Fleury getting great praises...even from JR

[1Irbegirlforever]

I apologize if this has already been posted or it's in the wrong thread... feel free to move it. :)


Flurries of praise follow Fleury
By Alan Adams | Special to NHL.com
June 16, 2003



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Somehow it seems right that Marc-Andre Fleury is the top-ranked goalie for the 2003 Entry Draft.

Fleury is from Quebec and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is the NHL's version of a goalie factory. This season, 12 of 30 clubs had starting goaltenders from Quebec, including both goalies in the Stanley Cup Final: Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils and J.S. Giguere of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

One of the biggest stories to break during the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals was the retirement of Patrick Roy, a Francophone who became an icon in Quebec when he won Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and the Colorado Avalanche.

Roy had a huge impact in his native province. Almost overnight, young hockey players in Quebec wanted to be Roy. They dreamed about making the big save in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final instead of scoring the big goal.


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Those who followed Roy into the NHL included Jose Theodore of the Canadiens, Patrick Lalime of the Ottawa Senators, Martin Biron of the Buffalo Sabres, Dan Cloutier of the Vancouver Canucks, Jocelyn Thibault of the Chicago Blackhawks, Roberto Luongo of the Florida Panthers, Felix Potvin of the Los Angeles Kings and Marc Denis of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

A 12th Quebecer, Manny Fernandez, shared starting duties with Dwayne Roloson in Minnesota. Jean-Sebastien Aubin, meanwhile, got his share of starts in Pittsburgh.

Make no doubt about it: Goalies are every team's bread and butter and if you get a good one in the draft, the idea is to develop him and keep him.

That brings us back to Fleury, who played for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec league. He grew up idolizing Roy - who else? - and it's widely expected the day will come when Fleury is the talk of the NHL.

Fleury is much more than your average prospect. He's good enough to go first overall and there's a line of thinking that says he's the best netminder to come along in the draft in a decade.

"He is a brilliant goalie. He is one of the best goalies who have come along in a long time. There is no question he is a top goalie and then some," said Florida General Manager Rick Dudley, who is picking first overall in the draft.

But don't look for him to take Fleury because the Panthers have Luongo on the roster.

There are many things that make Fleury a hot commodity. The six-foot-one, 170-pound goaltender is quick and acrobatic and he is highly competitive. He can make a difference in a game. There's absolutely no one who doubts his character.


Marc-Andre Fleury is good enough to go first overall and there's a line of thinking that says he's the best netminder to come along in the draft in a decade.
Fleury is a case study of someone who overcame many obstacles to become the player he is.

Fleury is from Sorel, Que., which is a Francophone city east of Montreal. His knowledge of English was limited when he left home in his mid-teens to play for the Screaming Eagles. The team is located in Sydney, N.S., and the area has a rich Scottish tradition.

But the happy-go-lucky Fleury never uttered one word about being a stranger in a strange land. He quickly became the adopted favorite son.

"It helped my English," said Fleury about living amongst the Scots on Canada's East Coast.

That was only part of the learning process. Playing for Cape Breton made for long, tiring road trips. The closest opponent was a five-hour bus drive and the furthest was a 17-hour grind.

"I think anytime you see a player who can operate under the pressures he has had and the scrutiny and he played in a difficult place with tremendous travel, it is pretty hard not to appreciate the kid's maturity and love for the game," said New Jersey bloodhound David Conte. "And that shows in how he plays."

If there was a moment which defined Fleury's season it was at the World Junior Championship tournament in Halifax in January.

The day before Canada played Finland in the quarterfinals, Fleury came down with the flu and he spent the day between his bed and the washroom with stomach trouble. He was on the bench for the opening faceoff, but when his team needed him most - when the Finns turned the tide in their favor - Fleury came off the bench and a legend was born.

Fleury stopped all 13 shots he faced, including a couple of back-to-back saves during a five-minute man advantage for the Finns, and preserved the win. When the game hung in the balance, Fleury was the difference. Canada won the game and Fleury won the hearts of Canada's hockey nation.


"I leave the game at the rink. If I have a bad game, I don't think about it. I just go on and tomorrow is a new day." - Marc-Andre Fleury
"He has a great passion to play. He is someone who loves the moment and that is important to me because I like to see players who strive," said Steve Tambellini, the director of player personnel for the Vancouver Canucks. "There is always a moment to the game, a moment to the series, and a moment to the season. There are always players who . . .? that is how they define themselves, they play for that moment. And I think he is one of those guys."

