This year, Saint John has had to take on the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, and most recently, the Rimouski Oceanic to get back into the Memorial Cup finals as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s representative.

Saint John is joined by the Ontario Hockey League’s champions, the London Knights, the Western Hockey League’s champions, the Edmonton Oil Kings, and the host team this year, the Shawinigan Cataractes as the four teams vying for the Memorial Cup.

Yannick Veilleux, forward for the Cataractes, Ryan Tesink and Stephen MacAulay both forwards for the Saint John’s club, are the three Blues prospects who are still pressing hard for this year’s championship.

I had the privilege to chat a big with Sea Dog’s forward, Stephen MacAulay to get an inside look at what these players go through during their run for the Memorial Cup.

Stephen MacAulay has an interesting future ahead of him but now, he focus' on winning. (image via Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

BlueNote Zone – You won the Memorial Cup last year with Saint John, and your club is charging back as the “favorite” to win it again this year, does being the favorite add to the pressure’s of winning, or do you try not to focus on it?

Stephen MacAualay - I think it may add a bit of pressure, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing in our eyes. The experience we gained from last year’s championship run is so valuable this time around and I think it will help us at this year’s Memorial Cup.

BNZ – Your team was bolstered this year with the addition of Charlie Coyle, who left Boston University to join the Sea Dogs earlier this year. What has the addition of Charlie done for your team down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs?

SM – Hes been a heck of a player for us. He is big, strong, fast, good hands and has an NHL shot. He was the playoff MVP this year and really stepped up at times we needed him the most. He plays in all situations for our team and one of the best prospects around so we’re glad he decided to come to Saint John for the second half of the year.

BNZ – Both yourself and teammate Ryan Tesink were both drafted by the St. Louis Blues. Both of you were six round picks, you being drafted in 2010, him in 2011. Has it helped knowing that you’re both in the same organizations with both Saint John and St. Louis?

SM – It’s definitely helped with us being together. We play on the same line here in Saint John for the most part and we play well together. We both play similar styles of game and hopefully we can be playing together again someday at the pro level.

BNZ – There seems to be something about playing in the post season that you love because your game always seems to improve, and your point totals always seem to jump in the playoffs. Do you believe your style of play is better fitted for the playoffs or does you believe you have another level of your game that you can reach during the playoffs?

SM – I believe I have another level to my game when we reach the playoffs. A lot of playoff games are tight checking and it isn’t easy to make things click all the time. I try to play a hard, simple game in the playoffs and it has really been paying off with big goals and games over the last few playoff runs we’ve had. I enjoy the higher intensity of playoff hockey.

BNZ – Over your playing career thus far in juniors, you’ve proved to be a reliable two way player who can add bit of offense when needed, do you think you can translate your game to the NHL level?

SM – I believe if I were to make it to the NHL I would play a similar role as I do in junior. I enjoy killing penalties and being hard to play against so I think my game could translate well at the next level.

BNZ – Almost every player and every fan can rattle off a list of players who have had an impact on their love of the game. Who were the players you admired growing up and watching hockey?

SM – I really admired Joe Sakic when I was growing up. His leadership, talent and the respect that other players had for him are the things I really admired about him.

BNZ – Last year was a great year for Saint John’s Gatineau to win the QJMHL President’s Cup and then going on and beating Missisauga to win the Memorial Cup, what as it like as a player to lift the Memorial Cup, knowing that you had won Junior hockey’s most prized trophy?

SM – It’s truly an incredible feeling that is hard to put into words. When you hoist that trophy over your head, you feel like it doesn’t weigh a pound because you’ve worked so hard to achieve your goal. Hopefully in a couple weeks I can say the same thing with another Memorial Cup win.

BNZ – Mathieu Corbeil-Theriault has been tremendous for the Sea Dogs, setting records for most wins and shutouts in team history, yet Nathan Beaulieu has set the team record for points by a defensemen. All the while, team captain Jonathan Huberdeau has been nothing short of phenomenal all year. If you had to pick your teams MVP, who would it be?

SM – We have so many talented players here in Saint John so it is hard to pick one MVP for the year. Huberdeau missed a couple months of the year with a foot injury and while he was at the World Juniors so he didn’t put up as many points as he could have. I would give the MVP to our goaltender Mathieu Corbeil and our overage forward Danick Gauthier. He is a guy that was very underrated in previous years. He played a bigger role with guys being injured and away at World Juniors. He set a team record for goals in a season with 47, which is incredible.

