The Battlefords North Stars Hockey Club is pleased to announce three commitments. Tim Rollins, a forward from the Eastman Selects, Calder Neufeld of the Tisdale Trojans and Colin Phaneuf, a 20 year old forward who sat last year out, but played in the BCHL in the 2008-09 season with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, have all committed to play for the North Stars for the 2010-11 hockey season.
Rollins played last season for the Eastman Selects hockey team in the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey league. In 32 games he scored 22 goals and 21 assists for 43 points. Rollins is a skilled winger who has a very good work ethic. He also led his team in the playoffs with 11 points in 9 games for the Selects who were League finalists.
Neufeld played last season for the Tisdale. He also played some games for the Noth Stars as an affiliated player. Calder is a hard shooting winger who is able to contribute offensively. Last season he scored 30 goals and 15 assists for 45 points in 44 games played.
Phaneuf sat out last year as he was recovering from an injury. But during the 2008-09 season with the Bulldogs, Phaneuf recorded 4 goals and 5 assists in 13 games after being acquired from the Winnipeg South Blues. He will add scoring to the North Stars this season.
The North Stars are very excited to be able to add players of this ability and would like to welcome them to the team. For more information please contact the North Stars office.
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It would be naive of anybody to think that there won't be further changes to club moving forward, but early in the offseason, Ken Pearson has done a tremendous job of instilling some depth up front. With the likes of Mitch Wall, Chad Filteau, Blake Peake and Troy Watt departing due to age, and Ward Szucki due to a trade - It's important that forwards are put in place that can make an impact at the SJHL level.
This list is incomplete, but here is a look at some of the eligable forwards who could be suiting up for the Stars next season:
1990 - Josh Daley, Shay Neufeld, Tony Oak, Colin Phaneuf
1991 - Blake Tatchell, Boyd Wakelin, Brett Miller, Nathan Tomac
1992 - Tanner Schwab, Dane Muench, Kyle Hall, Calder Neufeld, Tim Rollins
The best part about this setup is the fact that there's an even amount of kids for each primary age group. Since his arrival, Pearson has made it no secret that he wants to set up the club for tons of future success while still fielding a championship-calibre team. Time well tell of course, but at least on paper, it's hard to argue with the group of forwards that the Stars have in place at the moment.
What do you think?
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12 comments:
Wow is all I am going to say. Great Job Kenny and keep up to good work.
I'm excited about Phaneuf joining. I saw him play as a 17 year old. He was one of my favorite players in the MJ.
For starters, trade both Neufelds for someone who will perform in the playoffs, trade Birch, throw in Hall and lets get the season started.
What do you think?
Re: Anonoymous.
I think trading both Neufelds would be a terrible decision. Shay's numbers were excellent in the regular season, and I think that another season playing with Daley would only help those numbers.
Granted he had a 'less than stellar' post-season, but I think you can clump quite a few players into that same category. Shay will be better this year, as will others.
Why trade Hall? He hasn't played a game in the Battlefords yet, and he's a guy who can play both forward and defense.
I'm not even going to respond to the 'trade Birch' statement. In all likelihood, one of the goalies is going to be dealt because both will want to be the number one next year for a team, but that is a decision that won't come easily nor quickly for coach Pearson.
In response to Miss:
Apparently Phaneuf is quite the player. Both Ken and Atch are very excited about his arrival.
In response to Stars:
I agree. Ken Pearson continues to impress.
Is it September yet?
I think trading the Neufelds would be the worst thing to do. Calder was one of the top snipers in the SMAAAHL. Calder has a heavy wrist shot and is a good skater. Shay to me is more of a playmaker and he can be very effective. Why not play the 2 Neufelds with Daley? I could see that line doing some damage. Phaneuf sounds like a gem, if healthy i could see him being very effective for the stars. Remember we got him for nothing. As for the goaltending situation going to be very hard choice. Ive talked to a few people and Ive been told Hall is a rare breed, just like Dan said he can play both positions and he seems to be effective at both. Are there any more signings expected soon??
All I can tell you is that Ken is out 'East' doing more recruiting. One would think that the Stars are 'set' up front, at least for the time being, but there are still some gaping holes in the back-end.
