Scout
09-24-2007, 07:04 PM
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.
This just in ... Pats will top the East
Rob Vanstone, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, September 21, 2007
Warning to Brent R. Parker, general manager, Regina Pats: Please read this while sitting down.
This visionary has picked the Pats to finish (cue trumpets) first in the WHL's East Division.
Is this a bad omen for Parker & Co.? After all, my predictions are traditionally catastrophic ... but, please, read on!
At the risk of being injurious to the local junior hockey team during its otherwise glorious 90th-anniversary season, we shall forge ahead with some predictions, beginning with the East.
EAST DIVISION
1. Regina Pats: The Pats do not have an abundance of firepower, but remember: This is the WHL. Offence is not a priority. That said, the Pats should be able to light the lamp with sufficient frequency thanks to the presence of Jordan Eberle -- who notched a team-high 28 goals as a 16-year-old last season. Regina is also blessed with an under-rated goalie (Linden Rowat), one of the CHL's best defences (see: Nick Ross, Logan Pyett, Craig Schira, Colten Teubert), and a superb coach (Curtis Hunt).
2. Swift Current Broncos: Look for Dean Chynoweth's crew to emerge after a lengthy incubation. Key veterans Kyle Moir, Jeremy Schenderling and Myles Rumsey have graduated, but a strong nucleus remains. Levi Nelson is a gem.
3. Moose Jaw Warriors: The Warriors boast the division's best forwards, led by Regina product Riley Holzapfel, but there is uncertainty on the blue line.
4. Saskatoon Blades: Never discount a Lorne Molleken-coached team. Minnesota Wild first-rounder Colton Gillies -- yes, he is Clark Gillies' nephew -- is the Blades' key player. Will this be the year that his stats correlate with his skills?
5. Brandon Wheat Kings: The Wheat Kings have lost six of their top seven scorers, plus goalie Tyler Plante. A transition year looms.
6. Prince Albert Raiders: Matt Robertson and ex-Pat Ryan McDonald will score. After that, uh, next ...
CENTRAL DIVISION
1. Calgary Hitmen: Calgary boasts one of the league's top forwards (Ryan White) and a defence that is rivalled only by Regina. NHL first-rounders Karl Alzner and Alex Plante will gobble up ice time on the blue line.
2. Medicine Hat Tigers: The Tigers will miss graduated stalwarts Matt Keetley, Darren Helm, Derek Dorsett and Kris Russell, but ample talent remains.
3. Lethbridge Hurricanes: Lethbridge may be the league's most exciting team, led by potential scoring champion Zach Boychuk and 36-goal man Mitch Fadden.
4. Kootenay Ice: The Ice's Ben Maxwell is a treat to watch.
5. Red Deer Rebels: The Brian Sutter-coached Rebels are the top midget team in major-junior hockey. In a year or two, the Rebels will be scary.
6. Edmonton Oil Kings: Expansion team. Next ...
B.C. DIVISION
1. Vancouver Giants: Vancouver will be a force as long as Don Hay coaches.
2. Kamloops Blazers: This veteran-laden squad pushed Vancouver -- the eventual Memorial Cup champion -- last season.
3. Kelowna Rockets: The rebuilding Rockets will steadily improve.
4. Chilliwack Bruins: The Bruins will take a small step forward under head coach Jim Hiller, a former standout with the SJHL's Melville Millionaires.
5. Prince George Cougars: The key veterans who carried Prince George during a spirited playoff run have graduated.
U.S. DIVISION
1. Everett Silvertips: Meet the 2008 WHL champions. The Silvertips have fewer flaws than Eva Longoria. The roster could include three NHL first-rounders -- goaltender Leland Irving, plus forwards Peter Mueller and Zach Hamill (the defending scoring champ). The talent doesn't stop there.
2. Seattle Thunderbirds: Defenceman Thomas Hickey, a Los Angeles Kings first-rounder, leads a solid team.
3. Spokane Chiefs: The well-balanced Chiefs will continue to progress. Defenceman Jared Cowen -- the first overall pick in the 2006 bantam draft -- will make an immediate impact.
4. Portland Winter Hawks: Could challenge Red Deer for WHL midget laurels.
5. Tri-City Americans: Tri-City will miss goaltender Carey Price -- whose heroics backstopped Canada to the 2007 world junior title.
