These comments are based on observations at all the home games only....no axe to grind..just how I rate the Wings' players performances for the season so far..
4. Mike Ball..former captain has not been as consistent since his return..logs tons of ice time..can move the puck well but has to develop more consistency in his play..I still call him 'captain' no offense to Josh Vella..can hand out the big hit, perhaps should do it more..Grade B
5. Jeremy Goodwin..Hamilton native has already passed his points total of last season..has two shorthanded goals and a game winner in his five..I would like to see him be more aggressive. Grade B
7. Noah Schwartz..speedy rookie can kill penalties and chips in with important goals..Grade C
11.Zach Hyman..the other sixteen year old on the team he has regularly played with McQuade..Tthirty points not too shabby..will never win a speed contest though..not afraid of contact..Grade C+
14. Nathan Pageau..League's top-scoring winger may not have an equal for speed in the Division..has come through in a big way this season..looks to have excellent hockey sense..many opposition defenders still looking for him!..Grade A
15. Josh Dadic..does not get a ton of ice time..got 37 points for Kingston last season has a way to go to meet that this time around. Grade C-
17. Anthony Ruberto..fourth year Red Wing started a little slowly but was a major contributor before being recently sidelined with an injury..has the experience to continue to show leadership when he returns..Grade A-
18. Tim Revell..I have only seen a couple of games since he joined from Aurora..was injured in his first game..has the experience to make a big difference down the stretch and into the playoffs..Grade C
19. Cody Wilson..leading point-scoring defenceman in the League Hamilton native has yet to score at home..lots of good speed perhaps should shoot more and the goals will start coming..has to play a basic defensive game when needed..Grade B
21. Justin Stevens..17-year old tough but small defenceman has improved as the season has progressed..will probably not pile up the points so can continue to work on his defensive game..Grade C
24. Brendan Schwartz..does not seem to have been doing as much hitting as last season but always plys with lots of derermination..Grade C+
26. David Fortino..honestly at the start of the season I was disappointed in the play of the former Milton blueliner but he may rank as the most improved so far..Grade B-
27. Luke Watson..I was expecting a breakout season in his third one as a Wing and he has more points already but there is till a lot more potential there..Grade C-
31. Rob Behling..the tall Pittsburgh native has nine wins and has proven to be a reliable goalie who can be used against any team..Grade B-
35. Dillon Branco..a great acquisition who will be relied on for a long playoff run for the Wings, always seems to be into the game..Grade B+
39. Joey Diamond..New York state native came out like gangbusters, has missed a couple of games with injuries..skates well and has a lethal shot..and never backs away from contact..one of the big cogs..Grade A-
40. Josh McQuade..Second leading pointscorer in the League 'Lone Wolf' often seems to have the puck on a string..tremendous shot with quick release..stay positive, use linemates more although this is gEtting better every game..will probably shatter shorthanded goalscoring record for the League..Grade A-
61. Josh Vella..Captain is used in any situation..good hockey sense..third year forward can hurt opposition when they key on the 'big guns'..Grade B
88. Bruce Crawford..quite a change for the big ex-Charger coming from a team where he was always 'numero uno'..has the strength, knows where the net is..works well with McGrail..averaging a point a game as a Wing..Grade B+
96. Brent McGrail..skates well and has the chemistry with big number 88..will be a leader on this team when the playoffs roll around, his contributions should keep increasing..Grade B+
Any other forum fans interested in doing a report card on their team?
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As a sidenote, I remember, back in my days of following the trenton sting, that a certain reporter for the local rag used to do this. i used to love it and look forward to it. But it seems a certain owner was not all that impressed and really had some major issues with it.
As a result, it was not published anymore. I do not know why not specifically but I can guess as others might.
You, as a paying fan, have every right to your opinions of the players on the Hamilton Red Wings. I wish more people would do likewise. It is a lot of work but a good read.
interesting to note that Josh Dadic is not performing up to snuff in your view. He was a very good player for Kingston last year. He is big and not as nimble afoot as many, but when he bears down, he can be a very effective player.
I had fun shouting for him last year encouraging him all I could do last year when he was in Kingston. Not all guys respond to the same kind of thing but I really think Josh responds when he hears his name. He was one of my favourite players in Kingston last year.
"Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling."
Wayjoy
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Dadic was 1 of the many Toronto Red Wing players that did not turn out as expected.The then Coach & player agent Pat Curcio did an excellent job at promoting the players on his team I think it was 11 , 1990 draft picks,Mr Curcio did his job.The stage was set , the rest is up to the boys,remember you can't hide on the the ice,you will be what you are regardless of the promoting.
