Jacob De la Rose (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
ALLENTOWN, PA. — The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps are currently on a six-game road trip through Pennsylvania. The IceCaps split their two-game series with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and dropped a game on the weekend to the Hershey Bears. You can read full reports for each game here.
The IceCaps Hockey Report | All Habs Hockey Magazine team was onsite in Wilkes-Barre as the IceCaps practiced ahead of their games on Wednesday and Friday against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Following practice, IceCaps forward Jacob De la Rose kindly spent a few minutes with our video producer, Amy Johnson.
Brett Lernout (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
ALLENTOWN, PA. — The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps are currently on a six-game road trip through Pennsylvania. The IceCaps split their two-game series with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and dropped a game on the weekend to the Hershey Bears. You can read full reports for each game here.
The IceCaps Hockey Report | All Habs Hockey Magazine team was onsite in Wilkes-Barre as the IceCaps practiced ahead of their games on Wednesday and Friday against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Following practice, IceCaps defenceman Brett Lernout kindly spent a few minutes with our video producer, Amy Johnson.
The interview is below.
(Our apologies to Brett for the camera frame at the beginning of the interview. He’s rather tall!)
WHITEHALL, PA. — A hockey practice is not only a learning experience for the players on the ice but also instructive for those who follow the team. The IceCaps Hockey Report team caught up with the IceCaps as they were put through their paces during the road trip in Pennsylvania.
The Rink at Lehigh Valley (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
The players were wide-eyed as they entered the well-worn old barn. Jacob De la Rose said that it reminded him of the rink where he played his minor hockey. But as they walked along the boards to the dressing room many commented that the ice looked good. “I can smell good ice,” said Eric Neilson.
The Rink at Lehigh Valley (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
“When we pulled in, everyone was like ‘Woah, what is this?’,” said Mike McCarron, “But the ice was good. It was a good practice. Guys were moving their feet good.”
McCarron was the first to take the ice at the arena known as “The Rink at Lehigh Valley.”
The IceCaps began practice will a typical line-rush drill but with a twist. They didn’t use pucks. The invisible puck drill was a trademark of former Canadiens forward Jimmy Roberts back in his coaching days primarily with the St. Louis Blues organization. According to IceCaps team broadcaster Brian Rogers, it was the coaching staff’s tribute to Roberts, who passed away on October 23rd of this year.
IceCaps assistant coach Donald Dufresne played for Roberts when Jimmy was the coach and general manager in the mid-90’s of the Worcester IceCats (Blues AHL affiliate.) Canadiens assistant coach J.J. Daigneault was also a member of that roster.
Dustin Tokarski (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
Passing without a puck was, for the most part, tape-to-tape. The line rushes by the forwards were creative and the phantom shots were of the booming variety. But it was the goaltending where imaginations flourished with spectacular glove saves and the occasional double-pad stack.
“The guys, I think they missed their shots,” said Zach Fucale, “That was a little bit of a fun time to start the practice. It got everyone fired up.”
The 3-on-3 drill was especially intense with some solid contact. It was a spirited, high-energy practice with players being encouraged to be very vocal to communicate with teammates. This is a talented, strong skating team with good camaraderie.
“Sorry Tick” drowned out the rest of the ice noise as a restrained shot from defenceman Brett Lernout got up a little high on Dustin Tokarski. The body language of the former Canadiens backup and his lack of crispness in a shoot-in drill hinted that Tokarski is not necessarily enthusiastic about his new assignment. (Tokarski was recalled by the Canadiens on Sunday in light of an injury to Carey Price.)
With the net empty, Lernout practised one-timers in rapid-fire succession displaying a potent shot and remarkable accuracy. After several minutes, he celebrated loudly his several dozen goals.
(Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
The head coach showed that he still has a little velocity to his shot as a blast from the stick of Sylvain Lefebvre went part way through the twine remaining caught up in the netting for all to see.
McCarron was second-to-last off the ice as the session ended just over an hour after it began.
Check out our gallery of photos from IceCaps practice.
Daniel Carr (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
ALLENTOWN, PA. — The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps are currently on a six-game road trip through Pennsylvania. The IceCaps Hockey Report | All Habs Hockey Magazine team was onsite in Allentown for two games against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The IceCaps split the series with a 3-2 win on Friday night. You can read our full game report here.
Our IceCaps Hockey Report team also attended practice. IceCaps forward Daniel Carr kindly spent a few minutes with our video producer, Amy Johnson.
ALLENTOWN, PA. — The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps are currently on a six-game road trip through Pennsylvania. The IceCaps Hockey Report | All Habs Hockey Magazine team was onsite in Allentown for the first game of the trip against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The IceCaps were on the wrong side of a 5-1 score. You can read our full game report here.
Our IceCaps Hockey Report team also took in the IceCaps practice in Whitehall on Thursday. Following practice, IceCaps forward Michael McCarron kindly spent a few minutes with our video producer, Amy Johnson.
