"I'd like to see a younger goalie in the backup position"
The Ams also have a pair of solid returners in net, led by No. 1 Drew Owsley, who had a breakout season at age 18 by going 33-11-1-1 with a 2.51 goals against average and a .918 save percentage.
For now, the No. 2 is 20-year-old Russian import Alex Pechurskiy, but he won't make it to camp until next week because of visa issues.
The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect is part of two logjams -- the Ams have four overage players on the roster (Schmidt, captain Kruise Reddick and Mike Brown, a late-season acquisition last winter), and they have three import players (D Nikita Kardashev and D Nikita Nesterov were selected in the 2010 CHL Import Draft) -- and with 16-year-old Chris Driedger having a solid rookie camp, Pechurskiy could make enticing trade bait.
"I'd like to see a younger goalie in the backup position," Tory said, looking ahead to next fall when both Owsley (who'd be 20 and a pro prospect) and Pechurskiy (too old for the WHL) could be gone. (Examiner)
This Examiner.com is interesting, looks like the guy writing Ams articles is Rene Ferran who used to be a sports writer for the Herald. Coverage looks pretty good so far.
In other news, I was on Blog Talk Radio's CCPT yesterday with the awesome Su Ring and Cassie McClellan to talk WHL and the Americans. I'm on about 25 minutes in, and toward the end of the hour it gets into some fan-girly stuff. Which is fine, we're girls, it happens. I didn't necessarily want it to got there, but oh well. We get back on track a little bet later. Anyways, it was a blast to just talk hockey and Su is really a great interviewer. I'd never really been interviewed before so I was nervous, but she really put me at ease. Big thanks to the girls for having me on, it was a lot of fun.
32 comments:
YES. Those emphasized parts have really gotten my hopes up!
Even if Comrie is the "goalie of the future" there is still no reason to not have Driedger as the #2 this season (and several reasons to trade Alex!). And regardless of who wins the backup position next year, keep both of them in the system and develop them. Presuming they both continue to improve, I'm thinking an 18 year old Driedger and 17 year old Comrie would be a pretty awesome duo in the '12-'13 season when Owsley's gone.
What if Owsley isn't the vet that's kept?
If Owsley isn't kept when, this season or next season as a 20? If he's not kept then--and I'm going out on a limb here--then he won't be with the team.
Not entirely sure what kind of response you're looking for.
I will say if you're talking this season, I believe Drew is the best man for the job, personally I think Alex is inconsistent and I'm nervous when he and his gaping 5-hole are in net.
As for next season, who the hell knows. If it's Owsley and Comrie, Owsley and Dreidger, Dreidger and Comrie, or someone new, who knows, that's a long way away.
I think if I started my own blog, I would name it "Gaping 5-hole." Tho a blog whose only posts are juvenile giggling, that's a hard read.
not gonna lie, I'd read it. And giggle my ass off.
Talking about this season. Looks like you aren't taking into account what happened in Calgary. It also appears you may have a predjudice against Russians.
What happened in Calgary? Last I checked the whole team got out-played from start to finish by a damn good team.
And nyet, not prejudiced against Russians. I'm prejudiced against players that are over-hyped before they've even arrived and then handed the key to the city, so to speak, without having proven themselves.
As I mentioned in my post from last week, August 25th--read it--I mentioned I'm just a fan. And as a fan I have favorites and not-so-favorites, just like other fans. Alex is a not-so-favorite for me, doesn't make me prejudiced against Russians.
Finally, Tory's quote says Alex could be trade bait, not Drew. So until something different happens, gotta go with that as the possible man out. And I trust Bob, even if I don't particularly agree with his decisions, I know he's doing what's best for the team.
I think you need to back and look at the article. The trade bait comment was made by reporter, not Bob. Let me help you here, "Driedger gives us flexibility," Tory said. Quit passing misinformation as usual.
Hector why don't you try reading the entire article instead of just what you 'want' to see. Read a couple of paragraphs ahead of Driedger gives us flexibility. Now who is passing on false information. Dave has her opinion just like you have yours - grow up!
Pechurskiy has three strikes against him. He is an overager, an import, and doesn't have a grasp of the English language which will be a help to the guy he's grooming for after he leaves.
Owsley has two years left, can mentor a young back-up to the style he's seen and been brought up on, and from Canada.
The likelihood of Pechurskiy staying in Tri-City is probably about 25%. The fact he's an import overager will definitely make him hard to keep and hard to move to somewhere else within the Dub. Odds are he will probably get a look with the others and if the others can't hack it, he'll be brought back in. If someone stands out, he'll be put on the trade block and if he's not moving within the Dub; put on waivers and maybe land out East in the OHL or QMJHL.
Worst case, he goes back to the KHL and the Pens have to hope MA Fleury can last until they can get him over.
