rinkrat
07-03-2007, 07:45 PM
Wish list front and centre
Wish list front and centre
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, June 29, 2007
The Regina Pats have already scratched a few secondary goals off their summer wish list.
Now they're targeting a larger score.
Pats GM Brent Parker is actively pursuing a trade which he hopes will satisfy the WHL club's need for a proven No. 1 centre. Regina has a glaring void up the middle following the graduation of Garrett Festerling and Kyle Ross, the team's top two point-getters from last season.
"We've had some discussions with some teams," confirmed Parker. "Nothing has come to fruition yet but we're exploring our options. We're hopeful something will happen, but it may take time."
Parker won't name names, but sources say he has inquired about Vancouver Giants centre Tim Kraus, 20, who sat out the final two games of the Memorial Cup and remains stuck in the doghouse of head coach Don Hay.
The California native, who has 30-goal, point-a-game potential, is the kind of talent the Pats covet. He was the second-leading scorer on a stacked Vancouver squad during the regular season, recording 19 goals and 66 points in 70 games.
The Pats have room for an impact 20-year-old, with left-winger Troy Ofukany the only player with a spot sewn up. Latvian speedster Kaspars Saulietis will get a chance to win a job, but teams are usually hesitant to carry a two-headed monster who counts against both the overage and import quotas. WHL clubs can only carry three 20-year-olds and two Europeans.
Enforcer Myles Stoesz is the other obvious candidate for an overage spot, but he has signed with the Atlanta Thrashers and may not return.
The Giants, meanwhile, are in dire need of a top-flight blueliner following the departures of Cody Franson, Brendan Mikkelson, Brett Festerling and A.J. Thelen. The Pats have depth on the back end, but it would take a significant offer -- perhaps more than a player with a one-season shelf life -- to pry away the likes of Craig Schira or Logan Pyett, both 19.
Parker is prepared to play the waiting game, especially since teams with a surplus of 20-year-olds often don't move them until training camp or later.
"There are some good players available, but obviously there's a price to getting those guys," said Parker. "There are a few guys we've inquired about. We'll see over the summer and the early part of the fall whether or not those guys are available and whether or not you can come to some kind of agreement with those teams."
The Pats believe they have the foundation in place to become an elite team for at least the next three years. However, the club has an immediate need for scoring help behind Ofukany, Michael MacAngus and last year's rookie sensation, Jordan Eberle.
The Pats are hoping at least one of their two recent import draft picks -- Czech Rudolf Cerveny and Italian Marco Insam -- can provide some relief. Another recent addition is speedster Cody Gross, 18, a former Prince Albert Raider whom the Pats think has untapped scoring potential.
"We believe we have a good enough team to be competitive right out of the blocks," Parker added. "Hopefully some of the (returning) guys who are going to get opportunities will seize the opportunity. As it sits right now, we'd be comfortable going to camp with this group and seeing where it takes us. But if we're able to land a guy who we perceive as a top-end centre, then we're going to go after it."
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Wish list front and centre
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, June 29, 2007
The Regina Pats have already scratched a few secondary goals off their summer wish list.
Now they're targeting a larger score.
Pats GM Brent Parker is actively pursuing a trade which he hopes will satisfy the WHL club's need for a proven No. 1 centre. Regina has a glaring void up the middle following the graduation of Garrett Festerling and Kyle Ross, the team's top two point-getters from last season.
"We've had some discussions with some teams," confirmed Parker. "Nothing has come to fruition yet but we're exploring our options. We're hopeful something will happen, but it may take time."
Parker won't name names, but sources say he has inquired about Vancouver Giants centre Tim Kraus, 20, who sat out the final two games of the Memorial Cup and remains stuck in the doghouse of head coach Don Hay.
The California native, who has 30-goal, point-a-game potential, is the kind of talent the Pats covet. He was the second-leading scorer on a stacked Vancouver squad during the regular season, recording 19 goals and 66 points in 70 games.
The Pats have room for an impact 20-year-old, with left-winger Troy Ofukany the only player with a spot sewn up. Latvian speedster Kaspars Saulietis will get a chance to win a job, but teams are usually hesitant to carry a two-headed monster who counts against both the overage and import quotas. WHL clubs can only carry three 20-year-olds and two Europeans.
Enforcer Myles Stoesz is the other obvious candidate for an overage spot, but he has signed with the Atlanta Thrashers and may not return.
The Giants, meanwhile, are in dire need of a top-flight blueliner following the departures of Cody Franson, Brendan Mikkelson, Brett Festerling and A.J. Thelen. The Pats have depth on the back end, but it would take a significant offer -- perhaps more than a player with a one-season shelf life -- to pry away the likes of Craig Schira or Logan Pyett, both 19.
Parker is prepared to play the waiting game, especially since teams with a surplus of 20-year-olds often don't move them until training camp or later.
"There are some good players available, but obviously there's a price to getting those guys," said Parker. "There are a few guys we've inquired about. We'll see over the summer and the early part of the fall whether or not those guys are available and whether or not you can come to some kind of agreement with those teams."
The Pats believe they have the foundation in place to become an elite team for at least the next three years. However, the club has an immediate need for scoring help behind Ofukany, Michael MacAngus and last year's rookie sensation, Jordan Eberle.
The Pats are hoping at least one of their two recent import draft picks -- Czech Rudolf Cerveny and Italian Marco Insam -- can provide some relief. Another recent addition is speedster Cody Gross, 18, a former Prince Albert Raider whom the Pats think has untapped scoring potential.
"We believe we have a good enough team to be competitive right out of the blocks," Parker added. "Hopefully some of the (returning) guys who are going to get opportunities will seize the opportunity. As it sits right now, we'd be comfortable going to camp with this group and seeing where it takes us. But if we're able to land a guy who we perceive as a top-end centre, then we're going to go after it."
Home | The Team | Tickets | Game Day | Schedule
Community | Store | Corporate | Links | whl.ca