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1. It's 1917 all over again, a Russian Revolution in the Blues' organization. Vladimir Tarasenko returns to St. Louis for the short NHL season... was there truly ever any doubt? Evgeny Grachev and Sergey Andronov are sparking a mid-season resurgence for the Peoria Rivermen, and Russian-born Dmitrij Jaskin returns from the World Juniors to pick up where he left off for Moncton of the QMJHL. Goaltending prospects Binnington, Karpowich and Tremblay are also in the spotlight this week.
By Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department
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PROSPECT TRANSACTIONS THIS WEEK
01-10-13: D Nick Walters traded from Everett to Brandon (WHL) with F Taylor Sanheim for D Ayrton Nikkel and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2015 WHL Midget Draft. Link HERE to article at Brandon Wheat Kings website.
"We think we've improved our defence," (Brandon GM Brad) McCrimmon said. "The addition of Nick Walters gives us a proven, experienced defenceman. He's an NHL draft choice (picked in the fourth round by the St. Louis Blues this year), he fits in age-wise with our team to be a returning player, so that is a move that we felt is going to improve our team this year and next year."
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PROSPECT INJURY REPORT
11-19-12: C Tyrel Seaman (Brandon/WHL) out indefinitely with concussion symptoms.
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PEORIA REVIEW AND PREVIEW
In the past, the Blues have had several Russian prospects high-tail it for home rather than play in the AHL. This season, however, two Russian prospects -- Evgeny Grachev and Sergey Andronov -- are playing big roles for the Rivermen as they continue the long climb out of the AHL Midwest Division basement. Today's game with Milwaukee marks the halfway point of the AHL season, and if the Rivs can earn a victory, they will even their season mark at 17-17-2-2.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW, PEORIA EDITION:
Peoria 2 at San Antonio 5, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. LINK to AHL game sheet.
Peoria 5 vs Milwaukee 2, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. LINK to AHL game sheet.
Peoria 3 at Grand Rapids 2 (OT), Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. LINK to AHL game sheet.
THE WEEK AHEAD, PEORIA EDITION:
Sunday, January 13, 2013 ... Game Time 5:00 PM CST at Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI. NHL Affiliate: Nashville Predators.
Friday, January 18, 2013 ... Game Time 7:05 PM CST at BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, IL. NHL Affiliate: Chicago Blackhawks.
Saturday, January 19, 2013 ... Game Time 7:35 PM CST at Carver Arena, Peoria, IL. NHL Affiliate: Dallas Stars.
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EVANSVILLE REVIEW AND PREVIEW
The IceMen are coming off of a very successful week themselves, with a 3-0-1-0 record for seven of a possible eight points in the last seven days. Evansville has pulled ahead of Trenton and Kalamazoo to escape the ECHL's Eastern Conference basement, but at 15-21-1-3 for 34 points in 40 games played, the IceMen still have a lot of work to do to get themselves into the playoff picture.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW, EVANSVILLE EDITION:
Evansville 4 vs Cincinnati 1, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. LINK to ECHL game sheet.
Evansville 4 vs Fort Wayne 1, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. LINK to ECHL game sheet.
Evansville 2 at Elmira 3 (OT), Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. LINK to ECHL game sheet.
Evansville 4 at Elmira 3 (OT), Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. LINK to ECHL game sheet.
THE WEEK AHEAD, EVANSVILLE EDITION:
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 ... Game Time 7:15 PM CST at Ford Center, Evansville, IN. NHL Affiliate: Anaheim Ducks.
Friday, January 18, 2013 ... Game Time 7:15 PM CST at Ford Center, Evansville, IN. NHL Affiliate: Vancouver Canucks.
Saturday, January 19, 2013 ... Game Time 7:15 PM CST at Ford Center, Evansville, IN. NHL Affiliate: Chicago / Detroit.
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FEATURES THIS WEEK
For the second week in a row, prospect goaltenders and players involved in the World Juniors stood out among Blues' prospects. Details and discussion on Monday, Jan. 14 at 6:00 PM Central.
All the prospect scoring, penalty, and goaltending statistics a Blues' fan could want... minor pro, Europe, major junior and college. Details and discussion on Monday, Jan. 7 at 7:00 PM Central.