Absurd Goalie Monday: Pierre Hamel

There were a good amount of odd names when it came to the NHL expansion era and this is another one. While he was destined for minor league purgatory, this week's AGM was able to latch on with an expansion team and get some time in the NHL, even though it didn't show off his best skills. This week, the profile of Pierre Hamel.

Hamel started off in the 1969-70 season, playing for a Junior B team in Quebec, St-Victor Voisons, before getting called up to the QMJHL's Verdun Maple Leafs-- appearing in 15 games and posting a 4-9-0 record. Playing 46 games for Verdun in 1970-71 yielded a 19-25-1 record for Hamel. In the 1971-72 season, Hamel was moved to the Laval National, going 3-12-0 before being traded to the Drummondville Rangers, where Hamel would pick himself up finishing with a 23-9-1 record in 36 games, then going 4-4 in the playoffs.

Graduating from Junior hockey, Hamel moved to the senior ranks with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the WIHL. Hamel will spend the 1972-73 and 1973-74 seasons there, before getting a professional chance during the 1973-74 season with the Central Hockey Leagues Salt Lake Golden Eagles, where he would lose the only game he appeared in.

During the fall of 1974, Hamel signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but would spend the majority of the season in the CHL with the Oklahoma City Blazers, going 22-12-6 in 44 games, while also going 1-2-0 in four games with the Maple Leafs. Full time in Oklahoma City in the 1975-76 season, Hamel played in 39 games and posted a 14-12-6 record while going 0-2 in the playoffs. With the Blazers in the 1976-77 season, Hamel finished with a 5-19-4 record in 33 games.

Hamel was moved to the Dallas Black Hawks in the 1977-78 season, going 15-16-1 in 36 games. However, for the 1978-79 season, Hamel got a promotion to the AHL with the New Brunswick Hawks and posted a 18-12-5 record in 37 games, then 1-2 in the playoffs. Hamel also made an appearance for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but didn't factor in the decision.

Left exposed in the Expansion Draft, the Winnipeg Jets picked up Hamel for the their inaugural roster, where he would go 9-19-3 in 35 games for the Jets. Back in Winnipeg for the 1980-81 season, Hamel only went 3-20-4 in 29 games and would be sent down to CHL's Tulsa Oilers for nine games and posted a 2-5-1 record. Hamel spent five games with Tulsa in the 1981-82 season and going 3-1-0 before moving to the AHL's Fredericton Express and go 5-15-3 in 29 games.

While Hamel played two games for the Sherbrooke Jets of the 1982-83 season in the AHL (1-1-0), he would go overseas to play for Dusseldorfer EG of the West Germany Division 2 league.

Hamel came back to North America for the 1983-84 season with the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and the Carolina Thunderbirds, as well as in the 1984-85 season-- playing a combined 74 games for Carolina before hanging up his pads in retirement.

Even when he was just supposed to be roster spot filler for the Jets, Hamel did get to see some time in front of a poor expansion team. Overall, it seemed that mediocre performances with mediocre teams was the undoing of Hamel, even in the climate of NHL expansion.

Expansion Stat Pack for 01.20.13

There's been a couple of slips, as the Denver Cutthroats in the CHL and the Fort Wayne Komets have lost a little ground since the last check-in, but the Sherbrooke Phoenix are trying to rise from the expansion ashes and are currently in the last playoff spot of the QMJHL. Even the Evansville IceMen are making a small charge, so who knows what could happen down the stretch.

(Stats before the games on 01.20.13; Does NOT include members not on active roster)

ECHL 
Orlando Solar Bears: 17-20-2-2; 5th in South Division, 12th in Eastern Conference
     -Matthew Sisca: 8g, 21a, -5
     -Dan Gendur: 14g, 11a, -15
     -Ryan Cruthers: 11g, 10a, -17
     -John Curry: 15-10-2-0, 2.79 GAA, .911 Sv%

San Francisco Bulls: 14-20-1-4; 4th in Pacific Division, 8th in Western Conference
     -Peter Sivik: 17g, 18a, -8
     -Dean Ouellet: 18g, 15a, -12
     -Rob Kwiet: 6g, 19a, -2
     -Thomas Heemskerk: 11-12-1-2, 3.26 GAA, .899 Sv%

Evansville IceMen: 16-23-1-3; 5th in North Division, 14th in Eastern Conference
     -Josh Beaulieu: 17g. 20a, -10
     -Todd Robinson: 2g, 34a, -22
     -Nathan Moon: 12g, 15a, -9
     -Paul Karpowich: 7-9-1-1, 3.04 GAA, .906 Sv%

Fort Wayne Komets: 22-19-1-1; 3rd in North Division, 7th in Eastern Conference
     -Brandon Marino: 12g, 35a, +7
     -Brett N. Smith: 8g, 23a, -5
     -Jean-Michel Rizk: 15g, 10a, -2
     -Ken Reiter: 12-7-0-1, 2.84 GAA, .913 Sv%

CHL 
Denver Cutthroats: 19-15-4, 6th in Berry Division/Conference/League
     -AJ Gale: 24g, 27a, +2
     -Brad Smyth: 16g, 29a, +12
     -Troy Schwab: 12g, 30a, +8
     -Kent Patterson: 11-7-2, 2.93 GAA, .915 Sv%

QMJHL 
Sherbrooke Phoenix: 12-27-2-4, 6th in Telus West Division, 16th in QMJHL
     -Michael McManee: 14g, 23a, -13
     -Alexandre Comtois: 16g, 18a, -29
     -Denis Kamaev: 9g, 23a, +4
     -Jacob Gervais-Chouinard: 11-16-1-3, 3.87 GAA, .890 Sv%

Expansion Stat Pack for 12.30.12

Since we last left you-- the Fort Wayne Komets seem to be the only consistent team out there. Many of the other teams have slipped just a bit, though their standings don't necessarily say as much. However, one surprise is that the Sherbrooke Phoenix are playing pretty well and after the Christmas break should have healed them up-- they'll make a run at the last spot of the QMJHL playoffs, as they are just behind the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

(Stats before the games on 12.30.12; Does NOT include members not on active roster)

ECHL 
Orlando Solar Bears: 14-15-2-2; 5th in South Division, 11th in Eastern Conference
     -Matthew Sisca: 8g, 18a, E
     -Michael Wilson: 2g, 19a, +1
     -Dan Gendur: 10g, 9a, -7
     -John Curry: 12-7-2-0, 2.61 GAA, .913 Sv%

San Francisco Bulls: 10-14-1-2; 3rd in Pacific Division, 8th in Western Conference
     -Dean Ouellet: 16g, 12a, -9
     -Peter Sivik: 11g, 17a, -7
     -Justin Bowers: 8g, 19a, -14
     -Thomas Heemskerk: 11-12-1-2, 3.26 GAA, .899 Sv%

Evansville IceMen: 11-19-0-3; 5th in North Division, 14th in Eastern Conference
     -Josh Beaulieu: 13g. 16a, -11
     -Todd Robinson: 1g, 22a, -22
     -Dylan Clarke: 10g, 12a, +1
     -Paul Karpowich: 4-7-0-1, 3.49 GAA, .890 Sv%

Fort Wayne Komets: 16-13-1-1; 3rd in North Division, 6th in Eastern Conference
     -Brandon Marino: 10g, 28a, +8
     -Josh Brittain: 13g, 14a, +10
     -Brett N. Smith: 6g, 13a, -8
     -Ken Reiter: 8-6-0-1, 2.90 GAA, .911 Sv%

CHL 
Denver Cutthroats: 18-11-2, 3rd in Berry Division/Conference/League
     -AJ Gale: 18g, 22a, E
     -Brad Smyth: 16g, 23a, +10
     -Troy Schwab: 9g, 26a, +7
     -Kent Patterson: 10-5-0, 2.87 GAA, .911 Sv%

QMJHL 
Sherbrooke Phoenix: 10-21-2-3, 6th in Telus West Division, 17th in QMJHL
     -Michael McManee: 9g, 19a, -14
     -Denis Kamaev: 8g, 18a, -1
     -Alexandre Comtois: 10g, 15a, -24
     -Jacob Gervais-Chouinard: 9-12-1-2, 4.06 GAA, .882 Sv%

Absurd Goalie Monday: Jacques Cloutier

This week's AGM is a goalie who was able to be a workhorse in the junior leagues, but was never able to stay healthy enough in the pros to show off his talents. Of course, it could be a harder transition for him, but he did what he could and then moved to a teaching role after learning so much. This week, the profile of Jacques Cloutier.

