- Update May 23rd 2004

Click above for the 2004 draft preview and no; it's not just about Alexander Ovechkin.

 

- Update May 23rd 2004

Portland Pirates Out of Playoffs

Since the last update...the Portland Pirates easily defeated the Providence Bruins in 2 straight games to move on in the 2004 Calder Cup playoffs. Only in the next round to face a strong Harford Wolfpack; evertually lose 4 straight after winning game one and bow out of the playoffs. The Atlantic Division Qualifying Series win against Provedince marked the first playoff series win for the Pirates in six seasons.

Although the Pirates exited early in the Playoffs; it was a sucussful run while using some key players in the future of both the Pirates and Washingt Capitals. Alexander Semin proved to everyone how potent of a scorer he could become (4 goals and 7assists in 7 playoff games), Boyd Gordon, Jared Aulin, Steve Eminger, and Shaone Morrisonn stepped up in the final weeks of the season to get the Pirates into the playoffs. Next season hopes to be even more successful with the possible arrival of even more talened players (Fleischmann, Kelpis, and Johansson)

• Click here for the Pirates final satistics for the regular season
• Click here for the Pirates playoff stats
• Click here for a great recap from Http://www.portlandpirates.com

-Update for April 13th 2004

Portland Pirates Streak Into Calder Cup Playoffs

With seven wins in eight games, the Portland Pirates have saved their best hockey for the right time as the Calder Cup Playoffs are about to gear up this week. Sparked by the offensive minded play of Jared Aulin, Alexander Semin and Andrej Podkonicky and also by some prospects startting to find their groove in Boyd Gordon (goals in 3 straight games) and Steve Eminger (assists in 3 straight games)...the Pirates are finding the O that was lacking for the majority of the season.

Semin has scored 3 goals in his 4 Pirates games and Aulin has 2 goals and 1 assist in his last 8 games and is starting to take command of the Power Play. Podkonicky finished the season by scoring six goals in six games including a hat trick against Lowell in the play off clinching game for Portland.

Photo courtesy of Ron Morin

Here is the schedule for the first round starting this Thursday:

Atlantic Division -- Series Q1 (best-of-3)
A4-Providence Bruins vs. A5-Portland Pirates
Game 1 - Thu., Apr. 15 - Portland at Providence, 7:05
Game 2 - Fri., Apr. 16 - Portland at Providence, 7:05
*Game 3 - Sun., Apr. 18 - Portland at Providence, 4:05

All the games can be listened to on the internet via the Pirates website...click here for more info.

- In other prospect news. Tomas Fleischmann's season came to an end on Sunday night with a loss to the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL playoffs. Fleischmann ended the playoffs with 3 goals and 3 assists in 10 games. Fleischmann will need to be signed by the June 1st deadline to avoid returning to the NHL Entry Draft. He finished the regular season with 33 goals and 42 assists in 60 games.

-Update for April 6th 2004

Capitals Losses Equal Huge Gain

Going into the final weeks of the regular season...many wondered if the Capitals were purposely losing games to get a better shot at the #1 overall picking the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. The Caps put somewhat of a muzzle on those rumors in gaining 5 points of a possible 10 points in the final 10 games of the season to finish behind the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins for the the last overall position. It appeared going into today as if the Capitals would end up with the 3rd overall pick for the draft...if the lottery went with the actual percentages. But alas; after the ping pong balls stopped moving, the Capitals were awarded with that 1st overall selection. The chance to take Alexander Ovechkin.

To most, Ovechkin represents a sure thing for the first pick in the Entry Draft. Usually there are a few players that could go number one overall or little to no real seperations between the top picks... this player is the only one this season that stands above the rest according to most. Speed, puck handling, great shot, size, and strong. NHL European Scout Goran Stubb had the following to say regarding Ovechkin on NHL.com: "Ovechkin is a complete package," Stubb said. "He is a superb skater with excellent acceleration and he's creative with the puck. He has an outstanding touch around the net and I'd say he has excellent overall skill level and excellent hockey sense. He has a superb attitude. He's a finesse player, but does not mind playing physical. He can hit and take a hit. And he's a leader on and off the ice and a gentleman in private. He has all the tools needed to become a superstar."

Works for us here at Capital Prospect!

Adding Ovechkin to an already stacked prospect system will only help the future of the organization. General Manager George McPhee had the following to say after today great news:

"It's a very good day for us and our fans. We were happy to pick third, but with the number one pick, obviously, we can get the player we want. . . . We feel that we are in some way being rewarded for the difficult task we undertook, restructuring our team and preparing for the future. We hope today is the first day in a new era for the Washington Capitals."

