Capitals Corner Profile: Ryan MacMurchy

We're in the junior ranks again in Capitals Corner as Ryan MacMurchy joins us. The 21-year-old plays on the right wing and has at least a couple more seasons left with the Junior Capitals before moving up to the professional ranks.

MacMurchy is 5-11 and 190 pounds and plays an intense, strong game. He has decent speed and skating and an okay scoring touch. Ryan needs to work on his endurance, durability, passing and overall skill level, but he has time to do it. Last season he scored 18 goals and dished out 31 assists with 102 hits and 49 PIMs in 73 games. He should have every opportunity to continue to score this year.

Ryan has four siblings, three brothers aged 8, 6, and 4, and a five-year-old sister. A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, MacMurchy's favorite team growing up was the Edmonton Oilers and his favorite players are Jarome Iginla and Ryan Smyth.

Before joining the Junior Capitals, MacMurchy matriculated at the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he majored in consumer science.

Come back next time when we take a look at another player in Capitals Corner.

Capitals Corner Profile: Branko Radivojevic

The first junior Capitals in Capitals Corner is new arrival Branko Radivojevic. The 24-year-old forward joins the organization as a free agent acquisition. He'll likely play at No. 2 or No. 3 right wing.

Radivojevic checks in at 6-0 and 186 pounds. He's a good skater with good speed and strength. His passing is also strong and he does well in the offensive end. Branko needs to work on his discipline and improve his overall skill level if he's to make it in the pros. Last season he had four goals and four assists in 46 games.

A native of Piestany, Slovakia, Radivojevic is single. His favorite musical group is Limp Bizkit and his favorite movie is American Pie 2. He loves The Simpsons and Friends on TV, but the worst movie he ever saw is Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. When not playing hockey, Branko enjoys playing tennis, video games, and swimming. He also loves to sleep on his off days.

Radivojevic started skating at four years old, and his hockey idol growing up was Oto Hascak. Branko's most memorable hockey moment was winning the J.Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champion with the Belleville Blues in 1999.

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Capitals Corner Profile: Mikael Renberg

Joining us tonight in Capitals Corner is dynamic left winger Mikael Renberg. The 33-year-old forward is an experienced veteran with the Capitals and the team will rely on his offensive prowess to propel them to the playoffs again this season.

Renberg is a big player at 6-2 and 218 pounds, but he also has good speed and skating ability. He's also an excellent passer and puck handler. Mikael is very fit and has the endurance and durability to play lots of minutes. His experience and leadship will also be vital in developing some of the young players on the club. Last season Mikael scored 15 goals and dished out 38 assists with 53 hits and 24 PIMs in 78 games.

A native of Pitea, Sweden, Mikael, or "Micke" as he's known to his family and friends, grew up in a blue-collar middle class neighborhood. His father Bo was a professional soccer goalie and owned a gas station and garage. He often worked long hours while supporting his wife, Christina, and three children.

Mikael's had two sisters, Ingela and Jessica. Like Micke, Jessica loved sports and is a fine athlete in her won right playing both innebandy (floorball, a hockey-like game popular in some European countries) and soccer.

Renberg was never a prodigy growing up in hockey, but his somewhat above average natural abilities were always bolstered by his exceptional work ethic and intense will to succeed.

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Capitals Corner Profile: Sheldon Souray

It's back to the blueline tonight in Capitals Corner as we profile 29-year-old defender Sheldon Souray. The big man is one of the top blueliners on the team, and he'll have to step up his game to lead the club to success this season.

Souray checks in at 6-4 and 230 pounds and he knows how to use his big frame. He's very intense and has great strength. He also has very good endurance. Sheldon moved the puck well and he's good at both ends of the ice. He needs to work on his durability and discipline. Last season he scored four goals and dished out 11 assists with 108 hits and 161 PIMs in 75 games.

Originally from Elk Point, Alberta, Souray grew up on a Metis Indian reservation. To honor his heritage he has a tattoo of a Metis Indian chief in full headdress on his right arm. During the off season he runs the Sheldon Souray Hockey School in St. Paul, Alberta. He also runs an Aboriginal Role Model Hockey School. This school was created to show Native Canadian children that there are positive role models for them to look up to.

