East Watch
10-19-2006, 11:49 AM
from network54.
Prince Albert, Kelowna, Saskatoon and Lethbridge. All 4 of these teams are very young and for the most part are hanging in there in the early going. All 4 of these teams have trouble with consistancy but they are very speedy, talented young teams. I can talk about the Blades a little bit seeing as I follow them closely. Perhaps some of you others can provide a capsole of your teams play and style.
SASKATOON BLADES
OVERALL
This is a team in "transition" after having a loaded team last year with many stars who have moved on to pro. Gone are the likes of Joe Barnes, Wacey Rabbit, Bahensky, Bader, Klassen, Setoguchi(traded), Khudobin, Schulz(traded) and a few others. On paper, many would've thought the Blades would stuggle to win 10 games this season with such a young roster. However, what this team has shown is a willingness to work hard and stick up for one another and nobody on this team has an ego which is a refreshing change. Making the playoffs will be a stretch for such a young club but the pieces are really falling into place and future looks bright.
FORWARDS
This young group of forwards are led by two ISS scouting ranked 1st rounders for this years NHL draft in Colton Gillies(0-5-5 in 8 games) and Justin McCrae(3-5-8 and +8 in 9 games). They are the teams number 1 and 2 line centers and are only 17 and 18 respectively. They did have a little bit of trouble in the first 5 games getting used to being on the Number 1 PP and having an increased role on the team in terms of wearing a letter and being relied upon for scoring this year when last year they were 3rd and 4th line centers. The wingers are young and looking promissing and seem to have taken the next step in the development stage. Michael MacAngus, a midget and bantam scoring star from Alberta in the Edmonton area is taking the next step in his second year in the league. Michael has scored (4-4-8 +7) thus far playing on a line with McCrae, he has shown a willingness to create and go to the net and seems to have a knack for being in the scoring areas. Rastislav Konecny who is an 18 yr old from Slovakia has shown some inconsistancy in his rookie season but has also shown signs of intense speed and scoring ability. When his consistancy comes around, he will be a dangerous player. He has potted 5 goals and could be a very good player in this league for scoring goals and showing great speed. Walker Wintoneak is a Blades listed player who is chipping in and doing very well too, this is his draft year and is really coming out of left field and having a great start to his rookie season. Others to consider are Chris Cloud(18), Dustin Cameron(18)and Blair MaCaulay who has yet to break out with only 3 pts but does show spped and ability. Ryan Menei continues to lead the team in scoring with 10 points in 8 games and has shown surprising ability to score under the new rules.
EARLY SEASON LINE COMBO'S
MacAngus(18)-McCrae(18)-Menei(20)
Konecny(18)-Gillies(17)-MaCaulay(18)
Cameron(17)-Cloud(18)-Wintoneak(17)
Klotz(18)-Patterson(16)-Crowley(17)
DEFENSE
The defense is a little older with a pair of 20 yr olds on the backend leading the team in Joe Logan and Captain Brad Cole. Eash of these veterans bring something a little different to the squad. Logan offers a puck moving presence and a player who see's the ice well on the PP and even strength. He is likely to be paired with 17 yr old Ryan Funk on the teams number one PP this season. Brad Cole is a tremendous leader with good defensive hockey sence. He never really seems to be noticed and rarely is on for any goals it seems. A very stabilizing player for the young squad and almost seems like a coach out there at times. The rest of the group is for the most part small and fast and very raw. Ryan Funk is really going to be something special in this league. He reminds many of Mike Green when Green was 17 and skates very well and can see the openings and won't hesitate to jump into the play. Funk is paired with stay at home defenseman Brad Cole and they really compliment each other well. Panchyson, Ward are a pair of high WHL draft picks that do have very good promise but due to injury and inconsistant play in Ward's case haven't been able to realize it yet. I really like Panchyson's ability to move the puck and if he can stay healthy he will be a good one yet. Bohdan Visnak from the Czech Rep has only a couple points on the board thus far but has had many chances for more. He seems to get into position many times to score but either misses the net or makes poor decisions. He could be either very good or very poor and can't stand more than 5'7 and it actually looks funny! Last but not least are a pair of 16 yr olds that the Blades are very high on and justifiably so. Teigan Zahn is going to be great in this league, he really has all the tools to be a top WHL and Pro and skates very well for a defenseman his age. He has a tremendous shot and takes the body, plays like former Blades Cory Sarich. Mike Clements is a raw 16 yr old right now but will be a good puck moving dman as he matures over time.
GOALTENDING
This is where many teams that rebuild like to start from and the Blades have no problems here at all. Last season when the Blades dealt Kevin Armstrong during there loadup for the playoffs many questioned the move but I don't think that is the case anymore. Braydon Holtby is already in the upper echilon in terms of skill at the position in this league. At every leval he has shown to be at or near the top of his peer group and this year is no different. The 17 year old from Lloydminster has held the young team in many games making some unbelievable saves in the process. He will surely be a high draft pick in 2008 which isn't even this years draft class. Braydon will likely start 50+ games and the Blades can rest happily that they know they will have a great starter for the next 3 seasons.
