If you happen to run into Blackhawaks super prospect Jonathan Toews in the next few days don’t be surprised if he is still wearing his North Dakota uniform.
With Thursday night’s loss to Boston College likely being his final game playing for the Fighting Sioux, Toews couldn't take off his jersey after the game. He sat in his stall with his head buried in his lap for several minutes while still wearing his equipment. Some of his teammates were already headed to the bus before Toews even took off an elbow pad.
When Toews was attending Shattuck-St. mary's with Taylor Chorney, Ryan Duncan, and Chay Genoway they all decided they would attend the same University and play together. The fact that it looks like Toews will leave without a national championship is difficult for him to accept
Toews is smart enough to say he owes it to his teammates to not think about next season. It does him no good to come out and say I'm off to Chicago to play in the NHL.
Sometimes we forget these kids get attached to the college lifestyle and their friends. It’s not that easy to just cut the cord and turn pro no matter how good you are. When Toews was attending Shattuck-St. mary's with Taylor Chorney, Ryan Duncan, and Chay Genoway they all decided they would attend the same University and play together. The fact that it looks like Toews will leave without a national championship is going to be difficult for him to accept
But let's face it, he’s gone.
The better question is what his pal T.J. Oshie will do.
I found it interesting when Oshie told me his decision will no question be impacted by whatever choice Toews makes. Oshie plans on being as committed as ever in the gym this summer with hopes of adding ten pounds of muscle. He will certainly need to add strength to play in the NHL.
I get mixed signals from the Blues on Oshie. While they all agree Oshie is going to develop into an impact player at the NHL level, some think another year in school wouldn’t hurt. Others have told me playing in the NHL next season will be a non-issue for Oshie.
All I know is this; Oshie is really excited to play for the St. Louis Blues. He couldn’t get the smile off his face when I brought up the team that made him a first round pick in 2005. He loved being inside the Blues building. Oshie is so far removed from St. Louis he has no idea how high he is thought of among Blues management and fans. He didn’t even attend the draft the year he was selected, so he has had little face time with anybody from the city or the Blues organization.
This was the first time Oshie had ever been to St. Louis. He said it was really special to finally put a face with the city. Oshie added that seeing fans walking the streets wearing Blues jerseys while driving to the rink was an unbelievable experience.
When I spoke to Oshie following UND’s loss to BC he had not bumped into Larry Pleau or John Davidson while in St. Louis.
Oshie spoke to Erik Johson recently and plans on talking to him again before he makes his decision.
Speaking of Johnson, he has not told the Blues what his intentions are for next season but sources very close to Johnson say he has decided to leave Minnesota.
Both Johnson and Oshie plan on attending the Blues Prospect camp in July.
Oshie will take his time to collect his thoughts and decide on his future.
That’s not exactly the case for Maine goaltender Ben Bishop. He doesn’t need any time.
He wants to turn pro now. He says he’s ready and he’s hoping the Blues feel the same way.
Bishop is confident he can make the transition, but I have the feeling the Blues want him to wait.
First of all it’s a valid question to ask if he is even ready, but also would it make sense to have him play a handful of games backing up Marek Schwarz in Peoria next season? If the Blues wait a year or two Bishop could jump in and be the number one guy in Peoria right away.
A big question heading into this off-season will be if Davidson picks up the phone and offers the 6’7 Bishop a contract.
Bishop was decent Thursday night. Michigan State was successful in creating traffic in front of him and the bounces went the Spartans way as a result.
He has impressive athletic ability for a goaltender his size and handles the puck efficiently.
Other Frozen Notes!
Michigan State forward Tim Kennedy certainly stood out in their victory over Maine. Kennedy was originally a 6th round draft choice by Washington but was traded to Buffalo just minutes after he was selected. He participated in the Sabres prospect camp last summer and knows he needs to put some weight on. He has a chance to be a good player.
He’s a shifty player who plays with a ton of energy. He also grew up in Buffalo, New York playing hockey with Jay Stempniak on the Buffalo Saints. Jay is the younger brother of Blues winger Lee.
