WHL BEST OF THE BEST!!

[patsdude114]

(out of Rod Pedersen's blog) lets do up 1 in our opinions of the Eastern Conference


Annie Fowler of the Tri-City Herald did a remarkable job compiling this year's Best Of The West Conference Poll, as voted on by WHL West Conference Coaches, GMs and Broadcasters. The East Conference Poll will be released shortly by Brandon Wheat Kings announcer Bruce Luebke. If you'd like to fill out the categories with your own East Conference picks and put them in the Comments section, be my guest! Here we go with the Best (and Worst) of the West for 2010:

Best Fans
Everett - 82.9%

Also
Kelowna 56.5%
Vancouver 54.5%
Tri-City 38.9%
Spokane 29.4%
Portland 32%
Prince George 1.7%
Kamloops 0.3%
Seattle 0%
Chilliwack 0%

Top Coach
Don Hay, Vancouver -- 63.9%

Also
Marc Habscheid, Chilliwack 50.9%
Jim Hiller, Tri-City 45.6%
Mike Johnston, Portland 43.3%
Craig Hartsburg, Everett 41.6%
Ryan Huska, Kelowna 11.4%
Hardy Sauter, Spokane 6.5%

Top Executive
Scott Bonner, Vancouver -- 62.2%

Also
Mike Johnston, Portland 58.1%
Bob Tory, Tri-City 53.9%
Bruce Hamilton, Kelowna 29%
Doug Soetaert, Everett 27.7%
Craig Bonner, Kamloops 13.1

Top Rookie
Nino Niederreiter, Portland -- 77.8%

Also
Shane McColgan, Kelowna 69.3%
Kevin Connauton, Vancouver 43.5%
Ryan Johansen, Portland 29.1%
Ryan Murray, Everett 14.6%
Radko Gudas, Everett 11.9%

Most Valuable to Team
Calvin Pickard, Seattle -- 65.6%

Also
Ryan Howse, Chilliwack 43.8%
Brett Connolly, Prince George 27.3%
Tyson Barrie, Kelowna 23.2%
Shane Harper, Everett 12.6%
Lance Bouma, Vancouver 11.3%

Best Stay-At-Home D-Man
Jared Cowen, Spokane -- 67.8%

Also
Tyler Schmidt, Tri-City 42.5%
Radko Gudas, Everett 37.5%
Jarrett Toll, Tri-City 35%
Brett Ponich, Portland 25.5%
David Musil, Vancouver 10.27%

Hardest Shot
Kevin Connauton, Vancouver -- 41.5%

Also
Kyle Beach, Spokane 36%
Radko Gudas, Everett 35.6%
Ryan Howse, Chilliwack 28%
Dallas Jackson, Kelowna 27.6%
Jared Cowen, Spokane 15.9%

Top Faceoff Man
Tyler Johnson, Spokane -- 80.8%

Also
Zack Dailey, Everett 22.1%
Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City 14.5%
Mitch Wahl Spokane 13.5%
Ryan Johansen, Portland 12.9%
Kevin Sundher, Chilliwack 9.8%

Most Accurate Shot
Ryan Howse, Chilliwack -- 81%

Also
Kyle Beach, Spokane 34.4%
Shane Harper, Everett 23.2%
Kevin Connauton, Vancouver 20.9%
Craig Cunningham, Vancouver 18.2%
Mitch Wahl, Spokane 15.4%

Toughest Player
Tayler Jordan, Portland -- 51.3%

Also
Ryan Letts, Spokane 36.3%
Lance Bouma, Vancouver 27.8%
Josh Caron, Kamloops 27.8%
Scott Ramsay, Seattle 25.6%
Mitchell Callahan, Kelowna 14.9%

Most Improved Player
Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City -- 73.8%

Also
Craig Cunningham, Vancouver 56.1%
Chris Francis, Portland 9.9%
Ryan Howsem Chilliwack 9.5%
Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver 7.4%
Luke Walker, Portland 6.9%

Best Overage Player
Shane Harper, Everett -- 60.4%

Also
Johnny Lazo, Tri-City 47.7%
Jared Spurgeon, Spokane 41.8%
Prab Rai, Seattle 34.6%
Chris Francis, Portland 27.4%
Dallas Jackson, Kelowna 21.6%

