Warriors Get Rielly Back

It's taken a couple of weeks longer than we were told it would but Morgan Rielly has finally been given clearance by his doctor to return to action, just in time for round 3 of the WHL playoffs. The timing couldn't be any better for Moose Jaw as they prepare for what most expect will be a lengthy series against the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Rielly not ready yet

Tonight was supposed to be the game Morgan Rielly returned to the Moose Jaw Warriors line up, but TPS has learned it won't happen.

Word is there hasn't been a set back, but that the doctor wouldn't clear him to play, so now he's back to week to week.

The Warriors can wrap up their first round playoff series with Regina tonight, which would give Rielly more time to heal.

Morgan Rielly To Return in First Round

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This is a good news, bad news story depending on which side of the Regina/Moose Jaw rivalry you sit on. TPS has learned that the Warriors will have a rising star back in their line up at some point in the opening round.

Morgan Rielly last played for the Tribe November 6th when he chipped in with 2 helpers against Calgary. But an injury against the Hitmen led to Rielly tearing his ACL and requiring surgery. Some thought it would be season ending, the doctors said mid April with the most optimistic time frame being mid to late March. Well they nailed it.

The Curse of 2012 Continues

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It's been a draft year like no other and not exactly on the good side for some of the top prospects for 2012. In past years we've seen the odd player go down with an injury or 2 (Brett Connolly, Jared Cowen) but this year you could field a whole line with some of the highly touted players Alex Galchenyuk, Nail Yakupov, Martin Frk, Ryan Murray and Morgan Rielly just to name 5.

Now you can add Peterborough Pete Defenceman Slater Koekkoek to the list.

Rielly Vs. Reinhart at Rexall Place

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The Edmonton Oil Kings pulled out a 2-1 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors tonight, dominating the tribe 42-18 on the shot clock and jumping into a 3 way tie for first in the central division.

It was a battle of 2012 first round draft prospects, and former D partners as Morgan Rielly went head to head with Griffin Reinhart in front of a ton of scouts. A number of teams sent their head scouts to watch the 2 rear guards.

Stuff You Should Know: WHL

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It's been an interesting time in the WHL so far this young season. Here's some stuff you may or may not have heard already.

Tuesday Recap: August 16th

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An absolutely loaded show tonight as we had a guest every segment to save me from solo tap dancing during Dean's absence. It started out, unintentionally, to be a coach's show as we brought in 3 bench men in the first hour alone to kick off the program. In hour 2 we spoke with our CHL Insider, an analyst who covered and could recap the Ivan Hlinka tournament and we closed the show with a former CJHL Player of the Year.

Did I mention that it was a kick ass, loaded show?

Canada's U18 team gives us peak into 2012

Canada released it's U18 roster that will try and win gold at the World Championship later this month. The club got together in Toronto today this and leave for Germany Thursday with 7 players who aren't eligible until the 2012 draft.

The full roster can be found here.

Hockey Canada Head Scout Kevin Prendergast told us on Saturday that there could be as many as four 2012 blueliners on the team and he lived up to his prediction. Morgan Rielly (as reported on this blog Tuesday) of Moose Jaw, Slater Koekkoek of Peterborough, Cody Ceci of Ottawa and Ryan Murray of Everett are the 4 youngsters that will patrol the blueline.

Malcolm Subban who minded the twine for Belleville this year is the likely starter, and he is also a 2012 draft eligible goaltender. Up front Charles Simard-Hudon of Chicoutimi is the lone 16 year old forward.

There are 14 OHL, 2 QMJHL and 6 WHL players, which might surprise some with a WHL head coach, but with this team it's all about availability as so many teams are still involved in CHL playoffs.

I would expect Ryan Murray, who played and captained this team last year as an underaged player to wear the C again. Ryan Murphy and Mark McNeill are good choices in my opinion as assistant captains.

Canada will be trying to improve on last year's 7th place finish.

WHL News and Notes

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Well I didn't see that coming with Russia beating team WHL in a shoot out, although we shouldn't be that shocked as they swept the Q and gave the OHL all they could handle. Maybe I'm a little biased but I didn't think Russia would win a game, let alone set themselves up for a sweep in the opener. They shouldn't have as the WHL gassed a 3 goal 3rd period lead when Russia lit them up like the Griswold house in Christmas Vacation and won it 7-6 in a shoot out.

More after the jump...

Top 5 Tuesdays - WHL Bantam Draft Prospects

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This week I am going to rely on our pals from International Scouting Services (ISS) who recently released their WHL Bantam Draft Guide. You can get your own full and in-depth copy by going HERE.

The 2009 WHL Bantam Draft is set for Thursday, here in Edmonton. While The Pipeline Show prides itself of shining the spotlight on tomorrow's NHL stars... Dean and I aren't out watching much Bantam level hockey. But these are the guys who we will be watching closely for the next 4 or 5 years.