"What isn't there to like about him?" Carolina GM Jim Rutherford asked. "The thing that goes with him is his great character, his great personality. He is so quick. Fundamentally he is so good."

Unike some goaltenders, Fleury doesn't insist on solitude before he plays a game. He doesn't like to be too focused and serious, but he's all business once the puck drops. He had a 17-24-6 record this season, along with a 3.36 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage in a league where offense rules the day.

Fleury also has an infectious personality. He always has a smile on his face and he was known as "Smiley" to his teammates at the World Junior Championship.

"Every time I play I have fun," Fleury said. "I am always working hard and I have good focus. But I just love playing. Sure I get frustrated if I have a bad game or let in a bad goal. I get frustrated. But I refocus quickly and it's over. I leave the game at the rink. If I have a bad game, I don't think about it. I just go on and tomorrow is a new day."

Whoever drafts Fleury knows that he's a couple of years away from being a regular in the NHL. Goalies take time to develop and the NHL has not been kind to teen-aged goalies. But so far Fleury has shown he can make a difference.

"When I give a chance for my team to in a game, that's what I call a good game," he said.

And there isn't an NHL coach out there who would not want that dynamic on his team.




:) I'll be interested to see what happens with this guy...

[talkingcanes]

I will not be sorry if he is our pick. Good to great goalies are a must and a potentially great to franchise goalie is a dream. Who knows if he will reach that potential...........who knows if any of them will. I trust the scouts and management to do what they think will best serve the team and if this guy is it, fine by me :beatup:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I will not be sorry if he is our pick. Good to great goalies are a must and a potentially great to franchise goalie is a dream. Who knows if he will reach that potential...........who knows if any of them will. I trust the scouts and management to do what they think will best serve the team and if this guy is it, fine by me :beatup:

Ditto. :spin:

[hyena]

I trust the scouts and management to do what they think will best serve the team and if this guy is it, fine by me :beatup:

i wish i had as much faith in them as you do. :roll: i'm just hoping the stars will align for us on saturday and whoever we pick will end up being THE MAN. http://www.electrichyena.com/other/redthumb.gif

[puckin_A]

good to see someone agrees with me on Fleury. Over on Fanhome, so
many don't want Fleury. He is best prospect goalie to come around in a
decade. I say GRAB HIM if you can!!!

[ausoleil]

If we get Fleury, let's hope that we do better with him than anyother goalie to come through our organization -- the Whaler/Hurricanes have not ever developed their own starter. Jiggy played 40-odd games for us, and now look at him. He was a Whaler draft pick.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Jiggy played 40-odd games for us, and now look at him. He was a Whaler draft pick.

If that ain't an example of the "big fish that got away"!! :roll: :eek:

I know the chances of whoever they draft having an immediate impact on the team will be slim, but it would be nice if they did..

[folgersnyourcup]

If only the Canes had the number one pick....then they'd have all the luxury in the world in terms of choices instead of having to worry about what Florida's going to end up doing. Perhaps Florida will be nice and trade us the number one pick for Tanabe?

[talkingcanes]

I trust the scouts and management to do what they think will best serve the team and if this guy is it, fine by me :beatup:

i wish i had as much faith in them as you do. :roll: i'm just hoping the stars will align for us on saturday and whoever we pick will end up being THE MAN. http://www.electrichyena.com/other/redthumb.gif

Guess I'm not sure who else to trust. I don't know how to evaluate NHL potential and I don't think PK, JR, Maurice, and Ferguson, & co. would intentionally do anything to harm this hockey club. It's all an educated guess anyway. Who knows which of us will live up to our potential and determining which 18 year old will be a great NHL player........?

[Jeff O Rocks]

Perhaps Florida will be nice and trade us the number one pick for Tanabe?

folg...you have the sweetest DREAMS I ever heard!! :D ;)

[Stormbringer]

Perhaps Florida will be nice and trade us the number one pick for Tanabe?

folg...you have the sweetest DREAMS I ever heard!! :D ;)

(hums the Beach Boys' "Wouldn't It Be Nice"...) :)

[Shell]

Signing Fleury could be now or never proposition
By Karen Price
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, August 30, 2003

It's been 10 weeks since the Penguins drafted goalie Marc-Andre Fleury No. 1 overall, and five days since they traded incumbent Johan Hedberg to the Vancouver Canucks. It's also six days before the opening of rookie camp, and 13 days until the first combined training camp practice with veterans.
But the biggest date for the Penguins could be Sept. 28. That's the deadline for teams to sign junior players or return them to their respective teams.

