Krug named to NHL All-Rookie Team

Former Indiana Ice defenseman Torey Krug was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team during the NHL Awards on Tuesday.

Torey Krug as a member of the Indiana Ice. 

Krug had a stellar rookie season with the Presidents Trophy champion Bruins, with 14 goals and 26 assists to total 40 points in 79 games. He was very solid in quarterbacking the Bruins' power play, with six goals and 19 points coming with the man advantage. Krug led rookie defensemen in power play goals, assists and points, and was third among rookie-defensemen in plus-minus with a +18 rating. He factored in on nearly two-fifths of his team's 50 power play goals. The Bruins had the NHL's third-best power play.

It was Krug's first full season in the NHL. He signed with the Bruins as a free agent in 2012 and played three regular-season games with the team through the end of the 2013 regular season, before being called up for the playoffs and helping lead the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Final.

He ranks third in Bruins history for goals by a rookie defenseman, trailing only Ray Bourque and Greg Hawgood.

All-Rookie Team member Torey Krug

A 5-foot-9, 180-pound defenseman from Livonia, Mich., Krug had 47 points for the Indiana Ice in 2008-09. He helped lead the team to a Clark Cup championship, scoring the series-winning goal in the opening-round series' Game 5 against Cedar Rapids, and totaling seven points in the postseason. He went from the Ice to Michigan State, where he played two years and captained the Spartans, before joining the Bruins.

Torey isn't the only Krug to have a Clark Cup ring with the Ice. His older brother Adam was an assistant coach for this year's championship-winning Ice squad. Torey returned to Indianapolis and was on hand to drop the first puck before Game 4 of the Clark Cup Final this spring.

Krug is the second Indiana Ice player to receive an NHL All-Rookie honor. John Carlson, who played for the Ice in 2007-08, was named to the team in 2011 as a member of the Washington Capitals.

The rest of the All-Rookie team were Anaheim goaltender Frederik Andersen, Anaheim defenseman Hampus Lindholm, Tampa Bay forwards Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat, and Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon, the Calder Trophy winner.

Krug was fourth in the Calder Trophy voting, behind MacKinnon, Palat and Johnson. He was the highest-rated defenseman.

NHL.com release
Boston Bruins release

Former Iceman Brian Ferlin signs with Bruins

Former Indiana Ice forward Brian Ferlin signed an entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins on Friday.

The Bruins drafted Ferlin in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Ferlin led Cornell with 13 goals and 27 points this season as a junior. He had 31 goals, 72 points and a +25 rating over 92 games at Cornell.

Ferlin announced the news on Twitter, saying "With an amazing opportunity at hand, I have decided to sign with @NHLBruins. I would like to thank everyone that has supported me throughout my career. I especially would like to thank Coach Schafer and Cornell University for giving me an unbelievable three years that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

Ferlin played for the Ice between 2009-11, tallying 25 goals and 73 points in the 2010-11season.

He is a native of Jacksonville, Fla.

Ferlin is the fourth former Iceman to sign an NHL entry-level deal this spring, joining Nic Dowd (Los Angeles), Kevin Goumas (Philadelphia) and Adam Erne (Tampa Bay). He'll join Torey Krug as the second former Iceman in the Bruins organization.

Florida Times-Union
NESN

Ferlin to USA World Junior camp

Ice forward Brian Ferlin and the Youngstown Phantoms' Scott Mayfield have been invited to the US National Team's evaluation camp.

From the camp, the World Junior Championships team will be selected. The camp will feature 44 players vying for a spot in one of the game's most coveted tournaments.

Ferlin, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., played for the Ice the last two seasons. He was the Boston Bruins' third-round selection this year.

The camp will take place Aug. 6-13 in Lake Placid, NY. The WJC will be in Calgary this year, from Dec. 26-Jan. 5.

USA Hockey release

Ferlin scores in Bruins camp scrimmage

Former Indiana Ice player Brian Ferlin scored a goal today and turned some heads in the first of two scrimmages in Boston Bruins development camp.


