Category Archives: Prospects
With his hockey future in limbo, Casey Cizikas never sulked. Quite the contrary, the native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada decided to become an advocate for positive thinking. That change in attitude, along with an elevation to his gritty play on the ice, has given the 20-year old a new fondness for life – both on and off the ice. Furthermore, Cizikas’ self-confidence has some in the Islanders organization believing that their team’s future captain might be staring them straight in the face.
“The person that I am today – a positive person – I give a lot of credit to not only my family, but my junior hockey coach, (former Mississauga St. Michael’s head coach and current Ottawa Senator assistant coach) coach (Dave) Cameron,” said the six-foot, 185-pound Cizikas, who was selected with the first pick (92nd overall) of the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Islanders. “They stuck by me all the way.”
Back in 2007 in Mississauga, a then 16 year-old Cizikas participated in a friendly rugby game. Unfortunately, things turned ugly real fast.
During the match, Cizikas tackled 15-year old Manny Castillo on what was described by onlookers as “part of the play”, while others described the action as “a rough tackle” and “not part of the play.” Castillo lay motionless on the ground, after witnesses claimed that Cizikas pile drove his head into the ground.
Castillo died two days later.
Subsequently, much to the objection of the Castillo family, Cizikas was charged with manslaughter simply because it was his tackle that led to Castillo’s death. A Brampton judge deemed Cizikas’ actions as an “unnecessary force”, therefore denying the Castillo family’s request to spare punishment to Cizikas.
The facts of the case – or for many the innuendo – jumbled through the Brampton court system for the next two years, leaving Cizikas feeling helpless and dejected. Yet, he knew it was this time when an attitude adjustment needed to be made.
“I realized that I couldn’t go around being negative,” said Cizikas. “I began to smile and become more personable. I needed to be around a good atmosphere.”
In the summer of 2009, Cizikas would get that reprieve, as his manslaughter charge was dismissed. Instead, he was sentenced to one year probation and 100 hours of community service. His greatest ally to the dismissal would be the physicians, who treated Castillo prior to his death.
According to the physicians, who worked feverishly on saving the teenager, Castillo’s death came as a result of a head injury. Ironically, rampant speculation throughout the ordeal made many observers believe that Castillo’s death came as a result of a spinal cord injury, a charge which could’ve made Cizikas liable. Additionally, physicians were told that two weeks prior to the rugby game, Castillo had suffered a major concussion – a concussion so severe, that he should’ve been held out of physical contact for a year.
Cizikas was exonerated.
That ruling in Brampton came a mere 12 days after the Islanders took a calculated gamble by picking Cizikas in Montreal, a selection that Cizikas is proud to reflect on today.
“Going into the draft, I was coming off my worst year in juniors,” said a humbled Cizikas, whose 2008-09 season playing for the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors in the OHL resulted in a disappointing 36-point campaign – 16 goals and 20 assists – in 55 games. Coincidentally, those numbers were a slight drop-off from an 18-goal, 23-assist rookie season the year prior in Mississauga. “The Islanders believed in me, and I didn’t want to let them down.
“I wanted to pay them back.”
Cleared from a manslaughter charge, Cizikas returned to Mississauga for the 2009-10 campaign with a huge weight off his shoulders. Statistically, the center iceman shook off the expected jitters and took his game to a new level.
Cizikas nearly doubled his previous season’s numbers, as he posted career highs in goals (25) and assists (37) and co-led the Majors in points with 62. He also posted a team-high +32 rating, while leading the Majors into the Conference Finals before bowing out to Barrie in five games. He scored a team-high 14 points – seven goals and seven assists – in 16 playoff games.
Cizikas earned the team’s captaincy at the start of the 2010-11 season – his fourth and final in Mississauga – and made the most of that opportunity.
“When I got to Mississauga, I learned a lot from our older players,” said Cizikas. “They showed me how important it was to take care of my body and eat right.
“As a captain, I tried to show that same leadership to our younger players. Working hard is the key.”
Cizikas built off his prior season’s resurgence and set new career-highs in goals (29) and points (64), while posting a team-best +43 rating.
He led the Majors to the OHL Finals, where it would eventually fall to Owen Sound in the deciding seventh game. Still, Cizikas added a career-high 19 points – five goals and 14 assists – in 16 playoff games and had a +11 rating.
Cizikas’ 2010-11 year also included an honor bestowed on a select few, as he was named by his junior coach and Canadian World Junior head coach Cameron to the Canadian World Junior Championship team.
Instantly, Cizikas became a YouTube sensation.
During a 6-3 preliminary victory over the Russians, Cizikas singlehandedly killed a Russian power play, as he played keep-away with the puck in the Russian defensive zone, much to the delight of the Canadian faithful at HSBC Arena in Buffalo.
“I was hoping to just hold onto the puck, and eat it in their zone,” said Cizikas. “I needed an oxygen tank after the kill. It was an exciting moment, but it was also kind of strange having a big crowd of reporters surrounding me after the game.”
Cizikas would score two goals and add an assist in seven tournament games, but the Russians would exact their revenge in the Gold Medal game. They erased a 3-0 Canadian lead, by scoring five unanswered third period goals to secure the tournament title and sending the whole country of Canada into a depression.
“We weren’t able to calm ourselves down,” said a dejected Cizikas. “After they scored the first goal in the period, we weren’t able to stop their momentum.
“It was very frustrating.”
Cizikas’ rebirth gave the Islander brass all the proof they would need, as he would sign his three-year entry contract to play on Long Island this past May.
“I remember when I was being scouted, (Islander scout) Tim Maclean was the only person to see me play,” said Cizikas. “He talked to me briefly, but there was never any indication that they were going to draft me.
“And now I am an Islander.”
Cizikas quickly made his way to Uniondale and participated in his third summer scrimmage in front of the Islander fans.
“It is always great to get the support from the Islanders fans,” said Cizikas. “They deserve the best from us and they want a winning team here so bad.”
Cizikas impressed the Islanders coaches, but was summoned to AHL Bridgeport to get some valuable seasoning under first-year Sound Tiger coach Brent Thompson.
Thompson would soon become Cizikas’ ardent supporter.
“Casey Cizikas is a blue chipper,” said Thompson. “The X-factor to his game is that he wills himself to win battles.
“He will definitely be a long term player in the NHL.”
In his first 24 games at the “A”, Cizikas is tied for second on the team in points with 16, with five goals and 11 assists.
He also has provided a leadership that makes Thompson believe that his rookie will surely be donning a letter on his jersey, not only in Bridgeport, but on Long Island.
“Casey is a throwback,” said Thompson “For Islander fans, he reminds me of a young Brian Trottier. He’s a leader, a workhorse and a character kid.
“I was actually debating putting either an ‘A’ or a ‘C’ on his jersey this season, but as a rookie, I thought it might be putting too much pressure on him.”
Thompson’s assessment of Cizikas has surely not lessened his intensity to reach his ultimate goal – a one-way trip to the N.H.L.
“I believe it is necessary to give hard work on every single shift,” said Cizikas, who has always admired the play of Detroit Red Wing left winger Pavel Datsyuk for his tenacity on both ends of the ice. “I try not to be beaten on any single shift.
“I know that in order to get on the next level, I need to get stronger and work on my face-offs. Still, no one will have a better work ethic than me.”
Off the ice, Cizikas, who will turn 21 on February 27, enjoys playing basketball and just “chilling” with his buddies Mark Katic and Calvin De Haan on the balcony of their Connecticut home.
“There is great camaraderie on our team,” said Cizikas. “We have a very positive locker room, and we just enjoy spending time with each other.”
While there is no immediate timetable to when Cizikas will be a full-time Islander, Thompson believes the team’s patience will pay off huge in the long run.
“It depends on the needs of the Islanders, maybe Casey will get his chance to play later this year,” said Thompson. “But he will be an NHL third liner, who will provide that offensive flair.”
To some, Cizikas’ make-up sounds eerily similar to an NHL captain, who plays his home games on the Island of Manhattan.
Islander fans could mull that one over.
After selecting John Tavares with the first pick of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Islanders organization envisioned that pick to be the cornerstone for a franchise seeking its first playoff series victory in nearly two decades.
And Tavares hasn’t disappointed!
However, it was the selection made just minutes later by Snow and his scouting staff that continues to draw criticism – deservedly so or not – from die hard Islander fans, questioning whether the price that was paid was indeed a prudent one or one that will be a head-scratcher to mull over for years to come.
The Islanders traded five of their own draft picks – first rounder-26, second rounder-37, third rounders-62 and 82 and fourth rounder-92 – to move up twice in the first round (26-to-16-to-12) to draft then 18-year-old defenseman Calvin De Haan.
At six-feet, 170 pounds, De Haan, who was tabbed as the 22nd best prospect by The Hockey News and 36th by the International Scouting Service prior to the draft, was himself surprised by the selection. Yet, he was elated.
“I didn’t have a clue that the Islanders were going to move up and select me,” said De Haan, whose stock skyrocketed that spring following a stellar campaign at Oshawa (OHL) after his former junior teammates Tavares and current New York Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto were traded to London (OHL), leaving the cerebral defenseman to step up to the forefront and assume the lead role on the Generals’ blue-line. “But when reality set in, I was very excited. It was a surreal moment, and definitely one of the best moments in my life.”
