- Jack Barzee, NHL Central Scouting

“Schroeder is a very imaginative playmaker who may be small in stature, but is a mature, take-charge guy who runs the PP and distributes the puck beautifully. Can also wire a sneaky snap shot that he should use more often. He’s very advanced and should be in the NHL in a year after dominating college hockey as a freshman and being the best performer on the U.S. World Junior squad.”
- Red Line Report’s Kyle Woodlief, writing for USA Today

“Schroeder is an offensive machine. He’s short and stocky, but is size doesn’t affect him as it would other players because he has such a strong core.”
- A scout, quoted in The Hockey News 2009 NHL Draft Guide

“Jordan is a very dynamic player with high-level skills. An agile and speedy playmaker, Schroeder’s perimeter quickness gets opponents defenses into a panic. His game changing scoring abilities put him in the top ten of the talent pool in this year’s draft class.”
- International Scouting Services 2009 NHL Draft Guide

http://www.andrewsstarspage.com/index.php/site/comments/nhl_draft_jordan_schroeder_profile/

Joe Pleckaitis

J.S. PLAYS FOR THE MINNESOTA GOPHERS

ONE OF THEIR TOP PLAYERS

DECIDED TO GO THERE RATHER THAN TO MAJOR JUNIOR

I HOPE HE LEAVES

OTHER TEAMS PLAYERS LEAVING

GARTH SNOW ARTICULATING

SHIFT POSITION-LIKES ONE BIG LINE

OTHER TEAMS KEEPING QUIET

GILLIS HAD THREE GUYS THERE

THEIR D IS TERRIBLE

STRESS D BUT TERRIBLE

DOESN’T COACH DURING THE GAME

ONE LINE DOES MOST OF HIS SCORING-

MAJOR JUNIOR-MORE HITTING, STRESS DEFENSE, NUCKS CAN WATCH

I DON’T THINK THAT HE’S IN A GOOD SITUATION

Tensions began to rise in his second season in Minnesota between Gophers coach Don Lucia and Islanders General Manager Garth Snow.  Lucia had been playing Okposo at center, not at his natural position of right wing.  Snow believed this could hinder his development and pushed for a change.  On December 19, 2007 Okposo informed his team he would be leaving the University of Minnesota at the conclusion of the semester.

Professional Career – The Islanders signed their 2006 1st round pick to a 3-year entry level contract on December 28th and immediately assigned him to their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.  He appeared in 35 games before getting the call to the NHL to complete the 2007-08 campaign.  He made his debut on March 18, 2008 versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, a month shy of his 20th birthday.  Just three days later he scored his first NHL goal, beating future Hall-of-Famer Martin Brodeur with a game-winning power play tally.

1st round 7th overall in 2006

During his nine-year tenure, 48 of his players have been drafted by NHL franchises including 11 first round selections. Erik Johnson was taken first overall in the 2006 draft by the St. Louis Blues while Thomas Vanek (2003), Blake Wheeler (2004) and Phil Kessel (2006) were all taken with the fifth overall choice.

“Being in Ann Arbor in the National Team Development Program it taught me a lot about hockey and a lot about life too,” Schroeder said honestly. “It’s brought me to both ends of the ice, defensively and offensively. I’ve learned a lot through it. Playing International hockey you get a feel for that too so I’m pretty comfortable with it.”

By Brian Stensaas, Star Tribune

Last update: December 20, 2007 – 11:08 PM

“Quite frankly, we weren’t happy with the program there,” Snow said in a telephone interview. “They have a responsibility to coach, to make Kyle a better player, and they were not doing that.”

Asked for specifics, Snow said, “[Okposo] just wasn’t getting better — bottom line. And to me, that’s the frustrating part. We entrusted the coach there to turn him into a better hockey player, and it wasn’t happening. We feel more comfortable in him developing right under our watch.”

Notified of Snow’s comments Thursday, [Don] Lucia e-mailed the Star Tribune via the University’s sports information department.

“I am proud of all the success of our program,” the coach’s statement read. “I believe our staff does an excellent job of developing our players on and off the ice.

Lucia is in his ninth season as the Gophers coach and led the program to NCAA championships in 2002 and 2003.

After scoring 40 points in as many games as a freshman last season, Okposo had 11 points this season for Minnesota (9-8-1). Okposo was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2006 NHL draft.

Okposo’s decision to leave was announced by the team Wednesday afternoon. Lucia said then in a released statement that, “it is unfortunate that the Islanders put him in a very difficult position.”

Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi, when told of Snow’s comments, was dumbfounded.

“He must feel that somebody’s angry,” Maturi said. “And I can understand why; you took a kid from a team in the midst of the year and he’s probably trying to justify it. And that’s his right.

“It’s my understanding they now have a roster spot for [Okposo] and therefore our coaching is bad. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Maturi made note of Lucia’s coaching record — more than 500 career victories in 21 seasons — and the number of NHL-quality players produced under his tutelage.

Still, Snow didn’t feel the Gophers were a right fit for Okposo.

“It’s well-known in hockey circles that the situation for college players is to develop and get better,” Snow said. “And quite frankly, it’s a big responsibility for a college coach — a program — to handle these kids.

“Whether it was Kyle or another player, until things change in that program we’d probably make the same decision. There should be a coach there that looks in the mirror.”

