2012 » illes. He missed the remainder of the year, but the Browns feel

MONTREAL, Quebec -- There he was, the next face of the Toronto Maple Leafs, standing and answering questions in the Montreal Canadiens home dressing room underneath the black-and-white photos of Canadiens legends.The photos of Hall of Famers wraps around the Montreal dressing room. Just above Auston Matthews hung pictures of all-timers Henri Richard, Gump Worsley, Yvan Cournoyer and Ken Dryden.Yes, its a little strange that the Maple Leafs No. 1 pick is getting his first major exposure to the NHL world while setting up shop in the heart of the Bell Centre. At one point, he mentioned how excited he was to play in Toronto, the center of the hockey world, to which a Montreal reporter suggested that it might not be wise for him to repeat that too loudly in this town.Yeah, well, I guess you could argue it, he said with a shrug.Its a nontraditional start to an NHL career, but for Matthews, thats just about right. After all, this is the guy who bypassed college and junior hockey to play in Switzerland during his draft year.He isnt afraid of a different path. Nor is he afraid of the path ahead in this tournament.Matthews entered World Cup of Hockey training camp as the 13th forward for Team North America coach Todd McLellan. Chatting last month at his summer home, McLellan shared the Matthews game plan, written in pencil.I think weve got to go with a little bit of the playing experience right off the bat, he said. But Matthews might play in the exhibition games and be lights-out, and maybe hell play.For now, Matthews, 18, is fine with that plan. He knows hell have to earn every minute of playing time, and the reality is that he has very little time to do so. Team North America plays its first of three pre-tournament games on Thursday in Quebec City.But in just two practices, you could see Matthews working his way up the depth chart. On Tuesday, he was taking shifts on a line with Nathan MacKinnon and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a trio of No. 1 picks. Matthews was also alternating on the second power-play unit.He earned his way onto the roster by wowing general managers Peter Chiarelli and Stan Bowman during the World Championships, and hell get the opportunity to do the same with this coaching staff.Hes going to experience the worlds best right off the bat, McLellan said after practice Tuesday. Hes played against some very good players at the world junior level -- certainly at the World Championships -- never as concentrated per country as it is right now. Its baptism by fire, but just being around him for two days, hes very capable of handling it.This isnt McLellans first glimpse of Matthews, which helps the cause. McLellans son Tyson is headed to the University of Denver to play hockey. He competed against Matthews for years.McLellan remembers noticing Matthews for the first time in bantam hockey, and even then his skill level stood out.Very talented, McLellan said.The history goes back years. He already knows what Matthews new teammates are starting to realize this week. Hes a high-level talent who made this team because of his ability to make plays every time hes on the ice.Theres a maturity to his game, Team North America defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere?said of his first impression of Matthews. Hes making plays like its nothing out there. Hes so young. I cant imagine at his age what Id be doing out there. Id be scared as hell.Matthews doesnt have time to be scared. If he wants to play in this tournament and have an impact, he has to show it immediately.Im trying to earn as much ice time as I can and build my way up the lineup, Matthews said. Thats just the way it goes. I dont have time.He wasnt originally going to be on this team. Chiarelli made it no secret that he preferred experience when constructing the Team North America roster. But Matthews forced his way on when he was one of the best players on the ice representing Team USA at the World Championships. He might be the extra forward now, but the good bet is that wont last.Matthews is a very professional, driven young man who understands the game at a high, high level with high skill, Team Canada and Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. Hes not going to take a back seat to anybody for very long.DOnta Foreman Womens Jersey . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. Andre Johnson Texans Jersey . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. http://www.officialhoustontexanspro.com/Lonnie-johnson-texans-jersey/ .Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. Andre Johnson Jersey . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Lonnie Johnson Womens Jersey . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency.CLEVELAND -- The Browns signed running back Brandon Jackson to a 1-year contract, bringing him back after two seasons in which he never got to showcase his versatility. Jackson, who only played in two games last season, was re-signed by the club on Tuesday, among a flurry of moves as the Browns began their second week of OTAs (organized team activities) under coach Rob Chudzinski. The team also signed rookie safety Jamoris Slaughter to a 4-year contract and released safety Eric Hagg, a seventh-round pick in 2011. Also, the Browns signed undrafted free agent wide receiver Michael Edwards and defensive back Kenronte Walker, and waived linebacker Ryan Rau and running backs Robbie Rouse Jamaine Cook. They were awarded running back Miguel Maysonet off waivers from Philadelphia. The Browns expected big things from Jackson when they signed him as an unrestricted free agent from Green Bay in 2011. However, the 5-foot-10, 216-pounder missed the entire 2011 season with a toe injury. Last season, Jackson appeared in only two games and finished with 54 yards on eight carries. Jackson coulld be a nice fit in Chudzinskis offence, which incorporates underneath passes to the running backs.ddddddddddddBefore he joined the Browns the first time, Jackson set career-highs in rushing attempts (190), yards (703), touchdowns (3), receptions (43) and receiving yards (844) while helping the Green Bay Packer win the Super Bowl. Slaughter -- selected out of Notre Dame in the sixth round -- is the first member of the 2013 rookie class to sign with the Browns. He started the first three games for the Fighting Irish last season before injuring his Achilles. He missed the remainder of the year, but the Browns feel hes close to returning or they wouldnt have let go of Hagg. Hagg started the Browns first two games last season before he was benched. He finished with 22 tackles and broke up one pass. With Hagg out of the mix, second-year safety Tashaun Gipson appears to be the frontrunner to start alongside T.J. Ward. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Maysonet signed with the Eagles following Aprils draft. He rushed for 1,964 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior at Stony Brook.Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '