By Mike Stackhouse
BATTLEFORDS NORTH STARS
Potential Returnees
2000 G Adam Dmyterko, 1999 D Matthew Fletcher, 1999 D Seth Summers, 2000 D Ryan Granville, 2000 D Noah Form, 1999 F Matthias Urbanski, 1999 F Elijah Loon Stewardson, 2000 F Quintin Loon Stewardson, 2000 F Brett Gammer, 2000 F Kaden Boser, 2000 F Austin Becker, 2000 F Logan Spence, 2001 F Dylan Esau.
The North Stars lose their number one goalie and playoff MVP and despite having a strong group coming back from their championship team, they figure to be a much different squad this season. Goals should be easier to come by, they’ll have more confidence, and a target on their back from the rest of the league. Until proven otherwise, they are the odds-on favorites to win again as long as they keep the goals against to a minimum.
Potential Newcomers
2001 G Austin Schwab (Snohomish WA USA) The son of former NHLer Corey Schwab, Austin put up a 1.62 GAA and .930 SPCT for his high school club last year.
1999 D Dylan McCabe (Regina SK) offensive minded defenseman had 14-points in 22-games with Weyburn before being traded to Drumheller AJHL where points weren’t as forthcoming. He should be in the top four for the defending champs.
2001 D Liam Antoniuk (Sherwood Park AB) Good character was captain of his Midget AAA team and will be counted on to play reliable third pairing minutes and develop throughout the season.
2002 D Walter Somers (Saskatoon SK) is known more for his hard hitting style of play and will get a chance to make an impact as an underage Junior player.
1999 F Rylan Nivon (Saskatoon SK) had 11-goals and 12-assists in 56-games with Lloydminster AJHL and a victim of the overage numbers game, the Stars will give him a look at a top six role.
2002 F Steve Kesslering (Viceroy SK) underage player can produce offense and went on a tear in the second half of last season, finishing 44-19-8-27.
2001 F Ryland McNinch (Turtleford SK) was a productive scorer for Beardy’s AAA last season, 43-21-20-41, and will be expected to contribute.
2001 F Hunter Rambow (The Pas MB) appears to have already carved out a solid role. He has raw skills and put up nice numbers with Norman AAA 48-21-28-49 last season and projects as a future potential star.
2001 F Carson Reagan (Sherwood Park AB) was 33-12-10-22 at the Midget AAA level and will be expected to fill a depth position.
2001 F Palmer Sinclair (Irma AB) MacGregor’s younger brother played very well at the AA level last season (29-26-21-47). He comes from a great family and has good bloodlines, will be given every opportunity.
KINDERSLEY KLIPPERS
Potential Returnees
1999 G Zach Johnson, 1999 D Brendon Borbely, 2000 D Steven Avalone, 1999 F Kyle Bosch, 1999 F Austin Nault, 1999 F Tyler Traptow, 1999 F Caden Benson, 2000 F Liam Fraser, 2000 F Damon McKenzie, 2000 F Brett Neumeier.
Kindersley was in contention all year and ended up in the dreaded 4th vs 5th playoff series and ended up on the sidelines after the first round; but they return a strong group from last year and rookie head coach Garry Childerhose appears to have had a successful summer drawing in talent. They could be a team to beat despite losing top goalie Justen Close to the NCAA. Either way, the Klippers-Stars rivalry figures to the best in the league this season.
Potential Newcomers
1999 D Zach Ziegler (White City SK) veteran blueliner acquired from Nipawin makes a good first pass and is a smooth skating blueliner expected to see time on the powerplay.
1999 F Dawson McKenzie (Winnipeg MB) has potential to take off in his final year as he scored 14-goals and 25-assists with Flin Flon and Weyburn last year. New head coach Garry Childerhose is very familiar with McKenzie from their Bomber days.
2000 F Scott McKenzie (Calgary AB) scored five goals as a Junior ‘A’ rookie and was acquired from Bonnyville. He’s a 200 foot player with a strong offensive upside with leadership qualities.
2001 D Mkyllan Couture (Pilot Butte SK) mature player was an assistant captain with Weyburn last season despite being underaged. He’s a strong, reliable, mobile two-way blueliner that will be expected to play in all situations.
2001 D Mark Snarr (Calgary AB) – showed his offensive skills at Midget AA and also suited up for 15 games at the Midget AAA level last season.
2001 F Jaxson Georget (Unity SK) impressed in camp and earned a spot after a 44-5-21-26 season with the Moose Jaw Generals AAA.
2001 F Noah Lindsay (Kelowna BC) scored 13-goals and 11-assists in 29-games with Okanagan Midget club and worked his way onto the team in the preseason.
2000 F Jacob Schnapp (New Port Richey FL USA) is a player Childerhose is familiar with last year as he started with Flin Flon before returning to the States. Quick hands in tight, a bit of a throwback in that he’s physical and will defend teammates.
2002 D Mac Gross (Swift Current SK) has good size at 6’2” and skates very well. He has a strong hockey sense while maintaining a physical component to his game. He played three games as an AP last year and had 21-2-6-8 at the Midget AAA level.
2001 F Ethan King (Okotoks AB) is a skilled playmaker who went 33-6-14-20 with the Midget AAA Buffaloes. A proven winner, he got experience at the Telus Cup as well.
2001 D Connor Tyhy (Winnipeg MB) went 5-16-21 in 31-games with Rink Academy and is described as a mobile two-way blueliner with grit.
2001 F Levi Young (Okotoks AB) is a hard nosed, physical centreman that plays with an edge. 36-10-7-17.
2001 D Jake Huska (Preeceville SK) is a hard working, reliable defensive rearguard who wore a letter for the PA Mintos last year.
