nivek_wahs
04-12-2007, 04:35 AM
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/sports/story.html?id=aebafe93-7c78-4864-8a23-1ea0cb6c8d98
Molleken logging road time looking for draft prospects
Doug McConachie, The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, April 12, 2007
"I'd rather still be playing," Saskatoon Blades general manager and coach Lorne Molleken says. But since he's not, he's doing the next best thing.
Since the Blades wrapped up their regular season in mid- March, Molleken has traveled thousands of miles looking at bantam-aged players in preparation for the May 3 WHL bantam draft. He's got a few thousand more miles to go.
First off, Molleken, assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky, head scout Paul Olekszyk and brother Doug Molleken were in Regina for the SaskFirst bantam tournament. They then headed to Morden, Man., for the Director's Cup, which featured the top Manitoba youngsters.
Then they hopped over to Kamloops for a 24-team international tournament.
On Wednesday, the four left for Winnipeg for the provincial bantam championships.
Next week, it's off to Mission, B.C., for fi ve days at the B.C. Cup, then it's into Red Deer for the AAA midget Telus Cup. On April 30, it's into Calgary in preparation for the draft.
While Molleken's foursome is in Winnipeg this weekend, assistant coach David Struch drew the assignment of fl ying into Anaheim, Ca., to look at the second annual WHL U.S. Prospects Camp. It is expected that 80 or 90 players will show up after 68 attended last year's inaugural look-see.
One name to watch for, and a potential fi rst-round draft pick, is 5-foot-11 Luke Moffat of Phoenix.
With Saskatoon picking fourth in the fi rst round, Molleken readily admits he needs a top-end player, but much will depend on how the fi rst three picks go as to whether the Blades pick a forward or a defenceman.
END OF THE ROAD
It's a tough way for fifth-year Prince George Cougar captain Eric Hunter to go out, but the 20-year-old who played 323 regular season games is fi nished. Hunter broke his left ankle in the late minutes of the fi rst period of Saturday's playoff loss to the Everett Silvertips. The Winnipeg native, who scored 111 goals for the Cougars, had previously broken his left ankle in 2004-05. The mishap also puts his hockey future in jeopardy. He was fi rst drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2004, but after they elected to not sign him, was drafted by New York Rangers last year.
However, he remains without a contract.
Brandon's Jeff Topilko also knows what it is like to sit and watch. The 20-year-old separated his shoulder in the last weekend of the regular season after helping his Wheat Kings sew up the East Division title by scoring 11 goals and adding 14 assists in Brandon's fi nal 16 games. Topilko hopes he can resume skating this week and maybe see his first action in another week.
PLAYER HONOURS
Brandon's early jump on the Calgary Hitmen, grabbing a 2-0 semifi nal series lead last week with two home wins, also saw Tyler Dittmer pick up player-of-the-week honours. Dittmer scored three times and picked up an assist in the 4-3 series opener win.
Medicine Hat goalie Matt Keetley, 20, was the CHL's goaltender of the week after he shutout Red Deer 2-0 to win Game 7 in that opening round series and then dumped Regina 4-1 in the opening game of the second round.
dmcconachie@sp.canwest.com
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007
Molleken logging road time looking for draft prospects
Doug McConachie, The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, April 12, 2007
"I'd rather still be playing," Saskatoon Blades general manager and coach Lorne Molleken says. But since he's not, he's doing the next best thing.
Since the Blades wrapped up their regular season in mid- March, Molleken has traveled thousands of miles looking at bantam-aged players in preparation for the May 3 WHL bantam draft. He's got a few thousand more miles to go.
First off, Molleken, assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky, head scout Paul Olekszyk and brother Doug Molleken were in Regina for the SaskFirst bantam tournament. They then headed to Morden, Man., for the Director's Cup, which featured the top Manitoba youngsters.
Then they hopped over to Kamloops for a 24-team international tournament.
On Wednesday, the four left for Winnipeg for the provincial bantam championships.
Next week, it's off to Mission, B.C., for fi ve days at the B.C. Cup, then it's into Red Deer for the AAA midget Telus Cup. On April 30, it's into Calgary in preparation for the draft.
While Molleken's foursome is in Winnipeg this weekend, assistant coach David Struch drew the assignment of fl ying into Anaheim, Ca., to look at the second annual WHL U.S. Prospects Camp. It is expected that 80 or 90 players will show up after 68 attended last year's inaugural look-see.
One name to watch for, and a potential fi rst-round draft pick, is 5-foot-11 Luke Moffat of Phoenix.
With Saskatoon picking fourth in the fi rst round, Molleken readily admits he needs a top-end player, but much will depend on how the fi rst three picks go as to whether the Blades pick a forward or a defenceman.
END OF THE ROAD
It's a tough way for fifth-year Prince George Cougar captain Eric Hunter to go out, but the 20-year-old who played 323 regular season games is fi nished. Hunter broke his left ankle in the late minutes of the fi rst period of Saturday's playoff loss to the Everett Silvertips. The Winnipeg native, who scored 111 goals for the Cougars, had previously broken his left ankle in 2004-05. The mishap also puts his hockey future in jeopardy. He was fi rst drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2004, but after they elected to not sign him, was drafted by New York Rangers last year.
However, he remains without a contract.
Brandon's Jeff Topilko also knows what it is like to sit and watch. The 20-year-old separated his shoulder in the last weekend of the regular season after helping his Wheat Kings sew up the East Division title by scoring 11 goals and adding 14 assists in Brandon's fi nal 16 games. Topilko hopes he can resume skating this week and maybe see his first action in another week.
PLAYER HONOURS
Brandon's early jump on the Calgary Hitmen, grabbing a 2-0 semifi nal series lead last week with two home wins, also saw Tyler Dittmer pick up player-of-the-week honours. Dittmer scored three times and picked up an assist in the 4-3 series opener win.
Medicine Hat goalie Matt Keetley, 20, was the CHL's goaltender of the week after he shutout Red Deer 2-0 to win Game 7 in that opening round series and then dumped Regina 4-1 in the opening game of the second round.
dmcconachie@sp.canwest.com
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007