By Mike Stackhouse
ESTEVAN BRUINS
Potential Returnees
2000 G Kadin Kilpatrick, 2000 D Kade McMillen, 2000 D Devan Harrison, 2000 D Austin King-Cunningham, 1999 F Jayden Davis, 1999 F Tanner Manz, 1999 F Tyson Manz, 2000 F Isaiah Thomas, 2000 F Eddie Gallagher, 2000 F Ryder Pierson, 2000 F Kolton Leslie.
The Bruins were close to returning to the Canalta Cup final for a second year in a row and were, clearly, built for a deep playoff run. Expect them to rebuild on the fly with Jayden Davis being the top returning scoring forward. Isaiah Thomas will be counted on to take a step forward, while former WHLer Devan Harrison should take over quarterbacking the powerplay. Losing goalie Grant Boldt could sting although Chris Lewgood has positioned the team well at the position.
Possible newcomers
2000 G Keenan Rancier (Victoria BC) he played on three teams last year, but put up eye popping numbers with Prince George BCHL (1.67 GAA in 6 games). He will battle Kilpatrick for the number one job.
2001 D Kersey Reich (Estevan SK) an auto-protect for the Bruins, he was 44-5-27-32 as part of the highest scoring blueline tandem Swift Current Midget AAA had to offer.
2002 D Alex Von Sprecken (Estevan SK) played five games for the Bruins as a 15-year-old (unheard of) two seasons ago and toiled last year for the Prince Albert Mintos going 39-4-13-17. Remarkably, he’s still midget aged.
1999 D Tylor Ludwar (Regina SK) a veteran of over 70 games at the major junior level, he scored 14 goals in 20 games in his last year of Midget AAA. He should get a chance to revive his offense with the Bruins.
1999 D CJ Corazzin (Langley BC) well traveled veteran had 14 points in 49 games with Winkler Flyers of the MJHL two seasons ago and didn’t play at the Junior ‘A’ level in Canada last year.
1999 F Devon Cyr (Legal AB) is a sneaky pick up by Lewgood from Kindersley in the offseason. He scored 13 goals in 38 games on a team that looked to a committee for offense. There’s room for growth here.
2001 F Troy Hamilton (Brandon MB) Lit up the Midget AAA ranks to the tune of 36-goals and 40-assists in 46-games. That was good for second on his team in scoring and the Bruins look to have an opening or two for a rookie to play in the top six.
2001 F Mason Strutt (Estevan SK) very talented and gifted player scored 23-goals and 32-assists in 41-games with Swift Current Midget AAA.
2002 F Cody Davis (Alameda SK) Jayden’s younger brother scored 2 goals and 4 points in 2 games with the Bruins during the regular season and then stepped into the playoff line up and added another 2 goals and 1 assist in 5 tough games. He also had 26-goals in 44-games in Midget AAA.
2002 F Cal Caragata (Lumsden SK) Decent size and excellent skill with 41-points in 35-games for the Pat Canadians, third on the team in scoring. He still has a year of midget eligibility.
2001 F Griffin Asham-Moroz (West St Paul MB) 25-goals in 47-games for the Winnipeg Thrashers Midget AAA.
YORKTON TERRIERS
Potential Returnees
1999 D Kurri Woodford, 2000 D Carter Lake, 2000 D Jordan Mis, 2000 D Keanan Sperling, 2001 D Tyson Janzen, 1999 F Chantz Petruic, 2000 F Greg Mulhall, 2000 F Ryan Ries, 2000 F Jaxon Blight.
Yorkton lost a couple of top defensemen (Cody Dubas and Ben Solomon) to long term injuries and last year’s top rookie forward, Aiden Bulych, is in Swift Current with the WHL Broncos. Therefore, the club will have a much different look than what was expected at the end of last season as, oh yeah, goalie Ryan Ouellette decided to stay home in the States and that’s caused the Terriers to recruit two new netminders as well. There’s still high end talent with Chantz Petruic being the early favorite to win the scoring title, defenseman Tyson Janzen is a top NCAA prospect, and there are some talented forwards who got buried on the depth chart last year who have a chance to show they are for real.
Potential Newcomers
2000 G Philippe Bond (Repentigny PQ) has experience and has played well at every stop over his young career. He appears to have inherited the number one job.
