By Jeff D'Andrea

Prince George later, Prince Albert now for Harris

Sep 19, 2012 | 10:28 PM

Although he was drafted 10th overall in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft by the Prince George Cougars, defenceman Jordan Harris won’t start major-junior hockey career just yet.

Instead, Harris will return to play for another prince’s hockey team, the Prince Albert Mintos at the Midget AAA level.

“Coming back is a really good thing for me,” said Harris, who calls PA his hometown. “I played here last year with a great group of guys and coming here this year, we have 10 vets playing this year.

“Coming back this year, I think we have a pretty solid group, strong four lines there, six solid D, two really good goaltenders there.”

Harris was reportedly very close to making the Cougars as a 16-year-old, as was Regina Pat Canadians’ d-man Sam Ruopp, the younger brother of Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Harrison Ruopp.

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Cougars general manager Dallas Thompson thought it would be more beneficial for both young men if they developed their games for another season at the Midget AAA level.

“They are two 16-year-olds that had great camps and probably could have played here… I don't think it will hurt them to go back and play big minutes instead of being here and being in and out of the lineup,” Thompson told Jason Peters of the Prince George Citizen.

Harris thought the move was beneficial for him not only as a hockey player, but as a young man.

“Me going that far away (from home) as a 16-year-old, it’s a big move for me and my family,” said Harris. “I think coming back home, it’s going to give me a little more time to develop as a person and mature more at home. Come here, play with the Mintos and build more confidence as a hockey player.

“My experience in Prince George was great, it was good to see how those guys play up there and take care of their bodies and then come to the rink and prepare for practices. They prepare even more mentally and physically for the games up there. It was a good experience for me.”

The Mintos weren’t necessarily expecting Harris to return to their lineup, but welcome the hulking 6’1, 170 pounder with open arms.

“It’s a big hole to fill what Harry brings, he’s a big body, he skates well, he moves the puck well, he’s good in the room and does all the little things right,” said Mintos defensive coach and assistant Brad Bergen. “He’s still learning lots, but it sure helps to have him back.”

Harris scored 14 points, with four goals, last year when the Mintos reached the SMAAAHL finals, losing in four games to the Saskatoon Contacts. That experience has made Harris even hungrier for this year.

“That loss last year was pretty tough to take there,” said Harris. “We ran into some injury trouble at the end, but coming back this year, it’s going to make us want it that much more for this year’s playoffs.”

Blazers 3 Mintos 2

For the second time this exhibition season, the Saskatoon Blazers beat the Mintos, after previously winning 5-3 in Saskatoon Sept. 11.

On Wednesday, the Mintos did outshoot the Blazers 41-16 but couldn’t capitalize on their chances, especially on the power play which went 1-9.

The power play also gave up a shorthanded goal to Keegan Allison with just 1:29 left in the game, which put up the Blazers by the eventual final score of 3-2.

Lance Yaremchuk and Jason Duret scored for the Mintos. Josh Reinbolt, Tyler Kreklewich got the other goals for the Blazers.

Evan Weninger made 39 saves for the Blazers. Lane Michasiw made 13 saves in the loss.

The Mintos have three preseason games left and will travel to the Schroh Arena to play the Contacts Saturday, then return home Sunday to play the Tisdale Trojans at 1:30 p.m. They also play away against the Beardy’s Blackhawks Sept. 25. Their regular season begins Sept. 29 against the Swift Current Legionnaires.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea