Took in the Hitmen's intrasquad game today.....here's the summary. This is from my own notes and is in no way official, but I'm pretty sure I got the goalscorer and at least the first assist right on all the goals.
First Period:
1. Black, Mackenzie Royer (Garrett Taylor) 0:35
2. Black, Justin Rose (Rigby Burgart) 2:26
Second Period:
3. White, Brett Sonne (Tyler Fiddler) 5:18
Third Period:
4. White, Justin Moir (Brett Sonne, Tyler Fiddler) 0:51 (PP)
5. White, Brett Sonne (Tyler Fiddler, Jason MacDonald) 14:49
6. Black, Justin Rose (Ian Schultz) 15:12
7. White, Brett Sonne (Tyler Fiddler) 18:33
Starting goaltenders were Martin Jones for Black and David Aime for White. They were both switched at 10:06 of the 2nd period for Chase Komistek (Black) and Michael Snider (White).
My own thoughts....well, Sonne and Fiddler had four points each so they obviously have some chemistry already. I thought Golicic was flying as well, at least early in the game, but as we so often saw with him last year, it's a lot of flash and not much finish. Jones, Kozun, Schultz, Stone, and Rowinski all stood out too, as veterans should.
In net, I thought Snider was the best of the three trying to make the team. Aime had a weak start and while he did get better, I'm still not convinced he is a WHL-calibre goalie right now and at 19, he needs to be a reliable WHL goalie if he's going to be in the league. Snider and Komistek have the luxury of having some room to improve age-wise. Komistek wasn't bad today, he got beat mostly by Sonne-Fiddler collaborations so it's not like he was giving up softies to guys who scored two goals last year in midget. But Snider was the best of the lot apart from Jones.
On defence, I really, really liked Frank (didn't his name use to be Otis?) Rabbit. He played Jr A last year and you can see he is used to this pace of play, something some of the other good prospects on defence who played midget last year are still struggling with. Yes, Rabbit made a couple mistakes but for the most part I was really impressed with his composure out there and he made good smart decisions moving the puck. I also really like Erik Bonsor, a guy who is never going to be the flashiest guy on the team but he's just a real smart hockey player who does the job in his own end. I also saw some things I liked from Zach Sweet and Ben Wilson although they were a cut below Rabbit and Bonsor. Austin Madaisky was OK but was invisible for long periods of the game too, did he sit out for a chunk of the game or was he just not noticeable? Scott Maetche was OK but he's in the same boat as Aime in my opinion - he's a 19 year old who needs to be more than a 5th/6th defenceman if he's going to make your team.
Up front, I liked the new Euro, Ulescenko, until he got hurt and didn't play the 2nd half of the game. Also really liked Rose....even if he doesn't make the team this year he should be worth a spot on the protected list to keep an eye on. Jessi Hilton was another guy I liked, he might not score a lot of points but he looked to have the perfect "energy" style for the 4th line role that some rookie forwards need to play. Same with Cody Beach although I still wish Beach was more noticeable more consistently....needs to be at 100% every shift and I don't think he is. He should watch Ian Schultz, he could be that kind of player in a year if he wants to be. Also like Mackenzie Royer and Torey Stott, a guy I hadn't seriously considered for the team but who might be worming his way in.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Hitmen camp notes
Spent Saturday at Hitmen training camp....not the best camp I've been to but not the worst either. Biggest story of the day, I think, is that veteran defenceman - and NHL first round pick - Alex Plante is not in camp. Plante would like a trade and the Hitmen are not very happy about it. I don't agree with the idea though that it's tougher to full value for a guy who is holding out. All you need is two teams who both want the player, and the bidding "war" should see the price be pretty fair. And how many teams in the WHL today DON'T want a 19 year old first-pair, all-situation defenceman? I think the Hitmen should be able to get a fair price when they deal him.
As far as the players that WERE there, I think we should see a pretty good battle between 16 year old Chase Komistek and 17 year old Mike Snider for the backup goalie job, they both looked pretty good today. Komistek is quite big, I think he is 6'4", and looks so much like Brent Krahn in there the way the net just disappears behind him.
Lots of good young defencemen on display too, which is a good thing because if Plante is gone then the Hitmen probably have three openings on defence. 2007 first round pick Austin Madaisky is a lock for one of those spots, he has good size at 6'2", 185lb and looks smart beyond his age out there. I really liked 17 year olds Erik Bonsor and Otis Rabbit and 16 year olds Tim Daly and Zach Sweet today too, as well as a couple 17 year old tryout kids - Mark McDonald and Ben Wilson. We'll see who sticks around after camp wraps tomorrow.
For forwards, not quite such an impressive crop although new Latvian import Edgars Ulescenko looked pretty good. Not the biggest guy but he can move and has some nice hands and a nose for the net. 18 year old rookie Tyler Fiddler is a lock for a spot, he was far and away the best of the rookie hopefuls out there and he did have 3 points in 2 games for the Hitmen last year so he has proven a little something at the WHL level already. Other promising looking rookies were 16 year olds Mackenzie Royer, Justin Kirsch, Cody Beach, and Cody Sylvester, and 17 year old Jesse Hilton. Beach, who is also 6'4", showed a couple signs of his brother's temperament but does not have Kyle's intensity level. Or hands. Whoever described him as "Beach Lite" is probably on the mark with that.
Among the vets, Ian Duval far outshone Carson McMillan today, which is worth noting because probably only one of those two guys will get to remain a Hitman, the other is going to have to be traded as the team can only keep three of the 5 overage candidates it has. Kyle Bortis is as close to a lock for a spot as you're going to find, and goalie Dan Spence is going to be in tough to keep his job in the face of competition from two-year backup Martin Jones plus the aforementioned Komistek and Snider. Keith Seabrook on defence was very so-so last year but he might be needed back there even more now that Plante isn't here.
Karl Alzner was there too, probably seeing the ice for one of the last times as a Hitman. As expected, he was one of the best players out there despite playing center today instead of defence. It has to be a thrill for some of these 15 year olds who were playing bantam last year to be out on the ice and going head-to-head with a guy who will almost certainly spend a good chunk of this coming season - if not the entire season - in the NHL.
And as always when you have a team with a bunch of openings, you see a bunch of guys who have played elsewhere in the WHL coming in for tryouts. This year the Hitmen have goalie David Aime (Prince Albert, Red Deer), defencemen Scott Maetche (Chilliwack) and Jordan Wilkins (Kootenay), and forward Jason MacDonald (Regina, Kelowna, Kootenay) trying to resurrect their WHL careers here. Also in camp is former Rebel prospect Garrett Taylor, who was the 3rd overall pick in the WHL's infamous "American prospect draft" back in 2006. I do believe that Moose Jaw goalie Todd Mathews is so far the only player from that "special" draft to even play in the WHL. Wilkins - who was Kootenay's 2005 first round bantam pick - didn't get on the ice today due to an apparent groin injury. The Ice gave up on him due to skating issues and I'm sure a groin injury isn't going to improve his mobility when he does get on the ice.
Intrasquad game goes tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, and the current 80-player roster should be cut down to around 35-40 for the intrasquad after the morning scrimmages.
As far as the players that WERE there, I think we should see a pretty good battle between 16 year old Chase Komistek and 17 year old Mike Snider for the backup goalie job, they both looked pretty good today. Komistek is quite big, I think he is 6'4", and looks so much like Brent Krahn in there the way the net just disappears behind him.
Lots of good young defencemen on display too, which is a good thing because if Plante is gone then the Hitmen probably have three openings on defence. 2007 first round pick Austin Madaisky is a lock for one of those spots, he has good size at 6'2", 185lb and looks smart beyond his age out there. I really liked 17 year olds Erik Bonsor and Otis Rabbit and 16 year olds Tim Daly and Zach Sweet today too, as well as a couple 17 year old tryout kids - Mark McDonald and Ben Wilson. We'll see who sticks around after camp wraps tomorrow.
