nivek_wahs
02-23-2007, 08:53 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=de0e3742-3ee6-4351-b310-d90d3a56c9ae
Elder anxiously looking forward to home debut
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, February 23, 2007
Remember Josh Elder?
Big guy. Wears No. 10. Used to play for the Prince Albert Raiders. Known for his toughness and leadership.
If the name still doesn't ring a bell, it's probably because Elder has been waiting over two months to make his home-ice debut with the Regina Pats. The 18-year-old left winger suffered a severe wrist injury just three games into his Pats' career and has been patiently biding his time ever since.
Until now.
"I wish my home debut was a little earlier, but that's hockey for you," said Elder, who's expected to return for tonight's game against the visiting Kootenay Ice. "It has been a long wait, about two-and-a-half months. But you just have to deal with it. I'm ready to go and pumped for the game. Hopefully I can help the team win."
You might say Elder was Regina's biggest trade acquisition of the season. The 6-foot-5, 214-pounder has obvious attributes that the Pats coveted when they obtained him from Prince Albert on Dec. 6 for Ryan McDonald, another 18-year-old forward.
Elder joined Regina in the midst of an extended road trip. In his third outing, he was injured during a fight with Ryan Kerr of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
"It took a while to heal," said Elder. "It was just something to be careful with. They say you don't want to mess with the wrist so I guess that's why it took so long to get back."
While he was out, Elder dedicated the time to "working on some of my weaknesses." The main area of emphasis was improving his foot speed.
"I got bag skated every day after practice so I'm in pretty good shape," he said. "The trainer, Greg (Mayer), helped me with my leg strength and core strength. I feel more power in the legs. I give thanks to Greg for all the work he has done with me."
Through it all, Elder was coping with the transition of a new city, new coaches and new teammates. The process, he admits, would have been easier if he had been a part of the team's daily routine.
"It was hard but the guys were great," said Elder, who has five goals, four assists and 45 penalty minutes in 28 games this season. "They made me feel like I was here since I started hockey so it was good. It was hard not playing but you can't do much about it. I made the best of it."
The Pats believe he can have an immediate impact on their lineup.
"I think he's going to give us energy right off the bat," said head coach Curtis Hunt. "He's excited to get in there and bang some bodies. He's going to be a little rusty in terms of game shape and he's going to miss some details, but he works hard. He pays attention, so he'll be fine.
The timing of Elder's return could be fortuitous. Some bad blood has developed between Regina and Kootenay this season, dating back to the last time the teams met at the Brandt Centre on Nov. 3.
"I think it should be fun," Elder said with a smile, "a good (time) to come back for my first game. It should be a good game -- rough, but that's hockey. You get some of those games. You have to deal with it."
Asked if he's willing to test the wrist with his gloves off, Elder insisted he'll have no hesitation.
"My wrist is good," said the Saskatoon product, who's looking to help Regina snap a three-game losing streak. "I won't go looking for it but if I have to drop 'em I won't be scared to.
"We're looking for two points. That's all we care about right now."
- - -
SCOUTING REPORT
Kootenay (41-15-3-3) at Regina (28-27-1-4)
Today, 7 p.m., Brandt Centre
Radio: 620 CKRM
Key injuries: Regina -- G Linden Rowat (back, day-to-day); Kootenay -- RW Arnaud Jacquemet (broken wrist, out), C Ben Maxwell (elbow surgery, out) and RW Luke Wiens (separated shoulder, out).
Overview: Regina has lost all three of its meetings with the powerhouse Ice this season, including a pair of 4-2 setbacks in Cranbook . . . Kootenay's lone visit to the Brandt Centre was a 5-4 OT win on Nov. 3. That game turned ugly after Pats D Nick Ross levelled Ice D John Negrin with a clean open-ice hit. The teams combined for 161 penalty minutes. Pats head coach Curtis Hunt was ejected and GM Brent Parker was fined $1,500 for a verbal post-game confrontation with referee Adam Byblow. Byblow was also disciplined by the league for his substandard performance . . . A bout of the flu has been making its way through the Pats' dressing room, claiming the likes of Garrett Festerling and Mike Reich in recent games. RW Michael MacAngus is one of the latest victims -- and there could be more . . . The timing of the Canada Winter Games has impacted both rosters. This is the Pats' first game without their two prized 16-year-olds: LW Jordan Eberle (Team Alberta) and D Colten Teubert (Team B.C.). Eberle is Regina's leading scorer with 24 goals . . . The Ice lost RW Kevin King to Team Alberta . . . Kootenay has called up C Liam Jeffries, 17, from the B.C. junior B ranks, and D Jesse Ismond, 15, from the midget AAA Tisdale Trojans.
