I find that zone teams rarely end up with the best possible team. I understand the team selection format, but I don't like the idea of one weekend to select a team. Zone 3 has a strong defence and Ritchie probably didn't quite deserve to be on that team I think hehas massive potential.
10. Ty Ronning (RW) - Burnaby Winter Club 5'7" 140lbs
'Maybe the best habits of any forward in this draft', '...has work ethic like his father, and maybe more skill'
I thought he was the player of the tournament at Westerns. He has tremendous hands and vision. He is also effective on the forecheck, taking good angles and closing the gap. He uses his quickness and effectively stick work to come out of battles with the puck. I don't forsee his size being an issue in the near future.
Ronning is a very good player and had a great westerns but top ten is a little overrated for him he will go in the 2nd or 3rd round you have guys like gawdin and Morrison who don't make your top 10 forwards list but will both go top 10 in the entire draft but for the most part it is some what accurate but a little suspect
Alot of pressure on these kids at a young age. Did any of us know what we wanted in our future at 14/15.The draft needs to move to 15/16.Great comments and suggestions by everyone. As far as Barzal I watched him at BC Cup this weekend and many,many others played on par and with heart.There are pros who get engulfed by their press so you can imagine a 15 yr old.All you can hope is his parents have perspective to guide properly.Thanks West Kelowna and BC Hockey for a great weekend.
Alot of pressure on these kids at a young age. Did any of us know what we wanted in our future at 14/15.The draft needs to move to 15/16.Great comments and suggestions by everyone. As far as Barzal I watched him at BC Cup this weekend and many,many others played on par and with heart.There are pros who get engulfed by their press so you can imagine a 15 yr old.All you can hope is his parents have perspective to guide properly.Thanks West Kelowna and BC Hockey for a great weekend.
Good post. I agree with a later draft date. Not only from a psychological perspective, but also from the perspective of WHL teams. The Bantam draft is far from telling in the long run. I guess it is good that not being drafted isn't too much of a hindrance.
What about Jake Fletcher from Semiamhoo. He fast strong and skilled. Could work on his positioning a bit, but a good all around player. I think he is more noticeable than Matt Bradley. Also dont take your eyes off Glenn Gawdin.
I missed the last game on Friday and all the games on Saturday due to Easter celebrations, but I will give updates on the at least the gold medal game tomorrow.
Game 7: Manitoba vs Alberta (6-1 Alberta win)
Game 8: BC vs Host (5-0 BC win)
Game 9: Manitoba vs Saskatchewan (7-2 Manitoba win)
Game 10: BC vs Alberta (4-3 BC win)
Bronze Medal Game: Saskatchewan (4th) vs Manitoba (3rd)
Gold Medal Game: BC (1st) vs Manitoba (2nd)
Wow. Thanks for the great updates on these games. I was going to attend some of it but was just too busy, life got in the way.
My youngest daughter goes to school and is friends with Quinn Greenly of the SSAC. I was wondering what (if anything) you thought about him and his chances of being drafted in the whl bantam draft.
Quinn benefitted and suffered playing on the same line with 2 of the best Bantam players in western Canada. Sort of like being on a line with Gretzky and Kurri – you are never appreciated for your own merits and skills. Hopefully he isn't put on a line with Estephan for AB Cup. It would be nice to see him perform on his own.
I rarely come into the WHL threads (and I rarely watch Western prospects) but I saw a kid named Jordan Kawaguchi and was pretty impressed. I came in and looked at the mock drafts a couple guys posted and was surprised this kid isn't considered top 5. Is this meant to be a really strong draft or did I just happen to catch him on a really good day?
By the time he plays in the WHL, he will be at least 6'0" and 170 lbs which is bigger than a lot of forwards in the league. As far as skating you have to remember, Brendan Ranford wasn't the best skater in AMBHL either and he has had a pretty good WHL career. The next closest player (other than Benson) in points is Merkley, who is 27 points back and he plays with the very talented Shmyr. SSAC wouldn't be in first place without Estephan. Estephan will be picked in the top 10 in this year's Bantam Draft and will one day be in the top 20 in WHL scoring. I have guessed wrong before, only time will tell.
Wrong before Id say you were the guy that said Brayden Point Wouldnt get drafted in first three rounds last year look at him now id say wrong before
Wow. Thanks for the great updates on these games. I was going to attend some of it but was just too busy, life got in the way.
My youngest daughter goes to school and is friends with Quinn Greenly of the SSAC. I was wondering what (if anything) you thought about him and his chances of being drafted in the whl bantam draft.
Thanks.
Like another poster stated he benefits from playing on a line with two exceptional players (Estephan and Benson). That being said, he fits in well. He has good hockey IQ and moves the puck quickly and smartly. He is pretty small and struggles at times battling in corners with stronger dmen. I think he has a good chance of being drafted albeit probably not until the late rounds (probably 8th or later).
Kawaguchi is a good player. Do not think he will grow anymore and is only about 5'7. He does not play a speed game, and as a small player that will inpact his effectiveness in the dub.
Wrong before Id say you were the guy that said Brayden Point Wouldnt get drafted in first three rounds last year look at him now id say wrong before
Oh well. Even the guys that get paid to evaluate players make mistakes. I'm sure I'll make mistakes again but you'll know that as you seem to be tracking them.
Are you allowed to draft players from the us? And jw why Estephan has dropped so far. He's a great player and puts up points like not many other people can. And as for dmen, Kellogg is questionable in mind. I wouldn't take him just for his size and strength, he just doesn't have anything between the ears. I don't think he's with it. Kinda risky.
The NHL is also talking about moving their draft back a year.
Hate to drudge up an old comment but I came across this in the thread. They can think about it all they want, but they would have to change canadian law to do so. The supreme court in Canada ruled that it is illegal to tell an 18 year old adult that they cannot work as a professional. Thus the draft stays at 18 for the foreseeable future. (If even they managed to change the law it would likely lose on appeal on the grounds that it also violates canada's constitution. But that's just my interpretation, I am not a Canadian supreme court judge.)
