Prospects Start Season Off With a Win

The much anticipated New York Rangers' 2007-08 season kicked off last night with Ranger prospects winning their opening game over Lightning prospects at the Traverse City Prospect Tournament in the Detroit area. Brandon Dubinsky, who told Blueshirt Bulletin that he was asked to participate by the Rangers to give the team a "veteran" presence scored twice, as did Lauri Korpikoski, in the 6-4 win. Miika Wiikman, the Finnish pro signed by Hartford, was the winner in net.

The Ranger roster is the same as we posted a few weeks ago, except that Mark Lee has taken the place of try-out player Ryan Baldwin. Lee and Artem Anisimov, joining the team after leaving the Canada-Russia Super Series, did not dress for the game. For a full roster and tournament preview, see NYR.com, where you will also find a recap of last night's game with a listing of the lines (box score at Red Wings Central). NHL Connect lists Marc Staal as one of the top ten prospects at the tournament. The prospects resume action this afternoon at 3:30 PM vs. Atlanta.

Anisimov was probably withheld from the game because of the injuries he sustained during the Super Series, plus all the travel, and also because the Rangers probably want to see him in training camp with the NHL players more so than during this series. Alexei Cherepanov, who sustained a minor concussion after a vicious cheap shot by Brandon Sutter during the series, was released from the hospital yesterday and is at least a week away from returning to action (link in Russian here).

Sport Express in Russia has taken note of the interest Ranger fans have shown in the Russian team due to the participation of Anisimov and Cherepanov. They cite Blueshirt Bulletin in noting that "fans of the Rangers attentively follow Anisimov and Cherepanov, periodically condemning the roughness of the Canadian team, because of which both Russians sustained injuries." [Thanks again to Laurie for the link and translation -- "Blueshirt Bulletin" are among the few words on the page in the western alphabet.]

Marcel Hossa spoke to Hokej.sk prior to leaving Slovakia for Ranger training camp. "It will be important how I show up in pre-season camp," he said. "If the coach realizes he can have cofidence in me, I will get time and space on the ice. I hope that I keep doing well. However, as I said before, every season is different. Our team is stronger and we have higher ambitions than a year ago." Asked about his knee, he said, "I still feel something in my knee, but it's much better. I was focusing on strenghtening the knee during the summer. I was working on it in the gym as well as on the bike. I'm glad it's better. I'm ready for the camp." About last season, he said, "It's a different kind of hockey in the playoffs. Sometimes the favorite doesn't win. We were good enough to succeed -- we needed a bit of luck too. Everyone is going to expect the best results and we want to get better." Thanks to DaTeL for the translation.

More announcements of Brian Leetch night in the local papers -- Journal News, Post, Record. John Dellapina writes in the Daily News about the renewed demand for Ranger tickets. Joe McDonald reports in his blog about Sean Avery playing a tough guy in a move that came out a couple of years ago -- here are the IMDB entries for Avery and the movie. We would point you to Joe's IMDB page, but you're probably not interested. Some day I might have my own too, but in the meantime, you can catch me in the thankless role of talking head on the Leetch, Richter, and Messier bios that are being re-run on MSG today (they didn't ask me back for the Graves entry, which is also being shown today).

Comments

[PAJoe]

I think "Four Eyes" should be Miika Wiikmans official nickname.

[Orr will hit youuuuuuuuu..........pretty hard.]

Hopefully the NYR prospects dominate ATL's.

Does anyone have any info on how NYR's goal were scored, i know it seems like a stupid question, but im interested in knowing how the goals were scored. I never get to see the prospects play. Unless its during Pre Season, i dont get to watch Wolfpack games, because there not on TV, and youtube barely as any clips of the players on the team.

[Mitch Beck]

Orr & Others

You can watch all Wolf Pack games on B2 Networks for $160 for the entire 80 game season. You can do the same for the Checkers as well and watch them all on your computer. If you don't have the time or money to do that, stay close to your computer screen because I will be covering all of the Wolf Pack home games and a few away games as well and will, if everything goes as planned, have some sound bites, interviews etc for you. It will be an excellent supplement to the amazing coverage that you get both in our magazine and via the Hartford COurant from my good friend Bruce Berlet.

It's for these kinds of things, not to mention Jess covering the juniors, as to why if you're a NY Rangers fan that you should be subscribing to the print version of Blueshirt Bulletin. FOlks, I've had long discussions about this with Dubi, and if more subscritpions don't start coming in, there won't be a Blueshirt Bulletin for you to have as a resource for things like this. SUBSCRIBE TODAY...

