Image
File
oPORTS
Tough Friday night at the Sportsplex eieciaae.
F oscay, November 14", the Royals basketball
teams headed over the Burrard Inlet to battle and
leave with the Blues.
The women, coming off from a promising
opening weekend, faced a Capilano team that took
two points from Kwantlen Polytechnic to start
their season. The lady Royals were able to handle
the full court pressure that Capilano has deployed
effectively for the last few years, but were forced
into several turnovers in the offensive end.
Despite giving up only two field goals in the
final 10 minutes, the Royals could not convert
their opportunities, and this, coupled with
Capilano being awarded 23 more free throws,
led to a 53-47 Capilano victory. Tonia Ghattas
(Vernon, W.L. Seaton) led the team with 14
points, while Patti Olsen (Chilliwack, Chilliwack
Secondary) added 10 of her own. Natasha Maat
(Surrey, Pacific Academy) had another solid game,
dropping nine points and pulling in 12 rebounds.
The men, also trying to build off a strong
showing in week one, were dealt a nasty surprise
when team leading scorer, Jawauwn States
(Halifax, N.S., St. Patrick’s Secondary), could not
play due to bruised ribs. This might have been a
problem versus the high-octane Blues men, but
several players stepped up and allowed the Royals
a 56-44 halftime lead.
Rebounding again though turned out to be
their bane, as the game was tied with 90 seconds
left, but key offensive rebounds secured by
Capilano allowed them to eke out a 101-96 victory.
First-year shooter, Matt Sacks (N. Vancouver,
Collingwood Secondary), led the team with 24
points, going 5-12 from beyond the arc. Clayton
Crellis nearly had a triple-double with 13 points,
12 boards, and seven assists.
This weekend, the teams wrap up their 2008
calendar league schedule, traveling up to Squamish
to play first-year BCCAA team Quest University
Friday and Saturday night.
Building a blueline By Garth McLennan
O.. of the most important aspects of building any team is
putting together a strong defence corps. In very few places
has that been done better then in Nashville. The Predators,
under the leadership of General Manager, David Poile,
currently has a system that is home to one of the NHL’s most
talented, versatile and young groups of defensemen.
Their best and brightest is B.C. boy, Shea Weber, 23,
who, after being drafted in the second round, 49" overall
in the 2003 NHL entry draft, is emerging into one of the
league’s most talented defensemen. Weber, who played his
junior years as a superstar
| with the Kelowna Rockets,
stands an imposing 6’3 and
weighs a solid 210 pounds.
He is a perfect example
of developing a player
right. After taking him,
Nashville sent him back to
Inajor junior for two more
seasons. He won a World
Junior championship gold
with Canada along the
way, and then completed
a half-year of seasoning
in the minors with the
Milwaukee Admirals.
He is in his fourth
year with the Predators
and is already among the
NHL’s highest scorers
from the back end. He is
a swift skater who excels
| at every aspect of the
game and has virtually no
weaknesses. He is one of
the most mobile defenders
in the league and has
absolute cannon from the
point. He can quarterback
the power play and play a strong, physical game. Weber
played on the gold medal-winning Canadian squad at the
World Championships in 2007 and so far has NHL totals of
32 goals, 52 assists and 84 points in 175 games. He recently
signed a three-year, $13.5 million deal with Nashville that is
a steal for the Predators.
Ryan Suter, 23, is another well developed defenseman
from Nashville and is a fixture on the Predators’ back end.
He was taken in the first round of the 2003 draft, seventh
overall, and like Weber, the Predators took their time with
him. He played a year of high-level university hockey before
suiting up for a full season with Milwaukee. He also suited
up for the United States in seven different international
competitions before going pro, including a gold medal effort
at the 2004 World Juniors. After that, he began his freshman
year in the NHL, and was ready for it. He’s currently in his
fourth full campaign in Nashville, and has become a strong
two-way defenseman who can deliver punishing hits but still
has a good offensive component to his game.
