Monday Morning Post

• After establishing himself as more than just a long shot to make Philadelphia's opening night roster, Chris VandeVelde was the last forward cut made by the Flyers. He came into camp on an AHL deal and nearly parlayed it into an NHL contract. He will begin the season playing with Philly's AHL affiliate in Adirondack.
• The New Jersey Devils have lost two of the world's best players over the past two seasons in Ilya Kovulchuk and Zach Parise. Their success this season will be greatly impacted by how strong Travis Zajac and the rest of their centermen play down the middle.
• Despite being signed to a two-year, one-way contract in the offseason, Chris Porter was placed on waivers by the St. Louis Blues this weekend. Porter really established himself during the playoffs last season as part of the Blues' "CPR" line, but he ended up getting caught up in a numbers game during training camp. After clearing waivers, Porter will begin the season in the AHL.
• TJ Oshie had a strong preseason camp for St. Louis while changing his spots in the locker room.
• Brock Nelson proved he belongs in the NHL following a very good preseason. We'll find out today if he makes the Islanders' opening night roster.
• Over the weekend Sioux alum JP Lamoureux was inducted into the Lincoln Stars (USHL) Hall of Fame.

Saturday Morning Coffee

• Incoming freshman Jordan Schmaltz completed his fitness testing at the NHL Scouting Combine yesterday, and afterwards he stated that he is "100% committed" to attending North Dakota in the fall. Schmaltz commented that he realizes he is not NHL-ready and that a year or two or three of development at North Dakota will help him realize his NHL aspirations.
• Inside College Hockey released its top 10 candidates to win the Hobey Baker Award in 2012-13 and North Dakota senior Danny Kristo is on the list.
• Stanley Cup Final Game two is tonight, and Travis Zajac said there is optimism in New Jersey seeing as how the Devils took the Kings to overtime despite playing far from its best game. Zach Parise tried to give the Devils a third period lead in game one when he slid the puck into the goal using his hand. When asked whether he thought he might get away with it, he replied that, "Maybe the video review wasn't working." On the Los Angeles side, steady defenseman Matt Greene says this year's Kings are looking to establish a new chapter in the organization's history books. 
• Matt Frattin will not be available during the AHL's Calder Cup Finals, and his banged-up Toronto Marlies dropped game one of the championship series to the Norfolk Admirals 3-1 last night.
• Earlier this spring former Sioux Bill Trew led the Landshut Cannibals (Germany Tier 2) to the league's playoff championship. Trew was an offensive force for the Cannibals, leading the league in postseason goals (13), assists (14), and points (27).
• Former Sioux netminder Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has signed with Villacher SV (Austria Tier 1) for the 2012-13 season. Lamoureux played with Olimpija Ljubljana, also of the Austrian elite league, this past season.
• Lamoureux's former North Dakota teammate Ryan Martens will also be switching teams next season. Martens, who last season played for EHC Dortmund (Germany Tier 3), will be moving on to play for TSV Erding (Germany Tier 3).
• Around the WCHA, Etc...Minnesota-Duluth has named its captain for 2012-13...Colorado College has released its 2012-13 roster...It is being reported that Nebraska-Omaha will hire former Sioux All-American & current St. Cloud State assistant Steve Johnson as its new assistant coach. Johnson will fill the vacancy left by Mike Hastings, who earlier this spring took over the head coaching duties at Minnesota State. An announcement is expected Monday...Boston University, who will be visiting Engelstad Arena in November, lost a sophomore defenseman to the professional ranks... 

Running Down the Sioux in the Pros: ECHL & Overseas

As advertised, here is the rundown of the former Sioux playing in the ECHL and various leagues overseas. Tomorrow's post will feature updates on the Sioux recruits.

ECHL:

• Colorado Eagle defenseman Aaron Schneekloth is quite possibly having the best statistical year of his professional career. The Eagles franchise moved from the Central Hockey League to the ECHL this season, but the change in competition hasn't slowed Schneekloth. Through 17 games he has 16 points (8G, 8A), 6 power play goals, a +10 plus/minus rating, while his 16 points, 8 goals, and 6 PPG lead all ECHL defensemen. He was also a runner-up for last week's ECHL player of the week award after producing five points (4G, 1A) in three games. Earlier this month Schneekloth took part in a podcast to discuss several aspects of his career, including touching on his time spent at North Dakota.
• Schneekloth's Eagle teammate Michael Forney is also having a solid year, with 10 points (4G, 6A) in 17 games. Forney was recently featured in the Eagles' Player Profile series, and there was a decent amount of Mighty Duck talk. Here's the interview:

• Something about November must get the Toews family revved up. While brother Jonathan has been busy tearing up the NHL, David Toews has been on a nice streak of his own. The Toledo Walleye forward is currently on a 5 game point streak, during which he has accumulated 6 points (1G, 5A).

Overseas:

• Adam Calder is having a big year in the EPIHL (England Tier II). Through 20 games, he leads the Slough Jets with 21 goals and 39 points. His 39 points also rank him second in the league.
• Colby Genoway has 26 points (6G, 20A) in 19 games with Lausanne of Switzerland's Tier II league. He leads the team in assists, ranks second in points, is fifth in the league in assists, and is tied for 11th in points.
• Jean-Philippe Lamoureux is among the top goaltenders in Austria's Tier I league. He has started 23 of Olimpija Ljubljana's 24 games and has posted a 2.28 GAA and .937 Save %, both of which are second best in the league. The save percentage is his best since his high school days in Grand Forks.
• Andrew Kozek has 28 points (20 G, 8A) in 19 games for the Nikko Icebucks (Asia League). His 20 goals lead the Icebucks and rank second in the league, while his point total is tied for the sixth highest in the league.
• Curtis Murphy has notched 22 points (6G, 16A) in 24 games for EHC Linz (Austria-Tier I). He is the top point producing defenseman in the league.
• With 20 points in 16 games, Bill Trew leads the wonderfully named Landshut Cannibals (Germany-Tier II) in points and is tied for the team lead in assists. His 20 points are also 15th best in the league.
• Jordan Parise joined the Dresdner Eislowen after former Minnesota goaltender Kellen Briggs went down with an injury. In 11 games Parise leads the league with a 2.09 GAA, and his outstanding play has led to a contract with Augsburg of Germany's elite league. He is expected to make his Augsburg debut Friday against EHC Munich, which features former Sioux Jason Ulmer as its second leading scorer.
• Brandon Bochenski (Barys Astana-KHL) has 19 points (9G, 10A) in 21 games. His 9 goals are tops on the team and his point total has him tied for the team lead.