Pistol sounds as CHL camps begin

It's late August, and cuts are already being made in junior hockey. QMJHL camps have opened, and four Sabres hopefuls saw their exhibition schedules get underway over the weekend before Hurricane Bill put a damper on the north Atlantic coast. Chicoutimi's Jacob Lagacé kicked the pre-season off on Friday, scoring an early power play goal as the Sags blanked Baie-Comeau, 4-0. The 19-year old forward, who last season led the Sags with 32 goals and 69 points, gave way to younger players in a pair of weekend contests. On Saturday, fourth-year blueliner Jordon Southorn had a goal and three shots on net as PEI took a 6-5 shootout win over Halifax. Southourn's marker midway through the second period launched a three-goal outburst in a span of 2:14 for the Rocket. The 6'2 defender had looked strong and sharp through a pair intrasquad scrimmages heading into the weekend. Cape Breton's Luke Adam practiced with his new team for the first time on Tuesday, but did not play in Friday's 7-2 loss at Moncton. The 6'2, 210-pounder has been skating on a top line with fellow newcomer Ashton Bernard (NJ). The early favorite to wear the "C" in Shawinigan, Maxime Legault, 20, did not play in pair of weekend home games for the Cats. It's worth noting that former Sabres prospect Jean-Simon Allard decided to not return to the QMJHL for his 20-year old season. After four years in the Q, the unsigned Allard instead had planned on playing for Alma College (QC) before his transfer was denied by the AAA league offices. It is unknown where or if Allard will be playing this season. -------------------------------------------------------------- OHL and WHL clubs will follow by opening training camps on Wednesday and Thursday. Nick Crawford, 19, will head to Saginaw on Wednesday, where the Spirit will conduct three Blue/White scrimmages on Thursday and and Friday before opening their exhibition schedule against Plymouth on Saturday. Fresh off the heels of a Team Canada Evaluation Camp, 2009 first rounder Zack Kassian will get things underway in Peterborough on Thursday. The Petes will skate in their first tune-up on Sunday the 30th at Oshawa. Marcus Foligno and the Sudbury Wolves will also begin camp on Thursday, with their annual Blue/White scrimmage set for Friday. The Wolves will begin their pre-season schedule at Soo on Tuesday, September 1st. In the WHL, Kootenay's Brayden McNabb, 18, will join his teammates for the start of camp on Thursday. The 6'4 rearguard recorded 10 goals, 36 points, and 140 PIM last season for the Ice, who won't hold their first preseason game until Friday, September 4th against Calgary. Also of western note, development camp invite Burke Gallimore of the Saskatoon Blades will be attending the rookie portion of the Edmonton Oilers training camp.

Allard heads back to draft

With no deal made by Monday's signing deadline for 2007 major-junior draft picks, the Buffalo Sabres have effectively parted ways with former fifth round selection, Jean-Simon Allard. A forward with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL, Allard will re-enter the June draft as a 20-year old. The 6'3, 192-pounder grew some as a player with St. John's in 2007-08, scoring 16 goals and 44 assists for the Fog Devils in their last season on the Rock. That year, Allard skated as a teammate of current Sabres prospects T.J. Brennan and Luke Adam. With the Foggies relocating to Montreal for 2008-09, the team made a splash at the 2008 QMJHL draft by sending Allard up the river to Quebec City in exchange for native son, Angelo Esposito. Allard's debut with Patrick Roy's Remparts was set back when he broke his jaw on the opening day of training camp. After a quicker-than-expected recovery, he got out of the gate fairly well by scoring 12 points (3+9) in his first nine games through mid-October. Despite the nice start, Allard never took full advantage of the talented Remparts roster that featured a total of eight NHL draft picks including offensive minded Mikhail Stefanovich, Kelsey Tessier, and Dmitry Kugryshev. His production cooled as a result, as it would take another 23 games before Allard would net his next 12 points. Toting a finesse approach while often unwilling to go to the tough areas, Allard finished the year with 16-40-56 in 66 games. Regardless of Marek Zagrapan's KHL designs, the free agent signing of Travis Turnbull and the extended look given to flashy speedster Paul Byron provided a bit of foreshadowing for the non-signing. Allard's style may be best suited for European action after one more year of junior, as it's doubtful that a team selects the re-entry at the end of the month.

Clock ticks for Byron, Allard

With the 5PM June 1st signing deadline looming, SabresProspects has been fielding many questions surrounding the future of 2007 QMJHL draftees Paul Byron and J.S. Allard. If both players do not come to terms with the Sabres, they will re-enter the June draft as 20-year olds. While direct attempts to reach the forwards have not been returned, the information we have received suggests that both parties are talking with the Sabres. As of now, the club doesn't appear to be walking away from either player like they did last May when informing Benjamin Breault that he wasn't part of their future plans. A point producer in his own regard, there were rumored to be other mitigating factors guiding the Sabres decision. In 2008-09, the speedy Byron finished 4th in Q scoring (99 points) on the heels of a 21-goal playoff run that helped Gatineau earn a 2008 Memorial Cup appearance. Byron will no doubt use his performance as a negotiating ploy despite concerns that his 5'10, 170-pound frame may limit his effectiveness, and push him to the outside against bigger, stronger professional players. This posturing could theoretically go on until Monday. After a draft-day trade from Montreal to Quebec, Allard had a flat year statistically with 16 goals and 56 points after a 60-point campaign the season before. Allard isn't very physical, but he plays smart and possesses plenty of two-way upside in his 6'2, 193-pound body to make him a quality depth player for Portland to work with. Stay tuned to this space for updates as they become available.