MONTREAL, QC. — Earlier today, the QMJHL announced their roster for the upcoming CHL vs Russia Subway Super Series. Making the roster is Montreal Canadiens prospect Daniel Audette who plays for the Sherbrooke Phoenix. In the current season, the Phoenix’s Audette has four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in nine games, he has eight penalty minutes meanwhile being a minus-3 so far.
The CHL has been facing off against Russia in a Super Series since 2003, the series was first called the RE/Max Canada-Russia Challenge. Then from 2004 to 2008 it was called the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge. Since then it has had its current name.
Overall since 2003 the CHL has dominated the series, beating Russia a combined 49 to 23 throughout the WHL, OHL and QMJHL. The CHL has scored 289 total goals meanwhile they have given up 188. This series gives organizations, fans and everyone a chance to see some of the top young junior players in the world play against each other.
Daniel Audette:
Montreal Canadiens prospect Daniel Audette has been named to the QMJHL roster for the tournament, Audette is a smaller stature forward who uses his deceptive speed and hands to beat his opponents.
“His bloodlines and elusiveness put the undersized Audette on scout’s radar because of his skill,speed and heart. His skating base, and lower body strength make him strong on the puck and a guy who plays big and is a scoring threat at a moment’s notice. Reads the ice and can handle the puck at his top gear, but also he can go laterally with sharp cuts and stop/starts to get loose. His vision allows him to slip away and act on the room he has made for himself, as he passes the puck extremely well and also works hard in his own end back checking. Looks like a good long term selection who may help a team down the road. “ – Draft year scouting report from Bill Placzek
Audette has only got better this season, he continues to use his very strong passing ability and vision to succeed, Audette has continue to work on his defensive game where he works hard to maintain good positioning to not allow his man to beat him.
QMJHL Roster (With NHL drafted team):
Forwards:
Anthony Richard – Nashville Predators
Joey Ratelle “A” – Undrafted
Clark Bishop “A” – Carolina Hurricanes
Julien Gauthier – 2016 Eligible
Julien Nantel – Colorado Avalanche
Nicolas Aube-Kubel – Philadelphia Flyers
Pierre-Luc Dubois – 2016 Eligible
Jean-Christophe Beaudin – Colorado Avalanche
Francis Perron – Ottawa Senators
Daniel Audette – Montreal Canadiens
Maxim Fortier 2016 Eligible
Nicolas Roy – Carolina Hurricanes
Anthony Beauvillier “A” – New York Islanders
Defenseman:
Olivier Leblanc – Columbus Blue Jackets
Thomas Chabot – Ottawa Senators
Alexandre Carrier “C” – Nashville Predators
Jeremy Lauzon – Boston Bruins
Nicolas Meloche – Colorado Avalanche
Gauillaume Brisbois – Vancouver Canucks
Samuel Girard – 2016 Eligible
Jeremy Roy – San Jose Sharks
Goalies:
Mason MacDonald – Calgary Flames
Samuel Montembeault – Florida Panthers
The games will be played on Tuesday, November 17th 2015 at Rouyn-Noranda and on Thursday, November 19th 2015 at Halfax.
ST. JOHN’S, NL. — The 20 year old Medicine Hat, Alberta native played his junior hockey with Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League. In 2011 the Habs drafted Darren Dietz 138th overall after posting 27 points in 68 games in his first full season at the junior level. This investment proved to be smart as he continued to take jumps in the following years to 44 and 58 points respectively over 72 games in 2011-12 and 2012-13, which also resulted in a first team all-star nod for the latter season. In addition to his offensive abilities from the backend, Dietz also played with an edge hitting triple digits in penalty minutes in both his last two seasons for the Blades. This physical presence was on display in his tenure with the Bulldogs and he gives opposing forwards a reason to keep their heads up.
Dietz had a quiet and shortened rookie season for the Bulldogs in 2013-14 only lacing up for 34 games, but followed that up with an impressive camp for the Canadiens last year which saw him stick around through the final cuts and continued to progress with 17 points over 71 games with the Bulldogs. A right handed shot, Dietz finds himself down the depth chart behind the likes of Subban, Petry, Gilbert and late season call-up Pateryn.
He has the potential to be a top-4, possibly top-2 guy with the baby Habs this season, and will battle with recent rookie camp stand-out Ryan Johnston for PP time with the IceCaps. The one thing Dietz has on his side is the consensus understanding that defensemen typically take longer to develop. We see this in the case of guys like Tinordi (23), Beaulieu (22) and Pateryn (25), and so there is no pressure to make the jump immediately, but 2014-15 should prove an important season to ensure his development continues in the right direction. If Dietz should continue to progress and he remains a candidate to be called up pending a trade or injury the aforementioned righties in the Habs lineup. Long term projections are still a little early to say, by no means is he a blue chip, but a nice piece in the cupboard for Martin Lapointe to continue to work with and potential to develop into an NHL player one day.
ST. JOHN’S, NL. — Josiah Didier is a lesser known name on the list of players projected to make the IceCaps roster. This is partly to do with the transition of the NHL moving to fast paced hockey with skilled forwards and puck moving defensemen. Didier figures to be a stay-at-home defensive defenseman.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 Entry Draft, Didier opted to spend the past four years at the University of Denver. He had his most productive season with Denver this past year as he recorded three goals and eight assists over 40 games. He was alternate captain for a Pioneers team which made it to the Frozen Four last season.