For forwards, not quite such an impressive crop although new Latvian import Edgars Ulescenko looked pretty good. Not the biggest guy but he can move and has some nice hands and a nose for the net. 18 year old rookie Tyler Fiddler is a lock for a spot, he was far and away the best of the rookie hopefuls out there and he did have 3 points in 2 games for the Hitmen last year so he has proven a little something at the WHL level already. Other promising looking rookies were 16 year olds Mackenzie Royer, Justin Kirsch, Cody Beach, and Cody Sylvester, and 17 year old Jesse Hilton. Beach, who is also 6'4", showed a couple signs of his brother's temperament but does not have Kyle's intensity level. Or hands. Whoever described him as "Beach Lite" is probably on the mark with that.
Among the vets, Ian Duval far outshone Carson McMillan today, which is worth noting because probably only one of those two guys will get to remain a Hitman, the other is going to have to be traded as the team can only keep three of the 5 overage candidates it has. Kyle Bortis is as close to a lock for a spot as you're going to find, and goalie Dan Spence is going to be in tough to keep his job in the face of competition from two-year backup Martin Jones plus the aforementioned Komistek and Snider. Keith Seabrook on defence was very so-so last year but he might be needed back there even more now that Plante isn't here.
Karl Alzner was there too, probably seeing the ice for one of the last times as a Hitman. As expected, he was one of the best players out there despite playing center today instead of defence. It has to be a thrill for some of these 15 year olds who were playing bantam last year to be out on the ice and going head-to-head with a guy who will almost certainly spend a good chunk of this coming season - if not the entire season - in the NHL.
And as always when you have a team with a bunch of openings, you see a bunch of guys who have played elsewhere in the WHL coming in for tryouts. This year the Hitmen have goalie David Aime (Prince Albert, Red Deer), defencemen Scott Maetche (Chilliwack) and Jordan Wilkins (Kootenay), and forward Jason MacDonald (Regina, Kelowna, Kootenay) trying to resurrect their WHL careers here. Also in camp is former Rebel prospect Garrett Taylor, who was the 3rd overall pick in the WHL's infamous "American prospect draft" back in 2006. I do believe that Moose Jaw goalie Todd Mathews is so far the only player from that "special" draft to even play in the WHL. Wilkins - who was Kootenay's 2005 first round bantam pick - didn't get on the ice today due to an apparent groin injury. The Ice gave up on him due to skating issues and I'm sure a groin injury isn't going to improve his mobility when he does get on the ice.
Intrasquad game goes tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, and the current 80-player roster should be cut down to around 35-40 for the intrasquad after the morning scrimmages.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday notes
News and notes from around the league before the long weekend here....
The WHL exhibition season kicks off this morning with the start of the six-team Everett tournament. All six teams - Chilliwack, Everett, Portland, Seattle, Spokane, and Tri-City - are taking part in games there today. And in another WHL exhibition game tonight, Vancouver takes on Kamloops in Ladner, B.C.
With the Americans, #1 goalie Chet Pickard is leading the younger players by example.
We have the first trade in a little while, as last night Prince George traded 18 year old goalie Alex Wright to Spokane for a conditional 2009 bantam pick. I guess the Chiefs, who only had two goalies left in their camp, just got somebody to push James Reid for the backup job. Meanwhile, the Cougars have two veteran goalies returning so there probably wasn't a job for Wright there.
Lethbridge gets their camp underway today and the Lethbridge paper has a pair of articles previewing things there. Those articles are here and here. One thing those articles do not mention (but which I got from Gregg Drinnan's blog) is that overage goalie Michael Maniago has decided to retire rather than come to camp and compete for the backup spot to Juha Metsola. Maniago will apparently start school in Calgary instead.
Hitmen camp is underway as well, and overage goalie Dan Spence knows what he's up against in his bid to keep his starter's job on a team with a glut of overagers and a younger goalie who might be ready for the job. And one of the top prospects to make the Hitmen at forward is 16 year old Cody Beach, the younger brother of Everett pest Kyle, and apparently younger brother is cut from the same cloth as bigger brother. So it shouldn't take very long for fans in the Central division to loath Cody the way U.S. division fans loath Kyle.
Central Division fans might be doing a lot of loathing this year if Tigers forward Wacey Hamilton has his way. Hamilton wants to take his agitation game to the near-legendary levels achieved by former Tiger pest Derek Dorsett.
Regina Pats prospect Spencer Braaten has made up his mind, and it's not in the Pats' favor. Braaten left the Pats yesterday rather than play exhibition games with no guarantee of a job. Playing games would have cost him his NCAA eligibility and he wasn't prepared to do that.
Still with the Pats, defenceman Colten Teubert signed with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings yesterday. Teubert was L.A.'s first round pick this June; he probably isn't ready for the NHL just yet but if he were to stick with the Kings, that would be a huge blow to the Pats' back end. And another Pats story, overage Scott Doucet is looking for a bigger role this year.
The Giants say they could carry as many as five 16 year olds this year. They still have eight left in camp and all are looking good, apparently. One of those players is J.T. Barnett, who is very familiar with some of the game's greatest players of the last 25 years. Why? Because he's the son of former NHL G.M. and player agent Michael Barnett.
Another team looking at playing a lot of 16 year olds this year is Edmonton, who still have 11 of them in camp including phenom Mark Pysyk. Another Oil Kings note from that article - their overage total has decreased by one with the decision by J.P. Szaszkiewicz to retire from the WHL in favour of playing for the University of Alberta.
Red Deer's new Finnish import is feeling right at home with the Rebels, even if his English prevents him from deciding what kind of player he is.
Kelowna's Shane McColgan is 15-going-on-18, according to Bruce Hamilton. With him committing to the Rockets, I believe the Rockets are now 1-for-3 in getting American first-round bantam picks to play for them.
The answer to the question of which city gets to host the medal games for the 2012 World Juniors in Calgary & Edmonton has been answered: Calgary will. Edmonton will host the round-robin games for Team Canada and Calgary will get the medal round games as well as the round-robin games for the pool Canada isn't in.
One of the biggest, longest-running, and best bantam tournaments in Canada is no more. The Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament (KIBHT) is shutting down after 40 years due to problems securing ice from the city of Kamloops. I'm sure there are a lot of disappointed WHL scouts this morning hearing that news, as that tournament was a great place to scout many of the best prospects for the bantam draft a few weeks later.
One last note, the blog might not get updated over the weekend as I have some family committments as well as trying to get out to Hitmen camp....I'll update it if/when I can though.
The WHL exhibition season kicks off this morning with the start of the six-team Everett tournament. All six teams - Chilliwack, Everett, Portland, Seattle, Spokane, and Tri-City - are taking part in games there today. And in another WHL exhibition game tonight, Vancouver takes on Kamloops in Ladner, B.C.
With the Americans, #1 goalie Chet Pickard is leading the younger players by example.
We have the first trade in a little while, as last night Prince George traded 18 year old goalie Alex Wright to Spokane for a conditional 2009 bantam pick. I guess the Chiefs, who only had two goalies left in their camp, just got somebody to push James Reid for the backup job. Meanwhile, the Cougars have two veteran goalies returning so there probably wasn't a job for Wright there.
Lethbridge gets their camp underway today and the Lethbridge paper has a pair of articles previewing things there. Those articles are here and here. One thing those articles do not mention (but which I got from Gregg Drinnan's blog) is that overage goalie Michael Maniago has decided to retire rather than come to camp and compete for the backup spot to Juha Metsola. Maniago will apparently start school in Calgary instead.
Hitmen camp is underway as well, and overage goalie Dan Spence knows what he's up against in his bid to keep his starter's job on a team with a glut of overagers and a younger goalie who might be ready for the job. And one of the top prospects to make the Hitmen at forward is 16 year old Cody Beach, the younger brother of Everett pest Kyle, and apparently younger brother is cut from the same cloth as bigger brother. So it shouldn't take very long for fans in the Central division to loath Cody the way U.S. division fans loath Kyle.
Central Division fans might be doing a lot of loathing this year if Tigers forward Wacey Hamilton has his way. Hamilton wants to take his agitation game to the near-legendary levels achieved by former Tiger pest Derek Dorsett.
Regina Pats prospect Spencer Braaten has made up his mind, and it's not in the Pats' favor. Braaten left the Pats yesterday rather than play exhibition games with no guarantee of a job. Playing games would have cost him his NCAA eligibility and he wasn't prepared to do that.