And it could potentially be the line in the sand that leads to the Penguins losing Fleury's rights.

As of late Friday afternoon, Penguins general manager Craig Patrick had yet to open a dialogue with Allan Walsh, the Beverly Hills-based agent who represents Fleury.

Fleury is in the unique situation of having a late birthday according to the terms of the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement -- Nov. 28, 1984, to be exact. Come June 1, 2005, he could become an unrestricted free agent at the age of 20. It's a loophole that Walsh is very much aware of, and he recently told The Hockey News magazine that if his client didn't sign a deal this year, he'd have little incentive to sign with the Penguins at all.

He stood by his statement yesterday. When asked how he'd advise his client if the Penguins don't offer him a deal this year, Walsh said, "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. But you have one chance (to be an unrestricted free agent) until you're 31 years old."

Patrick was unavailable for comment.

The way it works is this -- according to the CBA, having a birthday after Sept. 15 means a player is considered one year older than he actually is at draft time. So, even though Fleury is 18 years old right now, he's considered 19 under the CBA. When the deadline to sign him rolls around, he'll actually be 20, but considered 21, and he'll also have played at least one season in North America between the ages of 18 and 20. That will make him ineligible to re-enter the draft, and therefore become an unrestricted free agent.

All he'd have to do, Walsh said, is play the 2004-05 season as an overage player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. After that, he'd be free to sign with anyone.

Walsh admits there are risks that go along with that scenario. The CBA expires in September 2004, and under a new agreement, the loophole could close. Incentive-laden first-year contracts that now give rookies the potential to add $10-12 million on top of capped salaries could also be a thing of the past. And for small-market teams, especially ones with restricted payrolls like the Penguins, that potential could be worth waiting for.

The salary cap for the 2003 draft class is $1.24 million, but there is no cap on performance-related bonus money. According to "the model" contract for top 10 picks ever since Joe Thornton signed his first deal with the Bruins, a successful transition to the NHL could mean making up to $15 million over three years.

Walsh has gotten model contracts for several players including Minnesota's Marian Gaborik (No. 3 in 2000), Nashville's Scott Hartnell (No. 6 in 2000), Minnesota's Pierre-Marc Bouchard (No. 8 in 2002) and most recently, San Jose's Milan Michalek, taken sixth overall in this year's draft. But he believes that few players who sign model deals actually hit their bonuses, estimating the number at around 30 percent.

For that reason, plus the number of far more contentious issues at hand in the upcoming CBA negotiations, Walsh does not believe the current Entry Level System will change.

Not everyone is so convinced.

"I think the Entry Level System will change -- everyone's resigned themselves to that being affected," said one agent. "It doesn't make any sense (to sign now) because those deals will be cut in half -- you won't have those huge bonuses anymore."

Fleury is far from being the only high draft pick still unsigned. In fact, only one of the first four players selected this year has signed so far -- Russian forward Nikolai Zherdev with the Columbus Blues Jackets. Blue Jackets general manager and coach Doug MacLean recently signed Zherdev, taken three places below Fleury. The circumstances, he said, were a bit different because he had to sign the Russian player by Aug. 15 in order for him to be able to play in North America this year. MacLean also firmly believes Zherdev will make the team. But if he doesn't, the model contract he signed will go to a different structure.

"I can't comment on (the entry level system) because I don't know what's going to happen when the CBA expires," MacLean said. "But I know one thing, I've got four guys on the model right now, and it's expensive, especially if they all hit. I'd like them to hit because it means I'm a better team, but it's expensive."

When asked if he was tempted to wait until after a new CBA to sign Zherdev, MacLean said, "I certainly would have thought more about it if he wasn't a European. But always our No. 1 thing is can he make our team, and if he does, how will it affect his development?"

Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford drafted Eric Staal (who also has a late birthday) second overall in June. He plans to bring Staal to rookie camp and keep him around for the veteran camp, giving him plenty of chances to make an impression. But Rutherford won't sign him unless he wins a job on the team this year.

