Week In Review, Friday May 27th

To wrap off the week and give you a little bit more to chat about this weekend, here's the highlights from around the league this week.

1. FHL announces 8th team as New Jersey Outlaws. Whalers fans particularly interested to find out that Chris Firriolo, who resigned from his job as Danbury's Head Coach at the end of the season, has been announced as the team president. 
2. Outlaws announce their first signing to be Matt Puntereri. Puntureri was integral to the Aviators mammoth win streak in the latter half of the season, and was also listed as one of their protected players. The Outlaws claimed that he was traded their way for cash and future considerations. Must have been a fat chunk of change to get the Aviators to let go of one of, if not their most important offensive player. 
3. Rome not coming back. The Frenzy announced very quietly that they would not be returning for a second FHL season. This was hinted at rather subtly in the Outlaws press release stating that New Jersey was the eigth, not ninth, team in the FHL. Further, a fan of their facebook page posted a copy of the paper letter announcing the official death of Rome. (Sorry Whalers fans, no more chances to start a Rome is burning! chant this season). 
4. Danville signs its first 3 players. Igor Batora, Peter Babkovic, and Lukas Jirkovsky are the first 3 players to sign with Danville. Still very skeptical as to the survivability of this franchise, what with being so very far away from the rest of them. 
5. Corey Fulton attends Whalers off-season Party. For those of you who missed it, Fulton was in fact in attendance at the Whalers party this past weekend at Two Steps. That's commitment, gotta love this guy. (If other word wasn't enough, that should be confirmation enough he's back)
6. Nick Niedert re-signs with the Whalers. The Whalers announced officially this past week that Niedert had signed a contract to continue playing with the Whalers for the 2011-2012 season. Unofficially, word is that he's already signed a 4 year deal with the team. He's on the record numerous times saying he wants to finish his career with the Whalers, so don't expect him to go anywhere anytime soon. 
7. Joe Dabkowski re-signs with the Whalers. The Whalers announced within the last 24 hours that Dabkowski, known affectionately to Whalers fans as Super Joe, will be returning for the 2011-2012 season. Perhaps one of the biggest surprises out of training camp in the first season, I can't wait to see him back. If nothing else, Dabkowski brings sheer heart to the team night in and night out, and you can't buy that. Obviously wants to be here, and the fans are more than happy to have him.
8. Cape Cod Barons change name to Bluefins. Announced via their facebook on Friday afternoon. 

Have a good weekend everyone! Back Monday AM with more.

Protected Players List, Part 3 of 14: 1000 Islands Privateers/Akwesasne Warriors

The third part of our protected players analysis closes out week one with the rest of the Privateers players and the beginning of Akwesasne. Let's get the Privateers wrapped up first before we overview the Warriors. 

Josselin St Pierre

Stats: 24 y/o Netminder; 23 GP, 15-4-2, .911 pct, 2.78 GAA

Thoughts: As a starting goaltender, put up very respectable numbers for a team that often left him on his own defensively. Even still, finished the season with the second best GAA in the league, only sitting behind Kevin Druce's 2.51. 3^rd in wins, behind Druce and Niedert. Easily one of the top four netminders in the league.

Verdict: Coupled with a rebuilt defensive corps for the new season he'd be lethal. Definitely staying.

Clay McFadden

Stats: 25 y/o Center; 20 GP, 10G, 13A, 23 pts, +11

Thoughts: A solid center, able to throw up respectable numbers with minimal penalty minutes. A short career with little playoff experience necessitates the need for a veteran center to round out the middle. He's got experience in numerous different leagues, so it's very possible he has a breakout season with the Privateers this year. Even still, may not be able to fill up the middle on the first line.

Verdict: Solid depth player. Staying.

Akwesasne Warriors

For the most part, it seemed like the Warriors had a new line-up every time we saw them. For a roster that featured an absolutely staggering 49 players, the Warriors found their rhythm with a consistent line-up that lead them to the league's inaugural Cup. Defense was perhaps the weakest point for every team in the league, and Akwesasne was no exception. To their credit, they overcame a merely mild defensive weakness with colossal point production. The Warriors were also the only team to protect less than the maximum of 12 players, though their focus here was obviously to lock down their scorers for this season. The rest of the supporting cast, as proved time and time again throughout the season, was expendable, and will very likely remain that way. 

Kyle Lagace

Stats: 24 y/o Center; 44 GP, 15 G, 13 A, 28 pts, -14

Thoughts: Lagace produced a decent number of points on the season, including quite a few penalty minutes as well. Spent almost all of his ice time at even strength, and was one of the Warriors' more defensively liable players, though that doesn't say much for a team so anemic defensively even if it could be arguably considered the most well-rounded in the league. After as many games as they had producing almost circus-like amounts of goals, we understand they can score. It's up to the star players now to elevate their defensive game to the level of their offensive game.

