THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS

Happy Wednesday Everybody!

– The Regina Pats made quite the splash on Sunday ahead of the WHL trade deadline. The team traded forward Colton Kroeker to the Lethbridge Hurricanes for a 3rd round pick in 2016. The team then flipped that pick along with a 2nd in 2018, 5th in 2017, Brian Williams and prospect Gary Haden to the Medicine Hat Tigers for overage forward Cole Sanford. Sanford scored the OT winner last night in his first ever game with the Pats against the Everett Silvertips. The former 50 goal scorer says he is excited to be in Regina for the final part of the junior career. “It’s been hectic but obviously exciting to get a new start with a new team. Some renewed energy you could say and definitely excited to get started on the road here with the new team.” 

Sanford got off to a good start on Tuesday and will look to continue that tonight in Portland against the Winterhawks. 

– What a couple of games for the Pats to start the U.S. Division. First a 7-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday and then a come from behind win in Everett last night in overtime 4-3. Adam Brooks has 7 points in those two games. He is playing better than anything I have seen in my 5 years in the WHL, and that includes Jordan Weal at the same age. Brooks has 31 points over a 14 game point streak which he takes into tonight. He now leads the WHL with 68 points on the season. It is literally incredible. He will look to keep it going tonight in Portland against the Winterhawks at 9 o’clock Regina time on 620 CKRM. 

– Other than the Pats move, the WHL trade deadline day was a quiet one. The Regina, Medicine Hat trade was the biggest of the day. Brayden Point stayed put in Moose Jaw, not a huge surprise, I don’t think anyone wanted to pay what he is worth. I heard a rumour leading up to Sunday that there was a deal with Brandon in place before the World Juniors that included two players and a pick but the deal fell through because of a no trade clause. I have since been told that was untrue but at the end of the day, Point is at the top of the league when it comes to skill and needed to fetch a massive return. The Warriors couldn’t just give him up because he will be gone next year. Not to mention the East Division is as competitive as I have ever seen. Brandon is not the same juggernaut as they were last year and I would argue any of the top four teams could make the league final. It’s going to be a fun last two months of the regular season and the playoffs. 

– Good to see Riley Woods back with the big club. Had 2 points in his first game back on Friday against Kootenay and then was a +3 against Spokane on Saturday. 

– I am surprised however the Brandon Wheat Kings didn’t do more. Yes they acquired Jordan Thomson from Swift Current and then Mitch Wheaton and Shael Higson from Saskatoon but I thought they would be more involved in adding some more talent. They are still the best team in the Division, don’t get me wrong, but I just thought they would be busier. 

– I also thought the Red Deer Rebels might add a goaltender for their Memorial Cup run, they will outscore most teams though. 

– How about the Lethbridge Hurricanes reaching the 30 win plateau already? What a turnaround. Peter Anholt and Brent Kisio deserve a ton of credit for the turnaround there. An incredible story. 

– Former Pats forward Taylor Cooper cleard waivers in the WHL and has landed in the QMJHL. Cooper has played one game with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens and has an assist and is a plus 1. 

Be sure to catch tonight’s episode of Pats TV on Access 7. My guests tonight include Cole Sanford, John Paddock, Lane Zablocki and Riley Woods. 

That’s all I have for today, talk to you from Portland tonight. 

Phil

@PhilAndrewsCKRM