With the year coming to an early and dissapointing finish in crannbrook
next years team could have some real promise. With potentially none of the d-men leaving this will be the strongest d core we've seen in a while. Plus both goalies coming back maybe, that back end is impressive. Add in the young forwards and it reaaly could be an exciting year. I know its early but what do some people think on the possible line up for next year?
20 year olds? strengths and weaknesses? and possible line combos?
Have a great off season!

Expectations and a sneak peak at next season



By by JEFF BROMLEY
Apr 10 2006
If we know anything, it is at this time next year the Kootenay Ice will not be playing the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL Playoffs. Please, try to curb your enthusiasm. After playoff tussles in four of the past five seasons and three straight series’ losses, any team without a certain lizard for a logo as an opponent has got to be an improvement.
With WHL expansion comes realignment and with the Kootenay Ice returning to their old stomping grounds of the Central Division and on a club that could return eighteen of this season’s 22-man roster next September, the move will be welcomed by the club’s fans but likely panned by the likes of their Central division rivals. Here’s a quick synopsis of next fall.
Goal - Between the pipes the club is still healthy. Incumbent Taylor Dakers’ hockey fate will be determined by the San Jose Sharks who drafted him in the 5th round of the NHL draft last July. The Sharks don’t have to sign the Langley product until June of ‘07 so he could return for another tour of duty with the Ice as one of the club’s allotment of three 20-year-olds. That decision could also affect the likes of current back-up Kris Lazaruk, who is draft eligible this June and will want to play in a number one role next year. If Dakers does return, either he or Lazaruk will be looking at a new address in the Fall. Look for Tyler Pugh, 18, who backed up Lazaruk when Dakers was out with a hip injury early in the season, David Simpson, 17, or Daniel Salamandyk, 16, to duke it out for the back-up role.
Defense - Kootenay has the luxury of returning all of their defensemen from this year. Both Mike Busto and Dalyn Flatt will be looking to the pros but will likely return as 20-year-olds. Busto is an free agent while Flatt, who is in discussions with the New York Rangers about a contract, was drafted by the Rangers in 2005. Import Lukas Bohunicky, 19, will likely be back as will 19-year-old’s Paul Kurceba and Chad Greenan. Paul MacDonald, 18, will be looking for more time as will John Negrin, 17, who could be the club’s number one blue liner heading into his NHL draft year. Add into the mix Ian Barteaux, 18, 6’5” rookie addition Jordan Wilkins and possibly Cam Stevens out of Brandon who was close to making the club as a 16-year-old and the club’s glut of defensemen that cannot be ignored.
Forwards - With the graduation of Dale Mahovksy, Adam Cracknell and Casey Lee it is up front where most of the change will take place. Ryan Russell, 19, Ben Maxwell, 18, and Steve Da Silva, 19, will be counted upon for their offensive roles. Andrew Bailey, 18, Dustin Sylvester, 17, and Trent Fussi, 17, will be handed expanded duties. Luke Wiens, 19, will return in the toughness department. Look for the team to have some luck in drafting an offensive European forward to fill their import quota.
20-year-olds - If Dakers and Flatt both return then the club will have some big decisions to make with Mike Busto and Curtis Billsten considered favourites for the overage spots. The club is deep on the blueline and in the nets but up front Billsten’s size will be a big asset. Not coming back will be Michal Psurny who is both an overage and import player and contributed little since being acquired at the trade deadline. Also likely on the outside looking is Devin Welsh who found himself on the fourth line over the final two months of the season.
Also to be considered is the WHL expansion draft which will take place in late June to fill the roster of the league’s 21st team the Chilliwack Bruins. Teams will be allowed to protect 15 skaters and lose only one off of their 50 player protected list, with the exception of the Tri-City Americans who could lose three players of their list.
If we know anything, it is at this time next year the Kootenay Ice will not be playing the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL Playoffs. Please, try to curb your enthusiasm. After playoff tussles in four of the past five seasons and three straight series’ losses, any team without a certain lizard for a logo as an opponent has got to be an improvement.
With WHL expansion comes realignment and with the Kootenay Ice returning to their old stomping grounds of the Central Division and on a club that could return eighteen of this season’s 22-man roster next September, the move will be welcomed by the club’s fans but likely panned by the likes of their Central division rivals. Here’s a quick synopsis of next fall.
