Any early predictions?

[tigsfan0809]

Anybody have any guesses as to how the Bengals will do this year? IMO, they will either finish high, or miss the playoffs completely. Any other predictions?

[Boltz9]

I was going to ask what the tigers lineup is going to look like this season, who is and isn't coming back and what the overage situation is at the moment?

[tigsfan0809]

Boltz9, as far as I know, our OA's list hasn't changed from the end of last season. I haven't heard if either Ennis or Kundratek will go pro or return. They, at the moment, could actually go either way, pro or return here. As far as the other OA's, Bretton Cameron, Colton Grant, Travis Dunstall, Mark Isherwood, and Ryan Holfeld are still on the team until otherwise stated. I have heard the team is making a strong pitch to lure Dylan Olsen here, altho I don't know how that is going. As well, we have a few promising youngsters hoping to crack the team: F Emerson Etem, D Dylan Busenius, and G Sam Brittain. Like I said, we'll either finish high, or miss the playoffs altogether. If for some reason Ennis and Kundratek return, we could challenge for the division......

[Trav]

Are Brittan and Etem coming to the WHL?

[tigsfan0809]

As far as I know, they are coming to camp. If they stick depends on how well they do, of course.

[BrooksCat]

Expect emerson Etem to make the team and also make an impact.
Fiddler will also make the team as a 16, will not make as big an impact, but is a very good player.
Reminds me of Linden Vey

[Tiger Trauma]

Too early to tell. Lots of unknowns.


I don't expect Dylan Olsen to be here. He has told the MH News he plans to go to college. As a tiger fan we'd have to hope chicago tries to push him to the whl route. Or Desjardins changes Olsen's mind, but its highly unlikely.

It also sounds like Sam Brittain will not be joining the tigers next year. Apparently he has committed to the Canmore eagles, and his mother and father have bought seasons tickets there. - There was an article in the canmore newspaper 3 months ago.


I heard someone say earlier on a message board that Emerson Etem was coming but i don't know how he knew. I have heard lots of good things about this kid.

Kundratek - i keep hearing that the rangers system in hartford is short a D-man or two, but that kundratek may not fit into their plans for next season which is strange. Willie said in the paper he is not counting out him returning.

Overagers - Big decisions here. anything could happen. depends on who comes back and goaltender situation.

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Imagine the defense the tigers would have if Olsen decided to come over. Isherwood was back for his 20 yr old year, and kundratek came back.

The tigers could have one of the best Defenses in the league
Isherwood Olsen
Kundratek Coyle
Konan Montgomery

Carr
Carlson
Busenius

But perhaps isherwood signs a contract and plays in the AHL. Kundratek does not come back, and Olsen does not report. Then suddenly the defense looks pretty average if that. Lots of variables

[tigsfan0809]

Agreed Tiger Trauma. With Ish, Olsen, and Kundratek out, the d looks a lot smaller as well as a lot less skill. I'm really hoping that Carr and Carlson can really step it up this season, and also hoping that Konan, Montgomery, and Busenius can fill in for the guys who might be leaving. Does anyone know if Tyler Ennis has a chance to return? And if so, how likely is it?

[Tiger Trauma]

Players Not Returning
9 Brennan Bosch C R 5'8 168
27 Matt McCue D L 6'5 218
17 Sean Ringrose C R 5'9 175
Ineligible to return, to old.

Players Likely To Move On
22 Tyler Ennis C L 5'9 164 Reason: Too good for whl, 1st round nhl pick.
25 Thomas Kundratek D R 6' 2 192 Reason: Signed Contract
Note:Willie D has mentioned that it is still possible for Kundratek to come back for another year
Ennis hasn't signed an NHL contract yet.

Players Likely To stay, but have a chance of Moving on
24 Mark Isherwood D R 6'0 179
Unsigned but Talented enough to move on if an NHL team shows interest.

Overagers
12 Colton Grant LW L 5'9 180
20 Travis Dunstall LW L 5'10 180
24 Mark Isherwood D R 6'0 179
31 Ryan Holfeld G L 5'11 166
25 Tomas Kundratek D R 6' 2 192
28 Bretton Cameron RW R 5'11 173
22 Tyler Ennis C L 5'9 164


Expected Back
10 Josh Koper RW R 5'8 163
11 Zdenek Okal LW L 5'9 162
14 John Stampohar RW R 6'4 208
15 Linden Vey RW R 5'11 179
16 Joey Frazer RW R 5'6 162
19 Tristan King C R 6'0 183
21 Taylor Gal LW L 5'11 176
36 Wacey Hamilton C L 5'11 173

Defense
2 Bo Montgomery D R 6'5 201
4 Jace Coyle D R 6'0 188
5 Thomas Carr D R 6'0 187
6 Matthew Konan D R 6'2 179
7 Cody Carlson D R 5'10 182


Goalies
30 Tyler Bunz 6'0 185 Feb. 11, 1992

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Note: This is a raw list of previously listed and drafted players, which have been taken from Alan Caldwell's blog.
http://smallatlarge.blogspot.com/2009/06/2009-10-prospects-medicine-hat.html
It is probable that some of the players have been dropped or added.