Verdict: Another talented center to feed their superstar wingers; not going anywhere.

Darick St Marie

Stats: 21 y/o Center; 27 GP, 13 G, 11 A, 24 pts, +6

Thoughts: For how young he is, St Marie filled the center role very well for his short time with the Warriors. Seemed to provide a spark regardless of what line he was playing with, including a respectable amount of powerplay time. He's a hard working player across the board and can only benefit from playing the entire season with the Warriors.

Verdict: Stays. Has the capability, easily, to center the 1^st or 2^nd line.

Chad Bazin

Stats: 23 y/o Defenseman; 15 GP, 1 G, 8 A, 9 pts, -6

Thoughts: A late season defensive acquisition, Bazin was very reliable for feeding the puck to offensive players from the point, but disappointed defensively during the regular season. He found his own in the playoffs, finishing with 2 points and a +14 rating. If he can continue the responsible play he demonstrated against the Privateers and Aviators, he'll certainly have a lot more ice time to prove himself come this Fall.

Verdict: Needs to play how he played in the playoffs, not in the regular season. If he can't repeat that magic, look for him to get familiar with Akwesasne's regularly revolving door of players.

Stay tuned next week for the next 5 Warriors players. 

Protected Players List, Part 2 of 14: 1000 Islands Privateers

Today is the second part of our protected players analysis, which covers the next 5 Privateers players. 

Alex Goupil

Stats: 26 y/o C; 44 GP, 42 G, 35 A, 77 Pts, +23

Thoughts: One of the league's true elite snipers, he'll always hold a place in Danbury fans' hearts for his time spent with the Trashers. A responsible player in all zones, Goupil posted inhuman point production this season, carrying it well into the playoffs with 7 points in 4 playoff games. He's not getting any younger, and the Privateers themselves announced last season would be his last.

Verdict: Questionable at best. If he returns, I've no doubt he'll be on top of his game, but numerous sources reported that he had played his last professional game this past season. Citing the desire to settle down with his wife and the fact that he wasn't getting any younger, Goupil wanted to move back to Kansas this year. If he's on the protected list, it may be a precautionary move in case he decides to keep playing, but no official word yet.  

Adam McAllister

Stats: 23 y/o Left Wing; 42 GP, 17 G, 16 A, 33 Pts, +1

Thoughts: McAllister is a very unusual case in that he seems to be able to combine above average point production with above average penalty box time. He plays a gritty game that may be considered antagonistic by some, but if that's his secret to putting up points, it's definitely working.

Verdict: This is the grinding, hard working kind of player you build a team around.

Nick LaPorte

Stats: 21 y/o Defenseman; 24 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 Pts, +8

Thoughts: Originally touted as a playmaking defenseman, he was certainly overshadowed in that regard by Byrd and McAllister. At 6'5 and 200+ pounds, he's a big kid. It may benefit the Privateers for him to switch focus from being up ice to protecting the blue line. With that height, he's got plenty of reach to shut down the other team's top scorers and allow the Privateers to move right back up ice. Plenty of booming hits this season give me the impression he's capable, if he wants to.

Verdict: Stays, but needs to focus more on his physical role than trying to score. Either way, still young and plenty of time to develop. Don't expect him to go anywhere without his twin brother. 

 

Mike Byrd

Stats: 22 y/o Defenseman; 43 GP, 11 G, 34 A, 45 Pts, +31

Thoughts: Fits in very well with the Privateers all-out offense mentality. Though it remains to be seen if that approach remains come this Fall, Byrd throws up crazy point production for a defenseman. When you have a defenseman so beautifully capable of moving up and into the play, defense becomes almost unnecessary. A defensive playmaker like Byrd is a hot commodity, but again, the Privateers are in dire need of some true blue line powerhouses as well.

Verdict: Assuming he doesn't get called up again (6 games with Huntsville Havoc, SPHL), he's not going anywhere. Somebody has to feed the snipers pucks, and he's darn good at it.

James Kirkwood

Stats: 24 y/o Right Wing; 7 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, -2

Thoughts: Contributes on the offense without being a defensive liability. Slightly on the small side. Completely shut down during the playoffs. May have to go if the opportunity to acquire a big stay at home Dman arises. Necessity diminished by more productive offensive Dmen already on the team. Eventually somebody has to go, and amongst the defensive corps, he's certainly on the lower end.

Verdict: Stays to fill the up-ice D role. Potential trade bait to a team looking for a fast defenseman.