Goal - Between the pipes the club is still healthy. Incumbent Taylor Dakers’ hockey fate will be determined by the San Jose Sharks who drafted him in the 5th round of the NHL draft last July. The Sharks don’t have to sign the Langley product until June of ‘07 so he could return for another tour of duty with the Ice as one of the club’s allotment of three 20-year-olds. That decision could also affect the likes of current back-up Kris Lazaruk, who is draft eligible this June and will want to play in a number one role next year. If Dakers does return, either he or Lazaruk will be looking at a new address in the Fall. Look for Tyler Pugh, 18, who backed up Lazaruk when Dakers was out with a hip injury early in the season, David Simpson, 17, or Daniel Salamandyk, 16, to duke it out for the back-up role.
Defense - Kootenay has the luxury of returning all of their defensemen from this year. Both Mike Busto and Dalyn Flatt will be looking to the pros but will likely return as 20-year-olds. Busto is an free agent while Flatt, who is in discussions with the New York Rangers about a contract, was drafted by the Rangers in 2005. Import Lukas Bohunicky, 19, will likely be back as will 19-year-old’s Paul Kurceba and Chad Greenan. Paul MacDonald, 18, will be looking for more time as will John Negrin, 17, who could be the club’s number one blue liner heading into his NHL draft year. Add into the mix Ian Barteaux, 18, 6’5” rookie addition Jordan Wilkins and possibly Cam Stevens out of Brandon who was close to making the club as a 16-year-old and the club’s glut of defensemen that cannot be ignored.
Forwards - With the graduation of Dale Mahovksy, Adam Cracknell and Casey Lee it is up front where most of the change will take place. Ryan Russell, 19, Ben Maxwell, 18, and Steve Da Silva, 19, will be counted upon for their offensive roles. Andrew Bailey, 18, Dustin Sylvester, 17, and Trent Fussi, 17, will be handed expanded duties. Luke Wiens, 19, will return in the toughness department. Look for the team to have some luck in drafting an offensive European forward to fill their import quota.
20-year-olds - If Dakers and Flatt both return then the club will have some big decisions to make with Mike Busto and Curtis Billsten considered favourites for the overage spots. The club is deep on the blueline and in the nets but up front Billsten’s size will be a big asset. Not coming back will be Michal Psurny who is both an overage and import player and contributed little since being acquired at the trade deadline. Also likely on the outside looking is Devin Welsh who found himself on the fourth line over the final two months of the season.
Also to be considered is the WHL expansion draft which will take place in late June to fill the roster of the league’s 21st team the Chilliwack Bruins. Teams will be allowed to protect 15 skaters and lose only one off of their 50 player protected list, with the exception of the Tri-City Americans who could lose three players of their list.
If we know anything, it is at this time next year the Kootenay Ice will not be playing the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL Playoffs. Please, try to curb your enthusiasm. After playoff tussles in four of the past five seasons and three straight series’ losses, any team without a certain lizard for a logo as an opponent has got to be an improvement.
With WHL expansion comes realignment and with the Kootenay Ice returning to their old stomping grounds of the Central Division and on a club that could return eighteen of this season’s 22-man roster next September, the move will be welcomed by the club’s fans but likely panned by the likes of their Central division rivals. Here’s a quick synopsis of next fall.
Goal - Between the pipes the club is still healthy. Incumbent Taylor Dakers’ hockey fate will be determined by the San Jose Sharks who drafted him in the 5th round of the NHL draft last July. The Sharks don’t have to sign the Langley product until June of ‘07 so he could return for another tour of duty with the Ice as one of the club’s allotment of three 20-year-olds. That decision could also affect the likes of current back-up Kris Lazaruk, who is draft eligible this June and will want to play in a number one role next year. If Dakers does return, either he or Lazaruk will be looking at a new address in the Fall. Look for Tyler Pugh, 18, who backed up Lazaruk when Dakers was out with a hip injury early in the season, David Simpson, 17, or Daniel Salamandyk, 16, to duke it out for the back-up role.
Defense - Kootenay has the luxury of returning all of their defensemen from this year. Both Mike Busto and Dalyn Flatt will be looking to the pros but will likely return as 20-year-olds. Busto is an free agent while Flatt, who is in discussions with the New York Rangers about a contract, was drafted by the Rangers in 2005. Import Lukas Bohunicky, 19, will likely be back as will 19-year-old’s Paul Kurceba and Chad Greenan. Paul MacDonald, 18, will be looking for more time as will John Negrin, 17, who could be the club’s number one blue liner heading into his NHL draft year. Add into the mix Ian Barteaux, 18, 6’5” rookie addition Jordan Wilkins and possibly Cam Stevens out of Brandon who was close to making the club as a 16-year-old and the club’s glut of defensemen that cannot be ignored.
Forwards - With the graduation of Dale Mahovksy, Adam Cracknell and Casey Lee it is up front where most of the change will take place. Ryan Russell, 19, Ben Maxwell, 18, and Steve Da Silva, 19, will be counted upon for their offensive roles. Andrew Bailey, 18, Dustin Sylvester, 17, and Trent Fussi, 17, will be handed expanded duties. Luke Wiens, 19, will return in the toughness department. Look for the team to have some luck in drafting an offensive European forward to fill their import quota.