BNZ – With you likely turning pro next season and jumping into the American Hockey League, what is the best memory you have of playing for the Saint John Sea Dogs?

SM – I would say winning the President’s Cup twice and winning the Memorial Cup last year would be my best memories. Like I said, hopefully I can add this year’s Memorial Cup to that list as well. My entire time here in Saint John has been amazing and I’ve made friends that will last a lifetime.

Stephen MacAulay know’s what it takes to win, he’s done it all throughout his junior career and he’s on his way to another potential championship as well.

It’s very likely MacAulay makes the jump from juniors to the the pro level this summer.  Stephen will likely getting a bottom six role in Peoria next season, similar to the role Anthony Nigro has played for the Rivermen the last two seasons. A third/fourth line role with penalty killing role for with the club.

Now, however, we’ll be sitting back and watching MacAulay, Tesink, and Veilleux fight it out to be the last ones standing and have the chance to lift the Memorial Cup high over their heads as champions of the CHL and of all three junior leagues.

Karpowich, 23, was a seventh round pick for the Blues back in the 2008 NHL entry draft.

After spending the last four season at Clarkson University, Karpowich decided to turn pro, and signed with the Blues. He’ll join the Blues in St. Louis and will practice with the club during their playoff run.

Rivermen captain, Adam Cracknell is one of three recalls by the Blues.

Karpowich will likely back up Jake Allen next season in Peoria.

I was lucky enough to interview Karpowich two years ago, two seasons after he was drafted. You can read that interview here.

The Blues have also recalled forwards Adam Cracknell and Evgeny Grachev, along with defensemen Danny Syvret.

All will join the team in St. Louis and be added to the active roster. All three are eligible to play in the post season if needed.

Spc. Jeffrey White was killed in Afghanistan April 3rd.

Today, in my little town of Pacific, Missouri, Almost the entire town lined the streets. Flags raised high, as Spc. Jeffrey Lee White Jr. returned home today.

Sadly, Jeff was killed April 3, during Operation Enduring Freedom. A soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice. His remains returned home today, and fans, decked in their Cardinal red and their Blues’ blue lined the streets to honor our fallen soldier.

I attended school with Jeff at Pacific High School and while I didn’t know him well enough to consider us friends, we shared did one thing in common in which anytime I saw him, we’d catch up on. That would be our love for the St. Louis Blues.

Jeff attended many games, and was always wearing his Blues gear or his Cardinals gear. He was honored at the final Blues home game of the regular season, and for those who watched the Cardinals home opener, his mother and father raised the Cardinals World Series flag.

Jeff was due home to attend both the Blues final home game and the Cardinals home opener, but sadly never made it back.

I will always remember Jeff’s enthusiasm for the game. He always could bring a positive to every loss, and was always the kind of person to look on the brighter side to almost everything in life.

Jeff is survived by his mother, Paula, his father, Jeff Sr., and his brothers Michael and Kyle.

Public visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at First Baptist Church, 51 Highway M, Villa Ridge.

White’s funeral service will be Wednesday, April 18, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church. Jeff will then be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, in St. Louis.

So I ask of you, Blues fans, remember the sacrifice Jeff made for our country, keep his family in your prayers, and lets cheer on the Blues club louder than we ever have, cause Jeff, among many other fallen soldiers, will be cheering right along with us.

I’ll be starting in the eastern conference with the 1st seed vs the 8th seed My winner will be bolded, the loser in italics.

New York Rangers (1) – Ottawa Senators (8)

The first place New York Rangers are taking on the Ottawa Senators, and as much as my heart wants to say Ottawa upsetting the Rangers, I just don’t see it happening. Offensively, defensively, and in net, the Rangers just outmatch the Senators in every way. I have the Rangers winning this in six games.

Boston Bruins (2) vs Washington Capitals (7)

If you asked me this with a healthy Vokoun/Neuvirth, I’d actually pick the Capitals to upset here, but I don’t think the 22 year old goaltender Brayden Holtby  can back this team to the second round. If Dany Sabourin gets in net, then watch out. It wont be pretty. Bruins in five games for me.

Florida Panthers (3) vs New Jersey Devils (6)

Jose Theodore has to be a factor if the Panthers want to get out of the first round.

