Friday Lake Erie announced their training camp roster. Official camp starts Wednesday, October 3rd from noon to 2:30 pm @ Hoover Arena at IceLand USA which can be found at 15381 Royalton Road Cleveland, OH 44136.

Lake Erie Monsters Training Camp Roster:

Forwards:

#7 AJ Gale
#10 Jamie MacQueen
#11 Andrew Agozzino
#14 David van der Gulik
#16 Geoff Walker
#17 Ben Wilson
#18 Mike Connolly
#20 Bryan Lerg
#23 Dean Strong
#26 Matt Tassone
#27 Brad Smyth
#28 Paul Carey
#29 Bill Thomas
#38 Joey Hishon
#40 Mark Olver
#42 Brad Malone
#43 Michael Sgarbossa
#45 Luke Walker
#48 Mitchell Heard
#58 Patrick Bordeleau

Defensemen:

#2 Joel Couinard
#4 Kane Lafranchise
#3 Karl Stollery
#8 Barry Goers
#12 Aaron Gens
#22 Thomas Pock
#24 Cameron Gaunce
#37 Sean Sullivan
#41 Tyson Barrie
#46 Stefan Elliott
#47 Gabriel Beaupre
#51 Markus Lauridsen

Goalies:

#30 Sami Aittokallio
#31 Calvin Pickard
#32 Kieran Millan
#34 Kent Patterson

Today, Semyon Varlamov became the first member of the Colorado Avalanche to sign overseas with another team. Varlamov will be playing for the rebuilt Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team. There was a rumor last week about him signing (as discussed here), but nothing was confirmed until today. You may remember that Varlamov began playing for Lokomotiv when he was 11 years old, and that he nearly went back to play for them when he and the Washington Capitals were in a contract dispute. I think most of us assumed that if he chose to play elsewhere, he would go back to Lokomotiv, a place that he calls his “second home”. I know there are some out there who are worried that Varls might injure himself, and endanger the Avs season, should it ever start after this indeterminable lockout. I am personally not one of them. Yes, there are risks that come with playing hockey, but there are risks in life as well. Varlamov could wake up tomorrow, eat some of his mother’s pancakes, and strain his back, hello remember Dustin Penner? While he does increase his risk of injury, he was never completely free of it either. Honestly, I think it is in his best interests, for a young player like Varlamov in the goaltending position to play professionally. He needs to stay sharp, and losing a year at this crucial stage of development could hinder his performance for the rest of his career. Varlamov’s main problem now is his consistency; and I think we should applaud him for doing his best to play in as many games as possible, so that he can strengthen his mental edge. Let’s remember too that Varlamov won the World Championships in May-he could very well be on the edge of establishing himself as an elite goaltender, but to do that he needs to be performing in high-intnsity situations.

Also, the NHL announced today that they have cancelled the rest of the preseason. This means the Avalanche lose three more games, including the novelty one to be held in Kansas City against the Rangers.

 

Mis-identification Hockey Syndrome (henceforth to be called MHS) is an illness that affects the most passionate of the hockey fans. At first, it seems rational. That guy at the gym really did look like Shane O’Brien. Inevitably though, the brain begins to delude itself into believing that someone looks like a hockey player, when in fact, the two look nothing alike. MHS occurs most frequently during the offseason, and can often be relieved during the season. Unfortunately, with this year’s lockout, people suffering from MHS are only going to find themselves mistaken more frequently. I have recognized the symptoms in myself, as I have thought that Stefan Elliott was walking his dog in the same park as I, Peter Mueller was the guy biking down the Boulder Creek Path, and, most recently, that Carl Hagelin was doing yardwork shirtless on my street.

If you find yourself shocked by the sight of Patrick Kane at your grocery store, walk yourself through the following questions. They will hopefully save you from yourself.

1. Stop. Just stop. I know you were just about to run screaming towards the alleged hockey player.

2. Ask yourself “Is it feasible that [insert hockey player's name] would be here in, this city/town?” (Think about recent tweets, if they have a twitter, and your location. Are you just 30 minutes north of the city they play in? Or are you in a state that they have never lived in or played for, to the best of your knowledge? Is something exciting happening nearby that might draw a bored hockey player searching for meaning in his now empty life?)

3. Let’s say you have come up with a somewhat reasonable explanation for why that player could be in your current vicinity. Next, look at what the alleged player is doing. Is this an activity that you can see that player partaking in? (Remind yourself that it is unlikely that players have begun working in the food service industry or working in your local department stores selling shoes. At least, not yet.)

4. Now, you’ve convinced yourself that whatever this person is doing is indeed, something that the player would do. Take a closer look. While your favorite player undoubtedly goes grocery shopping, is this person purchasing the type of food a high performance athlete would eat? (Disreguard this question if you think you’ve spotted Dustin Byfuglien.) While the player most likely enjoys bike rides to keep in shape, is this person biking at the pace that a ridiculously fit person would bike at? (Disreguard this question if the person seems to be enjoying a conversational ride.) Does the player you think you’ve spotted even have a dog? (Be honest, now.)

