A mix of general and prospect-specific announcements were made as the world continues to reshape and adjust to the COVID-created paradigm. Most notably, the AHL has been scheduled to start on February 5.
Building on today's AHL announcement below, we have more info to share…
Per @MayorsManor sources, it is conceivable the Reign will play games at TSPC and/or Staples (without fans) next season. Games might be streamed/on cable TV.
We'll have more info on next @kingsofthepod. https://t.co/ErS9uJIMj8
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 28, 2020
Some international tournament rosters have been announced, which will be pointed out with the affected players.
EUROPE
Lias Andersson: Forward, HV71, SEL (1st round pick in 2017)
Regular season: 2 goal, 4 assists, minus-2, 4 PIM in 8 games played
Andersson added an assist last week. He was lit up with a heavy hit, yet was able to resume play. He also had the honor of receiving an invitation to join Team Sweden for the Karjala Cup, set to begin in early November.
Hockey players are just a different breed of cat.
LA Kings prospect Lias Andersson was run over by a truck in today's HV71 game (bleeding, etc).
Problem? No problem.
Next shift, his goalie took a delay of game penalty, Andersson skates out with cotton in his nose. Game on. https://t.co/x5GKKpMMeU
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 27, 2020
#LAKings https://t.co/aQxvjPVlEy
— The Armchair Scout (@Davidenkness) October 26, 2020
Tobias Björnfot: Defense, Djurgårdens IF, SEL (1st round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 0 goals, 1 assist, plus-1, 29 PIM in 6 games played
His return to the blueline on Halloween was postponed due to the team having a widespread infection.
Four matches have been postponed (including today's match in which Bjornfot was set to return) due to a widespread infection spread throughout the team. https://t.co/rtaMT1X3G7
— The Armchair Scout (@Davidenkness) November 1, 2020
Aidan Dudas: Forward, Eisbären Berlin, DEL (4th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: N/A
Dudas continued to get some preseason action, although he didn’t find himself on the scoresheet in either appearance for Berlin.
Samuel Fagemo: Forward, Södertälje SK, Allsvenskan (2nd round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 3 goals, 3 assists, minus-2, 0 PIM in 11 games played
Fagemo broke his six-game scoring drought at a very opportune time. In some Kings on Kings crime, he scored a goal against Grundstrom and Bjorkloven, which contributed to handing them their first regulation loss of the season.
Helge Grans: Defense, Malmö Redhawks, SHL (2nd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 2 goals, 4 assists, minus-6, 0 PIM in 11 games played
Apparently the peaks and valleys Fagemo endured has been passed on to Grans, who hit a four-game scoreless streak after being blanked on Halloween.
Carl Grundström: Forward, IF Björklöven , Allsvenskan (2nd round pick in 2016)
Regular season: 2 goals, 4 assists, plus-6, 12 PIM in 8 games played
Grundstrom seemingly recovered from his concussion quickly, as he returned to play and scored a goal just ten days after the collision.
Jacob Ingham: Goalie, Eisbären Berlin, DEL (6th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: N/A
Ingham kept Berlin strong in preseason action, backstopping them to a shootout. However, he allowed the only attempt past him for the shootout loss.
Ingham stopped the first two shooters, then Bad Nauheim scored the only goal in the shootout.
Berlin falls 4-3
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 31, 2020
Aatu Jämsen: Forward, Pelicans U20, U20 SM-sarja (7th round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 9 goals, 19 assists, plus-12, 22 PIM in 16 games played
It looks like the league is catching on to the surging forward, who has been held off the scoreboard for two straight tilts. Despite his scoreless streak, he still leads his team and is third overall in league scoring. The Pelicans are scheduled to appear next on November 13.
Juho Markkanen: Goalie, Ketterä, Mestis (4th round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 3-1-2, 2.77 GAA, .890 SV%, 1 SO in 6 games played
In Finland’s second league, he faced his first regulation loss when he allowed four goals on 15 shots.
Jacob Moverare: Defense, SaiPa, Liiga (4th round pick in 2016)
Regular season: 0 goals, 1 assist, minus-4, 29 PIM in 7 games played
Unfortunately, Moverare sustained a lower body injury and there is no timetable for his return.
Kim Nousiainen: Defense, KalPa, Liiga (4th round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 3 goals, 1 assist, plus-6, 2 PIM in 7 games played
KalPa had a shortened quarantine, and they were able to play three games this week. Nousiainen netted a goal this past week.
Lukáš Pařík: Goalie, Spokane Chiefs, WHL (3rd round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 3-1-2, 3.64 GAA, .881 SV%, 0 Shutouts in 6 games played
The Czech Republic remained on lockdown, so Parik did not get any chance to play this last week. However, news arose last week that he was invited to the Karjala Cup.
https://twitter.com/mayorNHL/status/1321932838757830656.