Cloutier started his trek in the QMJHL with the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs starting in the 1976-77 season, playing in 25 games and posting an 11-6-2 record. Starting in the 1977-78 season, Cloutier became a workhorse for Trois-Rivieres, playing in 71 games of the team's 72-- compiling a 46-17-7 record, then going 12-1 in the playoffs, helping them win the QMJHL Championship. Cloutier would go 1-3 in the Memorial Cup that season. Cloutier played all 72 games for Trois-Rivieres in the 1978-79 season and had a 58-8-6 record, then 12-1 in the playoffs again, then 2-2 in the Memorial Cup. After the Buffalo Sabres drafted Cloutier in 1979, he had his workload cut down, playing only 55 games in the 1979-80 season, finishing with a 27-20-7 record-- then 3-4 in the playoffs.

Turning pro for the 1980-81 season, Cloutier would head to the AHL with the Rochester Americans; getting into 61 games and coming up with a 27-27-6 record. In the 1981-82 season, Cloutier went 14-7-2 in 23 games in Rochester, while being called into duty for the Sabres and putting up a 5-1-0 record in seven games. Cloutier stayed with Buffalo for the bulk of the 1982-83 season as a back-up (10-7-6), but the Sabres traded for an experienced back-up; putting Cloutier back in Rochester-- where he would go 7-3-1 in 13 games, then posting a 12-4 playoff record lifting Rochester to the Calder Cup.

The 1983-84 season, Cloutier was back in Rochester playing in 51 games with a final count of 26-22-1 and then going 9-9 in the playoffs. In the 1984-85 season, Cloutier would play 14 games in Rochester (10-2-1) and one game in Buffalo (0-0-1) before he tore some of his knee ligaments, putting him out for the rest of the season. The injury would keep Cloutier out until midway through the 1985-86 season, but he would get into 14 games with Rochester (10-2-2) and then 15 for Buffalo (5-9-1); then playing five games for Canada in the World Championship, helping the country get bronze.

Thanks to injury and inconsistent play for Tom Barrasso, Cloutier was able to stay up with Buffalo for the 1986-87 season, going 11-19-5 in 40 games, but the 1987-88 season saw Cloutier get into a logjam in Buffalo, playing only 20 games and posting a 4-8-2 record in that time. In the 1988-89 season, Cloutier was still in the logjam, but injuries and a horrific moment to Clint Malarchuk would put Cloutier in the spotlight. Cloutier would have a 15-14-0 record in 36 appearances and would go 1-3 in the playoffs. Also, Cloutier spent 11 games in Rochester, but with a lackluster 2-7-0 record.

Before the 1989-90 season, Cloutier was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, where Cloutier would be a starter in that season for 43 games and compile an 18-15-2, then going 0-2 in four playoff games. Cloutier was hung up in another logjam in Chicago during the 1990-91 season-- being pushed out by Ed Belfour and then Dominik Hasek-- only getting on 10 games with a 2-3-1 record.

During January 1991, Cloutier was traded to the Quebec Nordiques and would finish the season there, appearing in 15 games with a 3-8-2 record. As a back-up in 1991-92, Cloutier appeared in 26 games and posted a 6-14-3 record. Cloutier was the third goalie during the 1992-93 season for Quebec, only appearing in three games and going 0-2-1. The 1993-94 season, brought more games for Cloutier-- but finishing with a 3-2-1 record in 14 appearances. After that season, Cloutier would retire from playing.

Cloutier stuck to hockey, but hired by the Nordiques as an AHL assistant coach with the Cornwall Aces from 1994 until 1996, then being promoted to assistant/goalie coach of the Colorado Avalanche-- winning Stanley Cup rings in 1996 and 2001. He was let go by the Avalanche in 2009, but would go over to Switzerland to help coach with Bob Hartley and help the Zurich Lions win a league championship and moved with Hartley from Switzerland to Calgary to be the assistant coach of the Flames whenever the lockout ends.

Junior stand-out that got hampered by injury and during a time where goalies were plentiful, Cloutier was part of the casualties that, but did make a good enough name for himself and had his mind for hockey-- transitioning it to a solid coaching career.

Expansion Stat Pack for 12.14.12

Since we last left you, the Denver Cutthroats have made HUGE strides in the CHL, going from 9th in the League all the way up to 3rd on the back of AJ Gale and Brad Smyth. Even the Sherbrooke Phoenix have made some impressive strides to get into the playoff chase, but still have a lot of ground to make up. The ECHL has the steady up and down of Orlando and San Francisco while the Fort Wayne Komets are the only playoff team out of the four new ECHL teams thus far.

(Stats before the games on 12.14.12)

ECHL 
Orlando Solar Bears: 10-11-2-2; 5th in South Division, 9th in Eastern Conference
     -Nick Petersen: 11g, 13a, E
     -Matthew Sisca: 5g, 13a, -3
     -Ryan Cruthers: 8g, 7a, -5
     -John Curry: 9-5-2-0, 2.64 GAA, .911 Sv%

San Francisco Bulls: 10-14-1-2; 3rd in Pacific Division, 6th in Western Conference
     -Dean Ouellet: 14g, 11a, -6
     -Justin Bowers: 6g, 19a, -9
     -Peter Sivik: 10g, 13a, -5
     -Thomas Heemskerk: 9-10-1-1, 3.41 GAA, .897 Sv% 

Evansville IceMen: 10-14-0-2; 5th in North Division, 12th in Eastern Conference
     -Josh Beaulieu: 11g. 10a, -7
     -Todd Robinson: 1g, 17a, -15
     -Nathan Moon: 9g, 7a, -7
     -Rod Madore: 4-7-0-0, 3.11 GAA, .905 Sv% 

Fort Wayne Komets: 12-9-0-1; 3rd in North Division, 8th in Eastern Conference
     -Brandon Marino: 9g, 20a, +7
     -Josh Brittain: 10g, 9a, +7
     -Colin Chaulk: 2g, 15a, +2
     -Ken Reiter: 5-4-0-1, 2.78 GAA, .919 Sv% 

CHL 
Denver Cutthroats: 14-8-1, 3rd in Berry Division/Conference/League
     -AJ Gale: 13g, 18a, -2
     -Brad Smyth: 13g, 16a, +7
     -Troy Schwab: 7g, 18a, +3
     -Kieran Millan: 7-4-1, 2.25 GAA, .929 Sv% 

QMJHL 
Sherbrooke Phoenix: 8-20-2-2, 6th in Telus West Division, 17th in QMJHL
     -Michael McManee: 9g, 17a, -10
     -Cole Hawes: 8g, 17a, -5
     -Alexandre Comtois: 6g, 14a, -25
     -Jacob Gervais-Chouinard: 7-12-1-1, 4.19 GAA, .878 Sv%

On the Topic Of the QMJHL's Player Support Program

On Monday, the QMJHL started their week-long awareness week of their Player Support Program entitled "Let's Talk." The deal is that the QMJHL has representatives to every team and it allows the players to come forth with whatever problems they may be having in their life-- on the ice or off-- and give them the help they need in order to actually get better. The program was started in 2009, but seems to be made public just this week.

