As a pro scout for the San Jose Sharks, John Ferguson Jr. sees a ton of games, especially during this condensed schedule that produces plenty of options each night. But the former Maple Leafs GM has caught a couple of special moments early this season. He was in Washington, D.C., when Leafs defenseman Korbinian Holzer scored his first NHL goal in a Toronto win over the Capitals on Feb. 5.
On Monday night, Ferguson was in New York when Hurricanes forward Jiri Tlusty registered four points in the final 20 minutes to lead the Hurricanes to a comeback win over the Islanders. Tlusty scored two more goals Tuesday night while getting consistent top-line minutes for the streaking Hurricanes.
Both were players Ferguson drafted in a 2006 Toronto draft class that's having a coming of age this season.
The Maple Leafs currently hold the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference with an 8-5-0 record, good for 16 points. They trail division leader Boston by two -- although they've played two more games than the Bruins -- and Toronto is an impressive 6-1 on the road under Randy Carlyle.
Part of the reason is the growth and development of the Class of 2006, now making an impact in the NHL. And it's helping to redefine perceptions on Ferguson's time in Toronto.
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- Senior NHL writer for ESPN The Magazine
- Wrote for Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Wrote for The Sporting News
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Craig Custance
Craig Custance joined ESPN in September 2011 as an NHL reporter for ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Insider and ESPN.com. A graduate of Michigan State University, he lived for nearly a decade in Georgia working for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution where he spent time covering the late Atlanta Thrashers. He was the only Thrashers beat writer to get the team to the playoffs.
From 2008-11 he was the national hockey writer for the Sporting News, writing regularly in print and online. A member of the PHWA, he's a proud voter for the major NHL awards and can occasionally defend his selections.
Like hockey, he left Atlanta to return north where he currently lives in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, with his wife Cassie and their three kids.
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