Standing out in the lineup of media pressed against the glass at the MSG training facility in Elmhurst was a woman dressed in jeans and a wool cap, gathering media with her smart phone. On closer examination, she was clearly more supermodel more than a hockey scribe. A few inquiries revealed that she was Anna Galchenyuk, the adoring older sister (7 years) of USA's supreme Russian sniper Alex who had just driven up from Manhattan to catch up. Anna currently works at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, helping entertain the elite Russian clients in Mikhail Prokhorov's luxury suites. She describes her relationship with Alex as "extremely close." Last year she drove up to Sarnia, Ontario several times and hung with her bro while he endured grueling rehab for his knee. "He was working 8 hours a day...two four- hour sessions." This final day of the mini camp she took several photos of Alex while he was being interviewed. Her next task is to convince her family to enjoy a hockey reunion back in Russia. The Galchenyuk grandparents live in Minsk, Belarus, approximately the same 2 hour flight to Ufa as from Moscow. Based on the response of the assembled press corps in Westchester, her presence would be highly welcomed in Ufa.
Notes and Quotes
SETH JONES: "I'm actually hungry to see what it's all about (the WJC)...I got a sniff last year, half of a first period (vs Russia in Alberta pre-tourney exhibition before injuring his shoulder). So I'm excited to play, the team is going to be great."
from Yes Network interview, describing his Mom: "She was very strict with my brothers and me, never let things slide...she was the one who took us to 6 am practices."
GM Jim Johansson: (on short selection process) "It's tough to make the World Junior Team, the guys know it. It's a good thing, but it's also the hard part about hockey." The team final cuts, 1 forward and 2 defensemen, will be notified after their last exhibition game Saturday December 22 vs Finland, played in Helsinki. The unlucky blokes will jet home on the 23rd as the media get notified. There are three undersized and uniquely skilled defenseman that fill the same role, almost like a point guard in basketball: Mike Reilly 167 pounds from U. of Minnesota; Shayne Gostisbehere 167 pounds from Union College; and Matt Grzelcyk 168 pounds from Boston University.
"My understanding is that only 2 of those three will make it," said Hall of Famer Craig Patrick, representing the Columbus Blue Jackets as a special adviser. The Jackets used a fourth round draft pick on Reilly in 2011. Patrick is not alone in his admiration of Reilly's skill sets, but "he needs to put on some muscle." The fact that this kid is pure Minnesota, and plays a near identical game to Hall-of-Fame coach Phil Housley of St. Paul makes it unlikely that he will miss this tourney. "It may come down to a little bit of the gut feeling, and maybe who pairs up better with other guys," said Johansson. Three of the most skilled defensemen on the planet in a heartwrenching game of hockey musical chairs. Three lightweight dancers, two chairs, the music stops two days before Christmas...
NYRangers assistant GM Jeff Gorton was omnipresent in Westchester, keeping a close eye on J.T. Miller, the Blueshirts first pick in 2011. Miller currently plays in Hartford for the AHL Whale, and had to be given permission to miss 8 games for this tournament. "I've seen him play 15 or 20 games this year," said Gorton. "As soon as he learned he would be allowed to go (to Russia), he's been our best forward." A teenager playing with men, the best forward. Gorton said it matter of factly. Although the Team USA captaincy won't be announced until the club gets to Helsinki, Miller's captaincy is a poorly kept secret. "It's like having another coach in the room when we're not in there," says head coach Housley.
"I've never really been a veteran, or an older guy," said the 19 year old Miller from East Palestine. Ohio "That's why it's kinda neat coming here, being one of the older guys, trying to be a leader. I don't really take that role very often , so I'm going to make sure I take full advantage of it, do the best I can here to help get a gold medal."
...there are 3 Minnesotans in camp, including 6'3" defenseman Brady Skjei (pronounced "Shea") from Lakeville, a young man who is versed in the glorious past of the Great State of Hockey, beyond the scope of the movie "Miracle." "The history that the Gophers have with the U.S. program goes way back, when players like Herb Brooks was playing, and John Mayasich (Captain of the 1960 Olympic Gold Squaw Valley Club) and all them. It's a really long tradition, and we just want to add to it." Skjei made a point of including Notre Dame star Mario Lucia as one of the Minnesotans. His dad Don Lucia coaches Reilly and Shea at the U.
...The diminuitive Rocco Grimaldi, generously listed at 5'6," appears to be a lock to make the squad, after being cut in 2010 and hobbled by a lame knee in 2011. "It's nice," he said, exhaling. "It's been a long road, finally good to be here, to go overseas. I can't remember the last time the world juniors was overseas (2008 Czech Republic), obviously something special being in Russia, I've never been there before, should be fun, should be a good atmosphere, obviously we've got a pretty good team, hopefully we can do something special." Grimaldi speaks in non-stop staccato bursts, not unlike the way he plays. A bowling ball of dynamic speed and energy Grimaldi is currently on a line with Miller and the 5'9" John Gaudreau--the captain and two Lilliputians. Housley breaks into a smile discussing their skills and effectiveness, even though there haven't been any legitimate scrimmages to date, you can already pencil in that troika as a line you will see facing the Swedes Thursday in Helsinki if you tune into NHL Network at lunch time. As for little Rocco's knee, did he have any reservations? "Not any more, at first I did, but now that I'm more comfortable with the team and having these practices, I'm good, good to go." He and Seth Jones are buddies from time on various national teams, and he was an informal tour guide when Seth visited North Dakota, Seth's first choice if went the NCAA route. "I took him to some classes, showed him the rink, but didn't put any pressure on him." Seth, as most of your readers know, opted for major junior, playing for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Seth is proud to be playing in "the Dub."