5. Nicolas Walters
Position: Left defence
Born: 4.11.94
Height: 6’00”
Weight: 160
Current Team: St. Albert Bantam

According to ISS: Any and every team would be lucky to have Walters patrolling their
blueline in the near future. A solid and smooth defender, Walters makes anybody, with an appreciation for the defensive aspects of the game, drool. A solid containment and intelligent blueliner, Walters may not jump out at you like Dumba and Rielly, but he as consistent and steady as they come. What you get with Walters is leadership and the peace of mind that your end is taken care of when he is on the ice, and that the first pass is going to be hard and accurate. At 6’ and 160 lbs Walters is big and mobile and in great shape. Walters is primed to climb the rankings as potentially the best shut down and responsible defenceman available.

WHL Potential: A player you want on the ice with the game on the line.

4. Morgan Rielly
Position: Left defence
Born: 3.9.94
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 168
Current Team: Notre Dame

According to ISS: Rielly is a tremendously gifted offensive defenseman. His ability to lead the breakout is unparalleled in this draft class. Combine that with a great shot and an excellent work ethic and you can see why many WHL clubs will be looking to add Rielly and groom him into their power play quarterback. The Notre Dame captain, Rielly, is a strong skater with excellent mobility and can slow the play down perfectly or burn opposing teams with his quick reactions and superior up ice vision. The MVP and top defender at the St. Albert Bantam AAA tournament, Rielly put up over a goal a game during the regular season and finished with 52 points in 23 games.

WHL Potential: Top 2 defenseman, power play quarterback

3. Mike Winther
Position: Center
Born: 1.9.94
Height: 5’09”
Weight: 155
Current Team: Airdrie Xtreme

According to ISS: Last year’s AMBHL rookie of the year, Winther built off a solid rookie season, establishing himself as perhaps the most purely talented prospect in Alberta. Winther is a dynamic skater, with fantastic speed and an excellent first step. Explosive doesn’t begin to describe Winther with the puck, his quick reaction time and ability to read the play around the net leads to much of his success. Winther is most dangerous away from the puck in the offensive zone, as he is near
impossible to contain and will always find space to become a dangerous scoring threat. Winther was named top forward and was the top scorer in Alberta in the regular season and playoffs and led his team in scoring and was named top forward again in their dominating win at the Western Canada championship.

WHL Potential: Top line scoring forward

2. Connor Rankin
Position: Forward
Born: 11.30.94
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 185
Current Team: NSWC Bantam

According to ISS: The best way to describe Rankin is work horse. Perhaps the hardest
working player available in this draft, there is no question that Rankin is the best prospect in British Columbia this season. A very unselfish and self-sacrificing
player, Rankin is a leader and an example of what hard work can do for a player. Not the most skilled in any aspect of the game, he is good at everything and there are no real holes in his game. Anybody who has seen Rankin battle for a puck knows what a special player he is. Rankin makes everyone around him better and for this reason alone should be considered one of the elite prospects in this draft. Rankin also has the potential to put up very good offensive numbers.

WHL Potential: Future WHL captain

1. Matt Dumba
Position: RD
Born: 7.25.94
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165
Current Team: Calgary Bronks

According to ISS: A prototypical franchise defender, Dumba is a force from the backend. Dumba is a terror to play against. His ability to separate players from the puck is outstanding and only outshined by his ability to separate players from the ice. A phenomenal physical presence, Dumba’s hits are punishing and almost unavoidable as a result of his very strong mobility and skating ability. Dumba is also a strong puck mover and has great vision and offensive instincts with the puck.
Dumba will certainly make whoever doesn’t draft him very sorry they didn’t. Dumba led his team in goals this season with 20 in 33 games and also added 18 assists and 96 PIM. Player’s with this physical, defensive and offensive potential do not come around often.

WHL Potential: Franchise Defender


Other notables - One name that I've heard a lot is that of Tayler Balog who plays in Weyburn Saskatchewan. He comes in as the 6th ranked player for ISS but I won't be surprised if he goes in the top 5. Again, I don't watch this age level so I can only go by what others have told me or what I've read online and this sounds like a pretty talented kid.

Dion Phaneuf's little brother is available this year. The defenceman plays with the Edmonton SSAC and will probably be a 1st round selection - and not just because of his last name. It sounds like Dane Phaneuf can make a name for himself as opposed to riding off his big brother's coat tales.

The Edmonton Oil Kings own the WHL rights to Philip Samuelsson, former NHLer Ulf Samuelsson's son. Ulf's got another son available this year and Henrik Samuelsson might be the best of the bunch. He's playing south of the border and the fact that brother Philip appears NCAA bound might hurt Henrik's stock on Thursday. ISS has him as a late 1st rounder though.