I hope everyone has a little better idea of the Blades now.
Prince Albert, Kelowna, Saskatoon and Lethbridge. All 4 of these teams are very young and for the most part are hanging in there in the early going. All 4 of these teams have trouble with consistancy but they are very speedy, talented young teams. I can talk about the Blades a little bit seeing as I follow them closely. Perhaps some of you others can provide a capsole of your teams play and style.
SASKATOON BLADES
OVERALL
This is a team in "transition" after having a loaded team last year with many stars who have moved on to pro. Gone are the likes of Joe Barnes, Wacey Rabbit, Bahensky, Bader, Klassen, Setoguchi(traded), Khudobin, Schulz(traded) and a few others. On paper, many would've thought the Blades would stuggle to win 10 games this season with such a young roster. However, what this team has shown is a willingness to work hard and stick up for one another and nobody on this team has an ego which is a refreshing change. Making the playoffs will be a stretch for such a young club but the pieces are really falling into place and future looks bright.
FORWARDS
This young group of forwards are led by two ISS scouting ranked 1st rounders for this years NHL draft in Colton Gillies(0-5-5 in 8 games) and Justin McCrae(3-5-8 and +8 in 9 games). They are the teams number 1 and 2 line centers and are only 17 and 18 respectively. They did have a little bit of trouble in the first 5 games getting used to being on the Number 1 PP and having an increased role on the team in terms of wearing a letter and being relied upon for scoring this year when last year they were 3rd and 4th line centers. The wingers are young and looking promissing and seem to have taken the next step in the development stage. Michael MacAngus, a midget and bantam scoring star from Alberta in the Edmonton area is taking the next step in his second year in the league. Michael has scored (4-4-8 +7) thus far playing on a line with McCrae, he has shown a willingness to create and go to the net and seems to have a knack for being in the scoring areas. Rastislav Konecny who is an 18 yr old from Slovakia has shown some inconsistancy in his rookie season but has also shown signs of intense speed and scoring ability. When his consistancy comes around, he will be a dangerous player. He has potted 5 goals and could be a very good player in this league for scoring goals and showing great speed. Walker Wintoneak is a Blades listed player who is chipping in and doing very well too, this is his draft year and is really coming out of left field and having a great start to his rookie season. Others to consider are Chris Cloud(18), Dustin Cameron(18)and Blair MaCaulay who has yet to break out with only 3 pts but does show spped and ability. Ryan Menei continues to lead the team in scoring with 10 points in 8 games and has shown surprising ability to score under the new rules.
EARLY SEASON LINE COMBO'S
MacAngus(18)-McCrae(18)-Menei(20)
Konecny(18)-Gillies(17)-MaCaulay(18)
Cameron(17)-Cloud(18)-Wintoneak(17)
Klotz(18)-Patterson(16)-Crowley(17)
DEFENSE
The defense is a little older with a pair of 20 yr olds on the backend leading the team in Joe Logan and Captain Brad Cole. Eash of these veterans bring something a little different to the squad. Logan offers a puck moving presence and a player who see's the ice well on the PP and even strength. He is likely to be paired with 17 yr old Ryan Funk on the teams number one PP this season. Brad Cole is a tremendous leader with good defensive hockey sence. He never really seems to be noticed and rarely is on for any goals it seems. A very stabilizing player for the young squad and almost seems like a coach out there at times. The rest of the group is for the most part small and fast and very raw. Ryan Funk is really going to be something special in this league. He reminds many of Mike Green when Green was 17 and skates very well and can see the openings and won't hesitate to jump into the play. Funk is paired with stay at home defenseman Brad Cole and they really compliment each other well. Panchyson, Ward are a pair of high WHL draft picks that do have very good promise but due to injury and inconsistant play in Ward's case haven't been able to realize it yet. I really like Panchyson's ability to move the puck and if he can stay healthy he will be a good one yet. Bohdan Visnak from the Czech Rep has only a couple points on the board thus far but has had many chances for more. He seems to get into position many times to score but either misses the net or makes poor decisions. He could be either very good or very poor and can't stand more than 5'7 and it actually looks funny! Last but not least are a pair of 16 yr olds that the Blades are very high on and justifiably so. Teigan Zahn is going to be great in this league, he really has all the tools to be a top WHL and Pro and skates very well for a defenseman his age. He has a tremendous shot and takes the body, plays like former Blades Cory Sarich. Mike Clements is a raw 16 yr old right now but will be a good puck moving dman as he matures over time.
GOALTENDING
This is where many teams that rebuild like to start from and the Blades have no problems here at all. Last season when the Blades dealt Kevin Armstrong during there loadup for the playoffs many questioned the move but I don't think that is the case anymore. Braydon Holtby is already in the upper echilon in terms of skill at the position in this league. At every leval he has shown to be at or near the top of his peer group and this year is no different. The 17 year old from Lloydminster has held the young team in many games making some unbelievable saves in the process. He will surely be a high draft pick in 2008 which isn't even this years draft class. Braydon will likely start 50+ games and the Blades can rest happily that they know they will have a great starter for the next 3 seasons.
I hope everyone has a little better idea of the Blades now.