The numbers game

Getting caught in the overage numbers game is an annual occurrence in the WHL and Prince Albert is no exception.

Winger Andrew Herle,20, is on waivers and likely headed to the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL. The Wilkie native was listed and signed as a free agent before the 2009 training camp and quickly became a favourite in the dressing room and among fans.

Andrew's contribution goes well beyond his 11 goals and 13 assists over the past two seasons. Herle played with the jam of someone much bigger than his five-foot-nine-inch, 185-pound frame. He never hesitated to sacrifice his body whether it was with a hit, blocking a shot or dropping the gloves. WHL tough guy Curt Gogol was among Andrew's pugilistic opponents.

If Andrew Herle is younger than 20, he stays with the Raiders. He was among six-overage candidates at the beginning of training camp. However with the likelihood of leading scorer Jonathan Parker (45 goals, 41 assists) and Brandon Herrod (28 goals, 40 assists) coming back after pro tryouts and fellow winger Justin Maylan (21 goals, 48 assists) on the roster, Andrew became the odd man out up front. Meanwhile if Raider brass determines they need the experience, offensive skill and power play quarterbacking capability of defenseman James Bettauer, one of the overage forwards left becomes trade bait.

Regardless of who stays and who goes the Raiders will head into the season with a strong set of 20 year old's who will be relied upon to help lead this fledgling franchise up the playoff food chain.

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You can't help but feel badly for Andrew Herle. Unfortunately his plight is the product of an improving team with excellent depth in its overage corps and his type of story will continue to be told around the CHL on an annual basis.

dwilson@rawlco.com