When not working with his hockey schools, Souray resides in Los Angeles, California, where he once made a cameo appearance on the soap opera, "One Life to Live." He also likes to fish with his friends, and his favorite band is Pearl Jam.

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MCKEE CANE’S SOLDIER OF NEWFOUND FORTUNE

CAROLINA

When the offseason began, one of the key resignings was to be the steady warrior Jay McKee. Mckee, an assistant captain with the Canes and arguably the crown jewel of the Canes defence, was said to be an easy resign. That didn’t happen and the Canes almost lost their man.

“It got a bit touchy with Jay and the Canes as an organization were pretty much stuck to try and re-evaluate a lot of things,” said head coach Joel Quenneville, who play an integral part of getting McKee back. “Jay and I have always had a pretty open coach/player relationship and he generally feels comfortable to tell me what he is thinking. He was hurt that the Canes didn’t ante up early, but in the end, both sides are good.”

McKee, who struggled heavily and was -17 before the mid season mark when the Canes picked up Oleg Tverdovsky from the Nashville Predators. That move became the turning point of both the Canes and McKee’s season.

“Oleg and I clicked right off the get go,” said McKee. “He is about as smooth a skater as I have seen and he reacts better than I was told he would. He plays defence better than advertised and I think he and I made up a pairing that could be counted on in any situation. I am really looking forward to this year, to play the whole year with that type of guy. I think we can make some things happen.”

Carolina also picked up a steady second pairing for the year in all World defenseman Scott Niedermayer and former team Canada junior team captain Jesse Wallin.

“They are basically the same type of tandem as Oleg and I,” noted McKee. “Scott brings a ton of experience and savvy and Wallin is just a gamer. It should make a lot of nice matchup options for coach.”

The Canes have ended negotiations with holdout forward Michael Woodford until the season begins. The two sides are apparently significantly apart.

Capitals Corner Profile: Greg Watson

In tonight's Capitals Corner we're visiting with center Greg Watson, a 23-year-old from Calgary, Alberta. Watson joins the team in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings. He's currently slated to start on the farm, but he could definitely challenge for ice time with the big club.

Watson is 6-1 and 177 pounds, so he has some filling out to do, but he still has very good strength and excellent intensity. He also has blazing speed and is a good passer. His hockey sense is okay, and it will likely develop through hard work and practice. Last season Greg had a fine campaign with 10 goals and 38 assists with 127 hits and 51 PIMs in 64 games with Detroit.

Off the ice, Watson says Lance Armstrong is the person he most admires. He loves reading The Hockey News, and Greg claims the fans are his favorite thing about playing professional hockey.

When it comes to taking some vacation, Watson's favorite spot is the island paradise of Tahiti. While growing up, he rooted for the Boston Bruins.

Come back next time when we take a look at another player in Capitals Corner.

Capitals Corner Profile: Daniel Tjarnqvist

Going back to the blueline tonight in Capitals Corner, we have new project Daniel Tjarnqvist joining us. The 26-year-old is a new free agent acquisition for the Capitals and the organization is hoping he can develop into an everyday player.

Daniel is 6-2, 178 pounds, and on a two-year deal at $300,000 per year. He has good strength and discipline and reasonable durability. Other than that, he's a major project for the future and needs a lot of work to make it to the next level.

Tjarnqvist began playing hockey at age five, and he has a younger brother who is also trying to make it as a professional. As a kid growing up in Sweden, he played soccer, ran track, and also took part in downhill skiing.

Away from the ice, Daniel enjoys playing golf. His favorite movie is "Gladiator" and his favorite actor is Sean Connery. Tjarnqvist's favorite band is the Rolling Stones.

Come back next time when we take a look at another player in Capitals Corner.

COASTAL CANES LIKE THE FISHER MAN

CANES LOOK TO ASSISTANT CAPTAIN FISHER FOR BIG YEAR
CAROLINA

When Jeff O’Neill was dealt last season, the Canes had a vacant assistant captain spot. Over the course of the season, different players wore the letter in hopes of finding someone who could represent his team in the style that head coach Joel Quenneville felt embodied the squad. The decision was made earlier in the week and that player is Mike Fisher.

