Members of Team Russia celebrate a goal during the gold-medal game against Canada in the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships.

For those that didn’t get a chance to see it, Igor Bobkov came in and turned the game around after Russia got down 3-0.  He was simply amazing.  Vladimir Tarasenko gets the MVP in my eyes for being knocked out cold and barely able to get off the ice, even with the help of two trainers, yet somehow returning for the third period and leading his team to victory.  It also should be pointed out that the goddesses’ inaugural interviewee Maxim Kitsyn had an amazing tournament and will be moving to North America to play in the OHL this month.  We wish him the best of luck.

Of course, it the story wouldn’t be complete without some hooliganism from the Russian team.  Seems they got a bit drunk and unruly in their attempt to return home and were booted from their flight!  Kids these days.

Again, congrats Team Russia.  You earned it!

Photo: Team Russia from Reuters.

Igor Bobkov is the lone member of the Russian Junior team this year with North American experience.

It’s that time of year — no, not the holidays, although that certainly has taken up most people’s resources lately.  It’s time for the World Junior Championships.  Unable to attend this year (the goddesses trip to Moscow is less than a month away) I’m relegated to watching this exciting event on TV.  As usual, however, I watch the Russian team with great interest.

The Russians have chosen an interesting approach this year.  Rather than select players with North American experience in the CHL or NHL, they have gone with an entire line-up (save for goalie Igor Bobkov of the OHL) of home grown players from the KHL or Russian junior league.  While this has allowed them to choose exceptional players such as Maxim Kitsyn and Vladamir Terasenko, it has also excluded talents such as 2011 draft prospect Vladislav Namestinkov and Washington Capitals prospect Stanislav Galiev.

What does any of this mean?   One could certainly say not much, as defense appears to be their weakness.  The physical play is certainly good — much better than we’ve seen from Russian players in the past and these kids are really working hard on the forecheck.  Yet the defense has been guilty of making poor decisions at inopportune times and has been unable to contain some good forechecking teams.

While the Russians as a team are still one of the more feared rivals of the Canadians and Americans, the TSN announcers pointed out that the number of Russians in the NHL are less than half of what they were in 2003 and, according to Pierre McGuire, those that are aren’t “as good.”  The insinuation is that despite the lure of the KHL, Russians just aren’t good enough to make the NHL anymore.

Clearly, this is a case of xenophobia by Mr. McGuire.  First, let’s look at the players that aren’t “as good” as the Russians of the 90′s and early 21^st century.  Ovechkin?  Datsuyk?  Malkin?   Really, Pierre?  I doubt anyone would say these players are less talented than Fedorov, Bure and Mogilny.    Last year, there were 3 Russians in the top 20 in points and 3 in the top 7 in goals.  Ovechkin won the Hart trophy (league MVP) an unprecedented 2 years in a row in ’08 and ‘09 and Pavel Datsyuk has taken 5 of the leagues top honors at the awards ceremony in the past 3 years.

So, let’s dismiss the premise that the Russians aren’t as talented anymore.  Then why aren’t Russian players choosing to play for the best league in the world?  Is it because of the advent of the KHL?  Perhaps.  Yet everyone by now has heard of the financial troubles teams are having.  Playing for certain teams is a risk:  You may or may not get your monthly paycheck.

I think one has to look deeper into the culture and socio-political history of Russia for the answer.  While hardly a first world country, communism is no longer a reality.  Before, players were lured by the opportunity of fame and fortune that North America could present them.  After the initial breakup of the Soviet Union, the streets were filled with virtual chaos and North America still provided a safe and stable alternative for talented hockey players.

Now?  Things are different.  Hockey players make decent salaries in a land of the have and have-nots.

Nikita Filatov chose to play in the KHL last year rather than the Blue Jacket's AHL affiliate.

In a cash based economy, the hockey players are certain part of the “haves.”  One can live a relatively luxurious existence without having to leave home.  Russian’s, after all, are just at ethnocentric as anyone else, despite what many consider an inferior standard of living in their country.  Most importantly, however, I feel the reason the kids aren’t coming to play is something that is universal with that generation — they can play in the KHL and not really have to try.

