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Past News
 
Thornton has arrived!
With the season in full stride the Detroit Red wings have all their eyes on Joe Thornton. From a distance, youd swear that Joe Thornton is the reincarnation of Jeff Spicoli, the carefree stoner from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. But while the Red Wings centre may have a lot of kid in him, its buried in an imposing 6-4, 220-pound frame. A nose-to-the-grindstone goal here, a flashy pass there, and an occasional cross-check when the refs not lookingits all part of his repertoire. At the ripe old age of 22, Joe is on the cusp of superstardom
Joe has made marked improvement in every facet of his game since coming into the leagaue. He seems to have no apparent limit in his shooting, passing, checking and faceoff skills. Joe is always around the puck, which is a tribute to his hockey insincts.
The Red Wings would like Joe to be more active away from the puck, if only to force opponents to defend him more closely. That said, his skating has improved over the last couple of seasons.
The quality that truly makes him no ordinary Joe is that he doesnt mind when things get physical. In fact, this separates him from the NHLs other young, talented centers. Joe gives as good as he gets, almost joyfully at times. This hard edge sometimes lands him in the penalty box at inopportune moments, but as he matures he will learn to channel this reckless energy in positive waysparticularly at playoff times, when a well-placed elbow or bone-crunching body check can spell the difference between victory and defeat.
It seems clear that Joe is gaining a better understanding of what it means to be a leader on the ice and in the clubhouse. Asked to shoulder more of Detorits scoring load, he has stepped up so far this year and is leading the team in goal, points and PM, embracing the challenge with his trademark combination of head-down stubbornness and heads-up creativity. In the process, teammates began to see a little more Gretzky in their number 1 centre and, perhaps just as notable, a little less Spicoli. Fast times in Detroit may not be too far away.
Dwayne Pipe
TSN
Richter proves the critics wrong!
With the sound of the buzzer end the 3rd peroid Mike Ricther has begun his return to the NSHL. With a year off he looks to be 10 years younger and ready to pick up where he left off. Well rested and in great shape Richter signed a 1year deal with the Red Wings and hope to quite all the critics. At age 37 Richters days are number but he feels he has afew more years left and afew more things to prove.
Richter's best games 2 season ago were as a member of the U.S. Olympic team and will always be remembered as the goalie who stoned Canada during the 1996 World Cup. However, knee injuries had slowed him down and forced him away for the game he loved, and almost for good. But with the right medical attention and rehab Richter has been able to come back to the game he was pull away from.
Even though he has been away for a seasons he is still capable of stealing a victory for his squad. With an impressive pre-season and a great 5-1-0 start and a 2.19 GAA so far, Richter has turn quite afew heads so far this season. His wealth of experience in pressure situations is still a valuable commodity and his hard work ethic helps inspirer his teammate. He may not be capable of handling a huge workload like he did 3 years ago but the Red Wings are not to worried with young Blackburn and Turco on the sidelines. Richter will be the Red Wings back bone for the upcomming season and also serve as Blackburn's mentor and continue to hand over the reins.
Dwayne Pipe
TSN
Fischer make huge strides
With the start of the season upon us the Wings have been quite happy with the play off some of there young talent. With the recent trade away of Chelios and the promotion of young rookie Boumeester, Fischer has quitley made his way out of the shadows and into the big league.
The highly rated Defence man was abit of a late bloomer. He was expect to play his first full season last year but the wings decided to keep him back in the farm and polish off his game. Well it looks like that patiencs has paid off for the wings. Fischer has had an great pre-season and has won a place on the Wings. He was also a major factor in the Chelios deal. "With the soild play of Fischer this pre-season it help us feel better about losing Chelios" "Fischer has come along away and we think he is about to bloom for us" GM Chris Baillie said.
Pat Burns added "Fischer has tremendous size for a rearguard. He moves well for a big guy and is not afraid of laying on the body. Has good offensive instincts, which will ultimately lead to decent point totals."
"I am looking forward to this season. I have alot to prove and I want to shown my teammates and the fans that I am the real deal and help bring a cup here. I have worked really hard during the off season and had the opportunity to learn from Chelios. I think I have alot to prove this year and I am ready for the challenge" Fischer said.
Fischer looks like another budding superstar for the Detroit franchise. While the team will continue to emphasize defense with Fischer, he may soon emerge as an all-around force.
Mike Hunt TSN
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June 2003
Wings wheel and deal!
