Southwest Prospects Weekend Wrap Up, Canadian Hockey League Edition

After a very busy weekend where the NCAA Hockey Conference Championships & Canadian Hockey League Regular Season has wrapped up this weekend. Here's a look at how Southwest Based Standouts did over the Weekend and where they will be playing as the NCAA Hockey Tournament & the Canadian Hockey League Playoffs begin later this week.

Here's the NCAA Hockey Tournament Brackets, as well as the 1st Round Schedules for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL). The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League 1st Round Schedule hasn't been released yet.

NCAA Hockey Tournament Bracket:

Western Hockey League 1st Round Schedule

Ontario Hockey League 1st Round Schedule

Stefan Noesen

Plymouth only played in one game as the Whalers had an uphill climb to take over the #1 Seed in the Western Conference as the London Knights were finishing their final 3 game in 3 day stretch where the Knights held most of the major tiebreakers between the #1 &; #2 Seeds. Noesen ended the regular season on a red hot stretch by scoring a goal a game (11 Goals in 11 Games) which included a hat trick against the Oshawa Generals on February 24th and a 2 goal game against Owen Sound on March 11. In addition to his 11 goals, he also added 5 assists during the final stretch of the season to show that he can help set up teammates like Richard Rankell.

Noesen finished the Regular Season on top of the Plymouth Whalers Scoring for the 2nd straight year with an impressive 82 points where he surpassed his total for goals from last year (38 this year, 33 last year) and will be looked upon again to have a huge playoff run where the Whalers pulled off a huge upset of the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL Western Conference Quarterfinals last season before losing to the eventual Champions Owen Sound Attack. During last year's playoff run, the Plano Native was able to score 11 points in 11 games which included a team leading 6 goals during the run that saw them reach the Western Conference Semifinals last season.

This year the Playoffs for the Whalers will be getting underway on Friday March 23rd when Plymouth will play the #7 Seeded Guelph Storm in a best of 7 series. Guelph finished the regular season with a .500 record with a 31-31-6 record and the Whalers good for 68 points during the regular season and the Whalers were able to win 3 of the 4 regular season head-to-head matches where all 4 games turned out to be high scoring games which included an 8-4 win in November & a 7-5 win in December. So expect to see some fireworks to erupt in this playoff series which starts Friday Night in Plymouth, Michigan.

Here's the #2 Plymouth Whalers VS. #7 Guelph Storm Series Schedule

3/23, GM 1: @ Plymouth  6:05 PM

3/25, GM 2: @ Guelph  5:35 PM

3/27, GM 3: @ Plymouth  6:05 PM

3/29, GM 4: @ Guelph  6:05 PM

3/31, GM 5*: @ Plymouth  6:05 PM

4/1, GM 6*: @ Guelph  5:35 PM

4/3, GM 7*: @ Plymouth  6:05 PM

Colton Martin

After the Kelowna Rockets have had their #6 Seed in the WHL Western Conference locked up for a couple of weeks now, this was about making sure the Rockets were solid and ready to go when the WHL Playoffs begin this week as the Rockets will face a very tough Portland Winterhawks that just missed out on the U.S. Division Title & the #1 Seed by 2 points against the Tri-City Americans.

He hasn't been the kind of person that puts up big stats as Martin finished the regular season with 15 points (1G 14A), he scored his only goal of the season in an OT Winner against the Regina Pats back in December. His game is more of a 2 way defensemen as he looks to improve his speed to help out on counterattacks to be the defensemen that could force turnovers and look to perform breakouts, he's been working on improving his faceoffs over the course of the regular season.

This past weekend saw the Rockets end the regular season in strong form as they were able to get 3 out of 4 points in a home-and-home weekend against the Vancouver Giants. On Friday, the Rockets put the Giants on notice where despite losing the game, 5-4 in OT, Kelowna was up 3-1 in the 2nd and 4-3 in the 3rd that the Giants were able to tie it at up on both occasion's. Vancouver's Jordan Martinook finished up a hat trick that was able get him his 40th goal of the year just over a minute in the OT to win the game, 5-4.

The Next night saw the Rockets win a SO where the roles were reversed where the Giants scored the opening goal, then Moar, Rigby & Lees each scored to make it 3-1. Then after the Giants came back to tie the game at 3-3 in the final 5 and a half minutes in the 3rd period to force the SO where Rockets Left Winger Zach Franko scored the only goal in the SO to give the Rockets a 4-3 victory to finish the regular season.

Kelowna will be the #6 Seed in the WHL Western Conference Playoffs and will head to Oregon to open up the series on Friday & Saturday with Kelowna hosting Game 3 & 4 next Tuesday & Thursday as the Rockets will look for some magic that the 2008-09 team had when they won the WHL Championship and came just one win short of the Memorial Cup that saw them lose to the Windsor Spitfires that year.

Here's the #3 Portland Winterhawks VS. #6 Kelowna Rockets Schedule

3/23, GM 1: @ Portland  9:00 PM

3/24, GM 2: @ Portland  9:00 PM

3/27, GM 3: @ Kelowna  9:05 PM

3/29, GM 4: @ Kelowna  9:05 PM

3/31, GM 5*: @ Portland  9:00 PM

4/2, GM 6*: @ Kelowna  9:05 PM

4/4, GM 7*: @ Portland  9:00 PM

Colin Jacobs

Unlike Noesen & Martin who already had playoff spots clinched, Colin Jacob's Seattle Thunderbirds was in a playoff battle for the last several weeks that came up short for the 2nd straight year for the Thunderbirds as they failed to make the playoffs as Seattle got drilled, 8-2, in their season finale and lost a critical game to the Everett Silvertips, 6-4, that would have knocked out of the Everett Silvertips from the Playoff Race and would have seen Seattle clinch the League's Final Playoff Spot. Instead, it will be the Everett Silvertips advancing to the Playoffs instead of the Thunderbirds who will be on the outside looking in for the 3rd straight year.

Jacobs finished the regular season by playing in 44 games after he was out for most of the 1st half of the season with shoulder problems who didn't make his season debut till December 12th. He finished the regular season with 19 points (9G 10A) with a -18 and 46 penalty minutes. He was focused on improving his defensive and physical game as his shoulders were getting better over the course of the 2nd half of the season. 

Those numbers don't sound great but this was a Thunderbirds Team that scored the 2nd fewest goals in the season (173), only Prince George had scored fewer with 166. Seattle also had the worst GD in the league with a -119 over the course of the season, so it made it very difficult for the Thunderbirds to have a competitive shot at the playoffs. For them to keep it this close all the way to end of the season should be considered a strong feat in itself.

