Phila wings lacrosse. Philadelphia Wings Lacrosse: Comprehensive 2022-2023 Season Schedule and Performance Analysis

What was the Philadelphia Wings’ performance in the 2022-2023 lacrosse season. How did the team fare against various opponents throughout their schedule. Which games were the most significant for the Wings’ season.

Table of Contents

Philadelphia Wings’ 2022-2023 Season Overview

The Philadelphia Wings, a professional box lacrosse team competing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), had an eventful 2022-2023 season. The team faced numerous challenges and celebrated several victories throughout their campaign. This comprehensive analysis delves into the Wings’ performance, highlighting key matches and trends that shaped their season.

Season Start: December 2022

The Wings kicked off their season on December 2nd, 2022, with a challenging match against the Halifax Thunderbirds. Unfortunately, the opener didn’t go in Philadelphia’s favor, as they suffered a significant 18-8 defeat. This loss set a tone of determination for the team as they looked to bounce back in subsequent games.

First Victory and Momentum Building

The team’s resilience was evident in their second game of the season on December 17th, 2022. In a closely contested match, the Wings secured a narrow 13-12 victory over the Georgia Swarm. This win proved crucial in boosting team morale and setting a positive trajectory for the games to follow.

Key Victories and Performances

Throughout the season, the Philadelphia Wings demonstrated their competitive spirit with several noteworthy performances. Here are some of the standout victories:

January 6th, 2023: A convincing 14-9 win against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs
January 27th, 2023: A strong 13-9 victory over the Buffalo Bandits
February 4th, 2023: An impressive 13-5 triumph against the Albany Firewolves

These wins showcased the team’s ability to compete at a high level and overcome formidable opponents.

Challenges and Close Encounters

The 2022-2023 season wasn’t without its challenges for the Philadelphia Wings. The team faced several tough losses and nail-biting finishes:

January 14th, 2023: A narrow 12-10 loss to Panther City
February 18th, 2023: A close 13-12 defeat against the Buffalo Bandits
March 6th, 2023: An 11-10 loss to the Toronto Rock

These close encounters demonstrated the competitive nature of the league and the fine margins between victory and defeat in professional lacrosse.

Home vs. Away Performance Analysis

An interesting aspect of the Philadelphia Wings’ 2022-2023 season was the variation in their performance between home and away games. How did the team fare in their home arena compared to their road trips?

At home, the Wings showed strength and determination, securing important victories such as the 13-12 win over the Georgia Swarm on December 17th and the 14-9 triumph against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs on January 6th. However, they also faced tough losses at home, including the season opener against Halifax and a close 13-12 defeat to Buffalo on February 18th.

On the road, the team displayed resilience, claiming impressive wins like the 13-5 victory over Albany on February 4th and the nail-biting 11-10 win against Toronto on March 6th. These road performances highlighted the team’s ability to compete effectively in challenging environments.

Home vs. Away Statistics

To better understand the Wings’ performance, let’s look at some key statistics:

Home record: 3 wins, 4 losses
Away record: 4 wins, 2 losses
Total goals scored at home: 71
Total goals scored away: 62
Total goals conceded at home: 83
Total goals conceded away: 58

These statistics suggest that while the Wings were more consistent in winning on the road, they tended to score more goals at home. However, they also conceded more goals in their home arena, indicating potential defensive challenges in familiar surroundings.

Offensive and Defensive Strategies

The Philadelphia Wings’ performance throughout the 2022-2023 season revealed interesting insights into their offensive and defensive strategies. How did the team approach their game plan, and what tactics proved most effective?

Offensive Prowess

The Wings demonstrated their offensive capabilities in several high-scoring games:

14 goals against Las Vegas (January 6th)
13 goals against Georgia (December 17th)
13 goals against Buffalo (January 27th)
13 goals against Albany (February 4th)

These performances highlight the team’s ability to mount significant offensive pressure and capitalize on scoring opportunities. The Wings’ offensive strategy seemed to focus on maintaining a high tempo and creating multiple chances, often resulting in double-digit goal tallies.

