CHL Prospect Report, Overseas Roundup and The Week Ahead 11/26-12/2

Texas Stars

Some steam left the Texas Stars train last week. The Stars were heading into the week on a three-game winning streak but ended up losing two of three games last week (one in overtime). Cristopher Nilstorp's back-to-back shutouts were quickly forgotten as he gave up six goals in the Wednesday game against the OKC Barons.

Nilstorp started all three games and ended up missing the third period of the game Sunday with some kind of food poisoning. Overall, Nilstorp allowed nine goals on 78 shots.

Colton Sceviour had a solid offensive week with two goals and two assists and Jamie Oleksiak continues to be a nice playmaker from the blueline (two more assists). Matt Fraser also looks like he's the only guy on the team who can score on the power play (four in the last two weeks).

Cody Eakin didn't miss any games last week after suffering an injury while blocking a shot. He had one assist in the Stars' three games.

The Stars have a busy week as they have the final four games of their road trip this week.

Nov. 27 - Texas Stars @ Rockford Icehogs

Nov. 30 - Texas Stars @ Grand Rapids Griffins

Dec. 01 - Texas Stars @ Grand Rapids Griffins

Dec. 02 - Texas Stars @ Peoria Rivermen

 

The Overseas Pros

 

Jamie Benn - Hamburg Freezers

 

Shockingly, Jamie Benn had no points in the Freezers' two games last week and was actually held without a shot against the Krefeld Pinguine. It's Benn's worst week since he's been in Germany.

Nov. 30 - Iserlohn Roosters @ Hamburg Freezers

 

 

Jaromir Jagr - HC Kladno

While Benn might have had an off week, Jagr continued to tear through the Czech League with another two goals and five assists in three games. At this point, I'm just pissed that there's a lockout and we can't see a little bit of this with the Dallas Stars. If this lockout goes the full season, Stars fans may never see Jagr skating the ice in a Stars sweater.

Nov. 29 - Kladno vs Karlovy Vary

Dec. 02  - Kladno vs Liberec

 

Stephane Robidas - HIFK Helsinki

Not much for Robidas last week. Two games for Helsinki, two losses and no points for Robidas. It's the first time in the past month that Robidas has gone a week at least without a point.

Nov. 27 - Helsinki vs Assat

Dec. 01 - Helinki vs Espoo

 

Tom Wandell - Severstal Cherepovets

Thanksgiving week provided a miracle for Tom Wandell. He had a goal (a real actual goal!) and two assists (two whole assists!) for three points in three games last week. The goal was Wandell's first of the season and the first time that he's had a point in nearly a month. His scoring output is surprisingly low (even for him) for a guy playing top minutes so it's nice to see him get on the scoresheet. Hopefully he can keep it up.

Nov. 28 - Severstal vs Tractor Chelyabinsk

Nov. 30 - Severstal vs Yekaterinburg

 

Philip Larsen - Rauman Lukko

Larsen had another pretty good week last week. He followed up a two goal week with a goal and an assist in three games. Four points in two weeks is quite excellent for Larsen. He's been without a point for almost all of November so two straight weeks with points is great.

Nov. 27 - Rauman Lukko vs Ilves

Nov. 29 - Rauman Lukko vs Karpat

Dec. 01 - Rauman Lukko vs Tappara

 

CHL Prospects

Radek Faksa - Kitchener Rangers

Faksa was solid again last week as he had four assists (in two games) for the second week in a row. He seems to have recovered from his mystery illness and is now riding a four game point streak. He's had multiple points in three of his last four games.

Nov. 27 - London Knights @ Kitchener Rangers

Nov. 30 - Windsor Spitfires @ Kitchener Rangers

Dec. 01 - Kitchener Rangers @ Plymouth Whalers

 

Brett Ritchie - Niagara IceDogs

Ritchie had another goal and three more assists in three games last week, but saw his 10 game point streak come to an end on Sunday against the Oshawa Generals (so he is human). It was the first game in November in which Ritchie did not have a point. It seems a bit crazy to say, but four points last week might actually be a regression for Ritchie.

Ritchie's one goal last week was once again assisted by Ryan Strome. 14 of Ritchie's 21 goals this season has Strome's name listed beside it.

The IceDogs have a tough game against the Belleville Bulls this week (one of the best defensive teams in OHL) so it will be interesting to see how Ritchie fares against them.

Nov. 28 - Niagara IceDogs @ Belleville Bulls

Nov. 30 - Niagara IceDogs @ Mississauga Steelheads

Dec. 01 - Brampton Battalion @ Niagara IceDogs

 

Gemel Smith - Owen Sound Attack

Smith had two assists in three games last week as the Attack took on three of the best teams in the OHL. The Attack won two of the three but were shut out by the London Knights. Smith's production has tapered off a little bit in the past two weeks but he's still averaging over a point per game.

Points should be easier to come by this week as the Attack take on three of the bottom feeders (and poor defensive teams) in the OHL.

Nov. 30 - Owen Sound Attack @ Sudbury Wolves

Dec. 01 - Owen Sound Attack @ Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Dec. 02 - Owen Sound Attack @ Saginaw Spirit

 

Matej Stransky - Saskatoon Blades

Stransky had two goals and an assist in three games last week as he continues to ride a bit of a hot streak. He registered his points in the first two games last week before his team got blasted 9-2 by the Kelowna Rockets and he saw his four game point streak end.

It's been a great month and a half for Stransky though as he has at least a point in 13 of his last 16 games.

Nov. 27 -  Lethbridge Hurricanes @ Saskatoon Blades

Nov. 30 - Saskatoon Blades @ Calgary Hitmen

Dec. 01 - Saskatoon Blades @ Red Deer Rebels

 

Mike Winther - Prince Albert Raiders

The Raiders won all three of their games last week and Winther had three assists in those games. November has been his best month and he should get back on the scoresheet this week to close it out.

Nov. 28 - Lethbridge Hurricanes @ Prince Albert Raiders

Nov. 30 - Regina Pats @ Prince Albert Raiders

Dec. 02 - Prince Albert Raiders @ Regina Pats

 

Branden Troock - Seattle Thunderbirds

The Thunderbirds had two games last week and Troock had two more scratches. He's only played in three games since Oct. 16.

Nov. 27 - Everett Silvertips @ Seattle Thunderbirds

Nov. 30 - Seattle Thunderbirds @ Portland Winterhawks

Dec. 01 - Kelowna Rockets @ Seattle Thunderbirds

Dec. 02 - Kamloops Blazers @ Seattle Thunderbirds

 

Troy Vance - Victoriaville Tigers

It was a tough week for Vance and the Tigers as they lost all three of their games. Vance was held pointless for the second straight week as well. The Tigers head out onto a four game road trip this week.

Nov. 28 - Victoriaville Tigers @ Acadie-Bathurst Titan

Nov. 30 - Victoriaville Tigers @ Moncton Wildcats

Dec. 01 - Victoriaville Tigers @ PEI Rocket

Dec. 02 - Victoriaville Tigers @ Halifax Mooseheads

Maxime Lagace - Prince Edward Island Rocket

The Rocket had only one game last week and Lagace started it. He allowed three goals on 28 shots as the Rocket lost 3-2 in overtime.

Nov. 27 - PEI Rocket @ Drummondville Voltigeurs

Nov. 28 - PEI Rocket @ Quebec Remparts

Dec. 01 - Victoriaville Tigers @ PEI Rocket

Dec. 02 - Cape Breton Screaming Eagles @ PEI Rocket