nivek_wahs
01-18-2007, 03:57 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=5eb2adbf-5ba4-4014-a05c-7db6fdcfde6a
Players adjusting to changes
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, January 18, 2007
The Regina Pats aren't just going back to school, they're getting a chemistry lesson.
With four days of practice between WHL games, the Pats are busy acclimating themselves to a new-look lineup that includes nine players who weren't part of the equation when the season began.
If you include Regina's five rookies, more than half of the team has changed since winning 40 games in 2005-06.
"The toughest thing has been getting to know how everybody plays on the ice," offered forward Kirt Hill, who was part of a six-player deal with the Kelowna Rockets on Dec. 6. "At the start, things were a little shaky but now it's starting to come around. We're starting to play as a team a lot more. In the dressing room, we have a lot of good guys coming in and we have a great group of guys in there now. That has really helped guys feel like they're at home."
The Pats have won four of six outings since the New Year, marking the team's first positive run in almost two months. Over that same period, the Pats have dramatically altered the makeup of their team through five separate trades.
Given the magnitude of those deals, the team's chemistry is still very much a work in progress.
"That's a growing thing," said head coach Curtis Hunt, whose team visits the Saskatoon Blades on Friday night. "Chemistry is about going through some times together, having a little adversity together and realizing that we're all connected."
In terms of line combinations, Hunt has continued to juggle his units in search of a winning formula.
However, there is a method to his madness.
"I've always looked at (line) chemistry in pairs," explained Hunt. "Let's get two guys working together and the third guy should be easy to rotate in because you have to be prepared for every eventuality (injuries, etc.). If everybody is on the same page, it shouldn't matter (with whom they play)."
Garrett Festerling and Jordan Eberle have been the team's most productive duo of late, followed by Kyle Ross and Troy Ofukany. Mike Reich and Brett Leffler form another commonly used pair.
"We want to align our players so we have some skill and some speed and some grit balanced throughout our lineup," said Hunt.
"I think we've seen some great chemistry with Festerling and Eberle. We've seen real good chemistry with Justin Scott and Levi Lind (on the fourth unit). I think Kyle Ross has shown us he can play with anybody."
Hunt also has to find a way to keep everyone happy. That's no easy task when you have 15 forwards vying for 12 spots on a given night (including Niko Snellman and Josh Elder, who are injured).
"We're going to have to rotate guys in and out of the lineup," said Hunt. "That's going to be a challenge because players want to play. Guys have to understand it's never a perfect scenario. You have to adjust."
Regina's two newest additions -- Michael MacAngus and Myles Stoesz -- are getting their first opportunity to practise with the team this week. Hunt believes the transition for all of his newcomers will be easier because they're seasoned WHLers.
"Older players understand (the basic expectations)," said Hunt. "It's just a matter of reinforcing our roots -- the things that are different in terms of our forecheck or how we kill penalties or what we do in different situations. We work as an inclusive unit."
It all starts at practice.
"There's a little energy and buzz around our locker room," added Hunt. "Our mandate this week was, 'I want between 50 and 70 minutes of your time every day on the ice.' Our guys have responded very well. We're ready to move forward."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
Players adjusting to changes
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, January 18, 2007
The Regina Pats aren't just going back to school, they're getting a chemistry lesson.
With four days of practice between WHL games, the Pats are busy acclimating themselves to a new-look lineup that includes nine players who weren't part of the equation when the season began.
If you include Regina's five rookies, more than half of the team has changed since winning 40 games in 2005-06.
"The toughest thing has been getting to know how everybody plays on the ice," offered forward Kirt Hill, who was part of a six-player deal with the Kelowna Rockets on Dec. 6. "At the start, things were a little shaky but now it's starting to come around. We're starting to play as a team a lot more. In the dressing room, we have a lot of good guys coming in and we have a great group of guys in there now. That has really helped guys feel like they're at home."
The Pats have won four of six outings since the New Year, marking the team's first positive run in almost two months. Over that same period, the Pats have dramatically altered the makeup of their team through five separate trades.
Given the magnitude of those deals, the team's chemistry is still very much a work in progress.
"That's a growing thing," said head coach Curtis Hunt, whose team visits the Saskatoon Blades on Friday night. "Chemistry is about going through some times together, having a little adversity together and realizing that we're all connected."
In terms of line combinations, Hunt has continued to juggle his units in search of a winning formula.
However, there is a method to his madness.
"I've always looked at (line) chemistry in pairs," explained Hunt. "Let's get two guys working together and the third guy should be easy to rotate in because you have to be prepared for every eventuality (injuries, etc.). If everybody is on the same page, it shouldn't matter (with whom they play)."
Garrett Festerling and Jordan Eberle have been the team's most productive duo of late, followed by Kyle Ross and Troy Ofukany. Mike Reich and Brett Leffler form another commonly used pair.
"We want to align our players so we have some skill and some speed and some grit balanced throughout our lineup," said Hunt.
"I think we've seen some great chemistry with Festerling and Eberle. We've seen real good chemistry with Justin Scott and Levi Lind (on the fourth unit). I think Kyle Ross has shown us he can play with anybody."
Hunt also has to find a way to keep everyone happy. That's no easy task when you have 15 forwards vying for 12 spots on a given night (including Niko Snellman and Josh Elder, who are injured).
"We're going to have to rotate guys in and out of the lineup," said Hunt. "That's going to be a challenge because players want to play. Guys have to understand it's never a perfect scenario. You have to adjust."
Regina's two newest additions -- Michael MacAngus and Myles Stoesz -- are getting their first opportunity to practise with the team this week. Hunt believes the transition for all of his newcomers will be easier because they're seasoned WHLers.
"Older players understand (the basic expectations)," said Hunt. "It's just a matter of reinforcing our roots -- the things that are different in terms of our forecheck or how we kill penalties or what we do in different situations. We work as an inclusive unit."
It all starts at practice.
"There's a little energy and buzz around our locker room," added Hunt. "Our mandate this week was, 'I want between 50 and 70 minutes of your time every day on the ice.' Our guys have responded very well. We're ready to move forward."
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007