More on Owsley/Rimmer trade

From Coming Down the Pipe:

The Americans are likely going to platoon Rimmer with 16-year-old Eric Comrie (above), their 1st round pick in 2010. Comrie enters the league with as much hype as any netminder in recent memory and the Americans have done all they can to make sure the youngster will see plenty of action and receive great tutelage as well. Goalie guru Lyle Mast, who has worked with NHL goalies as well as the Edmonton Oil Kings, has been hired by GM Bob Tory and will work closely with Comrie this year. TPS has been told that Comrie could see in the neighborhood of 40 starts, a generous number for a 16-year-old rookie. (The Pipeline Show)

Forty starts? I'm all for tossing the kid into the fire, he's shown he's capable, but 40 is a lot and while it shows a lot of confidence in Comrie, that's a lot of pressure for a 16-year-old kid. I sincerely hope he's up to the task. And I hope Rimmer is good enough to help them be a successful tandem. This point was also noted by Buzzing the Net:

Forty starts? Please keep in current Montreal Canadiens starter Carey Price made only 28 appearances as a 16-year-old in Tri-City in 2003-04. Another example of a goalie playing that much as a rookie that comes to mind is Marc-Andre Fleury, who made 35 appearances with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in 2000-01 even though he was only 15 during the first two months of the season. It's not necessarily a sink-or-swim situation since the Americans have the 19-year-old Rimmer (3.24 GAA between Brandon and Prince George last season) as a reliable alternative in net. (BTN)

Meanwhile, Drew was caught a little off-guard:

"It's kind of shocking," Owsley said from his home in Lethbridge, Alberta. "It's a weird feeling. It really hasn't sunk in yet, I don't think. I've been on one team my whole career. Obviously, I knew we had some good 20-year-olds. I wasn't safe for sure. I thought I'd at least be there until the (overage) deadline (Oct. 13). I'm going to miss Tri, for sure."

Owsley said he had a message from Tri-City general manager Bob Tory when he returned from his workout Thursday morning.

"I wasn't sure what was up," Owsley said. "I thought they wanted me to work the hockey camp."

Tory said it was hard to trade a player who had helped the team win its first Western Conference title in 2010.

"Drew is a good goalie, and to trade him was a difficult thing," Tory said. "The market for 20-year-old goalies is not that great. We got a great return. We think Ty can come in and give us good minutes. We're not saying he's Drew Owsley, but he can play. We are confident Eric (Comrie) will develop into a good goaltender, as good as we've had in the past."

[...]

"I'm excited to come to Tri-City," Rimmer said. "Prince George treated me very well, and I got an opportunity to play there. I'm excited to play for a strong team and a well-known organization. Tri-City has produced some pretty talented goalies, and Drew is no exception. I'm not looking to replace him, just do what I can."

Rimmer will share time in goal with Comrie, who spent time with the Americans in the playoffs last season.

"I'm OK sharing time," Rimmer said. "(Comrie) is still 16, but he's a promising goalie. I'm interested in seeing what the kid can do."

[...]

"I can't thank Tri enough," Owsley said. "If not for them, I wouldn't be where I am. Everyone said I was too small (5-foot-8, 170 pounds). They gave me a change and treated me really well. I was looking forward to coming back and mentoring Eric. Hopefully I taught him a little something when he was here for the playoffs."

As for the Cougars, GM Dallas Thompson was on cloud nine Thursday afternoon.

"I'm very happy," Thompson said. "We've struggled with our goaltending, and it's something we wanted to address. This has been in the works for a while. We got a good goalie. He has been a winner all the way along. He won in the regular season and the playoffs. Our whole team is excited. We needed this."

Said Owsley: "They told me I was the missing piece of the puzzle. Hopefully I can make the best of it." (Tri-City Herald)

As I said yesterday, I'm really glad Drew will be playing his 20-year-old season for a team that really wanted him (not that the Americans didn't, that sounded wrong).  The Cougars are really lucky to have him.  His time in Tri will never be forgotten as he's in the record books--"Owsley is third on Tri-City’s career list in regular-season victories, GAA and shutouts, second in save percentage and sixth in games and minutes played. He holds the franchise career records for playoff games played, minutes played, victories, save percentage and shutouts." (Taking Note). 

I got the most wonderful and kind email from Ken Owsley, Drew's dad yesterday.  He thanked me for supporting his son, including the "I believe in Drew Owsley" campaign.  Actually, he thanked all fans of the Ams for being so supportive of Drew and the organization.  So shout-out to you other fans!!

Whoo whoo who's gonna be missed in Tri-Cities?  Drew MF Owsley.  Best of luck to you Drew!  See you in March when the Cougars are in town!