Lecavalier Goes #1, Rovers Wait Their Turn

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Vincent Lecavalier found himself involved in a dispersal draft for the second straight off-season, and this season he crested to the top spot.  A year after being selected by the Vancouver Olympians second overall in the RHL17 dispersal draft, Lecavalier was tabbed with the top pick by the Calgary Browns in the RHL18 player dispersal.  GM and president Karim Brown instantly announced that Vinnie was being shopped heavily, leading some to speculate on the long-term future of the team that acquires him.  When reached via phone after the announcement, Lecavalier kept a sense of humour about the situation.  “I went from a seemingly stable home with the Defiance to no home.  Then the Olympians took me and flipped me to the 500s, who seemed even more stable and on the rise.  Then they went away.  Now it’s Calgary to who knows where.  At least I’m collecting frequent flier miles”.

The Rovers patiently await their stab at the biggest talent pool in recent memory, picking 23rd at the end of the round.  With three UFAs on the blueline and a stable crop of returning forwards, it is thought that the focus would be set on the back end, but GM Stringer says not so fast.  “We’re in a position where we can take the best player available.  If that’s a forward, so be it.  But we will take the highest player on our list”.

Up to the minute, three picks have been made, with Mattias Ohlund and Thomas Vanek comprising the top three picks after Lecavalier.  The Waterloo Thundercats are currently on the clock with a bevy of talent from which to choose.

A Long Winter’s Nap

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

After nearly a year of lying dormant, Rover Report is back.  RHL17 brought the franchise’s second title, thrusting the team into the company of the Mounties and Vampyres as the only three organizations to win multiple Kings Cups.  Hoping to build on their success and defend their title, the Rovers are now looking firmly ahead to RHL18.   With three new teams coming into the league and new coaches in old locations, there is much new life about the league.  Rover Report will be on top of it as the new season approaches.   To our readership, thanks for waiting up.

Legwand departs for Grand Prairie

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

The Baffin Island Rovers will no longer have their longest-serving player in franchise history.  David Legwand, acquired days after the team’s expansion draft in RHL11, signed a contract with the Grand Prairie Stingers which is expected to pay him more than $2M per season.  “When we let David test free agency, we had a number in mind that we thought we could sign him for.  We were prepared to double his salary, and offered that.  That offer, surprisingly, was surpassed.  We exceeded our budget and made a second, higher offer.  That too was beaten.  We made a third attempt at nearly triple his previous salary, such was our desire to have him stay.  Grand Prairie eventually simply made an offer that he couldn’t refuse and we couldn’t realistically exceed.  I wish him all the best and thank him for his 6 seasons as a Rover.  I hope he finds the ice-time that he was seeking as a Stinger”.

Legwand leaves the franchise leader in games played with 393 regular season games, missing only three games in his six seasons with Baffin Island.  He scored 40 goals and 108 assists for 148 points during that time, much of which was spent on the third and fourth lines in the past four seasons.  The new longest-tenured Rover is now captain Olli Jokinen, who is the only Rover left with the team that played during their expansion year of RHL11.

Rovers retain Murray, sign four UFAs

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Though he did test the free agent waters, Glen Murray didn’t want to play anywhere else.   This was confirmed Wednesday night as he and three other free agents inked deals with the Rovers on the first day of signings.  Murray, who has not missed a game for Baffin since being acquired late in RHL12, signed a two year contract worth more than $2.4M per season.  The deal includes a no-trade clause for this upcoming season, which was big for Murray and his family.  The contract is cheaper than his previous four year contract with the Rovers, but Murray said it was never about the money.  “I wanted to stay here, the team wanted me to stay here, and my family wants to stay here.  They offered me the security of the no-trade, and we agreed on an adequate number for salary.  I’m very excited about the next two years”.

