Last Edit: 3:15 PM MTN.
Medicine Hat Tigers announce this afternoon the acquisition of 20-year-old defenseman Derek Ryckman from the Tri-City Americans.
The Tigers will send a fifth round draft pick in the 2014 bantam draft to the Americans in exchange for the 6’ 4”, 205 lbs. Red Deer, AB native.
http://www.tigershockey.com
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Tri-City Fan Blog
I got this from a Tri-City fan blog called I Mean, We Got Guys
Derek, to me, epitomizes the stay-at-home defenseman.
Ryckman is a great play maker and also uses his size to finish the checks he needs to. He's not (often) going to be the guy joining the rush to crash the net for a play down low, he's going to stay back and patrol the blue line.
The other thing I really like about Ryckman (no, not the insanely awesome curls) is he stands up for his teammates. He's not necessarily a fighter, but he doesn't take any shit and he doesn't allow any opposing players to mess with his teammates. That look he gets when he's real pissed, he's serious.
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It sounds like Ryckman is a guy who takes care of his own end, and is a big team player.
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Updated Roster
From Alan Caldwell's Small Thoughts At Large Blog
Goaltenders (3): Kenny Cameron (19), Marek Langhamer (18), Dawson McAuley (18)
Defencemen (10): Kyle Becker (18), Dylan Busenius (19), Daniel Hansen (17), Brennan Hunker (17), Spenser Jensen (17), Tyler Lewington (18) Derek Ryckman (20), Matt Staples (17), Ty Stanton (17), Alex Theriau (20)
Forwards (16): Dylan Bredo (19), Gavin Broadhead (17), Chad Butcher (16), Trevor Cox (17), Rhyse Dieno (19), Jacob Doty (19), Jayden Hart (18), Kale Kessy (20), Miles Koules (18), Chad Labelle (17), Boston Leier (19), Steven Owre (16), Blake Penner (16), Cole Sanford (17), Hunter Shinkaruk (18), Curtis Valk (19)
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Defence
I think with Alex Theriau injured the Tigers will keep an extra 8th Dman around this season. Defence is just as packed as the forward or goalie position is.
I would have to think that Ryckman, Busenius, Lewington ,Becker, Stanton,Theriau, Jensen are locks, barring trades.
That would leave Hansen,Hunker,Mortlock,Staples competing for the last spot with an 8 man defensive roster........unless they consider moving one of the vets mentioned above...and I think they will consider moving one guy mid-season or at the deadline, due to age if and only if the young guys who are kept prove that they can hold their own, and the Tigers receive a good return. I think the Defenceman decisions will not be something made hastily, and may take a while until everyone sorts themselves out.
Offense
Roughly 2-3 cuts to make. I haven't gotten good reads yet on everyone so its hard to comment on what they will do. Cole Sanford is still out with Mono. The Tigers do still have 5 (16) year olds on the roster and their is a CHL limit of 4.
41 comments:
Played for Lethbridge for a few years too I see. Don't know much about him but if he does a good job then he'll be a welcome addition. Still thinking that there will be some good 20 y.o.'s coming available.
Hes an amazing player i wonder if we are going to move one of our Dmen like Dylan since we have Becker who has arised as better than him so far, they cant go 2 20year old dmen a 19year old and a couple of 18 year olds and a 17 year old it just doesnt make sense id imagine either Therieu goes or Dylan goes and they rotate in Stanton and Hanson
No anonymous, no older d-men will be moved, this was a very smart depth move by the Tigers because they needed older depth on defence and should not have a 17 year old in their top 4 D to be competitive. They had one 20-year-old spot open, and a d-man makes the most sense when you look at team depth. This move means they can now carry 8 d-men (including Theriau while he's out) and should Theriau be out for longer than expected they now don't have to panic as they are better prepared. The Tigers will now keep three of the five 17 year olds and likely send to junior A/midget the 3rd 17 year old when Theriau does return from injury.
Theriau (20, inj)
Ryckman (20)
Busenius (19)
Lewington (18)
Becker (18)
Jensen (17)
Hansen (17)
Stanton (17)
Staples (17)
Hunker (17)
Mortlock (16)
99Theriay, Ryckman, Busenius, Lewington, becker and Jensen are locks in my mind. That leaves two spots for five guys. Mortlock will most likely be reassigned to midget, he's going to be a good player but not quite ready yet. Have only seen the other four in one game but it looks like there are going to be some real tough decisions to made in the next couple of weeks.
