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St Louis Blues Blogger • 1380 ESPN •
Below you will find a message the Blues Alumni have passed along in memory of longtime NHL forward Peter Zezel who passed away yesterday.
Peter was a member of a special family. That family was the Blues alumni, and anytime you lose someone in your family it’s very tough, but we stick together as strong as any group.
Our prayers are with his parents and relatives and once we find out what the arrangements are for the funeral and services we will be there for support so they know he was a big part of our Blues family.
On the door of the Blues Alumni room it reads “It’s a privilege” followed by a long message. The first line of that message reads as follows.
“Through these doors pass the shoulders of men. Men who bled, sweated, broke bones, tore muscles, and shed tears for the right to enter this room.”
Peter was the guy who earned that right and it was a privilege to play with him. Now we shed tears for his family’s loss but they should know we appreciate all he did here in St. Louis as a player on the ice, a charitable person off the ice, and a friend to all of us.
Our prayers are with his family.
Blues Alumni.
Rink Rats!
There are many players who belong to the Phoenix Coyotes who are hoping their Ownership issues get resolved in timely fashion so they can finalize some necessary business.
The Coyotes are hoping to sign D-man Keith Yandle to a long-term extension but those plans remain on hold for the time being.
The Coyotes have until August 15th to sign Boston College forward Benn Ferriero to an entry level deal or he will become an UFA.
Expect Chicago to announce an extension with Ben Eager very soon after their season is concluded.
Columbus is in the process of locking up RFA Manny Malhotra.
Montreal is looking to extend both Tom Kostopoulos and Tomas Plekanec.
The Anaheim Ducks are waiting to hear from Scotty Niedermayer to determine if he wants to play another season before they move forward with their off-season plans. Expect Niedermayer to notify Ducks GM Bob Murray of his intensions before the NHL draft.
I find it very interesting when comparing the nearly identical stats of Niedermayer and Chris Pronger over the last three seasons.
S. Niedermayer- 209 games, 37 goals, 116, 152 pts, -4, 172 pim.
Chris Pronger- 220 games, 36 goals, 114 assists, 150 pts, +27, 285 pim.
By the way Niedermayer’s agent Kevin Epp tells me his comments on a Vancouver radio station were taken way out of context and he says he was put on the spot when asked if he would pick up the phone if Canucks GM Mike Gillis called. Epp says Niedermayer's first obligation will be Anaheim once he makes his decision.
Sources say Scott and Rob Niedermayer do not consider themselves a package deal the way the Sedin twins do. They have played apart in the past and don’t necessarily have to remain together.
Blues Clues!
The Blues “Pro Orientation Camp” (prospect camp) takes place inside the St. Louis mills mall the week of July 5th.
The Blues have discussed the idea of Erik Johnson participating to allow him to use the camp as part of his off-season program as he works his way back from knee surgery.
There is obviously risk involved and the Blues are very well aware of this. Do you risk a setback or injury with their top D-man knowing the club will still be two months away from training camp? Even if you throw a orange jersey on him there is still a chance of a fluke injury happening. The easiest way for a kid to assure themselves that they would never play for the St. Louis Blues would be to injure EJ!
In my opinion if he’s cleared to play then it wouldn’t hurt to have him participate in skating, passing, and shooting drills. I wouldn’t throw him into the scrimmage but why not get an idea of where he’s at?
The idea of T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund participating is also being strongly considered. Having these guys out there would provide a good example for the other prospects looking to develop into NHL players. Not a bad idea to have these guys out there, I believe David Backes and David Perron participated after their first NHL season.
Other players Blues fans can expect to see include WHL player of the year Brett Sonne, goaltender Jake Allen, Alex Pietrangelo, Phillip McRae, Anthony Peluso, Aaron Palushaj, Ben Bishop, James Livingston, Anthony Nigro, and Ian Cole among others.
Congrats to Blues trainers Bert Godin (equipment) and Ray Barille on getting new very well deserved long-term extensions from the St. Louis Blues.
The Blues are considering having John Kelly and Bernie Federko broadcast the opening games in Sweden from a local studio off a live feed from Stockholm. They are in the process of evaluating what the costs will be of broadcasting the games live from Sweden.
The Blues have yet to begin negotiating with D-man Mike Weaver.
There was some speculation that D-man Jonas Junland would be heading back to Sweden after some frustration grew on his part late this season. Apparently those plans have changed and Junland expects to be playing in North America. Will he still be with the Blues once training camp begins?