De Haan finished second among Ontario Hockey League rookie blue-liners with 63 points – eight goals and 55 assists – during the 2008-09 campaign for the Generals. At the tail end of that season, he was selected to play for the Canadian under-18 World Junior Championship squad in April 2009 in Fargo, North Dakota.
Despite assisting on six goals in six tournament games, De Haan’s Canadian team finished a disappointing fourth. The United States would defeat the Russians, 5-0 to win the gold.
After being selected by the Islanders later in the summer, De Haan returned to Oshawa for a second season, and was subsequently chosen to the 2010 Canadian World Junior Championship team in November. His tournament only lasted four games, as he suffered a blow to the head in a semifinal victory against Switzerland. He assisted on one goal, but Canada would drop the gold medal to the United States in overtime, 6-5 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
De Haan’s future teammate Matt Donovan was a defenseman for the victors, as Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson would tally the game-winner for the Americans.
Despite the loss, the experience was one that De Haan would soon not forget.
“Playing in the World Junior Championships was incredible,” said De Haan. “Anytime you put on that jersey, only a select few are fortunate enough to wear it.”
Unfortunately, De Haan’s string of bad luck would continue nearly a month later playing for the Generals, as he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Saginaw. The injury sidelined him for six months, preventing a late season call-up by the Islanders.
De Haan would only play 34 games in Oshawa that 2009-10 season, collecting 24 points – five goals and 19 assists.
After signing his three-year entry deal in May 2010, De Haan’s rehabilitation from the shoulder injury would end by mid-summer, as he was invited to the Islanders training camp. He impressed the Islander brass, but was cut prior to opening night against Dallas and was immediately returned to Oshawa for a third and final season.
De Haan finished the 2010-11 campaign in Oshawa by scoring 48 points – six goals and 42 assists. He was also named an alternate captain for the Canadians in the 2011 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, alongside Nashville Predator prospect Ryan Ellis, Philadelphia Flyer prospect Brayden Schenn and Ottawa Senator prospect Jared Cowen.
For a second consecutive tournament, De Haan would not be around for the conclusion, as he suffered a lower body injury in preliminary round play against the Czech Republic.
Canada, who also had Islander prospect Casey Cizikas on its squad, would squander a 3-0 lead in the gold medal finale, surrendering five third-period goals to the Russians, in a 5-3 setback.
The injury left many questioning De Haan’s durability, wondering if his lack of physicality would take its toll on one of the team’s premiere prospects.
De Haan wasn’t concerned.
“Some guys were more physically developed than me, when I was drafted,” said De Haan. “I continue to get stronger each day. The goal is to play in the NHL.”
For a second straight summer, De Haan was invited to Islanders training camp. He played alongside fellow Canadian teammate Travis Hamonic and Islanders captain Mark Streit, and competed as if he belonged.
Physically, he bulked up to 190 pounds, and despite being shuttled down to the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, De Haan remains on target to be a mainstay on the Islanders blue line in the coming years, according to Sound Tiger head coach Brent Thompson.
“At six-feet-one, 190 pounds, Calvin has good size,” said Thompson, who was named the Sound Tigers’ head coach this past summer after three successful seasons leading the Alaska Aces in the East Coast Hockey League, winning a Kelly Cup Championship in 2011. “He could definitely put on some weight, but there is no doubt that he will be a top end offensive defenseman in the NHL.
“He has a great head for the game.”
In his first season in the American Hockey League, De Haan has scored two goals, while assisting on four others. He also has logged an average 20-plus minutes per game in his first 17 contests.
De Haan, who once again injured his shoulder on November 12 at Springfield and missed nearly two weeks of action, returned to action this past Friday night at home against Bridgeport’s cross-state rivals, The Connecticut Whale – The New York Rangers’ top AHL affiliate. He scored his second professional goal in the Sound Tigers’ 6-2 win.
“Calvin is making progress each day,” said Thompson, who played 121 National Hockey League games with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings. “For a defenseman, it usually takes a little longer to develop. The longer they can develop, the better a player they can be on the NHL level.”
De Haan has followed his coach’s patience to a tee.
“I have no time table on when I should be called up,” said De Haan, who will turn 21 this upcoming May. “If I get called up, it would be incredible. But if it is a day, a week, a year, whatever the organization thinks is appropriate, I will back them up.”
What De Haan supposedly lacks in muscle, he makes up for it in smarts and skating ability. That reason alone is why both De Haan and Thompson eye former New Jersey Devils defenseman and future hall of famer Scott Niedermayer as a prototypical comparison moving forward.
“How Scott played and how he kept his head in the game at all times is what I see in Calvin,” said Thompson. “They both move the puck extremely well.”
De Haan concurred.
“My strength is being a defenseman who makes the smart play,” said De Haan. “I am trying to be a two-way guy, who will be a quarterback on the power play in the NHL.
