Anyway, This summer, the Bluenote Zone has spent time breaking down the St. Louis Blues roster, Jeff took on the goaltenders and the defenders while I covered the forwards. Right now, I will take a look at The Peoria Rivermen.

The Peoria Rivermen are the Blues top AHL affiliate.

The Peoria Rivermen , the Blues top farm team in the American Hockey League, is having youth movement this season. With players like Pascal Pelletier, Derek Armstrong, Justin Fletcher, and Danny Richmond leaving the team, they are replaced with guys like Phil McRae, Tyler Shattock, Ian Cole, and Mark Cundari. Not to mention the other rookies in Peoria, Stefan Della Rovere, Anthony Nigro, and Jake Allen. With seven rookies on the roster this season, it is expected that though it will be a good learning process for the kids, walls could be hit and it could be a disappointing season for Rivermen fans, but then again, it could bounce the other way as well.

Now while there are so many rookies on this roster, the Rivermen gained some veteran experience this off-season as well. A trades sending T.J. Fast to the Florida Panthers brought in Graham Mink, a 31 year old AHL All-star who has won a Calder Cup championship with the Hershey Bears (WAS) just two years ago.

T.J. Hensick was brought in from a deal with Colorado which saw Julian Talbot head to Denver. Hensick, was slotted at a time to possibly crack the Blues roster. After an average training camp, the AHL All-star was sent to the Rivermen. Hensick is a possible injury call-up for the Blues.

Dean Arsene brings Calder Cup experience to Peoria.

Though these were the only veteran additions via the trade route. But the Blues helped add some veteran presence for the kids through free agency. Brennan Evans, Dean Arsene, David Spina, Dave Scatchard, and Nathan Oystrick were all free agent additions. Arsene and Oystrick both have won Calder Cups with Hershey (WAS) and Chicago (ATL) respectively.

With a good mix of veterans, Peoria could go two very different ways. Will the over abundance of rookies help or hurt the Rivermen? Will the veteran presence help off-set rookie mistakes that are bound to happen? Only time will answer these questions, so lets look at what we do know.

The Rivermen should have a solid tandem in the net. Bishop, coming off an incredible pre-season with the Blues, needs to step up this year and prove that he can play at a

Ben Bishop needs a big season to prove to the Blues he's ready for the back up job in St. Louis.

high level in Peoria if he wants a crack at the NHL roster next season. If Bishop has a strong year this season, he could potentially be the Blues back up next season. If he has a poor season? Well, this is the last year of his contract, the Blues could sign a back up and wants Jake Allen having the reigns in Peoria, he could walk. But I just don’t see that happening. Bishop needs a big year and I think he has one. He’ll get the bulk of the starts in Peoria this season and will, in my opinion, not only be a all-star with Peoria this season, but could lead them back to the post season, which is something most fans are anticipating.

Jake Allen is coming off another strong year in juniors. He won the CHL goalie of the year award and is coming into Peoria this season as a rookie. He’ll take the back up role which was held by Hannu Toivonen/Joe Fallon last season. I don’t think 25-30 games is out of the question for Allen this coming season and I think it’ll be enough for him as well. He’s going to be facing professional players, no longer playing the kids. He’ll need time to adjust and he’ll have it. Now while I expect him to back up this season, next season is going to be a big one for him. He’ll likely be the starter and could potentially have another rookie as a back up (Paul Karpowich). But we’ll look at that later this season.

Offense from the defense can’t be relied on. Ian Cole, Mark Cundari, and from a smaller standpoint, Nathan Oystrick, those will be the only offensive defenders we have. Dean Arsene isn’t going to add much on offensive, neither will Brennan Evans.  Cole and Cundari will be the two go to guys to start with Peoria as the offensive kids. Throughout the season, Alex Pietrangelo will likely see some AHL games and he’ll be the go-to-guy from an offensive stand point from the defense as well.

While he wont be a offensive guy, Tyson Strachan will also get AHL time once Nikita Nikitin returns from injury.  Nikitin is also a guy who will likely see some AHL time as well.

The Rivermen announced today that they signed defensemen Derek Peltier to a PTO to round out their 23-man roster.

The Rivermen will have offense from their forwards this year, and potentially a very high offense as well. With two AHL All-stars in T.J. Hensick and Graham Mink, not to mention potential All-star players in Brett Sonne, Nicholas Drazenovic, and Adam Cracknell, offense shouldn’t be a problem.

The Rivermen are adding a lot of high scoring kids from juniors as well. Phil McRae, Tyler Shattock and Stefan Della Rovere can and likely will add a good chunk of points this season for the Rivermen. McRae is coming off a 51 point season, split between London and Plymouth of the OHL. Shattock notched 78 points for Kamloops/Calgary of the WHL. While Stefan Della Rovere captained the Barrie Colts of the OHL and notched 41 points.

Della Rovere also played in two games for the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League playoffs and was with the team when they won the Calder Cup championship.

The Rivermen also have a few guys playing in Alaska who could serve as call up to the Rivermen roster. Kory Filate, Gerald Coleman, Mark Isherwood, all free agent signings from this past season could see some time, while Ryan Turek and Daryl Boyle, both under contract with St. Louis from last season could see some time with the Rivs.

Ian Cole will eat some big minutes for Peoria and his play could very well lead the Rivermen back to the post season.

I expect the Peoria Rivermen to knock on the door of the playoffs and potentially make a run in the post season. It’s going to be an interesting season, depending on how our rookies can do. If they succeed, Peoria could be a top team in the AHL. If not, it could be a long season for Riverman fans.

Be sure to check back here as I look to have weekly updates on the Rivermen. We will be able to answer the questions, how they are doing in the standings, how the kids are progressing. Is Bishop is going to be the goalie to step up, or will he fall as another goaltender who just couldn’t develop in the Blues system (Sorry Marek Schwarz). Only time will answer these questions, I will be around all season long to help bring these answers to you.

Lets go Blues, and lets go Rivermen!

Randall Ritchey

randallritchey@gmail.com

ANYWAY, What I am here to right about……Peoria needs some help!

Ian Cole will likely be back in Peoria next season, but my question is, what role will he play?

Can we expect any more free agent signings? My answer would be yes, but it will not be anything in St. Louis. Peoria needs some depth after seeing Justin Fletcher, Barry Tallackson, Jonas Junland, and Pascal Pelletier all inked contracts over seas. Leaving some pretty big holes on the Rivermen roster.

Having signing Matt D’Agostini and TJ Hensick, we can likely expect to see one of these two in Peoria unless they both have dominant training camps.  Which will add some high power American League scoring. Adding rookies such as Philip McRae, Tyler Shattock,  and Anthony Nigro the Blues will be adding size and scoring to their top affiliate team through rookies.

Though this being said, veterans are very much needed. We will see veteran forwards Nicholas Drazenovic and Chris Porter, who are my two top candidates for captain of the Rivermen. Not to mention forwards Cam Paddock, Ryan Reaves and Adam Cracknell returning as well. Who Peoria adds on AHL/ECHL deals or the Blues add via NHL/AHL deals, the offense could shape out in many different ways. Seeing Brett Sonne in a second year, hoping that one of D’Agostini/Hensick can dominate at the AHL level, we could see a very strong scoring team with a lot of toughness as well.

On the defense, we’ll see Daryl Boyle and Bryce Lampman most likely make the return as the only veterans returning.

Ian Cole will most likely will return to Peoria (unless he impresses at camp) and will be a big part of the Rivs defensive unit. Rookie Mark Cundari will be joining the ranks in Peoria and I wouldn’t be to surprised to see TJ Fast and Ryan Turek jump from Alaska to join the ranks in Peoria. The newest addition brings some NHL experience from Nathan Oystrick. I expect to see Oystrick in Peoria and Strachan in the role of the 7th defensemen in St. Louis. But the Blues could go opposite and stick Strachan back in Peoria as a top pairing defender and have Oystrick riding the pine in the Lou.

Add in defensemen and tough guy Brennan Evans on the blueline in Peoria and you round out a solid defensive core. Veterans in Boyle, Lampman, Evans, Oystrick/Strachan leaves me to question the roles of Ian Cole and Mark Cundari. Mex guess, they’ll be leading the Rivermen’s powerplay. We could see Russian Nikita Nikitin in Peoria as well which could add a big body to help stabilize the power play.

Bishop will be the go to goalie if Halak or Conklin sustain injuries.

Both Ian Cole and Mark Cundari play the same type of game. The ability to play the two way game of ranking up some points and shutting down the opponents. Not to mention both players can deck you if you’re coming down the rink the wrong way, the Rivermen blue line is going to be fun to watch.

The goaltending is pretty straight forward. St. Louis let Joe Fallon, acquired from Chicagolast season, go by not tendering him a contract last season. Peoria is going to work with Ben Bishop and Jake Allen this season. Who will start and who will back up? That’ll likely be whoever has the hot hand.

Now I don’t expect all of this to be right because the Blues could trade one or two of these players, or they could prove their worth in camp and force the Blues to keep them (ala Steve Wagner….wow that went down hill didn’t it?)

Here are my top call ups on the season;

Forwards : Nicholas Drazenovic, TJ Hensick/Matt D’Agostini/Chris Porter

Defense : Ian Cole, Nikita Nikitin/Tyson Strachan, Mark Cundari

Goaltending : Ben Bishop

Do you agree? Let me know!

RandallRitchey@gmail.com

Pascal Pelletier has been an offensive leader for the Rivermen since he was acquired - Image via Rivermen.net

Recent Peoria addition Pascal Pelletier (acquired in a trade with Columbus for Defensemen Brenden Bell) was named the World Painting Company Player of the Month. Pascal recorded 8 Points (1G, 7A) in 12 Peoria Games this month. Overall he has 18 Points (6G, 12A) in 23 games with the Rivermen.

Blues fans could see Pascal in the Bluenote at some point this season if the team slides out of the playoff race and injuries occur at the NHL level. In a career 326 AHL Games, Pascal has 109 Goals and 259 Points. That is a fair .79 points/game pace.

Bryce Lampman - Image via www.Rivermen.net

Riverman Defensemen Bryce Lampman was taken off the ice on a stretcher Wednesday night. He as hit from behind by Houston Aeros Forward Colton Gilles. The hit earned Gilles a 2 game suspension. Gilles ran Lampman from behind, face first in the the boards. He went to the hospital and received ten stitches above his eye. Anthony Peluso was recalled from the ECHL Alaska Aces to take Lampman’s place.

Blues 2007 2nd Round pick Aaron Palushaj continues to battle a high ankle sprain injury.

Journeyman Derek Armstrong tallied all Four Peoria goals on January 30th in a 5-4 Loss to the Houston Aeros.

Lars Eller continues to grow as a professional in North America. He has 33 points in 41 games with the Rivermen. Defensemen Jonas Junland has 30 points and a Plus-10 rating in 49 Games. Nicholas Drazenovic has 27 Points in 38 Games Played.

Ben Bishop has had mixed reviews (and play) all season, but is currently 15-10-3 with a 2.77 GAA and .902 Save %.

Pascall Pelltier will join the Peoria Rivermen.

Pelletier has played 25 games with the Columbus farm team, the Syracuse Crunch this season, posting 16 points (three goals, 13 assists).

Pelletier went undrafted out of college and then eventually signed a contract with the Boston Bruins in 2005-06.  He played many years with the Bruins farm team, the Providence Bruins.

His rights were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008-09 in exchange for Martin St. Pierre. After playing one season with the Hawks minor league club, the Rockford Ice Hogs.

After his contract expired at the end of last season, he signed a free agent contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets for this upcoming year. Now 25 games in, he has been traded to the St. Louis Blues.

Pelletier has played thirteen NHL games and has recorded no points.

Randall Ritchey

randallritchey@gmail.com