Allard done; Myers locked in battle

On Friday, J.S. Allard saw his season come to an end in the QMJHL semifinals as Quebec dropped a 6-1 decision to Shawinigan. The Remparts lose the series 4-1 while the Cataractes move on to the face Drummondville for the President's Cup. Allard posted a pair of assists in Thursday's 5-4 loss for his only points of the series to end the postseason with two goals and 10 assists in 16 games. In the WHL, Tyler Myers and the Kelowna Rockets have split the first four games of their Western Conference Final with the Vancouver Giants with game five coming on Saturday. Myers has been dominant defensively, earning the #2 star in Thursday's 3-0 win, and thus far handling the rush and physicality of Evander Kane with little issue as the prize prospect has scored just one goal on Rockets netminder Mark Guggenberger. Myers is +4 with one assist in the series and is currently tied for 2nd in WHL playoff scoring for defenseman with 14 points (4+10).

4/17 Recap: Allard points as series opens

In the QMJHL semifinals, J.S. Allard (+1) assisted on the game winning goal as Quebec bested Shawinigan, 4-2. The home ice victory gives the Remparts a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-seven. The 6'2 Allard has points in two straight after a six-game drought, and is sixth in team scoring with two goals and eight assist in 13 playoff games. Tyler Myers and the Kelowna Rockets will open their WHL Western Conference Final match up with the Vancouver Giants on Saturday.

Allard advances in Q

J.S. Allard (+1) assisted on the Remparts' first goal (and eventual game winner) as Quebec pitched a second straight against Cape Breton, 3-0. The helper was Allard's first point of the series, and 9th of the postseason, while also contiributing at the dot by winning nine of 11 draws. The win gives the Rems a 4-3 series victory over the Eagles, and a date with Shawinigan in the QMJHL semifinals.

4/13 Recap: Remparts win; Allard alive

J.S. Allard registered a shot on goal as Quebec blanked Cape Breton 3-0 in game six of their QMJHL quarterfinal match-up. The two teams will decide the series Tuesday night in Quebec City. Centering top-liners Mikhail Stefanovich (TOR) and Dmitri Kugryshev (WAS) despite not registering a point all series, Allard won 40% of his draws while playing smart early on to help propel the Remparts into game seven. As part of Patrick Roy's shake-up, former Sabres prospect Benjamin Breault acquitted himself on the bottom line after an unfinished check allowed the Screaming Eagles to score a key goal on Friday.

