13-14 Roster

[Bocephus]

Maxwell 19
Ramsay 20
McKechnie 19
Yakubowski 19
Wong 17
Duke 17
Watson 18
Leverton 18
Derko 20
Harper 19
Axel Bomqvist 18
Laurencelle 18
Sofillas 20

Out
Hood 21


In ?
Estephan 16
Olynek 17
Conrad 16


Topping 18
Pilon 17
Erkamps 18
Hackman 18
Henry 19
Simpson 19
Albin Blomqvist 20

Out
Johnston 21

In?
Lenchyshyn 16
Sayers 17

Tai 18

Out
Rimmer 21

In?
Houge

Thoughts? Deletions or Additions? Darkhorses? Ommisions?

[Bocephus]

Maxwell 19
Ramsay 20
McKechnie 19
Yakubowski 19
Wong 17
Duke 17
Watson 18
Leverton 18
Derko 20
Harper 19
Axel Bomqvist 18
Laurencelle 18
Sofillas 20

Out
Hood 21


In ?
Estephan
Olynek
Conrad


Topping 18
Pilon 17
Erkamps 18
Hackman 18
Henry 19
Simpson 19
Albin Blomqvist 20

Out
Johnston 21

In?
Lenchyshyn 16
Sayers 17


Thoughts? Deletions or Additions? Darkhorses? Ommisions?

My first thought is that Albin will not be back.
Second thought is the 3 20 year old forward didn't put up very impressive numbers this year. That has to be a concern.
Thirdly, the 5 'ins' seem to be close to locks which really causes a numbers issue.

[lethbridgefan83]

On the topic of 20 Year Olds

Blomqvist is out, but we are one of those stupid teams that would give up "2" roster spots to the same player, so who knows

Ramsay I would say is in, he can put up some numbers in his 20 year old year I think, a coaching change may help his scenario (as it would most of the team frankly)

Sofillas is out, and as much as I like the guy, he just never turned into the point making
player at this level of hockey (see the coaching comment from before)

Derko I think is in, he is one of those guys that you hate to love, but he does bring that sort of Mike Wuchterl prowess to the team, and he definatley has some decent offensive upside to go with it

As for other possible deletions
Axel Blomqvist - had some ups and downs, but will be come back without his brother, I think this might be a both or none situation. Sort of a question mark in my mind.
Craig Leverton - another Mike Sofillas type player, only younger, not sure if he has everything all together to make the squad next year, another question mark
Harrison Harper - should not have been with the team this year in my mind, so I dont think he will be back next year, if they keep Derko, they don't need another weak skating goon on the team that has little upside offensively or defensively

Locks I would think
Maxwell
Ramsay
McKechnie
Yakubowski
Wong
Duke
Watson
Derko
Laurencelle

I would say that Estephan plays with the team next year, and Olynek probably as well. So really in my mind that leaves you 1 spot up front, maybe 2 depending on what the coaching staff decides to do.

Topping
Pilon
Erkamps
Hackman
Henry
Simpson

I would think all 6 of these guys are back on the Blue Line, really in my mind one of the positions we seem to have some decent strength at (again with proper coaching). Topping and Plion proved to be relatively reliable in their 1st full years in the league, Erkamps has ups and downs but is generally very solid. Hackman proved he can play with anyone at this level, really probably one of the most consistent guys on the team this year, you knew what to expect night in and night out. Simpson and Henry will probably be relied upon to eat 22-25 minutes a game next year..

I dont really see any holes on Defense next year unless we start trading..

In Goal I would think you get Hogue and Tai, Tai proved he can play, and I think given the chance to play 50-55 games he probably could turn into a reliable keeper. Then again we as a club seem to have a huge love of 20 Year Old Keepers (Rimmer/Ketlo).

Just my 0.02...

[here for the long run]

On the topic of 20 Year Olds

Blomqvist is out, but we are one of those stupid teams that would give up "2" roster spots to the same player, so who knows

Ramsay I would say is in, he can put up some numbers in his 20 year old year I think, a coaching change may help his scenario (as it would most of the team frankly)

Sofillas is out, and as much as I like the guy, he just never turned into the point making
player at this level of hockey (see the coaching comment from before)

Derko I think is in, he is one of those guys that you hate to love, but he does bring that sort of Mike Wuchterl prowess to the team, and he definatley has some decent offensive upside to go with it

As for other possible deletions
Axel Blomqvist - had some ups and downs, but will be come back without his brother, I think this might be a both or none situation. Sort of a question mark in my mind.
Craig Leverton - another Mike Sofillas type player, only younger, not sure if he has everything all together to make the squad next year, another question mark
Harrison Harper - should not have been with the team this year in my mind, so I dont think he will be back next year, if they keep Derko, they don't need another weak skating goon on the team that has little upside offensively or defensively

Locks I would think
Maxwell
Ramsay
McKechnie
Yakubowski
Wong
Duke
Watson
Derko
Laurencelle

I would say that Estephan plays with the team next year, and Olynek probably as well. So really in my mind that leaves you 1 spot up front, maybe 2 depending on what the coaching staff decides to do.

