Wildcats & The US Under-20 Eval

Sophomore Wildcat, second overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, James van Riemsdyk, continues his commitment to the US Nation Hockey Program and returns for his third tour of the annual camp and a high favorite for a forward position - alright so he's practically a lock but don't expect him to sit back with Coach Rolston looking to him, along with a few other returnees, to set the tone of the camp.

Joining van Riemsdyk in his first U-20 camp is Future 'Cat, Ryan Bourque, who the title-linked NHL.com article mentions as a potential 2009 NHL Draft pick.

You can see a picture of each James and Ryan here.

Show us what you've got guys!

Go 'Cats!

Collins & Aikins' First Game *Links Added!*

I've gotten word that Sean (#15) and Justin (#18) had a strong opening performance in their first preseason game today leading to a 2-1 victory over a very strong Oulun Karpat, one of the best teams in all Europe.

The line, with fellow North American Paul Cabana, scored in their first shift at just :41 seconds into the game. The goal went to Cabana on an Aikins assist. Aikins was also noted for three penalties in the game.

Congrats guys! Nice start!

I'll see if I can get any game notes linked as they become available.

Here we go.

This is the link to the highlight page!(Our 'Cats need one of these!)

This link should take you directly to the large version of the game's highlights.

I've also received this translated comment from my pal who I'm now proclaiming as honorary UNH Men's Hockey Blogger, Finnish Bureau (thanks man!):

(Aikins) - “It’s great that the first game is tough. I don’t know if the referees did a normal job tonight, but I had to learn the local style. I took three penalties and in the future I have to play with more discipline. Our line needs fine tuning in the system that we used in the corners and taking the puck off the transition. When our game conditioning is better, you can expect more.”

Go 'Cats!

More on Typlitsky

Here is a little more about Tyson Typlitsky's move to Finland including the title-linked Tappara Tampere site's article if you know Finnish or are handy with a translator.

It appears that it is a trail basis and I have some rough translated excerpts thanks to my local source:

(Tyson) - (translation) They (Cardiff) paid my two years studies at a local university. It was
 impossible to say "No", because studying is important to me. Now I am excited to be fully concentrating on hockey again.

(Tyson) - (translation) Steve (Saviano) has told me a lot about the city and the team so I know I am coming to top organization in a nice town. I know too that the hockey is much faster and the level is much higher there than in England, but because I am good skater I expect to fit the local style.


I can't thank my Finnish source enough for these great updates on some of our favorite 'Cats that can be very difficult to keep tabs on overseas!

Go 'Cats!

Sean Collins and Justin Aikins Landed

... In Finland yesterday.

The Wildcat alum duo will suit up for Sport Vaasa (who go by the moniker, Sport) one of the top ranked hockey clubs in their division, Mestis, and with the pair's help will compete for the move into the top Finish hockey league, the SM-League, alongside another Wildcat alum, Steve Saviano, who plays for Tappara Tampere there.

Word is from a dedicated Sport fan (thanks for all the great info, bud) that the two will be on a line with Paul Cabana, longtime teammate and friend of Saviano from his days with the Florida Everblades - I hear that the two towns are about 3 hours apart and that they're sure to get together from time to time.

I'm working on getting a link to an interview with Sean after the first practice so check back soon. In the meantime here's a link to an interview transcript.

Some excerpts:

Sean Collins (USA) will arrive Vaasa at the end of this week.
Steve Saviano representing Tappara in SM-Liiga and Paul Cabana who played in Vaasa Sport last season has been major influents when Sport signed their latest two North-American players.

(Sean) - Steve Saviano called me and asked if i was interested in going to Europe
to play and I told him I was thinking about making the jump to Europe so he
put me in touch with his agent.

(Sean) - Being a smaller player I doubt I am going over there to be a fighter! From my days at the University of New Hampshire and my days as a professional my role is to put points on the board and set up my goal scoring teammates.

(Sean) - I played with Justin for four years at UNH, we were roommates for three of the four years, so we know each other very well. I talked to Justin a lot during the year when he went to Germany and when he came back to the states, and we always said we wanted to play together at some point before our careers were over.

Be sure to read the rest - it's a great interview!

So, the video should be here but I couldn't view it on my Mac with Firefox - let me know if any of you have any success in viewing it! Thanks!

The two will play in their first preseason game tomorrow.

Here's to a great season!

*BREAKING NEWS*

I've just gotten word that Tyson Typlitsky, much to the chagrin of the Cardiff Devil fans, has left team and signed alongside Saviano to play for Tappara Tampere.

They're going to think there's a Wildcat invasion soon!

Go 'Cats!

Save the Date! August 3rd, 2008

The annual Friends of UNH Hockey Reunion Weekend and Golf Tournament will be held next weekend (through Monday)!

The Alumni game will feature two contests, the first starting at at noon Sunday, August 3^rd, with warm-ups at quarter-of.

The Friends' Golf Tournament will be held the following day at the Portsmouth Country Club and Wentworth by the Sea Country Club. See the title-linked Friends of UNH Hockey page for any other details or registration forms.

See you there!

Go 'Cats!

Regan Gets Props as Bruins' Prospect

See the title-linked NHL.com article for the goods as the B's have some very nice things to say about this Wildcat's game.

Go 'Cats!

Bogs Signed by Ducks

Eric Boguniecki ('97) was recently signed by the Anaheim Ducks.