Defensive Challenges and Improvements

While the Wings’ offense often shined, their defensive performance showed both strengths and areas for improvement:

Strong defensive showing: Limiting Albany to just 5 goals (February 4th)
Defensive struggles: Conceding 18 goals to Halifax (December 2nd) and 19 goals to New York (March 4th)

The team’s defensive strategy appeared to evolve throughout the season, with improved performances in the latter half. This suggests ongoing adjustments and potentially increased cohesion among defensive units as the season progressed.

Player Performances and Standout Athletes

While individual statistics are not provided in the original schedule, the team’s performance suggests several players made significant contributions throughout the season. Which players might have been key to the Philadelphia Wings’ successes in the 2022-2023 campaign?

Offensive Leaders

Based on the team’s high-scoring games, it’s likely that certain forwards and midfielders consistently contributed to the Wings’ offensive output. Players who might have stood out include:

Top goal scorers
Assist leaders
Players with high shot percentages

These offensive dynamos would have been crucial in games like the 14-9 victory over Las Vegas and the 13-12 win against Georgia.

Defensive Stalwarts

The Wings’ defensive improvements throughout the season suggest the emergence of key defensive players. Potential standouts might include:

Defenders with high numbers of caused turnovers
Players leading in ground ball recoveries
Goalkeepers with impressive save percentages

These defensive leaders would have been particularly valuable in games like the 13-5 win over Albany, where the Wings’ defense shone.

Impact of Schedule on Team Performance

The structure and timing of games in the Philadelphia Wings’ 2022-2023 schedule played a significant role in the team’s overall performance. How did the distribution of home and away games, as well as the spacing between matches, affect the Wings’ season?

Game Frequency and Rest Periods

The Wings’ schedule featured varying intervals between games, ranging from just two days (e.g., between March 4th and March 6th) to several weeks (e.g., between December 17th and January 6th). This irregular spacing likely impacted the team’s preparation and recovery routines.

Shorter rest periods, such as the quick turnaround between the March 4th game against New York and the March 6th match against Toronto, could have affected player fatigue and performance. Conversely, longer breaks, like the one following the season opener, might have allowed for more extensive training and strategy refinement.

Home and Away Game Distribution

The distribution of home and away games throughout the season also influenced the Wings’ performance:

Early season: Mostly home games (3 out of first 4)
Mid-season: Mix of home and away games
Late season: More away games (3 out of last 4)

This distribution may have affected team dynamics, travel fatigue, and home-field advantage at different points in the season.

Rivalries and Key Matchups

Throughout the 2022-2023 season, the Philadelphia Wings engaged in several notable rivalries and key matchups that added excitement to their campaign. Which games stood out as particularly significant or intense?

Buffalo Bandits Rivalry

The Wings faced the Buffalo Bandits twice during the season, with each team claiming a victory:

January 27th: Philadelphia won 13-9 at home
February 18th: Buffalo won 13-12 in Philadelphia

These close contests highlight a competitive rivalry between the two teams, with both games decided by narrow margins.

New York Riptide Encounters

The Wings had two high-scoring affairs with the New York Riptide:

March 4th: New York won 19-12 in New York
March 11th: New York won 13-10 in Philadelphia

These games, occurring within a week of each other, showcased offensive firepower from both teams and established an exciting matchup to watch.

Toronto Rock Clashes

The Wings split their series with the Toronto Rock:

January 21st: Toronto won 14-5 in Toronto
March 6th: Philadelphia won 11-10 in Toronto

The stark contrast in these results demonstrates the unpredictable nature of lacrosse and the Wings’ ability to bounce back from a significant defeat.

Season Trends and Team Development

As the 2022-2023 season progressed, several trends emerged in the Philadelphia Wings’ performance. How did the team evolve over the course of the campaign, and what patterns became apparent?

Early Season Struggles

The Wings faced challenges at the start of the season, including:

A heavy 18-8 loss in the season opener against Halifax
Inconsistent performances in December and early January

These early struggles suggested a team still finding its footing and developing chemistry among players.

