hockey history in Atlanta. From Legends of Hockey (NHLPA):

On July 8, 1980, the day of Eric Chouinard's birth, his father was busy packing up the household, ready to make the move from Atlanta to Calgary. Eric's dad, Guy Chouinard, was a star with the NHL's Atlanta Flames, and when the franchise relocated to Calgary that summer, Guy was part of the franchise's move.

Eric of course grew up in Canada and went on to play for Canada in international competition.

This makes Vinny Saponari, taken in the fourth round in 2008 by Atlanta, the first "true Georgian," drafted by the NHL, as Kevin Allen of USA Today put it.

There have been a few other players born in Georgia to play in the NHL as well, namely Jean-Marc Pelletier and Mark Mowers. Dave Caruso, born in New York but raised in Georgia, has made it as high as the AHL.

Saturday tidbits: Fretter, Krog, etc.

First, from Bridgeport beat writer Mike Fornabaio's blog, two items: Colton Fretter is likely looking for a new job next year and Jason Krog may be staying in North America.

Went over some AHL free-agent names with [Brigeport Team President] Howard Saffan, and he said Micheal Haley, Tyler Haskins and Andy Sertich are all signed. Pascal Morency will be given a tryout invitation. Scott Ford and Colton Fretter are among those who probably won't be back...

A reliable source, BTW, suggests not to ink Jason-Krog-to-Europe in pen just yet. We'll wait 'n' see.

I'm not sure what Fretts needs to do if 9 goals in 18 games wasn't enough to keep a job. Really.

Fornabaio writes a darn good blog, by the way. I first read it when Fretter was traded there, but since then have ended up there several times when researching things. That's the sign of a good blog to me -- you keep getting funneled back there for information you were looking for. So if that describes how you got here today, great.

Next item: The AHL has approved a larger roster for teams next year, 18 skaters instead of 17. There used to be three forward lines and two extras, but now there will be four lines. That's easier for coaches, and you would think good for the extra player, but since fourth lines don't play in the AHL any more than in the NHL, how much development is that player getting? It's supposed to be a development league, right? Does this change serve that end? Would the player be better off in the ECHL getting more ice time? I would suggest that it won't meet those ends.

2008 prospect camp is coming up. Free agent invitees are often guys who are known through team contacts somehow, friends of the family, etc. Occasionally they are actual relatives of coaches, or they are players the affiliates are recruiting. Sometimes they are guys who were known in a previous life.

An invite doesn't mean the Thrashers are serious about signing them, though. I can only think of a few who actually ended up being signed.

And for you lawyer types out there -- I know you're reading -- here's something from a legal blog Above the Law on the NHL suing MSG (Rangers owners). Maybe you will find it interesting. I didn't.

Finally, if you were planning on going to see the movie Wanted, don't waste your money. I like action movies, but it was barely watchable the plot was so poor. I was with an expert on graphic novels who said the novel was excellent, but that didn't bring my 2.5 hours back.

Anderson spending weekend at OHA camp

I stumbled across this today. It's a camp for the aspiring Daultan Leveilles of the world -- junior A and B players in Ontario. John Anderson's son Spencer spent two years in the OPJHL, which I'm sure is how he got involved with the camp.

Former Toronto Maple Leaf star and head coach of the AHL Chicago Wolves returning to the OHAHP this June.

John Anderson will attend the 2008 OHA High Performance Hockey Program that is set to take place in London, from June 27th to June 29th at the Western Fair Sports Centre. This is the third year of the program and will once again provide players, parents, and coaches education regarding opportunities on and off the ice in hockey.

John Anderson will be available for all players and parents through out the course of the weekend, while also serving as the keynote speaker at the on Friday evening. He will also offer participating OHA coaches an opportunity to discuss tactics, drills and other aspects beneficial to successfully leading a team.

Wednesday tidbits

This first one I'll include because a fair number of people will be interested. Nashville did not give John Vigilante, brother of Mike, a qualifying offer:

The Predators have decided not to make qualifying offers to three players in the organization — forwards Brandon Bochenski and John Vigilante, as well as goalie Dov Grumet-Morris. All will become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

I think little Vig is quite a good player. Not that he'll necessarily ever make the NHL, but he's better than most people think.

