Baker's Dozen Interview: Luke Adam

Luke Adam, a second round pick of the Sabres in 2008, recently took a break from resting to answer a baker's dozen worth of questions for SabresProspects. At 6'2, 203 pounds, Adam represents the best combination of size and scoring ability in the Sabres' future cupboards. After leading the St. John's Fog Devils in points a season ago, the Newfoundland native was posting a good run through the QMJHL in 2008-09 before a ruptured spleen derailed his season in mid-February. In 47 games for the Montreal Juniors, Adam scored 22 goals and 27 assists. SabresProspects: The Sabres used you mostly on LW at their summer conditioning camp. You have shifted back and forth between there and center this season. Where do you think you're most effective? Do you have a preference? Luke Adam: I feel comfortable playing both positions now. I never played wing until I went to major junior so over my first two seasons I learned to play that position. I prefer playing center. I feel I can contribute down low in both the offensive and the defensive zones, and I think center allows me to do that me. I am glad I have been able to learn both positions to help me get to the next level. SP: With the Fog Devils relocating to Verdun, you moved from your home of Newfoundland to Montreal. A new city with new billets and a new language. Did any of the transition effect your game on the ice? LA: I don’t think the transition had any effect on my game. It was different living away from home but I was lucky to have good billets and be close with my teammates which made it much easier to adapt to a new city. SP: You had your first fight of the season in late January. It's not a big piece to your game, but it had to feel good to get one under your belt for your teammates. LA: Like you said that’s not a big piece of my game but it did feel good to get it under my belt. It’s not something I look to go out of my way to do. It’s part of the game and is done to protect yourself or your teammates. SP: You went down with an unfortunate injury after taking a hit. Can you describe what happened? LA: I was playing with mononucleosis for 4 weeks before the injury. I was unaware that I had it. I felt tired and had most symptoms now that I look back on it but I thought it was just flu from a tough schedule. The team trainer and doctors didn’t suggest I get checked when I told them how I was feeling so I was just trying to play through it. Your spleen is enlarged when you have mono and that is the danger of playing contact sports with it. It wasn’t a big hit, it was more of an open ice bump and it felt like I lost my wind. I then thought it was maybe broken ribs, I was also having trouble breathing. The doctors suggested I got to the hospital and an hour later I was on the operating table. I spent one week in hospital and now I am home in Newfoundland recovering. The doctor says I can’t do any activity for 2-3 months. After that I will be fine to continue living the lifestyle I am used to. SP: When do you think you can begin skating again? LA: I haven’t set a date. I will start slowly getting back into a workout routine hopefully in the weeks of April. SP: Your offensive pace was up before the injury (1.04 ppg this season, .94 in 2007-08). With a return to the Q likely as a 19-year old, will be your developmental goals for next season? What is the one skill you'll need to sharpen most before playing up a level? LA: I sit down before each season and write down some personal and team goals. From what I saw in training camp this past year I think to get to the next level you have to do everything much faster. Shooting, passing, skating, thinking - everything has to be done quicker SP: Future mates Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis won World Junior gold with Team Canada (along with Montreal teammate Angelo Esposito). Did you have a chance to speak with them afterwards? LA: I've been able to speak to both of them since the tournament. I congratulated both of them on winning gold and representing the country well. Both are having good seasons which is always great to see. SP: Who was the most difficult player you faced this season? LA: There are lots of great players in the league which makes it very tough to just pick one. I always knew it was going to be a tough game when we played against the Quebec Remparts and Kevin Marshall. They have a great team and if I had to choose he is probably the toughest defenseman to face in the Quebec league. SP: I'm sure that you and T.J. Brennan have had some nice one-on-one battles in practice over the past couple of years. Who usually takes those? LA: I think if you ask him you’ll get a different answer, but I’d say I had the slight edge on the 1 on 1’s. He can’t quite handle my toe drag. (laughs) SP: You gained the attention of Sabres scouts as they kept tabs on previous picks Brennan and J.S. Allard. In 2010, current teammate Guillaume Asselin will be draft eligible. How would you describe him as a player? LA: Guillaume is a very skilled player. He is confident with his ability and was a good player for us this season. He is only 16 so he will develop and learn a lot over the next few years in junior. Most of all though Gui is a great kid and was well liked by the other players on the team SP: Have you spoken with the Sabres often during the year? LA: I have been in contact with the Sabres all year. Whether if it was someone from staff, the office or the scouts they were in contact with me throughout the year and since the injury. SP: I'm sure you embrace GM Darcy Regier comparing your game to fellow Newfie Ryane Clowe. Are there any other players that you can compare elements of your game to? LA: It was great to be compared to Ryane. He is having a fantastic season this year and finally putting up the numbers most people that knew him thought he could. To be compared to anyone in the NHL is a huge compliment and honour. I try to be a big strong forward who can make plays and score goals. I pride my game on winning battles down low for loose pucks and use my big body to protect it. Other players I like to watch and learn from are Rick Nash and Shane Doan. To round out the Baker's dozen, let's end off the beaten path... SP: If you could star as any character in a remake of any movie, who would you be? LA: That’s a tough question. I would love to be in the movie Mystery Alaska. ---------------------- SabresProspects would like to give a Luke a tap on the shin pads for answering our questions, and wish him well on the road to recovery.