The Islanders recently contacted Okposo, Snow said, but added the ultimate decision to leave school was Okposo’s.

“Obviously, it’s Kyle’s decision whether to stay or leave,” Snow said. “But we contacted Kyle and asked how things were going. And that’s why we’re where we’re at.”

Snow then responded “he’ll get better coaching” when asked what Okposo would get in the Islanders system.

Snow declined comment when asked about Okposo’s contract status.

“[He] will be a tremendous hockey player. We’re happy to have him,” Snow said.

2006-07: Okposo collected 19 goals, 21 assists for 40 points and picked up 28 penalty minutes in 40 games played for the University of Minnesota.For his efforts last season with the Golden Gophers, Okposo was named the team’s Rookie of the Year. He also represented Team USA at the World Junior Championships.

Read HF’s interview with Kyle Okposo.

2007-08: Okposo made his NHL debut on March 18 vs. Toronto and continued with the team, playing the final nine games of the season with the Islanders. He recorded five points (2+3) and scored his first NHL goal, a game-winner scored on Brodeur, on March 21 at New Jersey. He also recorded his first NHL point, an assist, in the same game. Prior to the pro action, he played in 18 games with the University of Minnesota (WCHA) before leaving for the World Junior Championships.

Kessel is the fourth Gopher to leave for the pros this offseason following Danny Irmen, Kris Chucko and Ryan Potulny.

For the fourth time in six years the University of Minnesota had two players selected in the first round of the National Hockey League Entry Draft as Nick Leddy and Jordan Schroeder each went among the top picks.

The Gophers have now had 10 first-round picks since 2004 and eight players selected in the first round in the past four years. They also had two players selected in the first round in 2007 and 2004 and had four first-round picks in 2006. Leddy and Schroeder were among the first three American-born players chosen in the draft.

“We want him to get ice time,” said Senators GM Bryan Murray. “We want him to develop.

O’Brien was used primarily on the fourth line by the Golden Gophers last season and is eager to take on more responsibility.

“I never wanted to take a kid out of school,” Murray said. “I never encouraged that. I think Jim feels that this is the best road for him at this point in his career.”

O’Brien will be joining the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League.

Both Coach Eaves and Coach Lucia are great at what they do. They play two different styles, and they’re both doing well…and will continue to do well over the next couple years. I think Coach Lucia plays a more offensive style, and I think that style best fits me.

What type of role do you see yourself falling into with the Gopher’s open style offense, and especially with the likes of such great players as Potulny, Irmen, Hirsch, and the incoming Blake Wheeler

Phil Kessel (3:38 PM)

I figure I’m coming in the same as any other freshman. I’m more of an offensive player and I think I’m expected to help more offensively, but I’ll do whatever the coaches ask and do whatever it takes to win.

“It was really hard to leave (Minnesota) behind. Some of my best friends go to Minnesota.”

Kessel said some of the factors behind his decision were his ability to adapt to playing with some professionals in the recent World Championships in Latvia and the opportunity to realize his dream of playing in the NHL.

Also present during the teleconference was Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli. He was certainly excited about landing Kessel, saying the Bruins needed to add speed, skill and offensive grit and Kessel fills those voids.

As for the process of adding Kessel, Chiarelli said contract figures weren’t really a factor because of the stipulations in the new NHL collective bargaining agreement regarding rookie salaries.

The clause says rookies can only earn a maximum annual salary of $850,000 in base salary and bonus, with a maximum of 10 percent of the salary being in the bonus.

“It was more of a decision-making process for Phil than a negotiation,” he said.

He also said the Bruins left the decision up to Kessel and that the process went into Wednesday night.

Kessel – who put up 18 goals and 33 assists (51 points) in 39 games last season – said he called Gophers head coach Don Lucia Thursday afternoon to inform him of his decision and that he thought they had a pretty good chat. Lucia said he felt the same way and that he wasn’t surprised by Kessel’s decision.

“I think it was pretty evident as this was going on that Phil was going to sign,” Lucia said.

Lucia also said he was appreciative of the fact that Kessel chose to play for Minnesota but was a little less clear as to whether or not he thought Kessel made the right decision.

“It’s not my decision,” Lucia said. “If he’s playing in the NHL (next season), it was the right decision.”

Lucia said Kessel’s combination of speed and skill should transfer over well almost immediately in the NHL and that he thinks Kessel will start the season with Boston and get a chance to crack one of the team’s top two scoring lines.

http://www.areavoices.com/rinkandrun/?page=listing&tag=minnesota%20gophers

The Gophers play a delightful freewheeling style, which should allow Kessel to use his speed most effectively-unless, of course, he matriculates to the pros immediately after this June’s draft. “By the end of this season,” Irmen said, “Phil will be the best player in college hockey.”

Says Minnesota coach Don Lucia, “I’ve told Phil he’ll have two difficult years in his career: his draft year and the year he goes to the NHL, with all their pressures. After that he’ll settle in. I hope he gets through this year, enjoys himself and leads us to a really strong finish. The most important thing I want to see from him is a smile every day.”

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Gross

The NHL is holding their draft combine this weekend, and North Dakota’s Jonathan and Minnesota’s Phil Kessel both made news; not for what they did during their workout, but what they did after their workouts. TSN reported on their combine blog that both Toews and Kessel needed a bucket to vomit into after their workout on a stationary bike.