“Scott Niedermayer was that type of defenseman.”
Outside the rink, De Haan has enjoyed hanging out with his new Sound Tiger teammates, including top Islanders prospects Donovan, Cizikas and Aaron Ness. He also enjoys heading to the mall and going bowling.
However, Thompson believes De Haan greatest attribute to his team and a future stint on the Island is his character both on and off the ice.
“Calvin is a first rate citizen.” said Thompson. “He speaks extremely well. He is a great character guy.
“He is usually one of the first guys in the locker room and one of the first guys in the gym. He simply wants to be the best hockey player he can be.”
Will the Islander brass continue to remain patient with one of their crown jewels or will they make the same mistake as they did a few years back by rushing another slight in size Ontario Hockey League standout into the NHL?
Only time will tell.
As former defenseman Darius Kasparaitis wreaked havoc on Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Peter Bondra during a memorable 1992-93 post-season run, Andrey Pedan was just months away from being born halfway around the world in Kaunas, Lithuania. Yet, Pedan still is greatly impacted by Kasparaitis’ presence and has high hopes of patterning his game after the former blue-liner, who gave Islander fans some fantastic thrills during his nearly five seasons in Uniondale.
“I liked watching Darius play hockey,” said the 6-foot-4, 201-pounder Pedan, who grew up in Moscow, Russia, and was drafted by the Islanders in the third round – 63rd overall – of this past June’s NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota. “He is fast and he likes to hit.”
Pedan has translated that physical influence into being one of the rising young defensemen in the Ontario Hockey League, playing for head coach Scott Walker and the Guelph Storm.
“Andrey’s strength is definitely his size and his skating,” said Walker, who has coached Pedan for the past calendar year, after being named the Storm’s head coach on December 23, 2010 and guiding them to a 19-13-0-2 record to close out the 2010-11 season. “He still needs to physically fill out. I am not one who likes to project, but if [Andrey] doesn’t do too much and keeps things simple, he could be a top-4 defenseman on the NHL level.”
Walker speaks from experience, after finishing off a 17-year professional career last December for the Washington Capitals. In 829 National Hockey League games, Walker scored 151 goals and assisted on 246 others while racking up 1,162 penalty minutes playing for the Vancouver Canucks, Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes and the Capitals.
Walker’s hockey acumen, along with his knowledge of the NHL game today, has provided him the wherewithal to project an NHL comparison to his impressionable 18-year old – a hulking defenseman frustratingly familiar to Islander nation.
“When I watch Andrey play, I see him very similar to [former Islander prospect and 2009 Norris Trophy winner Zdeno] Chara,” said Walker, who while playing for the Hurricanes, battled the 6-foot-9 Slovakian and the Boston Bruins through seven epic playoff games in the second round of the 2009 postseason. “They are both thin and have great hands. They both also shoot the puck extremely well from the point.”
Ironically Walker, who was vilified for breaking Bruin defenseman Aaron Ward’s orbital bone during game five of that series, would get the last laugh. He netted the game-seven overtime winner in Boston sending the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference finals where they would eventually be swept in four games by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Prior to earning first pairing minutes with 2012 NHL draft eligible defenseman and first round prospect Matt Finn, averaging nearly 30 minutes a night for the past year-and-a-quarter at Guelph, Pedan had a life-changing decision to ponder – to stay in Russia and pursue a hockey career in the Kontinental Hockey League or venture over to North America and pursue a career in the National Hockey League.
The decision was simple, according to Pedan.
“The reason I came to play here (in North America) was because of the level of hockey,” said Pedan. “In the NHL, the players play fast and they are much more physical.”
Yet, a then 17-year old – with no parental supervision – trekking to new surroundings could have had its drawbacks, but according to Storm assistant coach Chris Hajt, the transition was slow but steady.
“For Andrey to move from Russia to Canada, he had to adjust to a whole new way of life,” said Hajt. “The way of living, the style of hockey, the language and living away from home, it is a lot for a 17-year old to adjust to. We had to spend more time with him to make sure he was comfortable and adjusting well all during the season.”
Pedan scored two goals and had 10 assists in his first regular season at Guelph. He assisted on eight others during Guelph’s opening round loss of the 2011 post-season to the Saginaw Spirit in six games.
“He was so good in the [locker] room,” said Walker. “The guys liked to have fun with him. He fit right in.”
After being drafted by the Islanders in the summer, Pedan welcomed his grandmother to Guelph, and she would become a mainstay for his everyday life as the 2011-12 campaign approached.
“His grandmother helps him with the day-to-day things,” said Hajt. “With being so far from home, it helps having a family member there for support and help.
“Still, he is much more self sufficient this year. He is now more relaxed and comfortable with the way of living and hockey.”
