THE PIPELINE SHOW: Talking the 2020 NHL Draft w/Mark Edwards, ECAC Conference Preview of NCAA Hockey, Ryan Chyzowski, and Jordy Stallard
This week on The Pipeline Show we dive into a preview for the ECAC conference in the NCAA, we catch up with a former WHL star now plying his trade in U Sports hockey and an undrafted 19-year-old shares his thoughts on his team, his play and the NHL draft. Speaking of the draft, Mark Edwards from HockeyProspect.com checks in with his early impressions of the 2020 NHL Draft.
2020 Draft Preview: Mark Edwards
For the last several seasons there has been a strong partnership between The Pipeline Show and HockeyProspect.com and I’m happy to announce that we’re teaming up again for Season 15.
[Read more: Scouting Report: Standout Players From the First Group at the USHL Fall Classic]
This week, it’s head honcho Mark Edwards who kicks things off and we start with the recent USHL Fall Showcase in Pittsburgh. From there we address the announced changes to the All American Prospect Game which will now be combined with the USHL Top Prospect Game but with some unclear ramifications. Team USA will play a USHL squad of draft-eligible players but where does that leave the NAHL, US high school and prep players let alone the American CHLers who would have enjoyed the spotlight of the All American Game? I asked Mark for his thoughts from the perspective of a scout.
[Read more: Scouting Report: Standout Players From the Second Group at the USHL Fall Classic]
We also discussed a trio of players from the USNTDP in forward Ty Smilanic and defencemen Jake Sanderson and Tyler Kleven.
NCAA Campus Report: ECAC Preview
Ken Schott has long been one of my go-to guests when it comes time to talk ECAC hockey as he’s been around the conference for over 25 years. With half the teams having played a handful of games already and the other half, the Ivies, about to get going, it’s time to preview the league.
Quinnipiac and Clarkson are out of the gate well but the same cannot be said of Union College and Ken talked about several of the reasons why the 0-6 Dutchmen are certainly not… flying.
Schott also weighed in on the Engineers of RPI and shared his thoughts when I asked him about Ottawa Senators prospect Todd Burgess.
Then it was time to look at a couple of the top teams in the conference who have yet to play a meaningful game in Cornell and Harvard. Combined, the teams have 15 NHL draftees on their rosters and both the Big Red and the Crimson should compete for the top spot in the ECAC.
In the Dub: Ryan Chyzowski
The Medicine Hat Tigers are living up to expectations through the first month of the regular season as they compete for the top spot in the Central Division. One of the leaders on and off the ice is 19-year-old forward Ryan Chyzowski. I spoke with Chyzowski before the Tigers left for a Friday night tilt against the Edmonton Oil Kings.
We began talking about the campaign thus far for the team which is celebrating its 50th year. Head coach Willie Desjardins is back after a decade spent in the NHL and I got the player’s perspective on that as well.
Of course, I wanted to know from Chyzowski what his thoughts on the NHL Draft are now considering he’s been overlooked twice already but could potentially be taken in June of 2020. We also looked beyond this season and if he’s started thinking of his post WHL options.
Lastly, I wanted to know what it’s like for the players to always been sharing the bus with a WHL legend — broadcaster Bob Ridley has been calling the action for the Tigers since day 1 and has only missed a single game over the course of the last five decades.
U Sports Update: Jordy Stallard
The Acadia Axemen have been chopping their way through the rest of the AUS Conference early this season and have a 6-1 record and a six-game winning streak. One of the reasons for the hot start is the play of forward Jordy Stallard.
WHL fans will recognize that name as the Brandon, MB product spent four very productive seasons in the league split between the Calgary Hitmen and the Prince Albert Raiders. I spoke with Stallard about his time in the WHL and what memories he’s taken from playing in the league.
Of course, we discussed his post junior career as well which included games last season in the ECHL and his subsequent move to Acadia and why joining the Axemen was best next step for him.
Stallard talked about being drafted by Winnipeg, not being signed and how his end goal of playing in the NHL has not changed. The scholarship package in his pocket, Stallard sees his time spent in U Sports as the natural next step from junior hockey as he continues on his path to becoming a pro.