Both players didn’t necessarily get the best reviews for their physical testing. But anything that gets made of this will be too much, in my opinion. I didn’t need a room full of scientists and NHL scouts to tell me that Jonathan Toews would fall below the median in a bench press competition, when the NHL loves to invite 6+ ft. 200+ lbs. players to this thing.

TSN also made the point that the college season ended in April for most players(March for Phil Kessel*), while the major junior players played much deeper into the spring. There’s a lot to be said for being in “game shape” and it’s pretty much impossible to maintain, no matter how hard you work. Kessel was said to do well in the strength tests, which is much easier to work on over the summer.

In the end, these workouts aren’t that big of a deal. Teams are going to focus more on what a player can do on the ice instead of what they do in a weight room. Hopefully people don’t focus too much on the performance of Kessel and Toews on the stationary bike.

“He’s a great coach,” Schroder began. “During practices, he’ll teach us a lot of small things, but when it comes to the games, he doesn’t say too much. He just kind of lets us play. I think that’s part of the reason why we’re having some success this year.”

“The main things that I got out of the program were that I learned how to become a better defensive player and how to play at both ends of the ice,” he said. “I was a pretty offensive guy in high school and never really knew how to play D, but then once I went there I learned a lot more. Now, I’d say that I’m ok, but I obviously could be a lot better. I want to keep improving on that.”

LLL

LLL

2007-08 • Freshman Season
Appeared in all 45 games as a freshman and led the team with a plus-nine rating • had two minus ratings over the final 26 games, posting a cumulative plus-five rating • team was 7-0-2 when he scored a point • spread his 10 points over nine different games • scored a second period goal to put team ahead 2-1 in eventual 3-2 double overtime win over Minnesota State in WCHA playoffs (3/16) • collected goals in each game of home series against Wisconsin (2/22-23) • first career goal was the game-winner in a 4-3 victory over top-ranked Michigan (10/13) • only multiple-point game came with a goal and an assist against Wayne State (1/4) • did not score in 4-3 win at North Dakota (12/8), but had a plus-three rating • had two three-game scoring streaks (11/9-16 and 2/22-29) • scored points in each game of sweep against Minnesota State with a goal the first night and an assist the following night (11/9-10) • split time at center and wing on second through fourth lines throughout the season • earned first letter.

HIGH SCHOOL:
Played his prep hockey at Grand Rapids High School • head coach was Bruce LaRoque • finalist for the 2007 Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award • named the 2006-07 Associated Press and Duluth News Tribune Player of the Year • finished his senior season with scoring totals of 18-31–49 in 30 games • named AP and St. Paul Pioneer Press first team all-state, Duluth News Tribune first team all-area and Iron Range all-conference • led the Thunderhawks to second place at the 2007 Minnesota State High School Class AA Tournament • earned all-tournament team honors • played 12 games with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL following his senior season at GRHS, scoring eight goals and one assist • helped Team USA capture the silver medal at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship this past April • led Grand Rapids in scoring with 23-29–52 in 30 games in 2005-06 • helped the the Thunderhawks to a 21-9-0 record and a runner-up finish at the Class AA State Tournament • named to the all-tournament team with 5-1–6 in three games • named AP all-state honorable mention, Duluth News Tribune second team all-area and Iron Range all-conference • had 18-15–33 in 26 games during his sophomore season and 2-5–7 in his freshman campaign • selected with the 25th overall pick in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

courtesy of gophersports.com

PERSONAL:
Management major • lists golf, ping pong and spending time on the lake as hobbies • lists playing in the high school state tournament twice as his most memorable sports thrills • born January 20, 1989.

Don Lucia has helped many Gophers move on to the next level as well. During his nine-year tenure, 48 of his players have been drafted by NHL franchises including 11 first round selections. Erik Johnson was taken first overall in the 2006 draft by the St. Louis Blues while Thomas Vanek (2003), Blake Wheeler (2004) and Phil Kessel (2006) were all taken with the fifth overall choice.

ryan stoa foregoes senior to sign with Colorado

Named first-team All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association, College Hockey News and Inside College Hocke

Jordan Schroeder

Named National Rookie of the Year by College Hockey News and Inside College Hockey

ranked third on the team in scoring with 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points • shared the team lead with 16 power play points

-New Jersey 2nd rounder

Appeared in 35 of team’s 37 games, missing two games to participate in World Junior championships • ranked third on the team with 12 goals and led the team with six power play goals

Mike Carman-Colorado 3rd round pick-2nd line centreWhite’s sophomore season with the Golden Gophers began as a disappointment. He did not record his first goal until the last weekend of November in the Golden Gophers’ fourteenth game of the season.^[11] However, White quickly turned his play around, scoring four goals in the Golden Gophers’ next ten games, including the game winning goal 1:38 into overtime at the 2009 Dodge Holiday Classic to lead the Golden Gophers to a 3–2 victory over Northeastern University.^[12][13] White scored two goals in the two-game tournament, earning All-Tournament Team honors.^[14

^{]White was named to the United States team for the 2007 IIHF World U18 Championships in Finland, his firstInternational Ice Hockey Federation-sanctioned event.[17] White scored three goals and two assists in seven games—including a two-goal performance against Latvia in which he scored the game-winning goal—as the United States lost 6–5 to Russia in the gold medal game.[18][19]}

By Brian Stensaas, Star Tribune

Last update: December 20, 2007 – 11:08 PM

New York Islanders General Manager Garth Snow on Thursday criticized Don Lucia’s coaching, saying that was the reason sophomore Kyle Okposo is leaving the Gophers hockey program and negotiating a contract with the Islanders.

