Forsberg update

Just spoke to one of my Swedish sources, the same one who told me that Sundin would sign with the Canucks, just hours before the official announcement came in. Click here to see my blog post at the time.

He said that Forsberg's decision on his future will likely be made at the beginning of next week, and that he doesn't think "the Canucks are number one on Peter's list."

Stay tuned.

Canucks scout in Finland

So, I spoke to Canucks Swedish-based scout Inge Hammarstrom yesterday. I was working on my Anton Rodin article, and Hammarstrom gets to watch Rodin play on a regular basis in Sweden so that's what we talked about. However, Hammarstrom also told me he was in Finland scouting a tournament of 1992 born players. What's also happening in Finland right now? The Karjala Cup, in which Peter Forsberg is playing. I'm not saying Hammarstrom is also scouting Forsberg, but I'm just saying.

Team 1040 Canucks color commentator Tom Larscheid said tonight that Mike Gillis is "extremely interested" in acquiring Forsberg.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

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Sweden stomps Carleton

The Carleton Ravens played host to Sweden's U20 national junior team team last night in Ottawa, and the Swedes prevailed with a 5-1 win. A few quick thoughts.

- Adam Larsson is for real. He was the youngest player on the ice tonight, and probably one of the best. There were a couple times when he just rushed the puck from end to end with ease. It'll be scary to see how dominant he is 2 years from now when he's draft eligible.

- Mattias Tedenby (I learned tonight that it's actually pronounced Tee-ah-den-bee) has NHL speed and hands. He's frickin tiny, but he can skate like the wind and stick handle in a phone booth.

- Jacob Markstrom looked great. He made a number of superb saves. Looked to me like he's NHL ready.

- You can see the raw potential that Oliver Ekman-Larsson (paired with Adam Larsson) and David Rundblad (paired with Tim Erixon) both have. They both aren't afraid to jump in on the rush and get involved offensively. Rundblad absolutely crunched Ravens forward Yves Bastien in the 3rd period. It was a Niklas Kronwall type hit.

- Denis Rasmussen, one of the few Swedens who is undrafted, also impressed me tonight. He scored the first goal and was really involved physically.

- Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson didn't play in the 3rd period. I was told after the game that he has a concussion.

Canucks fans, don't worry. I'll have an Anton Rodin article up shortly.

Here are a few quotes that I gathered from interviews last night:

Marcus Johansson (Washington Capitals):

"It was a fun game. We started out pretty well. It’s a different game playing on small ice."

"It’s not that hard to adjust, but it’s a different game. It’s more straight to the net, we have to keep the puck moving forward. I think that’s the biggest difference, but we’re getting used to it."

"Yeah, it’s fun. I like it over here. It’s fun to play hockey on small ice and we’re having a good time so I like it."

"We’re going there to win. We’ve got nothing else on our mind. I think we’re better prepared this year than we were the last two years so we’re feeling good."

"I’m very excited. It’s a great experience, it’s a big thing and all of us are excited."

Jacob Markstrom (Florida Panthers):

"I felt pretty good. I was a little bit worried how my legs would feel after the long trip last night, but I felt pretty good. The team played good and I’m happy with what we did today."

"Of course, every time you go back to Canada you remember the juniors. It was a good experience and a really fun thing to be a part of. I’m really looking forward to this year, and that it’s in Canada makes it even more fun."

"Every year, I think we have a better and better team. We’re getting closer and closer so I think this is the year for Sweden to take it home. We’ve had two silver medals and we’re not satisfied with that."

"The rink size matters a lot. It’s a different game here so every opportunity we have to play on a small rink and these kind of games makes you a better player when it’s all going to happen this winter."

"I just try to take it day for day. This is the last year of my contract with Brynas so I’m just trying to focus on that and do my best. After the season we’ll see what happens."

Al MacInnis (vice-president of hockey operations for the St. Louis Blues) on David Rundblad:

"Any chance to see him play, we want to take advantage of that. He’s over here for the next week or so and we’re going to catch the next couple games."

"We actually did see him in Sweden when we were over there for the start of our regular season. Larry Pleau and myself went up to Skelleftea to see him play and he’s off to a good start. There’s a lot of time invested in these players and we just want to make sure they continue to progress."

