Random Ravings...

The 2009 NHL Entry Draft

Should be interesting on Friday night in Montreal at the NHL Entry Draft. Doesn't appear to be a particularly deep pool this season, but first round prognostications are always fun. Here's a few thoughts...

My Top 5, in order, from the WHL:
1. Jared Cowen, D, Spokane Chiefs
2. Brayden Schenn, C, Brandon Wheat Kings
3. Evander Kane, C, Vancouver Giants
4. Scott Glennie, F, Brandon
5. Carter Ashton, F, Lethbridge Hurricanes

My 1st Round "Perfect Fit":
Stefan Elliott, D, Saskatoon Blades. Could be available in the middle of round one when the Montreal Canadiens step to the podium. Not that this is ever a consideration in Quebec, but Elliott, a native of BC's Lower Mainland, speaks fluent French.

My Longshot:
Brett Ponich, D, Portland Winterhawks. The kid is about 6'8" tall on skates. He has some developing to do, could use a mean streak, but you cannot teach this kind of size. Perhaps a mid- to late-round selection.


The Sutter Clan in Calgary

Sure, there will be eyebrows raised when the Calgary Flames announce Brent Sutter as the club's new head coach, but one can hardly be surprised. The family is dealing with estate matters associated with the homestead in central Alberta, so sticking closer to home seems to make sense for everybody and this is a group that really does pull together. I always enjoy chatting with the eldest, Gary Sutter, who frequents tha Shannon Lake GC in Westbank three or four times a week.


CFL Football At Last

The final pre-season tilts go on Tuesday night and then we're only a week away from games that really matter. As a loyal Saskatchewan Roughrider fan, I'm always hopeful and skeptical this time of year. Will be nice to hear Rod Pederson and Carm Carteri on the airwaves. Pederson also handles radio play-by-play for the Regina Pats of the WHL.


Good Guys, Good Family

Enjoyed a quick chat with Scott Wasden on the weekend as he teed it up with family in Westbank on Father's Day. Wasden played for the Medicine Hat Tigers and played in the 2007 Memorial Cup in Vancouver before being traded to the Kamloops Blazers where he toiled this past season as a 20-year-old. He will know this week if he'll get a free agent tryout with an NHL team this summer. If not, he's headed to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. Wasden's cousin, Kevin Walrod, also hit the links with the family. Walrod has graduated from the BCHL, where he played for the Westside Warriors before winding up his career with the Cowichan Valley Capitals. He'll head for Michigan State in August, where he has accepted an offer that will see him suit up in the NCAA with the Spartans.