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Quick Hits for Friday - USA Hockey Likes Carolina Defensemen

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 26:  Justin Faulk, drafted in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes, is interviewed during day two of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center on June 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.   Faulk was recently invited to Team USA's Developmental Camp.  (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Jeff Gross - Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 26: Justin Faulk, drafted in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes, is interviewed during day two of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center on June 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Faulk was recently invited to Team USA's Developmental Camp. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Here are a few news items worthy of a quick mention and/or discussion:

 

USA Hockey selects 44 players to attend Developmental Camp this summer:

Team USA included three Carolina defensive prospects in their group pf 44 invitees to Lake Placid this summer.  Brian Dumoulin, (Boston College), Justin Faulk, (U of Minn at Duluth), and Mark Alt, (U of Minn.) were all invited.  Each of them were selected by the Canes in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft.  (Alt and Faulk in 2010, Dumoulin in 2009).

These players will be fighting for spots on the U-20 Team which will be defending the USA Gold Medal Championship from last year.  This year's tournament will be from December 26 to January 5, in Buffalo, N.Y.    

 

Team Canada Invites Jeff Skinner for their Developmental Camp:

Hurricanes number one draft pick Jeff Skinner was invited to Team Canada's camp.  He will be fighting for a spot to do battle against his American counterparts.

This should be another great tournament at the end of the year.      

 

More news after the jump:

Star-divide

Tim Conboy signs in Buffalo:

Fan favorite and one time team "good luck charm" Tim Conboy was signed by the Buffalo Sabres today.  Conboy spent three years in the Carolina organization, although most of the time was in Albany.  The Canes were happy enough with him at the end of the 2007-8 season to sign him to a two-year deal, the second year of which was a one-way contract which guaranteed him NHL money no matter where he played.  

Unfortunately, the agitator didn't stick with the Hurricanes much last season though and only played minimal minutes in 12 NHL games.  A couple of years back, the team usually seemed to win when he was in the lineup and he brought a "nasty" edge to his game which his teammates came to appreciate.

Mike Commodore was once quoted as saying that he "felt better" when Conboy was in the lineup.  

The combo forward/defenseman is back to a two-way deal with Buffalo.

 

Rutherford says that Skinner and Nash could make team at training camp:

Apparently fans were not the only ones impressed by newly acquired prospects Jeff Skinner and Riley Nash at last week's conditioning camp.  Jim Rutherford recently told Paul Branecky that either or both could make the team this training camp.

"At the conditioning camp, you could see a special skill level in certain players," said Rutherford. "Clearly, Skinner and Nash were guys that really stood out. It wouldn’t surprise me if both of these guys made our team."

While there are a couple of openings at forward for the Hurricanes, including third line center, other prospects like Zac Dalpe, Zach Boychuk, Oskar Osala, Jon Matsumoto, and Drayson Bowman might also have something to say about matters. 

This training camp should be the most interesting one in years.

 

Justin Williams Looking for Big Year:

Former Hurricanes winger Justin Williams has had a rough patch of luck but he's looking for a better year this season, the last of his five year contract.

Williams recently interviewed with the North Cumberland News:

"I've had a tough three years," said Williams during his trip home to Cobourg last week. "It was tougher mentally than it was physically. You need to have faith in yourself, and know that this isn't going to break you." 

The forward still says that the trade from Carolina was rough. 

"It's always hard when you reach the pinnacle with a team (and then get traded)," he said. "But championship teams don't stay together, and all good things come to an end. It's part of the business." 

Williams is still young at 28 years old, although his body is probably older.

"I've been in the league ten years. I'm only 28 but sometimes I feel a lot older than that," he said. "(But) I'm still young. I've got a lot of years left in me."

Good luck to Williams this coming season.

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Great stuff Bob!

It makes me sad to read the wistful tone in JWillie’s words, regarding both the sting that remains after being traded as well as his ongoing injury battles. I will always wish him the best (although I will always prefer his empty-netters with us to his empty-netters against us).

Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU

by LTD on Jul 16, 2010 5:04 PM EDT reply actions  

So Bob, when is this “Staal Country” I’ve been hearing about going to launch? Staal news, staal the time! I can’t wait.

Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!

by PackPride17 on Jul 16, 2010 5:25 PM EDT reply actions  

I heard the re-branding project was Staaled, due to lack of financing.

Unanswered questions are far less dangerous than unquestioned answers.

by Elsker on Jul 16, 2010 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

What? Didn't you notice the logo up top?

"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?" -- Oddball, from Kelly's Heroes
[My Hockey Photoshops] [My Music] [Beat a Dead Horse]

by Raccoon Fink on Jul 16, 2010 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

If we could only pick up Marc, it would make sense. ;)

Then it really would be “Staal Country.”. We would have “Captain Wraparound,” “Opie,” and “the Defensive One.”

Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!

by PackPride17 on Jul 18, 2010 8:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

lol

"The increase in pain is way beyond what you would expect a person to play with," said coach Paul Maurice. "Unfortunately it’s even beyond what Tim Gleason can play with, because he can play with just about anything."

Count Down to the Hurricanes '10-'11 Season!

by Cyn4Canes on Jul 18, 2010 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

I heard a rumor that the Staal-Star Game is coming here in January.

Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU

by LTD on Jul 18, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Knowing the Canes are very limited in experienced forwards, the Canes could use an offer sheet on Detriot’s Darren Helm. He still relatively young, has some experience, is very quick, and could be used in several situations. Also, we could offer him double his salary and it would only equal $1.2M. I think if Detriot didn’t match, it would only cost us a 3rd round pick (maybe a 2nd).

Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!

by PackPride17 on Jul 16, 2010 6:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

I meant experienced centers

Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!

by PackPride17 on Jul 16, 2010 6:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Good stuff.

Hockey is my air, football is my food, and baseball is my water. I'd say basketball is my shelter, but I'd rather not lie.

by truheelzfan44 on Jul 18, 2010 7:53 PM EDT reply actions  

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