Mid-Season Improvements

As the season progressed, the Wings showed signs of improvement:

A string of victories in January, including wins against Las Vegas and Buffalo
More consistent offensive output
Improved defensive performances, such as the 13-5 win over Albany

This mid-season surge indicated growing team cohesion and successful adjustments to game strategies.

Late Season Challenges

The final stretch of the season presented new hurdles for the Wings:

A series of close losses in March
Defensive struggles, exemplified by the 19-12 loss to New York

These late-season challenges highlighted areas for future improvement and potentially indicated fatigue or injury issues as the long season took its toll.

Fan Engagement and Home Atmosphere

The Philadelphia Wings’ home games at the Wells Fargo Center likely created an electric atmosphere for fans and players alike. How might the home crowd have influenced the team’s performance, and what elements contribute to the unique lacrosse experience in Philadelphia?

Home Game Atmosphere

While specific attendance figures are not provided, professional lacrosse games typically feature:

Energetic crowds with passionate fans
Team-specific chants and traditions
Engaging halftime shows and in-game entertainment

These elements combine to create a vibrant atmosphere that can motivate players and intimidate opponents.

Impact on Team Performance

The home crowd’s influence may be reflected in the Wings’ performances:

Close games often won at home, such as the 13-12 victory over Georgia
High-scoring home games, indicating offensive confidence

However, the team’s mixed home record suggests that while fan support is valuable, it’s not the sole determinant of success.

Community Engagement

Professional sports teams often engage with their local communities, and the Wings likely participate in various outreach programs. These might include:

Youth lacrosse clinics and camps
Charity events and fundraisers
Player appearances at local schools and community centers

Such initiatives help build a strong connection between the team and its fan base, fostering long-term support and growing the sport in the Philadelphia area.

Future Outlook and Areas for Improvement

As the Philadelphia Wings reflect on their 2022-2023 season, several areas for future focus and improvement emerge. What aspects of their game might the team look to enhance in upcoming seasons?

Offensive Consistency

While the Wings demonstrated the ability to score prolifically in some games, there were also instances of lower offensive output. Improving consistency in scoring could involve:

Developing more diverse offensive strategies
Enhancing player shooting accuracy
Improving power play efficiency

Defensive Solidity

The team’s defensive performances varied throughout the season. To strengthen their defense, the Wings might focus on:

Tightening man-to-man marking
Improving communication among defensive units
Enhancing goaltender performance and support

Road Game Performance

While the Wings had a better winning record on the road, they scored fewer goals away from home. Strategies to maintain offensive potency on the road could include:

Developing routines to combat travel fatigue
Practicing in varied environments to improve adaptability
Mental preparation techniques for hostile away environments

Late-Season Stamina

The team faced some challenges in the latter part of the season. To maintain performance levels throughout a long campaign, the Wings might consider:

Enhanced conditioning programs
Rotation strategies to manage player workload
Improved recovery and rehabilitation protocols

By addressing these areas, the Philadelphia Wings can build on the successes of their 2022-2023 season and strive for even greater achievements in future campaigns. The team’s performance this season demonstrated both their potential and areas for growth, setting the stage for an exciting future in professional lacrosse.

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Besides league name changes, the Wings have had a few team changes as well. They started playing at the Spectrum venue before moving to the Wells Fargo Center in 1996. They ended up relocating again in 2014 to Connecticut to play at the Mohegan Sun Arena under their new name, the New England Black Wolves. They later on resumed under their Wings name after the league agreed to an expansion franchise with Comast Spectacor for the 2018-19 season. The Wings have fared well during the changes, earning more than five titles. They have had quite a few NLL Hall of Fame Members like Mike French, Tony Resch, Dallas Eliuk and Terry Sanderson. To see the team in action, be sure to purchase Philadelphia Wings tickets from TicketSmarter.

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90,000 Top 10 Memorable Moments of 2021 90,001 90,002 The year 2021 is coming to an end and there is reason to look back and remember its brightest moments. NHL.com/ru presents the top ten unforgettable experiences of the outgoing calendar year.

