Jordan Weal

[lasiter]

Look for Jordan Weal in Regina line up tonite

[witness]

I am excited to see the kid play. 16 goals in 13 games. What is it 35 or 36 points in 13 games? He diffently knows what to do with the puck when it is on his stick.
He was a stand out in training camp at 15, it will be interesting to see the progression.

[nivek_wahs]

From reginapats.com vis the Leader Post


Pats call up prospects

Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2007

The Regina Pats picked up two extra passengers on Monday.

The WHL club, in the midst of a tough U.S. Division road trip, called up top prospect Jordan Weal (midget Vancouver North West Giants) and recent list addition Todd Kennedy (BCHL's Nanaimo Clippers).

Kennedy, a 17-year-old winger, took part in his first practice Monday and could make his WHL debut later this week. Weal, 15, will dress tonight versus the Portland Winter Hawks and may also see action in the Pats' two remaining road games: Wednesday against the Seattle Thunderbirds and Friday versus the Everett Silvertips.

The dynamic centre has been lighting up the B.C. major midget ranks, leading the league with 39 points, including 13 goals, in just 16 games. He was named the B.C. Hockey player of the month for October.

"I know he has a whack of points," said Pats head coach Curtis Hunt. "It's a level change (from midget to the WHL) so we'll make sure he's taken care of, get him in and see how he does. It'll be nice to see him in a Pats jersey."

Weal is regarded as the top prospect in the Pats' system, while Kennedy is more of a project. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Kamloops native had four goals, six assists and 33 penalty minutes in 20 junior A games this season. He spent last season in the junior B ranks.

"He's up for a look," explained Pats GM Brent Parker. "We'll see where he's at with his development. He's one of those late-developing kids that we got a tip on. If he has advanced like we think he has then there's a good chance he'll stay with us."

Meanwhile, the Pats have more pressing concerns as they hit the home stretch of their West Coast swing.

Regina played the first of seven straight away games on Nov. 11, a 2-1 loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings. After rebounding with a 3-2 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers, Regina suffered back-to-back losses to the top two teams in the U.S. Division -- 4-2 versus the Spokane Chiefs and 4-1 against the Tri-City Americans. Both teams are ranked in the CHL's top 10 (fifth and seventh, respectively).

The Pats are No. 10 in the CHL, a position they aren't expected to maintain when this week's rankings are released. After two straight losses, they're now tied with the Swift Current Broncos for first place in the East Division at 16-10-0-0.

"We've played well in the two (losses)," said Parker, whose team has lacked secondary scoring behind the top line of Jordan Eberle, Tim Kraus and Michael MacAngus.

"We're just a little unlucky that we didn't get a couple more goals the last two nights. We played well enough to win, just didn't score. That's the way it is."

The Pats are hoping their luck changes against the Winter Hawks (3-19-0-0), who own the worst record in the WHL. That said, the visitors aren't in a position to take anything for granted.

"We've gotta come with desperation," added Hunt. "This is a big test of character as much as anything. If you go in without the proper mindset, you leave it to chance. It's a critical game for us on this trip."

Regina's longest road jaunt of the season co-incides with the Canadian Western Agribition, which is being staged in the Brandt Centre. The Pats, who will be away for two weeks, don't play their next home game until Nov. 30 against Medicine Hat.

[nivek_wahs]

I can't wait to see Weal in a Pats uniform full-time.

Hopefully this Todd Kennedy shows his worth... pretty big kid... I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[nivek_wahs]

From Greg Harder's Slap Shots....


The Regina Pats have two new faces on their roster after calling up C Jordan Weal (Vancouver midget Giants) and F Todd Kennedy (BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers). Weal is the top prospect in the Pats’ organization, labelled by some as the steal of the 2007 bantam draft after being selected in the fourth round (79th overall). As a 15-year-old, he’s only eligible to play in five games until his midget season is done. He’s slated to make his WHL debut Tuesday against the Portland Winter Hawks.
Kennedy, 17, was listed by Regina in the preseason. He was originally selected by the Kamloops Blazers in the sixth round of the 2005 bantam draft. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is basically on a tryout with the Pats, who will keep him around if they feel he can play at the major-junior level. He’s not known as a scorer but could add a physical presence. Even if Kennedy doesn’t fit in with the Pats, they won’t be sending him back to Nanaimo. Relations between the Pats and Clippers are frosty at best after the BCHL club reportedly went out of its way to make Kennedy’s departure uncomfortable. If that’s the case, it’s pretty sad that a team would spite a young player who’s simply looking to further his career. Pure bush league!

[nivek_wahs]

From Greg Harder's Slap Shots...


Weal of a deal
Lost in the fallout from Tuesday's loss in Portland was at least one notable bright spot. Pats prospect Jordan Weal, 15, made his WHL debut and picked up an assist on Jordan Eberle’s game-tying marker.
“A lot of our older guys could learn a lot from him in terms of how you play with energy and effort from the start of a shift to the end and play hard,” said GM Brent Parker. “I thought he was real good. Early in the game he looked like he had some, I won’t say jitters, but he certainly was energized and his feet were going a little quicker than his head and his hands, but that’s not uncommon. I thought he got better and better as the game went on, had some opportunities, handled the puck a little bit and did a lot of good things.”
The diminutive but dynamic centre, who has been ripping up the B.C. Major Midget League, will continue his WHL audition on Regina’s road trip before returning to the Vancouver North West Giants. He’s only eligible to play five junior games until his midget season is done.
Weal, a fourth-round bantam pick in 2007, has been called the potential steal of the draft by some observers. Time will tell, but the early reviews are positive.
Asked if he's good enough to play in the WHL right now, Parker answered in the affirmative.
“I think he’s probably capable of it,” the GM added. “He’s so smart and does so many little things well. He has to get stronger obviously but he knows that. He’s going to be a real good player in this league.”