Links - Backchecking This Years NHL Rookies - North River Minor Hockey Association

Backchecking This Years NHL Rookies LOGINREGISTERHELPYOU ARE NOT LOGGED IN NHLNBAMLBCFLNFLCurlingTennisGolfSoccerNASCARFormula OneIndyCar NASCAR Canadian Tire SeriesNationwideCamping WorldAuto RacingWorld JuniorsSpengler CupMenS WHCWomenS WHCHockey CanadaAHLBoxingCanada GamesCHLCISECHLFigure SkatingLacrosseMMANCAASkiingSummer SportsWinter SportsMoreOlympicsFantasyDaily LineShowsTSN TalentCommunityMainNHLNBAMLBCFLNFLSoccereotText SizeBackchecking returns with a look at this years rookie class Not the top 10 or Top 20 but all 85 of them (so far) in alphabetical orderJustin Abdelkader LW Detroit (112 even 4 PIM in 8 GP) Hardworking 22yearold who helped in last years playoffs and is battling to land a regular spot in the Wings lineupArtem Anisimov C NY Rangers (347 even 6 PIM in 14 GP) Lanky 21yearold who was a pointpergame scorer in the AHL last season and has been productive enough in limited ice time so far with Blueshirts but needs a more wellrounded game to earn more ice timeMatt Beleskey LW Anaheim (000 minus1 2 PIM in 3 GP) Stocky winger has played a limited role since getting called up bu the 21yearold still has some offensive upside to nurture Shawn Belle D Montreal (000 minus2 0 PIM in 2 GP) The 2003 firstround pick still qualifies as a rookie and got into a couple of games with the Habs when injuries struck the blueline Still no evidence that 24yearold is ready for regular NHL duty Jamie Benn LW Dallas (3710 plus1 6 PIM in 13 GP) 20yearold fifthround pick in 2007 looks like hes made the jump to the NHL straight from The Dub where he tore up last seasons playoffs scoring 33 points in 19 games Hes already a topsix forward in Big DNicklas Bergfors RW New Jersey (246 plus1 4 PIM in 11 GP) It took four years of AHL seasoning but the 22yearold Swede is ready for primetime this season and he ranks third on the Devils in shots behind Zach Parise and Brian Rolston both of whom get more ice time Bryan Bickell LW Chicago (000 even 0 PIM in 1 GP) 23yearold with good size hasnt scored enough at the pro level but could still provide some grit in spot duty Paul Bissonnette LW Phoenix (000 plus1 17 PIM in 6 GP) Tough guy played 15 games with the Penguins last year and is employed in a minimalist role (510 of ice time per game) with the Desert DogsMario Bliznak C Vancouver (000 minus2 0 PIM in 1 GP) Injuries gave this 22yearold Czech pivot a chance though he struggled some in his NHL debut Michael Blunden RW Columbus (000 plus1 13 PIM in 5 GP) 22yearold who was picked up in a trade with Chicago last season and is essentially an extra forward for the Blue Jackets right now but hes played a sound twoway game in limited action this seasonAlexandre Bolduc C Vancouver (000 minus2 2 PIM in 7 GP) Injuries prompted the recall of 24yearo...