A Tribute To A Legend

MAINEiacs Nation says good-bye to one of it’s own. Maurice Morin, the beloved anthem singer for the Lewiston MAINEiacs passed away this past Thursday. Numerous people have made their thoughts known on both the MAINEiacs message board and Sun Journal stories online.

Tradition means the world to this writer, and the tradition of Moe singing before games was something that was expected. If for some reason Moe didn’t sing, questions would work around as to where he was and if he was alright, but ususally Moe’s absences wouldn’t more than a game or two the first couple of seasons. A night without Moe’s voice, even this year, felt as if something was missing… a member of the family who didn’t make it home for the night. While it was understood why Moe wasn’t around, that didn’t mean he wasn’t missed.

It’s kind of like back years ago when this 9 year-old kid from Lewiston who would walk out on the ice at the Cumberland County Civic Center with a tuxedo on and belt out the Canadian national anthem (half in French) and the Star Spangled Banner. Little Brian Doyon is all grown up now, and sings for the MAINEiacs when he is home from the University of Maine / Orono. Even though Doyon didn’t do it all the time, most every weekend he’d be a mainstay in Portland. Something after awhile, you just expected.

If it is the one thing about this game that makes it great, it’s the people. People that you look to see or hear every night at the arena. It’s people that make the tradition of going to a game more meaningful. In the short history of the team in Lewiston, there are a few people that fall into that category (in no particular order): Ernie Gagne, who has announced action from the scorers table virtually from the begining is one. Rob Kennedy, MAINEiacs TV voice since day one, could be added to that list. Jeff Mannix, who in his second season as the radio voice is worthy of consideration. Sheila Blanchette, for all her effort into making her bus trips the best around of any booster organization. Justin Pelletier, the only beat writer from the Sun Journal that the MAINEiacs have ever had who can single-handedly send fans home in shock over his three star selections. Mike Burawski, who carries his trademark sombrero into each game and travels all across the northeast corridor in pursuit of hockey. Kyle Kyllonen, stick boy emeritus, a young man that is growing up with this hockey team who will be a part of another tradition once he graduates high school next year.

Certain faces. Certain people. All listed along with others that add something to the game without lacing up skates and taping up the stick. All important in their own way for their responsibilities and what adds up to the total game experience.

Moe Morin will be missed. The tradition that he brought to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in every word he sang had a lifetime of experience behind it. In Moe’s memory, do your part to contribute to the future tradition of MAINEiacs hockey… no matter how big or how small.

2007 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Perspective By Jeff Mannix 

With the 2007 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game played in Quebec City one week ago Wednesday, I decided to make the drive up and watch the game. The annual showcase of the best talent that Major Junior hockey has to offer certainly did not disappoint as the over 7,000 fans in attendance saw a fun game with plenty of good play, and plenty of good players. The game ended with Team Burns/Bergeron beating Team Bowman/Demers 5-3.

The Lewiston MAINEiacs sent two representatives to the game, 17 year-old defenseman Kevin Marshall and 18 year-old forward David Perron, who was a late addition to the game as an injury replacement for Rimouski’s Maxime Tanguay. Both players faired very well in the game.

Marshall, who played for the losing team coached by Scotty Bowman and Jacques Demers. He was a minus one for the game, as he was on the ice when Quebec forward Ruslan Bashkirov scored the first goal of the game, but it wasn’t Marshall’s fault, as he was covering Akim Aliu of the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, who made a great pass to him.

Marshall established himself as perhaps the most consistent defenseman for Team Bowman/Demers all night. He pretty much managed to do what he wanted all night. He was used consistently in all situations, doing an outstanding job on the power play of putting pucks toward the net from the point, nearly scoring twice with deflections. He was good on the penalty kill as well, locking down the front of the net. He was also his usual self when someone on the other team had the puck, making you know he was there, but chopping and hitting.

One player who knew that all too well was his MAINEiac teammate, Perron.

Perron was playing for the victorious team coached by former Boston Bruins coach Pat Burns and Michel Bergeron, formally a coach of the Quebec Nordiques. In Bergeron’s days of coaching juniors, he coached the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs, the franchise that is now the Lewiston MAINEiacs. Perron played well most of the night. He picked up a point with a pretty assist on a second period goal by Halifax’s Jakub Voracek. Perron moved the puck down the left side and did a spin-a-rama to avoid a check. As he did so, Perron backhanded the puck to Voracek, who was wide open in front. Voracek then blasted the puck behind Peterborough Petes goalie Trevor Cann to give Team Burns/Bergeron a 4-1 lead midway through the second.

