Nativehockey.com - Promoting Indigenous Hockey in North America

September 2002

Cheechoo Sees Ice Time in Sharks Pre-season

Jon Cheechoo is making an impression on the San Jose Sharks during their pre-season. Cheechoo has received high marks from the first pre-season game vs. the Kings, and looked strong once again in the September 21 game in Colorado, receiving a regular shift as well as being placed on both the power-play and penalty kill.

The first period was Cheechoo's strongest vs. the Avs. He looked comfortable and tallied an assist in San Jose's first goal. Nerves started showing through in the second and third period against a strong Colorado team, but Cheechoo worked through the rest of the game with a strong effort and received much attention from the coaching staff, indicating that he has a good chance of making the team this year.

Last year, Cheechoo played his first professional year for Cleveland of the AHL. He was voted as a started for the AHL All-Star game, but was unable to participate due to injury. This injury prevented his chances for a call-up during the regular season, but he was place on the Sharks roster during the play-offs.

Avalanche Training Camp Brings 3 Natives

Three Natives are set to join the Colorado Avalanche for their 2002 fall training camp. Colt King and Cody McCormick will both be in the rookie training camp that began on Sept. 6 and will also participate in the regular camp. K.C. Timmons, whom played for the Hershey Bears of the AHL last season will also be at the main camp beginning Friday, Sept 13.

Last season Colt King played for the North Bay Centennials of the OHL, while Cody McCormick played for the Belleville Bulls of the same league. Both Cody and K.C. Timmons also participated in Team Indigenous in the year 2000, while Colt was on the roster for the 2001 season.

2002 Draft

Lance Monych (Metis) was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 4th round (97th Overall) of this years draft. The 20 year old right winger played for the Brandon Wheat Kings during the 2001-02 season, tallying 18 goals, 30 assists and 96 penalty minutes in his 71 regular season games.