Yep, I’ve said it. The culture of entitlement reigns supreme in the under 30 crowd these days, regardless of ethnicity and country of origin.  They want it all without having to work for it.  The Russians of old must cringe at the lack of work ethic in many of these players.  This seems to permeate through the ranks of the KHL and the youth see no reason to try too hard to make the NHL.  Things get tough and you get sent down to the AHL?  No problem (a favorite saying among Russians.)  Just come back to the KHL and work half as hard for more money. Although there is clearly a large amount of talent in the league, there is almost no hitting and you won’t have to risk too much night in and night out.  What is the incentive to play for the best hockey league in the world when you may have to work hard in the minors for a few years to get there?  You can have it now in the KHL!  There are just enough NHL veterans and old school Russians with the talent there to keep the league afloat as a legitimate threat.

So, as I watch this talented group of under-20 Russians skate their hearts out up and down the ice I wonder where the breakdown is.  When do they decide to take the easy way out?  And will the Russian program eventually collapse, leaving the KHL without the experienced veterans and hard working youth, going back to a second rate European league with little sponsorship and support.  The Russian Hockey federation definitely has a challenge on their hands and only time will tell if they can maintain their position as one of the top hockey countries in the world.

Photos: Igor Bobkov by Elena Rusko (rusko.fishup.ru), Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved.  Nikita Filatov by Goddess Sasha, Copyright 2010.  All Rights Reserved.

BabyParm waiting for the puck to drop circa 2008.

So, it’s just about one month before most CHL teams, will be starting their training camps; and my boys are no exception, as they will be getting started on the 25th of August. Along with the normal activities that will go on during this camp for both invitees, draft picks, rookies and vets to get ready for the season the boys in green and grey will also be preparing for their annual Labor Day tournament that they host every year. For a hockey junkie it’s like being let loose on a buffet when you’ve been drinking Slim Fast for four months. It is three full days of games, made up of nine games, with the WHL’s US division teams and usually one from the BC division like last year with Dion Phaneuf’s baby brother and his Prince George Cougars; however this year, we get a treat. Since all of the BC teams had better things to do other commitments, Coach Craig Hartsburg put in a phone call to his old team, aka the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. It’s the very first time that the Tips have played anyone outside of the WHL, my seat is two rows behind the bench; and I am very excited about this.

Also making me pretty damn excited is that in the past 36 hours, our GM Doug Soetart has pulled off two deals that make me want to know if maybe he’s been taking lessons from Ray Shero or Kenny Holland. Yesterday, the Tips traded for Landon Ferraro and today, they signed former Minnesota Golden Gopher Josh Birkholz. Both of these deals are, to me anyway, complete surprises; but I think they’re going to make our team a bit tougher and a bit stronger if they can live up to the hype especially Mr. Ferraro.

Landon, aka Baby Parm, is the son of former NHL center Ray Ferraro and the stepson of USA gold medalist and Hockey Hall of Fame electee member Cammi Granato. He was drafted and had previously been part of the Red Deer Rebels as well as being chosen by the Detroit Red Wings last summer. I actually got to see him play both up in Alberta when he was a rookie and two years ago here in Everett; and the boys can score. I just hope he has worked on his fighting skills… he got his clocked cleaned by former Silvertip and current baby Blackhawk Kyle Beach when he was here last. We got Landon in exchange for center Byron Froese, who is also a baby Blackhawk chosen in last year’s draft; and I’ll miss Byron. He’s a good kid and a great player too.

Josh B schmoozing with the Kitties' brass last summer.

Mr. Birkholz, on the other hand, is a complete unknown to me. He was also drafted last year as a third-round pick by the Florida Panthers; but played last year in Minnesota. When I saw the announcement that he was committing to play here this season, my first thought was “Buh!? Who is this guy?” Well, it appears that the Tips had his junior rights; but as an American kid who was planning to go to college, he decided to play in the USHL instead as a 17 year old before moving over to the Gophers’ program last season. We’ll see what happens with this kid as part of the reason for him leaving UM after one year is for team rules violations; but the Tips brass seem confident that this isn’t going to be an issue. So I guess that I’ll have to trust them since they don’t give a monkey what my opinion is; I’m just a season ticket holder. ;)

And before I forget, the next two weeks we will have two members of our team spending some time with Team USA. California boy Tyler Maxwell will be spending some time at National Junior Evaluation Camp and I hope he makes it this year. We need more WHL wearing Stars and Stripes. Also with USA Hockey is our Associate Head Coach Jay Varady, who after winning a gold medal this last year as video coach for the U-20 team, will be the assistant coach for the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Good luck to them!

