Ah what the hell... I'll do it with a couple of my players too... Mind you these are cut and pastes... lol
"KOPING" WITH STARDOMJust two games into his NHL career, and already Anze Kopitar is a star in Los Angeles. While most rookies get acclimated to the National Hockey League with 10 or 12 minutes of ice time per game to start, Kopitar has become the go-to guy for the Kings. And he just turned 19 years old.
While his Los Angeles rookie teammate Patrick Osullivan has gone the traditional route of being eased into the lineup at 10 minutes per game, Kopitar played more than 20 minutes in each of his first two games -- more than any other L.A. forward. He did not waste that ice time either, potting two goals in the first game, and setting up three more on Saturday.
The big, Slovenian center was a first round draft pick (11th overall) in 2005. When Kopitar elected to play in Sweden last season, Kings' brass was disappointed that he would not get accustomed to the North American game by playing in the American Hockey League. However, early results in the 2006-07 season indicate that Kopitar is more than ready for the top-line center role that coach Marc Crawford thrust upon him.
AND...
SWEDISH ELITSERIEN
The Washington Capitals have to be elated with 2006 first-round draft pick (No. 4 overall) Nicklas Backstrom's start in the Swedish elite league this season. After 10 games, Backstrom--who turns 19 next month--was in first place in league scoring with 13 points, including nine assists. . Next year, expect to see Backstrom feeding Alexander Ovechkincrisp passes in D.C.