Category Archives: Hockey

The Legacy of “The Great One”

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By Alexis Shuttleworth

Alexis Shuttleworth is a freshman Sport Management major. Her main interests are in College and Professional Football, Hockey, and Motorsports.

January 1, 2025

What does it take to be called “The Great One”? For Wayne Gretzky, it meant not only shattering records but also transforming hockey and leaving an indelible mark on the world of sports. Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian-born hockey player who is widely considered the greatest player in the history of the sport. Many even argue that he is one of the best athletes of all time. With such fame and popularity, he has impacted others, including fellow players, teams, coaches, aspiring hockey players, and the sport as a whole. Gretzky’s remarkable achievements on the ice, his impact on the NHL’s growth, and his role as a positive role model for athletes have solidified his status as one of the most influential figures in sports history.

What makes a person influential? What defines a pop icon? There isn’t a straightforward answer to these questions; it often depends on individual interpretation. I want to break it down into five different categories: 1. star power and/or talent, 2. personality, 3. the ability to break social norms and 4. showmanship, and 5. the impact an individual leaves behind. Although Wayne Gretzky is neither a pop star nor an award-winning actor, I believe he embodies all the qualities necessary to be considered a pop icon. Not only is he a pop icon, but he is also someone that people look up to which I believe is the most important aspect of being a famous sports player and is the proper way to use your fame. As Gretzky himself explains, “behind every big play, there’s another guy who grew up dreaming of making that play. He’s got a story, and he was inspired by someone else’s story” (Gretzky & McClellan Day, 2016, p. ix). The beauty of being a popular icon in sports is inspiring the ones after them to be just as great, or even greater.

Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born on January 26th, 1961, In Brantford Ontario, Canada. His deep love for hockey sprouted from his father Walter Gretzky who is often referred to as “Canada’s Hockey Dad”. Walter had even built a skating rink in the family backyard and named it “Wally’s Coliseum”. This is the place where Wayne would spend countless hours perfecting his craft. It was known at a young age Wayne would be something great. As Felix writes on International Hockey Net, “by the age of 5, Wayne was already demonstrating remarkable prowess on the ice, skating circles around older kids and displaying uncanny ability to handle the puck with finesse” (para. 4). Felix writes that in the early years what set Wayne apart from the rest was not just his skill but his dedication to the game. This is something that would follow him into his later years of life as well.

After many years of hard work, Gretzky started his career in junior hockey, and this is when it became clear that he would be something great. “In the world of junior hockey, Wayne Gretzky’s star shone brightly. He first gained widespread attention while playing for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). It was during this time that he amassed a staggering 70 goals and 112 assists in a single season” (Felix, 2016, para. 10). This is when heads began to turn and many eyes in the NHL were watching. At the age of 17, he finally made his NHL debut with the Indianapolis Racers in the World Hockey Association (WHA) after NHL scouts could no longer ignore his excellence. However, his true career in the NHL wouldn’t begin until he was 20 years old, and he started playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

Before exploring Wayne Gretzky’s career and how he became a popular household name, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to him achieving greatness in this sport. To grasp how an average kid from Brantford, Canada, transformed into a well-known figure celebrated for his remarkable accomplishments and dedication to hockey, we must first examine his upbringing. The young Gretzky had an icon whom he always admired – i.e., Gordie Howe, and he is not shy to make it known that Howe was the reason he started his career in hockey. Even the iconic number he wore, 99 (The only number retired across the NHL) (Jackson, 2000), is due to Howe. “It’s special not because I wore it. It’s special because someone who came before me wore the number 9. All I wanted to be when I was growing up was Gordie Howe.” (Gretzky & McClellan, 2016, p. xiv). Gretzky transformed from being a 6-year-old boy learning the sport of hockey from his dad, inspired by a dream of becoming like the great Gordie Howe, to ultimately being recognized as the greatest player ever to step onto the ice. Having role models in life is one of the most important aspects of sports and is how many of the “Greats,” as we know them, are as good as they are.

Wayne Gretzky stands out among the hockey legends primarily because of the remarkable records he set in the NHL and his dominance. “He is simply, ‘The Great One,’ a player of unsurpassed skills who dominated hockey as no other single player has ever dominated a team sport” (Hickok, 1995, p. 305). Even 25 years after his retirement in 1999, he still holds most of these records. During his career, Gretzky set a total of 61 records, and as of today, he retains 57 of them (Jackson, 2000). Instead of listing all the records, which could possibly exceed my page limit, I will highlight some key records that truly illustrate Gretzky’s dominance as a player.

In the regular NHL season, players earn points by scoring goals or providing assists to other players’ goals. Gretzky still holds the record for the most points scored in a single season. Incredibly, he also ranks 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th places for this record, meaning he has beaten his own record a total of ten times. Also, there is a 54-point difference between Gretzky, in first place, and Mario Lemieux, who is in 11th place. There have also been three players in NHL history to have 100+ assists in a single season: Mario Lemieux (1 time), Bobby Orr (1 time), and Wayne Gretzky who did it in 11 consecutive seasons. This demonstrates just how exceptional Wayne Gretzky truly was during his time on the ice. There are many different aspects that contribute to being an influential figure, especially in the field of sports, and excelling in sports is just one of those aspects.

An often-overlooked factor in the realm of sports pop icons is their personality outside of their fame. While impressive statistics in the league are important, they lose significance if an athlete is perceived in a negative light off the field. Such individuals may be labeled as “privileged” or “changed by fame.” This perception can influence how younger audiences look up to these athletes. For instance, parents may be reluctant for their children to look up to someone like Deshaun Watson, despite his football prowess, due to his negative actions and off-field image.

