GWMHL

Archive for the ‘STL’ Category

Prospect Trade, Goalie Cuts Highlight Reopening of Transaction Period

In BAL, STL, Transactions on September 5, 2013 at 10:55 am

With the 2012-2013 season in the books, teams made their off-season cuts today – and while the list features the usual assortment of fourth-liners and bottom-pairing defensemen, two cuts – Jaroslav Halak and Anders Lindback – are likely to be snapped up by goalie-starved team once free agency opens.

In other news, Saint Louis and Baltimore swapped young wingers, with Nino Niederreiter heading to the Blues in exchange for Jaden Schwartz.

2013 Cuts
Ice Harbor – Maxim Lapierre
South Carolina – Jason Blake, Mike Komisarek, Louis Leblanc
Portland – Brett Connolly
Sterling – Yannick Weber
Denver – Cory Sarich, Anders Lindback
Baltimore – Jaroslav Halak
San Francisco – Cory Emmerton, Raphael Diaz, Bobby Butler, Alec Martinez, Ryan Shannon
Saint Louis – Ian White, Patrick Dwyer, Jacob Josefson
Winnipeg – Chris Tanev
Great Lakes – Tim Brent, Tom Wandell, Darren Helm, Anton Lander, Matt D’Agostini, Jack Skille
Vancouver – Mathieu Garon

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2012-2013 Award Winners

In BOS, NAS, SAL, SFS, Special Features, STL on August 7, 2013 at 9:07 am

In a season notable for a lack of headline-making offensive performances, many players still shone in the 2012-13 GWMHL regular season. As a few select teams battle it out in the playoffs, we take a (totally biased and absolutely unscientific) look at the players who made the biggest mark on the year.

Scoring Champ

Claude Giroux, Nashville Knights
Giroux won his first-ever — and not likely his last — scoring title in style. With 108 points, he was the only player to surpass 100 and was 11 points up on his nearest competition. Most remarkably, and we’ll circle back to this, is that Giroux finished the year with 42 points more than his nearest teammate, Patrick Kane. Where would the Knights have gotten without him? Not very far.
Honourable Mentions: Erik Cole, Saint Louis Blues (97 points), Patrik Elias, Boston Banshees (96 points)

Sniper Award

Erik Cole, Saint Louis Blues
Erik Cole was lighting it up even before Saint Louis started acquiring a deep supporting cast at the trade deadline.  We didn’t see many stratospheric point totals this season, but Cole had some close competition in the goals race, but the winger — who had 32 goals last season and just 16 the season before — just kept ticking en route to his league-leading 54.
Honourable Mentions: Steven Stamkos, Charleston Chiefs (51 goals), Milan Lucic, Boston Banshees (47 goals)
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Which Deadline Pickups Made the Biggest Impact After 24 Games?

In DEN, NAS, SCA, Special Features, STL, VAN on June 12, 2013 at 9:42 pm

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It was the most active trade deadline in recent memory. 24 games later, most of the players who found new homes have had a chance to show what they’ve got. But which teams’ acquisitions made the biggest difference?

1) Saint Louis Blues (17-6-1 since deadline)

The Blues were a good team before the deadline, but that didn’t deter them from making bold moves – and it paid off. Daniel Alfredsson (9 goals in 24 games) and Alex Steen (13 points in 12 games) were notable producers, but the real impact was on overall team depth. They’ve never been harder to defend.

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Alfredsson Gets New Start in Saint Louis

In BOS, News, STL, Transactions on May 8, 2013 at 12:58 pm

After more than 11 seasons, veteran winger Daniel Alfredsson is on his way out of the Boston Banshees franchise. The team’s second all-time leading scorer has been traded to the Saint Louis Blues, who continue to load up on experienced talent, in exchange for winger Matt Frattin and Ice Harbor’s 3rd round pick in 2013. It marks the fourth major deal of the season for the Blues and the second move this week for the Banshees.

Blues Keep Adding, Acquire Mason Raymond

In News, STL, Transactions, VAN on April 29, 2013 at 6:24 pm

Speedy forward Mason Raymond is on his way from Vancouver to Saint Louis, as the Blues continue to aggressively reimagine their roster heading into the season’s second half. In return, the Night Train get veteran centre Michal Handzus – only just acquired by the Blues – and a 3rd round draft pick.

In 40 games this season, Handzus had 8 assists and no goals. Raymond has only played in 18 contests so far this season, managing a goal and a helper in fourth line icetime.

Baltimore Deals Burrows and Salvador

In BAL, News, STL, Transactions on April 26, 2013 at 1:36 pm

The Baltimore Crab‘s struggle in the standings has prompted them to ship some veterans to a contender. On their way to the new-look Saint Louis Blues are Alexandre Burrows and Bryce Salvador, while Jakub Kindl and Kyle Okposo join the Crab.

