Wild sign Clutterbuck, Thelen's future with Wild in doubt...MVN article..

LemaireisGOD · 05-27-2007, 05:42 PM

The State of Hockey News | MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » Wild sign Cal Clutterbuck, Thelen’s future with the Wild in doubt

Wild sign Cal Clutterbuck, Thelen’s future with the Wild in doubt

By Derek Felska | May 27th, 2007

The Wild lineup got a dose of sandpaper for its lineup when it signed feisty right winger Cal Clutterbuck to an entry level deal. The 5′1o”, 185lbs winger was 3rd on his Oshawa team in points (89) with 35 goals and 54 assists. Clutterbuck may seem smallish but he plays with his heart on his sleeve and is not afraid to be physical as his 153 penalty minutes attest to. He is a tenacious competitor that gives it his all every single shift. The Welland, Ontario-native was a 3rd round pick (72nd Overall) in 2006. He also demonstrated himself to be an effective scorer in the post-season as he was 3rd on the Generals in playoff scoring with 13 points in 9 games (8 goals, 5 assists).

Clutterbuck is also responsible defensively and he uses his excellent speed and tenacity effectively on the penalty kill. His 6 shorthanded goals also demonstrate a knack for making other teams feel the pain while they’re on the power play. The former Toronto St. Micheal’s Major had a tremendous prospect camp last year, and was one of the few Wild prospects at that camp to consistantly garner praise for his play and work ethic. This right winger’s game is all about energy and considering the team has had only a few players who have brought a physical edge on a consistant basis Clutterbuck’s style might garner him a quicker look with the big club than some may have thought when the team drafted him. The ‘new NHL’ has demonstrated that smaller players can play big parts on their respective teams; even in physical roles. Players like Sean Avery, Steve Begin, Jordin Tootoo are all players that play on the edge, and Clutterbuck hopes to someday be another one of these players who other teams hate to play against.

The Wild found out first hand in the post-season that they were too “easy” of a team to play against. It did its best to step up physically but that was not good enough against a big and physical Ducks squad. The team is looking to add more of an edge to its lineup and signing Clutterbuck along with enforcer-type Matt Kassian is a definate step in that direction.

Former 1st rounder, AJ Thelen’s future with the Wild in doubt

It has been a struggle for the Savage, Minnesota-native almost ever since the Wild drafted AJ Thelen with their 1st round pick in 2004. The first sign of trouble occured shortly after being drafted when the 6′3″ 212lbs defenseman was kicked off his Michigan State squad when he refused to testify to whether his underage teamates were drinking, causing Michigan State Spartans Head Coach Mike Comley to pull his scholarship in mid-season. Thelen then took his game to the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League, and enjoyed a mediocre season on a bad team. This season Thelen started out with the Raiders, but was later traded to the Vancouver Giants as they wanted to secure their status as a contender for the President’s trophy as well as be formidible in the Memorial Cup tournament they were hosting. The Giants were one of the most talented teams in the WHL, but Thelen’s numbers were far from eye-popping with 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists) in 53 games. Even amongst “expert” publications, since being drafted Thelen’s stock has basically been in a steady decline. The team seems to be nearing that breaking point, as it has to sign the defenseman to a contract by June 1st or he re-enters the draft (and the the Wild get the 42nd Overall pick as compensation).

The team has dispatched Assistant General Manager Tommy Thompson to take a long look at Thelen as he and his Vancouver Giants squad compete in the Memorial Cup being hosted by the squad. The Giants were successful in their goal to be WHL champions this season, where Thelen played a modest part posting 1 goal, 7 assists in 22 games. Reading an article from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune its hard not to read the overall disappointment the Wild have over Thelen. Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough had this to say, “We’ll see how he plays, and then we’ll make a decision.” That statement certainly can not be said to be overflowing with confidence. Considering the Giants have just one more game, the Memorial Cup Championship versus the Medicine Hat Tigers. For Thelen it will be his last chance to impress Thompson and the Wild, and could very well mean his future in the NHL (if there is one).