2/28 Recap: Biega bags 20; Eidsness commits robbery

Alex Biega had a pair of assists as Harvard downed #6 Princeton, 3-2. The 5'11 defender made a nice play to knock down a Princeton clear at the blueline to help set up the game winner with 8:11 remaining. The power play helpers raise Biega's point total to an even 20 for the year, while the Crimson win gives them a fifth place finish in the ECAC. Unbeaten in their last six, Harvard will faceoff against #12 Brown next weekend in the first round of the playoffs.

At the Ralph in Grand Forks, Brad Eidsness made 24 saves including a show-stopping candidate to make Sportscenter with just over 2:00 left in regulation as #8 North Dakota tied #13 Colorado College, 4-4. With a wide open net greeting a CC shooter about to backhand a rebound, the freshman athletically got across to get a piece of the puck and keep the game tied. Eidsness was excellent down the stretch after poor positioning and a defensive miscue allowed a Chad Rau wraparound goal to pull CC back to 4-4 with just under 8:00 to play. The Albertan will look to improve his 20-8-4 record when the two teams play it back on Sunday.

Andrew Orpik scored his fourth goal of the season to force overtime Boston College defeated Providence, 4-3. Orpik's tally with 7:49 to play completed a three-goal comeback for the Eagles to set up the weekend sweep of the Friars.

In the Q, Jordon Southorn (+3) had three hits, four shots on goal, and an unusual five minor penalties as PEI defeated Saint John, 5-3. The 6'2 defenseman had some nice offensive opportunities while sprinkling in a few giveaways along the way. 2009 eligible Benjamin Casavant piled up three goals, one assist, 13 shots on goal, and eight blocked shots to pace the Rocket. The 6'2, 200-pounder now has 37 goals on the season, and despite below average skating ability, has great hands and a solid work ethic to be the type of Q forward that could garner a middle-round look from the Sabres.

Paul Byron had an assist in Gatineau's 5-0 drubbing of Lewiston. Byron is fifth in the league with 86 points, and will need to put together a run in the final six games to hit the century mark.

A night after a magical six-goal output, Tyler Ennis and his Medicine Hat mates were shutout by Kootenay, 2-0. 2009 eligible Brayden McNabb, a 6'4, 195-pound defenseman, had an assist for the victors to raise his season total to 30 (8+22).

Tyler Myers was even as Kelowna won a 2-1 showdown with the WHL's top team Calgary.

In the OHL, Nick Crawford (-1) had an assist as Saginaw lost to Owen Sound in overtime, 4-3. The point came on a 5-3 power play as the Spirit tied the game with 8:07 to play. 2009 eligible Jordan Szwarz had a goal and an assist for Saginaw.

Dennis Persson skated 17:22 on the third pair, logging two shots on goal in Timra's 3-2 loss to Lulea. The 6'1 blueliner has a goal and five assists while averaging 12:09 of action through 46 games.

Nick Eno made 17 saves as last place Bowling Green lost to Western Michigan for the second straight night, 5-3. Four of the five goals against came on low shots, as two beat him five-hole, one came stick-side along the ice, and another went softly between his right pad and the post.

Justin Jokinen was scratched as Minnesota State tied Wisconsin, 3-3.

Matt Generous sat out as St. Lawrence shutout RPI, 2-0. Generous sprained an MCL in Friday's win over Quinnipiac, and his status won't be known until Monday. The Saint win in conjunction with Quinnipiac pitching a 4-1 upset of Dartmouth 4-1 on Saturday put SLU into fourth place in the final ECAC standings, giving Generous and Saints a break next weekend as the top four clubs earn first round byes.

MacKenzie skating, not yet cleared

Vermont freshman Drew MacKenzie, out since February 6th after coming down with mononucleosis, returned to skating this week with the #8 Catamounts. The 6'2, 200-pound defenseman has not been cleared to play, but a return for next weekend's set with New Hampshire could be within reach. The Taft alum is +1 with three assists in 24 games this season.

