2008-09 lookahead: rookies

Published 8:22 am Thursday, April 10, 2008

Each year Canada hosts the U-17 World Hockey Challenge, the international showcase event for 16-year-old hockey players. Canada fields five teams in the event, with players from the WHL’s drawing region populating two of those teams: Team Pacific (B.C., Alberta) and Team West (Saskatchewan, Manitoba). As a result, the rosters from Team Pacific and Team West are typically dominated by WHL rookies. This year, of the 44 players on those two teams, 29 came from the WHL.

Of the 15 remaining players, three were Everett prospects.

So even though the Tips may not have what I consider to be sure-fire future-star prospects in the system (drafting late every year has a way of doing that), the fact that three Hockey Challenge players were unable to make the roster this season indicates that Everett may have a future after all. Anyway, here’s a rundown of Everett’s potential rookies, along with their WHL age for next season:

– Kellan Tochkin (17) – A member of Team Pacific, Tochkin was one of the few first-round picks from the 2006 bantam draft who didn’t play in the league this season. The right wing had a fantastic season playing junior B for the Ridge Meadow Flames of the PIJHL, racking up 24 goals and 35 assists in 32 games during the regular season, then adding three goals and eight assists in 10 playoff games. His size and skating ability have always been a question, but his skills aren’t. With a year of playing against older players under his belt, he should be ready to step into Everett’s lineup and help replace some of the departed skill.

– Paul Sohor (17) – A member of Team West, Sohor had a cup of coffee with the Tips this season when they were going through all their injuries on defense in February, and he looked like he could have played for Everett this season. In fact, I bet he would have made the team if he wasn’t a 16-year-old who would have been required to appear in 40 games. One of just two 16-year-olds playing for the Selkirk Steelers of the junior A MJHL, he was ever present, appearing in 54 games with one goal and eight assists. He’s not a big offensive threat from the blue line, but he can skate and he’s solid defensively.

– Brett Chartier (17) – A member of Team West, Chartier has been a nice undrafted find by the Tips. The only 16-year-old playing for the Winnipeg Saints of the junior A MJHL, the winger notched 20 goals and 24 assists in 56 games, and during the playoffs he was essentially a point-a-game performer. He’s a smaller player, but he brings a good all-around package to the table.

– Cameron Abney (17) – Abney got into a handful of games with the Tips this season, but didn’t get much of a chance to show what he can do. Another undrafted player, the winger had 12 goals, 14 assists and 110 penalty minutes in 42 games for the junior B North Delta Devils of the PIJHL. He’s big and tough, and he has some offensive potential, too.

– Brenden Stephen (18) – Speaking of big, the 6-foot-7 Stephen has a long reach on defense, as he showed during his seven games with the Tips. Playing for the Princeton Posse of the junior B KIJHL, he had four goals and seven assists in 49 games. He’s a project, but with an upside.

– Kent Simpson (16) – Everett’s first-round pick in the 2007 bantam draft, Simpson is a candidate to take over the backup goaltending job. Not sure if he’s ready yet as he played this season in a 15-year-old midget league, but he held up well in his one appearance for the Tips.

– Markus McCrea (16), Tyler Parker (16) – A pair of left-shooting power forwards from California. Both have already signed their education contracts, giving them the inside track to make the team next season.

– Byron Froese (17) – Was still playing midget as a 16-year-old, but put up strong numbers. He has the advantage of being a true center rather than a winger.

– Ryan White (17) – The Tips still have hopes of landing the playmaker from Colorado, who was solid but unspectacular playing U.S. midget.

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So this concludes my season-ending series. For those of you who slogged through the whole thing, I hope you enjoyed it.

Anyway, the blog’s going to take it a little easier during the offseason. I’ll still provide my take as the important events arrive (bantam draft, NHL draft, etc.) as well as whenever there’s breaking Tips news. I’ll also pop up from time to time on other hockey-related issues (WHL playoffs, Tips in the pros, etc.) when the occasion warrants, so check in from time to time.

Otherwise, enjoy the summer, and I’ll see you all again in August when the rookies are on their way.