Topping
Pilon
Erkamps
Hackman
Henry
Simpson

I would think all 6 of these guys are back on the Blue Line, really in my mind one of the positions we seem to have some decent strength at (again with proper coaching). Topping and Plion proved to be relatively reliable in their 1st full years in the league, Erkamps has ups and downs but is generally very solid. Hackman proved he can play with anyone at this level, really probably one of the most consistent guys on the team this year, you knew what to expect night in and night out. Simpson and Henry will probably be relied upon to eat 22-25 minutes a game next year..

I dont really see any holes on Defense next year unless we start trading..

In Goal I would think you get Hogue and Tai, Tai proved he can play, and I think given the chance to play 50-55 games he probably could turn into a reliable keeper. Then again we as a club seem to have a huge love of 20 Year Old Keepers (Rimmer/Ketlo).

Just my 0.02...

I think Derko is the only sure bet as a 20yr old to come back with Ramsay likely to be back.
I think Simpson will be upgraded with a 20 yr old d-man we trade for.
We are going to have a high Euro pick again. Draft an 18yr old Euro to play goal for 2 seasons alongside Tai.

[Bocephus]

I think Derko is the only sure bet as a 20yr old to come back with Ramsay likely to be back.
I think Simpson will be upgraded with a 20 yr old d-man we trade for.
We are going to have a high Euro pick again. Draft an 18yr old Euro to play goal for 2 seasons alongside Tai.

Way ahead of myself but how about a guy like Darren Dietz (will be a 20 year old next year) from Saskatoon. Sask will have a lot of players to clear out, he's played in Lethbridge as a middget player, and I'm not sure if he's signed with the Montreal Canadiens. He's had a great year so may be in Hamilton next season. Just a thought.

[loudi94]

Way ahead of myself but how about a guy like Darren Dietz (will be a 20 year old next year) from Saskatoon. Sask will have a lot of players to clear out, he's played in Lethbridge as a middget player, and I'm not sure if he's signed with the Montreal Canadiens. He's had a great year so may be in Hamilton next season. Just a thought.

Dietz will be in Hamilton without question. The baby Habs haven't been very good. They're young and Dietz will get a ton of playing time as Tinordi will probably make the jump to the big club next year.

[Derek Sutton]

Way ahead of myself but how about a guy like Darren Dietz (will be a 20 year old next year) from Saskatoon. Sask will have a lot of players to clear out, he's played in Lethbridge as a middget player, and I'm not sure if he's signed with the Montreal Canadiens. He's had a great year so may be in Hamilton next season. Just a thought.

Just read over of HF that Dietz signed with MTL.

[WestLEAFfan]

IMO, Leverton is a lock. Craig wasn't given much of an opportunity by Preston last year to show what he's capable of. This kid has been a winner and point producer all through youth hockey. You don't lose that touch overnight. Hopefully under the new regime, Craig will be given the chance he deserves. Mark my words, this young man is a keeper.

[Bocephus]

IMO, Leverton is a lock. Craig wasn't given much of an opportunity by Preston last year to show what he's capable of. This kid has been a winner and point producer all through youth hockey. You don't lose that touch overnight. Hopefully under the new regime, Craig will be given the chance he deserves. Mark my words, this young man is a keeper.

Leverton is a quality player but on this roster he is a secondary player. That doesn't diminish his value at all but I doubt he'll ever be at the top of the stats sheet. His value is served as a PK guy and a guy who can step up in the lineup to fill in for injuries for short stints. Teams don't win without those secondary guys. Lots of value to them.

[WestLEAFfan]

He may not be a point per game player, but if you're looking for a hard nosed, gritty forward and a guy who is responsible at both ends of the ice, look no further than #18. I just think that under coach Berehowsky, he may be a rejuvenated player and really find his stride. It's going to be a good year for the Canes I believe. As far as only capable of filling in for injuries and otherwise a healthy scratch, I couldn't disagree more.