In contrast, Wayne Gretzky exemplifies admirable behavior both on and off the ice. He is widely regarded as one of the kindest and humblest athletes in history. To prepare for this essay, I read his autobiography, 99 Stories of The Game (Gretzky & McClellan Day, 2016), which provided deeper insights into his thoughts and mindset after retirement. Interestingly, I found that the book focused more on his teammates and coaches than on Gretzky’s own NHL career, highlighting the type of person he is. He believes that the stories generated throughout a player’s journey are what truly define them and shape the NHL, rather than statistics or wins and losses. As Gretzky states, “The fact is greatness is not captured in statistics. It’s captured in stories” (Gretzky & McClellan Day, 2016, p. xi). He further explains, “Without these stories, I would not have been the player I was, and the NHL wouldn’t be the league it is today” (Gretzky & McClellan Day, 2016, p. xiv). This perspective is essential for a true sports icon.

In the book Outtakes: Dan Patrick, American sportscaster and radio personality Dan Patrick interviews Gretzky. He shares that Gretzky expressed a desire not to be number one on the SportsCentury list, saying he simply didn’t want the pressure and attention. Instead, Gretzky preferred to be ranked second, fourth, or ninth. He said he would be fine with being recognized as the second-best athlete of the century or being in the top five or ten. He was comfortable knowing his place was near the top but didn’t want to occupy the top spot. It is hard to argue with that sentiment (Patrick & Sampras, 2000). Few athletes share such a perspective, as, for many, being number one is the goal. For Gretzky, however, the priority was to play the game he loved and inspire others to do the same.

Wayne Gretzky exemplifies what it means to be a popular icon, due to his ability to break social norms in hockey and embrace showmanship during his playing career. To achieve true popularity, one must endure and stand out. If you are an average hockey player stuck on the fourth line with a few points, your name is unlikely to be remembered. In contrast, Gretzky possessed exceptional talent and skill that will be talked about for generations to come.

Interestingly enough, Gretzky was never technically drafted into the NHL because of the NHL-WHA merger in 1979. This circumstance made a need for him to make a name for himself from the start. His first taste of the NHL was at age 17, when “Wayne Gretzky made his NHL debut with the Indianapolis Racers in the World Hockey Association (WHA), a rival league to the NHL. However, it was his subsequent move to the Edmonton Oilers, then an NHL team, that would mark the beginning of an era (Felix, 2023, para. 13). This small taste of the pro league before being thrown onto the NHL permanently may have been crucial for his stardom in the future.

During his rookie year, Gretzky made an impressive entry into the league, scoring 51 goals and providing 86 assists (“Wayne Gretzky,” 2024). Without this standout performance, he likely would have gone unnoticed, just another player in the 107 years of NHL history. Establishing visibility early in your career is crucial for becoming a pop icon in the future.

The final and, in my opinion, most crucial aspect of being a beloved public figure is the impact you leave behind. Many pop icons that come to mind are still being discussed today because of the influence they had on their communities. For instance, Elvis Presley has been gone for 47 years, yet he is still regularly mentioned with great admiration and continues to be a household name. Why is that? It’s because of the significant impact he has had on the music scene. He is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll.” The influence individuals have on their communities is what keeps their legacies alive for many years to come.

Wayne Gretzky exemplifies greatness in numerous ways, especially through his impressive records and statistics. Although he last played in the NHL in 1999, he still holds an astounding 57 records. It’s likely that many of these records will remain unbroken for years to come, and some may continue long after he has passed away. Gretzky’s name will persist in record books and graphics for many years, ensuring that his legacy will be prominent in the NHL for generations.

Another reason Wayne Gretzky has had a significant impact on the hockey world is his ongoing support even after retiring. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, “Following his retirement, Gretzky became a minority owner and alternate governor for the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes. He later became the team’s head coach in August 2005 and signed a lucrative five-year contract extension in May 2006. In his four seasons with the club, he coached the team to a record of 143 wins, 161 losses, and 24 overtime losses” (“Wayne Gretzky,” 2025, para. 14). Even after his playing career, Gretzky continued to be an influence in the NHL, and by coaching others, he continued his dream of impacting players in the sport.

Not only did he have an impact on the hockey world he also had an impact globally and he illuminated Canada’s identity crisis at one point. For example, Steve Jackson (2000) reflected “upon the 1988 crisis of Canadian identity by tracing the discourses that linked the fate of one sports star, Wayne Gretzky, to the fate of the nation within the context of an impending threat of ‘“’Americanization’” (p. 166). When Gretzky was traded from the Edmonton Oilers in Canada to the Los Angeles Kings in America it was articulated as a crisis in Canadian identity. Many believed this would ruin the star’s fame and that he would no longer be considered a “Canadian Star.” This did not happen, however. It proves though how much of a popular figure Wayne Gretzky was at the time to cause this much discourse between countries.

One final reason, among many, that Wayne Gretzky impacted the sport of hockey is through his influence on how the game is played and his ability to inspire a new generation of hockey players. It is well-known that many athletes admired Wayne Gretzky while growing up. He transformed the public’s perception of the sport and motivated numerous players currently in the NHL to pursue their dreams.

The International Hockey Net explains this quite well: “Wayne Gretzky’s journey to the NHL wasn’t just a path to professional success; it was a transformative force in the world of hockey. He changed the way the game was played, emphasizing finesse, creativity, and teamwork over brute force. Gretzky’s impact was not limited to the ice; it extended to inspiring generations of young players who aspired to follow in his footsteps” (para. 15). His influence continues to reach across generations, and I believe it will never stop. People will always look up to “The Great One,” and I believe that is what makes him a pop icon.

While many may have differing opinions on what defines a popular icon and who deserves that title, I will always view Wayne Gretzky as the perfect figure who embodies the essence of hockey. He exemplifies this through his remarkable dominance on the ice, his incredible personality, the transformative changes he brought to sport, and, most importantly, the lasting impact he has made. Gretzky is the reason for my passion for hockey, and I know that many others share this same feeling as well. His legacy will continue to thrive as long the sport of hockey is played, and this is what makes him a pop icon.

References

Felix. (2023, September 26). “The Great One: Unraveling the legend of Wayne Gretzky.” International Hockey Net. https://internationalhockey.net/the-great-one-unraveling-the-legend-of-wayne-gretzky/#:~:text=Wayne%20Gretzky%E2%80%99s%20journey%20to%20the%20NHL%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20just,emphasizing%20finesse%2C%20creativity%2C%20and%20teamwork%20over%20brute%20force.

