Training Camp/Exhibition

[chopper]

Legien commits to the Yorkton Terriers of the SJHL for the upcoming season. That will be an excellent pickup for them, he could easily score 50.

This info seems to be in line with what you reported in your previous post. I agree that Legien could have a strong offensive season with Yorkton, and may be more suited to the Tier 2 game. I notice that other than Garrett Wright there are no other top USA forwards attending camp which in my mind is very unfortunate and hurts our program. Wright has some upside but can't be categorized as elite at this point. I am pleased to see than Panowyk is coming. He looked good last year as a raw rookie and has considerable upside to his game. I didn't see Kubic on this years camp roster which was not at all surprising. I haven't heard where he will surface but I guess we will hear at some point. Mackenzie Belinksi was thought to have a real good shot at this team but it appears he has decided against Major Junior. I think there are a couple others from the expected list who are conspicuous by their absence.

[Fight Guy]

Personally, I'm not surprised by the absence of the higher end Americans. It would help if they weren't all Minnesotans as college is usually top priority there. As mentioned, Smilanic is going to the USDP and would be stupid to give that up. I was hoping Paddock would take some chances on one of the top kids from California at the bantam draft.

After seeing the rosters for next week, I've gotta say I'm disappointed. Pretty well everything I said in my last post is pretty well shot. Thought Bassi would be back after being signed, but even more so Belinski. Really thought he would have had a great chance this year, but maybe he's decided otherwise since. On top of that, it looks like Sillinger has different plans than I'd hoped as well. I wonder if these players have also been dropped or what, but either way, the 2000 age group keeps getting thinner and thinner. If Belinski and Sillinger land somewhere else in the WHL, that's gonna burn, because they're both good players and their rights could probably be packaged up in a couple deals. Krane and Paddock are the only ones from that draft class at camp. Was also hoping Reece Richmond would be here. Kind of sucks that the Pats protected list is pretty spotty on how up to date it is on the Pats site. They add players but don't remove others. One more is Seamus Keith. Big kid who could skate and did things with the puck who was here the past two camps.

A couple of guys who look interesting... 17 year old Dman, Kevin Bachul, is 6'4" 216lbs...big kid. Dman, Steven Zonneveld, is a bigger kid as well and a top defenseman on a weaker team. Max Gudnason is shown as a D on elite, but center on the Pats roster. Either way, he's been a top penalty minute getter the past two seasons in midget. F Reid Robertson was a top player on his team last season. Was a former 8th round pick of Kelowna and also has some size.

I have to say, the 20 year old situation could be interesting. The lone guy up front is Platt and we know he would be a good leader and will take on anybody. Maybe he can help out on the score clock, too?? We all saw his flashes here and there. The thing that intrigues me is defense. If Fleury is back, chances are he is here till trade deadline. If that's the case, is Paddock willing to cut ties with Schioler? Pouteau is probably going to wear a letter this season when he gets back, so I don't see him going anywhere, at least not till the deadline. Hyman is big and mostly reliable as well. Kind of a bigger Schioler. I wouldn't hate to see Schioler finish his career as a Pat, but of the bunch, he is kind of the bottom guy. If Fleury isn't back though, I could see Hyman being traded. I see him being traded either way, but now or later??

[chopper]

I can wholeheartedly agree that the Pats "communication department" does a very poor job communicating. The information on players from last seasons team has been pretty much non existent. Releases, players movement to other leagues i.e. Tier 2, CIAU, etc etc is also a non starter The list as posted on their website is woefully incorrect and rarely updated. Fans want to be engaged and informed which isn't happening. In some cases players have been traded and more, yet they still show up on the teams website. Since Daniel Fink left the Pats, the quality of communications has not met the standard he established. They need to do a much better job.

Perusing the rookie crop leaves this fan somewhat underwhelmed. However when one looks at the vets and main camp that underwhelming feeling is many times greater. The defence has some solid returning vets, of whom, many or most will be eventually moved. The fate of Henry and Leschyshyn is obvious. There is very little veteran talent and it will likely end up after Jan 10th, being a team that's going to take it's lumps with the young guys. After all they're the only assets this team can count on to get them back into elite status.

[Fight Guy]

Not sure why, but looks like Regina dropped Belinski and Prince Albert picked him up. Can see this biting the Pats already.

[sandman]

Not sure why, but looks like Regina dropped Belinski and Prince Albert picked him up. Can see this biting the Pats already.

It looks like he had success in both bantam and midget. I think it's going to be tough to take a roster spot with PA though unless he really impresses. Raiders don't have many open spots to fill.

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

With belinski...i get it. Hes an 18 year old who was mediocre in JR A, and without major junior experience...you would prrfer to have that ice time going to a younger player with higher upside. At best belinski is a late bloomer but it would be taking a chance.

Still dont understand dropping ladyman, though. Who else do they have? Evans is probably not better. Creta and gavlas are older fringe players. Harkins lol. Mcginley might not even be ready if he was just in minor midget. The americans wont report. Ladyman probably wasnt demanding a trade, nor was regina too far away tor him to play.

To be honest, I think they just want to get through the year and have no expectations. but its no excuse especially if he ends up having some success elsewhere.

[witness]

With belinski...i get it. Hes an 18 year old who was mediocre in JR A, and without major junior experience...you would prrfer to have that ice time going to a younger player with higher upside. At best belinski is a late bloomer but it would be taking a chance.

