Where's Travis Morin?
Posted 04:40 p.m., April 3, 2008
The ECHL released its All Rookie Team today and if you’re like me, you’re probably wondering what’s wrong with the people who vote on this thing!
Before I get into it. … Here’s the team:
F- Matt Beaudion, Dayton (62 gp, 38g, 31a, 69 pts, -7)
F – David Desharnais, Cincinnati (66 gp, 28g, 74a, 102 pts, +35)
F – Josh Soares, Alaska (59 gp, 36g, 45a, 81 pts, -1)
D – Ryan Gunderson, Trenton (70 gp, 4g, 40a, 44 pts, -14)
D – Adrian Veideman, Augusta (65 gp, 10g, 29a, 39 pts, -1)
G – Anton Khudobin, Texas (27 gp, 20-1-4, 1.98 GAA, .934 Save Pct.)
OK, so where’s Travis Morin!
I know I’m looking at this through my Stingrays colored glasses, but Morin absolutely belongs on this team.
For the record, Morin has 34 goals, 47 assists for 81 points. He is fourth in the league in scoring and has a +14 rating. He also leads the league in short-handed goals with six. He plays in every situation. Morin plays on the fourth best team, record wise, in the ECHL. Morin has been the best player all season for the Stingrays and has arguably been the best player in the South Division.
I haven’t seen Desharnais or Soares play this season, but I did see Beaudoin play when Dayton was in town last month and wasn’t all that impressed. He was a one-dimensional player. What hockey guys like to call a sniper. Now, Beaudoin could score, but there’s more to the game than putting the puck in the net.
Is there no justice??
OK, on to some other news.
It looks like Mike Gabinet is done for the season.
Gabinet, who was called up to the AHL by Springield, was hurt during a game against Hartford on March 22.
This following was taken from The Republican newspaper in Springfield, MA.
“Gabinet was shoved from behind by Lauri Korpikoski, and crashed head first into the boards. The game was delayed for nearly 15 minutes, while medical personnel attended to Gabinet, who was taken to Baystate Medical Center.”
Gabinet didn’t lose consciousness, but hasn’t been back on the ice since March 22.
Stingrays head coach Jared Bednar had hoped to put Gabinet on the Rays playoff roster, but it’s looking more and more like Gabinet won’t be able to play for a while.
Stay turned for details.
APM
Comments
Posted by RaysRsharp on April 3 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Goals: 4th for rookies, 7th in ECHL
Assists: 4th for rookies, 9th in ECHL
Short handed goals: 1st for rookies, 1st in ECHL
Powerplay Goals: 2nd for rookies, 5th in ECHL
Game winning goals: 1st for rookies, 3rd in ECHL
Scoring: 2nd for rookies, 4th in ECHL
If he's not on it, it's not a real "All-Star" game.
Nuff said.
Posted by RaysFan34 on April 4 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Travis Morin ABSOLUTELY should have been on this team. Not exactly sure why he wasn't, but I think someone really missed the boat on this one.
The ECHL is scheduled to release it's All ECHL team today, wouldn't it be ironic if Travis is on that roster?
Not good news about Gabby either. Would have loved to see him back in a Stingrays sweater for the playoffs.
However, if we gotta go with what we have, then I am OK with that too. These boys have shown us all season that they are on a mission, and I think we are going to make some noise in a big way in the playoffs. (I also think Mississippi is gonna make some really big noise in round 1)
Posted by smv8618 on April 4 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree Travis Morin deserves to be on that time. What is up with the ECHL?
Posted by RaysFan34 on April 5 at 3:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Those of you that know me, know that if I want an answer to a question, I find someone who I feel will give me the answer and ask. Friday afternoon I asked Bedsy why Travis wasn't named to this team. This is how it was explained to him. The coaches were asked to vote on 1 rookie to fill each of the positions of Right Wing, Left Wing, and Center, 1 goalie and 2 defensemen. (Notice they didn't ask for 3 forwards, but one of each position on the forward line). Travis is a Center, as is David Desharnais of Cincinnati. I think we can all agree that Desharnais should have been a part of this team too. Where the problem lies is that the ECHL listed the forward lines as just that, forwards, instead of listing specific positions next to the ones that made the team. Had the ECHL asked those coaches to vote on 3 forwards for this team instead of 1 for each position, then it is very likely that Travis would have been on it.
Posted by hattrik on April 5 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the clarification, RF34. Rays fans and the Caps organization know that he should have been named and this is what is most important.
Posted by rays_fan on April 6 at 1:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To start with, obviously Morin had a great season and deserved recognition for it in the form of a post season award. That said, and given the post above from RF34, take a look at the dynamic of the voting.
It's a joke - is it just me or does it remind you of a High School All-Conference sort of voting process?! Let's face it, the COACHES vote, and this is the business of sports. Morin fell victim to a 'good-old-boys' club of sorts. We must not be in the Inner Circle (Meet the Fockers reference...) yet. Look at the NHL - the coaches do not vote for awards like Rookie of the Year or MVP. Seriously.
What's done is done. Nice season Travis - we all appreciate your efforts! Hopefully your name missing from the list(s) of post season recognition gives you a bit of a chip on your shoulder and you can help carry the Rays to the Kelly Cup.
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