Prospect Banham Has Had a Pointless Camp

Nobody in North America scored more goals than Mighty Duck prospect Frank Banham last season--not in the NHL, and not in the minors, college hockey or the Canadian junior ranks.

Nobody has scored fewer than Banham in Anaheim’s training camp. A groin injury has kept him off the ice after scoring 83 goals in 72 games last season for Saskatoon in the Western Hockey League.

“It’s tough,” said Banham, 21. “I though I had a good opportunity this year. I wanted to show my skill in camp.”

Plenty of junior phenoms have never made it in the NHL. The Ducks are waiting to see what Banham can do.

“I think we’re going to know pretty quickly when he gets to Baltimore [the team’s minor league affiliate in the American Hockey League],” assistant general manager David McNab said. “Guys who are going to be scorers in the national league who had big numbers in juniors come into pro hockey and score quickly. In a full year in Baltimore, I’d expect 40 or more goals if he’s going to score up here. If he gets there and scores 20 goals, that would be a disappointing year.”

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Right wing Roman Oksiuta, whose 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame makes him an asset in front of the net on the Duck power play, skated but didn’t scrimmage Thursday, a day after signing a contract that will pay him $600,000 this season and $700,000 next season.

“What he’s missed in camp so far is not too troubling,” McNab said. “Maybe another week would be different.”

Two unsigned players--defenseman David Karpa and center J.F. Jomphe--still aren’t in camp.