A big deal just broke this afternoon between the Kindersley Klippers and the Weyburn Red Wings. Kindersley has traded home captain Jordon Hoffman and Aaron Letourneau to the Weyburn Red Wings in exchange for Trent Hermary, prospects Micheal Statchuk and Kody Thue, and futures.
Before I comment on who the Klippers are getting back I have to touch on Jordon Hoffman. I am sure this was an extremely tough decision for the Klippers organization to have to make. I know Hoffman loved everything about being a Klipper and gave it everything he had day in and day out to become the player he is at this stage of his career. He was very well respected around the community, by his teammates and fans of the Klippers. It's sad to see him go but he really makes Weyburn that much stronger. Here is a guy that will be just what Dwight McMillan expects from his players. He likes hard working guys and that is exactly what Hoffman will give the Wings. This deal may really put Weyburn over the top.
Letourneau also goes over in the deal. He is a younger puck moving defenseman that just needs some time to develop. Great kid and I wish him the best of luck in a Weyburn uni.
---
Taking a look at who Kindersley receives, Trent Hermary will step into the Klipper lineup this season. He is a 18 year old SJHL rookie who currently has 4 goals, 5 assists in 19 games as a Red Wing. He is a hardworking forward that really caught my eye in the Klippers game against Weyburn on there most recent road trip.
In terms of Micheal Statchuk he is a 1994 dman playing for the Prince Albert Mintos. Rockie said he is a bit of a wildcard as there are some rumors he may go play out in the BCHL next season. Zinger mentioned that he was worth taking a chance on to try and get him to come here. He is currently a point per game dman out in Prince Albert.
In terms of Cody Thue he projects as a big shutdown defensman. He is 6"1 and 185 pounds as a 17 year old. Zinger mentions that he hopes for him to step into the lineup next season but also maybe be a call up down the road this season.
---
Here is a transcribed interview with myself and Rockie Zinger.
Ullsy: A big blockbuster trade here, you deal your home captain Jordon Hoffman and rookie defenseman Aaron Letourneau to Weyburn. You get a hefty return but I am sure it must of been extremely hard to have to part with a leader and player like Jordon Hoffman?
Rockie: It's always tough, you know Hoffman has given the Klippers 3 good years It was a tough situation here for Jordon but he gets to go to a team that's sitting 1st place in the division. With that coaching staff over there we think that Hoffman will fit right in pretty seamlessly with the way he works day in and day out. In terms of Letourneau it hopefully gives him a chance to see some more ice with the Wings. It's a tough deal for us but one we feel will strengthen us moving forward.
Ullsy: You mention moving forward, 2 of the guys you get back are prospects but in terms of Hermary he is a 18 year old rookie playing in the SJHL right now, do you expect him to step right into the lineup?
Rockie: We are hoping that he will, we will touch base with him shortly. He is a player that came from a strong Midget AAA program in Red Deer last year. He plays with a bit of an edge with some offensive skill. The thing that most impressed us when we played against Weyburn was his commitment to coming back hard into his own zone.
Ullsy: In terms of the 2 prospects you acquire, can you shed some light on those 2?
Rockie: In Statchuk he is currently playing for the Prince Albert Mintos. He is producing right now at a point per game clip from the back end. Hes a bit of a wildcard as there are some rumors that he might want to go follow in his brothers footsteps by playing in the BCHL. Bit of a risk but we feel its worth taking the chance to try and get him to come here.
In Thue, he is also a 94 dman but kind of the opposite spectrum of what Statchuk is. He is projected as a big shutdown guy. Hes close to 200 pounds and is listed as 6"1 and were looking for him to step into our lineup next year. We also are hoping to maybe call him up and get him in some Junior A action this season to give him a taste. Were pleased with the prospects and Trent Hermary coming in now and we feel they will position us to make some noise in the near future.
Brenden,
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing Jordon in a Red Wing uniform. He was always hard to play against and I especially think back to the playoffs last year. Good luck in Kindersley to Trent Hermary. I think given more ice time, he will be a great player for you guys. (and he is only 18).
- Brad M.
Weyburn, SK
If you are the director of communications for the Klippers, why don't you communicate the information to the local medias as you do to the Radio station?
ReplyDeleteIf you want to be the director of communications for anybody you are supposed to communicate on time to everybody.
Why does the Local paper always have to find out about trades from other sources around the league.
Or is it just special treatment because you wear two hats?
If the latter is the case you should give up one of them.
Hey Klipperman, put a sock in it! Not sure who you work for but if you are so interested maybe you can hang around the team more. The Clarion prints once a week so if a story breaks on Tuesday and the paper is out a day later it's old news anyway. If the Clarion was a daily paper it would be different. Not sure what your beef is but seems to be out of line to me.
ReplyDeleteYour right I could have sent it to the paper but I just found out about the deal about an hour ago. First thing I am going to do is report it on twitter, the radio station I work for and my blog. Really I cover all the media sources for the team for the most part so I don't really find it necessary to send to the paper when I know the sports guy for the Clarion will see it on Twitter. And if this has anything to do with the paper not getting it in on time for this weeks edition than that's not my problem. The deal broke this afternoon at practice. I didn't see anyone in the coaches room after the game last night asking what the deal was with Hoffman and Duzan not playing or looking for the inside scoop.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that I do understand where you are coming from and in the future I will send out the info to the other media sources around town as soon as I find out.
Here's wishing Jordon the best of luck as he finishes his Jr A career in Weyburn. You always represented the Klippers with class and you can be proud of what you have left behind. Your folks are the best too!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck Hoff. Class act and one of the best kids I dealt with in three years covering the Klippers.
ReplyDeleteUllsy, well put! Next thing you know they'll want you to deliver the papers too! We've got your back, don't worry about that!
ReplyDeleteTo another Anonymous idiot, if you can't figure out what my beef is you are not as smart as you think. I have been a fan since the team came to Kinderlsley, i am at most games and have been a board director for three years. You will also find me at most games as a volunteer. I expect you are as anonymous at the games as you are here.
ReplyDeleteJust for your information the paper is being printed as we speak, there was plenty of time for the full story to be included.
Thanks Brenden for your courteous and prompt response, But it is your problem as the director of communications.
Anonymous again, i imagine the back way is your choice.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the guy from the Clarion, shouldn't he be at the daily skates looking for news? Josh Lewis was all over this team. He knew what was going on most of the time. He even found time to write a blog.
ReplyDeleteJordon was the heart and soul of the Klippers organization and lead by example - said to see him go - all the best in Weyburn - you will do well!!!! mhh
ReplyDeleteYou were the heart and soul of this Klipper's team and lead by example each and every shift! - all the best in Weyburn!!! mhh
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to Jordan, the teacm will certainly miss your leadership.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, why don't you call the guy from the Clarion and ask him. I'm sure he will tell you why.
ReplyDeleteSo klippers are folding the tent this year then???
ReplyDeleteFolding the tent is not really the correct terminology unless you're trying to stir up controversy. I would say they are restocking their 50 man player list and looking at the balance of this season as a development year. With realistic expectations why not take this young team and let it build some character and identity in preparation for next year. While the balance of this season may be rough at times I think Klipper fans are in for some great hockey down the road.
ReplyDeleteSome background on me. I have worked in the hockey business for 30+ years in every league you can think of in 11 different countries. I was told to come check out the negativity on this blog by an aquaitance and voice my opinion.
ReplyDeleteSo here I am.
First off...Klipperman, if you are indeed on the board of directors I think a blogs comment section is the last place you should be addressing concerns. Give your head a shake and show some leadership. Your part of the backbone of this franchise and you stir things up on a public forum. You should be dismissed from your position. I am pretty sure the radio announcer is at every game that you are at. If you were a real man you would talk to him face to face and not address this in public. Grow up and think about your role and status with this team and think ahead before you hit the keyboard. How are fans supposed to view this team if a board director is the most negative poster leading the charge. You have been and are detriment to this organization.
Secondly...For the most part junior hockey teams run in cycles. With a little research it looks like last year was the year this team was set to make a run and they did for the most part. Generally following that "run" year in jr hockey there is a down year. Welcome to that year. It's a year where teams retool and put an emphasis on the younger guys. That is not saying the younger guys on these retooling teams can not carry the load. Sometimes/many times when the vet's are moved it forces other players to step up and at times teams can come out better in the end of the season because everyone has to contribute rather than leaning on 3-4 snipers game in and game out. It has happened before and could very well happen again. It is a character builder. Do not underestimate the value of this process.
After looking at the trades this team has made. Granted I only have heard about the players but I do know their ages. This team is not retooling for another "run" year. They are retooling for 3-4 continual seasons. This should be a great indicator to fans and the current players that this team is not building to be an "up" team once every 4 seasons and struggle the other 3. This team is building to be a perennial contender season in and season out. With this league having no draft, no waiver system and the team being closer to a major center (Saskatoon) there is great potential for this team to be a contender every season. The thing you fans and maybe board directors need to understand is there needs to be a starting point for this process to happen and there can be some growing pains with that.
For you players and prospects of this organization. Be excited. From an observers standpoint and a guy that has observed hundreds of teams over the years I can tell you good things are happening with this team now and in the future. I know that there are some Saskatchewan kids out there that are looking to other provinces for their future in hockey. I encourage you to stay here. Be true to your province and to this team. You have the oppurtunity to be apart of something special with this organization and with the "new" SJHL lead by Mr Chow. Commit and contribute to the growth of this league and hockey in this province. American Schools are very aware of the change in leadership in this league. They are very excited about it and you should be to.
But as a ccoach why would you rebuild on a one yearr contract when there are ruumblings he won't be back next year?
ReplyDeleteObserver some good points but the personnel coming back from last year was better than a last place team. I blame Coaching
ReplyDeleteTo the 10:20 am poster. WOW - what a breath of fresh air. You are bang on with the approach they are taking.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I wondered the same thing on a one year contract. I guess Rockie is an unselfish coach.
ReplyDeleteWhat looks better for a coach/gm. A team that squeaks into the playoffs and is swept in the first round and has not built for the future or a team that is possibly squeaking into the playoffs and having your team set up for the next 3-4 seasons?
ReplyDeleteObserver
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify one point, i should have said i was on the board of directors a few years ago, but not now. I don't need to grow up, as a paying customer, supporter and fan, i am entitled to my opinion wether you or anyone else likes it, just as you are.
I am excited by the possibilities this team has, there is indeed a core of great young talent on the ice. I was encouraged by the effort against Estevan. If that is the way the Klippers are going to play the future is bright.
My only advice to you is to think and read before you write.
My issue was with the director of communications not the team. But if you had indeed read mine and Ullseys blogs you would understand that.
Good Luck Jordan we will miss watching you.
ReplyDeleteBEST WISHES JORDAN. YOU ARE A LEADER ON AND OFF THE ICE AND WILL BE MISSED HERE.
ReplyDelete