Local players in the pros

Vanek has been a BEAST today.

@streakygopher wrote:

Vanek has been a BEAST today.

2 Goals and assist today :dup: :dup:

Goal and 3 assists

Edit: make that 2 goals 3 assists aftet the empty nettet...wow

@Gopherguy05 wrote:

Goal and 3 assists

Edit: make that 2 goals 3 assists aftet the empty nettet...wow

Most impressive today by Vanek is how he assisted on goals. Not just a cute pass here and there but some gritty offensive zone play and breakaway that left a juicy rebound and a dazed goalie for an easy follow up goal.

I'm guessing he went hard core workout mode in the offseason. He looked trimmer and much faster on his skates.

He's a unique talent even among NHL players. The numbers he's put up in Buffalo over his career are all the more impressive considering he hasn't been the benefactor of similarly gifted offensive linemates.

@Bushwood Gopher wrote:

I'm guessing he went hard core workout mode in the offseason. He looked trimmer and much faster on his skates.

He's a unique talent even among NHL players. The numbers he's put up in Buffalo over his career are all the more impressive considering he hasn't been the benefactor of similarly gifted offensive linemates.

But Whioux sports claim he's only a 3rd line player :confused2:

Can we at least get this in the correct forum? Is it really that hard?

@dxmnkd316 wrote:

Can we at least get this in the correct forum? Is it really that hard?

I was waiting to see if I was the only one really annoyed by that.

I knew you wouldn't let me down, dx

I'm very detail-oriented.

Like how the word "pros" should probably be capitalized?

@dxmnkd316 wrote:

GAWD I hate that movie!

Parise with his first goal in a Wild uniform tonight.

big stu with a scuffle tonight.

@sec 16 row16 seat 16 17 wrote:

big stu with a scuffle tonight.

Yep, he got 17 PIM for that one

Vanek with a hat trick and 2 assists so far tonight. Beast mode tonight for Vanek. Buffalo 6-4 over Boston in 3rd.

Vanek with a sick 3rd goal tonight to get the hatty vs. Bos. The 8th of his career.

btw, best source for tracking Minnesotans/Gophers/WCHA/NCAAers the pros?

CC: Jup/Greayeagle/Bert

Can we get this into the correct forum please?
I hate to be annoying, but (for me) seeing this in General Discussion =

@Slap Shot wrote:

Vanek with a sick 3rd goal tonight to get the hatty vs. Bos. The 8th of his career.

Along with 2 apples tonight, as well. He's having a great start to the year! :good2:

He got a third A on the ENG.

@Slap Shot wrote:

He got a third A on the ENG.

Did they add it after the game? Both NHL.com and TSN show no assist on ENG. No way Vanek gets an assist on that on. Pominville blocked puck and scored on a breakaway.

Maybe not then - before they went to interview him I could have sworn they said he got the third but you're right that doesn't seem to be the case.

@gopherguy13 wrote:

@Slap Shot wrote:

Vanek with a sick 3rd goal tonight to get the hatty vs. Bos. The 8th of his career.

Along with 2 apples tonight, as well. He's having a great start to the year! :good2:

http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=40044256 6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

@gopher6 wrote:

@gopherguy13 wrote:

@Slap Shot wrote:

Vanek with a sick 3rd goal tonight to get the hatty vs. Bos. The 8th of his career.

Along with 2 apples tonight, as well. He's having a great start to the year! :good2:

http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=40044256 6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You weren't hearing things. The TV guy did say he had 3+3=6 but corrected himself later.

Still that was a heck of a game. Buffalo jumping out to the 1-0 lead, then three straight goals by Boston, then Buffalo roars back due to stupid penalties... Made better by the fact that I dislike Boston and like Vanek and Leo (and Buffalo by extension).

@Slap Shot wrote:

btw, best source for tracking Minnesotans/Gophers/WCHA/NCAAers the pros?

On the Gopher Sports site there is a blog that posts highlights and statistics. They will be posting on a weekly basis information on all former Gopher hockey players and the various leagues they play in (NHL,AHL,ECHL,CHL and Europe/others). Up to date statistics too. Very nice. :dup:

http://www.gophersports.com/blog/hockey /" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Scroll down about half way for listings.

Who says the Gopher program doesn't produce professional hockey players? Saver....I'm looking at you. :club:

@5 O.T. wrote:

@Slap Shot wrote:

btw, best source for tracking Minnesotans/Gophers/WCHA/NCAAers the pros?

On the Gopher Sports site there is a blog that posts highlights and statistics. They will be posting on a weekly basis information on all former Gopher hockey players and the various leagues they play in (NHL,AHL,ECHL,CHL and Europe/others). Up to date statistics too. Very nice. :dup:

http://www.gophersports.com/blog/hockey /" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Scroll down about half way for listings.

