Colin Jacobs Ranked #10 in the WHL by NHL Central Scouting

It was announced this morning that the first edition of the NHL Central Scouting Rankings for the 2011 NHL Draft that will be taking place in Minnesota next summer, and as expected Colin Jacobs was expected to be among the top players, but I think he even surprised himself when he cracked the top 10 in the entire Western Hockey League as he is one of the fastest rising players in the WHL Right now.

Thanks to a very strong road trip out East that just wrapped up with him getting a 3 point night against the Prince Albert Raiders and a 2 goal game against the Regina Pats where he almost got his first WHL Hat trick.

In all he has become a point-a-game player as he scored 18 points in 19 games so far this season and at 6'1" 205 pounds, he's beginning to get more comfortable throwing his weight around and becoming more physical around the boards, also looking to time his shots as he is starting to get more chances to impress on the Power Play as he plays the point to get the puck to the net.

Earlier this week, Colin Jacobs was featured on the NHL Website as he is looking to be the first ever 1st Round Draft Pick from Texas. And be among the first group of players from the Southwest to play in the National Hockey League, as well as continue to prove that Texas can be a strong state to produce hockey talent like California has in recent years when Beau Bennett and Emerson Etem were selected in the first Round last year.

In addition to Jacobs being ranked #10 in the WHL, he has a chance to move up even more with his great play. Also if he can do well in the post-season plus be able to make events like the IIHF U18 World Championships, which is one of the biggest tournaments for NHL Draft Eligible players.

This will help him out even more when spring time comes out and when the Final Draft Rankings come out in April. Keep in mind that the Major Junior Playoffs start in Mid-March and will lead up to the Memorial Cup which will be in Late May in Mississauga, Ontario this season.

As for the U18 World Championship, this year's tournament will be from April 14-24 in Germany as the Americans will look to win Gold for the 3rd straight year at this age level.

This season is already a big improvement to last season as the Thunderbirds won just 19 games last season and finished 9th only ahead of the Prince George Cougars who was easily the worst team in the WHL and one of the was compared to teams like Halifax for worst overall in the entire Canadian Hockey Leagues.

Jacobs wasn't the only Thunderbird either to make the WHL Top 25 so far, two of his teammates in Wingers Luke Lockhart who's at #12 and Marcel Noebels at #13 in the Western Hockey League also made the first list of the season.

At this point, who knows where Jacobs will go. But if the Stars have a chance to grab him in the draft and they feel it's a good fit. They should go for it, not only because he's a high quality player, but a chance to add a 2nd strong Local Prospect along with Austin Smith that could play for his hometown Stars in the near future, and a chance for him to make a big name for himself here in the DFW Area.

The next big question for Jacobs is how will he handle the pressure of being looked by scouts from all over the National Hockey League for the rest of the season.

Can he get in a position to possibly play for Team USA at the U18's this spring, what about a big WHL Playoff Run or some great eye grabbing moments that can make highlight reels and make scouts pay attention, well see how he does the rest of the season.

So far one of the best moments of the season for Jacobs came on November 2 when he had his great backhand goal against the Red Deer Rebels to help the Thunderbirds help beat the Rebels 4-1 which includes the top WHL'er in this year's draft class is Ryan-Nugent Hopkins which has easily topped the WHL List as many experts are expecting him to battle with Sean Courtier of the Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) and Swedish Prospect Adam Larsson who plays for Skelleftea in the Swedish Elite League.

Click Here to see the Jacobs Backhand Goal against Red Deer on 11/2.

If your looking for the top players in the different leagues and European Rankings which are ranked by country. Here's the top's from the top 4 Junior Leagues in North America (OHL, WHL, QMJHL & USHL).

As for the top European Players, it is based from country, but I'm going to feature the top players from Sweden, Finland, Russia, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland. Theirs also a handful of players on here from places like Denmark and Norway as well.

Even these rankings will give us an idea of what to expect next summer in Minnesota. Theirs still a long way to go. Players can still get hurt, get traded or possibly come out of no where to rocket up their way to the charts.

A good example was Swiss Forward Nino Niederretier who had his coming out party at the World Juniors last season and rapidly climbed the charts to be a top 5 overall pick, and even got to play a handful of games with the New York Islanders before getting sent back to the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) to continue his development.