Perron also saw some significant time in an area he doesn’t normally see much of with Lewiston: the penalty kill. He was very good at deflecting passes to the point. He almost had a few chances to go on breakaways while shorthanded. He just couldn’t finish off any of his chances on the night. His best come on a giveaway right in front of the net by Quebec’s Angelo Esposito. Perron got the puck just to the right of the net, but his half-slapshot sailed just high. The one negative in his game was, when he faced a big, physical defenseman, he was checked off the puck pretty easily. When he did keep possession, though, he usually did something good with it.

As for my impressions of other players in the game, I’ll break them down in three categories: The Real Deal, or the top players who should be top draft picks, Stock Rising are players whose stock should be going up following the game, but won’t necessarily be top picks, and Total Disappointments, in other words, players that are overrated.

The Real Deal:

:Akim Aliu, Forward, Sudbury Wolves (OHL): Aliu is 6’3″ and 204 pounds. He is an immovable object in front of the net and is extremely good with the puck. He set up both of Ruslan Bashkirov’s goals. Was an agitator all night, and tried to fight with Angelo Esposito in the closing minutes. He is a player I would have on my team any time.

: Aliu is 6’3″ and 204 pounds. He is an immovable object in front of the net and is extremely good with the puck. He set up both of Ruslan Bashkirov’s goals. Was an agitator all night, and tried to fight with Angelo Esposito in the closing minutes. He is a player I would have on my team any time.Oscar Moller, Forward, Chilliwack Bruins (WHL): Moller was named Team MVP for Team Bowman/Demers. He scored the first goal of the game on a beautiful play, picking up a loss puck behind the net, coming in front in a flash and scoring a goal. He generated great chances all night and you knew something would happen when he had the puck.

:Moller was named Team MVP for Team Bowman/Demers. He scored the first goal of the game on a beautiful play, picking up a loss puck behind the net, coming in front in a flash and scoring a goal. He generated great chances all night and you knew something would happen when he had the puck.Tyson Sexsmith, Goalie, Vancouver Giants (WHL): The next great young goalie in the CHL. He didn’t give up a goal in his half of the game and made a couple of saves he had no business making. It was another 17 year-old in the game, Trevor Cann, that went to the Canadian World Junior camp. After seeing the game, my only question was, why? Sexsmith was outstanding in his positioning and athleticism, and in this broadcaster’s opinion, is much better than Cann.

: The next great young goalie in the CHL. He didn’t give up a goal in his half of the game and made a couple of saves he had no business making. It was another 17 year-old in the game, Trevor Cann, that went to the Canadian World Junior camp. After seeing the game, my only question was, why? Sexsmith was outstanding in his positioning and athleticism, and in this broadcaster’s opinion, is much better than Cann.Keaton Ellerby, Defenseman, Kamloops Blazers (WHL): The 18 year-old was a monster on the blueline. At 6’4″, he already has the height, he can put on more weight at just 188, but he skates well, and is very good on the ice. Dangerous on offense with the puck, and dangerous while playing defense as well. Doesn’t get beaten very easily.

: The 18 year-old was a monster on the blueline. At 6’4″, he already has the height, he can put on more weight at just 188, but he skates well, and is very good on the ice. Dangerous on offense with the puck, and dangerous while playing defense as well. Doesn’t get beaten very easily.Ruslan Bashkirov, Forward, Quebec Remparts: His two goals got him named Team MVP for Team Burns/Bergeron. Both of his goals were down low, both on feeds from Aliu. Bashkirov was dangerous all night and always around the puck. Has improved steadily as the season has gone on, and is likely to continue in that trend.

: His two goals got him named Team MVP for Team Burns/Bergeron. Both of his goals were down low, both on feeds from Aliu. Bashkirov was dangerous all night and always around the puck. Has improved steadily as the season has gone on, and is likely to continue in that trend.Karl Alzner, Defenseman, Calgary Hitmen (WHL): Played a good game all night. Got a lot of time on both special teams units. By the end of the game, he was paired with Marshall when Team Bowman/Demers needed a spark, and they usually provided one. Already has a gold medal for Canada at the World Juniors this year, and will likely be a key player for that team next year.

