| By: Danny Whittaker Stephan Weiss, C – Quebec Nordiques Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman have been stars from day one. Blessed with outstanding offensive and defensive skills, they are also incomparable leaders and invaluable to their teams. Players like them aren’t found every day. It is safe to say that only a few players per decade reach such levels of superstardom. Could it be time for another? Toronto-born center Stephan Weiss has been lavishly endorsed by comparisons to both Sakic and Yzerman. The Chicago Blackhawks felt the 5-foot-11, 178 pound Weiss was special enough to choose him 3rd overall in the Season 2 Entry Draft. Weiss played most of the season in the minors on a weak Norfolk team and was fifth in team scoring with 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) in 63 games and amassed 106 penalty minutes. Weiss also received a taste of the big league playing 13 games with the home club. He scored one goal and was a -3. The Quebec Nordiques also felt that the comparisons Weiss garnered were warranted as they gave up Vincent Lacavalier during this past off-season for Weiss and Chicago’s 1st round pick in 2004. “We were very interested in adding a great young player with comparisons to Yzerman”, said Quebec GM Ankur Malholtra, who’s team includes the veteran center. “We just couldn’t let him pass. We had to deal Lacavalier to get him, but in the long run, it will be worth it.” Weiss has been playing very well for the Nordiques’ farm team, the Wales Conference- leading Royals. The team has a 21-13-2 record thanks to Weiss and the likes of Mattais Weinhandl and Nikolai Zherdev, all of whom have been taking turns leading the team in scoring. Weiss currently sits third on the team with 38 points in 29 games and would probably be leading in that category if not for a couple of call-ups by the Nordiques. He is second on the team in goals with 20 and penalty minutes with 66. His 20 goals are tied for fifth in the farm league. According to GM Malholtra, Weiss “didn’t disappoint” in the seven games he has played for Quebec. Weiss contributed three goals and two assists in those seven games and two of those goals were game-winners. In fact, Malholtra was so impressed that he wants Weiss with the team full-time next season. And if indeed the comparisons and expectations come to life, Stephan Weiss will be with the Quebec Nordiques for a long time as a CFHL star. |
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