Currently with Milwaukee is former Vancouver
Giant, Cody Franson. Franson, 21, played four superb
years with the Giants before turning pro. Like Weber
and Suter, Franson won gold with Canada at the World
Juniors, although his came in 2007. Nashville drafted him
in the third round, 79" overall, and again like Weber and
Suter, has taken their time with him. After getting drafted,
Franson returned to Vancouver for two seasons. In his first
professional season with the Admirals, Franson played 76
games, scoring 11 goals and added 25 assists for 36 points;
excellent numbers for a first year player. Franson is another
PP quarterback. He has an incredibly powerful shot and at
6’4, he has good size. He’s a real leader on and off the ice
and has a high skill level.
Jonathon Blum plays for the Giants right now, but that
won’t last much longer. He was selected in the first round
of this year’s draft, 23" overall, and smartly, the Predators
returned him to junior, even while tons of other 18 and 19-
year-olds were making their respective NHL clubs. With
Vancouver, Blum has demonstrated an NHL-level passing
ability. He can fire long-bomb passes with pinpoint accuracy.
Blum, 19, is an explosive skater with excellent speed. He
can rush the puck almost as well as he can pass it, and he
is one of the WHL’s best defensemen positionally and in
overall skating ability.
The Predators have put together an incredible crop of
defensemen. They all have tremendous mobility, hockey
sense and other promising attributes. It is because of the way
they have been developed though, and not rushed, that they
will all be NHL stars in the very near future.
Tough Friday night at the Sportsplex eieciaae.
F oscay, November 14", the Royals basketball
teams headed over the Burrard Inlet to battle and
leave with the Blues.
The women, coming off from a promising
opening weekend, faced a Capilano team that took
two points from Kwantlen Polytechnic to start
their season. The lady Royals were able to handle
the full court pressure that Capilano has deployed
effectively for the last few years, but were forced
into several turnovers in the offensive end.
Despite giving up only two field goals in the
final 10 minutes, the Royals could not convert
their opportunities, and this, coupled with
Capilano being awarded 23 more free throws,
led to a 53-47 Capilano victory. Tonia Ghattas
(Vernon, W.L. Seaton) led the team with 14
points, while Patti Olsen (Chilliwack, Chilliwack
Secondary) added 10 of her own. Natasha Maat
(Surrey, Pacific Academy) had another solid game,
dropping nine points and pulling in 12 rebounds.
The men, also trying to build off a strong
showing in week one, were dealt a nasty surprise
when team leading scorer, Jawauwn States
(Halifax, N.S., St. Patrick’s Secondary), could not
play due to bruised ribs. This might have been a
problem versus the high-octane Blues men, but
several players stepped up and allowed the Royals
a 56-44 halftime lead.
Rebounding again though turned out to be
their bane, as the game was tied with 90 seconds
left, but key offensive rebounds secured by
Capilano allowed them to eke out a 101-96 victory.
First-year shooter, Matt Sacks (N. Vancouver,
Collingwood Secondary), led the team with 24
points, going 5-12 from beyond the arc. Clayton
Crellis nearly had a triple-double with 13 points,
12 boards, and seven assists.
This weekend, the teams wrap up their 2008
calendar league schedule, traveling up to Squamish
to play first-year BCCAA team Quest University
Friday and Saturday night.
Building a blueline By Garth McLennan
O.. of the most important aspects of building any team is
putting together a strong defence corps. In very few places
has that been done better then in Nashville. The Predators,
under the leadership of General Manager, David Poile,
currently has a system that is home to one of the NHL’s most
talented, versatile and young groups of defensemen.
Their best and brightest is B.C. boy, Shea Weber, 23,
who, after being drafted in the second round, 49" overall
in the 2003 NHL entry draft, is emerging into one of the
league’s most talented defensemen. Weber, who played his
junior years as a superstar
| with the Kelowna Rockets,
stands an imposing 6’3 and
weighs a solid 210 pounds.
He is a perfect example
of developing a player
right. After taking him,
Nashville sent him back to
Inajor junior for two more
seasons. He won a World
Junior championship gold
with Canada along the
way, and then completed
a half-year of seasoning
in the minors with the
Milwaukee Admirals.
