St. John's Ice Caps Community Blog and News

By Rheanne Marcoux  - Web Content Coordinator, jets.nhl.com
Photo: Marissa Baecker/Shoot the Breeze

It was a big year for Jets’ prospect Ryan Olsen. After being drafted 160th overall by the Winnipeg Jets, Olsen started the 2012-13 season with a new team and recorded a career high in points. He made the move from the Saskatoon Blades to the Kelowna Rockets look easy, but the transition was a big adjustment for the 19 year-old centre.

“The hardest part for me was just to fit in,” explained the Delta, British-Columbia, native. “I’m kind of a shy guy and coming into a new team where no one really knows you and where you want to come in, be a leader, and have an impact on the team is tough.”

Winnipeg Jets Coordinator of Player Development, Jimmy Roy, said the move was ultimately very beneficial for Olsen, who adapted well and made the best of the change. “It helps a player deal with different personalities, different players, different coaches, and different expectations,” said Roy, who followed Olsen’s progress this year. “It helps them understand their role. Maybe you’re role on one team is going to be different than the team you’re coming to, so there’s role acceptance.”

The 6’1” centreman quickly understood what was expected of him and gained the respect of his teammates and coaches as he accumulated 56 points (32 goals and 24 assists) over 69 games, and a plus/minus of plus-17. It was a breakout season for Olsen, just the kind of results he had set out to achieve. The Rockets were eliminated by the Kamloops Blazers in the second round of the WHL playoffs, but in those 11 games, Olsen recorded six points (1 goal, 5 assists) and 14 PIMs.

“The year before I didn’t have the best season, but I looked at all my totals in points and goals this year and I feel I played really well. I think I’m an elite player in the league and with my skill level, size, and speed I should be able to put up a lot of points,” admitted the young player.

Roy agrees with Olsen. “He had a really good season in Kelowna. He became a leader and was a big part of their team there,” he said. “I think one thing that we’ve talked about with him is his consistency – how to play at the top of his game every single day. He’s a good character kid, I think he works hard and has a great work ethic.”

Olsen’s confidence and determination grew after the 2012 NHL Draft when he slipped into a Winnipeg Jets jersey for the very first time. His goal has since been to wear that uniform again, but this time in a game.

“Once I got drafted I knew all the work started now. I trained a lot in the off-season and worked hard and it showed on the ice. My goal now is to sign with the Jets.”

The season is barely over but Olsen has already set new goals in pursuit of his dream to play for the Jets.

“I have a couple new goals now,” said Olsen. “I want to get as strong and as quick as I can. I’m getting older now so the weights are getting heavier which means I have to push myself a lot harder to get to that next level.”

The 187-pound forward never even considered taking a few weeks off before coming to Winnipeg for his first NHL Player Development Camp. He’s already training harder than ever before to prepare himself.

“I’m so excited, it’s going to be amazing. I haven’t been there before and I can’t wait to throw on the Jets helmet! It’s going to be a special opportunity,” said Olsen, the anticipation obvious in his voice. “I’ve talked to some guys that have been there before. They’ve told me what it’s like, how hard it is, but also how fun it is. So I have some expectations and I know I have to come there in top shape and ready to work.”

In the meantime, Olsen has been spending his time training and glued to the TV watching Stanley Cup playoffs. The thought of one day being there himself is what keeps him motivated.

“The Stanley Cup playoffs are on right now and I’ve been watching players and their families in the stands and it makes me want to be there really bad. That’s the dream one day, to be there with my family and friends.”

SPECIAL NOTICE #2

UNCLAIMED 50/50 DRAW

Date: March 15, 2013

Game Number: 31

Ticket Number: E-59820 (Second Draw)

Amount: $14,205.00

The original ticket draw Number E-29648 expired as of May 14^th, 2013 in accordance with Lottery License Requirements. The above ticket number (E-59820) is valid for 30 days (until June 13, 2013).

Should the ticket/prize remain unclaimed after the expiry date, a further and final draw will be conducted as per Lottery License Requirements.

Murray Chaplin
IceCaps Care Foundation

The St. John’s IceCaps will be selling unused team-issued hockey sticks, a limited amount of other equipment and offering sale prices on selected merchandise at IceCaps Alley on Sunday, May 12 at Mile One Centre.