With a need for forwards, the Rovers also signed three versatile centers to one year contracts.  Shawn Bates agreed to a deal which pays him $1.1M for this season, while ex-Rover Jamie Lundmark and former Mountie Jan Hrdina signed on at $387,000 for RHL17.  Lundmark started last season with the Rovers but was released at the trade deadline as a cost-saving measure, while the Rovers pursued Hrdina through trade talks that ultimately didn’t pan out.  Bates has spent the last four seasons in Yellowknife with the Penetrators, where he was a faceoff and corner presence, as well as an effective penalty killer.  He is expected to provide the same in Baffin Island.  “We’re excited about bring Shawn on board.  He’ll solidify our bottom 6 forward group and be a big presence on our PK.  Jamie and Jan both bring depth to the team, and there’s an excellent opportunity for at least one of them to see regular action”.

Rover Rookie Camp Concludes

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

With the excitement of the entry draft well in the rear-view mirror, the Rovers conducted their sixth rookie development camp this past week in Iqaluit. Twenty-three hopefuls in all took part, including all nine of the team’s RHL17 draft class. The on-ice drills focussed on the fundamentals, while equal treatment and importance was given to off-ice conditioning assignments. Here is a breakdown of highlights.

Forwards

The star of the show up front was second year Rover Chris Higgins. He was clearly a step ahead of everyone in terms of on-ice awareness and displayed a very high skill level, including a laser-quick release which will serve him well as he battles for a spot in main camp. Ryan Hollweg and Mike Glumac both blew away the competition in the weight room and displayed a dedication to off-ice training that may well see either earn a call-up to the big club should they not make the final roster. The kids also fared well with Evgeni Malkin and Claude Giroux making the biggest impressions in the skating drills. Travis Zajac excelled in the passing drills and Francois Bouchard scored five goals in the intrasquad games. Higgins appears to have the best shot to make the team, with Hollweg possibly seeing time on an energy line or as a call-up. Malkin could squeak into the lineup, but might be better served with a second season in the minors.

Defense

As expected, Dion Phaneuf was a man among boys on the blueline and is a virtual lock to make the Rovers top 4 this season. Zybnek Michalek displayed a tremendous amount of poise and looks ready to challenge for a roster spot. Christoph Schubert showed excellent physical conditioning and at least put his name out there for main camp. Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s skating and awareness stood out to the coaching staff, while newcomer Cory Murphy didn’t miss a beat nailing outlet pass after outlet pass. Phaneuf and Michalek are the best bets to make the roster, but Schubert has an outside shot. Vlasic is perhaps a year away with the others being longer-term projects.

Goaltenders

Ray Emery didn’t disappoint and showed everyone why management was ready to part ways with Martin Gerber. He displayed amazing calm and cat-like reflexes. Yann Danis may be caught in a numbers game with newcomer Andrew Raycroft now in the mix. Seemingly ready for backup duty, he may be forced to wait another year in the minors. Pekka Rinne continued to show his consistently solid game and is very much on track to eventually landing a pro job. However it was new draftee Jaroslav Halak was the talk of camp, wowing the coaches at every opportunity and proving virtually unbeatable in close and in shootouts. While it’s not in the cards this season, Halak will make the coaching staff’s decisions a lot harder for next year. Emery appears to have won the right to act as Chris Mason’s caddy for the year, with Danis capable of coming up in an injury emergency situation.

Synopsis

In Higgins, Phaneuf, and Emery, the Rovers appear to have three rookies that will make regular contributions. Outside shots Michalek, Schubert, Hollweg, Glumac, and Danis may have a chance to see at least some game action, if not as a regular, then as a call-up. Main training camp begins in two weeks at the Igloo.

Rovers extend offers to four, rebuffed on Pronger effort

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Rover Report has learned that the team has extended contract offers to four of their own free agents in the opening days of free agency.  Forwards David Legwand, Kris Draper, Glen Murray, and Antti Laaksonen have all reportedly been made offers, although team officials will not comment on any ongoing negotiations.  Whether through retaining their own free agents or signing ones from other teams, the Rovers have holes to fill in their forward lines with only eight forwards currently under contract for the upcoming season.