Who says the Gopher program doesn't produce professional hockey players? Saver....I'm looking at you. :club:

Thanks. Surprised Taffe hasn't been up yet, but it seems to be an annual grind for him.

What's the deal with Taffe? When he was a Gopher I thought he had everything going for him. Really surprised he hasn't been more successful.

Good question. 180 NHL games since '02-'03 with 46 career points, but he's logged nearly 70+ games each year combined NHL/AHL so injuries don't seem to be the culprit.

@Norm wrote:

What's the deal with Taffe? When he was a Gopher I thought he had everything going for him. Really surprised he hasn't been more successful.

Taffe was always moving on his skates and had great hands. I think he lacks a little flat out speed and size. If he had either one or the other, I think he'd be more of an impact player. He's a bubble player but seems to be making a career of it.

Taffe was just in the AHL all star game.

Schroeder with the OTSO winner tonight with VAN vs CHI on his first attempt, Leddy missed to tie with his very first OTSO attempt.

Kent Patterson called up from the CHL to the AHL affiliate of the Avs for the weekend. Don't know if he'll get a start or just back-up.

@Slap Shot wrote:

Schroeder with the OTSO winner tonight with VAN vs CHI on his first attempt, Leddy missed to tie with his very first OTSO attempt.

I thought Lucia didn't develop NHL talent????

Vanek, Martin, Ballard, Goligoski, Leddy, Bickel and the list goes on and on.

@Hobey Baker wrote:

@Slap Shot wrote:

Schroeder with the OTSO winner tonight with VAN vs CHI on his first attempt, Leddy missed to tie with his very first OTSO attempt.

I thought Lucia didn't develop NHL talent????

Vanek, Martin, Ballard, Goligoski, Leddy, Bickel and the list goes on and on.

Well yeah, but those guys would have been good regardless of where they went, or whatever it is they say. :blahblah:

(Probably true for Vanek)

@Jaykay3 wrote:

(Probably true for Vanek)

Probably true for just about any NHL player in my opinion.

@Hobey Baker wrote:

@Slap Shot wrote:

Schroeder with the OTSO winner tonight with VAN vs CHI on his first attempt, Leddy missed to tie with his very first OTSO attempt.

I thought Lucia didn't develop NHL talent????

Vanek, Martin, Ballard, Goligoski, Leddy, Bickel and the list goes on and on.

2-4 years ago a lot of people would look at that list and say they left early because they weren't developing here.

@Bonin21 wrote:

@Jaykay3 wrote:

(Probably true for Vanek)

Probably true for just about any NHL player in my opinion.

Exactly. My take on this is that an NHL caliber player is going to develop no matter where he is. If you want to talk about player development, look at the entire lineup, not just the top players. Aside from maybe 1 or 2 players on our squad this year (not naming anyone) I would say they have all improved noticeably during their time at the U.

Vanek keeps on rolling.

1G and 2A's so far today. Game is not quite half over.

Former North Dakota Fighting Whioux Matt Frattin picked up his 5th goal of the season tonight.

I'm happy for any Minnesotan getting to the pros, but I wish Jordon Schroeder had not gone to the U. Reading in the paper today how happy they are at what a gritty player he is makes it clear he was playing it safe at the U. In college, he was the antithesis of grit.

Yesterday's Sabres-Penguins game was a regular Gopher hockey reunion. Four Gophers in attendance and each one of them played on National Championship winning teams. Pretty good game with Vanek scoring for the Sabres and Paul Martin getting the game winner for the Penguins. :dup:

Jordan Leopold
Thomas Vanek
Paul Martin
Joe Micheletti

It was funny listening to Joe interview Brooks Orpick about having been named after Herb Brooks. Orpick talked about what it was like to meet Herbie and what a highlight that was for him. I was hoping Joe would have added something about having "met" Herbie too, but unfortunately it didn't happen.

This Topic is in the wrong place.

However...

https://twitter.com/Buccigross/status/30367255446226944 0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Frazee recalled by Devils.

http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=658954&navid=DL|NJD|hom e" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bickel just wanted to take on Finley and the refs stepped in. Hopefully they get to go later tonight. Go Stu

When did T.J. Oshie get traded to the Islanders?
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/03/13/lirr-president-woodside-station-elevator-has-vertical-urinal-problem /" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bickel placed on waivers by Rangers.

Leopold traded from Sabres to the Blues today.

@frozen4champs wrote:

Leopold traded from Sabres to the Blues today.

Wow the blues love themselves some WCHA players!