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TORONTO - Joe Colborne believes he is at last ready to be a regular in the NHL. "But its one thing to feel it and its another thing to go out and show it," said the now 23-year-old prospective Leafs centre. "And I realize that." Colborne has had a few cups of coffee with the big club in Toronto over the course of two-plus seasons in the organization – 16 career regular season games – but has yet to stick the landing for good. Inked to a one-year, one-way contract this past summer, he is staring hard at perhaps his final shot with the Leafs. With opportunity there for the taking, he knows no better time than the present to pronounce himself ready. "The only way you can do that is to come out and actually do it so thats what Im happy to do, come out and prove to people that Im an NHL player," Colborne said, acquired from Boston in the Tomas Kaberle trade of February 2011. "Doesnt mean anything if I think it, it has to be the coaching staff and the management." With a first round pedigree (2008), Colborne has long had the raw potential to make an impact in the NHL, what with the lofty stature (listed at 6-foot-5) and offensive handiness to make any scout scribble furiously in a notebook. Thicker these days at 220 pounds and now boasting an improved arsenal which includes increased speed – following continued work with Leafs skating consultant Barb Underhill – and an obvious infusion of confidence, its clear that Colborne is in position to put it all together. "He looks like hes grown into his body a little bit more," observed Leafs coach Randy Carlyle. "Hes a bigger man, thicker man. He seems more confident out there; hes handling the puck with more confidence. Hes a young player trying to cut his teeth." After tiptoeing into the Leafs lineup for Games 6 and 7 against the Bruins late last spring, Colborne returned home to Calgary this past summer where he could thankfully shoot pucks in the old barn with a clean bill of health. Memories of the previous summer still seem to sting. After he and the Marlies were thwarted by Norfolk in the Calder Cup Final in June, Colborne underwent wrist surgery that would force him to the sidelines for nearly all of the offseason. "In a word, it was frustrating," he recalled of the summer of 2012. "I felt like I was just spinning my wheels the whole time just sitting there. I couldnt do a lot of things. I couldnt be out shooting pucks in the old barn that we have out back that Ive done since I was little. I couldnt get on the ice until a week before camp [started]. "I rode the crap out of the bike and that was about all I could do." Forced to near-dormancy for most of the warmer months, Colborne arrived at Marlies training camp that fall with a swagger set at low, the effects of the wrist injury still lingering following an offseason seemingly wasted. "My one arm was so much skinnier than the other," he recalled. In spite of the surgery, the wrist still gave him trouble. He had difficulty shooting the puck, the result a lost first half of one goal in 25 games. Then one night a scary hit rocked Colborne, one that "actually scared me pretty bad". There was a "big pop" and from it the lengthy Boston draft pick believed hed reinjured the wrist. He returned to the bench in anger, slamming his stick to mark the frustration. "I kind of freaked out," he remembered with a grin. But after about a minutes worth of time the sting was gone and Colborne realized that he could move the once tender zone of his wrist better than he had since the injury first occurred. The results followed. Over the final 37 games, Colborne would tally 12 goals and 32 points before joining the Leafs towards the end of the year. "It was a tough situation," he reflected of the two-faced 2013 season, "but definitely something you learn from and I made sure I made up for it this summer." This fall represents perhaps the best chance for Colborne to finally realize his NHL potential with opportunity there for the taking in the bottom half of the Leafs forward ranks. Failure to land a spot might spell the end for him in Toronto. Colborne now requires waivers to return to the AHL and considering his age and talent package, its likely he would be lost to another club if they tried to pass him through to the Marlies. "I just want to go out and show that I can work well in both ends," Colborne said, stressing the importance of proving his worth in the defensive zone under Carlyle. "Its finding the right balance that the coaching staff wants me to have and pretty much playing whatever role they tell me to do and Ill go out there and do it to the best of my ability. Just show that I can play in a defensive role if they want me and in an offensive role [too]." "Anytime you have that kind of intangibles as far as size and skill and speed the skys the limit," Carlyle noted. "Itll be up to him to continue to show growth and take the next step and itll be us to provide him with the strong environment that he can do that." Now is the time for Joe Colborne and he knows it. "This year, knowing that I put in the work this summer I know I can come and I can handle the bag skates and I can handle all those other things," he said. "Its just now about going out there and making sure I go play the way I know I can." http://www.onlineairmax.es/hombre-air-max-95-jacqu...negro.h tml . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. http://www.onlineairmax.es/nike-air-max-2017-hombr...negro.h tml . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. http://www.onlineairmax.es/air-max-90-prm-em-verde...nning.h tml .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. http://www.onlineairmax.es/coffee-blancas-hombre-n...illas.h tml . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. http://www.onlineairmax.es/gris-oscuro-rosa-nike-a...nning.h tml . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day.BARCELONA, Spain -- Promising teenager Oliver Torres scored 13 seconds into his first start for Atletico Madrid on Sunday before veteran David Villa added a brace in its 5-0 rout of Real Betis, keeping the team pegged one point behind Spanish leader Barcelona. Oliver connected with a squared ball from Jorge "Koke" Resurreccion that took a deflection off Betis defender Jordi Figueras before falling for him to fire home just moments after the opening whistle at Vicente Calderon Stadium. It was an ideal start for the 18-year-old midfielder making his first appearance in Atleticos starting 11. Minutes later, he almost assisted Diego Godin, who headed his pass past the upright. "It was a dream come true when I got up this morning knowing that I would make my first start," Oliver said. "And to begin with a goal, that gave me more confidence. I want to thank all our fans and dedicate the goal to my father whose birthday is today." Oliver is considered one of the leagues most gifted up-and-coming players for his playmaking abilities. He debuted for Atletico in 2012, the same year he helped Spains under-19 team win the European championships. "That kid has a great future ahead of him," Villa said about Oliver. "All of us love him. He doesnt have to rush. Our fans will be able to enjoy him for years and years to come. He just needs to be patient." The 31-year-old Villa, Spains all-time leading scorer, ended his month-long scoring drought with a much-needed double after being overshadowed by strike partner Diego Costa since his move from Barcelona this summer. Having gotten his pair of goals, Villa capped his best outing for Atletico by passing for Diego Costa to notch his league-leading 11th goal of the season. Also, Mexico forward Giovani Dos Santos scored two goals and set up the opener as Villarreal rolled past Valencia 4-1 to strengthen its hold on fourth place. Real Sociedad took out some of the frustration from its loss at Manchester United in the Champions League this week by beating up on last-place Almeria 3-0. Sevilla edged 10-man Osasuna 2-1 for a third win in as mmany rounds.dddddddddddd Betis goalkeeper Guillermo Sara was injured while stretching to save Diego Costas try in first-half stoppage time. Backup Stephan Andersen replaced him but could do nothing in the 53rd to stop Villas glancing header to angle Filipe Luiss cross down and inside the far post. "Im happy for the win and for feeling healthy again after a long time suffering on the pitch," said Villa, who had to turn down a call-up from Spain earlier this month with an ankle problem. "I knew I would score goals eventually. I knew that they would arrive because thats how my career has gone." Villa hit again four minutes later when he finished off a counterattack with Betis completely off-balance. He then expertly controlled a long pass before playing Diego Costa through to roll the ball in for the fourth goal in the 65th. Atleticos Gabi Fernandez rounded out the thrashing in injury time. Villarreals home victory in the regional derby lifted the promoted side to within two points of third-place Real Madrid after it lost 2-1 at Barcelona on Saturday. "We should be very satisfied and pleased with the performance of our players," said Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia. "We are a humble club that took it at a Valencia side fighting to be in the Champions League. Besides, we played some good football tonight." Dos Santos crossed for striker Ikechuwku Uche to get Villarreal started in the 17th minute. Hernan Perez made it 2-0 five minutes later. Dos Santos hit the post and had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Vicente Guita after Jeremy Mathieu tripped Uche in the area, but he made up for his missed spot kick with a deft flick with his back to the net to score from the resulting corner kick in the 49th. After Ricardo Costa scored Valencias goal in the 63rd, Dos Santos beat Guaita with a long strike in the 84th for his team-high sixth goal of the season. Sociedads Antoine Griezmann scored two headers in the 13th and 50th, while Jose Angel set up the second of those opening goals before adding a third in the 55th. Winless Almeria has earned three of a possible 30 points. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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