In his first 18 games of the 2011-12 campaign, Pedan has more than doubled his goal scoring output from last season with five. He has 11 points, second to Finn (16) among Storm defenders.
“The pressure of being drafted is definitely off,” said Walker. “He is continuing to develop, and plays hard on every shift. He needs to be a little more disciplined as far as taking less penalties, but he has got all the characteristics a coach would want.
“An NHL estimate, he could get a look as a 20-year old (2013-14 NHL season). It’s all up to him.”
Outside of hockey, Pedan enjoys playing soccer and tennis, reading books and playing video games, but his first love is still hockey.
“My role model is (Philadelphia Flyer) Chris Pronger,” said Pedan, who was invited to play for Team Russia on November 10th in the 2011 SUBWAY Super Series against Team OHL and Islander top prospect Ryan Strome. “He’s tough and has a hard shot.”
Strome would score twice and add an assist as Team OHL outscored Team Russia, 10-7. Pedan would have four penalty minutes, and be held off the score-sheet.
With hopes of adding 20-to-25 pounds over the next 24-to-36 months, the comparison with Pronger may not be so far-fetched. Furthermore, playing on the same blue-line with fellow 2011 Islander draftee Scott Mayfield, who himself stands 6-feet-4 inches tall, could provide a presence that is currently lacking on Long Island – much to the chagrin of the die-hards.
On the Horizon is a regular feature from Alan Avital that focuses on the best Islanders not yet with the big club. Comments on Andrey Pedan and other prospects are welcomed in this thread. Talk about the big club continues in other posts.
As the Islanders attempt to earn their first postseason berth since 2007, they could easily look back to the 2008 NHL entry draft in Ottawa as a breeding ground for present-day and future success.
Thirteen selections were made that weekend. Forwards Josh Bailey and Matt Martin, along with defenseman Travis Hamonic have already graduated to the NHL from that draft class. Forwards David Ullstrom and Justin DiBenedetto, defensemen Aaron Ness and Matt Donovan, along with future starting goaltender Kevin Poulin all are playing in Bridgeport for the Islanders’ top AHL affiliate, with an eye on reaching Long Island by season’s end.
Forward Kirill Petrov also was selected, and continues to be the pick that teases Islander fans, yet still remains in the KHL in Russia.
Selected 36th overall, the first of the Islanders’ three second-round picks, center Corey Trivino was chosen for his offensive skill-set. He exploded onto the world scene, playing for Canada’s Under-18 team, by collecting seven points – four goals and three assists – including notching a hat trick in a victory over Denmark.
However, injuries could play a cruel trick on a professional prospect, as it has on the 21-year old Toronto native and Boston University senior.
“In my first three years (here at Boston University), I have been overcoming obstacles,” said Trivino. “I tore my MCL after my freshman season and broke my ankle at the end of my sophomore season.”
Yet, Trivino has never felt self pity. He has turned his own adversity by prospering in head coach Jack Parker’s system as one of Hockey East’s top all-around centers.
“At the end of his sophomore season, Corey was really coming into his own and was one of our best forwards,” said Parker, who is entering his 39th season as head coach of the Terriers. “And despite his injuries, he has made himself one of our best all-around players.”
Trivino had scored 56 points – 18 goals and 38 goals – in his first three collegiate seasons. Still, it was his development on the defensive end, in which Parker points out as his greatest asset moving onward.
“Corey came into our system with a big reputation as an offensive guy,” said the three-time NCAA champion Parker. “But he has become much more reliable defensively. He’s a great face-off guy and is very responsible in his own end. And now that he is a senior, he is being given much more responsibility, and is being very productive.”
Trivino netted his sixth goal of the season in Sunday afternoon’s 5-0 blanking at second-ranked Boston College. He is now tied with Minnesota Wild prospect Charlie Coyle for second on the team with 10 points, two behind San Jose Shark prospect Matt Nieto.
“As a player, I know that in order to play on the next level I need to play on both sides of the ice,” said Trivino. “I believe that I have become a two-way player who plays strong defensively against the opposing top line.”
Furthermore, Parker also credits Trivino’s development to the Terriers’ strength and conditioning coach Mike Boyle.
“Mike (Boyle) has made Corey a bigger and faster player,” said Parker of Trivino, who has gained upwards of 20-to-25 pounds since entering Boston University as a 6-foot-1, 170-pound 17-year old. “He sees the ice better, and is much more conditioned than when he started.”
Trivino himself goes back to a meeting with former Boston University co-captain John McCarthy, while a freshman, as one that kept his mission much more focused.
“John always told me and the rest of the team that it was important to work hard every day, whether it is at practice or during the game,” said Trivino, who played as a third-line center for 2008-09 National Champions.
