Sunday, January 10, 2016

Sanford Traded To Regina

http://reginapats.com/article/pats-acquire-cole-sanford-from-medicine-hat
http://tigershockey.com/article/tigers-make-deadline-deal-acquire-package-players-picks To Regina
Cole Sanford


To Medicine Hat
 In exchange the Pats send to Medicine Hat: forward Brian Williams (’95), prospect forward Gary Haden (’99), the Pats’ 2018 2nd round, 2017 5th round, and Lethbridge’s 2016 3rd round WHL Bantam Draft pick..


Brian Williams
Brian Williams was just picked up from the Pats last thursday. Williams is 5'8 178lbs. He has 20 points in 31 games, and had a 36 goal season 2 seasons ago. He could be the type of player to flourish in the Tigers systems. I think in terms of a replacement for Sanford Williams could be a very good pickup. Williams is recovienr from a fractured foot, and wont be available untill next week at the earliest.
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Gary Haden
Old Video Interview from Regina: http://www.reginapats.com/video/38996
Centreman

5'10 161 lbs. 9th Round selection in 2014.

Scouting Report
He's been one to put up lots of points. A couple interviews I've watched said he needs to work on his strength and speed. He see's the ice well, and has some quick hands. Their was a MAC's Midget AAA Tournament that just ended in calgary so the Tigers had probably recently seen him play firsthand.
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Thoughts
The Tigers aquired a 99 so that bolsters their 16 yr old class up front.  Williams should be able to step into the top 6. He is a speedster, that has shown he can score goals in the past.

The Tigers now have an extra 2nd rounder, and 3rd rounder this season, as well as 3 2nds in 2018. In 2 or 3 years when the Shaw/Gerlach/Preziuso/Hamblin/Haden/Quennvill group matures they have some tinkering room in terms of draft picks.

Haden recorded 5 points in 5 exhibition games this season. He was one of the last cuts from Regina, where he was told to work on his speed and strength.

It looks like this is a solid deal giving the short time window they had. Best of Luck to Sanford in Regina.

29 comments:

longtimefan said...

Haden is currently leading the Amhl in scoring playing for Ufa Bisons. I think Williams and Haden would have been a good return but the draft choices are certainly a bonus. Considering the circumstances surrounding this trade this is an exceptional return.

Good luck to Cole in Regina. He's been a real good player for us.

Anonymous said...

Cole is an excellent player no doubt. But I see this trade as a bit confusing. One, I am not impressed with a kid who would accept the captain position and then ask for a trade shortly after. Clearly was not captain material. If he did not like it in the Hat, ask for a trade before taking the captain position. Secondly, a little unimpressed it seemed to be a bit of a selfish trade as he was unhappy going to Regina because he wanted to go to a "good team". Pretty selfish.
But, in saying all that, I think there is a problem with Clouston. I do not like that he is GM and coach. I do not like that he has hired two rather useless assistants who know nothing about coaching and are just there to agree with him and do what he tells them. I think the loss of Kruger was huge and should have signified a problem right away. Clouston could be kept as coach, but we need a real GM, and we need two real assistant coaches. All of whom will challenge Clouston's ideas, trades, plays etc. That is the only way the team will get better. If Clouston does not like this idea, then get rid of him completely and build a new coaching/GM group. Too bad that Clouston and the Masers have let this happen. Clouston has been bad running the show and needs to be checked into line.

Anonymous said...

Would have liked to see us gain size or defence. Not impressed with Clouston. Time for a change. I think he can coach, but he can't GM and I agree, we need real assistant coaches, not yes men.

TigerTurf said...

Haden was probably a bit behind on their depth charts. The pats have 9 '98's and 2 99 who have played this year on their roster and Haden was one of the last cuts.

These two teams could be neck and neck 2 years down the road. They might also be fighting for playoff positioning. The pats have been dipping a bit, and this will pad them back up. Edmonton has been playing consistent and getting harder to catch.

Normally I would say Regina made a bad deal, as on paper it might look bad for Regina, but if you look at their cupboards and where they are in the standings this deal does make sense for them. It could have been possible that the Tigers threw away a playoff berth with this deal if they cant catch edmonton.

