salostyle
10-05-2003, 09:36 AM
The Lethbridge Hurricanes would be in first place in the league after the first weekend in October. Seriously did any of you expect this...i know i sure didn't but they are.
A couple things come to mind when i think of reasons;
1) Mikko Makkela = Don't kid yourself this guy is a great and knows how to get the most out of all his players, especially the young guys. He has been playing 17 year olds on the PP, PK, in tight games and in overtime, the confidence he has shown in them has worked wonders and they are leading the team. Mikko also had the players work through an intense off-season routine and no one benefited from this physcial torture than overage defenseman Clay Plume.
2) Clay Plume = A completely different hockey player than in years past. Looks twenty pounds lighter and resembles a bean pole but it is mostly muscle and his weight has hardly changed this year. He is faster than ever and is consistently putting points on the board, his leadership and physical dimensions can not be overlooked. The fact that we don't have another overage player as of today makes Clay one of the most important assets to this otherwise young team.
3) The Youth Movement = After seeing Jeremy Jackson, Mike Wirll, and even Kris Calloway leave the 'Canes after last year...a lot of fans, season ticket holders and members of the media including myself were less than optimistic about this season, some even considered it the start to rebuilding the franchise. However a pair of 17 year olds, John Lammers and Kris Versteeg have stepped up and turned this team into a competitor. Colton Yellowhorn, Micheal Kaye, and Kenny Petkau, a trio of 16 year old forwards, add to the youth surge, the offense, and our future. These kids have been huge for the 'Canes so far and this can be thought of as a appreciation thread for them.
4) Brian Harris = Likely the most pleasant surprise thus far for the 'Canes. A small illusive 19 year old center in the mold of Martin St. Louis, Harris came to Lethbridge from the BCHL. With him he brought a knack for the net and apparent leadership, Makkela is definitely a fan of Harris as he has been one of the go to guys when the going gets tough. Harris has showed signs of brilliance on a line with fellow 19 year old vets Brett O'Malley and Nick Tarnasky.
5) The pluggers exceed expectations = A month into the season and the role players of the 'Canes continue to set an example for their younger teammates. Players like Brett O'Malley, Braden Appelby, Jon Cara, Nick Tarnasky and Tyrell Lucas have chipped in point production but it is their work ethic that seems to have the biggest influence on the youngsters.
6) The Defense = To some it up in one word....SOLID. Led by Brent Seabrook (18), Clay Plume (20), and Andy Thompson (19) our defense was expected to be our strong point but with the emergence of Ryan Mayko (19) and Michal Gulasi (17), acquired in this years CHL Entry Draft, the 'Canes have a solid top 5. Shawn Mezei (19) has been injured since the preseason but is expected to fill the role of the 6th d-man. Until then rookies RJ LaRouchelle (16) and Chase Hnetiuk (16) will take turns filling the gap.
7) The Euro Invasion = Patrik Valcak (18), a fourth round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2003, was our first pick in this year's CHL entry draft. He stayed in Boston longer than most expected and missed the start of the year, he is a bigger forward but has yet to really impress me with his skill or determination to succeed. However our other pick in this year's CHL entry draft has been more than a pleasant surprise. 17 year old d-man, Michal Gulasi is everything you want in a defenseman...smooth skating, a nice passer, smart, strong and very physical, exciting to watch, hard working, and decent at both ends of the rink. He promises to be a keeper.
8) Guess Who's Back = DJ King (19) was with the St. Louis Blues up until last week but now he's back in Lethbridge and is picking up right where he left off last year. King combines pure size and strength with fairly good hands and speed to create a dominant power forward in the WHL. DJ will be one that coach Makkela will look to for consistant effort and leadership but also consistent offense.
9) Last but not least...the Tenders = In my opinion Lethbridge is sporting one of the best goaltending tandems in the WHL barring injury. The stalwart in our pipes is Detroit Red Wing prospect, Logan Koopmans. "Koops" (19) has had a rough go about the last couple seasons, suffering groin and knee injuries, but this season he seems to have returned to form and has maybe been the biggest factor in the 'Canes early success. Ryan Cyr (19) came over in a trade with Seattle last year and has stepped up to the plate proving that he is more than capable back-up in this league.
Well there you go a brief rundown of the under-rated and under-appreciated Lethbridge Hurricanes. I think they are for REAL this year and shouldn't be looked past...their schedule has been as full and as tough as any other clubs thus far. But seriously who would have though Lethbridge would lead their division, conference and league after the first weekend in October while the Red Deer Rebels are last in the same division.
Our future is glowing with promise but our present product on the ice is also giving fans something to cheer about and other teams something to worry about.