Burrows – one of the Crab’s most dependable wingers who once shocked the league with a 49-goal campaign – brings scoring and experience to the Blues’ top six while Salvador join new acquisition Nicklas Grossmann in settling down the D. Kindl and Okposo aren’t as reliable as point-producers, but both are in their mid-twenties, meaning Baltimore’s just shed 18 years off its roster.

Ice Harbor and Saint Louis Make 6-Player Swap

In IHS, STL, Transactions on April 19, 2013 at 12:00 pm

The Ice Harbor Storm, well out of playoff contention as the season approaches the midway point, have made another deal – sending Alex Steen, Michal Hanzus, Nicklas Grossmann, and draft picks to the Saint Louis Blues for Brayden Schenn, Mikkel Boedker, and Erik Johnson.

It’s the first move for Saint Louis’ new management, and a bold one, as they unload a young group to add veteran depth for a post-season push. The Storm, meanwhile, continue their rebuild. Schenn and Boedker join a young core that includes Jordan Eberle, Nazem Kadri, and Kyle Turris, while Johnson may be called upon to help Kris Letang lead a blueline group that also features Adam Larsson and Tyler Myers.

To STL: F Alexander Steen, F Michal Handzus, D Nicklas Grossmann, 3rd round rookie pick in 2013, 2nd round free agent pick in 2013
To IHS: F Brayden Schenn, F Mikkel Boedker, D Erik Johnson

Season Preview: Sawchuk

In BOS, DEL, FFS, IHS, NAS, PWH, SFS, STL, VAN, WVR on November 24, 2011 at 10:40 am

The last five Gump Cups have gone to Sawchuk Conference teams. The five years before that went to the Plante. Are we due for a sea change? With two flat-out powerhouses, a few perennial contenders, and several rebuilding teams poised to take the next step, there’s no shortage of intrigue in the Sawchuk this season. Here’s a look at what’s changed.

In – G Michal Neuvirth, F Marcus Johansson, G Devan Dubnyk, F Jordan Caron, D John Moore, F Nate Thompson, F Adam Hall
Out – F Mike Knuble, F Paul Kariya, D Niclas Wallin, F Jason Blake, D Jaroslav Spacek, G Jason LaBarbera, F James Wright

The Banshees, under new ownership eager to make a stamp on the team, made some significant moves this off-season, shipping out vets Mike Knuble, Jason Blake, and Jaroslav Spacek and bringing in two promising young netminders in Michal Neuvirth and Devan Dubnyk. But how much will they really play behind workhorse Henrik Lundqvist? A rested Lundqvist should terrify the rest of the conference come playoff time, though, and if Boston gets good performances from some of its younger players – notably Sam Gagner and Erik Karlsson – they should be in the running for a spot.

In – F Derek Stepan, G Kevin Poulin, F Linus Omark, F Mats Zuccarello, F Anthony Stewart, D Shane O’Brien, G Peter Budaj
Out – F Cristobal Huet, F Slava Kozlov, F Michael Nylander, D Wade Redden, F Mike Brown, F Tomas Kopecky, F Jay Pandolfo

There’s no question the Sturgeon are in full-on rebuild mode, and one that’s going quite well… up front. As players like Evander Kane continue emerging and newcomers like Derek Stepan get a chance to shine, they’ll improve. But there’s still major upheaval to come as its once mighty core retires or otherwise moves on, and there are big question marks on defense and in goal, meaning a young player like Alex Goligoski is going to have to be a number one defenseman this year, because Delta has no one else to fill those skates. And, seriously, Peter Budaj?

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The 4 Shortest Careers in League History

In CHA, PIT, Special Features, STE, STL on July 5, 2011 at 7:21 am

Blah-blah-blah-thousands. Blah-blah-blah-generational talent. We like to celebrate amazing careers and statistical milestones here. But what about the other end of the spectrum?

Here’s our look at the four shortest careers in Gump Worsley Memorial Hockey League history – careers that came and went in the time it takes for you to brush your teeth. Look at it as a celebration of incredible efficiency! Maybe these guys were all just really, really fast.

Zoom.

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Checkers, Veterans Head List of Off-Season Player Releases

In BOS, DEL, GLP, NAS, News, SAL, SCA, SFS, STE, STL, Transactions, VAN, WIN on July 1, 2011 at 6:42 pm

The GWMHL has officially announced the list of player releases due to under-use, effective immediately. The list is headlined by veterans like Mike Modano, Adam Foote, and Chris Osgood, as well as two surprises – utility winger Tomas Kopecky, formerly of Delta, and center Darren Helm, who recently helped the Salem Wannabees to its second straight Gump Cup Finals.

All players who are now free agents who, if eligible, will be available in the pre-season Free Agent Draft.

The full list:

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