BantamDraft
03-15-2007, 02:19 PM
Forwards(10)
Justin McCrae-19
Derek Hulak-18
Colton Gillies-18
Blair Macaulay-19
Rastislav Konecny-19
Kenton Dulle-19
Walker Wintoneak-18
Dustin Cameron-18
Gaelan Patterson-17
Troy Crowley-18
Bubble Players(Forward)(4)
Chris Cloud-Sent home due to suspension for the rest of the year. Must have done something very detrimental to the team. Not likely back but you never know. 19 yr olds on the 3rd-4th line who are smallish aren't always good but he does compete hard.
Adam Geric-He is an energy type player and could find himself on the wing on one of the checking lines with Dulle, Patterson, Wintoneak, Cameron and Crowley but my guess is that those positions open will go to the rookies ready to step in who are ready.
Garrett Klotz- This is a tough choice to put him on this list because he could easily stick around as a 13th forward-enforcer type player. However, he is 19 and would be taking away a spot from a younger player ready to step in and provide scoring punch for down the road. I think if we use this stop for a big enforcer type, a better choice might be 6'7 240 Kevin Philp from BC who is only 17 next year.
Craig Cuthbert- Is there really an room for a 19 yr old player who is a "TWEENER"? Meaning he is too small to be a checker but isn't good enough to ever be a scorer. I just don't think we need this player around despite what intangles his "NAME" means.
Rookies Ready For Action!!
1. Curtis Hamilton(16)- He is a definate to crack the roster as a 16 yr old. He was 6th in scoring in the BC Midget hockey league this past season playing on the Okanagan Rockets 26-27-53. He has good size at 6'2 185 and is getting better and better and could turn out to be a steal of the bantam draft many think.
2. IMPORT PICK(18-19)- Word is that Lorne will be attending the NHL draft in search of a 2nd Import to replace Visnak. I think this will cost the Blades a few more bucks to land this player but will be well worth it and we'll see this player round out the Top 2 lines.
3. Jordan Braid(18)- Out of the brieft time we've seen Braid/Belyk up from the Blazers, I think Braid has the better all around game. I saw him in PA the other night vs the Mintos and he looked a mile better even though he set Belyk for the lone goal. He works hard and would be a good 4th line player with potential to move up the next year if need be.
4. Travis Toomey(17)- Look for Toomey to make the club fulltime next season and Center the 4th line. With McCrae, Gillies, Patterson centered the top 3, the Blades are very strong up the middle all the way down to goal next season. Toomey will likely see time with Hamilton/Braid/Crowley on this line.
Forward NOTE: Watch for a possible 20 yr old to be added to the forward group to possibly replace Macaulay on the 1st line. I think this is something the Blades will address in the off season with a few extra's kicking around many teams.
Defense(4)
Brett Ward-19
Teigan Zahn-17
Ryan Funk-18(if ready will be a very good one)
Sam Klassen-18
ROOKS READY
1. Stefan Elliott- No question here! This guy will play in the Top 4 on the Blades and won't look out of place as a 16 yr old. He has such a long resume it is hard to put it all down quickly here. BC minor hockey player of the year, BC midget allstar squad as a 15 yr old this year. BC Winter games squad as an underage with Ferraro and Howse. He is a puck moving defenseman who we haven't seen here since Green came in as a youngster. He had 11-22-33 in 36 games from defense this year.
2. Mitch Berg- The 2nd of the Blades two first rounders. He is a totally different package. He stands guys up better than most I've seen at that age in a long time. I've seen him vs his own peers a few times this year and he just is able to man handle them and simply push them off the puck. Stands guys up at the blue line and doesn't give an inch. Skates well for a kid that age and size 6'3 210.
BUBBLE ROOKS
1. Cameron Canart, Jared Friesen and Mike Clements. All bring something a bit different, all will be 17 and all on the bubble!
20 yr old brought in! The Blades are likely to settle the defense down and take pressure off of Brett Ward, Teigan Zahn, Sam Klassen and Ryan Funk by adding an experienced 20 yr old dman simular to what Cole or Logan brought to the team this year.
Goalies
Braden Holtby(18)- Will start the majority of the games once again. Will get better and have more experience in the league which helps alot for a goalie his age. Braden will likely play about 45-50 games.
Garrett Zemlak(18)- He is good enough to play lots but won't due to Holtby and that is fine. Garrett will provide 20-25 games of near Holtby caliber goaltending and one of the two could be used as trade bait to bring in young Adam Morrison who is near ready next year at 16 or atleast after the trade deadline.
ROOK NEAR READY
Adam Morrison(16)- The Blades are very high on this kid. He played very well this year in the BC Midget league as was amongst the goalie leaders. He may not be ready next year but at 17 will be and look for a possible deadline deal of one of the other goalies to make room for the future goalie. He was a 3rd round pick last year by the team.