Top Defensive Forward
Tyler Johnson, Spokane -- 85.2%

Also
Brandon McMillan, Kelowna 35.1%
Kruise Reddick, Tri-City 22.7%
Zack Dailey, Everett 20.7%
Stefan Schneider, Portland 16.8%
James Henry, Vancouver 10%

Best 16-Year-Old
Shane McColgan, Kelowna -- 94.7%

Also
Ryan Murray, Everett 51.3% David Musil, Vancouver 38.6%
Jesse Forsberg, Prince George 36%
Colin Smith, Kamloops 24.9%
Ty Rattie, Portland 22.3%

Best Goaltender
Calvin Pickard, Seattle -- 89.2%

Also
Drew Owsley, Tri-City 47.4%
James Reid, Spokane 39.6%
Kent Simpson, Everett 29.6%
Thomas Heemskerk, Everett 20%
Kurtis Mucha, Kamloops 19.3%

Best Skater
Prab Rai, Seattle 64.1%

Also
Brandon McMillan, Kelowna 39.8%
Johnny Lazo, Tri-City 39.3%
Tyler Johnson, Spokane 25.7%
Tyson Barrie, Kelowna 16.7%
Shane Harper, Everett 14.1%

Most Underrated Player
Shane Harper, Everett -- 30.6%

Also
Johnny Lazo, Tri-City 26.4%
Craig Cunningham, Vancouver 25.5%
Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City 16.3%
Chris Francis, Portland 13.2%
Prab Rai, Seattle 12.3%

Most Irritating Player
Kyle Beach, Spokane -- 49.7%

Also
Brad Ross, Portland 49.2%
Mitchell Callahan, Kelowna 36.5%
Lance Bouma, Vancouver 22.4%
Zack Dailey, Everett 21.9%
Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver 19.4%

Best Pro Prospect
Nino Niederreiter, Portland -- 58.4%

Also
Brett Connolly, Prince George 48.4%
Ryan Howse, Chilliwack 27.6%
Calvin Pickard, Seattle 24.3%
Jared Cowan, Spokane 21.2%
Luca Sbisa, Portland 19.7%

Top Referee
Andy Thiessen -- 52.6%

Also
Trevor Hanson 25.4%
Steve Papp 24.3%
Pat Smith 21.3%
Derek Zalaski 15.3%
Chris Savage 15.3%

[patsdude114]

TOPS IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE

TOP COACH- Lorne Mollenken

TOP EXECUTIVE- Kelly McCrimmon

TOP ROOKIE- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

MVP TO TEAM- Jordan Eberle/Garrett Zemlak

BEST STAY-AT-HOME-DMAN- Collin Archer

HARDEST SHOT- Travis Hamonic (hands down)

TOP FACEOFF MAN- Cody Eakin

MOST ACCURATE SHOT- Jordan Eberle

TOUGHEST PLAYER- Dylan Mcllrath

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER- Steven Stanford

BEST OVERAGER- Garret Zemlak

TOP DEFENSIVE FORWARD- Jason Bast

BEST 16YR OLD- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

BEST GOALTENDER- Garrett Zemlak/Steven Stanford

BEST SKATER- Cody Eakin/Bretton Cameron

MOST UNDER-RATED PLAYER- Brent Raedeke/Garrett Mitchell/Carter Bancks

MOST IRRITATING PLAYER- Darian Dziurzynski

BEST PRO PROSPECT- Jordan Eberle

TOP REFEREE- seriously really??? ummm anyone but Dean

[sbtatter]

Luber will soon be releasing the 'Best of the east".....

[EOK1]

TOPS IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE

TOP COACH- Lorne Mollenken

TOP EXECUTIVE- Kelly McCrimmon

TOP ROOKIE- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

MVP TO TEAM- Jordan Eberle/Garrett Zemlak

BEST STAY-AT-HOME-DMAN- Collin Archer

HARDEST SHOT- Travis Hamonic (hands down)

TOP FACEOFF MAN- Cody Eakin

MOST ACCURATE SHOT- Jordan Eberle

TOUGHEST PLAYER- Dylan Mcllrath

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER- Steven Stanford

BEST OVERAGER- Garret Zemlak

TOP DEFENSIVE FORWARD- Jason Bast

BEST 16YR OLD- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

BEST GOALTENDER- Garrett Zemlak/Steven Stanford

BEST SKATER- Cody Eakin/Bretton Cameron

MOST UNDER-RATED PLAYER- Brent Raedeke/Garrett Mitchell/Carter Bancks

MOST IRRITATING PLAYER- Darian Dziurzynski

BEST PRO PROSPECT- Jordan Eberle

TOP REFEREE- seriously really??? ummm anyone but Dean

Good thing your not actually picking these..so off.