Gretzky, W. & McClellan Day, K. (2016). 99: Stories of the Game. New York, NY: Penguin.

Hickok, R. (1995). A Who’s Who of Sports Champions. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

Jackson, S.J. (2000). Gretzky nation: Canada, crisis, and Americanization. In D.L. Andrews, & S.J. Jackson (Eds.). Sport Stars: The cultural politics of sporting celebrity (pp. 164-186). New York, NY: Routledge.

Patrick, D, & Sampras, P. (2000). Outtakes: Dan Patrick. New York, NY: ESPN Books.

Wayne Gretzky. (2024). Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/wayne-gretzky

NHL Prospect Update: Western Hockey League

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By: Elise Williams

Elise Williams is a sophomore Sport Management major from Dublin, Ohio. She loves anything hockey and is incredibly passionate about the Canadian Hockey League. In her free time, she can be found searching for trinkets, eating sand, or staring at a life-sized pillow of her dog.

November 12, 2024

Continuing on from my previous post about the Ontario Hockey League, the Western league is up next. Plenty of talent has been sweeping through both leagues. The WHL is known for having some of the most elite hockey games in junior leagues. That being said, it has produced some amazing NHL talent, like Leon Draisaitl, Chandler Stephenson, and plenty of other talent.

(Quick note, Connor Bedard, the WHL phenom, will not be included in this list. He is such an icon in the hockey sphere that a single Google search would do him more justice than I could. He is also currently in the NHL, so I wouldn’t call him a ‘prospect’ anymore.)

Caedan Bankier keeps the puck away from the opposing team.

Caedan Bankier (#86 in 2021, Minnesota Wild)

Bankier was a key part of the Kamloops Blazers lineup for the past few years, rotating from second-line center to first-line winger regularly. However, his talent and potential were often overshadowed by one of his friends, Logan Stankoven. Bankier’s backcheck and tough, defensive forward play was exactly what helped Canada win a gold medal at the World Juniors (the big hockey tournament around Christmas, where 10* nations face off with players under 20). Having a point total of 85 points in 57 games with the Blazers, Bankier proved to be a force with whom to be reckoned. His skills are now with the Iowa Wild, Minnesota’s AHL team. Bankier was hurt for a good chunk of last season, and because of that, he has not had ample time to adjust to the quicker game of the American Hockey League. With his skillset, I think that Bankier has the ability to adjust pretty quickly. Wild fans can expect Bankier to make the jump within a few years.

Zach Benson hustling for his current team, the Buffalo Sabres.

Zach Benson (#13 in 2023, Buffalo Sabres)

Benson, going later in the draft than originally planned, has shown his amazing work ethic, especially in the National league. The Sabres opted to play Benson in the NHL now, instead of letting him develop within the Rochester Americans’ team to hone his skills. Because of this, someone (me) could say that Benson has not had the opportunity to really develop like some of the other guys in his draft. His skills are still incredible, his playmaking, hockey IQ, and skating are unmatched in his age group, but if he had the time to perfect those skills before being thrown to the wolves, I think he would be even better than he already is. Anyway, getting off my soapbox, Benson was a powerhouse with the Winnipeg Ice, tallying a shocking 98 points in 60 games in the 2022-23 season. That scoring has yet to transfer to the NHL level, but Sabres fans should sleep well at night knowing that Benson has the potential to be a top forward in the league.

Berkly Catton rushing up ice for the Spokane Chiefs.

Berkly Catton (#8 in 2024, Seattle Kraken)

Catton, the star forward for the Spokane Chiefs this year, is off to a staggering start. After being designated as the captain of the Chiefs, Catton has put up 26 points in 16 games, and is on pace to have 83 points this season (as of November 6th, 2024). However, his numbers last year were astronomical. Catton charted a shocking 116 points in 68 games. That was almost 2 points per game. His speed and ability to score points is impressive, especially for someone of his age (on the younger side of the draft class, but barely). His ability to make passes at the right time and place is fantastic as well, leading to more assists than goals. Overall, Catton was an amazing selection at #8. Kraken fans should see Catton within the next couple years, once he has aged out of the WHL. However, I think he’ll go earlier than that because of his point scoring, but also because he developed so quickly with the Spokane Chiefs and has proven to be at the NHL level.

Cristall suiting up for his current team, the Kelowna Rockets.

Andrew Cristall (#40 in 2023, Washington Capitals)

Cristall is a player that many had going in the early first round. However, many were then shocked to watch him fall as far down as he did. His creativity with the puck is great, along with his playmaking ability. I can still see why he fell so far down in the draft, as his defensive skills still need polishing, but that will eventually come with time and good development in the Caps system. With the Rockets last year, Cristall scored a shocking 111 points in 62 games, putting him 5th in the scoring race in the WHL, putting him just behind Berkly Catton (#4 in the scoring race, #3 in this article). These great point scores have one key difference: defense. Catton has developed his defensive skills, while Cristall is still working on perfecting his already-pretty-good defense. Also, Cristall is on the smaller side of prospects, setting him at a disadvantage from the jump. Still, if developed correctly, Cristall has the opportunity to take the NHL by storm and create his own league of talent.

Colton Dach keeping the puck away from a Portland Winterhawks forward.

Colton Dach (#62 in 2021, Chicago Blackhawks)

Colton Dach, not to be confused with older brother Kirby Dach, has had some unfortunate years after his draft in 2021. Riddled with injury, it is hard to see a great deal of development. However, he has come a long way in his recovery. He had gotten hurt in the World Juniors, where he played 4 games before going down with a shoulder injury. It took him quite a bit of time to recover, and once he came back to the game, he got injured again. This time, it was an ankle injury. He cannot really catch a break. However, he still has a place within the Blackhawks system, with the Rockford IceHogs. There, he is playing a game of ‘catch up’ to be with his prospect pool. Still, his scoring and physicality are something the Blackhawks need if they are to be real contenders this season. In 2023-24 with Rockford, Dach put up 27 points in 48 games. While not astounding numbers, he plays his role as a 3rd or 4th line guy. Most of the time they act as an insurance policy for some of the top-line guys (e.g., Connor Bedard). Let’s hope Dach can stay off the IR this year and develop.

