JUNIOR CANES CLIMB TO THE TOP IN STANDINGS A TEAM EFFORT
Carolina
With the season more than half over now, the Carolina Hurricanes have made good on their promise to be one of the more exciting teams in the league.
Despite a hefty graduation of some of the teams top players, including all three centers, top offensive defenseman Tomas Mojzis and defensive rock Dion Phaneuf, gunners Junior Lessard and Michael Woodford and of course netminder Rob Zepp, the team has still managed to be one of the top clubs.
How is this possible?
The Canes have drafted well to continually stockpile their system with talented players. Adding key components via trade such as Nathan Martz, Tyler Kolarik and Patrick Valcak to the mix was also key as well.
“The strength of this team right now is its defensemen are very solid as a group,” said head coach Craig Hartsburg. “Guys like Weber and Coburn are usually big minute munchers and they know their roles well. Jordan Smith has done a fantastic job in his first year with the big club as well and the additions of Cam Barker and Shawn Belle have more than improved this club. The really united it.”
The Canes rely on a scoring by committee as well. Colin Fraser and Corey Perry were hyped all summer as a duo who could put up big time numbers, but overall, they do not have the numbers to show the effort. Dustin Penner and Lauri Korpikoski have come along ways since the summer evaluations and really stepped up their games as well. The checking line of Mike Richards, Stephen Dixon and Jeremy Colliton has been a suffocating line to play against as well.
Jonathan Boutin has also stepped up and taken the number 1 spot from the former starter Jeff Glass. Boutin simply has not allowed the team to lose with him behind the mask.
Overall, the Canes are happy with their youngsters play this season. It has been a much appreciated effort for the franchise as their pro squad has been anything but impressive.
With the season more than half over now, the Carolina Hurricanes have made good on their promise to be one of the more exciting teams in the league.
Despite a hefty graduation of some of the teams top players, including all three centers, top offensive defenseman Tomas Mojzis and defensive rock Dion Phaneuf, gunners Junior Lessard and Michael Woodford and of course netminder Rob Zepp, the team has still managed to be one of the top clubs.How is this possible?
The Canes have drafted well to continually stockpile their system with talented players. Adding key components via trade such as Nathan Martz, Tyler Kolarik and Patrick Valcak to the mix was also key as well.
“The strength of this team right now is its defensemen are very solid as a group,” said head coach Craig Hartsburg. “Guys like Weber and Coburn are usually big minute munchers and they know their roles well. Jordan Smith has done a fantastic job in his first year with the big club as well and the additions of Cam Barker and Shawn Belle have more than improved this club. The really united it.”
The Canes rely on a scoring by committee as well. Colin Fraser and Corey Perry were hyped all summer as a duo who could put up big time numbers, but overall, they do not have the numbers to show the effort. Dustin Penner and Lauri Korpikoski have come along ways since the summer evaluations and really stepped up their games as well. The checking line of Mike Richards, Stephen Dixon and Jeremy Colliton has been a suffocating line to play against as well.
Jonathan Boutin has also stepped up and taken the number 1 spot from the former starter Jeff Glass. Boutin simply has not allowed the team to lose with him behind the mask.
Overall, the Canes are happy with their youngsters play this season. It has been a much appreciated effort for the franchise as their pro squad has been anything but impressive.
posted by Lohaus at 3:13 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home