Devils prospect update: Aaron Voros

http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7248~1751156,00.html

Article Published: Friday, November 07, 2003 - 3:16:19 AM AKST

Scoring from the bench is impossible

By RICHARD LARSON

The University of Alaska Fairbanks hockey team really could have used Aaron Voros late in last Saturday night's 3-2 loss at Ohio State.

With the team creating offensive chances, the Nanooks would have benefited from having the 6-4, 193-pound junior's grit and toughness in front of the net. His tendency to draw the goaltender and defensemen's attention and his ability to score those ugly goals from in close that often win hockey games would have been valuable as the Nanooks fought for a key road victory.

Instead he was sitting on the bench.

And rightfully so. UAF coach Guy Gadowsky would rather have seen Voros on the ice, too. But since Gadowsky's choices seemed to be limited to seeing Voros in the penalty box or on the bench, he chose to put the New Jersey Devils draft choice were he could do the least harm.

After taking a charging penalty early in the second period, Voros was benched the rest of the period. He was given another chance to prove himself in the third period, but on his first shift back on the ice he took another penalty for checking from behind and was benched for the remainder of the game.
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Voros is an attention-grabbing player on the ice and his penalties hardly ever go unnoticed. Because he already has a reputation, he gets some calls against him just because he is Aaron Voros; meaning that if anything, he needs to be more under control than the average player.

His style of play can be very effective. Often when he takes a penalty, he takes another player or two with him to the box. He can get under the skin of opposing players, especially goaltenders. It can be a tough line to find between being aggressive and taking unneeded penalties, but Voros needs to find that line.

He can be one of the best and most feared players in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. He works hard and has viable aspirations of developing into an NHL player. He calls his style of play his meal ticket to the NHL, but part of his development needs to be showing the ability to adapt to games as they are being called.

Voros' problem is college hockey. He can't play his physical style of game without getting penalized. The guy has more heart and grit than anyone on the ice on any given night and he's not allowed to use it. He doesn't take stupid penalties either. Just wait until he's in a position where he can play his game against bigger guys that he can hammer and not get elbowing calls because they are 5'9. The guy can't help it, he's 6'4. Plus, when you add up his consecutive whole period benchings, they add up to two full games. How the hell is he supposed to produce from the bench? He needs to get out of college so we can see what he's really capable of. I hope NJ doesn't leave him at UAF for another year.

I would like to see him in Albany next year, his rookie season he was a monster in every aspect of the game.

His game sometimes scares the hell out of me, espicially when he's got the puck. The other night against the stars he blindly throws the puck in front our own net with nobody there but a Dallas player and before you knew it a 1-0 game turned into 2-0 game and there went our streak. It's a shame cause he's a monster on skates.

His game sometimes scares the hell out of me, espicially when he's got the puck. The other night against the stars he blindly throws the puck in front our own net with nobody there but a Dallas player and before you knew it a 1-0 game turned into 2-0 game and there went our streak. It's a shame cause he's a monster on skates.

Buddy, what are you talking about the Dallas Stars?

His game sometimes scares the hell out of me, espicially when he's got the puck. The other night against the stars he blindly throws the puck in front our own net with nobody there but a Dallas player and before you knew it a 1-0 game turned into 2-0 game and there went our streak. It's a shame cause he's a monster on skates.
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Sorry about that folks, I'm in the wrong thread!!! This was suppose to be in the Kadeiken Article thread. :confused:

"I can fix this Steven" The Cable Guy

I was talking about Colin White.

How often did you see him in BC? What was he like in those junior leagues. When was the last time you saw him play?

Voros was a killer in Junior A, he led the country in playoff goals the year they were BCHL champs. They just tore down Memorial Arena in Vic, and when he found out he said "What do you mean they tore down my house?" He owned that building, he was the show in junior, real agressive, played his heart out every night. The last time I saw him play was Oct 31,Nov 1 at Ohio St. and he was benched all but one shift of both the second and third periods. He may take penalties but there was no way that team was going to win with him on the bench.

