Record: 20-6-2... 42 pts... 1st in Sherwood
On Pace: 40-12-4... 84 pts...
Synopsis:
Outside the Mils' locker room, I think most people thought they might be on the bubble just to make the playoffs this season. Gone from last season, a lot of scoring punch, in Dion Campbell, Brad Johnston, Bryant Dyke, Scott Hennings, Chris Shudo and Jordan Wilson, along with one of the best offensive defensemen in the league in Derek Edwards. Not to mention two of their goalies in Joe Rodwell and Kyle Cantlon, both of whom were eligible to return, but Rodwell was on loan from Prince George (BCHL), and is now playing at UBC. Cantlon's shoulders were banged up and he was sent back to his native Ontario. But, that paved the way for another 20-year-old, Travis Bosch to get the bulk of the games this season, and to say he's made the most of the opportunity would be the understatement of the year.
The problem is, and I'm sometimes guilty of this too, is people tend to look only at who's NOT back, rather than focussing on who IS. Daniel Hope, Kale Dolinski, Levi Lind, Matt Kinnunen, Aaron Decorby, Tyler Murray, Michael Jordan, etc, etc, throw in Logan Herauf and newcomer Brayden Metz up front, and a big, veteran 'D', and you realize why the Mils are tops in the Sherwood at the midway point.
It's been a balanced attack for the Mils so far, with 5 guys hitting double digits in goals already (Hope-14, Dolinski-12, Lind, Herauf, Stanicky-10), and it would be 6 if Aaron Decorby wasn't hurt. He's got 9 goals in 19 games, and was leading the club in goals when he went down.
Head Coach Jamie Fiesel has often said, "We don't 'wow' teams, we don't blow teams out, but we're big, and we're efficient." That pretty much sums it up. Aside from a 7-1 win over Kindersley, which was followed up by a 2-1 loss to the Klippers two nights later, the Mils don't pile up the goals, but they've given up the fewest in the league, much in thanks to Travis Bosch. Backup Riley Hengen also hasn't let the Mils down yet (5-0, 1.74, .939 since coming to MVL).
What to expect?
The Sherwood Conference is strong, but the Mils, once they get everyone healthy, and a guy like Brayden Metz gets more comfortable with the new systems, I think they'll stay right where they are and win the Sherwood pennant. Even if they do, they'll still have a tough first round against whoever wins the Survivor Series, because the Conference is just that strong. Look for Travis Bosch to lead the league in minutes played and wins, and probably get some looks for Top Goalie, or even MVP.
HALFWAY HARDWARE
Just like I said on the Terriers' report, comments are free and you can direct them at the bottom of the post. I'd prefer if you use your name, but I can't force anyone to not post anonymously, so any input is appreciated.
Most Valuable Player
Travis Bosch, Goaltender
If I didn't give this away in my summary yet, I firmly believe Travis Bosch has been Melville's best player so far, and they likely wouldn't own top spot in the conference if not for him. While team defense has been good, Bosch is the biggest reason why they've allowed a league-low in goals, and have the best penalty kill in the conference, and second best in the league.
Most Improved Player
Tyson Melnychuk, Forward
This was the hardest to pick. I almost made it a 3 or 4-way tie, but I decided not to do ties. Forwards Michael Jordan and Shane Stanicky, and defenseman Austin Krahenbil could all easily be named Most Improved, but I'm going with local product Tyson Melnychuk. To date, Melnychuk's got 10 points in 27 games this season, after playing just 20 games last season and registering one assist, before being re-assigned to Fort Knox (PJHL).
Most Pleasant Surprise
Shane Stanicky, Forward
I was thinking I'd give this one out to rookies, but as mentioned, Stanicky would have been a good candidate for Most Improved, and I think his 10 goals, which equals last year's total, and 20 points, which is one more than he had all last season, is a nice surprise for the Mils through 28 games. Stanicky can play on any line, first through fourth, and use his speed and bump-and-grind style to contribute no matter who he's playing with. I was also thinking of giving this one to rookie Logan Herauf, who's at a point-per-game as a rookie, but I think Fiesel expected Herauf to be an impact player.
The Mils' scorers (Hope, Dolinski, Lind, etc) got left out of these awards, but they're all huge pieces to the Mils' puzzle. I wanted to recognize some guys who are a little under the radar who are doing the little things to get the Mils to where they are so far.
