Colin Campbell, Author at Boutique Hockey Agency - KO Sports

Jansen Harkins Forcing His Way in to Penguins Lineup

Posted on October 12, 2023

PITTSBURGH, PA – A late addition to the Pittsburgh Penguins training camp might find his name in the opening night roster.

When the Pittsburgh Penguins entered training camp, it was clear there was going to be a huge battle for multiple positions within the bottom-six forward group.

In the early days of camp, there were some obvious leaders like Drew O’Connor and Lars Eller; now, the Penguins have a late addition that has earned a real chance.

Jansen Harkins was claimed off of waivers from the Winnipeg Jets and after a couple of days or camp and a pair of preseason games, he looks like a perfect fit.

Analytics with Alison: Bellemare Deep Dive

Posted on October 10, 2023

SEATTLE, WA – Pierre-Edouard Bellemare knew quite a bit about the Seattle Kraken even before signing a one-year contract with the team this summer. The center played for Dave Hakstol when both were with the Flyers organization; he played with Andre Burakovsky in Colorado; and for 15 years, the Frenchman has lived a few houses down from friend and Kraken assistant captain Adam Larsson in Sweden.

But beyond the personal connections, there’s a bite to Bellemare’s game on the ice and the special ability to motivate and mentor off the ice that makes him a solid addition to the Seattle roster.

“I think (Bellemare) brings a lot,” Larsson said. “Even in the dressing room (he is) a veteran presence. He’s vocal and obviously he’s a proven steady center. I’m sure he will like the way we play here and how the team works together. I have only good things to say about him.”

Shane Wright still working hard as his Kraken camp nears its end

Posted on October 5, 2023

SEATTLE, WA – Kraken prospect Shane Wright was again one of the last players off the ice Wednesday morning before accompanying his travel group to British Columbia for the night’s penultimate preseason game.

Wright’s appearance in a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the B.C. town of Abbotsford will likely be his last this preseason as remaining players leave Thursday for Edmonton, Alberta, and Friday’s finale against the Oilers before the Oct. 10 regular-season opener. It has been a workmanlike training camp for last year’s No. 4 overall draft selection, evidenced not only by Wright staying late after practices but also his picking up on professional hockey nuances.

“I think, overall, I’m feeling more comfortable out there,” Wright, who assisted on a first period Andrew Poturalski goal, said before leaving for Wednesday’s game. “I’m more comfortable holding on to the puck a little bit more, making plays and understanding our systems just a little bit better. And understanding teammates and systems and all that.”

Penguins Claim Jansen Harkins off of Waivers from Winnipeg

Posted on October 2, 2023

PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pittsburgh Penguins have claimed forward Jansen Harkins off of waivers from the Winnipeg Jets, it was announced today by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas.

Harkins is signed through the 2023-24 campaign and his contract carries an average annual value of $850,000.

Harkins, 26, spent the 2022-23 campaign split between the Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. With Winnipeg, Harkins notched five points (3G-2A) in 22 games. He also established AHL career highs in goals (25), assists (25), points (50) and was plus-11 in 44 games with the Moose. His 25 goals ranked first and his 50 points were second on Manitoba, respectively.

Canucks counting on Ian Cole to show them his winning ways

Posted on September 24, 2023

VANCOUVER, BC – All the Vancouver Canuckshave done for most of the last eight years is lose. Ian Cole is the opposite.

While there hasn’t been a National Hockey League playoff game in Vancouver since 2015, Cole has made it to the Stanley Cup tournament the last nine seasons. And with six different teams.

The 34-year-old defenceman from Michigan has logged 116 playoff games, won a pair of Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and made it past the first round five times.

Kraken Camp Video: Why You’ll Love Pierre-Edouard Bellemare

Posted on September 24, 2023

SEATTLE, WA – Seattle training camp continued Friday at Kraken Community Iceplex, with new rounds of drills, scrimmages, and conditioning exercises. Among the new campers is Pierre-Edouard Bellmare, the pride of Le Blanc-Mesnil, France.

Pierre brings to the Kraken veteran savvy, penalty killing know-how, faceoff expertise, and a smile as wide as the Columbia river. Get to know Bellemare in today’s Kraken Reaction video.

Canucks: Why Ian Cole signed in Vancouver

Posted on September 15, 2023

VANCOUVER, BC – When you’ve been a defender in the NHL for 14 years, you get a sense of who is a challenging attacker.

Your job, after all, is to stop the guys who are trying to score.

Ian Cole has a good sense of what made the Vancouver Canucks tick offensively, both from playing against the likes of Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes, and from his teammates with top-end offensive talent.

Cole’s career resume is astounding when adding up the future hall of famers he’s counted as teammates, starting with this past season in Tampa Bay with Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. Or Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar before that in Colorado.

JT Compher looking to lock down things up the middle

Posted on September 8, 2023

DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Red Wings made some moves this off-season. They added a few pieces to their offense, hoping to strengthen the forward core, especially in the top six. One of their new additions should be able to lock down a centerman role with the team this season.

The Detroit Red Wings agreed to a five-year, $25.5 million contract with J.T. Compher, who’s been around for the last seven seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). For the Red Wings, Compher is someone who should be able to jump into the team’s forward core and hopefully have a positive impact immediately.

Joel Farabee discusses offseason training, Flyers’ chances in Q&A with NHL.com

Posted on August 17, 2023

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Joel Farabee was looking for a pregame cup of coffee before he strapped on the skates to take part in a Checking For Charity tournament game Friday.

It’s a quite a change from where he was a year ago, when Farabee still was recovering from artificial disk replacement surgery in his neck in June 2022. He was cleared for contact a week before the Flyers played their season opener.

He had 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 82 games last season, the most he’s had in his four NHL seasons. But with a regular offseason of training, the 23-year-old feels prepared to contribute more this season.

“When you have the full offseason to work out, I feel like you just have that extra jump in your legs or a little extra energy,” Farabee said. “You feel a lot better. … Just having that whole offseason to work out, your body’s just in a way better place to endure a long season.”

NHL.com caught up with Farabee and discussed several topics, including how his offseason has gone, becoming more of a leader, which teammate forcefully reassured him he was ready for contact last season, and more.