By Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department
(TEMPORARY) NEW LOOK FOR THE RIVERMEN:
The Peoria Rivermen have asked their fans to design an alternate uniform for the Rivs to wear in a game during the upcoming season, and now they're asking the fans to vote on one of the choices shown at left.
You can see detailed looks at each of the four sweater designs, as well as pants and socks, lettering, striping, etc. by clicking HERE. You can also vote for your favorite design at this link.
(DISCLAIMER: Of the designs shown, only Option "B" in the poll at the Rivs' site uses a logo which the Rivermen have already trademarked and registered.)
Voting will only be open until August 22nd, so head over to the Rivs' official site and cast your vote right away.
SPEAKING OF THE RIVERMEN (AND OTHER PROSPECTS):
A couple of weeks ago, Russian hockey columnist Dmitry Chesnokov Tweeted this to his followers:
Sergei Andronov,
— Dmitry Chesnokov (@dchesnokov) July 19, 2012@stlouisblues 2009 3rd round draft pick, will spend the next season in the Blues organization.
Since then, there has been no official word from the Blues on Andronov's possible arrival, but it's been reported at "Hockey's Future" that award-winning Rivermen beat writer Dave Eminian has Tweeted that Doug Armstrong is supposed to be meeting with Andronov at an undisclosed location. The Blues have 49 contracts already in place, so if Andronov is offered a contract, it may be an AHL-only "prove it" deal at first. Stay tuned... there will be much more in-depth Rivermen coverage coming in the next few weeks as the season draws closer.
Elsewhere, August means junior tournaments, and one of the Blues' top prospects is already scheduled to take part in one of them.
2011 top pick Ty Rattie will be taking part in the 2012 Canada-Russia Challenge, a four-game tournament scheduled to begin this week with a pair of games in Yaroslavl, Russia on Aug. 9 and 10, followed by two games in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Aug. 13 and 14.
Also, the annual Ivan Hlinka Tournament is scheduled to get under way this week, giving scouts the world over their first in-game look at potential 2013 Entry Draft selections (yes, I'm already thinking about next year's draft).
PONICH CLOSES OUT BLUES' TOP TEN PROSPECTS:
After strong showings in the polling for the 8th and 9th positions in the 2012 "Game Time" Summer Prospect Poll, towering defenseman Brett Ponich has secured the last spot among the Blues' Top Ten prospects.
The 6' 7 Alberta native took 30% of the total votes this week (24 votes), a double-digit margin of victory over runner-up Jani Hakanpää (14 votes/17%). Incoming rookie power forward Cody Beach (10 votes/12%) was the only other player this week to garner double figures in the raw vote tally.
This week, we've added another prospect goaltender to the mix for your consideration. New poll below; updated prospect listing after the jump.
ST. LOUIS BLUES TOP 20 PROSPECTS (1 THRU 10):
1. | Vladimir TARASENKO | ||||||||||
RW, shoots L. 5' 11, 210 lbs. Born 12-31-91, Novosibirsk, RUS. | STL 2nd pick (16th overall) in 2010 Entry Draft. | ||||||||||
2011-12 | Sibir/SKA (KHL) | 54 GP, 23-24-47, plus-18, 15 PM, 7 PPG, 0 SHG, 6 GWG. 0.870 Pts/Gm. |
2. | Jaden SCHWARTZ | ||||||||||
LW, shoots L. 5' 10, 180 lbs. Born 06-25-92, Melfort, SK. | STL 1st pick (14th overall) in 2010 Entry Draft. | ||||||||||
2011-12 | Colorado College (WCHA) | 30 GP, 15-26-41, plus-6, 18 PM, 5 PPG, 0 SHG, 4 GWG. 1.367 Pts/Gm. |
3. | Ty RATTIE | ||||||||||
RW, shoots R. 5' 11, 170 lbs. Born 02-05-93, Airdrie, AB. | STL 1st pick (32nd overall) in 2011 Entry Draft. | ||||||||||
2011-12 | Portland (WHL) | 69 GP, 57-64-121, plus-23, 54 PM, 26 PPG, 4 SHG, 9 GWG. 1.754 Pts/Gm. |
4. | Ian COLE | ||||||||||
D, shoots L. 6' 01, 225 lbs. Born 02-21-89, Ann Arbor, MI. | STL 2nd pick (18th overall) in 2007 Entry Draft. | ||||||||||
2011-12 | St. Louis (NHL) | 26 GP, 1-5-6, plus-7, 22 PM, 0 PPG, 0 SHG, 0 GWG. 0.231 Pts/Gm. |
5. | Jake ALLEN | ||||||||||
G, catches L. 6' 02, 195 lbs. Born 08-07-90, Fredericton, NB. | STL 3rd pick (34th overall) in 2008 Entry Draft. | ||||||||||
2011-12 | Peoria (AHL) | 37 GP, 2088 Mins, 99 GA, 1203 SA, 2.84 GAA, 13-19-2, 1 SO, 0.918 Sv %. |
6. | Philip McRAE | ||||||||||
C, shoots L. 6' 02, 200 lbs. Born 03-15-90, Apple Valley, MN. | STL 2nd pick (33rd overall) in 2008 Entry Draft. | ||||||||||
2011-12 | Peoria (AHL) | 71 GP, 23-16-39, minus-10, 26 PM, 7 PPG, 0 SHG, 2 GWG. 0.549 Pts/Gm. |
7. | Cade FAIRCHILD | ||||||||||
D, shoots L. 5' 11, 190 lbs. Born 01-15-89, Duluth, MN. | STL 7th pick (96th overall) in 2007 Entry Draft. | ||||||||||
2011-12 | Peoria (AHL) | 68 GP, 8-26-34, plus-26, 32 PM, 2 PPG, 0 SHG, 3 GWG. 0.500 Pts/Gm. |
8. | Jordan SCHMALTZ | ||||||||||
D, shoots R. 6' 02, 189 lbs. Born 10-08-93, Verona, WI. | STL 1st pick (25th overall) in 2008 Entry Draft. | ||||||||||
2011-12 | Sioux City/Green Bay (USHL) | 55 GP, 10-31-41, plus-11, 29 PM, 5 PPG, 1 SHG, 2 GWG. 0.745 Pts/Gm. |
9. | Anthony NIGRO | ||||||||||
C, shoots L. 6' 00, 189 lbs. Born 01-11-90, Toronto, ON. | STL 9th pick (155th overall) in 2008 Entry Draft. | ||||||||||
2011-12 | Peoria (AHL) | 75 GP, 13-12-25, plus-12, 36 PM, 2 PPG, 1 SHG, 1 GWG. 0.333 Pts/Gm. |
10. | Brett PONICH | ||||||||||
D, shoots L. 6' 07, 225 lbs. Born 02-21-91, Edmonton, AB. | STL 2nd pick (48th overall) in 2009 Entry Draft. | ||||||||||
2011-12 | Peoria (AHL) | 61 GP, 0-5-5, even, 47 PM, 0 PPG, 0 SHG, 0 GWG. 0.082 Pts/Gm. |