Ferlin's team won 3-1. He also, according to Boston hockey writer Matt Kalman, "threw some solid hits" during the scrimmage. Says Ferlin in Kalman's story: "It’s been good getting to meet everyone. And just getting out there today to showcase a little of what you can do, play against everyone. Obviously I’m playing with some good players, so you get some pretty good chemistry right away.”


Ferlin also gets some mention in Bob Mand's wrapup of the day in camp, where Mand notes he has "decent wheels, despite earlier scouting reports" that had his skating rated as awkward. Mand also notes his finishing ability, converting a pass in the slot from Justin Florek, and physicality. 

Ferlin featured in NEHJ

Kirk Luedeke, who might be one of the preeminent American experts on the NHL draft, catches up with Brian Ferlin in today's New England Hockey Journal post.

The Bruins are going through their week-long development camp, which will conclude Monday.

Says Bruins' assistant GM Don Sweeney of Ferlin: "He's got good speed, he's got good size, he's got good skills, he'll understand now in terms of how to utilize those even better as he plays with better players and moves forward. We're excited. I think he's a nice project and a nice piece to have to continue to go work with and then see where he takes it."

Ferlin, one of three Ice players drafted this year, is headed to Cornell University this fall.

More on Blashill (and Cassidy)

Some stories on Jeff Blashill's promotion to the Detroit Red Wings: 
The Detroit News quotes Wings coach Mike Babcock: "In looking to fill our coaching staff, I wanted successful and innovative coaches that would challenge us with new ideas in order to continually help the Red Wings become a better hockey team."

The Kalamazoo Gazette has updates with quotes from the NCAA's Coach of the Year. Says Blashill: "The most difficult part is leaving here and leaving a place I really love. It might sound weird after one year, but it's reality. I really fell in love with this place. It's special here. That makes it difficult."


The RedWings.com story is here. 
Another story, from Fox News


Blashill coached the Ice from 2008-10. The official team release is here. Says Ice owner Paul Skjodt, who named Blashill coach and GM in 2008: "It is a great story for all aspiring head coaches with respect to Jeff’s successful journey here in Indy in the USHL and the success that followed at WMU. Jeff was never afraid to fail in his long term plan to one day coach in the NHL.  His initial decision to leave Miami to run our hockey operations department took some time, but he realized he had to be in this position in order to advance his career.  We were fortunate to have had him here and it was only a matter of time before his dream came to fruition.  Cindy and I are proud to have played a part in his development and wish Jeff and his family much success in the future.”

Also, Matt Kalman's Bruins Blog has a nice piece on new Providence Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, who is running the Boston Bruins' development camp this weekend (which includes Ice alum Brian Ferlin). Cassidy played for and coached the Indianapolis Ice in the IHL. Says Cassidy: "I talk to the players, they’re human beings, I like to put them in a position to succeed. I like to push them, to get a little bit more out of them. But I think I’m a lot less vocal than I was when I first started. I think part of that’s just being around it longer and having young children now." 

United States of Hockey gives Ice some kudos

in its draft review, the United States of Hockey blog gives the Ice some props, while mostly talking about the benefit the USNTDP has for the USHL (even though there has been some controversy, especially today with one of Dubuque's top players going to the national team next year).

Says USoH's Chris Peters about the Ice and Green Bay Gamblers: "Both have proven to be among the top developmental teams in the league, while also building winning teams."

Brian Ferlin is on the roster for the Bruins' developmental camp July 7-10 in Wilmington, Mass. The Devils  (Blake Coleman) and Sharks (Sean Kuraly) will hold theirs in July.

Also, read the Indiana Ice.com review of the draft.

Brian Ferlin interview

Indiana Ice player Brian Ferlin chatted with the USHL's Jim Olander after being drafted by the Boston Bruins.

Watch the interview here.

