WestLEAFfan
09-15-2007, 05:33 AM
Cats getting prep time, maybe too much of it (0) [Back]< Prev | Next >
(Sports) Thursday, 13 September 2007, 22:08 PST
by JIM SWANSON,, Citizen Sports Editor
Not sure if it’s by design, but all this time between real action should make the Prince George Cougars more than a tad eager the next time they don game jerseys.
The Cougars, who haven’t played since they lost 4-3 on Saturday in Kamloops, the final contest of a 1-4 pre-season, remain a full week away from opening the 2007-08 regular season on home ice against the Spokane Chiefs.
Call it the calm before the storm. Or, as head coach Drew Schoneck wants it to develop by next Friday, the perfect storm to blow away the Chiefs, who will play here twice before heading south.
“Ideally, it would be nice to have one more game to get us ready for the season, but the guys have been working hard,” said Schoneck, who will not be able to pin a poor first game on a lack of honing time in practice, as past coaches have despaired due to the team’s unavoidably tough travel schedule.
“All’s quiet, here and around the league. Really, the one thing I’ve been happy with is our work ethic -- they’ve worked hard in practice and kept the intensity up. We have to have that to keep ourselves sharp.”
There have been no roster moves since the day before the Kamloops series -- and in that case, one player came in, rather than the norm of sending someone out. Californian Marcus Watson, a 19-year-old who played with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL in the latter stages of last season, arrived in a shroud of secrecy after being waived through the Quebec league.
Schoneck thinks Watson, a San Jose native who measures six-foot-one and 175 pounds, can add depth to an all-new forward crew. Watson had one assist in six QMJHL games.
“He’s a guy who skates well and looks like he has good offensive instincts,” said Schoneck.
“He showed well in the games he played. He played midget last year in California, then spent the last month or more of the season with Moncton. He’s showed a nose for the net, he doesn’t shy away, and he understands what major junior hockey is all about. He’s a pleasant surprise.”
The Cats are becoming Team USA, and may have to play the Star Spangled Banner for all home games -- Alex Poulter, acquired from Red Deer in the summer, and rookies Watson, Parker Stanfield and Colin Haas all hail from south of the border.
The Cougars are awaiting the return of Dana Tyrell, Ty Wishart and Jesse Dudas from pro camps, and the team has at least one more move to make on defence.
“We’ve talked about the number of 23 (bodies) to carry for the year, and right now even with those guys away at pro camp we have 25,” said Schoneck.
“As we get guys coming back from camp, that will dictate the timeline. Those drops might be a situation where we trade someone older, maybe, to make room, or reassign a younger player for more seasoning.
“The guys away at camp are veterans who know the ropes, and we’re focused on getting the new guys on the same page. So far, so good.”
Schoneck said the Cougars have had teams inquire about Wishart, a second-team all-star defenceman last season. The 19-year-old is a signed first-round draft choice of the San Jose Sharks, and he is available.
“We’ve had a few casual conversations from people trying to get Wishart, but we’re not doing that until later on, if at all,” said Schoneck.
(Sports) Thursday, 13 September 2007, 22:08 PST
by JIM SWANSON,, Citizen Sports Editor
Not sure if it’s by design, but all this time between real action should make the Prince George Cougars more than a tad eager the next time they don game jerseys.
The Cougars, who haven’t played since they lost 4-3 on Saturday in Kamloops, the final contest of a 1-4 pre-season, remain a full week away from opening the 2007-08 regular season on home ice against the Spokane Chiefs.
Call it the calm before the storm. Or, as head coach Drew Schoneck wants it to develop by next Friday, the perfect storm to blow away the Chiefs, who will play here twice before heading south.
“Ideally, it would be nice to have one more game to get us ready for the season, but the guys have been working hard,” said Schoneck, who will not be able to pin a poor first game on a lack of honing time in practice, as past coaches have despaired due to the team’s unavoidably tough travel schedule.
“All’s quiet, here and around the league. Really, the one thing I’ve been happy with is our work ethic -- they’ve worked hard in practice and kept the intensity up. We have to have that to keep ourselves sharp.”
There have been no roster moves since the day before the Kamloops series -- and in that case, one player came in, rather than the norm of sending someone out. Californian Marcus Watson, a 19-year-old who played with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL in the latter stages of last season, arrived in a shroud of secrecy after being waived through the Quebec league.
Schoneck thinks Watson, a San Jose native who measures six-foot-one and 175 pounds, can add depth to an all-new forward crew. Watson had one assist in six QMJHL games.
“He’s a guy who skates well and looks like he has good offensive instincts,” said Schoneck.
“He showed well in the games he played. He played midget last year in California, then spent the last month or more of the season with Moncton. He’s showed a nose for the net, he doesn’t shy away, and he understands what major junior hockey is all about. He’s a pleasant surprise.”
The Cats are becoming Team USA, and may have to play the Star Spangled Banner for all home games -- Alex Poulter, acquired from Red Deer in the summer, and rookies Watson, Parker Stanfield and Colin Haas all hail from south of the border.
The Cougars are awaiting the return of Dana Tyrell, Ty Wishart and Jesse Dudas from pro camps, and the team has at least one more move to make on defence.
“We’ve talked about the number of 23 (bodies) to carry for the year, and right now even with those guys away at pro camp we have 25,” said Schoneck.
“As we get guys coming back from camp, that will dictate the timeline. Those drops might be a situation where we trade someone older, maybe, to make room, or reassign a younger player for more seasoning.
“The guys away at camp are veterans who know the ropes, and we’re focused on getting the new guys on the same page. So far, so good.”
Schoneck said the Cougars have had teams inquire about Wishart, a second-team all-star defenceman last season. The 19-year-old is a signed first-round draft choice of the San Jose Sharks, and he is available.
“We’ve had a few casual conversations from people trying to get Wishart, but we’re not doing that until later on, if at all,” said Schoneck.