Yowza....when was the last time you saw an overage player traded for a first round bantam pick, let alone a first AND a second round pick? Well, it happened today.
Portland trades overage forward Spencer Bennett and 18 year old forward Teal Burns, plus a 2011 first round pick and a 2012 2nd round pick, to Vancouver for overage forward Craig Cunningham and a 2011 6th round pick.
So Cunningham just netted the Giants two players and two very high picks in return - and as an overager, Cunningham is definitely only a half-season player. Huge price paid by the Hawks but clearly they believe this is their year to go for it. Interesting also that they included Bennett in the deal even though they did not have to move an overager to add Cunningham. They still have an overage spot open now and can still add another overage player before the deadline.
For Vancouver, the deal recoups the first round pick they gave up to get David Musil, so they are back in the first round and they have a number of 2nd round picks in 2011 too, so this could be a draft that sets them up for years to come if they hit on all these picks.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday notes
Few things today....
First, the CHL has named the rosters of players who will play in this year's Top Prospects game in January. 13 WHLers have been named to participate; the list can be found here.
I notice that press release says the game takes place January 18-19. Apparently they have expanded the game from its usual 60 minutes and it now runs so long that, like a cricket match, it takes place over two days.
Next note; despite the WHL having a trade freeze in effect, the Oil Kings and Broncos completed a trade yesterday which saw the Oil Kings send the rights to 17 year old forward Graham Black to the Broncos for a conditional 2011 8th round bantam pick. The trade freeze is only for WHL roster players and since Black is currently playing in the Saskatchewan midget league, it is allowed to take place.
Black is actually leading the SMHL in scoring by a big margin, so perhaps the Broncos will attempt to add him to their roster after the Christmas break.
Speaking of trades, in the WHL a first round pick gets you a forward like Carter Ashton, an NHL first round pick. In the QMJHL, a first round pick gets you an undrafted forward with 40 points in three seasons. I don't pretend to be an expert on the QMJHL but to me that looks like a bad, bad trade.
Lastly, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association has finally named its team for the Canada Winter Games in February. B.C., Alberta, and Manitoba named their rosters (also chock-full of WHL prospects) previously. As I did with the other provinces, here's Saskatchewan's roster, with WHL affiliation:
G Brett Lewchuk - Spokane - 2010 5th rd
G Daniel Wapple - Moose Jaw - 2010 4th rd
D Kayle Doetzel - Red Deer - 2010 1st rd
D Tanner Faith - Kootenay - 2010 2nd rd
D Colby Harmsworth - Calgary - 2010 3rd rd
D Tyler King-Cunningham - Spokane - 2010 1st rd
D Branden Scheidl - Portland - 2010 4th rd
D Colby Williams - Regina - 2010 4th rd
F Austin Calladine - Calgary - 2010 2nd rd
F Jarrett Fontaine - Prince George - 2010 3rd rd
F Alex Forsberg - Prince George - 2010 1st rd
F Carter Hansen - Moose Jaw - 2010 1st rd
F Craig Leverton - Lethbridge - 2010 2nd rd
F Tim McGauley - Saskatoon - 2010 1st rd
F Zac MacKay - Swift Current - 2010 4th rd
F Ty McLean - Regina - 2010 5th rd
F Cory Millette - Red Deer - 2010 2nd rd
F Tyson Predinchuk - Spokane - 2010 6th rd
F Justin Spagrud - Tri City - 2010 3rd rd
F Jordan Tkatch - Prince George - 2010 2nd rd
First, the CHL has named the rosters of players who will play in this year's Top Prospects game in January. 13 WHLers have been named to participate; the list can be found here.
I notice that press release says the game takes place January 18-19. Apparently they have expanded the game from its usual 60 minutes and it now runs so long that, like a cricket match, it takes place over two days.
Next note; despite the WHL having a trade freeze in effect, the Oil Kings and Broncos completed a trade yesterday which saw the Oil Kings send the rights to 17 year old forward Graham Black to the Broncos for a conditional 2011 8th round bantam pick. The trade freeze is only for WHL roster players and since Black is currently playing in the Saskatchewan midget league, it is allowed to take place.
Black is actually leading the SMHL in scoring by a big margin, so perhaps the Broncos will attempt to add him to their roster after the Christmas break.
Speaking of trades, in the WHL a first round pick gets you a forward like Carter Ashton, an NHL first round pick. In the QMJHL, a first round pick gets you an undrafted forward with 40 points in three seasons. I don't pretend to be an expert on the QMJHL but to me that looks like a bad, bad trade.
Lastly, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association has finally named its team for the Canada Winter Games in February. B.C., Alberta, and Manitoba named their rosters (also chock-full of WHL prospects) previously. As I did with the other provinces, here's Saskatchewan's roster, with WHL affiliation:
G Brett Lewchuk - Spokane - 2010 5th rd
G Daniel Wapple - Moose Jaw - 2010 4th rd
D Kayle Doetzel - Red Deer - 2010 1st rd
D Tanner Faith - Kootenay - 2010 2nd rd
D Colby Harmsworth - Calgary - 2010 3rd rd
D Tyler King-Cunningham - Spokane - 2010 1st rd
D Branden Scheidl - Portland - 2010 4th rd
D Colby Williams - Regina - 2010 4th rd
F Austin Calladine - Calgary - 2010 2nd rd
F Jarrett Fontaine - Prince George - 2010 3rd rd
F Alex Forsberg - Prince George - 2010 1st rd
F Carter Hansen - Moose Jaw - 2010 1st rd
F Craig Leverton - Lethbridge - 2010 2nd rd
F Tim McGauley - Saskatoon - 2010 1st rd
F Zac MacKay - Swift Current - 2010 4th rd
F Ty McLean - Regina - 2010 5th rd
F Cory Millette - Red Deer - 2010 2nd rd
F Tyson Predinchuk - Spokane - 2010 6th rd
F Justin Spagrud - Tri City - 2010 3rd rd
F Jordan Tkatch - Prince George - 2010 2nd rd
Suspensions for clean hits?
Both these plays happened a short while back but I've been meaning to comment on this.....the WHL has recently suspended a couple of players for what in my opinion are clean hits.
First was a much-publicized hit by Brandon's Ryley Miller on Everett's Kellan Tochkin on December 8. You can see the video of that hit here. A less publicized hit was one by Adrian Van de Mosselaer of Edmonton on Brad Hoban of Swift Current on December 15. Video of that hit is here.
Both Miller and Van de Mosselaer got two game suspensions for those hits. I don't see why though....Miller was just a good clean open ice hit on a guy going through center ice with his head down. In Van de Mosselaer's case, watch Hoban at 1:03 - he sees the hit coming and instead of doing something about that, he turns his head and shoulders back towards the boards to look for the puck.
In both cases, if the recipients of the hits had protected themselves and kept their heads up, they probably don't get hurt on what are otherwise clean hits. Near as I can tell, the only reason anyone got suspended in either case is because somebody got hurt.....IMO that's not good enough. Clean hits are clean hits whether somebody gets hurt or not. Have we gone so far in trying to clean up dirty hits and head shots that we're now starting to take hitting out of the game altogether?
First was a much-publicized hit by Brandon's Ryley Miller on Everett's Kellan Tochkin on December 8. You can see the video of that hit here. A less publicized hit was one by Adrian Van de Mosselaer of Edmonton on Brad Hoban of Swift Current on December 15. Video of that hit is here.
Both Miller and Van de Mosselaer got two game suspensions for those hits. I don't see why though....Miller was just a good clean open ice hit on a guy going through center ice with his head down. In Van de Mosselaer's case, watch Hoban at 1:03 - he sees the hit coming and instead of doing something about that, he turns his head and shoulders back towards the boards to look for the puck.
In both cases, if the recipients of the hits had protected themselves and kept their heads up, they probably don't get hurt on what are otherwise clean hits. Near as I can tell, the only reason anyone got suspended in either case is because somebody got hurt.....IMO that's not good enough. Clean hits are clean hits whether somebody gets hurt or not. Have we gone so far in trying to clean up dirty hits and head shots that we're now starting to take hitting out of the game altogether?
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
U.S. World Junior roster set
USA Hockey made their cuts and named their final 22 man roster for the World Juniors this morning. Two WHLers - forwards Emerson Etem and Mitchell Callahan - were trying out for the team and both of them have made the cut.
The USA roster:
Goaltenders - Jack Campbell, Andy Iles
Defensemen - Brian Dumoulin, Justin Faulk, Derek Forbort, Nick Leddy, Jon Merrill, John Ramage, Patrick Wey
Forwards - Nick Bjugstad, Ryan Bourque, Chris Brown, Mitch Callahan, Charlie Coyle, Jerry D'Amigo, Emerson Etem, Chris Kreider, Jeremy Morin, Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, Drew Shore, Jason Zucker
Bjugstad (Everett), Brown (Calgary), Faulk (Tri-City), Forbort (Everett), Leddy (Tri-City), Nelson (Tri-City), Shore (Chilliwack), and Zucker (Seattle) are also on the protected lists of WHL clubs. So a strong western flavour on the USA team even if only a couple are actually in the WHL.
The USA roster:
Goaltenders - Jack Campbell, Andy Iles
Defensemen - Brian Dumoulin, Justin Faulk, Derek Forbort, Nick Leddy, Jon Merrill, John Ramage, Patrick Wey
Forwards - Nick Bjugstad, Ryan Bourque, Chris Brown, Mitch Callahan, Charlie Coyle, Jerry D'Amigo, Emerson Etem, Chris Kreider, Jeremy Morin, Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, Drew Shore, Jason Zucker
Bjugstad (Everett), Brown (Calgary), Faulk (Tri-City), Forbort (Everett), Leddy (Tri-City), Nelson (Tri-City), Shore (Chilliwack), and Zucker (Seattle) are also on the protected lists of WHL clubs. So a strong western flavour on the USA team even if only a couple are actually in the WHL.
Monday, December 20, 2010
B-pool World Junior results
The two "b-pool" world junior championships wrapped up on the weekend, and it was big news for a couple of WHLers who were taking part. Latvia (featuring Edmonton Oil King Kristian Pelss) won one tournament, while Denmark (with Brandon's Mark Mieritz) won the other tournament.
As a result, Latvia and Denmark have qualified for the 2012 World Juniors, which are being held in Edmonton & Calgary.
Mieritz had 3 points (2g-1a) in 5 games for the Danes. Pelss had 4 points (2g-2a) in 5 games for the Latvians.
Mieritz and Denmark finished tied for first with Slovenia but won the tournament because of head-to-head result. Slovenia featured Kelowna's Gal Koren (who had 8 points - 3g, 5a - in 5 games), and former Winterhawk Gasper Kopitar, who had 4 points - 2g, 2a - in the 5 games.
As a result, Latvia and Denmark have qualified for the 2012 World Juniors, which are being held in Edmonton & Calgary.
Mieritz had 3 points (2g-1a) in 5 games for the Danes. Pelss had 4 points (2g-2a) in 5 games for the Latvians.
