Heat Insider

Published on May 14, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


The Future's so Bright...

DAVE SHELDON

ABBOTSFORD HEAT

This past Monday, the inaugural season of the AHL's Abbotsford Heat came to an end with a loss in Hamilton to the Bulldogs. While no team wants to end their season by being shutout in a deciding playoff game, the Heat join a group of what will be 28 disappointed teams that will fall short of the ultimate goal of winning the Calder Cup.

As spring turns into summer, the Heat will once again prepare for the upcoming season. What we as fans, (yes, while I do cover the team and work for the team, deep down I am a fan) get this coming year as opposed to last year is knowledge of who may be coming to the Heat, and the future looks bright.

Heat Head Coach Jim Playfair will be the first to tell you that naming players for the team next year may undermine the player. Playfair and most throughout the Calgary organization have said that listing players who may be in Abbotsford may not work well on the psyche of a player trying to make the big club in Calgary. While I can respect that, I want to float a few names that had a good season and have given us glimpses of what may be not just here in Abbotsford, but perhaps in Calgary as early as next year:

Mikael Backlund - Backlund has already proven that he can play at the next level, as he spent the last third of the season in Calgary. Backlund came to Abbotsford with potential and transformed into a player that can compete at the next level.

Brett Sutter - As with Backlund, Sutter proved enough to the Flames to get a late season look and Sutter took advantage of that audition by bringing his game to a new level in the playoffs. Sutter leading the Heat in playoff scoring will certainly raise his stick within the organization, and if by chance he is back here in the Fraser Valley in 10/11, he would certainly be counted on as a leader, both on the scoreboard and once again in the leadership department.

John Negrin - This first year defender showed fans glimpses of that player that dominated in junior, but injuries slowed his progress. A summer's worth of health should get Negrin a fresh perspective as he once again makes a case to make the Flames.

Mitch Wahl - What can you say about this guy? Mitch Wahl was highly thought of by the Flames organization before coming to the Heat for the playoff run. After posting 30 goals and 96 points in Spokane with the Chiefs, this 20 year old from Seal Beach, CA showed a skill level that at times left us with our jaws agape. Great vision, a quick release, and a tenacity not seen in highly skilled players may give Wahl a shot at Calgary's roster sooner than later.

David Shantz - The story of the season. Here was a man who chose to re-evaluate his life, not just his career, but his life by heading to Africa and discovering what was important to his life. Re-focussed and given an opportunity, Shantz pounced. This Burlington, ON, product went to Victoria and backstopped the ECHL Salmon Kings to an 18-5-4 record and an ECHL all star berth. Recalled to Abbotsford in late January, Shantz turned his season and the season of the Heat around by helping the HEAT to a 8-1 Olympic Road Trip record and a 10-3-1 February record, propelling the Heat from a fifth place standing into a chance to overhaul Rochester. In the playoffs, Shantz found his game and knocked off his former team the Americans in seven exciting games, capped by a shutout in the decisive Game Seven. Shantz went from being a prospect to being THE prospect in the Heat goal and potentially an alternative for Calgary behind Mikka Kiprusoff. 'David Shantz still has to make major steps in his career in terms of mindset and conditioning,' states Playfair. 'But he has made great strides this year and has given himself the opportunity to get to the next level.'

As we head to the summer, we look back at an exciting opening act, the inaugural season in the AHL for the Abbotsford HEAT. Looking forward, with all of what we learned this year and the excitement that this team brought to the AESC and throughout the Fraser Valley, year two and beyond looks very bright.

Season End Team Store SALE

Attention Heat fans, we're having a blowout sale on Saturday, May 29th at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. Come check it out for a chance to meet Hawkey, grab a hot dog and pop, and meet some Heat Players!

Sale Items Include:

Clearance Store Merchandise

Game Worn Jerseys

Team Equipment

Details:

Saturday, May 29th

Enter through Main Doors on University Crescent

10am-11am - Season Ticket Holders

11am-3pm - Open to the General Public

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American Hockey League Stories from May 14, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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