Empty Netters

Dan Hickling

It is said ”“ by whom, it’s not exactly certain, but said nonetheless ”“ that good things come in packages of three.

If so, then you might as well crown Luke Adam of the Portland Pirates as the AHL’s Rookie of the Year a week before the season even starts.

After all, Pirates have commandeered the honor ”“ known as the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award ”“ two years in a row.

Diminuitive wingers Nathan Gerbe and Tyler Ennis ”“ both of whom will start this season with the big club in Buffalo ”“ were Garrett winners the past two years.

Along comes Adam, who at 6-2, 203 is anything but Smurflike in Sabre blue, whom many AHL observers feel could bring a third straight “Red” to Portland.

Taken by Buffalo in the second round of the 2008 Entry Draft, Adam, a center/left wing, has the size and the scoring touch (he was runner up for the QMJHL scoring title last year) to become an impact player in the NHL.

He showed as much the past few weeks during an impressive stay in Buffalo’s Training Camp.

He got into four pre-season games with Buffalo, and netted two goals in the last one.

“It was great,” said Adam, 20, who hails from St. John’s, Newfoundland. “I felt better each and every game. I learned a lot while I was up there. Each game, I got a little bit more comfortable. I felt like my last game was my best.”

But first, a little seasoning under the firm hand of Buccos’ coach Kevin Dineen awaits him in Portland.

“He comes to Portland on a very strong note,” said Dineen. “He scored some goals and has some confidence. Our goal is to make sure he keeps feeling that way about his game, here.”

Dineen is among those who feels that Adam’s upside could approach that of both Gerbe and Ennis.

“I think that the development that Luke’s going to see, is going to take place,” Dineen said, “But we all see a lot of potential there. (Still), to rate him as the highest talent is a little early, yet.”

The Pirates, will open the season at the Civic Center, Saturday, against the Manchester Monarchs.

But first, there is tonight’s tune up, also against the Monarchs, being staged in Nashua, N.H. ”¦ With Portland’s incumbent No. 1 goalie Jhonas Enroth still with Buffalo ”“ while Sabres’ backup Patrick Lalime nurses a groin pull ”“ the Pirates net will be manned by untested newcomer David Leggio and rookie Alex Petizian.

Maine talent to be showcased

Gary Prolman, a Portland-based attorney and former Kennebunk High hockey coach, doesn’t think much of the Maine Principals Assn. or its ways.

Especially as it pertains to developing and showcasing talented young hockey players.

To that end, Prolman has spearheaded a “Team Maine” concept, whose ultimate aim is to give the best high school hockey players in the state a chance to strut their stuff before college recruiters.

The second of three showcase events involving Maine players will take place Sunday at the USM Arena.

According to Prolman, high schoolers will scrimmage in front of invited coaches, and other interested spectators, including UMaine bench boss Tim Whitehead.

Among the players expected to take part, said Prolman, are Brady Fleurent and Eric Grover (both of Biddeford), and C.J. Maksut (Thornton Academy).

“It will be games from morning to early evening,” said Prolman. “It will be a bunch of the top kids in the state.”

With MPA mandated cuts of regular season schedules (to 18 games) and non-countable dates (to five) in recent years, Prolman feels that young players are being denied opportunities for development and exposure.

“We’re trying to circumvent what they’re doing,” he said. “What they’re doing is going to make high hockey a house league, pretty soon, because people are just going to leave. You can’t play 18 games and expect to be seen. I know they don’t care about kids, but we do. So we’re trying to help them out as much as we can.”

Similar showcases are happening in other New England states, with the best players ultimately being selected to take part in an East vs. West event to be in Minnesota next Spring.

“If we don’t do something,” said Prolman, “everybody’s going to leave high school hockey. You’ll have a house league. It will be horrible.”

Prolman is proceeding with plans for this year’s Maine High School Hockey Invitational, which will run for three days, beginning Dec. 27.

However, he said, the Fix Cup, in honor of the former Portland sportscaster, the late Frank Fixaris, will not happen, ending its four-year run.

He blames its demise on the MPA’s policy toward non-countable dates.

“I hope they change it,” Prolman said. “Hopefully, we’ll create enough of an uproar that the MPA will change it.”

— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.