I thought I’d
make an entry every couple of months and focus on the Bulls players and my thoughts about their
performance so far in the season. There’s not a bad player in the bunch, so
this will be more my mental notes of their positive attributes and
contributions on the ice.
PAT CURCIO –
Coach
It is
because of Coach Curdog, (his nickname) that we have the Bulls at all! This
powerhouse of a man has more drive, more inspiration and energy than most
people. He saw that San Francisco was a great sports town so he built the Bulls
from the bottom floor of the Cow Palace on up. Do not underestimate his hockey knowledge
nor his ability to lead this team to greatness. You owe him your respect.
#2 – MICHAEL
TAM – Defense
Tam has
shuffled back and forth from the Worcester Sharks. I’m sure he’d rather play in
Mass, but until then, he’s doing a great job on Defense. He’s a fast, agile
skater who likes to be close to the puck and in the Offense’s faces.
#6 - JOE
SOVA – Defense
Sova hasn’t
spent too much time on the ice, but he’s available when needed. I look forward
to seeing him play more games into the season.
#9 – JORDAN MORRISON
– Forward (Alternate Captain)
Morrison has
10 points so far, including an empty netter from last night. He continues to do
well on the ice and hone his play sharper. I expect to see many more goals from
him this season.
#11 – JAMIE DEVANE
– Left Wing
Devane hasn’t
had that much ice time yet. This big wing will be getting more experience and
the future is wide open for him.
#17 – ROB KWIET
– Defense (pronounced kwit)
Kwiet has
played for a few ECHL teams before. He was last with the Stockton Thunder.
Before that, he played for Greenville Road Warriors and the Reading Royals, so
he knows his way around the league. He’s a good defenseman and should be able
to handle our opponents well.
#18 – ALEX TUCKERMAN
– Forward
Tuckerman is
quite the success story. He was scratched from the beginning season’s games and
only recently has been playing actively. He has 2 goals plus 1 assist so far. One
of the team’s rising stars, he’ll be getting a lot more and soon.
#19 – DANILL
TORASOV – Right Wing
Torasov is
new to the team and has only played in a couple games. But I can tell that his
speed and adeptness with the puck will help the team out a lot. If he’s on the
ice, he’ll be in the thick of action, so it’s only a matter of time until his
play starts burning up.
#22 – CHRIS FRANK
– Defense
Frank has
played 9 games with the Bulls, none recently. Give him time and a few games to
get back into Defense.
#23 – ANDREW
CRESCENZI – Center
Crescenzi is
one of the best additions to the team this premiere season. When playing, his
directness and leadership is invaluable. He has 4 points in 8 games played, including
one goal, but I expect many more to come.
#24 – SCOTT LANGDON
– Defense (Alternate Captain)
This is THE
guy I want watching my back! Langdon has no fear protecting the net, the puck
or his teammates. He’s not shy about getting a few punches in when needed
either. He has 50 PIMs in 20 games, as well as 5 points: 1 goal and 4 assists.
#25 – SIMON DANIS-PEPIN
- Defense
At 6’7”,
DANIS-PEPIN towers over the other players. He’s played 15 games and had a bit
of a slow start, but I think he is emerging as a player to watch adding 2
assist points in the last couple of games.
#27 – JESSE TODD
– Forward
Todd has yet
to play a game with the Bulls, so we’ll wait to see what he can do.
#29 – TAYLOR
NELSON Goalie
The Bulls
are Nelson’s first professional team. He does need some polishing and seasoning,
but this is to be expected. I like knowing he can step up into the net if we
need him.
#32 – HANS BENSON
– Left Wing (Alternate Captain)
Benson only
played 3 games and then was injured. Once he’s back in action, expect
hard-driving action and plays from this sturdy LW.
#33 – THOMAS
HEEMSKERK Goalie
I now know
what the Sharks see in Heemskerk. In every game, his level of play improves.
His reaction to the puck faster, his guarding instincts more precise than the
game before. I am very happy with the Bulls Goaltender.
#41 – JUSTIN
BOWERS – Center (Captain)
Curcio knew
who the right man for team captain was when he appointed it to Bowers. He is a
dynamo not just at revving up the team, but at scoring and ice action. He has
20 points and is 14th in the ECHL for Top Scorers. Don’t expect him
to stay down that low in the ECHL standings either; there will be plenty more scoring
from Bowers to come!
#43 – KRIS BELAN
- Left Wing (pronounced Bell-in)
Belan has 10
points with the team this season so far with 2 goals and 8 assists. He does it
all, he scores, he assists and he fights. He has 63 PIMs and he usually wins
those fights. Belan is a player who could go on to be a top-of-the-line player.
Stay tuned.
#44 – SACHA
GUIMOND - Defense
Guimond is
another Defenseman who can seemingly do it all. He has 16 points with 5 goals
and 11 assists. And he protects the net like a journeyman.
#45 – DEAN OUELLET
– Center
As a rookie,
I wouldn’t have expected Ouellet’s play to be as amazing as it is. This is his
first year of professional hockey and he already has 17 points with 10 goals
and 7 assists. He scored the team’s first Hat Trick in the game on November 25th
against the Stockton Thunder and I see no reason why he doesn’t continue to
roll over any competition in his way.
#47 – DYLAN KING
– Defense
Like a brick
wall, to come across King means that you probably don’t stand much of a chance
of moving the puck. In 18 games he has 4 points, 2 goals, 2 assists, and 25
PIMs. King is another Rookie who’s improving play make him one to watch.
#49 – JORDAN
CLENDENNING – Center
The player
with the hardest name to shout out at a game, Clendenning is not shy on the
ice. Even as a rookie, he has 9 game points, 3 goals and 6 assists, as well as 41
PIMs. He’s natural reaction to get in the middle of the action will also make
him a possible future captain in his career.
#55 – MAREK VIEDENSKY
– Left Wing
Slovakian
Viedensky has only played 6 games and he already as 9 points, split between 4
goals and 5 assists. What this means for the Bulls is look out for Vieds to be
on the ECHL leader list soon. It’s going to happen.
#91 – PETER SIVAK
– Right Wing
Sivak was
the team’s first recruited player. And what a start to the team! He has burst
into life in recent games, perhaps because of the addition of Viedensky. Sivak
was born in the Czech Republic, but lived in Slovakia so it probably makes him
very happy to have a fellow Eastern European player on the team with him. Sivak
is as fast as the wind and as slick as fresh ice. He can weave the puck like no
one else, and to see this is a beautiful thing. Sivak has spent his career up
until now in Europe, it’s about time the U.S. sees how great this player is.
#92 – RYANE CLOWE
– Assistant Coach
I put Clowe’s
position has Assistant Coach because for now, that’s what he’s doing. Curcio,
in another moment of brilliance added Clowe to the team and it’s been a huge
difference. He’s helping out with Defense from what I’ve heard, but also on the
Penalty Kill and Power Play. Whatever he’s doing it’s a huge thumb’s up, keep
it going!!!
OK, that’s a
little wrap up for now. I’ll update this in two months and see how everyone is
doing.
GO BULLS!
