By Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department
PROSPECT PROMOTIONS / DEMOTIONS:
10-26-11 -- RW Chase Polacek assigned to Alaska (ECHL) by Peoria (AHL). (LINK).
PROSPECT TRADES:
None to report this week.
PLAYERS ON SICK CALL:
C Jay Barriball (Peoria / AHL) out indefinitely on Oct. 27, 2011 with upper body injury (unspecified).
PLAYERS RETURNED TO DUTY:
D Brock Beukeboom (Niagara / OHL) returned from upper body injury on Oct. 26, 2011.
D Joel Edmundson (Moose Jaw / WHL) returned from lower body injury Oct. 26, 2011.
PLAYERS ON SUSPENSION:
None to report this week.
DARK HORSE KARPOWICH QUIETLY HAVING A GREAT SENIOR YEAR:
The 2008 NHL Entry Draft is looking more and more like a pretty rich haul for the Blues' organization.
In addition to first-rounder Alex Pietrangelo (4th overall), back-to-back second-round picks Philip McRae (33rd) and Jake Allen (34th), and third-round selection (65th) Jori Lehtera, the Blues also added a young goaltender named Paul Karpowich to the organization with the 185th pick overall in the seventh round.
After a strong season with the Wellington Dukes of the Ontario Junior "A" League in his draft year, Karpowich has been the number one 'keeper for Clarkson University since Game One of his freshman year in 2008-09. The Golden Knights have been less than competitive for the last three seasons, but 2011-12 has been a little different. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native has played every minute of the season so far this year, and he and the Knights have a 5-1-2 record in early ECAC play.
Here's a brief video of Karpowich denying failed prospect Travis Erstad not once, but four times at the 2009 Development Camp.
Here's a video interview with Karpowich conducted by the Watertown (NY) Times on Oct. 19, where he discusses meeting Clarkson and NHL legend Dave Taylor (41-67-108 in 34 games in 1976-77, fourth all-time in NCAA single-season scoring), the Blues' current Director of Player Personnel.
FEATURES THIS WEEK:
RIVER READINGS
The Rivermen got on a roll this past week, earning points in four straight games before falling to Rockford on Friday night. Vets Hensick and Sterling lead Peoria's scoring parade. Details at 2:00 PM Central Time.
TRENDING UP
Some new faces in the "Fab Five" this week, and a couple of familiar faces as well. Plus, "May the Schwartz be with you" every week from now on. Details at 3:00 PM Central Time.
WEEKLY PROSPECT STATISTICS REVIEW
The most complete weekly source of Blues' prospect scoring and goaltending stats available anywhere in one place. Details at 4:00 PM Central Time.