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
Elder anxiously looking forward to home debut
Greg Harder, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, February 23, 2007
Remember Josh Elder?
Big guy. Wears No. 10. Used to play for the Prince Albert Raiders. Known for his toughness and leadership.
If the name still doesn't ring a bell, it's probably because Elder has been waiting over two months to make his home-ice debut with the Regina Pats. The 18-year-old left winger suffered a severe wrist injury just three games into his Pats' career and has been patiently biding his time ever since.
Until now.
"I wish my home debut was a little earlier, but that's hockey for you," said Elder, who's expected to return for tonight's game against the visiting Kootenay Ice. "It has been a long wait, about two-and-a-half months. But you just have to deal with it. I'm ready to go and pumped for the game. Hopefully I can help the team win."
You might say Elder was Regina's biggest trade acquisition of the season. The 6-foot-5, 214-pounder has obvious attributes that the Pats coveted when they obtained him from Prince Albert on Dec. 6 for Ryan McDonald, another 18-year-old forward.
Elder joined Regina in the midst of an extended road trip. In his third outing, he was injured during a fight with Ryan Kerr of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
"It took a while to heal," said Elder. "It was just something to be careful with. They say you don't want to mess with the wrist so I guess that's why it took so long to get back."
While he was out, Elder dedicated the time to "working on some of my weaknesses." The main area of emphasis was improving his foot speed.
"I got bag skated every day after practice so I'm in pretty good shape," he said. "The trainer, Greg (Mayer), helped me with my leg strength and core strength. I feel more power in the legs. I give thanks to Greg for all the work he has done with me."
Through it all, Elder was coping with the transition of a new city, new coaches and new teammates. The process, he admits, would have been easier if he had been a part of the team's daily routine.
"It was hard but the guys were great," said Elder, who has five goals, four assists and 45 penalty minutes in 28 games this season. "They made me feel like I was here since I started hockey so it was good. It was hard not playing but you can't do much about it. I made the best of it."
The Pats believe he can have an immediate impact on their lineup.
"I think he's going to give us energy right off the bat," said head coach Curtis Hunt. "He's excited to get in there and bang some bodies. He's going to be a little rusty in terms of game shape and he's going to miss some details, but he works hard. He pays attention, so he'll be fine.
The timing of Elder's return could be fortuitous. Some bad blood has developed between Regina and Kootenay this season, dating back to the last time the teams met at the Brandt Centre on Nov. 3.
"I think it should be fun," Elder said with a smile, "a good (time) to come back for my first game. It should be a good game -- rough, but that's hockey. You get some of those games. You have to deal with it."
Asked if he's willing to test the wrist with his gloves off, Elder insisted he'll have no hesitation.
"My wrist is good," said the Saskatoon product, who's looking to help Regina snap a three-game losing streak. "I won't go looking for it but if I have to drop 'em I won't be scared to.
"We're looking for two points. That's all we care about right now."
- - -
SCOUTING REPORT
Kootenay (41-15-3-3) at Regina (28-27-1-4)
Today, 7 p.m., Brandt Centre
Radio: 620 CKRM
Key injuries: Regina -- G Linden Rowat (back, day-to-day); Kootenay -- RW Arnaud Jacquemet (broken wrist, out), C Ben Maxwell (elbow surgery, out) and RW Luke Wiens (separated shoulder, out).
Overview: Regina has lost all three of its meetings with the powerhouse Ice this season, including a pair of 4-2 setbacks in Cranbook . . . Kootenay's lone visit to the Brandt Centre was a 5-4 OT win on Nov. 3. That game turned ugly after Pats D Nick Ross levelled Ice D John Negrin with a clean open-ice hit. The teams combined for 161 penalty minutes. Pats head coach Curtis Hunt was ejected and GM Brent Parker was fined $1,500 for a verbal post-game confrontation with referee Adam Byblow. Byblow was also disciplined by the league for his substandard performance . . . A bout of the flu has been making its way through the Pats' dressing room, claiming the likes of Garrett Festerling and Mike Reich in recent games. RW Michael MacAngus is one of the latest victims -- and there could be more . . . The timing of the Canada Winter Games has impacted both rosters. This is the Pats' first game without their two prized 16-year-olds: LW Jordan Eberle (Team Alberta) and D Colten Teubert (Team B.C.). Eberle is Regina's leading scorer with 24 goals . . . The Ice lost RW Kevin King to Team Alberta . . . Kootenay has called up C Liam Jeffries, 17, from the B.C. junior B ranks, and D Jesse Ismond, 15, from the midget AAA Tisdale Trojans.
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007