Over the last three seasons, Trivino has showcased his talents on Long Island, scrimmaging against some of the Islanders’ top prospects.
“I see a lot of talent coming through the Islander organization,” said Trivino, a self-admitted Toronto Maple Leaf fan. “And over the last couple of seasons, I have had a chance to talk to a couple of the (Islanders) fans. I even have had a chance to invite some of them up to see a couple of B.U. games. They have told me how much they want me to success.
“Their fan base has been very supportive.”
Islander management will have until next summer to decide whether Trivino’s development is worthy of an entry-level contract.
Parker believes the choice is a no-brainer.
“I know some of the guys in the organization,” said Parker, who also coached current Islander net-minder Rick Dipietro for one season before the team selected him first overall in 2000. “They were ready to sign him after his freshman and sophomore seasons. Corey Trivino will be a viable prospect and a valuable member of the Islander organization soon.”
Only time will tell.
On the Horizon is a regular feature from Alan Avital that focuses on the best Islanders not yet with the big club. Comments on Corey Trivino and other prospects are welcomed in this thread. Talk about the big club continues in other posts.
written by Alan Avital
When Garth Snow and his scouting department decided to trade the Islanders’ two
second round picks (35th and 58th selections overall) to move up to the end of the first round of the
2010 NHL Entry Draft to select six-foot-three center Brock Nelson (30th overall), they had a
vision in mind. Nelson’s collegiate coach Dave Hakstol believed that Snow’s move was bold at
the time, yet will prove to be a franchise-changer which will benefit the Islanders for years to
come.
“Brock has great skill and tremendous hockey sense,” said Hakstol, who is currently in
his eighth season as head coach of the North Dakota hockey team. “But what makes Brock
stand out from others is that when the game is on the line, he steps up and makes plays. Brock
is always a guy who rises to the occasion.”
Nelson, who is currently a sophomore in Grand Forks, believes his current and future
success stems from a family tree, rich in hockey experience and success.
“I have a great support system behind me, “said Nelson, whose three uncles have
played collegiate and professional hockey for the better part of six decades. “Moving forward,
my uncles will always be there to help me.”
Nelson’s great uncle, Gordon Christian played hockey at North Dakota from 1947-50,
and also won an Olympic silver medal for the United States in 1956. Uncle Eddie Christian,
lettered at UND from 1980-84, and Uncle Dave Christian, played at UND from 1977-79. Dave
won an Olympic gold medal with the fame “Miracle on Ice” in 1980, before playing over 1,000
games in the NHL with Winnipeg, Washington, Boston, St. Louis and Boston. He ended his NHL
career with 340 goals and 433 assists, and was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of
Fame in 2001.
Prior to entrance at North Dakota, Nelson amassed 149 points – 84 goals and 65 assists -
in his final two seasons at Warroad (MN) High School. As a senior, Nelson scored 39 goals and
had 74 points in 25 games and was named a finalist for Mr. Minnesota. Ironically, the award
was won by Blaine High School’s Nick Bjugstad, who was selected 11 picks earlier than Nelson
by the Florida Panthers.
According to Nelson, playing at Warroad was a tremendous building block for future
achievements.
“Playing at Warroad was awesome,” said Nelson. “Warroad is a town of 1,700 people, and everyone here supports hockey. It was a great experience.”
Besides uncles Dave and Eddie Christian, who starred at Warroad, Nelson watched
current St. Louis Blue T.J. Oshie lead Warroad to two Minnesota State Class A titles in 2003 and
2005 before trekking down the 145 miles to Grand Forks to play for Hakstol and the Fighting
Sioux for three seasons, scoring 142 points in 128 games – 59 goals and 83 assists.
Nelson finished his 2009-10 hockey season, scoring 16 goals and assisting on 16 others
for Team Great Plains – a Minnesota High School select team.
As a freshman at North Dakota, Nelson had 21 points – eight goals and 13 assists in 42
games, but it was his maturity level which drew the praises of Hakstol.
“It is a very tough transition going from playing high school to college hockey. Even
coming from a great, competitive high school program, like Warroad,” said Hakstol. “But Brock
handled everything very well. He is a very mature kid, but by the second half of the year, things
started to come a little bit easier for him.”
On a deep team, which reached the NCAA Final Four, Nelson predominantly played as a
second and third line center.
“There were no expectations from Coach (Hakstol),” said Nelson, who was the recipient
of UND’s Tom Hoghaug Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually to the freshman who
demonstrates initiative, character and a sense of responsibility. “I was just looking to develop
as a player and become bigger and skate faster.”
Nelson concluded his freshman year as a member of the United States World Junior
Championship Team. He had an assist in five games, before suffering an A.C. bruise to his
shoulder, ending his tournament.
