THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS

Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews

Happy Wednesday Everybody!

THREE STRAIGHT – The Regina Pats have their season off to a great start picking up seven of eight possible points in four games. The club is coming off a weekend where they beat Edmonton and Red Deer by a combined 13-5. On Sunday against Edmonton the Pats scored three times shorthanded and are up to 20 goals on the season. Only the Swift Current Broncos have more in the Eastern Conference and they have played two more games. The Pats are preparing to host the Kootenay Ice on Friday and the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday at the Brandt Centre. Both games at 7 o’clock!

STEEL SHINES – Regina Pats forward Sam Steel has been named the WHL and CHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 2, 2016. Steel registered seven points (4G-3A) in two games to help the Regina Pats go 2-0-0-0 this past week. On Friday, September 30 against the Edmonton Oil Kings, Steel scored twice in his 2016-17 debut while earning second star honours in a 6-3 victory. The 18-year-old product of Sherwood Park, AB, concluded the weekend with a five-point effort (2G-3A), earning first star recognition in a 7-2 triumph over the Red Deer Rebels on Sunday, October 2.
With four goals to his name, Steel is currently tied for third in WHL goal scoring. The 6-foot, 180-pound centre was returned to the Pats from the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks last week. A first round pick (30th) of the Ducks at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Steel is entering his third WHL campaign. He has collected 131 points (44G-87A) in 140 career WHL regular season contests.

ADAM BROOKS – The wait and see what happens continues for the Pats and their potential captain Adam Brooks. The fourth round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer was sent to the Toronto Marlies yesterday and will play in Newfoundland this weekend in an exhibition series. Brooks has yet to sign a contract so where he will play has yet to be decided but my guess is we will find out early next week.

BUZIAK – How about the start to the year for Pats forward Braydon Buziak. The 18-year-old from North Battleford sent a letter to the Pats just to come to camp and now here he is having scored a goal in each of his first four games in the WHL. Add to that, yesterday the NHL’s Central Scouting Service listed his as a ‘C’ skater as a potential fourth to sixth round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Just an incredible story!

CSS RANKINGS – Four other Pats were recognized on the CSS Players to Watch List on Tuesday. Forwards Jake Leschyshyn and Lane Zablocki came in as ‘B’ skaters as potential second or third round picks while forward Nick Henry and goaltender Jordan Hollett were ranked as ‘C’ ckaters.

FREADRICH TRADED – The Regina Pats Hockey Club announced today they have acquired a fourth round pick, in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for defenceman Jared Freadrich (98). The pick was originally Swift Current’s, which the Rebels acquired in a trade for Scott Feser in 2015. Freadrich, was a fourth round pick by the Pats in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. He has suited up for 61 games in his career, scoring five goals and adding 16 assists for 21 points. “Jared has been a solid, reliable player for us,” said Pats Head Coach and GM John Paddock. “It is just a matter of a lot of bodies on defence and working some younger players into the lineup.” The Pats roster now sits at 26 players, 15 forwards, nine defencemen and two goaltenders.

COACHES POLL – Coaches around the WHL have named the Pats favorites to represent the league in the 2016 Memorial Cup in Windsor. Have a look here:  http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/2016-17-pre-season-whl-coaches-poll-nolan-patrick-mathew-barzal-ivan-provorov-2017-nhl-draft-memorial-cup/

COUGARS START STRONG – Anybody else take notice of the start for the Prince George Cougars this year? PG played six games in the first nine days of the season, and won them all. An absolutely incredible run in a such a short period of time. They are true contenders out West.

BLUE JAYS – Thank God they won last night! I could barely watch at times. But man did the pitching look good and Edwin came through in the 11th. Huge win and now I can’t wait to watch the ALDS against the Texas Rangers. A lot of history between the two clubs over the last year. Might have to make my way to Toronto for games three and four next week.

That’s all I have for today, Have a great week!

Phil
@Phil_Andrews_