20-year-olds - If Dakers and Flatt both return then the club will have some big decisions to make with Mike Busto and Curtis Billsten considered favourites for the overage spots. The club is deep on the blueline and in the nets but up front Billsten’s size will be a big asset. Not coming back will be Michal Psurny who is both an overage and import player and contributed little since being acquired at the trade deadline. Also likely on the outside looking is Devin Welsh who found himself on the fourth line over the final two months of the season.
Also to be considered is the WHL expansion draft which will take place in late June to fill the roster of the league’s 21st team the Chilliwack Bruins. Teams will be allowed to protect 15 skaters and lose only one off of their 50 player protected list, with the exception of the Tri-City Americans who could lose three players of their list.
If we know anything, it is at this time next year the Kootenay Ice will not be playing the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL Playoffs. Please, try to curb your enthusiasm. After playoff tussles in four of the past five seasons and three straight series’ losses, any team without a certain lizard for a logo as an opponent has got to be an improvement.
With WHL expansion comes realignment and with the Kootenay Ice returning to their old stomping grounds of the Central Division and on a club that could return eighteen of this season’s 22-man roster next September, the move will be welcomed by the club’s fans but likely panned by the likes of their Central division rivals. Here’s a quick synopsis of next fall.
Goal - Between the pipes the club is still healthy. Incumbent Taylor Dakers’ hockey fate will be determined by the San Jose Sharks who drafted him in the 5th round of the NHL draft last July. The Sharks don’t have to sign the Langley product until June of ‘07 so he could return for another tour of duty with the Ice as one of the club’s allotment of three 20-year-olds. That decision could also affect the likes of current back-up Kris Lazaruk, who is draft eligible this June and will want to play in a number one role next year. If Dakers does return, either he or Lazaruk will be looking at a new address in the Fall. Look for Tyler Pugh, 18, who backed up Lazaruk when Dakers was out with a hip injury early in the season, David Simpson, 17, or Daniel Salamandyk, 16, to duke it out for the back-up role.
Defense - Kootenay has the luxury of returning all of their defensemen from this year. Both Mike Busto and Dalyn Flatt will be looking to the pros but will likely return as 20-year-olds. Busto is an free agent while Flatt, who is in discussions with the New York Rangers about a contract, was drafted by the Rangers in 2005. Import Lukas Bohunicky, 19, will likely be back as will 19-year-old’s Paul Kurceba and Chad Greenan. Paul MacDonald, 18, will be looking for more time as will John Negrin, 17, who could be the club’s number one blue liner heading into his NHL draft year. Add into the mix Ian Barteaux, 18, 6’5” rookie addition Jordan Wilkins and possibly Cam Stevens out of Brandon who was close to making the club as a 16-year-old and the club’s glut of defensemen that cannot be ignored.
Forwards - With the graduation of Dale Mahovksy, Adam Cracknell and Casey Lee it is up front where most of the change will take place. Ryan Russell, 19, Ben Maxwell, 18, and Steve Da Silva, 19, will be counted upon for their offensive roles. Andrew Bailey, 18, Dustin Sylvester, 17, and Trent Fussi, 17, will be handed expanded duties. Luke Wiens, 19, will return in the toughness department. Look for the team to have some luck in drafting an offensive European forward to fill their import quota.
20-year-olds - If Dakers and Flatt both return then the club will have some big decisions to make with Mike Busto and Curtis Billsten considered favourites for the overage spots. The club is deep on the blueline and in the nets but up front Billsten’s size will be a big asset. Not coming back will be Michal Psurny who is both an overage and import player and contributed little since being acquired at the trade deadline. Also likely on the outside looking is Devin Welsh who found himself on the fourth line over the final two months of the season.
Also to be considered is the WHL expansion draft which will take place in late June to fill the roster of the league’s 21st team the Chilliwack Bruins. Teams will be allowed to protect 15 skaters and lose only one off of their 50 player protected list, with the exception of the Tri-City Americans who could lose three players of their list.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2//.goalies 1. Kris Lazaruk , 30. Tyler Pugh, 8 //.deffence 2. Paul kerceba , 3. John Negrin , 5. lucas Bohunicky, 7. Dalyn Flatt [20], 8 Paul MacDonald , 24 Chad Greenan , 25 Ian Barteax, 4. Cam Stevens,[r] 11//.forwards 10 Trent Fussi,12. Curtis Billten [20], 16 Ben Maxwell, 18 Luke Wiens, 20 Ryan Russell,21. Andrew Bailey 22.Steve Desilva ,26. Dustin sylvester,14. a european , Scott Jackson , [r] Liam Jeffries [r] , Tylan styephens [r]

