June 28, 2010 newsletter now ready

Updated Top 100 list as well as interviews with some of the top kids from Alberta and a top 5 prospect from BC.

10 point night for Rourke Chartier

The Winnipeg North American AAA Hockey Classic got underway last night with 4 contests.

First of all the powerhouse Saskatoon Jr. Blades blasted Team Torspo 15-2. Rourke Chartier led the way with 5-5-10, while Dawson Leedahl chipped in with 4-3-7 in the contest. Top 10 candidate Kolten Olynek was fairly quite with just 1-0-1.

The Calgary Jr. Flames cruised by the Minnesota Legacy 9-3. Leading the way for the Jr. Flames was the line of Quennville, Point and Wong. Point had 2-4-6, Wong 3-2-5 and Quennville 0-4-4. Reid Duke had 1-3-4 while recently added to the roster, Riley Simpson had a pair of goals.

The Vancouver Selects easily beat a decent team in the Saskatchewan Hustlin' Huskies by a score of 8-2. Landyn Hickmott scored a hat trick, Chris Seto scored a pair and Jake Virtanen picked up 2-1-3.

Finally, in the best matchup of the night, the SPI team from Vancouver defeated the Manitoba Jr. Jets 4-1. Tyler Sandhu led the way with a pair of goals, the lone goal for the Jr. Jets was scored by Dane Schioler.

Jayce Hawryluk

Jr. Flames coach Grant Point interview on the eve of the NA Classic

Grant, you are coaching arguably the top summer team in western Canada right now. Which players are leading the way and who looks to be someone to watch moving forward?
The reason I believe we have good results is due to the commitment all our players we have had many guys attend practices coming hundreds of miles I think that has been a big reason. I also tried to recruit players who have a passion for the game and guys willing to work every time out.The Line of Point Wong and Quenville have been very strong on both ends this year. Reid Duke and Alex Mowbray have been also out standing up front. We have had great pk work from Butcher and O connor and Mucullough has also been great in all areas. I have really liked the play from Hicketts and Van Horne and Jake Dube has been so underated he is awesome for us. Gonek has relley given us a physical edge we had been looking for.
The North American AAA Hockey Classic is fast approaching this weekend. Which teams do you feel will pose the biggest threat? Your team and Saskatoon have met in a pair of finals, anyone else who could perhaps knock your team or the Junior Blades off?
The team I really like is the Van Selects this is a team with nice speed, great transition solid defence and exellent goaltending I look for them to show well. Minn Legacy may be a wild card they have some skill guys so they will not be taken lightly. Our team and myself have a great respect for the Blades alot of these guys have been battling each other over the last 7 Springs so we know them well and have the utmost respect for them as a team. They are always tough. SPI is another team I do not over look they are a very good group of players and if they mesh they can be dangerous. The Huskies are also a hard woking group that could surprise. Lastly the host team JR Jets are a very good team we played them in Notre Dame and it was a great game well coached and fast.
Which players have impressed you the most this summer from opposition teams?
There are so many great players out there I hate to miss anyone but against us Olynek has been very good as has Warkintine Chartier The Blades Goalies have also been Great. Thrower on SPI looks good on Defence I think Skapski and Bamford Were good against us Shandhu is a very skilled player Tanner MacMaster Played well against us as well as did Connor Bleakly both guys are top end players.
Your son Brayden is thought to be perhaps the most skilled player in western Canada in his age group. What are Brayden's plans heading into next season and beyond?
Brayden will continue to work on his gamethis summer. Brayden has always had a great work ethic that will hopefully be seen this season. Brayden is going to play a tournament over seas so that should be a great event. I think 4 to 6 weeks off the skates and working on core and strength should help and alot of rest. Brayden has played over 100 games this year so a rest is over due. Brayden like every kid wants to play at the highest level possible so if he has a good year and is selected in the WHL Draft he would follow that route. If not there are always other roads to further yourself as a player. Brayden hopes to be a WHL player.
Thank you

June 14, 2010 newsletter is now ready

Please see above for which option of donation fits you the best. This edition will include a comprehensive look at the North American AAA Hockey Classic which takes place in Winnipeg this weekend. We will have an updated Top 100 list once again as well as our normal series of interviews with some of the top prospects.

Vancouver Selects Blue suffer blow before Subway Classic

The Vancouver Selects Blue will have to do without one of their key performers in Winnipeg at the Subway Classic. Francis Bamford suffered a separated shoulder last weekend. Francis will see a physiotherapist early next week to determine the extent of the injury. More will be know at that time. It is not believed to be serious.

Portage La Praire forward Aaron Dupasquier a diamond in the rough?

Aaron, tell us how your winter hockey season went?

My winter season went well we probably accomplished something no other team in portage la praire will do for a while. We finished first in our league and finished second at provincials. I not playing summer hockey this summer im training( weights, dryland, etc...) so that i can make a good impression at the AAA Midget Pembina Valley Hawks tryouts in september.