“Quite frankly, we weren’t happy with the program there,” Snow said in a telephone interview. “They have a responsibility to coach, to make Kyle a better player, and they were not doing that.”

Asked for specifics, Snow said, “[Okposo] just wasn’t getting better — bottom line. And to me, that’s the frustrating part. We entrusted the coach there to turn him into a better hockey player, and it wasn’t happening. We feel more comfortable in him developing right under our watch.”

Notified of Snow’s comments Thursday, Lucia e-mailed the Star Tribune via the University’s sports information department.

“I am proud of all the success of our program,” the coach’s statement read. “I believe our staff does an excellent job of developing our players on and off the ice.

“We have had numerous players sign and play in the NHL, but just as important many more move on to have successful careers after graduating from the University of Minnesota. We have always and will continue to work to ensure our players reach their potential on the ice and in the classroom.”

Lucia is in his ninth season as the Gophers coach and led the program to NCAA championships in 2002 and 2003.

After scoring 40 points in as many games as a freshman last season, Okposo had 11 points this season for Minnesota (9-8-1). Okposo was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2006 NHL draft.

Okposo’s decision to leave was announced by the team Wednesday afternoon. Lucia said then in a released statement that, “it is unfortunate that the Islanders put him in a very difficult position.”

Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi, when told of Snow’s comments, was dumbfounded.

“He must feel that somebody’s angry,” Maturi said. “And I can understand why; you took a kid from a team in the midst of the year and he’s probably trying to justify it. And that’s his right.

“It’s my understanding they now have a roster spot for [Okposo] and therefore our coaching is bad. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Maturi made note of Lucia’s coaching record — more than 500 career victories in 21 seasons — and the number of NHL-quality players produced under his tutelage.

Still, Snow didn’t feel the Gophers were a right fit for Okposo.

“It’s well-known in hockey circles that the situation for college players is to develop and get better,” Snow said. “And quite frankly, it’s a big responsibility for a college coach — a program — to handle these kids.

“Whether it was Kyle or another player, until things change in that program we’d probably make the same decision. There should be a coach there that looks in the mirror.”

Snow was a standout goalie with the University of Maine, graduating in 1993 before turning pro. He was asked if he thought it was OK for a player to leave midway through a college season.

“I don’t think we’d be at this point if he was being coached properly,” Snow said.

Snow also refuted that the Islanders’ decision to bring Okposo into the system now had anything to do with Chris Simon’s NHL-record 30-game suspension, handed down Wednesday.

“We had our meetings well before that transpired,” Snow said. “If that incident hadn’t happened, we’d probably still be at the same decision.”

The Islanders recently contacted Okposo, Snow said, but added the ultimate decision to leave school was Okposo’s.

“Obviously, it’s Kyle’s decision whether to stay or leave,” Snow said. “But we contacted Kyle and asked how things were going. And that’s why we’re where we’re at.”

Snow then responded “he’ll get better coaching” when asked what Okposo would get in the Islanders system.

Snow declined comment when asked about Okposo’s contract status.

“[He] will be a tremendous hockey player. We’re happy to have him,” Snow said.

“We tried to forge the team concept,” Lucia said. “I felt there were a lot of kids…maybe it was their dream to play at Minnesota. Once that dream came true, they didn’t work as hard as they would if they wanted to get to that next level as a player or as a team.Not only on the ice, but off the ice. (The Minnesota coaches) make you more accountable, a more well-rounded person. … If you’re going to college, you’re there to develop not only as a hockey player but as a person. And that’s where Lucia and his staff do a better job than anyone in the country in that. It’s the best program to be in because they prepare you academically and socially.”

“Some players just don’t fit with some coaches. The player and the coach just don’t get along. There’s no one reason why — it’s not the player’s fault, it’s not the coach’s fault. It just happens and it’s part of hockey.

“There are players who are at Minnesota who don’t even get to play who could play on a lot of other teams. Why not give them an opportunity? To be there just because you think you have to, that’s not right.

many NCAA fans are rather jealous of Minnesota and their ‘arrogant’ style, but that has more to do with the program’s success and mentality than their ability to develop prospects.

Aaron Ness and Patrick White had big weekends in the Dodge Holiday Classic last weekend in St. Paul. Ness scored his first collegiate goal in route to being named Tournament MVP. White scored two goals (his second and third of the season) including the game winner in overtime in the championship game against Northeastern. Hopefully he can continue to bury the puck and turn his season around.

Two other points to factor: 1. Glen Murray’s arbitration hearings ended Wednesday. If the ex-right winger is made whole on his $4.15 million salary, Chiarelli’s obligations for next season increase by $1.4 million; 2. Peter Schaefer, ditched to the AHL at the start of 2008-09, is on the books for another year at $2.1 million. If the Bruins decide to buy him out – which could be linked to Murray’s payout – then some $700,000 would be added to Boston’s cap figure for each of the next two seasons.

P-Bruins’ Schaefer brings the right attitude

09:41 AM EDT on Friday, October 17, 2008

PROVIDENCE –– If Peter Schaefer is down in the dumps over losing his job in the NHL, he’s hiding it well.