Game-ready, brand new sticks which retail for as much as $300 will be reduced in price significantly, while the IceCaps Alley outlet will offer tee-shirts at 50 per cent off regular price and all other product (other than jerseys) at 25 per cent off.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Patrons are asked to enter through Gate 2.

By Kristi Hennessy  - Coordinator, Web Content, winnipegjets.com

Winnipeg Jets prospect Scott Kosmachuk, just wrapped up his third season in the Ontario Hockey League with the Guelph Storm. The 6-foot, 185-pound Toronto, Ontario native was selected in the third round, 70th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets at the 2012 NHL Draft.

During the 2011-12 campaign, Kosmachuk more than doubled his point production from his rookie season in the OHL, totaling 59 points (30 goals, 29 assists) in 67 games with the Storm. He tallied 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 68 games in his rookie year.

Kosmachuk, 18, finished the 2012-13 season with career-high 35 goals, 30 assists for 65 points in 68 regular season games. He was named the OHL player for the week ending November 25th. He led the league with six goals in three games, while adding two assists for a total of eight points and, an OHL high plus-minus rating of plus-6.

The Storm made it into the OHL playoffs but the Kitchener Rangers eliminated them in five games in the Western Conference Quarter-Final round. Kosmachuk scored one goal with 13 PIM’s in the five games.

“I don’t think my role changed too much from last season to this season,” he said. “Last season we had a really young team. I was given big responsibility and I was expected to put up big numbers and score some goals. I think they expected that much more in that role from me this season.”

In addition to his solid point production, Kosmachuk isn’t afraid to drop the gloves and get involved in the rough areas of the game when he’s called upon, which explains the 105 penalty minutes this season.

“I think it comes along with the compete level,” he explained. “You get into the game and things happen and emotions take over. It’s not anything to do with being scared or anything it’s just playing how I play, and it comes natural.”

Kosmachuk is well known for his competitiveness, his work ethic and his willingness to sacrifice his body in order to ensure team success.

“I’m aggressive and have a strong compete level and I think I also bring a lot of speed to the game,” he said. “I’m pretty versatile I think too, I’m a right wing but I’m playing on the left wing this season.”

Kosmachuk will attend the Winnipeg Jets development camp this summer for the second straight year and will attend the 2013 Training Camp next fall.

The off-ice success of the St. John’s IceCaps is due in large part to a dedicated volunteer base, says Danny Williams, CEO and President of the IceCaps.

As Volunteer Week comes to close, the St. John’s IceCaps take this time to recognize their ardent volunteers who give hundreds of hours of their free time to support the club’s many charitable endeavours.

“The St. John’s IceCaps organization has donated around $1 million to local charities in only two years and much of the funding comes through programs such as our 50-50 ticket program, which is administered by our volunteers,” explained Williams.

“It is no exaggeration to say our 50-50 draws are the talk of the American Hockey League. We applaud our volunteers for their selflessness and dedication to our team and community.”

Many booster clubs are simply fan clubs, but the St. John’s IceCaps Booster Club is a working group whose purpose is to support the team’s charitable efforts. Members range in age from teens to seniors and help with initiatives such as FanFest, silent auction tables and promotional giveways, in addition to the wildly successful 50-50 ticket draw which has paid out much as $20,000.

Murray Chaplin is probably the most well-known member of the IceCaps booster club. The 76-year-old has volunteered with the club since its inception two years ago and volunteered with the now-defunct St. John’s Maple Leafs during the club’s 14-year run in St. John’s. Chaplin, who often puts in seven-hour shifts on game days, says volunteering is “part of my life.”

“I had an opportunity to play hockey and baseball as a kid in part because people volunteered their time, so I’m happy to give back,” says Chaplin.

“I get a great deal of satisfaction helping the various charities. It’s great to be able to support the team and the community at the same time. It really is a win-win for me.”

A pair of Purolator Shut Out Hunger events sponsored by the St. John’s IceCaps and Purolator this season netted 21,000 pounds of food for the Community Food Sharing Association.

The most recent food drive, held prior to the IceCaps final home game of the campaign, resulted in 17,340 pounds of food being donated – including a $5,000 donation from the IceCaps. Combined with the first event held in February, the total result was 21,000 pounds. Two days before the second food drive, Purolator also donated a refurbished truck to the Community Food Sharing Association.

“The St. John’s IceCaps are proud and happy to give back to a community that has been so supportive of us,” said Danny Williams, President and CEO of the IceCaps. “I’d also like to thank our fans whose generosity helped make these food drives so successful.”