He is in his fourth
year with the Predators
and is already among the
NHL’s highest scorers
from the back end. He is
a swift skater who excels
| at every aspect of the
game and has virtually no
weaknesses. He is one of
the most mobile defenders
in the league and has
absolute cannon from the
point. He can quarterback
the power play and play a strong, physical game. Weber
played on the gold medal-winning Canadian squad at the
World Championships in 2007 and so far has NHL totals of
32 goals, 52 assists and 84 points in 175 games. He recently
signed a three-year, $13.5 million deal with Nashville that is
a steal for the Predators.
Ryan Suter, 23, is another well developed defenseman
from Nashville and is a fixture on the Predators’ back end.
He was taken in the first round of the 2003 draft, seventh
overall, and like Weber, the Predators took their time with
him. He played a year of high-level university hockey before
suiting up for a full season with Milwaukee. He also suited
up for the United States in seven different international
competitions before going pro, including a gold medal effort
at the 2004 World Juniors. After that, he began his freshman
year in the NHL, and was ready for it. He’s currently in his
fourth full campaign in Nashville, and has become a strong
two-way defenseman who can deliver punishing hits but still
has a good offensive component to his game.
Currently with Milwaukee is former Vancouver
Giant, Cody Franson. Franson, 21, played four superb
years with the Giants before turning pro. Like Weber
and Suter, Franson won gold with Canada at the World
Juniors, although his came in 2007. Nashville drafted him
in the third round, 79" overall, and again like Weber and
Suter, has taken their time with him. After getting drafted,
Franson returned to Vancouver for two seasons. In his first
professional season with the Admirals, Franson played 76
games, scoring 11 goals and added 25 assists for 36 points;
excellent numbers for a first year player. Franson is another
PP quarterback. He has an incredibly powerful shot and at
6’4, he has good size. He’s a real leader on and off the ice
and has a high skill level.
Jonathon Blum plays for the Giants right now, but that
won’t last much longer. He was selected in the first round
of this year’s draft, 23" overall, and smartly, the Predators
returned him to junior, even while tons of other 18 and 19-
year-olds were making their respective NHL clubs. With
Vancouver, Blum has demonstrated an NHL-level passing
ability. He can fire long-bomb passes with pinpoint accuracy.
Blum, 19, is an explosive skater with excellent speed. He
can rush the puck almost as well as he can pass it, and he
is one of the WHL’s best defensemen positionally and in
overall skating ability.
The Predators have put together an incredible crop of
defensemen. They all have tremendous mobility, hockey
sense and other promising attributes. It is because of the way
they have been developed though, and not rushed, that they
will all be NHL stars in the very near future.
Edited Text
oPORTS
Tough Friday night at the Sportsplex eieciaae.
F oscay, November 14", the Royals basketball
teams headed over the Burrard Inlet to battle and
leave with the Blues.
The women, coming off from a promising
opening weekend, faced a Capilano team that took
two points from Kwantlen Polytechnic to start
their season. The lady Royals were able to handle
the full court pressure that Capilano has deployed
effectively for the last few years, but were forced
into several turnovers in the offensive end.
Despite giving up only two field goals in the
final 10 minutes, the Royals could not convert
their opportunities, and this, coupled with
Capilano being awarded 23 more free throws,
led to a 53-47 Capilano victory. Tonia Ghattas
(Vernon, W.L. Seaton) led the team with 14
points, while Patti Olsen (Chilliwack, Chilliwack
Secondary) added 10 of her own. Natasha Maat
(Surrey, Pacific Academy) had another solid game,
dropping nine points and pulling in 12 rebounds.
The men, also trying to build off a strong
showing in week one, were dealt a nasty surprise
when team leading scorer, Jawauwn States
(Halifax, N.S., St. Patrick’s Secondary), could not
play due to bruised ribs. This might have been a
problem versus the high-octane Blues men, but
several players stepped up and allowed the Royals
a 56-44 halftime lead.