From what I understand Lou returns every phone call or email he gets. But I don't know how you would get his email address.

Great stuff, I already made like 5 emails to NJ staff commenting on his play and how I want him to turn pro, I don't really think they even read the emails but it was worth a shot.

I can't wait for him to turn pro and someday be in the devils lineup.

Yeah, me too, he'll get there.

Voros' problem is college hockey. He can't play his physical style of game without getting penalized. The guy has more heart and grit than anyone on the ice on any given night and he's not allowed to use it. He doesn't take stupid penalties either. Just wait until he's in a position where he can play his game against bigger guys that he can hammer and not get elbowing calls because they are 5'9. The guy can't help it, he's 6'4. Plus, when you add up his consecutive whole period benchings, they add up to two full games. How the hell is he supposed to produce from the bench? He needs to get out of college so we can see what he's really capable of. I hope NJ doesn't leave him at UAF for another year.

First off, UAF is not exactly a powerhouse team and the CCHA currently isn't as dominant as some would lead you to believe. So it doesn't surprise me to see Voros struggling and/or not playing. Frankly, I wish he played for a program like Minnesota. They'd make better use of his talents.

Next, the NCAA has plenty of players that are big. Case & point: Brian Boyle (BC), Art Femenella (Vermont) and John Scott (MTU)....all of them are over 6'6''.

Finally, if you don't think that things don't get chippy in the NCAA, then you obviously missed the brawl fest (particularly the 3rd period) between UNH and RPI over the weekend.

On a slightly different topic. I'm surprised that none of you Devils fans are talking about Kenny Magowan. He's been terrific for BU thus far.

First off, UAF is not exactly a powerhouse team and the CCHA currently isn't as dominant as some would lead you to believe. So it doesn't surprise me to see Voros struggling and/or not playing. Frankly, I wish he played for a program like Minnesota. They'd make better use of his talents.

Next, the NCAA has plenty of players that are big. Case & point: Brian Boyle (BC), Art Femenella (Vermont) and John Scott (MTU)....all of them are over 6'6''.

Finally, if you don't think that things don't get chippy in the NCAA, then you obviously missed the brawl fest (particularly the 3rd period) between UNH and RPI over the weekend.

On a slightly different topic. I'm surprised that none of you Devils fans are talking about Kenny Magowan. He's been terrific for BU thus far.

http://www.hockeyeastonline.com/frames/stats/bu04.html

Ken Magowan: Seven goals in twelve games. Link above for his stats complete stats.

First off, UAF is not exactly a powerhouse team and the CCHA currently isn't as dominant as some would lead you to believe. So it doesn't surprise me to see Voros struggling and/or not playing. Frankly, I wish he played for a program like Minnesota. They'd make better use of his talents.

Next, the NCAA has plenty of players that are big. Case & point: Brian Boyle (BC), Art Femenella (Vermont) and John Scott (MTU)....all of them are over 6'6''.

Finally, if you don't think that things don't get chippy in the NCAA, then you obviously missed the brawl fest (particularly the 3rd period) between UNH and RPI over the weekend.

On a slightly different topic. I'm surprised that none of you Devils fans are talking about Kenny Magowan. He's been terrific for BU thus far.

Alright, nobody said UAF was a power house, they are far from it. Voros needs some decent players that are going to help him out a little. Case in point, his freshman year it was Bobby Andrews. And just like every NHL team passed him up in the 2001 draft until NJ got lucky in the 8th, so did most of the bigger schools because they thought he was loose cannon. It's that heart that is his best asset. And I don't think he could have a better coach than Guy Gadowski at UAF, he has many of the same attributes as Aaron and loves the way he plays. Anyplace where you have to wear a mask is no place for Voros, he can't even fight, which is another one of his talents. Everyone knows you can't showcase that aspect of the game if you play in the NCAA. There are lots of big guys who are decent skaters I agree, but they don't have the intensity Voros does. He's got a great all round package, skating, scoring and guys who challenge him once he gets out of college are going to get done.