Stephen Noseworthy, Purolator District Manager, Newfoundland, says helping alleviate hunger is a key priority for the organization.

“While we are leaders in connecting Canadian businesses and people, we are also focused on strengthening the communities where we live, work and play through initiatives such as this,” said Noseworthy.

“The success of these food drives would never have been possible without two great partners teaming up and engaging the local community to support those in need.”

Eg Walters, executive director of the Community Food Sharing Association, says he is thrilled with the final tally.

“This contribution will significantly impact us in helping us re-stock our shelves,” says Walters. “Hats off to the IceCaps and Purolator for their generous support of those less fortunate among us.”

The St. John’s IceCaps, in conjunction with the Williams Family Foundation and IceCaps Care, have donated approximately $1 million in financial and in-kind contributions to charitable organizations province-wide over the past two seasons.

St. John’s splits pair against North Division champion Marlies

The IceCaps 2012-13 season came to an end this past weekend with a trio of games in Southern Ontario, resulting in a 1-1-0-1 record and three points. St. John’s fell 4-1 to Hamilton at Copps Coliseum on Friday but rebounded with a 4-3 shootout victory Saturday afternoon in Toronto. Sunday, the outcome was reversed as the Marlies defeated the IceCaps in a shootout by an identical 4-3 margin. The IceCaps finish their second season with a 32-36-3-5 record for 72 points and a fifth place finish in the Atlantic Division, 14^th overall in the Eastern Conference.

WEEK IN REVIEW:
Friday, April 19 – Hamilton Bulldogs 4 St. John’s IceCaps 1
Copps Coliseum – Hamilton, ON
St. John’s Goals:               Lunden (6)
Hamilton Goals:               Lefebvre (3, 4), Leblanc (10), Pateryn (7)
Goaltending:                     STJ – Olkinuora (L – 25 shots, 22 saves) / HAM – Mayer (W – 31 shots, 30 saves)
Power Play:                        STJ 0/7 | HAM 1/4
Three Stars:                        1) HAM – Nathan Beaulieu 2) HAM – Robert Mayer 3) HAM – Philippe Lefebvre
Mary Brown’s HWP:       Dean Arsene
Attendance:                       5,523

The St. John’s IceCaps fell 4-1 to the Hamilton Bulldogs Friday night at Copps Coliseum in the first of three road games this weekend to close out the 2012-13 season.

Philippe Lefebve had two goals while Louis Leblanc’s second period shorthanded marker stood up as the game-winner. Robert Mayer stopped 30-of-31 shots to earn the win for Hamilton.

Josh Lunden scored the IceCaps’ only goal while Jussi Olkinuora made 22 saves in his AHL debut.

Full Recap | Box Score | Highlights

Saturday, April 20 – St. John’s IceCaps 4 Toronto Marlies 3 (SO)
Ricoh Coliseum – Toronto, ON
St. John’s Goals:               Maxwell (10), O’Dell (29), Klingberg (11), O’Dell (SO winner)
Toronto Goals:                  Lasch (4), Abbott (13), Scott (13)
Goaltending:                     STJ – Dekanich (W – 22 shots, 19 saves) / TOR – Sparks (SOL – 28 shots, 25 saves)
Power Play:                        STJ 1/6 | TOR 1/4
Three Stars:                        1) STJ – Eric O’Dell 2) TOR – Spencer Abbott 3) TOR – Stuart Percy
Mary Brown’s HWP:       Julian Melchiori
Attendance:                       7,881

The IceCaps persevered against the Toronto Marlies Saturday afternoon, coming away with a 4-3 shootout win in the first of two battles between the teams at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto this weekend.

Eric O’Dell scored his team-leading 29th of the season and notched the eventual shootout winner to help lift the IceCaps to their 32nd victory of the season. Both O’Dell and Ben Maxwell finished the game with a goal and an assist.

Mark Dekanich made 19 saves through regulation and overtime before stopping three-of-four shooters in the shootout.

