Seattle Brew Issue #2

Seattle Brew
Issue #2

The digest with news and notes from and about the CCHL and Seattle’s own CCHL team the Reign


A handful of games have been played by most teams in the CCHL at this point so while it’s too early to put a barometer on  how each team’s season will go the rest of the year there have been some quick and slow starts which may raise or furrow some eyebrows.

As the focus on this article is to inform all the Northwestern fans here in Washington about their beloved Reign let’s take a look at how the team made out in their first games of this season.

Game #1 – Reign – 1, Calgary Chinook – 1

A tight checking, evenly played game. Crawford looked good as did Calgary’s goalie Carey Price.

Bergeron played well doing a bit of everything, winning faceoffs, block shots, battling of the puck and drew an assist. Zidlicky was efficient in moving the puck and seemed to fit in well under Reign coach Scott Stevens’ system.

Game # 2 – Dayton Musicmen – 3, Reign – 2 (OT)

The 1st home game saw raucous rabid Reign fans roaring as the puck dropped but this game saved all the drama for the 3rd period as the teams scored all 4 regulation goals in that frame, including one with just over 90 seconds left by Dayton to tie things up. OT was short lived as the winner was potted at the 3:35 mark.

The ice was tilted in Dayton’s favour in the 3rd and OT although they were pressing for the tie later in the 3rd period. Malkin’s struggle in the circle hurt puck possesion time for the Reign and needs to be addressed going forward. Zidlicky and Crawford were again some of Seattle’s better players, Zidlicky had a goal in 22 minutes of action and Crawford faced 35 shots.

Game #3 – Halifax Hammerheads – 6, Reign – 3

Any hope Reign fans had of a home win were quickly extinguished after Halifax built up a 5-0 lead in the opening 14 minutes. They put it on cruise control from there and coasted to an easy win.

Few bright spots here other than the line of Malkin, Nyquist and Abdelkader who were solid with a collective 2G and 2A and an even +/- rating. Crawford was awful and it is perplexing as to why Stevens did not remove him early in the 1st. The trio of Moore-Zucker and Jones was overmatched all night and need to play much better going forward.

Game #4 – Reign – 4, Boston Banshees – 2

A close game after 40 minutes (2-1 Reign, 23-22 shots on goal in favor of Boston) was broken open when Seattle scored just 6 second into the 3rd period and a little less than 9 minutes later and they held on for the victory, their 1st of the season.

Kari Ramo got the start but handled just 2 shots and 8 minutes of play before leaving with what the team only said is a day-to-day injury. Crawford rebounded *wink* from his last game stooping 34 of 36 for the win.

Despite his continued faceoff woes Malkin did spark the offence getting the unofficial GWG and adding a helper. Wideman was the offensive contributor from the point matching Malkin with a goal and assist of his own in his 21 minutes of work.

Seattle year to date

Holding a 1-2-1 record is not a bad start for Seattle and their management and while there are some positives  to be found, only 1 PPG against in 18 short-handed situations, those are usually offset by a weakness that needs addressing 1 PPG scored in 24 chances.

It will be interesting to see what Seattle does in their next ½ dozen games and if Mangement and the players are happy with how thing are progressing.

League news and notes

Quick starts out of the gate for Minnesota (3-0-1), Dayton (3-0-0) and Winnipeg (3-0-1) has fans in those regions giddy with excitement. However it is not just the central part of the continent that has some early hope as Calgary (2-0-2) and Halifax (2-0-1) have yet to suffer a loss.

Speaking of continents it appears Europe may have had a summer that went longer than expected as Siberia (0-4-0), Linz (0-2-1) and Wisborg (0-3-1) have been a little slow out of the gates. Portland (0-3-1) is the only other team seeking to put something into their win column. Of course powerhouse Copenhagen is looking strong (3-0-1) so maybe our Scandinavian friends had a regular summer and fall.

Quite a powerful line in Dayton with Tyler Seguin, Tomas Tatar and Jason Spezza with their 18 points and +22 rating. The line has earned the nickname the JT line and as evidenced by their play their bringing the sexy back to Dayton.

Crusading in Copenhagen is the entire Canosa division All-star defence of Duncan Keith, Shea Weber, Brent Seabrook, Jay Bouwmeester and Erik Karlsson. With 5 points in 4 games, tied with teammate Weber, Karlsson has done it while averaging just 15:30 of ice time, imagine what he would have with 25 minutes a game. Of course the fact that in all of his time on the ice that he has yet to meet teamamte and Crusader goalie Jonathan Quick might be one reason.

