Predictions For the 2010-2011 WCHA

Predicting the future is hard.  There's this whole thing about the Universe being essentially random.  Quantum Physics and all that ya know?  Many many things are possible but separating the probable from the possible is the tough part.   That fact though didn't stop Nostradamus or Edgar Cayce or the Maya though ... right? 

INCH A-Z Profiles Sean Wiles

As part of Inside College Hockey's preseason run-up each year the website profiles a player from each of College Hockey's 59 teams.  This year's UAA selection is senior forward Sean Wiles whom I profiled in my senior class preview.  Here are some highlights from the Jess Myers authored article;

Blessed with abundant size and a long reach, Wiles has become a versatile commodity for the Seawolves especially as his offensive numbers have improved.

Shyiak has more things planned for Wiles as a senior, like using his “widebody” size in front of the net on the power play to tip and screen and bang home rebounds. Wiles has also shown some past effectiveness on the penalty kill, using his reach to keep the puck away from opponents.

And Coach Shyiak is quoted;

“Sean is a senior now and we need him to chip in offensively. If he can duplicate last year’s season and maybe do even a little bit more, and chip in on the [defensive] side of the puck, he’ll be very effective for us.”

Sean's steadily increasing production through his career gives us all hope for a big season from him.  His experience over the summer attending the Washington Capitals Summer Development Camp should benefit him as well.  The goal he scored on the video below is exactly the sort of thing that Coach Shyiak mentioned and will be looking for.

Mellor Tapped For 2010 Canada West Jr. A Camp

2011 Seawolves recruit Sam Mellor has been named to attend the 41 player Team Canada West evaluation camp on September 27th and 28th in preparation for the 2010 World Junior A Challenge.  The Junior A Challenge takes place from November 8th through the 14th and is hosted each year by Hockey Canada to showcase junior A talent from around the world.  

Along with Canada West are teams from Canada East, Switzerland, Russia, Sweden and the United States.  Current UAA defenseman Wes McLeod took part in last years tournament and was named to the 6 member All-Tournament team.

This year's tournament will be held in Penticton B.C. which is also the venue for the evaluation camp.  Good luck to Sam in making the final roster.  17 year-old Mellor is in his 2nd year of Junior A with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL and is currently tied for 2nd league-wide with 6 goals in 5 games.  The Smoke Eaters are on the road today facing Surrey and play Langley on Thursday.

Sunday Potpourri: Recruits, Blog Upgrades, Money and Marcel

Let's start of today with a short but timely review of where all the current future Seawolves are playing junior hockey this season.  There's a couple of changes from last season.  I've updated the links on each of the recuits in the "Future Seawolves" column on the right hand side.  So I won't be linking them in this post.