Post by atrain24 on Feb 14, 2016 21:06:20 GMT
The Mighty Ducks roster is filled with All Stars like Claude Giroux, Rick Nash, Dustin Byfuglien and Patrick Sharp, as well as several key contributors like captain Mikko Koivu, Blake Wheeler, Mike Hoffman, John Klingberg and Antti Niemi. These men need no introduction. Even the supporting cast of depth players have reputations as notable veterans, as most fans are familiar with the likes of Drew Stafford, Jarred Spurgeon, Johnny Boychuk, Brian Gionta and James Reimer.
The cost of taking so many recognised NHLers in the earlier rounds of the draft means that the Mighty Ducks scouting staff had to dig a little deeper to unearth their crop of prospects and young pros. So to help Mighty Ducks fans get to know their team’s future players, here’s a feature on some of the lesser known future Ducks.
Jonathan Marchessault
Center -- Shoots R
Born Dec 27 1990 -- Cap-Rouge, Qc
Height 5’9” -- Weight 174lbs
The diminutive Marchessault has been a scorer at every level he has played. Playing for Patrick Roy’s Quebec Remparts, Marchessault averaged 0.94ppg over four years, including an impressive 128 points in 86 combined regular season and playoff games. Despite his offensive prowess, Marchessault was passed over by all 30 teams through two drafts, likely due to his small stature. Over parts of five seasons, with 3 different teams, Marchessault continued to score at the AHL level, producing 263 points in 306 games. Following a stellar rookie AHL season that saw him score 64 points in 76 games, he signed his first NHL contract, a three year ELC with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
For the first time in his career, at the age of 25, Marchessault is getting an extended look at the NHL level this season. With 11 points in 27 games, the production is not as high as it has been at other levels, but coach Jon Cooper recognizes Marchessault’s obvious offensive ability, rewarding him with 3:08 of PP ice time per game. The hope is that Marchesseault turns those kind of opportunities into production.
“Our hope is that Jonathan can turn into a solid middle six forward,” commented Deblois, “either as a steady contributor on the second line, or as third line forward who can use his speed to keep the puck moving in the right direction. While the offense is not there at the NHL level yet, we see a lot of Mike Hoffman in him. Both are undersized forwards who have produced at all levels.”
Brendan Leipsic
Center -- Shoots L
Born May 19 1994 – Winnipeg, Mb
Height 5’9” -- Weight 170lbs
Leipsic put up some impressive numbers for a dominant Portland Winterhawks team, averaging 1.16ppg over four seasons with the team, but was overshadowed by several talented teammates, including Nic Petan, Derrick Pouliot, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Seth Jones, Ty Rattie, Chase De Leo, Sven Baertschi, Brad Ross, Joe Morrow, Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter. All of which were drafted earlier then Leipsic was, albeit in various drafts.
Drafted in the third round by the Nashville Predators and subsequently traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Leipsic has been an integral part of the Toronto Marlies, who are shaping up to be one of, if not the, most dominating teams in AHL history. After a recent callup to the Maple Leafs, Leipsic scored his first career NHL goal in his first game on Hockey Night in Canada.
“We feel as though Brendan represents the new breed NHL forwards, undersized, but plays bigger then he is, combines offensive ability with the sandpaper of a traditional agitator” said Deblois, “we would be absolutely thrilled if he could develop into a Brendan Gallagher or Brad Marchand type of forward.”
Jan Kovar
Forward -- Shoots R
Born Mar 20 1990 – Pisek, Cze
Height 5’10” -- Weight 171lbs
From the moment he turned 20, Kovar has dominated in Europe. In three seasons playing for HC Plzen, Kovar scoring 140 points in 154 games in the Czech Republic’s top league. Since joining Metallurg Magnitagorsk of the KHL, Kovar has formed a formidable duo with Sergei Mozyakin. They are 1-2 in KHL scoring since the start of the 2013 season, with Kovar trailing Mozyakin by only 17 points over that span.
In addition to his league success, Kovar has also done well in representing the Czech Republic on the international stage. As a junior, Kovar scored 14 points in 11 combined tournament games at the U18 and U20 levels. Kovar was among the team leaders with 9 points in 10 games for the 4th place Czechs at the last World Championship.
“With the success that Artemi Panarin is having with the Blackhawks, we feel as though more teams will be willing to take a chance on some older European Free Agents.” GM Deblois would go on to state that he believes that Kovar fits the same mold as Panarin and that some team is bound to take a chance with him, perhaps as soon as next year.
Following a recent trend, the Mighty Ducks are embracing smaller, highly skilled players that have a chance to thrive in this new, faster paced NHL. These three players likely would have never been given an opportunity 10 years ago, here’s hoping they’ll take the opportunity and run with it.
The cost of taking so many recognised NHLers in the earlier rounds of the draft means that the Mighty Ducks scouting staff had to dig a little deeper to unearth their crop of prospects and young pros. So to help Mighty Ducks fans get to know their team’s future players, here’s a feature on some of the lesser known future Ducks.
Jonathan Marchessault
Center -- Shoots R
Born Dec 27 1990 -- Cap-Rouge, Qc
Height 5’9” -- Weight 174lbs
The diminutive Marchessault has been a scorer at every level he has played. Playing for Patrick Roy’s Quebec Remparts, Marchessault averaged 0.94ppg over four years, including an impressive 128 points in 86 combined regular season and playoff games. Despite his offensive prowess, Marchessault was passed over by all 30 teams through two drafts, likely due to his small stature. Over parts of five seasons, with 3 different teams, Marchessault continued to score at the AHL level, producing 263 points in 306 games. Following a stellar rookie AHL season that saw him score 64 points in 76 games, he signed his first NHL contract, a three year ELC with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
For the first time in his career, at the age of 25, Marchessault is getting an extended look at the NHL level this season. With 11 points in 27 games, the production is not as high as it has been at other levels, but coach Jon Cooper recognizes Marchessault’s obvious offensive ability, rewarding him with 3:08 of PP ice time per game. The hope is that Marchesseault turns those kind of opportunities into production.
“Our hope is that Jonathan can turn into a solid middle six forward,” commented Deblois, “either as a steady contributor on the second line, or as third line forward who can use his speed to keep the puck moving in the right direction. While the offense is not there at the NHL level yet, we see a lot of Mike Hoffman in him. Both are undersized forwards who have produced at all levels.”
Brendan Leipsic
Center -- Shoots L
Born May 19 1994 – Winnipeg, Mb
Height 5’9” -- Weight 170lbs
Leipsic put up some impressive numbers for a dominant Portland Winterhawks team, averaging 1.16ppg over four seasons with the team, but was overshadowed by several talented teammates, including Nic Petan, Derrick Pouliot, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Seth Jones, Ty Rattie, Chase De Leo, Sven Baertschi, Brad Ross, Joe Morrow, Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter. All of which were drafted earlier then Leipsic was, albeit in various drafts.
Drafted in the third round by the Nashville Predators and subsequently traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Leipsic has been an integral part of the Toronto Marlies, who are shaping up to be one of, if not the, most dominating teams in AHL history. After a recent callup to the Maple Leafs, Leipsic scored his first career NHL goal in his first game on Hockey Night in Canada.
“We feel as though Brendan represents the new breed NHL forwards, undersized, but plays bigger then he is, combines offensive ability with the sandpaper of a traditional agitator” said Deblois, “we would be absolutely thrilled if he could develop into a Brendan Gallagher or Brad Marchand type of forward.”
Jan Kovar
Forward -- Shoots R
Born Mar 20 1990 – Pisek, Cze
Height 5’10” -- Weight 171lbs
From the moment he turned 20, Kovar has dominated in Europe. In three seasons playing for HC Plzen, Kovar scoring 140 points in 154 games in the Czech Republic’s top league. Since joining Metallurg Magnitagorsk of the KHL, Kovar has formed a formidable duo with Sergei Mozyakin. They are 1-2 in KHL scoring since the start of the 2013 season, with Kovar trailing Mozyakin by only 17 points over that span.
In addition to his league success, Kovar has also done well in representing the Czech Republic on the international stage. As a junior, Kovar scored 14 points in 11 combined tournament games at the U18 and U20 levels. Kovar was among the team leaders with 9 points in 10 games for the 4th place Czechs at the last World Championship.
“With the success that Artemi Panarin is having with the Blackhawks, we feel as though more teams will be willing to take a chance on some older European Free Agents.” GM Deblois would go on to state that he believes that Kovar fits the same mold as Panarin and that some team is bound to take a chance with him, perhaps as soon as next year.
Following a recent trend, the Mighty Ducks are embracing smaller, highly skilled players that have a chance to thrive in this new, faster paced NHL. These three players likely would have never been given an opportunity 10 years ago, here’s hoping they’ll take the opportunity and run with it.
