Just wondering if anyone heard if Vesce is playing in the minors this year? I heard that San Jose was gonna give him a minor league contract, but I guess that didn't materialize. I find it a bit shocking that he hasn't signed on with a minor league team yet.
He is probably at an AHL training camp (without a contract) and if he doesn't make it then he'll try out for an ECHL team. I would be shocked if he couldn't play in the ECHL. But it is very important to note that getting jobs in the AHL and ECHL are much tougher this year seeing as every eligible NHL player that does not have to pass through waivers (23 and under) are going to be in the AHL thus limiting the spots there and then in turn the same will happen to the ECHL.
Yet another example of the lockout affecting more than just NHL players and the owners.
OTOH, that also means ECHL and AHL hockey is going to be incredible this year.
Yeah - I just heard half of an interview on the radio a couple days ago with a former Dallas Stars player (didn't catch his name) who really likes the Dallas area, so he's planning to play this season with the Fort Worth Brahmas, who are one of the worst teams in the Central Hockey League. Should be interesting to see an NHL player out there with them!
[Q]Robb Wrote:
Yeah - I just heard half of an interview on the radio a couple days ago with a former Dallas Stars player (didn't catch his name) who really likes the Dallas area, so he's planning to play this season with the Fort Worth Brahmas, who are one of the worst teams in the Central Hockey League. Should be interesting to see an NHL player out there with them![/q]
It's Brad Lukowich who has played the last two seasons with Tampa. He was traded at the 2002 draft to Tampa from Dallas for a second round pick (one of the picks acquired from Philadelphia in the Pitkanen deal). Definitely interesting that he'll be playing in the CHL. It's almost directly comparable to a major league baseball player playing single A.
Wow - going from the Stanley Cup champions to the Ft. Worth Brahmas. He must REALLY like BBQ...
I got the impression that Vesce was playing in Sweden this year:
http://www.roglebk.nu/A/inter/040820RV.htm
http://w1.430.telia.com/~u43004043/Players/17RV.htm
Of course, I could be wrong since I didn't understand a word written on the page. :-P
Ah, beat me to the punch Molly! (As usual... :-})
Perhaps it's smart that he's in Sweden now that there's a lockout in the NHL. He'll probably make more of an impact there than here.
I see he has a profile on eliteprospects.com:
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4342
Oh and I don't think this was posted before but I saw this article on Murray (it looks like he's doing really well).:
http://www.clevelandbarons.net/barons2003/news/barons_news/20040607-1086623411.htm
Interesting choice of leagues. I wonder if Vesce is completing the other half of the Doug Murray exchange program. There are 4 other Americans playing in the Swe-2 league, including former NHL player Shjon Podein.
My guess is that Swedish Tier 2 hockey is equal to ECHL play. So far he is leading the team in scoring with 6 points (1G, 5A) in 5 games.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=32&status=stats
One wonders if hockey groupies are even more spectacular in Sweden.