Another player who is now a free agent who is worthwhile is goaltender Ryan Munce. He got a raw deal in LA and then Tampa's system with all of their drama. But he has talent and is a down to earth guy. I hope he catches on somewhere.

Angelo Esposito was not invited to Team Canada camp for the World Junior team. Given that he's been cut three times from it, it's not surprising.

Meanwhile, as was mentioned as a possibility months ago, former Thrashers fan favorite Denny Lambert was named head coach of the OHL Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds thanks to Craig Hartsburg's departure for the NHL. Here's the story. This second one has a photo.

I can't remember where I saw it now, but there was speculation that Trent Yawney would join the Sharks coaching staff. That's just one more name to cross off the possibilities for Atlanta.

Albert, Bogosian, Saponari invited to Team USA camp

A little late on the pickup here due to the draft, but 2007 Thrashers draftee John Albert has been invited to Lake Placid for the World Junior team tryouts, along with 2008 picks Zach Bogosian and Vinny Saponari.

COLUMBUS, Ohio –John Albert, a rising sophomore forward on the Ohio State men’s hockey team, is one 53 players invited to attend the 2008 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp Aug. 1-9 in Lake Placid, N.Y. Participating players are candidates for the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team that will compete in the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior (Under-20) Championship Dec. 26, 2008-Jan. 5, 2009
in Ottawa, Ontario.

Here's the rest of the list because it's so incredibly hard to find on the USA Hockey website.

2008 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp

GOALTENDERS (5)
Name Ht (cm) Wt (kg) Birthdate S/C Hometown 2007-08 Team (League)
Mike Lee 6-1 (185) 185 (84) 10/5/90 L Roseau, Minn. Roseau (Minn.) High School
Brandon Maxwell 6-0 (183) 190 (86) 3/22/91 L Winter Park, Fla. U.S. National Under-17 Team
Thomas McCollum* 6-1 (185) 196 (89) 12/7/89 L Sanborn, N.Y. Guelph (OHL)
Jeremy Smith^* 6-0 (183) 175 (80) 4/13/89 L Brownstown, Mich. Plymouth (OHL)
Josh Unice* 5-11 (185) 185 (84) 6/24/89 L Holland, Ohio Kitchener (OHL)

DEFENSEMEN (18)
Jonathon Blum^* 6-1 (185) 185 (84) 1/30/89 R Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. Vancouver (WHL)
Zach Bogosian 6-2 (188) 200 (91) 7/15/90 R Massena, N.Y. Peterborough (OHL)
John Carlson 6-2 (188) 215 (98) 1/10/90 R Colonia, N.J. Indiana (USHL)
Colby Cohen 6-3 (190) 210 (95) 4/25/89 R Villanova, Pa. Boston University (HEA)
Ian Cole^* 6-1 (185) 217 (98) 2/21/89 L Ann Arbor, Mich. University of Notre Dame (CCHA)
Adam Comrie 6-4 (194) 201 (92) 7/31/90 R Ashburn, Va. Saginaw (OHL)
Tommy Cross 6-3 (190) 195 (88) 9/12/89 L Simsbury, Conn. Westminster School (Conn.)
Cade Fairchild^* 5-10 (178) 184 (83) 1/15/89 L Duluth, Minn. University of Minnesota (WCHA)
Cam Fowler 6-1 (185) 185 (84) 12/5/91 L Farmington Hills, Mich. U.S. National Under-17 Team
Jake Gardiner 6-2 (188) 175 (80) 7/4/90 L Deephaven, Minn. Minnetonka (Minn.) High School
Blake Kessel 6-2 (188) 204 (92) 4/13/89 R Madison, Wis. Waterloo (USHL)
Ryan McDonagh* 6-1 (185) 208 (94) 6/13/89 L Arden Hills, Minn. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
Aaron Ness 5-10 (178) 170 (77) 5/18/90 L Roseau, Minn. Roseau (Minn.) High School
Nick Petrecki 6-3 (190) 215 (98) 7/11/89 L Clifton Park, N.Y. Boston College (HEA)
Teddy Ruth* 6-0 (183) 201 (91) 2/14/89 R Naperville, Ill. University of Notre Dame (CCHA)
Kevin Shattenkirk* 5-11 (180) 193 (87) 1/29/89 R New Rochelle, N.Y. Boston University (HEA)
Scooter Vaughan 6-0 (183) 195 (88) 4/8/89 R Placentia, Calif. University of Michigan (CCHA)
David Warsofsky 5-8 (172) 170 (77) 5/30/90 L Marshfield, Mass. U.S. National Under-18 Team

