Former Cane' Kris Versteeg NHL Rookie Finalist

Anaheim Ducks forward Bobby Ryan, Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason and Chicago Blackhawks forward Kris Versteeg are the finalists for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year, the league announced Wednesday.

Versteeg, a fifth-round choice (134th overall) of the Boston Bruins in 2004, led all rookies with 31 assists while finishing second to Ryan with 53 points. The 22-year-old from Lethbridge added a rookie-best four short-handed goals. "Bobby Ryan and Mason, those are two pretty special players and to be loaded into a class with those guys, it's a huge compliment for myself," Versteeg said Wednesday from Calgary, where the Blackhawks were facing the Flames in a Western Conference quarter-final series. "I was a bit surprised. It caught me off guard. This year, I've always known I could help offensively and I was put in some situations to succeed and just tried to do my best with that." Versteeg played with the Lethbridge Hurricanes from 2002-2005 and compiled 119 points in 3 seasons.

Story from the Canadian Press

Beach Sent Home from AHL's Ice Dogs

As reported this week on Gregg Drinnan's Blog which you can find in my blog list on this site:

It seems that Lethbridge Hurricanes F Kyle Beach didn’t finish the season with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. . . . From Patrick Kissane’s Chitown Daily News Chicago Hockey Blog: “News flash, noticeably absent from (Sunday) night's game was Blackhawks prospects Akim Aliu and Kyle Beach. Apparently both received disciplinary actions from the IceHogs front office. There is a code of conduct that is expected of the players by both the IceHogs and the Blackhawks. The IceHogs sent Beach and Aliu home for the remainder of the Milwaukee series. It is unknown if they will be returning this post season, should the IceHogs move on in the playoffs." . . . The Milwaukee Admirals beat the IceHogs 4-1 on Tuesday night to sweep their first-round playoff series.

Canes' Mourn Loss of Ashley Hegi

I just received this from Ryan Ohashi at the Hurricanes office. I thought I'd pass this along. I know a lot of people, myself included knew Ashley.
Pat

Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes would like to send their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ashley Hegi, who passed away this morning. Hegi suffered from Progeria; an extremely rare genetic condition where symptoms resembling aspects of aging are manifested at an early age. Hegi was born May 23rd, 1991 and had been a loyal Hurricanes’ fan for several years. She is survived by her parents, Lori and Jay as well as brothers Evan, Tytan and Haven.

The 17 year old Hegi was the subject of several television series’ and was well known around the world as a courageous and inspiring young girl. She was always a familiar and friendly face around the arena, a devoted Hurricanes fan and a true inspiration to all who met her. Ashley was diagnosed with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome in 1992 according to a website supported by her mother and providing a timeline to Ashley’s condition. Progeria is a rare advanced aging disorder found in children. For further information please visit: http://www.progeriaproject.com/Kids/ashley/altimeline.htm

Details on services for Ashley and/or memorial tributes have not been finalized yet.

Tot and Moser Heading to Telus Cup

Lethbridge, AB – Canada’s National Midget AAA Championship – the Telus Cup, is set to kick off this week in Selkirk, Manitoba and will showcase a pair of young Hurricanes prospects. The Calgary Buffaloes, winners of the 2009 Pacific region qualifier are one of two teams to repeat as tournament qualifiers from 2008 in this year’s tournament. Their lineup boasts a pair of exciting Hurricanes prospects – 2008 1st round WHL Bantam draft pick Philip Tot; and 2007 10th round WHL Bantam draft pick Ryon Moser.

Tot, a native of Calgary is a 93-born forward with a dynamic two-way game. The 6’1” 175 pound forward finished his last year in Bantam fifth in league scoring in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL) with 60 points (26G, 34A) in 33 games. Earlier in the 08-09 season; alongside Moser, Tot helped the Buffs become the first Calgary team to capture the Mac’s Midget Tournament crown in the last ten years. He then finished the 2009 AMHL playoffs with 12 points in 15 games. The Canes have committed to the 15 year old and he will be given every opportunity to earn a roster spot with Lethbridge.

Moser, a 92-born forward finished the 08-09 AMHL season with 28 points (9G,19A) in 32 games and led all AMHL playoff scorers with an incredible 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in 15 games. Moser joined the Buffaloes this season after a strong showing in Canes’ training camp after it was decided another year of Midget would be helpful in giving him time to further develop his strength and offensive skills. Having already played two regular season WHL games, Moser is expected to join the Hurricanes, along with fellow 16 year old prospect, Mark Reners, on a full time basis next season.

The gold medal game on Sunday, April 26 will be broadcast live on TSN2 at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. It will be shown on tape delay on the main TSN network at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT. Check your local listings for the broadcast time in your area.

Interview with G.M. Stasiuk

I had a chance late last week to talk with Hurricanes G.M. Roy Stasiuk about a number of different things ranging from the upcoming Bantam draft, to his outlook for next season, the Enmax Centre renovations, as well as which players will be coming back and which ones likely won't.

Here's the link to my post-season chat with the GM:
Pat

http://www.box.net/shared/fl0dlqj77a