Kevin Korchinski all smiles at Blackhawks camp.

Kevin Korchinski (#7 in 2022, Chicago Blackhawks)

Hailing from Saskatoon, Korchinski has a very bright future ahead of him with the Blackhawks. However, many seemed to pass on Korchinski initially, because there were still plenty of other defenseman who have been in the public eye. Still, his skill as a defensive defenseman landed him in the top 10 of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The Blackhawks knew Korchinski would be amazing for their blue line, coming to their organization with great puck handling, and skating. I believe that many were skeptical of Korchinski at first because he didn’t seem to measure up to the other defenseman in his draft class, as mentioned earlier. However, the Seattle Thunderbirds did an excellent job of developing Korchinski into being an NHL-caliber defenseman what seemed like overnight after he was drafted. His point totals for 2022-23 (The year after his draft) were great, totaling 73 points in 54 games. Currently, he is with the Rockford IceHogs after spending almost all of last year with the Blackhawks. I can only assume it is to develop his defensive zone skills even more. He will be back soon.

Thomas Milic saluting the crowd in Seattle.

Thomas Milic (#151 in 2023, Winnipeg Jets)

Thomas Milic is the blueprint for a lot of young goaltenders. Putting up rockstar numbers when (what feels like) the fate of the world is on your shoulders, staying relaxed in the face of defeat, anything. It takes so much mental toughness to be a goaltender, I do not think many fans realize that. Sorry, I need to get off my soapbox once again when writing about Thomas Milic. He originally went undrafted in 2021, and came back with probably one of the biggest “You Guys Missed Out” seasons I have ever seen. In the World Juniors he put up a .932 save percentage, and went undefeated in the tournament. In the WHL, he was consistently shutting teams down, and eventually won the WHL ‘Goaltender of the Year’ in 2022-23. He also won Championship MVP in the same year. The decorated goaltender proved himself in more ways than one, which lead to him being drafted by the Winnipeg Jets, alongside OHL goaltender, Dom Divincentiis, whom I discussed in my previous article. This goaltending tandem is going to be unstoppable in a few years with the Jets.

Fraser Minten suits up for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Fraser Minten (#38 in 2023, Toronto Maple Leafs)

Minten has always been an interesting player to me. Especially when he was given the captaincy of the Kamloops Blazers… only to be traded away within the month. Still, I think Minten’s development between the Blazers (then the Saskatoon Blades) is notable. While not projected in the first round, many teams were clamoring to get Minten into their system. His amazing two-way game sense is unmatched, along with his skill to know when and where to be on the ice. The Maple Leafs needed that consistent piece to hopefully get them out of the first round, and they got that in both Minten and Cowan, as well as their other draft picks. Minten’s point totals across teams were also great, while trying to stand out on a team full of greats in Kamloops. He tallied 67 points in 57 games with Kamloops in 2022-23, and then 10 points in 7 games before being traded to the Blades. While Minten has already played a few games with the Leafs, I think that Minten needs a few more years of development before he can break out as a great forward for the team.

Tanner Molendyk makes a pass for the Saskatoon Blades.

Tanner Molendyk (#24 in 2023, Nashville Predators)

I feel like the whole hockey world forgot about Tanner Molendyk. Probably because they did. Molendyk was supposed to play in the World Juniors in 2024, but unfortunately got injured during the pre-tournament games against Switzerland, only a few days before the tournament. This sidelined him for the entire tournament, and even some of his junior season. After that, he slotted right back into his role as a top pair defenseman with the Blades. His puck control and absolute speed/skating is amazing, which is what allowed him to go in the first round in 2023. Still, I think many forgot about Molendyk simply because he was hurt. On top of that, not many articles were posted about Molendyk, but he was still putting in great work behind the scenes. His development is going very well within the Blades organization, and Predators fans can be excited to have Molendyk on their team shortly.

Olen Zellweger on the blue line for the Ducks.

Olen Zellweger (#34 in 2021, Anaheim Ducks)

Zellweger, coached by BGSU’s own head coach Dennis Williams for many years with the Silvertips, is doing Olen Zellweger things. Zellweger was doing great things for years with the Silvertips, but many were waiting for his draft year to see where he would land. Many had originally predicted that he would go later in the draft, since he wasn’t really putting up NHL-caliber numbers. He was also 16-17 trying to get his bearings in the WHL. After being drafted pretty high, Zellweger really started to ramp up in all facets. He developed keen offensive awareness, as well as sheer speed and played all 200 feet. The only issue? He’s on the shorter side. Many NHL teams are looking for the whole package and tend to pass up on great talent for size instead because they want that physicality, and to not have a player blow away with the wind or a slight check to the shoulder. Zellweger has come to play around his size, and has developed into a top four defenseman for the Ducks, in one of the best prospect pools I’ve ever seen for any team.

With all that being said, all junior leagues are getting more and more talented as years pass. The game of hockey is growing steadily, whether that be because of fans or simply because of how the NHL is set up with farm teams. I think that the future of the NHL rests in the hands of these 16, 17, and 18-year-olds who want to experience the rush of being on an NHL team. Once again, watch junior leagues. They’re the future of hockey.

NHL Prospect Update: Ontario Hockey League

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By Elise Williams

Elise Williams is a sophomore Sport Management major from Dublin, Ohio. She loves anything hockey and is incredibly passionate about the Canadian Hockey League. In her free time, she can be found curled up with a good book, asleep, or eating shredded cheese right out of the bag.

October 23rd, 2024

It’s been a few months since the 2024 NHL Entry Draft took place in The Sphere. An interesting experience for all. And since many NHL rosters are filling with rarely heard names for the beginning of the season, I figured now would be the best time to give a prospect update. More specifically, with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) guys, and how they have developed since their draft years.