Rebounding again though turned out to be
their bane, as the game was tied with 90 seconds
left, but key offensive rebounds secured by
Capilano allowed them to eke out a 101-96 victory.
First-year shooter, Matt Sacks (N. Vancouver,
Collingwood Secondary), led the team with 24
points, going 5-12 from beyond the arc. Clayton
Crellis nearly had a triple-double with 13 points,
12 boards, and seven assists.
This weekend, the teams wrap up their 2008
calendar league schedule, traveling up to Squamish
to play first-year BCCAA team Quest University
Friday and Saturday night.
Building a blueline By Garth McLennan
O.. of the most important aspects of building any team is
putting together a strong defence corps. In very few places
has that been done better then in Nashville. The Predators,
under the leadership of General Manager, David Poile,
currently has a system that is home to one of the NHL’s most
talented, versatile and young groups of defensemen.
Their best and brightest is B.C. boy, Shea Weber, 23,
who, after being drafted in the second round, 49" overall
in the 2003 NHL entry draft, is emerging into one of the
league’s most talented defensemen. Weber, who played his
junior years as a superstar
| with the Kelowna Rockets,
stands an imposing 6’3 and
weighs a solid 210 pounds.
He is a perfect example
of developing a player
right. After taking him,
Nashville sent him back to
Inajor junior for two more
seasons. He won a World
Junior championship gold
with Canada along the
way, and then completed
a half-year of seasoning
in the minors with the
Milwaukee Admirals.
He is in his fourth
year with the Predators
and is already among the
NHL’s highest scorers
from the back end. He is
a swift skater who excels
| at every aspect of the
game and has virtually no
weaknesses. He is one of
the most mobile defenders
in the league and has
absolute cannon from the
point. He can quarterback
the power play and play a strong, physical game. Weber
played on the gold medal-winning Canadian squad at the
World Championships in 2007 and so far has NHL totals of
32 goals, 52 assists and 84 points in 175 games. He recently
signed a three-year, $13.5 million deal with Nashville that is
a steal for the Predators.
Ryan Suter, 23, is another well developed defenseman
from Nashville and is a fixture on the Predators’ back end.
He was taken in the first round of the 2003 draft, seventh
overall, and like Weber, the Predators took their time with
him. He played a year of high-level university hockey before
suiting up for a full season with Milwaukee. He also suited
up for the United States in seven different international
competitions before going pro, including a gold medal effort
at the 2004 World Juniors. After that, he began his freshman
year in the NHL, and was ready for it. He’s currently in his
fourth full campaign in Nashville, and has become a strong
two-way defenseman who can deliver punishing hits but still
has a good offensive component to his game.
Currently with Milwaukee is former Vancouver
Giant, Cody Franson. Franson, 21, played four superb
years with the Giants before turning pro. Like Weber
and Suter, Franson won gold with Canada at the World
Juniors, although his came in 2007. Nashville drafted him
in the third round, 79" overall, and again like Weber and
Suter, has taken their time with him. After getting drafted,
Franson returned to Vancouver for two seasons. In his first
professional season with the Admirals, Franson played 76
games, scoring 11 goals and added 25 assists for 36 points;
excellent numbers for a first year player. Franson is another
PP quarterback. He has an incredibly powerful shot and at
6’4, he has good size. He’s a real leader on and off the ice
and has a high skill level.
Jonathon Blum plays for the Giants right now, but that
won’t last much longer. He was selected in the first round
of this year’s draft, 23" overall, and smartly, the Predators
returned him to junior, even while tons of other 18 and 19-
year-olds were making their respective NHL clubs. With
Vancouver, Blum has demonstrated an NHL-level passing
ability. He can fire long-bomb passes with pinpoint accuracy.
Blum, 19, is an explosive skater with excellent speed. He
can rush the puck almost as well as he can pass it, and he
is one of the WHL’s best defensemen positionally and in
overall skating ability.
The Predators have put together an incredible crop of
defensemen. They all have tremendous mobility, hockey
sense and other promising attributes. It is because of the way
they have been developed though, and not rushed, that they
will all be NHL stars in the very near future.
