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Pittsburgh Penguins Name J.D. Forrest As AHL Head Coach

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As the internal coaching carousel for the Pittsburgh Penguins continues, they have again opted to promote one of their own. Following the dismissal of Mike Sullivan’s entire staff- Sergei Gonchar, Jacques Martin, and Mark Recchi – the Penguins brought back Todd Reirden following his dismissal as head coach of the Washington Capitals and promoted AHL head coach Mike Vellucci. In need of a new head coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to replace Vellucci, the club announced today that assistant J.D. Forrest has been promoted to head coach. The team’s release also revealed that Assistant GM Jason Karmanos has been named the GM for the AHL Penguins. The new WBS GM had this to say about his new head coach:

J.D. has done an excellent job in his four seasons as an assistant coach in Wilkes-Barre, consistently demonstrating a strong ability to develop the young defensemen in our system. His familiarity with the organization, our prospects and the style of hockey we want to play, together with his work ethic and team-first approach, gives us confidence that he will excel in his new role as head coach.

Forrest, 39, has been with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton since the 2016-17 season, focusing on the team’s defensemen and the penalty kill. Prior to joining the Penguins, he was the head coach of Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian U-20 league and before that an inter assistant coach with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Forrest was a product of the USNTDP himself before playing four seasons at Boston College and nine pro seasons in the U.S., Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, and Germany. A well-traveled player and coach, especially fotr his young age, Forrest brings a broad array of experience to his first head coaching position at the pro level and could have a bright future ahead of him.

2020-21 NCAA Hockey Season Delayed

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While it should come as no surprise given the mass postponements of other college sports this fall, NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Hockey has opted to follow suit.  The Hockey Commissioners Association, which represents the 11 hockey conferences across Division I,  announced that the season will not begin in early October as usual, but instead will be delayed to a to-be-determined future date:

The 11 Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey conferences, represented by the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA), are committed to providing memorable experiences for our student-athletes during the upcoming season. The conferences have been working together on plans to return to play with a focus on the health and safety of everyone associated within our campus communities. Due to the impact COVID-19 continues to have across the country and within higher education, the start of competition for the Division I college hockey season will be delayed. Each conference will announce plans for the season individually.

The good news is that, though each conference will determine their own start date, it likely won’t be too long before college hockey begins in some capacity. The NCHC, which boasts top programs like North Dakota, Minnesota-Duluth, and Denver, have already noted that they plan to start on or around November 20th, which would put them around the same time as the hopeful start of NHL training camp for next season as well. ESPN’s Chris Peters writes that other conferences are believed to be eyeing this timeline as well.

However, NCAA Hockey will not be at full strength when the league does kick off this season. As previously reported, the Ivy League Conference has cancelled all sports in the fall semester, as opposed to just “fall sports”. Seven of the Ivy League’s member schools play in the ECAC and are not expected to be back on the ice until January 1 or later. With half of their team’s out of action, the ECAC itself may have a more difficult call to make on when to begin their season.

As The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy notes, when the college hockey season does commence there will be no greater story than the elite 2021 NHL Draft prospects at the University of Michigan. Defenseman Owen Power and forwards Kent Johnson and Matthew Beniers – who recently switched his commitment from the sidelined Harvard University – area all expected to be top ten picks in the draft next summer. Never before has the NCAA boasted this depth of top tier draft talent in one season, never mind on one team. With a number of NHL prospects on the roster already and several more set to be drafted in October, the Wolverines are undoubtedly the team to watch once college hockey makes its return.

Sean Couturier Named 2020 Selke Trophy Winner

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Another day, another NHL award announced. This evening it was the honor of best defensive forward, which went to Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier. The league named Couturier the recipient of the Frank J. Selke Trophy for the 2019-20 season, his first time winning the award. The Selke Trophy is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and is awarded to the forward deemed to “best excel in the defensive aspects of the game.”

Couturier faced stiff competition for the honor this season, as 2018-19 winner Ryan O’Reilly of the St. Louis Blues and four-time winner and nine-time finalist Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins were also named finalists. Yet, the race was not particularly close. Couturier finished with 117 of a possible 170 first-place votes, 96 more than Bergeron in second. His 1424 total voting points were also 540 more than Bergeron. O’Reilly finished close behind in third, with Tampa Bay’s Anthony Cirelli in fourth and Vegas’ Mark Stone and Montreal’s Phillip Danault finishing in a distant fifth and sixth respectively.

Couturier has grown into one of if not the best face-off man in the NHL, a main reason he ran away with the Selke this season. He won 59.7% of his draws, more than any other player in the league (with a minimum 50 face-offs). He also ranked second in defensive zone face-off percentage. On the club level, he led all Flyers forwards in average time on ice and short-handed ice time per game and led all Philadelphia skaters in plus/minus and Corsi. Additionally, Couturier finished second in scoring for Philly, just two points behind Travis Konecny for the team lead.  

