Lock Monsters' talent pool deep
Wednesday, March 25, 1998
By BARRY SCANLON, Sun Staff
LOWELL -- Lock Monster fans should have plenty to cheer about
when the American Hockey League team debuts in October at Tsongas
Arena.
The Lock Monsters are the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders
and The Hockey News has tabbed the Islanders as the organization
with the best National Hockey League prospects.
The Hockey Newsis considered the "bible" of pro hockey.
"I think the fans are going to be excited to see the caliber
of play and the caliber of players," said Lock Monsters
General Manager Tom Rowe. "We think (Islanders general
manager/coach) Mike Milbury's done a great job as far as putting
together a good core of kids. It only verifies what we've thought
all along.
"To have The Hockey Newsrank the Islanders as the top
organization is gratifying to us," he added.
The Islanders' top prospect, 18-year-old defenseman Eric Brewer,
who is skating for Prince George of the Western Hockey League,
was voted as the No. 2 overall prospect, behind only right wing
Marian Hossa, whose rights are owned by Ottawa.
Brewer was the No. 5 overall pick in the 1997 draft, one pick
behind another Islanders selection, goaltender Roberto Luongo,
18, of Val d'Or of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The Islanders were assailed in many quarters for not using at
least one of the first-round selections on a forward, such as
Sergei Samsonov, who went No. 8 to the Boston Bruins. However,
Brewer is progressing well and Luongo is considered one of the
top goaltending prospects in a decade.
Brewer and Luongo are eligible to play one more year of junior
hockey. If they don't make the Islanders next season, they will
go back to their respective junior teams. They could be Lock
Monsters in the fall of 2000 if the Islanders still deem them not
ready.
"(Brewer's) a big, strong tough defenseman," said Rowe.
"Luongo is a terrific goaltender."
According toThe Hockey News, Luongo is the Islanders' No. 2
prospect, followed by Zdeno Chara, 20, a defenseman (Kentucky,
AHL) and J.P. Dumont, 19, a left wing (Val d'Or, QMJHL).
Chara will be easy to spot at Tsongas Arena -- he stands 6-foot-9
and weighs 240 pounds.
"They say he's definitely the strongest guy in their
camp," Rowe said.
Dumont is a sharpshooting forward who could be a Lock Monster
this fall. Another top prospect, Jason Holland, was trades to
Buffalo yesterday.
Rowe said another possible candidate for the Lock Monsters is
Sean Haggerty, a slick-skating forward from Rye, N.Y., who
displays flashes of offensive brilliance.
"He's a little pepperpot," said Rowe. "And he's
got a knack around the net."
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Rowe said the Lock Monsters are in no realy hurry to name their
first head coach.
"Mike Milbury wants to wait until the end of the season
before doing anything," he said.
At the earliest, the head coach will be named in July. Then
again, it could be as late as mid to late August. Rowe said
there's a 45-60 day "window of opportunity" after the
season in which to talk to prospective coaches.
"What we'd like to do is find a good, strong coach who can
develop players," Rowe said.
Rumors around the league place ex-Merrimack College coach Ron
Anderson at the top of the list of potential coaches.
Rowe said the team is currently talking with East Coast Hockey
League teams about starting a working relationship with one of
them. Such an arrangement will come in handy if the Islanders
call up two or three Lock Monsters at once.