: Played a good game all night. Got a lot of time on both special teams units. By the end of the game, he was paired with Marshall when Team Bowman/Demers needed a spark, and they usually provided one. Already has a gold medal for Canada at the World Juniors this year, and will likely be a key player for that team next year.Stock Rising:

Kevin Marshall, Defenseman, Lewiston MAINEiacs: Marshall got increased playing time as the night went on. By the end of the game, he was clearly the most consistent defenseman for Team Bowman/Demers. His stock is likely to rise big-time after his performance in the game.

: Marshall got increased playing time as the night went on. By the end of the game, he was clearly the most consistent defenseman for Team Bowman/Demers. His stock is likely to rise big-time after his performance in the game.Zach Hamill, Forward, Everett Silvertips (WHL): There are plenty of reasons that Everett has been the best team in the CHL for the first half of the season, and one of them is Hamill. Hamill is only 5’11″ and 170, but is a great skater and always seems to be dangerous with the puck. He set up Logan MacMillan’s goal for Team Burns/Bergeron in the first period. Was a consistent performer all night and will make some NHL team very happy. With his build and style of game, look for him to end up with New Jersey, because he has some of the same qualities as a couple of small speedsters already there, Brian Gionta and Zach Parise.

: There are plenty of reasons that Everett has been the best team in the CHL for the first half of the season, and one of them is Hamill. Hamill is only 5’11″ and 170, but is a great skater and always seems to be dangerous with the puck. He set up Logan MacMillan’s goal for Team Burns/Bergeron in the first period. Was a consistent performer all night and will make some NHL team very happy. With his build and style of game, look for him to end up with New Jersey, because he has some of the same qualities as a couple of small speedsters already there, Brian Gionta and Zach Parise.Mark Katic, Defenseman, Sarnia Sting (OHL): Katic was a strong performer at the start of the game, but tailed off slightly as the game went on. Katic, though, is good with the puck, and made good defensive plays all night. One of the smaller defenseman in the game, he played mostly with Karl Alzner, but saw some time with David Stich of the Saint John Sea Dogs as well. He’s a defensive defenseman who doesn’t make many mistakes.

: Katic was a strong performer at the start of the game, but tailed off slightly as the game went on. Katic, though, is good with the puck, and made good defensive plays all night. One of the smaller defenseman in the game, he played mostly with Karl Alzner, but saw some time with David Stich of the Saint John Sea Dogs as well. He’s a defensive defenseman who doesn’t make many mistakes.Nick Palmieri, Forward, Erie Otters (OHL): Palmieri is big at 6’3″ and 215. He is a load to handle on the ice, just ask Kevin Marshall, who had to deal with him a lot on the night, with some success, but not an overwhelming amount of success. He has speed and is agile for his size and age (17). He is an American player who could make an impact for Team USA at World Juniors in the future. Should make a decent power forward in the pros.

: Palmieri is big at 6’3″ and 215. He is a load to handle on the ice, just ask Kevin Marshall, who had to deal with him a lot on the night, with some success, but not an overwhelming amount of success. He has speed and is agile for his size and age (17). He is an American player who could make an impact for Team USA at World Juniors in the future. Should make a decent power forward in the pros.Jeremy Smith, Goalie, Plymouth Whalers (OHL): The emergence of Smith has helped the Whalers shoot up the OHL standings after a weak start. He was very consistent in the prospects game, only giving up one goal on 14 shots. He has a very good glove, as made a couple of big saves in the first period. Looks like he can develop into a good one.

: The emergence of Smith has helped the Whalers shoot up the OHL standings after a weak start. He was very consistent in the prospects game, only giving up one goal on 14 shots. He has a very good glove, as made a couple of big saves in the first period. Looks like he can develop into a good one.Max Gratchev, Forward, Rimouski Oceanic: He scored a goal for Team Bowman/Demers to get the team back to within one goal in the third period. His speed caused fits for defenders all night. Was easily one of the better forwards for his team all night. His vision was good, but his linemates couldn’t finish some great feeds.

: He scored a goal for Team Bowman/Demers to get the team back to within one goal in the third period. His speed caused fits for defenders all night. Was easily one of the better forwards for his team all night. His vision was good, but his linemates couldn’t finish some great feeds. David Skokan, Forward, Rimouski Oceanic: Skokan has improved by a lot since last year, and even by a lot since the beginning of this season. He has become a dangerous offensive threat. He passes the puck well and is responsible in his own end. Played a strong game.