The more interesting news coming out of free agency is the attempted play by the Rovers to bring back star defenseman Chris Pronger.  Pronger’s agent did confirm that the Rovers tendered a significant offer to the former Baffin blueliner, although it is believed that he is currently leaning towards re-signing with his other former team, the Edmonton Eagles, with whom he spent his first twelve RHL seasons.

Three in third ends Rovers draft

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

The Rovers concluded their successful RHL17 draft by making three final selections, tabbing another forward and two more defensemen.

With their first pick of the final round, the 77th selection, the Rovers plucked budding power forward Troy Brouwer from the Chicago Blackhawks organization. An unheralded early junior career was capped by a 102 point season as an overager in 2006. To prove that it was not a fluke, he followed it up with 41 goals and 38 assists for 79 points in 66 AHL games, earning a trip to the AHL All-Star game and a stint with the Hawks in the NHL. “We’re very excited to add a player of Troy’s skill set. He combines goal-scoring and physical play that will complement our team very well”.

Three picks later at #80, the Rovers nabbed bruising defenseman Pavel Valentenko from Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik of the Russian SuperLeague. This past season Valentenko played in 50 games with the senior team, registering 2 assists and 64 PIM. However, he has impressed Rovers brass with his desire to play in North America and has committed to crossing the pond this season to play in the Rovers minor league system. “A lot of people have been leery of drafting the Russians without an [transfer] agreement, but Pavel has shown a keen interest to come over as soon as possible”, Stringer said of the blueliner. “Once we get him in our system here, it’ll just be up to him as to how quickly he progresses up the ladder. We’re very excited to have gotten him here, as we were considering him much earlier in the draft”.

Originally the Rovers just had two third round selections, but when the Kitchener Mounties came calling to offer a third round pick this year plus cash for a third round pick next year, the Rovers jumped at the chance to grab the next name on their list. They promptly flipped the Mounties pick (#86) and the cash to San Francisco for the next pick in the draft (#81) and selected defenseman Jeff Petry of the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. In Petry’s second season with the Bucs, he tallied 18 goals and 27 assists for 45 points in 55 games, garnering USHL defenseman of the year and first-team all-USHL honours. He has committed to joining the defending NCAA champions Michigan State this upcoming season and will continue his development in the college ranks. “We had a very tough choice between Pavel and Jeff”, Stringer said, “so we wanted to do everything we could to get both. Fortunately, we were able to work something out with the Aviators after we acquired the extra pick from Kitchener. We are very happy to have gotten both guys”.

In total, the Rovers made nine draft choices, selecting five forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender. “Overall we wanted to focus on skill, and I think we accomplished our goal”, Stringer said of his full crop of picks. “Our farm system has done a tremendous job delivering talent to the big club this year and will again next season, but graduating so many prospects takes a toll on depth. We really feel like we’ve re-stocked the organization for many more seasons to come. I can’t say enough about the job our scouting staff has done. They really hit a few out of the park this draft in my opinion”.

Rovers Tab Two in Second Round

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

With the twelfth and and thirteenth picks in the second round, the Rovers selected another forward and a defenseman.

Francois Bouchard of the QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar became the fourth high-scoring forward selected in the draft. Bouchard, the QMJHL scoring champion, led the league with 45 goals and 80 assists for 125 points in 68 games. The younger brother of Chicago Capone’s forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Francois brings speed, hands, and energy to the Rovers. “We had thought we would be selecting defensemen in this round given who we thought would be available, but when Bouchard was still on the board we had to act. We had him pegged to go much earlier. He has such a high compete level to go along with breathtaking skill. We’re very excited to add him to our mix”.

With the next selection, the Rovers took their first defenseman of the draft in Cory Murphy of HIFK Helsinki in the Finnish Elite League. The 29 yr old rearguard was born in Canada and went through the US college system at Colgate University, playing four seasons before heading overseas for six seasons in Finland and Switzerland. After leading all defensemen in scoring and placing 10th league-wide with 13 goals and 37 assists for 50 points in 45 games, Murphy has made it known that he wanted to return to North America and the Rovers feel they have themselves an effective power-play quarterback. To showcase his skills, Murphy accepted an invitation from Canada to compete at the World Championships in April. There he finished third among defensemen in scoring with 7 points in 9 games, trailing only Dick Tarnstrom and fellow Rover prospect and Canadian teammate Dion Phaneuf. “Cory has been on our radar a while, and when he said he wanted to come to the RHL, we told him we were very interested in having him. Of course, all players have to go through the draft, so we couldn’t guarantee him anything, but we’re very happy that it has worked out. We think he’ll be a great contributor to our team in the near future”.

