Dave Morrison

As I entered the media area on Metro Centre's 5th floor, I spotted an old friend. Dave Morrison, the Director of Amateur Scouting for the Toronto Maple Leafs.  As I walked up to Morrison, I posed the question, "if the Toronto Maple leafs played the Halifax Mooseheads who would win?"

Dave didn't answer, he just chuckled and smiled as he stared down at the ice from his position in the Pat Connolley Press Box.  Morrison is in his 3rd season as the Chief Scout and has heard all kinds of barbs and one liners.  He didn't deny it has been a tough start for the Buds as it has for the Moose.

Yet he was excited about the future. He believes there are a number of young prospects about 6 months to a couple of years away from becoming key players for the big team.  Even, their 1st pick (7th overall) Nazem Kadri of the London Kinghts needs more time and seasoning.

In his 3rd season as the Chief Scout, he dearly values his draft picks.....so when GM Brian Burke dealt a pair of 1st round picks to Boston for Phil Kessell, one can understand why he felt slightly deflated.  Days later, he received a call from his boss saying, "Don't worry I've got something coming back."  Morrison was pleased to hear "Burkie" promise to have a pick or two in return from some other soon to be completed transaction.

Morrison firmly believes strong drafting will be the key to the Leafs future success and that's exactly the philosphy of the Halifax Mooseheads.  Gone are the days of giving up 1st round picks to bring in impact players for a year or in some cases 4 months.  Already you can start to see the change in philosphy.  In fact, next season a bumper crop is expected to come out of the midget draft and the Moose are ready and waiting.

Depending on where they finish in the overall standings, they could have as few as 5 in the top 37 picks.   They could have more ....and of course they will have a top 9 pick at worst in the Import draft.   

Morrison was filling out his lineup card as the warmup was about to begin. "One area we are starting to pay a little more attention to is the university player.  Many of those 22, 23, 24 year olds are to young to give up on.  We're looking in the university pools."

Then the music started to blare through the arena as the warmup was underway.   Dave paused, "Tell me about the German defenceman.  I saw him in Gatineau and I really liked what I saw."

"Sorry, he's out with a fractured wrist...but come back on Thursday he might be in the lineup against Montreal," I offered, fully well knowing  his travel schedule is set and he is off to Europe for most of November.  As I waved good bye, he winked.  "See you on the road later this season.  I really need to see that German."

I nodded and replied, "You should."

Kirill Kabanov

I nervously tapped the heel of my dress shoe on the bus floor.  We were late and I knew I was dangerously close to losing my interview with one of the top draft picks of this summer's NHL draft.

I left a voice message with Moncton Head Coach Danny Flynn Saturday requesting the interview. Their GM Bill Schurman called me back to confirm as long as I was there by 2 pm (two hours prior to game time).  It was 2:03 when the bus finally came to a stop inside the Coliseum. I grabbed my camera and raced around the bowels of the building.  I glanced at my trusty Ironman watch.  It was 2:05 as I arrived at the door to Flynn's office.  The door suddenly swung open and Schurman appeared, his hand raised.

"No, sorry John..its to late,. Sorry - but we've had so many requests, we have to .. ..." his voice trailed off as I turned around and headed back to the bus to gather my broadcast gear.  Was I dissapointed?  Yes.  Did I understand?  Yes.

During the warmup, I scrambled down to ice level for some video of Kabanov. Wearing No 7, he effortlessly glided abound, toying with the puck.  It was his 2nd game as a Wildcat.  He scored the night before in his debut, a 2-0 win over Lewiston. I hustled back up the stairs to the booth.

Game time was quickly approaching, my producer reminded me in my headset, "60 seconds to air."  I felt a tap on my left shoulder and turned to see Wildcats owner, Robert Irving.  I slipped off my headset and we shook hands.  "Congratulations, on getting Kabanov cleared...its sure to be a good year."  He smiled.  We had a plesant exchange.  Then I heard, "10 seconds." 

Referee Ryan Murphy dropped the puck.  He then proceeded to call 5 consecutive penalties against the Moose. It was 3-0 Moncton 12 minutes into the game.  Kabanov had a goal and an assist.

During 1st intermission, Bill Schurman unexpectedly dropped by and left a bowl of hot italien meat balls in my broadcast booth.  A nice gesture, perhaps his way of saying ..."sorry."