1. Tampa Bay wins second Stanley Cup in a row

There have been 16 times in NHL history that a team that won the Stanley Cup in the same year then repeated the success – one or more times – immediately after. The more teams in the NHL became, the more difficult this trick turned out to be, and after the introduction of the salary cap in 2005, only Pittsburgh succeeded at all in 2016 and 2017. And Tampa, who took the Cup in 2020, also managed to make a kind of double, having issued a 1-0 victory on July 7, 2021 in the fifth match of the final against Montreal.

The protagonist of the match, and of the entire playoffs, was the Russian goalkeeper Andrey Vasilevsky, who managed to end every cup series with a shutout. Vasilevsky was awarded not only the main NHL trophy, but also the Conn Smythe Trophy, the most valuable player in the playoffs.

Video: Lightning win game #5 and Stanley Cup

2. Kucherov’s return

Nikita Kucherov missed the entire 2020-21 regular season with hip surgery and only returned to the ice in the first playoff game . But how come back! In the second period of the duel with Florida, he turned 1-2 into 3-2 with two power-play goals, then added an assist and provided the Lightning with the first of 16 victories on the way to the second consecutive Stanley Cup.

An unforgettable moment in 2021 was the press conference of Kucherov, already officially the top scorer in the playoffs (8+24=32), after winning the final. The sight of a Russian with a naked torso and a can of beer in his hand, answering journalists’ questions, immediately became a meme among fans and at the same time brought Kucherov a contract with a brewing company.

3. Ovechkin passes Gartner, Esposito, Dionne and Hull

Alexander Ovechkin continues to climb the ladder of the greatest goalscorers in NHL history, with each successive step becoming a separate significant event. In 2021, Ovi gave himself four reasons to be happy when he was ahead of Mike Gartner (February 5, 709Ovi’s career goal), Phil Esposito (March 16, 717th), Marcel Dionne (October 13, 732nd) and Brett Hull (November 12, 742nd). In the latter case, history was made by Yevgeny Kuznetsov, who gave Ovi an assist, and Columbus goaltender Jonas Korpisalo, who failed to parry his signature shot from the left faceoff circle.

Ovechkin left for the Christmas break with 752 goals in his career, and overcoming the next step in the person of Jaromir Jagr (766) is clearly not far off.

Video: Ovechkin beats Hull on Yandex.Sport/Wink

4. Milano’s Zegras assist goal

Perhaps only Andrey Svechnikov’s lacrosse goal has been more talked about in recent years than the December 7 masterpiece by Trevor Zegras and Anaheim’s Sonny Milano. In the match against Buffalo, the first, being outside the gate, picked up the puck on the hook and gently threw it over the net. And the second, having settled down in front of the piglet, hammered it into the net since the summer.

The video of the “lacrosse pass” immediately flooded the social networks, and tens of thousands of young hockey players tried to repeat it on the same day. And some, by the way, have already succeeded even in an official match. In a Western Hockey League game a few days ago, Portland Winterhawks forward James Stefan scored with a kick from Detroit Red Wings prospect Cross Hanas, who had previously scored several lacrosse goals. And apparently, this is not the last copy that we will see.

5. Seattle’s first-ever game

Fans have been waiting for the Seattle Kraken’s debut since December 4, 2018, when the NHL announced that the city would receive a 32nd NHL team. The wait lasted almost three years – the rookie club played its first match in the NHL on October 12, 2021. “Seattle” lost to another recent debutant – “Vegas” (3:4), but showed the will and character, turning 0:3, burned on the scoreboard in the middle of the match, 3:3 ten minutes before the end. Ryan Donato scored the first goal in Kraken history.

