Thunder Bay, Ont- In the first edition of Calder Watch of this pre-season we focused in on 5 potential candidates for the CCHL's Rookie of the Year honour. To review the successes and struggles of those young men...
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>>>John Tavares (Timberwolves):
>>>The former 2009 1st overall pick of Thunder Bay has had an up-and-down season that is typical of any player coming into the league. Unlike the atmosphere that led to the picking of Tavares, the Timberwolves are currently a top-ranked club with serious aspirations of a championship this season. With that, comes fluid movement of Tavares and his fellow centres from top-line minutes one game to sitting in the press box for the next depending on the needs of countering the Timberwolves opponent. Despite this, the Mississauga-native does have decent stats while averaging 12-minutes of icetime. 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points and a +3 rating have Tavares clearly in consideration for the Calder.
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>>>Tyler Myers (Renegades): Joining a club after said club wins the ultimate prize can be a daunting endeavor for any new player joining that club the next season. For Myers it has been a successful ride thus far. Averaging over 20 minutes a game and having the same amount in points, Myers gives the folks in River Cities something to look forward to, despite the chances of a repeat all but out the door. With the departure of veteren blueliners Craig Rivet and Jan Hejda, Myers will be looked upon to not only play more, but contribute more as well.
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>>>Matt Duchene (Timberwolves): The first pro season for Duchene has not matched that of his counterpart and fellow rookie pivot, Tavares so far this season. Like his 2009 classmate, Duchene (3rd overall) is moved up-and-down the lineup and scratched about as often. His stats (36 7-6-13 -1) are average for a first year player. But when you play the same minutes and play under the same circumstances and you clearly are not on par... well, people will say it's been a down year. The future is bright for Duchene in Thunder Bay though. This season will not get any easier and the grind of what hopes to be a long playoff will definately help develop the Timberwolves young players into competitors with a winning mentality.
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>>>Victor Hedman (Ferrets): The 2009 2nd overall pick (between Tavares and Duchene) is having a season reflective of his entire club. Winnipeg is currently 7 games under .500 and struggling defensively. Despite averaging 25+ minutes a game, the Ornskoldsvik, Sweden-native sits behind blueliners, Brooks Orpik, Adrian Aucoin, Chris Phillips and Bruno Gervais in points with a goal and 11 assists for 12 points and a -2 rating through 41 games.
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>>>James van Riemsdyk (Crusaders): If there is one rookie that deserves a free pass for struggling this season, it has got to be Mr. van Riemsdyk. The New Jersey-native's 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) through 31 has been spread over 3 hockey clubs! November 19th Dayton traded him to Victoria. Nine days later, he was dealt again. This time to the 2nd-ranked Copenhagen Crusaders. With his new Danish club, van Riemsdyk is not a big, young fish. Well, he's not the only big, young fish. The 8.9 average minutes speak of this. But Copenhagen handles their prospects wisely, and van Riemsdyk will benefit from this in the long run.
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>>>Others to consider
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>>>LW Tyler Ennis (Ibex) - 27 11-11-22 +7
>>>RD Carl Gunnarsson [pictured] (Timberwolves) - 38 5-14-19 +16
>>>C Artem Anisimov (Ronin) - 42 3-11-14 -11
>>>RW Brandon Yip (Spurs) - 22 4-6-10 -4
>>>RD Matt Gilroy (Express) - 32 1-8-9 -4
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