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P.G.’s NHL list 20-odd strong |
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Written by Neil Godbout
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Sunday, 28 June 2009 |
Ted Clarke unearthed a gem of a list on Saturday.
While doing research for stories after the Calgary Flames (Clarke’s beloved, stinking Calgary Flames) selected Prince George minor hockey product Ryan Howse, the Citizen sports writer went on an Internet search.
How many players from Prince George -- born here, played minor hockey here, some combination of the two -- have had their names called by NHL clubs over the years?
Well, it turns out 20-some Prince George players have earned such an honour. Ironically (see box, above right), it’s about the same number as another list -- former Cougars players who have suited up for at least one NHL game.
Aside from an interesting jog of the memory, the list of local players could easily lead to a number of barstool banter sessions.
Which of the players is the best of all-time?
Is it Darcy Rota, who put up big offensive numbers but, downside be damned, never was part of a championship season?
Is it Turner Stevenson, the former Habs’ first-rounder who has his name on the Stanley Cup from that magical spring with the New Jersey Devils?
He holds not only the Cup distinction, a mention Rota can’t make, but also the highest selection at 12th overall, one spot higher than Rota.
Is it Tony Twist, for making the most out of a very difficult role and lasting 10 seasons in the NHL? Or Don Nachbaur, the ultimate hard-worker/overachiever who played eight seasons?
What about the only goaltenders on the list, Darryl Reaugh and Jason LaBarbera? Reaugh can, at the very least, tell a lot of tales about life with those great Oilers players, while LaBarbera has had starter status at the highest level.
Of course, someone will quickly point out that Brett Connolly has a fantastic chance to be the highest home-grown draft choice of all time when he’s a first-rounder next season. Some NHL scouts are already placing the heavy expectation that Connolly could land in the top five of next June’s draft.
But it’s not just the high end, quality-wise, that makes the list interesting.
The first is a reminder of just how good that Purolator Cup team was in the early ’80s -- Craig Endean, Dale Marquette, Twist... and a handful of others who had solid Tier 2 careers. It’s highly unlikely this city will ever see a grouping like that flow through the system again.
Then there are the puzzlers. Paul Brown had so much promise when he was the fourth-overall bantam choice in
the 1999 WHL bantam draft, but never found his potential.
There are people who still say Sean LeBrun had as much ability as anyone who first cut the ice in Prince George, yet he never played an NHL game. Lee J. Leslie was sideswiped by shoulder problems or who knows what would’ve been the final result.
Remember the name Kelly Hubbard? Played on the first Portland team to win the Memorial Cup.
Who was Paul Rushforth? Born here, played in the OHL.
Does anyone else remember much about Russ Wilderman, who was drafted by Philadelphia after playing for the Seattle Breakers?
And the inclusion of the name Murray Baron? The one-time Canucks defenceman spent only a few months in Prince George, but we’re claiming ownership of him anyway.
Around local rinks, it’s not hard to find debates raging about the lack of NHL success from a place that calls itself a hockey city -- perhaps, with nearly 25 draft picks to boast of, it’s time to temper the criticism and offer a little bit of credit.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 28 June 2009 )
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