Quote:
Bernhardt gets call
July 15, 2006
Greg Harder, Leader-Post
The telephone call that Justin Bernhardt was so eagerly anticipating came a day later than expected.
But it came nonetheless.
After being passed over during the June 24 NHL entry draft, the Regina Pats' right winger was contacted the next day by the San Jose Sharks. A short time later, Bernhardt agreed to attend the Sharks' training camp on a free-agent tryout.
"It was definitely a relief," said the 18-year-old Yorkton native. "They phoned and said they wanted me to come down at the end of August for camp and then fly to L.A. and play in a tournament against Anaheim, L.A. and Phoenix. We'll see what happens after that. If I play good (maybe the sides can) negotiate something.
"It's a pretty good opportunity," he added. "I have something to prove now."
Bernhardt was bypassed in the draft despite being the Pats' top-rated draft-eligible player, according to Central Scouting. He was projected to go anywhere from the third to fifth round.
"I was surprised for sure," Bernhardt said of the snub.
He wasn't the only one.
There were just 24 WHL players selected in this year's draft, down from 43 in 2005.
The Pats had as many as five players on the draft radar, but defenceman Logan Pyett was the only one whose name was called (seventh round, 212th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings).
The Wings have recently expressed interest in bringing centre Ian Duval to camp on a free-agent tryout. Several teams have inquired about doing the same with 20-year-old captain Kyle Deck, who was passed over in the 2005 draft.
Deck was contacted prior to this year's draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars and L.A. Kings.
The Pats are also pursuing opportunities for the team's other two overage players -- forwards Kyle Ross and Garrett Festerling.
"We've put some calls out on all three of our 20-year-olds," said GM Brent Parker. "They all had good years in the league and you'd like to start getting them some opportunities for when they're done their 20-year-old years. We've made some calls and will continue to do so and hopefully get them an opportunity someplace."
NOTES: The AJHL's Bonnyville Pontiacs have acquired the junior A rights to 20-year-old RW Jordan Fuder from the Lloydminster Bobcats. Fuder, who spent the past two seasons in Regina, is expected to be a casualty of the WHL's three-player overage quota this season. The Pats already have Ross, Festerling and Deck slotted into those spots ... The new head coach/GM of the Pontiacs is Chad Mercier, the former assistant coach of the Pats and ex-associate coach of the Saskatoon Blades. Mercier tied the knot in Regina on the weekend to Kim Zehr of Holdfast. The couple has a one-year-old baby, Haileigh ... The Saskatchewan Hockey Association is slated to wrap up its Sask First summer camp this weekend in Wilcox. The camp, which includes Pats prospects Garrett Mitchell and Brayden Metz, both of Regina, is the first step in the selection process for the 2007 Canada Winter Games.