"Depending how he does at camp, if he shows he's ready, we'll try to sign him," Rutherford said. "I'm not excited about the present contracts that I have that are comparable. But it's going to be based on his training camp performance. We've taken that position with all our players through the years, though. I don't think anything's changed. We've never moved real quick with signing our first-round pick unless they can play."
Whether or not Fleury can play will likely be the determining factor for Patrick, as well. If Fleury is the best goaltender at Penguins camp, Patrick will have little choice but to sign him. If there is no deal this year, it may not be the Penguins' sweater Fleury wears in his first NHL game.

Notes: Training camp will open Friday for Penguins' non-veteran players. Three days of physicals, photos and open ice will be followed by the first on-ice practice on Monday, Sept. 8. Select veterans will report on Sept. 11. ... Former Penguins player Phil Bourque was named radio analyst yesterday, joining play-by-play announcer Paul Steigerwald. Bourque started his NHL career with the Penguins in 1983-84 and also played on the Stanley Cup championship teams in 1991-92. He replaces Bob Errey, now filling the same role on the broadcast team.

[Shell]

Pittsburgh coach Olczyk mum on Fleury's next - possibly lucrative - start
Canadian Press
Tuesday, November 11, 2003

CANONSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pittsburgh Penguins coach Eddie Olczyk would not say whether rookie Marc-Andre Fleury will play in his 11th game of the season or be sent back to junior.

There is plenty riding on the decision. By playing Wednesday against the New York Rangers, the 18-year-old goaltender would activate the first full year of his incentive-laden, three-year, $3.72-million US contract.

The Penguins can save a season on the deal by sending the first overall pick in this year's draft back to Cape Breton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League after 10 games.

"I'm not going to make a decision until tomorrow," Olczyk said Tuesday. "That's the way I want to do it."

With incentives, Fleury's contract could be worth more than $5 million a year, a large undertaking for a financially strapped franchise that has traded away high-priced players, including Jaromir Jagr and Alexei Kovalev, to slash payroll in recent years.

Fleury will receive $400,000 if he reaches any one of these incentives: 20 victories; a 3.25 goals-against average; an .890 save percentage; 1,800 minutes played; four shutouts over the term of the contract; and a top-three finish in the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) balloting this season.

If Fleury achieves just two of those benchmarks this season, he receives a flat $4-million bonus. He would need to hit three incentives in his second year and four in the third to get the $4-million bonus in those seasons.

"For them, the most important thing is if we do good, improve and win games," Fleury said. "I don't think right now they care so much about the contract."

Because of a clause in the collective bargaining agreement, any player under 20 with junior hockey eligibility remaining cannot be sent to the American Hockey League or the East Coast Hockey League. That means if Fleury struggles, he would be returned to his junior team without possibility of recall for the remainder of the season.

Fleury has been the talk of the NHL since the Penguins tabbed him as their opening night starter in a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. In nine starts and one relief appearance, he is 3-4-2 with a 2.58 GAA, a .927 save percentage. He also was October's NHL rookie of the month.

With incentives, Fleury could be the second-highest paid player on the team behind Mario Lemieux, who will receive $10 million this season.

Lemieux will miss the game in New York, along with games Friday in Buffalo and Saturday at home against Florida with an injured right hip flexor.

Though Olczyk has yet to make it official, Fleury all but supplanted Sebastien Caron as the Penguins' No. 1 goaltender. Caron, who was given a four-year, $3.2-million deal in the off-season, was named to he NHL's all-rookie team after last season. But he has struggled with an 0-3-1 record and a league-worst 5.67 GAA.

[moonstomper]

as strapped for cash as Pitts is, I cant see them sending Fleury back down, that young man is incredible

[Guyute]

"For them, the most important thing is if we do good, improve and win games," Fleury said. "I don't think right now they care so much about the contract."

ahh, the innocence of youth. actually, bud, the Pens already suck, and having one of the best goalies in the league doesn't help if they can't put one in the net. So, with that being said... I think spending a minimum of $4 mil (with a chance of it being $8 mil. WTF were they thinking???) on a goalie this season is a BIG question. that's some Serious money..... that Pitt doesn't have.