The problem with the Pens is that Shero won't sign this kid. He didn't offer a contract to him this year after the (IMHO) outstanding performance in the Canucks game and then signed ANOTHER goaltending prospect at the end of the season, so now we're overrun with goalies. It'll be hard for Alex to crack the roster unless we let some of these guys go. Personally, I'd like to see Curry gone. He's overhyped and cracked under the pressure in a lot of situations last season, I don't think he'll be worth re-signing when his contract is up. That still leaves Thiessen, Modig, and Killeen. Thiessen might be worth keeping and the last two are new to me, so I'm still on the fence about them. Not to mention Johnson and Fleury; I know Johnson's contract is up after next season, but I feel like he's a solid back-up and he's a steal for the $600,000/yr we're paying him. MAF...well, we have him through 2015, I think. I like him, but I also agree with some people that he can have inconsistant streaks and that, sometimes, he's over-hyped (and overpaid). But I also don't see Shero getting rid of him anytime soon - he's as much a franchise player for us as Sid, Geno, and Staalsy. Unfortunately, this isn't looking good for Pechurskiy, unless one of the other guys severely disappoints (I can only hope). Also, Pens lose their exclusive rights to him on...June 1st, I think, so time's running out to sign him. Anyway, that's what I know about the situation in Pittsburgh right now; anything else comes up, I'll let you know. =]
Bob's made no secret that he prefers to have a younger back-up behind our Owsley and views Pechurskiy as trade bait. "Dave Schultz" finds Pechurskiy inconsistent, not all Russians.
Not sure where the "misinformation" part is coming from, tho. Our "Dave" passes on direct quotes from news sources, adds analysis, color and opinion. She comments on fan rumors and speculation but never presents them as facts. She works in the best interest of the team because she wants them to succeed. She's a diehard fan and an ethical writer.
Too bad there is no reading comprehension test one must pass in order to comment here.
Thank you for making my point. If "Dave Schultz" hadn't twisted the article to make it look like Alex was being used a trade bait, where in fact Bob not once said that. I can copy the entire article for you if you'd like.
if you want articles, read those sites. if you want my opinion, my "twist" then come here. if you don't like my twist, go away. I read the whole article, I inserted the part I--as this blog author--found interesting, then I chose to emphasize a certain bit of it.
And you're right, Bob didn't say in this particular article that Alex was trade bait.
But if you go back to the Tri-City Herald on May 13th, you will see the following:
"Brown, Drozd and Mestery will be evaluated as to where we are as a team," said Tory, who conducted exit interviews earlier in the week. "We are assuming Tyler (Schmidt) will be back. Alex has expressed a desire to come back to North America. If he comes back, it gives us an option to trade him."
You can read the whole article if you would like, to make sure I'm not twisting things, right here:
Tri-City Herald
"Did Hector Get Told??"
"Yes"
"OH SNAP!!"
Boo. And ya.
YEAH
We got a look at the future last year, and I have nothing against Drew personally, this team will never get to the next level with him in net. Been around the game 30 years and let me be the first one to predict the future here on the Drew Owsley fan page, going nowhere. You guys go with the personal attacks, I have been nothing but nice here and it just goes to show how viscious you people are. Do Snack a favor and change the name of the blog from "We got guys" to the Drew Owsley fan page. God Bless!
What a gong show you Tri fans are believing anything this blog tells you.
I've been a season ticket holder since 1991 and can tell you I know most of the facts far better than Ms loud mouth and her inaccuracy when it comes to hockey. A lot of this craziness started when that commie Obama went into the WH and destroyed our democracy. Soon after people like YOU persons started slandering poor players you don't like such as that Russian goalie who outplayed are other mighty mite 5ft 3in guy.
How many of you have hosted dinners for ownership and general managers like I have. Bob brown was a regular at my house as was Daryl porter as I always have had the inside scoop on the real happenings of Ams hockey. Sadly I had Gomer Gomez over with Dylan goyri and jeff Blair as I made gomer plenty of tostadas and frijolles but stopped inviting them when I found out jeff Blair stole my dyero and sold it to jeff katcher.
Also, I agree with Hector s in that you should stop using coach nachbaur's saying as your blog name. Using your airhead logic the blog should be called the winterhawks and chiefs are home to four memorial cups while all we have is some stupid blog from a woman who sleeps with wannabe Calgary hockey guys.
Once Obamas run out of the white house you socialist leaning commies will lose this blog forever.
Who the hell is M?
This is the most ginormous troll fest since the message boards came into existence.
aaawww fossil Am is a name dropper. Seriously nobody cares who you have invited over for dinner. Just because you have had tickets since 1991 and have fed a few people doesn't make you a #1 fan. You and hector need to go back to the hole you climbed out of. See the thing is....this is Daves blog ~ that means she can say whatever the hell she wants to say. If you seriously think Alex was a better goalie than Drew you might want to reconsider thinking you're the best fan alive. There is a reason they went with Drew as the #1 goalie in the playoffs. Well wait maybe you know more than Bob, Hiller, and Virtue!
