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09-19-2008, 01:33 PM
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Pats have to work through growing pains
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, September 19, 2008
The 2008-09 Regina Pats are an interesting concoction of old and new.
It starts with Dale Derkatch, the former Pats' star who was lured home in the offseason as Regina's head coach. He'll guide a roster highlighted by some impressive star power and a solid core of returning veterans, mixed in with a handful of newcomers and raw rookies.
Stir it all together and what do you have?
That question won't be answered right away, since five of the team's 16 veterans are absent due to pro training camps: Goalie Linden Rowat, defencemen Colten Teubert and Matt Delahey and right-wingers Brett Leffler and Jordan Eberle.
Most if not all of Regina's NHL draft picks are expected to be absent for tonight's regular-season debut in Brandon, followed by Sunday's home-opener against the Wheat Kings. When those veterans return, the Pats must still cope with the inevitable growing pains that accompany a new head coach and an evolving lineup.
UP FRONT
Regina's offence is largely unproven outside of Eberle, an Edmonton Oilers' first-rounder with 50-goal potential. He's complemented by 20-year-old linemates Michael MacAngus and Scott Doucet, both of whom will be counted on to produce career-best numbers -- likely in the 25-goal, 60-point range.
Regina's offensive success hinges largely on secondary scoring, which means the team will need a significant jump in production from veterans like Leffler, Rudolf Cerveny, Mitch Czibere and Matt Strueby. Cerveny is poised for a breakout year while wrecking-ball winger Garrett Mitchell has a chance to follow suit in his sophomore campaign.
Slovakian rookie Tomas Hricina has shown potential, but don't expect much right away as he adjusts to the North American game.
Rookie phenom Jordan Weal is pre-ordained to become the team's next scoring sensation, but how much can you realistically expect from a 16-year-old? Given Regina's lack of scoring depth, it's important for Weal to contribute right away. That said, it would be foolish to expect an Eberle-like debut from a young player who's still far from a proven commodity at the WHL level.
The Pats' rookie class also includes Kyle Mulder, Dominick Favreau and Graham Hood, each of whom appears to have a bright future but faces a steep learning curve. Along with Cody Hanson, they'll have to bide their time in a fourth-line role, provide energy and chip in whenever possible.
BACK END
If the health and prosperity of Eberle is Regina's No. 1 concern, Victor Bartley is a close second. The 20-year-old blueliner, an ice-eating machine in all situations, will take over from Logan Pyett as the team's captain and power-play quarterback. If the hard-hitting Bartley can stay healthy, he's a guaranteed all-star.
Bartley and Teubert give the Pats an impressive one-two punch -- literally. Teubert, an LA. Kings' first-rounder, is ready to become one of the league's premier shut-down defencemen and a physical force.
Delahey could be the key to Regina's defence if he follows the same prescription as Teubert, playing a mean and nasty game in his own end while mixing in some emerging offensive skills.
Alex Pym added some weight and muscle in the offseason and is poised for a big step forward from his rookie campaign. Newly acquired Mike Scarborough is expected to provide a steady stay-at-home influence while rookies Koltyn Miller, Justin Slobozian, Dominic Perrault and Jeff Dort will battle for playing time in the sixth, seventh and eighth spots on the depth chart.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
We might as well place a giant question mark beside this category, with either Rowat or Jeff Bosch expected to be traded. Rowat gives Regina the comfort of a proven starter but Bosch has shown every sign that he's ready for primetime. Rookie Damien Ketlo is positioned to take over the backup job from Bosch, but the Pats also have top prospect Derek Tendler waiting in the wings with the midget AAA Regina Pat Canadians. He could still figure into the plans at some point this season.
