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ON A CLEAR DAY… 

Mitch Beck, 15 years ago 9 3 min read  

hartford_wolf_pack_98b  This is the day that every young hockey player on an AHL roster wants to hear. It’s called “Clear Day” and it’s the day that you find out if you have made the playoff roster.

The Hartford Wolf Pack have announced the team’s 22-man “Clear Day” playoff roster.  According to the AHL by-laws only players on this list are eligible to play for the Wolf Pack in the remainder of the AHL regular season and in the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs, unless emergency conditions arise as a result of a recall, injury or suspension.

Signed junior players, or players on amateur tryout contracts after their respective junior or college seasons are complete, are also allowed to compete for AHL teams during this period, whether or not emergency conditions exist.

Goal (2):            Miika Wiikman, Matt Zaba

Defense (7):       Vladimir Denisov, Brian Fahey, Jared Nightingale, Corey Potter, Bobby Sanguinetti, Michael Sauer, David Urquhart

Forwards (13):  Artem Anisimov, Mark Bell, Dane Byers, Devin DiDiomete, Brodie Dupont, Greg Moore, Mike

Ouellette, Jordan Owens, P.A. Parenteau, Tom Pyatt, Patrick Rissmiller, Brandon Sugden, Dale Weise

There are really only four interesting things about the names on the list because it really is who everyone would expect. The two things are that: 1) Dane Byers is on that list after having injured his knee in the October 31st game against Worcester. Byers had major reconstructive surgery just after that which has caused him to miss all but the first nine games of the season. 2) Tomas Zaborsky who has a goal, two helpers for three points in eight games since coming up in mid February has shown some real signs of becoming a solid and capable AHL player is not on the list while Brandon Sugden is. 3) Sugden being on the list is a minor surprise when playoff fighting is just about non-existent and that’s really the only thing that Sugden adds to the line-up. In 42 games this season, Sugden has one assist and 119 PIM. Lastly, 4) the omission of Justin Soryal who has been recovering from a broken hand apparently will be shut down for the rest of the way. Soryal, who told Howlings recently that he was close to being ready to play, has contributed three goals, seven helpers for ten points and 114 OIM. Wouldn’t it make more sense to have someone who can at least contribute something offensively and still bring on the toughness if need be…assuming he’s healthy enough to play make more sense? Now if he’s not healthy enough there’s no argument.

Given the nature of this team and the way they’ve played, especially Matt Zaba, if they continue to get that level of play, and the Pack can rebound from the scoring problems they’ve had on the power play, this team has the potential to win out the Atlantic division and wind up in the conference final. How they do there would be anyone’s guess.

Okay, what’s yours…?

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Mitch Beck
Mitch Beck was a standup comedian and radio personality for over 25 years. His passion for hockey started with Team USA in 1980 when they defeated the Soviets at Lake Placid. He is now working in the hockey industry full-time as a coach and administrator. Mitch has been reporting on the New York Rangers, and exclusively on the Hartford Wolf Pack / Connecticut Whale since 2005.

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9 Comments

  1. elsie

    It always seems that this list is sorta meaningless, that the injuries/suspensions/etc happen. So Byers will be replaced, and maybe another F at some point – with Soryal, Zaborsky, or maybe even Hillier or Taylor from Charlotte (not sure about eligibility of ECHL contract guys like Ford). And the player who will almost surely jump into the top 2 lines, if his team’s playoff season ends in time, is Grachev!
    On D for now Graham, Busto and C.Murray are on the outside. With Dowzak and Kundratek on the horizon.

    15 years ago Reply
  2. Mitch Beck

    I spoke with Byers not too long ago and he told me his goal was to be able to make it back to play in the playoffs, if not the first round then by the second. If he’s able to do that, not only would it be impressive to come back from the surgery that he had, but it would give the Pack a talented fresh body.
    I think Del Zotto, depending upon when his season ends, could get some playing time in the playoffs…

    15 years ago Reply
  3. Jack

    Mitch,
    Does Soryal have what it takes to play in the NHL. I have watched almost everyone of his fights and he rarely loses.
    The Rangers could use his grit in the future.
    Please tell me he has the potiental.

    15 years ago Reply
  4. Mitch Beck

    Jack,
    I wish I could tell you for a fact that he was destined for the NHL or that he wasn’t. I can tell you that right now he’s not ready to make that leap. Given the direction that the league is going in with fighters I would say his future is very limited. On the other hand as I stated, it’s still quite early in his development and he could become a Colton Orr type who can play as well as fight. Time ultimately will tell.

    15 years ago Reply
  5. Katherine

    Mitch,
    Zaborsky’s out for the year. He dislocated his shoulder and is having surgery.
    Byers is most likely on the Clear Day Roster that way anyone can fill in his spot. Including those on the In Residence List, and those they sign for juniors…. i.e Soryal will most likely take his spot until he returns. Anyone can take the place of an injured player if they’re on the In Residence List.

    15 years ago Reply
  6. Jack

    Hey Mitch…thanks for the quick response.
    I was hoping he could turn into a David Clarkson type player…who could pump in 10-15 goals and protect his teammates.
    Did he break his hand and if so, was it during a fight.
    I think Byers has that potential but he is not a very good fighter.
    I am surprised to see Dupont still engage in fighting after getting hurt in that fight last year.
    How about Weiss…he has gotten better in the fight department from what i can see…he showed a lot in training camp.
    One other question…is Sauer a legit NHL d-man…it seems health is a big concern for the Sauer boys.

    15 years ago Reply
  7. Mitch Beck

    Katherine,
    You’re correct that Zaborsky is out. I found that out after having written the piece, and to be honest have just been too busy with work and forgot to post it so thank you for getting that information out there.
    You did have one thing slightly incorrect and that is that players who come from Juniors or college and sign ATO’s can play regardless of emergency conditions…
    Jack,
    He did in fact break his hand in a fight…As Homer Simpson might say, “Stupid helmets…protect your head but not the hand of a guy punching it…”
    Byers is a good all around player who does have a shot at making it in the NHL. Dupont is a stand up guy who is really motivated to play the game and stand up for himself and his teammates. I have a lot of respect for him in that regard.
    Dale will fight from time to time but he’s not looking for a career doing it.
    As far as Mike Sauer is concerned, I think the jury is still out on his future. I can tell you that he’s had a very solid season and has shown a lot of improvement especially coming off a very serious knee injury. He’s been healthy this year and I think he has a good future.
    Keep the great comments and questions coming…

    15 years ago Reply
  8. Jack

    Mitch,
    Excellent post.
    I am not looking for goon type players…I just want guys who can play the game with an edge and defend guys like Cally, Gomer, Drury, Staal and to an extent Avery…because he will drive everyone nuts.
    Good to hear Sauer is having a good year…I like him and hope he makes the leap when the eat 3/4’s of Redden’s contract.
    I appreciate your time.

    15 years ago Reply
  9. Jack

    Mitch,
    One other thing…
    As Homer Simpson might say, “Stupid helmets…protect your head but not the hand of a guy punching it…”
    funny as hell.

    15 years ago Reply

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