Tipped Off
10-11-2005, 10:38 AM
Saturday, October 8, 2005
T-Birds Notebook: NHL campers bolster team
By MATTHEW GASCHK
SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER
Due to last year's NHL lockout, this preseason marked the first time in two years that Western Hockey League players went to NHL training camps.
That meant the best WHL players returned late to their teams, typically with a new zest for the game or a chip on their shoulder. This season, the Thunderbirds are getting much more of the former than the latter.
With eight players returning from the NHL at various times during training camp, the T-Birds had trouble getting on track. With those players working into the team's schemes and rotations, the T-Birds have struggled early.
"Last year, the guys didn't get the benefit of the NHL camp, but everyone was focused on our team and that led to a very focused start on our season," general manager Russ Farwell said. "This year, they're not really thinking about your team until they come back."
Upon their return, the players typically show an increased sense of responsibility and urgency, making for a more intense practice atmosphere.
"It really ups the tempo of the practices," said defenseman Clayton Barthel, who returned from the Washington Capitals camp just prior to the T-Birds' season opener. "You look at the older guys that have been to camp and back and they lead the way and do everything the right way. That leaves an impression on the younger guys."
The difficulty comes when players return under the impression they should have made a professional roster. That was the case with Tyler Johnson, under contract with the Calgary Flames and hoping to be sent to the American Hockey League.
"Unless you have a first-rounder or top-end guy that expects to play as an underage, there's no real problem," Farwell said. "Johnson was hoping to do well enough to get to the AHL, so he took a few days to refocus, but that's really understandable."
The highlight at NHL camp for most of the players was the intrasquad game, during which they had the opportunity to play with and against NHL players.
That experience was much different for some than others. Ryan Gibbons played in front of 16,000 fans at GM Place with the Vancouver Canucks while only a few hundred showed up to see Aaron Gagnon's Phoenix Coyotes and Barthel's Capitals.
UNDER THE KNIFE: Gagnon, the T-Birds center and captain, has been out of action since Sept. 25 because of a hand injury. That wait will be prolonged another four weeks, as X-rays and a CT scan revealed he will need surgery Monday for a fractured hamate bone in his left hand.
SUMNER STILL WAITING: It's been three weeks since T-Birds head coach Rob Sumner has been in the United States, and Farwell says it might take another three to get him across the border from Vancouver, B.C.
Sumner, a Canadian who has coached in the organization for nine years, ran into an issue with his visa because of confusion about his professional status.
In his absence, the T-Birds have relied on the leadership of their captains and assistant coach Blake Knox.
NOTES: In addition to missing center and captain Aaron Gagnon, the T-Birds will be without defenseman Scott Jackson for another week or more while he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery. Centers Yashar Farmanara (shoulder) and Bud Holloway (concussion) are also on the shelf for Seattle. ... Portland averages a division-best 4.5 goals per game, led by seven points each from left wing Brian Woolger (5 goals, 2 assists) and center Brandon Dubinsky (3 G, 4 A). ... T-Birds average 1.6 goals per game, topped by center Ladislav Scurko's four points (1 G, 3 A).
T-Birds Notebook: NHL campers bolster team
By MATTHEW GASCHK
SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER
Due to last year's NHL lockout, this preseason marked the first time in two years that Western Hockey League players went to NHL training camps.
That meant the best WHL players returned late to their teams, typically with a new zest for the game or a chip on their shoulder. This season, the Thunderbirds are getting much more of the former than the latter.
With eight players returning from the NHL at various times during training camp, the T-Birds had trouble getting on track. With those players working into the team's schemes and rotations, the T-Birds have struggled early.
"Last year, the guys didn't get the benefit of the NHL camp, but everyone was focused on our team and that led to a very focused start on our season," general manager Russ Farwell said. "This year, they're not really thinking about your team until they come back."
Upon their return, the players typically show an increased sense of responsibility and urgency, making for a more intense practice atmosphere.
"It really ups the tempo of the practices," said defenseman Clayton Barthel, who returned from the Washington Capitals camp just prior to the T-Birds' season opener. "You look at the older guys that have been to camp and back and they lead the way and do everything the right way. That leaves an impression on the younger guys."
The difficulty comes when players return under the impression they should have made a professional roster. That was the case with Tyler Johnson, under contract with the Calgary Flames and hoping to be sent to the American Hockey League.
"Unless you have a first-rounder or top-end guy that expects to play as an underage, there's no real problem," Farwell said. "Johnson was hoping to do well enough to get to the AHL, so he took a few days to refocus, but that's really understandable."
The highlight at NHL camp for most of the players was the intrasquad game, during which they had the opportunity to play with and against NHL players.
That experience was much different for some than others. Ryan Gibbons played in front of 16,000 fans at GM Place with the Vancouver Canucks while only a few hundred showed up to see Aaron Gagnon's Phoenix Coyotes and Barthel's Capitals.
UNDER THE KNIFE: Gagnon, the T-Birds center and captain, has been out of action since Sept. 25 because of a hand injury. That wait will be prolonged another four weeks, as X-rays and a CT scan revealed he will need surgery Monday for a fractured hamate bone in his left hand.
SUMNER STILL WAITING: It's been three weeks since T-Birds head coach Rob Sumner has been in the United States, and Farwell says it might take another three to get him across the border from Vancouver, B.C.
Sumner, a Canadian who has coached in the organization for nine years, ran into an issue with his visa because of confusion about his professional status.
In his absence, the T-Birds have relied on the leadership of their captains and assistant coach Blake Knox.
NOTES: In addition to missing center and captain Aaron Gagnon, the T-Birds will be without defenseman Scott Jackson for another week or more while he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery. Centers Yashar Farmanara (shoulder) and Bud Holloway (concussion) are also on the shelf for Seattle. ... Portland averages a division-best 4.5 goals per game, led by seven points each from left wing Brian Woolger (5 goals, 2 assists) and center Brandon Dubinsky (3 G, 4 A). ... T-Birds average 1.6 goals per game, topped by center Ladislav Scurko's four points (1 G, 3 A).