[elsie]

Interesting that Mark Lee is eligible, having played 3 full years pro.

[Phill]

Woooo, ordered my 30 issues today :)

[CML]

Rangers prospects tied with Atlanta after 1st. Ranger goal by Jordan Owens.

NYR.com says "Jordan Owens, who signed with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack for the coming season and will attend the team's main training camp, got the Rangers' lone goal with only 1:28 remaining in the first. Owens scored off a pass from Artem Anisimov, who made a nifty play to set up the goal.

Skating into the zone, the Russian center deked an Atlanta defenseman to create open ice and open the passing lane to Owens, who sent the puck past Thrashers netminder Dan Turple."

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Cmon NYR...Get a few passed ATL..

Nice to hear Artie getting an assist, from what sounds like some sweet playmaking....I cant wait till camp baby....

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Bourret scoooooooooooooores

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Ha...Take that ATL, have fun with your....Pascal Dupuis...lol

I really want NYR to win this, just to torture ATL a little more.

[CML]

2nd period tied 2-2

“Alex Bourret, who played for the Atlanta’s team at this tournament a year ago, burned his former teammates for the tying goal at 15:09 of the third period, scoring off an assist from Ryan Hillier to make it 2-2.”

Still on NYR.com

[CML]

Another goal for Artie!!!

"Russian center Artem Anisimov, the team's 2006 second-round pick who recently took part in the Canada-Russia Under-20 Super Series, has been the difference in the game for the Blueshirts – setting up the team's first goal late in the opening period and notching the go-ahead tally with only 20 seconds remaining in the second."
-NYR.com

[Phill]

To further elaborate:

"Anisimov's goal, scored on a power play, resulted from a slick move in the offensive zone. The speedy playmaker took a pass from Alex Bourret and burst through the offensive zone to beat Atlanta goalie Dan Turple at 19:40."

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Anisiiiiiiimooooooooov woooo

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Man...Artie with 2 goals and an assist

Dubi with 3 goals 2 assists.

Those two are gonna braaawl in camp

Its so exciting, i cant wait damnit

[Jess]

When can anyone recall the last time the Rangers went into a training camp with SEVERAL QUALITY PROSPECTS competing for roster spots?

Sure this current roster is shaping up to be a very good one but think about it folks, all these very talented kids with NHL potential who could just possibly keep the Rangers at the top of the NHL for several years.

Whether we like him or not (and lord knows I have been very critical of him) some credit has to be given to Glen Sather for the turn arround. There is high quality prospects in Hartford, some just about to enter the system and still more in College, the CHL or Europe.

This could become a great time to be a Ranger fan

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Sweeeet..

NYR improves to 2 - 0 with a 5 - 3 win. Great game for Bourret and Anisimov.

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Yeah i agree with Jess. Love him or hate him, you gotta admit, Sather is doing alot better. Passing on Peca was something i didnt expect, even Souray which was a big rumor.

He turned Adam Hall & Pascal Dupuis into Bourret who looks promising. And he's just been making a few good moves, like Avery and Mara, and yes i do like Mara i thought he was a damn good move and im hoping he doesnt get traded.

And dont forget, he dumped Cullen, and like i said, skipped Peca, so he can give Anisimov or Dubinsky the chance to compete for 3rd line center. Also he's finally giving Staal a shot to get the final spot on D. Its exciting.

[Mike]

I'm a little worried that AC was just released from the hospital for treatment of a "minor" concussion. Can anyone shed some light on this?

[czechthemout!!!]

dubi and aa are exactly why passing on peca was a smart move.the team is going to have a good problem on their hands,do they play one of these imensly talanted players on the wing or do they send one of them down to hartfoed to waste away,or do they eventually part with blair betts and open up space for other guys like pyatt and dupont?all in all a very exciting time to be a rangers fan.

[smitty]

With today's legitimate concern over the long-term effects over concussions, I think a minor concussion is just that. They do some tests and monitor the player to compare to a baseline. Having suffered several over the years between hockey and rugby, I must say that we have come quite far in terms of medicine and societal concern. That said, some players just have a soft noggin, no matter how big they are.

Does anyone know yet whether the boys will be doing mini-camp in Lake George again this year? My son is dying to see them again.

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Does anyone know a website where i can find other scores from game from Traverse City??

[Bob Merchant]

If you have not clicked the movie link above in the article, do so and check out the cast. Pretty impressive.