Anonymous said...
I expect a 03-09-1992 to be traded to The Tigers real soon. That will fill the 20 year old void currently missing in our lineup.
Just remember, you heard it here first.
Signed , Inside Scoop
September 7, 2012 4:16 PM
Seems my statement on the 7th of September has come to fruition.I mentioned this in the Intrasquad post. If you look up Derek Ryckman's birth date, you will see it matches the birth date I quoted previously, whom I said would be joining the Tigers real soon.
Great to see Becker played well last night. But, let's not get too excited. Although his efforts didn't go unnoticed..As the REAL games don't start for a bit; and when they do. It will mean shooting lanes get shut down, because players are willing to put their bodies in the line of fire.
Congrats to all the players who have been kept til now.
Signed, Inside Scoop
Like that we brought in a big stay at home Dman. It was a great move. Wow, suddenly this team is looking fantastic! Really well rounded, young but I would not say weak! Also, I like that our average size is a lot bigger, without giving up our small fast guys! There will not be as much pushing around of our little guys this year and it will hopefully take pressure off Kessey having to be the sole enforcer!
I have not heard of Ryckman, do not remember him playing in Lethbridge. He seems big but does anyone have any info as to if he is a good player? On paper he seems to add to the team, just wondering if anyone recalls if his play backs that up?
Now I don't want to take the air out of our tires from last night; but here are the facts:
Lethbridge dressed 6 @ 96 born players, 8 @ 95, 5 @ 94, 3 @ 93 and no 92's.
We dressed 3 @ 96,4@95,5@94,7@93, and 12 92. That is a huge difference. We also had an 93 and a 94 in net. Lethbridge had 94 and a 95 in their net.
That should give you an idea of what the game really looked like.
Signed, Inside Scoop
What are the chances of Owre making the team?
Stan why would we keep an older defence when we are trying to get younger no matter how good we think we are Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Brandon and Edmonton are stacked this year and will dominate in the playoffs especially if there is a lockout if you move Busenius you can rotate in another 17 year old and build this team and could also pick up a good prospect and picks for him, its like moving Reid last year look at what we got in return a huge upside in that trade
Randy, because it's junior hockey and first year 17 year old defensemen will get their experience the same way the older players did before them...with two-three man rotations and healthy scratches as they break into the major junior ranks. I'd expect eventually a top pair of Theriau (once healthy) with Ryckman, a second pair of Busenius and Lewington and a 3rd pair of Becker and Jensen with young guys Stanton and Hansen getting into 40 or so games due to injuries and games against non-divisional opponents. Lastly, with regards to opposition "teams that are stacked this year," that's all the more reason to take an older roster as ultimately junior hockey is a business and by being competitive annually it allows the team to play more playoff games, selling more tickets and making more money
Inside Scoop I completely missed that...I was on vacation and skimmed over the 80+ comments too quickly. I'm impressed, but perhaps email me next time?
Also I'm more impressed by Becker's sound defensive play. Becker does like to shoot from the point and make contact rather than just blasting away a shot.
while I doubt he will come close to being anywhere near the scoring race for Dman I think he may score a few more points than expected as he may turn out to be more of a 2 way defenseman than a stay-at-home guy I thought he was.
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Longtimefan you are right.
Stanton being a rookie isn't a lock, but rather a likely candidate to have one of those spots.
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Also stan is right on the money......couldn't have said it better.
Their might be a chance something happens at the trade deadline looking at next years overagers but their are a few conditions that need to happen.
The Tigers have also stated that Busenius is their #1 D guy
Hector you are wrong, wrong, wrong about Hunter! He will be a top pick and maturity will take care of the rest. Don't give up so quick on a kid who is still only 17!!!
I think invisible is a bit of an overstatement when he had 4 points. You have high expectations if 4 points in invisible. Please, try to be somewhat realistic.
