For those that were on the site earlier this week, you'll know I gave readers an opportunity to send in their submissions for Chirp of the Week.
There were plenty of good submissions but I've selected this entry from SensChirp regular, Tibor. Tibor has an interesting take from the recently completed Development Camp with a focus on the Sens blueline of the future.
A brief look into the future of Ottawa's blue line
With thoughts of the 2012 entry draft still fresh in fans minds, many diehards headed off to take part in the development camp festivities.
This was a chance to see all the prospects as well as the newest addition, D-man Cody Ceci. The camp admittedly is a series of glorified practices and games of shinny. However, this is where the fans and (more importantly) management get to really see the concrete quality of their picks old and new.
This brings us to the scrimmage that took place on June 28/2012.
It was immediately apparent that these "kids" weren't messing around. There were some serious checks, blistering slap-shots, sweet saves and Jordan Fransoo even laid his life (read: front teeth) on the line to block a shot. You could tell that to them, this wasn't just a game of shinny.
Everyone on the ice was playing to make an impression and increase their odds of making the Senators sooner than later.
One match up in particular was pleasantly surprising: Mark Borowiecki and Cody Ceci. Fans should not be surprised to see the Boro Cop's name, given all the accolades he's received lately (hardest working player two years in a row). Neither should it be incredibly unrealistic to see Ceci's name as he is the most recent-highest drafted player in the system. What people should be surprised/excited about is how well they played together.
These two players flat out controlled the play every single time they were on the ice together period. It's easy to agree with Brian Kilrea, who has recently said that if you like Drew Doughty, you will like Ceci. A better comparison could not have been drawn. Borowiecki on the other hand was the calm, strong backup that enabled Ceci to take the room that Borowiecki provided for him.
This is a match up that fans should be excited to see in the (near?) future. Their cycle and chemistry was amazing.
Linked is a video from the scrimmage of a 1 minute cycle which not only did the Boro/Ceci combo control, the other team couldn't even touch the puck. Granted, the forwards on their team were Stone/Hoffman/Prince, it is clear that this was all Blueline (and quiet frankly, mostly Ceci). What is most impressive is that this is just one of the 3 or 4 times that they dominated in the 20 minute run time period.
If you don't buy it and/or disagree, watch this and you might be forced to change your mind:
