It’s been awhile since I had anything much to blog…but now that we’ve reached the near beginning of training camps and the World Cup of Hockey is getting underway, business is about to start picking up around here.
Earlier today New Jersey released their roster for the Prospects Challenge next weekend in Buffalo:
Goaltenders: Ken Appleby, Evan Cormier, Mackenzie Blackwood.
Forwards: Nick Lappin, Pavel Zacha, Blake Coleman, Mikey McLeod, Miles Wood, John Quenneville, Brandon Baddock, Ryan Kujawinski, Blake Pietila, Jan Mandat, Kevin Rooney, Brandon Gignac, Nathan Bastian, Joe Blandisi, Blake Speers.
Defensemen: Steven Santini, Josh Jacobs, Marcus Crawford, Colton White, Colby Sissons, Ralph Jarratt, Alexander Kuqali.
A quick breakdown of the roster:
-9 players appeared in at least one game with Albany in 2015-16; 5 appeared in at least one game in New Jersey.
-16 players are New Jersey draft picks, including three first rounders.
-4 players are invitees:
Crawford, 19, spent last season with Evan Cormier in Saginaw (OHL), appearing in 66 games with 34 points (2 goals, 32 assists).
Sissons is an 18-year-old who just completed his second season in Swift Current (WHL), appearing in 71 games with 22 points (3 goals, 19 assists)
Jarratt, also 18, just finished his second year with Victoria (WHL), picking up 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) in 69 games. He also appeared in 13 playoff games, with only one assist.
Kuqali is someone to keep an eye on for a potential callup to the Albany roster. The 25-year-old signed with Florida of the ECHL in early August after completing his collegiate career at RIT. Over four seasons in Rochester, he scored 59 points in 153 games.
The group will report to New Jersey on Thursday, September 15th, then head to Buffalo shortly thereafter. They will face the Sabres prospects on Saturday, September 17th at 7 PM, then face the Bruins on Sunday, September 18th, also a 7 PM start.
Thoughts Inside The Box 