2/22 Canadian Hockey League Scoreboard

The Kelowna Rockets ended up with one of the biggest wins of their season by taking down the Eastern Conference Leading Edmonton Oil Kings 6-4 with 2 goals each from Carter Rigby & Brett Bulmer to propel the victory with everyone playing such a great game over the course of the night and a strong way to kickoff their 5 game road trip with 4 of the games in the Province of Alberta. Kelowna will now have a 3 game in 3 day stretch with games in Lethbridge on Friday, Medicine Hat on Saturday which features the WHL's top Goal Scorer in Emerson Etem with 52 goals this season. Then the Rockets will wrap up the weekend on Sunday against the Calgary Hitmen.

Regardless of how the Kelowna Rockets do the rest of the season, expect them to be pretty much locked into the 6th seed as they sit a strong 18 points up on 7th Place Seattle Thunderbirds where the Rockets are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot. In addition, the gap between them and 5th Place Spokane is 11 points as they will be looking to fight the Vancouver Giants for a home ice spot in the WHL Western Conference.

One of the biggest things they will have to fight off is putting the team into cruise control into the playoffs as they will more then likely play the Kamloops Blazers, Portland Winterhawks or Tri-City Americans who are all fighting it out for the #1 Seed in the WHL Western Conference, and quite possibly the #1 Overall Seed to get them home ice advantage in the entire Western Hockey League Playoffs depending on how the top Eastern Conference Teams like the Edmonton Oil Kings & Moose Jaw Warriors

It's possible that they could catch them if they get really hot. But with the team they have and some of the inconsistencies in their game, I wouldn't expect them to do it even if its a turtle that has been frozen in time.

The lone OHL Game went from a goaltenders duo in the first two periods where goaltenders JP Anderson & Scott Stajcer were stopping everything in sight to an offensive slug fest in the 3rd period. In the end after the Attack & Sting made it 3-3 after the 3rd period. It was Owen Sound defensemen Jay Gilbert who scored in OT to give the Sting a 4-3 victory in a very important game in what could be a possible 1st Round Series Preview in the OHL Western Conference as both teams are currently the #4 & #5 seeded teams with both teams having just over 10 games left this season.

Here's the Full Scoreboard from the WHL, OHL & QMJHL last night.

Western Hockey League

WHL Video

Kootenay Ice 1  Regina Pats 2  (0-0, 0-1, 1-1)

Prince Albert Raiders 3  Swift Current Broncos 2  (SO) (0-0, 1-0, 1-2, 0-0, 1-0)

Lethbridge Hurricanes 3  Saskatoon Blades 2  (1-2, 0-0, 2-0)

Medicine Hat Tigers 3  Calgary Hitmen 5  (0-1, 1-3, 2-1)

Kelowna Rockets 6  Edmonton Oil Kings 4  (1-1, 3-2, 2-1)

Victoria Royals 3  Kamloops Blazers 6  (2-2, 1-1, 0-3)


Ontario Hockey League

OHL Video

Sarnia Sting 3  Owen Sound Attack 4  (OT) (0-0, 0-0, 3-3, 0-1)


Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

QMJHL Video

PEI Rockets 2  Blaineville-Boisbriand Armada 5  (0-3, 2-0, 0-2)

Acadie-Bathurst Titans 3  Rimouski Oceanic 6  (1-3, 0-1, 2-2)

Val-dor Foreurs 4  Rouyn-Nornda Huskies 2  (0-2, 2-0, 2-0)

2/15 Canadian Hockey League Scoreboard

On a very busy night in the Canadian Hockey League saw the Edmonton Oil Kings comeback after letting the Kamloops Blazers comeback on Tuesday Night by storming the Kelowna Rockets with Tyler Maxwell scoring twice in the 2nd period to take his total to 34 goals on the season. But it was Michael St. Croix was had a goal and an assist on the Power Play along with Kevin Lowe who together scored three times in a minute and-a-half late in the 2nd period to break open a 2-2 game to a 5-2 lead where the Oil Kings never looked back.

To Kelowna's credit, they were taking the body to the Oil Kings to keep the game close and Zach Franco registered a hat trick in the game including a penalty shot late in the first period.

They were also a couple of possible playoff matchups out west as the top seeded Tri-City Americans traveled South to Oregon to take on the Winterhawks as Sven Bartschi's 3 points helped make him the #1 Star of the Game to help beat the Americans 5-3; while Vancouver & Spokane played in a goaltenders duo where the Giants came out with a 2-1 victory. At where the standings are right now, the Vancouver Giants & Spokane Chiefs would play each other in the Western Conference Quarterfinals right now. With big gaps on both sides of the standings at the current moments, it's looking more and more like that this will more then likely be the #4 VS. #5 Series in the Western Conference Quarterfinals with seeding and home ice to figure out over the final month of the regular season.

Belleville was able to give the Eastern Conference Leading Ottawa 67s a scare where Power Play Goals by Danill Zharkov & Stephen Silas were scored just 44 seconds apart. Ottawa after that showed why the Eastern Conference Leaders to eventually win 6-4 who were able to take over Niagara Ice Dogs surprisingly lost to the Erie Otters 2-1 who won just their 8th game all season.

Western Hockey League 

WHL Full Wrap Up 

WHL Video Highlights

Saskatoon Blades 2  Moose Jaw Warriors 5  (2-0, 0-4, 0-1)

Swift Current Broncos 4  Prince Albert Raiders 3  (OT) (0-0, 1-1, 2-2, 1-0)

Brandon Wheat Kings 4  Lethbridge Hurricanes 2  (1-0, 2-2, 1-0)

Regina Pats 3  Medicine Hat Tigers 1  (1-0, 1-1, 1-0)

Tri-City Americans 3  Portland Winterhawks 5  (2-2, 0-3, 1-0)

Red Deer Rebels 1  Prince George Cougars 3  (1-1, 0-0, 0-2)

Edmonton Oil Kings 6  Kelowna Rockets 3  (0-2, 5-0, 1-1)

Vancouver Giants 2  Spokane Chiefs 1  (0-0, 1-1, 1-0)

Calgary Hitmen 5  Victoria Royals 3 (2-2, 3-1, 0-0)