Mieritz and Denmark finished tied for first with Slovenia but won the tournament because of head-to-head result. Slovenia featured Kelowna's Gal Koren (who had 8 points - 3g, 5a - in 5 games), and former Winterhawk Gasper Kopitar, who had 4 points - 2g, 2a - in the 5 games.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday notes
Just a couple things on my notepad today....
First, a question from a reader who is wondering if the current group of young defencemen in the WHL - specifically those eligible for the 2012 NHL draft - is the best group ever for one draft. Of course these things are impossible to measure until many years from now, but the evidence is certainly compelling that this is going to be a truly remarkable NHL draft class of blueliners from the WHL.
There are currently 14 defencemen in the WHL this year who are eligible for the 2012 NHL draft. There will be more next year of course - most 2012 draft eligible players are only 16 this year and many of those kids won't crack WHL rosters until next season, and some of those will become stars as well. But looking only at the kids who are in the league right now, it's looking like a very, very good group.
The 14 currently in the WHL, with size and current stats (GP-G-A-PTS, +/-):
Matt Dumba (Red Deer Rebels) - 6'0", 172 lb, 34-9-3-12-58, +4
Reid Gow (Spokane Chiefs) - 5'11", 182 lb, 24-2-5-7-12, +3
Brady Gaudet (Kamloops Blazers) - 5'11", 172 lb, 24-4-2-6-19, -8
Lucas Grayson (Red Deer Rebels) - 6'0", 171 lb, 19-0-1-1-41, -1
Josh Hanson (Portland Winterhawks) - 6'2", 195 lb, 22-1-0-1-8, +3
Keaton Lubin (Calgary Hitmen) - 5'11", 175 lb, 14-0-0-0-4, -5
Ryan Murray (Everett Silvertips) - 6'0", 185 lb, 33-2-11-13-27, +16
Derrick Pouliot (Portland Winterhawks) - 5'11", 170 lb, 34-4-14-18-27, +6
Griffin Reinhart (Edmonton Oil Kings) - 6'4", 202 lb, 31-4-12-16-24, +11
Morgan Rielly (Moose Jaw Warriors) - 6'0", 190 lb, 32-4-14-18-17, -1
Jaynen Rissling (Calgary Hitmen) - 6'3", 215 lb, 30-2-9-11-59, -15
Damon Severson (Kelowna Rockets) - 6'1", 175 lb, 31-4-7-11-25, +1
Dalton Thrower (Saskatoon Blades) - 5'11", 178 lb, 33-3-6-9-42, +1
Nicholas Walters (Everett Silvertips) - 6'1", 185 lb, 19-0-1-1-29, -8
Just looking at that list, I can see at least 5 players (Dumba, Murray, Pouliot, Reinhart, Rielly) who at this point are anywhere from "sure-thing" to "pretty good chance" bets at being NHL first round picks in 2012. A couple of those guys are probably even looking at possibly being top ten picks.
Three or four others on the list are a bit back of the calibre of those top five, but they all have another year and a half in the WHL to keep improving yet before the draft.
Just for comparison purposes, the number of WHL defencemen picked in the first round of recent NHL drafts:
2010: 2
2009: 1
2008: 4
2007: 6
2006: 1
2005: 0
What do you think? Could the 2012 group potentially be the WHL's best ever, both in number of high picks and in (super)star potential?
Secondly today, read this article about a minor hockey coach in Ontario who has been seriously shafted, if you ask me.
I get that the guy broke the rules and maybe could have handled things a little differently. But I don't think there's any question that morally he is completely in the right here. The punishment is grossly disproportionate to the crime - can the people in charge not see that? A few games suspension, that's fine...but this is ridiculous, especially in light of how the real perpetrator of the whole situation, the player who made the racist remarks, was suspended for only three games. His coach was given no punishment at all.
First, a question from a reader who is wondering if the current group of young defencemen in the WHL - specifically those eligible for the 2012 NHL draft - is the best group ever for one draft. Of course these things are impossible to measure until many years from now, but the evidence is certainly compelling that this is going to be a truly remarkable NHL draft class of blueliners from the WHL.
There are currently 14 defencemen in the WHL this year who are eligible for the 2012 NHL draft. There will be more next year of course - most 2012 draft eligible players are only 16 this year and many of those kids won't crack WHL rosters until next season, and some of those will become stars as well. But looking only at the kids who are in the league right now, it's looking like a very, very good group.
The 14 currently in the WHL, with size and current stats (GP-G-A-PTS, +/-):
Matt Dumba (Red Deer Rebels) - 6'0", 172 lb, 34-9-3-12-58, +4
Reid Gow (Spokane Chiefs) - 5'11", 182 lb, 24-2-5-7-12, +3
Brady Gaudet (Kamloops Blazers) - 5'11", 172 lb, 24-4-2-6-19, -8
Lucas Grayson (Red Deer Rebels) - 6'0", 171 lb, 19-0-1-1-41, -1
Josh Hanson (Portland Winterhawks) - 6'2", 195 lb, 22-1-0-1-8, +3
Keaton Lubin (Calgary Hitmen) - 5'11", 175 lb, 14-0-0-0-4, -5
Ryan Murray (Everett Silvertips) - 6'0", 185 lb, 33-2-11-13-27, +16
Derrick Pouliot (Portland Winterhawks) - 5'11", 170 lb, 34-4-14-18-27, +6
Griffin Reinhart (Edmonton Oil Kings) - 6'4", 202 lb, 31-4-12-16-24, +11
Morgan Rielly (Moose Jaw Warriors) - 6'0", 190 lb, 32-4-14-18-17, -1
Jaynen Rissling (Calgary Hitmen) - 6'3", 215 lb, 30-2-9-11-59, -15
Damon Severson (Kelowna Rockets) - 6'1", 175 lb, 31-4-7-11-25, +1
Dalton Thrower (Saskatoon Blades) - 5'11", 178 lb, 33-3-6-9-42, +1
Nicholas Walters (Everett Silvertips) - 6'1", 185 lb, 19-0-1-1-29, -8
Murray, Rissling, and Thrower are all 17 year olds this year, but are late-1993 birthdate players who aren't NHL eligible until 2012. The rest are all 16 year olds this year.
Just looking at that list, I can see at least 5 players (Dumba, Murray, Pouliot, Reinhart, Rielly) who at this point are anywhere from "sure-thing" to "pretty good chance" bets at being NHL first round picks in 2012. A couple of those guys are probably even looking at possibly being top ten picks.
Three or four others on the list are a bit back of the calibre of those top five, but they all have another year and a half in the WHL to keep improving yet before the draft.
Just for comparison purposes, the number of WHL defencemen picked in the first round of recent NHL drafts:
2010: 2
2009: 1
2008: 4
2007: 6
2006: 1
2005: 0
What do you think? Could the 2012 group potentially be the WHL's best ever, both in number of high picks and in (super)star potential?
Secondly today, read this article about a minor hockey coach in Ontario who has been seriously shafted, if you ask me.
I get that the guy broke the rules and maybe could have handled things a little differently. But I don't think there's any question that morally he is completely in the right here. The punishment is grossly disproportionate to the crime - can the people in charge not see that? A few games suspension, that's fine...but this is ridiculous, especially in light of how the real perpetrator of the whole situation, the player who made the racist remarks, was suspended for only three games. His coach was given no punishment at all.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Macs Midget tournament lineups
The Macs Midget Tournament (website here) people named their 2010 team lineup today. This is one of the top midget tournaments in the world and something that almost every midget team in western Canada looks forward to being invited to play in.
For WHL fans, the tournament (held in Calgary from December 26 through January 1 every year) is a chance to catch many future WHL stars before they crack WHL rosters, and this year's tournament looks very strong in that regard. By my count, there are 178 WHL-listed players playing in this year's tournament - including 17 of the 22 first round picks from the 2010 bantam draft. When you consider that there's only about 750 WHL-listed prospects in total (players who are not on WHL teams rosters), this tournament represents a chance to see almost 25% of those players in one setting. That's a lot of future WHLers there.
This year's tournament also features the return of some good international competition - in addition to the 22 western Canadian clubs, there are also top AAA midget teams from San Jose, North Carolina, and the Russian team Severstal HC.
