When I can find the time, I like to write a scouting report before the start of the season. It can give the players a bit of insight as to who they’ll be playing with and against, especially with 20 new players being drafted for the season. Despite writing about 10 teams, the most the league has had entering a season, I did find the time.
Barrage
The Barrage should have their fair share of offense with first year captain, Jamie Carson and high scoring Marc Guitard, the MVP’s during the past two seasons. Jamie also added Carl Brown, who has been a proven goal scorer. On defense he drafted last season’s team-mate Rakesh Rajput, along with Ben Warren, who is fresh off a championship season. Mark Ferrell will tend nets for the Barrage this season after backstopping his team to the finals last year. Jamie also added Mitch Nickerson who has played forward and defense, along with Wayne Helpard. Wayne was limited to 5 games due to a wrist injury he suffered early in the season. It looks like the Barrage have a good mix and balance on their team with a bit of emphasis on offense. They could be tough to contain. They will be wearing the color purple, being the first to do so.
Blues
Second year captain, Andrew Trecartin will be defending the Blues championship with team-mates Mike Moore and Pat Rossignol. Along with Brandon Leet-MacFarlane in nets, they lead a solid looking Blues team into this season. Of course, a lot will depend on the four new players Andrew had added. Other than our rookie game awhile back, little is known about Justin Barkhouse and Michael Sutton. The scouting on them is that they are both good players. We’re more familiar with Jamie Williams, who can be dangerous around the net. For added defense, Andrew picked Gerry Heffernan, who may be new to this league, but has played in many leagues and has a lot of experience. He’ll set a new oldest player record this season, surpassing Terry McFadzen. It appears the Blues have things covered and seem to be built around an overall game. They’ll be wearing the same blue again this season.
Warriors
After playing with the regular season champions last year, Jon Loubert brings back his Warriors for their 3rd season. He managed to draft three key players from his championship team of 2011. Picking up Troy Doyle and Denis Loubert, along with goalie, Jeff Smith, fresh off last season’s championship. Jon also picked up Freddy Chubbs, who he played with last season. His experience with these players could get the Warriors off to a good start. Especially if the less familiar players fit in well. Ray Chase, who was drafted high has shown excellent playmaking skills. Less is known about Travis Muxworthy, but Brian Kelly played in the league a couple of years ago, so Jon is familiar with his solid play. The Warriors look good offensively, especially from the defense, and Jeff has proven he can take care of the nets, so opposing teams should have their hands full. The Warriors had to settle for the Color orange this season after previously wearing blue.
Smokin’ Aces
Last captaining the team during our 5th season, Vince MacDonald is back again with his Aces. Vince grabbed Paul Richard for his goalie again this season. He added Tyson Taylor and Christian Haines, who played with the championship Blues last season, along with Stephen Rafuse who played against them in the finals. Vince also added another couple of team-mates, drafting Tim O’Leary and Larry Condly. The only new player Vince picked was Chris Benoit who showed a scoring touch at the rookie game. So the Smokin’ Aces look solid. With a wealth of players who play forward and defense, Vince will have many options. There were concerns about Paul after having surgery during the off season, but he seems ready to go. Paul was the league’s top goaltender last season, while setting records with the Renegades, who were regular season champions. If these players enjoy playing together, they’ll be tough. The Smokin’ Aces will return with the color yellow again.
Vipers
The Vipers last played during our 4th season, but Art McCoy has brought them back this season. He started the draft with high scoring veteran, Jim Taylor and former goaltending champion, Darryl Moorcroft, returning to nets. Art also added Kevin Gallant, a team-mate from a couple of years ago, along with proven goal scorer, Travis Haines. He took care of any lose ends on defense, adding Wyatt Ashworth, who also has a scoring touch, plus Bryan Letcher and Rene Pitre. So the Vipers appear to have a good balance. If Darryl can tap into his previous goaltending prowess, the Vipers will have things covered and should put up a good fight. They’re the only team besides the Barrage without new players. The Vipers will be returning with their red jerseys. The past regular season champions have wore red.
Unicorns
Brent McKenna returns as a captain this season with a new team called the Unicorns. Brent captained the Sharks a couple of years ago during our 7th season. He loaded up on offense right away during this season’s draft, picking up Greg Geurts, last season’s scoring champion and Bruno Dugas from last season’s championship team. Brent drafted Phil Cronkite and Trevor Graham as the mainstay defensemen. Steve Atherton should come in handy as he’s an excellent role player. Brent filled out his roster with a couple of new players. Dave MacFarlane, a goalie that looked good at the rookie game, and Craig Maranda, who is said to be a good player. The Unicorns don’t expect a lot of offense coming from their defense, but there should be lots to compensate from the forwards. They are said to be wearing pink this season, and of course, the first to do so.
Derek’s Team (TBA)
Derek is the only other first year captain this season besides Jamie Carson. We’re still awaiting the team’s name. Derek picked proven goal scorers, Collin Sleep and Ian Lapointe, along with James Campbell. He also added Davie Mossman who can also add a scoring touch, and Scott King who is a solid player. Derek filled out the roster with a couple of new players, including a young goalie named Justin Robichaud. Little is know about him or Matt Orford as either played in the rookie game, but are said to be good players. Derek’s team seems to have a good foundation, particularly on offense. But of course, a lot will depend on the new guys, especially in nets. None of Derek’s players played with him last season, although James did the previous season, when they went to the finals together. Derek’s team will be wearing gray this season. It’ll be the 2nd time a team has worn gray.
FUBAR
Ian Stevens returns for his 3rd consecutive season as a captain. And he loaded up on the defensive game early in the draft, picking star goalie, Scott Shepard, who went undefeated during his 24 games in our 7th season. also adding the defensive pair, Mark Whitlock and Peter Wolters, who won consecutive regular season championships before last season. After picking his only two forwards, Mike Hossack, a proven goal scorer, and Shawn Kane, a relatively unknown new player who is said to be good, Ian grabbed a couple of stay home defensemen, picking Jeff King and James Morrison, a new player who played in the rookie game. FUBAR seem to have everything they need on defense, including a fair amount of offense, which should take some of the pressure off Mike and Shawn. Scoring may be tough against this team. FUBAR will be wearing black again.
Shooters
Yvon Mayer returns for a record 6th consecutive season as a captain and the 5th as the Shooters. He wasted no time drafting Doug Taylor, four time champion, along with high scoring Bobby Woods. Known as Frenchy around the league, Yvon picked, what he called, the french connection, drafting new players, Mathieu Vaillancourt and Frederik Mailhot-Landry, who both played in the rookie game. He also added a couple more new players, picking John Hamilton for his goalie, who played well in the rookie game, and Jeremy Snow who’s a proven solid player. The team seems more than capable of handling themselves, but they start the season with one less player than the other teams, which limits Yvon’s options a bit. If the Shooters get their team out, they should have a good one. They’ll be wearing their traditional white jerseys again this season.
Collective
Rick Bartlett returns for his 8th season as a captain and the 7th as the Collective. Despite the rare occasion of drafting at the other end of the order, Rick managed to grab Rod MacIsaac, a proven goal scorer, along with highly rated defenseman, Mike Luff, a new player who played in the rookie game. He also added some familiar team-mates by drafting Evan Bartlett, Rick Haines, and James MacKinnon who have all played and won championships with the Collective. Rick picked Harold Plant to play nets this season, along with Mike Clarke, his other new player. Not a lot is known about Mike but is said to be a good player. Rick seems to have a good balance of offense and defense. If Harold can show the kind of goaltending that backstopped his team to a regular season championship in 2012, they could be good. The Collective will again, wear their green jerseys.