[SectionNDeserter]

HARDEST SHOT- Travis Hamonic (hands down)I would say Niemi from Saskatoon hands down. Maybe not as 'good' or 'accurate' as Hamonic, but I believe from a sheer power standpoint, he is unmatched in the entire league.

TOUGHEST PLAYER- Dylan McllrathI would go with Randy McNaught from Saskatoon on this one. While he can barely be considered a hockey player from a skill standpoint, he has pieces of guys like McIlrath in his stool.

[patsdude114]

Good thing your not actually picking these..so off.



well this is in our opinion lets see ur list before lubber puts out his?? dont knock down someone's picks without providing 1 of ur own... Wow i can see why the WK fans hate u so much

[Joe Hallenback]

TOPS IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE

TOP COACH- Lorne Mollenken - I think he is the best

TOP EXECUTIVE- Kelly McCrimmon/Kelly Kisio -Both do a great job finding players

TOP ROOKIE- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - One of the best players to come around in the last few years.

MVP TO TEAM- Brandon Kozun - Calgary becomes average without him

BEST STAY-AT-HOME-DMAN- Stefan Elliot - He can do it offensively but he can shut down players as well. If Zahn was healthy he would get it hands down

HARDEST SHOT- Travis Hamonic (hands down) - agree with this

TOP FACEOFF MAN- Brayden Schenn - Some nights he is unbeatable

MOST ACCURATE SHOT- Jordan Eberle - Pretty easy

TOUGHEST PLAYER- Randy McNaught - Classic Dub Tough guy. Looks the role being 6'5. Donaghy in Lethbridge is pretty close too.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER- Dylan McIlrath - Shooting up the draft charts guy is going to be dominate next year

BEST OVERAGER- Matt Calvert - Is there a better 20 year old in all of Junior?

TOP DEFENSIVE FORWARD- Brent Radaeke - The more I watch him the more I like. Schenn gets an Honorable mention here

BEST 16YR OLD- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - again a no brainer

BEST GOALTENDER- Garrett Zemlak - Some great goalies in the east. From a Brandon perspective Zemlak will steal games from us

BEST SKATER- Matt Calvert - I don't think anyone is as fast with the puck

MOST UNDER-RATED PLAYER- Brent Raedeke/Teigan Zahn/Colby Robak - 3 guys you don't hear much about. Raedeke because of playing for a bad team in Edmonton but oh so good in Brandon. Zahn is the best defensive D man in the Dub and Robak might be the best 2 way D man in the dub but Elliot and Hamonic get more credit then he does

MOST IRRITATING PLAYER- Darren Bestland - I don't think I have seen a guy consistenly irritate people like Bestland. Perhaps they don't like getting run over by a guy 5'10 and 160 pounds soaking wet?

BEST PRO PROSPECT- Jordan Eberle - Agree Schenn is a close second

TOP REFEREE- seriously really??? ummm anyone but Dean

[peatfan]

Here is my selections:

TOPS IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE

TOP COACH- Mark Hollick
TOP EXECUTIVE- Kelly Kisio
TOP ROOKIE- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
MVP TO TEAM- Brandon Kozun
BEST STAY-AT-HOME-DMAN- Colby Robak
HARDEST SHOT- Mike Stone
TOP FACEOFF MAN- Cody Sylvester
MOST ACCURATE SHOT- Jordan Eberle
TOUGHEST PLAYER- Ian Schultz
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER- Willie Coetzee
BEST OVERAGER- Matt Calvert
TOP DEFENSIVE FORWARD- Ty Fiddler
BEST 16YR OLD- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
BEST GOALTENDER- Marty Jones
BEST SKATER- Brandon Kozun
MOST UNDER-RATED PLAYER- Ty Fiddler
MOST IRRITATING PLAYER- Darian Dziurzynski
BEST PRO PROSPECT- Jordan Eberle
TOP REFEREE- the one you never see. (not Herman or Zaleski)

[Allin44]

Here is my selections:

TOPS IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE

TOP COACH- Mark Hollick
TOP EXECUTIVE- Kelly Kisio
TOP ROOKIE- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
MVP TO TEAM- Brandon Kozun
BEST STAY-AT-HOME-DMAN- Colby Robak
HARDEST SHOT- Mike Stone
TOP FACEOFF MAN- Cody Sylvester
MOST ACCURATE SHOT- Jordan Eberle
TOUGHEST PLAYER- Ian Schultz
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER- Willie Coetzee
BEST OVERAGER- Matt Calvert
TOP DEFENSIVE FORWARD- Ty Fiddler
BEST 16YR OLD- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
BEST GOALTENDER- Marty Jones
BEST SKATER- Brandon Kozun
MOST UNDER-RATED PLAYER- Ty Fiddler
MOST IRRITATING PLAYER- Darian Dziurzynski
BEST PRO PROSPECT- Jordan Eberle
TOP REFEREE- the one you never see. (not Herman or Zaleski)

lol at Robak being a stay at home dman

[dagley]

TOP COACH- Lorne Molleken
TOP EXECUTIVE- Kelly McCrimmon
TOP ROOKIE- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
MVP TO TEAM- Jordan Eberle
BEST STAY-AT-HOME-DMAN- Stefan Elliot
HARDEST SHOT- Travis Hamonic
TOP FACEOFF MAN- Brayden Schenn
MOST ACCURATE SHOT- Jordan Eberle
TOUGHEST PLAYER- Ryan McNaught
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER- Dustin Sylvester
BEST OVERAGER- Matt Calvert
TOP DEFENSIVE FORWARD- Jason Bast
BEST 16YR OLD- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
BEST GOALTENDER- Garrett Zemlak
BEST SKATER- Colby Robak (not bias, most flawless skater in the league)
MOST UNDER-RATED PLAYER- Brad Hoban
MOST IRRITATING PLAYER- Darian Dziurzynski
BEST PRO PROSPECT- Jordan Eberle
TOP REFEREE- Anybody but Zalaski

[Trevor]

TOP COACH- Willie Desjardin
TOP EXECUTIVE- Kelly McCrimmon
TOP ROOKIE- Emerson Etem
MVP TO TEAM- Jordan Eberle
BEST STAY-AT-HOME-DMAN- Colin Archer
HARDEST SHOT- Michael Stone
TOP FACEOFF MAN- Brayden Schenn
MOST ACCURATE SHOT- Jordan Eberle
TOUGHEST PLAYER- Ryan McNaught
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER- Cody Eakin (Almost picked Lewadniuk)
BEST OVERAGER- Matt Calvert
TOP DEFENSIVE FORWARD- Not sure. Bast, Calvert, Sylvester maybe?
BEST 16YR OLD- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
BEST GOALTENDER- Garrett Zemlak
BEST SKATER- Colby Robak
MOST UNDER-RATED PLAYER- Garret Zemlak
MOST IRRITATING PLAYER- Ryan McNaught
BEST PRO PROSPECT- Jordan Eberle
TOP REFEREE- Gagnon, but only cause I'm good friends with him, lol.

[In the crowd]

TOP COACH- Mark Hollick
TOP EXECUTIVE- Jeff Chynoweth
TOP ROOKIE- Joey Leach
MVP TO TEAM- Dustin Sylvester
BEST STAY-AT-HOME-DMAN- James Martin
HARDEST SHOT- Braydon Mcnabb
TOP FACEOFF MAN- Maxwell Reinhart
MOST ACCURATE SHOT- Kevin King
TOUGHEST PLAYER- Brock Montgomery
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER- Steele Boomer
BEST OVERAGER- Dustin Sylvester
TOP DEFENSIVE FORWARD- Matt Fraser
BEST 16YR OLD- Jagger Dirk
BEST GOALTENDER- Todd Mathews
BEST SKATER- Dustin Sylvester
MOST UNDER-RATED PLAYER- Jesse Ismond
MOST IRRITATING PLAYER- Matt Fraser
BEST PRO PROSPECT- Braydon McNabb
TOP REFEREE- Kerry Fraser

[Boltz9]