Bulat Shafigullin: Forward, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, KHL (3rd round pick in 2018)
Regular season: 0 goals, 0 assists, minus-8, 4 PIM in 16 games played
The struggles continue for Shafigullin, who has now remained off the scoresheet all season. He has not played in a top-six role, though he still averaged 13 minutes.
Kasper Simontaival: Forward, Tappara, Liiga (3rd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 0 goals, 1 assist, plus-2, 2 PIM in 4 games played (Liiga)
3 goals, 4 assists, plus-1, 4 PIM in 5 games played (Mestis)
After settling down in the Finland junior league, the stocky forward had a three-point performance last week.
LA Kings prospect (2020 NHL Draft) Kasper "Kassu" Simontaival had a three point game today.
According to sources overseas, he was great during summer camps, yet has gotten off to a bit of a slow start. Could be heating up just in time for 🇫🇮 WJC team. https://t.co/Hh7pZMK9ky
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) October 29, 2020
Johan Sodergran: Forward, Almtuna, Allsvenskan (6th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: 1 goal, 2 assists, minus-2, 6 PIM in 11 games played
A weekend of getting held off the scoresheet kept Sodergran’s totals low.
Akil Thomas: Forward, Eisbären Berlin, DEL (2nd round pick in 2018)
Regular season: NA
Though held off the scoreboard, Thomas acclimated further to professional hockey this past weekend in Berlin.
Berlin wins 3-1
Was Akil Thomas' best game w/ team. Didn't show up on scoresheet, yet very involved offensively & took bulk of faceoffs for his line (again).
Dudas was Dudas; noticeable when he was on the ice. Had a few good looks. Didn't seem to get much ice time in the third.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 30, 2020
NCAA + USHL
Braden Doyle: Defense, Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL (6th round pick in 2019)
Regular season: NA
Another assist in preseason action kept Doyles point-per-game pace at 1.0, which puts him at the top of the team in scoring rate..
Brock Faber: Defense, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Big Ten (2nd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: NA
We continue to await for an official NCAA schedule to be released.
Dávid Hrenák: Goalie, St. Cloud State University Huskies, NCHC (5th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: NA
We continue to await for an official NCAA schedule to be released.
Alex Laferriere: Forward, Harvard Crimson, ECAC (3rd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: NA
Laferriere, like Doyle in Dubuque, has two points in as many games for Des Moines. This production kept him tied for the team lead.
Andre Lee: Forward, UMass-Lowell River Hawks, Hockey East (7th round pick in 2019)
Regular Season: NA
We continue to await for an official NCAA schedule to be released.
Ben Meehan: Defense, UMass-Lowell River Hawks, Hockey East (6th round pick in 2020)
Regular Season: NA
We continue to await for an official NCAA schedule to be released.
CANADIAN JUNIOR LEAGUES
Quinton Byfield, Forward, Sudbury Wolves, OHL (1st round pick in 2020)
Regular season: NA
As expected, Byfield was invited to Canada’s WJC camp. Though it was announced the OHL will resume with zero body checking, there is still time that could change..
Smartest tweet Muzzy's ever written… https://t.co/58hDnNPvQn
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 30, 2020
Martin Chromiak, Forward, Kingston Frontenacs, OHL (5th round pick in 2020)
Regular season: NA
Chromiak has remained out of Slovak hockey, and has instead circled his calendar for the February 4 season start in the OHL.
Arthur Kaliyev: Forward, Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL (2nd round pick in 2019)
Regular season: NA
Like Chromiak and Byfield, Kaliyev both awaits for an opportunity to participate in the WJC while also hoping the OHL start dates stay true.
OHL GM’s will virtually meet tomorrow. It’s expected the league will announce a Feb 4th season start. Training camps are expected to open Jan 25th. Eight team playoff also expected to be unveiled.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 27, 2020
Jordan Spence: Defense, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL (4th round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 3 goals, 6 assists, minus-2, 12 PIM in 7 games played
Spence had a rather eventful week. Not only did he get invited to participate in Canada’s WJC team, but he earned a hat trick. His five points launched him to fourth overall in league scoring among blueliners while also keeping him tied in the team lead.
All three goals, courtesy of MM staff… https://t.co/CqY7TbgU2p
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 31, 2020
NOTE: Author David Hofreiter can be found on Twitter @Davidenkness if you’re interested in talking more hockey with him or asking further questions about these players. Davis Green was the lead contributor in the gathering of information used in this article. You can find him on Twitter @davisgreen_.