Full Recap | Box Score | Highlights

Sunday, April 21 – Toronto Marlies 4 St. John’s IceCaps 3 (SO)
Ricoh Coliseum – Toronto, ON
St. John’s Goals:               Lunden (7, 8), Maxwell (11)
Toronto Goals:                  Biggs (1), Lasch (5, 6)
Goaltending:                     STJ – Dekanich (SOL – 28 shots, 25 saves) / TOR – Sparks (W – 23 shots, 20 saves)
Power Play:                        STJ 2/3 | TOR 1/6
Three Stars:                        1) TOR – Ryan Lasch 2) TOR – Dylan Yeo 3) STJ – Josh Lunden
Mary Brown’s HWP:       Zach Redmond
Attendance:                       7,881

Josh Lunden tallied two goals and an assist and Ben Maxwell potted a goal and two helpers but the St. John’s IceCaps concluded the 2012-13 season with a 4-3 shootout loss to the hometown Toronto Marlies Sunday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum.

Tied 3-3 after a scoreless extra frame, and no goals after three rounds of the shootout, Dylan Yeo fired a slapper past Mark Dekanich, who was solid again for the IceCaps, to seal the win for Toronto.

Full Recap | Box Score | Highlights

ICE-CAPSules

O’Dell Can’t Crack 30: Eric O’Dell entered the final weekend of the season two goals shy of becoming the first IceCap to reach the 30-goal plateau and managed to score in Saturday’s win over Toronto, getting him to 29. However, the Ottawa native wasn’t able to bulge the twine one more time and finished the season stuck on 29. The sophomore forward led his club in goals (29), points (55), plus/minus (+9), power play goals (10), power play assists (10), power play points (20), game-winning goals (4), first goals (7) and shooting percentage (20.1%). O’Dell also finished 20^th in league scoring.

Finishing Strong: Josh Lunden had a terrific weekend, scoring three times and adding a pair of assists for five points in three games. Lunden finished the season with a four-game point streak (4G, 2A) and recorded nine points (5G, 4A) in nine April contests. Overall, Lunden set personal bests for games played (31), goals (8), assists (10), and points (18).

Finishing Strong Redux: Ben Maxwell ended his season even hotter than Lunden, notching six points (2G, 4A) over the final three games and 10 points (2G, 8A) in his last six outings. Maxwell finished third on the team in assists with 29, four behind Jaffray’s team-best 33. The B.C. native recorded 20 points (6G, 14A) in the final 20 games of the season and suited up in a team-high 74 contests.

Redmond Returns: D Zach Redmond was reassigned by the Winnipeg Jets to the IceCaps last week on a conditioning assignment as part of his rehab after suffering a serious leg injury in late February when he was cut by a teammate’s skate in practice. Redmond looked as smooth as ever, picking up an assist in each of the two games he played and quarterbacking the team’s power play unit.

Jets Update: Winnipeg picked up five of a possible six points last week but still finds itself on the outside looking in with regards to playoff positioning in the tight Eastern Conferece. Winnipeg sits three points back of the eighth place New York Rangers and the Southeast Division leading Washington Capitals with just three games left to play. The Jets face the Buffalo Sabres Monday night before taking on Capitals Tuesday in a pair of must-win games.

Injury Report: Jason King (head), Hunter Tremblay (head), Ivan Telegin (head), John Albert (hand), Richard Petiot (undisclosed), Patrice Cormier (head), Jason Gregoire (undisclosed), Kael Mouillierat (upper body), Vinny Saponari (undisclosed).

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
April 22                 Winnipeg (NHL) recalls D Zach Redmond from St. John’s (AHL)
April 17                 Winnipeg (NHL) reassigns D Zach Redmond to St. John’s (AHL) on a conditioning assignment
April 16                 St. John’s (AHL) recalls D Jake Marto from Colorado (ECHL)

ICECAPS SEASON LEADERS

COORS LIGHT THREE STARS LEADERBOARD

(1^st Star – 3 points, 2^nd Star – 2 points, 3^rd Star – 1 point)

MARY BROWN’S HARDEST WORKING PLAYER STANDINGS:

(1 point each win – Hardest working St. John’s IceCaps player)

 LISTEN TO EVERY ICECAPS GAME LIVE
Listen to every IceCaps game this season online at www.stjohnsicecaps.com by clicking the ‘Listen Live’ link on the homepage. Play-by-play broadcaster Brian Rogers brings you all the action on the ice, including a pregame show that starts 30 minutes before the drop of the puck. Fans can also listen on the radio at 930AM This Is Newfoundland Labrador. And, watch all the games streaming live online at www.ahllive.com!

The Winnipeg Jets announced today they have recalled defenceman Zach Redmond from his conditioning assignment with the St. John’s IceCaps of the American Hockey League.