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Hamilton's got the top two 16 year olds in the loop. Ron's being too tough on these boys. They are only 16. While most 16 year olds can't cut the grade, or are not ready to play at this level, Zach Hyman and Noa Schwartz are excelling and are thus far the best 16 year old players in the OJHL!
I raise Hyman to an A. As Ron points out this kid is soaring at 30 points! I disagree on his speed he's very fast. He always beats players to the puck and is very fast around the boards. Not afraid to stand in front of the net or fight, dig in the corners. His speed may be deceiving since he's about 6'2 and has a long stride, definitely taller than listed. He has great game sense and vision. He's not selfish, often dishing off when he has a shot. He'll be a stud next year.
Also feel the same about Schwartz. He is a zippy fast versatile player that has proved can be used at any position (haven't seen him in goal...yet!)I like this kid. he buzzes around the ice like a hornet. He blocks shots and shares the puck like Hyman. I especially like watching these two kids together. they are magic.
I also like Tim Revell. He is very fast. He's a B. In fact the entire Red Wings team is fast, with few exceptions, that is part of their success. They attack in waves of explosive power. They are the best offensive team I've seen in this league. They have better forwards than some teams at major Junior!
They have the horses up front but are young on D. Look at the ages! They will mature. I also like the progress of the Older Schwartz. Brennan Scwartz has a lot of heart. He is not flashy but works hard every shift. He is a blue collar type player. if this were football he'd be a Ditka like player. I bump him up to a B-
Goalies are both equal, both C players but have the potential to play like A players when they focus.
Offence- A
Defence- B-
Goaltending C
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its not that hard to have 30 points when your playing with a guy like mcquade, referring to hyman. Like him, but with anyone else, his points would fall a ton.
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That goes the same for the others who have tons of points this year playing with better player's.You play with good player's you're going to get more points, that's a gimme!
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whatever ur opinion, i like shwartz a little better though because of his work ethic and scores the big goals at the right times, such as the goal he scored i think it was the canadiens shorthanded in a 1-1 hockey game, got the team going.
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"Dadic was 1 of the many Toronto Red Wing players that did not turn out as expected.The then Coach & player agent Pat Curcio did an excellent job at promoting the players on his team I think it was 11 , 1990 draft picks,Mr Curcio did his job.The stage was set , the rest is up to the boys,remember you can't hide on the the ice,you will be what you are regardless of the promoting."
Excellent post. These were the 12 Red Wings drafted that year. Ottawa Valley Titans led the province with 13 drafts that year.
Mitch Gaulton - Erie - 1st Round - injured for over a year, somehow a NY Rangers 6th Rd pick
Josh Dadic - Missy - 2nd Round - never played in OHL, Jr.A. Mississauga, Kingston, Hamilton
Ed Pasquale - Belleville - 3rd Round - now in Saginaw - top rated goalie for 2009 NHL draft
Chris Dunham - S.S. Marie - 4th round - Brantford Jr.B.
Guy Carteciano - Owen Sound - 4th round - out of hockey
Steve McDonald - Plymouth - 4th round - out of hockey
David Mathers - Belleville - 5th round - Georgetown Jr.A.
Kain Allicock - Saginaw - 7th round - in Saginaw
Jesse Hebscher - Sudbury - 8th round - out of hockey?
Stephen Francella - Kingston - 10th round - in Kingston
Buddy Wightman - Plymouth - 13th round - out of hockey
Michael Colavecchia - Oshawa - 14th round - Jr.A. for Markham, Aurora, Dixie, Lindsay
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the thing about Dadic is he has had some up's and down's. Yes Curcio did an excellent job of promoting the players from the Toronto Red Wings. But some of the credit must go to Dadic for being selected 2nd round in the OHL, really think about what he did. He came from AA into AAA at the age of 14, he rode the bench mostly his first year in AAA and still showed improvement and contributed. In his second year in AAA he became one of the Red Wings top scorers while on the third and second lines and always a clutch performer.
As far as going to the OHL, well things happened. He was advised by the Ice Dogs to play for the Mississauga Chargers Jr. A. And the rest is what you would call the "down's". The Chargers reputation is well known and need I say more. Dadic rode the bench for an entire year, a second round draft pick on the bench for an entire year. It is to his credit that he did not quit hockey all together that year, but he showed up every game and persevered. Since then it's just been refocusing and getting back to basic's. Jr. A is a difficult league and I for one am hoping Josh will continue to persevere...
Good Luck Josh, and Good Luck to all the players in Jr. A, don't give up on your dreams.
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