Column:Vanstone called to the captaincy

Tim Vanstone is a great choice as captain of the 2015-16 Prince Albert Raiders.

The 19-year-old from Swift Current is fiery and fearless with a tireless work ethic. The 3rd round pick from the 2011 bantam draft forechecks and backchecks furiously, blocks shots, kills penalties and is basically a pain in the backsides of Raider opponents. In addition to setting that kind of example, Vanstone is coming off a career season with 11 goals and 14 assists. Vanstone is most honored by the fact he was the choice in a team vote, which speaks volumes.

Last season’s leading scorer and this year’s quarterback of the first power play unit, Reid Gardiner and Jesse Lees were no-brainer’s as assistant captains. Dalton Yorke fills out the leadership group and is another great choice. The 19-year-old hard rock stay at home defenseman cares. First hand evidence came during the intrasquad game when he kicked the boards on the way to the bench after being on the ice for a goal against. Yorke’s spot on the team was not in doubt at that point but he wanted to win.

The Raiders overage situation was resolved with Craig Leverton’s decision to head home and await the outcome of his immediate hockey future. Two weeks ago when discussing the team’s 20-year-old’s during 900 CKBI’s face-off program head coach Marc Habscheid said it’s an aspect of the hockey business that sucks, well put. The team’s depth chart on defense prompted the decision to keep Lees and Hunter Warner. Centreman Jordan Tkatch cemented the third and final overage spot with two goals and three assists in the season opening home-and-home series against Saskatoon. That left Leverton, a 20 goal man from last season who earned the nickname “the Debden Dangler” as the odd man out.

On an unrelated note, it’s good to hear Brendan Guhle doesn’t have any concussion like symptoms from the monster hit delivered by Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf in a welcome to the NHL kid moment. The fact he is still with the Buffalo Sabres is a testament to the tremendous training camp and preseason the 18-year-old defenseman has had.

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However, it’s my position that Guhle should have been back with the Raiders for the opening of regular season since he had no hope in H-E-double hockey sticks of being a regular in the Buffalo Sabres lineup this season. It’s another example that NHL teams really don’t give a rat’s rear end about the junior teams that stock their shelves.

Just how difficult is it for a young defenseman to crack an NHL lineup? The answer comes in Winnipeg’s shipping of former Raider captain and Jet’s first round draft choice Josh Morrissey to the AHL in his first year of post graduate work from the WHL.

There could be a positiive spinoff. If Guhle, the Raiders former first round pick who skates like the wind plays that well when he does return, he should earn a look from the Hockey Canada head honchos scouting for the national junior team.       

dwilson@panow.com

On Twitter: RaidersVoice