Telus Cup Preview with Rykr Cole

Just six teams remain in the quest for the biggest prize in Canadian midget hockey.  The Okanagan Rockets, Halifax McDonald’s, Prince Albert Mintos, Toronto Young Nationals, Grenadiers de Chateauguay and host Moose Jaw Generals will all clash next week to raise the Telus Cup as Canada’s National Midget Champions.

One Regina Pats prospect knew he would be participating in this tournament when the season got going and hopes a year of work will soon pay off.  2012 3^rd Round Bantam Draft pick and signed prospect Rykr Cole is a member of the hosting Generals.  Cole and his teammates are the most rested of the squads after bowing out of the SMAAAHL playoffs in their first round matchup with the Regina Pat Canadians.

“(The layoff) has been real good.  Lots of rest and just having some time off has been good,” said Cole just days away from the tournament opener.  “I think in the past two weeks we’ve been having a lot of hard practices and just getting back up to game tempo.  I think that’s what we needed with having the Telus Cup in (a few) days now.”

When the Generals open the tournament on Monday, April 21^st, it will be the first time the hosts have seen true game action in 45 days since their playoffs came to an end March 7^th in Regina.  Cole registered two points (1G, 1A) in four playoff games this year after finishing second on the Generals during the season with 45 points (23G, 22A) in 41 games.

Photo: Keith Hershmiller/Regina Pats

Hunt Earns Spot in CSS Final Rankings

Regina, Saskatchewan – Regina Pats forward Dryden Hunt moved one step closer to realizing his dream of reaching the NHL today.  The 18-year old forward jumped onto the Central Scouting Service’s final rankings for the 2014 NHL Draft.

"Not being on it all year, and then finally at the end of the year with the last rankings I'm on it... feels pretty good," said Hunt.  "Obviously there are some special players on that list so to be on that list it's pretty cool.

After not being on the list for the two prior ranking sets released, Hunt comes in at 144^th among North American Skaters.  Though the rankings are theoretical and don’t truly affect the draft, it does mean the Nelson, B.C. native turned heads with his play this season. 

Photo Credit: Keith Hershmiller/Regina Pats