Some updates and a preview.
I just wanted to update on my post from last week regarding where recruits are playing this coming season. Shane Walsh will be suiting up for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL this coming season. Still trying to track down where Chris Del Mauro will be playing after he backed out on playing in the USHL.
Kevin Boyle had success in his first pre-season game in the BCHL. The regular season for him starts Friday against the Penticton Vees, Eric Filiou’s former team.
John Parker showed some speed in the pre-season, on the track at least.
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Jon Quick will be the Kings number one goaltender this coming season. But he’ll have to work hard if he doesn’t want to lose that job to Jonathan Bernier. A little competition for goaltender position never hurt. Speaking of which I’ve heard from some sources close to the team that Jeff Teglia should be good enough to challenge Paul Dainton for playing time right from the start.
Here’s a video of Casey Wellman visiting with a heart transplant patient via Matty Vautour.
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Mike McMahon, beat writer for the Merrimack Warriors, has begun his Hockey East previews. He has the Minutemen 9th in the league, around where I think a lot of media and fans will pick them this year. Will I? Stay tuned.
Extremely tough to argue with Mike McMahon. I did similar math when the departing players announced their intentions last spring.
I saw Brock Hines at the football game Saturday and asked him for some early thoughts. He said he hasn’t seen any of the newcomers but like many of us has read what they bring and that they have to step up right away. He went on to say that D holds the key for this team to be competitive (despite the huge loss of O) and even though Matt Irwin was a +/- leader , he thinks his loss will be tough for this team, having been a top 5 scorer and that returnees Doug Kublin and Mike Marcou need help. I guess his feeling is you start from the blue/goal line out.
Rocks funny you mention Teglia because his other comment to part of that D equation was Paul Dainton and that he may have to play the role of a Brian Regan from 10+ years ago and stop 40+ shots on more of a regular basis and that he hoped Dainton would get some help.
I hope your sources are right if in fact Brock is correct, which he may be. His final words were “let’s see what everyone else has lost or gained and then we can reassess around Thanksgiving.”
I look forward to your preview Rocks.
I totally agree with Brock. I think goal scoters will step forward and fill the gaps. But the lack of experience on D is a little scary.
I don’t know if Teglia will get a significant amount of starts but he should push Dainton to be on his game. Which like you pointed out will be needed.
rocks, talk to me about potential sleepers who could break out this year…who is ready to make the leap…
My previews are in the works. At least in my head.
I guess we all knew what was lost to graduation / departure, but to see it in print is disheartening. The scouting report n Teglia is that he is unorthodox. He also hung around a long time in the USHL before someone took a flyer on him. An unorthodox, athletic goalie (think a taller Tim Thomas) could do well with a stifling defense having only to make the first save. Since UMass lost a lot of size on D (and talent) i can’t imagine them being “stifling” – the offense will struggle. Perhaps the dreaded trap will be the only answer to shutting down opposing teams. Brock is forever an optimist so his tepid “wait and see” responses have me worried.