Overseas Notes: Hajek, Zboril, Plekanec, Sulzer

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Add a pair of young defensemen to the ever-growing list of players heading to Europe to begin their 2020-21 seasons. Michael Kosturik of Czech source iSport reports that the New York Rangers’ Libor Hajek and the Boston Bruins’ Jakub Zboril with join HC Kometa Brno of the Czech Extraliga ahead of the start of the NHL season. Hajek, 22, is under contract with the Rangers for the coming season and the two teams are currently hammering out the details on a short-term loan. Zboril has joined the squad on his own accord as an impending restricted free agent. However, Kosturik does add that the Bruins are interested in an extension with the first-round prospect. Zboril has played in just two games for Boston, but has been a steady, consistent defender for the AHL’s Providence Bruins over three pro seasons. Hajek on the other hand played the majority of his games with New York this season and has 33 NHL games total on his resume. While offense has been hard to come by at any level, Hajek is growing into a reliable stay-at-home defenseman. The pair will provide a major boost to Brno to begin the season, who at this point have not been able to recruit any other NHLers on short-term loans or contracts.

  • Long-time NHLer Tomas Plekanec played last season in Brno, but will now return to Rytiri Kladno of the Czech 2nd League, with whom he spent part of the 2018-19 season. Due to family reasons, Plekanec announced last month that he would be leaving Brno to return to his hometown of Kladno. However, it was unclear whether he would continue playing or not. Plekanec was very successful last season with 33 points in 50 games, but at age 37 no one would have been surprised to see him opt to retire. Yet, it seems his friend and legendary player-owner of Kladno Jaromir Jagr, 48, has convinced him to give it one last try – or more accurately two – as the club has announced a two-year deal with Plekanec. Plekanec and Jagr worked hard to get Kladno elevated from Czech2 to the Extraliga in 2018-19 only for the team to be relegated this past season in Plekanec’s absence. The duo will undoubtedly have their sights set on getting the club back to the top level again this year.
  • One former NHLer who is calling it a career is defenseman Alexander Sulzer. Sulzer, 36, played in 131 NHL games with four teams over seven seasons in North America. One of the best defensemen to ever come out of Germany, representing the country twice at the Olympic Games, Sulzer returned home to play in the DEL in 2014-15. He spent five seasons with Kolner Haie before moving to Dusseldorfer EG last season. However, he never played for the team as he required surgery to remove a tumor on his spine last summer which caused him to miss the entirety of the season. In the year since his operation, Sulzer has come to the decision not to try to return to play and the DEL announced that he has officially retired. A big, balanced defenseman, Sulzer made an impact in the NHL and an even greater impact in his native Germany over a long career.

Minor Transactions: 09/04/20

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As if two NHL Game Seven’s weren’t enough today, there have also been several intriguing moves across the hockey world. With some leagues getting ready to start their seasons while the NHL off-season is beginning to draw near, it is an interesting time for roster transactions, both in North America and abroad:

  • The AHL’s Cleveland Monsters have signed University of Nebraska-Omaha standout Zach Jordan to a one-year contract, the team announced Friday. While Jordan’s production slipped in his senior season, he posted back-to-back seasons of 25+ points as a sophomore and junior, leading the Mavericks in scoring across those two campaigns. At 6’3″ and 216 lbs., Jordan is a hulking presence on the ice and projects as a physical, two-way winger at the pro level. The Columbus Blue Jackets’ affiliate has done well with developing these types of players in recent years, so Jordan may still be a name that could draw NHL consideration down the road.
  • As has proven to be a yearly tradition for the Los Angeles Kings, the club has loaned defensive prospect Jacob Moverare to Europe. A 2016 fourth-round pick who signed his entry-level contract in 2018, Moverare has been loaned to Sweden for each of the past two seasons. Things are a bit different this time around though; Moverare has not been loaned back to Frolunda HC, but to SaiPa in the Finnish Liiga. The team also notes that the Kings have the right to recall Moverare from the loan for NHL training camp, an option that they seem likely to exercise. While Moverare is still a bit raw, he is a big,  effective stay-at-home blue liner who hit his stride last season in the SHL. Another full season in Europe is unlikely to help his development at this point.
  • AHL veteran Colin Campbell is making his first foray into Europe next season. After seven pro seasons and over 350 games – all in the AHL – Campbell has signed with the Vienna Capitals of the newly re-named IceHL, the team announced. A hard-working forward who got his start at Lake Superior State University, Campbell signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings out of college and ended up playing six seasons with their affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. He moved on to the Colorado Eagles this past season and recorded the best per-game scoring numbers of his career, notching ten goals and 26 points in just 48 games. As he heads to Austria, Campbell will undoubtedly be looked upon as the leader of the Capitals and hopes to continue his strong performance. At 29, his NHL hopes remain alive and well.