-Update for April 5th 2004

Alexander Semin assigned to Portland

From the Pirates Press Release:

Semin, 20, spent his entire rookie campaign this season with the Capitals, aside from a six-game stint playing for Team Russia at the 2004 IIHF World Junior Championship. In 52 games with Washington, he scored 10 goals and 12 assists while recording 36 penalty minutes.

Semin was thought to have a clause in his existing contract with the Capitals that permitted him from playing in Portland ...unless of course he was willing to play for the AHL team ...which it appears he is. Good news for the Pirates and the struggling offense. Although in the past week the Pirates have rallied back into the playoff race with a four game winning streak and now have a 2 point lead over the Lowell Loch Monsters for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division.

• Leading the charge is the possible emergence of Jared Aulin. Acquired in the trade deadline for Anson Carter, Aulin has scored 2 goals and added an assist in his 8 games as a Pirate and is helping the offense find its game again.

• In some bad news for the Caps affiliate ... Pirates Captain Graham Mink suffered a broken orbital bone in a fight this past Friday. His status for the remainder of the season is still unknown at this point.

- Update for March 8th 2004

Normally it's a trade for a proven vet or and up and coming young NHL player. Not this time for the Washington Capitals. Instead it lies in the hands of these 6 players. Do they really know what they are getting into? Do they know that they apart of something unknown to the rest of the NHL? The possible resurgence of the Washington Capitals in the next 2-3 seasons? In the blink of an eye (well...6 total months), the Capitals traded away eight prominent NHL players from the roster ...the return comes in the form of 6 NHL Entry Draft picks and the 6 promising but unproven prospects. The offense is overwhelming in this group...but the defense still needs to be addressed. The Caps are looking to build again from the ground up ...going with youth and lower salaries over age, experience, and large contracts. Will these six players make a difference? Will the six players and picks erase the recent demise of the Caps and the sour taste left in the mouths of lifelong fans?

Only time will tell....

Next will be the 2004 Entry Draft....a some defense sure to come.

-Update for February 28th 2004

Tomas Fleischmann Joins Caps in Lang Trade

The talent tree keeps growing in terms of the prospects for the Washington Capitals while the current roster continues to wilt away. The team loses Robert Lang (the leading scorer in the NHL).and picks up a player forecasted to be a top six forward, a 1st round pick in 2004 and a 4th in 2006. Tomas Fleischmann comes to the Capitals organization via the Detroit Red Wings via the Moose Jaw Warriors (sound familiar) in the WHL ....currently Fleischmann is 13th in the league in scoring with 70 points in only 54 games. The Czech center/winger is extremely crafty and seems to be a sure bet to make it to the NHL at some point in his career. The only truely noticeable downside to his game would be his size. Listed at 6'0 168 pounds...he's a bit bigger now...in the 175 range. Being only 19, he has plenty of time to grow into his frame and its shouldn't be much of a problem with his development due to his reported excellent work ethic.. Fleischmann was a one time teammate of current Caps prospects Owen Fussey and Derek Krestanovich and was actually a line mate of Fussey in 2001...where the two along with Dallas prospect David Bararuk formed one of the top lines in the WHL for the last stretch of the season.

The Capitals ties don't end there. At the 2002 World Junior Championships...During the Canada - Czechoslovakia match up...Fleischmann had a run in of sorts with a familar face.

That's a scene that shouldnt be recreating itself any time soon.

The Capitals are expected to make mre trades in the coming weeks with the rebuild in full progress. Check back for more updates and and eventual score card on the final prospect accqusitions.

- Update for February 26th 2004

Caps Face Huge Decisions About Future

With little under 2 weeks before the March 9th trading deadline, the Caps and General Manager George McPhee have some pretty tough decisions to make about the future and about the present as well. The future of current Caps Sergei Gonchar, Brendan Witt, Olie Kolzig, Robert Lang, and others is rather cloudy at this point but only in terms of where they are going to end up and not if they are going to stay with the Caps beyond this season. Two players that could be moved are currently the Caps number 1 defensive pairing Gonchar and Brendan Witt.

Gonchar will likely merit the biggest and best return of all the players being shopped by GMGM. Currently upwards of 8 teams are looking to deal for Gonchar ...Toronto is leading the charge. For one the Leafs currently have Ken Klee whispering in their ear about Gonchar and the fact the two formed a rather impressive pairing last season for the Capitals. Also Toronto is loaded with prospects to offer in return for the services of Gonchar ...leading that group is former1st round selection Carlo Colaiacovo. Similar to current Capital/Pirate Steve Eminger's playing style ....Colaiacovo possesses great puck handling skills and an upside for the offensive aspect of the defensive position. So far this season with the St Johns Leafs he's netted 4 goals and 17 assists in 41 games and has a -3 rating. Other possible prospects that Toronto could move could be Matt Stajan, Alexei Ponikarovsky, and Alexander Steen.

