Scout
05-23-2008, 01:33 PM
Courtesy Alan Caldwell:
Friday, May 23, 2008
Friday notes
Just a few notes from the last few days after an off-day yesterday at the Memorial Cup....
Prince Albert became the third WHL team to sign their 2008 first-round bantam pick yesterday when they inked Mark McNeill. The first two to sign their first-rounders were Edmonton (Michael St. Croix) and Kamloops (Colin Smith). There may actually be others that have already signed, but those are the first three to be announced, anyway. Some teams might not make announcements...
Hot on the heels of the Smith signing though, Kamloops fired director of player personnel Gord Loiselle today. This move comes almost a year to the day after Loiselle was cut loose from his head scouting job with Portland. I'm guessing he didn't see eye-to-eye with new Blazers G.M. Craig Bonner on some PPL management or drafting issues.
Two more WHLers signed NHL contracts this week - Brady Calla of Kamloops signed with Florida, and Calgary's Karl Alzner signed with Washington. The signings probably put an end to any chance of either player returning to the WHL next season.....not that Alzner was ever likely to in the first place, but Calla could have been an overage candidate for the Blazers had he not been able to get signed.
Regina Pats hecklers be warned: the Pats' Garrett Mitchell is also one of the best high school-aged discus and javelin throwers in Saskatchewan. In other words, from the blueline he can throw his stick far enough to hit you, ten rows up behind the far net. Keep that in mind next year before you comment on his abilities.....
Friday, May 23, 2008
Friday notes
Just a few notes from the last few days after an off-day yesterday at the Memorial Cup....
Prince Albert became the third WHL team to sign their 2008 first-round bantam pick yesterday when they inked Mark McNeill. The first two to sign their first-rounders were Edmonton (Michael St. Croix) and Kamloops (Colin Smith). There may actually be others that have already signed, but those are the first three to be announced, anyway. Some teams might not make announcements...
Hot on the heels of the Smith signing though, Kamloops fired director of player personnel Gord Loiselle today. This move comes almost a year to the day after Loiselle was cut loose from his head scouting job with Portland. I'm guessing he didn't see eye-to-eye with new Blazers G.M. Craig Bonner on some PPL management or drafting issues.
Two more WHLers signed NHL contracts this week - Brady Calla of Kamloops signed with Florida, and Calgary's Karl Alzner signed with Washington. The signings probably put an end to any chance of either player returning to the WHL next season.....not that Alzner was ever likely to in the first place, but Calla could have been an overage candidate for the Blazers had he not been able to get signed.
Regina Pats hecklers be warned: the Pats' Garrett Mitchell is also one of the best high school-aged discus and javelin throwers in Saskatchewan. In other words, from the blueline he can throw his stick far enough to hit you, ten rows up behind the far net. Keep that in mind next year before you comment on his abilities.....