That truly epic moment when you clinch the Calder Cup in overtime. (Photo Credit: Texas Stars // Facebook)
The 2013-14 AHL season is officially over. The Texas Stars defeated the St. John’s IceCaps in five-games to take home this year’s Calder Cup.
Texas finished the AHL’s regular season with the best record in the entire league. They were pushed really hard by the Toronto Marlies in an intense seven-game series to reach the Calder Cup Finals. Once they survived that test the Stars managed to take down the IceCaps before the series even shifted back to Texas for the final two-games of the seven-game series. They managed that on the back of three-consecutive overtime winners in St. John’s.
Game 3 (OT)
Texas Stars, 2 @ St. John’s IceCaps, 1
Game 4 (OT)
Texas Stars, 4 @ St. John’s IceCaps, 3
Game 5 (OT)
Texas Stars, 4 @ St. John’s IceCaps, 3
You can’t say this series wasn’t a blow out or anything. Even on paper, the IceCaps were in each and every one of these games against the Stars. The real backbreaker came from their Game 4 defeat on Monday night. The IceCaps let a 3-0 lead slip and they lost in overtime after conceding four-straight Texas goals. That allowed the series to tilt to a 3-1 series lead for the Stars. And they didn’t wait for Game 6 in Texas to clinch the Cup.
Former Admirals Chris Mueller and Kevin Henderson were part of this Calder Cup winning Texas Stars team. Mueller played in 60 games with the Stars this season and scored 57 points (25 goals, 32 assists). In the playoffs he produced 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 19 games. Henderson played 15 regular season games with the Stars since his loan deal from Milwaukee and picked up 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists) in that time. For his playoff run of 21 games he tallied 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists).
Can you spot former Milwaukee Admirals Chris Mueller and Kevin Henderson? I can. (Photo Credit: The AHL // Twitter)
The man who took home the league honors as MVP this season also managed to win the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the MVP of the Calder Cup Playoffs. That man is of course 30-year old Travis Morin. During the regular season he was phenomenal: 88 points (32 goals, 56 assists) in 66 games. In the playoffs his brilliance continued all the way through the Stars run to the Calder Cup: 22 points (9 goals, 13 assists) in 21 games – including overtime game-winning goals in Game 3 and Game 4 of the Calder Cup Finals.
Are you happy to see Chris Mueller and Kevin Henderson win the Calder Cup? What do you think Francis Wathier is currently thinking? What do the Milwaukee Admirals need to do in order to be at the same level as the Texas Stars were, from start to finish, during the 2013-14 season?
The Master of Silly Faces is going home to Finland. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
In a move that really flew under the radar (not picked up until JoeBlockhead hit the Roundtable comments section up with the news) Joonas Rask has signed a two-year deal with HIFK.
The deal was actually announced on the HIFK website last week. I didn’t see or hear much made of this news. Double shame on me considering, of all Finnish teams, I’ve been following HIFK the closest because of Juuso Puustinen joining them around this time last season.
Rask made a splash in his first career North American hockey game with the Milwaukee Admirals. He scored a goal and an assist in Milwaukee as the team won 6-4 against the Charlotte Checkers.
In addition to that, he was called up to the Nashville Predators and scored an assist in his NHL debut on 4/27/13 in Columbus.
Despite that quick start, his first full professional season in North America in 2013-14 didn’t offer up enough consistency. When you consider the flashes of brilliance, speed, and skill he is capable of – and compare it to his stat line of 58 games, 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists), a plus/minus of +8, and 15 penalty minutes – it is a shame he couldn’t have done a bit more.
In my talks with Rask throughout the season I often asked him about the differences between European and North American hockey. I feel Miikka Salomaki‘s playing style ends up better suiting the North American game because of his grit and toughness. Rask meanwhile showcases great skating and stickhandling ability but can be shoved around by the bigger bodies on the ice – which close in on him far quicker on the smaller North American ice surface. I’d be curious how much of that feeling actually weighed in on his decision to return back home in Finland.
What were your impressions of Joonas Rask this season? Is there a serious learning curve to the North American style of hockey? Did HIFK just become your new favorite non-AHL or NHL team? Mine too!
Jarvinen is a pending restricted-free agent of the Nashville Predators this off-season. Yet, with the plethora of young blue line talent coming into the Milwaukee Admirals next season (Johan Alm, Jonathan Diaby, Garrett Noonan, Jaynen Rissling, Mikko Vainonen), the room on the roster for defensemen is practically sorted.
