The majority of prospects that participated in last week’s St. Louis Blues development camp didn’t quite expect to the camp to go the way it did.
Most NHL teams who hold prospect camps held theirs shortly after the draft. Most of the Blues participants expected the camp to be similar to how they heard other NHL club’s had run their camps.
If you watched Andy Murray and his staff run drills you would think this was the middle of the NHL season. It was planned that way, this camp was meant to be an eye opening experience for a lot of these kids who many have gotten to this level based on pure skill and natural ability. As they continue to develop and move on they are quickly learning that everybody can play. If you don’t know how to work you’re going to struggle.
Some players told me they thought camp would be mellow, maybe a little shinny hockey to go with a few basic drills.
Murray began hammering systems into their heads on day one. If you watched the game on Friday you understand the purpose behind the drills. Besides trying to make these guys better players, they were being prepared to play on Friday. There were set breakout plays, defensive schemes, plays off of face-off’s in both ends of the ice. This camp wasn’t intended to be a walk in the park and it didn’t go that way. By the middle of the week the players were spent, but I give them credit for the way they worked. What you saw on the ice was just part of it.
There were meetings, off-ice workouts every day, nutrition and supplements presentations all designed to make them better. The bottom line is if you don’t want to work, chances are you won’t make it.
The game Friday night at the Blues practice facility was exciting for the fans who only get to see many of these players once or twice a year at the most. More than 3,000 fans tried to watch as some were turned away because of fire code regulations.
If sports fans are that into the Blues right now then why aren’t more purchasing season tickets? Ticket sales are up but could still be much higher.
All right it’s award time. Here are the first ever Strickee Awards from last week’s camp! Please remember the awards based on the entire week not just the game on Friday.
STRICKEE AWARDS!
First Team-
LW- Michal Birner (Tremendous shot and scoring touch. Versatile player which will help him adjust to the next level. Should score 20-25 in the AHL this season)
C-T.J. Oshie (Should come out now but his headed back to UND. Thinks the game like an NHL’er. Plays the game with passion.)
RW- David Backes (Has the ability to score 20 in the NHL this year.)
D- Erik Johnson ( Makes plays NHL D-man execute with regularity. Needs to play with the best players in the world.)
D- Roman Polak (When he hits you he’s tries to hurt you. Polak is going to be a top four D-man in the NHL for 12-15 years. He’s ok with waiting a year, he’ll play 30 minutes a game in Peoria this season.)
G- Marek Schwarz (cat like reflexes/ tremendous athlete and competitor. This kids has the determination to be a star.)
Second Team-
LW- Ryan Duncan (loves to go high glove side, all this kid does is score. Can get feisty if his buttons are pushed)
C- Patrick Berglund (Horse with scary skills, needs to improve his skating and add muscle)
RW- Charles Linglet (really a LW but forward positions don’t matter here. Proven scorer at the American league level.)
D- Jonas Junland (Top four D-man in top league in Sweden)
D- Alexander Hellstrom ( Fearless kid who won’t be intimidated)
G- Reto Berra (Quick feet for his size, protects the lower third as well as anyone)
Third Team-
LW- Martin Kariya (Handles himself like a pro on and off the ice/ will be given a chance to make the NHL roster, but will likely begin year in Peoria.)
C- Nicolas Drazenovic (Terrific skater who moves the puck well. Willing to stick his nose into heavy traffic areas)
RW- Anthony Peluso ( you don’t rack up 176 pim’s in the OHL by getting two minute minors. Oh by the way, Like D.J. King, he can play too. Very determined player who competes.)
D- Ian Cole (Passes like an NHL D-Man, will destroy puck carriers in the open ice)
D- Steve Wagner (Good Mobility, smart player who needs seasoning. Could be a diamond in the rough)
G- Mike McKenna ( Turned some heads. 2nd in ECHL MVP voting last season looking for an AHL contract. Took advantage of Ben Bishop’s knee injury.
Strickee’s Honorable Mention Selection's
RW- David Perron (could have easily been named to the second or third team)
RW- Aaron Palushaj
RW- Ryan Reaves
RW- Jay Barriball
C- Brett Sonne
D- Ryan Turek
D- Cade Fairchild
Most Outstanding Player:
T.J. Oshie
Most Improved Player:
Patrick Berglund- Started off shaky, but found his confidence mid-week showing excellent puck skills for a kid that’s 6’4 and just turned 19.
Concerned-
G- Jusso Riksman- Struggled all week; I know everyone is looking for another Niklas Backstrom but I’m going to go out on a limb and say the Blues may want to continue their search. This 30 year old native of Finland, who the Blues signed this summer, struggled from day one and never found his rhythm. I know you don’t win or lose a job in development camp, but you can pencil him in on the Peoria roster right now. Jason Bacashihua, here’s your chance. Bacashihua’s agent fought hard in negotiations for a one way contract, he didn’t get it but it may not matter now.
Injuries:
D- Neil Komadoski (DNP in Game/Groin)
C- Lars Eller (Injured)
G- Ben Bishop (injured)
Blues Clues!
John Paulson was in awe all week. Paulson plays NCAA Div.3 hockey for St. Olaf College in Minnesota. The line of the week goes to him. “I just went from playing D-3 hockey to finding myself sitting in an NHL locker room where I can walk up and talk to Al Macinnis whenever I want.”
Lars Eller will have his cast removed from his surgically repaired wrist this Friday. He is staying in St. Louis this week and living with Yan Statsny in his Father Petr’s house. Lars will return to St. Louis in eight weeks to have his wrist looked at.
Erik Johnson will live with Hall of Famer Al Macinnis this season. Erik’s agent Pat Brisson asked Al if Erik could live with him.
I emceed a charity dinner for New England Patriots starting running back Laurence Maroney this past weekend. A signed Erik Johnson helmet went for $700.00 dollars to a NFL player who plays for the Dallas Cowboys. The player asked to remain anonymous.
Ian Cole’s parents made the trip from Ann Arbour, Michigan to see the Blue and Gold scrimmage on Friday.
FYI the players were told not to fight prior to Friday night’s scrimmage. It wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense to have Hans Benson who turns 25 next month to square off against Anthony Peluso who just turned 18.
Ben Bishop’s knee is feeling much better after having it scoped just before camp. He is off to Maine to works some hockey schools. Bishop can return to the ice in a matter of days. His knee was bothering him much of last season but Bishop didn’t think it was serious. His groin was giving him much more trouble than his knee.
Marek Schwarz will head to London, Ontario in August to work with goaltending coach Dave Rook.
Pat Maroon, Philadelphia Flyers sixth round choice and St. Louis native will play in the OHL next season for the London Knights. Maroon had originally committed to play NCAA hockey for Ferris State University.
The Gold teams best line on Friday surprisingly consisted of Ryan Reaves, Anthony Peluso, and Travis Erstad.
Reaves is headed back to Brandon to work with Strength coach Jim Fredrickson who knows Blues Strength Coach Nelson Ayotte. In August Reaves will get back on the ice in Winnipeg where he skates with Tyler Arnason, Cam Barker, and Dustin Penner. Richard Burr runs the program in Winnipeg.
St. Louis Bandits Head Coach John Cooper is coaching the Americans at the Five Nations Tournament in the Czech Republic this August. The top 1991’s from the USA will compete in the tournament. Local kid John Ramage, who recently committed to play for the Bandits, has been named to the USA team. John is the son of former NHL veteran Rob Ramage. USA joins Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia to make up the five nations.
Players who are committed to the U.S. Development program are not eligible to play in the tournament.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
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St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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