Adam Baldassarre, ’89 (F) – Last season Adam Baldassarre was characterized as a pinball crashing into as many players as he could during his shifts; this season Adam has adopted a more of a pick your battles approach. The new look for Adam has helped this player find a smoother skating style that has put him in the right places at the right times. UPDATED - Unfortunately for Adam, he was released in the week prior to the start of the season. The Spruce Kings hockey operations staff had to make the tough decision because of the league requirement to carry only six 20 year old players.
Joe Becker, ’90 (F) – Entering his sophomore season, Joe Becker has worked hard during the offseason with long time friend Jordy Christian to find speed in his game. He showed that speed as well as strength on the puck during training camp. Unfortunately Joe was unable to show anything during the preseason because of an injury that he is currently working on getting back to one hundred percent.
RJay Berra, ’90 (F) – The subject of an off-season trade scenario almost too unbelievable to be real, RJay Berra found himself on three team rosters before finally returning to the Spruce Kings just before the start of training camp. The ordeal showed us a great deal of maturity in RJay as he fought through the changes and remained focused on being ready for the season no matter what. With a rejuvenated desire to play hockey, RJay played himself onto the top line during the final preseason game.
Colten Derickson, ’89 (F) – A player who continually evolves and shows new things, Colten Derickson is used to proving his spot on the roster. For Colten and the Spruce Kings it started two seasons ago when he came to the Spruce Kings as a free agent in the late stages of the regular season. This year Colten has improved his physical play and play making decisions; that depth may be what it takes to keep one of those limited overage roster spots.
Nick DeSousa, ’90 (F) – A high flying forward that can seemingly make something out of nothing, Nick DeSousa has shown a more patient approach around the net during the preseason. Noticeably stronger after working hard over the summer, Nick has added that dimension to his game this year to go along with his already good vision and puck handling skills. Add in that patience and this may very well be the pay off season for Nick with bigger numbers in his sophomore season.
Justin Fillion, ’90 (D) – Last year’s Rookie of the Year will be a key player on the blue line this year, Justin Fillion will be another defenceman expected to carry much of the work load along with Wes McLeod. Not afraid to jump up on the rush and go to the net himself, Justin will have to be a leader and work closely with his ‘D’ partners to ensure that the back end is still taken care of.
Wes McLeod, ’90 (D) – This veteran is returning for his third season with the Prince George Spruce Kings after deferring his scholarship to the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Although Wes McLeod could have attended his NCAA school this year, the situation presented with the Spruce Kings was just too appealing to pass up on. Top ice time and a role as one of the top four D-men , if not the number one guy, will be immensely beneficial for this player that has received NHL attention.
Joe Morgan, ’89 (F) – With a hard hitting feisty style, Joe Morgan will be a leader on the team this year. Joe has the ability to turn a game with a hard hit or a big play; this could be the power forward that the Spruce Kings have been looking for. He’s not afraid to go to the tough areas on the ice or get involved with the physical aftermath of being there. With a quick release on a hard shot, Joe has the ability to find the net on every shot and find himself as one of the top offensive producers.
Sam Muchalla, ’90 (F) – What is there not to say about this player? Sam Muchalla is this year’s franchise player and the reason some others were brought into the organization. Committed to Northern Michigan next season, look to Sam to take his game to another level and continue where he left off last season as the team’s leading scorer and among the top five in the league. Playing a game bigger than he is, Sam is a handful for the opposition with his skating, puck handling and ability to take and deliver a hit.
Andrew Pickering, ’89 (F) – This skilled forward was acquired from the Trail Smoke Eaters at last season’s trade deadline and impressed right away. Andrew Pickering has been playing the preseason as the left winger on the top line with Sam Muchalla and Brooks Robinson. Focused and driven to secure a scholarship, Andrew wants to show what he can do as a player and a team mate.
Josh Pineiro, ’89 (D) – The only twenty year old on the blue line is Josh Pineiro, this American born player came into camp with a desire to hold onto his overage roster spot. Josh showed his potential last year on the blue line especially in special team situations. This summer he has worked hard at building muscle mass along with speed and agility; skills that should improve this player’s already good puck moving abilities.
Brooks Robinson, ’89 (F) – A highly sought after centreman, Brooks Robinson was acquired in the offseason from the Grande Prairie Storm after spending three seasons in the BCHL, most of that with the Cowichan Valley Capitals. A good puck handling forward that can make and finish plays, Brooks comes to the Spruce Kings with a scholarship to Quinnipiac for next season. Brooks has been playing the consistently on the top line with Sam Muchalla and Andrew Pickering where he will be called upon to dominate in the faceoff circle under most situations.
Evan Smith, ’89 (G) – Now with his third BCHL team, Evan Smith can finally take on the role of being the number one goaltender. Evan is extremely encouraged by the calibre of goaltenders that have come out of the Spruce Kings organization over the past few seasons and what they have gone on to achieve. His desire is to earn a spot in a class with Michael Wall, Michael-Lee Teslak, Brad Thiessen and Kevin Genoe as well as secure a NCAA scholarship in his last year of junior eligibility.