Denver Barkey celebrating after a goal.

Denver Barkey (#95 in 2023, Philadelphia Flyers)

During his time with the Knights in London, Barkey has shown incredible tenacity and growth. Throughout his tenure, he has continued to provide scoring for the entire Knights roster and while not necessarily putting up superstar, godly numbers, his scoring is consistent and increasing. He signed with the Flyers back in March of 2024, a three-year deal that begins in the 2024-25 season. Flyers fans can expect him to be a great 3rd or 4th line guy, as his size is generally not ideal (5’8). However, Barkey continues to put in the work to become a top line player for both the Knights and the Flyers. Recently, he attended Flyers NHL camp with Knights teammate Oliver Bonk, but Barkey didn’t skate, as he is recovering from illness. Also, if any of you happen to care, I’ve talked to him a bit, and he is a really nice guy. He signed a drawing I gave him two years ago, and we occasionally talk through Instagram DMs.

Hunter Brzustewicz circling around the net. 

Hunter Brzustewicz (#75 in 2023, Vancouver Canucks/Calgary Flames)

Hunter Brzustewicz (pronounced, broo-STEV-itch, crazy I know), not to be confused with younger brother Henry Brzustewicz, is a new acquisition for the Calgary Flames. Hunter was involved in the Elias Lindholm trade with Andrei Kuzmenko and a few first-rounders. As an offensive defenseman, Brzustewicz‘s speed and skill are two massive factors in his play. He signed with the Flames back in mid-March, securing his spot within the Flames’ system. Brzustewicz, being US-born, went through the AAA system in Michigan. His point totals from 2023-24 were insane (especially for a defenseman), putting up a total of 92 points in 67 games. Currently, he is playing with the Calgary Wranglers, and within two games has put up an assist. Still, Flames fans can look forward to having a skilled defenseman in the near future in Brzustewicz (which is really hard to spell 7 times).

Easton Cowan suiting up for the Knights. 

Easton Cowan (#28 in 2023, Toronto Maple Leafs)

“Cowboy”, as many call him, is the future of the Leafs organization. Going later in the first round after being projected late fourth round, his come-up is well-documented by many different sources. Throughout his tenure with the Knights, Cowan has put up great numbers, tallying 96 points in just 54 games last year. In the playoffs, he put up 34 points in 18 games. These numbers got him signed with the Leafs as well, a 3-year deal that ends in 2026-27. Leafs’ fans can expect a sharp-shooting winger with great speed to join their lineup within the next year or so. Even though many are still skeptical about Cowan jumping so high in the draft, Brad Treliving (generally) does know what he’s doing when it comes to prospects. There are plenty of other great prospects coming through the Leafs farm system that will be touched on in the WHL portion of the NHL prospect update.

Dom DiVincentiis preparing to stop a puck.

Dom DiVincentiis (#207 in 2022, Winnipeg Jets)

As the only goaltender on this list, DiVincentiis stands out. He also stands out on the stat sheet, putting a save percentage of .919 in 48 games. That is almost unheard of in junior leagues. On top of that, he was the OHL ‘Goaltender of the Year’ in 2022-23. His skills made the Jets decision to draft him all the more worth it. Generally speaking, goalies never crack NHL rosters right out of junior hockey. It’s very rare to see an 18 or 19-year-old goalie in the National league because of the development and skill it takes to perfect being a goalie. You don’t just come out of Junior with the skills to stop a puck flying at you at 120 mph. So, giving a goaltender the time to adjust to the elite skill and speed of the National league, most hang out in the ECHL (which no longer stands for anything), or the American Hockey League (AHL). So Jets fans can expect DiVincentiis in the next 5 or so years, just so he can develop into the best goaltender he can be.

Sam Dickinson warming up for the London Knights.

Sam Dickinson (#11 in 2024, San Jose Sharks)

Full of personality and skill, Dickinson has a long NHL career ahead of him. He joined the Knights early in his career, a clear sign that he was the real deal. A genuine two-way defenseman, Dickinson has amazing puck control and hockey IQ, knowing what plays will create the best opportunity for a goal. His skills got him on the OHL First All-Rookie team in the 2022-23 season. On top of that, he was on Team Canada for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (which is like the hockey Olympics for under 18’s, in which 8 nations face off). His point production is increasing exponentially as well, putting up 70 points in 68 games as a defenseman (2023-24), as opposed to his 23 points in 62 games (2022-23). Sharks fans have plenty to look forward to in Dickinson, and can expect him as soon as the 2025-26 NHL season. He signed with the Sharks in July of 2024, so maybe that will expedite the process of him going to The Show.

Dalibor Dvorsky waiting to make a play for the Sudbury Wolves.

Dalibor Dvorsky (#10 in 2023, St. Louis Blues)

Coming to the OHL from the Swiss league Hockey Allsvenskan, Dvorsky brought his intense gameplay with him. His speed combined with his skill made him an amazing prospect for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. His puck-handling, passing, and offensive read are all lethal for the opposing team. He played for Team Slovakia at the World Juniors (the big hockey tournament around Christmas, where 8 nations face off with players under 20. This tournament is more popular than Hlinka Gretzky because the players promise to be in the NHL sooner – that is my guess), as well as Hlinka Gretzky, notching 13 points in 7 games in the younger tournament, and 3 points in 5 games at the World Juniors. Still, his intense game and ability to make difficult passes got him drafted by the St. Louis Blues. He signed with them in July of 2023, and many had mixed feelings. Those feelings should subside though, as Dvorsky is barreling through the AHL system in hopes of cracking an NHL roster either this year or the next.

Jett Luchanko turning to make a play at Flyers Development Camp.