05-27-2007, 05:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
LemaireisGOD Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 504	Wild sign Clutterbuck, Thelen's future with Wild in doubt...MVN article.. The State of Hockey News \| MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » Wild sign Cal Clutterbuck, Thelen’s future with the Wild in doubt Wild sign Cal Clutterbuck, Thelen’s future with the Wild in doubt By Derek Felska \| May 27th, 2007 The Wild lineup got a dose of sandpaper for its lineup when it signed feisty right winger Cal Clutterbuck to an entry level deal. The 5′1o”, 185lbs winger was 3rd on his Oshawa team in points (89) with 35 goals and 54 assists. Clutterbuck may seem smallish but he plays with his heart on his sleeve and is not afraid to be physical as his 153 penalty minutes attest to. He is a tenacious competitor that gives it his all every single shift. The Welland, Ontario-native was a 3rd round pick (72nd Overall) in 2006. He also demonstrated himself to be an effective scorer in the post-season as he was 3rd on the Generals in playoff scoring with 13 points in 9 games (8 goals, 5 assists). Clutterbuck is also responsible defensively and he uses his excellent speed and tenacity effectively on the penalty kill. His 6 shorthanded goals also demonstrate a knack for making other teams feel the pain while they’re on the power play. The former Toronto St. Micheal’s Major had a tremendous prospect camp last year, and was one of the few Wild prospects at that camp to consistantly garner praise for his play and work ethic. This right winger’s game is all about energy and considering the team has had only a few players who have brought a physical edge on a consistant basis Clutterbuck’s style might garner him a quicker look with the big club than some may have thought when the team drafted him. The ‘new NHL’ has demonstrated that smaller players can play big parts on their respective teams; even in physical roles. Players like Sean Avery, Steve Begin, Jordin Tootoo are all players that play on the edge, and Clutterbuck hopes to someday be another one of these players who other teams hate to play against. The Wild found out first hand in the post-season that they were too “easy” of a team to play against. It did its best to step up physically but that was not good enough against a big and physical Ducks squad. The team is looking to add more of an edge to its lineup and signing Clutterbuck along with enforcer-type Matt Kassian is a definate step in that direction. Former 1st rounder, AJ Thelen’s future with the Wild in doubt It has been a struggle for the Savage, Minnesota-native almost ever since the Wild drafted AJ Thelen with their 1st round pick in 2004. The first sign of trouble occured shortly after being drafted when the 6′3″ 212lbs defenseman was kicked off his Michigan State squad when he refused to testify to whether his underage teamates were drinking, causing Michigan State Spartans Head Coach Mike Comley to pull his scholarship in mid-season. Thelen then took his game to the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League, and enjoyed a mediocre season on a bad team. This season Thelen started out with the Raiders, but was later traded to the Vancouver Giants as they wanted to secure their status as a contender for the President’s trophy as well as be formidible in the Memorial Cup tournament they were hosting. The Giants were one of the most talented teams in the WHL, but Thelen’s numbers were far from eye-popping with 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists) in 53 games. Even amongst “expert” publications, since being drafted Thelen’s stock has basically been in a steady decline. The team seems to be nearing that breaking point, as it has to sign the defenseman to a contract by June 1st or he re-enters the draft (and the the Wild get the 42nd Overall pick as compensation). The team has dispatched Assistant General Manager Tommy Thompson to take a long look at Thelen as he and his Vancouver Giants squad compete in the Memorial Cup being hosted by the squad. The Giants were successful in their goal to be WHL champions this season, where Thelen played a modest part posting 1 goal, 7 assists in 22 games. Reading an article from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune its hard not to read the overall disappointment the Wild have over Thelen. Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough had this to say, “We’ll see how he plays, and then we’ll make a decision.” That statement certainly can not be said to be overflowing with confidence. Considering the Giants have just one more game, the Memorial Cup Championship versus the Medicine Hat Tigers. For Thelen it will be his last chance to impress Thompson and the Wild, and could very well mean his future in the NHL (if there is one). __________________ "Why mess around with PT Boats when you can have a Destroyer?" ~ Al Strachan (Hockey Night in Canada)