Shots From the Point--It's Monday Yo

I meant to post this in yesterday's SFTP, but forgot.  Ass-pat to Spokant for passing it along the other day.

From In Goal Magazine, a feature on former American Chet Pickard and his battle(s) against adversity.

Unfortunately Pickard’s ascension to the NHL has been nothing like he planned.

The polar opposite, in fact.

Pickard was with the Predators to start the second round of the playoffs after being called all the way up from the ECHL, where he spent most of a miserable season compiling a 9-14-3 record, 3.39 goals-against average, and .877 save percentage. He was called up to help ease the workload on Pekka Rinne and Anders Lindback, who was fighting a nagging injury, in part because the Predators’ American League affiliate in Milwaukee was still in the playoffs.

That Pickard wasn’t part of that postseason run is tough enough to take. That he was fourth on the Admirals depth chart – behind Mark Dekanich, Jeremy Smith and late-season Finnish import Atte Engren – makes it even harder.

“Rock bottom,” was how Pickard described his drop from top prospect to struggling in the ECHL.

[...]

“It’s been a frustrating year. Obviously it didn’t go the way I wanted it to go, and I learned a lot. I learned more than I’ve ever learned. Going into camp my goal was to make this team and that didn’t work, and I went to Milwaukee and my goal was to get off to a great start, and I had a bad first game. And when you get to professional hockey it’s all about winning and I just wasn’t playing great, and one thing led to another, I was sent down to the East Coast, and that’s where I started pointing fingers at other people.

“It was my fault there for a while because I was blaming other people when really I needed to just go there and focus on hockey and stopping the puck. But I was focused on all these other things. And I guess that’s kind of when I hit rock bottom. I went on a four-game losing streak to start there, and then is started talking to people and taking advice and kind of got over myself and my ego and that sort of thing and I just started to accept the fact I was there and for good reasons." (In Goal Magazine)

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From the LA Selects, a piece on the selection of some of their guys in this years' Bantam Draft:

75. Tri-City Americans (from Edmonton), C Brian Williams (not to be confused with the other LA Selects 1995 Brian Williams)

"It's an honor that tri city chose me, I want to thank all my coaches that have helped me get better and especially all the LA Selects coaches for believing in me and pushing me to the next level. I couldn't have got here without the support of my coaches, my friends and family, and a special thanks to my extended family, the Fricks, who I stayed with every weekends and trips for the past 2 years ... and thanks to my mom and dad". --Brian Williams

"Could not be happier to see a kid like Brian Williams go high in the WHL draft, they (Tri Cities) knew something that only a coach would know who have spent some time with him. Having coached Brian his passion for the game exceeds itself, his relentless efforts in both practices and games go without saying. He is a true competitor on and off the ice. His leadership qualities are contagious and not only a great player but the type of guy that if you were fifteen you would want as a best friend. Will write his own story in this great game". --LA Selects Coach Shawn Pitcher.

"We are very happy for Brian, this is the beginning of something special for him. I had the pleasure to coach Brian for a few years and he always led our team to succes in exercising great leadership. Brian has made his mark among the best 1996 birth year players in the US and the WHL knows that. Great selection by Tri Cities !!!" --LA Selects coach James Gasseau.

1995's Brian Williams(the other Brian) and Eric Comrie just recently signed agreements with Tri Cities.

280. Tri-City Americans, Kody Ichinga, LW

Kody had this to say regarding his selection: "I'm very honored to be selected by the Tri City Americans. I believe that it's a great opportunity for me as a player and as a person. Being able to say that you were drafted by the WHL is a big accomplishment and it shows that California kids are capable of playing with anybody. I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who's helped me become a better player and person over the years and I wouldn't be who I am today without their help".

"Just wanted to send a congrats out to Kody Ichinaga also who celebrated a very special day by getting drafted in the WHL. Had an opportunity to coach Kody for a season great kid and a great student of the game. Has junior hockey speed already, he shows great promise on taking his game too the next level. Kody wishing you great success in your future of hockey". --LA Selects coach Shawn Pitcher

"Kody's selection is not a surprise as he will probably be one of the faster skater in this league, His determination and competitiveness will be a big plus to this organization. He can really shoot the puck also" --Coach James Gasseau
(LA Hockey Club--I fixed all their typos for you, but left the "grammar")