MINICAMP DAY 4 NOTEBOOK
The Early Edition, featuring Two Players of the Day
Player of the Day I (aka Let’s Start Over-Hyping…): 2008 fourth round pick David Ullstrom tells Point Blank that next summer will be decision time on the beginning of his career in North America. A 6-3 forward from Team Sweden at the World Junior Championships, Ullstrom was promoted to second-line duty with HV-71 at the end of his SEL season. We ranked him last week at No. 6 among Islanders prospects in junior, college and Europe and he has been a standout through four days of minicamp.
He has a year and a player option remaining on his SEL contract.
“Let’s see how this season goes. It’s a full year of playing against men in the Elite League,” Ullstrom said today. “I still need the experience. Last year I had a good World Juniors and then got an opportunity on the second line with HV into the playoffs.”
But do you eventually want to play in the North America, David?
“Of course,” said Ullstrom. “I want to come here so bad. As soon as everyone thinks I’m ready, I’ll be here. But I want to be ready.”
Take my word for it. They want him here next year.
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Player of the Day II: 2008 6th round pick and OHL scoring ace Justin DiBenedetto said the experience of playing for Bridgeport in last season’s AHL playoffs was invaluable for him. “I thought I played well,” he said. “I also got a handle on the areas I need to improve on.” Like? “Primarily quickness – footwork, making decisions.”
DiBenedetto’s goal for this season: “Come to training camp in the best shape of my life. Win a regular spot with the Sound Tigers and take it from there.”
I’ve got news for Mr. DiBo. From the vibes coming down from the management perch at Iceworks this week, he could get in a few Islanders games this year.
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The Bridgeport Scorecard…
Gone: Jeremy Colliton, Joe Callahan, Peter Mannino, Ben Walter (trade), Mike Iggulden, Kurtis McLean, Mitch Fritz, Chris Lee, Jamie Fraser, Andy Sertich.
Added: Greg Moore, Mark Flood, Matt Moulson, Greg Mauldin, Brett Westgarth, Jeremy Reich, Scott Munroe, Jason Dale, Tony Romano.
New NYI Prospects: Mark Katic, Justin DiBenedetto, Robin Figren, Mikko Koskinen.
Comments. More to come later in the day.
52 Responses to MINICAMP DAY 4 NOTEBOOK
The Early Edition, featuring Two Players of the Day
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Macch says:
Its good to see so many players from last years draft sticking out. Gives you a good feeling about SnoJanks drafting. Hopefully it translates well
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Carmine says:
Man I wish I could be at the camp and see some of our prospects. Things are looking up. Hey why did the Isles let Callahan walk I liked what I saw of him last year. He was a big solid d-man and only 26?
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Nice read, CB. To be honest, I think that the prospects we have coming in are much better than the prospects we are letting go. I think we will see a nice team playing in Bridgeport this season, which means healthy competition and an increase in the overall talent level. As for DiBo, I think we really landed a winner here. Considered to be the ultimate wildcard, I think he is proving himself every step of the way. It would be a great pick if he even cracks and NHL lineup, let alone gets into a few games in only his first full year out of juniors. I like the way this is going.
As for Ullstrom, do you have any idea where he levels out talent wise? Could he be a first or second line player for the Islanders in the future?
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Sal says:
DiBenedetto looks like he’s going to be a solid player for us. Hopefully we sign Tanguay to help all the youngsters out especially tavares.
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Tom B says:
good stuff Chris!!! thanks for the reporting. love reading about the kids coming along.
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Battfist says:
Ullstrom and Jesse on the same line…
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Strummer's Army says:
I’d much prefer if Ullstrom was in Bridgeport this year. He’ll play against men there too.
Botta Bing, can you please update your Bridgeport Scorecard with the likely returning (Marchinko, Haley etc).
I still say not resigning Mitch Fritz for Bridgeport and emergency with the Isles is a mistake. Bridgeport has no heavyweight either at this point. You can say maybe Reichlecz goes down and takes on that role but it looks like he’s need on the Islanders and going to earn that job.
How’s Marchinko looking?
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Erik says:
CB, did Romano sign a contract with Bridgeport?
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Vukota76 says:
Hey Chris…great entry as usual. Any word from management about acquiring a goal scorer through free agency? Although the pickings are slim there a few players out there that can light the lamp, such as Alex Tanguay. Or are they working on a trade with a team like Chicago or Philadelphia who are in salary cap hell? I just can’t see Garth going into this season with this line-up. They need a top six forward and as we all know they need toughness. What about Andre Roy? Are the Islanders braintrust working on something? Let us know. Thanks Chris you do a hell of a job with this site. Please know that you are appreciated!
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Peter Puck says:
I just have that feeling about DiBenedetto. Could he be a latter day Mike Bossy. – A prolific scorer in junior that no one could believe would be able to replicate in the NHL?