NOTRE DAME HOUNDS
Potential Returnees
2000 G Riley Kohonick, 1999 D Joe Santalucia, 2000 D Kyle Robinson, 2000 D Cody Lehner, 2000 D Hardy Wagner, 1999 F Jared Hamm, 1999 F Curtis Wiebe, 1999 F Sho Takai, 2000 F Qaritag Kusugak-Clark, 2000 F Jarrett Penner, 2000 F Cole Stevenson.
This looks like a playoff team and they should be led by one of the SJHL’s top goalies (Kohonick), top defensemen (Robinson) and top forwards (Hamm). This is not counting their new talent, some of which isn’t listed here as head coach Phil Roy was still processing paperwork in the final days of the preseason. The Global Ag Risks Solutions Division appears to be the toughest of the three and the Hounds should be in the mix with the top clubs.
Potential Newcomers
2001 D Olivier Lepine (Ile Bizard PQ) – scored 10-points in 20-games between regular season and playoffs with the AAA Hounds. Has elite hockey sense, good mobility, a key to the breakout.
2001 D Bryce Fetzer (Wenatchee WA USA) – left shot defenseman with mobility and is a big guard in front of his goalie at 6’4”, 231 lbs.
2000 F Alex Vosniades (Prevost PQ) – was 44-13-19-32 with St. Jerome junior level team in his home province. He should be a primary offensive player for the Hounds.
2000 F Azam Jiwa (Calgary AB) – had 4-goals and 11-assists in 34-games at the Junior ‘B’ level in BC and is a tasmanian devil of sorts in that he does everything at breakneck speed.
2001 F Jake Dale (Calgary AB) – was a good scorer for the Hounds AAA last season with 43-19-15-34 totals. He’s familiar with team culture, plays hard, and despite being a winger he could have a future at centre.
2001 F Jayce Nikbakht (Kronau SK) – He was 44-8-10-18 with the AAA Hounds last year. “He does everything right and this is his kind of league and program,” says Hound coach Phil Roy. Nikbakht provides a big frame and will be physical and a jack of all trades sort.
2001 F Nolan Corrado (Lake Country BC) – Campbell River product, big body, plays a 200 foot game and competes hard, blocks shots, and makes plays. Was 44-6-18-24 with Beaver Valley KIJHL.
HUMBOLDT BRONCOS
Potential Returnees
2000 D Chase Felgueiras, 2000 D Colin MacPherson, 2001 D Kade Olsen, 1999 F Logan Foster, 1999 F Bryson Cecconi, 2000 F Reid Arnold, 2000 F Riker Franczak, 2001 F Zach McIntyre.
The Broncos are going to be young but they are top heavy in skill up front with Foster, Shewchuk, and McIntyre all being veterans despite the latter two being just 18. The defense will be young too, but won’t lack confidence or puck handling ability. Both goalies are rookies, but they should push each other throughout the season. Humboldt is in a tough division, but they could surprise.
Potential Newcomers
2001 G Michael Harroch (North Vancouver BC) – Played well with his midget team last year and comes to the Broncos highly recommended. It’s expected the goaltending competition will continue into the regular season.
2001 G Brendan Forman (Vernon BC) – Comes to the Broncos after playing for a struggling club in his hometown. He’s had the pleasure of seeing a ton of shots already in his young career and has had a good camp.
2001 D Cody Hough (Maple Ridge BC) – Prolific defenseman is poised to make an impact immediately (37-9-22-31 at the Midget level in BC last year). He loves to joint the rush and played with Harroch last year.
2001 D Nicksha Eric (Fort Saskatchewan AB) – rookie defenseman (35-4-15-19 with Calgary AAA) is smart, thinks the game well, and is expected to be a big part of the Broncos’ future. He has also played 4 games in the AJHL over the last two years as an AP.
2001 D Jackson Bohan (Cranbrook BC) – played 7 games for Surrey (BCHL) and put up 39-4-26-30 with the Kimberley Dynamiters. He was a late arrival to Broncos camp but has impressed with his skating and hockey sense.
2001 F Tristan Shewchuk (Saskatoon SK) – Offensive player (51-10-10-20 with Melville), Broncos will be looking for big things and he has the potential to be one of the better players in the league.
1999 F Graysen Cameron (Olds AB) – Played 32 games for the Broncos two seasons ago and spent last year rehabilitating from the tragic bus crash. Head coach Scott Barney says he looks great and is blown away by his work ethic. He will have a prominent role.
2003 F Noah Barlage (Humboldt SK) – is a local product, works hard and has earned a spot just one season removed from Bantam AA. He was 35-6-16-22 with Prairie Hockey Academy.
2001 F Justin Jamer (Nepean ON) – likes to finish his checks and goes to the net hard. He has a big body and put up some numbers last year with Ottawa West Golden Knights 34-17-20-37.
2001 F Isaac Leik (Duncan BC) – fired 24-goals and 50-points with Kerry Park of the VIJHL. He’s a candidate to play a top six role on a young Broncos squad.
2001 F Jared Shuter (Prescott AZ USA) – the latest product from the Rocky Mountain Roughriders (known to have sent players to Flin Flon the last few years), Shuter is a reliable two-way centre with offensive upside but projects as a depth player for now. He was 16-4-7-11 last year.
2000 F Bradley Stieduhar (Lakewood CO USA) Dressed for Camrose (AJHL) in three games but was otherwise in his home state where he went 20-11-6-17. Has a large frame.L
2001 F Braiden Koran (Kimberley BC) – is a big power forward type who goes to the net and has a good shot. Was 39-9-22-31 with the KIJHL Dynamiters.
2003 F Karter McNarland (Saskatoon SK) – 16-year-old looks to have a future in the game either in the NCAA or WHL. Hockey IQ is off the charts and it would be quite a statement if he could step into the SJHL and play centre at his young age.