The latest rumor has Witt heading out of town as well....most likely destinations being New Jersey or Dallas. Witt has been a Capitals for his entire NHL career (along with Gonchar and Kolzig) and would make his new team very happy with his steady play and physical presence. Dallas seems to be the front runner and could offer some very interesting prospects in return...one being John Erskine. Erskine is huge...6-4 and 215 lbs and loves to throw that huge frame around. In essence he's a bigger and younger Brendan Witt with perhaps a lower offensive output but more aggressive in nature. The Caps are lacking some toughness in the prospect ranks and a move to get Erskine would help in that category. Other canidates for trade could be Antti Miettinen, Trevor Daley, Martin Vagner, Matt Nickerson, or Dan Jancevski.

With 2 weeks more of rumors and trades...keep checking back for updates on the possible new prospects to enter the system.

 

- Update for February 18th 2004

Capitals trade Peter Bondra for Brooks Laich and a 2005 2nd Round Pick

Although it was expected it was still hard to accept that the Washington Capitals had traded Peter Bondra to the Ottawa Senators today..but the return for the 36 year old winger is a building block for the future. Bondra, who is the Capitals all-time leading point scorer, was dealt to the Senators for 20 year old center Brooks Laich (pronounced LIKE) and a 2nd round pick in 2005. Laich was a 6th round pick in 2001 where he played with Brian Sutherby on the Mosse Jaw Warriors; he has excelled ever since...he was a runner up for the WHL MVP in 2001 with a great season for the Seattle Thunderbirds scoring 41 goals and 53 assists in only 60 games. Laich also appeared in the 2003 World Junior Championship for Canada (along with Boyd Gordon and Steve Eminger) where he netted 2 goals and 4 assists in 6 games. So far this season with the Binghamton Senators he has scored 15 goals and added 18 assists in 44 games.

Laich appeared in his first Portland Pirates game this evening; wearing number 44. He recorded 1 shot in the 2-1 overtime loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The Capitals are pretty thin at the center position in the organization and this move helps in that area. Although not extremely physical...the 6'2 205 lb Laich is a gifted player and has a great work ethic from all accounts.

The rebuilding process should continue in the next few weeks heading into the March 9th trading deadline. Robert Lang, Olie Kolzig, and Sergei Gonchar are all rumored to be on the market for prospects and picks.

 

 

 

- Update for January 14th 2004

 

With the Caps 14 points out of first in the Southeast Division...George McPhee seems to be leaning towards making a run at the Calder Cup in the AHL with the Pirates. With Eminger and Gordon going down...they join Maxime Ouellet, Owen Fussey, Graham Mink and the other Pirates who have climbed out of a huge hole to bring their record back to .500 at 15-15-4-4...good for 5th in the Atlantic divison. Only 7 points out of 2nd.

 

- Update for January 8th 2004

Stephen Werner and USA Win Gold at 2004 WJC

The USA had to make a comeback against Canada going into the 3rd period in order to with the 2004 Would Junior Championship. Being down 3-1 with only 20 minutes to play against a team that completly dominated every opponent to that point in the touranment and happened to have the 1st overall selection from the 2003 NHL entry Draft in goal...the odds were stacked against the US. But a lucky bounce...well...more of a poor judgement call by that #1 pick sealed the fate of Canada and the USA won the championship game 4-3.

Stephen Werner was paired with New Jersey 1st round draft pick and tournament MVP Zach Parise for most of the tournment and the two lead the team to its first gold metal in the 28 year old tournament. Werner finished second on the team in goals with 5...including 2 shorthanded goals.

Capital Prospect Final 2004 WJC Stats

- Update for December 1 2003

Capital Prospects Named to Canadian Junior Selection Camp Roster

Fehr, who plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL, is currently 17th in scoring and is tied for 2nd in goals with 21 on the season in 27 games. Fehr was the first round pick of the Caps in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft...he had a pretty good showing during the Traverse City Prospect Tournament and also Caps training camp; playing in and also starting in the annual Black vs. White scrimmage but was eventually sent back to Juniors to continue his development. Daigneault is playing once again for the Val-d'Or Foreurs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...his fourth season with the club. He's currently tied for 8th in wins with 7 and boasts a 2.84 GAA...also good for 8th among starting goalies in the Q. Maxime was the 59th overall pick in the 2002 draft for the Caps.

- Update for November 6th 2003

Marshall's interview with 2003 3rd round pick Stephen Werner

- Update for November 4th 2003

Steve Eminger, Alexander Semin, and Boyd Gordon all made the Caps roster. Gordon and Eminger have played in all 11 games and Semin had played in only 5 but is now starting to get more playing time. The Triple Threat is starting early. The Portland Pirates recalled Louis Robitaille from the Quad City Mallards of the UHL. He is a +3 in only 2 games played. Robitaille played for the Caps in the Traverse City Prospect tournament.

