Nathan Gerbe will not be participating afterall in the IIHF World Championships next month in Stockholm, Sweden. Gerbe is suffering from an undisclosed injury. Shortly after locker clean out day, Gerbe's name was added to the Team USA roster for the Worlds.
A source that I know told me today that he saw Gerbe last night at Hyde Park Arena in Niagara Falls, NY. Gerbe was interacting wwith and speaking to a couple of travel teams . He appeared to be in good spirits and didn't show any visible signs of injury to speak of.
You'll recall that Gerbe suffered an undisclosed upper body injury in the late stages of the regular season that prevented him from playing in nine of the final dozen games. The winger played in only 62 games this season. He missed 11 games from 12/9-12/30 due to the concussion that he suffered as a result of the prison shank that he suffered at the hands of Philly's MA Bourdon.
Gerbe was one of 17 players originally named to the U.S. Men’s National Team on April 11, along with Jack Johnson, Bobby Ryan and Paul Stastny. However, his name was not included on an updated roster sent out this afternoon, and USA Hockey said that Gerbe has been forced out of the tournament due to injury.
Sixteen teams will compete at 2012 IIHF Men's World Championship scheduled for May 5/4-5/20 in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. There will be two groups of eight, with one group playing in Helsinki, and the other playing in Stockholm. The semifinals and medal games will be conducted in Helsinki.
I couldn't resist the Extreme reference. Gerbe went to Boston College while Gary and Nuno founded Extreme in Bentown.
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Rookie Chris Kreider must be pinching himself to see if this is all a dream right now.
Three weeks ago, he was leading the Boston College Mens hockey team to the NCAA Division 1 national championship victory.
Since then, he has scored two critical game winning goals for the Rangers in their quest for the Cup.
On Saturday, in Game 1 vs. Washington, Kreider scored the game winner and assisted on Brad Richards' insurance goal.
thanks, rangers.com
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Marty Biron knows a great goalie when he sees one, having played alongside Ryan Miller and Dominik Hasek. Biron agrees that Henrik Lundqvist is both Hart Trophy worthy and Vezina Trophy worthy.
Biron compares Lundqvist's season to that of Hasek. High praise from a guy who should know.
thanks, rangers.com
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Sabre nemesis, Daniel Alfredsson, may be hanging up his kates for good now taht his Sens have been eliminated from cup contention by the Broadway Blueshirts.
Alfredsson has to speak with his wife and Sens GM Bryan Murray to see if it makes sense for him to return to play one more season in Ottawa.
At locker clean out day on Saturday, Alfie told the media that his eight year old son recently cried at the the thought of his Dad retiring from the NHL.
thanks, senators.com
Personally, I'd like to see the 40 year old Alfredsson come back for one final season. However, I understand the importance of family.
Though he's been a thorn in the side of Sabres fans around the world over the course of his illustrious career, I'm certain that Sabre fans will join me in giving Alfredsson a much deserved stick tap for his years of dedication and his utmost professionalism.
Alfredsson was a sixth round draft choice and was the 133rd pick overall in the 1994 Entry Draft. Great player.
Sabres-Sens games will not be the same without Alfredsson on the ice.
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