Jett Luchanko (#13 in 2024, Philadelphia Flyers)

Luchanko (which, c’mon, what a name) shot up the NHL Draft rankings before the draft actually started. His work ethic is a massive part of that. Not only does he want to learn, but he also wants to be competitive. While his shot may not be the best on the team, his puck control and ability to make passes is on another level (Similar to Dvorsky above). He puts in the work to constantly be better than the competition, and feels the need to prove to many why the Flyers selected him. He flew under the radar at first, but his performance at the NHL Combine showed his strength to many that may have doubted him. His point totals throughout the years have steadily increased, starting at 14 points in 46 games, then shooting up to 74 points in 68 games. He signed with the Flyers in July of 2024, and began training to be an all-star. The amazing skills he has and the others he continues to polish will be an amazing asset for the Flyers in the near future.

Zayne Parekh looks towards fans in Saginaw.

Zayne Parekh (#9 in 2024, Calgary Flames)

Starting his junior career earlier than others, Parekh hadn’t always been on everyone’s radar. Whispers of his name had only just started at the beginning of his draft year, and then his talent exploded. His ability to make plays quickly and with such a strong hockey IQ was what drew in plenty of NHL teams. Winning the 2024 Memorial Cup with the Saginaw Spirit only further drew in talent-hungry teams. Parekh was a massive asset to Saginaw during the entire tournament (I would know, I was there). His point totals weren’t astronomical, but that’s common for defensemen. At the Memorial Cup, he scored 5 points in 5 games, but anyone could notice his presence on the ice. In the regular season of his draft year, he scored an insane 96 points in 66 games. He signed with the Flames barely a week after the draft, and has been training to crack an NHL roster ever since. The Flames can expect a playmaking defenseman with great skating ability within a few years, possibly even sooner.

Beckett Sennecke with his current team, the Oshawa Generals.

Beckett Sennecke (#3 in 2024, Anaheim Ducks)

Going semi-viral for his dazed reaction to being drafted third overall, Sennecke has the skills to back up his draft spot. While he may not be putting up monstrous points like the other guys on this list, he still is a force to be reckoned with on the ice. The skills Sennecke brings to the Generals forward core are incredible. His puck handling, size, and skating led him to be a high draft pick. While many saw the pick as a throwaway (especially since it was a top 3 pick), others saw it as high-risk high-reward. If developed well within the Ducks’ system, Sennecke has the potential to be a first line winger for the Ducks, alongside an amazing prospect pool for Anaheim (truly one of the best prospect pools I’ve ever seen). Like many of the other guys on this list, Sennecke signed with the Ducks right out of the draft. Ducks fans (if there are any out there) can expect a highly-skilled winger with great size to add to the arsenal of incredible talent in the coming years.

Florian Xhekaj suiting up for the Brantford Bulldogs.

Florian Xhekaj (#101 in 2023, Montreal Canadians)

Florian Xhekaj (pronounced JACK-eye, I think? I’ve heard 12 different ways to say it, but this one is most agreed on), takes after his brother, Arber. That being said, the penalty minutes are high with these two brothers. Opting to protect his teammates rather than put up impressive numbers, Xhekaj isn’t always at the top of the score sheet. In the 2023-24 season, Xhekaj put up 25 points in 68 games, and had 18 penalty minutes (which makes me wonder how the OHL calculates penalty minutes, since I can count on my fingers and toes the number of fights Xhekaj got into, and I would still need more fingers). Still, sometimes a team needs a good enforcer. His aggression on the ice is what got him recognized by the Canadians, but also because his brother also plays in Montreal. The Canadians can expect a Bash-Bro’s type deal once Florian develops through the Canadiens farm system.

The NHL has such a bright future. Plenty of incredible prospects are making their way through the farm systems. As the NHL becomes more and more talented, it becomes more entertaining to watch. There is still plenty of talent left to be drafted as well, which is even better for the NHL as a whole. In conclusion, watch junior leagues. They’re the future of hockey.

Underdog Receives First National Title: Providence Friars

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April 14, 2015

By Ellen Chlumecky

The Providence Friars 2014-2015 hockey team was the key definition of “the underdogs.” The Friars were the 15th seed going into the 2015 NCAA men’s hockey national tournament. The Providence Friars squeezed into the NCAA Tournament by the skin of their teeth. The last time the Friars had even made an appearance at the NCAA Frozen Four was in 1985, which was thirty years ago. Now the Providence Friars can finally claim the national title as their own.

While I would never try to rob the Friars of what they earned and the hard work they committed to in each game, they owe a great deal of their fortune to Boston University’s goalie’s unbelievably fluky goal. This is what gave Providence the chance to come back. The game had 8:36 left in regulation when Providence junior defenseman Tom Parisi lofted a high dump in from center ice that headed towards Boston University’s junior goaltender Matt O’Connor. O’Connor followed the puck and it struck the heel of his catching glove. It seemed like he had made a routine save. However, his glove dropped toward the ice and so did the puck, which rolled between his legs. While O’Connor tried to grab it, he knocked the puck into his own net which turned a 3-2 Terriers’ lead into a 3-3 tie.

The Friars scored another goal within a 2:19 span in the third period to tie and eventually secure a 4 to 3 win over Boston University at TD Garden. Providence College’s head coach Nate Leaman said, “I thought it’s kind of a little bit like our season: we started a little bit slow, but we got better and better. And we played a pretty good third period and obviously got a big bounce that I think got our bench alive a little bit.” Providence came in as underdogs and showed everyone they were worthy of the national title by humiliating every team that had held the title years before.

Boston University’s storybook ending was quickly denied in those last few minutes of regulation. This would have been Boston University’s sixth national championship. While I’m sure Providence upset a massive amount of hockey fans’ brackets, they raised the hopes of Providence students and fans. Providence earned their way to the Frozen Four with a wild 7 to 5 win over Miami, a 4 to 1 win over Denver, then massacred Nebraska-Omaha in a 4 to 1 in the semifinal. Providence has become the third-straight first time champion in the NCAA Frozen Four.

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How ‘Bout Them Falcons?!

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By Kaleb Page

January 22, 2015

College hockey is something that has a select few college towns captivated every season and as this very season starts to hit the home stretch there is a team that should have its town at full attention.

