montreal Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 Here's an article I did for HF. TRAINING CAMP 2003-2004 By Dan Linn Welcome to the start of the ’03-’04 season! The Habs are set to hit the ice with everyone at camp and ready to play. They have invited 54 players to attend the camp, 30 forwards, 18 defensemen, and 6 goalies. In attendance will be the following; Forwards Donald Audette Josef Balej Slyain Blouin Jan Bulis Ben Carpentier Andreas Dackell Pierre Dagenais Gordie Dwyer Jonathan Ferland Benoit Gratton Chris Higgins Marcel Hossa Joe Juneau Chad Kilger Saku Koivu Michael Lambert Maxim Lapierre Christain Larrivee Jerome Marois Duncan Milory Alex Perezhogin Yanic Perreault Tomas Plekanec Mike Ribeiro Michael Ryder Niklas Sundstrom Marc-Andre Thinel Cory Urquhart Jason Ward Richard Zednik Defense Andrew Archer Francois Beauchemin Francis Bouillon Patrice Brisebois Jean-Phillippe Cote Karl Dykhuis Mark Flood Ron Hainsey Mike Komisarek Brent MacLellan Andrei Markov Phillippe Plante Stephane Quintal Craig Rivet Matt Shasby Sheldon Souray Patrick Traverse Steeve Villeneuve Goalies Michael Bergevin-Robinson J-Francois Damphousse Eric Fichuad Matthieu Garon Oliver Michaud Jose Theodore Out of those 54 players, two players are currently under contract with the Hamilton Bulldogs and are on a professional tryout. Ben Carpentier (who can play both offence and defense), and Phillippe Plante will be trying to land a contract with the Habs, if not they will depart for the Bulldogs camp, which gets underway on September 22 at 2 pm. Four players are without a contract, and are invited on a tryout basis. Goalie Michael Bergevin-Robinson, Jean-Phillippe Cote, Brent MacLellan, and Steeve Villeneuve, will be attempting to earn a contract or they will be sent home. Four junior aged players are without a contract, and will most likely be headed back to the CHL are, Michael Lambert, Maxim Lapierre, Cory Urquhart, and Mark Flood. And when the Bulldogs open camp, several players will be headed down to the AHL. Four players that are draft picks of the organization were sent back to their respective junior teams were, Jimmy Bonneau, Andre Deveaux, Corey Locke, and Danny Stewart. While tryouts Derek Martin, Adam Paiement, and Evan Shaw were sent home. But Adam Paiement did earn an invite to join the Bulldogs at there camp on the 22nd of this month. Notes: Tryout Michael Bergevin Robinson and Oliver Michaud were traded for one another this past season, with Robinson putting up better numbers, but Michaud getting more wins. 12 new faces are at camp, with Carpentier, Dagenais, Lapierre, Perezhogin, Urquhart, Cote, Flood, MacLellan, Plante, Villeneuve, Robinson, Damphousse, as they all are attending their first camp with the Montreal Canadiens. Players fighting for positions. Look for there to be several players trying to work their way into the roster. On defense there is an over abundance of players, as roster space will be very limited, but some veterans will be looking over their shoulder and could find themselves on the bubble. Dykhuis, Traverse, Bouillon, Hainsey, and Beauchemin will all be there to show management that they should be in the lineup, but only 1 or 2 will make the cut. In nets, Garon should feel safe as the backup, but some shaky play could spell trouble, as there are several goalies in the AHL looking to impress. Recently acquired J-F Damphousse should start the season in the AHL, but a solid start by him, and Garon could feel the heat. For the backup job in Hamilton, vet Fichaud is coming off the best year he’s ever had in the AHL, but junior aged Oliver Michaud is going to do his best to replace him, while tryout goalie Robinson try’s to show management that he deserves a spot somewhere. Expect a battle between Fichaud, Michaud and Robinson for the final spot, or perhaps be headed to the ECHL. On offence, prospects Chris Higgins, Alex Perezhogin, Michael Ryder, will show management that they should be in the lineup, forcing some veterans to either play better or find a new team. AHL vets, Gratton, and Dagenais, will be hoping to earn a chance to play in the NHL, with perhaps a few spots open on the 3rd and 4th line if they can outwork some veterans. And lastly one battle to keep an eye out for will be between, Dwyer, Blouin, and Carpentier, to see who can make the roster for the tough guy role. Unless Blouin learned how to play hockey much better over the last three months, Dwyer should get it, but Carpentier is a solid fighter, and may turn a few heads, literally! :hlogo::hlogo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAussiePosse Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 Originally posted by montrealAnd lastly one battle to keep an eye out for will be between, Dwyer, Blouin, and Carpentier, to see who can make the roster for the tough guy role. Unless Blouin learned how to play hockey much better over the last three months, Dwyer should get it, but Carpentier is a solid fighter, and may turn a few heads, literally! :hlogo::hlogo: :lol: That was good Now here's a challenge: Place all the players in order from best to worst (by opinion) Forwards Saku Koivu Richard Zednik Jan Bulis Yanic Perreault Donald Audette Niklas Sundstrom Mike Ribeiro Joe Juneau Chad Kilger Jason Ward Marcel Hossa Andreas Dackell Gordie Dwyer Pierre Dagenais Chris Higgins Alex Perezhogin Michael Ryder Josef Balej Tomas Plekanec Benoit Gratton Duncan Milroy Maxim