Wild prospect update-Haula and Foucault...Team USA U-18 wins gold

http://www.stateofhockeynews.com/2010-articles/april/wild-prospect-update-foucault-and-haula.html

Wild prospect update - Foucault and Haula; Team USA U-18 wins gold in Minsk

Written by Derek Felska
Saturday, 24 April 2010 14:51

Late last night I was watching the movie Mystery, Alaska which starred Oscar Award winning actor Russel Crowe and legend Burt Reynolds. In the film, the big thing in this fictional Alaska town is the "Saturday game" where the best hockey players the community has play a pickup game on a frozen pond. Crowe's character, the Mystery burrough sheriff John Biebe is getting up there in age and the "committee" a group of townies that select the players to participate in the "Saturday game" decide to ask the veteran to step aside in order to give an up and coming high school star Stevie Weeks a shot. Weeks has lots of speed and energy while Biebe is the slowest player on the team which in many ways is an experience that all NHL'ers will face as they age and new, younger players replace the old guard. While many back in Minnesota may be more fixated with the NFL draft as the Vikings try to add a few more pieces that they hope will help them finally reach a Super Bowl. With the Brett Favre-drama aside, the draft plays a critical role in the development of any organization where a few good selections like an Adrian Peterson or a Percy Harvin can really boost a team but even as the Wild can tell you a few poor choices can really be devastating in both the short and long-term. Will Virginia's Chris Cook be the corner the Vikings need and will Stanford grad Toby Gerhart be able to provide that devastating 1-2 power running tandem that West Coast offenses so covet? Unlike the NFL or the NBA, where a player that is drafted means their college eligibility ends and their pro career begins in the NHL being drafted is just one step of a player's development. In some cases it may be 3-4 seasons before they every get their first shot in the NHL just ask Clayton Stoner who waited nearly 5 years before he got his first 'cup of coffee' with the Wild.

Minnesota's playoffs never happened, the team failed for the 2nd season in a row to qualify for the post-season, almost the same can be said of the Houston Aeros who also did not extend their season with a trip to the AHL playoffs. Yet that does not mean every player in Minnesota's development system is currently thinking just about 'next year.' For Calgary Hitmen (WHL) winger Kris Foucault and the Omaha Lancer (USHL) forward Erik Haula they are still battling through the playoffs in their respective leagues. These are ostensibly bonus games for these two forwards to further hone their game and can give the Wild an idea of just how well they play when the pressure is on and the games become more important than ever before. It is also a test of endurance as we see if they can handle the strain of a tough regular season and then continue with a solid playoff performance. So how are they doing so far? (click on the link for the rest of the article)

Enjoy!

Kris Foucault is an interesting one, he should be in our top 5 prospects, 14pts in 18 playoff games, he has all he needs to be in the NHL if he can keep up his energy level and actually always play like he gives a fuck. He turns it up during the playoffs, but during the reg season he plays like he doesn't give a fuck. If he can work hard during this summer i have little doubt he can crack the roster, tho i have a feeling he'll be in AHL to prove he can play and earn a spot the hard way.