The Florida Panthers are a very tricky team to sort out. Depth is not a problem for them, whatsoever, yet their goaltending is up in the air, and their all around team is just really hard to pick apart. They face the New Jersey Devils, who offensively, take the cake, no question. But the Panthers defense has the edge over the Devils.

If we were talking five years ago, I’d be taking Brodeur over almost any goaltender in the league, but he’s past his prime, and has been less than stellar in the post season. Jose Theodore also has a history of being dominant in round one (while collapsing in round two), but all the same. I think Broduer might not have it and Hedberg isn’t going to be able to carry the team if Marty fails them. I have the Panthers in six games.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) vs Philadelphia Flyers (5)

My  favorite match up of the first round has to be between the Pens and the Flyers. In state rivals who just don’t like each other. Both high offensive clubs with solid defenses and very solid goaltending.

I have this series going seven game. It’ll be an all out war, my question is, who wants it more? Will the Crosby led Penguins trump a Kimmo Timonen lead defense? Can Giroux out battle Letang? Can Bryzgalov step up his game and match up against Marc-Andre Fleury? Truth be told, I have no idea, but I’m saying Penguins in seven games. Just a gut feeling.

Now we are off to the western  conference where the match ups are a little interesting in my opinion. That might be because four central division clubs have made the post season and the match up makes for very hard fought games.

Vancouver Canucks (1) vs Los Angeles Kings (8)

Can Quick lift the Kings over the Canucks? I think he can.

My only upset in the first round, comes from the eighth seeded L.A. Kings, taking on the President Trophy winning Vancouver Canucks.

Why? I love the match up. The deep yet over the top offensively built Kings take on a steady defensive club with a very good offensive game, missing, arguably, their top player.

In my opinion, without Daniel Sedin, the high flying Canucks aren’t so high flying and come down to be a beatable team. Their goaltending has shown it’s beatable in the post season, their defensive is solid but a constant forechecking team can rattle their cages. Missing Sedin drains a lot of offense from their club.

The Kings have many weapons offensively, and were the second best defensive club in the NHL this year. Jonathan Quick could very well end up as a Hart finalist this year as well. I think that will be to much for the Canucks to handle. I have the Kings upsetting here, winning this in six games.

St. Louis Blues (2) vs San Jose Sharks (7)

Much like the Kings, the Blues have depth offensively, were the top defensive team in the NHL and have two Jennings winning goaltenders with Halak and Elliott.

The Sharks, while having more star power, just wont have enough grit and drive to take on this Blues club. The Blues over power the Sharks in five games.

Phoenix Coyotes (3) vs Chicago Blackhawks (6)

They say defense wins championships, and in my first to west previews, this holds true, and it doesn’t change here. Any Dave Tippet lead club will be sound defensively and have superb goaltending, which Mike Smith has been all year, superb. Add in their offensive depth with Ray ‘The Wizard’ Whitney, and Radim Vrbata’s 35 goal season, they will have what it takes to take down a Hawk team missing their leader, Jonathan Toews. I have the Coyotes taking a bite out of the Hawks in six games.

Nashville Predators (4) vs Detroit Red Wings (5)

I think I’ve mentioned defense already here, and again, the defensive Predators take down a older Wings team.

Defensively, I have the Coyotes over the Wings. In net, the same holds true with Pekka Rinne vs Jimmy Howard. Offensively, I’d give that edge to the Red Wings, but I just don’t seeing it being enough. Alex Radulov will be a key player to watch in this series, if he hustles, back checks hard, and can produce offensively, I think he’ll be a key component in the Predators winning. I have Nashville winning in seven games.

There are my predictions everyone, let me hear yours!

It's playoff time, expect a scrum after almost every whistle.

After the Canucks and the Sharks had both won their respective games, the western conference was finally pegged down. The Canucks claimed the West and the President’s trophy. The Blues finished second, set to face off against the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Looking at the rosters of each club, you can judge who’d better for yourself.

Jaroslav Halak/Brian Elliott vs Antti Niemi/Thomas Griess

There should be no question whatsoever in this case. You have the best statistical goaltender in the NHL in Brian Elliott and while Niemi has a cup, most would prefer Jaroslav Halak in net over the Finnish Niemi.

Halak and Elliott will share the William Jennings trophy for fewest goals allowed in the NHL. San Jose finished eighth in goals against, letting in fifty more goals overall than the Blues.

Offense Isn’t Lacking On Defense

When looking on the defensive side of the puck, both teams aren’t lacking offensively.

