Ahhhhh, my first European Hockey Update away from the third world dictatorship that HF has become. Lets begin: All in all, the beat goes on in Europe for the Lightning's prospects. They have some excellent overage properties like Somervuori, But and Norrena but have yet to see the explosion from youngsters like Polushin and Kazionov they might've hoped for. The exception to the rule is 2004 entry draft 6th rounder Karri Ramo, who is emerging as one of the two best young goalies in all of Finland after having a remarkable performance at Traverse City.

While the battle between Gerald Coleman and Jonathan Boutin in jockeying for position for the title of "goaltender of the future" continues to rage on, [url=http://www.sm-liiga.fi/tulospalvelu.asp?palvelu=2&raportti=29685]Karri Ramo may very well be winning the war.[/url] Today Ramo once again stood on his head to carry his attrocious Pelicans SM-liiga team to a shutout 2-0 victory over Tappara in which he stopped 42 of 42 shots. That's impressive. Especially when you consider the woeful band of players in front of him were outshot 42-18. Ramo now has a .919 save percentage and a 3.23 GAA in the SM-liiga, against full grown men, on a team which sits dead last on the SM-liiga table. His statistical dominance becomes even more interesting when you begin to take a look at what he's accomplished at the Junior A level for the Pelicans this season.

Lightning prospect Alexei Glukhov, who was selected in the 9th round (286th overall) of the 2002 entry draft [url=http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=show_news&cat=1&id=3665]has signed with the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL[/url] The 20 year old Glukhov has spent much of the past two seasons with Khimik of the Russian Superleague notching 0 points and 16 penalty minutes in 38 games. The 6'3" 176 lb RW/C made his ECHL debut last night going scoreless in Victoria's 3-2 loss to Las Vegas. The Salmon Kings will be back in action tonight at 10pm ET against Long Beach.

After a one-week stint in the ECHL, Lightning prospect Doug O'Brien is back in the AHL. The Falcons issued the following release today: [quote] O’BRIEN RECALLED TO FALCONS Springfield, Mass. – The Springfield Falcons, American Hockey League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, today announced that defenseman Doug O’Brien has been recalled to the club from the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL.

Good thing I didn't order that Hitmen jersey. The following press release was issued by the Prince George Cougars earlier this week (sorry we're late on this one): [quote] Cougars Make Deals Monday, January 10, 2005 PRINCE GEORGE, BC- The Prince George Cougars have announced the acquisition of 18-year-old D Andy Rogers, 18-year-old G Scott Bowles, and 20-year-old F Lee Zalasky from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for 18-year-old G Justin Pogge, 18-year-old D Dylan Yeo, 20-year-old F Tyrel Lucas, and a 6th Round Bantam selection in 2006.

I know this news is a few days old, but Springfield Falcon center and Lightning depth player Craig Darby has been named by the AHL as the captain of the PlanetUSA team for the league's upcoming 2005 All-Star Classic in February. For more information, see the Falcon press release [url=http://www.falconsahl.com/detpages/pressbox2350.shtml]here[/url].

The PEI Rocket (QMJHL) website is reporting Lightning prospect goalie Jonathan Boutin has been traded to the Quebec Remparts.

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