Just a little to add about last week's story about the Kinsmen and our “lucky” jerseys.
The photo got cut off and the particulars of the story were omitted. The picture featured our line of Larry Simon, Jim Reid and myself holding the PJHL championship trophy after defeating Abitibi in game seven. Reid had five goals in game seven to lead us to the win.
Local player updates
Last spring I introduced you to two local girls playing for Sault College Lady Cougars in the ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) Division 2.
This season the defending national champion Cougars are 10-0-0 to date.
In those 10 games, forward Jasmine Groleau has 21 points on 12 goals and nine assists.
Defenceman Emily Brunet has 13 points on four goals and nine assists. Pretty impressive offensive stats for both.
Both girls have been featured as Sault College Freshii athletes of the week so far this season.
The Cougars are once again a favourite to capture a national title. Here's hoping!
Power forward Danny Katic has played 21 games so far this season with his Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL. Katic has three goals and five assists so far this season.
The Admirals are locked in a tight battle for first in the north division.
Adirondack currently sits atop the division with 31 points, with Norfolk just behind at 30 and Newfoundland at 29.
The Admirals are 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games.
2023 World Junior A Challenge
Another super showing for Canada at this year's World Junior A Hockey Challenge, with an all-Canadian gold medal final.
Team Canada West dropped Team Canada East 7-2 to claim the gold.
West beat the U.S. 4-3 in one semi while East beat Sweden 7-5 in the other.
The U.S. had finished 1st in the round-robin portion before being knocked off by the fourth place Canada West in the semi.
World Juniors
A week away from this year's World Juniors and Canada gets some good news.
The Boston Bruins made centre Matthew Poitras available to the team on Monday.
With five goals and eight assists at the NHL level and an excellent display of face-off and 200-foot game at that level, Poitras will provide a huge boost to Canada's chance to repeat as gold medalists.
I wish more NHL teams could find the notion to send players to their World Junior clubs as a part of player development.
Bedard is a vital piece for his team and the NHL's “face of the future”, so no one can expect him to come back for another world junior.
But how good could Canada really be if Adam Fantilli, Kevin Korchinski, Zach Benson or Shane Wright had been made available? With the exception of Benson, these guys are on young or still developing teams and might have a chance to further their development in a high-pressure tournament against the World's best junior players, as well as learning how to take on leadership roles.
And you read that right (Wright?) Shane Wright is still only 19 years old and eligible for this year's championships. He was recently called up to the Kraken from the AHL as an emergency fill-in due to Eberle's injury.
Maybe a lot of kids who could return aren't interested in doing so again. That has to be considered.
And a lot of NHL teams really don't think much can be gained (for their team or the kid) by sending them to the World's. Both of the above are valid and understandable.
Fortunately, there are still a good number of teams that see value in their player's participation in the World’s.
But that's just the opinion of another dink (me) behind a keyboard.
One kid we will all be watching anxiously is first overall NHL pick Macklin Celebrini. With 25 points in 15 games as a true freshman at Boston University, Celebrini will be expected to be a key contributor to Canada despite his age.
Go Canada Go!
Crosby and Letang deserve better.
While Crosby continues to play at an MVP level and age is not slowing him down, the Penguins continue to slide. Meanwhile, Kris Letang also seems to still be playing at a level that defies his age too.
But the two can't do it on their own and desperately need more of the team to get their game in gear. While the team's plus rating (GF/GA) is better than a lot of the teams they are chasing, it means little when it comes to making the playoffs.
The team turns the puck over at one of the most atrocious levels in the NHL and is failing to get a consistent effort from most guys game in and game out.
As a Penguins fan, I still believe the team could be a serious contender. A few tweaks player-wise and a better level of play by some big names could be all that is needed. Yes, the team has a fair number of new players. Sometimes it takes some time for the new players to gel with the core of existing players. Could it be that simple?
No new column until Jan. 2 due to the holidays.
I hope you, your family and friends have a blessed and joyous Christmas and a happy new year! You deserve it.
Later skater.
Have a tip or comment for Mully? Send us an email.