Not only does he do a great job of playing homage to THE hockey movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ST-JyiOyV0 Springfield Homers Marc-Andre Fleury has been great in the blue paint so far facing almost 31 shots a game and yielding just 2 total goals in the team’s 3 games.

Leaving behind the burning tire town of Springfield there is a strong smell coming out of the state of Oregon. It seems to be centered in Portland where the hometown Owls have used 4 netminders early on and all but Scott Darling have struggled mightily and 11 goals scored as a team in 4 games is not bad but when you yield 18 as a team it’s tough……

…..unless you are Jonas Hiller in Siberia who has requested an actual suit of armour be made available as his 5.50 GAA and 22 goals surrendered in the first 4 games are tough but then he has faced an average of 45 shots a game. There could be hope things will improve but 6 goals scored in those same 4 games does not foster much…however we all know hope springs eternal so stay strong Icecats fans.

Finally some key injuries may hurt the following teams over the next couple of weeks;

Springfield – David Krejci is out for around 3 weeks so another forward in the top 9 will have to step up
Sanibel – Matt Stajan will be sidelined for a couple weeks so Derek Roy and Kyle Brodziak will fill in during his absence
Portland – Scott Laughton (3 weeks) and Wisborg – Johan Larsson (5 weeks) will have their youth movement and evaluations hinderd while these two are on injured reserve.
Winnipeg – Kris Versteeg will see Brad Richardson take his place for the next 3 weeks while he gets treatment.

George Weaston asks: What the Hell Is GM Chuck Taylor's Plan for Hamilton?

AP Hamilton:

Are the kids alright?

The loyal fan base here in the Hammer are starting to get sick of both losing and watching the parade of talented players leaving town.  Tyler Johnson off to Dayton & Jaromir Jagr to Fort Erie...  These two superstars are just one of a long line of great players to get the bums rush out of Copps Coliseum since the team relocated in 2011.  I would say in my humble opinion that Mr. Taylor is hanging on by a thread and team ownership should be digging out the scissors.  Jimmy Howard for a 9th and 10th round pick? Incompetent.  Dan Hamhuis and Eric Gudbranson for a couple prospects? Stupid. Taking Geoff Lupul for any amount of money.

Ridiculous.

Megastar Shea Weber gone for a guy who had a stroke. Facepalm.

How did this guy not just get and keep his job?

Ryan O'Rielly, Patrick Marleau, Phil Kessel, Zedeno Chara, Henrik Sedin?

Headshake. What do we have to show for it?  A big pile of maybe's. I'm not convinced that any of them will be regular NHL players. If management can't turn this sinking ship around and at least make the it's time to get rid of this clown and hire someone who can bring in and retain talent.

George Weston for the Hamilton Spectator

Kallum's Kids: This week, the Calgary Chinook...

Kallum's Kids: This week in the CCHL Prospect Report, the Calgary Chinook...

Top 6 Forwards Grade: A

Travis Konecny

Dylan Larkin

Hunter Shinkaruk

Emile Poirier

Micheal Dal Colle

Nikita Scherbak

Top 4 Defensemen Grade: A

Travis Sanheim

Marcus Pettersson

Zach Werenski

Ivan Provorov

Top 2 Goalies Grade: F

-

-

Comments:

Spectacular defensive prospects and really nice forwards but no real goalie prospect.

Total grade: C

(Next week: The Copenhagen Crusaders....)

Boston Banshees GM Zak Davis on his rebuild....

When Zak Davis took over the Boston Banshees, he knew a rebuild was needed.

He began tearing down the hockey club and building from the ground up.  The fanbase has endured two brutal seasons full of losing.  A third season is underway with the losses expected to pile up.  Or so it would seem.

Boston hosted the Portland Owls on opening night.  Davis admits he had a glass-half-empty outlook prior to faceoff.

"Honestly?  I was thinking we lose 3-0 and get booed off the ice.  The fans have been patient and expect results," Davis said.

That is exactly what 17,148 people at the Shriek Center received on September 30.  Linemates Jordan Staal and Curtis Glencross combined for six points and goaltender Jaroslav Halak denied 41 of 42 shots against to backstop the Banshees to a 4-1 over Portland.