TOP COACH- Mark Hollick
TOP EXECUTIVE- Jeff Chynoweth
TOP ROOKIE- Joey Leach
MVP TO TEAM- Dustin Sylvester
BEST STAY-AT-HOME-DMAN- James Martin
HARDEST SHOT- Braydon Mcnabb
TOP FACEOFF MAN- Maxwell Reinhart
MOST ACCURATE SHOT- Kevin King
TOUGHEST PLAYER- Brock Montgomery
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER- Steele Boomer
BEST OVERAGER- Dustin Sylvester
TOP DEFENSIVE FORWARD- Matt Fraser
BEST 16YR OLD- Jagger Dirk
BEST GOALTENDER- Todd Mathews
BEST SKATER- Dustin Sylvester
MOST UNDER-RATED PLAYER- Jesse Ismond
MOST IRRITATING PLAYER- Matt Fraser
BEST PRO PROSPECT- Braydon McNabb
TOP REFEREE- Kerry Fraser

Lol I'm assuming you were just doing the best of the Kootenay Ice.

[patsdude114]

Good thing your not actually picking these..so off.

think u need to take a look at what the actual picks were im really not that far off...... a couple different winners but most of my picks made the top 3... go back into the hole u came out of EOK...

a few different headlines then the original 1 but luber did a great job expect with the goaltender, Jones is a joke is so over rated its pathedic i would have Hayes on my team before Jones in a heart beat.


Best Player

1. Jordan Eberle – Regina
2. Brandon Kozun – Calgary
3. Brayden Schenn – Brandon

Note: I didn’t think there would be any doubt about who would be #1 in this category and, as it turned out, there wasn’t.

Most Valuable Player to his Team

1. Jordan Eberle - Regina
2. Dustin Sylvester – Kootenay
3. Jason Bast – Moose Jaw

Note: A new question this year, simply to see if there’s a difference between MVP and Top Player. There wasn’t at #1, but down the ranks the results were different.

Best Goaltender

1. Martin Jones – Calgary
2. Garrett Zemlak – Prince Albert
3. Todd Mathews – Kootenay

Note: Isn’t it interesting that two of the top three were castoffs not that long ago.


Top Rookie

1. Emerson Etem – Medicine Hat
2. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Red Deer
3. Toni Rajala – Brandon

Note: Top three rookie scorers in the Eastern Conference.

Top 16-year old Player

1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Red Deer
2. Duncan Siemens – Saskatoon
3. Michael St. Croix – Edmonton

Note: Nugent-Hopkins was #1 pick in 2008 WHL Draft and is living up to the billing.

Best Stay-at-Home Defenceman

1. Sam Klassen – Saskatoon
2. Brayden McNabb – Kootenay
3. Travis Hamonic – Brandon

Note: Two of the top three, McNabb and Hamonic, are also among the top-scoring defencemen in the WHL.

Best Offensive Defenceman

1. Travis Hamonic – Brandon
2. Stefan Elliott – Saskatoon
3. Michael Stone – Calgary

Note: Among blue liners, Hamonic had a league-best 1.26 points per game average in 39 games before being injury.

Best 20-year old Player

1. Matt Calvert – Brandon
2. Dustin Sylvester – Kootenay
3. Jason Bast – Moose Jaw

Note: Calvert and Sylvester are both in the Top 10 in scoring and Bast would likely be close to that area if he hadn’t missed some significant time in the first half with a facial fracture.


Best Pro Prospect (NHL Drafted)

1. Jordan Eberle – Regina
2. Brayden Schenn – Brandon
3. Travis Hamonic – Brandon

Note: Last year, Schenn was the Top Pro Prospect, drafted or undrafted, but Eberle passes him this year.

Best Pro Prospect (Undrafted)

1. Emerson Etem – Medicine Hat
2. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Red Deer
3. Quinton Howden – Moose Jaw

Note: There was some thinking outside the box here with several undrafted 20-year olds garnering votes but, in the end, the young guys won out.

Best Prospects/List

1. Brandon
2. Saskatoon
3. Moose Jaw

Note: Some consolation for Wheat Kings’ fans worried about the future. It was a close three-team race but, in the end, it appears Brandon prospects for future seasons are solid.

Best Coach

1. Mark Holick – Kootenay
2. Willie Desjardins – Medicine Hat
3. Lorne Molleken – Saskatoon

Note: Interesting that Holick out legs the Canadian Junior Team coach for the honour. Brandon’s Kelly McCrimmon ended up #4 in the voting.