Magowan has been a lone bright spot in the foward ranks that are BU. If he can keep this goal pace up itll be great for the team, and it could mean that Kenny has finally arrived after being a highly touted recruit for BU. THe terriers really need for him to keep it up. I thought he was a better player then his stats showed last year, and now its being proven.

Alright, nobody said UAF was a power house, they are far from it. Voros needs some decent players that are going to help him out a little. Case in point, his freshman year it was Bobby Andrews. And just like every NHL team passed him up in the 2001 draft until NJ got lucky in the 8th, so did most of the bigger schools because they thought he was loose cannon. It's that heart that is his best asset. And I don't think he could have a better coach than Guy Gadowski at UAF, he has many of the same attributes as Aaron and loves the way he plays. Anyplace where you have to wear a mask is no place for Voros, he can't even fight, which is another one of his talents. Everyone knows you can't showcase that aspect of the game if you play in the NCAA. There are lots of big guys who are decent skaters I agree, but they don't have the intensity Voros does. He's got a great all round package, skating, scoring and guys who challenge him once he gets out of college are going to get done.

I agree with you on UAF's lack of better players and especially about Guy Gadowski. However, I do think he would fare better playing for a school like Minnesota, for example, from the standpoint that the Gophers is a team that thrives on their hitting. Now whether Don Lucia would be a better coach for Voros than Gadowski, I couldn't tell you.

I disagree that there aren't other NCAA players who don't have Voros' intensity. There are several who do match his intensity, one player that comes to mind is Minnesota's Chris Harrington. This isn't a knock on Voros because I like the kid, even if I don't get to see him play as often as I'd like to.

Voros is suppost to play very mean and hard, a reall really hard hitter, even if he can't score goals, which he can, he would make a really solid 4th liner in the NHL. I really would like to see a couple tapes of him and see what type of speed and natural insticts he has.

Voros would rather not play than be a 4th liner in the NHL. The thing is he has pretty good natural speed, he's much faster than most guys his size. When I watched him play in Ohio he was always one of, if not the fastest guy on the ice during his shifts. He worked a lot with his power skating coach this summer which helped a lot. But again, he missed almost three quarters of last year with his tumour. To go through something that huge and be where he is right now is unreal.

How would you compare him to Tallackson, or have you ever seen tallackson play. He is really the only one I can compre him too.

I've never seen Tallackson play, we don't get a lot of the college games in Canada unless you have satellite, which I don't, and old guys at the bar never want to change the channel. But by the looks of his size, and what other people have said about him he might be similar to Voros. Tallackson also is two years younger which is to his advantage considering Voros is still trying to get back to where he was before his tumour. Who knows maybe both being Devils pics we'll see them together down the line LW RW and somebody else big in the middle. That could be an awsome line.

I heard he played his best game of the season vs Miami, 2 goals, a crossbar late, drew a couple penalties. This is the type of guy I want in NJ.

BTW, I didn't mean he would be a 4th liner, I said that he could be a great 4th liner even if he didn't have any offense.

No offense taken to the 4th liner statement, I totally agree, he could get away with being one just with his grit but he won't settle for that. He has to many other tools in his box!

and his game in Miami was a glimps of his freshman year, his multi point games are coming back....it's still there.

This is really first time I have heard about Voros(minus the scouting reports), sounds like the devs found another gem at power forward. Philman, Tallackson now this guy Voros. Wasn't long ago this was considered a weakness for us.

Speaking of Tallackson, has he recovered from his slow start? Wondering if he's wasting his time at Minnesota, maybe better served if he was at Albany.