I feel that, should this report be accurate, it will be a loss of one of the best defensive defensemen that the Admirals had last season. Injuries may have sidelined him to just 54 games in the regular season but he managed to improve his plus/minus +11 points over his rookie campaign in Milwaukee
Tough loss for the Admirals? Yes, but they have so many young names entering 2014-15 that you should expect this to be the first of a few names to be shipping out of Milwaukee this off-season. I would anticipate Vainonen to step into Jarvinen’s defensive minded role rather seamlessly for the coming season.
Also worth mentioning that the team Jarvinen would be joining, Sochinskiye Leopardy (Sochi Leopards), are a brand new franchise. Sochi, as well as Jokerit Helsinki and Lada Togliatti, are a part of the KHL’s 2014-15 expansion. Perhaps he can hip check Alexander Radulov into next week for us all while he is over there.
Thoughts on this potential move for Joonas Jarvinen? Who, if any, will remain in Milwaukee’s defense from the past season? Who is the next defenseman that will head elsewhere? Are there any defenseman that the Admirals need to keep from the past season?
Alec Martinez celebrates scoring the Stanley Cup clinching goal for the Los Angeles Kings in double overtime on Friday night. (Photo Credit: Harry How)
First order of Roundtable business: I will be taking a vacation for two weeks to California starting this Wednesday. Hopefully the news remains slow for the time being but, if there is breaking news, I won’t be getting to it with the speed that I have throughout the season.
I’ll be operating the Roundtable Twitter throughout my trip. I’ll retweet any news that I can’t get to instantly. And that should be your quickest access to any breaking Nashville Predators organizational news that takes place these next two weeks. My laptop is coming with on the trip -but- I’ll be in vacation mode as I explore the West Coast for the first time. Again, should news happen – Twitter will be a good source for the instant news – and either myself or Jason Karnosky will bring you the updates when we can get to them here on the website.
~2014 Stanley Cup Finals~
The reason I didn’t get to posting about the finale to the NHL season ASAP was that I really wanted it to sink in. For those who missed out on it, gave up when your team lost out, or quit on the game running into the late night hours – watch the game highlights:
It was a phenomenal game. As someone who isn’t too huge on either of the two teams playing – I was hooked in. The series may have ended 4-1 to the Los Angeles Kings, who have now won two Stanley Cups in three seasons, but the New York Rangers were in every game. It could have just as easily been a series that went seven-games. And it might be a shame that it actually didn’t.
In the end, I feel the Kings consistency of effort overwhelmed the Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist could well have won the Conn Smythe representing the losing team in the Stanley Cup Finals. He played that good. Other than him though? The Rangers were lacking not only players that stepped up but line combinations. It’s something the Kings were able to get and even adjust on a regular basis in the series. And it finally won out for them.
~2014 Calder Cup Finals~
This year’s Calder Cup Finals is current standing at a 2-1 advantage for the Texas Stars over the St. John’s IceCaps. Game 1: Stars, 6-3. Game, 2: IceCaps, 2-1. Game 3, 2-1 (OT). Game 4: tonight in St. John’s. Game 5: tomorrow in St. John’s (if necessary).
I’m expecting the IceCaps to pick up one more victory on home ice that will force this series back to Texas for Game 6 (with a possibility of Game 7 also in Texas). Should the series be decided in seven-games – we’ll know our AHL Calder Cup Champions, at the latest, on Monday night. Me? I expect Chris Mueller and Kevin Henderson to party with the Texas fans, at home, Thursday night.
~Cincinnati Cyclones UPDATE~
It was announced this morning that the Nashville Predators have agreed to extend their ECHL partnership with the Cincinnati Cyclones for the 2014-15 season. I’ve yet to see a direct terms of if the deal carries over for longer than just this coming season. That said, the two-sides have worked together since the 2007-08 season and is a partnership that really works well here in Milwaukee. Plus it means more Nick Brunker for people like me! Everybody wins!
You can read the full press release by the Nashville Predators regarding the Cyclones right here.
~The Important Dates Ahead on the NHL Calendar~
With the Stanley Cup now over there are a few dates you should mark off on your calendar as it relates to the NHL off-season:
June 25: NHL Awards.
June 25-July 1: UFA’s can meet and interview with potential new teams but are not able to sign offers.
June 27-28: NHL Draft.
June 30: Deadline for tendering qualifying offers to RFA’s.
July 1: Free Agent Window Opens.