Because he plays in the WHL, he's not allowed to go to the AHL because of rules banning Junior Aged players not allowing them to play in the AHL until his Junior Years are up at age 20. If he were in the NCAA for instance, then he would be allowed to be at least in the AHL right now.

Want to read more on the NHL Central Scouting Rankings. Read the The Pipe Up Blog as the Pipeline Show's Guy Fleming discusses his Top 5 Suprises in the Rankings. Also don't forget to listen to the Pipeline Show tonight at 8-10 PM CST on The Pipeline Show as Guy Fleming and Dean Millard will talk more about the rankings.


Here's the top Players, click on the Players Name to see their Player Profiles

North American Leaders

Click here to see the full North American Rankings


Ontario Hockey League: http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/

Top Skater: Gabriel Landeskog (Kitchener Rangers)

Top Goaltender: Jordan Binnington (Owen Sound Attack)


Western Hockey League:  http://www.whl.ca/

Top Skater: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Red Deer Rebels)

Top Goaltender: Liam Liston (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Colin Jacobs Ranked #10 in the WHL


Quebec Major Junior Hockey League: http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/

Top Skater: Sean Couturier (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Top Goaltender: Christopher Gibson (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)


United States Hockey League: http://www.ushl.com/

Top Skater: Tyler Biggs (USNTDP)

Top Goaltender: John Gibson (USNTDP)


Click Here to see the Full European Rankings

European Leaders


Czech Republic

Top Skater: Dmitri Jaskin (Slavia Prague JRS.)


Finland

Top Skater: Joel Armia (HC Assat Pori Oy)


Germany

Top Skater: Stephan Kronthaler  (Landshut JRS)


Russia

Top Skater: Maxim Shalunov (Chelyabinsk 2)


Slovakia

Top Skater: Peter Ceresnak  (Slovakia Nat U20 Team)


Sweden

Top Skater: Adam Larsson  (Skelleftea)


Switzerland

Top Skater: Dean Kukan (GCK Zurich)

Colin Jacobs Article on the NHL Website

With Colin Jacobs recently wrapping up a really successful road-trip through the East Division, Colin Jacobs is in a great position with a rapidly rising ranking and NHL Scouting really start to take him very seriously as he continues to go through the WHL Season with the Seattle Thunderbirds and getting ready for the 2011 NHL Draft that will take place next summer in the Twin Cities.

On the East Division Road Trip that just finished where they played 6 games in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. He was a big time producer where he had 2 goals and almost had a hat trick against the Regina Pats while he also had 3 point night against the Prince Albert Raiders.

For the season, he's already approaching his total from last season of 26 points (13G 13A), so far this season he is nearly a point a game player by scoring 18 points (8G 10A) in 19 games played so far this season.

One of his best moments took place back on November 2 when he scored an amazing backhanded goal against the Red Deer Rebels as the Thunderbirds beat a Red Deer Rebels Team which includes Ryan-Nugent Hopkins who's expected to be a major contender for the #1 overall pick at the NHL Draft next summer in Minnesota.

As the first NHL Central Scouting Rankings of the season are about to come out, he's expected to be one of the fastest risers from the Western Hockey League and right now many experts are expecting him to be an early-to-mid 2nd Round Pick with a strong chance to move up to the first round later in the season when the Mid-Season Rankings come out in January and the End-of-Season Rankings coming up in April.

Look for Jacobs to continue to get bigger-and-better as he goes through his Junior Career in Seattle with hopes of making his NHL Debut very very soon and looks to join the ranks of Austin Smith, Chris Brown and Matt Donovan of Southwest NHL Draft Picks.

When the 1st Draft Ranks come out, I will provide links and tell you how he's ranked both among the WHL and North American Skaters combined.

As for the Total Rankings, NHL Central Scouting divides into four parts. First it's the North American Skaters, then the North American Goaltenders, then the European Skaters for the players that are based in Europe. So somebody who is a European playing in North America like Nino Niederreiter from Switzerland
wouldn't be on that list. Finally the European Goaltenders which has the smallest of the four groups.

He would be the 4th Southwest Player to be taken in the NHL Draft joining Austin Smith, Chris Brown and Matt Donovan.

Of the three, Chris Brown was the highest of the draft picks he was selected in the 2nd Round (36th overall) from the USNTDP by the Phoenix Coyotes back in 2009. He's currently playing in his sophomore season at the University of Michigan and is a contender to possibly make Team USA for the 2011 World Junior Championships which starts on December 26 in Buffalo, New York.