Fisher, who is going into his 4th season with the Canes, was acquired in a big deal 4 years ago when superstar center Mario Lemieux was dealt for defenseman Colin White and Fisher. The deal at the time set the tone for a new regime in Carolina, one that would be fiscally sound and developed their own youth, rather than deal them away for veterans.

“Fisher is a cornerstone of this franchise and giving him the letter was something I was proud to do,” said head coach Joel Quenneville. “Fish brings a work ethic second to no one here, he drives to the net and is as responsible a forward as I have seen at his age.”

Fisher made a splash last season in the playoffs where, despite playing the overwhelmingly favoured defending champs, the Canes showed up and made it a series. It was then that Fisher led his team in scoring and showed that top line duty, as well as checking line duty, were responsibilities he was fully prepared for.

“I take everything one game at a time,” said Fisher. “One thing I have always prided myself on is that I think defense first, scoring second. I think I can do both well but I never want to be the guy that my team looks at and says isn’t working hard enough. I want to set the tone, for them and myself. That’s why I play the way I do.”

Look for Fisher to start the season on the left wing side of the Cory Stillman and Alexei Kovalev line. Given this opportunity, it is fully expected that Fisher will shine in his new role.

“It will be great to get a shot on the big line during the regular season. Hopefully I can keep up to them,” laughed Fisher.

Capitals Corner Profile: Vesa Toskala

In Capitals Corner tonight is Capitals' farmhand goaltender Vesa Toskala. The 29-year-old mans the net down on the farm, annd it's not expected he'll do much more this season or in the future.

Toskala checks in at 5-9 and 172 pounds and is pretty average for a farm goalie. His speed and puck control are okay. He skates well and has good intensity and strength. Barring a miracle or catastrophic injuries, Vesa won't be seeing any time with the big club this season.

Off the ice, Toskala is engaged to Marjo and likes to hang out with his friends. He hates bad drivers, but he is learning how to play tennis. Vesa, or "Vesku," loves Finnish music and the movie "Old School." His favorite television show is "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," Nicolas Cage is his favorite actor, and Sandra Bullock is his favorite actress. He loves chinese food, particularly P.F. Chang's, and Nice in France is his favorite vacation spot.

When asked what he'd be if he wasn't in hockey, Toskala said he'd be a soccer player. His hockey idol is fellow Finnish goaltender Jukka Tammi. The best part about growing up in Finland is that it's a safe and clean country. Vesa's three wishes are to stay healthy, have his family stay healthy, and to have a good CLUTCH career. Well, two out of three ain't bad.

Come back next time when we take a look at another player in Capitals Corner.

CANES CAPTAIN

DOWN WITH DOAN
CAROLINA

With the offseason firmly gripped on the league, the Carolina Hurricanes have been quickly preparing for what could be a banner season.

Front and center this year will be second year captain Shane Doan. The big power forward had a mediocre year last year and was often mentioned on fan sites and talk radio as a guy that needed to step it up or get out. Carolina management, however, pays the bills and decided early on that Doan was the guy that they wanted to represent their team.

“Shane has always stood up for his team mates and he always comes to play,” said head coach Joel Quenneville. “I have been happy to have him here since the day he arrived. He is the perfect middle man on a team. He knows the business, he knows the game and he knows what he needs to do. Coaching a guy like him is simple. You let him play and he will never let you down.”

Doan, a former member of the Olympic gold winning squad for Team Canada, was never called on to score a lot of goals for the Canes last season, primarily since his role was more so as a checking forward. With his big frame and aggressive style, Doan has made a name for himself as one of the better body checkers in the CLUTCH and has developed a flair for the big goal.

“He saves his big games for when the team is down and out. You can count on him like clockwork to put the puck in the net when we needed it. He fires up the guys, he fires up himself and for me, that’s all I can ask.”

Look for Doan to find a home on the third line with newcomers Kris Draper and Jay Pandolfo as one of the leagues better checking lines.