The Caps acquired former 1st round pick RW Jonas Johansson from the Colorado Avalanche in a trade involving Steve Konowalchuk going to the Avs and Bates Battaglia to the Caps. The Avs also received a 3rd round pick in the 2004 Entry Draft. The Caps have until June 1st 2004 to sign Johansson before he can re-enter the 2004 Entry Draft.

 

 

- Update for September 22nd 2003

Kids Trying To Stay In Line Up

Where will they play?? Steve Eminger and Boyd Gordon are both making cases to play this season in DC with their preseason play. Eminger is pairing with Brendan Witt on the blue line and playing solid defense. As for Boyd Gordon...he's gone out and scored 2 goals in 2 games and is playing exceptionally well during penalty kill situations.

The Caps have never been high on keeping younger players on the roster but the play of these two so far in the preseason could change the way they look at doing things in DC.Not to forget the other member of the Triple Threat; Semin...who played his first preseason game against the Penguins...and notched an assist. Don't look for him in Portland though...if he fails to crack the final roster he will be heading back to Russia.

Other Roster Moves of Note: Maxime Daigneault, Robert Gherson, Eric Fehr and Derek Krestanovich were assigned to their respective junior teams. All four should have stellar season in the LHMJQ, OHL, and WHL respectively. Krestanovich was the closest to sticking with the Portland Pirates but the Caps must have felt he needed one more season of playing big minutes with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL.

- Update for September 16th 2003

Derek Tries to join Pirates

In tomorrow nights annual Black and White team scrimmage ...Derek Krestanovich could be playing for a shot to join the Portland Pirates for the 2003-2004 season. With a strong showing at the Rookie Camp, Traverse City Tournament and now in Training Camp ...Krestanovich is looking to make that final impression that lands him a 3 year entry level contract. Keep in mind ...Portland still needs a 4th line center behind Gordon, Methot, and Ulmer.

Derek is a very strong skater with an physical edge to his game. He can play at both ends of the ice and is becoming a reliable penalty killer. Derek was selected in the 3rd round (92nd overall) in 2002 by the Capitals. If he is not signed he will return to play with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL for a 3rd season...last year he scored 24 goals and added 21 assists in a Mono/Injury shortened season.

- Update for September 9th 2003

- Update for Sept 4th 2003

Petr Sykora not making it to DC...again.

Well another year and another season of not knowing how Petr Sykora would fit on the Washington Capitals. Sykora, who was traded to DC from Nashville for a 2003 3rd round pick, will once again play for HC Pardubice in his native Czech Republic. Once reported to have agreed to terms and basically signed to play for the Caps this coming season; the deal fell through because it was not submitted by July 15th deadline to sign Europeans currently under contract. It seemed at the time Sykora was not interested in playing in the NHL but it appears he was prepared to leave Pardubice and do it on his own. But as GM George Mcphee explained...it's a bit more complicated than that.

"We agreed to terms with the agent and sent the contract to the player in Europe for signature. The player missed the July 15 midnight deadline to sign and return the contract to Central Registry. The player has since generously offered to buy his way out of his existing contract with his European club ($150,000 this year and $200,000 for 2004-05 if his option is exercised by Washington next year) but the club will not release him from his contract."

and s

- Update for July 18th 2003

All three 2002 first round draft picks have been signed by the Capitals. Steve Eminger (12th), Alexander Semin (13th), and Boyd Gordon (18th) have all placed their John Hancock on the dotted line. Eminger was of course signed last season; Semin and Gordon recently getting deals earlier this month. Under normal circumstances...most Capitals draft picks endure a few seasons in the AHL before making the jump to the NHL but these 3 could all being playing for the Capitals next season. Current Caps and former 1st rounders Gonchar, Witt, Kolzig, and Sutherby all spent time in Portland (Sutherby only playing 7 total games in 2 seasons). To be honest...outside from Gonchar, Kolzig, Witt and Sutherby... the Caps haven’t had much luck in the past 11 years with 1st rounds picks and developing them into NHL players. Disasters such as Volchkov, Svejkozsky, and Kharlamov; Not being able to sign current Boston Bruin Nick Boynton; Although no longer Capital property, Pittsburgh Penguin Kris Beech is not turning into the player the Caps had hoped he would be when he was drafted. No pick is a sure fire NHL player until they actually become a NHL player. It’s just that a 1st round pick is that much more talented than the other players available.

With the first round failures comes the late round finds. Current Caps Konowalchuk, Bondra, and Charpentier were all selected in the later rounds…Kono going the earliest at 58 and Bondra going at 156. Current free agent Ken Klee was picked 177th! Current defensive prospects that were not first rounders (Yonkman, Cutta, and Fortin) will be playing for roster spots in training Camp.