Still with the Pats, defenceman Colten Teubert signed with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings yesterday. Teubert was L.A.'s first round pick this June; he probably isn't ready for the NHL just yet but if he were to stick with the Kings, that would be a huge blow to the Pats' back end. And another Pats story, overage Scott Doucet is looking for a bigger role this year.
The Giants say they could carry as many as five 16 year olds this year. They still have eight left in camp and all are looking good, apparently. One of those players is J.T. Barnett, who is very familiar with some of the game's greatest players of the last 25 years. Why? Because he's the son of former NHL G.M. and player agent Michael Barnett.
Another team looking at playing a lot of 16 year olds this year is Edmonton, who still have 11 of them in camp including phenom Mark Pysyk. Another Oil Kings note from that article - their overage total has decreased by one with the decision by J.P. Szaszkiewicz to retire from the WHL in favour of playing for the University of Alberta.
Red Deer's new Finnish import is feeling right at home with the Rebels, even if his English prevents him from deciding what kind of player he is.
Kelowna's Shane McColgan is 15-going-on-18, according to Bruce Hamilton. With him committing to the Rockets, I believe the Rockets are now 1-for-3 in getting American first-round bantam picks to play for them.
The answer to the question of which city gets to host the medal games for the 2012 World Juniors in Calgary & Edmonton has been answered: Calgary will. Edmonton will host the round-robin games for Team Canada and Calgary will get the medal round games as well as the round-robin games for the pool Canada isn't in.
One of the biggest, longest-running, and best bantam tournaments in Canada is no more. The Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament (KIBHT) is shutting down after 40 years due to problems securing ice from the city of Kamloops. I'm sure there are a lot of disappointed WHL scouts this morning hearing that news, as that tournament was a great place to scout many of the best prospects for the bantam draft a few weeks later.
One last note, the blog might not get updated over the weekend as I have some family committments as well as trying to get out to Hitmen camp....I'll update it if/when I can though.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
2012 WJCs coming to Alberta
Big - no, huge, news for junior hockey fans in western Canada and the western States this morning. Hockey Canada has announced that Calgary & Edmonton will jointly host the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championships.
No plan has been announced yet as to key things like where team Canada will play its games, which city gets to host the gold medal final, etc, but any way you look at it, having the tournament out here on the prairies is great news for people here who love junior hockey and would like to attend a tournament of this magnitude. Short of the Stanley Cup, the Olympics, and the World Championships, this might be one of the biggest prizes in hockey to win.
The really good news for WHL fans (at least those in Alberta) is that according to the press release, season ticket holders of the five Alberta WHL teams will get priority when it comes to buying tickets for the tournament....
No plan has been announced yet as to key things like where team Canada will play its games, which city gets to host the gold medal final, etc, but any way you look at it, having the tournament out here on the prairies is great news for people here who love junior hockey and would like to attend a tournament of this magnitude. Short of the Stanley Cup, the Olympics, and the World Championships, this might be one of the biggest prizes in hockey to win.
The really good news for WHL fans (at least those in Alberta) is that according to the press release, season ticket holders of the five Alberta WHL teams will get priority when it comes to buying tickets for the tournament....
Thursday notes
News and notes from around the league this morning...
The Prince Albert Herald has more details on the Cole Penner situation....good quotes from G.M. Bruno Campese.
Today the Edmonton Sun takes a look at sophomore forward Brent Raedeke.
Very bad news for WHL vet and Regina Pats overage candidate Kirt Hill, who broke his thumb in a training camp fight the other day. With Hill likely to be out for up to two months, his chances of winning one of the Pats' overage spots just took a big hit. Also in the article, the dilemma faced by Pats prospect Spencer Braaten: to play exhibition games (thus losing his NCAA eligibility) without assurances of a roster spot.
Shane McColgan, Kelowna's first-round bantam pick, loves the city and the Rockets love him.
Prince George's top forward prospect, 16 year old Brett Connolly, has bulked up and is having an outstanding camp.
Both new Tigers Euros are in camp, although one of them still can't play while they wait for paperwork to be processed on his release. Sounds like they might have a couple good ones there.
Hitmen first-round bantam pick Peter Kosterman is excited to get his first WHL camp underway, and he doesn't even have to drive hundreds of miles to do it either.
Connolly in Prince George wasn't the only B.C. division player to bulk up: Adam Basford of the Giants did it too.
One of Chilliwack's top hopes for filling their offensive void is going to be out for a while. And I haven't seen Eric Welsh's article on the latest in the Evan Pighin saga appear on the Chilliwack paper's website yet, but you can get some key quotes from Bruins G.M. Darrell May from Gregg Drinnan's blog. To pick up on Gregg's idea of WHL boss Ron Robison getting involved, perhaps NFL commissioner Roger Goodell can step in and work out this situation now that he has finished with that messy Brett Favre thing.....
The Rebels took a break from camp to take their players on a team-building retreat.
In Saskatoon, perhaps the biggest battle in camp is between two 17 year olds for the backup goaltender spot.
And the Portland Tribune's Jason Vondersmith takes a look at how things are progressing at Winter Hawks camp, and which players are making a name for themselves.
And longtime NHLer - and part-owner of the Tri-City Americans - Stu Barnes has retired as a player today and will join the coaching staff of the Dallas Stars.
The Prince Albert Herald has more details on the Cole Penner situation....good quotes from G.M. Bruno Campese.
Today the Edmonton Sun takes a look at sophomore forward Brent Raedeke.
Very bad news for WHL vet and Regina Pats overage candidate Kirt Hill, who broke his thumb in a training camp fight the other day. With Hill likely to be out for up to two months, his chances of winning one of the Pats' overage spots just took a big hit. Also in the article, the dilemma faced by Pats prospect Spencer Braaten: to play exhibition games (thus losing his NCAA eligibility) without assurances of a roster spot.
Shane McColgan, Kelowna's first-round bantam pick, loves the city and the Rockets love him.
Prince George's top forward prospect, 16 year old Brett Connolly, has bulked up and is having an outstanding camp.
Both new Tigers Euros are in camp, although one of them still can't play while they wait for paperwork to be processed on his release. Sounds like they might have a couple good ones there.
Hitmen first-round bantam pick Peter Kosterman is excited to get his first WHL camp underway, and he doesn't even have to drive hundreds of miles to do it either.
Connolly in Prince George wasn't the only B.C. division player to bulk up: Adam Basford of the Giants did it too.
One of Chilliwack's top hopes for filling their offensive void is going to be out for a while. And I haven't seen Eric Welsh's article on the latest in the Evan Pighin saga appear on the Chilliwack paper's website yet, but you can get some key quotes from Bruins G.M. Darrell May from Gregg Drinnan's blog. To pick up on Gregg's idea of WHL boss Ron Robison getting involved, perhaps NFL commissioner Roger Goodell can step in and work out this situation now that he has finished with that messy Brett Favre thing.....
The Rebels took a break from camp to take their players on a team-building retreat.
In Saskatoon, perhaps the biggest battle in camp is between two 17 year olds for the backup goaltender spot.
And the Portland Tribune's Jason Vondersmith takes a look at how things are progressing at Winter Hawks camp, and which players are making a name for themselves.
And longtime NHLer - and part-owner of the Tri-City Americans - Stu Barnes has retired as a player today and will join the coaching staff of the Dallas Stars.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Hump day notes
News and notes from around the league this morning...
A name that is sure to cause some confusion amongst fans around the league is in contention for a goalie spot on the Warriors. Deven Dubyk, not to be confused with former Kamloops star goalie Devan Dubnyk, is hoping the Warriors have a spot for him after he was dropped by Brandon last winter.
The Tigers, including returnee Bretton Cameron, are raring to get going with their camp. Also a few notes on some of the top prospects for the Tigers.
17 year old Kyle Golz has high hopes for making the Raiders.
In Kelowna, Torrie Jung knows the #1 goaltender's job is his to win after two years of backing up Kris Westblom for the Rockets.
Still with goaltenders, one of the most competitive goalie situations in the league is in Regina where there are probably four WHL-calibre goaltenders competing for two jobs. Veterans Linden Rowat and Jeff Bosch are being pushed by rookie hopefuls Damien Ketlo and Derek Tendler. Tendler is profiled in today's Leader-Post.
The Hitmen open their camp today with a whole bunch of holes to fill. Herald beat writer John Down runs down the roster.
