BARONS RECALL RAJALA, ABNEY
The Oklahoma City Barons are running into injury troubles, and have put out the call to Stockton for wingers Cameron Abney and Toni Rajala. Both men are recent Oiler draft picks–Rajala a 4th round pick in 2009 and Abney a 3rd rd selection, same year.
At 5.10, 163, Rajala is a longshot when he gets off the bus. However, the young man from Finland is very skilled and was having a terrific time in Stockton.
- Stockton Coach Matt Thomas: “He’s not a huge guy, but he’s got great speed and vision, and every time he has the puck you think he can do something with it. Size doesn’t mean that you are quick or smart, and Toni is both.”
Rajala is 14, 11-12-23 with the Thunder so far this season and had a fine year in the SM-Liiga last winter. He is a guy fans like me cheer for because the bias against his player type is enormous despite evidence that smaller players can be effective.
Abney is the exact opposite of Rajala. Abney’s size (6.05, 205) and ability to fight make him a prospect of note despite a limited arsenal as a hockey player.
The callups were made necessary after this past weekend, when Tyler Pitlick and Tanner House were both concussed, and Antti Tyrvainen suffered a broken wrist.
Neither callup would be considered a strong prospect, although I believe Rajala has a chance. The Barons begin a seven-game stretch away from home Wednesday in Cedar Park, Texas against the Texas Stars.
Who would of thought, having depth pays off.
I think you meant Rajala went 11-12-23, not 13.
Don’t know why those two players are even in the same league, let alone the same conversation. Sheesh.
Fixed. Thanks. BQ
As much as I know Rajala is the better hockey player, I bet Abney has more NHL GP when all is said and done.
Yeah, I guess if SMac can do 90+ NHL games, Abney is odds on to do fairly well.
You’d think a player like St. Louis would have at least given some GMs pause for thought.
LT, just to clarify, Abney was an Everett Silvertip when he was selected by the Oilers. He was then traded to the Oil Kings.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2009e.html
From hockey futures:
2009-10: Abney began his second season in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips before being acquired by the Edmonton Oil Kings in a December trade for center Clayton Cumiskey.
Ah, damn. I knew that. Got home right at 5 and wanted to post this quickly. Sorry.
Lowetide,
No worries … so many transactions, so little time.
He’s of the Musil line, instead of the Ewanyk and Moroz.story.
<feel free to delete these two posts LT.
Regwald: Never!
The great thing about this blog is we’re a collective. Until 7 of 9 arrives, we’re all equal. When that happens, I’ll kill all of you in your sleep.
Lowetide,
Ha ! Speaking of which, you should have her as “hockey distraction pic” … she’s a 10 !
So long as it doesn’t lead to being killed in my sleep, I agree.
jp,
Agreed.
Didn’t see it posted yet, so I figured I would post the link to Central Scouting’s latest list
Central Scouting
The top 20 N/A skaters below.
1 Seth Jones D Portland 6’3.5 208
2 Hunter Shinkaruk C Medicine Hat 5’10.25 181
3 Ryan Pulock D Brandon 6’0.5 211
4 Shea Theodore D Seattle 6’1.75 182
5 Morgan Klimchuk LW Regina 5’11.5 180
6 Joshua Morrissey D Prince Albert 5’11.75 182
7 Mirco Muller D Everett 6’3.25 184
8 Curtis Lazar C Edmonton 5’11.75 193
9 Eric Roy D Brandon 6’2.5 187
10 Madison Bowey D Kelowna 6’0.75 200
11 Oliver Bjorkstrand RW Portland 5’10.5 167
12 Dillion Heatherington D Swift Current 6’3 196
13 JC Lipon C Kamloops 5’11.5 180
14 Kayle Doetzel D Red Deer 6’2.25 190
15 Nicolas Petan C Portland 5’8.5 163
16 Mason Geertsen D Vancouver 6’3 199
17 Gregory Chase C Calgary 6’0 195
18 Marc McNulty D Prince George 6’5.75 185
19 Connor Rankin LW Tri-City 5’11.75 194
20 Colby Cave C Swift Current 5’11.75 185
JCLipon FTW
regwald,
You mean Top 20 WHL Prospects….
Evilas,
Sorry, didn’t notice that they posted them by each league.
I believe Cornet was also recalled but is doubtful for tonight cuz he’s a bit sick.