(Ed. Note: If it has been brought up before and I missed it, I apologize.)

Such a great idea that is long overdue, especially in Major Junior hockey. For a group of 16-20 year olds to be away from their family and face the rigors of a professional life at a developing age; problems are sure to develop to some, if not the majority, of players. While the WHL and OHL have yet made public their programs of the like, I'm sure they will have some players come forth to get something done.

Though is has come in like a lamb, the idea of this from the QMJHL is fantastic. While the QMJHL is fairly centrally located and the travel not too horrible, the fact these kids now have an outlet to talk about and not have to worry about being outed or shown as overly weak is a good thing and a step in the right direction. Especially with mental health and well-being being at the forefront of hockey in the past few years-- it's pretty solid to have a program like this available.

Granted, most teams and leagues may have such a thing in place already, the fact the QMJHL has made it public puts them to the forefront and puts it at a team-by-team level rather than a broad-stroke availability for the players in the league. This will be more personal for the players and allow them to adapt as they play and not have to get out of a groove or alienate them by having the player leave the team for personal reasons and start up rumors by media and fans alike.

Hopefully, some other leagues will come out publicly with their own outline of their support system-- but if they don't have it already, the QMJHL has laid out a great blueprint for those who want to follow their lead.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Philippe Sauve

With many family lineages, the goaltending position is one that is the hardest to have success from top to bottom. This week's AGM is a guy who's father blazed a trail for the Buffalo Sabres and was one of their first great goalies. Although, in the end-- the son couldn't make the same impact and shouldn't have been expected to. This week, the profile of Philippe Sauve.

Sauve started with his midget AAA team in Laval-Laurentides and post a 9-10-0 record in 25 appearances and then 7-8 in 15 playoff games. In the 1996-97 season, Sauve moved to the major junior ranks for Rimouski Oceanic in the QMJHL, putting up an 11-9-2 record in 26 games, while in the 1997-98 season, Sauve went 23-16-0 for Rimouski and then 0-5 in seven playoff appearances. The Colorado Avalanche drafted Sauve in the 2nd Round of the Draft and then in the 1998-99 season, Sauve posted a 16-19-4 record for Rimouski and then 6-4 in 11 playoff games.

During the off-season, Sauve moved to Drummondville to play for the Voltigeurs for the 1999-2000 season and would go 12-12-2 in 28 games, then was traded to the Hull Olympiques mid-season and would go 9-7-1 in 17 games and 6-6 in the playoffs. Sauve also played for the USA in the World Juniors and go 0-1-1 in two games.

Embarking on his professional career, Sauve went to the Hershey Bears of the AHL in the 2000-01 season and finish 17-18-1 in 42 appearances, then 0-3 in the playoffs. The bulk of the starts went to Sauve in the 2001-02 season when he played in 55 games and compiled a 25-20-6 record with six shutouts and then a 3-5 record in the playoffs. Sauve would play 60 games in the 2002-03 season for the Bears, finishing there with a 26-20-12 regular season record and 2-3 playoff record.

In the 2003-04 season, Sauve was the back-up for the Colorado Avalanche behind David Aebischer and play in 17 games, putting up a 7-7-3 record, but would be sent down to Hershey for the end of the season and play in 10 games, finishing with a 3-7-0 record. During the lockout season of 2004-05, Sauve signed with the ECHL's Mississippi Sea Wolves and would go 13-4-4 in 21 games while going 1-3 in the playoffs.

In the summer of 2005, the Avalanche traded Sauve to the Calgary Flames for future consideration, but Sauve would only play for eight games in Calgary (3-3-0); then he would be traded in February to the Phoenix Coyotes with Steven Reinprecht for Brian Boucher and Mike Leclerc; though Sauve would go 0-4-0 in five appearances for the Coyotes.

The 2006-07 season was a whirlwind for Sauve. At first, he reported to the Coyotes' AHL affiliate-- the San Antonio Rampage-- for 10 games (4-5-0), but he would get traded to the Boston Bruins for a prospect. Sauve appeared in only two games for Boston, but didn't have a win-loss record. Sauve did go to the Providence Bruins in the AHL and go 10-11-1 in 23 games and then would be loaned out to the Hamilton Bulldogs for six games and post a 2-3-0 record.

In the 2007-08 season, the Iowa Stars called Sauve to play for them and he would play for 12 games and have a 5-5-0 record to show for it. Mid-season, Sauve went to Germany to play for the Hamburg Freezers for 13 games and have a 9-4-0 record, then 3-4 playoff record. At the end of that season-- Sauve hasn't been heard from.

Though it was hard to deal with the shadow that his dad casted over him with his name, Philippe did what he could to make his own mark. Whether it was mismanagement by those who tutored him or his skill being overvalued, Sauve seemed to just never reach the brass rings set out for him.

Expansion Stat Pack for 11.23.12

(These stats are for before the games of November 23rd)

While some things change, some things stay the same. Most teams have been standing pat when it comes to positioning, but there's other teams who make small advances and making up ground. The San Francisco Bulls seem to be the most bi-polar of teams, trying to find their identity in the ECHL and the Pacific Division.

ECHL
Orlando Solar Bears: 8-7-2-1; 3rd in South Division
     -Nick Petersen: 9g, 11a, +1
     -Olivier Fortier: 8g, 9a, -1
     -Matthew Sisca: 5g, 12a, -1
     -John Curry: 7-5-2-0, 2.82 GAA, .907 Sv%

San Francisco Bulls: 6-10-0-2; 3rd in Pacific Division
     -Justin Bowers: 5g, 12a, -4
     -Dean Ouellet: 6g, 7a, -5
     -Sacha Guimond: 5g, 8a, -1
     -Thomas Heemskerk: 5-7-0-1, 3.65 GAA, .893 Sv%

Evansville IceMen: 5-11-0-1; 5th in North Division
     -Todd Robinson: 1g, 15a, -16
     -Josh Beaulieu: 7g. 5a, -7
     -Patrick Kennedy: 4g, 6a, -3
     -Rod Madore: 3-6-0-0, 3.23 GAA, .899 Sv%

Fort Wayne Komets: 8-5-0-1; 3rd in North Division
     -Brandon Marino: 7g, 15a, +6
     -Colin Chaulk: 2g, 13a, +5
     -Josh Brittain: 6g, 4a, +6
     -Charlie Effinger: 4-3-0-0, 3.63 GAA, .891 Sv%

CHL
Denver Cutthroats: 6-7-0, 9th in Berry Division
     -AJ Gale: 9g, 11a, -5
     -Brad Smyth: 6g, 9a, +3
     -Troy Schwab: 3g, 11a, -4
     -Kieran Millan: 4-3-0, 2.36 GAA, .926\Sv%

QMJHL
Sherbrooke Phoenix: 4-18-1-1, 6th in Telus West Division
     -Cole Hawes: 8g, 15a, -3
     -Michael McManee: 8g, 14a, -9
     -Alexandre Comtois: 6g, 8a, -28
     -Jacob Gervais-Chouinard: 3-11-0, 4.80 GAA, .859 Sv%

Absurd Goalie Monday: Ron Scott

Not many guys are able to move from Major Junior to the NCAA, no matter how hard the CHLPA tries to make you think they have the power to. However, this week's AGM was a bit of a nomad in the start-- going from major junior to NCAA to a team with no home at the end of the season. He wasn't lost in the shuffle there, but later on in his career. This week, the profile of Ron Scott.

Scott started his trek with the Cornwall Royals of the QMJHL in 1978-79 and would play in 56 games and compile a 21-24-6 record, while then going 3-4 in the playoffs. During the 1979-80 season, Scott played in 41 games with a 19-11-3 record, then went 11-5 in the playoffs to help Cornwall win the President's Cup for league champion. In the Memorial Cup, Scott went 3-2 to help the Royals win the Memorial Cup.