The WHL-listed players in the tournament this year are:
Beardys Blackhawks:
Brett Boehm (C-94) - Everett (listed player)
Alex Forsberg (C-95) - Prince George (2010 1st rd)
Brett Lewchuk (G-95) - Spokane (2010 5th rd)
Tanner Moar (D-94) - Kelowna (2009 7th rd)
Elliott Peterson (LW-95) - Calgary (2010 11th rd)
Landon Robin (C-94) - Edmonton (2009 7th rd)
Jaryd Watson (C-95) - Kelowna (2010 9th rd)
Two other WHL-listed players from Beardys are not playing in the Macs as they are playing at the U-17 Challenge instead:
Jared Iron (C-94) - Kootenay (2009 8th rd)
Jaimen Yakubowski (LW-94) - Lethbridge (2009 4th rd)
Calgary Buffaloes:
Cameron Barnes (G-94) - Kelowna (listed player)
Morgan Klimchuk (C-95) - Regina (2010 1st rd)
Nik Kosman (D-94) - Calgary (listed player)
Jay Merkley (C-95) - Lethbridge (2010 1st rd)
Blake Orban (D-94) - Vancouver (2009 3rd rd)
Braeden Salverda (C-95) - Calgary (2010 10th rd)
Coleman Vollrath (G-95) - Chilliwack (2010 3rd rd)
Calgary Flames:
Jared Hauf (D-95) - Seattle (2010 1st rd)
Dillon Heatherington (D-95) - Swift Current (2010 1st rd)
Cole Ully (LW-95) - Kamloops (2010 2nd rd)
Jamal Watson (RW-95) - Lethbridge (2010 5th rd)
Calgary Northstars:
Riley Guenther (D-94) - Tri-City (2009 3rd rd)
Andrew Guglielmin (G-94) - Spokane (listed player)
Chad Labelle (C-95) - Medicine Hat (2010 6th rd)
Jesse Lees (D-95) - Kelowna (2010 1st rd)
Mitchell Moroz (LW-94) - Edmonton (2009 2nd rd)
Cade Owad (C-95) - Spokane (2010 7th rd)
Riley Whittingham (RW-95) - Spokane (2010 3rd rd)
Bobby Zinken (D-95) - Swift Current (2010 4th rd)
Calgary Royals:
Geoff Crisfield (D-93) - Chilliwack (listed player)
Josh Morrissey (D-95) - Prince Albert (2010 1st rd)
Bolton Pouliot (G-94) - Red Deer (2009 7th rd)
Joel Rogers (D-94) - Spokane (listed player)
Cariboo Cougars:
Josh Connolly (D-95) - Kamloops (2010 3rd rd)
Luke Gordon (C-94) - Calgary (listed player)
Raymond Grewal (D-95) - Prince George (2010 5th rd)
Brett Harris (LW-95) - Regina (2010 5th rd)
Eli Jarvis (C-95) - Prince George (2010 12th rd)
Jared Rathjen (G-94) - Chilliwack (listed player)
Brett Roulston (C-94) - Kamloops (listed player)
Chase Witala (C-95) - Prince George (2010 5th rd)
Edmonton S.S.A.C.:
Cole Benson (C-95) - Edmonton (2010 9th rd)
Dakota Conroy (LW-94) - Brandon (2009 3rd rd)
Marshall Donald (D-95) - Calgary (2010 3rd rd)
Devin McAndrews (C-95) - Medicine Hat (listed player)
Marc McCoy (C-94) - Red Deer (2009 5th rd)
Dane Phaneuf (D-94) - Prince George (2009 3rd rd)
Adam Tambellini (RW-94) - Portland (listed player)
Cole Wedman (D-94) - Spokane (2009 6th rd)
Greater Vancouver Canadians:
Anthony Ast (C-95) - Vancouver (2010 1st rd)
Arwin Atwal (D-95) - Prince Albert (2010 8th rd)
Brodie Burdeny (G-94) - Calgary (2009 4th rd)
Macoy Erkamps (D-95) - Lethbridge (2010 2nd rd)
Garrett Forster (RW-95) - Calgary (2010 9th rd)
Jason Fram (D-95) - Spokane (2010 8th rd)
Demico Hannoun (C-95) - Regina (2010 9th rd)
Tristan Jarry (G-95) - Edmonton (2010 3rd rd)
Trevor Lima (D-95) - Vancouver (2010 6th rd)
Brodyn Nielsen (C-94) - Vancouver (listed player)
Nicolas Petan (C-95) - Portland (2010 1st rd)
Carter Popoff (C-95) - Seattle (listed player)
Leduc Oil Kings:
Colten Cassidy (D-94) - Swift Current (2009 8th rd)
Hayden Dawes (RW-94) - Calgary (2009 5th rd)
Jaedon Descheneau (RW-95) - Kootenay (2010 3rd rd)
Braiden Doucette (D-95) - Moose Jaw (2010 4th rd)
Moose Jaw Generals:
Austin Daae (LW-93) - Saskatoon (listed player)
Zach Douglas (D-95) - Seattle (2010 5th rd)
Matthew Gibney (G-93) - Seattle (listed player)
Carter Hansen (D-95) - Moose Jaw (2010 1st rd)
Tyler King-Cunningham (D-95) - Spokane (2010 1st rd)
Cory Millette (RW-95) - Red Deer (2010 2nd rd)
Tyler Mueller (D-94) - Regina (2009 12th rd)
Dayton Picard (C-94) - Saskatoon (listed player)
TJ Reeve (RW-94) - Regina (listed player)
Ashton Sautner (D-94) - Edmonton (2009 8th rd)
Hunter Smith (RW-95) - Brandon (2010 9th rd)
Zach Walker (D-93) - Seattle (2008 5th rd)
Sean Whelan (D-94) - Regina (2009 11th rd)
Okanagan Rockets:
Alexander Fraser (D-95) - Kelowna (listed player)
Luke Harrison (C-95) - Chilliwack (2010 3rd rd)
Brent Lashuk (LW-94) - Kelowna (2009 4th rd)
Adam Todd (G-94) - Saskatoon (2009 4th rd)
Prince Albert Mintos:
Brennen Bosovich (LW-93) - Tri-City (listed player)
Tyson Dallman (C-93) - Tri-City (listed player)
Tad Kozun (LW-93) - Red Deer (listed player)
Taran Kozun (G-94) - Kamloops (listed player)
Sawyer Lange (D-94) - Prince Albert (2009 4th rd)
Dawson MacAuley (G-94) - Medicine Hat (2009 2nd rd)
Bryden Serafini (LW-94) - Regina (listed player)
Mike Statchuk (D-94) - Saskatoon (2009 5th rd)
Jordan Tkatch (C-95) - Prince George (2010 2nd rd)
Red Deer Rebels:
Stefan Danielson (D-95) - Swift Current (listed player)
Tanner Jailett (G-93) - Red Deer (listed player)
Joel Topping (D-95) - Lethbridge (2010 2nd rd)
Saskatoon Contacts:
Kohl Bauml (C-94) - Everett (2009 3rd rd)
Austin Calladine (C-95) - Calgary (2010 2nd rd)
Kayle Doetzel (D-95) - Red Deer (2010 1st rd)
Colby Harmsworth (D-95) - Calgary (2010 3rd rd)
Taylor Leier (RW-94) - Portland (2009 2nd rd)
Craig Leverton (C-95) - Lethbridge (2010 2nd rd)
Cody Pettapiece (D-94) - Edmonton (2009 6th rd)
Branden Scheidl (D-95) - Portland (2010 4th rd)
Mack Shields (G-95) - Calgary (2010 4th rd)
Carson Stadnyk (C-95) - Everett (2010 8th rd)
Sherwood Park Kings:
Greg Chase (C-95) - Calgary (2010 1st rd)
Adam Clark (G-93) - Moose Jaw (2008 4th rd)
Bowen Croft (RW-94) - Edmonton (2009 9th rd)
Adam DeChamplain (C-94) - Portland (2009 10th rd)
Mason Geertsen (D-95) - Edmonton (2010 1st rd)
Tyler Lewington (D-94) - Medicine Hat (listed player)
Tyler Morrison (D-95) - Vancouver (listed player)
Matt Tomkins (G-94) - Swift Current (listed player)
Mitch Wheaton (D-95) - Kelowna (2010 10th rd)
Dakota Zaharichuk (LW-94) - Medicine Hat (listed player)
South Island Thunderbirds:
Steen Cooper (C-95) - Portland (2010 4th rd)
Nolan DeJong (D-95) - Regina (2010 7th rd)
Spencer Loverock (D-95) - Portland (listed player)
Jack Palmer (C-95) - Brandon (2010 8th rd)
St. Albert Raiders:
Nelson Gadoury (C-95) - Edmonton (2010 5th rd)
Jayden Hart (C-94) - Medicine Hat (2009 3rd rd)
Wyatt Hoflin (G-95) - Kootenay (2010 2nd rd)
Tanner Kovacs (G-94) - Lethbridge (listed player)
Brett Kulak (D-94) - Vancouver (2009 9th rd)
Luke Mahura (RW-95) - Prince Albert (2010 2nd rd)
Carter Proft (C-94) - Brandon (2009 5th rd)
Carson Samoridny (RW-94) - Everett (listed player)
Ty Stanton (D-95) - Medicine Hat (2010 2nd rd)
Kaiden Tobin (D-95) - Prince Albert (2010 7th rd)
Matt Waseylenko (D-93) - Prince Albert (2008 5th rd)
Tisdale Trojans:
Sheldon Argent (C-94) - Prince Albert (listed player)
Taylor Balog (LW-94) - Lethbridge (2009 2nd rd)
JJ Coleshaw (C-94) - Edmonton (listed player)
Tanner Eberle (C-94) - Moose Jaw (2009 7th rd)
Jarrett Fontaine (C-95) - Prince George (2010 3rd rd)
Dylan Frey (RW-95) - Kamloops (2010 6th rd)
Jeff Hubic (D-94) - Kootenay (2009 4th rd)
Ty Mclean (C-95) - Regina (2010 5th rd)
Spencer Wand (D-95) - Kootenay (2010 4th rd)
UFA (Strathmore) Bisons:
Cody Brown (D-93) - Seattle (listed player)
Mason Burr (RW-94) - Red Deer (2009 2nd rd)
Connor Chartier (RW-94) - Spokane (2009 2nd rd)
Shayne Gwinner (D-94) - Moose Jaw (2009 2nd rd)
Darian Henry (D-94) - Everett (2009 7th rd)
Spencer Jensen (D-95) - Medicine Hat (2010 1st rd)
Sam Johnson (C-94) - Kootenay (listed player)
Samuel McKechnie (RW-94) - Lethbridge (2009 3rd rd)
Luke Philp (C-95) - Kootenay (2010 3rd rd)
Torrin White (RW-95) - Moose Jaw (2010 1st rd)
One other WHL-listed player from UFA is not playing in the Macs as he is playing at the U-17 Challenge instead:
Devon Fordyce (G-94) - Prince George (2009 6th rd)
Valley West Hawks:
Adam Austin (D-95) - Everett (2010 4th rd)
Kyle Becker (D-94) - Medicine Hat (2009 7th rd)
Kyle Burroughs (D-95) - Regina (2010 3rd rd)
Latrell Charleson (D-95) - Moose Jaw (2010 7th rd)
Scott Cooke (RW-94) - Vancouver (2009 5th rd)
Trevor Cox (LW-95) - Medicine Hat (listed player)
Kevan Kilistoff (LW-95) - Vancouver (2010 9th rd)
Jordan Klimek (D-95) - Tri-City (listed player)
Trent Lofthouse (LW-94) - Everett (listed player)
Steven Myland (G-94) - Kootenay (2009 10th rd)
James Neil (RW-95) - Seattle (2010 3rd rd)
Austin Vetterl (C-94) - Vancouver (listed player)
Vancouver NW Giants:
Joseph Carvalho (D-95) - Prince George (2010 4th rd)
Daniel Cotton (G-94) - Seattle (listed player)
Dexter Dancs (LW-95) - Vancouver (2010 12th rd)
Mitchell Fyffe (RW-94) - Regina (listed player)
Jackson Houck (RW-95) - Vancouver (2010 3rd rd)
Alex Kerfoot (C-94) - Seattle (2009 12th rd)
Scott Legault (G-94) - Vancouver (listed player)
Cam Marks (D-95) - Vancouver (listed player)
Bo Pellah (D-95) - Spokane (2010 6th rd)
Sam Reinhart (C-95) - Kootenay (2010 1st rd)
Winnipeg Wild:
Madison Bowey (D-95) - Kelowna (2010 2nd rd)
Travis Brown (D-94) - Moose Jaw (2009 4th rd)
Danys Chartrand (D-94) - Red Deer (listed player)
Patrick D'Amico (RW-94) - Prince George (listed player)
Kurt Keats (C-95) - Moose Jaw (2010 5th rd)
Remi Laurencelle (C-95) - Lethbridge (2010 8th rd)
Ryan McDonald (RW-94) - Everett (listed player)
Matt Miller (D-94) - Edmonton (2009 4th rd)
Cory Nygaard (G-93) - Regina (2008 6th rd)
Paul Stoykewych (D-95) - Portland (2010 2nd rd)
Spencer Tremblay (G-94) - Moose Jaw (listed player)
Two other WHL-listed players from Winnipeg are not playing in the Macs as they are playing at the U-17 Challenge instead:
Daniel Asham (C-94) - Brandon (2009 8th rd)
Justin Hamonic (D-94) - Tri-City (2009 5th rd)
Prospects in the tournament, by WHL affiliation:
Vancouver: 13
Calgary: 12
Regina: 12
Edmonton: 11
Medicine Hat: 10
Moose Jaw: 10
Spokane: 10
Lethbridge: 9
Prince George: 9
Seattle: 9
Everett: 8
Kelowna: 8
Kootenay: 8
Portland: 8
Red Deer: 8
Prince Albert: 7
Kamloops: 5
Swift Current: 5
Brandon: 4
Chilliwack: 4
Saskatoon: 4
Tri-City: 4
For WHL fans, the tournament (held in Calgary from December 26 through January 1 every year) is a chance to catch many future WHL stars before they crack WHL rosters, and this year's tournament looks very strong in that regard. By my count, there are 178 WHL-listed players playing in this year's tournament - including 17 of the 22 first round picks from the 2010 bantam draft. When you consider that there's only about 750 WHL-listed prospects in total (players who are not on WHL teams rosters), this tournament represents a chance to see almost 25% of those players in one setting. That's a lot of future WHLers there.