The Bowling Green Falcons hockey team started this season with potential of being a great one. With leadership from seniors Dan DeSalvo, Adam Berkle, Rusty Hafner, Mike Sullivan, Connor Kucera and Ted Pletsch this team had a solid core that could keep the team together and fulfill that potential. Potential to be a great team is something nice to have in mind, but does it really settle any match out on the ice? (<<

Having a great group of senior leaders is needed for a majority of teams no matter what the sport. However, there needs to be younger guys that come in to infuse the team with new energy along with providing an exciting look to the future for falcon hockey.  Like freshman goaltender Chris Snell who averages only 1.74 goals allowed per game (save percentage of .937) and an impressive 6-1-1 record when starting in the net (wins-losses-ties). It can be seen elsewhere with sophomore forward Kevin Dufour who has 10 goals and five assists on the season including three power-play goals and a game winner. There are many more cases with this team where freshman, sophomores and even juniors are making huge strides to improve this team.

This season has seen this team soar to new heights with a record of 14-4-4 (10-2-2 in conference play). To this point in the season there has not been a losing streak longer than a game and with such a hard-working team there has been recognition nationally.

This falcons hockey team as of this moment sits at #6 in the nation and third in the WCHA conference only behind the number one team in the country Minnesota State and the 11th ranked Michigan Tech Huskies (BGSU has played fewer games to this point than those two schools). This team has made a drastic climb from when this season started.

The team began the year un-ranked, then as things moved along and the team proved its worth; the move up the charts was unstoppable. From week to week the falcons were on the move from 25 to 17 to 13 to 11 to 7 and now to 6.

The town of Bowling Green and its campus should really get behind this team, and watch what could be a team that has a real legitimate chance to bring home a national title. I was there for the tough 3-2 loss to Ohio State that had a packed “Madhouse on Mercer,” the largest crowd ever at a game with 5,031 people in attendance and I think it should be like that almost every night this team is home.

It’s time to recognize what is going on here and to give this team more praise/coverage they deserve. It will be interesting to see when the season ends what this team will do in tournament play. Either way, this team has proven it belongs in the conversation with elite clubs in the college circuit this season.

Roll Along BG Hockey!

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Mumps Affecting Not Only the NHL

By Savannah Malnar

Flu outbreaks aren’t uncommon around this time of the year in professional sports leagues. What is uncommon is the appearance of the mumps in the NHL. Professional athletes are forced to spend an excessive amount of time together in close contact, between sharing rooms on road trips and water bottles in the locker rooms. So when a contagious illness hits one player, it’s likely to spread throughout the team. The interesting aspect about these illnesses is that in the NHL they can spread pretty easily to other teams as well, with all the hard hits and the fighting bringing rival players into physical contact.

The outbreak of the disease started in Anaheim with the defensemen Francois Beauchemin and Clayton Stoner, along with star forward Corey Perry. Other teams that have since reported cases include the Minnesota Wild, the New York Rangers, the New Jersey Devils, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The NHL is doing everything in its power to bring awareness to the disease and ensure that the players have access to booster shots or the initial mumps immunization if they did not receive it as a child.

The media’s primary concern right now seems to be the quality of the game with a disease like this going around. What will the Penguins do without Sidney Crosby while he recovers? Did the Ducks lose games they could have won if Perry wasn’t ill?

One ESPN article brought attention to a less talked about side of the epidemic; the American Hockey League. The AHL is a development league for the NHL, and players move up and down between the leagues on daily basis. Two players and one head coach in the AHL have come down with this sickness. The total amount of hockey players affected is up to 18.

Dr. Gregory Poland, the director of the Mayo Vaccine Research Group, believes that this outbreak is not actually all that uncommon. “To be very frank with you, if 13 students at a junior college in rural Arizona had mumps, you and I wouldn’t be talking. It gets hyped because it’s in (professional athletes),” Poland said. Poland also stressed making sure all players receive the immunization they need; from there it’s just a waiting game. There are no cures or antibiotics available for the disease, so hockey players will just have to do what they do best: tough it out.

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Slava Voynov’s Domestic Violence Case Worse Than Expected

By Savannah Malnar

When defenseman Slava Voynov of the Los Angeles Kings was initially arrested on domestic violence charges and suspended indefinitely by the NHL in late October, the media didn’t have a lot of information on the case. Voynov and his wife both claimed it was an “accident,” but the case still went to court.

Fast forward roughly two months to Voynov’s preliminary hearing on Monday. In this hearing, what at first seemed like a possible misunderstanding became much worse. A police officer offered his testimony to the case; apparently, Voynov had pushed his wife to the ground multiple times, kicked her, choked her multiple times, and pushed her into a television which caused a gash above her eye requiring stitches.

Pretty bad, right? The people in the sport media largely agree. Big names such as Yahoo! Sports and the Bleacher Report say it like it is, calling the incident “shocking,” “bloody,” and “horrifying.” An article in the Bleacher Report praised the NHL for its initial suspension, along with its decision to fine the LA Kings $100,000 when they violated suspension protocol and allowed the defenseman to take part in a practice with the team. The NHL’s lack of toleration for both the suspected domestic violence and violation of suspension protocol shows their dedication to ensuring a high standard of how the players act off the ice. This reflects good on the league in comparison to the NFL’s mishandling of the Ray Rice case.

While the large national media outlets highlighted the moral aspect of Voynov’s case and suspension, a more local source, the LA Times, stayed completely objective on that front. In comparison to the headlines “NHL’s Hard Line with Slava Voynov Remains Justified as Horrible Details Emerge” (Bleacher Report) and “Slava Voynov kicked, choked, bloodied wife according to police” (Yahoo! Sports), the LA Times headline was simply “Domestic violence case against Slava Voynov will proceed, judge rules.” This is an extremely stark difference and reflects the habits of local sources tending to be less critical of athletes in these sorts of situations.

With domestic abuse becoming a hot topic in the sports world, both the league itself and the hockey media must be sensitive to the broad audience that the sport invites. Even with the LA Times remaining objective, the media and the NHL have done a good job so far showing this sort of behavior by a player is unacceptable and disappointing.