[Jess]

Orr

RedWingsCentral: http://www.redwingscentral.com/camps/2007-08/results.ht

In addition I have talked to several old timers about the pros/cons in having younger players on the roster and almost word for word they all say the same thing.

Having young players fighting for roster spots forces older players to work harder.

Gone are the days when veterans did not have to look over their shoulder and not be worried that a kid was NHL ready and wanting their spot on the team. Now we are going to see Dubinsky, AA, Dawes, Bourret and who knows challenging for roster spots.

Now veterans need to produce because the kids are hungry, they (the kids) want to play in the NHL and if a veteran is in their way they are not going to care who they push aside.

Mike

Not sure what you are wanting to know but AC took an elbow to the head during the Super Series. It was considered by both the Rangers and Russians as a low grade concussion. They kept him in the hospital to insure he was ok before releasing him.

Smitty

No word as of yet if the Rangers plan on repeating their trip to Lake George, you might have better luck contacting the local rink and seeing if the Rangers have reserved the ice time.

[elsie]

schedule, results, box scores (click underlined results), rosters (click team name in standings)
for Traverse City
http://www.redwingscentral.com/camps/2007-08/results.html

[masud]

Dubinsky or Anisimov, I don't know who is gonna make it but I am excited for both of them.These two young guys are really exciting to watch and I hope both of them make the team this year.

[pghas]

The very fact that Cherepanov never lost consciousness makes it a grade 1 or 2 concussion, unlike the much more svere grade 3 that Shanny suffered. Grade 1 is really minor, Grade 2's only really become a problem when you've had alot of them. Most likely Cherepanov was not in the hospital that long because he needed to be but becasue they probably wanted an MRI or something and he had to wait a long time just to get one done in Russia. Not sure why they wouldn't have just sent him home though.

[cwede]

Korpikoski had a fight, with a Canadian-born Defenseman - that's what I wanna know more about!

[imitation]

So where does Dawes fit in all of this excitement ? He was the leading score in Hartford , was up for awhile , & was put in the final playoff game. Dubinsky & AA's progress is probably better served starting in Hartford. Renney & Sather have to decide who they are more comfortable with @ 3rd line center. If the NYR carry 8 D there is basically 1 spot open, and I think Dawes deserves it & is ready to play in the NHL. Now he has to prove it in camp again.

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Imitation - Dawes had his chance, he didnt do anything with it, now other players diserve to get his shot.

[cwede]

That's what camp is for - to see which kids fight there way into the lineup sooner, and which veterans may show to be replaceable. Up front, it may be Dawes, maybe Anisimov or Dubinksy, maybe Bourret, Byers, Moore, Korpikoski or even DuPont. And Callahan may not be a lock to start up in the NHL. He has 'options', and is very similar to Prucha and Dawes.

[ant]

tickets on sale for Rangers against icelanders on the island so go and buy em so we can support our team there

[imitation]

cwede can't you read? Dawes had his shot already. After reading this blog, he'll get the message. If all the kids get the same shot as he had & that's it , the vets don't have to worry;-)

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

I really want to see Bourret or Korpikoski get a shot.

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

I dont know if anyone seen this vid...Its nothing special, but its Scott Gomez and Jay Pandalfo in some micro hockey thing. In the beginning of the video Gomez falls down on the ice...its pretty funny, as long as he's not hurt.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=giLJTSEOOL8

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Check out this vid of Paul Mara pounding Darcy Tucker

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ayAjMu8ApCI

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Here's another Mara fight against Philly's Richards

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ee2g3ANY4VA

[pgrant]

Ant- thanks for the heads up....just picked up great seats for the Oct. 10th game. I guess ticket sales are slow without Milbury calling people and begging them to buy tickets.

[Tom]

Guys remember the starting lineup on opening night is def not the same lineup everynight....that said anisimov and dubinsky AND dawes all can "make" the team as in one may crack the starting lineup but all three can be prove in camp to be viable options in case of injury or if someone else is cold through out the season (i.e. the way callahan and girardi got on the team last season)

[Jess]

Tell you what folks Gord Clark gave me a list of players he felt were NHL ready (a couple will surprise you) and had the best shot to make the Rangers.

IF you want to know who those are then you will have to wait until the first issue of the season comes out along with your chance to see stories on Schoeny and new Hartford coach Ken Germander.

Oh wait you are not a subscriber, what a shame because you are going to miss the VERY BEST WAY to FOLLOW THE RANGERS as they begin THEIR QUEST FOR A CUP.

For just a mere 30 bucks (the cost of one ticket) you too will know what our readers already know: nobody covers the Rangers better

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