In a time were the NCAA still allowed major junior players to be eligible for college hockey, Scott moved to the Michigan State Spartans to play in the 1980-81 season, posting an 11-21-1 record in his first season, which was able to get WCHA Freshman of the Year honors and WCHA First All-Star Team. Scott vastly improved to 24-13-1 in the 1981-82 season. The 1982-83 season had Scott go 29-9-1 in 40 games. In both the 1981-82 and 1982-83 season, Scott was awarded CCHA First All-Star Team honors and NCAA West First All-Amercian Team honors.

In the summer of 1983, Scott signed with the New York Rangers and would play in nine games with the Rangers in the 1983-84 season (2-3-3), but he would spend most his season with the Tulsa Oilers; going 13-13-3 in 29 games and would help the Oilers win the Adams Cup for CHL champion-- despite the Oilers not having a home rink to play in during the last six weeks of the season. Scott and John Vanbiesbrouck would share the Terry Sawchuk Trophy for fewest goals against on the season.

Scott spent the 1984-85 season with the New Haven Nighthawks, playing in 38 games and finishing with a 13-18-4 record. Back in New Haven for the 1985-86 season, Scott would only play in 19 games (8-8-1), while also appearing four games with the Rangers (0-3-0). Another split season in the 1986-87 season, playing in New Haven for 29 games with a 16-7-0 record, while appearing in one game with the Rangers, which was a tie.

The 1987-88 season saw Scott all over, playing 17 games in New Haven (8-7-1), eight games with the Central League's Colorado Rangers (3-4-0; 1-4 playoff), and two games with the Rangers (1-1-0). The 1988-89 season had Scott stay in the Central League with the newly named Denver Rangers, playing in 18 games with a record of 7-11-0.

The Rangers opted not to re-sign Scott, so he was a free agent until the Los Angeles Kings signed him in January 1990, where he would play in 12 games with the Kings and go 5-6-0; as well as go back to New Haven to play 22 games and post a 8-11-1 record. Scott stayed in New Haven for the 1990-91 season, finishing the season with a 5-15-4 record before hanging up the pads for good.

From champion in the major juniors to a solid college career-- Scott made his name for a solid player, but was also lost in a deep shuffle of prospect in the Rangers ranks, while not being able to make his way into the mainstream for the Kings later on in his career.

Expansion Stat Pack For 10.19.2012

With me, I enjoy running bits and this one will be no different. Rather than get hung up on the NHL scuttlebutt, it's time to keep up with the new teams in the minor league ranks. Overall, the expansion teams have budded up over the ECHL this year, while the CHL had some teams taken and introduced a new team to their fold of teams. On this, we'll put the records, placement, and top scorers/goalie on their team. Something to expand your mind about the place of expansion teams.

ECHL
Orlando Solar Bears: 0-1-1-0, 3rd in South Division
     -Nick Petersen: 2g, 2a, -2
     -Ryan Cruthers: 2g, 1a, E
     -Matthew Sisca: 1g, 1a, -4
     -John Curry: 0-1-1, 4.00 GAA, .881 Sv%

San Francisco Bulls: 1-1-0-1, 2nd in Pacific Division
     -Justin Bowers: 2g, 5a, +1
     -Sacha Guimond: 2g, 2a, +1
     -Jordan Clendenning: 1g, 3a, +2
     -Thomas Heemskrek: 0-1-0-1, 3.86 GAA, .893 Sv%

Evansville IceMen: 0-1-0-0, 5th in North Division
     -Brett Sonne: 1g, 1a, E
     -Tyler Shattock: 1g, 0a, E
     -Jason Dale: 0g, 1a, E
     -Rob Madore: 0-0-0-0, 1.57 GAA, .875 Sv%

Fort Wayne Komets: 1-1-0-0, 4th in North Division
     -Brandon Marino: 3g, 2a, +2
     -Colin Chaulk: 0g, 3a, +1
     -Eric Giosa: 2g, 0a, -2
     -Ken Reiter: 1-0-0-0, 1.50 GAA, .958 Sv%

CHL
Denver Cutthroats: Season starts tonight, October 19th

QMJHL
Sherbrooke Phoenix: 2-8-0-1, 6th in TELUS West Division
     -Cole Hawes: 3g, 7a, E
     -Michael McNamme: 5g, 4a, -9
     -Alexandre Comtois: 4g, 2a, -16
     -Jacob Gervais-Chouinard: 2-6-0-0, 5.22 GAA, .835 Sv%

Better Know A Junior League: Canadian Hockey League

With the impending lockout doom-- DOOOOOOOM-- it's probably for the best that the actual NHL fans actually get acquainted with some other leagues out there. Yes, that's right, folks-- there's other hockey leagues out there besides the NHL. Crazy, I know. So, here we go. 

When you want to talk about the next rising stars that come to the NHL, you have to look at the Canadian Hockey League for the best bang-for-your-buck prospects feeder system for the pros. In the past few years, the CHL has been a cash-cow, growing in exposure and popularity thanks to the products they have developed.

The CHL is broken up into three leagues-- the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Western Hockey League. Each of them have their own style of play and it shows when the winners of the three league championships and the host city meet in the Memorial Cup playoffs to determine the top team in the CHL.

Starting in the QMJHL, the league itself is more of a finesse league from what I've seen. While they do have some contact, the primary focus is on the scoring side of things, more offensive driven game-plans, and overall highlight reel kind of goals. While 12 of the 18 teams are in the Province of Quebec and take up two divisions, the QMJHL has a third division for the other six teams in the Maritime provinces (three in New Brunswick, two in Nova Scotia, and one on Prince Edward Island).  The past two Memorial Cup champions came from the Q-- the Saint John Sea Dogs and Shawinigan Cataractes.

Moving to the other side of Canada, the WHL is a very blue-collar league. It's a grittier, tighter checking, very physical side of the CHL, but also has the ability to be a skill league with such players a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Scott Niedermayer, Mike Modano, Joe Sakic, and Ryan Getzlaf to come out of the league. The most spread out league in the CHL, the WHL has 22 teams-- six in British Columbia, five in Alberta, five in Saskatchewan, four in Washington state, one in Manitoba, and one in Oregon. The spread out nature gives prospects a chance to experience the rigorous NHL travel schedule.

The Ontario Hockey League is a blend of both the QMJHL and WHL style. A lot of finesse players with a gritty edge to it as well. Five of the last six 1st Overall Picks in the NHL Draft have been from the OHL-- Nail Yakupov, Taylor Hall, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares, and Patrick Kane. All except three teams of the 20 member teams are based in Ontario-- two are in Michigan and one in Pennsylvania. With a solid display of both physicality and finesse, the OHL brings the best of both the QMJHL and WHL to Ontario.

While there is a great upside to watching the CHL, the downside is the fact it isn't that accessible to the masses to go see unless you visit the Great White North of Canada or some border states that they land in. However, if you do have the chance to go see a game (which is perfect for the family and quite inexpensive), I highly suggest it because there's action across the leagues for kids who have a lot of determination to get to that next level.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Mario Lessard

This goalie was in one of the best comebacks in NHL history, but only screwed the pooch when trying to make a desperation play. While he came in like a house of fire, that play soon fizzled and he faded away from the game quietly, though he is a legend in his hometown. This week, the profile of Mario Lessard.

Lessard got his start with the QMJHL's Sherbrooke Castors in the 1969-70 season, playing in 15 games and finishing with a 3-5-0 record. Though he didn't play a lick in the 1970-71 season, Lessard came back with Sherbrooke for the 1971-72 season, going 7-8-1 in 21 contests; then losing all three playoff games he was in. For the 1972-73 season Lessard was playing in 40 games and finish with a 14-16-2 record, then went 4-2 in six playoff contests; while the 1973-74 season had Lessard in 44 games and compile a 19-17-0 record, but went 1-3 in four playoff games.