Jackson is no longer part of the 50 man protected list and Liam Jeffries is a long way from making a Dub team. He is likely going to play Junior A next year. Also, you don't have all the twenties. What about Busto and/or Dakers?

who says we have to have 3 twenty year olds // I don't think busto or dakers played well enough this year to become a twenty year old on this team // besides daker being drafted can play in a.h.l. or e.c.h.l.

Here's my best guess:

20 year olds for 2006/7

Busto
Dakers
Billsten

not coming back
Welsh
Flatt



Acery

Dakers is not signed by San Jose and they don't have to, before possibly losing him to free agency, until next June. So unless there's a spot for him in their system I think they're prepared to let him play another year of junior. Because of the injury he suffered this year I don't think he's ready for the pro ranks.

As for the amount of twenties, the cardinal rule is clear; unless you're rebuilding and want to develop the younger players with a ton of ice time a team needs the overage depth.

Next year's club is deep in two areas: goal and defense. Up front they are thin after Russell, Maxwell and Da Silva. That's why Billsten is probably a lock as a twenty.

The blueline is plentiful but full of raw talent that needs to be tutored. Busto didn't have his best year but he possesses a lot of talent and experience to pass on. Quality d-men do not grow on trees in the 21 (22) team WHL. That's why as soon as Flatt is surely coming back Dakers becomes an asset, along with one or two of the d-men the club has in sheer numbers, that can be dealt in exchange for some depth in scoring up front.

Lazaruk wants/should be a number one guy. Lots of back-up depth in the system.

Interesting perspective... well said.

You are right that Dakers may be trade bait... but as a 20 year old, Kootenay would not get a similar talented player in return. So my bet is that Dakers returns and plays if not signed.

I think Flatt has a shot at the minors. But if he's available, (big if) Kootenay is deep on the blue line, so why not trade Flatt? Great talent, high draft pick and Kootenay possibly gets a decent 2nd line forward in return.

Busto is a lock in my humble opinion.

Then... look for a Euro-forward....

Acery

We all have about a 50-50 chance of being right 50% of the time.
Not very good odds.
So here is a guess based on names in previous posts.
# Name and Pos Age 15 Protected List Team for 2006-07
10 Trent Fussi F 17 Yes Yes
11 Devin Welsh F 20 No No
12 Curtis Billsten F 20 Yes Yes (OA)
14 Michal Psurny F 20 No No
16 Ben Maxwell F 18 Yes Yes
18 Luke Wiens F 19 No Possibly
20 Ryan Russell F 19 Yes Yes
21 Andrew Bailey F 18 Yes Yes
22 Steve DaSilva F 19 Yes Yes
26 Dustin Sylvester F 17 Yes Yes
- Tylan Stephens F 17 Possibly Yes
2 Paul Kurceba D 19 Yes Yes
3 John Negrin D 17 Yes Yes
5 Lukas Bohunicky D 19 Yes Yes
6 Michael Busto D 20 Yes Yes (OA)
7 Dalyn Flatt D 20 Yes then Trade Trade
8 Paul MacDonald D 18 Possibly Yes or Trade
24 Chad Greenan D 19 Yes Yes or Trade
- Ian Barteaux D 18 Possibly Yes
- Jordan Wilkins D 16 Not eligible No (2007-08)
- Cam Stevens D 17 Possibly Yes
- Tyler Pugh G 18 No No
1 Kris Lazaruk G 18 Yes Yes
29 Taylor Dakers G 20 Yes Yes (OA)

tyler daker signs a minor league contract with sharks will most likely play pro next year

Sharks Announce Seven Player Signings
July 14, 2006

San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has re-signed Group II restricted free agents, defenseman Rob Davison, right wing Scott Parker and goaltender Dimitri Patzold to one year deals. In addition, the team has signed goaltender Taylor Dakers, center Joe Pavelski, defenseman Scott Ferguson and forward Graham Mink to standard player contracts. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Dakers, 19, posted a 30-15-1 record during the 2005-06 regular season for the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League. Among WHL goaltenders, he was tied for first in save percentage (.926), third in shutouts (8), fifth in goals against average (2.11) and tied for seventh in wins. He was also named the WHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 21.

In three seasons with Kootenay, Dakers posted a 59-34-3 record with a 2.31 goals against average.

“Kootenay has a positive history of developing prospects and Taylor Dakers has benefited greatly from his three seasons with the club,” stated Wilson. “We feel that his work with Kootenay’s General Manager Jeff Chynoweth and Head Coach Cory Clouston have helped him become a legitimate pro prospect.”

The six-foot-two, 170-pound native of Richmond, British Columbia was selected by San Jose in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.