Current WHL Playoff Picture

Eastern Conference

#1 Edmonton Oil Kings VS. #8 Brandon Wheat Kings

#2 Moose Jaw Warriors VS. #7 Regina Pats

#3 Medicine Hat Tigers VS. #6 Calgary Hitmen

#4 Kootenay Ice VS. #5 Saskatoon Blades

Western Conference

#1 Kamloops Blazers VS. #8 Victoria Royals

#2 Tri-City Americans VS. #7 Seattle Thunderbirds 

#3 Portland Winterhawks VS. #6 Kelowna Rockets

#4 Vancouver Giants VS. #5 Spokane Chiefs

Ontario Hockey League

OHL Video Highlights

Niagara Ice Dogs 1 Erie Otters 2  (0-0, 1-0, 0-2)

Ottawa 67s 6  Belleville Bulls 4  (2-0, 3-2, 1-2)

Sault St. Marie Greyhounds 3  Sudbury Wolves 5  (0-1, 1-2, 2-2)

Current OHL Playoff Picture

Eastern Conference

#1 Ottawa 67s VS. #8 Peterborough Petes

#2 Niagara Ice Dogs VS. #7 Mississauga St. Michael's Majors

#3 Brampton Battalion VS. #6 Oshawa Generals

#4 Sudbury Wolves VS. #5 Barrie Colts

Western Conference

#1 London Knights VS. #8 Sault St. Marie Greyhounds

#2 Plymouth Whalers VS. #7 Windsor Spitfires

#3 Kitchener Rangers VS. #6 Saginaw Spirit

#4 Sarnia Sting VS. #5 Owen Sound Attack

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

QMJHL Video Highlights

Victoriaville Tigers 5  Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 4  (1-1, 2-3, 2-0)

St. John Seadogs 10  PEI Rockets 1  (4-0, 3-0, 3-1)

Baie-Comeau Drakkar 5  Shawinigan Cataractes 4  (OT) (2-3, 2-1, 0-0, 1-0)

Current QMJHL Playoff Picture

#1 St. John Seadogs VS. #16 Rouyn-Nornda Huskies

#2 Shawinigan Cataractes VS. #15 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

#3 Blaineville-Boisbriand Armada VS. #14 Val-dor Foreurs

#4 Victoriaville Tigers VS. #13 Drummondville Voltigeurs

#5 Quebec City Remparts VS. #12 Gatineau Olympiques

#6 Rimouski Oceanic VS. #11 Baie-Comeau Drakkar

#7 Chicoutimi Sagueneens VS. #10 Moncton Wildcats

#8 Halifax Mooseheads VS. #9 Acadie-Bathurst Titans

2/14 Canadian Hockey League Scoreboard

Here's a look at the Scoreboard & Reviews from last night's Action in the Western Hockey League which included Coppell Native Colin Jacobs scoring the 1st Shootout Goal that helped be a big game changer as the Thunderbirds got a critical win over the Kelowna Rockets to get away from the Chasing Pack for the Final 2 Spots in the WHL Western Conference Race as they continue to battle teams like the Everett Silvertips & Prince George Cougars over the final month and change of the regular season.

Other WHL action included a possible WHL Championship Preview between the Kamloops Blazers & Edmonton Oil Kings where the Blazers were able to comeback from a 2-0 deficit at the 2nd intermission, into a 3-2 victory in the 3rd.

The Big difference maker saw the Blazers transforming the game from a 2-0 hole to a 2-2 tie with goals by Brandon Herrod & Austin Maddisky in just under 2 minutes to turn a 2-0 hole to a 2-2 tie early in the 3rd. With just a minute left in the game, Blazers Center Matt Needham scored the game winner in a battle of WHL Conference Leaders. This game was huge in the fact that the Blazers are 5 points ahead in the race for WHL Home Ice Advantage with both teams having just 15 games left in the regular season.

Elsewhere the Brandon Wheat Kings took down Kootenay 4-3 and the Western Conference Leading Tri-City Americans lost in a Shutout to the Vancouver Giants 5-4. In the lone QMJHL Game last night saw the Quebec City Remparts just crushed the Baie-Comeau Drakkar 9-1 thanks to a 5 point night from Frederick Roy.

Western Hockey League

Tuesday's WHL Wrap Up

WHL Video Highlights

Brandon Wheat Kings 4  Kootenay Ice 3  (0-2, 3-0, 1-1)

Edmonton Oil Kings 2  Kamloops Blazers 3  (1-0, 1-0, 0-3)

Kelowna Rockets 3  Seattle Thunderbirds 4  (SO) (1-3, 1-0, 1-0, 0-0, 0-1)

Vancouver Giants 5  Tri-City Americans 4  (SO) (1-2, 1-1, 2-1, 0-0, 1-0)


Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

QMJHL Video Highlights

Baie-Comeau Drakkar 1  Quebec City Remparts 9  (0-2, 1-4, 0-3)

2/13 CHL & NCAA Hockey Scoreboard

Up in Boston last night was the Final & 3rd Place Game of the annual Bean Pot Tournament where Boston College defeated arch rival Boston University 3-2 in a very gritty and back-and-fourth OT Game that saw the BC Eagles win the 2012 Beanpot Title and looking to go into the final 3 weeks of the Hockey East Regular Season as they fighting UMASS-Lowell for the top spot in Hockey East with just 6 games left for both teams in the regular season. Boston University returns to Hockey East Action with a home-and-home against UMASS-Lowell while Boston College plays Merrimack this weekend also in a home-and-home.

In the 3rd Place Game as Harvard was able to finish Northeastern off a scrappy Northeastern Team 3-2 as the Harvard Crimison will look to use this momentum to fight off the likes of Clarkson & Quinnipiac to get the last of the 1st Round Byes when the ECAC Hockey Playoffs begin on March 2. Northeastern will be most likely fighting UMASS for the 8th & Final Playoff Spot in Hockey East as the Huskies will play Providence this weekend.

Just one game in the Canadian Hockey League last night as the Regina Pats used a SH unassisted goal by Regina Pats Leading Scorer Jordan Weal in a 1-0 victory over the Saskatoon Blades to claw within 3 points of 6th Place Calgary Hitmen. And just 5 points back of the Saskatoon who are 5th in the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference with each team having 15 games left in the regular season.

Tonight's CHL Schedule has both Dallas Area Natives going head-to-head as Colten Martin Kelowna Rockets team will travel to Washington to play the Seattle Thunderbirds (Colin Jacobs) as the T-Birds are looking to stay ahead of the Victoria Royals & prevent the Everett Silvertips from jumping them as well in the WHL Western Conference Standings.

But the game of the night will be in Kamloops, B.C. as both Conference Leaders in the Kamloops Blazers & Edmonton Oil Kings will rumble on Canada's West Coast as both teams look to show that they could possibly be the favorites to win the WHL Championship this season.

