| Subject: Whitehorse solidifies its blueline |
Author:
Sal Trachan
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 07:56:12 12/14/02 Sat
The last remaining question entering this season has been answered. The Whitehorse Warriors have solidified their defense with three key acquisitions. First, the Whitehorse Warriors traded cash for steady defender Sean O'Donnell. Then the Warriors signed one of their overagers from this years draft in Bryan Berard. Finally, they dealt recently acquired Ruslan Fedotenko along with two farm hands for veteran defensive star Glen Wesley.
"In Wesley," Steve began at the press conference, "we feel we got not only a steady defensive defenseman, but a leader with a wealth of experience."
Steve also mentioned that tentative pairings would see Schneider paired with Johansson, Wesley paired with Lumme and Skoula paired with Berard. O'Donnell and Gill provide the Warriors with steady help in case of injuries and Steve hinted that Steve Duchesne may yet play a role for this team if they make the playoffs.
Also gone are several farm hands, Andrei Zyuzin, Donald Brashear, Turner Stevenson and Patrick Kjellberg were moved to make room on the roster to keep it legal. Steve Poapst was released outright from his prospect rights, while Sergei Nemchinov retired and signed on as Assistant Coach with the Warriors.
When asked if Whitehorse now felt their lineup was set, GM Steve said he was not completely opposed to a move, but feels comfortable with his team as is.
The starting lineup up front is roughly projected as
Simon Gagne - Vincent Damphousse - Todd Bertuzzi
Petr Nedved - Adam Oates - Jarome Iginla
Rod Brind'Amour - Mark Messier - Owen Nolan
Gary Roberts - Michael Handzus - Martin St. Louis
"We hope" Steve began, "that Bertuzzi's scoring talent and Damphousse's playmaking abilities will mix perfectly with Gagne's perfect blend of both to make our first line a scoring dynamo. Gagne's speed will lead the rush while Bertuzzi's intensity will keep the play hemmed in the oppositions zone. Damphousse's leadership will hopefully compliment both these young stars as he sets up both snipers we hope for many tallies. On our second line we have more experience and playmaking skill with one of the best passers in the game centering two great playmakers in their own rights and proven scorers in Petr Nedved and Jarome Iginla. A franchise player with the utmost leadership in the entire league and with great passing skills centers our third line, with two similar superstar players in Owen Nolan and Rod Brindamour on either wing. Gary Roberts provides even more leadership on the checking line with Michael Handzus and Martin St. Louis. We feel with our depth of skill that it will be impossible to keep all our scoring lines in check and that our games will come down to goaltending. With Brodeur back in net we feel certain that though our games will be filled with goals on both sides, we shall triumph in the end."
One thing is certain, the offensive force of this Warrior team will be exciting to watch in this upcoming year.
Reporting for your warriors,
Sal Trachan
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 