Well, with the Prince George Cougars (WHL) just acquiring 20-year-old goaltender Kevin Armstrong from the Spokane Chiefs, it means Yorkton product and Yorkton Terrier Joel Danyluk (pictured right, whl.ca)has a bigger challenge ahead of him when he leaves for Cougars' Camp next month.
Until now, it looked like the Cougars may go with two 18 year olds next season. Danyluk, along with former Swift Current Bronco Ian Curtis, who's very highly-touted, and a monster at 6'
5" 214lbs. Now that Armstrong's in the fold, one would have to assume there's room for just one of the two 1990-born goalies.
Kevin Armstrong IS a starting goalie, he was only relegated to backup in Spokane because of a guy named Dustin Tokarski, who was of course the Memorial Cup MVP this year. Tokarski, who hails from Watson, SK, is also a year younger than Armstrong, making the latter trade bait heading into 2008-09.
Of course it's possible Danyluk or Curtis could be traded within the WHL, but again I use the word "assume", in assuming the two of them would be in a battle for the Cougars' #2 job this fall.
Personally, Joel's a great kid and I wish him the best of luck as he tries to crack the Cougars' roster. I'm sure a lot of Terrier fans will read this and think how good a tandem Yorkton could have with Danyluk and newly signed 20-year-old Jordan Barry, but I'm sure they echo me in wishing Joel luck in PG. The only reason I'll write this quote is because Joel said it on the record in an interview last season, but he said, "Obviously I want to play at the highest level possible, but I grew up dreaming about playing for the Terriers, and I can't see myself wearing any other jersey."
Something tells me he'll be happy either way.
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