Exhibition Game 3: Oil Kings 5 Tigers 3

The Edmonton Oil Kings 3rd Annual Pre-season Invitational Tournament, presented by Elite Sportswear and Awards, wrapped up tonight with the Oil Kings up against the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The Oil Kings held the territorial advantage early on, but could not generate any good scoring chances. Edmonton gets the first man advantage, but it’s the Tigers who pounce. Trent Ouellette sets up Emerson Etem on a nice cross crease feed, for the short hander. The Oil Kings compile the problem by taking two minor penalties in a matter of thirty seconds. While shorthanded, goalie Cam Lanigan keeps it a one goal game with some good saves, including a great stop on a partial break away by the Tigers Curtis Valk. Back at five on five, the Oil Kings apply more pressure, but Tiger tender Kyle Birch is sharp, when called upon. A late power play proves fruitful for the Oil Kings. Keegan Lowe steps up from the point and finds Dylan Wruck at the far dot. He one times it home, the period ends 1 – 1.

The Tigers take the lead back, early in the second, on an odd man rush. Mike Forsyth slips a nice pass to Mitch Deacon, who beats Lanigan with a nifty move in tight, to make it 2 – 1. A couple minutes later, the Oil Kings power play strikes to tie it. Griffin Reinhart’s point shot bounces off a Tiger defender, and flutters over Birch. We are tied at 2. The 15 year old defenseman has shown maturity beyond his years in his first Main Camp and Pre-season with the team.

“I am back to West Vancouver to play with the Northwest Giants,” says the Oil Kings first round pick from 2009. “I hope to get a chance to play with the Oil Kings when they visit Vancouver or Chilliwack. I learned a lot playing against the bigger guys and now realize how much faster you have to make your decisions. It was a great experience”

The Tigers respond with a man up goal of their own. Cody Carlson rips a pass from the high slot, to the far post, where Kale Kessey tips it in to restore the one goal tiger lead. The second period ends 3 – 2.

The Oil Kings fire it up for the third and score two goals right off the hop. Rhett Rachinski wheeled in off the left wing to score the first, and 11 seconds later Cam Maclise gave the Oil Kings their first lead of the game, at 4 – 3. Edmonton’s Clayton Cumiskey closes out the scoring, by burying his own second chance opportunity. The Oil Kings down the Tigers 5 – 3, and win all three Pre-season Tournament games.

Assistant Coach Rocky Thompson ran the bench while Head Coach Steve Pleau evaluated the team from the stands. Thompson liked the fire the team showed in the third period.

“The guys came out and worked consistently in the third with some energy,” says Thompson. “Our goalies (Lanigan & Brossoit) kept us in it and our guys realized they had a great opportunity to win.”

The Oil Kings Exhibition Schedule continues, on the road, next weekend. Edmonton will travel to Stettler to take on the Red Deer Rebels, Friday September 4th. The two teams will meet again the very next night in the Battle in Oil Country, presented by Enmax, in Leduc, Saturday September 5th. For a look at the full Exhibition and Regular Season Schedules, go to oilkings.ca.

Game 3 – Edmonton Oil Kings 5, Medicine Hat Tigers 3


First Period
1. MH - Etem (Ouellette) SH, 7:59
2. EDM – Wruck (Lowe, Thiessen) PP, 17:26
Shots on Goal: EDM 11/ MH 10

Second Period
3. MH – Deacon (Forsyth, Ball) ES, 4:10
4. EDM – Reinhart (Wruck, Thiessen) PP, 6:38
5. MH – Kessey (Carlson, Valk) PP, 11:15
Two Period Shot Totals: EDM 25/ MH 21

Third Period
6. EDM – Rachinski (Soudek) ES, 1:26
7. EDM – Maclise (St. Croix) ES, 1:37
8. EDM – Cumiskey (Pearson) ES, 16:27

Final Shot Totals: EDM 39/ MH 32
EDM – Lanigan 12/14, Broissoit 17/18
MH – Birch 34/39

Article and summary from
http://www.oilkings.ca/hm/inside.php?id=520

I wouldn't be surprised to see the tigers cut a few guys tomorrow after evaluating the weekend. The tigers dressed an extremely unexperienced and rookie lineup during the weekend. This tournament was basically meant to evaluate the young players, and give those 15 yr olds a taste of the whl.