The experience was invaluable, according to Nelson.
“It was an awesome experience to be part of the junior team,” said
Nelson. “Unbelievable. It also gave me an opportunity to work on my game, heading into my
sophomore season.”
Despite his team’s current struggles – 3-6-1 overall, 1-5 in WCHA conference – Nelson
leads the Fighting Sioux in goals with five and is third on the team in points with nine.
“Brock is a key part of our young team,” said Hakstol of his 19-year old center. “This
year, he’s not just one of the guys. He has to shoulder the load in and out of the locker.
“While he is a quiet leader, he definitely gives our younger players a base of knowledge
on what to expect and the resources to handle all ups and downs of playing college hockey.”
With an eye towards the NHL, Nelson is confident on what he needs to work on and on
what he can build on.
“My strengths are definitely my hockey knowledge,” said Nelson, who patterns his game
after Los Angeles King forward Anze Kopitar, based on his responsibility on both ends of the ice
and his ability to score in the clutch. “I definitely would love to become a quicker player, and
become more physical.”
Since his arrival at North Dakota, Nelson has gained upwards of 15 pounds, and hopes
to add 10-to-15 more pounds of muscle before heading onto the pro level.
Hakstol believes Nelson’s transition to the pro game should be seamless.
“In my opinion, I believe Brock is a three-year college player,” said Hakstol. “I’m not one
for predictions, but he is a top-6 player on the next level.
“Similar to (Zach) Parise, (Travis) Zajac and (Jonathon) Toews, Brock will have a
significant role on the NHL level.”
Nelson had the opportunity to play in front of his future professional fans this summer
at the Islanders’ Blue-White scrimmage, and relished every moment.
“There are a lot of die-hard fans there,” said Nelson of the Islander fans. “It will be really
good to build with the other younger players, and in a few years, we could be a great team.”
By Alan Avital
As Kyle Okposo stepped up to the podium this past June at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to announce the Islanders’ fifth overall selection of Niagara (OHL) center Ryan Strome, some Islander fans cheered the pick. There were also some who were skeptical of Strome’s diminutive stature and believed his six-foot-five, 193-pound OHL teammate Dougie Hamilton would’ve been a more appropriate fit for a defense lacking that imposing presence.
Luckily, the Islanders’ patience to acquire that much-needed physical defender paid off 29 picks later, as 6-foot-4, 203-pound defenseman Scott Mayfield fell right into their laps in the beginning of the second round (34th overall).
Mayfield, who himself waited patiently with his family in the Xcel Energy stands, was excited about being selected by the Islanders.
“Once I got out of the first round, the pressure was off,” said Mayfield, who was projected by several scouting services to be drafted in the middle-to-late first round. “But when I met with the Islanders at the scouting combine, we had a great meeting. I couldn’t be happier than to be picked by them (Islanders).”
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, the 19-year old Mayfield quickly made his name known throughout amateur hockey by leaving the show-me state and Webster Groves High School to playing his final two high school seasons for the Youngstown (OH) Phantoms of the USHL.
He was named to the 2011 USHL All Star Team, after being named the Most Valuable Player at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, where he anchored a defensive unit that surrendered a total of seven goals throughout the tournament. Those performances, along with his obvious physical stature, drew the attention of several collegiate programs, but Mayfield quickly narrowed his search down to two – Miami (OH) and the University of Denver.
His decision became simple from the get-go.
“I briefly talked to the Miami of Ohio, but I loved the winning tradition at Denver,” said Mayfield. “Also, my dad went to law school there and I felt very comfortable immediately.”
Denver head coach George Gwozdecky didn’t need convincing when he first laid his eyes on his new, prototypical shut-down defender.
“Scott is a physical body with a long reach,” said Gwozdecky, who has won seven NCAA championships as he enters his 18th season behind the Pioneer bench. “He is a tough, tough guy to play against. And most importantly, he has a little nasty in him.”
While Gwozdecky wouldn’t comment on an NHL comparison to Mayfield, the personable freshman wasn’t shy to say which two former St. Louis Blues players he had patterned his game after.
“I have always looked up to (current Philadelphia Flyer 6-foot-6 defenseman) Chris Pronger, but I really love watching (current Colorado Avalanche 6-foot-4 defenseman) Erik Johnson play” said Mayfield. “They are both big, and love to play the body.”
Mayfield’s off-season conditioning and play has already earned the trust of Gwozdecky, who has confidently played his freshman in all units on the ice.
“Scott is learning the game on this level, on the go,” said Gwozdecky, who holds the distinction of being the only coach in NCAA hockey to win a championship as a player (Wisconsin), an assistant coach (Michigan State) and a head coach. “He is very coachable. He’s like a sponge. There is no question that he will become one of those guys that no one will want to play against.”