On Pace: 40-12-4... 84 pts...
Synopsis:
Outside the Mils' locker room, I think most people thought they might be on the bubble just to make the playoffs this season. Gone from last season, a lot of scoring punch, in Dion Campbell, Brad Johnston, Bryant Dyke, Scott Hennings, Chris Shudo and Jordan Wilson, along with one of the best offensive defensemen in the league in Derek Edwards. Not to mention two of their goalies in Joe Rodwell and Kyle Cantlon, both of whom were eligible to return, but Rodwell was on loan from Prince George (BCHL), and is now playing at UBC. Cantlon's shoulders were banged up and he was sent back to his native Ontario. But, that paved the way for another 20-year-old, Travis Bosch to get the bulk of the games this season, and to say he's made the most of the opportunity would be the understatement of the year.
The problem is, and I'm sometimes guilty of this too, is people tend to look only at who's NOT back, rather than focussing on who IS. Daniel Hope, Kale Dolinski, Levi Lind, Matt Kinnunen, Aaron Decorby, Tyler Murray, Michael Jordan, etc, etc, throw in Logan Herauf and newcomer Brayden Metz up front, and a big, veteran 'D', and you realize why the Mils are tops in the Sherwood at the midway point.
It's been a balanced attack for the Mils so far, with 5 guys hitting double digits in goals already (Hope-14, Dolinski-12, Lind, Herauf, Stanicky-10), and it would be 6 if Aaron Decorby wasn't hurt. He's got 9 goals in 19 games, and was leading the club in goals when he went down.
Head Coach Jamie Fiesel has often said, "We don't 'wow' teams, we don't blow teams out, but we're big, and we're efficient." That pretty much sums it up. Aside from a 7-1 win over Kindersley, which was followed up by a 2-1 loss to the Klippers two nights later, the Mils don't pile up the goals, but they've given up the fewest in the league, much in thanks to Travis Bosch. Backup Riley Hengen also hasn't let the Mils down yet (5-0, 1.74, .939 since coming to MVL).
What to expect?
The Sherwood Conference is strong, but the Mils, once they get everyone healthy, and a guy like Brayden Metz gets more comfortable with the new systems, I think they'll stay right where they are and win the Sherwood pennant. Even if they do, they'll still have a tough first round against whoever wins the Survivor Series, because the Conference is just that strong. Look for Travis Bosch to lead the league in minutes played and wins, and probably get some looks for Top Goalie, or even MVP.
HALFWAY HARDWARE
Just like I said on the Terriers' report, comments are free and you can direct them at the bottom of the post. I'd prefer if you use your name, but I can't force anyone to not post anonymously, so any input is appreciated.
Most Valuable Player
Travis Bosch, Goaltender
If I didn't give this away in my summary yet, I firmly believe Travis Bosch has been Melville's best player so far, and they likely wouldn't own top spot in the conference if not for him. While team defense has been good, Bosch is the biggest reason why they've allowed a league-low in goals, and have the best penalty kill in the conference, and second best in the league.Most Improved Player
Tyson Melnychuk, Forward
This was the hardest to pick. I almost made it a 3 or 4-way tie, but I decided not to do ties. Forwards Michael Jordan and Shane Stanicky, and defenseman Austin Krahenbil could all easily be named Most Improved, but I'm going with local product Tyson Melnychuk. To date, Melnychuk's got 10 points in 27 games this season, after playing just 20 games last season and registering one assist, before being re-assigned to Fort Knox (PJHL).Most Pleasant Surprise
Shane Stanicky, Forward
I was thinking I'd give this one out to rookies, but as mentioned, Stanicky would have been a good candidate for Most Improved, and I think his 10 goals, which equals last year's total, and 20 points, which is one more than he had all last season, is a nice surprise for the Mils through 28 games. Stanicky can play on any line, first through fourth, and use his speed and bump-and-grind style to contribute no matter who he's playing with. I was also thinking of giving this one to rookie Logan Herauf, who's at a point-per-game as a rookie, but I think Fiesel expected Herauf to be an impact player.The Mils' scorers (Hope, Dolinski, Lind, etc) got left out of these awards, but they're all huge pieces to the Mils' puzzle. I wanted to recognize some guys who are a little under the radar who are doing the little things to get the Mils to where they are so far.
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