A goal and an assists in the last game they played. I think you can say Tallackson, Ryznar, and Pihlman are all PF but Voros is more of a Bertuzzi/Neely forward. I am not saying he is as good as them or that he has that skill but it is rare you find a talented big guy that is actually that mean on the ice. When he hits, you know it. (as you see I read load of articles on him.

I forgot about Ryznar, damn were deep! :yo:

I just hope that between Ryznar, Tallackson, and Pihlman, somebody pans out. PFs seem to be hit or miss, and we could really use one. Imagine Elias-Parise-PF :bow: That's a handful.

I just hope that between Ryznar, Tallackson, and Pihlman, somebody pans out. PFs seem to be hit or miss, and we could really use one. Imagine Elias-Parise-PF :bow: That's a handful.

I hope it's Pihlman as he is the closest one and we could use one ASAP.

I hope it's Pihlman as he is the closest one and we could use one ASAP.
I expect Pihlman to be in the devils lineup next year, he just gets better and better. It always seems to take him a year to adapt to a new level. By the end of this year he should be one of the top players for Albany.

Tallackason is a enigma, he could go either way. One positive thing is that he always seems to play better in the big games and I think maybe he might be bored if thats possible at Minnesota, espicially now that have gotten off to a slow start, he would benefit turning pro next year.

Varos and Rynzar I have yet to see play but I hear nothing but good thing about them espicially Varos of late.

Voros was a killer in Junior A, he led the country in playoff goals the year they were BCHL champs. They just tore down Memorial Arena in Vic, and when he found out he said "What do you mean they tore down my house?" He owned that building, he was the show in junior, real agressive, played his heart out every night. The last time I saw him play was Oct 31,Nov 1 at Ohio St. and he was benched all but one shift of both the second and third periods. He may take penalties but there was no way that team was going to win with him on the bench.

Owned the building is right... he and Sigalet took the team on their backs in 2000. It was a treat to watch him. I keep saying the same things about him, but strength on the puck down low and the ability to come out from behind the net with the puck were his greatest attributes, as well as his shot.

Now if only Conte would give Kyle Greentree a sniff in the late rounds this year.. :)

I'm having my doubts about Pihlman, I know it takes time to adjust to North American style but he hasn't played one good game yet for Albany. He and Ruutu are in the same boat.

I haven't seen any of the Albany games(because I can't get them :( ) but that really doesn't surprise me, like I said it seems to take him a while to adapt. I did see him live at some Devils preseason games and he impressed me then so I'm not to concerned about the slow start. I remember John Madden started somewhat the same way when he got there.

Do you see any resemblence to Bertuzzi.

Don't know if he'll ever be as big as Bert, he'll probably round out at about 215 maybe 220 with full time training which he didn't do this summer weights wise. He's not a thick guy for 6'4, but he's by no means skinny. Not sure if extra weight would help him anyway, he's nice and agile at his current playing weight and seems to be able to throw the 195 around like he's 230. Definelty shows the same nastyness towards other players though.

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Owned the building is right... he and Sigalet took the team on their backs in 2000. It was a treat to watch him. I keep saying the same things about him, but strength on the puck down low and the ability to come out from behind the net with the puck were his greatest attributes, as well as his shot.

Now if only Conte would give Kyle Greentree a sniff in the late rounds this year.. :)

If only Greener could get a magical pair of skates for christmas that would make those "horrible skater" scouting reports disappear I'd agree. But there is a reason why he didn't make Kootenay when they invited him to camp. That was three years ago, and his skating still hasn't improved.

If only Greener could get a magical pair of skates for christmas that would make those "horrible skater" scouting reports disappear I'd agree. But there is a reason why he didn't make Kootenay when they invited him to camp. That was three years ago, and his skating still hasn't improved.

Hopefully Power Skating 101 is one of his freshman classes next year at UAF. ;)

Hopefully Power Skating 101 is one of his freshman classes next year at UAF. ;)

haha I agree, I'm sure he'll be fine. It will be interesting to see what kind of impact he can make at UAF next year....