Austin Lemieux Retires From Hockey

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Austin Lemieux won’t be following in his famous father’s footsteps, at least not exactly. The son of all-time NHL great and Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux and a forward for Arizona State University, Lemieux did not appear on the Sun Devils’ 2020-21 roster when it was released Thursday. College Hockey News’ Greg Cameron reports that this is because Lemieux is no longer with the team. He has reportedly decided to retire from hockey.

Lemieux, 24, was never drafted into the NHL but was still considered a pro prospect due to his large frame and high hockey IQ. Lemieux earned a scholarship to Arizona State and joined the program in 2017. After redshirting for his first season, Lemieux helped the team to their first NCAA Tournament berth in 2018-19 with 13 points in 31 games. He followed that up with 14 points in 35 games this season for a Sun Devils squad that very likely would have made the tournament again if it had not been canceled. Although these are not remarkable numbers for Lemieux, he was a key piece of the ASU team. In several appearances at Pittsburgh Penguins development camp, he was also considered a standout participant.

For whatever reason, Lemieux has decided – with two years of NCAA eligibility remaining – to hang up his skates and abandon his NHL dreams. However, he is not done with his aspirations of being a pro athlete like his dad. Cameron writes that Lemieux plans to pursue a career in professional golf. While he did not play collegiately at Arizona State, Lemieux was a very successful amateur golfer while growing up in Pennsylvania and it appears that he now plans to re-focus his efforts onto golf as his sport of choice.

Florida Panthers Hire Blue Jackets’ Bill Zito As GM

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Wednesday: The Panthers have officially announced the hire, introducing Zito as the team’s next general manager. In the release, owner Vincent Viola included an explanation for the move:

We are thrilled to welcome Bill Zito as General Manager of the Florida Panthers. Bill is an excellent mind in our game today who proved during his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets that he possesses great prowess for evaluating talent and building success. He brings great experience to our club and possesses a strong business acumen.

Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reports that Zito received a five-year contract from the Panthers, quite a commitment as the team tries to figure out the roster and return to the playoffs.

Tuesday: After all the hype in recent weeks over Florida’s ongoing search for their next general manager – a list of candidates that included executives and scouts from a number of teams as well as several television analysts – it seems the team will in fact go with a name that had not been publicly mentioned. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Panthers are closing in on a deal to make Columbus Blue Jackets Associate GM Bill Zito their next GM. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun adds that a formal announcement is expected on Wednesday.

Zito, 55, has served as an executive for the Blue Jackets since 2013. Initially an assistant GM, Zito eventually took on the role of GM of the club’s AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, and this season was elevated to Associate GM and Sr. VP of Hockey Operations. Prior to his time with Columbus, Zito was a player agent and one of the founders of Acme World Sports.

Now joining the Panthers, replacing Dale Tallon as GM, Zito has his work cut out for him. Fortunately, his familiarity with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky could help the veteran to settle in during year two after a disastrous first season with the Panthers. More reliable results in net would be a major step for Florida. The team also needs to improve its defense while finding a way to re-sign or replace top forwards Mike Hoffman and Evgenii Dadonov. The Florida Panthers have not won a playoff series since 1996, the worst drought in the NHL, and Zito’s task will be to put together a contender and end that sorry streak as soon as possible.

NCAA Hockey To Allow Juniors Competition This Fall

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Given the unknown status of college sports this fall due to Coronavirus, the NCAA has decided to afford athletes the opportunity to play away from their college teams while remaining enrolled in classes. As USCHO details, outside competition will prove especially valuable to college hockey players. Pending school and conference approval, players will be allowed to compete for junior teams this season if their college seasons are postponed.

While a number of athletic conferences have delayed or cancelled “fall sports”, only the Ivy League has cancelled all sports for the fall semester. While the conference itself does not sponsor hockey, a number of its members play in the ECAC. They include Cornell, Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, Brown, and Princeton. Depending on the state of COVID-19, other schools or conferences could end up postponing or cancelling competition this fall as well. It also stands to reason that this exception will be extended to the spring semester if the 2020-21 season is cancelled altogether by conferences or the NCAA.

In order for athletes to take part in outside competition this fall, there are some requirements. First and foremost, the schools cannot cover any expenses incurred by the athlete as a result of taking part in junior competition. The athletes must also be in good academic standing and enrolled in classes. Finally, no class time can be missed due to practice or competition with outside teams. Seeing as the vast majority of players who would be taking advantage of this opportunity would not also be able to be taking in-person classes, the class time rule would only apply to online classes with specific meeting times.

