I have to admit I have mixed feelings about the Brayden vs. Brandon Wheat Kings situation.
After talking to Brayden Schenn's dad Jeff yesterday, I see his side of the story, yet can sympathise with what the Wheat Kings are thinking.
Jeff Schenn wants his younger son Brayden to play closer to his older son Luke in Kelowna, and feels if Brayden remains in Brandon the two close-nit brothers won't see each other much during the hockey season.
That in fact would be the case considering the Wheat Kings and Rockets will see each other just once next season, when the Rockets make a visit to the former arena known as the Keystone Centre.
But since Luke Schenn has been in the WHL, has Brayden had a great chance to see his older brother over the course of the busy hockey season? Brayden Schenn has been equally as busy playing Midget hockey and playing at the Canada Winter Games for Team Saskatchewan.
Jeff Schenn wants Wheat Kings General Manager Kelly McCrimmon to trade Brayden to either a team in the BC division or the Central.
But if you were Kelly McCrimmon, would you accommodate the prospects demand?
I am guessing McCrimmon has had a gun pointed to his head numerous times by a hockey parent, and surely won't back down to this latest demand.
McCrimmon wants to see Brayden in a Wheat Kings uniform, and believes the teams #1 pick from the 2006 WHL draft will be an impact player. Plus how bad does it look on the Wheat Kings organization that a first round pick doesn't want to report? It sends out a red flag to other prospects that may second guess making the Wheat Kings their junior home.
If Brayden looks at playing elsewhere next season, either at Shattuck St. Mary's in Minnesota (to complete high school) or in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, are their not better options?
If the Schenn's want Brayden to play closer to Luke, why not have him in the BC Hockey League in nearby Vernon or Penticton? Both are winning organizations, with Vernon being just 30 minutes from Kelowna and Penticton just 45 minutes away.
I have always looked at players drafted into the Western Hockey League as being a privilege, and you should go to the team that drafted you.
Until you really know what it's like in Brandon, Swift Current or Portland (in the case of Luke Moffatt), don't judge these organizations from the outside, or from horror stories that you have heard from others.
I would like to see both parties happy - Brayden and Brandon - by having Schenn give the Wheat Kings a try and playing under Kelly McCrimmon, who is a great hockey man, and an individual that can make you into an NHL'er.
After talking to Brayden Schenn's dad Jeff yesterday, I see his side of the story, yet can sympathise with what the Wheat Kings are thinking.
Jeff Schenn wants his younger son Brayden to play closer to his older son Luke in Kelowna, and feels if Brayden remains in Brandon the two close-nit brothers won't see each other much during the hockey season.
That in fact would be the case considering the Wheat Kings and Rockets will see each other just once next season, when the Rockets make a visit to the former arena known as the Keystone Centre.
But since Luke Schenn has been in the WHL, has Brayden had a great chance to see his older brother over the course of the busy hockey season? Brayden Schenn has been equally as busy playing Midget hockey and playing at the Canada Winter Games for Team Saskatchewan.
Jeff Schenn wants Wheat Kings General Manager Kelly McCrimmon to trade Brayden to either a team in the BC division or the Central.
But if you were Kelly McCrimmon, would you accommodate the prospects demand?
I am guessing McCrimmon has had a gun pointed to his head numerous times by a hockey parent, and surely won't back down to this latest demand.
McCrimmon wants to see Brayden in a Wheat Kings uniform, and believes the teams #1 pick from the 2006 WHL draft will be an impact player. Plus how bad does it look on the Wheat Kings organization that a first round pick doesn't want to report? It sends out a red flag to other prospects that may second guess making the Wheat Kings their junior home.
If Brayden looks at playing elsewhere next season, either at Shattuck St. Mary's in Minnesota (to complete high school) or in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, are their not better options?
If the Schenn's want Brayden to play closer to Luke, why not have him in the BC Hockey League in nearby Vernon or Penticton? Both are winning organizations, with Vernon being just 30 minutes from Kelowna and Penticton just 45 minutes away.
I have always looked at players drafted into the Western Hockey League as being a privilege, and you should go to the team that drafted you.
Until you really know what it's like in Brandon, Swift Current or Portland (in the case of Luke Moffatt), don't judge these organizations from the outside, or from horror stories that you have heard from others.
I would like to see both parties happy - Brayden and Brandon - by having Schenn give the Wheat Kings a try and playing under Kelly McCrimmon, who is a great hockey man, and an individual that can make you into an NHL'er.
And isn't that Jeff Schenn's greatest wish for his youngest son?
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It's always best to get both sides of the story.
I called Kelly McCrimmon this afternoon, but haven't heard back from him. McCrimmon is always accommodating to the media, and ALWAYS returns his calls.
I am assuming he wants to distance himself from this situation and let things play out as-is.
I respect that stance!
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Why has this situation captured my attention?
Let me state that it has nothing to do with the Kelowna Rockets being interested in Brayden Schenn.
Oh sure they'd love to have him on the team, no doubt, but my interest is more to do with the fact he is Luke Schenn's little brother and I have met his father on numerous occasions.
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2 comments:
Well Regan, with that entry I can see Kelly's stance on things, however, is it really Kelly's call as to what kind a future Brayden has? It's well known that the WHL gets more NHL Scouting attention than much any other league out there and as far as I'm concerned, I think McCrimmon should not try playing the be all and end all in the situation. I'm curious though regan, if Push comes to Pull can Jeff and Brayden go to the league and say "Hey Look it, Get him off Brandon's PPL"???
McCrimmon is in the drivers seat. He can hold Brayden by the boot straps as long as he wants. The Wheat Kings hold his rights and the league can't change that. And thank goodness the league can't intervene. If they had the ability we would see a mess as more kids would do the same. Remember Brayden isn't the only bad guy here, as he's one of many that have elected not to report to the team that drafted him.
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