July 6-13: Nashville Predators Rookie Development Camp.
July 12: My Birthday.
September 13-16: Nashville Predators Rookie Training Camp.
September 18: Nashville Predators Training Camp.
October 10: Milwaukee Admirals 2014-15 Home Opener.
There is so much that can and will happen between now and when the puck drops here in Milwaukee. A new head coach in Nashville means a new era for the organization. I can’t wait to see what it means in terms of players coming in, going, being traded, or being drafted. Plenty of variables waiting to be played out. The sooner we get to the NHL Draft the better.
Relax, Magnus Hellberg. The days of Mitch Korn drills are done. Ben Vanderklok is here to get you battle ready.
The Nashville Predators have announced that Ben Vanderklok will be the team’s new goaltending coach. He will take the role served by Mitch Korn after serving as the Predators assistant goaltending coach for the past five-seasons.
Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has named Ben Vanderklok the team’s goaltending coach. The Welland, Ontario native has served as the organization’s assistant goaltending coach for the past five seasons.
“Ben has worked closely with all the goaltenders in our organization and has been integral in their development and success while learning from one of the best in Mitch Korn,” Poile said. “This is a natural fit to have Ben transition into the lead role, and his relationship with Pekka Rinne and Carter Hutton will make this process seamless.”
Since 2009, Vanderklok has worked nearly all the goalies within the organization, from Pekka Rinne, Carter Hutton, Anders Lindback, Chris Mason and Dan Ellis at the NHL level to Jeremy Smith, Magnus Hellberg, Marek Mazanec, Mark Dekanich and Scott Darling with the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals and ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones.
His work was integral in Mazanec’s transition to North America in 2013-14, which saw him play 25 games with the Predators, becoming the youngest in club history to record a shutout on Nov. 19, 2013 at Detroit and being named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for November 2013. Also last season, Darling came to the organization with one AHL game to his credit, and ended 2013-14 ranked among the league leaders in save percentage (.933), goals-against average (2.00) and shutouts (6) for the Admirals.
Poile also acknowledged Mitch Korn’s service and contributions to the franchise.
“We thank Mitch for his 16 years of work and dedication to the Nashville Predators, and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” he said.
Vanderklok has also worked as goalie coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Niagara IceDogs since 2008, helping them reach the playoffs for six consecutive seasons and reach the OHL Final in 2011-12. During his first four seasons with the IceDogs, Vanderklok helped Hamilton, Ontario native Mark Visentin become a first-round pick of the Phoenix Coyotes (27th overall), earn silver (2011) and bronze (2012) medals with Team Canada at the World Junior Championship, become 2011 OHL Goaltender of the Year, and earn the 2012 Dave Pinkney Trophy as the goalie with the lowest goals-against average.
Vanderklok started his coaching career with the Port Colborne Pirates of the Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League (Junior B) from 2003-06 before instructing and training Brock University’s (Ontario) goalies from 2007-09. Since 2003, he has run Ben Vanderklok Goaltending, which conducts camps and clinics in the St. Catharine’s, Ontario region.
A dual Canadian-Dutch citizen, Vanderklok retired from play following four seasons (2000-04) and two league titles in 2002 and 2003 with the Amsterdam Tigers of the Netherlands Elite League. He played a pair of seasons with the OHL’s Barrie Colts from 1998-2000.
The 32-year-old and his wife Marlene have a daughter, Ava.
The Roundtable did a feature story on Vanderklok back in March. Having been a fixture within the organization for as long as he has, with players and coaches alike knowing him and his work, this was a good internal hire by Nashville. It’s tough to lose someone as brilliant as Korn. But having someone like Vanderklok as a successor should lessen the bite.
Rob Madore became the first man in ECHL history to be named the Kelly Cup Finals MVP despite playing on the losing side of the competition. (Photo Credit: Cincinnati Cyclones // Facebook)
Last night, the Cincinnati Cylones were shutout 4-0 in Game 6 of the 2014 Kelly Cup Finals. They were bested by the ECHL’s top team during the regular season, the Alaska Aces. It is Alaska’s third ever Kelly Cup triumph: 2005-06, 2010-11, and 2013-14.
It may not have gone the way of the Cyclones but there were some outstanding performances and positives to take from their brilliant push for the Kelly Cup this season. Let’s go through them.
