In The Game Pack Reviews

We are going to open a pack of Between the Pipes and Heroes and Prospects.  First let’s start with 2009 Between the Pipes:

Geroge Gardner not only played in the NHL, but also the WHL and the WHA.  He was best known for his days with the Vancouver Blazers.  His overall WHA recod was 23-45 with a 3.89 GAA and 1 shutout.

Grant Fuhr won 5 Stanley Cups with that powerful 1980′s Edmonton Oilers teams.  He won the Vezina Trophy in 1987-88, and shared the Jennings Trophy with Hasek in 1993-94.  He was a 6 time All Star and won the MVP in the 1986 All Star game.  His career record was 403-295 with a 3.38 GAA and 25 shutouts.

Michael Hutchinson is a long term project with the Boston Bruins.  He shows flashes of brilliance, but is still a 0.500 goalie who let’s up about 3 goals a game.  Should spend next year in the CHL for one more year before moving on the the AHL.

Josh Unice is a top prospect in the Blackhawks system.  He had an amazing season in 2007-08 when he went 30-6 record and a 2.45 GAA.  He took a step back last year but was also involved in a trade and had some injury woes.  Look for him to spend one more year in the juniors then move up to the AHL and should at sometime see some time in the NHL.

Pack Rating: 2.0/5.0 – love the Fuhr card, but also the Unice is nice too.

Here is the next Heroes and Prospects Pack:

Kelsey Tessier is an outstanding prospect for the Colorado Avelanche.  He is a solid scorer and distributer.  I can see him in the minors next season and possibly landing on the Avs at some point next season.

Fabian Brunnstrom is a standout with the Dallas Stars.  This season he went 17-12-19 in his rookie year.  He looked fabulous at times and also looked lost during other times.  He is definitely NHL ready right now, he just needs to adapt to the North American game. Great card!

Teddy Purcell is a LA King.  He showed some serious output for the Manchester Monarchs last year when  he put up 25-58-83.  He still needs to grow into a rold for the Kings, but I think he is going to be an outstanding player if the Kings remain patient with him.

Darren Helm is yet another decent prospect for the Detroit Red Wings and there never ending supply of great talent.  Last season he split time with Grand Rapids and Detroit and put up a combined 13-25-38.  He is burried in the lines for Detroit, should spend some more time at Grand Rapids before an extended stay in Detroit.

Jordan Eberle is a rising star in the Oilers system.  He moved up from the juniors to the AHL last season and put up a combined 38-45-83 in just 70 games.  His offensive output is not a question, the only question is when the Oilers are going to have a full time slot for him.  It might be by next season.

Pack Rating – 4.0/5.0 – Very nice pack, every player should end up as a regular in the NHL.

If you disagree with any of my pack ratings or have an opinion on any of these players, leave a comment. We all would like to hear about it.