Still dont understand dropping ladyman, though. Who else do they have? Evans is probably not better. Creta and gavlas are older fringe players. Harkins lol. Mcginley might not even be ready if he was just in minor midget. The americans wont report. Ladyman probably wasnt demanding a trade, nor was regina too far away tor him to play.

To be honest, I think they just want to get through the year and have no expectations. but its no excuse especially if he ends up having some success elsewhere.

Maybe Ladyman wanted to move on. And you can’t keep everyone and list late bloomers. They do have a couple of 17’s that are worth watching. Evans is a very good hockey player. He is a little on the small size, but has a huge upside. The other guy on the back end worth noting is Kevin Bachul. The scouts are pretty confident that he can play in the Dub.

On the topic of players changing team lists. The Pats have a couple in Callum Fortin and Sebastian Eger. Both drafted by Edmonton, but have found their way to camp with Regina. Eger is a Regina boy. Fortin was highly thought of in his draft year, let’s see if they stick. They are both 17.

I am interested to watch Wright and Massier. Massier was a late bloomer (or grower), pretty decent set of hands. Wright is from the US, and from what I understand is the complete package. Talent along the line of Lockner.

[Pats7]

Rookie Camp- Day 1 Thoughts....I am not going to say too much about these kids. I noticed the following:
a) The difference a year makes, almost every time I noticed something positive.....I would look down and see an 02 birthdate. Just a year ahead of the 03 kids, makes sense in general.
b)Panowyk- Huge growth from camp last year. Strongest skater on the defence side of things from the rookie camp.
c) Miller/Baings- Speed to burn, but both have some stick work skill to improve.
d) Dubinsky- noticed his omission from the ice. Injury? Or did the Pats decide to have him focus on main camp?
e) Dylla- The kid is huge. Looked sharp in the net in a very simple practice. I would feel better about him being the third guy in the depth chart if he lived closer. There has to be huge upside based on his size alone.
f) McGinley- Noticed him at times, but his skating hasn't improved as much as say Panowyk.
g) Mitchell- Noticed him multiplet times in various drills. I dont remember seeing him last year, but I was sure impressed. He should get some pre-season looks as will the guys listed above.

[whlking]

Not necessarily, and by not necessarily meaning not at all related to training camp speculation but below are my official 2018/2019 Western Hockey League Prognostications.

East Division:

1.Prince Albert Raiders(2)
2.Saskatoon Blades
3.Brandon Wheat Kings
4.Moose Jaw Warriors(WC2)
5.Regina Pats
6.Swift Current Broncos

Central Division:

1.Lethbridge Hurricanes(1)
2.Edmonton Oil Kings
3.Medicine Hat Tigers
4.Kootenay Ice(WC1)
5.Red Deer Rebels
6.Calgary Hitmen


B.C Division:

1.Vancouver Giants(1)
2.Kelowna Rockets
3.Victoria Royals
4.Kamloops Blazers
5.Prince George Cougars


U.S Division:

1.Spokane Chiefs(2)
2.Portland Winterhawks
3.Everett Silvertips
4.Seattle Thunberbirds(WC1)
5.Tri-City Americans(WC2)

First Round:

Prince Albert Raiders v Kootenay Ice=Prince Albert in seven

Saskatoon Blades v Brandon Wheat Kings=Brandon in six

Lethbridge Hurricanes v Moose Jaw Warriors=Lethbridge in four

Edmonton Oil Kings v Medicine Hat Tigers=Edmonton in six

Vancouver Giants v Tri-City Americans=Vancouver in five
Kelowna Rockets v Victoria Royals=Kelowna in four
Spokane Chiefs v Seattle Thunderbirds=Seattle in seven
Portland Winterhawks v Everett Silvertips=Portland in six

Second Round:

Prince Albert Raiders v Brandon Wheat Kings=Prince Albert in six
Lethbridge Hurricanes v Edmonton Oil Kings=Lethbridge in seven
Vancouver Giants v Kelowna Rockets=Vancouver in five
Portland Winterhawks v Seattle Thunderbirds=Seattle in six

Conference Finals:

Prince Albert Raiders v Lethbridge Hurricanes=Lethbridge in five
Vancouver Giants v Seattle Thunderbirds=Seattle in seven

League Final:

Lethbridge Hurricanes v Seattle Thunderbirds=Lethbridge in five.

[Pats7]

Rookie Camp Scrimmage #1- Thoughts
1) I think I say this every year, but youth is youth for a reason. A bit painful at times.
2) Dubinskiy as a walking boot on for another 2-3 weeks. Assuming he makes this team, he should be able to start the year.
3) Forwards- nothing jumped out consistently. Definitely some speed, but the stick work items needs development across the entire group.
4) Defence- McGinley, Panowyk and Mitchell were the three that jumped off the page for me. McGinley was the best player on the ice for most of the night. Panowyk is much more of a stay at home presence then McGinley, but I really like him too. Mitchell wasnt as consistent for me as the other two, but he has definite upside skill.
5) Goalies- In a 3-1 game, you would expect to say more positive things about the goaltending. The truth is the game was sloppy, the forwards lack shooting skills, not much to judge on this night. Dylla might be the only hold over to main camp so that will be a better test for him.