This year's tournament also features the return of some good international competition - in addition to the 22 western Canadian clubs, there are also top AAA midget teams from San Jose, North Carolina, and the Russian team Severstal HC.
The WHL-listed players in the tournament this year are:
Beardys Blackhawks:
Brett Boehm (C-94) - Everett (listed player)
Alex Forsberg (C-95) - Prince George (2010 1st rd)
Brett Lewchuk (G-95) - Spokane (2010 5th rd)
Tanner Moar (D-94) - Kelowna (2009 7th rd)
Elliott Peterson (LW-95) - Calgary (2010 11th rd)
Landon Robin (C-94) - Edmonton (2009 7th rd)
Jaryd Watson (C-95) - Kelowna (2010 9th rd)
Two other WHL-listed players from Beardys are not playing in the Macs as they are playing at the U-17 Challenge instead:
Jared Iron (C-94) - Kootenay (2009 8th rd)
Jaimen Yakubowski (LW-94) - Lethbridge (2009 4th rd)
Calgary Buffaloes:
Cameron Barnes (G-94) - Kelowna (listed player)
Morgan Klimchuk (C-95) - Regina (2010 1st rd)
Nik Kosman (D-94) - Calgary (listed player)
Jay Merkley (C-95) - Lethbridge (2010 1st rd)
Blake Orban (D-94) - Vancouver (2009 3rd rd)
Braeden Salverda (C-95) - Calgary (2010 10th rd)
Coleman Vollrath (G-95) - Chilliwack (2010 3rd rd)
Calgary Flames:
Jared Hauf (D-95) - Seattle (2010 1st rd)
Dillon Heatherington (D-95) - Swift Current (2010 1st rd)
Cole Ully (LW-95) - Kamloops (2010 2nd rd)
Jamal Watson (RW-95) - Lethbridge (2010 5th rd)
Calgary Northstars:
Riley Guenther (D-94) - Tri-City (2009 3rd rd)
Andrew Guglielmin (G-94) - Spokane (listed player)
Chad Labelle (C-95) - Medicine Hat (2010 6th rd)
Jesse Lees (D-95) - Kelowna (2010 1st rd)
Mitchell Moroz (LW-94) - Edmonton (2009 2nd rd)
Cade Owad (C-95) - Spokane (2010 7th rd)
Riley Whittingham (RW-95) - Spokane (2010 3rd rd)
Bobby Zinken (D-95) - Swift Current (2010 4th rd)
Calgary Royals:
Geoff Crisfield (D-93) - Chilliwack (listed player)
Josh Morrissey (D-95) - Prince Albert (2010 1st rd)
Bolton Pouliot (G-94) - Red Deer (2009 7th rd)
Joel Rogers (D-94) - Spokane (listed player)
Cariboo Cougars:
Josh Connolly (D-95) - Kamloops (2010 3rd rd)
Luke Gordon (C-94) - Calgary (listed player)
Raymond Grewal (D-95) - Prince George (2010 5th rd)
Brett Harris (LW-95) - Regina (2010 5th rd)
Eli Jarvis (C-95) - Prince George (2010 12th rd)
Jared Rathjen (G-94) - Chilliwack (listed player)
Brett Roulston (C-94) - Kamloops (listed player)
Chase Witala (C-95) - Prince George (2010 5th rd)
Edmonton S.S.A.C.:
Cole Benson (C-95) - Edmonton (2010 9th rd)
Dakota Conroy (LW-94) - Brandon (2009 3rd rd)
Marshall Donald (D-95) - Calgary (2010 3rd rd)
Devin McAndrews (C-95) - Medicine Hat (listed player)
Marc McCoy (C-94) - Red Deer (2009 5th rd)
Dane Phaneuf (D-94) - Prince George (2009 3rd rd)
Adam Tambellini (RW-94) - Portland (listed player)
Cole Wedman (D-94) - Spokane (2009 6th rd)
Greater Vancouver Canadians:
Anthony Ast (C-95) - Vancouver (2010 1st rd)
Arwin Atwal (D-95) - Prince Albert (2010 8th rd)
Brodie Burdeny (G-94) - Calgary (2009 4th rd)
Macoy Erkamps (D-95) - Lethbridge (2010 2nd rd)
Garrett Forster (RW-95) - Calgary (2010 9th rd)
Jason Fram (D-95) - Spokane (2010 8th rd)
Demico Hannoun (C-95) - Regina (2010 9th rd)
Tristan Jarry (G-95) - Edmonton (2010 3rd rd)
Trevor Lima (D-95) - Vancouver (2010 6th rd)
Brodyn Nielsen (C-94) - Vancouver (listed player)
Nicolas Petan (C-95) - Portland (2010 1st rd)
Carter Popoff (C-95) - Seattle (listed player)
Leduc Oil Kings:
Colten Cassidy (D-94) - Swift Current (2009 8th rd)
Hayden Dawes (RW-94) - Calgary (2009 5th rd)
Jaedon Descheneau (RW-95) - Kootenay (2010 3rd rd)
Braiden Doucette (D-95) - Moose Jaw (2010 4th rd)
Moose Jaw Generals:
Austin Daae (LW-93) - Saskatoon (listed player)
Zach Douglas (D-95) - Seattle (2010 5th rd)
Matthew Gibney (G-93) - Seattle (listed player)
Carter Hansen (D-95) - Moose Jaw (2010 1st rd)
Tyler King-Cunningham (D-95) - Spokane (2010 1st rd)
Cory Millette (RW-95) - Red Deer (2010 2nd rd)
Tyler Mueller (D-94) - Regina (2009 12th rd)
Dayton Picard (C-94) - Saskatoon (listed player)
TJ Reeve (RW-94) - Regina (listed player)
Ashton Sautner (D-94) - Edmonton (2009 8th rd)
Hunter Smith (RW-95) - Brandon (2010 9th rd)
Zach Walker (D-93) - Seattle (2008 5th rd)
Sean Whelan (D-94) - Regina (2009 11th rd)
Okanagan Rockets:
Alexander Fraser (D-95) - Kelowna (listed player)
Luke Harrison (C-95) - Chilliwack (2010 3rd rd)
Brent Lashuk (LW-94) - Kelowna (2009 4th rd)
Adam Todd (G-94) - Saskatoon (2009 4th rd)
Prince Albert Mintos:
Brennen Bosovich (LW-93) - Tri-City (listed player)
Tyson Dallman (C-93) - Tri-City (listed player)
Tad Kozun (LW-93) - Red Deer (listed player)
Taran Kozun (G-94) - Kamloops (listed player)
Sawyer Lange (D-94) - Prince Albert (2009 4th rd)
Dawson MacAuley (G-94) - Medicine Hat (2009 2nd rd)
Bryden Serafini (LW-94) - Regina (listed player)
Mike Statchuk (D-94) - Saskatoon (2009 5th rd)
Jordan Tkatch (C-95) - Prince George (2010 2nd rd)
Red Deer Rebels:
Stefan Danielson (D-95) - Swift Current (listed player)
Tanner Jailett (G-93) - Red Deer (listed player)
Joel Topping (D-95) - Lethbridge (2010 2nd rd)
Saskatoon Contacts:
Kohl Bauml (C-94) - Everett (2009 3rd rd)
Austin Calladine (C-95) - Calgary (2010 2nd rd)
Kayle Doetzel (D-95) - Red Deer (2010 1st rd)
Colby Harmsworth (D-95) - Calgary (2010 3rd rd)
Taylor Leier (RW-94) - Portland (2009 2nd rd)
Craig Leverton (C-95) - Lethbridge (2010 2nd rd)
Cody Pettapiece (D-94) - Edmonton (2009 6th rd)
Branden Scheidl (D-95) - Portland (2010 4th rd)
Mack Shields (G-95) - Calgary (2010 4th rd)
Carson Stadnyk (C-95) - Everett (2010 8th rd)
Sherwood Park Kings:
Greg Chase (C-95) - Calgary (2010 1st rd)
Adam Clark (G-93) - Moose Jaw (2008 4th rd)
Bowen Croft (RW-94) - Edmonton (2009 9th rd)
Adam DeChamplain (C-94) - Portland (2009 10th rd)
Mason Geertsen (D-95) - Edmonton (2010 1st rd)
Tyler Lewington (D-94) - Medicine Hat (listed player)
Tyler Morrison (D-95) - Vancouver (listed player)
Matt Tomkins (G-94) - Swift Current (listed player)
Mitch Wheaton (D-95) - Kelowna (2010 10th rd)
Dakota Zaharichuk (LW-94) - Medicine Hat (listed player)
South Island Thunderbirds:
Steen Cooper (C-95) - Portland (2010 4th rd)
Nolan DeJong (D-95) - Regina (2010 7th rd)
Spencer Loverock (D-95) - Portland (listed player)
Jack Palmer (C-95) - Brandon (2010 8th rd)
St. Albert Raiders:
Nelson Gadoury (C-95) - Edmonton (2010 5th rd)
Jayden Hart (C-94) - Medicine Hat (2009 3rd rd)
Wyatt Hoflin (G-95) - Kootenay (2010 2nd rd)
Tanner Kovacs (G-94) - Lethbridge (listed player)
Brett Kulak (D-94) - Vancouver (2009 9th rd)
Luke Mahura (RW-95) - Prince Albert (2010 2nd rd)
Carter Proft (C-94) - Brandon (2009 5th rd)
Carson Samoridny (RW-94) - Everett (listed player)
Ty Stanton (D-95) - Medicine Hat (2010 2nd rd)
Kaiden Tobin (D-95) - Prince Albert (2010 7th rd)
Matt Waseylenko (D-93) - Prince Albert (2008 5th rd)
Tisdale Trojans:
Sheldon Argent (C-94) - Prince Albert (listed player)
Taylor Balog (LW-94) - Lethbridge (2009 2nd rd)
JJ Coleshaw (C-94) - Edmonton (listed player)
Tanner Eberle (C-94) - Moose Jaw (2009 7th rd)
Jarrett Fontaine (C-95) - Prince George (2010 3rd rd)
Dylan Frey (RW-95) - Kamloops (2010 6th rd)
Jeff Hubic (D-94) - Kootenay (2009 4th rd)
Ty Mclean (C-95) - Regina (2010 5th rd)
Spencer Wand (D-95) - Kootenay (2010 4th rd)
UFA (Strathmore) Bisons:
Cody Brown (D-93) - Seattle (listed player)
Mason Burr (RW-94) - Red Deer (2009 2nd rd)
Connor Chartier (RW-94) - Spokane (2009 2nd rd)
Shayne Gwinner (D-94) - Moose Jaw (2009 2nd rd)
Darian Henry (D-94) - Everett (2009 7th rd)
Spencer Jensen (D-95) - Medicine Hat (2010 1st rd)
Sam Johnson (C-94) - Kootenay (listed player)
Samuel McKechnie (RW-94) - Lethbridge (2009 3rd rd)
Luke Philp (C-95) - Kootenay (2010 3rd rd)
Torrin White (RW-95) - Moose Jaw (2010 1st rd)
One other WHL-listed player from UFA is not playing in the Macs as he is playing at the U-17 Challenge instead:
Devon Fordyce (G-94) - Prince George (2009 6th rd)
Valley West Hawks:
Adam Austin (D-95) - Everett (2010 4th rd)
Kyle Becker (D-94) - Medicine Hat (2009 7th rd)
Kyle Burroughs (D-95) - Regina (2010 3rd rd)
Latrell Charleson (D-95) - Moose Jaw (2010 7th rd)
Scott Cooke (RW-94) - Vancouver (2009 5th rd)
Trevor Cox (LW-95) - Medicine Hat (listed player)
Kevan Kilistoff (LW-95) - Vancouver (2010 9th rd)
Jordan Klimek (D-95) - Tri-City (listed player)
Trent Lofthouse (LW-94) - Everett (listed player)
Steven Myland (G-94) - Kootenay (2009 10th rd)
James Neil (RW-95) - Seattle (2010 3rd rd)
Austin Vetterl (C-94) - Vancouver (listed player)
Vancouver NW Giants:
Joseph Carvalho (D-95) - Prince George (2010 4th rd)
Daniel Cotton (G-94) - Seattle (listed player)
Dexter Dancs (LW-95) - Vancouver (2010 12th rd)
Mitchell Fyffe (RW-94) - Regina (listed player)
Jackson Houck (RW-95) - Vancouver (2010 3rd rd)
Alex Kerfoot (C-94) - Seattle (2009 12th rd)
Scott Legault (G-94) - Vancouver (listed player)
Cam Marks (D-95) - Vancouver (listed player)
Bo Pellah (D-95) - Spokane (2010 6th rd)
Sam Reinhart (C-95) - Kootenay (2010 1st rd)
Winnipeg Wild:
Madison Bowey (D-95) - Kelowna (2010 2nd rd)
Travis Brown (D-94) - Moose Jaw (2009 4th rd)
Danys Chartrand (D-94) - Red Deer (listed player)
Patrick D'Amico (RW-94) - Prince George (listed player)
Kurt Keats (C-95) - Moose Jaw (2010 5th rd)
Remi Laurencelle (C-95) - Lethbridge (2010 8th rd)
Ryan McDonald (RW-94) - Everett (listed player)
Matt Miller (D-94) - Edmonton (2009 4th rd)
Cory Nygaard (G-93) - Regina (2008 6th rd)
Paul Stoykewych (D-95) - Portland (2010 2nd rd)
Spencer Tremblay (G-94) - Moose Jaw (listed player)
Two other WHL-listed players from Winnipeg are not playing in the Macs as they are playing at the U-17 Challenge instead:
Daniel Asham (C-94) - Brandon (2009 8th rd)
Justin Hamonic (D-94) - Tri-City (2009 5th rd)
Prospects in the tournament, by WHL affiliation:
Vancouver: 13
Calgary: 12
Regina: 12
Edmonton: 11
Medicine Hat: 10
Moose Jaw: 10
Spokane: 10