5. Let’s say that, once again, you have responded in the affirmative to these questions. Walk calmly closer.

6. Re-examine the features that you believe belong to a hockey player. Does your initial assessment still hold up?

7. Really? He does? You’re sure?

8. Okay, if you’re sure.

9. Proceed to act as you would if this person is the alleged hockey player.

10. You only have yourself to blame for not answering these questions honestly. (Or congratulations on recognizing an actual hockey player!)

 

Cheers, everybody. Together, we can help those with MHS.

 

A few days ago, Ryan O’Byrne informed the world of his plans for the lockout via his twitter account. O’Byrne will be staying in his home town of Victoria, British Columbia, and serving as an assistant coach for the Victoria Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are a junior team, and in their statement, they made it clear that O’Byrne will only serve for the duration of the lockout (aka if negotiations miraculously resumed tomorrow and the season started on time, O’Byrne would be uninhibited to serve out his contract with the Avalanche. I’m not surprised to see O’Byrne go the coaching route, for a couple of reasons. First, as a coach he is unlikely to be injured (jeapardizing any chance of playing in an NHL season this year, and putting himself in a potentially sticky insurance situation). Second, O’Byrne once said that one of the most important things to take care of whilst playing hockey, is trying to set yourself up for a successful career once hockey is done. O’Byrne has already done some work with the NHL network as a playoff analyst, and this coaching position is only going to widen his options (and contacts) post playing. Also, O’Byrne obviously enjoys teaching kids, as he hosts a camp for kids during the summer.

Another piece of news reguarding Avalanche players and their lockout plans comes from the Gabriel Landeskog camp. Landeskog will NOT be wearing a Lake Erie Monsters uniform at any point this season. Some people were taken by surprise when they heard this, but I wasn’t. The Avalanche only reassigned a few players (who would have started the season in Lake Erie anyways). While other teams reassigned many players, the Avalanche were careful to avoid this. I don’t know what the thinking is behind this move (or lack of one), but it made it clear to me that the team was unlikely to send it’s newly named captain (and reigning leading goal scorer) to the AHL. I think it’s a shame, but that’s all I’ll say on the matter until I learn more.

The NHL has announced the cancellation of all preseason games up to September 30. This means that the previously scheduled game at home against the Los Angeles Kings, the game in the Honda Center against the Anaheim Ducks, and Frozen Fury XV. The Avalanche have also decided personally to cancel the Burgundy and White game.

The really big disappointments to come out of this are the cancellations of Frozen Fury XV, an annual game played in Las Vegas, and the Burgundy and White Game, an annual intramural squad scrimmage open to the fans. Each of these novelty events is always eagerly anticipated by fans and players alike.

By cancelling these games, the NHL has handed us our first loss of the 2012-2013 season. Hopefully we won’t face too many more.

I just wanted to update you fine readers on a few things that have transpired over the last week or so in Cleveland. Both items are hockey related and both will bring new attention and more “Cleveland” into the Lake Erie organization.

First up was the announcement that Jock Callander will be joining the coaching staff this year as an assistant coach to supplement David Oliver. Jock Callander is a bit of hockey royalty in Cleveland. Jock played for the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the IHL for seven seasons and would become the IHL’s leading scorer 1,402 career points. Jock will still retain his prior position of Director of Hockey Affairs and Team Services with the Monsters as well as his new duty. Callander has had prior coaching experience as well when he was an assistant coach for the Lumberjacks here in Cleveland and then with the Houston Aeros of the AHL. There hasn’t been word yet on what his specific duties will be, but his presence and experience will be welcomed behind the Monsters bench.

The second development was the unveiling of the Monsters new home uniform and the addition of the city of Cleveland’s name to the Lake Erie Monsters primary logo. The addition was done as recognition of the city and its fans commitment to hockey. It also clarifies the team’s home in the eyes of some people. When you think of Lake Erie, you don’t always think of just Cleveland and this will let people know exactly where the Monsters hail from. The new home uniform will be white with black and red accents and the lower portions of the sleeves will be a red then a black band to the cuffs.

Home White

Road Wine

I don’t have a lot of information on Avalanche player’s plans for the lockout. According to Adrian Dater of the Denver Post, however, Matt Duchene, along with some other teammates, intend to stay in Colorado for some time at least and continue training as they would in the offseason. I don’t know exactly which other members of the team are in Denver, but based on their tweets, I believe both Paul Stastny and Gabriel Landeskog are in the Mile High City at this time. Meanwhile, the Avalanche’s European fanclub, the Eurolanche received the statement from Jan Hejda that he will wait until November to make any decisions about joining another team.