Donovan was a 4th Round Selection (96th Overall) in the 2008 Draft from the Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL). Since then he helped the USA won Gold at last year's World Junior Championship in Saskatchewan and is now a sophomore at the University of Denver.

In addition to the World Junior Championship last season, he also produced 21 points in 36 games and was also named to the WCHA All Freshman Team

Austin Smith was a 5th Round Draft Pick (128th overall), now a junior at Colgate University (ECAC) he has been nearly a point a game player throughout his college career. Coming into this season, he had produced 72 points in 73 career games and is becoming more comfortable with his hitting ability while at Colgate and has always been a go to guy on the team.

Before he joined Colgate in 2008, he helped the Pentiction Vees win the 2008 BCHL Championship as he lead the team in goals that season with 32 and also had a playoffs that year when he scored 11 goals in the playoffs that year as the Vees were looking posied to have a shot at the 2008 RBC National Championship, but they hopes were dashed by the AJHL Champion Camrose Kodiaks that season in the Canadian Jr. A Pacific Region Championship.

In a Q&A I had when the season started, he told me that he felt close to making his professional debut (possibly with the Texas Stars [AHL]) and despite a dissappointing start by the team as the Raiders currently sit last in the ECAC, he's been off to another decent start by having 6 points in 8 games so far this season.

However, Colin Jacobs is looking to do something that no one from the Southwest has been able to do yet and that is crack the first Round of the Draft and that would make a bold statement about how far Southwest Hockey has come and would greatly improve his chances of making his NHL Debut in a much faster time frame, possibly before his Junior Eglibility were to run out in the next two seasons when were to reach his 20 year old season which would be in the 2012-2013 season.

If he were to be sent back to get more development past his NHL Draft Selection. It would half to be to the Seattle Thunderbirds and not the AHL Affliate of the team that drafted him because of a rule where Canadian Hockey League Players can't go into the AHL till they reach their 20th birthday. If he were in the NCAA like Smith, Brown and Donovan currently are, then the AHL Would be a possibility right now.

Seattle Thunderbirds Website

Western Hockey League Website

Colin Jacobs WHL Profile

Austin Smith Colgate Profile

Chris Brown Michigan Profile

Matt Donovan Denver Profile

Here's some parts of the Colin Jacobs Feature on the NHL Website.

"You can't teach that competitiveness and stuff and he had that instinctively. There's things he has to learn, but also those basic things that come with being a talented athlete, and a tough competitive kid. That's a good combination."

"He's a much stronger man this year so he wins every puck he goes after down low," Thunderbirds GM Russ Farewell told http://www.nhl.com/. That's what scouts like when they're watching. His vision is real good, he plays the point on the power play, he moves the puck around, he's got a real good shot. He's just learning when he can get it through. He's scoring with that consistently.

It's something he needed coming from the small pond of Dallas Midget Hockey to the Ocean Sized Western Hockey League (WHL).

"The Talent level isn't that big in Texas," Jacobs said. "It's getting there, but it's not like it is in the Canadian Towns. It was a big jump. Playing a few games as a 15 year old (in 2008-09) helped, I got my feet wet. It was a pretty big change going from playing 16 year olds to playing 20 year old men trying to make the National Hockey League."

A big part of that future was moving to Seattle. Jacobs said it wasn't an easy decision, but he picked the WHL over the NCAA and the US National Team Developmental Program for a pretty simple reason.

"I looked and saw there was quite a few more guys going to the NHL through the Canadian Hockey Leagues," he said. "At the time I thought the Western Hockey League was producing a bit. My goal is to make the National Hockey League and that's what I choose."

Here's the Full Colin Jacobs Article on the NHL Website 

Amazing Goal by Colin Jacobs on Tuesday Night

Earlier this week, Seattle Thunderbirds and Dallas Native Colin Jacobs showed why he's starting to gain NHL attention being a possible first round draft pick next summer in Minnesota.

He scored an amazing backhand goal in the 2nd period against the Red Deer Rebels which includes one of the top players in the class of 2011 in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Here's the Goal which was featured on a NHL Draft Video Blog earlier this week.

Colin Jacobs Goal VS. the Red Deer Rebels

Western Hockey League Season Gets Underway this week

The Western Hockey League will get underway this Friday Night as the 72 Game Season gets underway and with Coppell Native Colin Jacobs getting ready for his NHL Draft Season.

