Brandon Archibald seems to be a defenseman that can play either a offensive or shutdown role for the team. Archibal scored 33 points last season on a Sault Ste. Marie team that made a 35 point inporvement from 08-09. Archibald played on the Greyhounds top defensive pairing, his defensive partner Jacob Muzzin actually led the Greyhounds in scoring. I can't write much about Anton Blomqvist because finding info on European players is a little rough. Blomqvist is a 6'5" defenseman who could actuaally be playing against the Jackets when they get to Sweden as he plays in the Malmo organization. I liked this take on Blomqvist from Hockeysfuture.com "
Blomqvist has become an important part of Malmö’s blue line in a league dominated by older players. He had been labelled as somewhat inconsistent while playing in the junior ranks, but has been able to step up considerably upon being promoted to the men’s team – a great sign when evaluating young players". Steven Delisle is the biggest defenseman in camp at 6'6" but he doesnt use that size to crush opponents but more for defensive play. Delisle was the captain of the Gatineau Olympiques before being traded to Rouyn-Noranda. While not being suited to a offensive role he is seen as a complement to a offensive defenseman like the Jurcina-Russell D pairing last season.
Cody Goloubef is one of two college players leaving school a year early to get started on their professional careers. Goloubef was a member of a Wisconsin defensive group that all but two players were either a first or second round draft pick. Cody scored 14 points last year while also being a +13. Austin Madaisky scored 27 points last season splitting the season with Calgary and Kamloops of the WHL. One of Madaisky's strengths is his defensive positioning and skating ability, plus everything i've read makes it sound like the kids a gym rat. The only defenseman heading to Michigan with a shot at making the NHL out of training camp this year is 2009 1st round draft pick John Moore. Moore picked up 47 points last year in 61 games last year including 11 multi-point games. Six of Moore's 10 goals were scored on the power play, Moore's only multi-goal game came in his OHL debut.
2009-10 was a breakout season for 2010 6th round pick Dalton Prout. Prout exploded for 21 points, this coming from a guy who'd never scored more than 6 in his previous 3 seasons. But the extra offense is a bonus with Prout who's not afraid to throw his weight around and drop the gloves. Prout could turn pro this year or play one more year in the OHL. I always have to bring it up but Theo Ruth is the player the Jackets got for Sergei Fedorov and it's finally time the CBJ faithful get to see what we got for the future hall of famer. Ruth is a shutdown defenseman with underrated offensive skills and the few websites I checked rave about him having a hard and accurate shot from the point. David Savard is another Blue Jackets prospect to pick up multiple awards in the QMJHL last year winning both the Emile Bouchard Trophy as Defenseman of the Year and the Kevin Lowe Trophy for Best Defensive Defenseman. Savard last season was the first defenseman ever to lead the QMJHL in assists with 64.
On to the Goalies the Jackets are bringing to Traverse City, the Jackets are bringing the two biggest goaltenders in the tournament. The Jackets scouting staff must have been looking around Canadian National Basketball team when searching for goaltenders. Columbus is bringing 6'8" Jason Missiaen, 6'6" Mathieu Corbeil and the little guy of the group 6'1" Riley Gill.
Mathieu Corbeil is the only Jackets draft pick that will be playing goal for the Jackets. Now when you look at his stats please note Corbeil has been playing on a brutally bad Halifax Mooseheads team a team that has won only 32 games over the last two seasons. Most sites believe Corbeil is a bit of a project but the kid is seen to have a lot of potential. If it wasn't for free agent invite Riley Gill Western Michigan University might not of won any games over the last 4 years. Over the last four seasons the Broncos have only won 48 games and Gill won 39 of those. In fact over the last two seasons Gill won every game but one for the team.
The biggest player in the tournament is Jason Missiaen, at 6'8' Missiaen will probably the biggest players ever to don a Blue Jackets jersey even if it is only Traverse City or preseason. He was orginally a 4th round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Missiaen was another goalie to pick up almost all of his team wins, winning 27 out of 29.
This is an old picture but it gets my point across
There you have it folks with my first post about the forwards this is the team the Jackets will take to Traverse City this year. Now I was looking at the pictures my Dad took from last year's tournament the team didn't have a captain but a few players did wear A's on their jerseys during games. I think the players who should have an A are John Moore, Matt Calvert, after those two im not sure would deserve an A if they use three which is normal when no captain is playing.
As I've said before follow @CBJProspects and @En4cer45 for live in game updates and hopefully on this blog I will able to post game recaps at the end of the day.
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