Mayfield earned an assist in the team’s opening game upset at top-ranked Boston College.
“What a great experience it was to win at B.C.,” said Mayfield. “Going in as the underdog, the team really showed what we were made of.”
Mayfield would score his first collegiate goal on October 22 in the Pioneers’ 10-2 rout of Minnesota State. Coupled with his two points in the team’s first six games, Mayfield is tied for second on the team with a plus-4.
With an eye towards a professional future, Mayfield realizes that there is no timeline necessary to make that significant jump to Long Island.
“I realize that I must mature both on and off the ice,” said Mayfield, who hasn’t declared a major at Denver, but has his eye on majoring in hotel and restaurant management. “I know that I have to work on my footwork, and learn where to make the right play.”
Islander nation got their first glimpse of Mayfield at July’s Blue-White Scrimmage on Long Island, and the shut-down defender didn’t disappoint.
“I really enjoyed playing in front of the Islander fans,” said Mayfield, who is looking to join former Pioneer defenseman Matt Donovan and forward Rhett Rakhshani on the Island in the near future. “I tried to show them that I am a gritty defender, who loves playing the corners. I am physical, and I am not afraid to block shots.”
Mayfield, who currently plays at 205 pounds, believes that he could play comfortably at 225. That sight is surely unfamiliar territory for the present-day Islander fans continuously craving muscle on the back line.
By Alan Avital
With four of its top six defensemen being 33 years and older, the Islander organization realized that it was imperative to re-stock its system with young and mobile blue-liners. They have selected 12 defensemen over the past four entry drafts, including four this past June in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Robbie Russo was the third defensemen to be taken by the Islanders in June, selected in the fourth round (95th overall). While his selection didn’t receive the same fan-fare as first rounder Ryan Strome, Russo’s hope is that his steady second-half play with the U.S. National Team last spring will translate into a solid collegiate career at the University of Notre Dame and beyond.
“I believe that I am one of those defensemen who plays well with the puck,” said Russo, who helped the U.S. under-18 national team win its third straight championship this past May. “I am calm back there and I play with poise, but I know that if I want to take that next step, I need to physically get stronger.”
Standing 5-feet-11 inches tall and weighing 186 pounds, Russo believes that adding 10 pounds will be greatly beneficial to his overall play. Still, it was his offensive prowess that drew the attention of current Notre Dame head coach and former Islander assistant Jeff Jackson, when recruiting the 18-year old Russo.
“We recruited him because of his offensive potential,” said Jackson, who ironically compares his young defenseman to former Islander standout Kenny Jonsson. “Kenny was a good decision-maker and a good skater, as is Robbie. But Robbie knows that he has to get physically stronger to become a more explosive defenseman.”
Russo’s introduction to the sport of hockey began at the tender age of three, as he went with his parents to a “Free Skate” in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
“My parents could see that I could skate,” said Russo. “So everything escalated from there.”
Russo, who continued to play hockey for the next decade on the pee-wee level throughout the Chicago area, moved on to play high school hockey at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan where collegiate and U.S. national scouts took notice.
“Pioneer High School was a good place to develop. It also got me a lot of exposure,” said Russo.
But it was a sub-par first half for the U.S. National Team that hurt Russo’s draft ranking, allowing the Islanders to sneak up and grab him a few rounds earlier than expected.
“Robbie was hoping to be selected in the first two rounds, but he was just average in the first half last season,” said Jackson. “He really picked up his play in the second half and played real well. You could see the instincts on the blue-line, and he is here (Notre Dame) to gain that defensive intensity.”
Through the early part of his freshman season at Notre Dame, Russo’s off-season hard work has earned the confidence of his sixth-year head coach. Jackson has played his team’s second-youngest player in even strength, penalty kill and power play situations.
“Coach Jackson is big on details, “said Russo, who has assisted on two of Notre Dame’s goals in his first five collegiate games. “He has told me to be myself, and has given me good minutes so far.”
Russo’s teammate and highly-touted Islander prospect Anders Lee also has taken notice.
“Robbie is a great defenseman,” said Lee, who himself leads the country in goal scoring with eight, including notching his second-career hat-trick in Friday night’s 5-2 Notre Dame victory over RPI to open up the brand-new Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend. “He is playing on our power play. It is nice having him shoot the puck.”
Islander fans got a glimpse of Russo this past June when he joined Lee on Long Island for the Blue-White scrimmage.
“It was pretty cool going down to New York and seeing a lot of the guys,” said Russo, who himself eyes current San Jose Shark Dan Boyle and Detroit Red Wing and future Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom as guys he has patterned his game after. “There are a lot of good, young defensemen there (on Long Island). The competition is definitely stiff, but I am definitely excited to show the Islanders that one day I could be a difference maker.”