I agree he's amazing. but the pens have serious problems (rivaling that of Washington), and I honestly find it hard to believe they'd keep Fluery, when they have the opportunity to save that contract until next year.
Because he Will hit most of the incentive goals... even on that team.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I can't believe his contract is that huge. :eek2: I can't believe I may miss out on watching one of the best young goalies ever in the NHL this season because his team can't pay him. I can't believe he is so clueless. ;)

[e2ipiand1]

If they do send Fleury back to juniors, the race for the Calder will come down to whoever racks up the most points.

GO ERIC GO!

[Jeff O Rocks]

I know the chances of whoever they draft having an immediate impact on the team will be slim, but it would be nice if they did..

Let me quote myself and chuckle too....
:D
I haven't seen Fleury play yet...is he as awesome as everyone says?

[Guyute]

he is the real deal.

[MoBigRed]

If only the Canes had the number one pick....then they'd have all the luxury in the world in terms of choices instead of having to worry about what Florida's going to end up doing. Perhaps Florida will be nice and trade us the number one pick for Tanabe?


Agreed the #1 pick would have been lovely. But at the same time, had the Canes traded Tanabe for it, they'd be without Markov...

[Jeff O Rocks]

he is the real deal.

thanks..I look forward to seeing him..

[lvscolencanes]

He is very fun to watch, but put on your shades, he wear freakin flouresent pads for goodness sakes.. ;)

[moonstomper]

Edzo announced Fleury will start tonight

They said theres still a chance he could be sent down later in the season as he starts approcahing those incentives

1000th post...Woot!

[Shell]

Pens don't have to make Fleury decision
Associated Press
1/28/2004

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Looks as though the Pittsburgh Penguins will have rookie Marc-Andre Fleury in net much longer than they once expected.

Fleury is nearing the 25-game mark he must reach for the chance to collect $3 million in contract bonuses - money the penurious Penguins don't have to spend.

The Penguins' 6-2 loss Tuesday night to Tampa Bay was Fleury's 21st NHL game, though two don't count for contract purposes because he played fewer than 20 minutes in each.

However, 12 losses in his last 13 decisions for the NHL's worst team have dropped him below the benchmarks needed to obtain his bonuses. As long as he stays below them, the Penguins can play him for as long as they want.

Not that coach Eddie Olczyk thinks that's a bad thing, saying Fleury played exceptionally well in his last two starts, including Saturday's 5-3 loss to Colorado.

Fleury repeatedly made big saves against Colorado's top scorers - once stopping Joe Sakic from only a few feet away - and could do little as the Lightning scored four times in special teams situations.

``He wants to play every game, and every goal is his fault regardless of what the situation is,'' Olczyk said. ``He's got to work himself out of it - it's no different from any other player or any other team or any other situation where you're having a tough time. With him, it's much more magnified because he was the No. 1 draft pick and there is a hoopla that goes with that.''

Olczyk especially likes how Fleury has rebounded from his setback in the world junior championships this month.

Loaned by the Penguins to Canada partly to get his confidence back, Fleury saw his clearing pass deflect off a teammate and into his own net for the deciding goal in a 4-3 championship game loss to the United States. The U.S. juniors rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the third period.

Fleury had a similar third-period letdown in his first game back for the Penguins, giving up four goals in just over five minutes in a 4-2 loss to Minnesota on Jan. 16.

He was pulled after allowing six goals in two periods of a 6-5 loss to Ottawa on Jan. 22, but has since bounced back to play his two best games since he was 2-2-2 with a 1.96 goals against average and a .943 save percentage in October.

Then, it seemed he would easily reach two of the six standards needed to earn his $3 million: a 3.25 goals-against average, .890 save percentage, 20 victories, four shutouts, 1,800 minutes played and a top-five finish in the Calder Trophy voting.

But, with the Penguins down to 31 games remaining, he is below all of those with a 3.64 GAA, .896 save percentage, 4-14-2 record, one shutout and 1,154 minutes played. The Calder Trophy voting has yet to take place.

``For sure, it's been disappointing, but I tell myself I can make it happen again,'' he said. ``The last month, I haven't had my best games but hopefully everything will settle back and it will be good.''

He could play another 10 full games and still not qualify for the bonuses and, even if he does, he must raise his save percentage or get three more shutouts.

