THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS

Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews

The Regina Pats wrapped up the training camp portion of their pre-season and now turn their focus to the pre-season games starting Thursday night at the Co-Operators Center (7:00 pm vs Moose Jaw on 620 CKRM).

I spent the weekend covering the camp but didn’t offer much in way of opinion but now I will.

First off, in my 3 previous training camps I have not seen this many good players in attendance. The 1997 age group especially is a good one for this team.

When you look at the 2012 draft, three players made the team last year in defenceman Brady Reagan along with forwards Austin Wagner and Rylee Zimmer. After watching camp this year, 3rd round pick Rykr Cole and 9th round pick James Hilsendager both have played really well and will make the team in my opinion. Colton Kroeker is also in the mix, the 7th round pick from that draft, as is 10th rounder Jared McAmmond. That’s 7 of the 11 players picked.  Doesn’t get much better than that. Add in listed player Adam Berg and first round import selection Sergey Zborovsky … you get the picture. The future looks bright. Wagner looks like one of the most improved players from last year.

As for 16 year olds, Sam Steel will obviously play this year. I am a fan of Jacob Elmer, he’s got a lot of skill and had a great rookie camp but will need to have a good pre-season. Luc Smith missed most of camp with an illness and will hopefully be able to get into action in the pre season. Riley Woods had a great camp, he’s a little undersized but the kid has skill and smarts. He will be a Regina Pat one day, if not this year then in the next two. Brady Pouteau looks to have the makings of a good defenseman as well.

The 96 age group has a number of returnees. Adam Brooks, Chase Harrison and Maximillian Kammerer. Brooks has definitely taken a step. He is stronger and had a really good second half of camp. He will have a good year. Harrison looks really good as well and Kammerer will be much more impactful with a year under his belt. Kyle Westeringh is a guy who was listed and had a great camp. He certainly has a chance to make this team. Dane Schioler is in the conversation as well, one of those guys you cheer for.

As for the 95’s. Connor Gay and Dryden Hunt look really good up front. Kyle Burroughs and Colby Williams also look primed for a good year on the back end. Morgan Klimchuk will lead this team in points once he gets back from NHL camp, if he does in fact return. Isaac Schacher brings a lot of size to the back end and Carter Hansen while he hasn’t scored a lot of points was among the best penalty killers last year.

There are four 1994 born players looking to fill three 20-year old spots on the roster. Forwards Braden Christoffer, Logan McVeigh and Patrick D’Amico along with goaltender Dawson MacAuley. All four have looked good in camp and I’m guess they will all be here until the 20 year old deadline after which a trade or decision ill be made.

MacAuley is one of four goalies looking for a spot on this team. Daniel Wapple, Tyler Fuhr and Kurtis Chapman are the others. Jordan Hollett has been great in camp but as a 15 year old cannot play in the league this year. Should be an interesting battle throughout the pre-season.

The pre-season schedule starts on Thursday night as the Pats host the Moose Jaw Warriors at 7 PM on 620 CKRM. The game is at the Co-Operators Center. Some tough decisions ahead to be sure for the brain trust.

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Best of luck to Pats assistant coach Darrin McKechnie’s son Tanner as he takes part in training camp with the Kootenay Ice this week.

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What tough conditions on Sunday for the Regina Thunder and Edmonton Wildcats at Mosaic Stadium. The Wildcats came away with the 19-14 victory and improved to 2-0 while the Thunder sit 1-1 heading into the bye week.

Quarterback Jaeden Marwick had a day to forget throwing five interceptions and completing four passes. He was also injured on the final drive of the game.

The defence was good again in Week 2 and forced a bunch of turnovers but the rain and wind caused a lot of problems for the offense.

The Thunder are off until September 6th when they play in Saskatoon against the Hilltops.

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What a win for the Riders on the weekend. This team continues to grind out victories. The whole guaranteed win night thing makes it that much better. I should pick against the Riders every week because whenever I do they win.

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How about Catherine Bellis at the US Open. The 15 year old from the USA became the youngest player to win a match at the Open since 1996. That’s impressive enough but she did it against the tournaments 12th seed. Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard looked great in her first match as well. Hopefully she can make it far again in another grand slam tournament.

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I can’t watch the Blue Jays anymore, it’s too painful.

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That’s it for me today, have a good week.

Phil
@PhilTheThrill18


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