Anonymous said...

Cole was a very exciting player to watch in a Tigers uniform. Sad to see him leave. Could it be Clouston and the owners are the obvious problem with the Tigers organization and not Sanford. I don't think he was selfish but maybe just drew a line in the sand and had enough of Clouston and the ownerships crap. How do you know he was unhappy going to Regina? It is my understanding that Regina was on his list. Looks like he's excited for a fresh start if you follow him on twitter. Interesting...

TigerTurf said...

Someone posted a rumour on the whiteboard, but I highly doubt that it was in any way credible.

Anonymous said...

Right now we would be n place for a 4th overall whl bantam pick, do they do a lottery like the nhl or is a pick a pick? TIA

TigerTurf said...

The non playoff teams are all involved in a draft lottery. A team can only move up a max of 2 spots.

So Basically the bottom 3 teams only have a shot of getting 1st.

If the lottery was held today with the Tigers 4 spots back and they won the lottery. They would get the 2nd pick, and Kootenay would still pick 1st.

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:22 said "I do not like that he is GM and coach. I do not like that he has hired two rather useless assistants who know nothing about coaching and are just there to agree with him and do what he tells them"

How could you possibly know this? As far as I know, Joe Frazer was a dedicated player who was smart enough to be an assistant before he was old enough to go to Vegas. Jerrid Sauer played 5 years in the Dub, was never the gifted athlete, but managed to stick around, play two positions and become a captain. What do you know about hockey, and what do you know about those coaches roles within the organization?

I’m tired of so-called fans ripping on everyone and everything. If you don’t care for how Clouston or the Maser’s carry themselves, so be it, but no need to crap all over the remainder of the coaching staff.

And frankly, look at Clouston’s record. You may not care for his demeanour or his style of play, but he’s gotten results every year. How many other teams just keep winning without a downcycle? We’ve had winners in this town for over a decade in a row, some of them massively overachieving and some of those on Clouston’s watch. IMO he’s done a pretty good job keeping the team competitive even in what is obviously a year where it’s our turn to struggle.

Anonymous said...

I think the point is the Tigers have good players wanting to leave because of how Clouston treats them. He is not a players coach at all. He has good coaching knowledge but tough to win a championship when no one wants to play for you.

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:22 it's doesn't matter about Cloustons record nor how the Masers want to carry themselves. Captain Cole Sanford leaving is a huge statement and maybe should not be taken lightly. The hockey world knows what's going on here since Willie left and great players are leaving not wanting to play for Clouston.

longtimefan said...

Looks like fans are going to get a first hand look at Gary Haden in Wednesday, he's expected to suit up as an affiliate player.

Anonymous said...

Captains dont leave their team like that. There is a problem with Clouston but Sanford also left without class.

Oddly, I am not sure the tigers are in a worse situation without him.

That being said, I still want to see a coaching restructure. I agree, getting two kids with no coaching experience is fine for a pee wee house league team, but this is serious hockey. Tigers look silly with two inexperienced coaches on the bench.

Anonymous said...

Anon 5:04...... how do you explain 3 players in 3 years refusing to play for the Tigers and this coach? And other teams do not have this track record.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it 4 players in 4 years now? Sanford to Hobbs to Jensen to Hart?

TigerTurf said...

Yea that's right.

TigerTurf said...

This is a difficult topic to bring up and talk about, moreso because we don't know what goes on behind closed doors and we're all essentially speculating.

Reading in between the lines during interviews about what happened with the Cox trade, I think it completely altered Sanford's environment. Him and Cox probably had great control in the dressing room. I've heard him having difficulties in his housing situation here. With multiple vets leaving and quite a few new players, there has been a youth movement in the dressing room.

You go from a 1st place team and control in the room, to a basement team and a tougher dressing room environment, with a tough living environment. I could see that as a catalyst for wanting a change. If the coach was tough to play for, that's another tick, and every player that leaves will put a bigger spotlight behind that question.

I don't blame Sanford for wanting out, and we're not likely to hear about from his mouth on his decision to leave. Just rumors and speculation, which may or may not be true.