The Eurolanche have also released a statement saying that it is confirmed that Varlamov has signed with his former team, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. I tried to find further information on this, and have found no other confirmation behind this statement. However, I’ll let you know if Varls name appears on Lokomotiv’s roster. There have also been rumors that Paul Stastny will join his brother, Yan, in Germany should the lockout last.

At this point in time, rumors are flying. We here at Get Higher would like for everyone to take the things they read with a grain of salt: until you see it confirmed by either the team or the player, please consider it speculation. As of right now NO AVALANCHE PLAYERS HAVE SIGNED WITH A EUROPEAN TEAM.

 

Well, technically I am locked out of the Pepsi Center. I am not locked out from writing though. Yes, that’s right. Get Higher will be here for the duration of the lock out, continuing to post as if this is merely the off-season. And, let’s be real here. The only difference between the off-season and a lockout is that during your off-season, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. In this case, we have no idea when the NHL and the NHLPA decide to get their compromise on. (And by saying “NHL and the NHLPA”, I was diplomatically hiding my view that THE NHL IS TO BLAME FOR THIS.) Don’t you just feel so much better now that I’ve explained the difference between the two to you? Yeah? Me neither.

I just re-read my first post during the lockout era. Technically, I wrote that last night, and published it this morning. (I’m not sure why I waited on that post, but won’t on this one. I’m fickle, I guess.) Anyways, I just started laughing at the end. I totally forgot to mention the biggest thing I will be doing during this lockout: CRYING. I mean I won’t be roaming the streets of Boulder, CO with tears running down my face-I do have some pride after all. However, I will be sobbing on the inside. Also, there may be real tears if we get to January and I’m reduced to reading tweets from Lando about all the hot Swedish models he’s meeting as he plays in the Swedish Elite League, I mean not being able to hold his salad fork correctly his life.

At this point, there is only one way to put things. (Well, there are many ways. This is the general sentiment now though.

 

So. We’ve now been officially locked out. You know what happened last lockout? A horrible thing. A 10 year old girl forgot about hockey and focused on soccer and school. She barely paid attention for the NEXT THREE YEARS. BECAUSE EVIL FORCES HAD TAKEN AWAY THE SPORT AND THEN HER DEVELOPING BRAIN PUSHED IT TO THE BACK OF THE “JOY” PILE AND IT LAID THERE DUSTY AND DESOLATE. Spoiler alert: I’m talking about me. Only this time, I am all too cognizant of what is happening. My brain (while still developing), will not cast aside this joy again. Instead, it will grieve.

I know that hockey is not gone. I know that there is the AHL, the CHL, ECHL, college teams to watch. Still, let’s be honest: only one team holds my heart. That team wears burgundy and blue. That team has a dorky little arch that they lower before every game to dramatize the entrance. That team wears a yeti’s footprint on their shoulder, and a natural disaster on their front. That team…oh how I love that team. Don’t get me wrong, I love the sport of hockey, and will surely enjoy watching other teams. Yet none of them will ignite that same fire in my belly. None of their jerseys will send “happy” neurons firing through my brain. (I’m too tired to be scientific. Apologies, mainly to my science teachers, should you ever read this.)

So after these two paragraphs, I’ve probably deepened your depression even further. To show you that you’re not alone, here’s a list of my planned activities this week:

• Screaming. Lots of screaming. I like to do this when I’m frustrated. Unfortunately, if you scream too loudly, people tend to call the cops. (You notice how someone only reports screaming in unnecessary situations? Where were these goody two shoes during EVERY episode of “Criminal Minds?”) Thus, I will be screaming into my pillow. That way, the only ones who can hear me are my concerned cat and dog.

• I am going to get a killer work out on the eliptical. Every time I swing my arm/foot forward, I am going to imagine I am beating the owners into submission.
• I am going to take a personal health day. For me, this means reading Harry Potter in bed, curled up with my cat, eating cereal all day.
• I will leave all  of my Avalanche gear stored away in it’s dresser corner. (At the beginning of summer, I stored it up hoping for luck during the upcoming season. Obviously, I read the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants one too many times. Also, I was not specific in my desire that the upcoming season would be starting in October 2012.)

Alright, that’s about all I can write.

As of Wednesday the Colorado Avalanche placed six players on waivers to play for the Lake Erie Monsters during the lockout. Patrick Bordeleau , Bryan Lerg, Thomas Pock, Sean Sullivan, Bill Thomas, and David Van Der Gulik, cleared waivers and will be on the Monsters roster. These six were among almost sixty players sent down to the AHL from their parent clubs in preparation for the impending lockout.

There also has been no word as of 8:30 pm EST if Gabriel Landeskog will also find himself in a Monsters sweater to start the season.