Post by BuffaloGM on Apr 15, 2011 9:43:09 GMT -5
Rochester, NY - The Buffalo Sabres 2008 NsHL Entry Draft will likely be a memorable one. You should be able to say the same of any team with three selections in the first twelve picks in any draft. Alex Pietrangelo, Tyler Myers and Colin Wilson being selected had many Sabres fan buzzing. For those fans, not much was known of an undersized defenseman from Denmark named Philip Larsen. For Buffalo management, it couldn't have worked out any better.
"I will never forget that moment," said Buffalo general manager Roger Gorbet. "Edmonton was on the clock with the pick right before our first in the fifth round. I happened to be sitting next to Los Angeles general manager Nathan Kopsack. I turned to him and said 'if they take our guy I'm going to be pissed'. As it turns out they went with Maxim Trunev and we were able to select Philip. We were debating on whether to take him or Mark Barberio in the fourth round, and luckily we were able to select both of them. We thought very highly of him then. You never know how it is going to work out with anyone you pick in the draft, but he has done nothing but great things in Rochester this year. He continues to improve and impress every day."
The young Dane was said to be a good skater and puck mover who needed to get stronger and improve his defensive play. He was a fixture on Frolunda's blue line in the 2008-2009 season, posting 17 points (2 goals, 15 assists) in 53 games at the age of 19. He also represented Denmark in both the junior and senior world championships. Following a successful season, Larsen was expected to produce even more in Frolunda. Unfortunately injuries would allow him to play just 42 games and his production slipped to 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists). He was once again selected to represent Denmark at the world championships where he scored two goals in seven games. This summer he decided to put pen to paper with the Buffalo Sabres on a three-year entry level contract. He was assigned to Rochester with the idea that he would need time to adjust to the North American game. Appearing in 81 games for the Americans, Larsen finished with 36 points (8 goals, 28 assists) and a +14 rating. His 36 points would tie for third most by defensemen in the AsHL.
"We didn't really know what to expect when he came to camp," said Rochester head coach John Torchetti. "We knew he had good puck skills and a good mind for the game from watching some tape on him, but we didn't know how quickly he would adjust to the game here. As it turns out, he's a very quick learner. He's been arguably our best defensemen all year. He can control the pace of the game when he's on the ice. His skating and puck control are both outstanding. He has a good shot, but his ability to read the play and his strong passing ability have really helped him this year. He still needs to get stronger, as every young player does, but with his vision and ability to think the game at a high level I think you are going to see him in the NsHL in the near future."
Larsen led all defensemen in Rochester in goals, assists and points while playing very well in his own end as well. While the question about adjusting to the North American game will always be there for European players, Larsen seemed to have a smooth transition.
"It was a definite adjustment for me," said Larsen. "We don't play so many games back home and it is more intense here. Rinks are smaller and time is shorter for decisions. I think it is more a mental adjustment needed than physical. We have more travel and much more games to play in AsHL, but I enjoy that. I just love to play the game and I'm happy I was given a chance this year. I am lucky to play with Andrew MacDonald. He has really shown me a lot and helped me through the year. The team is playing well and hopefully that will continue in playoffs."
"I will never forget that moment," said Buffalo general manager Roger Gorbet. "Edmonton was on the clock with the pick right before our first in the fifth round. I happened to be sitting next to Los Angeles general manager Nathan Kopsack. I turned to him and said 'if they take our guy I'm going to be pissed'. As it turns out they went with Maxim Trunev and we were able to select Philip. We were debating on whether to take him or Mark Barberio in the fourth round, and luckily we were able to select both of them. We thought very highly of him then. You never know how it is going to work out with anyone you pick in the draft, but he has done nothing but great things in Rochester this year. He continues to improve and impress every day."
The young Dane was said to be a good skater and puck mover who needed to get stronger and improve his defensive play. He was a fixture on Frolunda's blue line in the 2008-2009 season, posting 17 points (2 goals, 15 assists) in 53 games at the age of 19. He also represented Denmark in both the junior and senior world championships. Following a successful season, Larsen was expected to produce even more in Frolunda. Unfortunately injuries would allow him to play just 42 games and his production slipped to 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists). He was once again selected to represent Denmark at the world championships where he scored two goals in seven games. This summer he decided to put pen to paper with the Buffalo Sabres on a three-year entry level contract. He was assigned to Rochester with the idea that he would need time to adjust to the North American game. Appearing in 81 games for the Americans, Larsen finished with 36 points (8 goals, 28 assists) and a +14 rating. His 36 points would tie for third most by defensemen in the AsHL.
"We didn't really know what to expect when he came to camp," said Rochester head coach John Torchetti. "We knew he had good puck skills and a good mind for the game from watching some tape on him, but we didn't know how quickly he would adjust to the game here. As it turns out, he's a very quick learner. He's been arguably our best defensemen all year. He can control the pace of the game when he's on the ice. His skating and puck control are both outstanding. He has a good shot, but his ability to read the play and his strong passing ability have really helped him this year. He still needs to get stronger, as every young player does, but with his vision and ability to think the game at a high level I think you are going to see him in the NsHL in the near future."
Larsen led all defensemen in Rochester in goals, assists and points while playing very well in his own end as well. While the question about adjusting to the North American game will always be there for European players, Larsen seemed to have a smooth transition.
"It was a definite adjustment for me," said Larsen. "We don't play so many games back home and it is more intense here. Rinks are smaller and time is shorter for decisions. I think it is more a mental adjustment needed than physical. We have more travel and much more games to play in AsHL, but I enjoy that. I just love to play the game and I'm happy I was given a chance this year. I am lucky to play with Andrew MacDonald. He has really shown me a lot and helped me through the year. The team is playing well and hopefully that will continue in playoffs."