During 2nd intermission, Buffalo Sabres Director of Amateur Scouting Kevin Devine was my guest.  We talked about Kabanov and "the Russian factor."  The Hockey News has Kabanov ranked No. 2, International Scouting Service has him No. 3.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Wildcats had an 8-1 win.  Kabanov was the 1st star and had a goal and 3 assists.  He had quite a day.  I would have to wait for my interview. Perhaps November 13 when the Cats make their first visit to Metro Centre.  As I packed up my broadcast gear, I made one last check of the booth. 

All that remained was a dish of cold meat balls.

Pascal Leclaire

Pascal Leclaire has always had his sceptics.  Even when he was a Halifax Moosehead you would hear the whispers.  He wasn’t capable of winning the big game.  He didn’t have a strong enough work ethic. He would never make it to the NHL.  Well ..they were wrong.

The Mooseheads selected Pascal in the 1st round (5th overall) in the 1998 QMJHL midget draft.  He spent 3 seasons in Halifax before being traded to Montreal for his final year of junior.  The Columbus Bluejackets also took him in the 1st round (8th overall) of the NHL draft in the summer of 2001.    After a couple of seasons in the minors with the Syracuse Crunch, Leclaire got his chance with the Jackets and won the No. 1 job outwright.

Then President and GM and since departed Doug MacLean personally told me on numerous occasions the one time Mooseheads was a big part of the franchise’s future.

Then last year, 12 games into another NHL season start , Leclaire suffered an injury which knocked him out of the lineup for the entire year.   His season was wiped out and it was terribly discouraging as Pascal has had several injuries (groin, ankle) which have sidelined him.  The whispers began again.  “He’s injury prone, he’s not durable enough.”  

The Bluejackets under new management (head coach Ken Hitchcock  and GM Scott Howson) decided to trade their 24 year old goaltender.  

So this isn’t just another NHL pre season for the 26 year old Leclaire.  The former Halifax Mooseheads is about to enter his 5th season and yet this one could be one of the biggest of his career.   Last week, he made his first ever start for the Ottawa Senators in their pre season NHL game with Florida at Metro Centre.  It was also his first start as a Senator.

He admitted prior to the game, he is certainly hoping his injuries are behind him and he can quickly establish himself as the No. 1 goaltender with the Sens.  Like many goalies, Pascal believes the more minutes he sees, the better he plays.  He wants to play a lot.

Moosehead fans will have a couple of reasons to follow the Sens this season.  Former Moose Alex Picard  also joins Pascal in the Ottawa lineup.  The two actually never were teammates in Halifax as Pascal was traded to Montreal in his 19 year old season.   Oddly enough, Picard who has impeccable character has not lasted 2 full seasons with an NHL club.  Drafted by the Flyers, he spent a season and a half in Philly before being dealt to Tampa.  A year later, he was sent to Ottawa.  Why has he failed to stick with a club? Picard laughs and suggests, “..the salary cap.”

Both will be key players in the Sens lineup this season.

 David Brine

Its probably an exaggeration to say the Quebec Remparts threw 18 year old David Brine under the bus, but they certainly threw him off the bus 6 years ago.  The Truro native was a 5th round draft pick of the Remparts but never played a single game with the QMJHL club.  He went to their training camp 2 years in a row only to be sent packing.  They claimed his skating was the issue.  

The Halifax Mooseheads entered the picture and acquired his rights from the Remparts for a draft pick. Slowly but surely Brine worked his way into the lineup.  His work ethic and hockey IQ were off the charts.  His drive and determination were top of the charts.  It was just a matter of time before the coaches realized what a leader they had in their midst.

As a 20 year old, he capped off his major junior career wearing the C and registed 33 goals and 100 points. Undrafted he was invited to take part in the television series "Making the Cut." There he caught the eye of an NHL scout and the door to pro hockey suddenly came ajar.

He signed a pro contract with the Florida Panthers and has been in their system for the past 3 seasons, mostly with the AHL's Florida Everblades.  Applying himself to the game as he has all his career, the Panthers moved him up in their depth charts and two seasons ago rewarded him with a 9 game trip to the NHL. 

Fast forward ahead to last Tuesday night at the Halifax Metro Centre where the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators opened up their pre season.  Two hours prior to game time and the Panthers bus rolled in. The 24 year old came bouncing of the bus, beaming with excitement with at the chance to play in his one time home.

