Malc
01-16-2008, 03:16 PM
by Dana Soleski
Even though the Rockets ice the youngest line-up in the WHL this season, their cupboard of future prospects is far from bare.
A look through the eyes of Rockets’ Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel, Lorne Frey at the team’s pipeline of talented youngsters.
First up, a couple BC boys playing in the BC Major Midget AAAA League. You can see them play when their respective clubs travel to Kelowna to face off with the Okanagan Rockets.
Spencer Main is a 5’11” 180 pound forward who was the Rockets’ 2nd round pick (25th overall) last May. And, given that his team has a record of 25-0-1 this season, he’s been flying with fast company.
Main, a North Vancouver native, wears number 15 for the N. Vancouver Giants of the BC Major AAAA Midget League. Given their record, the Giants have been the class of the BCMML all season. But, Main has been anything but a bit player.
In 22 games on the season, he’s picked up 7 goals and 14 points. The Giants recently lost to Russia in the final of the 2007-08 Mac’s Midget Tournament in Calgary with Main picking up one assist over his club’s 6 games.
His game isn’t simply about scoring statistics as Frey explains.
“Spencer’s doing well this season,” says Frey. “I know his point production isn’t what he’d like, but he’s an excellent two-way player. He also brings a physical element and can play in all situations.”
“He skates well and works hard all the time.”
Meanwhile, Brett Bulmer of the BCMML’s Cariboo Cougars has looked anything but the 11th round selection (223rd overall) he was by Kelowna last May. At the time, the Prince George native stood just 5’8” tall. Today, he’s 6’0”, though still a slight 158 pounds.
Bulmer’s an offensive player who can dangle and put the puck in the net. In 27 games on the season, he’s got 8 goals and 16 points. And, Frey is really excited about how his potential now defies his draft status.
“He was the biggest surprise at our rookie camp last fall,” says Frey. “The biggest thing with Brett is how much he’s grown. He always had the skill, but now he’s got the size to go with it.”
“He started out slowly this year but he got hot in December. If he keeps developing like he has, he’ll be the sleeper of the draft.”
It’s important to note that the BCMML comprises players born in 1990 through 1992. Both Main and Bulmer are among the 1992 born players in the league and, thus, among the youngest.
Their strong performance this season bodes well for their chances of wearing Rockets’ colours in the near future.
Even though the Rockets ice the youngest line-up in the WHL this season, their cupboard of future prospects is far from bare.
A look through the eyes of Rockets’ Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel, Lorne Frey at the team’s pipeline of talented youngsters.
First up, a couple BC boys playing in the BC Major Midget AAAA League. You can see them play when their respective clubs travel to Kelowna to face off with the Okanagan Rockets.
Spencer Main is a 5’11” 180 pound forward who was the Rockets’ 2nd round pick (25th overall) last May. And, given that his team has a record of 25-0-1 this season, he’s been flying with fast company.
Main, a North Vancouver native, wears number 15 for the N. Vancouver Giants of the BC Major AAAA Midget League. Given their record, the Giants have been the class of the BCMML all season. But, Main has been anything but a bit player.
In 22 games on the season, he’s picked up 7 goals and 14 points. The Giants recently lost to Russia in the final of the 2007-08 Mac’s Midget Tournament in Calgary with Main picking up one assist over his club’s 6 games.
His game isn’t simply about scoring statistics as Frey explains.
“Spencer’s doing well this season,” says Frey. “I know his point production isn’t what he’d like, but he’s an excellent two-way player. He also brings a physical element and can play in all situations.”
“He skates well and works hard all the time.”
Meanwhile, Brett Bulmer of the BCMML’s Cariboo Cougars has looked anything but the 11th round selection (223rd overall) he was by Kelowna last May. At the time, the Prince George native stood just 5’8” tall. Today, he’s 6’0”, though still a slight 158 pounds.
Bulmer’s an offensive player who can dangle and put the puck in the net. In 27 games on the season, he’s got 8 goals and 16 points. And, Frey is really excited about how his potential now defies his draft status.
“He was the biggest surprise at our rookie camp last fall,” says Frey. “The biggest thing with Brett is how much he’s grown. He always had the skill, but now he’s got the size to go with it.”
“He started out slowly this year but he got hot in December. If he keeps developing like he has, he’ll be the sleeper of the draft.”
It’s important to note that the BCMML comprises players born in 1990 through 1992. Both Main and Bulmer are among the 1992 born players in the league and, thus, among the youngest.
Their strong performance this season bodes well for their chances of wearing Rockets’ colours in the near future.