Top Executive

1. Kelly McCrimmon – Brandon
2. Kelly Kisio – Calgary
3. Jeff Chynoweth – Kootenay

Note: His peers obviously like what McCrimmon has done with his Memorial Cup Hosts this year. He unseats Kisio, who was #1 the past two years.


Top Defensive Forward

1. Carter Bancks – Lethbridge
2. Wacey Hamilton – Medicine Hat
3. Brent Raedeke – Brandon

Note: Bancks is also captain of the Hurricanes so he brings a lot to the table.

Top Face-off Man

1. Carter Bancks – Lethbridge
2. Brayden Schenn – Brandon
3. Cody Eakin – Swift Current

Note: Being good in the face-off circle goes hand-in-hand with being a top defensive player.

Best Skater

1. Cody Eakin – Swift Current
2. Brandon Kozun – Calgary
3. Matt Calvert – Brandon

Note: I thought Scott Glennie or Colby Robak might be the Brandon players to watch in this category but Calvert outpolls them both.

Hardest Shot

1. Michael Stone – Calgary
2. Jyri Niemi – Saskatoon
3. Joel Broda – Calgary

Note: Stone and Niemi reverse spots as compared to last year while Broda is #3 for the second straight year.

Most Accurate Shot

1. Jordan Eberle – Regina
2. Cody Eakin – Swift Current
3. Joel Broda – Calgary

Note: A fourth category win for Eberle and second straight year in this category. But hold on, there’s more to come…


Toughest Player

1. Randy McNaught – Saskatoon
2. Dustin Donaghy – Lethbridge
3. Dylan McIlrath – Moose Jaw

Note: Acquired from Chilliwack early in the season, McNaught has taken on all comers this season including a trio of memorable dustups with Brandon’s Jordan Hale.

Most Irritating Player

1. Curt Gogol – Saskatoon
2. Charles Inglis – Saskatoon
3. Darian Dziurzynski – Saskatoon

Note: Think the Blades are tough to play against?

Opposing Player You Respect the Most

1. Jordan Eberle – Regina
2. Dustin Sylvester – Kootenay
3. Jason Bast – Moose Jaw

Note: The fifth and final category victory on this list for Eberle. Brayden Schenn and Matt Calvert were 4-5 on this list.

Best Referee

1. Andy Thiessen
2. Derek Herman
3. Chris Savage

Note: Best comment: “No Such Thing”

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the overall officiating in the WHL?

Ranking ranged from a low of 3 to a high of 7 and, when all was said and done, the final average score was 5.5. It looks like the WHL has a little work to do, still.


What is the toughest Building to play in on the road?

1. Medicine Hat
2. Brandon
3. Moose Jaw

Note: There were no specifics given so reasons could range from travel required, the crowd, the building or, simply, the quality of the opponent.

Which arena has the best ice?

1. Swift Current
2. Medicine Hat
3. Edmonton

[dagley]

No idea how Robak isnt considered the best skater in the league. I'm not even trying to be bias, or a troll. He is the most fluid skater I have ever seen in this league, for eight seasons ive had season tickets and twelve years I have gone to games...hes the most fluid skater.

[Allin44]

No idea how Robak isnt considered the best skater in the league. I'm not even trying to be bias, or a troll. He is the most fluent skater I have ever seen in this league, for eight seasons ive had season tickets and twelve years I have gone to games...hes the most fluent skater.

Fluid.

But I agree. I think people may have confused that with fastest skater.

[MJ Fan]

I would say Niemi from Saskatoon hands down. Maybe not as 'good' or 'accurate' as Hamonic, but I believe from a sheer power standpoint, he is unmatched in the entire league.
I would go with Randy McNaught from Saskatoon on this one. While he can barely be considered a hockey player from a skill standpoint, he has pieces of guys like McIlrath in his stool.

Watch this fight and tell me who is landing the punches. Remember McIlrath is only 17

http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/91979

[SectionNDeserter]

Watch this fight and tell me who is landing the punches. Remember McIlrath is only 17Hehe, looks like they are both doing everything they can to not get punched, more than they are actually trying to throw serious punches. Looked like about 1 punch actually landed by McNaught, and 2 by McIlrath, but probably not the best showing either of them have had for sure. Not even really fair to compare the two, McIlrath has tons more skill, and really shouldn't be busting his hands up on guys like McNaught, or letting them take him off the ice--unless it becomes necessary.