Tough Friday night at the Sportsplex eieciaae.
F oscay, November 14", the Royals basketball
teams headed over the Burrard Inlet to battle and
leave with the Blues.
The women, coming off from a promising
opening weekend, faced a Capilano team that took
two points from Kwantlen Polytechnic to start
their season. The lady Royals were able to handle
the full court pressure that Capilano has deployed
effectively for the last few years, but were forced
into several turnovers in the offensive end.
Despite giving up only two field goals in the
final 10 minutes, the Royals could not convert
their opportunities, and this, coupled with
Capilano being awarded 23 more free throws,
led to a 53-47 Capilano victory. Tonia Ghattas
(Vernon, W.L. Seaton) led the team with 14
points, while Patti Olsen (Chilliwack, Chilliwack
Secondary) added 10 of her own. Natasha Maat
(Surrey, Pacific Academy) had another solid game,
dropping nine points and pulling in 12 rebounds.
The men, also trying to build off a strong
showing in week one, were dealt a nasty surprise
when team leading scorer, Jawauwn States
(Halifax, N.S., St. Patrick’s Secondary), could not
play due to bruised ribs. This might have been a
problem versus the high-octane Blues men, but
several players stepped up and allowed the Royals
a 56-44 halftime lead.
Rebounding again though turned out to be
their bane, as the game was tied with 90 seconds
left, but key offensive rebounds secured by
Capilano allowed them to eke out a 101-96 victory.
First-year shooter, Matt Sacks (N. Vancouver,
Collingwood Secondary), led the team with 24
points, going 5-12 from beyond the arc. Clayton
Crellis nearly had a triple-double with 13 points,
12 boards, and seven assists.
This weekend, the teams wrap up their 2008
calendar league schedule, traveling up to Squamish
to play first-year BCCAA team Quest University
Friday and Saturday night.
Building a blueline By Garth McLennan
O.. of the most important aspects of building any team is
putting together a strong defence corps. In very few places
has that been done better then in Nashville. The Predators,
under the leadership of General Manager, David Poile,
currently has a system that is home to one of the NHL’s most
talented, versatile and young groups of defensemen.
Their best and brightest is B.C. boy, Shea Weber, 23,
who, after being drafted in the second round, 49" overall
in the 2003 NHL entry draft, is emerging into one of the
league’s most talented defensemen. Weber, who played his
junior years as a superstar
| with the Kelowna Rockets,
stands an imposing 6’3 and
weighs a solid 210 pounds.
He is a perfect example
of developing a player
right. After taking him,
Nashville sent him back to
Inajor junior for two more
seasons. He won a World
Junior championship gold
with Canada along the
way, and then completed
a half-year of seasoning
in the minors with the
Milwaukee Admirals.
He is in his fourth
year with the Predators
and is already among the
NHL’s highest scorers
from the back end. He is
a swift skater who excels
| at every aspect of the
game and has virtually no
weaknesses. He is one of
the most mobile defenders
in the league and has
absolute cannon from the
point. He can quarterback
the power play and play a strong, physical game. Weber
played on the gold medal-winning Canadian squad at the
World Championships in 2007 and so far has NHL totals of
32 goals, 52 assists and 84 points in 175 games. He recently
signed a three-year, $13.5 million deal with Nashville that is
a steal for the Predators.
Ryan Suter, 23, is another well developed defenseman
from Nashville and is a fixture on the Predators’ back end.
He was taken in the first round of the 2003 draft, seventh
overall, and like Weber, the Predators took their time with
him. He played a year of high-level university hockey before
suiting up for a full season with Milwaukee. He also suited
up for the United States in seven different international
competitions before going pro, including a gold medal effort
at the 2004 World Juniors. After that, he began his freshman
year in the NHL, and was ready for it. He’s currently in his
fourth full campaign in Nashville, and has become a strong
two-way defenseman who can deliver punishing hits but still
has a good offensive component to his game.