Sunday news roundup

More media reports from Saturday's draft, in addition to the ones posted yesterday: 
Blake Coleman to New Jersey
New York Post: Devils make Coleman their center of attention
The Newark Star-Ledger has a roundup of the day, including a lot of quotes from/about Coleman
The Dallas Morning News (via the SacBee) notes that three Plano players were picked in the draft, and spotlights the suburban Dallas community. Says Stars GM Joe Niewendyk: "When the Stars came, it was just a novelty, and now we've got legitimate kids who will be NHLers coming out of our own backyard."

Brian Ferlin to Boston
Boston Globe: Roundup of the day's Bruins picks, mostly focusing on their second-round selection. However, there is a note about Ferlin.
The Boston Herald's notes has a quote by Ferlin 
Brian Ferlin interview (from BostonBruins.com)

Sean Kuraly to San Jose
The San Jose Mercury-News draft roundup. Kuraly says he sees himself as "a solid two-way centerman."   

Former IHL Ice player/coach Bruce Cassidy to coach AHL Providence
The Providence Journal has the story with several quotes from Cassidy, as he looks back on his past experiences and looking forward. Says Cassidy: "My last few years as an assistant (in Providence), I think there were some good positives to learn from. Hopefully, it allows me to be a better coach. It should. If you don’t learn year to year, you’re not going to be a better coach.”
The Boston Globe leads its Sunday notes off with the story. Says Bruins assistant GM Don Sweeney: "He’s done a really good job of developing players at all levels. He’s worked with forwards and defense. The last couple years, we’ve seen a nice impact he’s had on our players.’’
The Boston Herald's notes leads off with the Cassidy story.

Zionsville native John-Michael Liles traded to Maple Leafs
Toronto Sun: Former Avs coach Tony Granato loves the Hoosier defenseman.

Ice draftees in the media

Blake Coleman to the New Jersey Devils in the 3rd round
In the Newark Star-Ledger, Coleman says "I'm kind of an all-around player, tough to play against. I can also put it in the other team's net."
New Jersey's "In Lou We Trust" blog has a very in-depth look at Coleman's game, with lots of embedded video.

Coleman is one of several Ice players to play for Miami University next year. 

Brian Ferlin to the Boston Bruins in the 4th round
Lots of media cover the Bruins, so a few perspectives
NESN points out that Ferlin, who is from Jacksonville, Fla., isn't from a hockey haven, but has a style Bruins fans should be familiar with. Bruins assistant GM Jim Benning said Ferlin is a power forward who does the things the Bruins covet -- "he's strong along the wall. He's strong protecting the puck. He takes pucks to the net." Bruins president Cam Neely might be the first player to be given the "power forward" moniker, and Milan Lucic carries that mantel today.

His draft was also covered in Naples, Fla., where he played before he came to the Ice. Says Ferlin: "There's a couple of organizations I think anyone would want to go to and Boston is one of them. It's special because they've done a really good job drafting in the past."

Draft guru Kirk Luedeke summed up the Bruins' second day in the New England Hockey Journal.

Ferlin will play at Cornell University next year. 

Sean Kuraly to the San Jose Sharks in the 5th round.
We couldn't find much media coverage yet -- but the Bay Area papers haven't hit their deadlines and begun posting online by midnight EDT. Here is the Sharks' press release on their day.

Kuraly plans to return to the Ice next year. 

Congratulations to the three Ice players selected in the draft.

Ferlin going to Bruins

Two-thirds of the Ice's top line now has been picked by the NHL. Brian Ferlin was taken by the Boston Bruins with the final pick in the fourth round -- the 121st pick overall. 

Ferlin scored 25 goals and added 48 assists this year in the USHL, playing with linemates Blake Coleman (3rd round, New Jersey) and Daniil Tarasov. Ferlin also had a 6-10-16 line last year for the Ice. 

Ferlin is committed to play collegiately at Cornell. 

The Stanley Cup champs have made some Indianapolis-related waves today, not just selecting Ferlin but also in elevating ex-IHL Indianapolis Ice player and coach Bruce Cassidy to head coach of the AHL Providence Bruins. 