He looks to lead what will hopefully be a much improved Seattle Thunderbirds team as they will start the season with a 3 game in 3 night weekend as the Thunderbirds will take on the Portland Winterhawks in the team's home opener on Saturday Night, in addition to the Winterhawks, they will take on follow US Division Foes Everett Silvertips & Tri-City Americans this weekend as well.

In addition to Jacobs, another player that could make his WHL Debut this season is Connor Hutchins who was selected by the Portland Winterhawks in the 6th Round of the WHL Bantam Draft back in May.

He's expected to be with the Honeybaked team which is in Detroit for most of the season, but perhaps be called up late in the season as he as been known for being very mature for his age and playing very well.

He's moved back to Texas to play for the Dallas Stars Midget Minor U16 Team this season, for the U16's, their Tier 1 Season gets underway this weekend as they will head to Ohio to open up the season as they will play 4 games this weekend.

In case you forget, their's 22 teams in the Western Hockey League divided into Eastern & Western Conference. 12 teams play out East which are divided into 2 six Team Divisions which makes up the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba, while the Western Conference is divided into 2 five team Divisions which is made up of the Pacific Northwest of the United States and the province of British Columbia.

Here's the WHL Player Profiles of the Southwest Players.

Colin Jacobs (Seattle Thunderbirds)

Connor Hutchins (Portland Winterhawks Prospect)



Here's the Conference Set Up

Eastern Conference

East Division: Brandon Wheat Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos

Central Division: Calgary Hitmen, Edmonton Oil Kings, Kootenay Ice, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, Red Deer Rebels


Western Conference

B.C. Division: Chilliwack Bruins, Kamloops Blazers, Kelowna Rockets, Prince George Cougars, Vancouver Giants

U.S. Division: Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, Tri-City Americans


This Weekends Schedule (All Start Times are CDT)

9/24

Regina Pats VS. Brandon Wheat Kings 7:30 PM

Lethbridge Hurricanes VS. Calgary Hitmen 8:00 PM

Red Deer Rebels VS. Edmonton Oil Kings 8:00 PM

Swift Current Broncos VS. Moose Jaw Warriors 8:00 PM

Prince Albert Raiders VS. Saskatoon Blades 8:05 PM

Prince George Cougars VS. Kamloops Blazers 9:00 PM

Chilliwack Bruins VS. Vancouver Giants 9:30 PM

Seattle Thunderbirds VS. Everett Silvertips 9:35 PM


9/25

Calgary Hitmen VS. Kootenay Ice 8:00 PM

Saskatoon Blades VS. Prince Albert Raiders 8:00 PM

Lethbridge Hurricanes VS. Medicine Hat Tigers 8:30 PM

Edmonton Oil Kings VS. Red Deer Rebels 8:30 PM

Moose Jaw Warriors VS. Swift Current Broncos 8:30 PM

Chilliwack Bruins VS. Kamloops Blazers 9:00 PM

Vancouver Giants VS. Everett Silvertips 9:05 PM

Prince George Cougars VS. Kelowna Rockets 9:05 PM

Portland Winterhawks VS. Seattle Thunderbirds 9:05 PM

Spokane Chiefs VS. Tri-City Americans 9:05 PM


9/26

Brandon Wheat Kings VS. Regina Pats 3:00 PM

Seattle Thunderbirds VS. Tri-City Americans 7:05 PM

Colin Jacobs Q&A

This is a part of an ongoing series of offseason Q&A's, Coppell, Texas Native Colin Jacobs was asked a series of questions about how he's enjoying the offseason, his thoughts of Mike Modano leaving Dallas and going to Detroit and the importance of this upcoming season as he will start getting ready for the NHL Draft next summer.

He will be looking to continue to bring the physicality, but at the same time, increase his scoring ability where he scored 26 points (13G 13A) in all 72 games played last year and looking to improve his NHL Draft Stock for the 2011 Draft, some experts possibly having him go in the 1st Round.

Seattle finished 9th in the Western Conference where they missed the playoffs by a huge margin with one of the youngest teams not only in the WHL, but in the entire Canadian Hockey Leagues last season.

Before we get to Collin Jacobs Questions, here's several other Players that had Q&A's at different parts of the offseason.

Branden Troock Q&A

Scott Ramsay Q&A

Tyler Alos Q&A

Brenden Silvester Q&A


Collin Jacobs Profile

Here's the Q&A from the Seattle Thunderbirds.