2001 G Cooper Kennedy (Sherwood Park AB) put up solid numbers in Midget AAA and elevated his game in the playoffs.
2001 D Vaughn Wilgosh (Canora SK) can almost be considered a veteran after playing in 9 playoff games for the Terriers upon finishing up his Midget AAA season at Notre Dame. He’s got a chance in the WHL first but otherwise is ticketed for big minutes as a first year Junior ‘A’ player.
2001 D Tanner Sklaruk (Stony Plain AB) has good skill and went 34-2-13-15 and then 11-2-5-7 in the playoffs at the Midget AAA level. He has played three games of Junior ‘A’ in Alberta as an AP and could get a look on the powerplay.
1999 F Jordan Guiney (Victoria BC) acquired in the Cody Bruchkowski trade, Guiney is going to get a look at top line opportunities and is said to be excited about the chance to contribute.
2001 F Carson Henry (St. Albert AB) played on the Mac’s Midget Tournament champions and has decent skill that started to manifest in the playoffs when he had 8-points in 11-games.
2000 F Riley Egan (Edmonton AB) Terriers will see if there is potential for Egan to translate his excellent rookie year in the KIJHL where he went 47-7-31-38 with the Golden Rockets into a serviceable SJHL rookie campaign.
2001 F Gavin Ingram (Quill Lake SK) had 8-goals and 10-assists in 39-games with Prince Albert Mintos and then added four more points in five playoff games. He plays with an edge to his game.
2000 F Brett LeGrandeur (Airdrie AB) lit up the Junior ‘B’ net as a rookie going 21-26-47 in 35-games and was an integral part of his team’s league championship run.
2001 F Steven Norum (Sherwood Park AB) Hard working power forward played Midget AAA in his hometown and had 16-points in 33-games.
2001 F Ethan Robson (Winnipeg MB) was fourth on his team in scoring with 20-goals and 24-assists in 47-games. He brings good size at 6’2”.
2001 F Evan Sare (Regina SK) played four games as an AP last year and was a point per game player with Moose Jaw AAA. He’s already got his first SJHL goal.
2001 F Colby Vranai (Yorkton SK) Midget AA standout who finally got an opportunity to play AAA in Tisdale and was a favorite of their coaching staff.
MELVILLE MILLIONAIRES
Potential Returnees
2000 G Berk Berkeliev, 1999 D Jacob Bourchier, 2000 D Peyton Jerome, 2000 D James Philpott, 1999 F Aidan Steinke, 1999 F Max McPeak, 1999 F John Elliott, 1999 F Ryan Butler, 2000 F Luke Spadafora, 2000 F Luke Nkwama.
The Mils may be one of the more unknown teams in the league as their recruited talent is not widely recognized within Saskatchewan, but they do have a top flight returning forward in Luke Spadafora and they believe they are very deep on both defense and up front. There will be opportunities for players to emerge. It’s believed this club should contend in the middle of the pack and it’s expected they’ll be in the playoffs.
Potential Newcomers
2000 G Hunter Adams (Arlington TX USA) has been a tough goalie to beat for the last two years, putting up 2.12, .919 totals with his U18 club last season. He’s poised, good positioning, athletic but doesn’t need to use it because he’s always square to the shooter. A good blocking goalie, has a shot at the number one role.
2001 G Kaleb McEachern (Penticton BC) Was 2.78, .911 at Okanagan Hockey Academy. Big sized netminder, moves well, challenges the shooter.
1999 D Tanner Brown (Fenwick ON) picked up from St. Catharines (GOJHL), puck moving blueliner, has a good shot and offensive upside is high. He was 44-4-18-22 last season and should be a top pair dman.
2000 D Chris Lottridge (Anchorage AK USA) has real good size and uses his reach to his advantage. He makes a simple, good first pass. Was 23-0-1-1 at Philadelphia U18.
2000 D Blake Campbell (Keller TX USA) another potential top pairing blueliner who thinks offense first. Plays at a high tempo and loves to join the rush. 33-6-16-22 at Mid Cities Jr Stars program.
2001 D Brenden Wade (Markham ON) – undersized, raw, skates well and projects as a depth blueliner as a rookie but has upside.
2000 F Rin Beny (Melville SK) played minor hockey in Melville, but hasn’t been seen since he was scoring over a point per game in Bantam AA. The town is excited he’s back and he will provide size and skating ability and could play in the top six. 27-1-2-3 at Lloydminster AJHL last season.
2001 F Dylan Abbamont (Burlington ON) undersized, but fast and skilled. He sees ice well and has some grit. He scored at each of his three stops last year 44-30-22-52.