2/27 Recap: Ennis sparkles with six goal night

Reigning WHL Player of the Week Tyler Ennis was a one-man wrecking crew on Friday, connecting for an amazing six goals as Medicine Hat defeated Prince Albert, 6-2. Missing the WHL league record by one goal, the star left wing closed the night with two highlight reel plays to up his 2008-09 season total to 41 in 54 games. Trailing 1-0 to start the second period, the Edmonton native completed a natural hat trick through the first 11:48 to make it 3-1 Tigers entering the third. Minutes after scoring his fourth of the night at 2:48, Ennis shot down the right side past a Raider dman and buried a wraparound for his fifth. His sixth of the night came at 13:24 when he spun to his backhand on a partial break for a roofing finish. The speedster didn't see much action in the final 6:00, completing the most dominating single game performance that the league has seen in years. Tyler Myers was +1 as Kelowna fell to Red Deer, 3-2. The final buzzer saw a minor scrum that earned the defenseman a double minor for roughing and a misconduct. Myers, who has 10 points in February, saw his streak of four straight appearances in the Three Stars of the Game come to an end in the loss. He had earned three firsts and one second in that stretch. Alex Biega (+1) used a blistering left point shot to score the game winning goal as Harvard defeated Quinnipiac, 2-1. The junior defenseman scored his fourth of the year on a 4-4 after brother Michael put the Crimson on the board earlier with his sixth. Harvard is now unbeaten in five games since the Beanpot. Also from the ECAC, senior defenseman Matt Generous did not return from a first period injury as St. Lawrence defeated Union, 2-0. Generous went down with sprained MCL in his left knee after being checked in to the boards by Union's Brian Yanovitch. In Hockey East, Andrew Orpik picked up a late assist as Boston College cruised past Providence, 5-1. Justin Jokinen was even as a left wing in Mankato's 4-3 OT win over Wisconsin. Nick Eno served as Jimmy Spratt's backup as Bowling Green fell to Western Michigan, 5-2. In the QMJHL, Jacob Lagacé (-1) had a power play assist as Chicoutimi came up short in a 6-5 loss to red-hot Rimouski. Trailing 6-3 with just over 14:00 to play, the Sags would score two third period goals but couldn't catch up as the Nics won their 15th consecutive game. Paul Byron had five shots on goal and was stopped in the shootout as Gatineau lost to Lewiston, 2-1. J.S. Allard was even as Quebec lost to Shawinigan, 7-4. T.J. Brennan was -3 in Montreal's 7-3 loss to Drummondville. In OHL action, Drew Schiestel was -2 as Niagara got smoked by Brampton, 6-0. Losers of four of their last five, the struggling Dogs played without defenders Alex Pietrangleo and Reggie Traccitto. Now sitting at -25, Schiestel is among the bottom four for all league skaters in the category. In Germany, Philip Gogulla had two shots on goal in Cologne's 5-2 loss to Mannheim.

2/24-26 Recap: Schiestel shoots for 9th

Drew Schiestel scored a goal in Niagara's 7-4 loss to Mississauga St. Mike's. The tally was a career-high ninth for the Dogs defender, and raises his season point total to 46 in 56 games. In the QMJHL, Jordon Southorn (-2) assisted on Benjamin Casavant's 33rd goal of the season as PEI lost to Halifax, 4-2. The helper snaps a six-game drought for the defenseman. Jacob Lagacé was -2 in Chicoutimi's 5-2 loss to Shawinigan. Entering play, the winger had registered a point in six straight games. Dennis Persson was -1 in 17:22 of icetime as Timra fell to Brynas, 4-3. Earlier in the week, Persson (+1) had an assist in 16:04 of work in the Eagles 3-2 loss to Frolunda. On Wednesday, Tyler Myers (+1) had an assist as Kelowna routed Medicine Hat, 6-1. Tyler Ennis was -2 for the Tigers while seeing his six-game point streak snapped in the loss. In the OHL, Nick Crawford had an assist as Saginaw stumbled for the second straight time against Plymouth, 6-2. Crawford committed a bad turnover just :11 into the second period to give the surging Whalers a 2-1 lead. Tyler Seguin ('92) had a goal and two assists while on Whaler power plays in the win. On Tuesday, Justin Jokinen (3 SOG) was -1 as Minnesota State played to a 2-2 tie with Nebraska-Omaha.

Ennis earns 'Dub honors

As suspected, Tyler Ennis has been named the Boston Pizza WHL Player of the Week.