The obvious positive to take out of the Cyclones successful season is that they played a deep season. It’s great for that organization but also huge in terms of player development for the likes of Taylor Aronson, Zach Budish, Magnus Hellberg, and Josh Shalla. While their fellow Nashville Predators prospects are in summer vacation mode – they were all training, practicing, and playing in a competitive atmosphere. The longer the development time – the better.
Alright, so you’re thinking Hellberg didn’t really gain much during this time. Think again. From his injury in January to his eventual return with the Cyclones in late-March he was doing next to nothing as far as on-ice activity. If anything, he was practicing lightly as he slowly pushed himself back to game shape. The entirety of the Cyclones Kelly Cup run he has been healthy and working. Think of it this way. In what could be a lost season for him in his development – the Cyclones deep run may have offered him a lifeline to get his time out with injury back.
Speaking of Hellberg, it must have been a humbling season for him in the case of not getting the net. Marek Mazanec took his spot in Nashville. Scott Darling nudged him aside in Milwaukee. And then Rob Madore was “the man” in Cincinnati. Milwaukee Admirals head coach Dean Evason always told me that Hellberg is very accountable of himself and his performances. That’s something I agree with in my two-seasons around the big Swede. It’s that mentality that should have made his sitting on the bench during the Kelly Cup Finals run not as much of a bummer as you would expect. After all, his counter-part was making a name for himself.
The MVP of the 2014 Kelly Cup Finals wasn’t awarded to a member of the winning Alaska Aces. Instead, for the first time in ECHL history, it was given to the side that came up short. It was awarded to netminder Rob Madore. During the Cyclones run to the Kelly Cup he started all 24 games, won 14, had a 2.29 goals against average, and a 0.930 save percentage. In short, he was astonishingly good all throughout the playoffs.
Madore was under contract to the San Antonio Rampage. According to CapGeek, similar to Darling on the Predators page, he doesn’t exist! I’ll take that as a one-year deal that expires this off-season UFA style. If I’m right, I think Mr. Madore did himself just as much justice in the ECHL Playoffs as Darling did for the Admirals this season. He performed well enough to get on plenty of teams’ radar. Madore turned 26-years old in May. Darling will turn 26-years old in December. Needless to say the goaltending options are out there this off-season – two of which coming right out of our organization (Milwaukee and Cincinnati).
How do you feel the Milwaukee Admirals products performed during the Cincinnati Cyclones Kelly Cup run? Does their extended playoff run help them heading into the 2014-15 AHL season?
Travis Morin and the Texas Stars have been brilliant all season long. Now they’re powering along in the Calder Cup Finals. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
Playoff Hockey is in full bore right now: Stanley Cup, Calder Cup, and Kelly Cup. We’ll get into each of those in a moment but first – Admirals bantering!
~Scott Darling and the Goaltending Situation~
When Carter Hutton re-signed with the Nashville Predators it sealed the NHL spots at the goaltending position. So, where does that leave Milwaukee? If you look back to the very start of last season – they’re right about there.
What some have asked me about is the following. Where does that leave Scott Darling? You have some guy named Pekka Rinne up top. Hutton re-signed for two-years. And then Magnus Hellberg and Marek Mazanec are still under contract. Where does Darling factor in? The cold hard truth is he probably doesn’t.
Darling signed to be the Admirals man in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones last season. Through the injury circus in the system between the pipes he climbed the ladder, was given an extended opportunity at the AHL level, and thrived: 26 games, 13 wins, 6 shutouts, 2.00 goals against average, and a 0.933 save percentage.
Is that enough to earn a new AHL contract? Yes. Is the position available for him in Milwaukee next season? No. Will others around the AHL take notice of his efforts and be willing to offer him a contract to get his services? Yes, and that is why Darling would be best served waiting for that deal to come to him.
I know that Nashville and Milwaukee were really pleased by his work -but- the only way they keep him around for next season is if they placed Hellberg in the ECHL for the season. Is that something you would be willing to do? To me, I don’t think that would make much sense in terms of player development.
Devil’s Advocate: Hutton locks up the top for two-seasons, sign Darling to a one-year AHL deal, let Hellberg gather himself back up at the ECHL level for a season, and see how it plays out over the course of the 2014-15 season. …it could happen – but should it?
~Stanley Cup~
I was not expecting much from a Los Angeles Kings // New York Rangers Stanley Cup. Boy, was I wrong. The Kings are currently up 2-0 in the series after successive overtime victories in LA. Each game so far has been incredibly entertaining. Watching these two try to solve the likes of Jonathan Quick or Henrik Lundqvist has been a blast. The series now shifts to New York for the next two-games: tonight and Wednesday. Here is hoping the Rangers make a series of this on home ice.