Just one game in the QMJHL tonight as the Baie-Comeau Drakkar take on the Quebec City Remparts in Quebec City tonight.

NCAA Hockey

Beanpot Tournament

Championship Game

Boston University 2  Boston College 3  (OT) (0-1, 1-1, 1-0, 0-1)

BU VS. BC Game Story

3rd Place Game

Harvard 3  Northeastern 2  (1-0, 1-1, 1-1)

Harvard VS. Northeastern Game Story

Western Hockey League

Saskatoon Blades 0  Regina Pats 1  (0-0, 0-1, 0-0)

Saskatoon VS. Regina Game Story

Tonight's Canadian Hockey League Schedule

QMJHL

Baie-Comeau Drakkar VS. Quebec City Remparts  6:00 PM

WHL

Brandon Wheat Kings VS. Kootenay Ice  8:00 PM

Edmonton Oil Kings VS. Kamloops Blazers  9:00 PM

Kelowna Rockets VS. Seattle Thunderbirds  9:05 PM

Vancouver Giants VS. Tri-City Americans  9:05 PM



2/8 Canadian Hockey League Scoreboard

Here's a look at the scoreboard from last night's Canadian Hockey League.

Western Hockey League

WHL Wednesday Highlights

Brandon Wheat Kings 3  Regina Pats 2  (0-2, 1-0, 2-0)

Swift Current Broncos 3  Saskatoon Blades 4  (SO) (2-0, 1-3, 1-0, 0-0, 0-1)

Edmonton Oil Kings 9  Calgary Hitmen 5  (2-1, 5-2, 2-2)

Moose Jaw Warriors 5  Lethbridge Hurricanes 3  (2-0, 2-2, 1-1)

Prince Albert Raiders 0  Red Deer Rebels 4  (0-2, 0-0, 0-2)

Tri-City Americans 1  Kamloops Blazers 5  (0-1, 1-1, 0-3)

Seattle Thunderbirds 2  Kelowna Rockets 0  (0-0, 0-0, 2-0)

Everett Silvertips 3  Victoria Royals 2  (0-0, 2-1, 1-1)

Ontario Hockey League

OHL Video

Owen Sound Attack 2  Erie Otters 1  (SO) (0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 0-0, 1-0)

Sudbury Wolves 6  Sault St. Marie Greyhounds 3  (0-0, 3-0, 3-3)


Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

QMJHL Video

Acadie-Bathurst Titans 5  Shawinigan Cataractes 4  (SO) (3-1, 0-2, 1-1, 0-0, 1-0)

Halifax Mooseheads 1  Baie-Comeau Drakkar 2  (SO) (1-0, 0-1, 0-0, 0-0, 0-1)

Blaineville-Boisbriand Armada 3  Rouyn-Nornda Huskies 2  (OT) (1-1, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0)

2/3 Canadian Hockey League Scoreboard

Here's a look at a busy night for the Canadian Hockey League as all 3 leagues got back into full gear after the CHL Top Prospects Game took place in Kelowna, B.C.

Western Hockey League

WHL Friday Wrap Up

WHL Video Highlights

Medicine Hat Tigers 3  Prince Albert Raiders 2  (0-0, 1-1, 2-1)

Regina Pats 4  Swift Current Broncos 0  (1-0, 3-0, 0-0)

Moose Jaw Warriors 2  Saskatoon Blazers 6  (0-3, 2-2, 0-1)

Lethbridge Hurricanes 4  Brandon Wheat Kings 2  (0-0, 2-0, 2-2)

Red Deer Rebels 2  Edmonton Oil Kings 3  (1-2, 0-1, 1-0)

Calgary Hitmen 1 Kootenay Ice 2  (0-1, 0-0, 1-1)

Everett Silvertips 3  Portland Winterhawks 7  (2-3, 0-2, 1-2)

Kelowna Rockets 2  Prince George Cougars 1  (0-0, 1-0, 1-1)

Victoria Royals 5  Spokane Chiefs 6  (SO) (2-2, 1-3, 2-0, 0-0, 0-1)

Seattle Thunderbirds 1  Tri-City Americans 4  (0-0, 1-2, 0-2)

Kamloops Blazers 5  Vancouver Giants 7  (1-3, 3-2, 1-2)

Ontario Hockey League

Brampton Battalion 4  Erie Otters 7  (2-0, 1-3, 1-4)

Plymouth Whalers 1  Sarnia Sting 4  (0-1, 0-3, 1-0)

Saginaw Spirit 5  Guelph Storm 2  (4-0, 0-1, 1-1)

Peterborough Petes 4  Kingston Frontenacs 2  (1-1, 1-1, 2-0)

Belleville Bulls 6  Kitchener Rangers 3  (0-1, 2-0, 4-2)

Niagara Ice Dogs 3  London Knights 2  (1-0, 1-2, 1-0)

Barrie Colts 1  Mississauga St. Michaels Majors 0  (1-0, 0-0, 0-0)

Oshawa Generals 2  Ottawa 67s 3  (0-0, 1-1, 1-2)

Windsor Spitfires 6  Owen Sound Attack 5  (OT) (2-3, 2-2, 1-0, 1-0)

Sault St. Marie Greyhounds 7  Sudbury Wolves 3  (2-1, 3-1, 2-1)


Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

QMJHL Video

Moncton Wildcats 3  Halifax Mooseheads 5  (2-1, 0-2, 1-2)

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 2  PEI Rockets 4  (1-0, 1-1, 0-3)

St. John Seadogs 3  Drummondville Voltigeurs 2 (SO) (0-0, 1-1, 1-1, 0-0, 1-0)

Rimouski Oceanic 9  Quebec City Remparts 3  (5-2, 2-0, 2-2)

Victoriaville Tigers 6  Baie-Comeau Drakkar 1  (1-0, 3-0, 2-1)

Gatineau Olympiques 4  Blaineville-Boisbriand Armada 5  (4-3, 0-2, 0-0)

Rouyn-Nornda Huskies 1  Chicoutimi Sagueneens 5  (0-1, 0-3, 1-1)

Val-dor Foreurs 1  Shawinigan Cataractes 8  (0-2, 0-1, 1-5)

2/1-2 Canadian Hockey League Scoreboard

With teams coming back from the CHL Top Prospects Game earlier this week in Kelowna, B.C. The CHL was still a bit slow with only a handful of games in both the WHL & QMJHL over the last couple of nights with none at all in the Ontario Hockey League. All 3 leagues get back to normal operations tonight with the regular season wrapping up on March 18 in all 3 leagues.