I just like how a Neo-Conservative like "Fossil" is agreeing with someone with a Hispanic name. This blog brings together anyone.
Even more amazing, Obama is the reason for this OPINION blog being running. Truly amazing.
Look, if you want to drink the Russian Kool-Aid fine, but at the end of the day, the odds are stacked again Pechurskiy being on the Ams roster. If he does make it, then he makes it-- that's the end of that chapter. Yet, if Bob Tory truly believes in the younger goalie in the back-up spot, then it means Pechurskiy is on his way out. Deal with it, stupids.
And thanks for saying I'm a wanna-be; because that means you actually believe I'm aspiring to be something. HA!!
Must be close to hockey season. While this blog believed in Drew Owsley early last year, most of us were holding our breath waiting for Alex to get here to shore things up. He took forever getting here, no fault of his, although I think some held it against him. In that time Drew took the bull by the horns and despite splitting time earned the starts in the playoffs.
IF both D imports show up, Alex is traded or gone. IF one of them can't get over here, then I guess it's between Alex and Mike Brown as to who to keep. I keep Brown and look to upgrade his spot when teams (BRANDON) have to get down to three.
With the new rules regarding goaltender pads, Owsley will never get drafted being so small. Doesn't mean he isn't a hard worker and someone who can carry the mail in the WHL. He proved he could last year.
"fossil AM" HAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! Brilliant piece of satire, sir. I love it.
Obama. Oh Jesus Christ that is fucking hilarious!!
How dare you attack me, a long time hockey expert in the area. I'm personally considered an expert on the WHL as I know Rick Doerksen and have had many conversations with him about shutting down this stupid blog and you crazy left wing nut jobs who feel empowered because we have a minority President.
Twice I've been interviewed on the Ams radio network about my loyalty and expert knowledge concerning the Ams as the great Scott Emmett and the northwests greatest hockey announcer ever Ian furnace both called me a credit to my sport and race.
I secretly gave plays to shawn cloudyon that helped develop Aaron boogard and Jason Beeman into the top
pros they are today. How many of you have drawn up plays for the coaches.
My girlfriend was a billet for both Ollie and stu as she knows the real story behind the Ams, yet you don't see me paring a commie blog where everyone leans left while promoting a welfare socialist agenda.
Hooray for Hector s. and his courage as a refugee from san Salvador now cleaning up the nuke plant to defend his opinion utilizing his vast years of hockey knowledge. Your all racist that you would attack this immigrant because ge is a possible Latin illegal alien.
I wish bob brown sti ran the coliseum and team as he was a winner. If not for the witch who runs this blog bob would own the Ams as she led the blocking of the sale to bob who surely would have led the Ams to a memorial cup by now.
I believe that Joel broda was the greatest Ams player ever as he will be a regular 50 goal scorer in Minnesota.
can't. stop. laughing.
Ditto, Dave. I might be in love.
Ok now I know you don't know crap Mr. Fossil! I know who was Ollie and Stu's billets AND an 'expert' and someone who has 'inside' information would never ever name drop nor act like he knows crap just doesn't happen. The name dropping is still making me crack up. Dude instead of being the expert you think you are you should really be a comedian! Dave...better watch out he is gonna shut your site down lmao!!!
OH MAN, that post is even better, Fossil. You might consider starting your own blog, since you have so much to say AND IT'S ALL FASCINATING!
I want to take this time to apologize to the fan who runs this blog as I just returned from my Pasco Dr.'s office and found out my meds are nit balanced right. I was having twitches in my eyes that turned to shocks in my head but they upped my thorzine as I feel good enough to concentrate and speak more directly about the Ams and the WHL.
I still believe the man I called "thumbs" Mr Bob Brown is sorely missed here in town as he is 100% responsible for our team success today.
Why I thought brownie was a genius when he asked us loyal season ticket holders to help save money for the team by cleaning up garbage after each home game. Because I believe all unions are rallying places for terrorists and commies I feel that more of you should have joined me, my wife and 5 kids and dog as we cleaned many nights by ourselves and got autographed tshirts from Dustin barker and dean beuker.
We also invested $250 into bob browns ownership group that was just a few dollars short of buying the team before Daryl porter did. Bob was a genius and arguably the WHL's greatest hockey man ever. Look at his son? He made Mario Lemiuex in pittsborgh.
Kudos out to Daryl porter also as he and his dad Murray ate both internationally known talent evaluators as Murray discovered Matt Duchense. And when it came time to make a tough economic decision Daryl had the guts to move the Ams to Chiliwack and leave an expansion team here in Kennewick.
I hope you agree with me as I'm sorry for calling the blog lady names
for fuck's sake, find another hobby. Please.
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