ST: How would you describe your first season with the Seattle Thunderbirds? And in the Western Hockey League?

CJ: My first season with the T-Birds was a blast to say the least. Even though our record wasn't the best it was a big learning year for all of us. It was a great experience playing against all the top players in North America.


ST: How did playing in the playoffs in the 2008-09 season help prepare you for your first full season in the WHL?

CJ: Playing in the Playoffs helped me prepare quite a bit because I had a little taste of what I was about to get into. I think it helped me quite a bit in the long run.


ST: Do you remember the details of your first Goal with the T-Birds? What did it feel like to get that first goal?

CJ: Yes, I remember like it was yesterday. The Puck was bouncing around in front of the net and I hit it in. It was the biggest goal that I scored during that year and it definitely the most exciting.


ST: What activities have you been doing, besides hockey this summer?

CJ: Just like all the other guys, I have been hanging out with friends, working out, and hanging out by the pool.


ST: What has your workout routine entailed this summer? Are you getting much ice time?

CJ: My workout schedule consists of workouts from Monday through Friday and I'm on the skating treadmill twice a week.


ST: Growing up a hockey player in Texas, you probably saw Mike Modano play a few times. Do you think he will end up with the Stars or play for another NHL Team in 2010-2011?

CJ: As a Dallas Fan, I would love to see Modano stay another year but I think he might end up somewhere else.


ST: How would you rate the season overall last year?

CJ: On a team basis I think all of us young guys learned the little parts of the game which will help us succeed this year and beyond. As an individual I had an alright season at best. I had a few moments but to me last year was more of an learning experience.


ST: Last season you played a lot on a line with two other 16 year olds, Mitch Elliot and Tyler Alos. It looked like you three really started to gel in the 2nd half of the season, was that the case? And are you looking forward to teaming up with them again this upcoming season?

CJ: I am not sure as to why we clicked so soon, but they are solid players and can play the game.


ST: What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?

CJ: My personal goals are to be a more dependable player on both sides on the ice and to be a dominate player on every shift I get.


ST: What did you think the biggest challenge is for this next season for both you and the team?

CJ: I think the biggest challenge for our team would have to be, being ready to play our very best each and every night. For me, it would be playing a bigger role on the team then being a first year rookie.


ST: Who do you see the T-Birds biggest competition this season?

CJ: I think our biggest competition this year will be the Everett Silvertips because of all the off-season deals and returning players makes them a solid team all around.


ST: What do you see your role on the team being this season?

CJ: I want to have a bigger role this year. I want to be a key part of the team and help this team win a championship.


ST: Think you again for taking time to sit down with us and tell about your first season in the WHL. I know a lot of fans are looking forward to the coming season, We'll see you at training camp.

ST: Thanks a lot! See everyone soon.

Southwest Prospects Update

Sorry it's been a few weeks since we have done a prospects update from players from around the Southwest.

Colin Jacobs (Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL)

Colin continues to play very well despite the teams struggles in the first 2 months of the season, currently the Thunderbirds are still in 9th place in the WHL Western Conference and are out of the playoff spots right now. Colin has started to pick it up stats wise by getting assists in back to back games against the Spokane Chiefs and the Portland Winterhawks back on November 6 and 7. In their last game against the Chilliwack Bruins back on November 8, he got in a fight midway through the game with the Bruins Tyler Stahl.

When Jacobs doesn't have the puck, he's been throwing his weight around by getting 45 penalty minutes in 21 games played so far this season, compared to not getting a single penalty in his 6 games at the end of last season for the T-Birds and is improving rapidly by fighting for pucks and winning faceoffs.

However, the team around him just doesn't have a lot of fire power right now as the team currently has the 2nd worst offense in the WHL and is 6 points back of 8th place Chilliwack and are only ahead of last place Prince George who have just 3 wins this season.

Upcoming Schedule: The Thunderbirds have a busy week coming up as the weekend will have 3 games in 3 nights as the team hits the road for games in Kamloops, Everett and Vancouver coming up. After the weekend, it's one more road game in Kennwick for a game against the Tri-City Americans before returning home on November 20 against the Kamloops Blazers.

