Showing posts with label Penticton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Penticton. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

UND Hockey: Ryan Gropp backs out of his commitment to UND.

Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
There's big news to hit Grand Forks, ND today. Highly sought UND recruit Ryan Gropp has backed out of his commitment to UND to sign a contract with the Seattle Thunderbird's of the WHL, thus, ending his college hockey eligibility. Personally, I don't know how de-committing from UND and signing with the Western Hockey League is going to help his development, but whatever.
PENTICTON, BC – The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Hockey Club announced Tuesday that forward Ryan Gropp (96) has left the team for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson’s statement:

“Ryan’s mindset last summer when he committed to UND (University of North Dakota) and decided to return to Penticton, was that he would enter the NCAA as a true freshman which coincides with his draft year.

Unfortunately Ryan did not get off to the start everyone expected this season, hence possibly affecting his long term goals. After a few discussions with Ryan and his family, we came to the conclusion it would be best for Ryan to change directions and move on to the WHL.

Ryan was a great teammate during his time in Penticton, and our organization wishes him nothing but the best in his future hockey endeavors.”
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Friday, September 16, 2011

Brett Hextall is no Matt Cooke...

I want to preface this blog post by saying that, I liked what Brett Hextall brought to the table during his three seasons at the University of North Dakota, however I am disappointed that Brett would compare himself to a gutless puke like Matt Cooke. I don't think we will every see Hextall suspended for the playoffs because he hit someone with a dirty elbow or an illegal hit... While Hextall plays the game with an edge I wouldn't say that he is a goon or a dirty player.
Pro Hockey Talk --- Phoenix Coyotes prospect Brett Hextall signed a pro contract this April and will be wreaking havoc all over the Coyotes training camp this week. He spent two seasons with Junior A Penticton before moving on to the University of North Dakota.

“Yeah, [the chippiness] probably my strongest point—at least when I’m playing my most effective,” Hextall explained. “I’m really getting under people’s skin just because I’m a pest. Like a Max Talbot, Matt Cooke, or someone like that. If I can be a relentless guy, [play] in-your-face, winning pucks, and just getting under people’s skin because I’m always around, always there, and always getting a piece of them. That’s definitely when I’m at my best.”

That’s right. A Hextall just said that he’s at his best when he’s playing like Matt Cooke. Not surprisingly, it’s something he’s learned from his family. He’s known from the start what it would take to be a good hockey player.

One player that I would probably compare Brett Hextall to is Boston Bruins forward and pest extraordinaire Brad Marchand. In case you have already forgotten, Marchand, was the player that the Montreal Canadians and the Vancouver Canucks came to hate during the Stanley Cup playoffs, by the end of both series Marchand was in Canadians and Canucks heads. Brett Hextall like Brad Marchand has been known to throw players but also whole teams off their games being a super pest, if you don't believe me just ask the Denver Pioneers.

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