Dan Boyle lead the San Jose Sharks offense from the defense this year, scoring nine goals, 39 assists for 48 points on the year. He’s followed by Brent Burns’ 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists). Burns, however, adds a solid defensive game and grit on the blueline as well.

The Blues counter offensively with Alex Pietrangelo’s 51 points (12 goals, 39 assists) and Kevin Shattenkirk’s 43 points (9 goals, 34 assists). Pietrangelo, however, has been playing at a Norris caliber level all season long for the Blues, something the Sharks haven’t had.

Then you have the supporting cast behind the “big two” for each club.

For San Jose, it’s the likes of Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Douglas Murray, Justin Braun, Colin White, Jason Demers, and Jim Vandermeer.

While the Blues have guys like Barret Jackman, Roman Polak, Kent Huskins, Carlo Colaiacovo, Kris Russell, and Ian Cole.

Obviously, you have to give the experience to the Sharks group, but overall, it’s fairly close and hard to really pick one side. We’ll call it a wash as I honestly can’t make a decision.

Depth The Story Offensively

While the Sharks probably have more well known names in Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Joe Pavelski, they cannot say they have the depth like the St. Louis Blues do. The Sharks bottom six guys compared to the Blues bottom six just don’t add up.

When you have guys like Alex Steen, Jason Arnott, and even the struggling Chris Stewart playing third line minutes compared to Michal Handzus, Dominic Moore, and Andrew Desjardins, you’re going to have an edge offensively.

After the top nine, the Blues hold depth over the Sharks with the fourth line along with their scratches as well. The Sharks have Dan Winnik’s 23 points as top among their fourth liners, while the Blues have a guy who notched 20 goals last season in Matt D’Agostini and Jamie Langenbrunner’s 24 points as well.

The Blues are also holding a top prospect ready to play in Jaden Schwartz as well, very much like the Sharks did a few seasons ago with Logan Couture.

In terms of toughness, Ryan Reaves is by far the toughest player on either club’s roster, and given his ability to play a effective checking line role, he’s a valuable asset to the Blues here.

Heated History

We must also remember that these two organizations aren’t the biggest fans of one another. From the most recent Joe Thornton incident of Joe Thonrton concussing David Perron with a blindside hit, to the upset in 2000, games between these two are usually up tempo, hard hitting, grinding games, which favors the Blues more defensive system than the Sharks more offensive system.

Fighting usually isn’t common in the post season. The big, hard hits, the board battles usually tell the stories in playoff hockey, and that should give the Blues the advantage, like it has in the season series against these clubs, in which the Blues went 4-0 against them this season.

Leading The Ship

Another advantage the Blues have over the Sharks is leadership where it matters, the coaches. While Todd McLellan is a very good coach, he doesn’t have the pedigree that Ken Hitchcok has, which includes a Stanley Cup. Hitchock knows what it takes to get his team wins. Leading a team that many have stated was ‘built for the playoffs’ will again, give the Blues an advantage over San Jose.

The Sharks only have two players who have won a Stanley Cup on their roster in Dan Boyle who won it with Tampa, and Colin White, who won it with New Jersey.

The Blues have four guys in Jason Arnott (NJD), Jamie Langenbrunner (NJD, DAL), Andy McDonald (ANA), and Kent Huskins (ANA) who’ve won Hockey’s Holy Grail. So though as a team the Blues don’t have a lot of experience, they have more guys who’ve been there and know what it takes to win it all.

Home Sweet Home

The biggest factor in this series likely wont be the players, or the coaches, or the history of these two teams, it will be the Blues having home ice advantage. The Sharks will go into a hostile territory in which the Blues have lost six, yes only six games on home ice all season long. It will easily give a boost to the Blues all series long.

If the Sharks can take a game in St. Louis, it could help them gain momentum, but that will be no easy feat. Expect the crowd’s energy to carry over into the players and it could end up giving the Sharks fits if they cannot find a way to put the puck in the net.

Overall, the advantage has to be in St. Louis’ favor in this series from goaltending to forward depth, coaching and style of play. This projects to be a very hard fought series and the winner will have to earn their victory. This is where it all matters, where players will disappoint and players will prove their worth. Who will shine? We’ll have to watch to find out!