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Record Setting Day in the American Hockey League

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By Alex O’Connor

On Saturday, the Syracuse Crunch played the Utica Comets in the Carrier Dome on the campus of Syracuse University. The game was known as the “Frozen Dome Classic” and was the first of its kind in the American Hockey League. The Carrier Dome is not a hockey facility and was an event that could expand the horizons for the AHL. With the recent successes of outdoor games in the NHL, the AHL tried something just slightly different. The Syracuse Crunch currently play at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena in downtown Syracuse, where the game was originally supposed to be held. This new event created positive media buzz for local and national reporters, and was generally raved as a solid and successful debut event.

As the event reached national attention, NHL.com has taken notice. Reporter Kinsey Janke noted that there have been several games outdoors in non-hockey facilities, but none that would be played indoors at a non-hockey facility. Crunch owner Howard Dolgon noted that “The chance to be the first hockey game in the Dome and strive to break not only the AHL record but the U.S. professional indoor record, that really drove us to move ahead with this.” The Carrier Dome has the capacity to exceed 49,000 occupants and would easily break the previous record of outdoor and non traditional games at a mark of 45,653 set by a game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. The final attendance mark for this game was 30,715. The implications of this number is that the Crunch-Comets game broke the indoor record for most fans at a professional hockey game. This mark broke the record set by the Tampa Bay Lightning back in 1996. However, this did not break the attendance mark for most fans at the Carrier Dome, which occurred last February when Duke played Syracuse in Men’s Basketball.

The main benefit from the event was to enhance the name of the Syracuse Crunch. Due to the increased media reflection with NHL.com and NBCSports.com, Dolgon has accomplished his mission of pioneering a new venue for an indoor hockey event. In addition, the local community benefited tremendously for having the opportunity to partake in an event that has never once been done before. There has always been a desire to implement new strategies to enhance an already desired commodity, and I believe that Howard Dolgon, the Crunch organization and the University of Syracuse made this possible and ran with that idea.

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Hockey Hall of Fame Being Globalized

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By Ellen Chlumecky

On Monday, November 17th, the Class of 2014 was ushered into the Hockey Hall of Fame. These four players from four different countries each played a major role in an important international game which is why they were being honored with this highly esteemed awards. The four former athletes were Peter Forsberg of team Sweden, Mike Modano of team United States, Dominik Hasek of team Czech Republic, and Rob Blake of team Canada.

Peter Forsberg helped team Sweden win gold at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. Mike Modano helped the United States team win the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. Dominik Hasek helped the Czech Republic team win gold at the 1998 Nagano Olympics while also earning tournament MVP honors. Rob Blake helped team Canada achieve a victory at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics after receiving losses in the past three tournaments. These four athletes spent their entire careers working towards greatness and on Friday they were acknowledged not only for their individual team effort but for their international team effort as well.

Not only were these athletes recognized, but a special group of broadcast journalists as well. Pat Foley, of the Chicago Blackhawks, received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster. Kevin Allen received the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism. Coach Pat Burns and referee Bill McCreary also received awards for their dedication to the sport and were inducted into their career category.

Not only is it a huge honor for the National Hockey League to have these amazing athletes in their organization, it is a huge advancement for hockey in general because of the coverage this special event received. The induction ceremony was broadcasted live not only throughout Canada but also through North America. While it was not broadcasted on every major sports channel in the US, it received an immense amount of coverage by the NHL Network.

This particular Hall of Fame class was immensely showed how the globalization of hockey has increased in the past few years. The athletes inducted were not just from the United States and Canada, but from the Czech Republic and Sweden as well. To have four players from four different countries has shown the importance that hockey is making on the world. This class of 2014 has shown the globalization of hockey is spreading even faster than we had originally thought.

I have said it before and I will say it again, hockey is an amazing sport that requires physical and mental toughness. It takes a great deal of skill, endurance, and passion to play hockey and these four men who received awards on Friday are just some of the few that we are so immensely proud of in the NHL. It makes me so happy to see the recognition of these athletes and broadcasters and it makes me even happier to see the diverse coverage of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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Trouble On Tinder

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By Kate Roth

In the past few years social media has emerged as one of the top go to methods for retrieving any sort of news around the world, including sports. No matter what sport you are interested in, there is always something happening on social media to keep you updated with your favorite teams and players. Often fans can even stay connected with the players by following their personal social media sites.

This has proven to be both good and bad for athletes. Yes it is great for them to be able to share some their personal life with their fans, but social media can also lead to negative situations for athletes all too often.

Twitter and Facebook seem to be the normal sites that we find athletes getting themselves in trouble with by their comments, but now even the popular social media dating app, Tinder is causing some trouble for two young athletes.

Greg Betzold and Jake Marchment two young players both only 19 years old playing in the Ontario Hockey League, part of the junior Canadian Hockey League, have found themselves suspended for 15 games after sending abusive comments to women through the social media site.

The two players who originally though the conversations they were having would stay private, quickly saw them go public all over the news after the women took screen shots of their conversations and posted them online for all to see.

Once the OHL was informed of these incidents they acted quickly and informed the players, teams and press that even though these were private actions in the two players lives it was still unacceptable behavior and they would have to serve a 15-game suspension as consequence.

Betzold and Marchment took their own private Twitter accounts to apologize for their actions. Both stated that they wanted to make clear that they thought these were private conversations, but none the less it was childish and unacceptable behavior.

With the amount of off-field drama that college, semi-professional and professional sports have had this year, it is clear to see why the OHL acted so quickly.  Not only did the league serve up a pretty heavy suspension for first time offenders, they also made sure to alert the media of the issue right away and assure them that the situation was being handled by the league.

The OHL is a league designed to develop young players as they prepare to enter into the NHL. By acting quickly on this situation and making an example out of these two players, the OHL is showing that they care about their players and are there to help develop them not only as players, but also as young men.

Hopefully other athletes, especially young ones, can learn from the mistakes made by these two players and all other players who have found themselves in some trouble through their actions on social media. While it can be a great way to stay connected to the fans, the athletes need to know their limits and realize that nothing they post on any of these sites is private.

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