11/13: @ Kamloops Blazers

11/14: @ Everett Silvertips

11/15: @ Vancouver Giants

11/17: @ Tri-City Americans

11/20: VS. Kamloops Blazers


Austin Smith (Colgate, NCAA [ECAC])

The Colgate Raiders are off to a good start in Conference Play as the Raiders got a pair wins over Harvard and Dartmouth. Smith had a huge impact on both games as he scored twice in a part of a 4 goal 3rd period as the Raiders came back from trailing 4-1 to come back to win a 5-4 win. In addition to the 2 goals, he also assisted on David Mcintyre Power Play goal in the opening minute of the 3rd period to make it a 4-2 game.

The next night against Dartmouth, Smith had 2 assists in a 3-2 win over Dartmouth which includes Brian Day's game winner early in the 3rd period as the Raiders topped Dartmouth 3-2 at Colgate's Starr Rink as the Raiders seeped the weekend series during their ECAC Conference Openers. Colgate will be looking for a strong year in the ECAC after finishing 10th in the Conference last year by winning just 6 games in the Conference before losing to Quinnipiac in the ECAC Conference Tournament last year.

For Smith, he's continuing to have a great early season with 11 points (6G 5A) with a +3 so far through 9 games and has not been afraid to play the body. Even though he doesn't have the size of a player like Austin Smith, he's got the speed to get away from opposing defenders and when he's on the break away, this is where he's at best.

He's looking to blow his 2008-2009 totals out of the water with a much better understanding of the Colgate system and lead the Raiders to have a great season and to get back in the NCAA tournament. Colgate last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2005 before losing to Colorado College in the Midwest Regional Semifinal.

Upcoming schedule: Colgate will continue it's ECAC schedule with a pair of road games this weekend as the Raiders will visit Brown and Yale before a weekend series against Quinnipiac and Princeton before heading to Cornell a couple of days before Thanksgiving.

Here's some recent Articles from Colgate Hockey:

Austin Smith Scores twice: www.gocolgateraiders.com/news/2009/10/31/MHOCKEY_1031093316.aspx

Mclntyre reaches 100 point mark: www.gocolgateraiders.com/news/2009/11/6/WVB_1106095950.aspx

Long and Day lead Colgate over Dartmouth in ECAC Clash: www.gocolgateraiders.com/news/2009/11/7/MHOCKEY_1107092852.aspx

11/13: @ Brown

11/14: @ Yale

11/20: VS. Quinnipiac

11/21: VS. Princeton

11/24: @ Cornell


Chris Brown (Michigan, NCAA [CCHA])

After an impressive weekend against Lake Superior on the road, the Wolverines ran into the freight train that is Miami of Ohio as the #1 team in the nation continued it's near perfect season as Miami of Ohio is currently 8-1-1 so far overall and has a 5-1-0-0 record in Conference with it's only loss being against Michigan State in OT.

Chris Brown had one of the few bright spots for Michigan against Miami of Ohio where Brown had the only goal in the 3-1 loss back on November 6. On Saturday, it looked like Michigan had a glimmer of hope as the Wolverines scored the first goal before the Redhawks scored 5 answered goals in front of a crowd of over 6,000 for both games as the Redhawks continue to be the #1 team in the country right now and for good reason.

Brown overall has had 4 points through 6 games so far with 3 goals as this could be a down year for the Wolverines currently sit in 6th place in the CCHA with a 2-2-0-0 record in the conference and a 4-4-0 record overall. The Wolverines will be looking so-so this season with a respectable 2.51 GAA and a shaky .895 SV% so far this year. They may be looking up at teams like Miami of Ohio and their arch rival Michigan State as the leaders of the CCHA and will be fighting it out in the middle of the Conference with teams like Norte Dame and Ferris State.

Upcoming Schedule: A pair of home and home series will be coming up with arch rival Michigan State coming up this weekend. Then it's a trip to Ohio to take on winless Bowling Green. Then the day after Thanksgiving, it's a pair of non conference games as they take on Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Wisconsin Badgers.

Brown scores loan marker as UM Falls to the Miami Redhawks:
www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/recaps/110609aaa.html

11/13: VS. Michigan State

11/14: @ Michigan State

11/20: VS. Bowling Green

11/21: @ Bowling Green

11/27: VS. Minnesota

11/28: VS. Wisconsin

New Segment coming soon: 5 Questions

We got a new segment that's going to make it's debut here pretty soon and it's asking the tough questions and getting to know players and coaches in different leagues better. It's called 5 questions and it's about asking questions about different parts of their career. It's going to be 5 questions divided into 3 parts.