Series Schedule

Game One – San Jose vs St. Louis -Thursday, April 12th, 6:30 pm

Game Two – San Jose vs St. Louis -Saturday, April 14th, 6:30 pm

Game Three – St. Louis vs San Jose-Monday, April 16th, 9:00 pm

Game Four – St. Louis vs San Jose- Thursday, April 19th, 9:00 pm

Game Five (if necessary) – San Jose vs St. Louis – Saturday, April 21st, 6:30

Game Six (if necessary) – St. Louis vs San Jose – Monday, April 23rd, TBD

Game Seven (if necessary) – San Jose vs St. Louis – Wednesday, April 25th, TBD

The Blues could be facing Jonathan Quick and the Los Angeles Kings in round one of the playoffs.

It’s not just one game determining their opponent, but two. The Los Angeles Kings against the San Jose Sharks in San Jose tonight will determine who is the seventh seed and who is the eighth seed in the western conference.  The Blues will faceoff against one of those two teams.

Yet it’s going to take the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks to determine where the Blues will finish as well.

If the Canucks lose against the Oilers tonight, in regulation, the Blues will finish first in the western conference and will take on the eighth seed. If the Canucks get a point tonight, the Blues finish seventh and will face the seventh seed team.

The L.A. Kings are up over the S.J. Sharks, 1-0 in the first period while the Oilers and Canucks are scoreless in the second period right now.

Be sure to check out the Bluenote Zone tomorrow for a preview of the Blues first round match up, who ever they face.

Jaroslav Halak has proven to be a clutch player in the past, can he do it again this year?

With the playoffs just a week away now, the Blues have a very interesting decision to make. Who starts Game One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs: Brian Elliott or Jaroslav Halak? Who would you pick?

Now at first, many will likely say Halak cause he’s “been there”. Not a bad argument. If you might recall, Jaroslav Halak led the 2009-10 Montreal Canadiens to the third round, defeating two heavy favorites in the first two rounds.

First it was the Ovechkin-led Washington Capitals, who saw their chance at a Stanley Cup die after Halak helped drop them in seven games.

Next it was the Crosby-led Pittsburgh Penguins, who were favorites out of the East to win the Stanley Cup that year. Yet they suffered the same fate as Washington, as they watched Jaroslav Halak shut the door and lead the Canadiens to a victory in game seven, sending Montreal to the Eastern Conference Finals.

It was only then when the Philadelphia Flyers defeated Montreal in five games, ending Halak’s great run. It was in that span that Halak proved he was not only a starter, but a player who can step up his game when it counts the most. He proved this again at the Olympics as well.

Brian Elliott has been the hottest goaltender in the NHL this season, can he continue that into the playoffs?

After hearing that and then seeing Brian Elliott’s playoff stats, a 1-2-0 record, an .853 save percentage, and then his 4.14 goals against average, you ask yourself, why is this even under consideration?

Well consider this: nine shutouts, the league’s best goal against average (1.49), and the league’s best save percentage (.943). Add that with his better win/loss ratio to Halak’s this season, and you have to look at the numbers right now.

Brian Elliott, statistically, has been the NHL’s best goaltender this season. Statistically. He’s been very consistent, all season long. Only three times, losing back to back games and once losing three in a row.

Halak, however, has once lost five in a row, losing in back to back games, and losing three straight (his last three games).

Brian Elliott has been the hotter of the two recently, shutting out the opposition three of his last four games, while Halak has let in twelve goals in his last four games.

It makes this decision that much harder. Halak has proven he can do it in the past, but Elliott is showing you now what he’s capable of.

If you start Jaroslav Halak, you pray he can find the form he had back in the 09-10 playoffs with Montreal. If you start Elliott, you pray he can continue giving the Blues what he has given them all year, and that is superb positioning, great reflexes, and stealing multiple games in a row.

Now, my favorite part of this post, lets put ourselves in Ken Hitchcock’s shoes. It’s game one of the playoffs and you have to name a start, who do you pick?

For me, I personally go with Brian Elliott. He’s been the better goalie of the two statistically this season, he’s been more consistent, and he’s been the hotter of the two most recently. However, he’s got a short leash. If he starts letting in a few soft goals, Halak is in the net. If Halak starts letting in soft goals, Elliott would be back in. It’d all be about balance over the games. Who’s stronger in net and who’s hotter?

It’s all about who gets hot at the right time. Halak proved that in the past and many Blues fans are hoping that one of the two goaltenders will prove it again this season.

