Hartley Miller's Slapshots - June 20th, 2008 Edition
Friday, June 20, 2008 03:45 AM
It has been relatively quiet during the past couple of months 
with the Prince George Cougars. For the team’s sake, and more importantly, the paying public, let’s hope Cougars’ management has been working hard behind the scenes to finally make a legitimate pick in the CHL European draft.
with the Prince George Cougars. For the team’s sake, and more importantly, the paying public, let’s hope Cougars’ management has been working hard behind the scenes to finally make a legitimate pick in the CHL European draft.While the NHL Entry draft is taking over the headlines this weekend, (Don’t look for any Cougars to be among the top selections) the highlight (lowlight?) for the Cougars will be the import draft scheduled for June 26th.
The team’s documented lack of success for 14 seasons in Prince George can be partially attributed to their mediocre European selections. Junior teams obviously need connections overseas to make the right choice, so one can assume that the Cats have received poor scouting reports, time and time again. Yes, it has been poor scouting, or somebody has been playing a cruel joke.
Historically, most WHL perennial contenders have at least one elite European. The Cougars, on the other hand, have landed few “cream of the crop” players from overseas. In fact, many of these players aren’t even household names in their own home.
Here is a summary of the Cats choices since arriving in PG: (Honestly now, how many of these guys do you remember?)
|
Year Selected
|
Player(s) Selected
|
Country
|
Overall CHL
|
|
2007
|
Patrick Magnusson
|
Sweden
|
#28
|
|
2007
|
Jan Kupec
|
Czech Republic
|
#70
|
|
2006
|
Patrick Vrana
|
Czech Republic
|
#35
|
|
2005
|
Fred Wikner
|
Sweden
|
#12
|
|
2005
|
Alexandre Alexandrov
|
Russia
|
#66
|
|
2004
|
Siarhei Kolasau
|
Belarus
|
#57
|
|
2004
|
Adam Lukacovic
|
Czech Republic
|
#64
|
|
2003
|
Stanislav Bloshakov
|
Russia
|
#14
|
|
2003
|
Denis Rehak
|
Slovakia
|
#51
|
|
2002
|
Stefan Sarka
|
Slovakia
|
#33
|
|
2002
|
Lukas Cvejn
|
Slovakia
|
#88
|
|
2001
|
Michal Lukac
|
Slovakia
|
#22
|
|
2000
|
David Koci
|
Czech Republic
|
#41
|
|
2000
|
Thomas Tesaruk
|
Czech Republic
|
#65
|
|
1999
|
Roman Takac
|
Slovakia
|
#30
|
|
1998
|
Joseph Mrena
|
Slovakia
|
#37
|
|
1997
|
Petr Kubos
|
Czech Republic
|
#14
|
|
1997
|
Alex Andreyev
|
Latvia
|
#56
|
|
1996
|
Zdeno Chara
|
Slovakia
|
# 6
|
|
1995
|
Petr Buzek
|
Czech Republic
|
#25
|
|
1994
|
Alexandre Budajev
|
Russia
|
#32
|
Not one of the 21 players above holds a Cougar team record, was an all-star or league award winner. Zdeno Chara, injured in much of his only season in PG, is arguably the only aforementioned player that can be considered an impact player. Is there another major junior team in the country that has drafted so many underachievers? (Notice how I am getting nicer in my old age and not saying “stiffs”?)
There are many reasons why some franchises consistently do well, while others flounder. In order for the Cougars to turn the corner, they need help, in many areas, but better results in the European Import Draft will be a starting point.
In 2008, the Cougars will pick 9th, the second highest position ever. But will they make the best choice available? Based on recent history that pick may come down to four letters “P-A-S-S”.
From the quote rack:
“Ron Wilson said he was the “happiest person in the NHL” after being hired as the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He really must have hated all that playoff pressure.” -Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)
“That will be Cliff Fletcher's job.” Toronto comedian Frenchie McFarlane, on Ron Wilson insisting he will not accept defeat with the Maple Leafs.
“A. Rocco Mediate.
Q. What did Jimmy Hoffa tell an associate to avert a strike?” Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Q. What did Jimmy Hoffa tell an associate to avert a strike?” Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
“The Red Sox have announced 'The Intern', a competition in which the winner will spend a one-month unpaid internship with the team. They also denied that Bill Clinton has become part owner.” Bill Littlejohn
“The same as usual being served breakfast in shifts.” Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary http://smacksport.blogspot.com/), on how ex-Bronco Travis Henry (9 kids with 9 women) spent Fathers Day.
“Maybe that's why so many North Americans identified with him.” Vancouver comic Torben Rolfsen www.theprovince.com/liveat5), after Big Brown's jockey, Kent Desmormeaux, stated that his horse ran out of gas while trying to complete the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes.
“Disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy claims that referees fixed NBA playoff games, specifically a 2002 Lakers series against Sacramento. Apparently whenever they wanted to keep the score low, they would just keep sending Shaq to shoot free throws.” Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)
And in case you missed it:
The Boston Celtics-LA Lakers six game NBA championship series was broadcast in 46 languages.
And how was your week?
Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com
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