I found this article in the Edmonton Journal....it's not a WHL story but it's a nice read about WHL alumni Ross Lupaschuk, who is taking one last shot at the NHL after several years in Europe. For the Journal's Oil King coverage today, it's a story on veteran power forward Brett Breitkreuz.
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Sun looks at prospect Rhett Rachinski and the Oil Kings' overage log-jam. Five OAs are competing for just three spots.
Overage spots are at a premium in Vancouver too, where there's four guys and three jobs.
A name that is sure to cause some confusion amongst fans around the league is in contention for a goalie spot on the Warriors. Deven Dubyk, not to be confused with former Kamloops star goalie Devan Dubnyk, is hoping the Warriors have a spot for him after he was dropped by Brandon last winter.
The Tigers, including returnee Bretton Cameron, are raring to get going with their camp. Also a few notes on some of the top prospects for the Tigers.
17 year old Kyle Golz has high hopes for making the Raiders.
In Kelowna, Torrie Jung knows the #1 goaltender's job is his to win after two years of backing up Kris Westblom for the Rockets.
Still with goaltenders, one of the most competitive goalie situations in the league is in Regina where there are probably four WHL-calibre goaltenders competing for two jobs. Veterans Linden Rowat and Jeff Bosch are being pushed by rookie hopefuls Damien Ketlo and Derek Tendler. Tendler is profiled in today's Leader-Post.
The Hitmen open their camp today with a whole bunch of holes to fill. Herald beat writer John Down runs down the roster.
I found this article in the Edmonton Journal....it's not a WHL story but it's a nice read about WHL alumni Ross Lupaschuk, who is taking one last shot at the NHL after several years in Europe. For the Journal's Oil King coverage today, it's a story on veteran power forward Brett Breitkreuz.
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Sun looks at prospect Rhett Rachinski and the Oil Kings' overage log-jam. Five OAs are competing for just three spots.
Overage spots are at a premium in Vancouver too, where there's four guys and three jobs.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Raiders cut Penner
Not very often that 4th overall bantam picks get cut, but the Raiders have done just that to Cole Penner tonight. Apparently Penner showed up for camp in poor physical shape and may have also missed or been late for a practice already.
After walking out on the Raiders during camp last year, Penner bounced around a bit from the AJHL to midget and then back to the Raiders to finish the year. Now he's bound for Jr. A once again and you'd have to think the Raiders might be looking for ways to cut their losses here if a trade possibility were to be out there.
After walking out on the Raiders during camp last year, Penner bounced around a bit from the AJHL to midget and then back to the Raiders to finish the year. Now he's bound for Jr. A once again and you'd have to think the Raiders might be looking for ways to cut their losses here if a trade possibility were to be out there.
Tuesday stuff
Camp stories from this morning's papers around the league....
Myles Bell, the Pats' 2008 first round bantam pick, has signed an education deal and is turning some heads at training camp. And Prince Albert's #1 pick this year, Mark McNeill, is so good in camp so far that he could probably make the team this year if it wasn't for that pesky age rule.
Meanwhile, Edmonton's 2007 first round pick, Mark Pysyk, is looking good too and is probably going to see tons of ice time as a 16 year old. And one of his veteran teammates, Craig McCallum, is now one of those WHL rarities: a married man.
With another rebuilding season coming up in Prince George, Dana Tyrell's name is going to be in the trade rumours at some point, similar to Ty Wishart was with the Cougars last year. Rebuilding or not though, the Cougars are going to have a Memorial Cup winner in net this year and he is excited about the opportunity to be a #1 again.
And a significant piece of news out of Moose Jaw about their new arena. The attempt by some Moose Javians to block the construction of the new rink through legal means has failed. A judge has ruled that the City of Moose Jaw did not violate the terms of a 2006 referendum when it approved construction of the new facility. Unless there are some avenues for appeal of this ruling, I would assume that the debate is now over and construction can begin.
Myles Bell, the Pats' 2008 first round bantam pick, has signed an education deal and is turning some heads at training camp. And Prince Albert's #1 pick this year, Mark McNeill, is so good in camp so far that he could probably make the team this year if it wasn't for that pesky age rule.
Meanwhile, Edmonton's 2007 first round pick, Mark Pysyk, is looking good too and is probably going to see tons of ice time as a 16 year old. And one of his veteran teammates, Craig McCallum, is now one of those WHL rarities: a married man.
With another rebuilding season coming up in Prince George, Dana Tyrell's name is going to be in the trade rumours at some point, similar to Ty Wishart was with the Cougars last year. Rebuilding or not though, the Cougars are going to have a Memorial Cup winner in net this year and he is excited about the opportunity to be a #1 again.
And a significant piece of news out of Moose Jaw about their new arena. The attempt by some Moose Javians to block the construction of the new rink through legal means has failed. A judge has ruled that the City of Moose Jaw did not violate the terms of a 2006 referendum when it approved construction of the new facility. Unless there are some avenues for appeal of this ruling, I would assume that the debate is now over and construction can begin.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Monday news
Another day, another veteran no-shows a WHL team. This time it's Brad Riege who has failed to show up at the Prince George Cougars camp, and nobody seems to know where he is or why he isn't there. Riege was known to be not thrilled about being traded to the Cougars back in January so this development probably isn't a surprise to anyone though.
Also in that article was P.G.'s coach calling out some other veterans (without naming names) who need to show more if they want to stay in the league.
The first news out of Oil Kings camp.....nice to see the Edmonton media acknowledge that the Oil Kings camp was going on, finally. Still nothing from the Edmonton Journal. Anyway, that's a nice piece on an undrafted kid with a shot to make the team this year.
Everett looks to have some homegrown talent this year, their first true local player on the team.
The Giants' new Russian is in camp and excited to be there.
More news later if anything comes up....and still trying to get rosters together for about 6 or 7 teams who haven't made a peep about who's in their camps yet....
Also in that article was P.G.'s coach calling out some other veterans (without naming names) who need to show more if they want to stay in the league.
The first news out of Oil Kings camp.....nice to see the Edmonton media acknowledge that the Oil Kings camp was going on, finally. Still nothing from the Edmonton Journal. Anyway, that's a nice piece on an undrafted kid with a shot to make the team this year.
Everett looks to have some homegrown talent this year, their first true local player on the team.
The Giants' new Russian is in camp and excited to be there.
More news later if anything comes up....and still trying to get rosters together for about 6 or 7 teams who haven't made a peep about who's in their camps yet....
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Latest news
Very bad news for the Everett Silvertips, as apparently both of their European players have decided to stay at home and play in their own countries this season instead of returning to Everett as 19 year olds.
Nick Patterson has the story....basically this screws the 'Tips over since they did not make an import pick this past June as they were expecting Karamnov and Vartovnik to return and be leaders offensively - the duo would have been the #3 and #4 returning scorers from last year. With all the big offensive losses the 'Tips were already taking this season (Bauer, Crowley, Gendur, Hamill, Harty) plus breaking in a new goalie, this is news they just did not need. They can now either trade for imports from teams who may have too many (don't think there are any teams with three imports in camp though?), or they can go without.
After today's cuts, and excluding 15 year olds who can't make the team anyway, the Blades are down to 3 goalies and 9 defencemen in camp already. Maybe only one more cut to be made at each of those positions to be ready for the season. I'm sure there are other teams who have cut down to similar numbers already but since nobody but the Blades has bothered to put anything on their website, how would we the fans know about it....
Nick Patterson has the story....basically this screws the 'Tips over since they did not make an import pick this past June as they were expecting Karamnov and Vartovnik to return and be leaders offensively - the duo would have been the #3 and #4 returning scorers from last year. With all the big offensive losses the 'Tips were already taking this season (Bauer, Crowley, Gendur, Hamill, Harty) plus breaking in a new goalie, this is news they just did not need. They can now either trade for imports from teams who may have too many (don't think there are any teams with three imports in camp though?), or they can go without.
After today's cuts, and excluding 15 year olds who can't make the team anyway, the Blades are down to 3 goalies and 9 defencemen in camp already. Maybe only one more cut to be made at each of those positions to be ready for the season. I'm sure there are other teams who have cut down to similar numbers already but since nobody but the Blades has bothered to put anything on their website, how would we the fans know about it....
