JUNIOR CANES, LOCKED AND LOADED FOR UPCOMING SEASON
Carolina
As the preseason begins to wind down for the mighty junior Canes, one thing has become apparent. This squad is ready to continue their legacy as one of the stronger programs in CLUTCH.
Currently tied for the league lead in points, the speedy playmaker Colin Fraser leads the charge with 11 points in 7 games while the blueline gunner Shea Weber sits with 9 points.
"He leads this team right now," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "He is the most creative offensive player on this team and he makes the guys around him more dangerous in the goal area. I think he is set for a really big year offensively and I will do what I can to make sure he has the weapons to assure that."
Rookie center Dustin Penner has begun to show he will likely be the power play catalyst and leads the squad with 5 goals. Penner, who has incredible size and strength, has made a home early in front of opposing teams nets and the team looks for more of that as the season draws near.
The Finnish duo of Lauri Tukonen and Lauri Koripikoski have caused nightmares for opposing d with their combination of size, speed and skill and both players have put up a point a game pace in the preseason, playing with both Dustin Penner and Fraser.
"I have felt quite comfortable tossing them out with any one of our three top centers," said Hartsburg, "the only trend I see continuing is that these two need to play with one another. They feed off each others energy and it just seemed that when I put them out with Fraser, a lot of matchup problems occurred. Right now, that is our top line and I will begin the season as such."
Jonathan Boutin has also been equally impressive, with a solid 2.63 goals against while sporting a .902 save percentile.
Overall, the Canes true strength is their overall depth. With players like Mike Richards, Jeremy Colliton and Stephen Dixon taking care of the shut down role, Corey Perry, Anthony Stewart and Much Mancari adding to the offensive depth up front and a very strong blueline with players like Brayden Coburn, Jordan Smith and Cam Barker, the team looks like it is ready to make some noise this season.
"As long as we stay on the same page and work as a unit, this year should be a good one for this group of kids. We all have roles, we all have jobs to do, and I expect nothing other than these guys fulfilling those tasks every game."
"We know what this year is all about," said Cam Barker. "For most of these guys, this is the step to the next level and for those here that will not be attempting that step, it is the final kick at the can. We know we can succeed and we know this team can roll with anyone in this league. But talk is cheap until you prove something. This year we want to prove we are the top club here."
As the preseason begins to wind down for the mighty junior Canes, one thing has become apparent. This squad is ready to continue their legacy as one of the stronger programs in CLUTCH.
Currently tied for the league lead in points, the speedy playmaker Colin Fraser leads the charge with 11 points in 7 games while the blueline gunner Shea Weber sits with 9 points.
"He leads this team right now," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "He is the most creative offensive player on this team and he makes the guys around him more dangerous in the goal area. I think he is set for a really big year offensively and I will do what I can to make sure he has the weapons to assure that."
Rookie center Dustin Penner has begun to show he will likely be the power play catalyst and leads the squad with 5 goals. Penner, who has incredible size and strength, has made a home early in front of opposing teams nets and the team looks for more of that as the season draws near.
The Finnish duo of Lauri Tukonen and Lauri Koripikoski have caused nightmares for opposing d with their combination of size, speed and skill and both players have put up a point a game pace in the preseason, playing with both Dustin Penner and Fraser.
"I have felt quite comfortable tossing them out with any one of our three top centers," said Hartsburg, "the only trend I see continuing is that these two need to play with one another. They feed off each others energy and it just seemed that when I put them out with Fraser, a lot of matchup problems occurred. Right now, that is our top line and I will begin the season as such."Jonathan Boutin has also been equally impressive, with a solid 2.63 goals against while sporting a .902 save percentile.
Overall, the Canes true strength is their overall depth. With players like Mike Richards, Jeremy Colliton and Stephen Dixon taking care of the shut down role, Corey Perry, Anthony Stewart and Much Mancari adding to the offensive depth up front and a very strong blueline with players like Brayden Coburn, Jordan Smith and Cam Barker, the team looks like it is ready to make some noise this season.
"As long as we stay on the same page and work as a unit, this year should be a good one for this group of kids. We all have roles, we all have jobs to do, and I expect nothing other than these guys fulfilling those tasks every game."
"We know what this year is all about," said Cam Barker. "For most of these guys, this is the step to the next level and for those here that will not be attempting that step, it is the final kick at the can. We know we can succeed and we know this team can roll with anyone in this league. But talk is cheap until you prove something. This year we want to prove we are the top club here."
posted by Lohaus at 10:35 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home