Anyway… that’s what’s happening in Hooterville this week. I am not sure if I’m going to be able to wait four weeks to smell that ice again; but I guess I have to.

Photos: Landon Ferraro by Goddess Amy, and Josh Birholz from Bruce Bennett/Getty Images.

Maxim Kitsyn stops to shake a fan's hand after his name is called at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

There’s an old saying in Russia that if you’re promised something, you will have to wait three years to get it (if at all).   Yet when I contacted Maxim Kitsyn — a Russian and the Los Angeles Kings’ 6th-round draft pick — for an interview I got a quick response. An enthusiastic “yes,” followed by immediate action. I sent him questions, and less than 24 hours later I had his answers — all this while he was participating in the Kings’ prospect camp.

This was just my first insight into Kitsyn’s maturity, responsibility and dedication to play in North America.  It is clear that he takes his career very seriously.

In speaking with him prior to the interview, I found him to be a very gracious and courteous person.  As you will see, he is also well spoken (his answers were sent back to us in Russian and translated by Goddess Thorkhild). Though he replied in his native tongue, he does like to practice his English whenever he gets a chance.

HockeyGoddesses: Since you don’t play in here yet we’d like to let the fans in Los Angeles and North America get to know you personally.

What did you do in Los Angeles during the draft? Had you been in North America before? How did you like it?

Maxim Kitsyn: I came to Los Angeles with my parents, and there was one more Russian on the plane — Stas Galiyev [Stanislav Galiev, who was selected by the Washington Capitals in the 3rd round].  He was with his mom too.  So we didn’t have time to get bored.  And during the draft my parents, my agent, his daughter and our lawyer went somewhere each day.  We either went shopping or went to the ocean. We didn’t manage to go to Hollywood.  There were terrible traffic jams that day.

HG: Have you always wanted to play in the NHL?

MK:  Yes, of course.  I don’t know any young hockey player in Russia who wouldn’t like to play in this league.

Maxim Kitsyn dons his new colors.

HG: What players did you admire growing up?

MK: If you name any NHL player of this time I’d say I liked his game. I cannot distinguish anyone specific.

HG: What do you like to do in your free time during the season?

MK: I don’t have much spare time, but when I do, I like to have a good rest. I also like to spend time with my friends, but we don’t meet often. I see one of my friends only once a year, though we live just a five-minute walk from each other. And, of course, I love to be with my girlfriend; we just go for a walk or sit somewhere in a cafe, for example.

HG: What do you do in the off-season?

MK: Usually I rest a little.  Last year I was in Turkey, and before the camp of my KHL team I go train in America or Canada. This year our playoffs were over at the end of April and the tests [the NHL Combine] before the draft were just a month away.  All of the guys from my team were resting, and I had to go to the rink everyday to keep up my physical conditioning.  I wanted to go somewhere to vacation between the NHL Combine and the draft, but my family had a lot to do this summer, and I didn’t manage to leave. Now, the Los Angeles Kings have chosen me, and our [development] camp started earlier than all others — just four days after the draft. So I am spending my holidays this way. :)

HG: Who has had the greatest influence on your career? What was his or her best advice?

MK: My parents.  They often sacrificed themselves to help me and my brother (he is three years older).  They did everything for us, so that the only thing we had to do was to go on the ice and play hockey. For example, in the hockey school I went to, every age group had the year when training started at 7 a.m. in the morning.  At 6:15 a.m. you had to be in the dressing room, so at 6 a.m. you had to leave home. Mom got up at 5 a.m. to start cooking for us. I am very grateful to my parents. Me and my brother still play hockey. But if not for them we wouldn’t have achieved anything.

HG: When do you think you will come to play in North America?