~Calder Cup~
The opening game of the 2014 Calder Cup Finals was last night and the Texas Stars won 6-3 over the St. John’s IceCaps. In the former-Admiral department, Chris Mueller scored 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) and was a +4 in the contest – and Kevin Henderson made his presence known by taking a tripping penalty (not as exciting but it happened).
You know how a baseball bat doughnut works? I wonder if the Toronto Marlies turn out to be that for the Stars. The Marlies were an astonishing group during these playoffs. The Marlies/Stars Conference Finals went seven-games and was the Marlies defense getting bested by the high powered Stars offense. Calder Cup Finals Game 1 for the Stars? 6-goals – including 4 goals through the first two-periods when they had 15 shots on goal. Our Jason Karnosky‘s preview prediction said Stars in six-games. If the Stars swept the IceCaps – I wouldn’t be shocked.
~Kelly Cup~
If our boys in the ECHL, the Cincinnati Cyclones, are going to win this year’s Kelly Cup they’ll need to win Game 6, travel all the way to Alaska, and win Game 7. The prospect of winning the Kelly Cup in Cincinnati was there thanks to the victory in Game 2. The next three games of the series, played in Cinci, needed to be won to ensure that. Yet, the Alaska Aces topped the Cyclones in Game 5 by a finale score of 4-2.
Alaska can win the Kelly Cup tonight in Cincinnati. Should the Cyclones force Game 7 – it will be played in Alaska on Wednesday.
How do you see the Stanley Cup, Calder Cup, and Kelly Cup playing out? Can the Cincinnati Cyclones force Game 7 tonight?
After a great year in relief of Pekka Rinne – Carter Hutton is staying in Nashville after signing a two-year contract today. (Photo Credit: Scott Iskowitz)
The Nashville Predators were pretty active this afternoon. They’ve signed two players to contracts. The first came for right winger Max Gortz on a three-year entry level contract. That was promptly followed up by the re-signing of goaltender Carter Hutton on a two-year contract.
The deal for Hutton is one that I think is greatly deserved. When Pekka Rinne went down at the start of the season it started a mad scramble of who can plug the Nashville net. Hutton? Magnus Hellberg? Marek Mazanec? Devan Dubnyk?
If you ask me, the best thing that could have happened to Hutton was the move for Dubnyk because from that point forward he really seemed to step up big. He played in 40 games, won 20 games, had a 2.62 goals against average, a 0.910 save percentage, and recorded his first career NHL shutout in his second to last start of the season.
What does this signing means for the likes of Hellberg and Mazanec? I believe this shouldn’t be viewed as a negative for them as much as it should a positive. While Mazanec had a decent season between the AHL and NHL – he still could benefit from more time here in Milwaukee. As for Hellberg, anything could be better for him than what he’s endured this season. Thinking about a goaltending tandem of Maz and Mags in Milwaukee for next season, with both staying healthy, could be great for the Admirals and both young netminders in the system.
Now, about this Gortz kid. He was the Predators sixth-round selection in the 2012 NHL Draft and has played his entire career to this point in Sweden. Per the official press release:
Gortz, 21 (1/28/93), started the 2013-14 season with Farjestad (SHL), before transferring to Frolunda (SHL) on Dec. 9, 2013. The Hoor, Sweden native led Frolunda – and tied for third among all skaters in the 2014 SHL Quarterfinals – in points (5) and goals (3). The 6-3, 200-pound right winger has 70 points (37g-33a) in 106 career Swedish junior league games with Malmo and Farjestad, and 30 points (19g-11a) in 108 SHL games with Farjestad and Frolunda, while posting seven points (3g-4a) in 18 career SHL postseason contests, and 14 points (8g-6a) in 15 career Swedish junior league playoff games.
Nashville’s eighth choice, 172nd overall (sixth round), in the 2012 Entry Draft, Gortz helped Sweden win the 2012 Under-20 Four-Nations Tournament, tying for the team lead in points (1g-2a-3pts), and earned a bronze medal at the 2010 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge.
The Swedish contingent in Milwaukee is growing. It wasn’t even a week ago when the Predators brought in another Swede on an entry-level deal in Johan Alm.
Thoughts on today’s moves from the Nashville Predators? What do you think the re-signing of Carter Hutton means for Magnus Hellberg and Marek Mazanec?