With the start of the season around a week away the Wings have gone out and traded away work horse Defence man Chris Chelios and Paul Mara. In return the Wings get back youngsters Scottie Upshall, Jarret Stoll and SJ first round draft pick this year.
Chelios became expendable with the great play of rookie Jay Boumeester. Boumeester had impressed coach Pat Burns and GM Chris Baillie and allowed the Wings to wheel and deal. "We wanted to keep Chelios but with the way Bommer has played I think it would be going inthe wrong direction for him."With his steady play back there, Chelios back the key to picking up Upshall and Stoll." GM Chris Baillie said.
Mara just happened to be the odd man out. We are lucky to have a deep Defencive roster and with the great play of Fischer and Stuart.
In the deal the wings add an enjection of instant youth which is ready to start producing some big numbers at the NSHL level. "Scottie is a tough, gritty competitor who plays bigger than his size and he does not shy away from the physical game. He plays a very consistent game and is always a standout player. He is a tenacious forechecker and solid two-way player who is used in all game situations. He possesses very strong puck-handling skills and has the ability to score in many different ways. Upshall may not be a flashy player but he is a player you might win a lot of games with" Pat Burns said.
As for Stoll he brings an impressive resume to the Wings. As the captain of the Ice, he led the team to the 2002 Memorial Cup championship and he was the captain of the Canadian squad that won a silver medal at the 2002 World Junior Hockey Championship. "Stoll is one of the top defensive forwards in junior hockey, but he is also a pretty good offensive player" GM Chris Baillie said. " We are excited to see what these 2 young guns can do"
The wings also get SJ first rounder draft pick in this years draft. The Wings now have 3 first rounders in what looks to be a great draft year.
Lets see if the Wings can turn things around this year in a big way
Dwayne Pipe
TSN
Morrow out and Hartnell in!!!!
The wings have traded away LW Brenden Morrow to the Ottawa Senators and have reaquired LW Scott Hartnell. Hartnell who was lost in the wavier draft was just not able to find a grove in Ottawa. The same can be said about Morrow this year who had a terrible pre-season with 1GP a -1 and 2 pts. "He just didnt seam to be able to jell with his line combos said coach Pat Burns. Hartnell fall out of favor in Ottawa after a quick start which saw him notch 4 goals in 7games but then go the last 12 with only 1 pt. "I was glad to have an chance to get Hartnell back" said GM Chris Baillie. "Hartnell is a hardwork, and is a leader. We lost him to the numbers game last year at the waiver draft but hopefully he can be here for the long run now" We where able to catch up with Hartnell and he said "I am really happy to be coming back to Detroit. It was tough leaving but now I have been giving a second chance and I want to prove that they made the right one. I think they got a great team and I really like the whole organization from GM Baillie, to coach Burns and specially the fans. This town eats, breaths and sleep hockey and I cant wait to get on the ice"
Coach Bruns said "We would like to see how Hartnell can do on the 3rd line with Olli and Johnson, but we have to get some practices in first and see where best we can fit him."
Dwayne Pipe
TSN
Fischer make huge strides
With the start of the season upon us the Wings have been quite happy with the play off some of there young talent. With the recent trade away of Chelios and the promotion of young rookie Boumeester, Fischer has quitley made his way out of the shadows and into the big league.
The highly rated Defence man was abit of a late bloomer. He was expect to play his first full season last year but the wings decided to keep him back in the farm and polish off his game. Well it looks like that patiencs has paid off for the wings. Fischer has had an great pre-season and has won a place on the Wings. He was also a major factor in the Chelios deal. "With the soild play of Fischer this pre-season it help us feel better about losing Chelios" "Fischer has come along away and we think he is about to bloom for us" GM Chris Baillie said.
Pat Burns added "Fischer has tremendous size for a rearguard. He moves well for a big guy and is not afraid of laying on the body. Has good offensive instincts, which will ultimately lead to decent point totals."
"I am looking forward to this season. I have alot to prove and I want to shown my teammates and the fans that I am the real deal and help bring a cup here. I have worked really hard during the off season and had the opportunity to learn from Chelios. I think I have alot to prove this year and I am ready for the challenge" Fischer said.
Fischer looks like another budding superstar for the Detroit franchise. While the team will continue to emphasize defense with Fischer, he may soon emerge as an all-around force.
Mike Hunt TSN
Blackburns wins back-up duty!
