Alumni in the Pros, January 2009

sah67 · January 09, 2009, 10:24:34 PM

Douglas Murray finally nets his first point of the season: an assist on a Brad Staubitz goal in San Jose's game against Edmonton which is still in progress.

sah67 · January 10, 2009, 01:11:14 PM

I didn't even hear about this call-up (likely because it happened early this morning due to the 1PM game time) but I turned on the Bruins vs. Hurricanes game on NESN to hear Jack Edwards mentioning that Byron Bitz had been called up and is on the bench for this game, live right now on NESN.

Bitz is wearing an interesting #61, and playing on the 4th line with Shawn Thornton and Petteri Nokelainen for the time being. He just had a very good shift.

Edit: They just showed Bitz's parents on tv, and they apparently flew in from Sasaktoon last night, so the call-up obviously happened yesterday.

Chris '03 · January 10, 2009, 01:39:50 PM

[quote sah67]I didn't even hear about this call-up (likely because it happened early this morning due to the 1PM game time) but I turned on the Bruins vs. Hurricanes game on NESN to hear Jack Edwards mentioning that Byron Bitz had been called up and is on the bench for this game, live right now on NESN.

Bitz is wearing an interesting #61, and playing on the 4th line with Shawn Thornton and Petteri Nokelainen for the time being. He just had a very good shift.

Edit: They just showed Bitz's parents on tv, and they apparently flew in from Sasaktoon last night, so the call-up obviously happened yesterday.[/quote]

He just got the crowd going with a big hit. He then promptly lost the handle on a wrap around chance.

sah67 · January 10, 2009, 01:50:11 PM

Byron's getting interviewed during the 1st intermission now.

Chris '03 · January 10, 2009, 02:07:57 PM

[quote sah67]Byron's getting interviewed during the 1st intermission now.[/quote]

And gets an assist in the second!

sah67 · January 10, 2009, 02:09:32 PM

[quote Chris '03][quote sah67]Byron's getting interviewed during the 1st intermission now.[/quote]

And gets an assist in the second![/quote]

It did deflect off a Carolina skate before coming to Stuart for the goal, but they give Bitz an assist anyway. First NHL point in his first NHL game - way to go Byron!

RichH · January 10, 2009, 02:40:51 PM

Several props for Byron from the broadcast team during the 2nd intermission.

Jacob '06 · January 10, 2009, 03:08:59 PM

He just made a great pass on a 2 on 1 and Nokalinen shot it over the net.

oceanst41 · January 10, 2009, 03:53:55 PM

Thornton gave him props in the postgame too, saying he did an "unbelievable" job coming up and playing so well on short notice.

He really did play a solid game. He had a few big hits, an assit, but ended up even thanks to a deflection that went in to the back of the net in slo-mo. And I had almost forgot how well he skated for a big guy.

As well as the Bruins are playing, injuries have them a little thin at forward, and I don't think he hurt his chances of getting another call up today.

ACM · January 11, 2009, 08:04:10 AM

More bits about Bitz.

Al DeFlorio · January 11, 2009, 08:20:55 AM

[quote ACM]More bits about Bitz.[/quote]
He's just a "grinder.";-) Keeps this up and he'll make it to "roll" player.

Jeff Hopkins '82 · January 11, 2009, 04:57:29 PM

[quote Al DeFlorio][quote ACM]More bits about Bitz.[/quote]
He's just a "grinder.";-) Keeps this up and he'll make it to "roll" player.[/quote]

If they trade him to Philly will he become a puck hoagie? ::dribble::

And his linemate in Providence is Wacey Rabbit? Shouldn't that be Wacey Wabbit? ::whistle::

andyw2100 · January 11, 2009, 08:08:40 PM

[quote Jeff Hopkins '82]
And his linemate in Providence is Wacey Rabbit? Shouldn't that be Wacey Wabbit? ::whistle::[/quote]

I read the article, saw the name, knew there must be a joke in there somewhere, but didn't come up with it. You nailed it.

Beeeej · January 11, 2009, 09:42:16 PM

[quote andyw2100][quote Jeff Hopkins '82]
And his linemate in Providence is Wacey Rabbit? Shouldn't that be Wacey Wabbit? ::whistle::[/quote]

I read the article, saw the name, knew there must be a joke in there somewhere, but didn't come up with it. You nailed it.[/quote]

I was working on something involving "Puck Season" vs. "Rabbit Season," but never quite got there.

fullofgas · January 12, 2009, 08:47:39 AM

[quote Jeff Hopkins '82][quote Al DeFlorio][quote ACM]More bits about Bitz.[/quote]
He's just a "grinder.";-) Keeps this up and he'll make it to "roll" player.[/quote]

If they trade him to Philly will he become a puck hoagie? ::dribble::

And his linemate in Providence is Wacey Rabbit? Shouldn't that be Wacey Wabbit? ::whistle::[/quote]

I think you meant Wascally Wabbit.