Howse impressive at Bruins camp

By Eric J. Welsh,
The Progress

Aug 31 2007

TRAINING CAMP 2007

The Chilliwack Bruins have knocked an initial group of 82 players down to 35 and now the real training camp battles begin.

“There will be tough decisions everywhere,” Coach Jim Hiller said with a grimace. “We’re carrying a lot of quality forwards. We’ve got a big group on the blueline and we’ve got three goaltenders in a battle. They’re fighting for roster spots and they’re fighting for ice time. They don’t just want to play. They want to play lots and that will be difficult to sort out.”

The team is determined to keep expectations for Ryan Howse low, but there’s no doubt the talented 16-year-old is ready to make an impact.

In a brief five-game tryout last season, the Prince George native flashed elite-level puck skills, but he also looked physically overmatched against the big WHL defencemen.

“He looks like he’s certainly matured physically,” Hiller said. “He just looks so strong. We know he’s got the great skills, but now he looks like a veteran. We don’t want to rush him along too quick, but he’s certainly making an argument to swallow a large amount of ice-time.”

With the Bruins forever searching for secondary scoring it would make sense for Howse to soak up second-line minutes. Ken Petkau will be a fixture on that line, and the third man could be Jadon Potter.

Potter played three games for Chilliwack last season with no points. But he has shown up this season flashing speed and playmaking skill.

“He’s added 10 pounds of muscle since last year,” Hiller noted. “He’s very dynamic. He will definitely be a guy who plays an offensive role for us. I think people will very soon know his name around the league.”

Another forward who has impressed in the first few days of camp is Cody Smuk. Acquired from the Vancouver Giants prior to last season, he played 72 games with five goals and 16 points.

He showed up for camp flashing across-the-board improvement.

“He’s been really assertive,” Hiller observed. “He wants an increased role and he’s taking the bull by the horns. He’s demanding the puck and taking charge. To complement that, his skating and moves and shot have improved.”

Hiller stopped short of proclaiming Smuk the new linemate of Santorelli and Moller. But with his skill-set and style of play closely mirroring former captain Josh Aspenlind, it’s not hard to see the 18-year-old Saskatoon native filling that role.

“I don’t want to get into that yet,” Hiller said.

Two other new faces have stood out. Mammoth defenceman Scott Ramsay — an Abbotsford native — is making a case to earn a spot on the blueline.

The knock on the six-foot-five blueliner was always his skating, but Hiller said he hasn’t looked out of place.

“From what I’ve seen he moves very well for a big guy,” he said. “His coordination is coming along. He’s going to be a big, solid two-way defenceman. Every team needs a physical presence like that.”

“No one can feel safe,” Hiller said. “It’s always open. They have to get better and strive to get better. Anybody who wants to work their way up the depth chart should feel free to do it. And that’s what Ramsay appears to be doing.”

The surprise entry on Hiller’s list of training camp standouts is Chris Collins.

A 2007 bantam draftee, he has shown a willingness to do the dirty work required on the lunch-bucket Bruins.

“He was a mid-round pick and I think the scouts did a terrific job finding him,” Hiller said. “He’s just a good all-round player who is going to have a long career in this league and go beyond this if he keeps up his development.”

The Bruins hit the road this weekend for a pre-season tournament in Everett, facing the Seattle Thunderbirds today and the Silvertips on Sunday.

The first (and only) home-ice exhibition game is Wednesday at Prospera Centre versus the defending Memorial Cup champion Vancouver Giants.

Game time will be 7 p.m.