Currently with Milwaukee is former Vancouver
Giant, Cody Franson. Franson, 21, played four superb
years with the Giants before turning pro. Like Weber
and Suter, Franson won gold with Canada at the World
Juniors, although his came in 2007. Nashville drafted him
in the third round, 79" overall, and again like Weber and
Suter, has taken their time with him. After getting drafted,
Franson returned to Vancouver for two seasons. In his first
professional season with the Admirals, Franson played 76
games, scoring 11 goals and added 25 assists for 36 points;
excellent numbers for a first year player. Franson is another
PP quarterback. He has an incredibly powerful shot and at
6’4, he has good size. He’s a real leader on and off the ice
and has a high skill level.
Jonathon Blum plays for the Giants right now, but that
won’t last much longer. He was selected in the first round
of this year’s draft, 23" overall, and smartly, the Predators
returned him to junior, even while tons of other 18 and 19-
year-olds were making their respective NHL clubs. With
Vancouver, Blum has demonstrated an NHL-level passing
ability. He can fire long-bomb passes with pinpoint accuracy.
Blum, 19, is an explosive skater with excellent speed. He
can rush the puck almost as well as he can pass it, and he
is one of the WHL’s best defensemen positionally and in
overall skating ability.
The Predators have put together an incredible crop of
defensemen. They all have tremendous mobility, hockey
sense and other promising attributes. It is because of the way
they have been developed though, and not rushed, that they
will all be NHL stars in the very near future.
Tough Friday night at the Sportsplex eieciaae.
F oscay, November 14", the Royals basketball
teams headed over the Burrard Inlet to battle and
leave with the Blues.
The women, coming off from a promising
opening weekend, faced a Capilano team that took
two points from Kwantlen Polytechnic to start
their season. The lady Royals were able to handle
the full court pressure that Capilano has deployed
effectively for the last few years, but were forced
into several turnovers in the offensive end.
Despite giving up only two field goals in the
final 10 minutes, the Royals could not convert
their opportunities, and this, coupled with
Capilano being awarded 23 more free throws,
led to a 53-47 Capilano victory. Tonia Ghattas
(Vernon, W.L. Seaton) led the team with 14
points, while Patti Olsen (Chilliwack, Chilliwack
Secondary) added 10 of her own. Natasha Maat
(Surrey, Pacific Academy) had another solid game,
dropping nine points and pulling in 12 rebounds.
The men, also trying to build off a strong
showing in week one, were dealt a nasty surprise
when team leading scorer, Jawauwn States
(Halifax, N.S., St. Patrick’s Secondary), could not
play due to bruised ribs. This might have been a
problem versus the high-octane Blues men, but
several players stepped up and allowed the Royals
a 56-44 halftime lead.
Rebounding again though turned out to be
their bane, as the game was tied with 90 seconds
left, but key offensive rebounds secured by
Capilano allowed them to eke out a 101-96 victory.
First-year shooter, Matt Sacks (N. Vancouver,
Collingwood Secondary), led the team with 24
points, going 5-12 from beyond the arc. Clayton
Crellis nearly had a triple-double with 13 points,
12 boards, and seven assists.
This weekend, the teams wrap up their 2008
calendar league schedule, traveling up to Squamish
to play first-year BCCAA team Quest University
Friday and Saturday night.
Building a blueline By Garth McLennan
O.. of the most important aspects of building any team is
putting together a strong defence corps. In very few places
has that been done better then in Nashville. The Predators,
under the leadership of General Manager, David Poile,
currently has a system that is home to one of the NHL’s most
talented, versatile and young groups of defensemen.
Their best and brightest is B.C. boy, Shea Weber, 23,
who, after being drafted in the second round, 49" overall
in the 2003 NHL entry draft, is emerging into one of the
league’s most talented defensemen. Weber, who played his
junior years as a superstar
| with the Kelowna Rockets,
stands an imposing 6’3 and
weighs a solid 210 pounds.
He is a perfect example
of developing a player
right. After taking him,
Nashville sent him back to
Inajor junior for two more
seasons. He won a World
Junior championship gold
with Canada along the
way, and then completed
a half-year of seasoning
in the minors with the
Milwaukee Admirals.