Davis' initial reaction to the season opener?

"The exception to the rule," Davis suggested.  "It was a pleasant surprise considering how rough it's been around here the last few years."

Boston outhit the Owls and won in the faceoff circle.  Portland edged out the Banshees in corner battles and puck possession.

"That one was closer than the scoreboard shows.  No way do we win without Jaro in goal," the GM stated.

Two days later, Halak was back in net as Boston traveled to Wisborg.

A more complete team effort from the Banshees lead to a 5-2 victory over the Donuts.  Staal and Glencross needed just 21 seconds to get on the stat sheet.  Linemate Charlie Coyle followed with his first goal less than a minute later.

"Those opening two minutes set the tone.  Even with Danny DeKeyser's penalty, Wisborg was constantly playing catchup after Charlie's goal," commented Davis.

Third liner Colin Greening's night ended early after accumulating 22 penalty minutes in the first period.  Just over a minute after serving a minor penalty, Greening was sent to the shows following a 10-minute misconduct and a game misconduct.

"Colin's performance was disappointing, to say the least.  A complete lack of focus.  Casey (Cizikis) and Drew (Shore) suffered with minimal ice time because of it," Davis said.

With the Banshees now 2-0 and outscoring the opposition 9-3, has Davis' expectations changed for his club?

"These wins are well-deserved.  Ws have been few and far between since I took over.  The rebuild is far from over," answered Davis

Boston now returns home for a Sunday matchup with the Dayton Musicmen.

"Bill Corfield has a talented and exciting club over there," said Davis.  "We need to build on these early wins and continue working.  Dayton is a good team and a great challenge."

BANSHEE NOTES

-Defenseman Luca Sbisa, acquired from the Minnesota Norsemen in exchange for forward Tomas Kopecky and a sixth-round draft pick, made his debut against Wisborg on Boston's third defensive pairing.  He was solid in 14 minutes, emerging a +2 while contributing a shot on goal.  Matt Bartkowski was scratched to make room for Sbisa.

-Winger Martin Erat and ex-Musicman Anton Volchenkov were both signed to one-year, $525,000 contracts yesterday.  Erat will debut against Dayton.

-Davis and frequent trade partner Matt Young completed another deal: defenseman Ryan Ellis went to Fort Erie while Jussi Jokinen and minor leaguer Danny Biega head to New England.  Jokinen is expected to line up alongside Marcus Kruger and Erat on Sunday.  Unconfirmed reports state that Richard Clune, who failed to report to training camp, was part of the trade as well.

Johan Kallum looks back at trading Ovechkin and Datsyuk to the Killers...

This entry appeared on the CCHL Transaction page on November 7, 2013....

(11/07/13) WIS trades P.Datsyuk & A.Ovechkin & M.Michalek to KRL for N.Yakupov & J.Bailey & E.Etem & Elias Lindholm-p & Oscar Klefbom-p & Griffin Reinhart-p & KRL 1st (Kasperi Kapanen)... 

The blockbuster trade made a splash in the league, it was truly some big pieces that moved. It is soon 2 years since the trade and let us look in the trade and see how it looks today.

Motives for the trade: WIS

Wisborg had during the summer gotten hold of both Datsyuk and Ovechkin. The team relied heavily on the first line to produce, the other lines where not bad but not either even close to the first line. The prospect pool was shallow. The season started out not quite as good as WIS management hoped for. A top 8 club for sure at that time early in the season. Would the team turn it on later on the season or was this the potencial? Ovechkin came with uncertainties, he had just finished a sub par season for him with just 32 goals. His third straight year with goals in the 30´s. Face it, that was part of the reasons WIS could get him in the first place. Was the gas starting to run out from
Alexander the G8? KHL was moving up and russians started turning home, the russian factor. So for a team that leaned heavily on two pieces and those two players value could fast turn into dust with a low scoring Ovie and a Datsyuk that was a bit older and it all could change with moves back to Russia. Ovie was off to a great start that season pointing toward once again reaching 50 goals, but would that hold?

Motives for the trade: KRL

Johan E was owner of the Karlstad Killers and the team is today Sanibel Islanders, so this part is all speculation. Since Johan choose to leave CCHL after the season it could be seen as a last push in the league, all or nothing. His team at the time was also a top 8 club with lots of talent but missed a top line that could be relied upon. In addition the team was good at collection prospects and Johan was always very keen on getting the Swedes.