2/1

Western Hockey League

WHL Wednesday Wrap Up

WHL Video

Regina Pats 2  Prince Albert Raiders 4  (0-2, 2-2, 0-0)

Lethbridge Hurricanes 4  Swift Current Broncos 6  (2-3, 0-0, 2-3)

Spokane Chiefs 1  Kamloops Blazers 4  (0-1, 1-0, 0-3)

Prince George Cougars 1  Victoria Royals 5  (1-1, 0-3, 0-1)

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

QMJHL Video

Rimouski Oceanic 8  Victoriaville Tigers 7  (OT) (4-1, 2-4, 1-2, 1-0)

2/2

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 6  PEI Rockets 9  (3-3, 0-0, 3-6)

Rouyn-Nornda Huskies 4  Baie-Comeau Drakkar 2  (0-2, 1-0, 3-0)



1/31 CHL & NCAA Hockey Scoreboard

Here's a look at both the CHL & NCAA Scoreboard from last night. Also included was the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Top Prospects Skills Competition that Team Orr won 15-9 over Team Cherry that took place in Kelowna, B.C. The Top Prospects Game takes place at 9:00 PM CST Tonight up in B.C. Tonight!

CHL Top Prospects Game

Skills Competition Wrap Up

Skills Competition Photos

 

Western Hockey League

WHL Tuesday Wrap Up

WHL Video

Swift Current Broncos 1  Saskatoon Blades 3  (0-0, 0-2, 1-1)

Red Deer Rebels 6  Medicine Hat Tigers 3  (2-1, 2-1, 2-1)

Spokane Chiefs 5  Seattle Thunderbirds 3  (1-1, 1-1, 3-1)

Prince George Cougars 4  Victoria Royals 2  (1-1, 2-1, 1-0)

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

QMJHL Video

PEI Rockets 4  Moncton Wildcats 1  (0-0, 0-1, 4-0)

NCAA Hockey

ECAC Hockey

Dartmouth 2 Harvard 2  (OT) (0-0, 2-1, 0-1, 0-0)

Harvard VS. Dartmouth Game Story

Non-Conference

UCONN 3 Princeton 4  (3-1, 0-1, 0-2)

UCONN VS. Princeton Game Story

1/29 Major Junior & NCAA Scoreboard

Here's a look at yesterday's scores from both the Canadian Hockey Leagues & the NCAA as both organizations are going to start entering the final stretch of the regular season. In the NCAA, The Atlantic Hockey Association, Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) & ECAC Hockey Conferences will wrap up on February 25, and the Hockey East & Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Seasons will wrap up on March 3. Just 2 weeks after that will see the end of the Canadian Hockey League's Regular Season which will end on March 18 for all 3 leagues.

NCAA Hockey

Atlantic Hockey Association

Air Force Academy 3  Canisius 0  (0-0, 2-0, 1-0) 

Hockey East

Providence 2  Merrimack 4  (1-2, 1-1, 0-1)

Providence VS. Merrimack Game Story

Western Hockey League

WHL Sunday Wrap Up

WHL Video Highlights

Tri-City Americans 1  Calgary Hitmen 4  (0-0, 1-2, 0-2)

Kelowna Rockets 4  Seattle Thunderbirds 3  (0-1, 4-1, 0-1)

Ontario Hockey League

OHL Video

Niagara Ice Dogs 3  Brampton Battalion 0  (2-0, 0-0, 1-0)

Kitchener Rangers 5  Guelph Storm 3  (2-1, 2-0, 1-2)

Sarnia Sting 2  Kingston Frontenacs 1  (0-1, 2-0, 0-0)

Sudbury Wolves 4  Mississauga St. Michaels Majors 1  (0-1, 3-0, 1-0)

Ottawa 67's 3  Owen Sound Attack 1  (1-1, 0-0, 2-0)

Peterborough Petes 2  Oshawa Generals 5  (1-1, 0-1, 1-3)

Plymouth Whalers 4  Sault St. Marie Greyhounds 3 (SO) (2-2, 0-0, 1-1, 0-0, 1-0)

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

QMJHL Video

Gatineau Olympiques 1  Drummondville Voltigeurs 6  (0-3, 0-3, 1-0)

Halifax Mooseheads 3  Rimouski Oceanic 4  (OT) (0-2, 2-1, 1-0, 0-1)

Chicoutimi Sagueneens 4  Val-dor Foreurs 3  (0-0, 2-1, 2-1)

Quebec City Remparts 5  Victoriaville Tigers 6  (1-1, 3-5, 1-0)

1/26 Canadian Hockey League Scoreboard

Here's a look at the Scoreboard from last night's games in the Canadian Hockey League. Nothing took place last night out west, while they were 4 games in the OHL & 3 in the QMJHL. As for Stefan Noesen, he had another assist in a victory over the Barrie Colts last night as the Whalers are still 4 points behind the London Knights for 1st Place in the OHL Western Conference.

Ontario Hockey League

Belleville Bulls 0  Niagara Ice Dogs 6  (0-3, 0-0, 0-3)

Kingston Frontenacs 1  Peterborough Petes 5  (1-3, 0-0, 0-2)

Saginaw Spirit 5  Windsor Spitfires 4  (SO) (0-3, 3-0, 1-1, 0-0, 1-0)

Plymouth Whalers 4  Barrie Colts 1  (3-0, 1-1, 0-0)

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Baie-Comeau Drakkar 1  Halifax Mooseheads 3  (0-0, 1-2, 0-1)

Moncton Wildcats 0  St. John Seadogs 1  (0-0, 0-0, 0-1)

Drummondville Voltigeurs 3  Val-dor Fourers 1  (1-0, 2-0, 0-1)



1/25 Canadian Hockey League Scoreboard

Here's a look at the Scores from last night's games in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL) & Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Which included a huge game in Edmonton between the Edmonton Oil Kings VS. Tri-City Americans in which some think could be a possible preview of the Western Hockey League Championship Game come Early May. A majority of the games were in the Western Hockey League last night with just 2 in the QMJHL & 1 in the Ontario Hockey League.