So, who is your starting goaltender for the playoffs?

Questions? Ask me in a comment below or at randallritchey@gmail.com

Eminian has covered the Rivermen for 27 years.

Dave Eminian, who many of you might know as @IceTimeCleve on Twitter, has a job many of us can only dream of. Getting paid to watch and write hockey. But he’s earned his dues, and in doing so, he’s been able to cover to Peoria Rivermen, from their East Coast Hockey League days, all the way until now, one of the top organizations in the American Hockey League.

Dave was kind enough to sit down and answer a few questions for us, helping us get another opinion on who’s improving, who’s holding the fort, and stories of some of the history of the Rivermen as well.

The Bluenote Zone – You have covered the Peoria Rivermen for 27 years now, You’ve got to see many players come up through the ranks and produce at the NHL level and you’ve seen players “bust” and never reach their potential. Out of all the players you’ve been able to see, who’s the best?

Dave Eminian – We were just discussing that on March 23-24 as nearly 40 former Rivermen players came back to Peoria to help the franchise celebrate its 30th season with an Oldtimers Game. I’m building an all-time franchise roster — the team has been in the old IHL, the ECHL and now the AHL — and I’m beyond 800 players and still researching.
I count myself lucky to have seen guys like Curtis Joseph, Nelson Emerson, David Backes, Ian Laperriere start their careers here. We’ve had guys who were great at the Rivermen level and are in the team’s Hall of Fame, like goaltender Darrell May, winger Doug Evans (played 700 games here), center Michel Mongeau and defenseman Dominic Lavoie (had a 102 mph slapper).
In that context, Mongeau was the greatest player in Peoria’s team history (165 goals, 282 assists in 328 games, IHL regular-season and playoff MVP honors).
In the NHL context, I’d have to go with Emerson or CuJo. And Backes was a guy who had that intangible aura about him from the moment he got here, no doubt he was going to be a significant NHLer.

BNZ – The Rivermen are now tied with Chicago with 75 points in their division, sit fifth in their conference and are primed for a post season run, much like their parent club. Who has been the top player on the Rivermen this season?

DE – The Rivermen playoff situation? Two weeks ago Peoria was tied with Chicago for the Midwest Division lead and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoff picture. Five days after they reached that high, they were 11th in the conference. Yeah, it’s that tight a race. Through April 3, the Rivermen are sitting at No. 8 overall, on tiebreakers, and have 5 games left in the regular-season. For most of the season, All-Star center T.J. Hensick has been their MVP, sitting among the top three in the overall AHL scoring race. Hensick rusted for 25 days on a call-up to St. Louis, however, and has not been able to make a big impact since returning here. Down the stretch, Peoria’s MVP has been veteran Jonathan Cheechoo, who has 6 goals in his last 8 games while the rest of the team combined for 9 in that span. He’s playing inspired hockey and trying to lead the team.

BNZ -  The Rivermen just got TJ Hensick back from the St. Louis Blues after the signing of Jaden Schwartz, this is a move that can really help ramp the Rivermen up as they close out the season. How will this affect the line up going into the playoffs?

DE -  Hensick’s return to Peoria? Hensick has really struggled since returning from the Blues from a call-up in which he felt he was left to go to waste. His mental frame is not good at the moment, and he has scratched out just 2 goals, 1 assist and a -1 rating in 8 games since returning. Hensick is an elite player — arguably THE elite player — in the AHL and if he regroups and returns to form he can single-handedly push Peoria through the playoffs. Linemate Derek Nesbitt — one of Peoria’s six players to reach 20 goals this season — has gone 13 straight games without scoring and needs Hensick to set him up.

BNZ – One player you’ve got to watch dominate for the Rivermen, Jean-Guy Trudel, was just inducted into the Peoria Rivermen Hall of Fame. Trudel, who still lives in Peoria with his family started his career with the Rivermen when Peoria was apart of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and was a dominant force throughout the AHL in his career. What do you think held him back from making it in the National Hockey League?

DE – Jean-Guy Trudel was one of those prospects who started his pro career with the Rivermen in their ECHL era and came back to play for Peoria in the AHL, too. He won a Calder Cup ring as Houston’s star in the AHL, and blew up defenses for years in Europe. One of the toughest guys to knock off the puck, we just added him to the Rivermen Hall off Fame here in late March. Trudel was a terrific offensive player — heck, he even scored 4 goals in the Oldtimers’ Game in March — but it was his defense that kept him from gaining a foothold in the NHL. He wasn’t quite fast enough maybe, either. Had plus-speed for the AHL level and was so strong on his skates, he created a lot of fun moments for sure.