MK: In fact, I have wanted to come to play in the Canadian Hockey League, but I have a contract with a Kontinental Hockey League club [Metallurg Novokuznetsk], and no CHL team previously wanted to take a risk by picking me in the draft. But this year, Mississuaga has chosen me.  If everything is worked out and I can come at least by the end of the year to the Ontario Hockey League, I’ll be very happy.

HG: There are many great Russians playing in the KHL that we, here in North America, have never seen. Who is the best player in the KHL that nobody in North America has heard of?

MK: I don’t know who you have heard about and who you haven’t, but I can say that there are very many players in the KHL who could become leaders in the NHL.

HG: What advice can you give young players? How can a player achieve the highest level of hockey?

MK: To listen to the coach and to keep doing your business as a professional. There are moments when you feel you can’t manage to do anything and want to leave it all, but then you remember what goals you have and understand that you must keep going.

HG: Do you have any training secrets?  How do you psychologically prepare for games?

MK: Those I keep to myself ;).  I’ll say one thing:  Each hockey player and sportsman in general have their little secrets. :)

Photos: Maxim Kitsyn and fan by Goddess Sasha. Kitsyn in Kings jersey by Getty Images.

At 5'11" and tipping the scales at just 157 pounds, Burmistrov's size has been of concern to scouts.

Ah! The Russian prospects. They come with so many questions nowadays. One thing there is no question about is Alexander Burmistrov’s skill. The 5’11″, 157-pound prospect was unquestionably one of the bright lights of the 2009-10 OHL season, playing 62 games with the Barrie Colts. And like the brightest of stars, he dazzles all who observe him.  With his sparkling ability to dance with the puck, deke his opponents and score with incredible flair, he’s pure excitement on skates, drawing comparisons to players like Alexei Kovalev and Maxim Afinogenov.

E.J. McGuire, Director of Central Scouting imaginatively describes him thus:

He’s like a water spider out there on the ice. Light on his feet, but he’s got a venomous strike like a snake when he goes on the offense.

Wow! He sounds like my kind of player. Explosive. Dynamic. Eye-popping and heart-poundingly exciting.  As a devoted Thrasher fan, I say bring him on!

Burmistrov is probably the best-known Russian name in the draft, having showed his stuff in North America this year. He’s one of the most highly touted prospects overall and is at the top of every mock draft, but like every Russian in recent years, he comes with the unspoken asterisk. Will he play for whatever team drafts him? Will he stick it out in the NHL like his hero Pavel Datsyuk has? Or, like an increasing number of exciting Russian players, will he leave after a few years in favor of home cooking?

For what it’s worth, he seems sincere in his desire to play in the NHL one day. He is on the record as saying he wants to stay in North America, that the NHL is his dream and that North American hockey “is my type of game.” But, as seems to happen with all Russian players, rumors have surfaced in the run up to the draft that he might return to the KHL for a year or two. However, Burmistrov was quoted in May in the National Post saying it was the NHL do or die for him — money be damned:

The KHL [could] give me lots of money, but for me it doesn’t matter money, I want to play in the NHL. When I’m older maybe I move back, but now I want to play in the NHL and that’s my dream.

Like all prospects, Burmistrov is a wildcard.

Scouts have knocked him for his size. One anonymous NHL scout quoted in The Hockey News 2010 NHL Draft preview issue grumbled, “I don’t care how dynamic you are, he’s 146 pounds and built like Gilligan.” Funny and honest, but a little unfair. He is, after all, only 18 and like most 18-year-old kids, he has a lot of growing to do yet.

The Russian factor seems to be the biggest deterrent to teams that would draft him. It’s popular now to stamp all Russians with the “wildcard” label. (Again, the unspoken asterisk.) This Russian, really, is no exception — though to a lesser extent than some since he’s developed cred, having played in Canada this year and having said all the right things to the media.

The asterisk I’d like to put next to every name on the board this year would say: ” * ALL prospects are wildcards.” None of us knows how any of them will turn out — no matter how highly they are touted. If you remember Alexandre Daigle or Rico Fata or Patrik Stefan (yes we Thrasher fans do), raise your hand. Going high is no guarantee of stardom. Conversely, going low is not a guarantee you’ll become a used car salesman in a one-horse town in Canada or a widget maker somewhere  in Siberia.

