Saturday, September 17, 2011

PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

Press Release

Trying to do Power Rankings in the middle of the season can be a daunting task when you have seven teams within five points of one another, so you can imagine how tough it is to do Power Rankings before anyone has ever played a game.

Nevertheless, in the interest of generating some water cooler talk and because my inbox hasn't been filled with a whole lot of hate mail lately, I'm going to take a stab at the Power Rankings before anyone has ever played a game. Generally, the coaches that see their teams near the top at the start of the year are ones that don't send me a Christmas present because it means expectations must be high. On the other hand, coaches don't like to see themselves near the bottom either because it means we've written them off already! Still, someone has to be first and someone has to be last. But, I can honestly say I had a difficult time slotting teams 3-through-12.

In short, I don't see any one team running away with things and there will not be a whipping boy either. I think as many as six teams could occupy the number one spot at some point during the season and it wouldn't surprise me if six others took turns at number twelve. Once again, parity is the theme of the day.

Here goes nothing:

1-HUMBOLDT BRONCOS

The RBC Cup hosts are an easy pick to be first in the preseason rankings. It only figures to reason they will be one of the top two or three teams in the league by the end of the year and they are probably going to be quite strong out of the gate too. Losing Deven Dubyk to the Moose Jaw Warriors takes away that kingpin goalie they were seeking, so the job could fall to second year man Matt Hrynkiw. Josh Roach should be the most offensive defenseman in the league this year and Andrew Johnston looks like a shoe-in for 30 goals and could score as many as 50 if things go his way.

2-MELVILLE MILLIONAIRES
Sometimes it pays to be patient and the Mils, by dealing Brayden Metz and Cody Hanson last year, are about to see if patience pays off. The addition of Jesse Mireau, Sean Aschim, and Lee Christensen as future considerations from Melfort will make a strong team that much tougher. Remember, the Mils didn't lose a regulation time game in the first round playoff series loss against Estevan and they return just about every single key player from last year in addition to some promising rookies. The jury is still out on the goaltending, but if they get quality puckstopping they could easily be ranked #1.

3-WEYBURN RED WINGS
Here's where it gets a lot tougher to slot the teams. The Red Wings get third because I think they have the best goalie in the league (Mitch Kilgore), as well as a veteran defense led by the likes of Dylan Coupal, Ryan Whitell, and Braden Kmita. I'm not sure how much they'll score after Jesse Ross, Coltyn Sanderson, and Keegan Bruce. Newcomers to watch up front include Trent Hermary, who seems to have a knack of playing on winning teams, and Jack Kennelly, who fired five goals in five preseason games.

4-ESTEVAN BRUINS
Every year I say I like the Bruins and every year they end up disappointing me. Still, I'm picking them again as a darkhorse despite the massive turnover. New head coach Keith Cassidy is a proven winner with two MJHL franchises and he, along with Rick Oakes, has done a remarkable job recruiting some fine young talent. Rookies Tanner Froese and Matt Brykaliuk are already being considered for the World Junior A Challenge. Jesse Bernard had 39-goals in 44-games in the Manitoba Midget 'AAA' Hockey League. 20-year-old Derek Whitehill shouldn't have any trouble adjusting and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him near the top of the scoring parade. They still have veterans Dylan Smith and Calder Neufeld to help up front, as well as three capable goaltenders. Defense could be a question mark, but Cassidy says he recruited based on character first and talent second. Judging by the calibre of talent, these guys must be a real nice group to work with.

5-YORKTON TERRIERS
They sold the farm last year to try and win a championship. They came within a game and yet the cupboard isn't exactly bare going into 2011-12. Zak Majkowski and Brent Struble should lead in the scoring department and Devon McMullen has a full year under his belt on the blueline. Warren Shymko showed during stretches last season that he is ready to assume a number one goaltender role. Depth is a question mark up front as they'll need big steps forward from the likes of Riley Paterson, Brenden Poncelet, and Nathan Murray. Can Jeremy Johnson take his PJHL scoring prowess to the SJHL? Will rookie blueliners Chase and Brady Norrish have a smooth transition from the midget ranks?

6-LA RONGE ICE WOLVES
Odds are very much against the Ice Wolves winning a third straight SJHL championship, still you can't write off a Bob Beatty coached hockey team at any time. Even if they are short on talent, they'll be long on effort and a real pain in the you-know-what to play against. Surprise losses in Rhyse Dieno, Justin Ducharme, Byron Sorensen, Phillipe Cliche, and Michael Verret will definitely hurt. Hopefully, Myles Hovdebo can step up after a very promising rookie season as the back-up goaltender. He may face a lot of rubber with just two veteran returning defensemen in front of him. In the event Hovdebo isn't the workhorse, former major junior goalie Alex Rajotte was added in the offseason. Skyler Hladun and Aaron Enns are the most notable returning forwards. Talented scoring defenseman David Greyeyes is going to give it a go after missing two years because of injuries.