Western Hockey League

WHL Wednesday Wrap Up

WHL Highlights

Brandon Wheat Kings 2  Calgary Hitmen 7  (0-3, 0-3, 1-2)

Tri-City Americans 5  Edmonton Oil Kings 4  (OT) (0-1, 2-2, 2-1, 1-0)

Kootenay Ice 4  Lethbridge Hurricanes 5  (2-1, 2-2, 0-2)

Prince Albert Raiders 5  Medicine Hat Tigers 6  (0-2, 3-3, 2-1)

Vancouver Giants 2  Red Deer Rebels 4  (1-1, 1-3, 0-0)

Spokane Chiefs 4  Everett Silvertips 2  (1-1, 1-0, 2-1)

Kamloops Blazers 2  Kelowna Rockets 3  (SO) (0-0, 2-1, 0-1, 0-0, 0-1)

Ontario Hockey League

Kitchener Rangers 8  London Knights 3  (2-0, 3-1, 3-2)

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Blaineville-Boisbriand Armada 5  Acadie-Bathurst Titans 6  (1-2, 1-3, 3-1)

Victoriaville Tigers 0  Shawinigan Cataractes 6  (0-2, 0-1, 0-3)

This Weeks Shows & Podcasts

Here's some recent shows from across North America to get you the latest from the NCAA, Juniors & the NHL from the past few days. Also here's a look at what time the shows start live where many of them have email, Twitter & Facebook Accounts where you can ask questions to the Show Hosts as well.

The Pipeline Show, 1/21 Episode

Puck Podcast, 1/21 Episode

USCHO Live, 1/17 Episode

WHL This Week Radio Edition, 1/19

OHL This Week Radio Edition, 1/20 Episode

Arlington Native Colten Martin & Corpus Christi Ice Rays Goalie Anthony Stolarz ranked in the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Rankings

Two players with current Texas Ties have made the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Rankings that came out today. Unlike last year where we had Stefan Noesen & Colin Jacobs that became slam dunks to be drafted. The Southwest Region doesn't have anyone this year that will be considered slam dunks and will be fighting to continue to gain Interest from NHL Teams over the 2nd half of the Regular Season and going into the early portion of the playoffs when the End-of-Season Rankings come out in Late April.

First up is Arlington Native Colten Martin who is in the middle of his 1st season with the Kelowna Rockets (WHL). Colten is a defensemen where his strong suits including his great passing abilities, speed to occasionally join in on the counter attack and improving his game on the faceoff. He's showing his ability to improve his offensive abilities recently by being more aggressive with setting up forwards like Shane McColgan, Brett Bulmer & Carter Rigby.

Even though he was ranked #146 among NA Skaters Rankings, Kelowna Rockets Assistant Coach Ryan Cuthbret sees a lot of room of improvement over the 2nd half of the season coming up. It was also mentioned that has a great hockey IQ and is a fast learner as well. He will be looking to continue to gain NHL Scouting Interest & increase his Scouting Ranking when the End of Season Rankings come out in April by playing a big role in getting his team in the WHL Playoffs this season.

So far, the Rockets sit in 6th Place in the WHL Western Conference (3rd in the B.C. Division) with a 17-20-5 record (39 PTS). If the Regular Season ended today, the Rockets would face the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

"Colten has put himself on the map by being a competitive kid. He thinks the game well and has good instincts." Said Kelowna Rockets Assist Coach Ryan Cuthbret. Warren Henderson who is the Kelowna Rockets Beat Writer for the Kelowna Capital News, has also mentioned "that he has exceeded expectations and continues to gain confidence during his 1st season in the Western Hockey League (WHL)," about him in an email.

So far through this season, he has scored 9 points (1G 8A) in 40 games played this season. He also has 2 Multi Point Performances this season, 1st it was a 2 assist performance in a 4-2 win over the Prince George Cougars on 11/19. He also has scored his only goal of the season back on December 14th against the Regina Pats where he scored the OT Winner that night & to this point, it's his only goal of the season so far.

He's not going to be one of those players that will score a lot of points as he is more of an energy & speed guy to help out the defense get out of trouble when needed and to help set up the team's more skilled forwards. He's also looking to improve his game on faceoffs to help get the puck out of trouble, especially on defensive zone faceoffs and looking to increase the amount of time he gets on special teams (Especially on the PK).

Corpus Christi Icerays Goalie Anthony Stolarz was the only North American Hockey League (NAHL) Player to make the rankings where he was ranked #21 among North American Goalies. The Native of Jackson, New Jersey has all ready announced his NCAA commitment to the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) starting next season. So far this season for the Ice Rays, he has a strong 13-10-2 Record with a 2.54 GAA & a .924 SV% as well.

His only shutout of the season came back on December 16 against the New Mexico Mustangs with a 4-0 shutout win that came just before the league's Christmas Break, recently he has been coming up big where he has given up in 5 of the last 6 games where he has given up 2 or fewer goals and has a 4-2 record during that time going back to December 30 against the Wichita Falls Wildcats.

He will continue to need to be big as the Ice Rays have been having issues finding a suitable back-up goaltender for Stolarz as no one else has been able to play more then 6 games all season to help Stolarz. His current back up Matt Laprade gave up 5 goals in his only performance which was part of a 10-3 loss where he was pulled just after the mid-way point of the game back on January 6 against the Amarillo Bulls. So he will have to continue the carry a heavy load as he looks to impress over the 2nd half of the season.

The Good News is that his effort is beginning to pay off as the Ice Rays are looking to pull away from the New Mexico Mustangs, Wichita Falls Wildcats & Odessa Jackalopes thanks to a weekend sweep which included a pair of victories over Odessa (2-1 & 3-0), as well as a win yesterday afternoon against the Texas Tornado (4-1). These results takes his record to 15-10-1 and takes his GAA to an impressive 2.38. Also, this increases the gap between the Ice Rays and the 5th Place Jackalopes to 9 points for the 4th & Final Spot in the South Division race.

Regardless of how well the team plays, it will have to go on a major hot streak in order to catch up to the Texas Tornado & Topeka Roadrunners who are still a good 14 & 16 points ahead in the Race for the 2nd Spot which would get them Home Ice in the 1st Round of the NAHL Playoffs as they will look to make a shock run to the NAHL Robertson Cup Tournament that will be in Frisco in early May.

In addition to looking to get the Icerays to the Playoffs for the 1st time in the NAHL Era, he will be looking to impress during the upcoming NAHL Top Prospects Tournament that will be taking place from February 20-22 coming up in Troy, Michigan where he will most likely be playing on the NAHL Selects Team which will be for the best players in the NAHL Under the age of 18.

He will be looking to be the torch barer for the North American Hockey League as he is the only NAHL Player to be ranked in the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Rankings this year and will look to climb the rankings over the 2nd half of the season.