Redmond, 24, was assigned to St. John’s for conditioning on Wednesday, Apr. 17. He has since played two games with the IceCaps recording a pair of assists. Redmond earlier played in eight games with the Jets this season collecting four points (1G, 3A) and 12 penalty minutes. The Traverse City native played in his first NHL game on Jan. 31 in Florida and scored his first goal on Feb. 7 versus Toronto.

Redmond has now played 38 games with St. John’s this season, recording 19 points (8G,11) and 32 penalty minutes. In his AHL career, Redmond has collected 50 points (16G, 34A) and 67 penalty minutes in 113 games with the IceCaps and Chicago Wolves. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the seventh round, 184th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Photo: Graig Abel

Game Summary | Box Score

Lunden, Maxwell each record three-point games

Josh Lunden tallied two goals and an assist and Ben Maxwell potted a goal and two helpers but the St. John’s IceCaps concluded the 2012-13 season with a 4-3 shootout loss to the hometown Toronto Marlies Sunday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum.

Tyler Biggs, with his first professional goal, opened the scoring for the Marlies at 8:50 of the first period, before Lunden banked one off the skate of a Marlies defender on the powerplay at 13:29 to square the contest. Jason Jaffray and Maxwell were credited with assists.

The Marlies went ahead 2-1 at 6:47 of the second on a Ryan Lasch tally but Lunden scored his second powerplay goal of the day, his 8th goal of the season, at 15:40 as he deflected a point shot from Zach Redmond. Maxwell was also awarded an assist.

The IceCaps took a 3-2 lead at 18:44 of the second as St. John’s stormed the Marlies zone and Maxwell completed a tic-tac-toe play with Maxime Macenauer and Lunden. The goal was Maxwell’s 11th of the season. However Lasch’s second goal of the day, a powerplay marker at 12:31 of the third period, sent the game into overtime.

After a scoreless extra frame, and no goals after three rounds of the shootout, Dylan Yeo fired a slapper past Mark Dekanich, who was solid again for the IceCaps, to seal the win for Toronto.

Notes:
Lunden was named third star of the game… Redmond was tabbed as Mary’s Brown’s Hardest Working IceCap of the Game…The IceCaps went 2-for-3 on the powerplay and killed off five of the Marlies six powerplays…St. John’s was outshot 29-23… The IceCaps finished the season with a 32-36-3-5 record for 72 points, one point behind Worcester for 4th place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division… O’Dell posted a team-high 29 goals and 55 points (in 59 games), while Jaffray led the club with 33 assists.

Game Summary | Box Score

Lunden, Maxwell each record three-point games

Josh Lunden tallied two goals and an assist and Ben Maxwell potted a goal and two helpers but the St. John’s IceCaps concluded the 2012-13 season with a 4-3 shootout loss to the hometown Toronto Marlies Sunday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum.

Tyler Biggs, with his first professional goal, opened the scoring for the Marlies at 8:50 of the first period, before Lunden banked one off the skate of a Marlies defender on the powerplay at 13:29 to square the contest. Jason Jaffray and Maxwell were credited with assists.

The Marlies went ahead 2-1 at 6:47 of the second on a Ryan Lasch tally but Lunden scored his second powerplay goal of the day, his 8th goal of the season, at 15:40 as he deflected a point shot from Zach Redmond. Maxwell was also awarded an assist.

The IceCaps took a 3-2 lead at 18:44 of the second as St. John’s stormed the Marlies zone and Maxwell completed a tic-tac-toe play with Maxime Macenauer and Lunden. The goal was Maxwell’s 11th of the season. However Lasch’s second goal of the day, a powerplay marker at 12:31 of the third period, sent the game into overtime.

After a scoreless extra frame, and no goals after three rounds of the shootout, Dylan Yeo fired a slapper past Mark Dekanich, who was solid again for the IceCaps, to seal the win for Toronto.

Notes:
Lunden was named third star of the game… Redmond was tabbed as Mary’s Brown’s Hardest Working IceCap of the Game…The IceCaps went 2-for-3 on the powerplay and killed off five of the Marlies six powerplays…St. John’s was outshot 29-23… The IceCaps finished the season with a 32-36-3-5 record for 72 points, one point behind Worcester for 4th place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division… O’Dell posted a team-high 29 goals and 55 points (in 59 games), while Jaffray led the club with 33 assists.