nivek_wahs
09-21-2007, 09:54 AM
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/sports/story.html?id=e1eaecd0-5317-4fe6-a215-293cb7ab0e16
Blades take the next step
Cory Wolfe, The StarPhoenix
Published: Friday, September 21, 2007
Few of Lorne Molleken's recent predecessors have had the luxury of a deep talent pool.
But there he was Thursday, on the eve of the Western Hockey League season, trimming two 19-year-old veterans from his roster.
The Saskatoon Blades' coach-GM released energetic forward Craig Cuthbert and traded defenceman Brett Ward to the Moose Jaw Warriors. In exchange for Ward, the Blades receive a fourth-round pick in the 2008 bantam draft. The Warriors do not currently have such a pick, and if they don't acquire one before next spring, the Blades will instead get the Warriors' third-round selection in 2009.
Even with Ward's departure, the Blades still have nine defencemen on their roster.
"We were able to do this because of the early play of (Finnish import) Jyri Niemi and how (16-year-old rookie) Stefan Elliott has handled things," said Molleken.
Furthermore, 18-year-old Ryan Funk appears to be game-ready after missing most of last season due to injury. Rookies Brendon Wall, 17, and Colton MacPherson, 18, have also asserted themselves, said Molleken.
So, after last season's rebuilding rollercoaster, the Blades should be turning the corner toward being a contender. They're not yet a championship team, but the most painful part of the process should be over.
"We'll score more, we'll be better defensively and we'll be led by our goaltenders (Braden Holtby and Garrett Zemlak)," said Molleken.
The Blades open the season tonight in Brandon.
GILLIES'S TIME TO SHINE
Recent editions of the Blades have had their leadership and toughness questioned. Those areas have been addressed.
Captain Justin McCrae is the team's best two-way forward and the heart of the team, while veteran pugilist Garrett Klotz and 6-foot-7 newcomer Kevin Philp put an intimidating face on the franchise. The Blades should have two solid lines with McCrae centring sniper Derek Hulak and crasher Michael Kaye. Centre Chris Durand will be flanked by Kirk Belyk and Colton Gillies, a first-round draft pick of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.
Gillies has yet to blossom offensively, but Molleken has high praise for his 6-foot-4 thoroughbred.
"In all fairness to Colton, he went through a learning process and he didn't have a great support cast," said Molleken. "Colton Gillies will play in the NHL and he'll play in the NHL for a long time. People compare him to Bob Gainey. He's a big guy who skates well and he's very effective in the physical part of the game. Given the opportunity, he can also put the puck in the net."
MORE CHANGES COMING
Molleken hinted Thursday that he's not done tinkering with the defence. As it stands, overager Curtis Patterson is the elder statesman of a green group. Sam Klassen, Funk and Zahn have limited experience, but they're highly regarded by Blade brass.
"Sure, our defence is young, but they're pretty good players," said Molleken. "Those guys all went through difficult times last year as younger players and I'm confident that will make them better."
Regardless of what happens this season, Molleken has positioned the club to be a perennial contender soon. The Blades have depth in their system and oodles of high draft picks to come. Teams such as Medicine Hat and Kelowna dominated the last decade and it's not unreasonable to expect a Saskatoon reign in the near future.
ICE CHIPS: Game time tonight is 6:30 p.m., Saskatchewan time. The return match goes Saturday (7:05 p.m., Credit Union Centre) . . . The Carolina Hurricanes returned C Justin McCrae to the Blades on Thursday, and he'll be in the lineup tonight. Colton Gillies won't play as he remains in training camp with the Minnesota Wild. D Colton MacPherson (flu), RW Garrett Klotz (suspension from last season) and LW Cody Wutzke (concussion) are also out of the lineup.
cwolfe@sp.canwest.com
BLADES ROSTER
NO. FORWARDS (16) POS
29 Belyk, Kirk RW
28 Braid, Jordan LW
16 Brandis, Robert RW
25 Cameron, Dustin LW
21 Durand, Chris RW
18 Gillies, Colton LW
9 Hamilton, Curtis LW
17 Hulak, Derek LW
41 Kaye, Michael RW
19 Klotz, Garrett LW
14 McCrae, Justin C
32 Patterson, Gaelan C
23 Philp, Kevin RW
37 Toomey, Travis C
20 Wintoneak, Walker RW
39 Wutzke, Cody LW
NO. DEFENCE (9) POS
2 Berg, Mitch D
6 Elliott, Stefan D
27 Funk, Ryan D
3 Klassen, Sam D
11 MacPherson, Colton D
8 Niemi, Jyri D
5 Patterson, Curtis D
55 Wall, Brendon D
4 Zahn, Teigan D
NO. GOALTENDERS (2) POS
1 Holtby, Braden G
35 Zemlak, Garrett G
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007
Blades take the next step
Cory Wolfe, The StarPhoenix
Published: Friday, September 21, 2007
Few of Lorne Molleken's recent predecessors have had the luxury of a deep talent pool.
