Thursday, December 9, 2010

Team East wins Prospects Games

Press Release

Imagine being evaluated and scrutinized every time you carry out a task at work. Or home.

That’s exactly what five members of the MJHL experienced after playing in the CJHL’s Prospects Games. All their moves, passes, hits and shots were watched by dozens of scouts who were in attendance at Dauphin’s Credit Union Centre.

Despite losing 7-1 Wednesday night to Team East, the MJHLers who suited up for Team West said the experience was unbelievable. Team East won the two-game, total-goal series 9-2.

“It was good, fast paced hockey,” said Dauphin King forward Mitch Van Teeling, who assisted on Team West’s lone goal.

“Team East was a very good hockey club.”

Van Teeling was joined by MJHLers Shane Gingera (Saints), TJ Constant (OCN), Brent Wold (Terriers) and goaltender Jason Kasdorf (Terriers), who was named outstanding player for Team West in Game One.

Bringing together some of the top NHL Prospects meant that both teams were in for a pair of games full of hard work and determination - which meant that there was no room for nerves to set in.

“Obviously there were a bit of nerves…playing in front of scouts, so it took a couple of shifts to get out the nerves,” said Van Teeling. “But you know why you’re there—to play as hard as possible.”

Team West teammate Shane Gingera shared similar sentiments.

“It was tough to get used to the speed and fast play at first, but you just adapt,” he said. “You just play how you play and make smart plays during the game.”

Gingera, a first time member of Team West had reality set in when he finally got to don the Team Canada jersey.

“Ya, it was really fun and felt good to finally feel that,” he says of his mindset after putting on the jersey.

Van Teeling, on the other hand, who has had several opportunities playing on the national stage, was well prepared for the challenges of the game.

“It was pretty similar…it’s younger, but it’s basically the same in terms of speed and tempo,” he says of the game’s comparisons to the recent Junior A Challenge.

Van Teeling also had the luxury of playing in front of a home-town crowd; something that nobody else in the competition got to experience.

“Yes for sure,” he says of whether it was more comfortable playing at home, “especially with the coaching staff…you know what you’re getting into when them on the bench. Plus, I didn’t have to travel so that was nice too.”

EXTRA POINTS: Dauphin Kings' Landon Hall was a last-second injury replacement for Game 2. He replaced Michael King of the BCHL's Westside Warriors.



(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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