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Hawks down an O/A
Overage forward Tyler Swystun has decided not to report to the Hawks camp. No word on what Swystun's 08-09 hockey plans are but he should have some value around the league if the Hawks were interested in trading him.
Two Kootenay Ice roster notes as well, courtesy of Ice beat writer Jeff Bromley's blog. Overage defenceman Zach Sim has apparently decided not to play in the WHL this year and will instead try to crack the University of Saskatchewan's team. And 19 year old journeyman forward Josh Gionfriddo will not attend the Ice camp either, instead choosing to try Jr A in the BCHL.
There's been a few sets of twins in the WHL over the years....some of them may have even played on the same team. But how'd you like a set of triplets on your team?
One other note, I have added Prince Albert and Seattle's camp rosters to the lists. Those two come courtesy of blog readers in those cities who took the time to send them to me. Thanks, guys!
Two Kootenay Ice roster notes as well, courtesy of Ice beat writer Jeff Bromley's blog. Overage defenceman Zach Sim has apparently decided not to play in the WHL this year and will instead try to crack the University of Saskatchewan's team. And 19 year old journeyman forward Josh Gionfriddo will not attend the Ice camp either, instead choosing to try Jr A in the BCHL.
There's been a few sets of twins in the WHL over the years....some of them may have even played on the same team. But how'd you like a set of triplets on your team?
One other note, I have added Prince Albert and Seattle's camp rosters to the lists. Those two come courtesy of blog readers in those cities who took the time to send them to me. Thanks, guys!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Memorial Cup bids
The WHL today announced the three cities bidding for the 2010 Memorial Cup.
They are Brandon, Kelowna, and Everett. With Kelowna just having had the thing in 2004, they probably are longshots to get it again. So this race is really between Brandon and Everett.
I just don't get why Central division teams never even bid for the thing. Seriously, when was the last time a team in the WHL's most centrally-located division actually bid on the Memorial Cup? Was it Calgary's bid which lost out to Regina for the 2001 Cup?
They are Brandon, Kelowna, and Everett. With Kelowna just having had the thing in 2004, they probably are longshots to get it again. So this race is really between Brandon and Everett.
I just don't get why Central division teams never even bid for the thing. Seriously, when was the last time a team in the WHL's most centrally-located division actually bid on the Memorial Cup? Was it Calgary's bid which lost out to Regina for the 2001 Cup?
Friday notes
News from the various camps....
Last year's opening day starting goalie in Chilliwack, Matt Esposito, is finished with the club. Esposito did not report to camp and is at home in Edmonton waiting for a trade or some other place to ply his trade next year. Bruins G.M. Darrell May is quite candid in his analysis of Esposito's plunge from #1 to not on the roster.
After playing for three WHL teams last year, California bantam star Matt Sokol is trying to resurrect his career in Saskatoon this season.
The Victor-Bartley's-going-pro saga is over, with the veteran defenceman now "100% in Regina". Very good news for the Pats' back end.
Jason Vondersmith of the Portland Tribune takes a position-by-position look at the 08-09 version of the Winterhawks.
Don Hay singles out some of the top rookie candidates for this year's edition of the Giants.
There's a new sheriff-wannabe trying to put down some roots in Red Deer.....and #1 overall bantam pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is having himself a fine camp too.
Spokane is missing star forward Ondrej Roman as they open camp....apparently he is waiting for a release from the IIHF before he can rejoin the Chiefs. I can't say I understand why he needs a release from anyone else when he has only played for the Chiefs for the last two years. We'll see how that ends up.
More later if anything comes up....I'll update the camp roster lists too with more rosters later.
Last year's opening day starting goalie in Chilliwack, Matt Esposito, is finished with the club. Esposito did not report to camp and is at home in Edmonton waiting for a trade or some other place to ply his trade next year. Bruins G.M. Darrell May is quite candid in his analysis of Esposito's plunge from #1 to not on the roster.
After playing for three WHL teams last year, California bantam star Matt Sokol is trying to resurrect his career in Saskatoon this season.
The Victor-Bartley's-going-pro saga is over, with the veteran defenceman now "100% in Regina". Very good news for the Pats' back end.
Jason Vondersmith of the Portland Tribune takes a position-by-position look at the 08-09 version of the Winterhawks.
Don Hay singles out some of the top rookie candidates for this year's edition of the Giants.
There's a new sheriff-wannabe trying to put down some roots in Red Deer.....and #1 overall bantam pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is having himself a fine camp too.
Spokane is missing star forward Ondrej Roman as they open camp....apparently he is waiting for a release from the IIHF before he can rejoin the Chiefs. I can't say I understand why he needs a release from anyone else when he has only played for the Chiefs for the last two years. We'll see how that ends up.
More later if anything comes up....I'll update the camp roster lists too with more rosters later.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Camps are here
It's Thursday, and that means hockey season is here. Yes folks, half of the league's teams are back on the ice today and all but four teams will be underway by this weekend.
Some news for the day.....
When Kamloops opens camp, they'll be short two forwards with knee injuries and one defenceman who has retired. Gregg has the details.....basically veteran d-man Darcy Huisman has retired because he doesn't want to play hockey anymore. Mark Hall and Richard Vanderhoek are the forwards with knee injuries. The veteran Hall's injury isn't believed to be serious, while rookie hopeful Vanderhoek's is worse and might end his season before the season even begins. Vanderhoek played 6 games for the Blazers last year and was expected to contend for a full-time spot on the team this year.
Meanwhile, it sounds like Victor Bartley will be joining the Pats this year after all. He'll be in their camp and while he's still hoping for a good pro offer, it's sounding more like he'll play his overage year as a Pat.
Camp rosters for Red Deer, Regina, and Saskatoon are in the next post below.....I'll add more rosters as I get then and I'll update the list daily for the next month until the season starts.
Some CHL/World Junior news now.....Gatineau Olympiques head coach Benoit Groulx has left the team to take the head coaching job with the AHL's Rochester Americans. And we thought Bill Peters gave Spokane short notice when HE left....QMJHL camps are getting underway right now and the Olympiques just lost one of the QMJHL's best coaches. This has a World Junior effect too as Groulx was slated to coach Canada at this year's WJCs in Ottawa but that isn't going to happen now. Medicine Hat Tigers coach Willie Desjardins was to be an assistant to Groulx at the WJCs but you'd have to think Desjardins becomes a pretty good candidate to take the head job now.
Prince George unveiled a new logo yesterday....is it just me or is that logo not a dead ringer for Everett's logo? They're almost identical!
The WHL is due to announce today the three teams which have applied to host the 2010 Memorial Cup. Brandon and Kelowna are known to be two of them but the identity of the third city is unknown. Guess we'll find out today. Kelowna hosted it just four years ago so you'd have to think they have no chance....Bruce Hamilton even said he was only submitting a bid just to make sure Brandon had some competition. So the hosting gig could really be only between Brandon and the mystery third city.
Bad news in P.G. and I don't mean the new logo: new import Jerome Flaake may not join the team due to a contract issue in his native Germany. Turns out he may have a pro contract to play in Germany this year....we'll see how that gets sorted out. Also, sophomore defenceman Art Bidlevskii reports to camp injured after being bitten on the hands and arms by his dogs while trying to stop them from fighting. Hopefully there is no tendon damage there and Bidlevskii won't have to miss an extended period of time.
Saskatoon has been forced to change the location of their training camp at the last minute, after a heat wave turned the ice in their original venue into a giant Slurpee.
One of Chilliwack's original Bruins, Michael Proudley, has left the team. Proudley didn't feel he would get the kind of ice time he wanted as a 19 year old this year in Chilliwack, and has chosen to stay home in Manitoba and play Jr A this year. The Bruins agreed with Proudley's take on his WHL situation and have released him to play in the MJHL.
Rockets chief scout Lorne Frey discusses the team's top rookie camp prospects. Conspicuous by his absence from the names mentioned in the article is Luke Moffatt.....
Greg Harder offers up an overview of the Pats camp this year with position-by-position battles for spots.
Tigers 2007 first round pick goalie Tyler Bunz is ready to make the team as a 16 year old.
Some news for the day.....
