Regina Pats column for the week of April 17

Here's my contribution to this week's edition of the Regina Pats' weekly e-newsletter. I suspect there won't be any more contributions until just before the start of the 2008/09 season.

Future looks promising for the Pats

Undoubtedly, a sense of disappointment still exists over the Regina Pats’ early exit from the WHL playoffs. The Pats, who finished atop the East Division standings in the regular season, were knocked off in six games by Swift Current in the conference quarterfinals. The abrupt ending was certainly disappointing, but shouldn’t negate the many positive steps taken during the 2007/08 campaign.

The Pats, despite having only two 20-goal scorers on the roster, still recorded 44 wins and 94 points in the regular season. Using a scoring-by-committee approach, Regina captured its first division pennant in a decade.

To generate more offense, the Pats will look to returning players like Michael MacAngus and Brett Leffler to increase their point production next season. Rookie Jordan Weal is expected to contribute immediately, after dominating the B.C. major midget league this season. And, it’s likely at least one goaltender will be traded prior to training camp for some scoring help. As it stands, returnees Linden Rowat and Jeff Bosch will be joined in a crowded crease by newcomers Damien Ketlo and Derek Tendler.

Leading the team offensively this season was second year sniper Jordan Eberle, who scored 42 goals and 75 points in 70 games. It wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest Eberle could pot 50 goals in his 18-year old season in 2008/09. For the third consecutive season he’ll work with a new set-up man, as centre Tim Kraus has graduated, along with fellow 20-year olds J.D. Watt and Ryan Bender.

Eberle’s disappointment in being eliminated from the playoffs was diminished somewhat by an invitation to play for Team Canada in the World under-18 championship, currently underway in Russia. When we ended the season that was a bitter disappointment but it's nice to know your hockey isn't done for the year," Eberle told the Regina Leader-Post.

Eberle is joined on the national team roster by Pats defenceman Colten Teubert, who has built a strong bond with his high-scoring teammate over the past two years. "It's always a pleasure to play with that little guy," Teubert said to the Leader-Post. "Like I always say, he'll score the goals and I'll try to keep them out of our net. I think it's the hardest thing in the world to get us apart from each other. I wouldn't be surprised if we got drafted to the same NHL team. We're always together."

Indeed, both players expect to be drafted in the first three rounds of this summer’s NHL entry draft. Some observers expect Teubert will be a first-round selection, while Eberle’s name will be called soon after, perhaps early in the second round.

In the meantime, Pats General Manager Brent Parker – who has already endorsed Head Coach Curtis Hunt for at least another season – is left to make plans for next season’s edition of the Pats. And, despite the graduation of several key performers – a list that will likely include captain Logan Pyett – Parker doesn’t believe his team will slide down the East Division standings.

"Our expectations don't change," Parker insisted to the Leader-Post. "We want to have success every year and we'll start training camp with the same intentions, to try to compete for a division championship and move forward. We'll be a little younger than we were this year. Our team speed will be a little bit better. It certainly isn't a rebuilding year -- I wouldn't look at it that way -- but it's a bit of a transition year. We have a lot of prospects that are ready to play."

Exactly how ready those prospects are, and whether the returning players can elevate their games, will determine if the 2008/09 Regina Pats will once again contend for a WHL championship. Certainly, the fans who helped set a franchise attendance record this past season expect nothing less.

SportZone lineup for April 16

Sorry for the lack of content, but it's been a busy week and I just haven't been all that inspired. But, if you have any suggestions for topics, let me know. In the meantime, here's the lineup for this week's show, airing tonight at 6 p.m. and tomorrow at 3 p.m. on Access channel 7. Apparently it also airs Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Who knew? Obviously not me!

SportZone Guests for April 15/08
Community Co-Host: Alynn Brischuk

1. A preview of the annual East-West CIS football all-star game. Guests: Brandon Ganne (University of Regina Rams linebacker) & Tamon George (Rams defensive back).

2. A preview of the 2008 summer lacrosse season in Saskatchewan. Guest: Dale Measner (Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association Executive Director).

3. A profile of a Regina athlete who competes in the sport of heavy events (Highland Games). Guest: Jason Johnston (Heavy Events Athlete)

4. A preview of the WCP Mini World Cup soccer tournament in Regina. Guests: Catherine Collins (Player).

5. A profile of the Wascana Freewheelers Bicycle Touring Club. Guests: Cathy Stedwill & Brenda Ziolkowski (Club Members).

6. A long-time volunteer with the Saskatchewan Roughriders will be inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame this fall. Guest: Tom Shepherd (Friends of the Riders Touchdown Lottery President).

SportZone lineup for April 9

Here's the lineup for this week's show on Access 7:

SportZone Guests for April 8/08
Community Co-Host: Brandon Brooks

1. Regina coaches and athletes are looking forward to the 2008 Saskatchewan Summer Games. Guests: Darlene MacQuarrie (ReginaSport Inc. General Manager) & Dale Reed (Zone 2 Chef de Mission).

2. A preview of the 2008 season at Regina’s Lakeshore Tennis Club. Guests: Linda Sulz (LTC President).

3. Oh Lord! T-shirt and shorts season is coming! Is it too late to get in shape? Guest: Tracy Hagan (Energize Health and Fitness Services).

4. A preview of the 2008 Saskatchewan high school football Senior Bowl, plus other goings-on at Football Saskatchewan. Guest: Mike Thomas (Football Saskatchewan Technical Director)

5. Regina gets set to host the 2008 Canadian Masters Track and Field Championships. Guests: Carol Lafayette-Boyd (2007 Saskatchewan Master Athlete of the Year) & Terry Mountjoy (Excel Athletika General Manager).

6. A preview of the 2008 Regina Thunder football club’s Bill Cronin fundraising dinner. Guest: Jeff Stusek (Team President) & Erwin Klempner (Head Coach).

Tape scandal at the legislature

I would suggest this could be a little problematic for the new provincial government, and the federal conservative party in Saskatchewan. What the hell were these guys thinking?

SportZone lineup for April 2

Here's the lineup for this week's show, airing tonight at 6 p.m. and Thursday at 3 p.m. on Access channel 7:

SportZone Guests for April 2/08
Community Co-Host: Carlo Palazzo

1. A preview of the annual Skate Regina ice show on April 12th. Guests: Kim Mack (Organizing Committee), Campbell Mack & Kaitlyn Tremblay (Skaters).

2. Time to dust off the golf clubs and get some practice in before the courses open! May we suggest the First Tee Indoor Golf Centre? Guest: Jim Johnson (Managing Partner).

3. A preview of the 2008 CFL draft with a two-time Hec Crighton award nominee. Guest: Teale Orban (University of Regina Rams quarterback).

4. The Sheldon-Williams Spartans celebrate a provincial 5A girl’s basketball championship. Guests: Geneva Murphy & Julia Hart (Players).

5. A preview of the 2008 Regina Minor Football season. Guest: Kelly Hamilton (RMF President).

6. A post-mortem on the 2007/08 athletics season at the University of Regina. Guest: Dick White (U of R Athletic Director).