News and Notes 1/24/13: Update on Jon Landry and USCHO Feature on Conn.College

 Update on Jon Landry

 Jon Landry sports the Arizona Sundogs (CHL) alternate
military appreciation jersey.

As was reported last week, Bowdoin alum Jon Landry ('06) earned a spot in New York Islanders training camp. Unfortunately the Islanders, who are 2-1 on the young NHL season, did not put Landry on the opening day roster.

Landry is back with the Islanders AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In 39 games with the Sound Tigers this season, the alternate captain has 20 points (6-14-20), tying him for the team lead for points by a defenseman.

Landry starred with the Polar Bears from 2002- 2006, during which time he surpassed the 100 point plateau (51-70-121). After graduating from Bowdoin in 06, he went on a four year minor league hockey journey in the AHL, ECHL and CHL that took him all the way from Portland, ME to Prescott Valley, AZ. He also switched from forward to defense in this time.

In 2010, Jon hopped across the pond for a two year stint in Germany and Scotland, a period which also netted him an  MBA. Thinking his North American playing days might be over, Landry earned a shot with the Colorado Eagles of the ECHL (the league below the AHL) in the summer of 2011. 30 points (12-18-30) in 35 games with the Eagles got him back to the AHL, spending the last 34 games of the 2011-2012 season with the Sound Tigers.

Despite being sent down, the 6'3" 220 pound defenseman's  NHL dreams are not dead. He is still under contract with the Islanders and could be called up during the season. For Jon Landry's full career statistics (including for his time in Brunswick), click here. 


 USCHO Feature: "Camels hit crunch time"
In this week's USCHO feature, Tim Costello chronicles the Connecticut College Camels long awaited return home and playoff push. Before Tuesday's 3-2 win at home against SUNY Canton, the Camels had been on the road for seven straight, going 2-3-2, but only 0-2-2 in conference.

Jim Ward

The Camels hold on to the eighth and final NESCAC playoff spot heading into the final month of conference play. Coach Jim Ward likes the team's chances to make a strong playoff push, saying "We know we can play with just about anyone... ." Ward is also  aware of what the team needs to do better to be successful, adding, "Of course, if we could kill a penalty or two, that would help a lot to be sure!”

 Conn. College's 71.9% success rate on penalty kills ranks last in the NESCAC. Despite their travails when down a man, Ward says his players have never stopped working hard to get better at the kill. The 10th year coach knows that it is a learning process, especially for a team with only two seniors, stating “I keep reminding myself how young we are.”

The Camels host two tough opponents this weekend in Williams and Middlebury. In a November trip to MA/VT, Conn. College took both the Panthers and Ephs to OT.   As Ward says, “We played some of our best hockey this season in those two games, and really competed hard.” Unfortunately, they only took one point home from the trip, tying Middlebury 3-3 and losing to Williams 3-2.  Still, Ward is confident that his players can stay with the Ephs and Panthers. "I believe and know that these kids want to play at that high level, and play that way consistently."

For more on Ward and the Camels, check out Costello's article here.