Ennis picked up eight points, scoring five goals and three assists in three games over the past week, helping the Tigers post a 2-1-0-0 road record in that span. On Wednesday, February 18th, the Tigers hosted the surging Brandon Wheat Kings at the Medicine Hat Arena. Ennis picked up one assist in the contest as the Tigers fell 4-1 to the Wheaties. On Friday, February 20th, the Tigers travelled down ‘Highway 3’ to face WHL Central Division rivals the Hurricanes at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge. Ennis netted a power play goal and added an assist as the Tigers downed the Hurricanes 6-3. The next evening, Saturday, February 21st, the second half of the home-and-home series was played out between the Tigers and ‘Canes at the Arena in Medicine Hat. Ennis scored four goals and added an assist as the Tigers swept the weekend series with an 8-3 win. He was also named the games 1st Star. Ennis’ 8 points over the last three games has him sitting 14th among all WHL scorers with 71 points (35 goals, 36 assists) in 52 games and extends his point scoring streak to 6 games. The Tigers have won four of their last five games and sit fourth in the WHL Eastern Conference with a record of 33-23-4-3 for 73 points.

2/22 Recap: Myers wires 8th; Allard, Lagacé roll fours

In the WHL, Tyler Myers (+2) continued his strong play in the 2009 calendar year by scoring the shorthanded winner in Kelowna's 4-1 win over Chilliwack. With his second game winner in as many nights, and eighth of the season, Myers earned the game's #2 star. The clinchers were his first two of the season and the first ever time he's scored in back-to-back games, while the weekend also saw the first two-goal game of his career on Saturday. Watching the gliding rearguard over the weekend reveals a player who, if able to maintain the pace and momentum since returning from Team Canada, will likely get some level of NHL exposure next season. In QMJHL play, J.S. Allard shook off a costly turnover on Saturday by scoring a goal and three assists on Sunday as Quebec doubled up Halifax, 8-4. Allard notched his 15th of the season while earning secondary helpers on three of Mikhail Stefanovich's four goals. The four-point night was Allard's highest single game output of the season. In Chicoutimi, Jacob Lagacé scored a goal and added three assists as the Sagueneens outlasted Baie-Comeau, 8-6. The 2008 fifth-rounder also fired seven shots on goal while blocking five. T.J. Brennan set up the game winning goal on the power play as Montreal defeated Bathurst, 4-1. Steady in both ends, Brennan was named the game's #3 star. Drew Schiestel was even as Niagara defeated Ottawa in overtime, 4-3. The defenseman was on the ice for a first period goal against, but wiped it off as the Dogs tied the game with :22 left in regulation. In Michigan, Nick Crawford finished -2 in Saginaw's 4-1 loss to Plymouth. In the DEL, Philip Gogulla had an assist as Cologne lost to Straubing, 7-5. The 6'2 wing spent most of the third period in the penalty box after getting ten for arguing a hooking call.

2/21 Recap: Twin Tylers dominant; Eidsness hits 20

In Medicine Hat, Tyler Ennis (+2) continued his torrid stretch, netting a season-best four goals to lead the Tigers past Lethbridge, 8-3. The dazzler completed the hat trick by scoring the game winning goal in the final minute of the second period before adding another for good measure in the final frame. Ennis has shredded the WHL since returning from the World Juniors, compiling 20 goals and 34 points while scoring in all but three of the 21 games since winning gold. He now has 35 goals on the season, good enough to eek into the WHL's top-10 in that category, and should get the book of free car washes as Player of the Week after his five-goal, seven-point string. Not to be outdone, Tyler Myers (+1) scored a pair of goals including the game winner as Kelowna gritted their way over Everett, 3-2. Myers was completely dominating in his #1 star effort, showing his versatility killing penalties while taking the game over with his puck carrying moxie. One rush in particular saw the 6'7-3/4 rearguard take the puck, gain speed, and gallop down the right side of the ice into the Tips zone. The Sabres top prospect now has seven goals and 36 points this season. In the QMJHL, Jordon Southorn (-1) had an assist as PEI rode a five-goal third period to an exciting 5-3 win over Quebec. 2009 eligible Benjamin Casavant helped shake off his club's unsavory opening 40:00 with his 31st and 32nd goals of the season to get the Rocket back on track. With the game tied 3-3 at 18:53, J.S. Allard committed a bad turnover right onto the stick of PEI's Ben Duffy, who potted the game winner. Allard finished -1 with four shots for the Remparts in the loss. T.J. Brennan contributed two shots on goal in Montreal's 3-1 win over Saint John. Paul Byron missed his second straight road game due to illness as Gatineau snuck past Baie-Comeau, 4-3 in OT. In the OHL, Nick Crawford (+1) had two assists as Saginaw defeated Guelph, 4-3 in overtime. The 6'1 defenseman helped set-up the game winner to earn his 38th point of the season (7+31). Reigning WCHA Rookie of the Week Brad Eidsness made 17 saves as #9 North Dakota swept the weekend Alaskan set with a 6-2 defeat of UAA. The win gives the freshman stopper an even 20 on the season, making Eidsness just the third goaltender in school history to reach that mark. In Hockey East, Andrew Orpik assisted on the first Eagles goal as #17 Boston College lost to #12 New Hampshire, 4-2. The point was Orpik's second in his last five games, with the senior going without a goal since November 28th. Alex Biega compiled four more shots on goal as Harvard rallied to a 3-3 tie with Clarkson. For the second night in a row, Biega started scoring plays that did not result in his name hitting the scoresheet. He pumped a pass up ice to create the first Harvard mark, and later made a real nice break-up of a 2-1 to start the play that resulted in the game-tying goal with 8:17 to play in the third. Also from the ECAC, Matt Generous was +1 as #20 St. Lawrence thumped Dartmouth 7-2 on Senior Night at Appleton Arena. Nick Eno again played back-up as Bowling Green pitched a 4-0 shutout against fellow CCHA also-ran, Michigan State.