He is in his fourth
year with the Predators
and is already among the
NHL’s highest scorers
from the back end. He is
a swift skater who excels
| at every aspect of the
game and has virtually no
weaknesses. He is one of
the most mobile defenders
in the league and has
absolute cannon from the
point. He can quarterback
the power play and play a strong, physical game. Weber
played on the gold medal-winning Canadian squad at the
World Championships in 2007 and so far has NHL totals of
32 goals, 52 assists and 84 points in 175 games. He recently
signed a three-year, $13.5 million deal with Nashville that is
a steal for the Predators.
Ryan Suter, 23, is another well developed defenseman
from Nashville and is a fixture on the Predators’ back end.
He was taken in the first round of the 2003 draft, seventh
overall, and like Weber, the Predators took their time with
him. He played a year of high-level university hockey before
suiting up for a full season with Milwaukee. He also suited
up for the United States in seven different international
competitions before going pro, including a gold medal effort
at the 2004 World Juniors. After that, he began his freshman
year in the NHL, and was ready for it. He’s currently in his
fourth full campaign in Nashville, and has become a strong
two-way defenseman who can deliver punishing hits but still
has a good offensive component to his game.
Currently with Milwaukee is former Vancouver
Giant, Cody Franson. Franson, 21, played four superb
years with the Giants before turning pro. Like Weber
and Suter, Franson won gold with Canada at the World
Juniors, although his came in 2007. Nashville drafted him
in the third round, 79" overall, and again like Weber and
Suter, has taken their time with him. After getting drafted,
Franson returned to Vancouver for two seasons. In his first
professional season with the Admirals, Franson played 76
games, scoring 11 goals and added 25 assists for 36 points;
excellent numbers for a first year player. Franson is another
PP quarterback. He has an incredibly powerful shot and at
6’4, he has good size. He’s a real leader on and off the ice
and has a high skill level.
Jonathon Blum plays for the Giants right now, but that
won’t last much longer. He was selected in the first round
of this year’s draft, 23" overall, and smartly, the Predators
returned him to junior, even while tons of other 18 and 19-
year-olds were making their respective NHL clubs. With
Vancouver, Blum has demonstrated an NHL-level passing
ability. He can fire long-bomb passes with pinpoint accuracy.
Blum, 19, is an explosive skater with excellent speed. He
can rush the puck almost as well as he can pass it, and he
is one of the WHL’s best defensemen positionally and in
overall skating ability.
The Predators have put together an incredible crop of
defensemen. They all have tremendous mobility, hockey
sense and other promising attributes. It is because of the way
they have been developed though, and not rushed, that they
will all be NHL stars in the very near future.
Tough Friday night at the Sportsplex eieciaae.
F oscay, November 14", the Royals basketball
teams headed over the Burrard Inlet to battle and
leave with the Blues.
The women, coming off from a promising
opening weekend, faced a Capilano team that took
two points from Kwantlen Polytechnic to start
their season. The lady Royals were able to handle
the full court pressure that Capilano has deployed
effectively for the last few years, but were forced
into several turnovers in the offensive end.
Despite giving up only two field goals in the
final 10 minutes, the Royals could not convert
their opportunities, and this, coupled with
Capilano being awarded 23 more free throws,
led to a 53-47 Capilano victory. Tonia Ghattas
(Vernon, W.L. Seaton) led the team with 14
points, while Patti Olsen (Chilliwack, Chilliwack
Secondary) added 10 of her own. Natasha Maat
(Surrey, Pacific Academy) had another solid game,
dropping nine points and pulling in 12 rebounds.
The men, also trying to build off a strong
showing in week one, were dealt a nasty surprise
when team leading scorer, Jawauwn States
(Halifax, N.S., St. Patrick’s Secondary), could not
play due to bruised ribs. This might have been a
problem versus the high-octane Blues men, but
several players stepped up and allowed the Royals
a 56-44 halftime lead.