The Los Angeles Kings were the ones to pick Lessard in the 9th round of the 1974 NHL Draft and he would be placed in the IHL with the Saginaw Gears for the 1974-75 and 1975-76 season, playing 121 games over two years (sadly, no regular season records given) with seven shutouts and a 3.30 GAA. His playoff record over the two seasons was 10-7 in the 1975 playoffs and 7-5 in the 1976 playoffs. The 1976-77 season had Lessard play 44 games in Saginaw in the regular season, helping the Gears win the Turner Cup with a 12-6 record in 18 games. Lessard also played four games in the Central League with the Fort Worth Texans going 1-3-0.

Lessard would move up to the AHL with the Springfield Indians in the 1977-78 season, putting up a 30-17-6 record in 57 games, but would go 1-3 in the four playoff games he appeared in.

In the 1978-79 season, Lessard would be the start for the Kings after they lost Rogie Vachon to free agency and would go 23-15-10 in 49 games with four shutouts; but he would go 0-2 in the playoff games he appeared in. The 1979-80 season would be a little less successful, as Lessard would go 18-22-7 in 50 games, then 1-2 in four playoff games. Lessard rebounded in the 1980-81 season compiling a 35-18-11 record in 62 games, which allowed him to play in the NHL All-Star Game and be on the season-ending Second Team All-Star squad. Lessard also went 1-3 in the playoffs that season.

For the 1981-82 season, Lessard had a rough regular season with an 13-28-8 record in 52 games; but would go 4-5 in 10 playoff contests and was a part of one of the most famous games in Kings history, almost make it not happen at all. Lessard was in net for the Miracle in Manchester and almost lost the game for the Kings. During overtime, the puck was coming towards the Kings end with Glenn Anderson bearing down on it. Lessard made a move to go after the puck and cut him off-- but collided with Anderson, leaving an open-net for Mark Messier, but luckily Mark Hardy was there to distract Messier enough so that he would shoot it over the net. The Kings would win two minutes later, Lessard getting the win.

Lessard didn't have the year he wanted in the 1982-83 season, as he would finish with a 3-10-2 record in 19 games for Los Angeles before being loaned to Central League's Birmingham South Stars and putting together a 4-2-0 record in eight games, then posting a 6-3 record in 11 playoff matches. During the 1983-84 season, Lessard would only play six games with the Kings (0-4-1), before being sent down to the AHL's New Haven Nighthawks for five games (1-3-1) before finally deciding to retire after the season.

While his whereabouts have been unknown since then, he has gotten an arena named after him in East Broughton, Quebec. Lessard was able to come out of nowhere to come up big in his rookie year-- but inconsistency and pressure from all around the Kings organization to perform was something that was his demise in the NHL.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Sam St. Laurent

Though this week's AGM definitely has a niche for keeping his fashion from going out of style; his style itself was something that was more of shuttling back and forth from the minors to the NHL. Even so, he got success here and there, but nothing truly lasting. This week, the profile of Sam St. Laurent.

It all started for St. Laurent with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL in the 1975-76 season, where he would play in 17 games and finish with a 4-8-2 record. The 1976-77 season got St. Laurent more time in the cage, finishing with a 5-9-0 record in 21 appearances. Chicoutimi gave St. Laurent the starting job in the 1977-78 season, playing in 60 games and compiling a disappointing 12-35-10 record. In his final junior season, St. Laurent played 70 games in the 1978-79 and would finish with a 23-31-9 record.

St. Laurent would sign with the Philadelphia Flyers before the 1979-80 and would be put into their system. St. Laurent would play parts of four seasons with the IHL's Toledo Goaldiggers, playing in 85 games in that span, but no record to be recorded. However, St. Laurent would move his way into the AHL with the Maine Mariners for a few seasons to start with seven games in the 1980-81 season (3-3-0), 25 games in the 1981-82 season (15-7-1), and 30 games in the 1982-83 season (12-12-4), while also appearing in 17 playoff games with an 8-9 record.

Due to the playoff success, St. Laurent would stay the full 1983-84 season with the Mariners, appearing in 38 games, finishing with a 14-18-4 record and then in the playoffs posting a 9-2 record in 12 games. St. Laurent stepped into a bigger role in the 1984-85 season with Maine, posting a 26-22-7 record in 55 appearances and going 5-5 in 10 playoff games.

Before the 1985-86 season, St. Laurent was shipped to the New Jersey Devils for future considerations, but he would spend most of that season back in Maine, where he would play in 50 games and finish with a 24-20-4 record. St. Laurent would go on to win the Harry "Hap" Holmes Award for fewest goals-against in the season, as well as the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Award for Most Outstanding Goaltender in the AHL. St. Laurent would also play in four games for New Jersey and finishing with a 2-1-0 record.

The Devils would trade St. Laurent to the Detroit Red Wings for Steve Richmond in the summer of 1986, which would land St. Laurent with the Adirondack Red Wings for the 1986-87 season, playing 25 games and posting a 7-13-0 record; then going 1-2-2 in six games with Detroit. It was another split season for St. Laurent in the 1987-88 season, playing in 32 games in Adirondack (12-14-4) and six games in Detroit (2-2-0), but have his season end in the first playoff game he played in. While the split season of 1988-89 happened, it was a good year for St. Laurent in the AHL, as he would go 20-11-3 in 34 games with Adirondack and then 11-5 in 16 playoff games, helping them win the Calder Cup and giving St. Laurent the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy for Playoff MVP. That same year with Detroit, St. Laurent went 0-1-1 in four games.

The 1989-90 season was a big split season for St. Laurent, as he would spend 13 games in Adirondack with a 10-2-1 record and then get called up to Detroit and play 14 games there with a 2-6-1 record.

During the summer of 1990, St. Laurent was traded to the New York Rangers for cash going to Detroit, but the 1990-91 season, St. Laurent would play with the Binghamton Rangers, where he would go 19-16-4 record in 45 games. It was a short 1991-92 season for St. Laurent, who would play only one game for the Canadian National Team (a loss), be an extra for the Canadian Olympic team (which he got a silver medal), and then one games with Binghamton-- a no decision. He would retired following that season.

St. Laurent has the eternal distinction of being the last goalie to wear a full fiberglass mask in North American professional hockey-- NHL and AHL.

Post playing career, St. Laurent was retained by the Rangers a goalie coach and consultant from 1993 until 2004, where he was credited with developing the likes of Mike Richter, Dan Cloutier, and Jason Labarbera. After a year of consulting in Germany, St. Laurent started to do private consultations via appointment only.

A last of as dying breed, literally, St. Laurent didn't have the best teams in front of him, but he was able to hit his groove later on his tenures with teams. Though the team success and personal success came, it seemed that he was never cut out for the NHL for a length of time, due to one thing or another. Even so, he'll always have a space in goalie history for his facial protection.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Marc Denis

While this AGM did have some kind of prominence, it was with an expansion team. A once highly rated prospect, he was let go to the expansion team and moved onto an adventure of his own. While he didn't have the best career path, he did what he could with what was in front of him. This week, the profile of Marc Denis.

Denis' quest started in the 1992-93 season playing Midget "AAA" with Montreal-Bourassa for 26 games before moving onto the Trois-Rivieres Estacades in the 1993-94 season, putting together a 10-22-3 record in 36 games and 1-3 in the four playoff games he appeared in.

Denis started in the Major Junior ranks with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the 1994-95 season, playing in 32 games and putting up a 17-9-1 record and then going 4-2 in six playoff games. The 1995-96 season saw Denis get the starting role in Chicoutimi, playing in 51 games and posting a 23-22-4 record, then finishing 8-8 in 16 playoff games. Denis also played in the 1996 World Junior Championship, going 2-0-0 in this two games en route to Canada winning the Gold Medal. It was another big year for Denis in 1996-97, going 22-15-2 in 41 games, then 11-10 in 21 playoff games, as they won the QMJHL Title. The Sagueneens would go 0-3-0 in the Memorial Cup, however. Denis also played in the 1997 WJC, going 5-0-2 in seven games winning another Gold Medal. Denis was the best goaltending in the World Junior tournament. There were more awards for Denis that spring with him winning Canadian Major Junior Goalie of the Year award, as well as named to the CHL and QMJHL First All-Star Team.

