Tyler Riel

Recapping ’06-’07: After battling the Selkirk Steelers for first place in the Addison Division for much of the season, the Winnipeg South Blues lost a hard fought, seven-game series to the Winnipeg Saints in the playoffs. Adding motivation to the returning players, the Blues were upset by the Saints after holding a 3-1 series lead.

In Goal: After ending last season with 20 year old goaltenders Brant Hilton and Erik See, Winnipeg South has been forced to look younger and they believe they have found their goalie for the future in Mitch David, whose MJHL rights were acquired in the deal that sent Winnipeg South’s leading scorer from last season Riley Nixdorf to the Portage Terriers. He has verbally committed to the team.

Playing AAA Midget with the Eastman Selects last season, David posted a 2.19 goals-against average and had an impressive 16-5-1 record.

Beyond David, the Blues are expected to have a couple unsigned goaltenders in camp that will compete for a job between the pipes.

On the Blue-line: Aside from graduating players Wade Poplawski and John Murray, Winnipeg South’s blue-line should remain virtually intact and it will be anchored by one of the league’s best rearguards.

World Junior A Challenge gold medalist Jason Gray will lead the Blues defencemen in his final season of junior eligibility. He had 12 goals and 53 points last season. Seven of his 12 goals came on the power play and he will be looked upon to be the quarterback on the PP this season.

With two years of experience, Drew Ellement should also factor in to be a key contributor on the backend. Brendan Bradbury, Carey Findlay and Zack Tully will also return.

Winnipeg South also acquired Joey McInnes from the Dryden Ice Dogs earlier this week, giving them at least six defencemen with junior A experience when camp starts.

Up Front: From their top line last season, only Tyler Riel will return, leaving plenty of room for new and returning faces to play big roles this season.

It looks as though one of those players will be Jordan Wilson, who came along with David from Portage in the Nixdorf deal. He had 30 goals and 29 assists in 51 games last season between the Terriers and Winnipeg Saints.

Looking down the list of returnees, 20 year old Stephane Phaneuf has been steadily adding to his point totals since joining the Blues a couple seasons ago, after being one of the top high school players in the province. He had 44 points last season. Jordan Mirwalt put up 30 points in his rookie season and should see an expanded role this year.

Despite some blog reports that had 17 year old Colin Phaneuf signing in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans, he will return to the Blues for a second season and will be looking to improve on his 30-point rookie campaign.

With just seven forwards back, there will be a lot of new goal scorers with the Blues this season.

Behind the Bench: Ken Pearson returns for his fourth season as director of hockey operations and head coach. Under his watch, the Blues have made the playoffs the past three seasons, culminating with a MJHL title back in 2005-06.

Team Capsule

Losses - 11 (2G, 2D, 7F)

G - Brant Hilton (Grad/Regina, CIS)

G - Erik See (Grad)

D - John Murray (Grad)

D - Wade Poplawski (Grad/Colgate, NCAA I)

F - Brendan Arniel (Tri-Cities, USHL)

F - Daniel Bohemier (Grad/Concordia, ACAC)

F - Rowen Brutsch (Traded – Dryden Ice Dogs, SIJHL)

F - Bryce Macek (Grad)

F - Riley Nixdorf (Traded – Portage Terriers)

F - T.J. Rentmeister (Grad)

Returnees - 12 (5D, 7F)

D - Brendan Bradbury (88)

D - Drew Ellement (88)

D - Carey Findlay (87)

D - Jason Gray (87)

D - Zach Tully (89)

F - Chapin Hechter (87)

F - Jordan Mirwalt (88)

F - Colin Phaneuf (90)

F - Stephane Phaneuf (87)

F - Greg Reimer (88)

F - Scott Skrudland (88)

F - Jamie Tomlinson (88)

Newcomers - 3 (1G, 1D, 1F)

G - Mitch David (89 – Eastman Selects, AAA Midget)

D - Joey McInnes (88 – Dryden Ice Dogs, SIJHL)

F - Jordan Wilson (87 – Portage Terriers)

Training Camp Dates

Rookie Camp

None

Main Camp

August 24-26

Pre-Season Schedule

Aug. 28 @ Winnipeg

Aug. 30 vs. Portage

Aug. 31 vs. Winnipeg

Sept. 4 vs. Southeast

Sept. 6 vs. Selkirk

Sept. 8 @ Selkirk

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