vees:blog

I spoke with Miami Redhawks 18-year-old freshman Curtis McKenzie on Monday.

The new guy is fitting in quite nicely in Ohio as he potted his first goal in his first game against. Curtis is back to the books and getting used to his new club in the CCHA.

Curtis lead the Vees in Goals, Points, GWG, PPG, SHG and PIM last season as a 17-year-old. Curtis was a member of the Canada West World Jr. A Challenge silver medal team, Team West of the CJHL Prospects Game, a BCHL All-Star, was named Captain of the Vees when Denver Manderson was injured in January, and was drafted by the Dallas Stars in June.

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Here’s Coach Small following Tuesday morning’s scrimmage…

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NHL’s Central Scouting has released their final rankings for the 2009 draft.

The 17-year-old ‘Golden (BC) Boy’ is ranked 89th among North American skaters, up from 158th in the mid-term rankings.

Other BCHLers ranked include Curtis Gedig of Cowichan Valley (115th), Cory Kane of the Vernon Vipers (117th), Spencer Bennett of the Surrey Eagles (142nd), Kyle Bigos - also of the BCHL Champion Vipers - (169th) and Prince George Spruce King Wes McLeod (200th).

Here are my conversations with C-Mac himself and Vees Head Coach & GM Fred Harbinson via phone line.

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DJ’s GINO

Derik Johnson has a great sense of timing. The 18-year-old defender picked up on December 1st from the USHL, has been stellar in a shut-down role with partner Matt Paltridge, but hadn’t scored a goal heading into Wednesday’s elimination game against PG. Guess who had Vees fans out of their seats just 15 seconds in? Yep, you guessed it! DJ’s 1st set the tone early.

Glenn Hauptman, Flush Photo. No Copies or Reproductions Without Permission. FlushPhoto@Gmail.com

RJ’s BINGOS

Ryan Johansen is blossoming into a dominant force in the BCHL. The rookie 16-year-old potted 2 bingos and earned 1st Star last night’s Game 5 win over PG. After 5 goals and 17 points in 47 regular season games, the Port Moody product has recorded 3 goals and 3 assists through 5 playoff games.

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HEXY R.O.W.

Brett Hextall continues to impress for the 6th ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Last year’s captain of the 2008 Fred Page Cup Champions notched 3 goals and an assist this past weekend to earn WCHA Rookie of the week honours. Hextall (Brett is the son of legendary NHL goaltender Ron) sits 6th in team scoring with 12 goals and 11 assists in 35 games.

Atta boy Bretter!

Here’s Ryan Johansen, Derik Johnson, and Fred Harbinson prior to Thursday’s Practice…

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Curtis McKenzie is a beast.

C-Mac has played 12 games as the Captain since Denver Manderson’s season ending injury and has racked up 12 goals, 5 assists, and 17 points.

He’s taken the ‘C’ to heart, and continues to improve with each passing game.

Hard to convince people he scored just 3 goals last season!

Miami of Ohio loves him!

The BCHL has announced that Curtis McKenzie is the Player of the Week for the stretch of February 16th to 22nd.

C-Mac was a force all week scoring 5 goals (he also has 3 assists) in the final 3 games to hit 30 on the season. The 17-year-old forward from Golden, BC is committed to Miami of Ohio, and has exploded this season after scoring 3 goals last year as a 16-year-old rookie.

McKenzie who was given the ‘C’ after Denver Manderson’s injury, has 26 points in his last 19 games and 11 goals and 4 assists in 11 games as Captain inlcuding his 1st BCHL hattrick and 1st BCHL 4 point game.

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What a season for the Whistler Kid! Committed to St. Cloud State, promoted to the top line 25 goals, 57 points, and now the Conference R.O.Y..

I confronted the little-guy on the big honour today.

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Zac Dalpe returned to the Ohio State Buckeyes line-up this weekend after missing 4 games to injury. The Carolina Hurricanes 2nd Round Draft Pick made a huge impact this weekend recording a Goal on Friday and 3 Assists on Sunday.

ZD is tied for the lead for the lead among freshmen in the nation with 13 goals.

Here’s the team release on Dalpe’s 3rd R.O.W. Award.

Here are the Highlights of Sunday’s Monster win over 2nd ranked Notre Dame.

P.S. Dalpe has some serious hockey hair going on!

… The Vees ’91s and ’92s get better with age.

Last night in their 5-0 win in Merritt the Vees had some breakout performances among their young rookies and their interim Captain.

Let’s start between the pipes where Vees goalie of the future Sean Bonar (’91, rookie) recorded his 2nd shutout of the season, making a few huge saves in the early going, before seeing his workload lightened. Bonar is 9-6 on the season and has improved steadily from a bit of a rocky start to his Jr. ‘A’ career. The red-headed, blue-padded goalie is committed to Princeton.

On the back end Colton Jobke (’92, rookie) had another stellar game, moving and skating the puck with ease. Jobke’s hard work in the 2nd period directly led to the 4th goal of the game for the Vees, as he darted around a check in his own end and led the rush into the Merritt zone, before moving the puck to high slot, where a shot on net resulted in a lamp-lighter! Jobke has just 11 PIM this season (including a fight), using his head and his feet to neutralize opponents rather than taking penalties.

Up front Ryan Johansen (’92, rookie) made the most of his debut on the team’s top power-play grouping, notching 2 assists while sitting in Denver Manderson’s spot on the left wall. Johansen was also sprung on a partial break by Joey Holka, but was stymied in his attempt for his 2nd goal in as many games. Johansen has been the pivot of the Vees energy line with Holka and Johnston, as Mitch Lebreche recovers from injury. RJ is committed to Northeastern in Boston (who are in the Beanpot Final on Monday).

While Ryan Johansen was making his debut on the PP, Logan Johnston (’91,rookie) continues to log ice time as a penalty killer for the club. More known for his size, strength and his lack of fear, Logan has been getting dispatched while ‘a man down’ over the past few games. Logan seems to have picked up a stride (as Al Formo pointed out last night) in 2009, and continues to physically impose himself on the opposition. Logan’s rights are owned by the Portland Winter Hawks in the WHL, though he has expressed interest in NCAA hockey.

Garrett Milan (’91, rookie) is putting together quite a rookie campaign. After lighting up Major Midget last season, the pint-sized buzz saw has continued to ripple the mesh in Jr. ‘A’ with his blend of speed, tenacity and courage. Last Night Milan scored a goal, had and assist and was operating at full speed (much to the delight of his Aunt and Cousin in the stands). Milan has committed to St. Cloud State, and has 22 goals on the season one behind the team leader…

Speaking of which; Curtis McKenzie (’91) is having a 17-year-old season for the ages. leading the Vees in goal scoring, the interim Captain recorded his first BCHL hattrick last night and his 5th short handed goal of the season (2nd in the BCHL). C-Mac leads all ‘91 players in scoring, is ranked in the NHL Midterm Rankings for the NHL Entry Draft, was a member of Team Canada West at the World Jr. ‘A’ Challenge, played in the CJHL Prospects Game and was the youngest member of the BCHL All-Star Game. C-Mac is committed to Miami (Ohio), and the decision is up to him on when he’ll suit up as a Red Hawk, be it next year or in 2 seasons.

That’s 6 players 16 and 17-years-old making a huge impact for the Vees as they hit stride with just few weeks until the playoffs. Certainly the coming years for the Vees are bright with this stable of young talent, but the success of the club THIS post season will hinge on how productive the youngsters can under the heat, attrition and scrutiny of the playoffs.