FORWARDS (30)
John Albert 5-11 (180) 180 (82) 1/19/89 L Concord, Ohio The Ohio State University (CCHA)
Ryan Bourque 5-7 (170) 170 (77) 1/3/91 L Boxford, Mass. U.S. National Under-17 Team
Drayson Bowman 6-1 (185) 195 (88) 3/8/89 L Littleton, Colo. Spokane (WHL)
Jack Connolly 5-8 (172) 165 (75) 8/15/89 L Duluth, Minn. Sioux Falls (USHL)
Robbie Czarnik 6-0 (183) 185 (84) 1/25/90 R Washington, Mich. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Justin Florek 6-4 (194) 195 (88) 5/18/90 L Marquette, Mich. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Jake Hansen 6-1 (185) 185 (84) 8/21/89 R White Bear Lake, Minn. Sioux Falls (USHL)
Jimmy Hayes* 6-3 (190) 205 (93) 11/21/89 R Dorchester, Mass. Lincoln Stars (USHL)
Mike Hoeffel 6-2 (188) 195 (88) 4/9/89 L North Oaks, Minn. University of Minnesota (WCHA)
AJ Jenks 6-2 (188) 210 (95) 6/27/90 L Wolverine Lake, Mich. Plymouth (OHL)
Tyler Johnson 5-9 (175) 175 (80) 7/29/90 L Spokane, Wash. Spokane (WHL)
Danny Kristo 5-11 (180) 175 (80) 6/18/90 R Eden Prairie, Minn. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Drew LeBlanc 5-11 (180) 185 (84) 6/29/89 L Hermantown, Minn. Chicago (USHL)
Colin Long 5-11 (180) 180 (82) 6/19/89 R Santa Ana, Calif. Kelowna (WHL)
Philip McRae 6-2 (188) 189 (86) 3/15/90 L Chesterfield, Mo. London (OHL)
Jeremy Morin 6-0 (183) 185 (84) 4/16/91 R Auburn, N.Y. U.S. National Under-17 Team
James O’Brien 6-2 (188) 190 (86) 1/29/89 R Maplewood, Minn. Seattle (WHL)
Kyle Palmieri 5-10 (178) 185 (84) 2/1/91 R Montvale, N.J. U.S. National Under-17 Team
Nick Palmieri 6-2 (188) 212 (96) 7/12/89 R Clinton, N.Y. Erie (OHL)
Aaron Palushaj* 6-0 (183) 185 (84) 9/7/89 R Northville, Mich. University of Michigan (CCHA)
Matt Rust^* 5-10 (178) 188 (85) 3/23/89 L Bloomfield Hills, Mich. University of Michigan (CCHA)
Vinny Saponari 6-0 (183) 185 (84) 2/15/90 R Powder Springs, Ga. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Jordan Schroeder^* 5-8 (172) 180 (82) 9/29/90 R Lakeville, Minn. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Eric Tangradi* 6-3 (191) 214 (97) 2/10/89 L Philadelphia, Pa. Belleville (OHL)
Corey Tropp 6-0 (183) 185 (84) 7/25/89 R Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. Michigan State University (CCHA)
James vanRiemsdyk^*%& 6-3 (191) 211 (95) 5/4/89 L Middletown, N.J. University of New Hampshire (HEA)
Mitch Wahl 6-0 (183) 190 (86) 1/22/90 R Seal Beach, Calif. Spokane (WHL)
Patrick White* 6-1 (185) 190 (86) 1/20/89 R Grand Rapids, Minn. University of Minnesota (WCHA)
Colin Wilson^* 6-1 (185) 210 (95) 10/20/89 L Greenwich, Conn. Boston University (HEA)
David Wohlberg 6-0 (183) 180 (82) 7/18/90 L South Lyon, Mich. U.S. National Under-18 Team


^2008 U.S. National Junior Team Member
*2007 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp Participant
%2007 U.S. National Junior Team Member
&2006 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp Participant