The Red Wings are looking good in the goal tending department this year. Last year it was their weak point untill Hasek came to town, but this year the Wings have soildifying their goal tending problems. "We didn't want to run into the same thing as we did last year, We started of 0-10 and that was a tuff hole to dig out of." The Wings have found there number 1 goaler in future hall of famer Mike Richter. This time around the Wings are having a problem deciding who will back-up Richter.
With Marty Turco and Dan Blackburn both battling for the job it came down to who had there better pre-season. Both players split playing time and both stood up to the challenge. However Blackburn put up some great numbers. Blackurn finished off with a 4-1-0 record, recording 1 shut out and a 2.04 GAA. Turco had a slighly better GAA but coach Pat Burns has decided to give the young goal tender a shot. "He came in here and earned this spot" He played great for us and showed he wanted this job. Danny is got the ball in his court now lets see what he can do" Burns said. Richter is expected to play 60 % of the games this year and if Blackburn can pan out he willl not just get valuable playing time but great on hands teaching from and All-star netminder in Richter.
"I am excited to get into the season" Blackburn said. " I think I can help the team out and I am ready to step up to the challange. I consider myself lucky. Not to many guys get to play and learn from all-stars. I have been lucky enough to have Richter now and Hasek last year"
Well lets see if this young gifted goal tender can make the grade.
Mike Hunt
TSN
Boumeester makes the cut!
Looks like Jay Boumeester has done the unthinkable and has made the pro team. Boumeester who appared in 15 out of 19 preseason games didn't look out of place out there on the ice. He notched 2 goals and 3 assist and finished with a +5. "Bommer came in here and played great" coach Pat Burns said. "He has
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incredible skating ability, a keen sense of when to join the rush, projectable size and hockey smarts." "We don't want to rush him but we feel he has nothing left to prove at the AHL level." GM Chris Baillie said. "Jay Bouwmeester is one of those rare defensemen that only comes along once every five years. His skating ability has been publicly documented for the past three years. We believe Jay is the finest skating defenseman since Paul Coffey and he can control a hockey game with his mobilty in the offensive or defensive zone.""With the way Bommer played we where able to give him a shot and trade away Chelios and get some talent somewhere eles.
When asked about his promotion Boumeester said "I am extremely excited. I can just wanted to come in here and play sound hockey. I tried to keep it simple and play my style of hockey. I can't believe I am playing with Blake. He is one of my favorites and I am still waiting for someone to pinch me and I wake up".
Well lets just hope Boumeester can help turn the tide and bring a dream season to the Red Wings
Mike Hunt TSN |
Nov 23, 2002
Welcome to the home of the NSHL Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings make block buster deal!
GM Chris Baillie made a 9 players deal on Tuesday night with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The deal saw youngsters Tangauy, Williams and Girard along with Wenrich, and Jr netminder Garrnett heading off to the windy for Murray, McCabe, Johnson and Jr netminder Tellqvist. GM Baillie said "I am extremley happy with this deal. Yah we lose some great young tallent but we also get a great return. Murray is a great top notch scorer and McCabe is the final piece to our blue line puzzel. We also get hard working RW Mike Johnson and a great prospect in Tellqvist.""I think this trade helps round out our club and gives is 2 steady scoring lines now."
With quite afew months before the start of the season the Red Wings are already looking like a better team. With the newly revamped blue line and a new face between the pipes the Wings look like there off in the right direction. With free agency is right around the corner we asked GM Baillie if he was going to make a splash and try to improve his club anymore. "Well I am going to take alook at what's available. We are prettty happy with the picks up we have made thru the draft and trades but I am always looking at improving the clubs chances" "If something comes available that will help the team then I will push the buttons and make it happen, but lets see what's out there first"
With the Wings comming off a terrible season, the fans are loooking for this team to rebound and make a run at the cup this year. Lets see how things keep progressing!
Nov 23, 2002
Baillie heading off to GM/Coach the USA 3 team at the Internationals
Chris Baillie has been asked to GM/Coach the USA 3 team at this years International tournment. This is Baillies first time as a head coach at the International level." I am extremely honored to be asked to coach/GM this club." I have had the chance to coach here in the Jr level, the Pro level and now the International level. I am looking forward to the months ahead. International play is so much more complex then the NSHL and I am also looking forward to the talents that will be at my finger tips!"
With the tournment about a month or so away Baillie said he's in the process of selecting his team and hopefully he will be able to revile the teams roster some time late next week
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