Lethbridge: 9
Prince George: 9
Seattle: 9
Everett: 8
Kelowna: 8
Kootenay: 8
Portland: 8
Red Deer: 8
Prince Albert: 7
Kamloops: 5
Swift Current: 5
Brandon: 4
Chilliwack: 4
Saskatoon: 4
Tri-City: 4
Regina/Kamloops trade
The Blazers and Pats completed a trade last night, following the conclusion of Regina's game.
The Pats have sent overage forward Thomas Frazee to the Blazers, in exchange for overage forward Shayne Neigum, 17 year old forward Lyndon Martell, and Kamloops' 2012 3rd round bantam pick.
The deal continues the Pats' rebuild process, hot on the heels of moving out Carter Ashton last week. Frazee was 2nd on the Pats in scoring with 13 goals and 37 points, and his size and skill will be a big plus to the Blazers, who are trying to stay afloat in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
The happiest guy in the league about these two Pats deals has to be Lethbridge G.M. Rich Preston. Lethbridge owns Regina's 2011 first round bantam pick, and as the Pats ship out their veterans and rebuild, they are going to stay at the bottom of the league. Which means that pick the Canes own could very well be a top 2 or 3 overall pick.....maybe even #1 overall.
The Pats have sent overage forward Thomas Frazee to the Blazers, in exchange for overage forward Shayne Neigum, 17 year old forward Lyndon Martell, and Kamloops' 2012 3rd round bantam pick.
The deal continues the Pats' rebuild process, hot on the heels of moving out Carter Ashton last week. Frazee was 2nd on the Pats in scoring with 13 goals and 37 points, and his size and skill will be a big plus to the Blazers, who are trying to stay afloat in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
The happiest guy in the league about these two Pats deals has to be Lethbridge G.M. Rich Preston. Lethbridge owns Regina's 2011 first round bantam pick, and as the Pats ship out their veterans and rebuild, they are going to stay at the bottom of the league. Which means that pick the Canes own could very well be a top 2 or 3 overall pick.....maybe even #1 overall.
Final cuts made
Team Canada made their final cuts this morning and now have the 22 player roster for the World Juniors.
All 3 17 year olds at the camp are going home, including Red Deer forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Everett defenceman Ryan Murray. Two other WHLers were cut - Seattle goaltender Calvin Pickard and Edmonton defenceman Mark Pysyk.
So, there are 9 WHLers on this year's 22 player team - defencemen Tyson Barrie and Jared Cowen, and forwards Carter Ashton, Brett Connolly, Cody Eakin, Curtis Hamilton, Quintin Howden, Ryan Johansen, and Brayden Schenn. That means that of the 13 forwards on the team, 7 are from the WHL, so clearly the WHL boys are being counted on to provide a good chunk of Canada's offence.
I was really surprised to see Ryan Murray got cut - everything I heard suggested that he had a fantastic camp and even though Canada almost never takes 17 year old defencemen, he had to have come very close to making the team. At this point you'd have to figure him to be a lock to make next year's team. Pickard and Pysyk are also eligible to try again next year when they'll be 19. Lots of guys don't make this team at 18 but do make it at 19.
Nugent-Hopkins could find himself in a slightly different boat - he'll be a high NHL pick next June and if he sticks in the NHL next season, he'll never play at the WJCs. But that has happened before too - most recently with Tyler Seguin, who was cut at last year's WJC camp and is now in the NHL.
All 3 17 year olds at the camp are going home, including Red Deer forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Everett defenceman Ryan Murray. Two other WHLers were cut - Seattle goaltender Calvin Pickard and Edmonton defenceman Mark Pysyk.
So, there are 9 WHLers on this year's 22 player team - defencemen Tyson Barrie and Jared Cowen, and forwards Carter Ashton, Brett Connolly, Cody Eakin, Curtis Hamilton, Quintin Howden, Ryan Johansen, and Brayden Schenn. That means that of the 13 forwards on the team, 7 are from the WHL, so clearly the WHL boys are being counted on to provide a good chunk of Canada's offence.
I was really surprised to see Ryan Murray got cut - everything I heard suggested that he had a fantastic camp and even though Canada almost never takes 17 year old defencemen, he had to have come very close to making the team. At this point you'd have to figure him to be a lock to make next year's team. Pickard and Pysyk are also eligible to try again next year when they'll be 19. Lots of guys don't make this team at 18 but do make it at 19.
Nugent-Hopkins could find himself in a slightly different boat - he'll be a high NHL pick next June and if he sticks in the NHL next season, he'll never play at the WJCs. But that has happened before too - most recently with Tyler Seguin, who was cut at last year's WJC camp and is now in the NHL.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Draft pick charts, updated
Got an email from a reader yesterday, wondering what bantam draft picks each team has in their possession for possible trading, with the deadline approaching and whatnot.
So, based on what has been reported in trades, etc, this is what I have come up with - the number of picks in each of the first 10 rounds that each team in the league has in the 2011 and 2012 drafts.
The 2011 draft:
And the 2012 draft:
Corrections are welcome, if you have any. And if you have questions about which picks teams own and how they may have acquired/lost certain picks, just ask (either in the comments or in e-mail) and I'll give you what details I have.
I don't guarantee that this is accurate, as it is only based on reported details of trades and is no doubt missing some tranfers of "conditional" picks, etc. But it should be reasonably accurate, in the early rounds anyway.
So, based on what has been reported in trades, etc, this is what I have come up with - the number of picks in each of the first 10 rounds that each team in the league has in the 2011 and 2012 drafts.
The 2011 draft:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| Brandon | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Calgary | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Chilliwack | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Edmonton | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Everett | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Kamloops | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Kelowna | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Kootenay | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lethbridge | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Medicine Hat | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Moose Jaw | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Portland | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Prince Albert | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Prince George | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Red Deer | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Regina | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Saskatoon | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Seattle | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Spokane | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Swift Current | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tri-City | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Vancouver | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
And the 2012 draft:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| Brandon | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Calgary | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Chilliwack | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Edmonton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Everett | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Kamloops | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Kelowna | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kootenay | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lethbridge | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Medicine Hat | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Moose Jaw | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Portland | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Prince Albert | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Prince George | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Red Deer | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Regina | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Saskatoon | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Seattle | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Spokane | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Swift Current | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tri-City | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Vancouver | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Corrections are welcome, if you have any. And if you have questions about which picks teams own and how they may have acquired/lost certain picks, just ask (either in the comments or in e-mail) and I'll give you what details I have.
I don't guarantee that this is accurate, as it is only based on reported details of trades and is no doubt missing some tranfers of "conditional" picks, etc. But it should be reasonably accurate, in the early rounds anyway.
First cuts
Team Canada released nine players this morning, and five of them were from the WHL. Gone are WHL forwards Brad Ross, Brendan Gallagher, Linden Vey, and Ryan Howse, and defenceman Brayden McNabb.
Full cuts can be found here.
There's now 31 players remaining to compete for 22 spots, so there will be 9 more cuts made tomorrow morning after the exhibition game tonight against a Canadian university all-star team.