Exhibition Game 2: Tigers 4 Regina 3

Game 3 of the Oil Kings Pre-season Invitational Tournament presented by Elite Sportswear and Awards featured the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Regina Pats. Both teams were coming off opening day losses and looking to rebound. The Pats were shut out 4 – 0 by the Oil Kings, while the Tigers fell 5 – 2 at the hands of the Moose Jaw Warriors.

The Pats score first on the power play in the opening period. Tomas Hricina’s point shot finds its way through a screen and past Tiger goalie Tyler Bunz. The first ends 1 – 0 with the shots on goal even at eight.

The second period begins with a scrap, as Thomas Carr of the Tigers, and Regina’s Matt Delahey go toe to toe. Still in the first minute, the Tigers take an additional penalty, and the Pats capitalize with the man advantage. Alex Pym walks in from the point and goes top corner on Bunz to make it 2 – 0. The Tigers get on the board late in the frame. Emerson Etem sets up Kale Kessey for a one timer, its 2 – 1. Regina gets it back in less than a minute, when Michal Poletin scores to make it 3 – 1. The gates are open; the Tigers Emerson Etem scores a man up and the period ends 3 – 2 for the Pats.

The Tigers tie it up early in the third. After a great break out, Mike Forsyth ends up tapping in a feed from Curtis Valk. It is all even at 3. In the scrum after the goal, Regina takes a penalty, and the Tigers capitalize. Etem scores his second of the game to make it 4 – 3 the Hat, and that is your final.

The Oil Kings Pre-season Invitational features two more games today. The Red Deer Rebels play the Moose Jaw Warriors at 3:00 pm. The Oil Kings take on the Swift Current Broncos at 7:00 pm. The Tournament wraps up with two more games Sunday. The full schedule is available at oilkings.ca.

Game 3 – Regina Pats 3, Medicine Hat Tigers 4


First Period
1. REG – Hricina (Pym, Miller) PP, 2:53

Shots on Goal: REG 8 / MH 8


Second Period
2. REG – Pym (Metz) PP, 1:01
3. MH – Kessey (Etem) ES, 12:56
4. REG – Poletin (Weal, Pavkovich) ES, 13:40
5. MH – Etem (King, Shinkaruk) PP, 15:27
Two Period Totals: REG 24/ MH 15


Third Period
6. MH - Forsyth (Valk) ES, 4:35
7. MH – Etem (Collins, Carlson) PP, 5:49
Final Shots on Goal: REG 30/ MH 20
REG - Guhle 11/12, Rowat 5/8
MH – Bunz 29/30

http://www.oilkings.ca/hm/inside.php?id=516

Note The current overagers poll is closing in 12 hours.


Edited: The tigers said they brought along 5 veterans. So there playing in Edmonton with a super inexperienced lineup.
Thomas Carr
Tyler Bunz
Cody Carlson
Kale Kessey
plus one other??

Tigers 2 vs Moose jaw 5

(3 posts today. Training Camp, + Trade Rumour down below)
First Exhibition Game of the season


First Period
1. MJ - Edmundson (Herman, Scott) PP, 13:38
2. M J - Edwards (Paradis, Smith) PP, 14:12

Shots on Goal: MJ 15 / MH 4

Second Period
3. MJ – Honejsek (Gwinner, MacKay) ES, 1:55
4. MJ – Edwards (Rielly, McIlrath) ES, 3:56
5. MHT – Shinkaruk (Etem) ES, 12:48
6. MHT –Forsyth, ES, 13:58

Shots on Goal: MJ 13 / MH 11
2 Period Totals: MJ 28/ MH 15

Third Period
7. MJ – Edwards (Gwinner) ES, 3:10

Shots on Goal: MJ 6/ MH 7
3 Period Totals: MJ 34/ MH 22
MJ – Glover 21/22
MHT – Bunz 23/27
MHT – Birch 10/11
www.whl.ca

Moose Jaw Times Article
http://mjtimes.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=282082&sc=9


Spencer Edwards continued his stellar pre-season with the Moose Jaw Warriors by netting a hat trick in a 5-2 Warriors win over the Medicine Hat Tigers Friday afternoon.

The Warriors will return to the ice Saturday afternoon when they face the Red Deer Rebels at the Edmonton Oil Kings third annual pre-season invitational tournament in the Alberta capital.

The Warriors stormed out of the gates in their first pre-season game as they out-shot the Tiger 15-4 in the first period and built a 4-0 lead four minutes into the second period.

Rookie defenceman Joel Edmundson opened the scoring for the Warriors on the power play and Czech rookie Antonin Honejsek also scored for the Tribe.