Until Fleury gets close to doing that, it's almost certain he will stay in Pittsburgh rather than be sent back to the QMJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

``We don't plan to make any decisions,'' general manager Craig Patrick said.

[Shell]

Pens don't have to make Fleury decision
Associated Press
1/28/2004

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Looks as though the Pittsburgh Penguins will have rookie Marc-Andre Fleury in net much longer than they once expected.

Fleury is nearing the 25-game mark he must reach for the chance to collect $3 million in contract bonuses - money the penurious Penguins don't have to spend.

The Penguins' 6-2 loss Tuesday night to Tampa Bay was Fleury's 21st NHL game, though two don't count for contract purposes because he played fewer than 20 minutes in each.

However, 12 losses in his last 13 decisions for the NHL's worst team have dropped him below the benchmarks needed to obtain his bonuses. As long as he stays below them, the Penguins can play him for as long as they want.

Not that coach Eddie Olczyk thinks that's a bad thing, saying Fleury played exceptionally well in his last two starts, including Saturday's 5-3 loss to Colorado.

Fleury repeatedly made big saves against Colorado's top scorers - once stopping Joe Sakic from only a few feet away - and could do little as the Lightning scored four times in special teams situations.

``He wants to play every game, and every goal is his fault regardless of what the situation is,'' Olczyk said. ``He's got to work himself out of it - it's no different from any other player or any other team or any other situation where you're having a tough time. With him, it's much more magnified because he was the No. 1 draft pick and there is a hoopla that goes with that.''

Olczyk especially likes how Fleury has rebounded from his setback in the world junior championships this month.

Loaned by the Penguins to Canada partly to get his confidence back, Fleury saw his clearing pass deflect off a teammate and into his own net for the deciding goal in a 4-3 championship game loss to the United States. The U.S. juniors rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the third period.

Fleury had a similar third-period letdown in his first game back for the Penguins, giving up four goals in just over five minutes in a 4-2 loss to Minnesota on Jan. 16.

He was pulled after allowing six goals in two periods of a 6-5 loss to Ottawa on Jan. 22, but has since bounced back to play his two best games since he was 2-2-2 with a 1.96 goals against average and a .943 save percentage in October.

Then, it seemed he would easily reach two of the six standards needed to earn his $3 million: a 3.25 goals-against average, .890 save percentage, 20 victories, four shutouts, 1,800 minutes played and a top-five finish in the Calder Trophy voting.

But, with the Penguins down to 31 games remaining, he is below all of those with a 3.64 GAA, .896 save percentage, 4-14-2 record, one shutout and 1,154 minutes played. The Calder Trophy voting has yet to take place.

``For sure, it's been disappointing, but I tell myself I can make it happen again,'' he said. ``The last month, I haven't had my best games but hopefully everything will settle back and it will be good.''

He could play another 10 full games and still not qualify for the bonuses and, even if he does, he must raise his save percentage or get three more shutouts.

Until Fleury gets close to doing that, it's almost certain he will stay in Pittsburgh rather than be sent back to the QMJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

``We don't plan to make any decisions,'' general manager Craig Patrick said.

[Turbulence]

:roll: They're going to ruin him. They'll steamroll over his confidence and he'll never be able to get it back. I hope it doesn't happen...

[Turbulence]

:roll: They're going to ruin him. They'll steamroll over his confidence and he'll never be able to get it back. I hope it doesn't happen...

[talkingcanes]

I'm sure he'd rather be in the NHL. He knows he's not on a good team and that he's going to see a lot of shots. Hopefully, he's not that fragile or he'll have a tough time as a professional athlete anyway.

[talkingcanes]

I'm sure he'd rather be in the NHL. He knows he's not on a good team and that he's going to see a lot of shots. Hopefully, he's not that fragile or he'll have a tough time as a professional athlete anyway.

[puckin_A]

That was only part of the learning process. Playing for Cape Breton made for long, tiring road trips. The closest opponent was a five-hour bus drive and the furthest was a 17-hour grind.


wow......could you imagine??? these kids go through alot to get to the
NHL. Think about the ones that don't make it.

[puckin_A]

That was only part of the learning process. Playing for Cape Breton made for long, tiring road trips. The closest opponent was a five-hour bus drive and the furthest was a 17-hour grind.


wow......could you imagine??? these kids go through alot to get to the
NHL. Think about the ones that don't make it.