Looking Ahead: Defence (The Younger Guys)

Well taking a look at the Pats group of younger defencemen I do think that they aren't as bad as people are saying (lack of depth, terrible scouting, blah, blah, blah.....). I hope that the kids are given an actual chance this year.

The team has five 1993 born players on their list....

First off is Myles Bell a returning player to the Pats line-up is going to be a great one. I think he had a really successful rookie campaign picking up 18 points along the way. I'm just not sure what role the Pats are going to have him play.... I think he can be a crash and banger and a point producer and a penalty killer.... Maybe the complete package. In the few games he played at the wing he was at times our best forward, but he's got to stay on defence. He is going to be a star once all is said and done.

Now we have the Pats other returning 16 year old from last season Tyler Borstmayer. I think people were overly critical of him at times last year. I think some of his play has to do with him growing and filling out his tall lanky frame. It seemed like he grew a few inches during the season which caused him some awkwardness. I think now that he's maturing and growing into his frame he will only get better. And I stand by my thoughts that he's going to be a good player one day and I don't think that will be too far down the road either.

Tyler Pavkovich (5.11, 170) has four games of experience with the club picking up 4 PIM. I think that he has a legit shot at making the team this year but I guess it all depends on which way Lang and the coaches decide to go.
His numbers for Abbotsford Pilots (Junior B) 46GP-1G-10A-11PTS-77PIM. He played in 3 playoff games picking up no points or penalty minutes.

List player Hudson Friesen (6.00, 165) played this past season in the Manitoba Midget Hockey League for the Eastman Selects where he picked up 14 points (4G-10A) in 36 games. I think he has a chance to get a long look and I remember the scouts at last years training camp talking highly of him.

The last player in this group is another list player Rhett Holland (6.01, 200) who suited up for Okotoks of the AJHL for the 2009-10 season as a 16 year old which isn't overly common (so what does that mean? time will tell). From what I remember of him from last years camp he was a pretty decent player with some decent size and speed. His numbers 57GP-3G-8A-11PTS-91PIM he also played in 2 playoff games picking up an assist and a minor penalty.

The Pats have 6 1994 born players on their list....

The only one that I am really going to talk about is Landon Peel (5.10, 160). It was hard to get a really good feel for the others during last years training camp as I was guessing on a few players but when I found out who Peel was I was impressed. I honestly thought that he could have made the team as a 16 year old last year but then I got thinking about what happened to Justin Slobozian and I was glad he got sent back to play with kids his own age. He reminds me a lot of Carlson as a comparison for people that want to know things like that. After getting his feet wet playing in 2 contests (on the road..... I watched the webcasts) he didn't disappoint. I think he will make the team this year.
Southwest Cougars (Manitoba Midget Hockey League) His stats: 39-6-20-26-32; playoffs 2-0-0-0-0

Ryan Leonzio (5.09, 150) Played for Pembina Valley in the Manitoba Midget Hockey League. His stats: 44-2-9-11-12

Tyler Mueller (5.08, 155) Played for the Regina Pat Canadians in the Sask. Midget Hockey League. His stats: 44-0-7-7-38

Jesse Roden (5.11, 155) Played for the Saskatoon Blazers in the Sask. Midget Hockey League. His Stats: 40-1-3-4-23; playoffs 3-0-0-0-0

Brady Skjei (6.00, 160) Played high school hockey in Minnesota at Lakeville North High School.
His stats:
Regular Season: 25GP-7G-16A-23PTS-24PIM
Section Playoffs: 3-3-2-5-2
State Tournament: 1-1-0-1-0
Consolation Tournament: 1-0-0-0-4

Sean Whelan (6.00, 185) Played for the Moose Jaw Midget Warriors os the Sask. Midget Hockey League. His Stats: 43-3-11-14-16; playoffs 4-0-1-1-2

As for the 1995 born players on the Pats list all of their 2010 Bantam Draft picks are present and accounted for.... They are:

Burroughs, Kyle (5.10, 154)
Langley, BC
His stats: Langley Eagles Bantam AAA 29-2-10-12-40

DeJong, Nolan (6.01, 147)
Victoria, BC
His stats: South Island Thunderbirds Midget AAA 5-0-0-0-2
Bantam stats unavailable

McCrea, Alex (5.11, 168)
El Cajon, CA
His stats: unavailable

Parrington, Nolan (6.02, 180)
Winnipeg, MB
His stats: Winnipeg Warriors Bantam AAA 29-2-14-16-51

Williams, Colby (5.10, 157)
Regina, SK
His stats: Regina Oilers SSBHL 22-12-15-27-27; playoffs 2-2-1-3-4

So the Pats Younger D looks like:
Myles Bell (1993)
Tyler Borstmayer (1993)
Hudson Friesen (1993)
Rhett Holland (1993)
Tyler Pavkovich (1993)
Ryan Leonzio (1994)
Tyler Mueller (1994)
Landon Peel (1994)
Jesse Roden (1994)
Brady Skjei (1994)
Sean Whelan (1994)
Kyle Burroughs (1995)
Nolan DeJong (1995)
Alex McCrea (1995)
Nolan Parrington (1995)
Colby Williams (1995)

K
on June 11, 2010 by Kevin Shaw |