Also during that 1996-97 season, Denis made his first appearance with the team that drafted him in 1996, the Colorado Avalanche, losing his first game in December of 1996. Denis also joined the AHL's Hershey Bears for the 1997 Playoffs, going 1-0 in four appearances, as the Bears would win the Calder Cup. Denis' first pro season was in the 1997-98 season with the Bears, where he would play 47 games and put up a 17-23-4 record and then 3-3 in six playoff games. In the 1998-99 season, Denis would be back in Hershey and finish up with a 20-23-5 record in 52 games and then 1-1 record in three playoff games. Denis was called up for four games with the Avalanche where he would go 1-1-1 in that span.

Back-up duty called for Denis in the 1999-2000 season, as he would be playing behind Patrick Roy. Denis would put together a 9-8-3 record in 23 appearances.

Before the 2000-01 season, Denis was traded from the Avalanche to the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets for a second-round choice. Denis played 32 games that season and finish with a 6-20-4 record. In the 2001-02 season, Denis played in 42 games, but only put up a 9-24-5 record. The 2002-03 season, Denis moved into the starter's role and played 77 games and put up a 27-44-8 record in that time. In the 2003-04 season, Denis' time shrunk with only 66 games in the cage, but had a 21-36-7 record to show for it. While he took the 2004-05 lockout season off, Denis returned to Columbus for the 2005-06 season and put together a 21-25-1 record in 44 games. Denis also played for Canada in the 2006 World Championship and would go 4-1-0 in five games for Canada's fourth place finish.

In the summer of 2006, Denis was traded from Columbus to Tampa Bay for Fredrik Norrena and Fredrik Modin. Denis stayed with the Lightning for the 2006-07 season, compiling a 17-18-2 record in 44 games. The 2007-08 season had Denis start out in Tampa, posting a 1-5-0 record in 10 games, but would be relegated to the AHL's Norfolk Admirals, finishing there with a 11-17-2 record in 32 games.

Denis signed as a free-agent in the summer of 2008 with the Montreal Canadiens, mostly playing that 2008-09 season with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, playing in 46 games and finished with a 27-18-0 record and then 2-4 record in six games. Denis did play one game with the Canadiens, which was a no-decision. After a summer with no offers, Denis hung up the pads.

After his playing career, Denis would go on to become a goalie coach for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the 2009-10 season, while then moving over to become an analyst for RDS in Quebec.

It wasn't the easiest of rides and may not have had the best of teams, but he showed that if he does have a good team in front of him, he could be productive. Even with mediocre teams in junior, he could lead them to a league championship. The odd death-kneel was the expansion team woes, which didn't see him climb out of that issue with flying colors.

The Perks of Playing Host

Last night, the Shawinigan Cataractes won the Memorial Cup on home ice, defeating the London Knights in overtime. It was the second straight season the QMHL has won the Memorial Cup and the ninth time the host team has won the Memorial Cup. In the 1982-83, the Canadian Hockey League said they would expand to a four-team tournament, including the three league champions and a host team. Now, the caveat in the early years is that the teams had to make it far enough to qualify to play in their own barn.

Only once since 1983 did only three teams play and that was in 1987 when the OHL decided to hold a "Super Series" between Oshawa and North Bay. Oshawa won the series, as well as beating North Bay in the OHL Finals, thus making only three teams for the Memorial Cup.

While some people believe hosting the Memorial Cup gives that team an unfair advantage or is a silly objective; the number really don't support that theory in the long run. Here's some fun facts before my take.

Number of Memorial Cup Tournaments with Host Teams: 29
Number of Host Teams to Win Memorial Cup: 9
Number of Host Teams to Win Memorial Cup, but not their League: 6
Number of Host Teams to Win Their League: 7
Number of Host Teams Who Didn't Participate: 3 (1988 Chicoutimi Sagueneens [DNQ]; 1990 Hamilton Dukes [Disbanded mid-season]; 1991 Beauport Harfangs [DNQ])

So, when you look at it, 31% of the team who host the event, which isn't horrible, but it's not like the trend is a big deal or something to be considered silly. A more surprising stat could be the teams who hosted that didn't win their league-- because what has happened at some times in the past is that when a team get selected to host, a lot of NHL teams would talk to the Major Junior teams that their prospects belong to and ask for them to be traded to the host team because they would be with a competitive team and be seen in meaningful games. It would also help the team in gaining attendance if premier prospects are on the roster.

Though the idea of having a host team is a little bit interesting, especially when you see that Shawinigan, who was the second seed in the QMJHL, didn't make it past the second-round of the playoffs. Even though they did play exhibitions against some decent talent during their break, the fact they had more of a rest than other teams could have played to an advantage. They may not have been as good as the other teams, but rested legs would play crucial to a tournament like this.

Even so, the host team is a valuable status symbol for teams. With the big business that Major Junior hockey has become across North America, to get the event would be big for the local economy and national exposure of the city. If a "small" town gets the event, it's a huge boom and get the fans into the whole event, if they wouldn't be already. It centralizes the game and has the focus in one place rather than having it going back and forth between cities. However, it's just a thing that could work for Major Junior hockey and not professional leagues.

Sea Dogs Shore-ing Up Their Top Spot

Many times in junior hockey, you get an organization that is special. That could go for what the Saint John Sea Dogs have been able to do in these past few seasons. Not only are they the defending Memorial Cup champions, but at the same time-- they are geared up for another run and back-to-back run, all due to the luck of the draw, it would seem.

It all starts from the top, as head coach Gerard Gallant has been amazing behind the bench of the young guys after a stint in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets as head coach and assistant for the Islanders before moving to the QMJHL. He has guided his team to a third straight 100-point season, which has never been done before in the QMJHL. Plus, Gallant becomes the first QMJHL coach to have three straight 50 wins seasons. For a team that has only been around six seasons, the fact they're rolling like they have been is quite the feat, but one that seems to be common in the turnaround rosters of major junior hockey.

Speaking of the roster, they have plenty of top prospects-- especially guys who have gone in the first round-- Jonathan Huberdeau (Florida), Charlie Coyle (San Jose), Zack Phillips (Minnesota), and Nathan Beaulieu (Montreal)-- which you would think would be a clash of personalities, but Gallant has made this team function as a cohesive unit and the team has bought into that dynamic. Even with that roster, Danick Gauthier-- who was undrafted in the NHL (signed by Tampa Bay)-- is the leading scorer for the team with 47 goals and 86 points. The fact that only Gauthier and Phillips are in the top-20 in points (and Gauthier being the only Sea Dogs in the top-20 in goals); the team as a whole is well-rounded. The Sea Dogs have eight players in the top-10 in the plus/minus rating, including the top five players being there.

Not only that, but a guy is able to catch themselves and revitalize their young career. Point in case, goaltender Mathieu Corbeil-- who was 7-15-0 with the Halifax Mooseheads in the 2010-11 season, but when he got moved to the Sea Dogs, rattled off a 13-1-0 record to end the season, then this year posting a 37-10-0 record with six shutouts this year and really making the Blue Jackets picking him in the fourth-round a steal at this point, even though it could be the system that helped him out.

We have seen a lot of Major Junior clubs who have called a NHL organization with 16-20 year-olds. That has been said about the Red Deer Rebels in the Western League and London Knights of the Ontario League, so I think the Sea Dogs could be the team that make a name for themselves in the Quebec League. With a solid cast of players and solid coach-- the organization is flourishing. The real test is going to be that turnaround period. The odds of many of these players still being around next season are slim-- even Gallant could get some calls from the NHL about his services-- should really test the guile of the organization and what they can actually do when it's not as easy as it has been.