Sounds like he's recovered from the hip surgery that ended last season early.

The contract is a two-way deal with Anaheim's AHL affiliate, the Iowa Chops.

You can check out The Official Eric Boguniecki Web Site to keep up with this Wildcat Alum.

Congrats Eric and best wishes for the upcoming season!

Go 'Cats!

Red Wings Add Haydar

The Detroit Red Wings have signed another Wildcat to the ranks in the person of one Darren Haydar who will join fellow alums Ty Conklin and Garrett Stafford in the organization.

Lets Go Wings has the terms of the deal being a two-way contract paying just over a half-million dollars should he make the Wings' roster.

Congrats Darren!

Go 'Cats!

JVR Back to Blogging

Coming back for what I'm sure will be a super sophomore year, Wildcat James van Riemsdyk is keeping a blog in the meantime during his second Philadelphia Flyers' Rookie Camp.

Check it out, title-linked, as well as this Flyers' article from their official page!

Go 'Cats!

While I Was Away

Jason Krog in trouble with the Russians and the Canucks?

Mike Radja going to become a Blackhawk?

Who knows but this is what is being whispered on the Wildcat winds right now.

Rumor is that the Krog signing is a one-way deal but those details have not been released. As for his previous signing with a Russian team - time will tell. Now if the Canucks would just grab Haydar too and keep the Dynamic Duo together!

Radja's Prospect Camp performance can be best summed up in this NHL.com article with the following excerpt:

Free agent Mike Radja scored two goals in the period, giving him nine points in four days of scrimmages.

Peter LeBlanc also had an unassisted goal in the game - giving him his second during the camp along with two assists.

Radja was definitely noticable during the week:

Free agent Mike Radja continued his impressive camp, scoring a goal and registering two assists. He has scored 7 points (2 G, 5 A) in three scrimmages.

“Playing with Mike Radja, obviously you have to notice him,” said forward Ben Smith, who also scored a goal and an assist today. “He’s just so skilled and quick with the puck. He just makes plays.”

Radja, who played four years at the University of New Hampshire before playing 2 games at the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch last year, hopes he can get noticed enough to earn a contract.

“I’m just trying to work hard and hope the coaches and management notices me,” said Radja. “If a contract comes out of it, that’s the best-case scenario, but I’m not really counting on anything right now.”

That's all for now.

I'll be back to regular form soon so check back often - August and the annual alumni game are coming soon!

Go 'Cats!

NHL.com: College route working for van Riemsdyk

NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale, an NHL.com Staff Writer, has a new piece published on the site that discusses sophomore James van Riemsdyk's tenure here in the Blue and White thus far and some hints of where it may go from here.

In an excerpt from the title-linked article van Riemsdyk says:

"The experience I've gained at UNH in my first season will definitely help me in the long run."

Check it out!

Go 'Cats!

2008 NHL Prospect Camp Attendees *Update 7/6/08*

I'll be adding to the list as more names, dates and places come to my attention.

To start:

Mike Radja will attend Chicago Blackhawks' Prospect Camp along with Peter LeBlanc. Also from Hockey East are Lowell's Chris Auger, BU's Brian Ewing and Peter MacArthur, Northeastern's Tyler McNeely, BC's Ben Smith and Mike Brennan, Providence's Joe Lavin and Matt Taormina, and Vermont's Joe Fallon.

Kevin Regan will attend the Boston Bruins' Prospect Camp for his second time.

Phil DeSimone will attend the Washington Capitals' Development Camp for the second time, this time alongside recruit, Greg Burke who was selected by the Caps this year.

More to come.

*Update 7/6/08*

Matt Fornataro will attend the Columbus Blue Jackets' Development Camp, I'm assuming as a continuing part of the Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch from the end of last season - he'll be wearing the number 75.

James van Riemsdyk will attend the Philadelphia Flyers' Camp as indicated by this article.

Go 'Cats!

Conklin Switches Sides *New Link Added*

If you can't beat 'em... join 'em!

It doesn't get any truer than in the case of standout Wildcat Alum netmider, Ty Conklin (2001).

Conklin shored up an ailing Penguins' goaltending squad this past season, making a huge impact and positioning the Steel City hockey club through the middle part of the season for their run to the Stanley Cup finals.

But history tells us they fell short to the Detroit Red Wings - Ty Conklin's new employers.

Ty will also join fellow alum, Garrett Stafford, in the organization, assuming he returns to his defensive duties there after picking up time in two NHL games last year in the Red and White. The move will most likely steal the back-up role from one-year, Maine Black Bear, Jimmy Howard who backstops the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.

NHL.com's title-linked article picks a sore spot with Ty though - aggravating the wounds of THREE championship short-comings with Conklin on three different teams including, yes, the 1999 University of New Hampshire NCAA Runners-Up. Ouch. But they do go on to mention is second ranked save-percentage this past season.

Better luck to you in Detroit, Ty!

We're all behind you!

*Some more info from MLive.com - Everything Michigan: All about 'Conks'

Go 'Cats!

Building a Playlist for the Upcoming Season

I want to try building a playlist to accompany the season and seeing as we've moved past the first half of 2008 it's time to start looking down the road to the upcoming season.

So I think 'What I've Done' by Linkin Park is a self-explanatory place to start. Just trying to capture the ethos surrounding the team, suggestions welcome - enjoy.