“It’s tough to go from the NHL to the AHL, but everything has been great so far,” Schaefer, a veteran of 556 NHL games, said before practice at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center yesterday.

Providence Bruins coach Rob Murray echoed Schaefer’s thoughts: “He came down with a good attitude. His ultimate goal is to get back to the NHL, and he knows he needs to push hard down here to get back there.”

Schaefer scored a career-high 20 goals for Ottawa in 2006 but slumped to 9 goals after being traded to Boston before last season. With 98 career goals, he could help another NHL team, but in the salary cap era his $2.3-million ticket for this season is pricey.

While Schaefer had never laid eyes on Providence before the Boston Bruins demoted him on Oct. 7, he’d heard good things about the city from his brother Nolan, a goaltender for the AHL’s Houston Aeros, who graduated from Providence College in 2003.

Peter Schaefer said he’d been told by his brother that Providence “is a beautiful city with great restaurants. He gave me some tips on the town.”

When the P-Bruins visit Houston on Halloween night, the Schaefer brothers could face each other for the first time as professionals.

Peter, 31, and Nolan, 28, grew up in Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan, and have played against each while training during the summer but never with money on the line.

“It’ll be exciting. Maybe we can go out to dinner (the night before the game) and I can bribe him to let a couple go by him,” said Peter Schaefer.

Injured Oct. 19

Dec. 10

Schaefer to top line

Peter Schaefer will replace Sobotka on the P-Bruins’ top line with Martins Karsums and Martin St. Pierre, Providence coach Rob Murray said yesterday Mikko Lehtonen will take Schaefer’s place with Zach Hamill and Matt Marquardt. The Brad Marchand, Byron Bitz, Jeremy Reich line remains intact.

The Bruins made their first roster move of the day, reportedly placing Peter Schaefer on waivers. Schaefer did not have a good training camp, going pointless in the pre-season. He was hindered by hip flexor stiffness during camp. Schaefer’s salary…

Stephen Harris in the Boston Herald writes that B’s GM Peter Chiarelli “said there’s a good chance he’ll make a trade in the coming days, and no doubt he has been trying to deal [veteran winger Peter] Schaefer ($2.1 million). Barring that, though, if the team decides that rookie Blake Wheeler has made the club, it seems likely Schaefer will have to be waived and sent down to Providence.”

“We’re not drawing enough penalties, and to do that, we have to cycle more. Some of it is a function of size; we can’t get in there and protect it long enough to get the cycle going. Ryder is good on the half-wall and corners. Bergeron, too. [Peter] Schaefer didn’t do it much in the regular season, but he had it going in the playoffs.”

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2008/09/20/a_recipe_with_all_the_fixings/?page=2

Schaefer, who scored only nine goals in 63 regular-season games last year, was pushed out by Blake Wheeler, the impressive rookie who made the team after his first pro training camp.

“He’s been in the league for a while,” said general manager Peter Chiarelli. “I think he knew what was coming, especially with the play of Blake Wheeler. He pretty much expected it, is what he told me.”

Chiarelli was an Ottawa executive when Schaefer played for the Senators. On July 17, 2007, Chiarelli acquired Schaefer for Shean Donovanin what was viewed as cap relief for the Senators. In exchange, the Bruins believed they received a gritty wing who could do the dirty work along the wall and scoop out pucks for Marc Savard andGlen Murray.

What they got, however, was an inconsistent player who quickly dropped off the top line. Schaefer was slowed by leg and foot injuries last season, but when healthy, he found himself on the fourth line or in the press box.

Schaefer rebounded at the end of the regular season and in the playoffs (one goal and three assists against Montreal in the first round), but he didn’t have a good training camp. He also was bothered by hip flexor stiffness.

He is expected to clear waivers by today’s noon deadline, at which point he can be assigned to Providence. If a team claims Schaefer on re-entry waivers, it would pick him up at half his remaining contract (the Bruins have to pay the other half).

“Just because we’re professional coaches or a professional team doesn’t mean we always have the answers,” said coach Claude Julien. “In his case, it just didn’t seem to pan out for him. It created a situation where somebody else had come in and taken that spot over.

“It’s unfortunate, and you just hope, because he is a good individual, that things do work out for him.”

http://www.blackandgoldheads.com/news_hype/53458/17353

.

Peter Schaefer may see the NHL light of day again, but given that this is what amounts to a “spacer” year in the league’s collective bargaining agreement, it’s a far better bet that the veteran winger will toil in Providence with the Wanna-B’s for 2008-09. Come next June, and the league’s annual two-week buyout period, he’ll probably be bought out, his lingering footnote to be a cap hit of some $750,000 for the two seasons through 2010-11.

Had it not been for the “spacer,” in play because the Players Association has yet to decide whether to extend the CBA beyond this season, Schaefer could have been kept on Boston’s books. Perhaps his game would have improved, making him a vital member of the Black-and-Gold varsity, or more attractive as trade bait. Doubtful, but possible.

To call him back to Boston now, or any time this season, the Bruins run the risk of getting stuck with half his cap number (what would be $1.1 million) fixed to their bottom line for this season and next. Right now, with the payroll less than $1 million from the $56.7 million maximum, it’s not a move that general manager Peter Chiarelli is allowed to consider.