When Kamloops opens camp, they'll be short two forwards with knee injuries and one defenceman who has retired. Gregg has the details.....basically veteran d-man Darcy Huisman has retired because he doesn't want to play hockey anymore. Mark Hall and Richard Vanderhoek are the forwards with knee injuries. The veteran Hall's injury isn't believed to be serious, while rookie hopeful Vanderhoek's is worse and might end his season before the season even begins. Vanderhoek played 6 games for the Blazers last year and was expected to contend for a full-time spot on the team this year.
Meanwhile, it sounds like Victor Bartley will be joining the Pats this year after all. He'll be in their camp and while he's still hoping for a good pro offer, it's sounding more like he'll play his overage year as a Pat.
Camp rosters for Red Deer, Regina, and Saskatoon are in the next post below.....I'll add more rosters as I get then and I'll update the list daily for the next month until the season starts.
Some CHL/World Junior news now.....Gatineau Olympiques head coach Benoit Groulx has left the team to take the head coaching job with the AHL's Rochester Americans. And we thought Bill Peters gave Spokane short notice when HE left....QMJHL camps are getting underway right now and the Olympiques just lost one of the QMJHL's best coaches. This has a World Junior effect too as Groulx was slated to coach Canada at this year's WJCs in Ottawa but that isn't going to happen now. Medicine Hat Tigers coach Willie Desjardins was to be an assistant to Groulx at the WJCs but you'd have to think Desjardins becomes a pretty good candidate to take the head job now.
Prince George unveiled a new logo yesterday....is it just me or is that logo not a dead ringer for Everett's logo? They're almost identical!
The WHL is due to announce today the three teams which have applied to host the 2010 Memorial Cup. Brandon and Kelowna are known to be two of them but the identity of the third city is unknown. Guess we'll find out today. Kelowna hosted it just four years ago so you'd have to think they have no chance....Bruce Hamilton even said he was only submitting a bid just to make sure Brandon had some competition. So the hosting gig could really be only between Brandon and the mystery third city.
Bad news in P.G. and I don't mean the new logo: new import Jerome Flaake may not join the team due to a contract issue in his native Germany. Turns out he may have a pro contract to play in Germany this year....we'll see how that gets sorted out. Also, sophomore defenceman Art Bidlevskii reports to camp injured after being bitten on the hands and arms by his dogs while trying to stop them from fighting. Hopefully there is no tendon damage there and Bidlevskii won't have to miss an extended period of time.
Saskatoon has been forced to change the location of their training camp at the last minute, after a heat wave turned the ice in their original venue into a giant Slurpee.
One of Chilliwack's original Bruins, Michael Proudley, has left the team. Proudley didn't feel he would get the kind of ice time he wanted as a 19 year old this year in Chilliwack, and has chosen to stay home in Manitoba and play Jr A this year. The Bruins agreed with Proudley's take on his WHL situation and have released him to play in the MJHL.
Rockets chief scout Lorne Frey discusses the team's top rookie camp prospects. Conspicuous by his absence from the names mentioned in the article is Luke Moffatt.....
Greg Harder offers up an overview of the Pats camp this year with position-by-position battles for spots.
Tigers 2007 first round pick goalie Tyler Bunz is ready to make the team as a 16 year old.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Camp questions
This will be an interactive post.....I'm wondering what are the biggest questions fans have about their favourite team(s), or about the league, heading into training camp. Preferably questions that will be answered by the end of camp....after all, isn't that what training camps are for?
For example, two of the things I'm looking forward to finding out are:
1) Will Luke Moffatt report to Kelowna? If he doesn't, suddenly using the #2 overall pick on him in 2007 starts to look even more like a bad idea.
and
2) Will Evan Pighin report to Chilliwack? If he doesn't, who will win that battle of wills between Chilliwack and the BCHL?
Post YOUR questions in the comments section (a name or a handle would be nice too). I'll compile some of them and we'll try to find out the answers to them as camps go along.
For example, two of the things I'm looking forward to finding out are:
1) Will Luke Moffatt report to Kelowna? If he doesn't, suddenly using the #2 overall pick on him in 2007 starts to look even more like a bad idea.
and
2) Will Evan Pighin report to Chilliwack? If he doesn't, who will win that battle of wills between Chilliwack and the BCHL?
Post YOUR questions in the comments section (a name or a handle would be nice too). I'll compile some of them and we'll try to find out the answers to them as camps go along.
Wednesday notes
One WHL note to pass along this morning, from the blog of Regina Pats beat writer Greg Harder. Seems that potential Pats overage d-man Victor Bartley is undecided on whether he wants to play in the WHL as an overager or whether he wants to pursue a minor pro career this year in the AHL or ECHL.
If Bartley does not return, that's a big blow to the Pats. He's a top-pairing guy this year if he plays and their blueline would go from decent to being Teubert, Delahey, and a bunch of guys who didn't play very much last season. They've already lost Logan Pyett and Ryan Bender out of last year's top four defencemen. Not to say that the "guys who didn't play much" (Jackson, Kulchar, Pym) can't do the job but lack of experience always means question marks until they prove they can be top-four guys.
Spokane has also lost a potential overager, as the versatile Curtis Kelner has decided to go to university rather than return to the WHL. That tidbit come from beat writer Jessica Brown's blog. No surprise there though, it has been rumored since the season ended that Kelner wasn't going to come back.
In other, non-WHL, junior news, it sounds like OHL and Team Canada world junior star Stefan Legein has decided to retire from hockey at age 19. The story is here, on the blog of a couple of Columbus Blue Jackets' beat writers. The Blue Jackets drafted Legein in the 2nd round in 2007. I wonder what would make a kid so close to the Show (and its fame and fortune) walk away from hockey....kind of similar to Wheat Kings prospect Brandon Regier quitting hockey except that Legein is a heckuva lot closer to realizing the dream of millions of kids everywhere. Legein has signed an NHL contract with the Jackets and was likely ticketed for the AHL this year although he might have had a shot at seeing some time with the big club too. Strange.
If Bartley does not return, that's a big blow to the Pats. He's a top-pairing guy this year if he plays and their blueline would go from decent to being Teubert, Delahey, and a bunch of guys who didn't play very much last season. They've already lost Logan Pyett and Ryan Bender out of last year's top four defencemen. Not to say that the "guys who didn't play much" (Jackson, Kulchar, Pym) can't do the job but lack of experience always means question marks until they prove they can be top-four guys.
Spokane has also lost a potential overager, as the versatile Curtis Kelner has decided to go to university rather than return to the WHL. That tidbit come from beat writer Jessica Brown's blog. No surprise there though, it has been rumored since the season ended that Kelner wasn't going to come back.
In other, non-WHL, junior news, it sounds like OHL and Team Canada world junior star Stefan Legein has decided to retire from hockey at age 19. The story is here, on the blog of a couple of Columbus Blue Jackets' beat writers. The Blue Jackets drafted Legein in the 2nd round in 2007. I wonder what would make a kid so close to the Show (and its fame and fortune) walk away from hockey....kind of similar to Wheat Kings prospect Brandon Regier quitting hockey except that Legein is a heckuva lot closer to realizing the dream of millions of kids everywhere. Legein has signed an NHL contract with the Jackets and was likely ticketed for the AHL this year although he might have had a shot at seeing some time with the big club too. Strange.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
T minus two days
Two days till some teams open camps...here's the dates for most teams in the league. Full credit for this list goes to Gregg Drinnan, who compiled it....
Brandon Wheat Kings: Rookies, Aug. 27; veterans, Aug. 28.
Calgary Hitmen: Rookies, Aug 27; veterans, Aug 29.
Chilliwack Bruins: Veterans and rookies, Aug. 21.
Edmonton Oil Kings: Rookies, Aug 21; veterans, Aug 28?
Everett Silvertips: Rookies, Aug. 21; veterans, Aug. 24.
Kamloops Blazers: Rookies, veterans Aug. 22.
Kelowna Rockets: Rookies, Aug. 21; main camp, Aug. 25.
Kootenay Ice: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 28.
Lethbridge Hurricanes: Veterans and rookies, Aug 28.
Medicine Hat Tigers: Rookies, Aug. 22; veterans, Aug 27.
Moose Jaw Warriors: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 21.
Portland Winter Hawks: Veterans and rookies, Aug. 23.
Prince Albert Raiders: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 22.