The first question is about something in their past like how they started to get into the game or a certain part like coaching or the first time they thought they had superstar potential. Questions 2 and 3 are about what they are doing currently in their careers, teams or if like they are a free agent, how that is coming up. The final 2 questions are about their futures. Like if it's a junior player for instance, it's about their chances to play in college and the pros, or if it's like a coach, about their chances to move up from being an assistant to a head coach or the Junior to the Pro levels.

Last night, I sent the questions to Seattle Thunderbirds Forward Colin Jacobs and when he gets a chance to answer. I will post them here and on American Junior Hockey.

Here's the questions that I asked him.

1. How did you get started playing hockey in the D/FW Area?

2. What are the biggest changes about playing hockey in D/FW and in Seattle?

3. What needs to happen to turnaround the slow start to the Seattle Thunderbirds season?

4. What do you need to work on the most to have a shot to play for the national team at the U18 & U20 World Championship teams?

5. What would be your dream team or players to play for or with in the NHL?

I will also add some quick hits to ask him questions away from the ice. Hopefully to get a chance to get to know them better.

Look for his answers soon and I hope to get to do more questions to more players and coaches in different levels.

Prospects Update

Here's a look at the Southwest Prospects this week.

Colin Jacobs (Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL)

Times have not been good for Seattle and Colin as the Thunderbirds continue to struggle near the bottom of the Western Conference as the team is currently 3-7-1 through 11 games which is currently 9th in the Western Conference on ahead of the Prince George Cougars and dead last in the U.S.A. Division. The Thunderbirds have lost 4 of their last 5 including games against the Everett Silvertips which could be important as they will most likely be fighting it out with Chilliwack and Prince George for the last playoff spots in the Western Conference.

As for Colin, he's been struggling being pointless in their last 3 and his last goal coming against the Portland Winterhawks on October 10, he's also been starting to pick his hitting in the game with his 6'2" 194 frame and the number of penalty minutes have been steadily increasing as he's currently up to 22 penalty minutes.

He's continuing to use as size to bring his physical play up to help bring any kind of positive momentum to the team to help their season and his performance as this may be the one of the only ways to keep the team competitive this season.

In addition, he hasn't been that much of a defensive liability, but the team did have a bad night when they lost to the Prince Albert Raiders 6-4 back on October 13. The only part of good news they have had was a 4-2 win over the lowly Prince George Cougars where the PP was really strong with the PP going 2-5 in the game including scoring the empty netter in the final minute to clinch the win.

Someone will need to step up it all over the ice to get them out of the Western Conference basement, or it's starting to look like it may be a very long season for the Thunderbirds.

Coming up for Seattle, a home game against the Brandon Wheat Kings and then the long 6 game road trip against the entire Central Division which includes the Calgary Hitmen who made it to the WHL Championship Series last season.

Also the Edmonton Oil Kings who are much improved and the Medicine Hat Tigers who will be looking to go on top of the Eastern Conference, currently the Tigers are just 2 points of co Conference Leaders Moose Jaw and Calgary.

10/23: VS. Brandon Wheat Kings 9:35 PM

10/25: @ Calgary Hitmen 3:00 PM

10/27: @ Red Deer Rebels 8:00 PM

10/28: @ Edmonton Oil Kings 8:00 PM

10/30: @ Lethbridge Hurricanes 8:00 PM

10/31: @ Medicine Hat Tigers 8:30 PM

11/1: @ Kootenay Ice 7:00 PM


Nick Lazorko (Winkler Flyers, MJHL)

Scoring wise, Nick is on a slower pace then in previous seasons. Currently through 17 games this season, Lazorko currently has only 14 points so far this season (5 G, 9 A). Part of the reason is that they wanted him to increase his physical presence on the ice with his 6'0" 180 pound frame this season. He's also been on a 5 game goal scoring drought since scoring twice in a game on October 9 against the Dauphin Kings, he's only had 2 assists in that time.

His penalty minutes are also up with the number of hits he's been throwing out their. However, he did take it to far with a slashing major which later turned into a 10 minute miscoundnct where he got tossed back on October 15 against the Winnipeg Saints when the Saints were leading 5-1 in the middle of the 3rd period. His actions almost got him suspended for a couple of games, but because this was first offense this season, he didn't get a suspension.

