Benn Olson takes ECHL loan that Anton Klementyev wouldn't
by Dominik on Jan 19, 2012 5:16 PM EST
in Roster Manoeuvres in the Dark
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Bridgeport Sound Tiger Benn Olson is 24, an undrafted veteran of 98 ECHL games, five WHL seasons before that, without an NHL contract. Olson's teammate (until recently) Anton Klementyev is 21, has an entry level (two-way) NHL contract, and even has a token NHL game under his belt.
One already appears to be a hockey lifer, willing to go from team to team to try to climb the rung and chase the dream. The other took a chance on the team that took a chance on him, coming from Russia to a strange land, in a strange league, to give the NHL path a try as a fifth-round pick.
In the interest of that chase, when the Islanders tried to have Klementyev get more reps on an ECHL loan, he declined and instead fled back home. Two weeks later, Olson is accepting a similar assignment (to a different ECHL team). As was the intent for Klementyev's loan to Idaho, Bridgeport coach Brent Thompson explained to the CTPost, Olson is "going to play a lot of games, and obviously he’ll be back and ready to play with us."
It's not exactly fair to compare their situations: Klementyev's former KHL team was erased in an instant in the Lokomotiv tragedy on the eve of the season; that can get a man to ponder his place, his connections, his family while toiling in a foreign place with a foreign language. He had a contract with his old club's successor waiting for him when he returned home. (Not sure how it compares to his North American deal, which included a low AHL wage but also a nice signing bonus.)
With plenty of Islanders defensive prospects populating the Sound Tigers and in the prospect pipeline, Klementyev's chances of breaking through were always going to be daunting -- though youth was on his side.
Olson -- who does not have an NHL contract -- also faces slim chances, but he is living the life of so many North American pro hockey aspirants. To refuse the loan and chance to play would be to quit the dream.
Each is acting in his own interest, for what he sees as right for him. There's no wrong or right for decisions at the low levels of this oddest of professions.
But their paths are a reminder of how tough it is to make the NHL, how unglamorous the chase when you've yet to taste nice hotels, chartered flights, big bucks, and the singular privilege of Pierre McGuire shouting into a microphone just a few feet away from where you ply your trade.
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You know my concerns
Is that 6’04!!!!!!!!!! or 6’4" ? makes a big difference. [double meaning there somewhere]
Are you sure you're in the right thread
Or are you really turning a quickie post about the career decisions of minor pros into a question of height?
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Well at 215 and a D
I think my question of an extra 4’’ might effect that career.
Or it could make him Boris Valabik
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
if anything, Olsen is huge, and friggin tough as nails
not sure he’ll ever be an nhler, but who knows. the difference between him and klementyev is that olsen is already home (north america) and olsen doesn’t have a contract in russia just waiting for him to come home to and sign.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Jan 19, 2012 6:39 PM EST reply actions
Considering everything that's happened to Klementyev this past year
I have no problem if he decides to go play back home. I never want to see a prospect not work out, but due to the tragic circumstances of the Lokomotiv plane crash, I can’t even imagine what’s going on in Anton’s head. I hope he plays solid hockey in Russia and returns to the organization in the future, but for now it might be best for him to gain some perspective.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Jan 19, 2012 9:46 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Agreed
If there were ever an interest from either party in him coming back, I’d cut him slack for those reasons. He’s still quite young and he’s spent some very young years in a strange land.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jan 19, 2012 10:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
I know if I was in his shoes I’d wanna go back home and play there and be with my family, as well. Best wishes to him, that’s gotta be so tough.
by sayvillelax94 on Jan 19, 2012 11:52 PM EST up reply actions
It had to be Alaska......
Like the Aces need any more help. Pffft…… Aces are the sworn enemy of the LV Wranglers. If he’s still there, I’ll get a chance to see Olsen the first weekend in February.
"This season is a serious misallocation of valuable hockey resources"- Saving Private Tavares
Whoa, seriously thought the headline was Bree Olson
I got excited, though also confused as to why the “goddess,” as some know her (I know of her a slightly different way…) would be on LHH.
Needless to say, I think it might be time for bed.
seriously
Anton must know many families affected by the Lokomotiv disaster – if his going back helps ease that pain, good on him
He probably had trouble communicating his situation – he’s been visibly miserable all season
by Cary K on Jan 20, 2012 9:18 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
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