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the bomber says:
thanks mr botta. being a fan of a sucky nhl team with zero talent in the minors really isnt fun. your blog came along at the perfect time. hearing about talented youngsters in our system (finally) really helps get through the long winters in last place. i just wish one of our top 3 picks could win player of the day before the camp concludes…..thanks for all of your work….
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G. HOWITT says:
Does Bridgeport have any toughness, that can make it with the big club……
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kevin fitz says:
I think DiBo could end up being the steal of last years draft. Just a hunch. I’ll say he will be a solid 25 to 35 goal scorer for most of his career. Prediction!
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jack says:
c.b.- why did they let mike iggulden go, he led bridgeport in scoring last year???
everyone keeps comparing some of the young players to a young mike bossy. NO ONE since bossy has put up 10 years of 50 goals a year.we will not see his likes again.
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Tavares #1 says:
Mr. Botta, how do our two monster goalies look?
THANKS
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
Is Figren playing in bridgeport this year? seems to me that ullstrom doesnt feel confident enought to come play in US yet.
I really hope Joenssu makes the team. We are so lacking at LW is annoying. Besides Bergenheim everyone else stinks there.
DiBo, will do eveyrthing he can to maket he big club. I hope he is that 6th round pick we can brag about.
Love how Bailey working so hard in offseason to get stronger. Expect big things from him this year
Seems like Defense is only position noone in system has panned yet. Kohn seems to be developing slow. Kessel’s name get mentioned less and less.
Alot seem to be riding onDe Haan and Ness.
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dan from va beach says:
Bossy had 9 years of 50+ goals!
53, 69, 51, 68, 64, 60, 51, 58, 61……
He only scored 38 his 10th season due his nagging back injuries which forced him to retire after his 10th season:(:(:(
Nonetheless, NOBODY will ever be a true sniper like Bossy was, EVER!!!!
I gre up watching it, and literally EVERY time he skated down the wing with the puck the ENTIRE NVMC would stand up b/c it seemed like he scored at least 50% of the time that happened…..MAGICAL TIMES!
Hasnizzle~ -
robby d says:
CB, doesn’t Colliton belong on the departed Bridgeport list?
Thanks for the insight on our diamonds in the rough in minicamp. Nice to see our draft picks doing well.
Give us a lot of hope. These next 10 years are going to be fun. Buckle in for the wild ride.
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In respone to (14):
Figren is expected in BPT this season.I’m a sound tigers season ticket holder and Kohn’s development is right on par.
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nystrom23 says:
I agree with some of the other guys…I think Joesnau should make the team this year…only draw back is his skating…I know hes a big guy and all but he seems very heavy on his feet….his other hockey skills seem great
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peter debenedetto says:
CB and fellow fans,
I jumped on the bandwagon in 79-80 as an 11 year old Hicksville kid and have NEVER looked back. Hockey, especially NYI hockey, is a 365 event for me. At 40, I now live down the shore in Jersey, and I activley recruit kids from the classes I teach to be Islander fans (Ranger fan kids never get A’s). In all my life, I’ve never seen or heard of a De (Di) Benedetto in any sport. The fact that a kid with the same name is now a promising player in OUR organization is just crazy karma. Best of luck my fellow DiBo. Once again, please don’t tell me my name is spelled wrong on the back of my DE BENEDETTO jerseys.
As for Ullstrom, I don’t like the “not so sure if I’m ready” attitude I’m getting from him. Real men play in the “A” as well. Either get over here or we get over him….IMHO
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Dan from Westchester says:
I have a good feeling about DiBo, as well.
Glad it looks like he’s going to get his shot this year!
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These readings get me too hyped. I must relax, and just hope the regular season shows more hope and less disaster. We still need toughness, I am hoping for a trade.
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Matt says:
Can someone please tell me why Justin Dibenedetto was drafted in the 6th round 175 overall with stats like this from 08-09? OHL 62 games played 45 goals 48 assists 93 points.
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As I said above I have a hunch that Dibo is going to be a solid player. But if he turns out to be the next Tambellini we cannot be mad or even start to boo the kid. He was a sixth round pick. Most picks that late never develop into NHLer’s. Tambs was a first rounder, so his expectation are deservedly higher. If Dibo turns into a regular NHL player then we should view it as a bonus, not as something that was expected.
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Bobby says:
Because he played with Stamkos for 2 years. A lot of scouts felt his numbers were reflective of that. Our Gain!!
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yeah but in 08-09 when stamkos wasnt there he put those stats up.
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West Coast Fan says:
lol, ironic that a poster named “Nystrom” mentions that Joensuu’s key weakness is skating. They should look up Barbara Williams to see if she’s still available for power skating lessons…
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Dan C says:
This is great news because Ullstrom and DiBo are probably our 2 most intriguing prospects. Both could be late round homerun picks. I think both players could become top six forwards someday.