After seeing his team bow out to the eventual National Champions Providence, Didier went on to sign a professional try-out contract (PTO) with the Hamilton Bulldogs and left a good enough impression on Sylvain Lefebvre and the Habs brass to be re-signed to a one year contract with the IceCaps this offseason. In his eight games under the PTO, Didier registered a single assist but played critical minutes with Nathan Beaulieu and Greg Pateryn playing with the Canadiens through their playoff run.
Didier brings a physical aspect to the back end that is missing with the absence of Pateryn and Tinordi. He’s known as a team player, a leader and isn’t afraid to play with an edge and physicality. Although he remains under the radar he figures to be leaned on heavily by the IceCaps this upcoming season mentoring young guys coming up through on how to be a professional.
ST. JOHN’S, NL. — Connor Crisp was drafted 71st overall by the Canadiens in the 2013 Entry Draft. The Alliston, Ontario native split his junior career between the Ontario Hockey Leagues Erie Otters and Sudbury Wolves where he collected 308 penalty minutes over 184 games.
In his rookie year with the Hamilton Bulldogs Crisp continued to use his hands creatively in his 39 games played registering 102 penalty minutes. He will be relied on heavily by the IceCaps to provide grit to a lineup which is primarily young players making the transition to the professional level. Traditionally a left winger, Marc Bergevin and company projects Crisp to be a guy that can step into a fourth line role if needed. In junior hockey, Crisp found ways to contribute on a regular basis, but he struggled quite a bit registering just two goals and three assists throughout 2014-15, to become an effective player for the Canadiens he will have to find a way to emulate a Brandon Prust or Patrick Maroon on both sides of the puck.
At 6-foot-3-inches, 226 pounds, the hard hitting forward imposes his will on his opponents, however walks a fine line which saw him sit three games last season for leaving the bench to partake in a brawl against the defending Calder Cup champions, Texas Stars, last December. It’s been a long time since the Canadiens have had an effective enforcer, the aforementioned Prust was the Canadiens closest resemblance but he lacked the size and often found himself mismatched against the heavyweights of the NHL. Although, a dying breed, a heavyweight can prove to be a physical presence and is often a locker room favourite among his teammates. Crisp has an uphill battle to make the NHL, serving similar size and grit as the Canadiens former first round pick Mike McCarron, with a lesser offensive upside.
In the meantime Crisp can take in hockey in St. John’s, learn from Sylvain Lefebvre and his coaching staff. He figures to be an immediate fan favourite in a city that has lacked any legitimate enforcers in the Jets entire tenure at Mile One Center. Meanwhile he can look to a character such as Maroon in Anaheim taking in first line minutes with all-stars/Stanley Cup winners, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry as inspiration. Maroon paid his dues with Adirondack and Syracuse/Norfolk over five years before making his debut, Crisp can only work hard and hope for similar results.
ST. JOHN’S, NL. — To some, Daniel Carr came out of nowhere last season. Since the Canadiens Development camp, it appears hype has continued to build around the undrafted free agent signing from Union College. The native of Sherwood Park, Alberta, attended Union for four years totaling 78 goals in 160 games. He was also named team captain and carried the Dutchmen to their first championship title in school history with a dramatic 5-4 win over Johnny Gaudreau and the favoured Boston College, and then the No. 1 ranked Minnesota in the finals.
The Canadiens were quick to sign Carr and it proved worthy of a contract as he lead all rookie goal scorers in the AHL with 24 goals last year. Carr is out to prove that he was not just a benefactor of playing on the line of the Canadiens top prospect Charles Hudon, and that he made the line better by being there. This season he will play either first line minutes with the IceCaps, or a top six role with the Habs. He does not figure to play the traditional shutdown role of a third line forward, and his eligibility to move down without clearing waivers makes him valuable as that may prove to be the Canadiens biggest obstacle this year managing their youth.
At 6-foot 200 pounds, he has decent size but more importantly he brings a goal scoring repertoire from the left hand side. The Canadiens have made every effort to bring in right wing talent in the past several years following the evolution of Max Pacioretty, and so in a crowded right hand system, Carr proves to have a slight advantage for the upcoming season.
His chances however seem to hinge on the a couple scenarios. Pacioretty is currently rehabbing a knee injury which is expected to see him miss most, if not all, of the preseason. Though we can reference last season’s concussion at the end of the year, or the infamous fractured vertebrae courtesy of Zdeno Chara and the Bell Centre extensions, Pacioretty has always been a quick healer from injuries. Either way his absence leaves a void on the left side for the Canadiens coaching staff to get a good look at Carr. Additionally, if Pacioretty manages to get back on time, theres a chance Galchenyuk could be moved from the left wing to a center position. If this happens Carr could also see a door open. Either way there are opportunities for Carr to strut his stuff early this year with the Habs.
