my thoughts.....for what they matter
I was looking at our main camp roster and I must say the hockey operations staff have a tough job infront of them at picking our opening day roster (which is a few more then your final number of 24). So much has to be considered into the roster with age groups and then the player positions as well within the depth chart.
Our 3 20yr olds are not that strong of a group, I personally feel the only lock is Stevenson. Ouellette & Fenske I both believe will be playing elsewhere in the league (or not even in league) I just think with our youth movement & strong 97 class that developing a player is more important then finding a spot for these guys. I think we will only go with 2 20yr olds most of the year unless we find a no brainer upgrade over Ouellette or Fenske.
The toughest group is the 94 group especially upfront where we have 6 19yr olds who can all play. If we weren't looking at a younger roster all 6 would be kept but that just isn't going to happen. Stephenson & McCoy imo are locks due to being #1 #2 centers, after those 2 guys like Christoffer, Samoridny, Rodewald I think fill out on the wings (1 LW, 2 RW) so to me that leaves D'Amico the odd man out which I do think can bring in a pick. The 94 group on the back end not going into much details but these are the guys who will not make it, Henry, Pilton, Whelan.
The next group is the 95's which I really like this group a lot lead by Klimchuk & Burroughs after them there is solid support guys in Hunt, Williams, Gay & Maguire I think all 6 of these guys are key to the success for this year & next year as well.
The 96 group is still weak imo, I don't see Brooks or Schioler making the roster. I think the upcoming 97's are stronger then both of these guys. The 96's that I feel will be on the roster are Mumby (hasn't looked out of place all camp) Harrison (has looked good moving the puck) & Kammerer (shows a lot of potential with good hands). Ortynski is a player on the bubble for me, he has been much better in camp then all of last year imo.
Another very strong group is the 97 lead by Reagan with Wagner, Kroeker, Litwin & Berg really all pushing for spots. Zimmer has been good just feel he needs another year in midget to get stronger, same goes with Cole & McAmmond. Now I don't think we will have 4 16yr old fwds but there is a chance as well. I think if Litwin or Berg are not ready to make jump it reinserts Ouellette into the roster.
Our goalie situation I think isn't as wide open as some may of thought prior to camp (myself included) Sacher has been by far the best hands down and imo there hasn't been much difference between Beukeboom, MacAuley & Gora with that said I think if Gora does well in preseason action I think you give him the job just cause of the age difference.
*I'll edit this tomorrow prob sometime with what I wrote above in more of a roster list type*
Also I was unable to attend the last scrimmage of training camp tonight due to picking the wife up from airport, if anyone has any comments on the scrimmage I would love to hear them
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Originally Posted by Bepoleon