Incoming Players Fighting For a spot (Didn't list the 15yr olds recently picked in the WHL Draft)
Dylan Bredo
Corey Chorneyko
Sean Collins
Jayce Douskey
Todd Fiddler
Michael Forsyth
Brad Gustafson
Brayden Jaw
Andrew Johnston
Kale Kessy
Boston Leier
Kajon McKay
Scott McKay
Devon McMullen
Colin Mospanchuk
Victor Newell
Trent Ouellette
Reid Petryk
Bradley Robinson
Jesse Ursic
Curtis Valk
Vahe Zakaryan
Triston Etem
Dylan Busenius
Sam Dezman


Previously Listed Players. Reports indicate they are not coming to Camp. However nothing is 100% certain
Colin Wilson NCAA 20 yr old
Tyler Pitlick NCAA
Drew Olson NCAA
Dylan Olsen NCAA
Andrew MacWilliam NCAA
Joey LaLaeggia has NCAA intentions
Sam Brittain - Uncertain but read a newspaper article that said he planned to play for the Canmore Eagles (AJHL Jr A)
Wade Bergman NCAA

[tigsfan0809]

Hey TT, out of the incoming players list, do you know how many are goalies? I'd hope we have some G depth besides Brittain, Bunz, and an OA Holfeld......

[Tiger Trauma]

Brad Gustafson 16 Yrs (Yukon) - They had an article in the News about him last year. He will be at training camp but not expected to join/make the team until at least next year. I believe the tigers listed him after their goaltending coach spotted him at one of his goaltending clinics or something like that.

Dawson Macauley - 2nd rounder this year only 15 years old

I remember hearing on the radio last year that they had another guy they were high on other than Sam Brittain, but It could have been the the kid from the Yukon. I cant remember.

SO they do have a couple young players in the wings after this year.

[tigsfan0809]

Thanks Tiger Trauma. Do you think the team will keep Holfy as an OA? Or, do you think they'll bring in a younger guy to share duties or backup?

[Tiger Trauma]

Thanks Tiger Trauma. Do you think the team will keep Holfy as an OA? Or, do you think they'll bring in a younger guy to share duties or backup?

That is a really good question. I'm 60-40 towards thinking that the tigers will keep Holfeld.

Desjardins in the past has went with the experienced guy. I think the tigers would first need to find a really strong player to be a backup before they think of trading away Holfeld.

I think they'll see how things play out during training camp. It should be a competitive training camp as nothing is really set in stone.

[tigsfan0809]

Don't get me wrong, I've seen Holf stand on his head and be brilliant in net, and I've also seen him get chased easily, too. If he plays like he did before Christmas break last season, we'll be good. If he plays like he did after the break, I'm guessing Willie might look elsewhere......JMO, tho.

[Tiger Trauma]

I think the tigers would first need to find a really strong player to be a backup before they think of trading away Holfeld.


I worded that a little weird. But i think people probably got the drift of it.
I meant to say the tigers would have to find a strong player to backup Tyler Bunz before they think of trading Holfeld away.

But so many things factor into this like.

What if an unexpected overager comes back?
Will tyler Bunz be able to handle a Number 1 role?
Does HOlfeld come out and play very good hockey making it impossible to get rid of him?
Do the tigers get another goalie at camp who shows promise to be a good goaltender
Does the play of the other overagers make it so Holfeld is expendable.
Can a potential backup to tyler bunz be at least somewhat reliable?

SO its hard to judge on what will eventually happen. Thats why i think they'll wait and see how it all plays out

[tigsfan0809]

Agreed. It's kinda nice this season to have to decide on who stays and goes for OA's, instead of having to pick somebody up at the deadline.

[wango tango]

i suspect desjardins will go with a little more veteran lineup this year if possible. with him being the coach of the world junior team he is going to be splitting a lot of time between mh and stoon and might want to have as much veteran leadership as he can, so clouston doesn't have to do as much hand holding with the youngsters.

[tigsfan0809]

Does anyone know how Emerson Etem, Dylan Busenius, and newcomer Kyle Birch have done in camp? Does anyone expect these guys to stick around when the final roster is announced?

[Tiger Trauma]

Emerson has 2g 2g in 2 preseason games.

Its just pre-season but 4 pts in 2 games aint bad.

[tigsfan0809]

Thanks TT. Has anyone heard any more regarding the goalie situation, if any goalie has outplayed the others so far?

[Toe Drag]

Who are the players likely to be cut from this list, and why do we keep the players who are left behind?