"He’s a very skilled defenceman. He plays on the power-play, he’s got an excellent first pass, good vision. Like most young defencemen, he has some things to work on, obviously a little bit in his own end. And like all these 18 and 19 year old guys, they’re going to have to get stronger but he’s developing very nicely for us."

"You never want to put a timeline on any young prospect, especially the kids from Europe. In most cases, they take a little bit longer to come over to North America, which is fine with us because we consider their men’s elite league a very good league for the kids to develop. It could be every bit as good as the American league so they’re playing at a high level and we want to make sure that when the time comes, they’re comfortable coming over and they’re ready to play. So there’s certainly no timeframe for David at all."

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Send me to the Olympics!

So, I just entered The Globe and Mail Journalism Dream contest. Basically, I had to write a short article about a "fascinating or fun" sporting event that I've attended and now I need your help.

In order to get my article reviewed by the judges, I need to be in the top 50 in votes received. Since I'm not the brightest of the bunch, I didn't realize that the voting period started on October 19th (even though the deadline to enter the contest isn't until November 22nd), so I'm already in tough. But if you all could vote once per day hopefully I can make up some ground. If you’d really like to help out, it would be great if you could let all your friends know about this as well. And there's something in it for you too. Every time you vote you are entered to win a new laptop!

The Grand Prize is the opportunity to be a "guest journalist" for The Globe and Mail at the Olympics, but there are a number of secondary prizes as well.

Thanks for your support!

LINK TO VOTE: http://journalismdream.theglobeandmail.com/entry_article.asp?id=649

Toronto Raptors training camp coverage

As some of you may already know, I had the opportunity to cover the Toronto Raptors training camp at Carleton University in Ottawa. This was my first exposure, media wise, to professional basketball so it was definitely a good experience. Here are a couple links to my stories from last week:

Ravens cheer on Raptors: http://www.charlatan.ca/content/ravens-cheer-raptors
One team unites us all: http://www.charlatan.ca/content/one-team-unites-us-all
A few snippets of my exclusive interviews: http://www.charlatan.ca/content/interview-raptors-member-chris-bpsh

Enjoy!

Patrick White reacts to trade

I was able to catch up with Patrick White briefly earlier today, after he was traded to the San Jose Sharks along with Daniel Rahimi in exchange for Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich. Here's some of his reaction to the trade:

1. Were you surprised when you heard about the move?
White: Yeah I was. I talked to Dave Gagner today before he even knew about it so I was under the impression things were normal. I think it should be good for me and good for Vancouver though.

2. I know the Vancouver fans and media were pretty hard on you over the last few years.
White: I can't blame anyone for that; that's the life of hockey. Even when you play good sometimes you don't get credit.

3. How did you hear the news? Did Gillis call?
White: Yeah, he called but I missed it and so my adviser was the first to let me know. Gillis is tough to get back to; he’s a busy man.

4. Have you talked to Jordan Schroeder at all?
White: No I haven't. I'll probably see him tomorrow though.

5. Thanks a lot, Patrick. Good luck next season and in the future with the Sharks organization.
White: Thanks. I will always be a Canucks draft pick.

Schroeder to the Everett Silvertips?

I interviewed Everett Silvertips General Manager Doug Soetaert earlier today about the possibility of Jordan Schroeder leaving the University of Minnesota to join the 'Tips this season. Here's what I gathered from our conversation:

- The summer before last, Soetaert and the Silvertips organization had many discussions with Schroeder and his father. At that point, Schroeder's camp informed the 'Tips that he would play at least one season with the University of Minnesota, and then reassess his situation after the NHL draft.
- At one point this summer, the Silvertips were given "a lot of indication" from Schroeder's agent that he would sign with the Vancouver Canucks, and therefore join the 'Tips organization.
- When asked if there's still a possibility that Schroeder will start the season with Everett, Soetaert responded: "no, not right now." However, he didn't rule out something getting done perhaps during the season.
- Soetaert made it very clear that he would be thrilled to have Schroeder join the Silvertips organization.

That's about all for now. Stay tuned for more information.