Discussions

I wanted to throw out some thoughts regarding the Wheaties in general and the players in particular.  
Just in general, I wish the Wheaties would consistently shoot more as a team. The 2nd power play unit appears more effective than the first b/c they put Klinkhammer in front of the net and have Topilko and Clark feed the point for long shots and try and pick up the rebounds. Simek, Derlago and Burki try and walk the puck in front and shoot, was working great the first couple of months, but not so much anymore. Right now, I love the way Clark, Derlago and Reaves cycle the puck deep, they cause the other teams so many issues. I had a out of province friend in for the Kootenay game, he thought Brandon looked pretty good, just need to step up their physical play and transition from defence to offence a little quicker. Great games this week, especially the comeback against Regina! The Friday and Saturday games felt like playoffs to me, you could tell the intensity had been cranked up! I like the fact we have 3 lines that can score, and the rookie line has been the hardest working line recently. My friend called the defense pairing of Aulie and Louis the twin towers!! I’ve been entertained by this team, and hope that they make it through the first 2 rounds, likely to come up against the Tigers in the Conference Final which would be really, really tough.  
 
Burki Superb until Dec, disappointing since coming back from the WJC. During games he shows you tantalizing flashes of skill and speed, but still so inconsistent. Tonnes of potential, hope he’s back next season. It must be tough playing with the 2 Europeans  
Derlago I think he should shoot more often and he'd have 60 goals! Gritty player, good captain who leads by example. Going to miss him next season  
Klinkhammer I think he’s the best all round forward we have. Tough, throws the body and goes to the front of the net and can score. Really good junior player, well done on the trade Kelly!  
Simek A game breaker who needs to beat the first guy with his speed then either shoot or pass instead of trying to beat the second player. But a good player who gives us a real scoring threat, good rookie season. Can’t see him back here next season, on to the Moose maybe?  
Clark Most improved player and candidate for hardest worker. Under sized but always goes to the corner and front of the net, gets hit a lot. Probably too small to make the next step, but should score 70 or 80 points next season. Good candidate to be captain next season  
Topilko Come on strong the last month or so, uses his speed more effectively and seems to have gained confidence  
Kohn Flat out the teams MVP. Other teams are terrified of his speed. Could shoot a bit more on the PP. Great trade Kelly. Can’t see him back here next year  
Boyle The most underrated player on the team. Logs a tonne of ice time, strong defensively and starting to pitch in offensively. Should be one of the over agers next season, another candidate for captain  
Reaves A little streaky, needs to hit more consistently. Has cranked up his speed lately. Would be even more effective if he’d fight  
Dittmer Better lately with Klinkhammer and Topilko, but under performed this year. Can’t see him making the team next season if he is classified as an overager (but if not an overager he’ll be back)  
Bartek Better than our recent Europeans, honest hard worker  
Kauk Under performed and won’t make next years team  
Fehr Always been a hard worker but has been giving his all lately, I wish all the players expended as much energy as he does. Should develop similar to Derlago  
Yeo Hope he’s back as an overager b/c we miss his toughness  
Louis so frustrating b/c once a game he shows his potential, whether it’s a big hit or an end to end rush. If he played to his potential I’d have him back as an overager, but he’s on the bubble to not make the team next year.  
Hallick Hasn’t developed as I hoped, will they bring him back next season or bring a rookie instead?  
Jeffries A pleasant surprise, works hard like Fehr, looks like he could be a hard working middleweight who chips in with a few goals  
Aulie You can see in the last month he’s trying to play more offensively. I think he’s just realized that he can be a physical force in this league. Been slower to develop than expected, but I only see good things over the next 2 seasons for him  
Erb Developed pretty well, trying to establish himself as a physical force which we need from him. I see him as a faster, smarter version of Riley Day, but not quite as tough. Should be good next year  
Robak Amazing for a 16 year old in this league. The heir apparent to Kohn. Great size, skill and good speed and confidence. Future all star  
Lockerby Good team player who hasn’t developed as well as I thought but never quits. I like him as an offensive defenceman quite a lot and maybe that'll be his role next season?  
Green Really struggled this year. But the last month you can see he has started to figure things out and has worked really hard and gained confidence. I still think he can be our next Burki. Will benefit from increased ice time next season  
Plante Won’t win us a Conference title, but won’t cost us one either. Prone to giving up big rebounds but also makes some big spectacular saves. I kind of doubt he’ll be back next season, if Hayes and Caliguri have good training camps I’d be tempted to trade Plante to a contender who needs a goalie for a bunch of prospects!  
Caliguri Undersized which is a bit of a worry. But otherwise has had a good rookie season and I don’t mind him as our starting goaltender down the road  
 
We have a good crop of rookies on the way, which bodes well for the future. Out of the 19 year olds this is my preference of who we bring back: (I’m a little confused as to whom will be classified as overagers so have listed the 9 19 year olds)  
Kohn, Burki, Simek, Boyle, Yeo, Reaves, Louis, Dittmer, Kauk  
This is just an uneducated, personal opinion of the team and players. I do not mean to hurt anyone’s feelings by putting down their relative or favourite player. I reserve the right to be a typical fan and change my opinion on players as we go through the playoffs!!!! And I apologize for the long post!!  
I do not boo the team, I always cheer and look forward to an exciting playoff run. Thanks to Kelly Mcrimmon for keeping the team in Brandon and providing us with exciting hockey to watch.