UKRAINIAN PRO HOCKEY UPDATE

by Ihor Stelmach

Tkaczuk remains top Blues' prospect

Roman Turek certainly proved most of his worth to the Calgary Flames this past regular season, but the St. Louis Blues insist they are in absolutely no hurry to fulfill their part of last June's draft-day trade.

Ukrainian center Daniel Tkaczuk posted average offensive numbers with the Worcester IceCats this season - 10 goals, 27 assists and 37 points in 72 games. IceCats' General Manager John Ferguson Jr., however, has a quick reminder for those lacking patience.

"If he went to college, he'd be getting out of his senior year," said Ferguson of the No. 6 draft pick overall in 1997. "If you look at it broadly, you can't hold it against him because he left junior when he was 20."

Ferguson said Tkaczuk remains a top prospect for the parent Blues, one whose development is continuing.

"He probably hasn't had the consistency he had a year ago (2000-2001)," Ferguson said. "He has certainly shown capabilities beyond this level, but he has failed to do it on a consistent basis to warrant a recall (to St. Louis)."

Tkaczuk had 66 points in 80 American Hockey League games in his rookie season with St. John and 36 in 50 games in 2000-2001, as well as 19 points in the playoffs to help the Flames to the Calder Cup (the championship of the AHL). The Toronto native also had four goals and 11 points in 19 NHL games two seasons ago.

"Guys need to show a good three-month stretch," Ferguson said. "Things are becoming more clearly defined for him. We're focusing on his ability to adapt and excel in areas like face-offs, defensive zone coverage and checking the opposition's top line without forsaking offense."

Ferguson said the Blues believe they'll soon have a long-term read on Tkaczuk, who is only 22 years old.

"This coming off-season, with things like off-ice conditioning, will be a clear indication of what type of personal investment he'll make into his career," Ferguson said.

Naumenko starts fresh as a Pirate

Different eyes watching Nick Naumenko along with his playing in a new league, have made a world of difference for the Portland Pirates' 27-year-old defenseman.

After four seasons with four different International Hockey League teams, the Chicago-area native said he feels rejuvenated after attending the Washington Capitals' training camp, agreeing to a contract with their American League affiliate, the Portland Pirates, and manning their blueline in 2001-2002.

"There's definitely a difference," said Naumenko, who was one of the Pirates' top scorers with 13 goals and 33 assists for 46 points in 72 games. "Everyone has heard all of the stories about how tough it has been for older guys to find spots. There are new eyes watching you. You're not slotted in and overlooked by people who have seen you play a lot before. It's like a clean slate, a fresh start."

Naumenko, who tallied only five goals and totaled a high 50 points for the IHL's Cleveland Lumberjacks in 2000-2001, saw a different league this season.

"It's younger, and I would call it more like 'mistake hockey,' so you've really got to be careful," Naumenko said.

"Mistakes are how the scoring chances come in this league, but they're mistakes out of enthusiasm and energy. You'd better be ready every night."

Being game-ready is one of the elements Naumenko likes about playing for Coach Glen Hanlon. "The younger players might not realize it, but he puts in so much time preparing for a single game," Naumenko said. "As you get older, you appreciate that more. He knows when to get on you, when to pat you on the back and when to ask you how your day is. It's rare to see somebody who can mix that into one package."

Hanlon, who regularly uses Naumenko on the power play as one of the point men, was very much rewarded.

Two ECHL firings yield Uke coaches

Changes at the top for the Baton Rouge Kingfish eventually trickled down to the bench, with David Lohrei becoming the East Coast Hockey League's first coach to be fired this past regular season.

Citing the team's general lack of direction, new owner Scott Bolduc fired Lohrei last December 15, with the Kingfish off to a 13-14-3 start. Bolduc replaced Lohrei on an interim basis with former NHL forward Dennis Maruk, who was hired in November as the team's director of hockey development.

The move came three days after Bolduc hired Kevin Melancon as executive vice-president. Melancon replaced Ron Hansis, who resigned as GM on December 6, 2001.

"It just wasn't taking the team to where I needed it to go," said Bolduc, who purchased the club on October 8, 2001, from Hansis and five co-owners who had moved the franchise to Baton Rouge from Erie, Pa., in 1996.

The Kingfish went 35-26-11 in 2000-2001, setting club records for wins and points (81) in their first year under Lohrei. Bolduc said Maruk would not be considered for the job after the end of the current campaign.

Meanwhile, at the Greensboro Generals, Graeme Townshend was out as coach, replaced by former NHL defenseman Alexander Godynyuk. Owner Rocco Scarfone made the move last February 22 in the wake of consecutive losses to Charlotte and Trenton by a combined 15-2 score. The Generals were 18-28-6 in their first season under Townshend.

The 32-year-old Godynyuk, a native of Ukraine, was in his first year as an assistant coach with Greensboro. Townshend has decided to stay on as vice-president of hockey operations.

Billionaire alumnus buys into junior hockey

St. Michael's College School alumnus Eugene Melnyk now owns the school's Ontario Hockey League team. Melnyk agreed to invest in the building of an 8,000-seat arena, likely on campus, within three years. The league's board of governors eagerly approved the sale.

The school had reached a deal with Melnyk only one week prior to the official approval by the governors. The sale price was a reported $2.3 million.

"To become owner of the storied Toronto St. Michael's franchise and to be a part of the OHL is an extremely rewarding and exciting day for myself," he said.

Melnyk was ranked 16th on Canada's rich list in a report by Business Online. He compiled the bulk of his $1.55 billion fortune in the pharmaceutical business.

Melnyk had been pursuing the team for almost a full year, but negotiations were slowed because most of the team's 10 shareholders did not want to sell the club to him.

Several weeks before the culmination of the deal the school bought out the shareholders, allowing Melnyk to negotiate with the school. Melnyk decided to retain the St. Michael's name and the Majors will continue to play at the 2,000-seat St. Michael's Arena until the new indoor complex is built. There will be no changes to the hockey staff in the near future.

"You don't screw around with something that's doing well," said new owner Melnyk of Coach-GM Dave Cameron, who led the Majors to the Eastern Conference final in 2000-2001 before being swept by the Ottawa 67s.

Another Mosienko

Tyler Mosienko's name will be famous whether or not he achieves stardom with the Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets.

The 16-year-old center is the grandson of late Hall of Famer Bill Mosienko, who had a memorable offensive explosion against the New York Rangers on March 23, 1952. Skating for Chicago, the elder Mosienko potted the fastest hat trick in NHL history, scoring three times in 21 seconds.

"I got to know him pretty well, even though he passed away when I was young," said Tyler Mosienko, who - just like his grandfather - is a 5-foot-8, 160-pound Winnipeg native.

"He was really nice, a real gentleman. I used to build a rink in my backyard every winter. He used to come out there with his old leather skates and show me some stuff.

"People ask me what it's like being his grandson. It's a pleasure. I'm very proud," said the young Mosienko.

(Thanks to The Hockey News' Tim Campbell, Kevin Oklobzija, Rob Mueller, Jim Cressman and Rob Vanstone for above quotes.)

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 9, 2002, No. 23, Vol. LXX

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