Former Express defenseman Tim Smith is no longer a "former" Express defenseman. He is now "current" Express defenseman Tim Smith. Smith was one of the first draft picks in the new era of the Express franchise, and was a stalwart on the blueline during the expansion season last year. He was named to the NAHL league wide All-Rookie team, was an All-Central Division Defenseman, and was selected to play for the Central Division in the Top Prospects Tournament. His performance garnered him an offer from Providence College to play Division 1 college hockey, which he did (at least for 1 semester). However circumstances have now put him back in Owatonna with our favorite junior hockey team. He will be wearing jersey #23, and could be in uniform tonight for the Bismarck game. Welcome back to Owatonna Tim, and I can't wait to hear Express Public Address announcer Pete Kalan say "Starting on defense......from Superior, Wisconsin.......welcome back to Owatonna.....Tim Smith!!!"
Smith wasn't the only Express draft pick that joined the team this week, as 2009 pick Mike Yanis was also added to the roster. He is a 1991 birth year defenseman from Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. He is 6'1"/190 lbs, and will be wearing jersey #25.
My take: I couldn't believe this news when I heard it the other day, and I couldn't be happier. I haven't seen Yanis play yet and don't know much about him, but Smith immediately makes the Express a better team. What a difference a week makes. Last Wednesday: 6 game losing streak, major question mark in goal, and big problems on defense. Today: 2 game winning streak, solid goalie, and a vastly improved defense.
Also from the "Big News" department today:
- Encouraging development in Albert Lea - A group of Minneapolis businessmen are interested in buying the Albert Lea Thunder franchise. Read the article here: http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2010/jan/08/l-thunder-has-potential-buyer/ . This would be great news for our neighbors to the south, and a good thing for the Express as well.
- Aberdeen, South Dakota has been granted conditional approval for a membership in the NAHL. It's the lead article on the newly redesigned NAHL.com.
My take: Yesterday I was hoping for 6 teams in the Central Division, and now it looks like it could be 7 teams. Not sure the ramifications of that, or even if the league would allow, but it makes sense geographically. Aberdeen is not quite 6 hours from Owatonna, so it means overnight trips for the guys, and too long of a drive for all but the most ardent Express fans (although the speed limit is higher out in SoDak, so the endless hours of prairie go by a little quicker).
That's a lot of stuff for one day, and I could go on for another hour, but it is almost game time. For those of you that might read this during the game tonight, I will be live chatting on the blog. It will appear in a post above this post, and I encourage all of you to get your b2 broadcast ordered, and join us for a friendly chat.
See you at the rink.
--BK
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