Frankly, among the few positives of waiving Schaefer to the minors is the fact that his salary – though still paid by the Boston Professional Hockey Association – reads as $0.00 against the cap.”

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2008/10/12/realities_of_a_space_age/

By replacing Schaefer with Wheeler, the Bruins continue their makeover into a team that plays big up front and emphasizes tight defense in back, with solid goaltending from Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez.

oct 1

Peter Schaefer (hip) on the sidelines. Julien said Schaefer was close to practicing yesterday but was kept off the ice by the training staff; he could skate today.

Savard recorded those numbers with some significant limitations.

During training camp, his projected running mates on the No. 1 line were Peter Schaefer and Glen Murray.

If Kobasew is not available tonight, Peter Schaefer will return to the lineup. Schaefer was once projected to be Savard’s left wing on the No. 1 line, but he has been a bust, especially at his $2.1 million price tag. Schaefer has been a healthy scratch in the last five games, last appearing March 13 in a 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay. Yesterday, Schaefer (8-15 -23 in 57 games) skated with Vladimir Sobotkaand Phil Kessel.

“Peter Schaefer hasn’t played because he hasn’t played as well as we’d like,” said Julien. “I’m not going to hide that fact. We all saw that. But I still think he’s an experienced player that I can put in the lineup. Hopefully, he’s going to be able to step it up just like everybody else has. He’s capable of doing that. If that situation arises, I hope he’s ready to do that for us.”

Peter Schaefer suffered a fractured left foot after blocking a shot by Ottawa defenseman Christoph Schubert, but the winger didn’t miss any games.

Chuck Kobasew (groin) skated on his own yesterday morning but missed his second straight game. Kobasew was replaced by Peter Schaefer, who returned after sitting out eight matches because of a shin laceration. Schaefer, on a line with Milan Lucic and DavidKrejci, skated 19 shifts for 13:11 . .

Peter Schaefer didn’t practice because of a cut on his shin, opened when he blocked a shot Tuesday. Julien said Schaefer required five stitches . .

Ice-cold Schaefer not bitter

Unproductive Bruin deals with injury, illness, demotion

By Fluto ShinzawaGlobe Staff / January 31, 2008

As a veteran, 30-year-old Peter Schaefer has earned the status necessary to forgo the optional practices and morning skates occasionally called by Bruins coach Claude Julien.

But as a bottom-six forward battling for regular shifts and an opportunity for more ice time, Schaefer might not be able to afford any more days off, despite a battered body.

Schaefer, acquired by general manager Peter Chiarelli from Ottawa counterpart Bryan Murray July 17, 2007, was projected to be Marc Savard’s wingman on the No. 1 line – a two-way player with a winning pedigree, soft hands, good vision, and a reputation for being one of the NHL’s toughest grinders.

But in three of the last four games, including Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Nashville, Schaefer skated mostly on the fourth line. Last Thursday, in Boston’s 4-1 win over the Islanders, Schaefer was a healthy scratch for the first time since he became an NHL full-timer.

“I think we’re entitled to get a little bit more out of Peter,” said Julien. “I think anybody who’s seen him play before when he’s at his best [will say] he’s an elite player, a really good player. I think this is what we need from him – to step it up and make that difference.”

Last weekend, Schaefer spent the All-Star break at his downtown home, which his parents used as base camp while also visiting his younger brother, Nolan, the former Providence College standout goaltender who saw action in Monday’s AHL All-Star Game in Binghamton, N.Y.

It was a time for Peter Schaefer to reflect upon a season that’s been as disappointing for him as for his employers.

While the Senators, pressed against the cap when they traded Schaefer – they had yet to extend the contracts of impending free agents Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, Mike Fisher, and Ray Emery – viewed the deal as a salary dump, Chiarelli gave up plugger Shean Donovan for what he viewed as a top-six forward.

But Schaefer, who has two years remaining on a deal that averages $2.1 million per season, has scored only seven goals in 47 games.

“If you go through all the guys in the league, some have nice seasons. Others have bad slumps and bad years,” said Schaefer. “You just try and get through it. You’re not going to have great years every year. I still have half a year to go at it, get healthy, and take the positive out of it.”

Schaefer, a former third-round pick of Vancouver in 1995 (the same year Savard was selected in the fourth round and Boston took P.J. Axelsson in the seventh round), busted out in 2005-06, putting up a 20-30 -50 line in 82 games for the Senators. The following summer, former Ottawa GM John Muckler re-signed Schaefer to a four-year deal, a contract the Senators soon would be looking to shed

Last season, Schaefer scored 12 goals and had 34 assists in 77 games, but he fell into disfavor with Murray – the current GM stood behind the Ottawa bench before taking over for Muckler – and skated mostly on the third line.

After plucking him from Ottawa, the Bruins projected Schaefer to be a 20-goal man who could be the grinder to complement the pass-first Savard and trigger-happy Glen Murray. In the season opener against Dallas, Schaefer, while skating on the top power-play unit, set up Patrice Bergeron for a goal with a sweet behind-the-back pass.

Ten games into his stay on the No. 1 line, however, Schaefer had netted only one goal. On Nov. 1, Schaefer was dropped to the third line. Then on Dec. 8, to open a spot for Milan Lucic on the line, Julien shifted Schaefer, a career left wing, to the right side.