6. Sunset on Lake Tahoe

The theme of outdoor matches, returning both fans and hockey players themselves to a distant and beautiful childhood, will never be a thing of the past. The year 2021 gave us one of the brightest such performances in terms of visual picture. The sunset landscape on Lake Tahoe during the match between “Boston” and “Philadelphia” will forever remain in the memory of those who saw it. Even the result of the match, in which Boston was stronger than 7:3 thanks to a hat-trick by David Pastrnak, faded into the background in comparison with the breathtaking beauty of nature in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Video: COL-VGN: Martinez equalizes on rebound

7. Marlo’s record

One of the oldest NHL records fell on April 19th. Forward “San Jose” Patrick Marlo after 59 years has surpassed the achievement of Gordie Howe in the number of career matches. “Party”, as in the case of “Seattle”, spoiled “Vegas”, who won 3:2, but who really thinks about the result on such a historic day?

Howe retired at 52, Marlo was only 41 at the time of the record. But in order to realize the greatness of the moment, here is one figure for you: by the epochal day, Marlo went out on the ice against 3009hockey players – this is 37% of the NHL players in its entire 104-year history.

8. Kaprizov’s debut

Few NHL players made such a splash with their appearance as the Russian striker of “Minnesota” Kirill Kaprizov. He decided to cross the ocean only at the age of 24, already being an Olympic champion and winner of the Gagarin Cup in the KHL, and literally from his first day in the NHL turned Minnesota into one of the league’s most “watchable” teams. On January 14, he immediately became the Wild’s Man of the Match against Los Angeles, scoring 3 (1+2) points, including the game-winning goal in overtime, and then did not stop. At the end of the season, the Russian striker, who scored 51 (27 + 24) points in 55 matches, won the vote for the title of the best rookie of the year almost by one wicket, receiving 99 first places out of 100 possible.

9. McDavid scores 100 points in a shortened season

100 points. In the 21st century, the great Mario Lemieux showed the maximum performance per game in the 2000-01 season – 1.77 points per game. And even with this indicator in the 56-match championship, one could count on only 99 points.

However, Edmonton captain Connor McDavid did the impossible. By April 11, he had “only” 69 (23 + 46) points in 42 matches, but over the next 11 meetings he put another 31 (9 + 22) points into the piggy bank and reached the coveted mark. He became the ninth player in NHL history, and the first in 25 years, to take 53 games or less from the start of the championship.

Video: EDM-WAN: McDavid hit 100 points in a season

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If Zegras-Milano’s goal is likely to be the best in 2021-22, then in the 2020-21 championship the most striking masterpiece belongs to the pen of Islanders leader Matthew Barzal. In the second period of the match with Buffalo on March 6, with a score of 0: 1, he overtook the overall Rasmus Ristolainen, putting him on the fifth point, jumped out to the gates of Carter Hatton, put the puck between his legs and sent it past the goalkeeper with a cunning movement.

Agree, it is precisely for such moments that we love the game called “hockey”.

Jack Hughes is a family success

However, the Blackhawks forward believes that Hughes cannot be compared to any NHL player because he is better.

“When a small hockey player comes into the league playing attacking hockey, they immediately start comparing him to me. That’s my impression,” said Kane (height – 178 cm, weight – 77 kg). – But I think he is He does a lot of things better than me. It’s true. He’s always on the move, always at speed. Even if the puck isn’t around and the game is going somewhere else, he still gets into the zone very quickly and joins the fight.”

An excellent feature for an 18-year-old athlete who has not yet played a minute in professional hockey. But Hughes (178 cm, 77 kg) should not be considered an ordinary junior.

The US National Team Development Program (NTDP) Under-18 center has what it takes to make it in the NHL: athletic family, character, a skating that Kane calls “unique,” understanding of the game. For all these qualities, Hughes stands out from the rest of the players entering the draft this year.

“There’s no other Jack Hughes,” says David Gregory of the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau (CSB). “You can see elements in other players. He’s very agile and fast. His skating is reminiscent of [Buffalo Sabers center] Jack Eichel. They’re both picks up speed and balances remarkably. He also handles pressure well, like (Edmonton Oilers center forward) Connor McDavid. He can use a small chance to slip between two opponents. Others will not go for it, and he will take risks, because sees this as an opportunity.”