Mechaniques of the trade

KRL mailed out to the league that he wanted to get first line players. I told him my interest in letting go off Ovechkin and Datsyuk but it wouldn't come cheap. So we started to put pieces into the trade. Ovechkin was on a four year contract so there was a chance for me to flip Michalek for Bailey (4 year contract) which evened out nicely for me. I aimed for 3 pieces each for Ovie and Dats and I really would like to get rid of Michaleks salary. In my opinion I got the good pieces I could find in KRLs prospect pool. After this trade WIS was a seller and KRL made some moves to strengthen his push chasing after Copenhagen. He had his centerpieces and WIS sold them.

Two years after, the verdict was in. On KRLs side it worked out pretty well, player wise. Datsyuk had kept going and had a stellar year last season, but maybe age is starting to work against him with a present injury and age of 37. Ovechkin did find his old form and have had 50+ goal seasons since and also started to find some kind of defensive play. None of the players have even been rumored to go back to Russia so it must be considered that KRL got full value for their side of the trade.

As for the push KRL just nipped the second place, a point in front of Fort Eire. In the playoffs however Fort Eire took revenge by winning the semi final against KRL by a 1 goal win in game 7. That must have been disappointing to Johan. Copenhagen went on to eventually beat out Fort Erie in the final series.

As for the players that WIS received it has been a mix of success and disappointments so far. Yakupov was a centerpiece and has yet to put it all together, but hope remains. Etem has likewise not really moved forward as expected but the recent trade to NYR could be a new beginning for him. Griffin Reinhart has been slow to get into NHL and might not be the top pairing as expected but should be a top 4 in Edmonton eventually. Lindholm is more on track as expected while the high hopes for Klefbom was realized and is now a teammate with Griffin. Kasperi Kapanen looks like it was good value for the 21 st pick and since WIS once hade father Sami on the payroll it will be a great father/son story. Bailey who was flipped for Michalek in the deal, has been decent value but not the top player either, he could have been.

While KRL got full value for the players and even better than expected on Ovies part, WIS has some of the players not really living up to what was expected of them. But the players are young and things can still happen. KRLs disappointment must instead be in the derailed cup run.

So for the 2 year anniversary of the blockbuster trade I would say KRL got the better deal so far. But they lost out on the cup and it can be argued that WIS didn't have enough to make the push anyway. It would not have been easy to find another trade partner with enough talent in the prospect pool to pull the deal off then. In hindsight it would probably have been better to trade Ovie later on at a higher value, but that was unknown at the time.

So a good trade back them for both teams with a disappointing short term goal for KRL while WIS players still have some way to go to realize their potential. I would however put KRL ahead in the deal since the involved players provided full value.

/Johan
GM WIS

DEBUT ISSUE (EPISODE???) OF SEATTLE BREW....

Seattle Brew

(The digest with news and notes from and about the CCHL and Seattle’s own CCHL team the Reign)

The 2015-16 CCHL Season dropped the puck on action on Wednesday Septemebr 30^th but just like a beaver it was quite a busy offseason. Let’s see how things look and what falling objects they must like any beaver avoid, e.g. a tree in the woods, which may crush the dreams of Seattle.

Seattle made a series of minor moves to bring in some veteran help to help bolster the depth as their playoff run was derailed in the 2^nd Round last year due to a lack of scoring.

Getting more than a cup of coffee at the Soundgarden this year are new faces, Patrick Elias, Erik Cole, Andrew Ference, Marek Zidlicky, David Desharnais, Dominic Moore, Andre Benoit, Steve Bernier, David Jones and Ron Hainsey. This eclectic mix of talent may need a UN interpreter to understand what each of them are saying.

When you add them to the group of current Reign players like Malkin, Bergeron, Nyquist, Helm, Vlasic, Wideman, Abdelkader, Jarnkrok, Petry, Hagelin, Zucker, Crawford and Ramo this team may be cursing the Baylonians should things fail to gel.

Here is the highlights of the interview we had regarding the off season moves by the Reign with GM and Director of Hocey Operations Michelle Chapman

What was the decision making process in acquring all the players you did?

“We were instructed to do specific things by ownership on the day after the Cup was won by Copenhagen and that was what we did.”

Where these moves made solely at the request of reclusive owner Cam McCurdy? Was he spearheading all transactions and player related decisions?