There sure is a whole lot of love for Kevin Henderson in this photo. Should we feel the same way if he ends up winning the Calder Cup with the Texas Stars? (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
Happy Monday, Roundtable. Plenty of goodies to discuss from the previous week of hockey. Let’s dive in.
~ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs~
The Cincinnati Cyclones are currently tied with the Alaska Aces, 1-1, through the first two-games of the Kelly Cup Finals. The opening three-games are being played in Alaska with the third taking place tonight at 9:15pm CST.
In Game 1, the Cyclones lost 5-3 despite holding 3-1 lead in the second period. They redeemed themselves in Game 2 by winning a tight 2-1 contest that included a saved penalty shot by Cyclones netminder Rod Madore.
With the victory in Game 2 by the Cyclones on the road, regardless of tonight’s outcome, they have a chance to close out the Kelly Cup in Cincinnati. The Kelly Cup Finals format is going 3-3-1 for a seven-game series. Winning one on the road is a plus. If they win tonight – the pressure is on big time for the Aces to push back on the road. Alaska won’t see home ice until Game 7 after the conclusion of tonight. One win for Cinci was good. Two would be even better.
~AHL Calder Cup Playoffs~
The Conference Finals are both heading to Game 6 scenarios with the team that is up controlling home ice from this point forward. We will know our 2014 AHL Calder Cup Final contenders on Wednesday night or sooner.
The St. John’s IceCaps are leading the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 3-2. The IceCaps had a 3-1 series lead and were in shouting distance, in the third period, of finishing the series in five games. Then came the equalizer from the Baby Pens – followed by the game-winner with sixteen-seconds remaining to force a Game 6 in St. John’s. That series resumes on Tuesday. If necessary, Game 7 will be played Wednesday.
Remember when the Toronto Marlies couldn’t lose? The top team in the AHL this season has them on the brink of elimination now. The Texas Stars have a 3-2 series lead and are heading to Texas looking to finish it tonight in Game 6. Should Drew MacIntyre and company hang on for a Game 7 – it will be played on Tuesday.
~Peter Laviolette Introduced to Nashville Fans~
The Nashville Predators new head coach made his first public appearance in his new surroundings at the Music City Sports Festival yesterday. There are plenty of goodies to read up on as well: Josh Cooper at The Tennessean, Jason Zito at On The Forecheck, and Jim Diamond has a real good story up on Rinkside Report regarding Seth Jones first impression on Coach Lavi.
All things sound good from his first appearance. I was really happy with his appointment as head coach. I can’t wait to see where he takes the Predators over the next few years.
~NHL Stanley Cup Finals~
Catch last night’s brilliant Game 7 between the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks? Of course you did, and we now know that the New York Rangers will be joined by the Kings in this year’s Stanley Cup Finals. I’d have loved to see an all Original Six match-up for the cup. That said, I’d like to take the Rangers in six-games. Who do you have winning the Cup?
Awards! Awards Everywhere! (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
On Wednesday night, following the first day of the Milwaukee Admirals “Garage Sale” event, myself and a group of fans went to Major Goolsby’s to discuss and create the Admirals Roundtable annual Paper Plate Awards. For those that missed out on that shindig: (1) I would love for us to have some more get-togethers like that and (2) feel free to add your own in the comments!
New to the Roundtable and don’t know the Paper Plate tradition? Check out Ryan Miller’s previous contributions in 2010-11, 2011-12 (Part I and Part II) and 2012-13. Get the gist? Perfect! Now let’s dish out the awards.
1, Hannu Toivonen: The Punniness Man of the Year Award – There wasn’t a player who made a bigger impact in the Milwaukee hockey pun world than Hannu Toivonen this season. After spending the first part of his season with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL he instantly got Hannu lease on life with the Admirals. It may not have been a long stay for him… but boy did the Twitter puns start getting Hannoying.
2, Anthony Bitteto: The Honorary Sconnie Award – This season Anthony Bitetto slowly but surely developed into a fully blown Sconnie before our eyes. He went to a Green Bay Packers game. His dog, named Reggie, became a Packers fan. He went hunting. He went hunting a lot. Like, a lot. So much so he earned a patch to make it official. Sure, the Admirals take their annual Brewers trip as well but that didn’t stop him from also attending more games. We Sconnies accept you as one of our own, Tony.
3, Jonathan Diaby: The Gregor Clegane “Mountain” Award – He joined at the end of the season but instantly showcased something that set him apart from his new teammates. HE IS CRAZY HUGE. Can you imagine him skating in a defensive pair with Ryan Ellis? No. You can’t.