Ten days later, Schaefer stepped in front of a shot by Ottawa’s Christoph Schubert. Schaefer blocked the shot that resulted in a breakaway – goalie Martin Gerber stuffed the winger’s attempt – but Schubert’s blast had cracked a bone in Schaefer’s left foot. It was the first broken bone he ever suffered.

Busted feet have sidelined Axelsson, Shawn Thornton, and Aaron Ward this season. But Schaefer didn’t miss a game because of the injury, taking numbing shots before three or four games to stay in the lineup. He still cannot tie the laces tightly on his left skate.

Schaefer, however, couldn’t avoid a virus that caused flu-like symptoms and dropped him like a bad egg for two matches: a 3-2 shootout loss to Toronto Jan. 17 and a 4-3 shootout victory over the Rangers Jan. 19.

“Five days at home,” said Schaefer. “Didn’t even leave the house. Couch and back to bed. I wasn’t tired, but I didn’t want to open my eyes because there was so much pressure built up. I had three or four meals in five days.”

Upon his return, Schaefer skated on the fourth line for two games, then was a healthy scratch last Thursday. It was the first time he’d been scratched for anything other than an injury since becoming a full-time NHL player.

“I’ve got no issues with being out of the lineup,” said Schaefer. “Guys were playing well. And it gave me that much more of an opportunity to get healthy, kick the bug, and hopefully get on a roll. I’m not going to go out and do the role that [Shawn Thornton] and [Jeremy Reich] do. They do a great job.”

Unable to shake the virus, Schaefer was prescribed penicillin. But Schaefer, who had never contracted such an illness before, learned he was allergic to penicillin when he suffered digestive problems after taking his prescription.

“I’d never gotten sick like that before,” said Schaefer. “After pretty much five or six days of doing nothing and not eating much food, I tried to come back and contribute, even if it was just a little bit.”

Looking to rebound

He’s been a No. 1 left wing. A member of the top power-play unit. A regular penalty-killer.

But now, Schaefer finds himself lower on the depth chart than rookies Vladimir Sobotka, David Krejci, and Pascal Pelletier, fighting to reclaim the minutes Julien has doled out elsewhere.

Axelsson faced a similar situation at the start of the season, when Julien skated the winger on the third and fourth lines. By late October, after doing the little things – killing penalties, playing stout defense, contributing offensively – Axelsson was rewarded by Julien, who promoted him to the first line.

“He’s put himself in a position where he’s got to work his way up the ladder again,” said Julien of Schaefer. “Axelsson had the same issue at the beginning of the year. He responded well. We’re hoping Peter’s going to do the same thing. His play will dictate how much he plays. His play will definitely dictate whether he makes a difference on this hockey club or not.”

In Tuesday’s third period, with the score tied, 1-1, Julien bumped the left wing up to the third line to skate with Krejci and Pelletier, figuring that Schaefer’s experience could help the threesome produce some offense. Earlier in the game, while skating with Thornton and Petteri Nokelainen on the fourth line, Schaefer showed flashes of his old game by grinding along the wall and entering the dirty areas.

“Even when he was on that other line with Nokelainen and Thornton, I thought that line was good,” said Julien after the victory. “I think he certainly took some steps in the right direction tonight.”

jan. 25

Peter Schaefer was a healthy scratch for the first time this season. Schaefer had sat out two games because of flu-like symptoms. But he skated on the fourth line Sunday against the Rangers and Tuesday against Montreal.

Since Dec. 18, tying the laces tight on his left skate has been difficult for Peter Schaefer.

That day, during a 3-2 loss to Ottawa, Schaefer suffered a fractured left foot after blocking a shot by defenseman Christoph Schubert.

But the injury hasn’t forced Schaefer off the ice. He has dressed for all 11 games following the injury, and is one of only six Bruins to appear in every match this season.

“A lot of guys are a little achy, have pains, and have little injuries,” Schaefer said. “That’s part of a long season.”

Schaefer’s busted foot – the 30-year-old is approaching the front end of the four- to six-week time frame for such fractures to heal – is just another variable in an eventful nine months. Schaefer advanced to the Stanley Cup final with Ottawa in May. He was traded to Boston in July for Shean Donovan, giving the Senators cap relief from his $2.1 million annual hit.

Schaefer started 2007-08 as Savard’s left wing on the No. 1 line and skated on the top power-play unit. But through 10 games as Savard’s wingman, Schaefer had only one goal and two assists. He often floated in the offensive zone, where he didn’t skate consistently and struggled with his confidence. On Oct. 27, Schaefer skated a season-high 23:40, but it would be his last game as Boston’s No. 1 left wing, as Julien dropped him to the third line.

“If I’m skating and moving my feet, that’s when my game is at its best,” Schaefer said. “When I’m standing still and not getting in there, that’s when my game starts to struggle. It’s about skating, being physical, and battling in the corners.”

Last Saturday, when P.J. Axelsson (bruised right foot) was unavailable, Julien promoted Marco Sturm to the No. 1 line and bumped Schaefer up to the second line. Schaefer responded with his first goal since Dec. 12. It also was Schaefer’s second point in two games, only the third time he has turned that trick this season. Last Thursday against Montreal, Schaefer assisted on Milan Lucic’sthird-period goal.