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.
This just in ... Pats will top the East
Rob Vanstone, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, September 21, 2007
Warning to Brent R. Parker, general manager, Regina Pats: Please read this while sitting down.
This visionary has picked the Pats to finish (cue trumpets) first in the WHL's East Division.
Is this a bad omen for Parker & Co.? After all, my predictions are traditionally catastrophic ... but, please, read on!
At the risk of being injurious to the local junior hockey team during its otherwise glorious 90th-anniversary season, we shall forge ahead with some predictions, beginning with the East.
EAST DIVISION
1. Regina Pats: The Pats do not have an abundance of firepower, but remember: This is the WHL. Offence is not a priority. That said, the Pats should be able to light the lamp with sufficient frequency thanks to the presence of Jordan Eberle -- who notched a team-high 28 goals as a 16-year-old last season. Regina is also blessed with an under-rated goalie (Linden Rowat), one of the CHL's best defences (see: Nick Ross, Logan Pyett, Craig Schira, Colten Teubert), and a superb coach (Curtis Hunt).
2. Swift Current Broncos: Look for Dean Chynoweth's crew to emerge after a lengthy incubation. Key veterans Kyle Moir, Jeremy Schenderling and Myles Rumsey have graduated, but a strong nucleus remains. Levi Nelson is a gem.
3. Moose Jaw Warriors: The Warriors boast the division's best forwards, led by Regina product Riley Holzapfel, but there is uncertainty on the blue line.
4. Saskatoon Blades: Never discount a Lorne Molleken-coached team. Minnesota Wild first-rounder Colton Gillies -- yes, he is Clark Gillies' nephew -- is the Blades' key player. Will this be the year that his stats correlate with his skills?
5. Brandon Wheat Kings: The Wheat Kings have lost six of their top seven scorers, plus goalie Tyler Plante. A transition year looms.
6. Prince Albert Raiders: Matt Robertson and ex-Pat Ryan McDonald will score. After that, uh, next ...
CENTRAL DIVISION
1. Calgary Hitmen: Calgary boasts one of the league's top forwards (Ryan White) and a defence that is rivalled only by Regina. NHL first-rounders Karl Alzner and Alex Plante will gobble up ice time on the blue line.
2. Medicine Hat Tigers: The Tigers will miss graduated stalwarts Matt Keetley, Darren Helm, Derek Dorsett and Kris Russell, but ample talent remains.
3. Lethbridge Hurricanes: Lethbridge may be the league's most exciting team, led by potential scoring champion Zach Boychuk and 36-goal man Mitch Fadden.
4. Kootenay Ice: The Ice's Ben Maxwell is a treat to watch.
5. Red Deer Rebels: The Brian Sutter-coached Rebels are the top midget team in major-junior hockey. In a year or two, the Rebels will be scary.
6. Edmonton Oil Kings: Expansion team. Next ...
B.C. DIVISION
1. Vancouver Giants: Vancouver will be a force as long as Don Hay coaches.
2. Kamloops Blazers: This veteran-laden squad pushed Vancouver -- the eventual Memorial Cup champion -- last season.
3. Kelowna Rockets: The rebuilding Rockets will steadily improve.
4. Chilliwack Bruins: The Bruins will take a small step forward under head coach Jim Hiller, a former standout with the SJHL's Melville Millionaires.
5. Prince George Cougars: The key veterans who carried Prince George during a spirited playoff run have graduated.
U.S. DIVISION
1. Everett Silvertips: Meet the 2008 WHL champions. The Silvertips have fewer flaws than Eva Longoria. The roster could include three NHL first-rounders -- goaltender Leland Irving, plus forwards Peter Mueller and Zach Hamill (the defending scoring champ). The talent doesn't stop there.
2. Seattle Thunderbirds: Defenceman Thomas Hickey, a Los Angeles Kings first-rounder, leads a solid team.
3. Spokane Chiefs: The well-balanced Chiefs will continue to progress. Defenceman Jared Cowen -- the first overall pick in the 2006 bantam draft -- will make an immediate impact.
4. Portland Winter Hawks: Could challenge Red Deer for WHL midget laurels.
5. Tri-City Americans: Tri-City will miss goaltender Carey Price -- whose heroics backstopped Canada to the 2007 world junior title.