4, Scott Ford: The Ironman Award – There are plenty of hockey players that battle through injury. The best known Admirals story from this season? Scott Ford returning from a broken foot. He was supposed to be out of action for up to six-weeks. He returned to game action exactly twenty-days following his injury citing his foot felt better in a stiff boot anyways.
5, Teddy Ruth, Michael Young, Jaynen Rissling: The Diabolical Digit Award – This was a bad year for the #5 this season. Sure, Rissling inherited when he joined very late in the season but no other number was used more this season by the Admirals. Ruth retired. Young signed on an ATO, was injured in his first professional game, and was released. Here is hoping the #5 has a better fate in 2014-15.
7, Joe Piskula: The Homestate Hero Award – The Antigo native didn’t just have a great season on the ice. He also had an amazing time off of it. The standout day in mind comes from the Admirals “Antigo Day” which was featured in an episode of All Access. He, as always, was his humble Sconnie self. Oh, and I believe Bitetto would consider him a hunting enabler. Just saying.
8, Filip Forsberg: The Magnifying Glass Award – Ever since his acquisition from the Washington Capitals last season, Filip Forsberg has been under the Nashville microscope BIG time. I completely understand why, as well. He was traded for Michael Latta after all. Truth be told, the kid that drops the teenager title in August still has that little bit more to go yet. I should know. I’ve been telling plenty of Predators fans that all season.
10, Patrick Cehlin: The “I Punched Jon Blum In The Face” Award – This should go without saying… but that was awesome.
11, Paul Crowder: The Longest Neck Award – He played in four-games this season. Just four. Meaning we didn’t really get to witness the amazingness that is Paul Crowder’s neck.
12, Mikko Vainonen: The Next Joonas Jarvinen Award – Finnish? Check. Has a height of 6’3″ tall? Check. Came up through the SM-Liiga? Check. “Stay-at-home” defenseman? Check. Impossible to find photos of him “smiling” on the internet? Yep, they are the same guy.
13, Joe Pendenza: The “Don’t You Forget About Me” Award – He joined the Admirals on an ATO contract after finishing a college playing career for U-Mass-Lowell. After the Ads elimination from this year’s Calder Cup Playoffs he became the second man to re-sign for the 2014-15 season behind Mike Liambas. Joe Pendenza played five-games with the Admirals. Expect him to play more later this year.
15, Kevin Henderson: The Greener Pastures Award – It wasn’t really a trade but it basically worked like one. The Admirals and Texas Stars swapped loan deals between Kevin Henderson and Francis Wathier. While Wathier did well here – Henderson joined the AHL’s best team in the regular season and is in shouting distance of competing in the 2014 Calder Cup Finals.
15, Braden Pimm: The Most Likely To Be Carded Into His Thirties Award – Just look at that face. Now realize this. That face is five-year’s older than this one. …ok, I think both could win this one.
16, Mathieu Tousignant: The Virtual Aspects Closed Captioning Award – When Bitetto asked me if I translate what he says after I interview him, I said I did. It was no joke. Tousi can talk an interesting but amazing form of Frenchified-English faster than the human mind can possibly articulate it – and it is a wonder how anyone could interpret his on ice chirping. (Bonus Points for laughing like the Count)
17, Mike Liambas: The Nostradamus Award – Back in January, while doing a feature story on him, Bus-y accurately predicted his rookie roommate Colton Sissons’ season. AHL All Star and NHL call-up. And he said it on tape. He’s a wise one that Liambas.
18, Colton Sissons: The “Veni, Vidi, Vici” Award – As mentioned above: All Star, NHL call up, first NHL point in his first NHL game (assist), first NHL goal, and was consistently one of the Admirals best all-around players this season. Oh yeah, he was only playing in his first professional playing season at the age of 20-years old. Take a bow if you haven’t already, Colton.
19, Calle Jarnkrok: The Sickest Flow Award – This year’s hot acquisition by the Nashville Predators was able to make an instant impact in the system upon his arrival. No, not the amazing point streak that he had with the Admirals or the Predators. I’m talking about that flow – which was NHL ready from day one.
20, Miikka Salomaki: The “What About Me?” Award – The Nashville Predators called up Taylor Beck, Simon Moser, Colton Sissons, and Mark Van Guilder this season. As for the rookie Finn who finished the season as the Admirals leading scorer? Nope. His name may have always been in the discussion from the start of the season on-forward but Miikka Salomaki never saw the NHL this season. Welp, there is always next year.