Time will tell the tale. In the meantime, let’s cut the Russian players a little bit of slack and stop being so cynical. Let’s take Burmistrov at his word and imagine he’s the next Pavel Datsyuk. Not the next Pavel Brendl (a bust) or Alexander Radulov (KHL defector).

Photos: Alexander Burmistrov at combine from Getty Images; Alexander Burmistrov at World Championships from Wikipedia Commons.

Stanislav Galiev and his mom have the NHL set in their sights

Call me a bit biased, but there is no better wisdom than a mother’s.   And it could be that very wisdom that makes Stanislav Galiev the best Russian a team could place their pick on this draft.

While other picks are surrounded by drama and uncertainty, Galiev has been quietly absent from controversy.  He doesn’t have a strong willed father or an uncontrolled ego.  Instead, he has his widowed mother who has been  protective while promoting what she thinks is best for her son.  She moved to the US after Stanislav’s first year here, then to Canada when he was drafted by the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL.

Both she and Stanislav have been very clear that his ultimate goal is the NHL, something that is strongly supported by his move to play in the USHL at only 16 years of age.  No games, no posturing:  Just honest sentiments from a family who has many reasons to want to live in the United States.  It’s good both for mom and son –  Stanislav, who can play in a league that suits his North American style, and for his mom as the quality of life for a single woman is by far superior in North America.

On the playing front, Galiev may not be as big as Burmistrov, may not have as much flair as Tarasenko or may not have the touted talent of Kabanov, but he isn’t far behind in any of those categories.  Best known for his creative play and intelligence on the ice, Stanislav models himself after Alexander Semin.  His style of play, strength and power all lend himself to such comparisons.  However, most scouts have noted his exception defensive play, leading them to comparisons to Pavel Datsyuk.  Although he’s still physically young, needing to fill out, he’ll do so naturally as he progresses as an athlete.  With his talent and potential, there’s no rush as his 6’1” frame will gain the necessary mass.

Playing in the shadow of Burmistrov, many people will be surprised to find that he’s ranked just eight spots behind his fellow Russian in the North American rankings at 20^th and will most likely go in the first round.  His steady play, natural talent and gregarious and easy-going personality have placed him higher than many people had initially anticipated.  Yet make no bones about it, this kid is incredibly talented and is maturing as a player every day, having the potential to be one of the best in the best league in the world.

So while this somewhat dark horse of a draft pick, like all Russians, is no guarantee to stay in North America and play in the NHL, if he listens to his mom, chances are pretty darn good.

Photo:  Stanislav Galiev at Indy.com.

Kabanov from his photo site in which he adds the tongue-in-cheek title, "Kirill Kabanov the new tsar of Russia."

As promised, it’s time to start highlighting some of the Russian prospects you may not have heard much about –guys who will be available for this year’s draft.  And since it’s the first of several posts, we might as well start with the most controversial Russian eligible for the 2010 NHL draft to pique your interest.

Kirill Kabanov is riddled with controversy.  Google his name and you’ll find rumors that make Alexander Semin’s early NHL drama seem like kids play.  I won’t bother to take up room with extensive details, but after a buyout with the KHL, he came to Moncton of the QMJHL this year only to run back to Russia for the under-20 World Championships when faced with little playing time in Moncton.  When the coach there didn’t like what he saw, he was essentially cut from the Russian team and left in limbo.

The details are sketchy and rumors abound.  Some say his dad is controlling and forced him to abandon Moncton and go back to Russia.  Other say Kabanov’s cocky and needs to be brought down a notch.  Still others, like his coach in Russia, say that he thinks he’s better than he really is and needs to learn a lesson.  Whatever the truth, his stock in this year’s draft has declined greatly.

However, at this year’s combine, Kabanov gave one of the most impressive interviews I’ve ever seen from a guy his age.  Maybe he was groomed for the interview by his father or his agent, but it’s hard to pull off sincerity in a foreign language unless that’s exactly what it is –- sincere.  Take a look at the interview and I think you’ll see a humble, intelligent and honest 17 year old who seems wise beyond his years. Let’s not forget — he’s just a kid!