More to come,
Andy Strickland
strickland.andy@gmail.com
Peter was a member of a special family. That family was the Blues alumni, and anytime you lose someone in your family it’s very tough, but we stick together as strong as any group.
Our prayers are with his parents and relatives and once we find out what the arrangements are for the funeral and services we will be there for support so they know he was a big part of our Blues family.
On the door of the Blues Alumni room it reads “It’s a privilege” followed by a long message. The first line of that message reads as follows.
“Through these doors pass the shoulders of men. Men who bled, sweated, broke bones, tore muscles, and shed tears for the right to enter this room.”
Peter was the guy who earned that right and it was a privilege to play with him. Now we shed tears for his family’s loss but they should know we appreciate all he did here in St. Louis as a player on the ice, a charitable person off the ice, and a friend to all of us.
Our prayers are with his family.
Blues Alumni.
Rink Rats!
There are many players who belong to the Phoenix Coyotes who are hoping their Ownership issues get resolved in timely fashion so they can finalize some necessary business.
The Coyotes are hoping to sign D-man Keith Yandle to a long-term extension but those plans remain on hold for the time being.
The Coyotes have until August 15th to sign Boston College forward Benn Ferriero to an entry level deal or he will become an UFA.
Expect Chicago to announce an extension with Ben Eager very soon after their season is concluded.
Columbus is in the process of locking up RFA Manny Malhotra.
Montreal is looking to extend both Tom Kostopoulos and Tomas Plekanec.
The Anaheim Ducks are waiting to hear from Scotty Niedermayer to determine if he wants to play another season before they move forward with their off-season plans. Expect Niedermayer to notify Ducks GM Bob Murray of his intensions before the NHL draft.
I find it very interesting when comparing the nearly identical stats of Niedermayer and Chris Pronger over the last three seasons.
S. Niedermayer- 209 games, 37 goals, 116, 152 pts, -4, 172 pim.
Chris Pronger- 220 games, 36 goals, 114 assists, 150 pts, +27, 285 pim.
By the way Niedermayer’s agent Kevin Epp tells me his comments on a Vancouver radio station were taken way out of context and he says he was put on the spot when asked if he would pick up the phone if Canucks GM Mike Gillis called. Epp says Niedermayer's first obligation will be Anaheim once he makes his decision.
Sources say Scott and Rob Niedermayer do not consider themselves a package deal the way the Sedin twins do. They have played apart in the past and don’t necessarily have to remain together.
Blues Clues!
The Blues “Pro Orientation Camp” (prospect camp) takes place inside the St. Louis mills mall the week of July 5th.
The Blues have discussed the idea of Erik Johnson participating to allow him to use the camp as part of his off-season program as he works his way back from knee surgery.
There is obviously risk involved and the Blues are very well aware of this. Do you risk a setback or injury with their top D-man knowing the club will still be two months away from training camp? Even if you throw a orange jersey on him there is still a chance of a fluke injury happening. The easiest way for a kid to assure themselves that they would never play for the St. Louis Blues would be to injure EJ!
In my opinion if he’s cleared to play then it wouldn’t hurt to have him participate in skating, passing, and shooting drills. I wouldn’t throw him into the scrimmage but why not get an idea of where he’s at?
The idea of T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund participating is also being strongly considered. Having these guys out there would provide a good example for the other prospects looking to develop into NHL players. Not a bad idea to have these guys out there, I believe David Backes and David Perron participated after their first NHL season.
Other players Blues fans can expect to see include WHL player of the year Brett Sonne, goaltender Jake Allen, Alex Pietrangelo, Phillip McRae, Anthony Peluso, Aaron Palushaj, Ben Bishop, James Livingston, Anthony Nigro, and Ian Cole among others.
Congrats to Blues trainers Bert Godin (equipment) and Ray Barille on getting new very well deserved long-term extensions from the St. Louis Blues.
The Blues are considering having John Kelly and Bernie Federko broadcast the opening games in Sweden from a local studio off a live feed from Stockholm. They are in the process of evaluating what the costs will be of broadcasting the games live from Sweden.
The Blues have yet to begin negotiating with D-man Mike Weaver.
There was some speculation that D-man Jonas Junland would be heading back to Sweden after some frustration grew on his part late this season. Apparently those plans have changed and Junland expects to be playing in North America. Will he still be with the Blues once training camp begins?
More to come,
Andy Strickland
strickland.andy@gmail.com
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