Scouting Report - September 2007
The Collective
Rick Bartlett, drawing the first pick, comes back with what he hopes will be a more offensive team, after scoring the fewest goals the past 2 seasons and finishing last place this past season. Despite losing 54 goal scorer, Tony Roberts, having Mark Whitlock back, coming off a 2nd place finish in scoring, and adding the highly rated newcomer, Grant Donovan, as well as a healthy Mike Moore, should create more offense. We're hoping Mike has a healthy injury free season. Rick held on to Evan Bartlett, Mike Correy, Rick Haines, and Brian Merrithew, but lost Kelvin Hoyt and Scott Sheppard along with Tony to the Predators. Besides Mark, Rick also brought back Larry Condly from two seasons ago. Another relatively unknown player, David Savoie, was also added and Paul Richard will play nets. Despite Paul finishing the past two seasons allowing the most goals, he finished this past season off with shutting out the Collective to earn his team a 3rd place playoff finish. Rick's hoping to see more of that kind of goaltending, and if he does and Mike Moore remains healthy, the Collective should improve in the wins column.
The Hung and the Breastless
Dan LeBlanc, drawing the 2nd pick, returns after a first place regular season finish, before losing a close series in the finals to the Leafs. The HB guys have a much different look this season. Dan has 6 players from the Championship team with Darryl Moorcraft, Doug Taylor, Steve Lyons, Ian Stevens, Harold Plante, and Shawn Phillips. Dan hangs onto Peter Wolters and Murray Flewelling returning from last year. After adding Davie Mossman coming off a 50 goal season and a newcomer Evan Elgee , Dan seems ready to begin defending last year's regular season championship. With Darryl in nets and Peter and Harold on defense it won't be easy to score against this team. Last season's team was loaded with forwards but Dan seems to have a balance for this year's team. Dan picked lots of championship experience. Darryl Moorcraft, Doug Taylor, Harold Plante and Steve Lyons, each played on 2 championship teams and Murray Flewelling and Peter Wolters have each playing on one. These guys know how to win and won't be easy to beat.
The Predators
Shawn Merrithew, drawing the 3rd pick, returns for the 3rd season. Shawn hopes to turn things around from last year's 3rd place finish with an almost completely different team. The only returning Predator is Mark Cress who will play his 3rd season with the team coming off a best defenseman award season from last year. Shawn grabbed some speed and energy in Art McCoy and Troy Doyle. He also went after a younger team picking up Tony Roberts and Tristan Horncastle. Besides Tristan, he also picked up Yvon Mayer and Kevin Stafford from last season's champs. Shawn picked Kelvin Hoyt for nets and keeps his trend alive, using a different goaltender each season. He also took Scott Sheppard, who was one of the few highlights for the Collective's playoff run. Unknown Vince MacDonald is Shawn's new player. The Predators seem to have a bit of everything, speed, size, experience, youth, etc. It should be interesting to see how this team plays. If everyone plays together they could be tough.
The Flames
Trevor Graham, drawing the 4th pick, comes in this season as our new captain, with Darryl Moorcraft stepping aside. Trevor should see some offense in picking last season's top two goal scorers, Dennis Moffitt and Jim Taylor. He also added his defensive partner of the past two seasons, Phil Cronkite. Carl Brown will add some winning experience coming off back to back championships and Trevor's hoping Troy MacDonald will gel with Jim as he did two seasons ago. Trevor also picked up Richard Morneau and Terry McFadzen from the Hung and Breastless. Richard was last season's top goaltender and Trevor will be counting on similar goaltending this year. Trevor will have three new players on his team, Scott Praught who has played well in the York Arena this summer, and Justin Manser along with Brian Muise who are relatively unknown players. Trevor appears to have a well balanced team and should be able to give the competition a good run for their money.