I am disappointed that this wasn't resolved behind closed doors in a professional manner. I am disappointed about the Tigers reputation as an organization being put into the spotlight for the 4th consecutive year, when your recruiting players that can hurt.

TigerTurf said...

Good article on the situation:
http://medicinehatnews.com/sports/local-sports/2016/01/12/trade-was-a-long-time-coming/

Anonymous said...

Will be interesting to see if the tigers organisation wakes up from 4 players in 4 years asking for trades. I for one do not think Clouston is a bad coach. I think he is a challenging guy to work with but I am guessing the same is said about 99% of the NHL coaches. If these kids want to succeed in life and in the NHL they might have to learn to deal with different personality types, tough coaches, the expectation to perform and realise that at the next level they will not be babied by coaches. If you do not perform you wont get ice time and if you dont get ice time, in the NHL you will not have a contract.
That being said, I hope this changes Cloustons tone a bit, makes him realise that he played a roll in the kids leaving and maybe a better attitude will help him and the kids.

Anonymous said...

Yes I think Sanford and Cox had a lot of say in the dressing room last year..they were on the point for the power play and I thought they had way to many giveaways, All players have to get along there is no I or WE in team, all for 1 of all for nothing...bottom line is IMHO Sanford had a stiff upper lip and was coasting and whining all yearthe bigger man always rises above and makes the situation better in work and in play. Look at the theo fleury story they warriors were a first place team and that situation was way worse, I think kids today just think they run the show. I am glad he is gone the kids play way better without a whiner amongst them!! Good picks nice players coming SWEET!!! Go Tigers..Go away Whiners...

Anonymous said...

Sanford was a whiner for the time he got to the tigers and I know this first hand. He is a very talented guy but needs to mature and learn to deal with adversity. I think things have come pretty easy to him so far and dealing with adversity is not something he has gone through. And I guess he still has not gone through as he got out of this one. It will catch up with him. The AHL or ECHL will not care much and will expect him to earn everything. Not as talented as Valk, not the great attitude of Valk, we will see where he lands. Only time will tell.

Anonymous said...

correct me if I am wrong. But Hart left cause of an ailing billet & couldn't handle the move to another home. Hobbs left cause of mom sick/car accident & wanted more playing time. Jensen was not getting enough ice time either (the move did not benefit him any so really, bye bye) Sanford well this one ticks me off. All I can say is don't let the penalty box hit you when you leave. He is supposedly our overage captain & is suppose to take the team under his wings. Then he gets hurt & his play maker who gives him the points gets hurt & then gets traded. He was traded cause our goalies/defense was suffering. We needed another goalie. No one can argue that point. Was not cause he fought coaches son in Leth. & broke his hand. Sanford comes back not putting up the points & team is struggling & hey I want out. This is not a tiger captain in my opinion. This is a chicken shit way out. You do not walk out on your team & ask/demand a trade cause things are different. One good thing out of this mess is now we have a captain that should of been it from the start cause he is a player that has been here & plays through all kinds of injuries & plays lots of minutes per game. If we want to compare tigers to other teams demanding trades maybe we better look west on the #3 for how many years there players wanted out.

Anonymous said...

Hobbs confirmed his moms accident had nothing to do with the request.

Hart arguement does not make sense, if he could not handle moving to another home, well.......why choose another city and home. He had to move homes regardless. And from first hand information, that was not it.

TigerTurf said...

Their are two sides of every story, and usually the truth is somewhere in the middle. When we don't hear about one side directly, It makes it hard to discern what actually happened.

Many people try to walk in other people's shoes, but very few stray from their own path, which makes it difficult to see the challenges and decisions the other person makes.
- PhilosophicalTigerTurf 1:13

Anonymous said...

Tonight the tigers showed, the young guys have good attitudes and will fight for the team. They do not need Sanford.

Anonymous said...

Good show of determination and the never give up on this team attitude tonight. Was nice to see. Sometimes trades are good!

Anonymous said...

Like the never say die attitude of the young kids tonight - Rassell, Shaw, Quen, Schultz etc. Hope we create a good attitude in the room

Anonymous said...

Great game against Blazers. Come backs are great!

Anonymous said...

replying to the 6:03pm comment person. I never mentioned any first hand info in my article.