AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > May > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLittle to make pro debut tonight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chicago — First of all, Chicago is a great city. The last time I was here was for a eighth-grade field trip, so it’s been awhile. Arrived here last night, had some pasta at Harry Caray’s and a pint of Bass at a little pub next to the hotel. Good times.
But this morning, it was down to business. I went to the Chicago Wolves morning skate to interview some of the Thrashers top prospects. That’s where I learned that Bryan Little will be making his pro debut tonight against Iowa.
He signed with the Thrashers in late April, and the former first-rounder joined the Wolves shortly after that. According to Wolves GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, Little has been bothered by a shoulder injury but he’s finally ready to go. Everybody, including Cheveldayoff and Wolves coach John Anderson, is looking forward to seeing what Little can contribute to Chicago’s Calder Cup run.
His debut tonight caps an incredible year for Little, who helped Team Canada win the gold in the 2007 World Junior Championships. He finished sixth in the OHL with 107 points this season. He said he’s excited about playing tonight for Chicago as well as joining the Thrashers for their prospect camp this summer. I’ll let you know how he looks in his debut in Monday’s regularly scheduled blog.
The players we’re featuring in five stories in a couple weeks are Little, Brett Sterling, Boris Valabik, Nathan Oystrick and Mark Popovic. But I’m also hearing some good things about Jordan LaVallee and Colin Stuart. LaVallee may still be a couple years away, but more than one person said they expected him to be a regular in the NHL. Stuart, I was told, is playing as well as anybody on the team right now and that’s pretty impressive considering this team also features Jason Krog and Darren Haydar - a pair of forwards who saw NHL time this season.
Lastly, Wolves GM Kevin Chevaldayoff confirmed that he interviewed with the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday for the vacant GM position. He said he thought it went well, but that his focus now is on winning a Calder Cup with the Wolves. He’s widely considered one of the best executives in minor league hockey and will likely be running an NHL team sometime in the near future. According to the Hockey News, Chevaldayoff joins former Rangers GM Neil Smith as two of the most serious contenders on a list that the Hockey News speculated may also include Canucks assistant GM Steve Tambellini, Toronto Maple Leafs scout Craig Button and Anaheim Ducks director of hockey operations Bob Murray, among others.
Comments
By John
May 12, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
So Waddell didn’t trade everyone out of the minors. Looks like we still have some top prospects…
By wh
May 12, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
Craig - please see if you can get Litle’s opinion on Sudbury’s Mark Staahl. Thanks
By Brendan
May 13, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this
Craig, do you think Chicago will go all the way this year?
By Brian
May 13, 2007 3:52 AM | Link to this
This piece here puts Sterling as a top prospect
I just got in and checked the Sabres score. I can’t believe it’s happening…
By Craig Custance
May 13, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Brendan, They looked pretty good last night. The line of Krog, Haydar and Sterling has to be the best still around in the Calder Cup playoffs. Haydar was outstanding.
By Legion of thrash
May 13, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
So how did Little play?
By Ben
May 13, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
I think Sterling would be a great forward. But, are there any centers in the organization who could come up and contribute next year. They need to replace Savard at center if the T-Birds are going to get far in the playoffs. Don’t give up on Lehts just yet, he’s young. Just thinking, but when does Free Agency start? Craig, any word on who they might be picking up?
By Lilah
May 13, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
Graig, Canada won the final 4-2. In third period Finland came close, but it wasn’t enough.
Kari Lehtonen was awarded as best goalie in the tournament and was also selected in All Star’s.
By Red Wing Thing
May 13, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
I am dying here…..has anyone else lost the Versus signal on Comcast????
By Tony C.
May 14, 2007 4:28 AM | Link to this
Ben
Little is a centreman…free agency begins 1 July
I thought The Kid looked pretty good against Canada in the footage I saw from the championship game…especially in the 2nd.
By Jamie Fehr
May 14, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
I’m trying to find out hom much ice time he (Little) had.. I can’t find it anywhere.. If anybody could tell me i would like it.
By Brendan
May 14, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
Good to know, Craig. Good to know. Now, if Haydar and Krog could just elevate their game to the NHL level, and contribute while there, everything would be going smoothly.
I hope the Wolves do win. I hope Kevin Cheveldayoff catches a break and finds a GM position in the NHL.
On to Sterling … I’ve always liked this kid, right from his days at Colorado College. I can’t believe how late he went in the draft. Kudos to Waddell for noticing that he has slipped off everyone’s radar. Look, I’m not saying Sterling will make the team and, if so, would win the Calder Trophy. What I am saying is that Sterling is a quality latter round draft pick. I just hope Don doesn’t trade him away from some 33-year old defensemen.
Ohhh, he wouldn’t do that. Are ya sure? Would you put money on that?? Idle rhetoric. Nevermind.
By Tony H
May 14, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
Brendan - I think you are being entirely too kind to Wadell regarding Sterling. I doubt seriously that he had much to do with noticing that. My bet is that a member of the scouting staff saw that he was still available and Wadell agreed to take him.
Don’s proficiency at picks is average at the absolute best.
By Brendan
May 14, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this
Tony H, no argument there! Don Waddell isn’t #17, overall, among GM’s based on his draft prowess. Waddell’s strong suit may be there he makes good trade deadline deals and his eye for “bargain basement” players. Look at the value he got last year for Hnidy, $600K, Jon Sim, $610K, Exelby, $684K, Popovic, $500K, McCarthy, $775K, and so forth. Guys like Larsen, Vigier, and Boulton may not have “made the season,” but they capably filled out the roster. GM’s who cannot find “inexpensive depth” aren’t going to last very long. And sometimes it’s not so easy to sell off your overpriced assets (Holik, $4.25M).