...Housley on Seth after seeing him in these last 4 practices which contained a ton of short games in tiny spaces. "He covers SO much range with his body, even for a big man he handles the puck really very well in tight areas."
In the dozens of interviews conducted about the team's chances at this year's WJC, Johansson said the goal was the gold medal game, the players are united in their quest: gold.
Notes and Quotes
SETH JONES: "I'm actually hungry to see what it's all about (the WJC)...I got a sniff last year, half of a first period (vs Russia in Alberta pre-tourney exhibition before injuring his shoulder). So I'm excited to play, the team is going to be great."
from Yes Network interview, describing his Mom: "She was very strict with my brothers and me, never let things slide...she was the one who took us to 6 am practices."
GM Jim Johansson: (on short selection process) "It's tough to make the World Junior Team, the guys know it. It's a good thing, but it's also the hard part about hockey." The team final cuts, 1 forward and 2 defensemen, will be notified after their last exhibition game Saturday December 22 vs Finland, played in Helsinki. The unlucky blokes will jet home on the 23rd as the media get notified. There are three undersized and uniquely skilled defenseman that fill the same role, almost like a point guard in basketball: Mike Reilly 167 pounds from U. of Minnesota; Shayne Gostisbehere 167 pounds from Union College; and Matt Grzelcyk 168 pounds from Boston University.
"My understanding is that only 2 of those three will make it," said Hall of Famer Craig Patrick, representing the Columbus Blue Jackets as a special adviser. The Jackets used a fourth round draft pick on Reilly in 2011. Patrick is not alone in his admiration of Reilly's skill sets, but "he needs to put on some muscle." The fact that this kid is pure Minnesota, and plays a near identical game to Hall-of-Fame coach Phil Housley of St. Paul makes it unlikely that he will miss this tourney. "It may come down to a little bit of the gut feeling, and maybe who pairs up better with other guys," said Johansson. Three of the most skilled defensemen on the planet in a heartwrenching game of hockey musical chairs. Three lightweight dancers, two chairs, the music stops two days before Christmas...
NYRangers assistant GM Jeff Gorton was omnipresent in Westchester, keeping a close eye on J.T. Miller, the Blueshirts first pick in 2011. Miller currently plays in Hartford for the AHL Whale, and had to be given permission to miss 8 games for this tournament. "I've seen him play 15 or 20 games this year," said Gorton. "As soon as he learned he would be allowed to go (to Russia), he's been our best forward." A teenager playing with men, the best forward. Gorton said it matter of factly. Although the Team USA captaincy won't be announced until the club gets to Helsinki, Miller's captaincy is a poorly kept secret. "It's like having another coach in the room when we're not in there," says head coach Housley.
"I've never really been a veteran, or an older guy," said the 19 year old Miller from East Palestine. Ohio "That's why it's kinda neat coming here, being one of the older guys, trying to be a leader. I don't really take that role very often , so I'm going to make sure I take full advantage of it, do the best I can here to help get a gold medal."
...there are 3 Minnesotans in camp, including 6'3" defenseman Brady Skjei (pronounced "Shea") from Lakeville, a young man who is versed in the glorious past of the Great State of Hockey, beyond the scope of the movie "Miracle." "The history that the Gophers have with the U.S. program goes way back, when players like Herb Brooks was playing, and John Mayasich (Captain of the 1960 Olympic Gold Squaw Valley Club) and all them. It's a really long tradition, and we just want to add to it." Skjei made a point of including Notre Dame star Mario Lucia as one of the Minnesotans. His dad Don Lucia coaches Reilly and Shea at the U.
...The diminuitive Rocco Grimaldi, generously listed at 5'6," appears to be a lock to make the squad, after being cut in 2010 and hobbled by a lame knee in 2011. "It's nice," he said, exhaling. "It's been a long road, finally good to be here, to go overseas. I can't remember the last time the world juniors was overseas (2008 Czech Republic), obviously something special being in Russia, I've never been there before, should be fun, should be a good atmosphere, obviously we've got a pretty good team, hopefully we can do something special." Grimaldi speaks in non-stop staccato bursts, not unlike the way he plays. A bowling ball of dynamic speed and energy Grimaldi is currently on a line with Miller and the 5'9" John Gaudreau--the captain and two Lilliputians. Housley breaks into a smile discussing their skills and effectiveness, even though there haven't been any legitimate scrimmages to date, you can already pencil in that troika as a line you will see facing the Swedes Thursday in Helsinki if you tune into NHL Network at lunch time. As for little Rocco's knee, did he have any reservations? "Not any more, at first I did, but now that I'm more comfortable with the team and having these practices, I'm good, good to go." He and Seth Jones are buddies from time on various national teams, and he was an informal tour guide when Seth visited North Dakota, Seth's first choice if went the NCAA route. "I took him to some classes, showed him the rink, but didn't put any pressure on him." Seth, as most of your readers know, opted for major junior, playing for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Seth is proud to be playing in "the Dub."
...Housley on Seth after seeing him in these last 4 practices which contained a ton of short games in tiny spaces. "He covers SO much range with his body, even for a big man he handles the puck really very well in tight areas."
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