Shayne Gwinner, who was one of four 1994-born players in the lineup, picked up a pair of assists for the Warriors who also got helpers from Jakub Herman, Corey Scott, Jesse Paradis, Kevin Smith, Matt MacKay, Morgan Rielly and Dylan McIlrath.
The Warriors only dressed six veterans.

Hunter Shinkaruk and Michael Forsyth replied for the Tigers.
Brandon Glover made 21 as saves as he returned from injury and played the entire game in goal for the Warriors.

For Medicine Hat, Tyler Bunz allowed four goals on 27 shots, while former Warrior goalie Kyle Birch stopped 10 of the 11 shots he faced.
Warriors forward Joey Kornelsen was cut for eight stitches on the chin and left the game with a mild concussion in the second period. The Tigers were assessed a five minute major on the play.

Training Camp Roster

I got a hold of the Tigers training Camp roster and here it is.


Goalies

Ryan Holfeld 20yr
Tyler Bunz 17yr
Kyle Birch 19yr
Ryan Bembridge 17yr
Kamil Przepioka 16yr


Defenseman

Mark Isherwood 20 yr
Thomas Carr 19 yr
Jace Coyle 19 yr
Cody Carlson 18 yr
Matt Konan 18 yr
Colin Fay 18 yr
Brennan Baxandall 17yr
Allistair Chapman 17yr
Dallas Jorgenson 17yr
Scott McKay 17yr
Brett Zazaryan 17yr
Dylan Business 16 yr
Sean Collins 16 yr
Nick Eliason 16 yr
Devon McMullen 16 yr
Jesse Ursic 16 yr
Kyle Becker 15 yr old*



Forwards

Bretton Cameron 20 yr
Colton Grant 20 yr
Joey Frazer 19 yr
Taylor Gal 19 yr
Wacey Hamilton 19 yr
Tristan King 19 yr
Josh Koper 19 yr
Zdenek Okal 19 yr
Linden Vey 18 yr
John Stampohar 19 yr
Kale Kessey 17 yr
Tanner Sohn 19 yr
J.R Baird 18 yr
Sam Dezman 18 yr
Kyle Bodnaruk 17yr
Emerson Etem 17yr
Brett Fargher 17yr
Micheal Forsyth 17yr
Doug Jones 17yr
Brad RObinson 17yr
Stefan Menunier 17yr
Jason Trott 17yr
Vahe Zakaryan 17yr
Dylan Bredo 16 yr
Ty Clay 16 yr
Mitchell Deacon16 yr
Todd Fiddler 16 yr
Boston Leir 16 yr
Colin Mospanchuck 16 yr
Trent Ouellete 16 yr
Reid Petryk 16 yr
Curtis Valk 16 yr
Nicholas Anderson 15 yr*
Connor Garden 15 yr*
Jayden Hart 15 yr*
Dawson MacAuley 15 yr*
Riley Sheen 15 yr*
Hunter Shinkaruk 15 yr*

* 15 yr eligible to play 5 games max until parent team eliminated


Surprises
Rasmus Daamgard Did not Report
Bo Montgomery Did not report. I'm shocked and disappointed in that. I thought Bo was headed for a really good season. The tigers loose a huge physical presence.


So Spots available, based on 2 extra Dmen and 3 extra forwards
Didn't count Kale Kessey as a veteran
1 potential Goalie
3 Defenseman
5 Forwards

Expendables:
IMO Taylor Gal and Josh Koper could/should be on the trading block

Thoughts
I'm a little well, not worried but concerned about the shape of the Tigers Defense for this season. A good first line but the tigers lack depth after that. Konan, Carlson, and Carr were depth players last year. They will need to step up their game to provide a solid 2nd pairing.

Forwards
TO me the forwards group looks like an average group with potential. Good top 2 lines. After that it drops off. They'll need guys other than Okal, Vey,king,hamilton,grant,cameron to score some goals. If that doesn't happen offense could be spotty(score a bunch here, then go dry for a couple games)


Pre-Preseason Prediction:(subject to change as we haven't seen them play yet)
I think the Tigers will have a similar copy of last years team, with hopefully better talent in their depth players. I expect the tigers to finish around the middle of the pack when the season ends. Maybe a notch higher because of excellent coaching.

**Removed**

Breakout Player: Well I was going to say Bo Montgomery. I thought he had a bright future. This year I'm going to Pick Tristan King, and Mathew Konan.

Triston King has a very good skillset. He will get to play more minutes this year, on the top 2 lines.