Kennedy skates with a number of pros in the summer including Lee Stempmniak and Drew Stafford.
Speaking of Lee he has been officially told USA hockey that he will accept their invitation to play in the World Chpionships later this month.
Kennedy told me in between games that he would rather play North Dakota over Boston College because BC has goaltender Cory Schneider.
Sorry.
Speaking of Schneider, I hear some rumblings coming from BC’s camp that Schneider is hoping to be traded out of Vancouver with Roberto Luongo holding that position on lockdown. The Canucks drafted Schneider in the first round back in 2004.
BC’s Captain Brian Boyle has dominated at both the forward and defense positions this season. This guy has a terrific reach and has powerful stride. His ability to join the attack will be a solid addition for the Los Angeles Kings next season. If Kings fans are wondering, he was used as a defenseman in the Kings prospect camp last summer.
The NCAA randomly selected five players from each team participating in the Frozen Four to be drug tested following both games on Thursday.
Blues President John Davidson gave the entire Boston College club a tour of the Blues dressing room on Tuesday.
If you are a youth hockey player looking to get noticed or a coach trying to get an edge on recruiting you should check out www.fasthockey.com
I caught up with former NHL veteran Scott Young who has started this site along with longtime NHL players Ray Ferraro and Marty Mcinnis, 1984 USA Olympian David Jansen, and women’s hockey legend Cammi Granato.
The site gives coaches a place to find talent. All you have to do is type in what characteristics you are looking for in a player and a long list will appear. For example, If you are looking for a 6’2 left shot D-man just type it in and a list of players will show up that shoot left handed and stand 6’2.
Players can register all their information and even download a video of their own highlights. In addition prospects trying to decide on where to take their game can research the rosters of junior and college clubs to see what a certain teams needs will be a year or two down the road. There are also chat rooms and my space pages.
I encourage all aspiring players to check it out. Sometimes you have to put yourself out there to be seen.
Props go out to Kelly Chase and Brett Hull for bringing the Stanley Cup to St. Louis this past week. Thousands of area kids had their pictures taken with the Cup during the St. Louis Bandits exhibition vs. the US U-18 development team. The Bandits are a Jr. A club owned by Hull and Chase.
Blues Clues!!
Congratulations to both the Blues and KMOX radio on striking a three-year deal. KMOX has always been synonymous with St. Louis sports. Clear channel radio was frustrated by not getting the Blues. They thought they had a deal. A source from Clear Channel tells me they didn’t find out the Blues were going to KMOX until 4:30 the day it was announced.
More on the Curtis Sanford turning down the three year deal story. Sanford says the fact that he becomes arbitration eligible this summer played a major factor in his decision to turn down the Blues three-year offer. He also consulted with several arbitration lawyers provided by the NHLPA prior to making his decision. The lawyers told Sanford it would be a wise move to not accept the deal.
If the Blues elect to go with Jason Bacashihua over Sanford to backup Manny Legace next season he better learn to settle down in the crease. Bacashihua is a solid goalie, but if he continues to rely on his athletic ability as opposed to being fundamentally sound he will run into some problems. If he wasn’t so busy in net he wouldn’t have to make a good save look unbelievable.
Do the Blues need a legit power play quarterback if they have any plans on having a consistent PP next season? When Barret Jackman is your top PP D-man I think it becomes an area that needs a little TLC.
For those who think Dallas Drake is considering retirement next season, you couldn’t be more wrong. I will have more on this very soon.
Congratulations to Sam Goodwin and goaltender Jeff Larsen who recently signed with the Texas Tornados of the NAHL. Both players skated with the U-18 AAA Amateur Blues this past season.
Former Blues Public Relations director Chuck Menke attended the Frozen Four this weekend in St. Louis
I will be on KMOX radio this Saturday evening at 6:30 talking Blues hockey and taking calls.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
[email protected] 
St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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