Justin McCrae-19
Derek Hulak-18
Colton Gillies-18
Blair Macaulay-19
Rastislav Konecny-19
Kenton Dulle-19
Walker Wintoneak-18
Dustin Cameron-18
Gaelan Patterson-17
Troy Crowley-18
Bubble Players(Forward)(4)
Chris Cloud-Sent home due to suspension for the rest of the year. Must have done something very detrimental to the team. Not likely back but you never know. 19 yr olds on the 3rd-4th line who are smallish aren't always good but he does compete hard.
Adam Geric-He is an energy type player and could find himself on the wing on one of the checking lines with Dulle, Patterson, Wintoneak, Cameron and Crowley but my guess is that those positions open will go to the rookies ready to step in who are ready.
Garrett Klotz- This is a tough choice to put him on this list because he could easily stick around as a 13th forward-enforcer type player. However, he is 19 and would be taking away a spot from a younger player ready to step in and provide scoring punch for down the road. I think if we use this stop for a big enforcer type, a better choice might be 6'7 240 Kevin Philp from BC who is only 17 next year.
Craig Cuthbert- Is there really an room for a 19 yr old player who is a "TWEENER"? Meaning he is too small to be a checker but isn't good enough to ever be a scorer. I just don't think we need this player around despite what intangles his "NAME" means.
Rookies Ready For Action!!
1. Curtis Hamilton(16)- He is a definate to crack the roster as a 16 yr old. He was 6th in scoring in the BC Midget hockey league this past season playing on the Okanagan Rockets 26-27-53. He has good size at 6'2 185 and is getting better and better and could turn out to be a steal of the bantam draft many think.
2. IMPORT PICK(18-19)- Word is that Lorne will be attending the NHL draft in search of a 2nd Import to replace Visnak. I think this will cost the Blades a few more bucks to land this player but will be well worth it and we'll see this player round out the Top 2 lines.
3. Jordan Braid(18)- Out of the brieft time we've seen Braid/Belyk up from the Blazers, I think Braid has the better all around game. I saw him in PA the other night vs the Mintos and he looked a mile better even though he set Belyk for the lone goal. He works hard and would be a good 4th line player with potential to move up the next year if need be.
4. Travis Toomey(17)- Look for Toomey to make the club fulltime next season and Center the 4th line. With McCrae, Gillies, Patterson centered the top 3, the Blades are very strong up the middle all the way down to goal next season. Toomey will likely see time with Hamilton/Braid/Crowley on this line.
Forward NOTE: Watch for a possible 20 yr old to be added to the forward group to possibly replace Macaulay on the 1st line. I think this is something the Blades will address in the off season with a few extra's kicking around many teams.
Defense(4)
Brett Ward-19
Teigan Zahn-17
Ryan Funk-18(if ready will be a very good one)
Sam Klassen-18
ROOKS READY
1. Stefan Elliott- No question here! This guy will play in the Top 4 on the Blades and won't look out of place as a 16 yr old. He has such a long resume it is hard to put it all down quickly here. BC minor hockey player of the year, BC midget allstar squad as a 15 yr old this year. BC Winter games squad as an underage with Ferraro and Howse. He is a puck moving defenseman who we haven't seen here since Green came in as a youngster. He had 11-22-33 in 36 games from defense this year.
2. Mitch Berg- The 2nd of the Blades two first rounders. He is a totally different package. He stands guys up better than most I've seen at that age in a long time. I've seen him vs his own peers a few times this year and he just is able to man handle them and simply push them off the puck. Stands guys up at the blue line and doesn't give an inch. Skates well for a kid that age and size 6'3 210.
BUBBLE ROOKS
1. Cameron Canart, Jared Friesen and Mike Clements. All bring something a bit different, all will be 17 and all on the bubble!
20 yr old brought in! The Blades are likely to settle the defense down and take pressure off of Brett Ward, Teigan Zahn, Sam Klassen and Ryan Funk by adding an experienced 20 yr old dman simular to what Cole or Logan brought to the team this year.
Goalies
Braden Holtby(18)- Will start the majority of the games once again. Will get better and have more experience in the league which helps alot for a goalie his age. Braden will likely play about 45-50 games.
Garrett Zemlak(18)- He is good enough to play lots but won't due to Holtby and that is fine. Garrett will provide 20-25 games of near Holtby caliber goaltending and one of the two could be used as trade bait to bring in young Adam Morrison who is near ready next year at 16 or atleast after the trade deadline.
ROOK NEAR READY
Adam Morrison(16)- The Blades are very high on this kid. He played very well this year in the BC Midget league as was amongst the goalie leaders. He may not be ready next year but at 17 will be and look for a possible deadline deal of one of the other goalies to make room for the future goalie. He was a 3rd round pick last year by the team.