Mathew Konan I thought his speed improved alot between his 16 and 17 yr old season. He is big has a long reach and getting faster. I think he can develop into a solid 2 way defensman.

Interesting Trade Rumours

There was an article today in the Prince Albert Daily Herald, they interviewed Travis Dunstall on his thoughts about possibly joining their team?

""I'm going to wait and see where I get traded to. For a 20-year-old, it's tough to play on a weaker team. "Obviously, anyone would like the Calgarys or Vancouvers - teams that are always contenders and good. It's my last year, so it would be nice to be on a winning team."

Dunstall said he hasn't heard from prospective teams, but he's ready to entertain offers. "I would have to talk to the coach to see where they're at and what their plans are," said the five-foot-10, 180-pound winger.

"Their D-men look good and their goaltending is not too bad. Their forwards are a little younger. It looks like (the Raiders) could get a little older, for sure."

In the interim, Dunstall plans to skate with the junior A Grande Prairie Storm, the defending Alberta Junior Hockey League champion."I'm probably going to head up there later today," he said "They're going to have another good team this year.""

Penner trade bait?
A trade for Dunstall might enable the Raiders to send holdout forward Cole Penner to his hometown team, Medicine Hat.

Penner, the fourth overall pick in the 2006 bantam draft, played just 17 games with Prince Albert over the past two years.

Link TO article
http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=281940&sc=5


Interesting rumour but as it stands now it is just a rumour. What do you tiger fans think? Does Cole Penner Interest you?

More News to come a bit later...

Travis Dunstall Not coming Back

The Medicine Hat News is reporting the Tigers have told Travis Dunstall to wait at home while the Tigers try to work out a trade for him.

It could be assumed that Lethbridge and Kootenay could be potential trading partners based on the fact they will be both looking to acquire an overager, However I'd rather see Dunstall go to an Western Conference team. Perhaps a team like Seattle may be interested as they have a 19 yr old who has requested a trade. Or even Everett who picked up a couple overagers on waivers.

Dunstall says that he may end up considering joining the Junior A Grand Prairie storm to play out his final season of junior eligibility. Grand Prairie is expected to field a very good team this year.

Dunstall says that he has no hard feelings for Medicine Hat, and that he knows its all part of Business. He goes on to mention that he likes Medicine Hat, and that the team and players have been good to him.

On my overagers poll I hosted over the summer Travis Dunstall was 4th out of 5 in the players that fans wanted to see come back.

This leaves the Tigers with Bretton Cameron, Colton Grant, Mark Isherwood, and Ryan Holfeld as the Remaining overagers, along with Tomas Kundratek, and Tyler Ennis who are unlikely but possible to come back for another season. I'll post my specific thoughts on Dunstall If/when a trade gets announced.

Link TO article Here
http://www.medicinehatnews.com/content/view/129423/110/
---

Rasmus Damgaard
The News also reported that Recent CHL Import Selection Rasmus Damgaard has decided to not show up to Medicine hat this year. It was speculated that there was a 50-50 chance of coming, however he has signed a contract a couple weeks before the draft and it was unlikely that he could have gotten out of it.

---
Training Camp Reschedule
The 2:15 scrimmage scheduled for today has been canceled. Instead the team will head to calgary to watch the Team Canada scrimmage being held at the Calgary Saddledome

Matthew Konan Gets Anaheim Invite

The Anaheim Ducks just released their rookie camp roster today. On the list is Tigers Matthew Konan, and of course ex Tiger Matt McCue who is listed at the forward position.

http://ducks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=487024

I am still wondering why Tyler Ennis hasn't signed with Buffalo yet? I read an article a couple months ago where Buffalo's GM Darcy Regier said he expects Ennis to play in portland (buffalo's affiliate) for the upcoming season. But it leaves me wondering why haven't they signed him yet.

Overagers
Also I have been going over the list of Overagers for this coming year, and unlike last year's shortage there are going to be quite a few 20 yr olds who wont be playing hockey in the whl this year. It will be a buyers market, however there are very few teams eligible to buy without releasing another.

I can only see lethbridge and kootenay being under the limit unless another team unexpectedly has a couple players sign NHL contracts, or releases a player based on expectations they can get a better player relatively cheaply
(Lethbridge has 4 20's but its likely that 3 players move on)
(kootenay has 1 overagers)

Does this cheapen the cost for a 20yr old? possibly. The longer a buying team waits the cheaper the cost of the player. A team like kootenay(who needs 2 overagers) could possibly trade 4th-7th round picks away for a couple players they like. Or they could wait until October 16th rolls around and probably pick a couple players for free, however who they get may not be their first or second choices.