Showing posts with label Evan Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Evan Smith. Show all posts
Monday, September 7, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Busy Week for Hockey Operations
It turned into a busy week for the Spruce Kings this week with an AGM, contract signings, the acquisition of three players and the release of the 2009-10 schedule. The AGM on Wednesday night was a chance for the community owned team to put a wrap on the 2008-09 season and start looking ahead to 2009-10 with the usual reports from the president, treasurer and a few other committees. I was unable to attend in person, but heard afterwards that it was a fairly constructive and positive AGM with yours truly getting recognized for putting out all those game day reports and other email newsletters.
Thank you is all I can say as it is important in this day of instant access to information to make sure the information is actually out there for everyone to access. Perhaps now is a good time for a shameless plug, if you are interested in receiving these newsletters just drop me an email with your name and email address so that I can add you to my distribution list.
The team also announced the signing of two year contracts for both Ed Dempsey and Mike Hawes. Over the past few seasons I have had the opportunity to see both of these guys work and can honestly tell you that they are driven by a desire to be competitive and a deep passion for the Spruce Kings as a whole. One thing that sometimes gets lost in the win loss column is the human side of it all.
The players that put on the crown and go out there to compete are equally passionate of winning as a team, but also of achieving their own personal goals of furthering their hockey careers. Ed and Mike have enlisted the help of some highly respected hockey minds as their scouts all over the western half of North American for the benefit of the team and the players. The list of scouts for Prince George isn't limited to just those listed on the Spruce Kings website either, they include scouts from NCAA, CIS and NHL teams all over North America.
In all the games I have attended on the road as a broadcaster, I have come to learn that when I need Ed for an interview I can find him in one corner of the rink or another talking about this player or that one to more scouts than I will ever be able to keep track of. They all know Ed and Ed knows each and every one of them and the teams that they scout for. He learns what they are looking for and is able to give them information on the Spruce Kings that would fill that order.
Allan Bristowe of CKPG television had an opportunity to speak with both Darcy Bury and Ed Dempsey about the contract signings and filed this story on the CKPG News that aired on Thursday June 25, 2009.
At the end of that story was the mention of the Spruce Kings acquiring three twenty year olds with Evan Smith and Matt Betker coming by way of the Nanaimo Clippers and Neil Chambers from the Powell River Kings. I haven't had a chance to speak directly with any of the players but am looking forward to doing so in the coming days.
The 2009-10 schedule was also released this week and I'm sure everybody will have their thoughts on the makeup of the regular season. A breakdown of the games can be found on the Spruce Kings main website with the article titled 2009-10 Schedule Highlights. I'm sure others will have their thoughts on the schedule and I encourage you to leave them with me here ... just click on the comments link on the next line.
Thank you is all I can say as it is important in this day of instant access to information to make sure the information is actually out there for everyone to access. Perhaps now is a good time for a shameless plug, if you are interested in receiving these newsletters just drop me an email with your name and email address so that I can add you to my distribution list.
The team also announced the signing of two year contracts for both Ed Dempsey and Mike Hawes. Over the past few seasons I have had the opportunity to see both of these guys work and can honestly tell you that they are driven by a desire to be competitive and a deep passion for the Spruce Kings as a whole. One thing that sometimes gets lost in the win loss column is the human side of it all.
The players that put on the crown and go out there to compete are equally passionate of winning as a team, but also of achieving their own personal goals of furthering their hockey careers. Ed and Mike have enlisted the help of some highly respected hockey minds as their scouts all over the western half of North American for the benefit of the team and the players. The list of scouts for Prince George isn't limited to just those listed on the Spruce Kings website either, they include scouts from NCAA, CIS and NHL teams all over North America.
In all the games I have attended on the road as a broadcaster, I have come to learn that when I need Ed for an interview I can find him in one corner of the rink or another talking about this player or that one to more scouts than I will ever be able to keep track of. They all know Ed and Ed knows each and every one of them and the teams that they scout for. He learns what they are looking for and is able to give them information on the Spruce Kings that would fill that order.
Allan Bristowe of CKPG television had an opportunity to speak with both Darcy Bury and Ed Dempsey about the contract signings and filed this story on the CKPG News that aired on Thursday June 25, 2009.
At the end of that story was the mention of the Spruce Kings acquiring three twenty year olds with Evan Smith and Matt Betker coming by way of the Nanaimo Clippers and Neil Chambers from the Powell River Kings. I haven't had a chance to speak directly with any of the players but am looking forward to doing so in the coming days.
The 2009-10 schedule was also released this week and I'm sure everybody will have their thoughts on the makeup of the regular season. A breakdown of the games can be found on the Spruce Kings main website with the article titled 2009-10 Schedule Highlights. I'm sure others will have their thoughts on the schedule and I encourage you to leave them with me here ... just click on the comments link on the next line.
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