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.