What does this mean for the tigers overagers? They better knock the socks off the competition. I would also absolutely hate to see lethbridge or kootenay end up with one of our 20's.

For a good guide on the current 20 yr old situations check out http://www.hockeyfights.com/forums/f11/updated-overage-situation-104656/
-Hordibrusk29 has compiled a fairly accurate list on what the overager situation looks like around the league.

Rookie Camp concludes

The Medicine Hat News says the tigers will bring about 14 players from Rookie Camp over to main camp. They only mentioned 2 names.

Curtis Valk, and 15 yr old 1st rounder Hunter Shinkaruk who is only eligible to play in 5 whl games this year until his parent club 'AAA' Calgary Royals are eliminated from their playoffs.

Willie Desjardins goes on to mention that he was impressed at the rookie camp this weekend.
"“I thought it was real good,” said Desjardins. “I think we had lots of good players, and that is how I judge camp is by the talent level we had in and how hard guys played. I was real happy with it.”"

Link to full article here
http://www.medicinehatnews.com/content/view/128613/110/
---

There are fan reports up at at MH Tigers roars and purrs which also compliment the play of Hunter Shinkaruk.

""by far the best forward there, lightning fast, smart, can shoot and score, works his arse off every shift"" --Training Camp Observer @ MH Tigers roars and purrs message board......Link to Board over there in links sction ------------------------------------>

---

A fan also mentioned that Tigers Prospect Emerson Etem is also skating with the Tiger vets. Emerson has been touted by scouts as possessing Elite speed and a potential game breaker.

Main Camp starts on Wednesday

Rookie Camp *Edited

Chat TV's Erin Glazier did a piece on Rookie camp registration and the first day of practices.
http://www.tigershockey.com/multimedia/mc.php

The video shows former Tiger, Doctor Blair St. Bartin give a presentation about the Education that comes along with being a junior hockey player.

They also discussed how the talent is found via their scouts, and they did a short interview with Tiger Hopeful Boston Leir.

Coach Clouston Mentioned they are looking for guys who fit their system who display a good deal of speed, skill, and competitiveness.

-----
The Medicine Hat News training camp article mentions local kid Curtis Valk who stands at 5'6 and weighs 131 lbs. Head Scout Brad McEwen stated he thought Valk had a good first day. The News also talked to 2008 2nd rounder Dylan Bredo, who felt he could have put in a little better performance.
Link TO article Here
http://www.medicinehatnews.com/content/view/128268/110/

--------
I wont be able to make it down there this weekend at all. If anyone has comments or insights feel free to post a comment or email me, address is posted on the lower right hand side of the blog page.

---
Also There was one trade in the whl today. Brandon traded goalie James Priestner and a 5th round draft pick to the Prince George cougars, In exchange for a 3rd round pick and the playing rights to 19-year old defenceman Aaron Ness of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
(the 5th rounder is conditional for if Aaron Ness reports)

/* hidden */
Confirmed at Rookie Camp
Boston Leir
Dylan Bredo
Curtis Valk
Dylan Busines

Tigers Rookie Camp Starts Friday + Cole Penner News

The tigers have invited 84 players to this years training camp.

Rookies, listed players and players of interest will have Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd, and Sunday 23rd to make an impression on Tigers scouts and coaches. The players that make it through will leave for a team building getaway in the cypress hills for 2 days afterwards.

Main camp gets started Wednesday August 26th. All sessions according to the tigers website are open to the public.

Good Luck to all those players that take part.

For a direct link to their media release click here.
http://www.tigershockey.com/media/media.php?stype=browsei&season=2009&month=Aug&lim1=0

Edit: Medicine Hat Native and former 5th Overall Bantam Draft Pick Cole Penner has declined a training camp invite from the Prince Albert Raiders. He will be in his 18 yr old season this year, and if P.A does not trade or release his rights it is assumed he would continue to play for the Brooks Bandits in the AJHL.

Cole Penner has played 17 games in the WHL recording 1 goal(against the Tigers), 1 assist and 56 PM's. His stats in the AJHL indicate he is more of a power forward/enforcer with limited to some offensive upside to his game.. Prince Albert fans are pretty frustrated and they feel that 5th Overall pick was wasted.

Medicine Hat Speed Skater Turns Heads

"Liam McFarlane, who gave up hockey at 10, believes he can make people think another ice skating sport when they think of ‘The Hat.’