: Skokan has improved by a lot since last year, and even by a lot since the beginning of this season. He has become a dangerous offensive threat. He passes the puck well and is responsible in his own end. Played a strong game.Total Disappointments:

Angelo Esposito, Forward, Quebec Remparts: I don’t know what Central Scouting or the Canadian hockey media see in this guy to compare him to Sidney Crosby, as some are doing. Crosby he is not. Crosby was unselfish and could make things happen anytime he wanted against any competition. Not so with Espo. No better example than when he hogged the puck in the first period on a three-on-one rush. He skated too far into the zone and by the time he looked up, he couldn’t pass it anymore as three defenseman had converged to take the puck. In another example, he almost gifted David Perron a goal in third by skating with his head down in front of his own net in the third. He made a flashy move later in the third to get a shot on net, but he put it right at the goalie’s pads, overall harmless. A truly gifted player, would the goalie work on that shot, Espo didn’t. Is he a gifted player? Absolutely. He is overrated? Yes. Is he a #1 overall draft pick? Not on your life.

: I don’t know what Central Scouting or the Canadian hockey media see in this guy to compare him to Sidney Crosby, as some are doing. Crosby he is not. Crosby was unselfish and could make things happen anytime he wanted against any competition. Not so with Espo. No better example than when he hogged the puck in the first period on a three-on-one rush. He skated too far into the zone and by the time he looked up, he couldn’t pass it anymore as three defenseman had converged to take the puck. In another example, he almost gifted David Perron a goal in third by skating with his head down in front of his own net in the third. He made a flashy move later in the third to get a shot on net, but he put it right at the goalie’s pads, overall harmless. A truly gifted player, would the goalie work on that shot, Espo didn’t. Is he a gifted player? Absolutely. He is overrated? Yes. Is he a #1 overall draft pick? Not on your life.Trevor Cann, Goalie, Peterborough Petes (OHL): Cann was awful, to put it politely. His season numbers are great, but in this game, he gave up four goals on just 14 shots. He stopped the shots he was supposed and didn’t stop any that he shouldn’t. Was a very disappointing performance.

: Cann was awful, to put it politely. His season numbers are great, but in this game, he gave up four goals on just 14 shots. He stopped the shots he was supposed and didn’t stop any that he shouldn’t. Was a very disappointing performance.Michal Repik, Forward, Vancouver Giants (WHL): Repik was a player I had heard an awful lot about going in. But, he was totally invisible in the game. He was kept in check all night. He barely had the puck. When he did have it, he usually turned it over. A very disappointing performance from Repik.

: Repik was a player I had heard an awful lot about going in. But, he was totally invisible in the game. He was kept in check all night. He barely had the puck. When he did have it, he usually turned it over. A very disappointing performance from Repik.Jakub Voracek, Forward, Halifax Mooseheads: How can a player who scored a goal be a disappointment? If scoring the goal is the only good thing you did, you’re a disappointment. If Voracek hadn’t scored on the beautiful that Perron gave him, he would have been total flop in the game. He seemed frustrated at times when things didn’t go his way. He was slow to get back defensively. He had trouble keeping possession and was extremely frustrated when checked. With his questioning his own playing time for the Czech Repubic at this year’s World Junior Championship, this kid’s head now has to come into question. He is not nearly the player now that I saw dominate against Lewiston in early November. If he gets it back, he’ll be a high pick. If he doesn’t, he’ll fall like a rock in the draft.

: How can a player who scored a goal be a disappointment? If scoring the goal is the only good thing you did, you’re a disappointment. If Voracek hadn’t scored on the beautiful that Perron gave him, he would have been total flop in the game. He seemed frustrated at times when things didn’t go his way. He was slow to get back defensively. He had trouble keeping possession and was extremely frustrated when checked. With his questioning his own playing time for the Czech Repubic at this year’s World Junior Championship, this kid’s head now has to come into question. He is not nearly the player now that I saw dominate against Lewiston in early November. If he gets it back, he’ll be a high pick. If he doesn’t, he’ll fall like a rock in the draft.News, comments, and questions appreciated. offthepost@lewistonhockey.com