2/20 Recap: CHLers produce; Eidsness shines

Tyler Ennis had a goal and an assist as Medicine Hat defeated Lethbridge, 6-3. Ennis scored his 31st of the season when he pounced on a rebound from the end boards in the second period. Luca Sbisa (PHI), who leveled Ennis with a big hit in the contest, scored his first goal since returning from the NHL. The two teams will play it back on Saturday. Tyler Myers (-2) had no points but set the pace for Kelowna in their 6-2 win at Western Conference leader Vancouver. The towering defender made physical statements early, and logged monster minutes throughout en route to earning the game's first star. In the OHL, Nick Crawford scored his seventh goal of the season as Saginaw upended Erie, 6-4. Crawford recorded a season-best +4 on the evening after notching a season-low -3 on Monday. Drew Schiestel scored on the power play in Niagara's 4-2 loss to Kingston. Schiestel's eighth of the season put the Dogs up 2-0 before giving up four unanswered goals to the Fronts in the final period and a half. In the QMJHL, Jacob Lagacé had a goal and an assist as Chicoutimi downed Gatineau, 5-3. The goal, Lagacé's 28th through 55 games played, came off a solid second effort down low. Les Olympiques leading scorer Paul Byron did not make the trip due to illness. T.J. Brennan returned from his five-game suspension, posting an assist for Montreal in their 3-1 win over PEI. Jordon Southorn had a game-high five hits for the Rocket in defeat. The Rocket's anchor has gone six games without a point, and hasn't scored a goal since December 19th. J.S. Allard (+2) assisted on an empty net goal as Quebec defeated Bathurst, 5-2. Allard now has points in two games after forming a line with Kelsey Tessier (COL) at center and Mikhail Stefanovich (TOR) on the opposite wing. In Germany, Philip Gogulla scored his 17th goal of the season as Cologne lost a 4-3 shootout to Sinupret. Gogulla was the only Sharks shooter to connect in the deciding frame. In NCAA play, Brad Eidsness came up huge, making 25 saves as North Dakota won at Anchorage, 2-1 in OT. Keeping his team in the game late, Eidsness moves his record to 19-8-3 on the season. Harvard's Alex Biega (+1) posted five shots on goal as Harvard played to a 2-2 tie with #20 St. Lawrence. Despite not getting a point, it was a long headman pass from the junior defender that set-up the first Crimson tally. Matt Generous was even for the Saints. Andrew Orpik was -1 as Boston College lost to New Hampshire, 3-2. Nick Eno watched as Bowling Green dropped a 3-2 decision to Michigan State.

2/18-19 Recap: Schiestel sour in six

Drew Schiestel was -3 as flat Niagara lost to Belleville, 4-1. The defenseman has now gone six straight games without registering a point. Dennis Persson was even through 12:34 of work as Timra owned Skelleftea, 8-0. On Wednesday, Tyler Ennis had an assist but was a season-low -4 as Medicine Hat lost at Brandon, 4-1. The fleeting forward has points in four straight games. Also from the WHL, Tyler Myers was even in Kelowna's 4-3 shootout loss to lowly Chilliwack. The Bruins entered the evening on a ten-game losing streak.