He admitted he made a mistake leaving Moncton and that he was stupid.  He emphasized that point with a Russian proverb, which personally I found quite thoughtful and endearing.  He declared his intention to play in the US, wherever that might be.  I know we’ve all heard that before, but there was no attitude in his voice, no sneer on his face.  He said it all with a genuine smile and the heart of someone who reflects on their mistakes and tries to become a better person for it.

I admit I’m biased.  I love the Russians.  But I’m also a chronic cynic and have found nothing but honesty and maturity in this kid.  Whatever he has gone through this year, he has grown tremendously and will be far ahead of many other picks in that respect in this year’s draft.  And let’s not forget, Kabanov is smart, both on and off the ice.  Yeah, I know I’ve said I love the personality and cockiness some of these guys bring to professional hockey, but in this case, I’ll take him just the way he is.

Good luck to Kirill in this year’s draft. The goddesses will be wishing him the very best.  I predict he will become a star in the NHL and sooner, rather than later and it’s a savvy team that takes a chance on him.

Photo: Kirill Kabanov from his own photo-sharing site at flickr.com.

Nikita Zaytsev is an exciting young Russian prospect. Look for him at this summer's NHL draft in Los Angeles.

The 2010 National Hockey League Draft Combine is underway in Toronto and the Goddesses are following the news closely. “What is this combine she speaks about?” some of you might ask.  Well, for those unfamiliar, it is the annual pre-draft evaluation of NHL prospects.  The top 100 prospects are invited for fitness evaluations, testing and interviews with general managers and scouts.

While the top North Americans are always discussed, many a Russian player has been neglected in recent years.  The fear of drafting a Russian who will ultimately decide to play in the KHL instead, as well as some general xenophobia, has contributed to this.  Unfortunately, this often leads to mention of our beloved Ruskies as a mere afterthought, with a simple glance at the “Top European Skaters” in the Central Scouting Final Rankings.

However, these journalists often forget to do their homework.  If they had, they would see that most of the top-ranked Russians are currently playing junior hockey in North America and don’t get ranked under the European category but are ranked with the other North American skaters.

The Goddesses will try to highlight the Russian prospects in the days leading to the draft with interesting anecdotes and details as these players don’t often get their fair share of publicity.  We believe this latest crop of Russian players are very talented and will make a huge impact in the NHL given a chance.

Alexander Burmistrov is one that has been particularly impressive and is currently ranked No. 11.  Others slated to go in the first couple of rounds are Stanisvla Galiev (ranked at No. 20 among North American skaters) and Kirill Kabanov (at No. 31).

Of course, we can’t forget those Russians playing overseas such as Vladamir Tarasenko and Evgeny Kuznetsov, ranked No. 2 and No. 3 among European players respectively.

As far as the combine is concerned, Russians invited to particapate were Burmistrov, Galiev, Kabanov, Tarasenko, as well as Nikita Zaytsev who is currently playing for HC Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL.  Such talent has not been seen in some years and I will be excited to watch the draft in person to see where these young players are picked.

So stay tuned for more posts about these talented malchiki (boys).  We Goddesses think you might find them as interesting as we do.

Photo: Nikita Zaytsev from life.com.

Members of the Windsor Spitfires celebrate their second consecutive Memorial Cup victory.

It was a really good tournament with Windsor going undefeated in four games, which included an OT tilt with Calgary. Calgary and Brandon both won twice; but poor Moncton went home with an 0-fer for the tournament. Oh well, at least they’ll have a shiny new QMJHL banner for their barn in the fall.

Also repeating is rumored No. 1 draft pick Taylor Hall as the MVP of the tournament. Master Hall is not only the first player to repeat as the most valuable player; but he scored nine points with five goals and four assists including three of those points in the championship game.

Speaking of the draft, the next thing on the junior hockey docket is the NHL Draft Combine that is being held this week in Toronto. The combine, which will run May 24-29, is an opportunity for teams to meet and interview prospects, which are the top 100 available in the world, as well as see them tested in an off-ice setting. And my boys have an attendee there: Goalie Kent Simpson who is ranked 83 on the list from NHL.com.

After the combine, we look to June and the draft, which will be in Los Angeles at the Staples Center; and I’m hoping I can somehow get there to see it. It’s so much fun to be there with a whole building of friends, families and fans to see these young men be chosen for a chance to play the greatest game in the world in the greatest league in the world.