“We wanted to be able to play defence better this year and it started up front. Getting Draper to kill penalties and make things happen was a key pickup. Pandolfo has also been one of the better checking wingers over the past few seasons. Adding them should help preserve leads we often lost last season. Their speed and Doan’s power forward attitude will play a major role this year up front for the Canes, count on that.”

Capitals Acquire New Goal Horns

The Washington Capitals recently acquired two S-203C air horns to enhance goal celebrations in the MCI Center. The horns, which are primarily used as navigational signals on the largest ocean going vessels, produce a powerful, low frequency blast, reminiscent of a cruise ship. With the new horns, the excitement and sound level inside the MCI Center should reach record-breaking levels. In fact, the sound pressure level will exceed 140dB.

"We're really excited about these new horns," GM John Henry said. "Our fans make lots of noise on their own, but with these two beauties, the phone booth is gonna rock like no place else in the league. Anything we can do to enhance the game experience for our great fans is tops on my agenda, and the acquisition of these new horns should do the trick."

The new horns will make their debut in the regular season home opener.

For a "safe" sample of the sound, click here.

Capitals Name Season 5 Captains

The Washington Capitals announced the team captains for Season 5 of CLUTCH. Earning the 'C' for the first time is center Patrick Marleau. Dan Boyle returns as an Alternate, and also wearing the 'A' is Todd Warriner.

Marleau, 26, will be captain for the first time this season. He checks in at 6-2 and 205 pounds, and is a great combination of speed, skating and strength. He's also extremely durable and good at both ends of the ice. Patrick needs to work on his passing to really move to the next level, but he'll be surrounded with quality players this season so his numbers should improve. Last year he had 16 goals and 25 assists with 115 hits and 0 PIMs in 79 games.

Boyle, 29, is in his second year as an alternate captain. The 5-11, 190 pounder, has adequate speed and is a good all-around blueliner. His best attribute is his passing, but he also has good intensity and strength. Boyle isn't a standout at either end of the ice, but he plays well both ways. Last season he scored nine goals and dished out 17 assists with 86 hits and 0 PIMs in 60 games. Dan missed the early part of the season due to a contract dispute.

Warriner, 27, is stepping up into the alternate captain role for the first time this season. At 6-2 and 205 pounds, Warriner is a good power forward with good speed as well. He's also an excellent passer with very good skating and puckhandling skills as well. Warriner's best weapon is his offensive skill and the team will definitely count on him to score a lot of goals. He'll likely play with Palffy and Marleau to form a strong first line with a lot of scoring ability. Last season Warriner netted 19 goals and dished out 34 assists in 81 games, 30 goals or more will be expected this year.

With this solid leadership group in place, the Capitals are looking forward to a successful Season 5.

Capitals Corner Profile: Zigmund Palffy

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, and tonight's guest in Capitals Corner is Zigmund Palffy. Ziggy, a 32-year-old winger, joins the team as a free agent acquisition and he'll immediately join the top line with the Capitals. Everyone at the club expects big things from Ziggy and he's confident he can get the job done in Washington.

Palffy checks in at 5-10 and 182 pounds. He has very good speed along with a great scoring touch. He's also a great skater, passer, and puckhandler. Ziggy keeps himself in great shape and he has the endurance and durability to show it. He's not the best defensively, but as long as he puts the puck in the net, that won't be a problem. Last season he scored 27 goals and dished out 34 assists in 75 games. With the talent he'll have around him this season, he should put up even better numbers.

Ziggy hails from Skalica, Slovakia. He's the youngest of three children and he has twin sisters. His birthday is May 5.

Palffy enjoys his time off the ice, and is favorite actor is Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sharon Stone is his favorite actress, and his favorite movie is Cool Runnings. Ziggy has a black poodle named Aida, and his favorite car is a Jaguar Convertible.

Come back next time when we take a look at another player in Capitals Corner.

PANTHER-CAPTAIN OWEN NOLAN

OWEN NOLAN

Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 215
Born: Feb 12, 1972
Origin: Belfast, GBR
Owen has been a key player in the Panthers organization from the beginning. He is a proven leader both on and off the ice. He completes the super line that includes Peter Bondra and Michal Handzus. This line will be looked apon to produce when the game is on the line and should give the Panthers one of the best power play units in the league.