Prince George Cougars: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 24.
Red Deer Rebels: Veterans and rookies, Aug. 21.
Regina Pats: Veterans and rookies, Aug. 21.
Saskatoon Blades: Veterans and rookies, Aug 21.
Seattle Thunderbirds: Rookie camp, Aug. 22; main camp, Aug. 25.
Spokane Chiefs: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 21.
Swift Current Broncos: Rookies, Aug. 20; veterans, Aug. 20.
Tri-City Americans: Rookie camp, Aug. 20; main camp, Aug. 24.
Vancouver Giants: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 22.
I will be trying to do what I did last year, compiling a list of all the players at each team's camp (if I can) and whittling it down as cuts are made, etc.
Still with the camp theme, the WHL recently held a training camp for its officials here in Calgary.....I think that explains the number of dogs I saw tied up outside a local rink while driving by.....
One other bit of WHL news; the CHL has announced that Swift Current and Prince Albert will be the host of the two WHL-Russia games this year. The days of putting this thing in the big arenas around the league are officially over, folks.
At least the Russians have a new motivator for their players this year. Gone are the days of "if you don't perform we'll send you to Siberia". This year it will be "pull up your socks or we'll send you to Prince Albert".
Oh, and I completely missed a milestone last week....this blog turned 1 year old on August 9. It's been slow this summer....but it'll get rocking again in a few days....
Brandon Wheat Kings: Rookies, Aug. 27; veterans, Aug. 28.
Calgary Hitmen: Rookies, Aug 27; veterans, Aug 29.
Chilliwack Bruins: Veterans and rookies, Aug. 21.
Edmonton Oil Kings: Rookies, Aug 21; veterans, Aug 28?
Everett Silvertips: Rookies, Aug. 21; veterans, Aug. 24.
Kamloops Blazers: Rookies, veterans Aug. 22.
Kelowna Rockets: Rookies, Aug. 21; main camp, Aug. 25.
Kootenay Ice: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 28.
Lethbridge Hurricanes: Veterans and rookies, Aug 28.
Medicine Hat Tigers: Rookies, Aug. 22; veterans, Aug 27.
Moose Jaw Warriors: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 21.
Portland Winter Hawks: Veterans and rookies, Aug. 23.
Prince Albert Raiders: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 22.
Prince George Cougars: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 24.
Red Deer Rebels: Veterans and rookies, Aug. 21.
Regina Pats: Veterans and rookies, Aug. 21.
Saskatoon Blades: Veterans and rookies, Aug 21.
Seattle Thunderbirds: Rookie camp, Aug. 22; main camp, Aug. 25.
Spokane Chiefs: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 21.
Swift Current Broncos: Rookies, Aug. 20; veterans, Aug. 20.
Tri-City Americans: Rookie camp, Aug. 20; main camp, Aug. 24.
Vancouver Giants: Rookies and veterans, Aug. 22.
I will be trying to do what I did last year, compiling a list of all the players at each team's camp (if I can) and whittling it down as cuts are made, etc.
Still with the camp theme, the WHL recently held a training camp for its officials here in Calgary.....I think that explains the number of dogs I saw tied up outside a local rink while driving by.....
One other bit of WHL news; the CHL has announced that Swift Current and Prince Albert will be the host of the two WHL-Russia games this year. The days of putting this thing in the big arenas around the league are officially over, folks.
At least the Russians have a new motivator for their players this year. Gone are the days of "if you don't perform we'll send you to Siberia". This year it will be "pull up your socks or we'll send you to Prince Albert".
Oh, and I completely missed a milestone last week....this blog turned 1 year old on August 9. It's been slow this summer....but it'll get rocking again in a few days....
Monday, August 18, 2008
More Portland news
Portland apparently is about to be rescued from their inept owners. Unconfirmed reports are that the team will be sold this week to Calgary oilman Bill Gallacher. Gallacher has been identified as a billionaire but I think that might be an exaggeration; he didn't make Canadian Business magazine's list of the 100 wealthiest Canadians last November. With only 54 identified billionaires in Canada, he shoulda made the top 100 wealthiest if he were really worth $1,000,000,000 or more. Suggestions that he would be the richest owner in the league seem to fall flat when you consider that Daryl Katz, the owner of the Edmonton Oilers and the WHL's Oil Kings, is at #15 with a net worth of $2.37 billion, and N. Murray Edwards, the majority owner of the Calgary Flames and Calgary Hitmen, is at #20 with a net worth of $2.12 billion. Kamloops owner Tom Gagliardi didn't make the list but his father, Bob, did in the #45 position with a net worth of $1.16 billion.
That being said, I have no doubts that as a CEO in the oilpatch, Gallacher is extremely wealthy. Really, what's the difference between a net worth of $100 million or a net worth of $1 billion....does the extra zero really change your life that much? As long as Gallacher is an improvement on Tweedledee and Tweedledum, I think Portland fans will be very happy.
(A reader just pointed out to me that it would be nice to add a zero to the end of HIS salary and see if it makes a difference.
)
It will be interesting to see what happens since apparently Gallacher plans to replace the entire hockey operations staff - new coaches, new GMs. Training camp starts next week and unless the sale is complete by then, it means coach Rich Kromm and GM Ken Hodge will be picking a team at camp which they may not get to see start the season.
That being said, I have no doubts that as a CEO in the oilpatch, Gallacher is extremely wealthy. Really, what's the difference between a net worth of $100 million or a net worth of $1 billion....does the extra zero really change your life that much? As long as Gallacher is an improvement on Tweedledee and Tweedledum, I think Portland fans will be very happy.
(A reader just pointed out to me that it would be nice to add a zero to the end of HIS salary and see if it makes a difference.
)It will be interesting to see what happens since apparently Gallacher plans to replace the entire hockey operations staff - new coaches, new GMs. Training camp starts next week and unless the sale is complete by then, it means coach Rich Kromm and GM Ken Hodge will be picking a team at camp which they may not get to see start the season.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Hard-luck Hawks
More problems for the Winter Hawks.....
The fancy Russian forward might not report, two defencemen are recovering from surgery and out for a while, another defenceman wants to play only in Regina....the hits just keep on coming.
The fancy Russian forward might not report, two defencemen are recovering from surgery and out for a while, another defenceman wants to play only in Regina....the hits just keep on coming.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Regier update
I guess the news for the Wheat Kings gets worse....2007 first round pick Brandon Regier isn't just declining to play for them this year, he's quitting hockey altogether. He has a mid-90's average in school and wants to focus on his education and getting on with his life. With marks like those, the opportunities for him outside of hockey will likely be pretty good as well.
Bad, bad news for the Wheaties but we should all keep in mind that Regier's only 16 years old and could yet change his mind quite easily in a year or two. Perhaps after he finishes high school he might want to give hockey another shot before going to university....he'd only be 18 and could still play two or three years in the WHL at that point.
It's hard to understand, for those of us who never had the ability to even dream of playing in the WHL, how a kid with Regier's combination of size and skill could abandon a legitimate shot at the extreme fame and fortune of an NHL career, but at the end of the day if you're not happy doing what you're doing, you should probably consider doing something else. As long as he's happy with his decision, it's the right one to make....
Bad, bad news for the Wheaties but we should all keep in mind that Regier's only 16 years old and could yet change his mind quite easily in a year or two. Perhaps after he finishes high school he might want to give hockey another shot before going to university....he'd only be 18 and could still play two or three years in the WHL at that point.
It's hard to understand, for those of us who never had the ability to even dream of playing in the WHL, how a kid with Regier's combination of size and skill could abandon a legitimate shot at the extreme fame and fortune of an NHL career, but at the end of the day if you're not happy doing what you're doing, you should probably consider doing something else. As long as he's happy with his decision, it's the right one to make....
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Wheatie news
Stolen from Gregg's blog....the Wheat Kings gained one impact player and lost another one (for 08-09 anyway) yesterday. Previously college-bound forward Aaron Lewadniuk has decided to come play for Brandon next year instead of pursuing his NCAA ambitions at Bemidji State. Lewadniuk, who will be a 19 year old this coming season, was a point-a-game player in Jr A the last couple years and should probably put up similar numbers in the WHL.