But there he was Thursday, on the eve of the Western Hockey League season, trimming two 19-year-old veterans from his roster.
The Saskatoon Blades' coach-GM released energetic forward Craig Cuthbert and traded defenceman Brett Ward to the Moose Jaw Warriors. In exchange for Ward, the Blades receive a fourth-round pick in the 2008 bantam draft. The Warriors do not currently have such a pick, and if they don't acquire one before next spring, the Blades will instead get the Warriors' third-round selection in 2009.
Even with Ward's departure, the Blades still have nine defencemen on their roster.
"We were able to do this because of the early play of (Finnish import) Jyri Niemi and how (16-year-old rookie) Stefan Elliott has handled things," said Molleken.
Furthermore, 18-year-old Ryan Funk appears to be game-ready after missing most of last season due to injury. Rookies Brendon Wall, 17, and Colton MacPherson, 18, have also asserted themselves, said Molleken.
So, after last season's rebuilding rollercoaster, the Blades should be turning the corner toward being a contender. They're not yet a championship team, but the most painful part of the process should be over.
"We'll score more, we'll be better defensively and we'll be led by our goaltenders (Braden Holtby and Garrett Zemlak)," said Molleken.
The Blades open the season tonight in Brandon.
GILLIES'S TIME TO SHINE
Recent editions of the Blades have had their leadership and toughness questioned. Those areas have been addressed.
Captain Justin McCrae is the team's best two-way forward and the heart of the team, while veteran pugilist Garrett Klotz and 6-foot-7 newcomer Kevin Philp put an intimidating face on the franchise. The Blades should have two solid lines with McCrae centring sniper Derek Hulak and crasher Michael Kaye. Centre Chris Durand will be flanked by Kirk Belyk and Colton Gillies, a first-round draft pick of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.
Gillies has yet to blossom offensively, but Molleken has high praise for his 6-foot-4 thoroughbred.
"In all fairness to Colton, he went through a learning process and he didn't have a great support cast," said Molleken. "Colton Gillies will play in the NHL and he'll play in the NHL for a long time. People compare him to Bob Gainey. He's a big guy who skates well and he's very effective in the physical part of the game. Given the opportunity, he can also put the puck in the net."
MORE CHANGES COMING
Molleken hinted Thursday that he's not done tinkering with the defence. As it stands, overager Curtis Patterson is the elder statesman of a green group. Sam Klassen, Funk and Zahn have limited experience, but they're highly regarded by Blade brass.
"Sure, our defence is young, but they're pretty good players," said Molleken. "Those guys all went through difficult times last year as younger players and I'm confident that will make them better."
Regardless of what happens this season, Molleken has positioned the club to be a perennial contender soon. The Blades have depth in their system and oodles of high draft picks to come. Teams such as Medicine Hat and Kelowna dominated the last decade and it's not unreasonable to expect a Saskatoon reign in the near future.
ICE CHIPS: Game time tonight is 6:30 p.m., Saskatchewan time. The return match goes Saturday (7:05 p.m., Credit Union Centre) . . . The Carolina Hurricanes returned C Justin McCrae to the Blades on Thursday, and he'll be in the lineup tonight. Colton Gillies won't play as he remains in training camp with the Minnesota Wild. D Colton MacPherson (flu), RW Garrett Klotz (suspension from last season) and LW Cody Wutzke (concussion) are also out of the lineup.
cwolfe@sp.canwest.com
BLADES ROSTER
NO. FORWARDS (16) POS
29 Belyk, Kirk RW
28 Braid, Jordan LW
16 Brandis, Robert RW
25 Cameron, Dustin LW
21 Durand, Chris RW
18 Gillies, Colton LW
9 Hamilton, Curtis LW
17 Hulak, Derek LW
41 Kaye, Michael RW
19 Klotz, Garrett LW
14 McCrae, Justin C
32 Patterson, Gaelan C
23 Philp, Kevin RW
37 Toomey, Travis C
20 Wintoneak, Walker RW
39 Wutzke, Cody LW
NO. DEFENCE (9) POS
2 Berg, Mitch D
6 Elliott, Stefan D
27 Funk, Ryan D
3 Klassen, Sam D
11 MacPherson, Colton D
8 Niemi, Jyri D
5 Patterson, Curtis D
55 Wall, Brendon D
4 Zahn, Teigan D
NO. GOALTENDERS (2) POS
1 Holtby, Braden G
35 Zemlak, Garrett G
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007