I suspect that Pearson will do everything possible to bring in a 'Number One' defenceman.
Naturally those types don't just grow on trees, so Pearson will either have to poach a d-man from Junior (La Ronge - Mike Alexander) or he'll need to trade for one.
Thats great. There are some holes on the backend but if there were good forwards available sign them. You can never have too many good forwards. You make the best team you can. If you bring in a 1992 thats better than a vet keep the rookie and trade the vet. I could see the stars signing some highly touted forwards and defencemen in the next while. I still cant believe that Muench is only a 1992, that in it self is remarkable.
Re: O'Connor
I have to agree with anonymous, there will be some trades made before or early in the season.
Trade them while they are worth the most. Neufeld had a good year, but we know he is not a playoff performer. When a coach knows this, the writing is on the wall.
The Stars are short on the back end and have excess forwards and two number one goalies.
Who would you trade?
Nuefeld, Hall, Schwab, Rollins or vets like Daley, Nuefeld, Wakelin, Tomac, Birch? Those are the only tradeable players that I see. I can see Neufelds and or Tomac being traded and Birch.
In response to Stars:
A rare breed indeed, Hall is an average player at best who will not make any difference on the Stars team.
Re: Keeper.
The mere notion of trading Nathan Tomac is crazy at this point. Tomac, Tatchell and Szucki were three of our best, most consistent players against La Ronge. I suppose you could justify it by saying: "He's never had higher trade value" but Tomac has two years left in this league, and is only going to get better.
A case could be made to trade practically anyone on this team, but at this stage I think Ken is happy to 'tinker' with his forwards and not make a huge splash.
Also, just because you have a lot of trade chips at your disposal doesn't mean you MUST deal them. Championships aren't won in June.
Thanks for adding your comment. Hope you'll come back and chat with us some more down the road!
DO.
Championships aren't won in June?
Don't Trade in June?
The Stanley Cup Champions know something, they have been the busiest so far on draft day and trades. They just traded their second most valuable player in the playoffs!
LW Dustin Byfuglien!!!
C Ben Eager
D Brent Sopel
Gone, gone, gone!
Tatchell and Szucki I agree 100%. Szucki is a tough one to see go.
Tomac? I hope your not serious, he is the easiest one to let go out of the vets, along with Neufeld. Their trade value will never get higher.
I think you should do a poll on the website about who would be the best trade bait or most likely to get traded or most easily expendable. Birch is my choice for best bait, Tomac for easily expendable, and most likely I don't see any trades in the off season.
KR
Keeper,
You'll note that I never once said to "not trade in June." I simply implied that the coaching staff should be in NO HURRY to deal anybody for the sake of dealing.
I appreciate your suggestion about the poll question, but I don't want to run the risk of burning any bridges with players (who do read this blog daily). The last thing I want is for a player to wrongfully get the impression that I'd like them dealt - So with that in mind, I won't be instigating any of the 'trade talk' as it were.
That being said, you are welcome to share your opinions and I will certainly lend my response when necessary.
Keeper:
Trading Neufeld,Daley,Tomac,Birch are Ludicrious. I think you may be stiring the pot.
Shay is one of the better forwards the stars have, his Chemistry with Daley was real good. Daley is the most skilled forward the stars have and may be the top 3 forward in the SJ. Tomac is a guy that doesnt get enough credit for what he does. Tomac showed what his value was in the playoffs when he scored the stars biggest goal of the year, in game five OT. Tomac is a good defensive forward. Like Dan said he still has 2 years left. Birch maybe traded, its not because hes a bad goalie, it would most likely be because of his age. Birch's trade value would be great for a vet dman. Whatever the stars decide to do with the goaltending would not be because the goalie is a bad player. It would be because of a numbers game. Birch has WHL playoff experience and he was the reason 2 years ago the stars took Humboldt to 6 games. He also was the top Manitobia AAA goalie. Hildy is a year younger, has played in the World Under 17's and was the Top Ssaskatchewan goalie from AAA. Both very good goaltenders. If the stars could get a younger goalie thats as good bring him in, if not keep both and alternate games with them. The stars are lucky to have 2 top notch goaltenders. As for trade talks, as we've seen over the years, anyone can be traded. Wayne Gretzky was traded.
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