This and that

Phoenix's new 3rd jersey has made its debut but for me what is more interesting is that this is the first time I"ve seen a club publish other designs that were considered. Check em out here.

For you NHL Network subscribers and World Junior Championship fans I have some good news. USA Hockey has reached a 3 year agreement with the NHL Network that will include the following:

USA Hockey announced today a three-year partnership with the NHL Network that includes unprecedented coverage of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship and coverage of the upcoming Qwest Tour, featuring the 2009-10 U.S. Women’s National Team.
In each of the next three IIHF World Junior Championships, the NHL Network will provide live television coverage of all U.S. games and all games of the medal round - including all quarterfinal and semifinal games, the bronze-medal game and the gold-medal game.

I absolutely love the WJCs and this is THE tournament where the game's top prospects state their case for the upcoming NHL draft. Its their biggest stage with loads of scouts, management types and media on hand.

Of course not every player is draft eligible and some have already been drafted. Nikita Filatov and Maksim Mayorov are in this group and all indications point to them playing for Russia in this tournament.

Also remember last year when our own Steve Mason shined for Team Canada and backstopped them to not only the gold medal but also to tournament MVP honors.

Players have to be under 20 to participate.

Speaking of the WJCs, the US team has just been announced and there is one Jacket prospect in the mix. 2007 2nd round pick Ted Ruth will on the squad. If you recall Ruth was drafted in 2007 in the 2nd round by the Washington Capitals.. The Jackets acquired him at the trade deadline last year for Sergei Fedorov.

Ruth, a defensive defensemen, currently had 1g in 13 games for the Irish with 16 PIMs.

Lots of other stuff going on out there in the hockey world like the Sean Avery situation. If nothing else he's good for conversation I've had 4 casual sports fans approach me about him today... that is if you believe in the "there is no bad publicity" moto. Personally I think the Stars got what they paid for as controversy has followed Avery at every stop in his professional career.

Also we have the 3rd NHL coach fired this season just 24 games in as Peter Laviolette got the hook in Carolina earler today. Denis Savard and Barry Melrose have been the other two casualties. Paul Maurice replaces Laviolette who won the cup with the 'canes back in 2006. I don't think Laviolette will be out of work long.

No word yet on who is getting called up to replace Torres. Lindsay Kramer seems to think it will be a veteran this time around:

On another topic, MacFarland said no Syracuse forward has yet been recalled to replace injured forward Raffi Torres. But the Blue Jackets are at the minimum up front and heading out for a West Coast trip, so I expect that to change. I think Derek MacKenzie, Mike York and Craig MacDonald are the most likely candidates.

My money is on MacKenzie but be sure to cast your vote in the related poll!

Congrats to Ohio Buckeye's tender Dustin Carlson for being named CCHA Player of the Month!

During November, Carlson, from Forest Lake, Minn., posted a 6-1 record, with a 1.47 goals-against average, .954 save percentage and three shutouts.

Speaking of Ohio State they are ranked for the first time this season on InsideCollegeHockey.com -- they come in at 18th out of 20:

The Buckeyes have won six of their last seven games. Based on the records of their opponents over the next 10 games — a combined 18 games below .500 — that run could extend for quite a while.

Thing are certainly looking up for this 8-6-1 squad whom by the way, play in Cleveland this Friday against Robert Morris at Quicken Loans Arena so if your looking for a hockey road trip, there ya go!!


-LTL