Rebounding again though turned out to be
their bane, as the game was tied with 90 seconds
left, but key offensive rebounds secured by
Capilano allowed them to eke out a 101-96 victory.
First-year shooter, Matt Sacks (N. Vancouver,
Collingwood Secondary), led the team with 24
points, going 5-12 from beyond the arc. Clayton
Crellis nearly had a triple-double with 13 points,
12 boards, and seven assists.
This weekend, the teams wrap up their 2008
calendar league schedule, traveling up to Squamish
to play first-year BCCAA team Quest University
Friday and Saturday night.
Building a blueline By Garth McLennan
O.. of the most important aspects of building any team is
putting together a strong defence corps. In very few places
has that been done better then in Nashville. The Predators,
under the leadership of General Manager, David Poile,
currently has a system that is home to one of the NHL’s most
talented, versatile and young groups of defensemen.
Their best and brightest is B.C. boy, Shea Weber, 23,
who, after being drafted in the second round, 49" overall
in the 2003 NHL entry draft, is emerging into one of the
league’s most talented defensemen. Weber, who played his
junior years as a superstar
| with the Kelowna Rockets,
stands an imposing 6’3 and
weighs a solid 210 pounds.
He is a perfect example
of developing a player
right. After taking him,
Nashville sent him back to
Inajor junior for two more
seasons. He won a World
Junior championship gold
with Canada along the
way, and then completed
a half-year of seasoning
in the minors with the
Milwaukee Admirals.
He is in his fourth
year with the Predators
and is already among the
NHL’s highest scorers
from the back end. He is
a swift skater who excels
| at every aspect of the
game and has virtually no
weaknesses. He is one of
the most mobile defenders
in the league and has
absolute cannon from the
point. He can quarterback
the power play and play a strong, physical game. Weber
played on the gold medal-winning Canadian squad at the
World Championships in 2007 and so far has NHL totals of
32 goals, 52 assists and 84 points in 175 games. He recently
signed a three-year, $13.5 million deal with Nashville that is
a steal for the Predators.
Ryan Suter, 23, is another well developed defenseman
from Nashville and is a fixture on the Predators’ back end.
He was taken in the first round of the 2003 draft, seventh
overall, and like Weber, the Predators took their time with
him. He played a year of high-level university hockey before
suiting up for a full season with Milwaukee. He also suited
up for the United States in seven different international
competitions before going pro, including a gold medal effort
at the 2004 World Juniors. After that, he began his freshman
year in the NHL, and was ready for it. He’s currently in his
fourth full campaign in Nashville, and has become a strong
two-way defenseman who can deliver punishing hits but still
has a good offensive component to his game.
Currently with Milwaukee is former Vancouver
Giant, Cody Franson. Franson, 21, played four superb
years with the Giants before turning pro. Like Weber
and Suter, Franson won gold with Canada at the World
Juniors, although his came in 2007. Nashville drafted him
in the third round, 79" overall, and again like Weber and
Suter, has taken their time with him. After getting drafted,
Franson returned to Vancouver for two seasons. In his first
professional season with the Admirals, Franson played 76
games, scoring 11 goals and added 25 assists for 36 points;
excellent numbers for a first year player. Franson is another
PP quarterback. He has an incredibly powerful shot and at
6’4, he has good size. He’s a real leader on and off the ice
and has a high skill level.
Jonathon Blum plays for the Giants right now, but that
won’t last much longer. He was selected in the first round
of this year’s draft, 23" overall, and smartly, the Predators
returned him to junior, even while tons of other 18 and 19-
year-olds were making their respective NHL clubs. With
Vancouver, Blum has demonstrated an NHL-level passing
ability. He can fire long-bomb passes with pinpoint accuracy.
Blum, 19, is an explosive skater with excellent speed. He
can rush the puck almost as well as he can pass it, and he
is one of the WHL’s best defensemen positionally and in
overall skating ability.
The Predators have put together an incredible crop of
defensemen. They all have tremendous mobility, hockey
sense and other promising attributes. It is because of the way
they have been developed though, and not rushed, that they
will all be NHL stars in the very near future.