So recent first round picks have not been a specialty of the Capitals outside of Sutherby…but there appears to be something special about these 3. Eminger wins the Memorial Cup….Boyd Gordon almost wins the WHL Championship…and Semin goes on a tear in the second half of the Russian season scoring at a high rate for the Super League (He even went nuts in the playoffs scoring 5 goals and 4 assists in only 10 games). So we have 3 young and very talented players getting ready to take the ice this Fall in hopes of becoming the “current” future of Washington Capitals.

Update for July 13th 2003

The Washington Capitals 1st Round Selection..#18 overall:

Eric Fehr



Fehr is a big power forward who likes to drive the net and has exceptional speed. This past season he scored 26 goals and added 29 assists for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Conference of the WHL. One draw back of Fehr is he doesn't tend to shoot the puck as often as his coaches would like...he also lack a nasty side to his game. Something that needs to be added to survive at the next level. Also needs to add some extra muscle and weight...appears to be very lanky on the ice at times.

Outlook: With Tootoo possibly leaving for the AHL, look for Fehr to become an instant offensive threat for the Wheat Kings next season and possible team leader. A season similar to Boyd Gordons (Stats wise) would be what to look foward to for the 2003-2004 season.

Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2000-01	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	4	0	0	0	0	--	--	--	--	--
2001-02	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	63	11	16	27	29	12	1	1	2	0
2002-03	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	70	26	29	55	76	17	4	8	12	26

• Update for August 25th 2003

  Washington Capitals Traverse City Prospect Tournament Roster

  Forwards		Height	Weight	2002 Team	League
  Andy	Burnham	6.05	220	Missouri	(UHL)
  Shawn	Collymore	6.00	186	Val d'Or	(QMJHL)
  Jevon	Desautels	6.03	205	Spokane	(WHL)
  Tyler	Dyck	6.03	212	Brandon	(WHL)
  Eric	Fehr	6.03	180	Brandon	(WHL)
  Owen	Fussey	6.01	190	Moose Jaw	(WHL)
  Boyd	Gordon	6.00	195	Red Deer	(WHL)
  Dylan	Hunter	5.11	208	London	(OHL)
  Adam	Huxley	6.00	195	Saskatoon	(WHL)
  Derek	Krestanovich	6.01	175	Moose Jaw	(WHL)
  Joni	Lindlof	6.02	176	Kelowna	(WHL)
  Mark	Olafson	6.01	205	Kelowna	(WHL)
  Alexander	Semin	6.00	185	Tolyatti Lada	(RUS)
  Defense
  Miroslav	Durak	6.04	195	Toledo	(ECHL)
  Steve	Eminger	6.02	200	Kitchener	(OHL)
  Stuart	Kerr	6.03	183	Red Deer	(WHL)
  Jason	Maleyko	6.03	220	St. Mary's	(CIAU)
  Louis	Robitaille	6.01	198	Montreal	(QMJHL)
  Sean	Starke	6.02	215	Bowdoin	(NCAA)
  Danny	Syvret	5.11	191	London	(OHL)
  Goalies
  Maxime	Daigenault	6.01	195	Val d'Or	(QMJHL)
  Robert	Gherson	6.00	152	Sarnia	(OHL)

   

• Update for July 27th 2003

  The 2003 Washington Capitals Summer Development Camp has come to and end. 2 weeks of learning the ways of an NHL'er, lifting weights, running and playing some good old hockey. The prospects will take a few weeks off before heading out for the Traverse City Prospect Tournament in Michigan. Capital Prospect has put together a Report Card for the players that attended the rookie camp and the grades are now in.

  Rookie Training Camp Report Card

• Update for June 12th

Prospect Signing!!! (well sort of....)

From Jason La Canfora June 13th edition of the Washington Post

The team has agreed to financial terms with 21-year-old prospect Ivan Nepryayev, selected 163rd overall in 2000, but his family is deciding whether he will come over from Russia.

General Manager George McPhee would like for Nepryayev to play for Washington's top minor league affiliate in Portland, Maine, next season, and if he opts to remain in Russia the team would rescind its offer and renegotiate after the season.

I see this as a good move for the Capitals...for one it's going to give Tim Army and Portland a nice center to work with. For two it shows that at least GMGM is breathing...I was starting to get a bit worried there for a bit with Paetsch and Lucky just drifting back into the NHL Enrty Draft I wanted to make sure he was still alive.

The only part of the story im not liking is the " if he opts to remain in Russia the team would rescind its offer and renegotiate after the season " thing. But hey...this happens with most overseas prospects...so hopefully all works out and he makes the trip over for a good rookie season in Portland.

 

_____________________________________________________________

 

I dont think I like him in prison orange.