Of the remaining 31 players, 13 are from the WHL: goaltender Calvin Pickard, defencemen Tyson Barrie, Jared Cowen, Ryan Murray, and Mark Pysyk, and forwards Carter Ashton, Brett Connolly, Cody Eakin, Curtis Hamilton, Quintin Howden, Ryan Johansen, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Brayden Schenn.
There are 17 forwards, 10 defencemen, and 4 goaltenders remaining in camp, so the final cuts will be two goalies, 2 or 3 defencemen, and 4 or 5 forwards - the forward/defencemen numbers depend on whether they go with 7D-13F or 8D-12F. Usually Canada goes with 7D & 13F so I would look for that to be the case again.
Full cuts can be found here.
There's now 31 players remaining to compete for 22 spots, so there will be 9 more cuts made tomorrow morning after the exhibition game tonight against a Canadian university all-star team.
Of the remaining 31 players, 13 are from the WHL: goaltender Calvin Pickard, defencemen Tyson Barrie, Jared Cowen, Ryan Murray, and Mark Pysyk, and forwards Carter Ashton, Brett Connolly, Cody Eakin, Curtis Hamilton, Quintin Howden, Ryan Johansen, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Brayden Schenn.
There are 17 forwards, 10 defencemen, and 4 goaltenders remaining in camp, so the final cuts will be two goalies, 2 or 3 defencemen, and 4 or 5 forwards - the forward/defencemen numbers depend on whether they go with 7D-13F or 8D-12F. Usually Canada goes with 7D & 13F so I would look for that to be the case again.
As returning players, Schenn and Cowen are locks for the team and probably won't even play tonight in the exhibition game. Usually 8 or 9 "safe" players are given the final exhibition game off while the coaches analyze the remaining players.....
Friday, December 10, 2010
First blockbuster of the season is in....
The first major, major trade of the trade deadline run-up is in, and once again Carter Ashton is involved. Last year one of the first big pre-deadline deals saw him move from Lethbridge to Regina, and now he is on the move again, from Regina to Tri-City.
Ashton and a 2012 3rd round pick go from Regina to Tri-City for forwards Nils Moser and Tanner Olstad, a 2011 first round pick, and 2012 2nd and 5th round picks.
For the Ams, they just paid a big price to acquire one of the top players available and take a big step towards competing with Portland in the West.
For Regina, the deal recoups the first round pick they gave up to get Ashton and also gives them some other younger players and picks to use as building blocks.
So now that the first domino has tumbled, who's next to act? Which buyers now need to keep pace with the Ams? Who else is a seller besides Regina and (almost certainly) Calgary?
Ashton and a 2012 3rd round pick go from Regina to Tri-City for forwards Nils Moser and Tanner Olstad, a 2011 first round pick, and 2012 2nd and 5th round picks.
For the Ams, they just paid a big price to acquire one of the top players available and take a big step towards competing with Portland in the West.
For Regina, the deal recoups the first round pick they gave up to get Ashton and also gives them some other younger players and picks to use as building blocks.
So now that the first domino has tumbled, who's next to act? Which buyers now need to keep pace with the Ams? Who else is a seller besides Regina and (almost certainly) Calgary?
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Thursday notes
Trade to report today, Lethbridge has dealt 18 year old forward Mark Reners to Vancouver for a 2012 5th round bantam pick. Seems like a decent pickup for the Giants since Reners was a first round pick in 2007.
Getting a 5th round pick for Reners makes Lethbridge's 2006 trade of Colton Yellow Horn look even worse....the pick the Canes used on Reners was their principal return from Tri-City for Yellow Horn, who scored 88 goals in two seasons for the Americans. Reners didn't even make it to 88 games with the Hurricanes.
One other thing to mention today; three of the four western provinces have announced their rosters for the 2011 Canada Winter Games, which goes in February in Nova Scotia. The mens's hockey portion of the tournament is restricted to 15 year olds (born in 1995) so there is no effect on WHL rosters for this tournament, but many of the WHL's best 15 year old prospects will be taking part in the tournament. The Alberta, B.C., and Manitoba rosters, with WHL affiliations:
Alberta:
G Eric Comrie - Tri-City - 2010 1st rd
G Brett Zarowny - Prince George - 2010 3rd rd
D Braiden Doucette - Moose Jaw - 2010 4th rd
D Mason Geertsen - Edmonton - 2010 1st rd
D Jared Hauf - Seattle - 2010 1st rd
D Spencer Jensen - Medicine Hat - 2010 1st rd
D Keegan Kanzig - Chilliwack - 2010 1st rd
D Jesse Lees - Kelowna - 2010 1st rd
D Josh Morrissey - Prince Albert - 2010 1st rd
F Tyson Baillie - Kelowna - 2010 3rd rd
F Cole Benson - Edmonton - 2010 9th rd
F Greg Chase - Calgary - 2010 1st rd
F Ryan Chynoweth - Everett - 2010 2nd rd
F Jaedon Descheneau - Kootenay - 2010 3rd rd
F Nelson Gadoury - Edmonton - 2010 5th rd
F Morgan Klimchuk - Regina - 2010 1st rd
F Jay Merkley - Lethbridge - 2010 1st rd
F Luke Philp - Kootenay - 2010 3rd rd
F Cole Ully - Kamloops - 2010 2nd rd
F Torrin White - Moose Jaw - 2010 1st rd
B.C.:
G Tristan Jarry - Edmonton - 2010 3rd rd
G Jackson Whistle - Vancouver - 2010 4th rd
D Dylan Bowen - no WHL affiliation
D Kyle Burroughs - Regina - 2010 3rd rd
D Josh Connolly - Kamloops - 2010 3rd rd
D Macoy Erkamps - Lethbridge - 2010 2nd rd
D Ayrton Nikkel - Saskatoon - 2010 2nd rd
D Shea Theodore - Seattle - 2010 3rd rd
F Luke Bertolucci - Edmonton - 2010 10th rd
F Brennan Clark - Chilliwack - 2010 7th rd
F Steen Cooper - Portland - 2010 4th rd
F Brett Harris - Regina - 2010 5th rd
F Luke Harrison - Chilliwack - 2010 3rd rd
F Jackson Houck - Vancouver - 2010 3rd rd
F Curtis Lazar - Edmonton - 2010 1st rd
F Matthew Needham - Kamloops - 2010 1st rd
F Nicolas Petan - Portland - 2010 1st rd
F Brandon Potomak - Moose Jaw - 2010 2nd rd
F Sam Reinhart - Kootenay - 2010 1st rd
F Cole Sanford - Medicine Hat - 2010 6th rd
Manitoba:
G Alex Moodie - Saskatoon - 2010 5th rd
G Justin Paulic - Moose Jaw - 2010 8th rd
D Dylan Betteridge - no WHL affiliation
D Denis Bosc - Swift Current - 2010 6th rd
D Madison Bowey - Kelowna - 2010 2nd rd
D Garrett Bruce - Brandon - listed player
D Kevin Pochuk - Red Deer - 2010 5th rd
D Bradley Reichardt - Saskatoon - listed player
D Paul Stoykewych - Portland - 2010 2nd rd
F Drake Bodie - Saskatoon - 2010 7th rd
F Daylon Creasy - Calgary - 2010 5th rd
F Kurt Keats - Moose Jaw - 2010 5th rd
F Remi Laurencelle - Lethbridge - 2010 8th rd
F Taeron Lewis - Tri-City - 2010 7th rd
F Braydon MacDonald - Moose Jaw - 2010 6th rd
F Geordie Maguire - Everett - 2010 5th rd
F Jonathon Martin - Kootenay - 2010 7th rd
F Derek Mulvena - no WHL affiliation
F Christian Stockl - Saskatoon - 2010 4th rd
F Nick Zajac - Saskatoon - 2010 8th rd
15 of the 22 2010 first round bantam picks are already named to the tournament. Of the remaining 7, five of them are from Saskatchewan and so they could/should be included when the SHA names its team. The other two (defenceman Dillon Heatherington from Alberta - Swift Current's pick - and forward Anthony Ast from B.C. - Vancouver's pick) are not named to their provinces' teams.
One of the discussions being generated by these selections revolves around the naming of Eric Comrie to the Alberta team. Comrie was born in Edmonton but has lived the last several years in California, where the family moved. I'm not sure why he remains eligible for the Alberta team, unless his family still has a home in Edmonton too and that somehow counts. Comrie hasn't played minor hockey in Alberta for several years though, to the best of my knowledge anyway. So should he still be named to the team, whether he's technically eligible or not? There's probably little question that he is the best '95 goalie out there who is "from Alberta", but isn't the real point that he doesn't live there anymore? Thoughts?
Getting a 5th round pick for Reners makes Lethbridge's 2006 trade of Colton Yellow Horn look even worse....the pick the Canes used on Reners was their principal return from Tri-City for Yellow Horn, who scored 88 goals in two seasons for the Americans. Reners didn't even make it to 88 games with the Hurricanes.
