Dogs expect a big yield from recruits
By Darren Zary of The StarPhoenix
It’s harvest time. The University of Saskatchewan men’s hockey team — Telus University Cup national championship runnerup in 2005 and semi-finalist last March — has fielded a bumper crop of new recruits for the upcoming season. Yet, with nearly everybody coming back from last year’s squad, the bin is barely bare. Volume is up this year. So, too, is the quality. “You’re always affected by the Sask Wheat Pool in terms of grade,” Huskies head coach Dave Adolph said jokingly. His team officially began training camp Monday at Rutherford Rink.
“Our volume’s up. It’s a real quality group of kids, it really is. Time will tell where, and when, they will contribute.”
A year ago, a potential bumper crop dwindled down to just a few blue-chip players, among them Jeff Harvey, Matt Girling and Colin Johnson. A number of others slipped through the cracks, choosing other universities or the pro route when fall rolled around.
“Last year was one of the hardest-working summers I ever had and, like with all farmers in Saskatchewan, my work was for naught,” said Adolph. “This year, the same kind of thing, I worked real hard at it. I just happened to bump into some real quality kids who wanted to stay at home. These guys were all interested in doing something and doing it close to home.”
New faces at forward include Jon Bubnick, Brad Erickson, Brett Novak, Brett Parker, Colin Patterson and Myles Zimmer out of the Western Hockey League. Rounding out the newcomer forwards are former Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League players Jason Wagar, Rory Gregoire and Dan Erlandson.
Most of that group call Saskatoon home.
Back on the blue-line, the rookie class includes former Prince Albert Raider Nolan Schaefer, NCAA transfer Mark Hinz from Minnesota’s Mankato State, former NCAA player and SJHLer Greg Park and Cleve Len.
Gone from last season are: Canada West most valuable player Dean Beuker (pro, Germany); G Thomas Vicars, D Dean Serdachny and a couple of part-time forwards, Shawn Langen and Preston Mosewich.
“Dean Beuker wasn’t expected to lead the conference in scoring three of his four years,” Adolph said when asked who would fill Beuker’s spot on the top line. “The beauty of Saskatchewan-born kids is they all find a way.
“Bubnick, Patterson, Novak, Erickson — they can all score. Zimmer bounces them off anything — he can score. Johnny Dahl, if he plays after Christmas, he’s a dangler.”
Dahl, who has minor pro experience, is not eligible to play until later this season but he’s enrolled at the U of S. Another mid-season add-on possibility is Kindersley native Casey Lee, who is attending the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks main training camp.
Blue-liners Bryce Thoma and Johnson were question marks heading into camp. They are both considering playing minor pro.
Adolph got most, but not all, of the players he was after. G Josh Lepp, a native of Dalmeny, is pursuing a different career path. F Chad Klassen joined the University of Alberta Golden Bears, as did Kieran Block. Adam Ward is at the University of Regina. Defenceman Devin Featherstone chose the University of Lethbridge.
Barring an unforeseen hail storm, the Dogs look to be in great shape heading into the new season. It could be their best recruiting crop in years — if all the crop comes off.
“That’s why I never brag all summer,” said Adolph. “There’s the overwhelming part that’s about to take course over the next two weeks with these guys. We’ve got a few weeks to go before we’re out of the hail season.”
dzary@sp.canwest.com
HUSKIES RECRUITING CLASS Forwards
Jon Bubnick Brad Erickson Dan Erlandson Rory Gregoire Brett Novak Colin Patterson Brett Parker Jason Wagar Myles Zimmer
Defence
Nolan Schaefer Mark Hinz Cleve Len Greg Park
Goalie
Russ Monette
Possible mid-season add-ons
Casey Lee Kootenay (St. Louis Blues main camp) John Dahl (not eligible until later this season)