“We are following through with ownerships requests and we support their vision”

What challenges did you have in bringing players to Seattle, if any?

“Like any decision that involves uprooting and moving across the country or in some cases to an entirely new country it can be a tough one. However we tried to instill in any prospective FA what our vision was and what their role would be in seeing that vision come to fruition. Contrary to what people think free Starbucks coffee and Microsoft products were not part of any deal.” (smiles)

Do you think this team is a legitamite contender for the Kehler Cup?

“I’m sure most of the 21 other GM’s think that is the case with their own team or they are taking steps to become one as soon as possible. We will see how things unfold early on this season to get a feel for how well the players are working together. I see about ½ dozen new players in the lineup to start the year and it takes time to get used to new coaches, a new system and linemates”

So you think you could win the Cup?

“Again we will see how things look early on in the regular season but there are a lot of very talented teams out there who will be pushing very hard to get that Cup.”

How has it been working for Mr. McCurdy, he is known to have a few shall we say different ways in doing things?

“It does take a little getting used to, he only communicates via Morse code so I had to learn that. The entire job interview was done with Rorschach cards, he simply sat in the background wearing a Guy Fawkes mask solving a Rubik’s Cube. He does treat the staff and players well and rewards people quite graciously.”

Since his sports career was cut short by injuries does he want to put his stamp or leave his mark on the type of team that takes the ice? Does he allow the scouting staff, you and the other hockey operations people to ice a team in your style?

“As stated before ownership has clearly indicated to us what they want done and we have proceeded accordingly. Everyone has input and the best decision, based on a variety of factors, is made.”

I know his estate, Paradiso, is very restricted, Mt. Rainier being on one side, no air traffic allowed over the area, military patrols along the perimeter of the 30 foot high electrified fences behind which is a deep moat which lies in front of 30 foot high stone walls but have you had a chance to visit his residence?

“The enitre organization gets to go to his estate once a year. Everyone is transported via helicopter while blindfolded to the property, all personal electronic devices are taken, everyone is forced to take off their clothes, but the entire day is fun filled and shall I say whimsical…we all look forward to it each year.”

So every one there is naked!?!?

(laughs) Oh no, no, no we change into costumes/outfits that are provided for us. It’s been a different theme each year I’ve been there. I can’t say much more due to the contracts we all sign before being allowed on the premises but if there was a “Heaven on Earth” I think Paradiso is that place. I mean this one time we….(a man in a suit with sunglasses enters the room walks to GM Chapman and whispers into her ear then quietly exits)..I’m sorry I got a little off topic there shall we move on.

Okay I understand…recently in the news were rumors that at the annual league meetings that Dayton owner Bill Corfield and Mr. McCurdy had a heated dispute on the golf course regarding the repairing of a ball mark on the green. Is this true?

“We will not respond to salacious rumors and false accusations. There was nothing unusual during the meetings in Florida.”

It was further rumored that while this argument was occurring Reykjavik owner Chris Wolter putted out of turn causing him to get involved in a rather loud argument with Mr. Corfield and Mr. McCurdy. Meanwhile as all of this was transpiring Minnesota Owner Blake Wendt was busy designing new golfing attire for the group. Would you be able to elaborate on this?

(sighs) “We are here to discuss hockey related issues for this season not create stories better suited for the National Enquirer or Weekly World News. Do you have a hockey related question?”

I think we will wait until the season is in full swing for more questions

“Speaking of swinging that reminds me of an event at Paradiso…(the door to the office swings open and a man in a suit wearing sunglasses loudly clears his throat)… oh sorry..I digress. Yes I look forward to talking to you soon.”

Thank you for your time Ms. Chapman

“Thank you” 

Kallum's Kids: This week in the CCHL Prospect Report, the Boston Banshees

(Editor's Note: Johan Kallum, General Manager of the Wisborg Donuts, will be providing an assessment of each team's prospects throughout the 2015-16 season. )

This week:

The Boston Banshees...

Top 6 Forwards Grade: A

Pavel Zacha

Sam Reinhart

John Quenneville

Nicklas Jensen

Christian Fischer

Mike McCarron

Top 4 Defensemen Grade: A

Thomas Chabot

Brandon Carlo

Andreas Englund

Derrick Pouliot

Top 2 Goalies Grade: C

Vitek Vanecek

-

Comments:

Pretty nice mix of prospects on forwards and defensemen but very shallow and uncertain future in goal.

Total grade: B