One other thing to mention today; three of the four western provinces have announced their rosters for the 2011 Canada Winter Games, which goes in February in Nova Scotia. The mens's hockey portion of the tournament is restricted to 15 year olds (born in 1995) so there is no effect on WHL rosters for this tournament, but many of the WHL's best 15 year old prospects will be taking part in the tournament. The Alberta, B.C., and Manitoba rosters, with WHL affiliations:
Alberta:
G Eric Comrie - Tri-City - 2010 1st rd
G Brett Zarowny - Prince George - 2010 3rd rd
D Braiden Doucette - Moose Jaw - 2010 4th rd
D Mason Geertsen - Edmonton - 2010 1st rd
D Jared Hauf - Seattle - 2010 1st rd
D Spencer Jensen - Medicine Hat - 2010 1st rd
D Keegan Kanzig - Chilliwack - 2010 1st rd
D Jesse Lees - Kelowna - 2010 1st rd
D Josh Morrissey - Prince Albert - 2010 1st rd
F Tyson Baillie - Kelowna - 2010 3rd rd
F Cole Benson - Edmonton - 2010 9th rd
F Greg Chase - Calgary - 2010 1st rd
F Ryan Chynoweth - Everett - 2010 2nd rd
F Jaedon Descheneau - Kootenay - 2010 3rd rd
F Nelson Gadoury - Edmonton - 2010 5th rd
F Morgan Klimchuk - Regina - 2010 1st rd
F Jay Merkley - Lethbridge - 2010 1st rd
F Luke Philp - Kootenay - 2010 3rd rd
F Cole Ully - Kamloops - 2010 2nd rd
F Torrin White - Moose Jaw - 2010 1st rd
B.C.:
G Tristan Jarry - Edmonton - 2010 3rd rd
G Jackson Whistle - Vancouver - 2010 4th rd
D Dylan Bowen - no WHL affiliation
D Kyle Burroughs - Regina - 2010 3rd rd
D Josh Connolly - Kamloops - 2010 3rd rd
D Macoy Erkamps - Lethbridge - 2010 2nd rd
D Ayrton Nikkel - Saskatoon - 2010 2nd rd
D Shea Theodore - Seattle - 2010 3rd rd
F Luke Bertolucci - Edmonton - 2010 10th rd
F Brennan Clark - Chilliwack - 2010 7th rd
F Steen Cooper - Portland - 2010 4th rd
F Brett Harris - Regina - 2010 5th rd
F Luke Harrison - Chilliwack - 2010 3rd rd
F Jackson Houck - Vancouver - 2010 3rd rd
F Curtis Lazar - Edmonton - 2010 1st rd
F Matthew Needham - Kamloops - 2010 1st rd
F Nicolas Petan - Portland - 2010 1st rd
F Brandon Potomak - Moose Jaw - 2010 2nd rd
F Sam Reinhart - Kootenay - 2010 1st rd
F Cole Sanford - Medicine Hat - 2010 6th rd
Manitoba:
G Alex Moodie - Saskatoon - 2010 5th rd
G Justin Paulic - Moose Jaw - 2010 8th rd
D Dylan Betteridge - no WHL affiliation
D Denis Bosc - Swift Current - 2010 6th rd
D Madison Bowey - Kelowna - 2010 2nd rd
D Garrett Bruce - Brandon - listed player
D Kevin Pochuk - Red Deer - 2010 5th rd
D Bradley Reichardt - Saskatoon - listed player
D Paul Stoykewych - Portland - 2010 2nd rd
F Drake Bodie - Saskatoon - 2010 7th rd
F Daylon Creasy - Calgary - 2010 5th rd
F Kurt Keats - Moose Jaw - 2010 5th rd
F Remi Laurencelle - Lethbridge - 2010 8th rd
F Taeron Lewis - Tri-City - 2010 7th rd
F Braydon MacDonald - Moose Jaw - 2010 6th rd
F Geordie Maguire - Everett - 2010 5th rd
F Jonathon Martin - Kootenay - 2010 7th rd
F Derek Mulvena - no WHL affiliation
F Christian Stockl - Saskatoon - 2010 4th rd
F Nick Zajac - Saskatoon - 2010 8th rd
15 of the 22 2010 first round bantam picks are already named to the tournament. Of the remaining 7, five of them are from Saskatchewan and so they could/should be included when the SHA names its team. The other two (defenceman Dillon Heatherington from Alberta - Swift Current's pick - and forward Anthony Ast from B.C. - Vancouver's pick) are not named to their provinces' teams.
One of the discussions being generated by these selections revolves around the naming of Eric Comrie to the Alberta team. Comrie was born in Edmonton but has lived the last several years in California, where the family moved. I'm not sure why he remains eligible for the Alberta team, unless his family still has a home in Edmonton too and that somehow counts. Comrie hasn't played minor hockey in Alberta for several years though, to the best of my knowledge anyway. So should he still be named to the team, whether he's technically eligible or not? There's probably little question that he is the best '95 goalie out there who is "from Alberta", but isn't the real point that he doesn't live there anymore? Thoughts?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Two trades tonight
Two deals in the WHL tonight, both of them involving the Tri-City Americans and - coincidentally - both spelling bad news for Tri-City players named Zach.
In the first deal, the Ams have dealt '93 forward prospect Zach McPhee to the Everett Silvertips for 19 year old defenceman Paul Sohor. McPhee started the year in the Tri-Cities but was reassigned after 8 games. Sohor also started the year in Everett but had gone home to wait for a trade after being unhappy with his ice time in Everett.
In the second deal, Tri-City resolved their overage problem by trading overage defenceman Zach Stebner to the Kelowna Rockets. The Americans also sent the Rockets a 2011 7th round bantam pick, and in return they get a 2011 4th round pick and a 2012 8th round pick from the Rockets.
The deal gave the Rockets four overage players, and they have solved that problem by releasing 20 year old defenceman Brendan Wall.
For the Americans, they only acquired Stebner six weeks ago from the Hitmen, and gave up a 3rd round pick in that deal. They only got a 4th round pick in return, and they had to swap a 7th for an 8th in order to get that 4th rounder too. So, clearly the Ams take a bit of a loss on the Stebner deals when all is said and done. I'm guessing they may not have expected Neal Prokop to be able to return and play as an overager this year?
In the first deal, the Ams have dealt '93 forward prospect Zach McPhee to the Everett Silvertips for 19 year old defenceman Paul Sohor. McPhee started the year in the Tri-Cities but was reassigned after 8 games. Sohor also started the year in Everett but had gone home to wait for a trade after being unhappy with his ice time in Everett.
In the second deal, Tri-City resolved their overage problem by trading overage defenceman Zach Stebner to the Kelowna Rockets. The Americans also sent the Rockets a 2011 7th round bantam pick, and in return they get a 2011 4th round pick and a 2012 8th round pick from the Rockets.
The deal gave the Rockets four overage players, and they have solved that problem by releasing 20 year old defenceman Brendan Wall.
For the Americans, they only acquired Stebner six weeks ago from the Hitmen, and gave up a 3rd round pick in that deal. They only got a 4th round pick in return, and they had to swap a 7th for an 8th in order to get that 4th rounder too. So, clearly the Ams take a bit of a loss on the Stebner deals when all is said and done. I'm guessing they may not have expected Neal Prokop to be able to return and play as an overager this year?
USA WJC camp roster named
USA Hockey has named the 29 players invited to try out for their 22-player World Junior team today. Camp roster can be found here
There are only two WHLers on the invitation list - forwards Emerson Etem of the Medicine Hat Tigers and Mitch Callahan of the Kelowna Rockets. Tyler Pitlick of the Tigers was not invited.
There's a huge number of WHL list players invited as well though:
F Nick Bjugstad (Everett)
F Chris Brown (Calgary)
D Justin Faulk (Tri-City)
D Derek Forbort (Everett)
F Rocco Grimaldi (Portland)
D Nick Leddy (Tri-City)
F Brock Nelson (Tri-City)
F Matt Nieto (Tri-City)
D Philip Samuelsson (Edmonton)
F Drew Shore (Chilliwack)
F Jason Zucker (Seattle)
Those guys are all NCAA players (or AHL, in Leddy's case) though and we'll probably never see them in the WHL....
There are only two WHLers on the invitation list - forwards Emerson Etem of the Medicine Hat Tigers and Mitch Callahan of the Kelowna Rockets. Tyler Pitlick of the Tigers was not invited.
There's a huge number of WHL list players invited as well though:
F Nick Bjugstad (Everett)
F Chris Brown (Calgary)
D Justin Faulk (Tri-City)
D Derek Forbort (Everett)
F Rocco Grimaldi (Portland)
D Nick Leddy (Tri-City)
F Brock Nelson (Tri-City)
F Matt Nieto (Tri-City)
D Philip Samuelsson (Edmonton)
F Drew Shore (Chilliwack)
F Jason Zucker (Seattle)
Those guys are all NCAA players (or AHL, in Leddy's case) though and we'll probably never see them in the WHL....
Monday, December 6, 2010
Monday notes
Two big bits of news this afternoon...
First, Rogers Sportsnet has announced their schedule of CHL games that they'll carry this winter. You can find the complete schedule here but the short of it is that there's only 5 WHL games on the list of 18 regular season games they're going to cover from now through the end of the season.
Of course they will add some playoff games and also cover the entire Memorial Cup as always, but only five WHL games - and only one of those is being covered nationally, the rest are all Sportsnet West regional games - is really giving short shrift to the juniors. Just once it would be nice to see a major network take a real interest in the CHL.
The WHL games they're showing are:
Jan 11: Prince George at Vancouver
Feb 16: Medicine Hat at Saskatoon
Feb 23: Kootenay at Red Deer
Feb 28: Calgary at Edmonton
Mar 13: Red Deer at Calgary
Only the March 13 game is on the national network and shown coast-to-coast.
The other bit of news is a huge one for USA hockey fans, as USA Hockey announced today that four players currently in the pros have been released to play for USA at the World Juniors. They are forwards Kyle Palmieri, Jeremy Morin, and Jerry D'Amigo (who I somehow missed on my list of eligible players in the pros from last week), and defenceman Nick Leddy. So far, only defenceman Cam Fowler has not been released to the USA squad and since he's one of the leading ice-time getters on the Anaheim Ducks, it's pretty unlikely that he's going to be released anyway.
Certainly a big boost for Team USA as they look to defend their gold medal from last year.
USA Hockey will announce the full roster of players invited to their tryout camp tomorrow morning.
First, Rogers Sportsnet has announced their schedule of CHL games that they'll carry this winter. You can find the complete schedule here but the short of it is that there's only 5 WHL games on the list of 18 regular season games they're going to cover from now through the end of the season.
Of course they will add some playoff games and also cover the entire Memorial Cup as always, but only five WHL games - and only one of those is being covered nationally, the rest are all Sportsnet West regional games - is really giving short shrift to the juniors. Just once it would be nice to see a major network take a real interest in the CHL.
The WHL games they're showing are:
Jan 11: Prince George at Vancouver
Feb 16: Medicine Hat at Saskatoon
Feb 23: Kootenay at Red Deer
Feb 28: Calgary at Edmonton
Mar 13: Red Deer at Calgary
Only the March 13 game is on the national network and shown coast-to-coast.
The other bit of news is a huge one for USA hockey fans, as USA Hockey announced today that four players currently in the pros have been released to play for USA at the World Juniors. They are forwards Kyle Palmieri, Jeremy Morin, and Jerry D'Amigo (who I somehow missed on my list of eligible players in the pros from last week), and defenceman Nick Leddy. So far, only defenceman Cam Fowler has not been released to the USA squad and since he's one of the leading ice-time getters on the Anaheim Ducks, it's pretty unlikely that he's going to be released anyway.
Certainly a big boost for Team USA as they look to defend their gold medal from last year.
USA Hockey will announce the full roster of players invited to their tryout camp tomorrow morning.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The lineup for Schenn forms to the right
L.A Kings beat writer Rich Hammond is saying on his L.A. Kings Insider blog that the Kings are about to return Brayden Schenn to the Brandon Wheat Kings, probably tomorrow.
But, in all probability, Schenn is unlikely to play more than a couple more games for the Wheat Kings in his career. For starters, Hockey Canada is going to jump all over this and name Schenn to the World Junior team about two seconds after his reassignment from the NHL is official. That will keep Schenn out of the WHL from December 12 through January 5 at least.
Then, the WHL trade deadline comes January 10, just a few days after the WJCs wrap up. I think the smart money would have to be on the Wheat Kings dealing Schenn to a contender by that deadline date. Brandon gave up a number of high picks and prospects last season in their moves to beef up for the Memorial Cup run, and moving Schenn would almost certainly allow them to recoup those picks and prospects, plus more. A guy like Schenn would probably fetch the Wheaties, at a minimum, a first round bantam pick and either a blue-chip 16/17 year old or a second high pick.
