We talked about next season on the Post-Game Show on Wednesday, but for those who missed it, here are some of the thoughts.
The Kootenay ICE have 20 players who played regularly last year who are eligible to return for next season.
As of now there are only 2 possible over-age players so the club can add one via a trade or someone who is released by another team.
Plus the ICE have 1 possible returning Import player so will be able to add 1 more at the Import Draft in June.
The ICE usually have a roster of 22 players for the season, 2 goalies, 7 defense and 13 forwards.
This is a very early look at next season and are my observations and not from the ICE management.
Overagers – 2 returnees
Dustin Sylvester – Expected to have 100% recovery from the broken ankle. Candidate to be Captain. 40-50 goals. 10 PPG and 8 SHG.
Tylan Stephens – Wants to be a pilot and is thinking of going to school next season. I believe it’s doable to play in the WHL and take the 1st year of the course at the same time but that decision will be made over the next while.
? – based on the current roster the club will probably entertain looking for a 20-year-old defenseman. As of now there is no one older than 18 on the blueline.
Import – 1 returnee
Dominik Pacovsky – 19, showed potential to be a 20-30 goal player in the WHL but the ICE have a history of wanting their Import players at this age to be a top 6 forward or top 4 defenseman. Based on his last 2 months performance he should be able to fill that role.
? – Import Draft will be held after the NHL Draft in June and the club will have the option at making 2 picks if they want. A 19-year-old defenseman who could play in the top 4 would be nice addition. But this ICE are also a team that looks to be building towards the 2011 playoffs and may want a 17 or 18 year old forward or defenseman who can be on the roster for 2-3 years. I believe the pick is 38th overall. Not great, but not bad. Of course there is always a chance to trade up.
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Goalies – 2 returnees
Nathan Lieuwen – 18, rated as a world class goalie in his age group at the start of the year but because of injuries no one is sure if he will be drafted in June. As a 17-year-old, he didn’t seem to grab the chance to be a #1 goalie. That should change this season, especially after the pressure of his draft year behind him. Look at the best goalies in the WHL and history shows they blossom at 18 & 19. There is only 1 Dan Blackburn every 20 years who can do what he did at 16 & 17.
Todd Mathews – 19, went from the SJHL to playing in 25 straight WHL games. Has earned a chance to stay in the WHL but can he be a #1?
Derrick Peitsch – 17, training camp will show if he is ready to be in the WHL.
Brett Tesky – 16, training camp will show if he is ready to be in the WHL.
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Defensemen – 5 returnees, 6 with WHL experience
Brayden McNabb – 18, 2 full years in the WHL. Will be a NHL pick. There #1 guy who will play in al situations.
Hayden Rintoul – 18, of all the rookie defensemen in the WHL he was the 2nd highest in scoring (Manning Chilliwack #1). Offence is there but not ready to be a shutdown guy, yet. Should be a NHL pick.
James Martin – 18, potential to be a stay at home defenseman. Has a very heavy hard shot so some potential to add some offense. Had great improvements the last 4 weeks of the season.
Cason Machacek – 18, another stay at home type. Willing to be physical and play tough makes his an asset. The ICE need to replace the Ian Barteaux all-around nasty type of player and there are indications he can fill that role to some extent.
Tyler Vanscourt – 17, smaller defenseman who isn’t afraid of the contact but not strong enough. Based on the returning players and possible 2 new additions, he may not move up the depth chart.
Joey Leach – 17, was the last cut at training camp. Played 12 regular season games and 3 in the playoffs. Has WHL size and really improved his skating playing in Saskatchewan AAA Midget.
Justin Schultz – 19, 2nd round pick of Anaheim. Plays in BCHL and is planning on going to the NCAA. If he changes his mind he would be a #1 and probably would quicken his route to the pros.
Kaare Odegarde – 19, plays in AJHL. Also on the NCAA route.
Michael King 16 and Dylan Schellenberg 16, are on the radar but have 6-8 players ahead on the depth chart. Training camp performances could change that.
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Forwards – 13 returnees, 16 with WHL experience
Dustin Sylvester - 20. See above. 40 goal potential.
Tylan Stephens – 20. See above. 30 goal potential.
Kevin King – 19, 30 goal potential. Power forward who has potential to dominate and destroy every shift.
Matt Fraser – 19, 20 goal and 150pm potential. Could be anywhere from top line to 3rd line and could play in all situations.
Steele Boomer – 19, potential be #1, #2 or #3 centre. Thrived on the 3rd line at the end of the year. Playmaker for the PP.
Dominik Pacovsky – 19, see above.
Ryan Fox – 19, smart player who could be a 3rd line guy in a defensive role.
Joe Antilla – 18, will play in the grinder role one of the top 3 lines. Top 6 penalty killer forward.
Jesse Ismond – 18, got into game shape in January and showed a lot of potential. 20 goals and should be in the top 9 of forwards.
Michael Cassivi – 18, has to show potential to be a 10-20 goal scorer and that would get him on the 4th line. Needs to show ability to kill penalties or something else as there isn’t a lot of room on the roster.
Drew Czerwonka – 17, 20 goals and 100pm potential. Willingness to play physical and has leadership skills and will look to impress in NHL Draft year.
Max Reinhart – 17, 20 goal potential. Smart player who will get some PP and PK as the year progresses.
Christian Magnus – 17, the club will expect more results. Speed and skill are his strengths and just needs to find his game and will be a big point producer in years to come. Also has the grit.
Brendan Hurley – 16, club’s 1st round pick in 2008. Already 6’0” 170lbs. Power forward with skill. Like Czerwonka, he is a blue collar player and will be a fan favorite.
Simon Skrudland – 18, hard working and a smart player. Potential to eventually to be their #1 face-off guy.
Jordan Bauer – 18, one of the last cuts in 2008.
Elgin Pearce – 17, 2nd round pick in 2007. Thinking of NCAA but visited the ICE late in the year to check out the scene. Has okay size, really good speed and skill and can play in the WHL. Had a very poor year in BCHL and that may have hurt development.
Brendan O’Donnell – 17, NCAA route. Sounds like he would be a solid WHL performer.
Brock Montgomery – 17, good year in Saskatchewan AAA Midget Moose Jaw.
Ryan Bloom – 16, 2nd round pick in 2008.
Adam Rossignol – 16, 7th round pick in 2008 Draft. Had a great camp last year and could force the club into another tough decision with another solid camp.
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Again, these are just my thoughts and also know that training camp always had 3-4 nice surprises and also a few disappointments.
This is why there is so much excitement for this franchise for the next few years.
Plus the 2010 Bantam Draft is expected to be one of the all-time best and the ICE have something like 7 picks in the 1st 4 rounds.