THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS
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| Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews |
Happy Wednesday Everybody!
HOBBS/WILLIAMS SIGN – Washington Capitals announced the signing of Regina Pats defenceman Connor Hobbs to a three-year, entry-level contract. The team also announced graduating Pats Captain Colby Williams signed a one-year contract with the Capitals’ AHL affiliate Hershey Bears.
The Capitals selected Hobbs in the fifth round, 143rd overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. The Saskatoon, SK native enjoyed a career season in 2015-16 by posting 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 58 games. Hobbs captured the Charles Johnston Memorial award as the Pats’ top defenceman. In relation to the rest of the league, Hobbs finished tied for fifth among WHL defenders in goals, powerplay goals (10) and penalty minutes. In the 2016 WHL playoffs, Hobbs tallied 10 points (4G, 6A) in just twelve games and finished the playoffs tied for third in goals and fifth in points.
Recently, Hobbs was invited to participate in Canada’s National Junior team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp at the end of July. He is currently in Washington skating in the Capitals annual Development Camp.
Williams was the Capitals’ sixth round pick, 173rd overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. The career Pat battled through an injury-hampered season in 2015-16, but still managed 12 points (5G, 7A) in 19 regular season games. Williams rejoined the team for the 2016 WHL Playoffs and posted nine points (2G, 7A) in 12 games.
The hometown product played 211 games for the Pats while totaling 104 points (25G, 79A) and 269 penalty minutes. He also played 25 playoff games while registering 17 points (5G, 12A). Williams was named the Pats Player of the year and Top Defenceman for the 2014-15 season and earned WHL Second-Team All-Star honours.
Both Connor Hobbs and Colby Williams are in Washington this week to take part in the Capitals’ annual development camp.
HE’S COMING! – The Regina Pats selected Swedish national and Ottawa Senators prospect Filip Ahl in last weeks CHL Import Draft, 31st overall. Last Wednesday the Ottawa Senators tweeted an article saying he will report to Regina. Great news for the team to add a big body that has the ability to score.
BERG TRADED – The Regina Pats traded 19-year-old forward Adam Berg to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Tuesday. In return acquiring a 5th round pick in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. First off I wish Berg all the best in Edmonton but not an incredibly surprising trade for the Pats standpoint. Berg has shown promise in his short time in Regina but on a team that has a wealth of talent up front, there had to be some movement. Berg was great to work with and always handled himself in a professional manner. Again I wish him all the best with the Oil Kings.
KOOTENAY MISSES OUT – Some tough news for the Kootenay Ice on Tuesday. Multiple reports out of Russia say that Klim Kostin, whom the Ice selected first overall in the Import Draft, plans to stay back home. Kostin is a powerful and offensively-gifted player who is also a top prospect for the 2017 NHL draft. But apparently, he recently signed a contract with Moscow Dynamo and will be given a shot at making the KHL squad in the pre-season.
ETHAN BEAR SIGNED – Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Ethan Bear has signed a three-year entry level contract with the Edmonton Oilers. Bear was selected by the Oilers in the fifth round, 124th overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft. Bear was fifth in the WHL in scoring among defensemen last season with 19 goals and 46 assists for 65 points in 69 games. Bear was named a Western Conference First Team All-Star. He had eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points to lead WHL defensemen in scoring in the playoffs. In three seasons with the T-Birds Bear has played 197 games and has 38 goals and 84 assists for 122 points.
BRONCOS NEW LOGO – The Swift Current Broncos hockey club are proud to announce a new commemorative logo to celebrate 50 years of Broncos hockey. The logo takes into account the rich history of the Swift Current Broncos franchise while also reflecting the excitement of the upcoming 50th Season.
The Broncos meshed the past with the present in creating this modernized look for the 2016-17 campaign. The Bronco’s 50th Season logo will encompass the original green and yellow from the Broncos’ squads from 1967-74 in addition with the 1974-86 Lethbridge Broncos. Furthermore, the logo will also retain the current horseshoe design.
The logo was designed by Full Stride Designs Graphic Designer and former Swift Current Bronco Taylor Vause.
BLAZERS NAME COO – The Kamloops Blazers ownership group consisting of Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, Mark Recchi, Darryl Sydor and Tom Gaglardi have announced that Don Moores has been named the hockey club’s President, Chief Operating Officer and Alternate Governor.
Moores, who was born and raised in Kamloops, will have full autonomy over the business operations of the Kamloops Blazers.
“We are ecstatic to have Don join the Kamloops Blazers,” said Co-Owner / Governor, Tom Gaglardi. “Don is a respected member of the Kamloops community with longstanding roots in the city. He is a welcomed addition to the hockey club.”
Moores has plenty of experience in management roles over the past 35 years in the newspaper business. This includes Publisher of Kamloops This Week, Vice President of the Cariboo Press, President of Black Press Prairie Operations, and President of Black Press Interior Division.
Since 2008, he has been the Co-Owner and General Manager of Maximum Yield Publications. Maximum Yield Publications is a magazine and event management company out of Nanaimo, BC. It publishes in six different countries and produces trade shows throughout Canada and the USA.
FREE AGENCY – I think it is safe to say the Tampa Bay Lightning won the NHL’s free agency over the weekend. And it wasn’t because they went and signed players from other teams. GM Steve Yzerman masterfully kept his roster together, resigning Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedmen and Andrei Vasilevskiy. With the Vasilevskiy signing you would think the Lightning will deal goaltender Ben Bishop who has one year left on his deal and he will fetch a really good return from someone. Tampa willc ontinue to be contenders in the East for a long time.
RIDERS – I came away from the Riders week 2 loss thinking this team is going to be good. Yes it was a 13 point loss to the Argos but there was a lot to like about the team aside from three plays that were the difference in the game. Darian Durant looked good, Curtis Steele and Naaman Roosevelt were solid and the defence was pretty good, especially in the second half. It’s a tough matchup with Edmonton this week but there are good things ahead for this team.
That’s all I have for today, have a great week!
Phil
@PhilAndrewsCKRM