BEHIND THE BENCH
The addition of Derkatch has added excitement and uncertainty to the Pats' equation. If he fails, it won't be for a lack of trying. The Pats' all-time leading scorer has a burning desire to succeed in spite of the fact he has never coached above the midget AAA level. Veteran assistant coach Terry Perkins, along with part-time assistant Todd Strueby, will be invaluable as Derkatch adjusts to the WHL and its system-oriented requirements. It'll be interesting to see how Derkatch fares against savvy strategists like Don Hay, Willie Desjardins and Lorne Molleken. Those veteran coaches may get the better of Derkatch on occasion, but that's OK. The most important thing for the Pats and their head coach is to grow together and be a better team in March than they are in September. Ht Wt Age Hometown Last Team
Goaltenders
- Jeff Bosch 6'1 185 18 Martensville Regina Pats
- Damien Ketlo 6'1 180 17 Fort Fraser, B.C. Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL)
- Linden Rowat 6'2 181 19 Cochrane, AB Pats
Defencemen
- Victor Bartley 6'1 205 20 Maple Ridge, B.C. Pats
- Matt Delahey 6'3 210 19 Moose Jaw Pats
- Jeff Dort 5'9 192 18 Medicine Hat Notre Dame Hounds (midget AAA)
- Koltyn Miller 6'2 176 17 Redvers Tisdale Trojans (midget AAA)
- Dominic Perrault 6'3 180 17 Regina Regina Pat Canadians (midget AAA)
- Alex Pym 6'1 180 17 Winnipeg Pats
- Mike Scarborough 6'1 191 18 North Saanich, B.C. Red Deer Rebels
- Justin Slobozian 6'0 175 16 Dauphin, MB Dauphin Clippers (high school)
- Colten Teubert 6'4 193 18 White Rock, B.C. Pats
Forwards
- Clarke Breitkreuz 6'0 166 17 Springside Beardy's Blackhawks (midget AAA)
- Rudolf Cerveny 6'0 180 19 Budejovice, Czech Pats
- Mitch Czibere 5'11 185 19 Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. Vancouver Giants
- Scott Doucet 6'0 195 20 Coquitlam, B.C. Pats
- Jordan Eberle 5'11 184 18 Regina Pats
- Dominick Favreau 5'10 175 16 Martensville Beardy's
- Cody Hanson 6'0 182 18 Regina Pat C's
- Graham Hood 6'2 198 16 Martensville Beardy's
- Tomas Hricina 6'2 198 18 Kosice, Slovakia Kosice Jr. (Slov.)
- Brett Leffler 6'2 189 19 Wynyard Pats
- Michael MacAngus 6'1 193 20 Saskatoon Pats
- Garrett Mitchell 5'11 181 17 Regina Pats
- Kyle Mulder 6'1 175 17 Winnipeg Winnipeg Thrashers (midget AAA )
- Matt Strueby 6'2 186 19 Regina Pats
- Jordan Weal 5'9 158 16 North Vancouver Vancouver Giants (midget AAA)
Pats have to work through growing pains
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, September 19, 2008
The 2008-09 Regina Pats are an interesting concoction of old and new.
It starts with Dale Derkatch, the former Pats' star who was lured home in the offseason as Regina's head coach. He'll guide a roster highlighted by some impressive star power and a solid core of returning veterans, mixed in with a handful of newcomers and raw rookies.
Stir it all together and what do you have?
That question won't be answered right away, since five of the team's 16 veterans are absent due to pro training camps: Goalie Linden Rowat, defencemen Colten Teubert and Matt Delahey and right-wingers Brett Leffler and Jordan Eberle.
Most if not all of Regina's NHL draft picks are expected to be absent for tonight's regular-season debut in Brandon, followed by Sunday's home-opener against the Wheat Kings. When those veterans return, the Pats must still cope with the inevitable growing pains that accompany a new head coach and an evolving lineup.
UP FRONT
Regina's offence is largely unproven outside of Eberle, an Edmonton Oilers' first-rounder with 50-goal potential. He's complemented by 20-year-old linemates Michael MacAngus and Scott Doucet, both of whom will be counted on to produce career-best numbers -- likely in the 25-goal, 60-point range.
Regina's offensive success hinges largely on secondary scoring, which means the team will need a significant jump in production from veterans like Leffler, Rudolf Cerveny, Mitch Czibere and Matt Strueby. Cerveny is poised for a breakout year while wrecking-ball winger Garrett Mitchell has a chance to follow suit in his sophomore campaign.
Slovakian rookie Tomas Hricina has shown potential, but don't expect much right away as he adjusts to the North American game.
Rookie phenom Jordan Weal is pre-ordained to become the team's next scoring sensation, but how much can you realistically expect from a 16-year-old? Given Regina's lack of scoring depth, it's important for Weal to contribute right away. That said, it would be foolish to expect an Eberle-like debut from a young player who's still far from a proven commodity at the WHL level.
The Pats' rookie class also includes Kyle Mulder, Dominick Favreau and Graham Hood, each of whom appears to have a bright future but faces a steep learning curve. Along with Cody Hanson, they'll have to bide their time in a fourth-line role, provide energy and chip in whenever possible.