BNZ – With the trade of Ben Bishop to the Ottawa Senators, the load was given to Jake Allen, the Blues 2nd round pick (34th overall) in 2008. The Rivermen then acquired Alex Stalock on loan from the San Jose Sharks. How do you feel the Rivermen goaltending rank among the American Hockey League?

DE – The Rivermen goaltending? The Rivermen were braced for the trade of Ben Bishop almost before Christmas arrived. He tore up the AHL and is going to be a contender for Goaltender of the Year even though he’s moved up to Ottawa now. Jake Allen had a slow start to his season and seemed lost in Bishop’s shadow, but he has been very good since December, really, and just put together 15 straight starts for the Rivermen down the stretch. Bishop-Allen was the No. 1 tandem in the AHL — maybe Oklahoma City‘s David LeNeveu and Yann Danis were the exception — from January through late February. Stalock is a pretty good fallback position — he won 39 games for Worcester and was an AHL All-Star in 2009-10. Stalock jumped in for his first start on Sunday and promptly tossed a 1-0 shutout to keep Peoria alive in the playoff race.
As for Allen, more than one NHL scout has told me in the last couple months that he’ll be as good in the AHL next season as Bishop was this season.

BNZ – The Blues have one of the top prospect pools in the NHL and many of those prospects reside on the Rivermen roster. Out of all the kids in the AHL this season, who is most likely to make the jump to the NHL next season?

DE – Rivermen players making NHL jump next season? I don’t think we’ll see Ian Cole in Peoria again next season, and injuries in St. Louis this season merely sped up his graduation to the Blues. With Schwartz there, and maybe Tarasenko coming too, the Blues will continue to add young dynamic players. From Peoria, you can look for defenseman Cade Fairchild and center Phil McRae — McRae will be in his third season and needs to make some kind of move forward — to have the best chances in camp. Maybe Grachev as a role player replacing one of the older guys up there.

BNZ – The trade of Brett Sterling to the Portland Pirates in exchange for Patrick O’Sullivan raised quite a few eyebrows for the Rivermen fan base. However, O’Sullivan has four goals, six assists for 10 points in seven games with the Rivermen and Sterling has three goals and an assist for Portland in seven games. Is the trade as lopsided as the stat line suggests?

DE – The trade of Brett Sterling (22 goals with the Rivermen) for Patrick O’Sullivan in early March was an exchange of two great AHL players who do different things. Sterling is a pure finisher. O’Sullivan scores goals, too, but he also has a playmaking skill set that is similar to Hensick, who was in the NHL with St. Louis as the trade deadline arrived. The Rivermen made the move because it was unlikely Sterling was going to re-sign next season, but mostly because they were seeking O’Sullivan’s playmaking to protect them in the case Hensick didn’t return from the Blues.

BNZ – What is it going to take for the Rivermen to make a run in the playoffs for a chance at the Calder Cup?

DE – What it takes for Rivermen to make a Calder run? The Rivermen are an interesting team, one a few of the favored playoff-bound teams would like to see miss the field. I believe Peoria’s forward group ranks among the top 5 in the AHL. Its defense unit, however, is young and took big hits with the loss of Jake Gannon (injury out for season) and Cole. It ranks in the bottom third of the AHL, at best. The Rivermen have both PP and PK units among the league’s Top 10. So there are good pieces here to work with if they can get in. To go far, Peoria’s forward group will have to get hot again, and Allen will have to play at a sub-2,00 goals-per-game clip in the postseason.

BNZ – While covering the Rivermen the last 27 years, you’ve seen your fair share of visiting arena’s. What would you say your favorite arena is, aside from the Carver Arena in Peoria?

DE – Favorite arenas? I’ve been lucky to cover the Rivermen in 31 states and nearly 90 arenas over my 27 seasons. I’ve been in some big, beautiful new arenas in Minnesota, Cleveland, New Orleans, Salt Lake City … but I really loved the old arena in Toledo, Ohio. About 4,000 seats, just a lower bowl. Rink was only 174 feet long. Glass was only 4 feet high. And the press box was an old railroad boxcar lashed to the rafters with chains. Never sat down for a game up there because there were no seats in the press box. Old-time hockey.