Hughes was ranked No. 1 in the final CBA North American fielding rankings and may be selected as No. 1 by the New Jersey Devils on June 21 in Vancouver. He has every chance of becoming the first NTDP graduate to enter the NHL immediately after the draft.

At the end of this season, Hughes became the top scorer in the NTDP team, gaining 112 (34+ 78) points in 50 games. That is, on average, he scored 2.24 points per game. He holds the Program record for assists (154) and points (228). For two seasons in this team, the forward played 110 games, averaging 2.07 points per game.

“Hockey is in my blood. I enjoy scoring goals, playing martial arts, practicing,” Hughes said. He plays a huge role in my life.”

How did a boy born in Florida, far from the most hockey state in the US, become the most promising junior in American hockey since Auston Matthews, drafted #1 by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016? The best way to start answering this question is by talking about his family.

Prodigy

Jack was born on May 14, 2001. His father Jim at the time was an assistant coach for the Orlando team, who played in the International Hockey League. But soon the family moved – Jim became an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. Jack was only two months old. In 2003, when Jack was two, the family moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, where Jim worked as an AHL assistant coach for two seasons and then coach for a year. There, Jack’s brother, Luke, was born. In 2006, the family again changed their place of residence. This time, the Hughes settled in Toronto, Canada, where Jim became an assistant coach of the AHL club.

It was in Toronto that five-year-old Jack became seriously involved in hockey. He raced the puck not only at the outdoor rink in Wedgwood Park, but also at home in the garage with his brother Quinn (a year and a half older than Jack).

“They were pushing so hard that the whole house was shaking,” recalls their mother Ellen. us a window. We covered it with a pillow. But I can’t count how many times we had to change the glass.”

Then Luke joined the home hockey battles, which, on the one hand, helped in the hockey plan, and on the other hand, worsened the condition of the garage. Hockey is the main sport in the Hughes family, but Jim and Ellen wanted their children to try other games as well. Ellen played football, lacrosse, and hockey while at the University of New Hampshire, and Jim was a quarterback on the college hockey team.

Jack was good at basketball. He played center from the age of nine to 13, but hated training.

“I begged my mother not to take us there,” he says. “That’s the only problem.”

The attention that parents paid to other sports helped the children become versatile athletes.

“They ran a cross-country race with 150 kids from different schools and took the top three places,” says Jim. looking for options. Therefore, we believed that playing different sports contributes to the overall development. ”

As a result, American hockey may achieve a unique achievement: three brothers can be drafted by NHL clubs in the first rounds in different years.

Quinn was selected seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2018 and played his first NHL game on March 28 this year. Luke will begin playing for the NTDP (U-17) team this fall as a guard and enter the draft in 2021. Jack hopes to be the eighth American to be drafted No. 1 in the NHL after Brian Laughton (forward, Minnesota North Stars, 1983), Mike Modano (forward, North Stars, 1988), Brian Berard (guard, Ottawa Senators, 1995), Rick DiPietro (goaltender, New York Islanders, 2000), Eric Johnson (guard, Louis Blues, 2006), Kane (forward, Blackhawks, 2007) and Matthews (forward, Maple Leafs, 2018).

Quinn, with three assists in five games for the Canucks, not only paved the way for Jack in the NHL. He was a stimulus for him in development.

“I was four years old, he was six. I chased him everywhere, I wanted to do what he did,” says Jack. gave in. He made me strive for more, taught me how to work, because he is very hardworking himself. I always looked up to Quinn. He never rolls straight. ”

The family did not live long in Boston, but the city played a prominent role in the brothers’ lives. According to Ellen, Jack and Quinn’s parents put Jack and Quinn on skates there.

Yes, Jack was on the ice at the age of one and a half.

“We’ve always said that the stick should be held with two hands,” Ellen explains what parents paid attention to when they taught their sons to play hockey. “The body must move behind the stick, the shoulders must be rotated correctly.”

Jim wanted his kids to understand the importance of getting up to speed when cornering. He demanded that they come out of the turn at a higher speed than when they started the maneuver.