BACK END
If the health and prosperity of Eberle is Regina's No. 1 concern, Victor Bartley is a close second. The 20-year-old blueliner, an ice-eating machine in all situations, will take over from Logan Pyett as the team's captain and power-play quarterback. If the hard-hitting Bartley can stay healthy, he's a guaranteed all-star.
Bartley and Teubert give the Pats an impressive one-two punch -- literally. Teubert, an LA. Kings' first-rounder, is ready to become one of the league's premier shut-down defencemen and a physical force.
Delahey could be the key to Regina's defence if he follows the same prescription as Teubert, playing a mean and nasty game in his own end while mixing in some emerging offensive skills.
Alex Pym added some weight and muscle in the offseason and is poised for a big step forward from his rookie campaign. Newly acquired Mike Scarborough is expected to provide a steady stay-at-home influence while rookies Koltyn Miller, Justin Slobozian, Dominic Perrault and Jeff Dort will battle for playing time in the sixth, seventh and eighth spots on the depth chart.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
We might as well place a giant question mark beside this category, with either Rowat or Jeff Bosch expected to be traded. Rowat gives Regina the comfort of a proven starter but Bosch has shown every sign that he's ready for primetime. Rookie Damien Ketlo is positioned to take over the backup job from Bosch, but the Pats also have top prospect Derek Tendler waiting in the wings with the midget AAA Regina Pat Canadians. He could still figure into the plans at some point this season.
BEHIND THE BENCH
The addition of Derkatch has added excitement and uncertainty to the Pats' equation. If he fails, it won't be for a lack of trying. The Pats' all-time leading scorer has a burning desire to succeed in spite of the fact he has never coached above the midget AAA level. Veteran assistant coach Terry Perkins, along with part-time assistant Todd Strueby, will be invaluable as Derkatch adjusts to the WHL and its system-oriented requirements. It'll be interesting to see how Derkatch fares against savvy strategists like Don Hay, Willie Desjardins and Lorne Molleken. Those veteran coaches may get the better of Derkatch on occasion, but that's OK. The most important thing for the Pats and their head coach is to grow together and be a better team in March than they are in September. Ht Wt Age Hometown Last Team
Goaltenders
- Jeff Bosch 6'1 185 18 Martensville Regina Pats
- Damien Ketlo 6'1 180 17 Fort Fraser, B.C. Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL)
- Linden Rowat 6'2 181 19 Cochrane, AB Pats
Defencemen
- Victor Bartley 6'1 205 20 Maple Ridge, B.C. Pats
- Matt Delahey 6'3 210 19 Moose Jaw Pats
- Jeff Dort 5'9 192 18 Medicine Hat Notre Dame Hounds (midget AAA)
- Koltyn Miller 6'2 176 17 Redvers Tisdale Trojans (midget AAA)
- Dominic Perrault 6'3 180 17 Regina Regina Pat Canadians (midget AAA)
- Alex Pym 6'1 180 17 Winnipeg Pats
- Mike Scarborough 6'1 191 18 North Saanich, B.C. Red Deer Rebels
- Justin Slobozian 6'0 175 16 Dauphin, MB Dauphin Clippers (high school)
- Colten Teubert 6'4 193 18 White Rock, B.C. Pats
Forwards
- Clarke Breitkreuz 6'0 166 17 Springside Beardy's Blackhawks (midget AAA)
- Rudolf Cerveny 6'0 180 19 Budejovice, Czech Pats
- Mitch Czibere 5'11 185 19 Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. Vancouver Giants
- Scott Doucet 6'0 195 20 Coquitlam, B.C. Pats
- Jordan Eberle 5'11 184 18 Regina Pats
- Dominick Favreau 5'10 175 16 Martensville Beardy's
- Cody Hanson 6'0 182 18 Regina Pat C's
- Graham Hood 6'2 198 16 Martensville Beardy's
- Tomas Hricina 6'2 198 18 Kosice, Slovakia Kosice Jr. (Slov.)
- Brett Leffler 6'2 189 19 Wynyard Pats
- Michael MacAngus 6'1 193 20 Saskatoon Pats
- Garrett Mitchell 5'11 181 17 Regina Pats
- Kyle Mulder 6'1 175 17 Winnipeg Winnipeg Thrashers (midget AAA )
- Matt Strueby 6'2 186 19 Regina Pats
- Jordan Weal 5'9 158 16 North Vancouver Vancouver Giants (midget AAA)