Steals of the RHL11 Draft

Everyone knows that money can buy everything but a championship, just ask the New York Rangers. Imagine what the Oakland A’s or the Minnesota Twins could do with the Rangers payroll? While everyone knows about the Crosby’s, Lindros’s and Lemieux’s on draft day, it’s the Gagne’s, Hejduk’s & Elias’s that makes a team a contender. Now imagine what the Flyers, Avalanche and Devils would do with a top 10 pick every year.
As the title indicates, I’m making a wild attempt at analyzing the steals of the RHL11 Draft. With the exception of Jay Bouwmeester, the RHL11 Draft consisted of players from the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, which included such franchise players like Rick Nash and Kari Lehtonen. No one was surprised at who went at the top but there were a few surprises near the middle of the first round like the Oilers selecting Jesse Niinimaki with the 15th overall pick. Niini-who? Exactly! While most RHL GMs trust their NHL counterparts by selecting the players as per the NHL draft order some have done their research, ventured off the board and claimed that diamond in the rough.
IMHO the gold medal for the biggest steal on draft day belongs to Walt and the Capones for selecting Pasi Nurminen with the 25th overall pick. The silver medal goes to Commissioner Paul and the Sockeyes for selecting Petr Cajanek with the 52nd overall pick and the bronze medal goes to Richard and the Aviators for selecting Matt Stajan with the 106th overall pick. Honorable mentions also go to the Rovers, Bees, Rays, Funboys and 500s for their selections.
While this is the analysis of just one person, I’d love to hear your opinion of my medalists, honorable mentions along with those that you feel I’ve missed.

Nurminen (CAP) 25th overall (2001 6th round 189th overall)
Rating RHL13-14 112, RHL15 119
RHL Stats (1GP 8.00 GAA) Junior Status in RHL11-14
NHL Stats (48-54-12) 2.87 GAA 0.895 Save Percentage

Cajanek (SOC) 52nd overall (2001 8th round 253rd overall)
Rating RHL13-14 85 RHL15 79
RHL Stats (Reg. 137GP 42pts +16) (Playoffs 20GP 6pts –4)
NHL Stats 171GP 28-73-100 Pts

Stajan (AVI) 106th overall (2002 2nd round 57th overall)
Rating RHL15 69
RHL Stats (31GP 13pts +7)
NHL Stats 127GP 23-21-44pts

Hall (ROV) 31st overall (1999 2nd round 52nd overall)
Rating RHL13-14 57, RHL15 65
RHL Stats (Reg. 53GP 15pts +9) (Playoffs 38GP 16pts +5)
NHL Stats 212GP 40-38-78 Pts

Auld (BEE) 42nd overall (1999 2nd round 40th overall)
Rating RHL13-14 77, RHL15 71
RHL Stats Regular Season (7-14-5) 2.54 GAA 0.922 Save Percentage
Drafted 1999 2nd round 40th overall
NHL Stats (31-21-5) 2.62 GAA 0.904 Save Percentage

Ehrhoff (RAY) 122nd overall (2001 4th round 106th overall)
Rating RHL15 50
RHL Stats (3GP 1 pt +1)
NHL Stats 79GP 2-23-25 Pts

Ward (FUN) 46th overall (2002 1st round 25th overall)
Rated RHL17
NHL Stats (11-5-2) 3.44 GAA 0.887 Save Percentage

Toivonen (500s) 43rd overall (2002 1st round 29th overall)
Rated RHL17
NHL Stats (9-5-4) 2.63 GAA 0.914 Save Percentage

Ima Dumass (CP)

Forsberg 6 – YDP 5

Yellowknife (CP) The headline says it all as Forsberg finished the game with 6 points despite playing only 21 minutes and winning only 4 of 11 faceoffs. His performance was the stuff of legends as his efforts gave the Reapers a 6-5 victory and more importantly a 2nd win in Yellowknife.

YDP jumped out to an early 3-0 lead courtesy of their defensemen (Berehowsky, Ragnarsson & Kaberle) and was on cruise control when it ran into some penalty troubles. While up 4-1 early in the 2nd, Orszagh took an unnecessary hooking call on Forsberg, which was followed by an interference call on Ragnarsson. This gave the Reapers a 1:58 2-man advantage where they score twice to close the gap to 4-3. Satan’s 16th of the year gave YDP that 2 goal cushion which they took late into the third. The Reapers weren’t about to play dead as they scored twice in the final 5 minutes to tie the game at 5. Brendl finished off a 4-point performance by roofing a shot short side on Esche to win it in OT.

