Perhaps a little past due, as the WHL season came to a close a couple of weeks ago, but here's my final input on Ned in his '04 - '05 campaign.
Ned missed only one game due to a controversial healthy scratch, so he made the lineup 71 times this year, recording 18 goals, 28 assists, for 46 points and 52 penalty minutes. Also Ned was a -10 with 6 PPG and 3 shorthanded. After the season the team held an awards ceremony, where the coaches were very high on him, saying that whenever he's on the ice the opposition's defense has to back off, and that this presence opens up opportunities for the rest of the team, and that they hope that next year this opens up more chances for Ned.
Talking to Ned after the ceremony, he says he's happy to be a Kings product, and that he hopes he can impress the staff even more at the next camp. Beware though, Ned's a shy guy, he's very fan friendly, but you have to get to know him a little to get his sense of humor and understand that he's really a shy guy.
An update on the Chiefs: They fired Al Conroy (head coach) so maybe we can get him more playing time next year. I hear they want to put him on a line with highly talented prospect Drayson Bowman, who projects as a first rounder in '07. Looks like the franchise may hit a U-turn, so be on the lookout for him and perhaps more posts from me next season.