A pair of Russians in Nail Yakupov (Sarnia Sting OHL) & Mikhail Grigorenko (Quebec City Remparts, QMJHL) are currently 1 & 2 in the NA Skaters Rankings who are coming off strong performances at the recent WJHC Tournament in Alberta, Canada. Yakupov is currently the front runner to be the #1 Overall Pick this year, while Grigorenko could have a jump of taking him down for the #1 if a major injury or something happens to Yakupov.

Overall, 7 of the top 10 players in the NA Rankings are defensemen which begins with Everett Silvertips Defensemen Ryan Murray, along with the likes of Rielly Morgan with the Moose Jaw Warriors & Matthew Dumba of the Red Deer Rebels. In all, the Western Hockey League lead the top 10 with 5 Players being ranked. The Ontario Hockey League (OHL), while the USNTDP U18 & QMJHL each had 1 player each in the top 10 among North American Skaters.

The Top American in the rankings is Jacob Trouba who was the only member of the USNTDP U18 Team that made Team USA for the World Junior Hockey Championships that wrapped up in Alberta where the Americans finished in a disappointing 7th Place this season. Which was one of the worst showings for the Americans since 1999, by finishing 7th and playing in the Relegation Round. Other members of the USTNDP U18 Team that made the Draft Rankings include Stefan Matteau who's 13th & Brady Skjei who's ranked 18th as well.

Among NA Goaltenders is Malcom Subban of the OHL's Belleville Bulls is on top of the Goaltending Lists right now. The top 5 also had Matthew Murray (Sault St. Marie Greyhounds/OHL), Brandon Whitney (Victoriaville Tigers/QMJHL) was ranked #3, Jon Gillies (Indiana Ice/USHL) is 4th, and Jake Paterson (Saginaw Spirit/OHL) round out of the top 5 this season.

Leading the European Lists has Filip Forsberg who's with Leksand in the Swedish 2nd Division. Finally among European Goaltenders has Andrei Vasilevski who's with Ufa 2nd Division which plays in the Russian 2nd Division.

Were only half way through the season right now and the End of Season Rankings will be coming out in Late April. While the 2012 NHL Draft will be taking place June 22 & 23 in Pittsburgh this upcoming summer.

Here's the Full NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Rankings.

NA Skaters

NA Goalies

EURO Skaters

EURO Goalies

1/7 Major Junior Scoreboard

Here's a look at the January 7th Scoreboard for the Western Hockey League (WHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) &; the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Western Hockey League

Brandon Wheat Kings 11  Prince Albert Raiders 3  (2-1, 3-2, 6-0)

Regina Pats 3  Saskatoon Blades 4  (0-0, 2-3, 1-1)

Swift Current Broncos 3  Edmonton Oil Kings 5  (1-0, 1-3, 1-2)

Moose Jaw Warriors 3  Kootenay Ice 2  (1-0, 1-2, 1-0)

Medicine Hat Tigers 3  Red Deer Rebels 2  (OT) (1-0, 0-1, 1-0, 1-0)

Kamloops Blazers 6  Prince George Cougars 1  (2-0, 2-1, 2-0)

Portland Winterhawks 4  Vancouver Giants 8  (1-2, 0-3, 3-3)

Tri-City Americans 4  Everett Silvertips 0  (1-0, 3-0, 0-0)

Spokane Chiefs 4  Seattle Thunderbirds 2  (3-0, 0-1, 1-1)

Kelwona Rockets 4  Victoria Royals 3  (SO) (0-0, 2-2, 1-1, 0-0, 1-0)


Ontario Hockey League

Kitchener Rangers 6  Erie Otters 4  (2-2, 0-2, 4-0)

Sarnia Sting 2  Niagara Ice Dogs 4  (0-1, 2-2, 0-1)

Ottawa 67s 3  Belleville Bulls 2  (0-0, 2-2, 1-0)

Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 3  Peterborough Petes 4  (SO) (1-1, 1-0, 1-2, 0-0, 0-1)

Saginaw Spirit 3  Plymouth Whalers 4  (SO) (1-1, 1-1, 1-1, 0-0, 0-1)

London Knights 3  Barrie Colts 2  (0-1, 2-0, 1-1)

Brampton Battalion 3  Owen Sound Attack 4  (OT) (1-0, 0-2, 2-1, 0-1)

Guelph Storm 6  Sault St. Marie Greyhounds 1  (2-0, 2-1, 2-0)


Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Rimouski Oceanic 3  Baie-Comeau Drakkar 2 (SO) (0-0, 2-0, 0-2, 0-0, 1-0) 

Chicoutimi Sagueneens 4  Victoriaville Tigers 3  (1-2, 2-0, 1-1)

St. John Seadogs 6  Halifax Mooseheads 3  (0-2, 5-1, 1-0)

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 1  Moncton Wildcats 2  (1-0, 0-1, 0-1)

Gatineau Olympiques 5  P.E.I. Rockets 1  (1-1, 2-0, 2-0)

1/4 Major Junior Scorebord

Here's a look at the scoreboard for January 4 in the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League & Western Hockey League & the United States Hockey League. Because of how late some of the WHL Games wrap up, look for the late results in the morning.

Western Hockey League

Prince Albert Raiders 3  Regina Pats 8  (0-1, 1-4, 2-3)

Lethbridge Hurricanes 3  Edmonton Oil Kings 6  (1-0, 1-5, 1-1)

Swift Current Broncos 1  Kootenay Ice 5  (1-1, 0-3, 0-1)

Calgary Hitmen 6  Vancouver Giants 4  (2-2, 1-1, 3-1)

Seattle Thunderbirds 2  Everett Silvertips 5  (1-2, 0-1, 1-2)

Spokane Chiefs 2  Kelowna Rockets 5  (1-1, 0-4, 1-0)

Moose Jaw Warriors 0  Tri-City Americans 5  (0-2, 0-0, 0-3)

Ontario Hockey League

Oshawa Generals 4  Belleville Bulls 1  (0-0, 1-1, 3-0)

London Knights 6  Sault St. Marie Greyhounds 1  (1-0, 3-1, 2-0)

Plymouth Whalers 5  Saginaw Spirit 0  (3-0, 1-0, 1-0)

Sudbury Wolves 5  Barrie Colts 3  (0-1, 2-1, 3-1)

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Acadie-Bathurst Titans 3  PEI Rockets 4  (1-3, 2-0, 0-1)

Chicoutimi Sagueneens 2  Blaineville-Boisbriand Armada 3  (2-0, 0-2, 0-1)

Gatineau Olympiques 2  St. John Seadogs 3  (0-1, 2-2, 0-0)

Quebec City Remparts 4  Victoriaville Tigers 5  (OT) (1-2, 1-0, 2-2, 0-1)

Shawinigan Cataractes 8  Rimouski Oceanic 3  (2-1, 2-1, 4-1)

Drummondville Voltigeurs 2  Rouyn-Nornda Huskies 3  (1-2, 0-0, 1-1)

United States Hockey League

Omaha Lancers 3  Sioux Falls Stampede 2  (2-1, 1-1, 0-0)

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 

11/9 Southwest Players Update

Here's another news update with local players recently.

