FISH'S FIVE - FIVE IOWA PLAYERS TO SPOTLIGHT FOR TRAINING CAMP
Sep 18, 2015As training camp kicks off in St. Paul, here are five Iowa Wild players that Iowawild.com’s Josh Fisher has identified as guys to watch. Keep in mind, injuries and player performances play a big factor in where players end up.
FISH’S FIVE
by Josh Fisher - Follow @iowawildfish
TYLER GRAOVAC – Center
For the last two seasons, Tyler Graovac has been developing at a pretty good clip. After finishing strong in his rookie campaign in 2014, he picked up where he left off in 2014-15. The 22-year old set Iowa team records with 21 goals and 46 points last season. He earned his first NHL call up and played in three games without a point for Minnesota last year. Graovac worked hard over the summer to get better and is expected to contend for a spot with the big club.
KURTIS GABRIEL – Right Wing
Kurtis Gabriel proved to be one of the toughest rookies in the AHL last season. He spent a good chunk of the summer in the Twin Cities working extensively on his skating. In 67 games with Iowa, the Newmarket, ON native scored seven goals and collected 16 points. He was also among AHL rookie leaders in major penalties and penalty minutes. With a need for some grit and toughness in Minnesota, Gabriel has a chance to crack the big club lineup either at the beginning of the year or throughout the season.
GUSTAV OLOFSSON - Defense
After basically missing his entire rookie season with an injury, Gustav Olofsson is ready to roll. The smooth-skating, puck-moving blueliner was outstanding at the Traverse City Rookie Tournament. With a strong defense core in Minnesota, he is expected to be a big part of things in Iowa. Olofsson is also very capable of having a great camp and making it difficult for the big club to send him to the AHL. Don’t be surprised to see him playing in St. Paul sometime this season.
BRETT BULMER – Left Wing
Entering his fourth year with the club, Brett Bulmer is a big forward to keep your eyes on. The second-round pick in 2010 (#39 overall) has struggled staying healthy throughout his career. His number one priority is staying healthy and many believe he can be an impact player if he can keep out of the trainer’s room. Bulmer has shown numerous times that he has the tools to be an NHL player. Keep in mind, Bulmer has good size and has played in 14 NHL games.
RAPHAEL BUSSIERES – Left Wing
Similar to Bulmer, Raphael Bussieres has experienced a rough start to his pro career. Injuries have limited him to 70 AHL games in his first two seasons. With the whole summer to heal and prepare, don’t count him out. Due to his injuries, some people have forgotten about the former 2012 second round pick (#46 overall). He showed some flashes last season during a rehab stint in Alaska (ECHL), posting 16 points in 19 games. Expect him to work hard in camp and show Minnesota why they drafted him with the 46th pick three years ago.
Notables –
· Expect a serious goalie battle for the crease in Iowa. Late camp additions in Minnesota have made it interesting. Veterans Leland Irving and Kevin Lalande will battle to see who takes control of the crease in Des Moines as the number 1 goalie. Additionally, rookies Brody Hoffman and Stephen Michalek will also be in a serious competition to see which one ends up in Des Moines.
· Marc Hagel, who started his career in the ECHL as an undrafted free agent is in his first NHL camp with Minnesota. The hard-working forward earned a two-year, two-way contract this summer.
· 36-year old Ruslan Fedotenko is in camp with Minnesota. The two-time Stanley Cup Champion expects to contend for a spot in the NHL. He scored three goals in 13 games last season for Iowa, after joining the club in the second half of the season.