 

Friday you'll see the rest of the Privateers and the beginning of the Warriors. 

Protected Players List, Part 1 of 14: 1000 Islands Privateers

As I said earlier, you'll be getting 5 players a day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until the training camp starts. The feature begins then, with the Privateers' first 5 protected picks.

Look for the overall theme here to be locking down their star offensive players, which built their trademark gameplay last season; blisteringly fast offensive rushes that succeeded in goal-scoring more often than not, but at the cost of sub-par defense. The defense won't be addressed very well with this list, and they'll certainly have to be in the market for a stable of top 4 defenseman before October.


Justin Levac
Stats: 22 y/o Right Wing; 35 GP, 19 G, 18 A, 37 Pts, +15

Thoughts: A 22 year old with 6 seasons of pro hockey under his belt is a commodity most people would kill for. Still time to develop, and a point per game player anyway. In those 35 games he contributed 6 PPG and 5 PPA, making him a large factor in why the Privateers' powerplay was so dangerous.

Verdict: He's staying, no questions asked. Look for him to anchor the offensive core for the Privateers all season long. 1^st line player, 1^st PP unit.

Ryan Pearson

Stats: 21 y/o Winger; 44 GP, 14 G, 26 A, 40 Pts, +8

Thoughts: Plays a hard-hitting, aggressive game that clicks very well with the Privateers. Could do well to tone down some of the calls next season. 40 point offense with 43 penalty minutes in 44 games tells me he could have racked up quite a few more points if he spent less time in the box. Low +/- v. Pts differential indicative of team-wide need for tighter defense. Lethal in the playoffs as well, contributing 8 points in as many games. Highlight of the season for Danbury fans undoubtedly his deliberate high stick that left Lucas Schott needing some extensive dental work done.

Verdict: Stays. Edgy, productive game.

Tyler Fernandez

Stats: 22 y/o LW; 43 GP, 23 G, 44 A, 67 Pts, +22

Thoughts: With a proven EJHL record, Fernandez is counted on to break across the blue line to get the offense going, and his production this season proved he does it very well. Comfortably over a point per game, responsible defensively, and not too shabby on the powerplay either. Not too much more to ask for in a 1^st line winger.

Verdict: Doesn't make sense to get rid of a D1 player. Fernandez stays, no doubt about it.  

Bryan Marks

Stats: 24 y/o Defenseman; 31 GP, 4 G, 5 A, 9 Pts, +1

Thoughts: Exactly the player the Privateers need to build around this season, he plays a hard hitting defensive game and is counted on to QB the powerplay as well. While his passing and shooting are solid, you can't fill the role of 1^st line Defenseman and powerplay QB with a +1. Even if he throws up another 10 point season this Fall, those point passes may need to be toned back in favor of slightly more conservative play. May be a more convenient solution to keep him a stay at home defenseman and search for an additional powerplay man.

Verdict: Can't do his job alone; needs some help, but they'll be building around him to get it done.

Chase Tippin

Stats: 24 y/o Right Wing; 7 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, -2

Thoughts: At 6'2 and 210, with 22 penalty minutes in 7 games, and production numbers like that, it's obvious why they brought him on. Everybody needs their bruiser, and Tippin is an intimidating presence on the ice for sure. While rosters are still shaking up, we'll see how high he sits on the fighter totem pole by the time October comes around. One thing is for sure, the Privateers needed someone to stick up for the team badly coming into the stretch and if he doesn't contribute anything else, he certainly fills that role without a problem.

Verdict: If he's staying, he'll have a whole season to prove he can protect his teammates; 7 games wasn't enough to make a true call on Tippin.

It's hard to say if any of these players will be used as trade bait prior to the start of the season. Everything right now points to the core forwards staying around, but with the point production the Privateers had, it's not like they can't afford to push one or two guys out in return for a defensive uptake. 

Until Wednesday, when we'll post the next 5 Privateers players. 

Pre-Season Coverage Starts Today

We're back for the 2011-2012 Season! Lots of exciting updates coming your way in the near future. We're going to kick off our pre-season coverage with feature posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until the Whalers Tryout Camp begins on June 24th, at which point there'll be plenty of live coverage direct from the camp.

What we're going to start with this year is a breakdown of the recently released FHL Protected Players list, moving alphabetically through the teams with Danbury being placed last to coincide with the beginning of this year's summer camp.

Each team was allowed to place 12 players on their protected list. All existing teams elected to do this with the exception of Akwesasne, who protected 10.

That leaves us 14 feature post days between now and then, and 70 players to cover. You'll be seeing thoughts on 5 players a day for the duration of this feature.



As always, thanks to all of our readers for their support. Looking forward to another great year for Danbury hockey!