Ed Staniowski - Steady Eddy Returns Home

Becoming a Memorial Cup Champion, the first CHL Player of the Year and an NHL Draft pick are just a few of the highlights of Ed Staniowski’s hockey career.  One of, if not the, greatest goaltender in Regina Pats history, Staniowski’s number “1” hangs at the West End of the Brandt Centre among other Pats legends.  Out of all the achievements of his hockey career, Staniowski joked with Pats play-by-play man Phil Andrews that there was one thing missing.

“When you play the game of hockey, you hope to make junior, you do.  You hope to get drafted, you get drafted.  You hope to play in the NHL, you get a chance to do that.  Your hockey card comes out, and that’s pretty exciting… but I guess you really haven’t arrived until you’ve got your own bobblehead.”

Staniowski was back in Regina for his bobblehead night presented by Knight Archer Insurance.  The collectible was made in the likeness of Staniowski in his Pats’ days, meaning it bore some distinct differences from the 58-year old Moose Jaw native.  The trademark grin was unmistakable though as Staniowski took time to sign autographs for a massive line of fans who, by the end of the evening, had donated over $3,000 dollars to the Soldier On fund in support of returning wounded veterans.

Matt Hewitt - Juggling Scholastics and Hockey

Former Regina Pats netminder and fan favourite, Matt Hewitt was known for his past-time of juggling.  The New Westminster, B.C. native even received training in juggling and used it as a part of his pre-game routine.  Now the goaltender who made over 4,000 saves in his career with the Pats is juggling something else.  The game Matt loves and his studies at the University of British Columbia.

“It’s been a great experience.  I think just making the adjustment from just playing hockey to having education.  Having to open up a book and read for a while is the biggest challenge.  I think the first semester is always the biggest struggle because you’re just trying to find your place within the school and the new hockey team.  You’re trying to keep up with your marks and it’s a lot to handle.”

Between a full schedule of hockey and a slate of classes, Hewitt says it doesn’t leave a ton of time for anything else.

“The time management has been tough because every day we’re practicing and we’re working out two times a week.  On top of that we probably have two or three classes a day.  You don’t have much free time to work throughout the day.”

Jordan Weal - Pats Scoring King Playing for Royalty

It's been a while since I've posted anything on this blog.  Considering the Pats website gets most of my attention and you certainly don't need me reblogging my own press releases, this blog is generally pretty quiet.  Excuses, excuses, I know.  Over the next little bit, I'll be posting some of my stories from the year.  Most of these will focus on Pats Alumni as I've been writing for the Digital Gameday Magazine.  First up is the latest feature on Jordan Weal.  Enjoy!

-DF

Leading up to his WHL career, Jordan Weal had plenty of doubters that the smallish forward could excel at the Major Junior level.  His Midget-AAA stats were impressive and there was zero question of the skill the North Vancouver, B.C. product possessed, but his slight frame raised eyebrows.  When he exploded onto the WHL scene with 70 points in 65 games, Weal didn’t raise eyebrows… he brought people out of their seats.  If Weal hadn’t advanced to the pro-ranks in his 20-year old season, he would have had a very real shot at breaking Dale Derkatch’s seemingly impossible mark of 491 points (though Derkatch reached his total in only 204 games).