BNZ – Out of all players who returned from last season, who has been the most improved player for the Rivermen this season?

DE – Rivermen player most improved? Adam Cracknell made his NHL debut with the Blues last season, but he has continued to improve in 2011-12. He earned his first captaincy, and is having a career-year with 20 goals. Anthony Nigro is having a career year, too. His goals are at 12, up from 9 last season, and his plus-minus is +12, far better than last year’s -1.

I want to thank Dave for giving us the chance to see inside the knowledge of a man who’s covered the same team for 27 years. A man who has spent so much time around the sport of hockey. He helps us see what most of us cannot see, as he’s around the team on a daily basis, compared to maybe catching a few games here and there like the rest of us.

Talking to Dave reminds me of the biggest reason why I enjoy interviewing writers and if I ever get the chance, coaches, scouts, and management over players. Sometimes, you get better stories out of guys who’ve been in one job for a long time, compared to what you get from the players themselves.

Be sure to follow Dave on twitter @IceTimeCleve and be sure to check out the daily Peoria Journal Star Rivermen coverage,  which includes pictures, video and words.

Thanks for reading everybody, and LETS GO RIVS!

Any questions? Message me at randallritchey@gmail.com

Jean-Guy Trudel is headed to the Rivermen's HoF. (photo courtesy, flickr)

In the history of the Peoria Rivermen, we have seen many great players come up through the teams ranks. Many have gone on to have great NHL careers, while some find better luck in the European leagues.

One of these players, who only played three seasons with the Rivermen, finds himself headed to the Rivermen Hall of Fame. Trudel, 37, is to be inducted tonight before the Rivermen face off against the Milwaukee Admirals.

Jean-Guy Trudel played in only 177 games for the Rivermen, but his 234 points proved to be better than many who played twice as many games in Rivermen jerseys. His 87 goals, 147 assists put Trudel at being one of the highest point-per-game players in Rivermen History.

Trudel was a playoff performer as well. In 13 games for the Rivermen, Trudel posted 9 goals and 10 assists, again, more than a point-per-game in the post season as well.

Jean-Guy Trudel will be the 34th person to enter the Rivermen Hall of Fame, joining 23 other players, five coaches, and five “builders”.   He is more than deserving of this honor and will be remembered as one of the more likable players in the Rivermen’s history.

Trudel still lives in Peoria with his family. He is now coach coaching The Peoria Mustangs, a North American Tier III hockey club.

It’s a testament to the Peoria Rivermen organization and Peoria itself, that a man who played only three seasons in Peoria still finds his home in the small town in Illinois.

I for one, love seeing stories like this. Players who come up the ranks and even though they spend little time in the organization, find a way to come back, like Trudel did in 2008. Then he finds his home in Peoria after his career is over.

A player who fits this mold currently? T.J. Hensick, a player who seems to love it in Peoria, who is Peoria’s top offensive player, and while he’ll get some call ups to the big club, was signed primarily to be “the guy” in Peoria. He is signed for another year after this and I wouldn’t be surprised if we returns even past next season as well.

The young defender has done nothing but impress since he’s joined the Blues full time after spending two extra seasons in Juniors, a route in which Doug Armstrong deserves a ton of credit for.

Many people have talked about Pietrangelo’s play this season, and rightfully so, he’s easily been the best defender on the ice for the Blues this season. His offensive play is obviously there, as he is third on the team in points with 36 points (10 goals, 26 assists) in 64 games this season, but his shutdown game is what comes as a surprise to most.

Alex Pietrangelo, courtesy of TSNPhotography

The King City, Ontario native plays defense so well, because he always has the puck on his stick. If he doesn’t, he uses his stick skills to get the puck on his stick. You can just watch him in a game and his decisions and skills with and without the puck allow him to be the Blues top defenseman, night in and night out.

Pietrangelo has all the makings of an Norris caliber defensemen and I do believe one day he’ll win one, if not multiple Norris Trophies. I also believe he’ll receive a handful of votes for the Norris this year, however, I do not see him reaching the top three for nominees. Erik Karlsson of Ottawa, Shea Weber of Nashville, and Zdeno Chara of Boston have all but locked down those three slots.

As Blues fans, we’re all hoping that a few Norris trophies aren’t the only thing Pietrangelo can bring to the Blues. A nice Stanley Cup ring or two or five would be quite nice, don’t you think?