“We need that from Schaef,” Julien said. “Schaef can be a real good player, like I told him, if he uses his assets. He’s a pretty good skater. Sometimes he needs to move his feet a little more to make things happen. We need him to bring that game at that level right now with our injuries.”

lllll

BOSTON — This is what Peter Schaefer really wanted.

A fresh start. A different coach. A chance to play a bigger role.

A pad near a rink that isn’t called Scotiabank Place.

A Senator from 2002 until he was traded to the Bruins July 17 for Shean Donovan, Schaefer says he “never directly asked Bryan Murray” to deal him.

But he also made it clear to the previous GM, John Muckler, that he was unhappy with his situation.

“I had little conflicts with Bryan Murray all last year,” Schaefer said before last night’s game against his former team. “Once John got fired and (Murray) became the GM, I pretty much knew I was going to be moved.

“At the end of year meeting, (Murray) told me he expected me to come back (this season) and have a good year. Two days later, he called me in Vancouver and told me I had been traded to Boston. I just chuckled and said thanks.

“I think it’s a business and any time you tell someone one thing and something better comes along, you do it. There’s no hard feelings against (Murray).

“At the same time, I’m probably not going to go and bake cupcakes with him at Christmas, either.”

Schaefer, who played most of last season with Mike Fisher, had 12 goals and 34 assists in 77 games. He yearned for more responsibility, more of an offensive role.

He felt he was sliding down the company ladder beneath guys like Antoine Vermette and Chris Kelly.

“I wanted the opportunity not to be a top guy, but part of the second flow,” he said. “I felt that they wanted to give that to younger guys like Vermie and Kells, that maybe they wanted the second flow to come from them. I just felt I wanted an opportunity at that position.”

Schaefer averaged more ice time (16:43) than Vermette (15:42) and Kelly (15:18), and he had 2:18 of power play time per night, working often on the second unit.

As a Bruin, he had six goals and nine assists through the first 32 games and was averaging 16:54 of ice time per night, including 2:31 per game on the power play.

He has slid down the depth chart of late, however. After playing the early part of the season as a left winger with Marc Savard and Glen Murray, Schaefer is now a right winger on the third line, with youngsters Phil Kessel and teenager Milan Lucic.

He likes his new home, a two minute walk from TD Banknorth Garden. But his new position?

“Next question,” Schaefer replied, smiling. “It’s different. I’ve been a left winger my whole life.”

He is, however, happy to be a Bruin.

“It was kind of hard for me to swallow,” Schaefer said of the trade. “It was a new city, and it’s a great organization, but it was hard because I was leaving a lot of great friends. It’s two totally different challenges. We’re trying to get into the playoffs here. They’re defending the conference (title).”

Murray felt he’d be better equipped to take a run at a few championships by swapping Schaefer for Donovan, not because he was adding a better player, because he wasn’t, but in making the trade he was freeing up almost $2 million US in salary.

It’s safe to assume he wasn’t and is never thinking about losing a baking buddy.

hree veteran NHLers have been placed on unconditional waivers, for the purposes of buying out their contracts.

The St. Louis Blues intend to buy out the final year of defencemanJay McKee’s deal, as McKee was slated to earn $4 million next season.

McKee, 31, had eight points and a plus-11 rating in 69 games for the Blues in 2008-2009.  The renowned shot blocker has had trouble staying healthy, playing more than 70 games just once in the last six seasons.

”It’s not something I expected, especially after my most productive season in St. Louis,” McKee told THE CANADIAN PRESS. ”I understand they had a decision to make and I was one of them.”

Boston has waived winger Peter Schaefer, who spent all of last season with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League, scoring 26 points and putting up a plus-5 rating in 47 games.  The soon-to-be 32-year-old was scheduled to make $2.1-million in 2009-2010.

Thirty-year-old Brett McLean has also been put on waivers by the Florida Panthers.  Set to make $1.7-million next season, McLean’s production dipped to a career-low 19 points and minus-12 rating in 80 games last season.

Contract buyouts come at two-thirds the cost to the club, with the team gaining the ability to spread out the cost of the buyout over twice the amount of time remaining on the contract (eg. with one year left on the contract for each of these players, the cost against the team’s cap is spread out over the next two seasons).

kkkk

lll

kkk

Text Size

I have researched and written a comprehensive three part article on the Cam Neely trade.

To truly understand what happened, it is necessary to start with the aftermath to the 1982 quest for the Stanley Cup. Because, a power vacuum would be created that created the setting for the transaction with Boston.

I will first of all start with some quotes from Neil Belland, who I interviewed. As well, I talked to Stan Smyl about what happened to the Canucks during the mid-1980s.

Mr. Marchak from The Canuck Library listed a comprehensive piece on what happened to their roster. For a look at his other writings, please go to:

iiiii

kkkk

kkk

NOTORIOUS RINGS-STOLEN-HABS

SOLD – DARREN MCCARTY

1893 ONE

FOUND IN THE OCEAN

SERIES-RINGS THROUGH THE ERAS-

autumn 2006 sold?three rings

ttp://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070823/Stanley_Cup_Ring_070823/20070823?hub=TopStories

MOST FAMOUS – ORIGINAL -PAPPINS-MCCARTY

One ring commemorates the team’s 1973-74 Stanley Cup victory, the other is from the 1975-76 championship. Those are the years when Peter and Edward Bronfman owned the storied NHL team.

bbbb