On Sept 16 2001, Mink was involved in an incident that lasted from 10 to 15 seconds but will change the rest of his life...and for sure the next 30 days. It was simply a late night brawl in which Mink beat a a student unconscious and now has to spend 30 days in the slammer in order to be "held accountable for his conduct" according to the judge. Personally...I think he's getting way to much time for someone without a prior record but whatever. Mink will serve his time and put this behind him. I really don't hope this changes the way he plays the game...the Caps need his aggression and passion...just don't throw anymore linesmen... ok Graham?

March 9 2003 - Mink throwing a linesman

_

• __________________________________________________________
• Update for May 30th

How about some more draft stuff?!? Here is a list of the top 50 prospects as ranked by Capital Prospect (with the top 7 from the Draft Preview listed in blue)

Capital Prospect Top 50 Prospects for 2003 Entry Draft

 

• __________________________________________________________
• Update for May30th

From Today's Washington Post:

"The team is continuing to negotiate with recent draft picks Boyd Gordon and Robert Gherson, although it does not appear Washington will try to sign defenseman Nathan Paetsch, who was selected 58th overall in 2001. If Paetsch is not signed by Sunday, he is eligible to reenter the draft and sources said the Capitals are hoping to trade his rights to another team for a draft pick rather than lose him without any compensation."

It's Over

 

 

• __________________________________________________________
• Update for May 24th

Steve Eminger and the Kitchener Rangers defeated the Hull Olympiques 6-3 and finished a great season by winning the CHL Memorial Cup Championship. It is the first Memorial Cup for Kitchener since 1982. Eminger didnt have the best statical playoff season...but he took on the physical aspect it takes to win in the playoffs and has drasticaly improved his play. He was a force through out the entire playoffs and makes it all worth while with a OHL Championship and the Memorial Cup. Here are the final stats....

Playoff Stats	G	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
Steve Eminger	25	3	8	11	58	8

 

• ___________________________________________________________
• Update for May 23rd

SITE UPDATE - All the position pages have been completed (Defense was the last to be completed)....Now I just have to complete all the player profiles. I should have those done over the Memorial Day weekend. please email me with comments and suggestions for the site if you have any.

I also wanted to thank Catherine again for allowing me to use some of her great photos from Caps on Film. Thanks!

• ___________________________________________________________
• Update for May 22nd

Eminger and the Kitchener Rangers advance to Memorial Cup Finals

With a 4-2 win over the Kelowna Rockets, the Rangers have advanced to the Finals of the 2003 CHL Memorial Cup. Steve Eminger is playing hard core defense leads the tournament in PIM's with 14. Everything is going the way the Capitals organization had planned for Eminger....he could have player out the season in DC getting sparse playing time but the decision was made to allow Eminger to go back to the Juniors to develop and to go for a championship. Mission accomplished in the OHL....now the Memorial Cup is in his and Kitchener's sights

 

Update for May 7th

Game 3 - Kitchener Rangers 4, Ottawa 67's 1

At Kitchener, Nathan O'Nabigon scored his second straight game-winning goal to help the Kitchener Rangers to a 4-1 win over the Ottawa 67's on Tuesday. Kitchener leads the OHL Championship Series 2-1 with Game 4 on Thursday in Ottawa

The 67's, who had the best powerplay percentage in the league during the regular season, was held scoreless on eight powerplay opportunities and have yet to scored on 12 man-advantage situations in the series. The Rangers converted two of eight powerplay opportunities and are four for 16 in the series.

*Steve Eminger notched another assist. He now has 3 goals 7 assists and is a + 8. Steve has also racked up 34 PIM's...tied for tops on the team.

Red Deer ties series at 2-2 with a 2-1 win over Kelowna

Joni Lindlof scored the first goal of the game for Kelowna...but Red Deer answered with 1 in the second and one in the 3rd for the 2-1 victory.

• Update for April 29th

  The draft preview has been updated with #4a and #4b. (yeah...I said top 5...so I lied).

  I also added a lovely guestbook to the page so go ahead and sign away and let me know what you think of the site and what you would like to see in the future. Im hoping to have most of the actually player profiles updated by the weekend. The Right Wings, Left Wings, Centers, and Goalies are all there...some with profiles but most without. I'll have that fixed soon.

  There was a little blurb about Semin in the Post for today:

"Signing Semin, despite his youth, also could prove difficult. He resisted several invitations to attend rookie camp last July and training camp in September. Team officials would love to get the teenager playing in their minor league system next season, but he would have to be signed first."

I'm sorry...but I'm not in the mood for this shit. He needs to sign a damn contract and get over here. Hey ...I'll even deal with just showing up for training camp but this talk of not signing a contract crap needs to go away.