The last few games have been very rough for the Flyers where they have lost the last 4 games where they have been crushed in most of the games, it started in Selkirk with a 7-0 lost to the Steelers, a 6-1 loss to the Winnipeg Saints back on Thursday night.

However, the worst loss came against the expansion Steinbach Pistons 9-2 back on Saturday where the Pistons had a 6 goal 3rd period to pull away. Last night against the Dauphin Kings with a 5-3 lost where the team looked better but still lost to the team that's going to host the 2010 RBC Cup this season.

Like Colin Jacobs for the Seattle Thunderbirds, he's been a bit slow in the scoring department as of late by scoring just 2 assists and having a 5 game goal scoring drought. Part of it has been the Flyers getting crushed in recent games where they have been outscored 27-6 in the last 4 games. which include getting shutout against Selkirk and a 9-2 loss against the Steinbach Pistons. Last night, the Flyers looked better, but still a 5-3 loss against the Dauphin Kings increased their losing streak to 5.

Nick has also been increasing his physical play, however he took it to far in the game against the Winnipeg Saints where a 5 minute slashing major and 10 minute misconduct penalties took his total penalty minutes to 37 for the season. To get them out this funk, playing physical led by Lazorko and company to get back up in the Addison Division standings.

A ton of PP Time for the Winnipeg Saints helped to make it a 6-1 final against the Flyers. The Flyers will be hungry to get back up in the Addison Division Standings with them looking up at the Selkirk Steelers and the Winnipeg South Blues.

Out in the Sherwood Division, the Duphin Kings have been running away with the Division lead by winning 15 of their 17 games so far this season and have an impressive 13 point lead in the Sherwood Division. Duphin will be hosting the RBC Cup this season coming up in May and they want to make sure that the Kings will be tough to beat this season and in the National Championship at the end of the season

The team is looking for answers on the road as 4 of the final 5 games in October will be on the road as next up for the Flyers is the 2 time MJHL Defending Champion Portage Terriers coming up tomorrow night. After a Sunday home game against OCN, it's 3 straight on the road as they will play the Winnipeg Saints and a pair against the Swan Valley Stampeders coming up on 10/30 & 31.

10/22: @ Portage Terriers 7:30 PM

10/25: VS. OCN Blizzard 3:30 PM

10/27: @ Winnipeg Saints 7:30 PM

10/30: @ Swan Valley Stampeders 7:30 PM

10/31: @ Swan Valley Stampeders 7:30 PM


Chris Brown (Michigan Wolverines, NCAA (CCHA)

Not much to report from Chris Brown as they have had some time off since the trip to Alaska. If you remember, Brown had 2 goals in the teams first win of the year against Alaska Anchorage. They will return home for the team's home opener tomorrow night against the Niagara Purple Eagles before a road trip which includes Boston University and a weekend set against Lake Superior.

After the 3 game road trip, it's a pair of games against the very tough Miami of Ohio who are currently on top both major polls. The USA Today NCAA Hockey Poll and the USCHO poll.

10/22: VS. Niagara 6:35 PM

10/24: @ Boston University 6:00 PM

10/30: @ Lake Superior 6:05 PM

10/31: @ Lake Superior 6:05 PM

11/6: VS. Miami of Ohio 6:35 PM

11/7: VS. Miami of Ohio 6:35 PM


Austin Smith (Colgate Red Raiders, NCAA (ECAC))

The recent home weekend against Nebraska Omaha had a loss and a tie last weekend. Back on October 15, a 1-1 tie where Kurtis Bartliff scored the only goal in the 1-1 tie on Friday night. Then on Saturday, it's was the team's 1st loss of the season as Nebraska Omaha in a 4-1 loss which snapped a streak of 14 games in a row dating back to the end of last season where the last 14 straight games in a one goal result or less.

Austin Smith was pretty much a non-factor in either game except for a couple of penalties during the weekend as he stays on 2 points from the 2 goal game he had in the opening weekend against RIT.

Coming up for Colgate, a couple of non conference games continue as a battle with UMass-Lowell on the road before a 4 game home stand which has the Army Academy and Harvard who's looking to be a big player in the ECAC this season

10/23: @ UMass-Lowell 6:00 PM

10/30: VS. Army Academy 6:30 PM

10/31: VS. Niagara 6:30 PM

11/6: VS. Harvard 6:00 PM

11/7: VS. Dartmouth 3:00 PM