Hopefully, for Kevin SundherB次元官网网址檚 sake, heB次元官网网址檚 wearing a new jersey on Wednesday.
The Western Hockey LeagueB次元官网网址檚 trade deadline is Tuesday (Jan. 10) and Sundher, the WHLB次元官网网址檚 seventh leading scorer, is on contract to start his pro career in the Buffalo Sabres organization later this spring. Having won just once in the past 10 games, SundherB次元官网网址檚 departure will leave the already-reeling Victoria Royals with a major gap.
But thatB次元官网网址檚 the junior dilemma, and itB次元官网网址檚 up to fans to find the next gem to focus on.
Even without a winning team, the fan support for the Royals continues to be strong. The announced attendance at last weekendB次元官网网址檚 two losses to the Kelowna Rockets B次元官网网址� 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday and 5-2 on Friday B次元官网网址� was more than 12,000 (or was there a rush to see the arenaB次元官网网址檚 swanky new video screens?).
ItB次元官网网址檚 been a breakout season for Sundher, who came out from the shadow of last yearB次元官网网址檚 stars Ryan Howse (Abbotsford Heat) and Roman Horak (Calgary Flames).
Now itB次元官网网址檚 time for Sundher to shine on the big stage.
Not to say that Victoria isnB次元官网网址檛 one of the bigger markets in the WHL, but itB次元官网网址檚 likely that such an effective two-way player as Sundher would have gained a little more respect, including an invite to Team Canada's world junior tryouts, should he play under the microscope of the Vancouver Giants, or in the larger Ontario market.
How SundherB次元官网网址檚 managed to retain minus-3 on the worst defensive team in the country reeks of the quality of his play. As of Monday morning the RoyalsB次元官网网址� 212 goals against in 42 games puts the club beside the OHL-worst Erie Otters, whoB次元官网网址檝e let in 200 in 39 games, and the Quebec-worst Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, who have allowed 206 in 43 games.
This is not a snub to the young Royals group who will continue to be B次元官网网址渘urtured.B次元官网网址�
Disconcerting as the departure of 19-year-old defenceman Jesse Pauls to B次元官网网址渞etirementB次元官网网址� was last week, there is plenty of returning talent ready to emerge offensively next season.
Logan Nelson continues to be in the hunt for the rookie scoring race. The core of forwards Jamie Crooks, Steven Hodges, Brandon Magee, Tim Traber and Zane Jones are all going to benefit from a yearB次元官网网址檚 growth by next September. And mid-season pickup Ben Walker is starting to look better, with nine points in 16 games.
Defensively, wouldnB次元官网网址檛 the season have looked a lot better by this point if the concussed Tyler Stahl had been around to lend his rugged and often nasty demeanour beyond four games?
Should Sundher stay, and if Stahl returns, the Royals B次元官网网址� with one win in the last 13 games B次元官网网址� could hold on for the remaining playoff spot.
Maybe starting goalie Keith Hamilton (or Jared Rathjen) wins them a playoff game or two. Maybe he steals the first round. It would take a lot, and itB次元官网网址檚 a lot to ask.
Realistically, the Royals need to grow into a winning team, and be able to keep it that way for a number of seasons.
And that means getting something now for Sundher, assuming a GM smart enough to realize his value is able to meet Marc HabscheidB次元官网网址檚 asking price.
And Sundher isn't the only Royals player teams might find attractive. Like Horak before him, Robin Soudek is the latest Czech import with a shot at going pro from the Royals/Bruins organization. Great hands, hard hitting and an intense game when he brings it, Soudek would make a nice playoff addition.