So that is your update from the world of junior hockey … stay tuned for more.

Here are the awards from the Memorial Cup tournament:

2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup Awards:
Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player) – Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires
Ed Chynoweth Trophy (Top Scorer) – Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires
George Parsons Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike Player) – Toni Rajala, Brandon Wheat Kings
Hap Emms Memorial Trophy (Outstanding Goaltender) – Martin Jones, Calgary Hitmen

2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup All-Stars:
Goaltender – Martin Jones, Calgary Hitmen
Defence – Travis Hamonic, Brandon Wheat Kings
Defence – Cam Fowler, Windsor Spitfires
Forward – Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires
Forward – Jimmy Bubnick, Calgary Hitmen
Forward – Matt Calvert, Brandon Wheat Kings

Photo: The Memorial Cup winning team by Getty Images via daylife.com.

Nicklas Backstrom (Annalisk19@flickr.com)

The big news in the World of the Washington Capitals is the press conference to be held at Kettler Capitals Iceplex later today (5/17/2010) at 10:30 A.M., to make “an important announcement.” Well, the rumor is, of course, that it will be the glorious announcement of the long-anticipated contract extension for the Caps’ elite first-line center, Nicklas Backstrom.  Any and all hockey fans should know this is a critical signing that is practically the key to the Capitals’ success. Caps fans — myself obviously included — have been biting our nails all season long watching the young Swedish Center put up career numbers.

Nicklas Backstrom (Annalisk19@flickr.com)

It was almost bittersweet for me, knowing with every point he put on the board this past season, it seemed like the cost of his contract would go up simultaneously a few more dollars. I began to wonder if we were going to be able to pay Backstrom what he deserves after taking a quick look at Washington’s salary cap…. $30+ million potentially wrapped up in four players alone, with Varlamov and Neuvirth coming up for contract extensions as well next season? Ai yai yai…. but I’m not going to fret over such things any longer.  As a fan, such matters are out of my hands. I believe Backstrom will stay and take a discount, but the waiting is always murder on one’s mental stability.

I do believe this means Alexander Semin will be out the door by the trade deadline of 2011, or perhaps after the 2010-2011 season has come to a close and he officially becomes a UFA. This alone will free up the $6.5 million he’s slated to make this upcoming season until summer 2011 when his contract expires. However, that doesn’t really help the fact that whatever Backstrom’s contract extension will be (because we all know he can’t leave or Caps fans might burn Capitol Hill and McPhee’s house) will take effect this coming season though… nauseated yet? My bets are he goes to the Rangers, or a West Coast Canadian team. If not, he will skip home to the KHL. Mark my words. But back to the potential excitement tomorrow may bring….

Marcus Johansson, Draft Day 2009 (Getty Images)

Spoke with Anders Backstrom, Nicklas’ father, on Saturday along with Caps prospect and fellow Swede, Marcus Johansson. Mr. Backstrom was very pleased to tell me the Capitals would be signing him to a standard three-year entry-level contract this highly anticipated Monday morning with a blushing Johansson off to the side.  As a shameless supporter of all Swedish Caps, I was beyond happy to have him officially within the grasp of the Caps.

Besides being a Swede, Johansson possesses very good hands, speed, and vision on the ice much like Nicklas Backstrom.  The young center played with both the 2009 and 2010 Swedish National Teams in the World Junior Championships. The Swedes won silver in 2009 and in 2010, with Johansson as Team Captain, took home bronze. Marcus has all the talent to have a bright future in the NHL, and I’m hoping it will be in a Capitals uniform as our second line center. I must add he was much shorter in person than I thought he would be. Go figure. Oh, but you didn’t hear from me we are signing him before it is supposed to be officially announced…

Perhaps another young Swedish prospect of the Caps most have forgotten about is the son of legendary Capitals player (and current Team Sweden Head Coach) Bengt Gustafsson,  Anton Gustafsson. Taken by the Caps in the first round of the 2008 draft  at 21st overall, Anton was hoped to be a mirror of his father where hockey smarts and talent are concerned. Unfortunately, the 20 year old has not shown much of this in his short career thanks to being plagued with numerous injuries (including a concussion sustained during the Capitals’ Rookie Camp in July of 2009 – courtesy of the crossbar).