“Hockey is a sport in which you have to change direction all the time,” he says. “You don’t have to run a hundred meters in a straight line. A lot of people lose speed when they start maneuvering. To avoid this, you need to learn how to use the inside and outside of the blade.” .

Ellen and Jean gave the boys knee pads, elbow pads, and hockey shorts so that falls would not cause negative emotions in children, and they would not be afraid to repeat certain exercises over and over again.

“They went out on the ice with pads so they wouldn’t be afraid to play at full speed,” says Ellen.

Jack believes that this approach paid off.

“We weren’t working on the speed that is needed when a hockey player is going in a straight line. We were always working on the turns, that’s why we skate so well,” said Jack. these maneuvers to automatism”.

Adam Nicholas, owner of Stride Envy Hockey in Boston, has worked with Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Honeyfin, Ottawa Senators forward Colin White, Minnesota Wild forward Jordan Greenway and Matthew Baldy of the NTDP U-18s. He had never met Hughes in training, but he saw how this hockey player skates and was very impressed.

“He doesn’t drive in a straight line,” says Nicholas. “If he needs to turn left, he will never go straight ahead to turn left. He will move to the right so that he has more room to turn left. Due to this, he can pick up speed and get away from the opponent by performing this maneuver. I don’t want to say that he owns skates like Connor McDavid, but they have a lot in common.”

During matches, not only Jack’s ability to skate, but his ability to choose a position is of particular importance. John Vanbiesbroek, USA Hockey Federation Assistant Executive Director of Hockey Operations and a former NHL goaltender, considers Jack one of the most courageous players in hockey. If you add to this understanding of the game and speed, it becomes clear why Jack has every chance of becoming the first number in the NHL draft.

“He runs in the middle zone, crosses the blue line at speed and makes decisions at speed … I don’t want to compare players, but he has a unique ability to beat opponents and see what few people see,” Vanbiesbroek says. “I’ve seen him with the puck he goes to two or three dimensional opponents, beats them and rolls out into the net. He is not afraid.

Former forward Jamie Langenbrunner played against Kane in the NHL and with him for Team USA. In September, he coached the team at the USA Hockey Federation’s Best Young Players match. Jack Hughes played for the opposing team.

“Hughes, for all his skill, has a drive to win,” says Langenbrunner. “He’s always with the puck or wants to have it. It’s going to be interesting to watch him in the NHL for the next 20 years.”

Choice

Jack made the biggest decision of his hockey career so far in 2017.

In that year’s Ontario Hockey League draft, he would have definitely gone first overall to the Barry Colts. The league’s top picks over the years have been McDavid (2012, Erie), Steven Stamkos (2006, Sarnia), John Tavares (2005, Oshawa), and Eric Lindros (1989, S. Ste. Marie”). In the 2016-17 season, Jack played for Toronto in the Toronto Junior League and scored 159 (58 goals, 101 goals) in 80 games there. But the striker decided to follow the example of his older brother Quinn and went to the American Plymouth in Michigan to play for the NTDP team.

“We were close to drafting him,” said Barry’s general manager and chief scout Jason Ford. country. It is important for him. We did everything to get him, but it did not work out. We respected their decision and did not choose him as the first number. ”

Jack spent two seasons with NTDP. Teams from this program play in tournaments with the teams of the US Hockey League (players from 16 to 20 years old), as well as the first and third divisions of the student national championship. Hughes was coached by John Wroblewski, and under his guidance Jack grew as a person and as a player. The NTDP teams also take part in three international tournaments during each season.

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is another path to the NHL for young players. It is one of the top three youth leagues in Canada that make up the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). It is played by hockey players from 16 to 21 years old. Over the past six years, 89 OHL players have been drafted by the NHL in the first round.

Kane, who scored 172 (84 + 88) points in 121 games for the NTDP team (1.42 points per game) from 2004 to 2006, played one season in the OHL (London). It was the 2006-07 championship and Kane then chalked up 145 (62 assists and 83) points in 58 games. He played for the Blackhawks the following year.