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Daniel says:
It is really unfortunate that this rookie camp couldn’t be open to the public. Thank you Chris for providing us with your insight and the frequent updates. It’s so exciting to see these young players develop and I wish all of them the best. I have high hopes for some of these guys and am excited to see them progress. 28, Barbara Williams was brutal on me, I definitely do not miss her power skating camps at Iceland one bit.
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Ironically, when I played I also did Barbara Williams power skating camps…all I can see is she is one tough lady
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Benny from Sweden says:
Just a comment about Ullstrom not wanting to play in the AHL. Some people here seems to question his decision with somebody calling him “not a real man if he doesn’t play in the A”
Well here is some news for you. The Swedish elite league is a lot better than the AHL. Top scorers in the AHL can make it in the Swedish Elite League but a lot of average AHL players have failed miserably. Also during the lock out season some NHL players were sent home (Bryan McCabe was one of those) because they were not good enough/not committed.I do think playing in the Swedish Elite League at age 19 will be the perfect place for Ullstrom to be. Hopefully he’ll be able to able to get onto the scoreboard regulary.
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
I watched the Canada-Sweden Jrs. game last December and what stood out most in my mind was the way that Ullstrom drove TO the net. He played with a bit of an edge.
As for the Bossy comparisons, please get real people. Nobody in the history of the game had (and probably noone ever will) the combination of quickness of release and accuracy of the shot like 22.
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Mark P says:
Barbara Williams is still around $170 for 5 lessons.
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As far as Ullstrom goes, I personally have no problem with him playing another year in the SEL. Hasn’t anyone noticed that in the past couple of years there are more players making the jump from the SEL one year to the NHL the next? It has become a recuring theme. It is apparent that the level of play in the SEL is higher than that of the AHL. While these players may have to adapt to a smaller ice surface, which equates to more contact, it seems to be that these guys are coming here game ready.
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yes he put up those numbers in 08-09 without stamkos, but he was already a 6th round pick.
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Barbara once made me finish my drills with puke hanging down from my cage! ’nuff said.
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Nystrom23, I did one-on-one sessions with her back at the old Kings Park rink years and years ago. Yeah, she really knew how to kick your butt lol…
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admin says:
An inane omission of a vital fact on my part might be leading to the Ullstrom discussion. As I just added to the story, he’s under contract in 09-10 in the Swedish Elite League. He can’t join the Islanders system if he wanted to. Not hard also to make the case that playing a year in the SEL might be better for him right now than the AHL. My regrets for the confusion…CB
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phil says:
i’m glad to see dibo get his shot….a lot of people seem think scoring 93 points in the ohl as an overager somehow lessens the accomplishment. I really don’t understand those people.
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MT says:
On the main website it says they signed Koskinen to an entry level deal
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beatlebailey says:
They really like Koskinen. I hope he gets a few games with the big club this year
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Thats big news for the isles….guarentees pretty much this guy will get some games in the AHL
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felix says:
what about signing JT? One would think it is a foregone conclusion but come on lets get the show on the road.
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Akeem says:
CB,
Why do prospects have no issue with taking part in these camps and workouts without the benefit of a contract? What happens if, say, Calvin de Haan, suffers a legitimate injury? Is he protected in the same way signed players are? -
TimQ says:
I’ll contribute $20 to the Skate Jesse Skate foundation. If we get enough contributions we can hire Barbara Williams full time
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Guys several in the Isles organization have complimented Jesse Joenssu’s skating on more then one occassion. It’s not a problem.
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Justin Dibenedetto is really looking like he’s going to be a top 6 guy in the coming years.
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Butts says:
Believe me folks Dibo is the real deal. This guy has it all. I have watched him for Five years in the OHL and traveled with the Sting the last three years. Give him some time to get his bearings. My perdiction is with-in three years he will be an 90+ point man with the Islanders. He will surpass Stamkos # John T
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Dan says:
Hopefully we will catch a break with some of these kids. Of course not all of them are going to pan out but hopefully we will develop that one great line with Travarez, KO, and Bailey although I know two of them play center and have those other players be those intangible, tough nose for the puck and hopefully the goal too type of players. Just like the old days of having the BTG line and having a Tonelli, Nystrom, Sutter’s, Goring, Bourne type of players who just never quit and would also cause some major damage. Look at the Penguins in game 7. It was not the big two who put the puck in the net but a role player. That is how you win it all in the end in my opinion
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hathead68 says:
Really intrigued by DiBenedetto, as well as many other Isles prospects. I’m still on cloud 9 over drafting Tavares, and it seems like we really have some good prospects that could be right around the corner. Hopefully DP will be healthy and we’ll here good news regarding the Lighthouse Project. Could the black cloud finally be lifting in Islanders Country?
Mr. Botta sir – Any feel as to whether management will be adding Matt MArtin to the “New NYI Propsects” you have listed? Do you have any kind of vibe as to whether or not a deal gets done?
I hope DiBo wins a spot with the Tigers and tears it up. It would really be nice to see a late round pick pan out.