Head Coach
My guess is that at this late date, Ritchie has McGuillvary and Derlago run the team until he can see what coaches are available. Not sure why WHL is bringing players back before the Xmas break? Would they not have to self isolate after coming back from the break?
3rd Liner
I'm going to say there isn't a Christmas break. they will do team stuff to prepare for an apparent start date in January. They need to get some ice time in and team bonding. Yes I agree MacGillivary will probably be that guy for now. Tentative i'm sure. Not that he doesn't deserve a crack at it.
3rd Liner
IF and i mean IF... we have a season I can see Ritchie having a good year. After that injury last year i think he's coming back with determination. It's his draft year, which he may not be looked at unless he puts up big numbers. Danielson, Zimmer, Hammett and Hyland I can see cracking the lineup. We will have to drop 2 of our OA guys and possibly Ginnell. Roersma if he does make the squad I can see him doing media seating a lot. Dube, now sure about him.
Head Coach
I'm with you about the season this year. Not sure why they don't start Feb1 and have a 45-50 game schedule. By then some fans may be able to go to the games. As far as OA situation,I would keep Reinhardt,Burzan (not sure he will be available), McCallum, and or Perpeluk. The guys you named will make the team along with 17 yr old Russian d-man Bysgin sp. The one problem I see is that we have 5 19 yr old defenceman. Too many. One needs to go for sure. McGuillvery does deserve a chance to see what he can do, as you will not find many unemployed top notch coaches around at this time of year. I wonder if they hire another asssistant coach? I truly believe we have a chance to really go somewhere this year and to top it all off have 3 first round bantam picks again this year. Go WheatKings!Originally Posted by Molsonsman
3rd Liner
Busygin is a lock on D for sure. I actually forgot to mention him but is on my list for sure. Schneider is 19 but if i'm not mistaken could return for 2 more years because of his BD.. right? None the less will he be headed to AHL after this year once he is signed? I think he goes to be honest. Kallionkieli i would be surprised if he returns for his OA year. I don't know how many times they can slide a ELC. Which we would have one OA forward in McCartney and 3-4 on Defence. Carrying two OA on Defence is ok but 3? That's a huge hole when they all leave.
I personally would go with Perepeluk. We will have two top lines of scoring. He could be your fourth line RW. There to protect Young Danielson (C) and Zimmer/Roersma until they get accustomed to the league and pace. Sekundiak will be traded for a pick i'm sure somebody will like his grit. Chiasson will need to make his game known. He didn't meet my expectations in his rookie season, albeit on the 3rd line.
On D i think Salame is the odd man out. It will depend on whether Ritchie thinks this is the year to make a run. Last year would have set the table as our play off run would have been deep. Having Lowry at the helm would have been that much better. However, he went onto greener pastures. Good for him. Lets see what MacGillivary has learned from Lowry. He'll be scrutinized i'm sure, however, last minute changes wouldn't make that fare.
I've edited this after reading the paper. Its good to see the similarities he had with Lowry and Ritchie as a GM. In how a team should be built. Looking forward to this year.... here is to the hockey gods
Last edited by Molsonsman; 11-25-2020 at 09:17 AM.
4th Liner
F Liam Watkins (2019, 4th rd, 75th) commits to University of Nebraska-Omaha for 2023-24 season.
He was off to a good start in his 16-year old season with Okotoks in the AEHL U18 (as well as being team captain).
Head Coach
Too bad,but you can't sign every prospect. Lately the WK have not lost as many prospects to the NCAA as they had a few years ago. I am still amazed that the league thinks they can start in early Jan. Seems like a long shot at best.
3rd Liner
Matt Savoie committed to U of Denver too. Where is he now? Until they sign on the dotted line one never knows whether drafted or not.
There is no way they will start on Jan 8th. If the NHL start mid to end of Jan then I can see WHL bumping their start date a few weeks. Heck I wouldn't be surprised if they cancel the entire year period.
Head Coach
WK hire an assistant coach today. Todd Miller coached with Dale Hawerchuck in Barrie of the OHL. Also hired a former WHL player as video coach. Really good to see the team not afraid to hire additional staff that can only make the team better. Miller has a lot of experience in Junior hockey. Looking like the season will not begin until probably Feb 1 which is surely a more realistic start day than Jan 8. Cannot wait to get started.
Head Coach
Interesting article by Jason Gregor of Oilersnation.com about the WHL bantam draft which will now be called the U15 draft. Also and more importantly he says that because this year's bantam draft will be delayed until next year, the league now has the opportunity to change the draft age to 15 from 14 and do the same as the other two tier 1 leagues. Also, the NCCA changed their age of recruitment so the league no longer needs to draft 14 yr olds to beat the colleges st recruiting.This is the ideal time to change their draft age and get in line with the other leagues. I think the draft would be a little less of a crap shoot by drafting players who are one year older.
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