He briskly walked into the dressing room and re-emerged 15 minutes later with a huge smile and firm handshake. We spoke for 15 minutes.  After a few laughs, he explained in a very matter of fact way, how difficult it would be to crack the NHL roster to begin the season.  He knows he has had good camp but the Panthers are deep down the middle.  He is prepared to be patient and bide his time.  Soon enough, he glanced over his shoulder and started to say good bye.

"Time to go.  Meeting and Pre Game stretch," he announced in a more serious tone.  I watched as Brine walked off to join his Panther teammates.  What a great example he is to all young hockey players across the province. 

I watched the warmup closely that night, focusing on Brine and former Moose, Alex Picard and Pascal LeClaire.  All three looked good in the Panthers 3-1 win.  Former Gatineau head coach, Ben Groulx about to enter his 2nd season as head coach in Rochester (Panthers AHL affiliate) admitted it would be almost impossible to crack the big club's opening night roster.

As I exited the building, I thought how far David Brine has come since he last skated at Metro Centre.  He certainly looked at home among all those multi million dollar players.  

Take a look in the ditches when you drive up the Trans Canada.  Its amazing what you might find thrown off buses these days.

Russell

Cam Russell stood motionless in the tee box and then suddenly exploded into the tiny Titleist ball smashing it close to 300 yards down the middle of the fairway.

That's just another drive for the Moosehead GM and Head Coach at the annual Dartmouth Subways tournament at the River Oaks Golf Club in Meaghers Grant.
 

Russell's game is in great shape. It should be after three rounds at the Digby Classic followed up by the Danny Gallivan Cystic Fibrosis Tournament last week.

And yet Russell isn't bragging about his golf. He is talking hockey, specifically, his young blue line corps for the upcoming season. He can't wait for training camp to begin and get a closer look at the cast of young players who will be vying for a position on this year's team.

There will have no fewer than five defencemen (three 16 year olds and two 17 year olds) attending their first Moosehead camp. Seventeen year old Garrett Clarke who was acquired from Lewiston the day before the draft, 17 year old German-born Konrad Abeltshauser and the three draft picks Jamie Bishop (second round), Trey Lewis (fourth round) and Sawyer Hannay (sixth round).

Russell can hardly conceal his excitement about his young group who will be joining Pascal Amyot, Scott McDonald, Alex MacDonald, Ryan Matheson and 20 year olds Ben MacAskill and former Oceanique Alexander Brunet. Russell is still uncertain why Bishop was available as the first pick of the second round, 19th overall. He was ranked seventh according to Central Scouting entering the Moncton draft. The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies were all ready to snap up the St. Stephen NB native when the Mooseheads selected him.

As for Lewis, he is coming off knee surgery and missed most of last season and may not be entirely ready, so he could play another season with the Moncton Flyers. Lewis's teammate last season, six-foot three-inch Sawyer Hannay could be a pleasant surprise as well. Wildcats GM Danny Flynn was ready to take Hannay in the sixth round and was the first to admit he was a player he deeply wanted. Of course, the most experienced of the young D is Garrett Clarke. He logged lots of valuable minutes as a 16 year old with the Maineiacs after being selected sixth overall a summer ago. He showed plenty of poise and toughness for a 16 year old who has tons of potential.

As for his new European, Russell admits he has only seen him play three times at the World Under-18 Tournament in Fargo ND, but likes what he sees. He was the German team best blue liner and has good offensive upside. It shouldn't take Abeltshauser too long to adjust to Halifax. His parents don't speak English, but he does and is thrilled to join the Moose. You can see why Russell, an 11-year NHL defenceman, can't wait to begin working with his youthful, but talented group.

Back to the golf for a moment, it’s really a shame Russell can't putt.

Ice chips - Thank God, Kody Orr wasn't more serious injured in the car crash earlier this week. Even the Mooseheads 12th round pick admitted he was lucky to be alive after the car he was a passenger in flipped at a high speed. It appears compressed vertebrae are the worst of the injuries..... They may not been have had the best score of the day at the Subways tourney but a certain five some certainly drew lots of attention. Andrew Bodnarchuck (Providence Bruins), Brad Marchand (Providence Bruins), James Sheppard (Minnesota Wild), Blake Gallagher (Cornell Red) and Geoff Hum teamed up for old times sake......Former Moosehead Garrett Peters won't be returning to St. Mary’s this fall. He is headed home to Rhode Island as he begins to prepare for fatherhood.