One thing that is not changing is that NCAA athletes may not take part in CHL competition. The OHL, WHL, and QMJHL are considered pro leagues under the NCAA’s definition of “amateurism” and anyone playing in these league’s forfeits their NCAA eligibility. The same can be said for European pro leagues. This outside competition exception is likely to impact the USHL more than any other junior league. However, the Canadian Junior-A leagues and European junior leagues could also see an influx of talent, especially for those foreign athletes with immigration issues who are choosing to stay home this semester.

One way or another, this is a win-win for the game of hockey. College athletes are given added flexibility that will allow them to play, junior leagues will receive a boost in talent, and NHL teams will get a full season of scouting for those prospects who otherwise might have been sitting out this fall.

Bruins Executive John Ferguson Jr. Interviewed For Florida Panthers GM

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With the 2020 NHL Draft scheduled for just over a month from now on October 9-10 and an abbreviated (read: frenzied) off-season beginning soon after, the Florida Panthers are still without anyone at the helm. The club fired general manager Dale Tallon back on August 10 after a decade on the job. At the time, the club stated that a search for his replacement had already begun. Yet, it has been all quiet out of Sunrise in the weeks since.

With the clock ticking, there has finally been some development in the story. On Monday, it was reported that at least three people had interviewed for the GM vacancy: St. Louis Blues Assistant GM Bill Armstrong, Montreal Canadiens scout Sean Burke, and NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes. There have been other names associated with the opening as well, but no one else had been confirmed to have been interviewed.

Now you can add one more name to the list. New England hockey insider Mark Divver reports that Boston Bruins Executive Director of Player Personnel John Ferguson Jr. has interviewed for the position.  An executive for the Bruins since 2016, including serving as the GM of the AHL’s Providence Bruins, Ferguson is probably best remembered as the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2003-2008. Among many moves, Ferguson was responsible for drafting and trading Tuukka Rask, acquiring veteran Hall of Famers Ron Francis and Brian Leetch, and signing core defensemen Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe to long-term extensions.

While the Bruins likely wouldn’t be thrilled with a top executive heading to a division rival, Ferguson would be a great hire for the Panthers if they choose to go in that direction. Since Ferguson’s hire, the Bruins have been one of the league’s most elite, with the third-most regular season wins and second-most postseason wins over his four seasons. Florida has one playoff win and the 21st most regular season wins in that time span. The Panthers also have not won a playoff series since 1996, the worst drought in the NHL. The second-worst drought? The Maple Leafs, who have not taken a series since Ferguson left the organization. Ferguson has experience and has contributed to several winning NHL clubs, making him a good fit for a Panthers team in need of a turnaround and some prolonged success.

Martin Hanzal Founds Czech Team, Recruits Several Retired NHLers

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In a fun and interesting story out of the Czech Republic, NHL veteran Martin Hanzal is back in action and bringing a number of notable names with him. According to Czech hockey source Hokej.cz, Hanzal and brother Jiri Hanzal have founded a team, HC Samson Ceske Budejovice, in the Czech semi-pro “regional league”. Hanzal, 33, is technically still under contract with the Dallas Stars until the end of the league year but did not play this season due to injury and was limited to just seven games in 2018-19 and 38 games in 2017-18. He was not expected to continue his NHL career, but will continue playing in his native Czech Republic.

Joining Hanzal are several of his countrymen and former NHL teammates. Forwards Radim Vrbata and Vaclav Nedorost and defenseman Rostislav Klesla have also opted to come out of retirement to play for the newfound franchise. Vrbata, 39, is just a few years removed from a 20-goal, 55-point campaign with the Arizona Coyotes in 2016-17 and played for the Florida Panthers the following season before retiring. Vrbata played 16 NHL seasons and over 1000 NHL games for seven different teams. Klesla, 38, played 13 seasons in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Arizona Coyotes, moving back to the Czech Republic in 2014. Klesla retired in 2016, making his return the most surprising of the bunch. However, Klesla played with Hanzal and Vrbata in Phoenix, so the group are likely close. Nederost, 38, was last seen in the NHL in 2003-04 and played three seasons with the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers. He spent most of his career starring in the Czech Extraliga and KHL and just retired in 2019. Together with Hanzal, the group has over 2800 games of NHL experience, which should help to draw new fans to the team.

Another interesting note about the roster is that, in addition to Hanzal’s brother, Nederost’s brother is also on the roster, as are two other sets of brothers. The entire roster is composed of Czech natives and all but two players are age 30 or older, so in many ways this team is just as much for the fun of the many veteran Czech players as it is for the fans, who can see their favorites back in action. Due to the nature of the roster composition as well as the talent level of the regional semi-pro league, do not expect Hanzal to use this experience to potentially work his way back to the NHL, but it is nice to see a player who has lost so much time due to injury to get back on the ice and enjoy the game once again.

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