Wolverine Update: Ward, Halko, Knuble, Oliver

[M-HockeyNet]

Aaron Ward signed a new long-term contract with Carolina today. The deal is four years worth $7.5 million. He will be paid $1.5 million this season and $2 million per season for the next three years. It's kind of surprising he signed long-term because he was set to become an unrestricted free agent after next season. But hell, he seems very happy there (at least he's getting to play a role, unlike under Bowman), so who cares about free agency then. At least he won't have to go through another contract dispute for a while and can focus on hockey.

Steve Halko signed with Carolina. St. Louis bought out the remainder of his contract, so the Hurricanes picked him up. Halko had played with the 'Canes in previous years before being part of a trade for Sean Hill.

Mike Knuble re-signed with Boston for two years. Terms were not released.

The Dallas Stars signed David Oliver to a one-year contract. Oliver spent last season with the Munich Barons of the German Elite League.

<a href="http://MichiganHockey.net/" target=new>Michigan Hockey Net</a>

[jen]

Here's another (rather old - that update that is, not Cam :)) Wolverine update: Cam Stewart named assistant coach of the Houston Aeros (AHL):

http://www.aeros.com/news/?id=147

[David Epstein]

Jason Botterill has just signed with Buffalo.

[M-HockeyNet]

Former Wolverine defenseman Steve Richmond (father of incoming freshman defenseman Danny Richmond) has left his job as coach of the Chicago Steel (USHL) and has taken a scouting position with the Washington Capitals.

[jen]

A nice article from nhl.com about Cam Stewart: http://www.nhl.com/intheslot/read/goodguys/stewart_cam090602.html

[Greyeagle]

I had posted this in the MN Wild Thread in the Cafe - Thought some U-MI fans would enjoy this article. Enjoy.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Nice article about Muckolt in today's Star-Trib:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/1330/3240972.html

Text below. He has to score at least one goal - right?
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Wild: Muckalt ready for a very Brady year with Wild
Chip Scoggins
Star Tribune

Published Sep 19, 2002 WILD0919

Bill Muckalt and Tom Brady's careers could not have been any more disparate when the former college buddies spent some time together on a winter day in New York City.

While Muckalt was playing out a nightmarish season with the Ottawa Senators, Brady had just been named Super Bowl MVP after guiding the New England Patriots to a stunning upset of the St. Louis Rams.


Bill Muckalt wants to resurrect his career with the Wild.

Judy Griesedieck
Star Tribune
"His whole life changed after that," Muckalt said. "He said it was great but crazy. In one year, his whole world was turned upside down."

Muckalt laughed at the thought of it. In a sense, the same can be said of his hockey career.

In what has been described as everything from a freak occurrence to an aberration, Muckalt played 70 games without scoring a goal for the Senators last season. He finished with eight assists, but the zero in the goals column stood out like a four-alarm fire.

This from a guy who averaged 26 goals a season in his four-year career at the University of Michigan, finished second in voting for the Hobey Baker Award as a college senior and scored 16 goals in his NHL rookie season with Vancouver in 1998-99.

"Obviously, things didn't go the way I wanted last year," he said. "But I know I worked as hard as I could and put everything I had into having a good season. That's just how life goes sometimes. You can't always have what you want."

It would be overly simplistic to try and pinpoint one reason. A right winger who was traded from the New York Islanders to Ottawa on draft day last summer, Muckalt got off to a dismal start, found himself buried on the fourth line, began pressing to make something happen and ended up making matters worse.

Ottawa opted not to make Muckalt a qualifying offer after the season, and the Wild swooped in and signed him to a two-year contract. "As much as going through that is bad and tough, hopefully you learn from it and grow from it," Muckalt said.

Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough said he didn't spend much time trying to discern the reasons behind Muckalt's scoring drought, referring to it as a "freak thing." Risebrough was more concerned with finding a physical forward who also has speed, and Muckalt (6-2, 200 pounds) fit the profile.

"We didn't say we're going to get a guy who is going to score 20 goals," Risebrough said. "We were looking for a guy who has some size and has some speed."

Muckalt already has earned a measure of respect among his new teammates because of his willingness to push himself in practice. Several players said they sympathize with what happened to Muckalt last season, but they don't believe it was a reflection of his effort.

"He's a hard-working guy," center Sergei Zholtok said. "He doesn't cut any angles. He looks like he has a pretty good scoring touch. I heard last year was tough for him. That happens. But the one thing a player can control is how hard he works. And he does that."

Wild coach Jacques Lemaire said he needs to evaluate Muckalt more to determine where and how he fits in. The coaching staff probably will use Muckalt in a variety of situations when the team opens its preseason schedule Friday in Anaheim.

"If he starts to score, then we'll try to put him on the line where he will be able to get some goals," Lemaire said. "If he shows us that he's going to become a great checker, then it will be different."