‘I’m not gonna lie, some of the boys are starting to doubt themselves,’ said O’Donnell, ‘we just gotta bare down and keep playing our game and we’ll be fine.’ YDP has had some very unfortunate results where they’ve won the majority of the categories (shots, time of possession, faceoffs, corner battles and passing efficiency) but don’t have the results to show for. YDP’s next game is in sunny Winnipeg where they’ll face Jarome Iginla and the Winnipeg Freeze. Hopefully the boys in yellow can turn it around and provide

1st Star – Peter Forsberg
2nd Star – Pavel Brendl
3rd Star – Miroslav Satan

Ima Dumass (CP)

In Rod We Trust

Chicago (CP) After being out played on home ice against the Spartans two days ago, YDP entered the Windy City Center to face the Gargoyles with a lot to prove. Questions of their ability to score and stop pucks was the talk of the town. Sakic opened the game by challenging Roenick to a fight, but Jeremy just laughed as both players received roughing calls. ‘Joe’s a nice guy and kudos to him for trying,’ said Roenick, ‘but let’s be honest that’s not his job, it should be guys like O’Donnell, Moreau and Letowski doing this, plus I’d kill him.’

The game was evenly matched until the 16 minute mark of the first period when newcomer Drake Berehowsky caught the Gargoyles on a bad line change and sprung Petr Sykora on a breakaway to make it 1-0. On the very next shift Shawn Bates was on the receiving end of some great passing from his linemates Letowski and Brind’Amour to make it 2-0. YDP made it 3-0 shortly after as Sakic drilled a slap shot from the high slot. The 3-0 lead gave YDP the luxury of dictating the play as they skated to a 4-1 victory.

This was YDP’s 33rd game of the season, as the boys ended their first half with a respectable 18-12-3 record. This was also the 5th meeting of the season between YDP and the Gargoyles, with YDP winning all five contests. ‘I can’t really explain why we’re this successful against them,’ said Letowski, ‘it’s not like Jeremy gives us bulletin board material before and during every game.' YDP will fly home and face the resurging Reapers at the Mineshaft in two days. ‘They walked into our house last game and stole two points,’ said Hannan, ‘I just wanna return the favor when they show up.’

1st Star – Rod Brind’Amour
2nd Star – Robert Esche
3rd Star – Shawn Bates

Ima Dumass (CP)

Spanked Spartan Style

Yellowknife (CP) Just 24 hours after sneaking a win in St.Albert, YDP returned home to face the same Spartans only to suffer their worst home loss of the season. The deadly duo of Sakic and Satan was held off the score sheet as the Spartans cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Penetrators at the I&S MineShaft.

Modano had another rough outing, as he was tagged for a –5 in 23 minutes of ice time. ‘I had a chat with Mike after the game,’ said Wong, ‘and we both agreed that simpler is better. His role will be reduced until he gets the hang of our offense.’ ‘Gotta get back to basics, I had a chat with my wife the other day and she told me it’s a simple game, use this stick, hit that puck into that net, don’t make me show you,’ smiled Vinny D.

After starting the season with a 9-0-1 home record, YDP has struggled of late and managed only a 1-4-1 record in their last 6 home games. YDP will continue to pile up their frequent flyer miles by traveling to Chicago to face the always difficult Gargoyles on day 68. More line tweaking is expected as the boys in yellow try to get themselves out of this slump.

Ima Dumass (CP)

Welcome to the XXth Winter Olympiad

Turin (CP) With the Olympics well underway in Turin Italy, many RHL teams bid farewell to their stars. YDP is very fortunate and proud to send 6 members of their team representing 4 countries to Turin. The Penetrators are lead by Team Canada’s captain Joe Sakic, Team USA’s Mike Modano and Robert Esche, the Czech Republic’s Frantisek Kaberle and Team Slovakia’s Miroslav Satan and rookie sensation Andrej Meszaros. YDP will not be celebrating alone as all of our fellow bloggies are also sending players to Turin, lead by the Rovers with 12 players representing 8 teams.

