Training Camp notes

Another training camp in the books.  While i think the team looks great there was a very unfortunate moment when 1st round pick Kyle Crnkovic went into the corner board awkwardly, left the game and didnt return.  The Blades have not issued a statement on Crnkovic yet but it looked like a shoulder injury(which can be very time consuming)  Crnkovic was on fire before the injury scoring 6 goals in 2 games.  The young sniper has his name pegged in the lineup as soon as he returns.

Kristian Roykas Marthinsen (19, Norway, NHL 7th round Washington)  Is still getting his feet wet and used to the North American quick style of play(smaller rink)  So far he has shown that he can play physical, decent skater(gotta work on the edges) and an absolute bomb of a 1 timer.  I think he will take a few games to get comfortable with the pace but could make his living as a left handed weapon on the powerplay(giving the Blades another option from RW Paterson) 

De La Gorgendiere (16, D, 5th overall 1017)  Has got noticably stronger.  He isn't very flashy so he's not a guy that jumps out at you and gets noticed, but he's a D-man who quietly does his job well.  He could be the big time shut down guy they've been looking for.  Perhaps a Sam Klassen type?

Randen Schmidt (18, D)  I thought Randen has made great strides this off season.  He seems much fast and more willing to play with an edge.  He's going to make it tough for coach Love to decide on a D.

Malysjev(17, D)  I have yet to see him play but ive heard good things.  If he can be a top line guy this would be excellent news for Saskatoon.

Colton Dach(15, F, 6th overall 2018)  Not eligible to play this year but you wouldn't know it by watching him.  Good size at 6'1.5 and 166 lbs, showed an offensive presence with a few nice snipes and a slick forehand-backhand deke in close.  Likes to play the body and prides himself in being difficult to play against.  It's not out of the picture that he's comes into next season as a 6'3 180 pounder ready to make the net step.  He was able to out power other 03's fairly easily, next year will be a good test for him.

Marek Schneider(15, D)  At 6'1 188, he is already WHL size, but don't confuse the big bodied kid with being slow, he is also an excellent skater and strong on his feet.  Good shot, I think he has potential to be a big time D-man in this league, watching him at camp was confusing as you don't expect to see him as just a 15 yr old....  He's built like a 19 yr old vet!  Did have a couple giveaway's in camp, perhaps getting used to a faster style of play, hopefully that can be shored up with some good coaching from the M-AAA Minto's this season.  His older Brother made the Canada Gretzky-Hlinka squad this year and may be a top pairing D-man for Brandon at 17 yr's old.

Koen MacInnes(16, G)  I think he's great.  I thought he was the best goalie at last years camp and again at this one.  He just gets the job done.  Had a great year and an excellent save% at the WHL Cup.  I think he's ready for the WHL.  The only bad thing about him is he's 16 while Maier is 17.  Maier looks like the sure starter at least till he's done his 19 yr old season...  Will MacInnes be willing to play backup for that length of time before finally getting his shot as a 19?