Lapierre Cory Urquhart Jonathan Ferland Slyain Blouin Ben Carpentier Michael Lambert Christain Larrivee Marc-Andre Thinel Jerome Marois Defense Andrei Markov Craig Rivet Patrice Brisebois Stephane Quintal Sheldon Souray Mike Komisarek Karl Dykhuis Ron Hainsey Francois Beauchemin Francis Bouillon Andrew Archer Patrick Traverse Matt Shasby Mark Flood Jean-Phillippe Cote Brent MacLellan Phillippe Plante Steeve Villeneuve Goalies Jose Theodore Matthieu Garon Eric Fichaud J-Francois Damphousse Oliver Michaud Michael Bergevin-Robinson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puck7x Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 Thanks for the article.... Is anyone else besides me going to go to training camp? (Well I know Habby might go...) , I'll be attending the weekend practices this weekend at 4-glace Pierrefonds... (like 2 mins from my place) , I'll be taking lots of digital pics and writing a report , hey maybe I'll even get interviews with some players if I am lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krushing Komisarek Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 Well, as a newbie to the board (aka Habamaniac on ESPN), I'll give my own depth chart here: *-needs to be moved, ^unlikely to make the team, %surefire Bulldog. Forwards Koivu Zednik Perreault* Audette* Bulis Ribeiro Hossa Sundstrom Juneau Ward Ryder Kilger Dackell* Gratton Dagenais Dwyer Higgins Perezhogin Plekanec^ Milroy% Balej^ Blouin^ Carpantier% Ferland% Laparriere (back to juniors) Urquhart (back to juniors) Lambert% Larrivee (ECHL-bound) Thinel (ECHL-bound) Marois (ECHL-bound) Defense Markov Rivet Quintal Komisarek Brisebois* Souray Hainsey Dykhuis* Boullion^ Beuachemin^ Traverse^ Archer% Shasby% Flood (juniors) Cote (back to ECHL) Plante% Villeneuve% MacLellan Goalies Theodore Garon Damphousse^ Fichaud% Michaud% Bergevin- Robinson (juniors) :ghg: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puck7x Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 Oh .... Here is another training camp article (Dont want to start another thread...) From TSN... http://www.tsn.ca/news_story.asp?ID=53581 Decent read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habitual_hab Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 Former Canadiens captain Bob Gainey took over as general manager, bumping former GM Andre Savard to assistant GM, and made his first address to the players on Thursday morning. "He reiterated that we have to be serious about winning," young defenceman Ron Hainsey said of the meeting. "Not just making the playoffs, but winning championships. "He didn't come here to make us a little bit better, but to become a championship contender." I would expect that those players who are either too soft (mentally or physically) to do the job expected of them by Gainey will be moved. Brisebois, Perreault and Dackell head that list IMO. :hlogo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puck7x Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 New article from RDS (Basically what was said in the TV report) http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/HOCK...AN3F6248C3.html Friday 13th September 2003 - (RDS) - Its official , it has started. The Canadiens players took their first skate Friday. For the first four days of the camp the action will take place in Pierrefonds. With less then a week until the first preseason game the youngsters have little time to impress the habs management. The 54 players at camp were divided into 3 groups and are taking part in a tournament against each other. Bob Gainey watched the first practice. He is around to evaluate the work ethic of the young players , the GM said he was impressed by the physical shape of the veterans. "Lots of veterans are in better shape then last year , and possibly in the best shape of their careers" said Gainey. Gainey was also questioned about the Patrice Brisebois situation , last spring Andre Savard mentioned that he was looking to trade Brisebois. Gainey refused to elaborate on the subject of Brisebois but is aware that the situation is not the most ideal. "My case is not that simple , but if I have to do it , I will" said Brisebois. Patrice Brisebois is looking great , and he is not alone. Yanic Perreault and Jason Ward led their team to a 3-1 victory . At forward their are few positions available , and Ward wants to stay in Montreal. "I faired well , but I havent secured my spot in the lineup just yet" said Ward. Considering the small size of the Canadiens forwards Ward has an advantage. And he played well at the end of last season. In the next few days the ball is in his court. Jason Ward is not the only forward with size on the team. At 25 years old , Pierre Dagenais is trying to get a chance with the Canadiens. At 6'5 215lbs the Quebecer played a few games with the Florida Panthers last year and joined the Canadiens as a free agent. As a natural left winger Dagenais profits from the fact that the Canadiens only have 2 LW's assured of spots to begin the season in Bulis and Sundstrom. "I trained hard this summer. I must do better then I can" said Dagenais. ----------------- Very sorry about the mistakes (sure their are a few) , but I can assure you that they are minor... And you got the gist of what was said... Dont critizise free translations [Edited on 2003-9-12 by puck7x] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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