Cassidy to coach Bruins' AHL affiliate

Former Indianapolis Ice player and coach Bruce Cassidy has been elevated to the head coach of the AHL Providence Bruins, the top affiliate of the Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins.

Cassidy has agreed to a three-year contract with the team.

Cassidy coached the Ice to a 33-37-12 record in 1998-99, despite dealing with a number of major roster changes. He led the team to its first playoff series victory since the team won the IHL's Turner Cup in 1990, a team on which Cassidy was a key defenseman. He also played parts of three seasons for the Ice from 1994-97 before retiring mid-season to become the head coach of the ECHL Jacksonville Lizard Kings in 1996-97. After his stint with the Ice, he coached the ECHL Trenton Titans for one year, the IHL/AHL Grand Rapids Griffins for two -- posting a record of 95-49-18 in those two seasons -- and earning the head coaching job with the NHL Washington Capitals in 2002. He was 47-45-9 in one and a half years in Washington. After that, he assisted the AHL Norfolk Admirals in 2004-05, assisted the Chicago Blackhawks in 2005-06, coached the OHL Kingston Frontenacs the next two years and has spent the last three seasons as Rob Murray's assistant in Providence.

Cassidy was the AHL's Coach of the Year in 2001-02 with Grand Rapids. He worked out the Bruins' "Black Aces" -- the minor-league callups who serve as a taxi squad for the NHL club -- during this past postseason.

Boston Globe
WEEI
Providence Journal

Stanley Cup connections

Tonight, the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks meet to open the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. It's an intriguging matchup: Boston is looking to win its first Cup since 1972, while Vancouver is looking to win its first since the franchise was birthed the same season. Boston hasn't been to the Cup final since 1990, Vancouver since a Game 7 loss to ex-Racer Mark Messier and ex-Ice Brian Noonan in 1994. The Bruins are looking to keep the Cup in the Original Six, Vancouver looking to bring it back to Canada for the first time since Jacques Demers and Montreal won it in 1993.

Bruce Cassidy, the popular former Ice defenseman and coach who has also served as an NHL head coach with the Washington Capitals, is part of the Bruins organization as the AHL Providence Bruins' assistant coach. He has been in Boston working with the "Black Aces" -- the AHLers called up to practice with the Bruins in the playoffs.

Roland Melanson, who backstopped the Checkers in 1980-81 before becoming Billy Smith's backup on three New York Islanders Stanley Cup championship teams and embarking on a long NHL career, is the Canucks' goaltending coach. He is responsible for tutoring Roberto Luongo, and some tweaks "Rollie the Goalie" made to Luongo's game have paid off for the netminder this season.

Canucks' assistant Rick Bowness has an indirect connection with Indianapolis. His father, Bob Bowness, was part of the high-scoring "Killer B's" line that led the Chiefs to the 1958 IHL Turner Cup championship, pairing with Pierre Brillant and Marc Boileau. Canada's National Post has a nice story on the Bownesses. Bob passed away in 1994 and never made it to the NHL -- although he had NHL-level talent, he was Montreal Canadiens property at a time when they were the NHL's most loaded team -- but his son is trying to fulfill his father's legacy and get the Bowness name on the Stanley Cup. 

In addition, former Ice players Adam Creighton and Dean Malkoc work as scouts for the Bruins. Creighton is a professional scout, while Malkoc scouts amateur players in Western Canada. Malkoc also played for both the Bruins and Canucks during his career.


Here is the schedule:
Wednesday, June 1: at Vancouver, 8 p.m. (NBC)
Saturday, June 4: at Vancouver, 8 p.m. (NBC)
Monday, June 6: at Boston, 8 p.m. (Versus)
Wednesday, June 8: at Boston, 8 p.m. (Versus)
Friday, June 10: at Vancouver, 8 p.m. (NBC)*
Monday, June 13: at Boston, 8 p.m. (NBC)*
Wednesday, June 15: at Vancouver, 8 p.m. (NBC)*
*-if necessary.