• News and Notes - Archive
• Update for April 28th

Kitchner advances to the OHL Finals

With a 3-1 victory Monday night over Plymouth, Steve Eminger and the Kitchner Rangers have advanced to the OHL Finals to play the Corey Locke led Ottawa 67's. This win now provides the Caps with 3 prospects playing in two CHL Championships. Boyd Gordon for Red Deer; Joni Lindlof for Kelowna, and Eminger for Kitchner.

2003 Draft Preview

The 2003 entry draft will be held June 21-22 in Nashville. The Caps are looking at about the 18th pick in this years draft which is appearing to be one of the deepest ever. Several players could fall to the Caps and when chosen will improve an already excellent prospect system (ranked 3rd by HockeysFuture and 4th by Mckeen's Hockey). Yeah...the Caps didn't win the division and didn't go far in the playoffs...but in the end will still get a great player in a talented draft class and improve the future of the organization

In the next month I'll be updating the Top 5 Mid-First Round prospects that I think would be good if not great picks for the Washington Capitals...

• Update for April 27th 2003

Rebels Named WHL's Eastern Conference Champions

With Red Deer's 3-1 home win over the Brandon Wheat Kings tonight, the Rebels have clinched the WHL's Eastern Conference title for the third consecutive season. Our boy Boyd Gordon is having a great playoffs.. 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points. Only Jesse Schultz (20) and Tyler Mosienko (17) of Kelowna have more points so a win for Gordone and the Rebels could get him a MVP award. Matt Ellison of Red Deer has 17 points but Gordon's defensive play is pacing the Rebels. Carolina prospect Cam Ward is also having a stellar performance in the playoffs for Red Deer.

Rockets Named WHL's Eastern Conference Champions

With Kelowna's 4-2 home win over the Seattle Thunderbirds tonight, the Rockets have clinched the WHL's Western Conference title for the first time in franchise history. Capitals prospect Joni Lindlof is have a break out rookie season and more importantly ...a great playoff run into the finals.

Eminger and Kitchener heading to game 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL SERIES

KITCHENER vs. PLYMOUTH
(Series tied 3-3)
Game 1 - Plymouth 3, KITCHENER 1
Game 2 - Kitchener 6, PLYMOUTH 1
Game 3 - KITCHENER 3, Plymouth 2
Game 4 - PLYMOUTH 3, Kitchener 2
Game 5 - Plymouth 2, KITCHENER 1 (OT)
Game 6 - Kitchener 7, PLYMOUTH 4
Game 7 - Mon. April 28 at Kitchener, 7:00 p.m.

 

• Update for April 23rd 2003

Steve Eminger scored his 2nd and 3rd goals of the playoffs in the second period of tonight game with Plymouth and actually at the time game Kitchener a 2-1 lead going into the 3rd. But Eminger was also on the ice for the 2nd and 3rd goals scored by Plymouth in a 3-2 victory; the win evens the series at 2-2.

Boyd Gordon and Red Deer had a shot at sweeping out thing Brandon Wheat Kings but lost tonight 2-1. Gordon has 7 goals and 8 assists in 16 games and sits at +11 for the playoffs.

Joni Lindlof noticed another assist for Kelowna in a 4-0 win over Seattle. They now lead 3 games to 1. Joni now has 1 goal and 7 assists..

Well....so much for VAL-D'OR and Maxime Daigneault. They were swept by Hull. Maxime #2 had a cool down after a great opening series....kind of like what happened with Gherson but not as worse. He was replaced by rookie net minder Denis Bérubé who had some horrible stats and games. Daigneault ended with a 2.83 GAA 4 wins...3 losses and a sub par .880 save %.

More updates as the playoffs continue...

• Update for April 16th 2003

With Red Deer's 5-1 home victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers tonight (Boyd Gordon scored his 6th in the game and played excellent defense), the Rebels have advanced to the WHL Eastern Conference Final. The Rebels will host the winner of the Brandon Wheat Kings and Moose Jaw Warriors series. Dates and times of the series are still to be determined.

As for Fussey, Paetsch, and Krestanovich and the rest of the Moose Jaw Warriors....they play game 7 tomorrow night.

Steve Eminger and Kitchener open the OHL Western Conference Finals against Plymouth tomorrow night as well.

The Robert-LeBel Conference finals in the QMJHL start tomorrow as well...Val-d’Or Foreurs against the Hull Olympiques. Maxime Daigneault hopes to continue his hot play.

 

Prospect Update for April 12th 2003

Moose Jaw and the Brandon Wheat Kings are tied up 2-2. Owen Fussey so far has 6 goals and 6 assists and is a + 4 in 10 total games. Nathan Paetsch has recorded 2 goals and 7 assists and a +9 in 10 games.....good for 3rd in scoring for defensemen in the playoffs.