A 23-year-old member of Speed Skating Canada’s national short track development team, McFarlane has been a revelation at the Olympic team trials this week at Pacific Coliseum. A terrifically strong starter, the aspiring psychologist won the second 500-metre race on Wednesday, following a fourth in Sunday’s opener at that distance.

A win in Monday’s third and final 500 would automatically qualify McFarlane for a spot on the team for 2010 — before he’s even raced a single World Cup. It would surprise some, but not the excitable McFarlane.".....

-Read Full article Here
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/Skating+Medicine+speed+skater+flies+under+radar+wins/1886680/story.html

Edit: Ha it only took my 2 days to realize I spelled Medicine Hat as Medicine had. /facepalm
fixed

Tigers Announce Official Season Schedule

Home Opener: September 19 vs Lethbridge
Season Opener: September 19 vs Lethbridge

First Meeting against the team that knocked us out of last years playoffs:
December 17th vs Brandon


Central Opponents: 32 Games
Divisional Opponents: 56 Games
U.S Opponents: 5 Games ( 1 game each)
B.C Opponents: 11 Games
East Opponents: 24 Games (4 games a team)


Interesting Stats
Tigers visit Prince George for 2 games back to back
Tigers play 3 consecutive games: 3 times
11 of their last 14 games are at Home!
Tigers have 8 games which start at 6:00PM mountain. All other games start at 7 or 7:30.
The Tigers DONT make a U.S Division trip this year


Per Team
Lethbridge - 8
Edmonton - 6
Calgary - 6
Red Deer - 6
Kootenay - 6
Swift Current - 4
Brandon - 4
Saskatoon - 4
Regina - 4
Moose Jaw - 4
Prince Albert - 4
Chilliwack - 3
Prince George - 2
Kamloops - 2
Vancouver - 2
Kelowna - 2
Seattle - 1
Tri-City - 1
Spokane - 1
Portland - 1
Everett - 1

Medicine Hat Mavericks Off To round 2

I know this isn't hockey related but it is the off-season:)

The Mavericks managed to win the deciding Game 5 (6 - 1), in their best of 5 series against the Lethbridge Bulls. Lethbridge had beat them 6 times out of 7 in the regular season, I believe. Congrats to them.

The Mavericks will face Okotoks in Round 2 Which starts Tonight.

Sean Ringrose
Their was a brief article on Sean Ringrose in the "Gateway" - the University of ALberta's student Newspaper. Here is an excerpt

"Meanwhile, up front, big things are expected from Ringrose, who played number-two centre for the Medicine Hat Tigers last year behind Buffalo Sabres’ 2008 first-rounder Tyler Ennis. Alberta’s new forward will play a vital role in the team’s powerplay, and is expected to bring some even-strength scoring prowess to Clare Drake Arena.

“He had 28 goals [last year], and when you’re playing behind Ennis, who’s going to eat up a lot of your powerplay time—like, when I went and watched, Ennis stayed out there for 1:45 of the powerplay—that’s not bad for a second-line centre,” Thurston remarked. “He does a great job positionally and he’s going to be a 20-minute guy per game.

“Sean reminds me a little bit of Derek Ryan—and [we all] know the quality of player that he’s been for our program.”"
http://www.gateway.ualberta.ca/articles/sports/2009/08/05/six-new-recruits-welcomed-bears-hockey-prepares-training-camp

Quick Update

I noticed that Team Canada's Under 18 Mens team was just announced.
Tyler Bunz who was a late camp invite didn't make the final roster.

Link to the Final roster here
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/64991/la_id/1.htm

WHLer's Who made the list
Jordan Weal - Regina
Quinton Howden - Moose Jaw
Brad Ross - Portland
Brett Connolly - P.G
Alexander Petrovic - Red Deer
Mark Pysyk - Edmonton
Calvin Pickard - Seattle

Talent Runs In The Family

Mark Isherwood
I managed to surf across an article from the Abbotsford News about Mark Isherwood and his brother.

In the article it says Mark Isherwood had offers from several NHL clubs and after weighing offers from Philly and Dallas, he choose to go to the Boston Bruin's developmental camp.
Isherwood felt he turned in a good performance but he wont be satisfied until he earns a pro contract.

The article goes on to mention that Mark feels he's in the best shape of his life after working out competitively with his brother in his families basement.

To read the full article visit Abbotsford News here
http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_valley/abbynews/sports/52214072.html