And in the total fantasy speculation world, here's something to chew on. I know this will never happen, but it's an interesting idea anyway - back in 05-06, three of the best prospects for the bantam draft were a trio of forwards from Saskatoon who were all good friends and had been playing together for years in minor hockey - Schenn, Carter Ashton, and Jimmy Bubnick. All three of them were picked in the first round of that bantam draft and have gone on to varying degrees of success in the WHL. Coincidentally, all three of them are now playing for teams who are not contenders this season and who are probably very to somewhat willing to deal those players. Wouldn't it be something if one contender acquired all three and reunited the friends to finish their WHL careers?
And another twist - a good friend of those three is another Saskatoon '91-born player and 2006 first round bantam pick, defenceman Jared Cowen of the Chiefs. He also played with those guys during his minor hockey days....and if the Chiefs decide they aren't going to get out of the Western Conference playoffs alive this year - what with Portland there and all - maybe Cowen could be on the block as well.
And while we're dreaming, maybe the team that acquires all four of these players could be one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference - their hometown Saskatoon Blades. The Blades have all their bantam picks plus a fair bit of young talent on their roster and protected list to offer up.
But it'll never happen.
One other note to mention this afternoon - Spokane defenceman Garrett Leedahl retired yesterday after consulting with doctors about his concussion problems of the last couple years.
But, in all probability, Schenn is unlikely to play more than a couple more games for the Wheat Kings in his career. For starters, Hockey Canada is going to jump all over this and name Schenn to the World Junior team about two seconds after his reassignment from the NHL is official. That will keep Schenn out of the WHL from December 12 through January 5 at least.
Then, the WHL trade deadline comes January 10, just a few days after the WJCs wrap up. I think the smart money would have to be on the Wheat Kings dealing Schenn to a contender by that deadline date. Brandon gave up a number of high picks and prospects last season in their moves to beef up for the Memorial Cup run, and moving Schenn would almost certainly allow them to recoup those picks and prospects, plus more. A guy like Schenn would probably fetch the Wheaties, at a minimum, a first round bantam pick and either a blue-chip 16/17 year old or a second high pick.
And in the total fantasy speculation world, here's something to chew on. I know this will never happen, but it's an interesting idea anyway - back in 05-06, three of the best prospects for the bantam draft were a trio of forwards from Saskatoon who were all good friends and had been playing together for years in minor hockey - Schenn, Carter Ashton, and Jimmy Bubnick. All three of them were picked in the first round of that bantam draft and have gone on to varying degrees of success in the WHL. Coincidentally, all three of them are now playing for teams who are not contenders this season and who are probably very to somewhat willing to deal those players. Wouldn't it be something if one contender acquired all three and reunited the friends to finish their WHL careers?
And another twist - a good friend of those three is another Saskatoon '91-born player and 2006 first round bantam pick, defenceman Jared Cowen of the Chiefs. He also played with those guys during his minor hockey days....and if the Chiefs decide they aren't going to get out of the Western Conference playoffs alive this year - what with Portland there and all - maybe Cowen could be on the block as well.
And while we're dreaming, maybe the team that acquires all four of these players could be one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference - their hometown Saskatoon Blades. The Blades have all their bantam picks plus a fair bit of young talent on their roster and protected list to offer up.
But it'll never happen.
One other note to mention this afternoon - Spokane defenceman Garrett Leedahl retired yesterday after consulting with doctors about his concussion problems of the last couple years.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Holiday departures
With World Junior camp rosters being named now, I've put together a list of the roster players that each current WHL team is looking at being without due to WJCs and the U-17 Challenge.
Players named to U-17 rosters are final....they're definitely away from December 29th through January 4th.
Players named to WJC camps need to make their country's team first in order to take part in the tournament, which runs December 26th through January 5th. Those players will need to attend selection camps, which start in mid-December. Canada's camp is December 12 - 15, so players who make Team Canada will be gone from their WHL clubs from December 12 though January 5 at least.
Brandon Wheat Kings:
Tyrel Seaman (F): World U-17 - Western
Juraj Holly (G): WJC - Slovakia (camp)
Keaton Lubin (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Robert Trzonkowski (F): World U-17 - Pacific
Brandon Magee (F): World U-17 - Pacific
Griffin Reinhart (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Ryan Murray (D): WJC - Canada (camp)
Nicholas Walters (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Brady Gaudet (D): World U-17 - Western
Colton Heffley (F): World U-17 - Western
Gal Koren (F): WJC II - Slovenia (this is the B-pool WJCs and goes Dec 12 - 18 in Slovenia)
Damon Severson (D): World U-17 - Western
Andreas Stene (F): WJC - Norway (no camp, Stene has been named to the roster)
Linden Vey (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Morgan Rielly (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Ryan Johansen (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Brendan Leipsic (F): World U-17 - Western
Nino Niederreiter (F): WJC - Switzerland (camp)
Derrick Pouliot (D): World U-17 - Western
Brad Ross (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Mike Winther (F): World U-17 - Pacific
Brett Connolly (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Martin Marincin (D): WJC - Slovakia (camp)
Josh Smith (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Lucas Grayson (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Andrej Kudrna (F): WJC - Slovakia (camp)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Chandler Stephanson (F): World U-17 - Western
Curtis Hamilton (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Ryan Olsen (F): World U-17 - Pacific
Marcel Noebels (F): WJC - Germany (camp)
Calvin Pickard (G): WJC - Canada (camp)
Dave Sutter (D): WJC - Switzerland (camp)
Reid Gow (D): World U-17 - Western
Shea Howorko (F): World U-17 - Western
Brendan Gallagher (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Players named to U-17 rosters are final....they're definitely away from December 29th through January 4th.
Players named to WJC camps need to make their country's team first in order to take part in the tournament, which runs December 26th through January 5th. Those players will need to attend selection camps, which start in mid-December. Canada's camp is December 12 - 15, so players who make Team Canada will be gone from their WHL clubs from December 12 though January 5 at least.
Brandon Wheat Kings:
Mark Mieritz (F): WJC II - Denmark (this is the B-pool WJCs and goes Dec 12 - 18 in Slovenia)
Ryan Pulock (D): World U-17 - Western
Tyrel Seaman (F): World U-17 - Western
Calgary Hitmen:
Chase Clayton (F): World U-17 - PacificJuraj Holly (G): WJC - Slovakia (camp)
Keaton Lubin (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Robert Trzonkowski (F): World U-17 - Pacific
Chilliwack Bruins:
Steven Hodges (F): World U-17 - PacificRoman Horak (F): WJC - Czech Republic (camp)
Ryan Howse (F): WJC - Canada (camp)Brandon Magee (F): World U-17 - Pacific
Robin Soudek (F): WJC - Czech Republic (camp)
Edmonton Oil Kings:
Marek Hrbas (D): WJC - Czech Republic (camp)
Kristian Pelss (F): WJC-II - Latvia (this is the B-pool WJCs and goes Dec 13 - 19 in Belarus)
Mark Pysyk (D): WJC - Canada (camp)Marek Hrbas (D): WJC - Czech Republic (camp)
Kristian Pelss (F): WJC-II - Latvia (this is the B-pool WJCs and goes Dec 13 - 19 in Belarus)
Griffin Reinhart (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Everett Silvertips:
Jari Erricson (F): World U-17 - PacificRyan Murray (D): WJC - Canada (camp)
Nicholas Walters (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Kamloops Blazers:
Dalibor Bortnak (F): WJC - Slovakia (camp)Brady Gaudet (D): World U-17 - Western
Bernhard Keil (F): WJC - Germany (camp)
Logan McVeigh (F): World U-17 - WesternKelowna Rockets:
Tyson Barrie (D): WJC - Canada (camp)Colton Heffley (F): World U-17 - Western
Gal Koren (F): WJC II - Slovenia (this is the B-pool WJCs and goes Dec 12 - 18 in Slovenia)
Damon Severson (D): World U-17 - Western
Andreas Stene (F): WJC - Norway (no camp, Stene has been named to the roster)
Kootenay Ice:
Brayden McNabb (D): WJC - Canada (camp)Medicine Hat Tigers:
Hunter Shinkaruk (F): World U-17 - PacificLinden Vey (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Moose Jaw Warriors:
Brayden Cuthbert (F): World U-17 - WesternAntonin Honejsek (F): WJC - Czech Republic (camp)
Quinton Howden (F): WJC - Canada (camp)Morgan Rielly (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Portland Winterhawks:
Sven Bartschi (F): WJC - Switzerland (camp)Ryan Johansen (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Brendan Leipsic (F): World U-17 - Western
Nino Niederreiter (F): WJC - Switzerland (camp)
Derrick Pouliot (D): World U-17 - Western
Brad Ross (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Prince Albert Raiders:
Shane Danyluk (F): World U-17 - PacificMike Winther (F): World U-17 - Pacific
Prince George Cougars:
Troy Bourke (F): World U-17 - PacificBrett Connolly (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Martin Marincin (D): WJC - Slovakia (camp)
Josh Smith (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Red Deer Rebels:
Matt Dumba (D): World U-17 - PacificLucas Grayson (D): World U-17 - Pacific
Andrej Kudrna (F): WJC - Slovakia (camp)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Regina Pats:
Carter Ashton (F): WJC - Canada (camp)Chandler Stephanson (F): World U-17 - Western
Saskatoon Blades:
Levi Bews (F): World U-17 - PacificCurtis Hamilton (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
Ryan Olsen (F): World U-17 - Pacific
Seattle Thunderbirds:
Justin Hickman (F): World U-17 - PacificMarcel Noebels (F): WJC - Germany (camp)
Calvin Pickard (G): WJC - Canada (camp)
Dave Sutter (D): WJC - Switzerland (camp)
Spokane Chiefs:
Jared Cowen (D): WJC - Canada (camp)Reid Gow (D): World U-17 - Western
Swift Current Broncos:
Cody Eakin (F): WJC - Canada (camp)Shea Howorko (F): World U-17 - Western
Tri-City Americans:
Chris Driedger (G): World U-17 - WesternVancouver Giants:
Matt Bellerive (F): World U-17 - PacificBrendan Gallagher (F): WJC - Canada (camp)
David Musil (D): WJC - Czech Republic (camp)
USA Hockey will announce their tryout camp invites on December 7. The camp takes place December 16 to 23. Emerson Etem of Medicine Hat should be a lock to get an invite to try out, and his Tiger teammate Tyler Pitlick could have a shot as well. Colin Jacobs of Seattle and Shane McColgan of Kelowna are good up-and-coming USA Hockey prospects but they're also only 17 so maybe they have to wait until next year since this is usually an 18/19 year old tournament. How about Tyler Maxwell of Everett, could he get an invite?
I have not found Denmark's roster for the B-pool tournament Dec 12 - 18 in Slovenia, but I would certainly think that the Danes would be interested in having Prince Albert's Sebastien Svendsen play for them in that tournament. They have already invited Brandon's Mark Mieritz.
No camp rosters announced yet (that I've seen anyway) for the Finns, Russians, or Swedes. Not sure that there's any WHLers that they will be interested in though?
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