What are you strengths as a hockey player right now?

At this point my biggest strengths are my shooting, so hands, i can skate and i know both ends of the rink.

What do you feel you need to work on moving forward?

I need to work on getting stronger so i can win more battles in the corners and all over the ice.

Who has been the biggest influence thus far in your hockey career?

I'd say te biggest influence so far has been my dad.

what is your goal for the 2010-2011 winter hockey season?

My goal is to make the AAA Midget Pembina Valley Hawks this season. If i don't make it more likel i will be playing for the Central Plains Midget city Jr. Capitals.

Which hockey peer, team mate or opposition do you respect the most?

I probably respect my friend and captain from last year Johl Swedlo the most right now. The reason for this is because when we both went to Portage for minor hockey we were both new and didn't really know anyone. The year before we had played AAA durng the summer together. So hes the one that i mostly know. So we are really good friends and we play on the same line so if either one of us screws up we are not afraid to tell each other what we did wrong.

Well best of luck next year Aaron.

Thank you.

Abbotsford looks to be a power-house next season

In one of our many features leading up to the 2010-2011 season, we look at why the Abbotsford Bantam A1 Hawks will challenge for the PCAHA title next season.

Last season, the Abbotsford Hawks were a very average team in the A1-T1 or otherwise known as the top bantam league in BC. They were 8-8-2 in league play, scored 53, allowed 56...very average. However, it should be noted that the team was led by 8 rookies, which was half of the team essentially. Of those 8 rookies, Francis Bamford, Jake Virtanen, Mitch Skapski all play forward and Kyle Baron on defence were all key players as first year kids for the team. Add in Matthew Painchaud who is coming over and it is apparent that Abbotsford will challenge the big boys- North Shore and BWC for the PCAHA A1-TI title next season.

K of C Dman Patrick Carlin looks to make the leap

We had a chance to sit down with K of C Squires defenceman Patrik Carlin today. Patrick is a 5'11 160lb defenceman who is definitely on the rise out of the Edmonton area and he had this to say today in an interview.

Tell us a bit about your 09-10 Winter season and where you are playing your summer hockey? How is your summer season progressing?

The seasson went great i inproved hugely and becam 100% more confident, this summer i am doing a cuple power skateing camps and working out hard, i want to be a in good shape for next sesson the WHL draft is my huge goal.

What are your biggest strengths as a player at this point?

I am a great passer, and i have good ability to read the game, my shot is good, and i can use the body with my height.

What do you feel you need to work on to continue to progress in your hockey career?

Keep going 110% and work on the little things, play simple hockey, and keep working on my legs

Who has been the biggest influence in your hockey career thus far?

I would say my peewee 1 coach jerome radawets, he worked with me to to be able to play at high levels and ive grown ever sence and now im on my way

What is your goal for the up coming 10-11 Winter season and where will you be playing your hockey?

I would say to be a leader on my team some one my teamates can look up to and just be a hard working guy that does what his teams needs him to do, and put up points and be physical, and im hopeing to make Alberta Cup and My biggest goal is the 2011 WHL draft

Which player amongst your peers do you respect the most right now and why?

Brett Zarowny, He was my goalie this year he went 45th over all in the WHL draft this year and hes just a great guy not cocky or anything like that easy to get along with big leader in the dressing room, and he gives everyone the confidence they need and a all around great guy

Wish you all the best in your training and winter season Patrik.

Thank you

Saskatoon Jr. Blades receive major boost

The Saskatoon Junior Blades will head to Winnipeg for the Winnipeg Subway Classic tournament with a new defenceman. Ryan Pilon will join the summer hockey squad and becomes quite likely the top defenceman on the team immediately. This should give Saskatoon a good shot of once again making a 3rd consecutive team final in a major summer tournament. Ryan Pilon, last year, played bantam hockey with the Alex Forsberg led Warman Wildcats. He compiled 4 goals, 9 assists for 13 points in just 18 league games. Pilon is projected by us in our latest rankings as a first rounder. We will have an interview with Ryan in our next newsletter which comes out on June 14th.

Josh Blanchard

Josh Blanchard was hidden in obscurity until the recent Challenge Cup in Richmond/Vancouver. He sure opened our eyes with his summer team the BC Interior Selects. Josh played his winter hockey in Kelowna. He is definitely on the rise right now and will be someone to watch as he continues to raise the level of his game.

Tyler Wong on the rise

Tyler Wong is fresh off a tremendous performance at the Challenge Cup in Richmond/Vancouver. In that tournament, he solidified himself as a bonified top end prospect. He was one of the leaders in scoring scoring, crashed and banged all tournament long with his stocky frame and really kept pace with all the top players in the tournament. We have taken notice of Tyler and have since moved him in to the first round of the WHL draft rankings in our latest issue of the newsletter.