No question, this really is a great time of year to be a sports fan - especially in Saskatchewan this year! The Riders are in first place, and the Regina Pats look to be on the verge of a very successful WHL season. As long as I can still get a few more games of tennis in this season, what's not to love?
Today, I thought I'd respond to a couple of comments posted by one of our regular readers, Old Fan. OF's comments are in bold print, followed by mine. I invite you to join in by posting comments of your own.
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Hey Pete, How's your summer been? Been reading you daily man.
The hysteria around the Riders fortunes is good for marketing but it is also the recipe for a huge letdown. A couple of years ago the Lions won like their first 10 games and went into the crapper after that. This squad has to get better d-zone coverage and the defense overall has to stiffen. The second half will test their metal. I am hoping for the best but its a bit too early to book for Toronto. I hope fans understand that but I doubt they do!
OF, OF, OF - such cynicism! Frankly, I say let the fans enjoy the ride! As a long, long-suffering fan of this team, surely you agree the people who buy the tickets are entitled to a little hysteria? Lord knows they've had their fill of disappointment in the past 30 years! With that in mind, I certainly know where you're coming from when you speak of great expectations leading to crushing disappointment.
And yes, I also agree that there's room for improvement - on both sides of the ball. However, what I really like about this year's team is that the players and coaches aren't getting caught up in the hype. They realize this team has been good, and occasionally lucky, this season - but needs to keep getting better if it has championship aspirations. In the meantime, Labour Day is going to be an absolute gong show - in the best possible way!
The Pats are in the 4th year of a 3 year building process..lol.They will have to really step up and prove they are real contenders. We have been rebuilding too long and the time for the meat is right friggen now. They still need a couple of quality forwards and will probably have to move a d-man. I can think of one or two that could be moved. Leflar will have to be better however he is an enigma. Eberle will likely be better but a 17 yr old can't be expected to carry the team. He will be watched a lot more this year. Parker and Hunt will have to prove they can build a winner and get the job done. If they can't after all this time, well, maybe its time to weigh the options!!
Again, I can't blame anyone for being a little skeptical about the Pats. However, I truly believe this team will be a contender, if they can find a first and second line centre. Maybe a couple of the players in camp are up to the task, or perhaps those holes will have to be filled through the trade route. If so, I would suggest the only "untouchables" on the current roster are Colten Teubert, Jordan Eberle and Logan Pyett. I suspect anyone else could be moved, if the deal makes sense.
Now, if the Pats stumble out of the gate and are well off the pace by Christmas - then I may have to rethink my optimistic outlook! Hopefully that's a bridge we won't have to cross.
8 comments:
Hey Pistol,
I was looking at an old DUB yearbook and looked at some Pats Alumni. The one player that never made it to the N.H.L. that I thought coulda/woulda if given the chance, Dale Derkatch.
This guy was amazing as a Pat, I am certain some of his records remain intact. He was drafted by the Oilers in the 7th round, Nevin Markwart went in the 1st round I believe??
I have no problem with Nevin being drafted ahead of the "Rat", different style of player. But how on earth did this guy NOT get a shot at the N.H.L.?????????????
Everywhere he played he was a scoring phenom, check his stats in Europe. This guy outpointed every N.H.L.er who ever went to Europe to play. How on earth did Strummer not get this guy out of Edmonton and a shot with another team.
I read that Dale is talking to the Pats this week at a luncheon, great to see him remain loyal to the team.
This guy can coach Pistol, he has the same burning desire to win behind the bench as he did while on the ice. For a guy who was 5"5' and no more than 150lbs, he is bar none the best we have seen in a Pats uniform, I say lifetime!
Would be nice to see Derkatch as an assistant coach one day soon, he will be a good replacement if Curtis Hunt goes onwards and upwards.
Coach
Yes Derkacht was a dandy. The Oilers were the kiss of death for many other players. Remember John Miner? He was tough (regularly punched out Wendal Clark), great offensively, had a cannon shot, and was a top flight d-man. He couldn't make the Oilers because they had a dynasty going on. He was deemed to small 5'10" - 200lbs for that era of the NHL. He would have been a 1st or 2nd round pick in last years draft. He was another Pat that never got a shot.
Hey that is a very good one, John Miner was a very good player and was tough! He had good numbers in Junior and as a professional in Europe. Atleast John got a cup of coffee with Edmoton, Derkatch was flat-out ignored.
How about Jock Callander, Dave Michayluk,Wally Schreiber & Brent Pascal. Now that was a team in 1981-82, It was Derkatch's rookie year and he netted 62 goals, 80 assists = 142 points. In the play-offs he had 34 points in 19 games.
With the above mentioned names I am really surprised these guys did not have established N.H.L. careers. All but Pascal had long professional hockey careers, and big time numbers in any league they played in.
But I will remain true to Derkatch, he was simply amazing, and not just a gifted sniper, he was a tough little guy! How could the Hockey News draft preview issue 1983 have this guy rated # 12 overall and he slips to #140. That very same year he gets 179 points, WHL scoring champion????
Oh BTW, Derkatch represented Canada at two World Junior Hockey Championships. His first was 1983, 3rd in scoring (7 games 3 goals 4 assists) behind Mario Lemieux and Dave Andreychuk. He also represented Canada in 1984 and had 5 goals in 7 games.
As I look deeper into this guys hockey past it leaves me wondering how on earth did he not get a chance. It could be one of the biggest mistakes ever as no WHL player ever had more points in one season than Derkatch's 179 in 1982-83 without playing atleast one N.H.L. game.
Coach
Just me playing devil's advocate: do you think the type of game the guys you mentioned played in junior (ie: scoring first, defence as an afterthought) hurt their chances of playing pro? Granted, the NHL game was pretty wide open in the 80's as well.
In Derkatch's case, I honestly think NHL GM's simply couldn't look past the fact he was "vertically challenged".
By the way, Derkatch was coach of the year in the Sask midget AAA league last year with Notre Dame. I wouldn't be surprised to see him behind a WHL bench in the near future.
Hey Pistol,
Good points raised Pete. But you answered your own question regarding the 80's being so wide open, run and gun if you will. If I remember correctly Callender had some challenges in the skating department, but what hands!!!!
Very true about the G.M.'s not looking past Derkatch's size, but then again they allowed Fluery, Courtnall and Ronning the same opportunity.
I think there was more to this story, I think Derkatch would not go to the minors and left for Europe. Sather had no reason to bend over backwards in those days and probably said....See Ya, We Don't Need Ya!
The other reason I am so surprised about Derkatch not getting a shot is the fact that the Oilers Head Scout back then was living in our Queen City. Lorne Davis had an awful lot of influence in those days.
Moot point now, but it sure is hard to digest, even after all these years.
I have seen Derkatch behind the Hounds bench this past winter, and I also saw him at the AAA All-Star game in Moose Jaw.
your right on Pistol, he will one day coach in the WHL, I hope it is with our Pats!
Coach
Hey Coach,
I keep meaning to ask - what league do you coach in? Midget AAA?
Hey Pistol,
Not a Coach per.....
Nope, just a self proclaimed know it all.
Hey why don't you have Dale Derkatch on your show, I think it would be great to hear from him. His life in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, possible coaching future AND why he did not go to atleast ONE Oiler Camp!!!
Coach
I may just have to do that! I remember we had him on 2-3 years ago and asked him about the Oilers experience, but I've forgotten what he said. Great memory, just not very long!
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