21, Simon Moser: The Roundtable’s Olympic Champion Award – Nashville had their share of representatives at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. But so did the Milwaukee Admirals thanks to Simon Moser and Team Switzerland aka Team Moser. He was someone we all cheered for and even had his Olympic moment – scoring a game-winning goal in Switzerland’s opening contest.
22, Scott Valentine: The Facepunching of Bobby Shea Award – If there was an honorary award for the Rockford IceHogs… Bobby Shea would receive the “Biggest Idiot of the Year” Award. Luckily for the Admirals involvement with aforementioned dunderhead extraordinaire – Scott Valentine gave him the punishment many around the game would happily like to have dished up. That was this season’s Liambas vs. McKelvie and I, for one, loved it.
23, Kirill Gotovets: The “How Did I Get Here?” Award – No seriously. He and I still don’t really know how he became an Admiral. Not that it mattered too much because he was eventually let go anyways.
23, Garrett Noonan: The Best Nickname Award – You might be asking yourself just who is Garrett Noonan and what is his nickname? Well my friends, his nickname is Fozzie and we’ll be cheering Fozzie on later this fall.
24, Zach Budish: The Big Head Award – While the debate between Zach Budish and Taylor Beck could go on for years – it was Budish and his teammates who made this name stick. In fact, the full blame may as well go to Budish who gave us the soundbite of the year in Chatterbox.
29, Mark Van Guilder: The Story of the Year Award – I can’t think of a better story that took place this entire season than when 30-year old Mark Van Guilder finally was called up to play NHL hockey. He is as fantastic of a person as you could come across and he earned that call up. Not only did he get his long deserved NHL game. He also provided the NHL Network with their best TV in the history of the network.
31, Marek Mazanec: The Living Emoticon Award – There probably isn’t a player on the team with a better or more frequently displayed smirk on their face. Heck, remember his “almost” goalie fight against Kent Simpson? One of those goalies really wanted to go. Why? the other was laughing and smirking at him the entire time.
33, Bryan Rodney: The Thunderdome Award – There wasn’t a more polarizing player on the Milwaukee Admirals this entire season. Some loved him. Some didn’t. Some nights he would be a liability on defense. Other nights he would serve up perfect passes that triggered goals. Love him. Hate him. He’s the Thunderdome.
36, Joonas Jarvinen: The Least Photogenic Player Award – Just as his clone Mikko Vainonen… he suffers from not–able–to–smile–itis. … he tries, and we love him for that.
41, Taylor Beck: The Most Valuable Player Award – This is one that could very well be debated from a few players but I dare you to defy Taylor Beck’s outstanding 2013-14 season and its impact on the Milwaukee Admirals. He did it all and, frankly, shouldn’t have been with the Admirals for as long as he was.
45, Magnus Hellberg: The Curse of the Goalie Bobblehead Award – When Jeremy Smith was given a bobblehead as an active Admiral player last season he was promptly passed by another goalie and hampered with injury – including a high ankle sprain. This season, Magnus Hellberg was bestowed with a bobblehead of his own as an active playing netminder for the Admirals… only to struggle with injury for the first time in his playing career… including a similar high ankle sprain to that of Smith. Future goalies beware.
47, Francis Wathier: The St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s MVP – Get the reference? How about now? Out of the Admirals players that participated in this year’s “Cuts for a Cause” event none lost more hair than Wathier.
51, Austin Watson: The Mad Hatter Award – There was only one player this entire season who scored a hat trick for the Milwaukee Admirals. It was Austin Watson. And he not only saw hats hit the ice… but about one-thousand more teddy bears the very same night.
55, Charles-Olivier Roussel: The Good Guy Award – It became more and more apparent as the season trucked along that there wasn’t a player who enjoyed giving back to fans more than Mr. Roussel. He is always excited to meet and greet the Admirals fans. He participates in Admirals community outreach programs such as the reading program – where he frequently visited the French immersion school downtown. He even is noted for taking time on the road to acknowledge traveling fans inside and out of the rink. And, if you didn’t know already, is an active friendly voice on social media. Never change, Good Guy Charles.
74, Vinny Saponari: The Most Ginger Player Award – I’m not going to lie. A ten-year old fan at our Goolsby’s Roundtable event came up with this one and it was too perfect.
Admirals Roundtable 