Muckalt said his immediate goal is to get acclimated to Lemaire's system and his teammates. His role will evolve in time. "To say you should play this way or that way is not fair to anyone," he said. "I've been in the league for a while so I know what it takes. I just want to rebound this year and play the way I'm capable of."

-- Chip Scoggins is at ascoggins@startribune.com.

[devsrule]

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/273/sports/Hilbert_finds_way_for_Bruins+.shtml

Hilbert finds way for Bruins

By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff, 9/30/2002

NEW YORK - He had never been to New York City. He'd heard about it, seen it on TV, and was aware of all the history it had to offer. However, there is no way Bruins rookie Andy Hilbert had any idea that his first trip to Madison Square Garden would be by car with him driving feverishly to get to yesterday's exhibition game against the Rangers on time.

Maybe he should drive to all the games. He scored a pair of goals although it wasn't enough as the Bruins fell in overtime, 4-3. The team dropped to 1-4-0-1 in the preseason.

Because of a miscommunication, Hilbert, who had been assigned to Providence earlier in camp, didn't know he was in the lineup. When he got word, it was too late to meet the team. When Hilbert was reached at about 1:30 p.m. and told he was supposed to play, he went to the rink in Providence to get his equipment. It was locked so he had to call the trainers to open the door. He finally got into his car around 2, gassed up and headed south. Having no idea how to get to New York, he spent a good deal of time on his cell phone with senior assistant to the president Nate Greenberg, who guided him to the Big Apple. It wasn't so easy though. He missed his exit getting off the George Washington Bridge and wound up at LaGuardia Airport. He doubled back, found the right exit, and fought traffic from there.

When he got close to the rink, Sean Coady, the director of pro scouting and player development, took over. Coady went outside the Garden and guided Hilbert right to the front door. It was 5:40 when Hilbert popped out and Coady parked his car. The rookie suited up in time for the second period.

''It was quite a day, that's for sure,'' said Hilbert. ''It's definitely going to be a memorable one. It was definitely nerve-wracking. There was traffic and every single time I got in traffic, I got more nervous. Then I got lost. The easiest part was playing the game, that's for sure. Everything else was impossible.''

With the Rangers ahead, 2-0, on goals by Rico Fata and Sandy McCarthy, Hilbert took a pass from Marty McInnis and scored on the power play at 19:04 of the second period to cut the deficit in half. Dixon Ward made it a two-goal lead again at 4:47 of the third but Hilbert, with an assist from Nick Boynton, pulled the Bruins within 3-2 at 5:11 and Martin Lapointe tied it at 14:15. But rookie center Jamie Lundmark took a pass from Ward, a former Bruin who played in Switzerland last season, and beat goalie Tim Thomas at 1:09 of the extra session. ...

[RichS]

Was at the game and ...Hilbert almost had the hat trick! Blackburn robbed him late in the third!

[jen]

Article on Marty Turco (and Brian Griese): http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E107%257E914641%257E,00.html

[Lord Sidious]

Great story, jen! Thanks!

[MaizeOut]

Originally posted by Lord Sidious
Great story, jen! Thanks!

I don't know how great that story was. The NHL made it sound it like everything was going great for Cam, but they also casually threw in that he needed Post-It notes to remind him of daily tasks, he can't be in bright light, and he has insomnia.

I thought it was kind of a sad story.

[jen]

MaizeOut, you think maybe Sidious meant the story I posted today, listed right before his post, and not the one I posted on September 20th? ;)

[MaizeOut]

Originally posted by jen
MaizeOut, you think maybe Sidious meant the story I posted today, listed right before his post, and not the one I posted on September 20th? ;)

I don't know. But I'm usually wrong about everything, so you're probably right.

[Lord Sidious]

Yes, I meant the article about Turco and Griese was great. It is interesting how their careers have taken remarkably similar paths.

Stewart having to retire from hockey due to concussions is most certainly not great.

In both cases, thanks jen for the updates.

[MaizeOut]

Technically this a Michigan hockey alumni question, but it deals more with the broadcasting side of things.

Obviously we all know what happened to Ken Kal, but whatever happened to Drew McCaughey? I always thought those two were great. McCaughey kinda disappeared. Anyone know what happened to him?

[goldy_331]

I know he's been out for a while, but Muckalt got two goals last night for the Wild in a 4-1 win over Florida. He also may have broken a bone in his foot.

[M-HockeyNet]

Not only did Billy score a pair of goals, but he broke his 75-game goal-less streak. And he only had a deep bruise, no broken foot. In fact, he played tonight against Dallas and scored the empty netter to ice the game.

[Tony]

Not sure if this was ever posted

From ESPN.com

Thursday, October 24
College to pro, a minor feat for Komisarek

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SportsTicker


BOSTON -- What's a college hockey coach to do?

Young players leaving college early has become the norm in basketball, but with increased salaries and hopes of making it big, the lure of the NHL has become powerful as well.

It was for Montreal Canadiens farmhand Mike Komisarek.

