Well, I didn't get to take in the Flames game last night...but I'm hearing a lot of good talk about one of the team's newest acquisitions, Byron Ritchie. Could this be another Sutter "Diamond in the rough" find? Besides his two goals in the flames 4-2 preseason victory over the Hawks on Wednesday, Ritchie was, by all accounts, a buzz-saw of activity all night. Media personalities that are close to the Flames, like Peter Mahr, also claim that Ritchie has been impressive the entire length of the Flames camp so far.
While it's a distinct possibility that Byron may usurp a fourth-line position from, say, a Jason Weimer, it's also not inconceivable that he will rapidly move up the depth charts to a third or second line position should a player such as Kobasew or Lombardi falter (or get injured). I mean, just look at his WHL and AHL stats: http://www.calgaryflames.com/cgi-bin/roster/roster.cgi?displayNode=82
His year with Seattle in 95/96 is comparable to, say, an Eric Fehr from the Wheat Kings last year, who lead the WHL in scoring and was a top draft pick. So clearly Ritchie has some offensive skills which have remained dormant or untapped in the NHL to this point. Hopefully Sutter and the Flames can help re-kindle his scoring touch...
On a more global note, the NHL released it's newest ad campaign apparently dubbed "My NHL". I've heard it was directed by a notable MTV music video director, and is much more "hollywood" than anything the league has done in the past. I believe there is a story at www.nhl.com if you want to know more about it...will this help to ingnite interest in hockey south of the border?? Time will tell I suppose.
