Shortys
03-20-2007, 02:27 PM
Star Phoenix (http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/features/blades/story.html?id=42fa8115-58cf-49b3-9218-a39f857b15d0)
Flames to sign former Blades captain Cole
Cory Wolfe, The StarPhoenix
Published: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Brad Cole's stay in hockey limbo didn't last long.
The Calgary Flames snapped up the 20-year old defenceman Monday, just two days after he completed his junior career with the Saskatoon Blades.
Cole and the Flames have agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract.
"I haven't physically signed anything yet," Cole said Monday afternoon, "but I just got off the phone with (Flames general manager) Darryl (Sutter) and he had a signed contract from my agent." The New York Rangers also offered Cole a contract, but the product of Miniota, Man., settled on Calgary. His good fortune continued Monday night when he carted home four awards -- including team MVP -- from the Blades' year-end banquet at the Odeon Events Centre.
"Two or three years ago, I was playing in Kootenay and getting healthy-scratched," said Cole, "so if someone would have said I would sign an NHL deal at the end of my 20-year-old season, I'd have said they were crazy.
"It's been nice to prove a lot of people wrong." Cole's offensive production surged this season when he registered 41 points, including 16 goals, in 63 games. His leadership was less tangibly measured, but it was certainly his most valuable contribution.
"When we traded for Brad, we knew that he had solid character and he wanted to be a hockey player," said Blades coach-GM Lorne Molleken, who acquired Cole from Kootenay in October 2005.
"Over his year and a bit here, he certainly improved. His leadership off the ice was immeasurable. He helped create an environment in the dressing room that was one of togetherness and strong commitment." In addition to being named Blades' MVP, Cole earned top-defenceman honours for a second straight year. He also captured the plus-minus trophy and the Jack McLeod Ambassador Award.
Third-year centre Justin McCrae is likely to inherit the captaincy from Cole and he picked up two awards Monday. He's the Blades' hardest working player for a third straight season and he was also named top defensive forward.
"We're trying to build our organization around kids that are tremendous character players," said Molleken. "We want kids who put their teammates ahead of themselves and kids that have a very strong work ethic and commitment." Graduating winger Ryan Menei earned recognition for his efforts both on and off the ice. He earned the top scorer trophy thanks to his 35 goals and 42 assists in 71 games. The Winnipeg product also picked up the team's community-minded award.
The Blades bestowed top-rookie honours on goaltender Braden Holtby. The 17-year-old native of Marshall compiled a 3.21 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage in a whopping 51 appearances. Holtby also captured the Bud Light Cup for receiving the most three-star selections throughout the season.
Four other rookies also received recognition: Derek Hulak (most gentlemanly), Sam Klassen (Bentley Memorial Scholarship as top scholastic player), Gaelan Patterson (diamond in the rough) and Teigan Zahn (most dedicated).
The Blades pegged Garrett Klotz as their mostimproved player. By season's end, the 6-foot-6 forward had a reputation as a heavy hitter and one of the league's tougher customers.
Centre Colton Gillies was named the Blades' hardest hitter for a second straight year.
Ralph Katzman, a long-time member of the Blades' booster club, received the Murray Lindberg Memorial Award as fan of the year.
cwolfe@sp.canwest.com
Flames to sign former Blades captain Cole
Cory Wolfe, The StarPhoenix
Published: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Brad Cole's stay in hockey limbo didn't last long.
The Calgary Flames snapped up the 20-year old defenceman Monday, just two days after he completed his junior career with the Saskatoon Blades.
Cole and the Flames have agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract.
"I haven't physically signed anything yet," Cole said Monday afternoon, "but I just got off the phone with (Flames general manager) Darryl (Sutter) and he had a signed contract from my agent." The New York Rangers also offered Cole a contract, but the product of Miniota, Man., settled on Calgary. His good fortune continued Monday night when he carted home four awards -- including team MVP -- from the Blades' year-end banquet at the Odeon Events Centre.
"Two or three years ago, I was playing in Kootenay and getting healthy-scratched," said Cole, "so if someone would have said I would sign an NHL deal at the end of my 20-year-old season, I'd have said they were crazy.
"It's been nice to prove a lot of people wrong." Cole's offensive production surged this season when he registered 41 points, including 16 goals, in 63 games. His leadership was less tangibly measured, but it was certainly his most valuable contribution.
"When we traded for Brad, we knew that he had solid character and he wanted to be a hockey player," said Blades coach-GM Lorne Molleken, who acquired Cole from Kootenay in October 2005.
"Over his year and a bit here, he certainly improved. His leadership off the ice was immeasurable. He helped create an environment in the dressing room that was one of togetherness and strong commitment." In addition to being named Blades' MVP, Cole earned top-defenceman honours for a second straight year. He also captured the plus-minus trophy and the Jack McLeod Ambassador Award.
Third-year centre Justin McCrae is likely to inherit the captaincy from Cole and he picked up two awards Monday. He's the Blades' hardest working player for a third straight season and he was also named top defensive forward.
"We're trying to build our organization around kids that are tremendous character players," said Molleken. "We want kids who put their teammates ahead of themselves and kids that have a very strong work ethic and commitment." Graduating winger Ryan Menei earned recognition for his efforts both on and off the ice. He earned the top scorer trophy thanks to his 35 goals and 42 assists in 71 games. The Winnipeg product also picked up the team's community-minded award.
The Blades bestowed top-rookie honours on goaltender Braden Holtby. The 17-year-old native of Marshall compiled a 3.21 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage in a whopping 51 appearances. Holtby also captured the Bud Light Cup for receiving the most three-star selections throughout the season.
Four other rookies also received recognition: Derek Hulak (most gentlemanly), Sam Klassen (Bentley Memorial Scholarship as top scholastic player), Gaelan Patterson (diamond in the rough) and Teigan Zahn (most dedicated).
The Blades pegged Garrett Klotz as their mostimproved player. By season's end, the 6-foot-6 forward had a reputation as a heavy hitter and one of the league's tougher customers.
Centre Colton Gillies was named the Blades' hardest hitter for a second straight year.
Ralph Katzman, a long-time member of the Blades' booster club, received the Murray Lindberg Memorial Award as fan of the year.
cwolfe@sp.canwest.com