The Prospect camp is over and we got our first looksee at the new kids as well as a chance to run a quick glance over a few returnees.
I am definitely impressed with OEL, quick and agile with a sweet shot and nice hands. But even better, he plays well with others and can really see the ice and make a decision. Another 20lbs and we’ve snagged ourselves a top defenseman. It will probably be 2 years before we see Oliver on our main squad but he’ll be worth the wait.
I could see improvement in every single returnee. We got enough looks at Schlem to know he’s almost ready to take a shot at sticking so I didn’t watch him much. We also saw enough of Ahnelov to know he was pretty damn close already but I was on the look out for any favoring of previously injured spots. I didn’t see a thing to change my mind about this kid. Strong, stable skater with a shot that nearly decapitated a goalie or 2 (he used to hit the high back glass all the time, now he’s taggin cross bars and golaie’s helmets, it is my fervent prayer that he can eventually get that canon on target cuz its a monster).
Brodeur arrived at the first camp as a bundle of legs n arms without much power behind the skates. This year we see a good shot and a serious improvement in body control and skating ability. He’s not quite ready for primetime but what he’s done in just a year tells me that he’s Coyotes material, willing to work hard, listen and give his best shot. Thats what Coyotes do.
Not sure what to make of Nick ross, he’s still young but man he appears so passive this camp. Only a couple of occasions did I see his face light up (1 really nice cross bar float and one seriously sweet slapper) I either don’t want to play poker with the kid and I’m looking at a new ice man on the back line or he’s too laid back to play the consistently aggressive kind of defense we’re gonna need in the coming seasons. The thing is… not sure which it is. I’ve seen him lay people out, I know he’s got the ability and he’s not out of position very often either. I don’t know what bothers me exactly about him but I will wait and see how he develops, he’s a bit of an enigma right now.
The boy is being overtaken by the man in Chris Summers. The kid is solid through and through. College has been great for him apparently. There is calm and poise aplenty in his game. He can pass it out or take it himself with ease. I see this kid challenging for a spot on our blue alongside OEL in 2 years. For some reason I also could see this one wearing an A on the squad in the future. He speaks well and has poise off the ice too.
Training camp this year is going to be quite interesting with Brett Maclean trying to make GMDM eat his words about rookies breaking into the line up. Apparently Brett was impressing the brass enough to get a writeup on the Yotes page. He hasn’t lost his nose for the net for sure and his skating has improved several notches. I love this kid’s shot, he can be sneaky about it or in the goalie’s face and he gets the job done either way. 2010 he is going to have all the wingers on the main roster nervous about their spot in the lineup. We may get to see Brett a few times in 09 call ups.
Baby Staal, as most are insistent in calling him, is sure growing up right before our eyes. He’s lost a chicklet which gives him a mischievious look. The baby chunk middle body is fading and he definitely looks more comfortable on his skates. He owns a rocket of a shot that he wasn’t too shy about releasing over the 3 day event. He’s got a long ways to go though. (w/ Ports and Mac and Kolarick ahead of him in the depth chart, he’ll have plenty of time to develop)
Look out lady fans, that Chris Hepp is a charmer off the ice. His agility and stableness on his skates needs a little work but he’s strong as a bull and has a low center of gravity that might lend itself to some Bally-style hipchecks if he cares to learn old school. Good shot, decent hands and fairly solid postioning, right now I’m calling 3rd paring but we’ll see if he’s really serious maybe he can turn his talents into a 2nd pairing spot.
Bloodoff and Weller did not run w/ the main group that I saw. Mostly stick work and shooting drills with the goalies. I don’t know why but thats what I saw all 3 days. May, Szwarz, Stone, Bernhardt and Long looked pretty good all around. Nothing flashy but you can definitely see raw skills. Colin is pure sniper. I like the kid even as his size worries me. Not enough time nor real interaction to tag these guys with predictions but nothing stood out that said gone-in-60-seconds either.
Chris Brown is my candidate to keep an eye on over the next 2 years. This kid has a Doan thing goin on. He really doesn’t mind contact at all. He gives the impression that over you or through you is just fine with him. Has the tools for sure, seemed mature and poised on and off the ice. He’s got a quality to him that hollers top 4 pairing. This one may be our next generation bull on the ice. Hope I’m right, I liked him alot.
They all need to keep their heads up. I know it was just a skills and workout camp but good habits should always be practiced. Thats how champions are made. So thats my summary of Prospect Camp 2009.
Photos from our very own BTinAZ.
Our intrepid reporter Carson and his trusty side kick Siobhan had a field day running around on Thursday interviewing players and anyone who would answer their very well thought out questions. Here is Coyotes Talk w/ Carson:
On the second day of Yotes Rookie Camp, I had the pleasure of talking to several players, and Yotes Radio Broadcaster Tyson Nash. All of them were very nice, and excited to be there. I talked to Tyson about Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Tyson said, “He is a great skater and the Phoenix Coyotes have a lot to be excited about.”
We had a short chat about the three goalies in camp (Scott Darling, Brett Bennett, and Michael Lee). ”The Phoenix Coyotes as an organization have got to be very excited about their draft picks”, said Tyson. I asked him about whether he thought any of the players at Rookie Camp would make the team. “I think training camp will dictate what happens and where those players end up.”
I then went over to the end boards, and had a nice long talk about the goalies and defensemen (David Schlemko, Jonas Ahnelov, Ekman- Larsson, Nick Ross, Mathieu Brodeur, Chris Summers, Jeff May, Justin Weller, and Michael Stone) with Dave Vest. He thinks Ahnelov and Schlemko might be with the Yotes for the 2009-2010 season.
July 13th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Carson & Siobhan, you both ROCK! Great interviewing skills Carson!
July 15th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Excellent site.
Coming at you from Toronto and I (unlike many up here in the North) hope you get to keep your team for a long time to come.
Amazing that you are able to get that close to the players and ask questions and such, can’t do anything without a press pass up here. Protect the Leafs like they’re royalty.
Keep up the good work. I think you will be pleased with Lauri.
July 16th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Thanks for the props and thanks for stopping by. One of the many things the Coyotes do right is fan interaction. One of the reasons so many die-hards exist in the desert, we really feel a connection, like family.
I am looking forward to seeing what the Korpedo brings to the table. I’m keeping an open mind for sure. I’ll kiss Enver bunches, he’s grown so much I was looking forward to seeing some crazy explosions from him this season. Ah well, Lauri’s ours now and we’ll make sure he gets much love.