That said, there's not a reason to rain on the parade of the Sea Dogs. They have almost dominated the QMJHL again and will be gearing up to defend their QMJHL championship and Memorial Cup title, looking for nothing less than to go back-to-back, as they know that this team could be one of the best that the league has seen before.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Mario Brunetta

This week's instalment has quite the interesting route to gain some kind of success. While he did have a chance in the the pros, he plied his trade more over in the Europe-- while helping grow sport in one of the unknown spots of European hockey. This week, the profile of Mario Brunetta.

Brunetta started his career off in the Quebec Midget AAA ranks with the Ste-Foy Gouverneurs starting in the 1982-83 season, playing in 22 that season with a 17-4-1 record and 4-1 in five playoff games, while in the 1983-84 season, Brunetta went 11-23-4 in 39 games, but 8-3 in the playoffs.

Brunetta made the move to the QMJHL in the 1984-85 season with the Quebec Remparts, going 20-18-1 in 45 appearances, then 0-2 in the playoffs. Brunetta was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1985 NHL Draft, but the 1985-86 season moved Brunetta to the Laval Titan, playing in 63 games and finishing with a record of 30-28-1 while going 9-5 in 14 playoff games. Back with Laval in the 1986-87 season, Brunetta compiled a 27-25-4 record in 59 games and an 8-6 record in 14 playoff games.

The 1987-88 season bumped Brunetta to the pro ranks, mainly with the Nordiques, finishing with a 10-12-1 record in 29 games that season, while also spending time in the AHL with the Fredericton Express going 4-1-0 in five games there. The bulk of the 1988-89 season for Brunetta was spent in the AHL with the Halifax Citadels, going 14-14-5 in 36 games while going 1-3-0 in five games with the Nordiques. Brunetta stucks with Halifax for the majority of the 1989-90 season, finishing with a 8-14-2 record in 24 games, but then getting the called from the Nordiques to play in six games with a 1-2-0 record.

During the summer of 1990, Brunetta was released by the Nordiques. Without a contract in North America, Brunetta went overseas to Italy to play for HC Asiago, playing in 93 games from the 1990-91 season until the 1992-93 season. Brunetta went onto play for SG Milano Saima for the 1993-94 and 1994-95 season, spanning 29 games. The 1995-96 season had Brunetta play in 40 games for Varese Hockey.

Starting in the 1996-97 season, Brunetta went over to Germany to play for EHC Eisbaren Berlin for three season until the 1998-99 season for 111 games, getting them to the Finals in 1998, but losing in the championship game. Brunetta moved to Sweden for the 1999-2000 season, playing 28 games for Frolunda before he would go back to Germany in the 2000-01 season with ERC Ingolstadt, which would last for two seasons for 86 games, where he would put up seven shutouts in that time. Brunetta moved back to North America to play 10 games for the Quebec Semi-Pro League's Quebec Aces, going 3-4-0 before hanging up his pads.

During his playing tenure, Brunetta played for Italy in international competitions, as he got Italian citizenship when playing overseas. He played in three World Championships for Italy in 1995, 1998, and 2002-- going 1-3-1 in eight games played. He also played for Italy in the 1998 Olympics, losing the only game he played in.

Not the most orthodox career path, but Brunetta found a way to actually get himself into international play when he probably wouldn't have otherwise. While he did get pushed out of the way in Quebec, he didn't give up and probably helped out some of the programs in Italy grow because of his experience in the NHL. 

Absurd Goalie Monday: Corrado Micalef

With the fantastic announcement that Amway will be sponsoring the Detroit Red Wings this year, we go to the Motor City. Many have said that these Wings teams were so horrific, it wouldn't have mattered who was in net. Luckily, this netminder is going to be worthy enough to be put into the AGM archives after today. This week-- the profile of Corrado Micalef

Micalef started his career with the QMJHL's Sherbrooke Castors beginning in the 1978-79 season, where he would play in 42 games, posting an 18-11-3. The starting role beckoned Micalef after that and he saw 64 games in the 1979-80 season, finishing with a 38-15-7 record; then 10-5 in 15 playoff games, placing him on the Second-Team All-Star team at the end of the season. The 1980-81 season was monumental for Micalef, as he would play in 64 games with Sherbrooke and go 35-26-3, while going 7-7 in 14 playoff games. Plus, Micalef was able to get a spot on Canada's World Juniors team, but went 1-2-1 in five games. However, the big coup came for Micalef when Sherbrooke loaned him to the Cornwall Royals for the 1981 Memorial Cup, as the Royals' goalie was injured. Micalef went 3-0 in his three games, helping the Royals win the Memorial Cup. Micalef took home the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy for top goaltender of the tournament, as well as the Memorial Cup All-Star Team, plus the QMJHL First-Team All-Star squad.

That performance allowed Micalef to get drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1981 Draft at pick #44. Micalef was thrown into the Wings cage immediately, playing in 18 games for the 1981-82 season-- however, he'd only go 4-10-1. Micalef was sent down to the AHL's Adirondack Red Wings, playing only one games in relief before being sent to the IHL's Kalamazoo Wings, playing in 20 games there. The 1982-83 season brought some more opportunities, as Micalef would play in Detroit for 34 games and have a better go by finishing with a 11-13-5 record in Detroit, while going 6-5-0 in Adirondack.

For the 1983-84 season, Micalef only saw 14 games in Detroit (5-8-1), but would get more time and a bit better performance in Adirondack, finishing with a 14-10-5 record in his 29 games down there. With that, Micalef only played on games in Adirondack in the 1984-85 season (a win) and spent most of the year with Detroit. Yet, in his 36 games that season, Micalef only went 5-19-7. The 1985-86 season wasn't much better for Micalef, as he would go 1-9-1 for Detroit in two stints-- as he would make a seven game stop in Kalamazoo and then a 25 games stop in Adirondack (12-9-0). It would be a quick 1986-87 season for Micalef in North America, as he would only play in one game for Adirondack (a loss), before leaving town.

Micalef went over to Europe and signed on for the rest of the 1986-87 season with HC Fribourg-Gotteron of the Swiss League, playing in 13 games there. While Micalef sat out the 1987-88 season; he went to the French League, playing for HC Villard-de-Lans for two seasons, then moving to HC Briancon for two seasons starting in the 1990-91 season. The 1992-93 season has Micalef go to his family's homeland of Italy to play for Vasace Hockey, but he would move on from there to HC Courmaosta for two seasons starting in the 1993-94 season.

The IHL came calling for Micalef in the 1995-96 season, as he signed with the San Francisco Spiders, playing in 18 games and posting up a 4-8-2 record. It wasn't enough to keep Micalef in North America.

The 1996-97 season has Micalef going to Germany to play in the second divison with EHC Trier for two seasons, then move to Braunlager EHC Harz for the 1998-99 season. Micalef dropped to the third division in 1999-2000 season with ESC Erfurt for two seasons, then moved to ESV Bayreuth for the 2001-02 season before hanging up the pads.

Also of note, during his European vacation; Micalef came back to North America in the summer to play for Roller Hockey International from 1994 to 1997, playing with the Montreal Roadrunners, Orlando Rollergators, and San Jose Rhinos.

Currently, Micalef stays busy with the PEI Rocket of the QMJHL as an assistant coach for them.

While his NHL was not very memorable, Micalef was able to keep plugging along over in Europe and made his way through the lower, unknown leagues and kept his passion alive. While he will be a blip on the radar of the Red Wings history, he was a part of the very lean years in Detroit-- which is a time no Wings fans want to to remember what-so-ever.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Manny Fernandez

Jumping back into the modern day this week with a guy who kind of has a tie-in to the past few weeks in the NHL. He made his name in the location where the NHL Draft was held this year, then he ended his career in the home of the new Stanley Cup Champions. This week, we look at the career of Manny Fernandez.