YDP (6)
Joe Sakic (Canada)
Frantisek Kaberle (Czech Republic)
Andrej Meszaros (Slovakia)
Miroslav Satan (Slovakia)
Robert Esche (USA)
Mike Modano (USA)

500s (9)
Dan Boyle (Canada)
Filip Kuba (Czech Republic)
Vaclav Prospal (Czech Republic)
Petr Prucha (Czech Republic)

Alexei Kovalev (Russia)
Fedor Tyutin (Russia)
Michal Handzus (Slovakia)
Mats Sundin (Sweden)

Mathieu Schneider (USA)

AVI (4)
Ed Jovanovski (Canada)

Antti Laaksonen (Finland)
Nikolai Khabibulan (Russia)
Erik Cole (USA)

EAG (8)
Shane Doan (Canada)
Christian Ehrhoff (Germany)
Peter Budaj (Slovakia)
Ivan Majesky (Slovakia)
Daniel Tjarnqvist (Sweden)
Julien Vauclair (Switzerland)
Craig Conroy (USA)

Mark Parrish (USA)

REA (6)
Rob Blake (Canada)

Roberto Luongo (Canada)
Pavel Kubina (Czech Republic)
Marek Malik (Czech Republic)
Peter Forsberg (Sweden)
Aaron Miller (USA)

SPA (3)
Joe Thornton (Canada)
Ossi Vaananen (Finland)
Marcel Hossa (Slovakia)

ROV (12)
Kris Draper (Canada)
Chris Pronger (Canada)
Robyn Regehr (Canada)
Olli Jokinen (Finland)

Kari Lehtonen (Finland)
Dennis Seindenberg (Germany)
Alexander Frolov (Russia)
Evgeni Malkin (Russia)
Pavol Demitra (Slovakia)
Kim Johnsson (Sweden)
Martin Gerber (Switzerland)
John-Michael Liles (USA)

Ima Dumass (CP)

From Doghouse to Penthouse

St.Albert (CP) After suffering back to back losses to great goaltending, YDP was about to face the rejuvenated Martin Biron and his St.Albert Spartans. Reinprecht gave St.Albert the early lead after a quick wrist shot that beat Esche through the 5-hole. Sykora tied it at one when he intercepted a clearing attempt by Schultz and went high blocker side on Biron. YDP ran into penalty troubles late in the first when both O’Donnell and Ragnarsson took marginal hooking penalties on Mikael Renberg. ‘Outside of Forsberg, I’ve never seen someone so big go down so easily,’ smiled Hannan. Fortunately for YDP the two-man PP was short lived when Joe Thornton was called for a similar hook on Brind’Amour.

Modano gave YDP a 2-1 lead on the PP early in the 2nd period. Skoula tied it for the Spartans midway through the period, which came right after Damphousse’s first penalty expired. ‘Vinny was very feisty tonight,’ said Wong, ‘he wasn’t very pleased being schooled by Juneau in the faceoff circle all night.’ Both teams played the 3rd like they were afraid of losing the game and waited for the other to make a mistake.

To the chagrin of the Yellowknife Press, Wong started the line of Fedotenko, Modano and Orszagh in overtime. The decision didn’t seem like a good idea when Orszagh took a tripping penalty a minute into OT. Amonte bailed Orszagh out when he took a hooking penalty a minute into the PP. After his penalty expired Orszagh was able to jump into the play and one timed a great pass from Kaberle to beat Biron short side to win it in OT. ‘Vlad’s always had a great sense of timing,’ said Frantisek. Orszagh’s first of the season was enough to give YDP a much needed victory. The boys will now play the back end of the home and home in Yellowknife.

Ima Dumass (CP)

Holy Vezina Batman!

Yellowknife (CP) The twentieth winter Olympiad started this weekend in Turin and no one is feeling the impact more than YDP. The boys saw themselves in the middle of a turf war this week between the Premier Division’s number 1 and 2 rated goalies Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo. Canada’s 1 and 1A Olympic goalies showed their stuff to the Canadian brass by shutting down the number one offense in the RHL. Despite dominating the shot clock, time of possession and power play chances (12-0) YDP was only able to muster just 1 goal in 59 shots.