Anton and Bengt Gustafsson (AP)

Anton or “AnGus”, was signed to an entry level contract in May 2009, and played for Borås HC of the Swedish Second Tier League, HockeyAllsvenskan. He was assigned to the Capitals’ AHL affiliate Hershey Bears for the entirety of the 2009-2010 pre-season. However, it was quickly decided Gustafsson wouldn’t receive ample ice time playing for the Bears, and was loaned out in October 2009 to his current team, Borås HC. He played 34 games and netted 6 goals for 18 points for the 2009-10 season. Hopefully he can overcome injuries and expectations to become an NHL player like his father, but only time will tell.

In the meantime, let us all pray that by the time 10:30 A.M. comes and goes today, the Caps will be (re)signing not one, but two Swedes.

Let it be so George McPhee, let it be so.

- Goddess Annika

Photos: Nicklas Backstrom by Goddess Annika. Anton and Bengt Gustafsson from The Associated Press. Marcus Johansson from Getty Images.

The Memorial Cup.

It began in 1919 when it was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association to be awarded to the junior champion of Canada. The name Memorial Cup was to honor the fallen Canadian hockey players who had been killed in World War I, and there were several who were Canadian stars that had given their lives in service to His Majesty’s Forces. From its inception until 1971, the Memorial Cup was open to all Junior A teams in the country and was awarded following a series of league, provincial and regional playoffs. In 1972 it changed to a three-league tournament with the champions of the WHL, OHL and the QMJHL; and finally in 1983, the CHL included the host team to make it a four-team round-robin event.

The first American team to win it was the Portland Winterhawks in 1983, which was also the first year that the Hawks hosted it as well. That was a really great team that included Mike Vernon, Cam Neely, the Sutter twins and one of my personal favorites, “Chicken Parm: (aka Ray Ferraro). Quite a few NHL players have competed for the Memorial Cup over the years; and there have been a number of guys that have gone on to win the big bowl too like Scott Niedermayer, Brad Luckowich and Ray Whitney.

This year, the tournament is being hosted in Brandon, Manitoba by the hometown team, the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. The Wheaties beat out both the Kelowna Rockets and my own Everett Silvertips for the honor of being the hosts after promising a whole bunch of money to upgrade their barn. Whatever … we have a nice new beautiful place that’s already hosted Skate America and an NHL exhibition game. It’s too bad, too, because since my boys were out after the first round, it would have been nice to see them playing again especially on such a grand stage. Besides Brandon there are the Calgary Hitmen from the Dub, the defending champions from Windsor called the Spitfires, who are from the OHL; and the Moncton Wildcats who are the Quebec League champs but play in New Brunswick.

It should be a good tournament and even though I think that Windsor has a really good chance to repeat; I won’t be surprised if they don’t. Only three teams have repeated in the last 30 years: Dougie Gilmour and Dale Hawerchuk were part of the Cornwall Royals in 1980 and 1981, the 1987 and 1988 Medicine Hat Tigers, who had my beloved Trevor Linden on board; and the Kamloops Blazers in 1994 and 1995, with Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla and (Goddess Kaatiya fave) Darcy Tucker.

If you would like to see this tournament and don’t live in Canada; never fear … it is being shown on the NHL network. Yay! It begins tomorrow afternoon and the final game is next weekend. Here’s the schedule:

Friday, 5/14: Windsor vs. Brandon, 5p PDT/8p EDT
Saturday, 5/15: Calgary vs. Moncton, 12p PDT/3p EDT
Sunday, 5/16: Brandon vs. Moncton, 12p PDT/3p EDT
Monday, 5/17: Calgary vs. Windsor, 5 pm/8p EDT
Tuesday, 5/18: Moncton vs. Windsor, 5 pm/8p EDT
Wednesday, 5/19: Brandon vs. Calgary, 5 pm/8p EDT
Thursday, 5/20: Tiebreaker (if necessary), 5 pm/8p EDT
Friday, 5/21: Semifinal, 5 pm/8p EDT
Sunday, 5:23: Championship final, 12 pm/3p EDT

Photo: The Memorial Cup from The Hockey Hall of Fame website.