The hike to the top for Fernandez began with playing Midget AAA with the Lac St-Louis Lions, while going 13-5-0 in 20 games. Fernandez would be bump up to the QMJHL in the 1991-92 season, playing with the Laval Titan and appearing in 31 games with a 14-13-2 record, then going 3-5 in nine playoff game. Fernandez would be drafted that summer by the Quebec Nordiques in the third round. The 1992-93 season would be a solid one for Fernandez, first going 26-14-2 in 42 games; then running off a 12-1 record in the playoffs-- helping the Titan to the QMJHL title and the Memorial Cup, where he'd go 2-3 in those five games. Fernandez would win QMJHL Playoff MVP for his solid record with the Titan. Fernandez had another solid season in 1993-94, going 29-14-1 in 51 games with Laval, then going 14-5 in 19 playoff games; though losing in the Finals. Even with the lose, they were the Memorial Cup host and again Fernandez would go 2-3, losing in the Final. Even with the playoffs; Fernandez was QMJHL's MVP and would be on the First Team All-Star squad.

During the 1994 trade deadline, Fernandez's right were traded from the Nordiques to the Dallas Stars for Shjon Podein and a pick that would turn out to be Chris Drury. With the change of scenery; Fernandez would jump into the pro ranks in the 1994-95 season with the IHL's Kalamazoo Wings and going 21-10-9 in 41 games, while going 10-2 in 14 playoff games. Fernandez would also appear in one game for the Stars, which was a loss. The 1995-96 season had Fernandez sticking with the now rename Michigan K-Wings, playing in 47 games with 22-15-9 record, but going only 5-1 in six playoff games. Again that year, Fernandez would move up to the Stars, but for five games and a 0-1-1 record. It was a shaky 1996-97 season for Fernandez, only posting a 20-24-2 record in 48 games, then 1-3 in four playoff games. Yet, the 1997-98 season was a bounce-back year, as Fernandez would go 27-17-5 with five shutouts; then going 0-2 in the playoffs. Again, Fernandez would play in Dallas for two games with a 1-0-0 record. Fernandez would shift to the Houston Aeros of the IHL for the 1998-99 season, going 34-6-9 in 50 games before going 11-8 in 19 playoff games; helping the Aeros win the Turner Cup. Fernandez had a loss in his only appearance for the Stars.

The Dallas Stars finally gave Fernandez a chance as a back-up for Ed Belfour in the 1999-2000 season, going 11-8-3 in 24 games, then having a no-decision in his only playoff appearance.

Fernandez would be pushed out by the up-and-coming Marty Turco, so Dallas trade Fernandez along with Brad Lukowich to the newly formed Minnesota Wild for some draft picks. The 2000-01 season had Fernandez split time with Jamie McLennan, but Fernandez was the better of the two with a 19-17-4 record in 42 games. Fernandez would split time with Dwayne Roloson in the 2001-02 season, getting in 44 games and finishing with a 12-24-5 record. With Roloson excelling, Fernandez would be relegated to back-up for 2002-03, compiling a 19-13-2 in 35 games, then appearing in nine playoff games with a 3-4 record. Yet again for the 2003-04 season, Fernandez was the "1b" and would get in only 37 games with a 11-14-9 record at the end of it all.

The lockout brought Fernandez to Lulea HF in Sweden for 19 games that year, but when the NHL returned, Fernandez would be the top goalie in Minnesota. The 2005-06 season was Fernandez's best yet finishing with a 30-18-7 record in 58 games. Even still, due to another goalie coming through the ranks (Niklas Backstrom), Fernandez had to split his time in 2006-07, finishing with a 22-16-1 record in his 44 appearances. With a solid team all around, Fernandez and Backstrom would win the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest goals-against in the NHL.

Unhappy with the playing time, Fernandez would be traded by Minnesota to the Boston Bruins for Petr Kalus. However, the first season in Boston (2007-08) was a horrific one, as he would only play in four games with a 2-2-0 record, as he would have both back and knee surgeries, as he was recovering. Fernandez bounced back in the 2008-09 season, though a back-up to Tim Thomas; playing in 28 games with a 16-8-3 record, playing enough games to win the Jennings Trophy again. After that year, without a contract, Fernandez faded into the darkness without a formal retirement.

It seemed that he could never get a fair shake, with prolonged time in the minors and having to split the time with other goalies-- Fernandez never seemed to get the confidence boost to really show how he could perform. Even when he did, it seems he got undermined one way or another. Even still; there's a lot for him to remember and a lot of other trophies that came his way-- which can't be all that bad in the end.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Marco Baron

There's a lot to say about hype and getting caught into it. We all know that most of these AGMs get caught in their own hype; but this week's AGM was caught into someone else's hype, which may have stalled his own career a bit. Sure, he bounced back for a bit-- but in the end it never was the same. This week, we look at the career of Marco Baron.

Baron started out his career in the QMJHL, playing in 64 games with the Montreal Juniors in 1975-76 and 1976-77 before moving onto the Verdun Eperviers where he'd appear in 128 games in the 1977-78 and 1978-79 season. With Verdun, Baron garnered Second Team All-Star honors in 1978, as well as leading the QMJHL in shutouts, with three, in 1978-79. However, thanks to the lack of record keeping, no records are available for Baron.

After his junior career, Baron took to the pros-- being selected 99th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1979 Draft. Baron started and spent the majority of the 1979-80 season with the Grand Rapids Owls of the IHL, where he would play in 35 games before getting called up to play for the Binghamton Dusters. With the Dusters, Baron would go 0-5-0 in six games, while getting one game in Boston that season, which was a no-decision. The 1980-81 season was a tough one for Baron, who was bumped as a back-up to Rogie Vachon by US Olympic hero Jim Craig, relegating Baron to the AHL's Springfield Indians, playing in 23 games with a 12-11-0 record. Baron would get a call-up to Boston that season for 10 games, going 3-4-1 in those games and then 0-1 in his only playoff appearance that year. While Baron would start the 1981-82 season with the Erie Blades (1-1-0 in two games), the bulk of the time would be spent with the Bruins and would get a majority of the games, going 22-16-4 record in 44 games.

However, it wouldn't last for Baron, who would spend most of the 1982-83 season with the Baltimore Skipjacks of the AHL, going 8-11-1 in 22 games before being called up to the Bruins for nine games and sporting a 6-3-0 record. The 1983-84 season had Baron staying in the AHL with the Moncton Alpines going 6-7-3 in 16 games before being put on the move.

In January of 1984, Baron was dealt by the Bruins to the Los Angeles Kings for Bob LaForest. With the Kings that season, Baron would go 3-14-4 in 21 games on a very sub-par Kings team.

Baron would have a shaky 1984-85 season, playing in one game with the Sherbrooke Canadiens of the AHL for one game (no decision) before getting signed with the Edmonton Oilers. Baron would play one game with the Oilers (a loss), then would be sent down to the Nova Scotia Oilers. With Nova Scotia, Baron would play 17 games finishing with an 8-7-1 record. Also that season, the Canadiens won the Calder Cup and Oilers won the Stanley Cup; but Baron did not qualify to receive any accolades for that.

After that season, Baron would move overseas to Switzerland to play for Ambri-Piotta for seven games in the 1985-86 season before hanging up the pads for good. After his playing career, Baron stayed in Switzerland and with Ambri-Piotta as an assistant coach with the main squad and head coach for the youth and junior team squads.

While he was almost derailed by an upstart goalie, he was able to rebound nicely; though he snapped right back to the downside. He kept plugging away at it and seemed to be stuck in bad situations where he wasn't able to shine as bright as he did early on in his career. Luckily, he was able to stay into hockey after his playing career and grow the game into a developing hockey nation.