It is so odd, when we have a good player like Hunter, suddenly there are jealous, disgruntled or unhinged fans who feel the need to pick him apart. I just do not get it. I just do not understand why?!?! He gets dragged thru the dirt for having done well on a line with Etem, what would you have preferred? Should he have requested to play on another line? Should it be held against you that you did well with another good player? I do not understand!!! No one has commented on how few points the other forward on that line got playing its Etem. No, this player is held in high regard. No doubt, his few points were because of a talented line. Why the double standard? It is kinda sickening that when we get a good play morons feel the need to tear him down. Can you not just enjoy that we have a talented 17 year old kid on the team who was talented enough to play well with Etem and reap the rewards from that. And showed, with 4 points, that he has come this year with a winning mindset? Why do people just want to complain?????? Sad really!
"Hunter is a good player but he played against 16 and 17 year olds" I'm wondering if you actually read that comment before hitting the send button. He scored 47 goals last year playing against the leagues best players night in and night out did he not, or do you have a breakdown of the age of the players that were on the ice for each of his goals. And heres a news flash, Etem, Shinkaruk and Bredo played most of last year against all of the opposing teams best defence pairing for the most part and did fairly well in spite of it.
You are really going to judge him on one game against 16 and 17 year olds to prove you point ignoring the fact got got 49 goals against the best defencive lines last year?!?! Shake your head you eyes are stuck!!!
The real test will be when Hunter plays the top teams in the league; and he doesnt have Etem drawing one or more defenders with him, leaving Hunter wide open.Hunter is a very good player, and can score.. just not sure without Etem that he will score 49 or more goals again this year. I hope I'm wrong.
It will be interesting to see what people think of Bredo, when the regular season starts up.
As for Ryckman, he wasn't picked up to protect Hunter. that will be Doty's job, as well as Kessy. Ryckman, was picked up because Theriau will still be out for a while, and we need that experience back there.
Signed, Inside Scoop
Speaking of Doty, if the league carries on with the pattern so far he will most likely get two to four games for his hit on Sunday. Curious to hear which sixteen year olds people think will stay. Personally I'm hoping Steven Owre sticks. Think he's going to be a dynamic player in the not to distant future.
Just deleted a bunch of comments.
I like reading the discussion when its hockey talke but ragging on Hunter Shinkaruk and posting as other people ain't cool bro.
Thank you, very pretty bad!!
not sure why you think guys are being traded bla bla bla by people who have no clue..... look at the TEAM the tigers had in the last cup run in 06-07 . I think we have the makings of something real good. and they will be .
Doty has never been suspended before and the check was shoulder to shoulder he shouldnt even be suspended
Comments are back on moderation mode.
i know you can see this and they will stay on moderation mode because i will check every day and make sure and if it isnt on then i get to post my opinion (i know a heart breaker) and if it is on you gotta go through every day to check which ones aloud thus lowering people coming here to see what the news is because you wont be on all the time HAHAHAHAHAHA I WIN!
I agree. I do not think there will be many trades! I love this team. I love the size while keeping true with our small speedy forwards. I love that our leading scorer is young. I love Valk's look already, stepping up and will have a big year. I love Koules, think him and Hunter will make some magic out there. I like Boston's game at the end of the year and he seems to be keeping it up. I really like the dmen. Young good guys. I like Ryckman and Doty in the line up for size and enforcement. I also love that we have a stay at home reliable dman in Ryckman. I thought the goaltending looked good, a bit of nerves showing, but good potential and a solid duo regardless of who we go with. I think we are in for a good year. I see some bumps along the way because we are young but I think it will be exciting! I can not wait to get going! Come on Sept 20!
I heard rumblings that Valk is a potential for captain. He apparently has really taken a leadership role in the dressing room and is very vocal on and off the ice. Good for Valk! Nice to see! Also nice to hear a MH kid is in the mix!!!
Section5/Hecter
I was going to leave your stuff on here....because for the most part it was hockey talk...I decided to delete it because you were copying other peoples handles and agreeing with yourself.
Valk is a great kid.
if the tigers want to get this right they need to move Dieno and Bredo to give ice time to the younger players like Broadhead ,Cox,Owre and Penner.
Dieno I could see, Bredo no way is he going anywhere
I think Bredo is a lock on staying. We have lots of fire power so Bredo does not need to produce, he just needs to kill penalties! Dieno did not tally much last year and I think we have young guys who could fill that role. It is too bad as Dieno is very talented, too bad he was not with the Tigers sooner!
Doty received two games for his hit on Sunday.
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