Barring the acquisition of further second round picks, the Rovers now look ahead to the third round where they currently have two selections, those originally belonging to the Straphangers (17th) and the Selects (20th).

The Fab Four

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

The Baffin Island Rovers concluded their first round selections and came away with four top-notch prospects which should help to replenish a farm system that has been very productive in the past season or two.

Trading up to the tenth spot in the draft, Baffin made center James Sheppard their first RHL17 selection. Sheppard has finished his third season with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the QMJHL, scoring 33 goals and 63 assists for 96 points in just 56 games. The Rovers dealt picks 24 and 25 in the first round for the 10th pick and a third round pick. “We’re very excited to add James to our organization”, Stringer said. “When he was available at 10, we thought we had a chance to get him as we had been having trade talks with the Vampyres for that pick all week. We’re just glad to get it done”.

Three selections later, the Rovers tabbed another center, Bryan Little of the Barrie Colts of the OHL. Little just finished his fourth OHL season and scored 41 goals and 66 assists for 107 points in 57 games. “We really wanted to focus on offense talents early in the draft and Bryan brings that to the table. He has blazing speed, excellent hands, and a tremendous work ethic”.

With the 17th pick, the offensive theme continued as winger Claude Giroux heard Baffin call his name. Giroux’s second season with the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL saw him tally 48 goals and add 64 assists for 112 points in 63 games. “Claude is the player we had targeted with the 13th pick, but we were surprised to see Bryan available and felt we should stick to our board. We were so pleased to see him there at 17. We feel we’ve added three dynamic forwards today and couldn’t be more happy”.

With their final pick in the first round, the Rovers stuck with their plan of coming away with a goalie in the first round. Having acquired this pick for former starter Martin Gerber, the Rovers feel they have more than replaced him with goalie Jaroslav Halak. Halak has rocketed up through the ranks to finish last season with the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL, posting a 2.89 G.A.A. and 0.906 sv pct in 16 games. Of the four players selected, the team believes Halak to be the most RHL-ready, although there is no hurry to rush him along with Chris Mason and Ray Emery ahead of him. “We considered some younger goalies, but in the end our scouts felt that Jaroslav has just as much potential and is further along. He has already played pro hockey at a high level and continues to improve each season. He was too tempting to pass up. He’s a tremendous addition to our depth chart in net”.

The Rovers now wait for the second round tomorrow. They have two selections, #12 and #13 in the round. They also have two third round picks, although GM Stringer has been actively seeking extra picks and has been talking to a few teams about their selections.

Roberts, Walz among exposed for dispersal draft

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

On the eve of the expansion draft for the Vulcan Mind Melds, the Baffin Island Rovers released their protected list.  As advertised, all contracted players were either protected or exempt from draft eligibility, though three key UFAs are eligible for selection.

Four Rovers will be available to the Mind Melds for selection.  Forwards Wes Walz and Gary Roberts, defenseman Danny Markov, and goaltender Jocelyn Thibault will be the group from which the Mind Melds may choose.   Among the forwards, the Rovers had to choose between protecting two of free agents Walz, Roberts, Cory Stillman, and Antti Laaksonen.  “We’d really like to take a run at resigning all four, but we could only protect two so we chose Laaksonen and Stillman”.

On defense the Rovers had two free agents and chose to protect Keith Carney rather than Markov.  “With Phaneuf and Michalek coming in we weren’t going to have room to resign both anyway.  It was the same situation in net with Jocelyn.  With Emery and Raycroft now in the fold, we won’t have the room.  We thank both men for their contributions to the team”.