7-BATTLEFORDS NORTH STARS

The unexpected resignation of head coach Ken Pearson means new coach Kevin Hasselberg doesn't have a lot of time to put his own stamp on the club. Still, there are a few tools to work with here. Netminder Graham Hildebrand is finally out from the shadow of Kyle Birch and it wouldn't be a surprise if he emerged as one of the SJHL's best in the crease this year. Forward Blake Tatchell might be the most exciting player in the league. Kyle Hall had 22 goals as a rookie and he'll get more of a role. A full season from Brett Miller, who was injured last year, and Braeden Johnson, who toiled in the WHL, will help too. Defense is a question mark and Woody Klassen may be relied on heavily.

8-NIPAWIN HAWKS
How can you not cheer for the Hawks? Head coach Doug Johnson is one of the nicest gentlemen in the SJHL and he, clearly, has the best interests of the players at heart as he put his own self serving needs aside to find a home for Eli Lichtenwald in the USHL. Once again, it will be the younger players that will be the most fun to watch. Tad Kozun was a major scoring threat with the well-respected Prince Albert Mintos program. Dustin Skilliter is captain material and he also had real good offensive numbers in Yorkton with the Midget 'AAA' Harvest. Alex Laird, acquired from the Terriers in the Brant Remenda trade, will also get quality ice time right away. Johnson is showing a lot of confidence in second year goalie Stephen Klein, who enjoyed a major bump in quality of play at the midget level in his second year, so similar things are hoped from him in the junior ranks.

9-KINDERSLEY KLIPPERS

The Klippers were loaded for a championship run last season, but fell short. This year looks like one of transition, although Taylor Duzan should provide plenty of thrills for the hometown fans in his final year. Duzan got buried with the influx of offensive talent added to the team last year, but he was clearly missed at the end of the season when he was dogged by injury. Nevertheless, he still scored 27 goals and will be good for 30 this year, minimum. D Jay McGrath was impressive as an 18-year-old and he'll get more ice time this season. There are some prominent players still in WHL camps, which could impact the Klippers' ranking. Two years ago, the goaltending was turned over to 17-year-old rookie Josh Thorimbert and he was very impressive. This year, another rookie, 18-year-old Patrick Johnson may get a similar opportunity.

10-NOTRE DAME HOUNDS
Head coach Kevin White was dealt a tough hand last year when he was named to the position long after the recruiting season was over. Still, the Hounds were competitive on most nights and they could surprise this year if Matthew Smidt can find his rookie form of two years ago. Remember, he and Russell Abbott rotated starts once upon a time. The defense is full of veterans, led by Carson Grolla. The one rookie on board, Brandon Kuse, was a top defenseman at the Mac's Tournament last year. Todd Christian and Ben Morgan are back to lead the offense, but don't be surprised to see the likes of Dillon Schwartzenberger, Ryan Fitzgerald, and Dayton Shaw on the scoresheet too.

11-FLIN FLON BOMBERS
They are young. Everywhere. And, while the Bombers get a low ranking, don't assume this is a sinking ship. In fact, quite the opposite. The only real major question mark is in goal where a couple of unproven netminders in Devin Buffalo and Andy Desaultels will be given the reins to start. Lots of reasons to be excited about Cole McCaig, a top Manitoba Midget 'AAA' Hockey League scorer as well as second year man Dillon McCombie, who's still just 17. Tanner Eberle may filter back from the WHL, and more will be asked from Jesse Mychan and Riley Storzuk. Big Jay Young could be a real presence and defenseman Gabe Minville bolsters the blueline coming over in the Johnston trade with Humboldt.

12-MELFORT MUSTANGS
The roster was stripped by Melville at the end of the year with Aschim, Mireau, and Christensen being the price paid for Metz and Hanson. Spencer Mault was dealt to Grande Prairie, and several leader types have graduated. Jesse Ehnisz, who put up excellent numbers last year behind workhorse Charles Corsi, gets a crack at being the number one goalie. He'll get some help in the form of Mitch and Carter Berg as well as Brett Kipling on the blueline. Still, it gets thin after that. Adam Wihak and his 19 goals leads the offense, with fine looking rookie Landon Belchamber headlining the first year crop. Speaking of rookies, this is the first head coaching stint for Gavin Holcomb and he'll get an opportunity right away to put his own stamp on the team with this rebuilding effort.

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

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