2/28 Prospect Update: Wedgewood's First Pro Shutout

This week was more exciting for the prospects than last. Reid Boucher has found himself closer to breaking Sarnia Sting goal scoring record, there were some notable performances by goalies, and a few prospects helped their team's clinch playoff spots in the OHL and WHL. Keep reading to see how everyone performed this week and for a few individual updates.

Notes:

• Reid Boucher played three games last week and scored six goals. Boucher is now just two goals away from breaking the single season goal scoring record set by Steven Stamkos. Sarnia head coach Jacques Beaulieu had nothing but praise for Boucher, saying he has never worked with a player like him. You can listen to his full opinion here. So far this season, Boucher has scored multiple goals in 14 games - he has had two hat tricks and two four-goal games. Last week, he had a six-point night (4 goals, 2 assists) in a 13-3 win over the Eerie Otters. Boucher is playing again tonight, so follow along on twitter or through the Sting website to perhaps see Boucher make Sarnia history! If he doesn't tie or break the record this evening, he will have six more games to get there.
• A few OHL and WHL teams clinched playoff spots last week including Artur Gavrus and the Owen Sound Attack, Damon Severson and the Kelowna Rockets, and Ben Thomson and the Kitchener Rangers.
• The University of North Dakota had two games last weekend, but Derek Rodwell didn't play in either of them. He was scratched from both games. He has yet to have a standout performance this season, and I imagine the coaching staff felt they gave him enough chances.
• Seth Helegeson is the only senior playing for the University of Minnesota this season. In a short article about the team, Helgeson is named "Mr. Durable" having played in 112 consecutive games. His 140 career games for the Gophers are the most of any active player. Although he only has 25 career points for the team, he has been counted on throughout his career to shut down the Gopher's top opponents.
• Gedig was out with a lower body injury for a few weeks and returned this past weekend. He got a single assist in two games played.
• Jon Merrill had a career high three-assist game for the Wolverines in a tough weekend.

Goalie Battle Alert:

• This week saw the battle of the Devils' goalie prospects: Scott Wedgewood and Maxime Clermont went head to head in two games. Clermont took both in a 4-1 win and 5-4 shootout victory for the Jackals.
• Although Wedgewood was unsuccessful against the Jackals, he got his first professional shutout last week. I will have more on Wedgewood later in the post.

Albany Notes:

• After a disappointing previous week, the Albany Devils were looking to rebound well and they did just that with two convincing wins.
• On February 23, the A-Devs beat Binghamton 5-3 with multi-point games from Joe Whitney (2 goals), Phil DeSimone (1 goal, 1 assist), Mike Sislo (1 goal, 1 assist), and Steve Zalewski (1 goal, 1 assist).
• The following day, the Devils were successful again against Hershey with a 6-4 win in Atlantic City. Matt Anderson had a goal and two assists, Phil DeSimone had three assists, and Mike Sislo and Joe Whitney each scored twice.
• With Brodeur going on IR due to a sore back, Keith Kinkaid was called up to back-up Hedberg. He is hoping to get a chance in his first NHL game.
• Tim Sestito was also called up from Albany to make the trip to Winnipeg. He may get some playing time if Carter cannot play.

"In his 41st start this season, workhorse rookie phenom goalie Scott Wedgewood landed his first shutout — mostly because it’s taken this long for the Titans to possess the puck in the offensive zone and defended in front of him with any competence."

It is a relief to see that his efforts have not gone unnoticed and he has been doing all he can to help the Titans succeed. He may be called-up to Albany since Kinkaid was brought to New Jersey.

That's it for the update this week. What do you think of Kinkaid and Sestito being brought up to New Jersey? How do you feel about Scott Wedgewood's performance in Trenton? Do you think Boucher will break the scoring record tonight or this week? What prospects are standing out to you the most? Please feel free to discuss anything prospect related below. Thanks for reading!