AHL: Aero Dynamics

Boasting a lineup that sports three first round selections, four second round picks and a former Hobey Baker winner, Minnesota Wild’s farm team the Houston Aeros arrived in New York recently for a weekend tilt against the primary affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Syracuse Crunch.

Brent Burns (Min), D, Houston

Minnesota's first-round pick (20th overall) in 2003, Burns heads into his second pro season after making jump from juniors directly to NHL last season .. appeared in 36 games with the Wild last season, registering a goal and five assists .. the benefit of spending a season in the NHL has been evident as he has looked calmer and quicker .. very patient with the puck, no panic and makes sound decisions .. uses his huge frame well and takes advantage of a long reach with unanticipated poke checks .. nasty and physical, but seemed to shy away from confrontations even when emotions run high .. shows real offensive upside and it is easy to see why he has played as a forward in his career; he’s rangy and has vision ...mans the point on the Aero power play .. sports a booming laser shot from point .. will also slide down along half boards, setting up a vicious one-timer .. an excellent prospect and is a defenseman to stay.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard (Min), C, Houston

After back-to-back 20-point campaigns with Minnesota, Bouchard is enjoying increased icetime on the farm .. plays on Houston's top line with captain Kirby Law and Stephane Veilleux .. also on the top powerplay unit .. .great skater who compensates for his lack of size with quick feet and an innate ability to create space for himself in offensive situations .. creative, instinctive and sees the ice exceptionally well .. recorded two assists against Syracuse, the second on the powerplay when camping out behind the net a la Gretzky, hooking up with the pinching linemate .. quite feisty despite a reputation for the finesse and can get carried away with stickwork when the game gets physical .. got laid out early in the third period for Steve Goertzen who was assessed a major for elbowing .. Bouchard did not return to the ice.

Mikko Koivu (Min), C, Houston

Missed 12 games this season after undergoing an emergency appendectomy on October 18 .. bigger than his Canadiens’ sibling and plays big .. gets involved in the corners with his stick and his body .. rangy; a creative playmaker with excellent vision .. recorded two assists against Syracuse, both on the pp .. set-up instincts are superb; knows where his teammates are at all times .. plays in every situation; even strength, power play and the penalty kill .. very responsible in his own end; at one point he was the only forward on the ice in a five-on-three kill for the Aeros .. has virtually all tools, though finishing upside is somewhat limited .. would be in the show if there was one this season.

Matt Foy (Min), RW, Houston

Sixth rounder in 2002 proved he could be the go-to guy in junior, but that has not translated in the pro game .. tallied 11 goals last year and has three so far this season .. amassed a marker in the first period against Syracuse by being physical and crashing the net which seems to be his niche as a pro .. while there is offensive upside here he will not beat a host of defenders on an end-to-end rush .. physical game has really developed; creates havoc by using every inch of his 6-2, 219-pound frame .. extremely active on every shift .. sometimes tries to do too much .. this was evident late in the game when his pocket was picked when he overhandled the puck through traffic resulting in a short-handed goal for the Crunch .. has third-fourth line potential in the NHL.

Notes

Last year’s Hobey Baker winner Junior Lessard was benched for the fourth time this season by Head Coach Todd McLellan. In 17 games this season Lessard has amassed four points on three goals.