2001 F Nathan Hannon (Penticton BC) Went 36-11-18-29 at Okanagan Hockey Academy, where’s been calling his hockey home for the last four years. He’s a bigger body and plays an upd and down game. Untapped skill.
2001 F Braden Larochelle (Medicine Hat AB) A sparkplug who may end up being a fan favorite. He will blow up opposing players who have their head down in the neutral zone. High hockey IQ, 26-6-11-17 at Kents Hill School (USHS).
2001 F Nic Porterfield (Calgary AB) potential to step right in to a scoring role and be an impact rookie. 33-14-21-35 at Calgary Midget AAA. He has speed, vision, and a shot that is beyond his age.
2001 F Griffen Ryden (Warman SK) just picked him up Humboldt, 43-15-20-35 at Beardy’s Midget AAA, looks to have the mindset of playing a complete game.
2001 F Jake Spak (Calgary AB) shoots the puck with a good release and was 33-8-15-23 with the same team as Porterfield.
WEYBURN RED WINGS
Potential Returnees
2000 D Carsen Robertson, 2000 D Jevon Schwean, 1999 F Ben Hiltz, 2000 F Jacob Piller, 2000 F Rhett Fry.
The Wings have a new head coach in former NHL defenseman Rich Pilon and he’s looking to put his own stamp on the team and starting fresh after the club spun its tires for the better part of the last two years. Hiltz is a big time scorer and Schwean should be ready to move into a prime role on the blueline. However, the abundance of new faces and how well they adapt will determine the end result. Pilon admits unfamiliarity with the league, but feels he’s surrounded himself with good people to help him get acclimatized.
Potential newcomers
2000 G Aaron DeKok (Okotoks AB) – a good battler, not big in stature, but makes up for it with his compete level. He has the inside track on the number one job (1.89, .936 at Campbell River VIJHL).
2000 G Noah Decottignies (Calgary AB) – patient, poised, and calm he was 2.71, .907 at Beaver Valley KIJHL.
2001 G Joseph Young (Regina SK) – was the number one goalie for Battlefords AAA last season and went 4.32, .890.
1999 D Anthony Chambers (Greenwood Village CO USA) – steady stay at home 20-year-old veteran who was 41-2-4-6 at Boston Jr Bruins program.
1999 D Connor Karo (Golden CO USA) – acquired from Kindersley in the offseason, he has the ability to improve on his 44-2-7-9 totals of last year.
2001 D Nick Dobson (Cochrane AB) – puck handling defenseman has offensive upside. Played 3 games for Airdrie AAA and was 28-6-19-25 with Bow Valley AA.
2001 D Daytona Houle (Calling Lake AB) – heads up defenseman who doesn’t force the play, went 33-5-7-12 with K of C Midget AAA in Alberta.
2001 F Mathieu Belanger (Mirabel PQ) – good skater, plays with pace, AP’d at St Jerome but was otherwise 41-4-6-10 at the midget level.
2001 F Braden Birnie (Weyburn SK) – local product and the son of former Wings’ play by play man Cameron, he’s a magician with the puck and has good hockey smarts. 23-8-16-24 with Regina AAA last year.
1999 F Keigan Callander (Regina SK) – erupted for 48-points in 39-games at Pilot Butte PJHL last season, but will be a modern day policeman of sorts for the Wings.
2000 F Jordin Kojima (Surrey BC) – high offensive instinct, adapting to play without the puck. Scored 9-goals and 23-points in 27-games with Delta PIJHL.
2000 F Tyson McLean (Calgary AB) – two way gritty, offensive upside, played a couple of games with Surrey BCHL and was a regular at Nanaimo VIJHL, 23-6-9-15.
2000 F Jake Misskey (Melfort SK) – brought in from the Mustangs, he protects the puck well and will be given a chance to score a bit more. (49-0-3-3 with Mustangs).
2001 F Liam Rutten (Alameda SK) – brings championship level experience from Tisdale AAA (43-15-10-25) and has good energy, skates hard every shift.
1999 F Taylor Schmidt (White City SK) – will see if he can translate monster numbers from Pilot Butte PJHL (39-44-38-82) into the SJHL.
2001 F Kai Studler (Stonewall MB) – Was 47-11-12-23 with Interlake AAA and should be a dependable two-way centreman. Acquired from the Klippers in the Dawson McKenzie trade.
2001 F Quinton Hill (Port Coquitlam BC) – a late arrival to camp, he was caught in a numbers game at Nanaimo, but the Wings will give him a long look. 38-22-23-45 at the Midget level last season.