Red Deer is up 3-2 over Medicine Hat. After getting off to a fast start, Boyd Gordon has slowed in his scoring (5 Goals 3 Assists +5) but is playing awesome defensive hockey and winning most of his face-offs. I really think we could see Boyd used as a center and Sutherby moving to wing in the future.

Kelowna swept Spokane 4-0 in basically a "No Contest"...the closest game being a 4-3 OT game 4. Joni Lindlof has 3 assists in 8 games for Kelowna who has yet to lose. Jevon Desautels finished with 2 goals and 2 assists for the Chiefs who were without Jeff Lucky (broken leg)

Steve Eminger and the Kitchener Rangers have advanced into the Western Conference Finals with a 4-1 series win over the Guelph Storm. Eminger has 0 goals and 5 assists in 9 games and is +5. Not spectacular but is playing good defense from all accounts (which is fine by me)

In the Q...#1 seeded Val-d'Or defeated #4 seeded Shawinigan 4 games to 1 to advance to the semis against the Hull Olympiques. Maxime Daigneault may have had an "off" regular season but is having an excellent playoff so far. 4 wins 1 loss with a .943 save % and 1.30 GAA...he's known to be more of a big game/playoff type goalie...you know....there's a guy in DC that has that same type of label..

Prospect Update for March 29th 2003

Robert Gherson and the Sarina Sting are being run over by the Guelph Storm. Latest game ending in a 6-1 defeat (Gherson did not start; allowed 2 goals; one in the 2nd and 1 in the 3rd). Disappointing to say the least for Sarina...a team that ended the OHL season with 90 points and in 3rd in the Western Conference....losing to a team with only 69 points in the regular season....but that’s why the playoffs are a whole new season!

Patrick Wellar and the Calgary Hitmen are down 3 - 1 in their series with Boyd Gordon (4 goals) and the Red Deer Rebels.

Marian "What the Hell is going on with me" Havel and Swift Current have already been swept by Medicine Hat . At least S.C. went out fighting...literally...game ending fights. Awesome.

Petr Dvorak and the Regina Pats are done. The WHL rookie led the Pats in scoring in the 5 games series with 2 goals and 1 assist.

Joni Lindlof had 2 assists in the series against Vancouver. Kelowna won 4-0.

Moose Jaw Warriors and the Saskatoon Blades are tied up at 2-2. This has been an entertaining series with MJ winning the last game 3-2 in OT. Training Camp invitee Warren Peters has 1 goal and 5 assists so far in the 4 games...good for 5th in scoring in the playoffs (tied with 6 other players). Owen Fussey has notched 2 goals and 2 assists and is +3 for MJ...Nathan Paetsch has a goal and 2 assists.

 

Brian Sutherby named MVP at Youth Stars Game

---Not much was said about Brian Sutherby leading into the Youth Stars game last night in South Florida. Well, now the game has been played there is plenty of talk going around. With two goals and an assist, Sutherby captured the MVP of the two year old annual event in helping the East defeat the West 8-3. Brain is just proving to the Caps and to the league that he is a player that is going to make a difference on this Capitals team for years to come. Great job Brian!

---The Portland Pirates relased Chris Corrinet on Friday. Corrinet was drafted in the 4th round (107 overall in the 98 Draft). After having an OK season last year (15 G 18 A), this year has been a nightmare for the former Princeton Tiger, playing in 33 games and only managing 3 assists and no goals. He has already been picked up by the Philadelphia Phantoms.

---Maxime Oulette was name to the AHL Team Canada All Star team. He joins fellow Pirates Chris and Peter Ferraro (Planet/USA) and Trent Whitfield (Canada).

--- In his first seven games as a Moose Jaw Warrior, Owen Fussey has 8 goals; including a hat trick against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on January 21st. On the season Fussy has 25 goals and is tied for 9th in the WHL in that category.

---- Alexander Semin has started to get his game going in the Russian Super Leauge. On January 20th, Semin scored his 4th goal of the season in Lada Togliatti’s 5-1 victory over CSKA Moscow.

---- Maxime!!! Yes he’s at it again! Maxime Ouellet notched his Portland Pirate record 7th shut out of the season in a 4-0 win over the Manchester Monarchs. Dude…Max is on a roll. Look at these numbers:

That’s some good stuff. As for the Pirates, with a 7-4 drubbing of Providence on January 25th the Pirates have defeated the two teams in front of them in the standings in consecutive games.

---- Who’s says you can’t go back home and still be successful?? Although I do not personally agree with the move, Steve Eminger is lighting up the OHL with assists and helping his Kitchener Rangers make a run at championship. Eminger was sent back down after participating in the WJHC in Halifax earlier this season although he was having a good season with the Capitals in the minds of many. If the injury bug hits the Caps this move will hurt but for now let hope Eminger keeps his confidence and goes for that championship.