The 20-year-old Komisarek, a University of Michigan product, just missed the cut out of training camp this year and was sent to the minors and the Hamilton Bulldogs, an American Hockey League affiliate for both the Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers.

Through five games, the defenseman has recorded two assists and has a plus-1 rating, but his coach, Claude Julien, would like to see more of Komisarek's aggressive side.

"That's where Mike really has to improve," said Julien. "And I think that's why Montreal sent him down. He needs to get more comfortable on a regular basis. There's times where you'd want him to get a little more physical and he's capable of doing it.

"He's feeling his way through the league and right now we'd like to see a little more of that from Mike and I know that's where he'd like to improve."

Komisarek's blend of vision, strength and size was enough to convince Montreal to draft him seventh overall in 2001. The 6-4, 225-pound rearguard, the first collegiate player selected that year, played one more season with the Wolverines before opting to leave in June, two months after the Wolverines appeared in their second straight Frozen Four.

Komisarek had told the Wolverines coaching staff earlier that he'd be returning for his junior season.

"I think it was definitely a surprise to us," said Michigan coach Red Berenson. "He was planning on coming back next year when he left here at the end of June. As things developed and as Montreal came into the picture, everything changed. We were all surprised and disappointed that he made that decision."

Komisarek wasn't.

"It was time to move on," said Komisarek, who registered 46 points in 50 games during his two-year career with the Wolverines. "I think I was ready to accept the next challenge and this is something that I want to do for the rest of my life. Obviously, leaving a place like Michigan was very tough. It's a great school and even a better hockey program."

From early indications, there is a general feeling that Komisarek will eventually make it to the NHL.

"There's no doubt in my mind that Mike made the right decision," said Julien, referring to Komisarek's decision to turn pro. "Mike is what you would consider a complete defenseman. He's very good defensively, he's big and strong, and has the attributes to become a really successful defensive, defenseman.

"He's definitely going to play in the NHL, it's just a matter of time and how quickly he develops. A year from now I think we'll have a pretty good idea of what Mike's capable of bringing to the table at the NHL level."

Driving Komisarek is his incessant need to succeed. Failure is not an option, and it never has been. Komisarek, who is known for his mean streak when he hits the ice, believes his will and drive is what takes over when he plays.

"I've always been a competitive kid by nature," said Komisarek. "I never liked to lose, I don't think anyone does. I've never accepted being average or mediocre. I always wanted to be the best, so I think that's something that makes me (motivated)."

Yet his customary punishing hits and hard checks has been absent thus far in the minors.

"You don't want to be running around looking for that big hit," said Komisarek. "You want to play your position well and anytime you have a chance to use your checks you do it. But I think you don't want to have the mentality of always looking for that big hit because guys are so skilled here, they move the puck so well, you'll get caught pretty quickly and the puck will end up in your net."

Possessing talent is one thing, but parlaying it into a successful pro career is another. While the NBA searches for an identity with its surplus of youngsters, the NHL is slowly following its lead -- like it or not. It's a trend that frustrates and concerns Berenson.

"I just wonder if those kids feel good about where they are now," the veteran coach said. "To play in the minors and give up a year of school isn't always a great thing. It's not so much what the team is missing, it's what the kids are missing. A lot of these kids have a dream of playing in the NHL and when someone tells them that they're gonna play in the NHL, they're ready to jump at it."

Komisarek jumped. But he will be the first to tell you that its a matter of adjustments and that once he makes them, he'll be just as ready as anyone else for a promotion.

"Just getting more comfortable out there," he said, when asked what it takes to adjust. "Just relaxing, having fun, and being confident in yourself and your abilities. I think that's the biggest thing, and I think that's why they sent me down here -- for me to gain confidence and get acquainted with the pro-style game.

"I'm trying to make the most of each day and I know if I continue to work hard and put my mind to it, eventually I'll be up there."

[RowdyWolverine]

Comrie made NHL 2night on Sunday.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=221208028

"In the final minute of the first period, Comrie checked Kovalchuk in front of the Oilers bench and Kovalchuk responded with a high shove with his stick. Kovalchuk then grabbed Comrie and the two began to exchange awkward, but heated punches. It was the first fighting major of Kovalchuk's career, and the first game misconduct of Comrie's career. Kovalchuk was not ejected."

Apparently, Mike didn't have his shirt laced down and so when it came off, they gave him the misconduct penalty.

Mike Comrie 5-9 175
Ilya Kovalchuk 6-2 235

[jen]

Originally posted by RowdyWolverine
"In the final minute of the first period, Comrie checked Kovalchuk in front of the Oilers bench and Kovalchuk responded with a high shove with his stick. Kovalchuk then grabbed Comrie and the two began to exchange awkward, but heated punches. It was the first fighting major of Kovalchuk's career, and the first game misconduct of Comrie's career. Kovalchuk was not ejected."


How very interesting.

I imagine they do not like each much anyway after the whole illegal stick saga last season.