The bad news for the Wheaties is that 2007 first round bantam pick Brandon Regier has apparently decided not to play in the WHL this year and instead will stay home in B.C. and concentrate on his education. I would imagine he'd be playing either Jr A in the BCHL or AAA midget there. Regier has signed a WHL contract and played a few games for the Wheat Kings last year, so there's no concern that he'll spurn the WHL for the NCAA since that ship has sailed. But it looks like his WHL rookie season will now be 2009-10 instead, when he'll be 17. Not a huge deal I guess but teams usually like to get their first round picks into their lineups at 16.
The bad news for the Wheaties is that 2007 first round bantam pick Brandon Regier has apparently decided not to play in the WHL this year and instead will stay home in B.C. and concentrate on his education. I would imagine he'd be playing either Jr A in the BCHL or AAA midget there. Regier has signed a WHL contract and played a few games for the Wheat Kings last year, so there's no concern that he'll spurn the WHL for the NCAA since that ship has sailed. But it looks like his WHL rookie season will now be 2009-10 instead, when he'll be 17. Not a huge deal I guess but teams usually like to get their first round picks into their lineups at 16.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
News and notes
Bunch of assorted stuff today....
First, Spokane has traded another member of their Memorial Cup winning team. Defenceman Jace Coyle, who was a depth player on the Chiefs last year and saw no action in the postseason, is off to Medicine Hat for a 2009 5th round bantam pick and a 2010 3rd round bantam pick. The likelihood that the Chiefs could return their entire blueline next year made Coyle expendable as the Chiefs probably want to make room on their roster for at least one rookie defender. Plus, a 5th and a 3rd is a pretty good return for Coyle.
The Tigers hold Spokane's 2010 2nd round pick from the Trevor Glass trade, so the Chiefs getting Medicine Hat's 3rd rounder that year comes pretty close to recovering that pick.
Speaking of drafts, I poached this article from a link Gregg Drinnan posted on his blog....check it out. Seems like the OHL is considering withdrawing from the import draft and thus not using any import players in the future. I think this will probably weaken the OHL when it comes to things like the Memorial Cup....whether you like imports or not, and there's a lot of reasons not to like them, the good ones do raise the calibre of our game. Yes, they cost North American kids spots in the league, but they are costing the 23rd or 24th best player on your team's roster his job and when they're able to play in your top 6 forwards or top 4 defencemen, they make your team better for it.
I'm ambivalent about their presence.....use them, don't use them, I don't care. I do think the current system is broken though, with some imports able to manipulate where they end up, which gives some teams (mostly teams with big markets, high profiles, etc) an unfair advantage over poorer teams. If it's not going to be fair across the board then maybe the WHL and QMJHL need to consider withdrawing from using imports as well.
Moving on, Hockey Canada picked the 22 players who are representing Canada at the Ivan Hlinka memorial U-18 tournament in the Czech Republic next week. You can find the roster here and it includes 11 WHLers (goalie Nathan Lieuwen is a WHLer even if they don't list him as one - he played some games for the Ice last year and will compete for their #1 job this year). You can follow the tournament at Hockey Canada's website as well, also using that link and choosing "Schedule/Results" once the tournament starts.
Some teams start training camps just two weeks from now, while others don't get started for three weeks, on the long weekend. If you're a Bronco fan, Jon Keen has a couple good writeups on his blog (link on the left), running down the Bronco roster and who the good prospects for making the team are. Check it out.
First, Spokane has traded another member of their Memorial Cup winning team. Defenceman Jace Coyle, who was a depth player on the Chiefs last year and saw no action in the postseason, is off to Medicine Hat for a 2009 5th round bantam pick and a 2010 3rd round bantam pick. The likelihood that the Chiefs could return their entire blueline next year made Coyle expendable as the Chiefs probably want to make room on their roster for at least one rookie defender. Plus, a 5th and a 3rd is a pretty good return for Coyle.
The Tigers hold Spokane's 2010 2nd round pick from the Trevor Glass trade, so the Chiefs getting Medicine Hat's 3rd rounder that year comes pretty close to recovering that pick.
Speaking of drafts, I poached this article from a link Gregg Drinnan posted on his blog....check it out. Seems like the OHL is considering withdrawing from the import draft and thus not using any import players in the future. I think this will probably weaken the OHL when it comes to things like the Memorial Cup....whether you like imports or not, and there's a lot of reasons not to like them, the good ones do raise the calibre of our game. Yes, they cost North American kids spots in the league, but they are costing the 23rd or 24th best player on your team's roster his job and when they're able to play in your top 6 forwards or top 4 defencemen, they make your team better for it.
I'm ambivalent about their presence.....use them, don't use them, I don't care. I do think the current system is broken though, with some imports able to manipulate where they end up, which gives some teams (mostly teams with big markets, high profiles, etc) an unfair advantage over poorer teams. If it's not going to be fair across the board then maybe the WHL and QMJHL need to consider withdrawing from using imports as well.
Moving on, Hockey Canada picked the 22 players who are representing Canada at the Ivan Hlinka memorial U-18 tournament in the Czech Republic next week. You can find the roster here and it includes 11 WHLers (goalie Nathan Lieuwen is a WHLer even if they don't list him as one - he played some games for the Ice last year and will compete for their #1 job this year). You can follow the tournament at Hockey Canada's website as well, also using that link and choosing "Schedule/Results" once the tournament starts.
Some teams start training camps just two weeks from now, while others don't get started for three weeks, on the long weekend. If you're a Bronco fan, Jon Keen has a couple good writeups on his blog (link on the left), running down the Bronco roster and who the good prospects for making the team are. Check it out.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Chiefs lose Peters
Another head coaching vacancy just opened up in the WHL: Bill Peters has left the Chiefs to accept the head coaching position with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL.
The search for his replacement is underway....I'm thinking that assistant Hardy Sauter might not be a bad choice. But there's lots of good candidates out there and whoever gets the job is going to step into a pretty good situation, with much of the core of that Memorial Cup winning team returning next year.
The search for his replacement is underway....I'm thinking that assistant Hardy Sauter might not be a bad choice. But there's lots of good candidates out there and whoever gets the job is going to step into a pretty good situation, with much of the core of that Memorial Cup winning team returning next year.
Wah Jr charged with assault
So, Patrick Roy's kid has been charged with assault after that infamous March QMJHL brawl which you can see here if you missed it.
Am I alone in thinking that police involvement in this case is just a little too harsh? Sure, what he did was cowardly and something we don't need in hockey. But was it really worthy of a criminal charge? I think there are definitely cases where police involvement is necessary, where a players actions clearly exceed what should be tolerated in the sport. But is this one of them? I don't think so....I think this is a case which can be dealt with by the QMJHL instead of in the courts.
The QMJHL did suspend Roy for 7 games, which is not nearly long enough for the incident; I'd have started at around 20 games. I'm all for a good fight (or two, or three or four) but leagues need to be tougher on the out-of-control goonery Roy Jr displayed - jumping and pummeling opponents who don't want to fight, etc. But I think a potential assault conviction and the ensuing criminal record are just a bit much for this incident.
In an unrelated (but related all the same) story, the former captain of a Calgary Jr. B team was sentenced to 30 days in jail earlier this week for punching and kicking a linesman after being ejected from a Jr. B game. Now, this was a good example of a case where the courts needed to be involved....
Am I alone in thinking that police involvement in this case is just a little too harsh? Sure, what he did was cowardly and something we don't need in hockey. But was it really worthy of a criminal charge? I think there are definitely cases where police involvement is necessary, where a players actions clearly exceed what should be tolerated in the sport. But is this one of them? I don't think so....I think this is a case which can be dealt with by the QMJHL instead of in the courts.
The QMJHL did suspend Roy for 7 games, which is not nearly long enough for the incident; I'd have started at around 20 games. I'm all for a good fight (or two, or three or four) but leagues need to be tougher on the out-of-control goonery Roy Jr displayed - jumping and pummeling opponents who don't want to fight, etc. But I think a potential assault conviction and the ensuing criminal record are just a bit much for this incident.
In an unrelated (but related all the same) story, the former captain of a Calgary Jr. B team was sentenced to 30 days in jail earlier this week for punching and kicking a linesman after being ejected from a Jr. B game. Now, this was a good example of a case where the courts needed to be involved....
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