Larry Fisher, Sports Editor
Lethbridge Community College Endeavour (Student Newspaper)
A couple things come to mind when i think of reasons;
1) Mikko Makkela = Don't kid yourself this guy is a great and knows how to get the most out of all his players, especially the young guys. He has been playing 17 year olds on the PP, PK, in tight games and in overtime, the confidence he has shown in them has worked wonders and they are leading the team. Mikko also had the players work through an intense off-season routine and no one benefited from this physcial torture than overage defenseman Clay Plume.
2) Clay Plume = A completely different hockey player than in years past. Looks twenty pounds lighter and resembles a bean pole but it is mostly muscle and his weight has hardly changed this year. He is faster than ever and is consistently putting points on the board, his leadership and physical dimensions can not be overlooked. The fact that we don't have another overage player as of today makes Clay one of the most important assets to this otherwise young team.
3) The Youth Movement = After seeing Jeremy Jackson, Mike Wirll, and even Kris Calloway leave the 'Canes after last year...a lot of fans, season ticket holders and members of the media including myself were less than optimistic about this season, some even considered it the start to rebuilding the franchise. However a pair of 17 year olds, John Lammers and Kris Versteeg have stepped up and turned this team into a competitor. Colton Yellowhorn, Micheal Kaye, and Kenny Petkau, a trio of 16 year old forwards, add to the youth surge, the offense, and our future. These kids have been huge for the 'Canes so far and this can be thought of as a appreciation thread for them.
4) Brian Harris = Likely the most pleasant surprise thus far for the 'Canes. A small illusive 19 year old center in the mold of Martin St. Louis, Harris came to Lethbridge from the BCHL. With him he brought a knack for the net and apparent leadership, Makkela is definitely a fan of Harris as he has been one of the go to guys when the going gets tough. Harris has showed signs of brilliance on a line with fellow 19 year old vets Brett O'Malley and Nick Tarnasky.
5) The pluggers exceed expectations = A month into the season and the role players of the 'Canes continue to set an example for their younger teammates. Players like Brett O'Malley, Braden Appelby, Jon Cara, Nick Tarnasky and Tyrell Lucas have chipped in point production but it is their work ethic that seems to have the biggest influence on the youngsters.
6) The Defense = To some it up in one word....SOLID. Led by Brent Seabrook (18), Clay Plume (20), and Andy Thompson (19) our defense was expected to be our strong point but with the emergence of Ryan Mayko (19) and Michal Gulasi (17), acquired in this years CHL Entry Draft, the 'Canes have a solid top 5. Shawn Mezei (19) has been injured since the preseason but is expected to fill the role of the 6th d-man. Until then rookies RJ LaRouchelle (16) and Chase Hnetiuk (16) will take turns filling the gap.
7) The Euro Invasion = Patrik Valcak (18), a fourth round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2003, was our first pick in this year's CHL entry draft. He stayed in Boston longer than most expected and missed the start of the year, he is a bigger forward but has yet to really impress me with his skill or determination to succeed. However our other pick in this year's CHL entry draft has been more than a pleasant surprise. 17 year old d-man, Michal Gulasi is everything you want in a defenseman...smooth skating, a nice passer, smart, strong and very physical, exciting to watch, hard working, and decent at both ends of the rink. He promises to be a keeper.
8) Guess Who's Back = DJ King (19) was with the St. Louis Blues up until last week but now he's back in Lethbridge and is picking up right where he left off last year. King combines pure size and strength with fairly good hands and speed to create a dominant power forward in the WHL. DJ will be one that coach Makkela will look to for consistant effort and leadership but also consistent offense.
9) Last but not least...the Tenders = In my opinion Lethbridge is sporting one of the best goaltending tandems in the WHL barring injury. The stalwart in our pipes is Detroit Red Wing prospect, Logan Koopmans. "Koops" (19) has had a rough go about the last couple seasons, suffering groin and knee injuries, but this season he seems to have returned to form and has maybe been the biggest factor in the 'Canes early success. Ryan Cyr (19) came over in a trade with Seattle last year and has stepped up to the plate proving that he is more than capable back-up in this league.
Well there you go a brief rundown of the under-rated and under-appreciated Lethbridge Hurricanes. I think they are for REAL this year and shouldn't be looked past...their schedule has been as full and as tough as any other clubs thus far. But seriously who would have though Lethbridge would lead their division, conference and league after the first weekend in October while the Red Deer Rebels are last in the same division.
Our future is glowing with promise but our present product on the ice is also giving fans something to cheer about and other teams something to worry about.
Larry Fisher, Sports Editor
Lethbridge Community College Endeavour (Student Newspaper)