"We have an experienced team."Nolan told reporters. "We are comeing into this season expecting to be the team to beat. I feel our team now has the experience and maturity to go all the way this year. I am excited and honoured to once again be the captain and lead this team all the way to the finals."

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Capitals Corner Profile: Alex Henry

It's Saturday night and our guest in Capitals Corner is defender Alex Henry. The 26-year-old joins Washington as a free agent acquisition from Boston and will move to the farm squad for continued development.

Henry checks in at 6-5 and 220 pounds, and his size is a big asset for the club. He has good intensity and great strength. He's also very durable and decent in his own end. Alex needs to work on his discipline and his overall skill level if he's to make it to the big club in the future. Last season with the Bruins, he scored two goals and added seven assists with 64 hits and 204 PIMs in 50 games.

Alex was born in Elliot Lake, Ontario and he makes his off-season home in London, Ontario. Growing up, Henry enjoyed skiing, playing basketball and volleyball as well as hockey. His first job was cutting grass.

Henry is single and enjoys fishing in his spare time. His favorite vacation spot is Elliot Lake, and his nickname is "Hank." Alex lists tennis as his favorite sport to watch and he listens to Tragically Hop and loves The Simpsons on television.

When it comes to hockey, Henry's pre-game ritual includes a meal of chicken and pasta. He recalls playing in the Ontario Hockey League finals as his most memorable hockey moment. Alex rooted for the Montreal Canadiens as a kid, and his favorite player was Ray Bourque.

Come back next time when we take a look at another player in Capitals Corner.

PANTHERS-PETER BONDRA

PETER BONDRA
Position:Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 200
Born: Feb 7, 1968
Origin: Luck, UKR

Peter is a proven veteran and one of the key players in the Panthers success. Peter is one of the many leaders that we have on our Panthers team who leads by example. His experience and skills have made him one of the premier playmakers in the league. His puck control and passing skills give him an advantage as one of the teams snipers. Bondra will be looked apon to make the big plays and score the big goals as he helps the Panthers quest for the Stanley Cup.

Capitals Corner Profile: Andy Sutton

Tonight's guest in Capitals Corner is rugged and versitile player Andy Sutton. The 30-year-old bruiser can play forward and defense and he brings a great physical presence to the lineup.

The 6-6 and 234 pound bruiser has great strength and is a good passer. He's also strong in the offensive end. Sutton has good durability, but he really needs to improve his discipline. Playing mostly at forward last year, Andy scored seven goals and dished out 11 assists with 59 hits and 208 PIMs in 50 games.

A native of Kingston, Ontario, Sutton played soccer, rugby, and golf growing up. He went on to attend Michigan Tech and had a fine career in college. He scored 22 goals and passed out 34 assists with 270 PIMs in 122 collegiate games. He was All-WCHA Second Team and the co-Defensive Player of the Year in 1997-98.

Andy is married to Natalie and he resides in Big Rideau Lake, just north of Kingston, in the offseason.

Come back next time when we take a look at another player in Capitals Corner.

Capitals Corner Profile: Cory Sarich

Turning back to the defense, our guest in Capitals Corner today is 27-year-old Cory Sarich. An important cog on the blueline, Sarich will play an important role this season and in years to come.

The 6-3 and 193 pounder is sturdy in his own end and has solid speed and good strength. Cory is also a good passer, but he needs to improve on his discipline. Last season he had 11 goals and 22 assists with 81 hits and 172 PIMs in 58 games. If Sarich can match those offensive numbers and cut down on the penalties, things will be good in Washington.

Off the ice, Cory is married to Reagan and has a daughter, Jada. He was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Sarich enjoys vacationing in Palm Spring, California, and Clint Eastwood is his favorite actor. His favorite book is "The Third Best Hull," by Dennis Hull, and he admires Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and Goran Ivanisevic. Cory's favorite meal is steak and potatoes.

When it comes to CLUTCH, Sarich says Calgary is his favorite city, and the Montreal Forum is his favorite arena. Sticking with the Canada theme, he's also a big fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL.

Come back next time when we take a look at another player in Capitals Corner.