“Talented guys with a skill level like Jack Hughes will make their way to the top anyway,” says CBA director Dan Marr. In this regard, they have a lot in common, although there are differences. It all depends on the hockey player. Someone has an innate talent, someone reveals himself later, some excel in children’s and school hockey. All this affects which path a young person chooses “Coaches, parents, agents are always ready to help him make the choice that suits him best. They know if he is able to take a step forward in development right now or it is better for him to move gradually. The hockey player will develop as nature intended. It does not depend on what level he plays.

Jack’s assisting and scoring records in his two seasons in the Program are significant achievements. On points, he overtook Clayton Keller (Arizona Coyotes, 189 points in NTDP), Phil Kessel (Pittsburgh Penguins, 180), Kane (172) and Matthews (167), and on assists – Keller (118), Matthews (88), Kane (88) and Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk (77).

In 11 games this season against college teams, Jack made 46 shots, scored 18 (4+14) points, and in 24 games against clubs in the US Hockey League earned 48 (12+36) points, making 123 shots.

Wroblewski immediately realized that Jack was a special hockey player.

“Quinn was playing for 18-year-olds. It was the middle of May. Jack had just turned 15,” says Wroblewski. He wasn’t as good as he was now, but he still outplayed defenders. able to impose pace, but could manipulate opponents like Patrick Kane.In two-on-one situations, it was clear that the defenders could get him if they rolled up to him correctly, but he kept them at a distance and then either threw himself over his shoulder Goalie or to the house, or pass between the defender’s skates to the far post. It was very interesting to watch it. He succeeded, and he smiled. Jack Hughes really loves hockey.”

In April, Hughes and 20 of his NTDP teammates traveled to the Junior (U-18) World Championship in Sweden. There he became the top scorer (20 = 9 + 11) of the tournament, and the US team won the bronze medal. Hughes set a world junior championship record with 32 (14 assists, 18 points) in two tournaments (2018 and 2019) and surpassing Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin. In 2002 and 2003, Ovechkin earned 31 (23+8) points in 14 games as part of the Russian junior team.

Jack now plays for the US team at the Senior World Championships in Slovakia, becoming the youngest player ever to play for the US team at the world championships. He and his brother Quinn are on a team of predominantly NHL players captained by Kane.

“I was very happy when I found out that I had a chance to extend the season, that it was not over for me yet,” said Jack, who, after five games in the world championship, has one assist, 13 shots (average playing time is 14 :58) – I’m honored to play in such a team, and I will remember it for a long time. Being in the same company every day with these hockey players, real professionals, learning from them, talking to them, will help me a lot to get into the NHL next season. I don’t see the tournament as preparation for the draft. It’s a chance for me to learn how to be a professional, to get to know how the system works.”

Move to the NHL

According to Wroblewski, before arguing about whether Jack is ready for the NHL, you need to look at what he has achieved in such a short time.

“I first met him two years ago. In that time, he has completely changed,” says Wroblewski. “Look how he creates chances, how he helps the team seize the initiative. Jack will be able to make a splash in the NHL next year. Maybe not in every game, but he is capable of it. He will continue to single-handedly threaten the net at the next level – in the NHL.”

Jim, now with the hockey department at CAA Sports agency, thinks Jack could make an NHL debut this year if conditions are right.

“I’ve worked with guys two meters tall and taller who can’t be seen on the ice. So I don’t think size will help you much if you don’t know how to use it. It’s not about them at all,” he says. “Look at the lineups.” teams in the NHL these days you’ll be amazed how many players are under 180 cm there are now speed, technique and courage in hockey the main question for me is will jack be one of those players teams are now built by size , skill and speed. Those of them who find a good combination of these parameters have a chance to succeed. ”

Hughes is the first NTDP hockey player since Johnson (Colorado, 2006 Draft) to take first place in the final North American CSB rankings. Johnson was the second of four Program alumni (DiPietro, Kane, Matthews) selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft. Jack wants to be fifth on this list and shows his skills by playing against opponents older than him.

“Everyone wants to get into the NHL as soon as possible. If I play in the NHL next year, my dream will come true,” he said.

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