FRITSCHE SHINES IN PROSPECTS GAME
By DONNA SPENCER
Canadian Press
KITCHENER, Ont.
Dan Fritsche doesn’t want NHL scouts to think six titanium screws in his shoulders will make him a risky selection at June’s entry draft in Nashville, Tenn.
The 18-year-old Sarnia Sting centre made a case for himself on Wednesday by scoring the winning goal for Team Cherry in a 4-3 victory over Team Orr in the Home Hardware CHL Top Prospects Game.
Fritsche, ranked the No. 12 prospect among North American skaters for the draft, has had two shoulder surgeries – the latest in December 2001. He has three screws in each shoulder.
One of his missions this season is making NHL scouts forget about them.
“I know they have that in the back of their mind,” said the six-foot-two, 190-pounder from Parma, Ohio. “One thing I’m trying to show this year is they’re brand new and as good as new.
“I’m hitting everything in sight. I’m going in the corners taking big hits. They should catch on that my shoulders are as good as can be.”
Fritsche capped a wild third period in the eighth Top Prospects Game, which features 40 players who will likely be early draft picks June 21 in Nashville.
Don Cherry’s team came back from a 3-1 second-period deficit with scored three goals in the third, including a controversial one by Petr Vrana of the Halifax Mooseheads that tied the game.
It occurred during a rare fight in a Prospects Game and was awarded after the combatants were sent to the penalty box.
Cherry and Bobby Orr have coached in seven of the eight Top Prospects games and although Orr still leads 4-3, it was Cherry who had the bragging rights after the game and got the $100 the two men put on the line each year.
“Sorry, you were outcoached tonight,” Cherry told Orr. “We’re going to tie it up next year, Lord willing.”
Jeremy Colliton of the Prince Albert Raiders and Windsor Spitfires defenceman Frank Rediker also scored for Cherry.
Brandon Wheat Kings forward Eric Fehr, Jeff Carter of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Saginaw Spirit defenceman Paul Bissonette replied for Team Orr.
Michael Richards of the home-town Kitchener Rangers had two assists for Orr in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 5,766 at the Kitchener Auditorium.
Red Deer Rebels defenceman Dion Phaneuf and Bissonette provided some fireworks in the third period. Phaneuf delt Marc-Antoine Pouliot a thunderous check and immediately scrapped with Bissonette. It was just the second fight in Prospects Game history.
“The hit was decently clean so I thought being a playoff atmosphere, go after the guy, stick up for your teammate,” said Bissonnette. “That’s what it’s all about.”
While the fight was developing, Vrana scored. Referee David Banfield awarded Vrana’s goal after Cherry made a case for it.
“That’s the first time in my life I’ve ever seen a goal go in and it doesn’t count,” said Cherry. “I let him know he was wrong.”
He and Orr got into some good-natured jawing about the goal at the post-game press conference. That prompted Bissonnette, who was sitting between the two, to push back his chair and say: “Third fight in history. I think I’ll get out of the way.”
Fritsche and Bissonette, from Welland, Ont., were named MVPs for their respective teams. Bissonnette, six foot three and 210 pounds, is ranked No. 70 among North Americans by Central Scouting.
Medicine Hat Tigers goaltender Kevin Nastiuk stopped all 16 shots he faced in his half of the game for Team Cherry and earned the win. He relieved Marc-Andre Fleury, the MVP of the world junior hockey championship, who gave up three goals on 29 shots.
Corey Crawford of the Moncton Wildcats started for Orr and stopped 16 of 17 shots. He was followed by Jonathan Boutin, who allowed three goals on 17 shots.
Every NHL team was represented, with some teams bringing several scouts as well as the general manager. Philadelphia’s Bobby Clarke, Washington’s George McPhee and Montreal’s Andre Savard were among the GM’s attending.