*First off, Aberdeen Wings Goalie Frederieck Lesiner was named the League's Goalie of the Week back on November 1 after a huge weekend where he stopped 79 of 83 saves in a pair of victories which included both his first shutout with a 3-0 win and his first shootout of the season (both against the Coluee Region Chill).

He's been a big part of the season's turnaround as well as forwards like Cody Ward who's in a 3 way tie for 3rd in goals scored with 13 along with Rock Einersen (Texas Tornado) and Ft. Worth Native Michael Hill (Topeka Roadrunners).

After the Wings started the season losing 5 of their first 6, the Wings are slowly beginning to turn-around their season as Aberdeen is now in 4th place with 15 points (7-9-1) and is just 3 points back of both the defending Champion Bismarck Bobcats and Owatonna Express.

*Nebraska-Omaha's Johnnie Searfoss ended his five game pointless streak in a big way as he helped blow open a 3-0 lead into a 5-0 victory as he scored 2 goals in just 29 seconds on both sides of a 2 man advantage. He also assisted on the opening goal of the game where the UNO Mavericks continue to be unbeaten in WCHA Play at 4-0 and is 7-1-0 overall through 8 games. They trail by just 1 point to Minnesota-Duluth who's 4-1-1 in conference.

His big weekend didn't end there for the UNO Mavericks, he also scored his scored on Saturday in a 5-2 win in the 2nd game against Minnesota State. This takes his total from 1 point going into the weekend to 5 now, including 4 goals in 8 games played.

*Colin Jacobs had  an assist in the battle where it brought in a lot of Dallas Interest as he went up against Dallas Stars Prospect Scott Glennie and the Brandon Wheat Kings back on Saturday Night. The 2011 NHL Draft Prospect is beginning to find his grove after a lack-luster season last year where the Thunderbirds had one of the youngest teams in the entire WHL last season.

 He also had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over the Red Deer Rebels which included one of the best goals of his career as he had a great backhanded goal to make it 2-0 in the 2nd period.

Here's the Video of Colin Jacobs Backhand Goal VS. Red Deer


Here's the Latest Stat Update. Click the Players Name to see their player profile.

WHL/NCAA

Colin Jacobs  (Seattle)   15 GP  12 PTS  (5G 7A),  +1  24 PIM

Austin Smith  (Colgate)    6 GP    6 PTS   (2G 4A), 2 PIM

Armand De Swardt (Cornell)    2 GP   0 PTS   (0G 0A), 2 PIM

Locke Jillson  (Cornell)     4 GP   3 PTS   (1G 2A), 6 PIM

Keir Ross (Cornell)      4 GP   1 PTS   (0G 1A), 0 PIM

Chris Brown (Michigan)   10 GP   6 PTS   (1G 5A), 0 PIM

Jacob Fallon (Michigan)   5 GP   1 PTS    (1G 0A), 6 PIM    

Erik Higby (No. Michigan)   6 GP    2 PTS   (1G 1A),   10 PIM

CJ Ludwig (No. Michigan)    7 GP   0 PTS   (0G  0A),   26 PIM

Johnnie Searfoss (Neb.-Omaha)  8 GP   5 PTS   (4G 1A), 4 PIM

Matt Donovan (Denver)    10 GP   5 PTS  (3G 2A), 24 PIM

Chase Grant (Minn. State)    10 GP   5 PTS   (3G 2A)   2 PIM


USHL

Ian Young  (Chicago)    12 GP    8 PTS   (1G 7A),  +4  15 PIM

Tyler Aumgurgey (Dubuque)    10 GP   0 PTS (0G 0A), +1  14 PIM

Colton Hargrove (Fargo)    12 GP  3 PTS  (2G 1A), -5  36 PIM

Blake Coleman (Indiana)    10 GP   12 PTS  (4G 8A), +4  19 PIM

Josh Berge  (Lincoln)      6 GP  5 PTS  (2G 3A), +1 0 PIM

Cole Martin (Lincoln)     6 GP   3 PTS   (2G 1A), +2  6 PIM

Ryan Daugherty (Omaha)    8 GP  3 PTS   (1G 2A), +2  12 PIM

Greg Johnson  (Sioux City)   6 GP   0 PTS  (0G 0A), -3  0 PIM

Mike Williams (Sioux City)   8 GP   1 PTS  (0G 1A), -4  14 PIM

Seth Jones  (USNTDP)    6 GP     3 PTS  (1G 2A), +1  6 PIM


NAHL

Frederick Leisner (Aberdeen)   15 GP   7-7-1   3.54 GAA   .899 SV%

Tommy Rizzardo (Bismarck)    17 GP   6 PTS  (4G 2A), +5  33 PIM

Nicholas Miglio  (Bismarck)    10 GP   1 PTS  (1G 0A),  -1    8 PIM

Kyle Hughes (Corpus Christi)   16 GP  11 PTS  (1G 10A), -5   45 PIM

Axel Boyer  (Texas)     17 GP  9 PTS  (4G 5A), +9  27 PIM

Sean Hederick (Texas)   9 GP  7 PTS  (4G 3A), +4  2 PIM

Taylor Hendron (Texas)   15 GP   7 PTS  (3G 4A), +6  2 PIM

Marc Biggs  (Texas)    17 GP   10 PTS  (7G 3A),  +12  6 PIM

Jake Stafford (Texas)   9 GP    5-2-2    2.85 GAA   .874 SV%

Jacob Poe  (Topeka)    16 GP   8 PTS  (0G 8A),  E  37 PIM

Michael Hill (Topeka)   16 GP   26 PTS  (13G 13A), -4  34 PIM

Mason Miller  (Topeka)  7 GP   0 PTS  (0G 0A),  E  2 PIM

Cory Ramsay  (Topeka)   16 GP   3 PTS   (1G 2A), -4  25 PIM

Kyle Sharkley (Topeka)   6 GP   2 PTS  (1G 1A), -1  10 PIM

Tyler Hope  (Wenatchee)   16 GP  7 PTS  (3G 4A), E  34 PIM

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