Linkorama is back. Lots of news this week including 7 updates on recruits, 6 alumni updates and a feature on USCHO.com.
Recruits
Alex Petan continued his hot streak with 2 goals for the Coquitlam Express (BCHL) as the team defeated the Langley Rivermen 6–3. Petan now leads Coquitlam with 15 goals and 22 assists through 23 games, good enough for 8th in the BCHL in total points.
C.J. Eick faced off against future Huskies Tyler Heinonen and Chris Leibinger when Green Bay (USHL) defeated Muskegon 6–2 last weekend. Both Eick and Heinonen scored goals for their respective teams while Leibinger was “called up” by Muskegon for the weekend from his NAHL team and saw action in 2 games.
Jujhar Khaira led the Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL) with 1 goal and 1 assist in a 4–3 OT loss to Merritt over the weekend. Khaira is 8th in the BCHL in points per game but has only played in 18 games due to his participation in the World Junior A Challenge last month.
Pheonix Copley stood tall, stopping 37 of 38 shots, leading Tri-City (USHL) to a 4–1 victory over the visiting Sioux Falls Stampede. He made a huge statement in his first start since Tri-City traded for goaltender Adam Wilcox last week.
Walker Hyland scored a goal and helped the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) split their weekend series with the Nainamo Clippers (5–2 L, 6–5 W).
Alumni
John Scott’s minutes continue to grow for the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL). He was in the lineup 8 straight games as Coach Quenneville gave him a chance to prove he belongs before Brent Seabrook returned from injury. Scott was moved to the 4th line to get some minutes now that Seabrook is back on the blueline.
Chris Conner tried to help the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) rally with a goal late in the game versus Cleveland but the Griffins came up short, falling to the Barons 5–4. His play recently has sparked the interest of thehockeywriters.com, where they posed the question, “Should The Red Wings Call Up Chris Conner?” Looks like that question has been answered: shortly after Wednesday night’s game versus Tampa Bay, the Detroit Red Wings recalled Conner from the Griffins.
Clay Wilson and other veterans are helping the Abbotsford Heat climb the AHL standings. Clay leads all defenseman on the team in scoring with 4 goals and 8 assists through the first 21 games.
Rob Nolan stood on his head to help the Chicago Express (ECHL) defeat the Trenton Titans 4–3 last Saturday. Nolan’s 24 saves were a big part of Chicago’s ability to hold off Trenton.
Colin Murphy and Brett Engelhardt were in the news over in Germany last week. Apparently they’re off to a bit of a slow start this season. Their team, the Hamburg Freezers (DEL), is currently in 1st place with 42 points in 20 games.
Other Items
Here is a direct link to the November 28 edition of the Mel Pearson Show on Mix 93 (broadcast live every Monday at 8:45 AM on 93.5FM WKMJ and rebroadcast every Monday at 5:30PM on 920AM WMPL).
Stephen Anderson (@steander), Michigan Tech hockey beat writer for The Daily Mining Gazette, wrote a column on just how important it was for the Huskies to split their cross country road trip over Thanksgiving Break. His series preview should be up some time on Friday; you’ll be able to find it here.
Josh Robinson and Michigan Tech were featured on the front page of USCHO.com. His turnaround between the pipes is a huge reason why the Huskies are doing so well this season.
With the upcoming series versus Minnesota–Duluth, Kevin Pates (@patesonskates) of The Duluth New Tribune has a piece on Mel Pearson and how he has breathed some life in to Michigan Tech Hockey.
Polls and Rankings*
Polls: USCHO.com Poll (↓ 20) , USA Today Poll (↓ NR)
Computers: KRACH Rankings (↓ 25), Pairwise Rankings (↓ 22), USHSHO.com (↓ 31/↓ 26)
NCAA Power Rankings: Inside College Hockey (↓ 19), College Hockey Weekly (↓ NR), Bleacher Report (↓ NR)
WCHA/Michigan Power Rankings: Hockey State of Mind (↔ 9), Goon’s World (↓ 9), Pride On Ice (↑ 6), College Hockey News (TBD)†, Michigan College Hockey (↓ 6)
*Michigan Tech’s ranking and their change in ranking from the previous week is in parentheses
†Not updated yet; we’ll update the link when it becomes available
Tim is a 2004 graduate of Michigan Tech. He is a co-founder of both Mitch’s Misfits and Tech Hockey Guide. With recent additions to the staff, Tim is again able to focus on his passion, recruiting. He currently works as an environmental engineer and resides in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Area.