4/6-10 Recap: And then there was two

My apologies to those visiting over the past week for the lack of updates. After serving an unintentional five-day misconduct, let's jump back in with a capsule of the week's action that leaves just two players competing for the Memorial Cup. In Tuesday WHL play, Tyler Myers (-1) had a goal and two assists as Kelowna rolled over Tri-City, 7-2. The win put the Rockets behind 2-1 in their best-of-seven. The following night, Myers forced overtime with a power play goal then drew an assist on Jamie Benn's game winner as Kelowna evened the series with a 4-3 win. In Friday's game five, Myers (+1) had an assist as the Rockets defeated the Americans, 5-2. Myers has four goals and eight assists while pointing in seven of the Rockets' nine postseason games. With their #1 rearguard logging monster minutes, Kelowna will look to complete the comeback on Sunday. While Myers was helping dig the Rockets out of a 2-0 series hole, left wing Tyler Ennis and the Medicine Hat Tigers were getting dominated by an offensive-minded Brandon Wheat Kings in their quarterfinal match-up. On Wednesday, Ennis was -2 as the Tigers were blown-out by the Wheaties, 6-1. Brayden Schenn, 17, had a goal and an assist for the winners, and looks like a pivot that teams will trade up for come June. Facing a 3-0 series deficit, Ennis was -3 as the Tigers season came to an end on Friday with a 6-2 loss in Brandon. Ennis ends the playoff year as the second leading scorer, potting eight goals and 11 assists in 11 games. With many Tigers dealing with flu bugs and other dings, Ennis was rumored to be nursing an injury throughout the second round. It's now time to get the contract talks going as Ennis is done as a junior. ****** In the QMJHL this week, two prospects saw their junior careers end, while one other remains in the mix to advance in the final round. On Tuesday, J.S. Allard was -1 in Quebec's 3-2 win over Cape Breton. The Remparts halved the Screaming Eagles lead in the series to 2-1 with the W. The 6'2 forward posted two shots on goal as the Rems evened things up with a 5-2 victory on Wednesday. On Friday, Allard was -1 as the Remparts dropped a 3-2 decision to the Screaming Eagles. After pointing in every game of round one, the Alma, QC native has failed to hit the scoresheet while racking up a cumulative -5 in the series. Allard and the Rems will look to stave off elimination and force a game seven on Monday. With Allard's junior hopes still alive, two other Sabres prospects saw their seasons end over the course of the week. Hot in the first round, T.J. Brennan finished -3 on Tuesday as over-matched Montreal got pounded by Drummondville, 6-1. The win put the Volts comfortably ahead 3-0 in the series. On Wednesday, Brennan would go on to notch an assist in the Juniors 5-3 loss as the Volts earned the sweep. Entering the week locked in a 1-1 series tie, Paul Byron and Gatineau lost three straight games to see their season close in a quarterfinal loss to Shawinigan. On Tuesday, Byron had a goal and an assist as the 'Piques fell to the Cataractes, 6-3. The points extended the right wing's playoff scoring streak to eight games, and a total of 15 dating back to the final regular season contests. Wednesday saw the Ottawa native's streak end as the 5'9 Byron finished -2 in a 4-2 loss in Shawinigan. Byron came back on Friday to pot an assist, but Gatineau was overwhelmed in a 5-2 loss. A year after leading the QMJHL playoffs in goals (21) en route to a Memorial Cup appearance, the speedster ends his two-round postseason with two goals and 14 assists. ****** In the OHL, a pair of Sabres hopefuls concluded their 2008-09 campaigns as their respective clubs were bounced in the quarterfinal round. On Tuesday, Nick Crawford had an assist in Saginaw's 5-2 loss to London. The Knights dominated the Spirit to earn an easy sweep, forcing Crawford and his fellow blueliners into a hesitant posture throughout the four games. Heading back to the O in 2009-10, Crawford ends his postseason at -1 with a goal and four assists in eight contests. Also on Tuesday, Drew Schiestel was -2 as Niagara lost a 5-2 decision to Belleville on home ice. With the win, the Bulls skated away with a 3-1 series lead. On Thursday, Schiestel (-2) earned in an assist in what should be his final junior hockey game as the Dogs fell to the Bulls, 5-2. With the 4-1 series loss, Schiestel finished the playoffs with two goals and six assists and now awaits a contract. ****** On Thursday at the NCAA Frozen Four in Washington, DC, Drew MacKenzie scored his first collegiate goal as Vermont lost to Boston University 5-4 in the National Semifinal. Playing well defensively throughout, the Connecticut native pumped home a screen shot at 9:40 of the third period, but saw the game-tying goal bounce off him and into the Catamount net just three-and-half minutes later as victory started to slip out of UVM's hands. For more on the ups and downs of MacKenzie's night, check out this USCHO article.

The freshman defenseman was in line to be the hero for a Catamounts’ come-from-behind victory under the bright lights of college hockey’s biggest stage. His first collegiate goal, scored with just over a half a period remaining in the third, put Vermont ahead in a see-saw affair. However, things turned against him a short time later when he redirected a rebound past his own goaltender, igniting a BU rally that put the Terriers in the title game and had the Catamounts packing their locker room. “It went from being a high point to . . letting that one go in off my stick, obviously I’m disappointed, but there’s nothing I can do about it now,” MacKenzie said. “If I could take back that goal, I would. But it happened, so you can’t do anything.”

4/5 Recap: Ennis ups ante with five-point night

In a wild western shootout, Tyler Ennis (+2) had a whopping five assists as Medicine Hat lost to Brandon, 8-6. Ennis' five-point night gives him 19 in nine games to lead all WHL playoff scorers, and comes one night after fellow prospect Paul Byron collected three helpers in a Gatineau win. Looking poised to even the series with a 5-3 lead after 20-minutes, the Tigers had trouble matching the Wheat Kings the rest of the way thanks in part to '09's Brayden Schenn (one goal, one assist) and Scott Glennie (three assists). Zdenek Okal had a hat trick and an assist for the Tigers. Series: Wheat Kings 2, Tigers 0. In the QMJHL,J.S. Allard finished -2 as Quebec lost to Cape Breton, 5-3. After marking in all four games of the Remparts' first round sweep, Allard has failed to hit the sheet in the two games of the QMJHL quarterfinal. Series: Cape Breton 2, Quebec 1. In the OHL, Drew Schiestel was +2 as Niagara shut out Belleville, 2-0. Jeremy Smith stopped all 50 shots the Bulls fired to get the Dogs on the board with a W. Series: Belleville 2, Niagara 1. Nick Crawford was even in Saginaw's 4-1 loss to London. Crawford and the Spirit will look to extend their seasons and avoid the Knights sweep on Tuesday. Series: London 3, Saginaw 0.