This is the time of year in which Wild prospects can come up from their amateur teams either in college (if they're finishing their college careers) or from the Canadian Hockey League (if their team is out of the playoffs and they're planning to turn pro next season) and help out on the farm during the end of the season and playoffs.If you recall from last season, that's how the Aeros got Ryan Jones and Colton Gillies at the end of regular season and for the short playoff run. And it's always exciting (to me, at least) to finally get a sneak peek at some of these guys. So, I thought I'd run through the guys in the system who either could join the team at the end here and/or will be of age to play with the Aeros next season.
Cody Almond C - Currently with the Kelowna Rockets, who have secured a playoff spot in the Western Hockey League, so unless they lose out early, we likely won't see him. But he is turning 20 this summer and has 4 years of junior under his belt, so he's due to turn pro this Fall.
Carson McMillan RW - Currently with the Calgary Hitmen -- a very good Hitmen team that has clinched the WHL Eastern Conference title, so I would expect them to go pretty far in the playoffs and we won't get a whiff of Carson until the Fall. But, like Almond, he is 20 already and has 4 years in the WHL, so it's pro time for him, too. (He has an action figure!)
Anthony Aiello D - In his senior season with Boston College and hasn't done much to impress this season and has even been an occasional healthy scratch. I'm pretty sure it's supposed to work the other way in college where the upperclassmen are the studs. Regardless, his college playing days are over once BC finishes their playoff run, so it's pro or nothing.I'd love to see him get his act together and find a spot in Houston because he's seriously foxy.
And then there's... uh... okay, that list ended quicker than I'd hoped, but the rest of the guys are too young or European (and who knows what the hell they're doing) or still in college.
So, it looks like we won't be getting much help from the prospects unless one of the junior boys' teams get knocked out of the playoffs early. Is it wrong to root against Kelowna and Calgary for my own selfish reasons? And if it were wrong, do you really think that would stop me? Pfft.
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I know sometimes NHL teams will send some of their younger guys down to the AHL for a playoff run if they're not in the post-season. (Big part of the reason we were bounced by the Ads a couple years ago. Tootoo? Weber? SERIOUSLY?) Any chance we see Clutterbuck, Sheppard, Gilles, Olvecky in Houston for the PO's if the Wild don't make the dance?
We're about to post this but Scott and Olvecky are both on the Clear Day roster for the Aeros, so they'll be back.
I'm not sure what the rules are around sending guys down from the NHL who aren't on that roster, though I'm 100% sure they wouldn't send Cluts or Shep down. Gillies, a little time down here wouldn't hurt, but I doubt that happens either.
"And then there's... uh... okay, that list ended quicker than I'd hoped, but the rest of the guys are too young or European (and who knows what the hell they're doing)..."
Well I do. Unfortunately there aren’t that many European prospects for the Aeros/Wild. The one player that would be ready for AHL is a goalie and I think that this is not something that you would really need at the moment. Niko Hovinen (G 132nd overall 2006) had a breakthrough season of sorts in the Finnish National league posting a 2,92 GAA in 21 games with 2 shutouts as the backup goalie for the Pelicans. With the current goalie situation you probably won’t see him in few more seasons if at all.
Harri Ilvonen D (170th 2007) and Eero Elo (145th 2008) are several seasons away. The former’s team mate Jori Lehtera (C) from Tappara (FNL) just signed a three game tryout with the Peoria Rivermen. You have to watch out for him next weekend, he was the 13th leading scorer(56gp 9+38=47) in FNL this season and could do some damage on the power play (well if he gets a chance)....
Apart from that I think its only Ondrej Fiala who played in KHL last season....so not too many then.
Nice work AeroFinn! Thank you!
This organization really does need a goalie prospect, but they'd end up in the ECHL most likely... probably better to just stay in Finland.
I've love to get a look at Hovinen... he's huge, right? Maybe they'll finally get him over for camp this summer.
Yeah Hovinen is big (6.7) and in "good hands": the current goalie coach of the Pelicans is Pasi Nurminen, the former Atlanta Trashers Nr.1. Nurminen’s own playing career was cut short by a bad knee injury while playing in Europe during the lockout. Hovinen covers the net well (maybe not too hard with that frame...) but needs to improve his overall game (rebound control etc.) to be able to challenge for the regular starting position /move to AHL/NHL.
Hoping to see Mr. Hrkac play on Sunday. I still remember having him in my "rebuilt" original San Jose Sharks team in NHL 93 (that PC game). Man was he slow!
Kidding aside, I think he should be a good addition to the Aeros line-up. Just give him a couple of games.
Terrific info!
You know, if I had a Finnish goalie in my system, I'd sure as shootin' want to keep him IN FINLAND until I need him. I mean, who cranks out better goalies than Finland? I've been shopping for Finnish Spring Water at Central Market to put in my water bottle for my own games. :D
I think the secret is in this traditional Finnish dish:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammi
Althought I think you would be hard pressed to find it in Houston or be willing to try it. Looks bit "suspicious" to say the least.
Btw where can you buy The Hockey News in Houston? I asked at the Borders on Kirby Drive but they do not have it.
Thanks in advance! And sorry for this off topic message, but I thought this would be my chance here.
I'll have to check that out. I'm pretty sure I'll do anything if it will help my goaltending. Oh, other than working out like I should. Ha!
I have yet to find a place that sells THN. That Borders on Kirby does carry the special editions, though, like the Fantasy Pool guide and other stuff like that. I'd love to just subscribe to it, but it's behind a new glove and blocker and my league fees in order of importance for disposable income allocation. :)
Ok thanks for that info! Good to know that I can at least get my special editions from there. I should be around for the next few "seasons"... Since I don’t have to worry about goalie gear, I might actually subscribe to THN then. Having subscribed to that from Europe the N.A. subscription price feels like small pocket money now.
No doubt. I'll try and remember to say something when there are special editions coming out. After I secure mine, of course. :D
that'd be great, thanks! :-)
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