After starting a franchise best 14-5-1 in their first 20 games, YDP has struggled of late going only 2-6-2 in their last 10 games and scoring only 8 goals in their last 5 games. With the exception of Letowski, YDP’s secondary scoring has completely disappeared. ‘We’ve had a tough time scoring of late, but as long as we do the little things right we’ll be fine,’ said Hannan, ‘not to bad mouth an old organization but if this happened when I was in Calgary, everyone would have been traded.’

While trading the entire team isn’t Wong’s style, if this trend persists a trade shouldn’t be ruled out or at least some line rearrangements. YDP has several days off before embarking on a home and home series with the surging St.Albert Spartans. ‘We’re playing a very confident team,’ said Moreau, ‘anything short of a great effort just won’t cut it.’

1st Star – Martin Brodeur 1st Star – Roberto Luongo
2nd Star – Cliff Ronning 2nd Star – Brian Savage
3rd Star – Robert Esche 3rd Star – Frantisek Kaberle

Ima Dumass (CP)

YDP improves depth at defense

Yellowknife (CP) After spending his entire 8 year career with the Winnipeg Freeze, Dan Cleary tested the free agent market this off season and signed with YDP. The addition of Cleary made YDP one of the deepest teams in the Premier Conference. Unfortunately for Cleary this level of depth limited his playing time severely.

The seldom-used forward was limited to two games but soldiered on waiting for his number to be called. Well the call came late Tuesday night as Cleary was informed that he had been dealt to South Edmonton in exchange for defenseman Drake Berehowsky. ‘Danny was a good team guy,’ said Wong, ‘unfortunately we couldn’t find the ice time he deserved.’ The move improves YDP’s team defense and depth. Berehowsky will meet up with his new team in Yellowknife tomorrow as they face the Guelph Reapers.

Ima Dumass (CP)

Welcome Back Joe

Yellowknife (CP) Penetrator Nation welcomed back star center Joe Sakic to the line up tonight after sitting out the last game with a sore groin. Sakic’s return ignited his partner in crime Miro Satan who was in on all four YDP goals leading them to a 4-3 victory. ‘Joe and I had a good night,’ smiled Satan, ‘but both Rod & Mike’s (Modano) lines did a great job limiting their chances tonight.’ Although limiting their opponents to only 20 shots YDP didn’t cover the spread tonight thanks mainly to the Stinger’s star winger Rick Nash who scored twice on three shots. ‘He’s a helluva player,’ said Esche, ‘I’m so glad we only get them one more time.’ YDP will practice in the morning and fly to New York to face the Purge later this week. YDP is 1-1 against the Purge with both squads winning at home.

1st Star – Miroslav Satan
2nd Star – Joe Sakic
3rd Star – Rick Nash

Ima Dumass (CP)

Expansion Teams

RHL16 will marked the 4th straight season of expansion in the RHL, as we welcom the Victoria Cougars and an unnamed franchise headed by Ward Bahner, formerly of the KC Blaze. On ice success is usually difficult for an expansion team, but some have done exceptionally well in their 2nd and 3rd years of existence. The Aviators finished 12th in their 2nd season and became the fastest expansion team to qualify for the playoffs. The Rovers set the ultimate bar in their 3rd year by finishing 4th overall and winning the King’s Cup.

Ima Dumass

Expansion Year
500s 33 pts 0.250
AVI 47 pts 0.356
GPS 17 pts 0.315 (after 27 games)
RAY 57 pts 0.432
REA 29 pts 0.220
ROV 35 pts 0.265 (Kings Cup's winner - RHL13)
SEL 17 pts 0.129 (Premier Champion - RHL14)
SNO 47 pts 0.356
SPE 34 pts 0.258
THU 28 pts 0.212
TME 11 pts 0.083
WIC 34 pts 0.258
YDP 57 pts 0.432

Year 2
500s 49 pts 0.371
AVI 72 pts 0.545 (Qualified for playoffs)
RAY 52 pts 0.394
REA 32 pts 0.571 (after 28 games)
ROV 52 pts 0.394
SEL 15 pts 0.114
SNO 39 pts 0.295
SPE 43 pts 0.326
THU 38 pts 0.288
TME 27 pts 0.205
WIC 47 pts 0.356
YDP 57 pts 0.432