Discussions

With less than five days to go until their 2010-11 home opener the Wheat Kings have an excess of players at all positions. While the team is known to carry a few extra players into the season, they will be facing some difficult decisions in the next few days as they select the team that they hope to defend their regular season East Division crown with.  
 
FORWARD  
VETERANS (8)  
Paul Ciarelli  
Michael Ferland  
Scott Glennie (at NHL camp)  
Brayden Schenn (at NHL camp)  
Jesse Sinatynski  
Mark Stone (at NHL camp)  
Brenden Walker  
Shayne Wiebe (20)  
 
ROOKIES (9)  
Dakota Conroy  
Jon Gaudet  
Wheaton King  
Jens Meilleur (injured)  
Mark Mieritz  
Carter Proft  
Tyrel Seaman  
Jason Swyripa  
David Toews (20)  
 
- You can typically expect the Wheat Kings to carry 15-16 forwards into the season. If Schenn and Glennie are at pro camps for any length of time, we might be looking at the opening day group of forwards.. which without Schenn, Glennie or Stone would include 10 forwards 18 years of age or younger. If all three players are back (Glennie, Stone are almost sure bets. The jury's out on Schenn), you'd have to think that at least one more player will eventually be released or traded. Out of the rookies Toews, Mieritz and Swyripa at least have to be seen as sure bets to be on the final roster. So many other forwards look ready to play at the WHL level, which will make the decisions tough for Wheat Kings' Head Coach and GM Kelly McCrimmon.  
 
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DEFENSE  
Veterans (4)  
Darren Bestland (20)  
Brodie Melnychuk (20)  
Ryley Miller  
Mark Schneider  
 
ROOKIES (6)  
Jordan Fransoo  
Spencer Galbraith  
Rene Hunter  
Kyle Krzyzaniak  
Ryan Pulock  
Eric Roy  
 
- Every year the Wheat Kings seem to have a couple of late decisions to make on defense. 10 defensement being on the roster just days before the start of the season is as good of a reflection as you'll find of the fact that this is a defense at least temorarily rebuild mode. The decisions made over the next few weeks will be important not only for this season, but will be what forms the WKs' defensive core for the next 2-3 years. At least one of Darren Bestland or Mark Schneider will likely not make this team as 20-year olds, which leaves us with 9 defensemen... at least one of which will realistically not be on this team long-term. Will all be given a chance to get their feet wet in a regular season game, or will we see a decision or two before Friday?  
 
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GOALTENDER (5)  
VETERANS (2)  
Jacob De Serres (20)  
Andrew Hayes (20)  
 
ROOKIES (3)  
Corbin Boes  
Liam Liston  
Ty Rimmer  
 
- Start with Liam Liston being a lock to make it. Beyond that is anyone's guess. One school of thought is that the team will keep one of Boews or Rimmer and run with a young goaltending duo a-la the days of Jomar Cruz and Jamie Hodson. The other school of thought is that one 20-year old spot will go to either Jacob De Serres or Andrew Hayes to help take the pressure off of young Liston. Needless to say carrying five goaltenders into the regular season is not good for anyone, bank on at least one of Hayes/De Serres and one of Boews/Rimmer being released/re-assigned/traded before Friday and the team rotating three goalies for the first few weeks of the year.  
 
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All in all, the team looks to be blessed with another embarassment of high quality rookies which, by Christmas time, has the potential to make a lot of teams a little jealous of Brandon's scouting department. Everyone thought we would re-build, and then along came Schenn-Glennie-Calvert. Similar potential could be there in this year's first-year players.  
 
Depending on who you talk to, this is a team that could contend or this is a .500 team in a rebuilding year. Remembering that last year's star-studded team came out of the gates slowly last year, I expect watching this talented young group develop to be every bit as exciting.  
 
Based on what you've seen and heard as a fan, what is your opening day Wheat King lineup? Which way do you see some of the more difficult decisions going? and what are your expectations for what we'll see this season?