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Wheat Kings' Michael Ferland has high hopes this upcoming WHL season |
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Tuesday, 31 August 2010 |
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 By: Lanny Stewart
myWestman.ca Brandon Wheat Kings forward Michael Ferland says it's time to step up his game and become more of a prominent fixture on a scoring line this upcoming season.
The 18-year old Brandon product, who was drafted in the fifth round (133rd overall) by the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames earlier this year, is expected to get more ice time on a team that came within a win of a Memorial Cup title last season.
Training camp begins this week for the Wheat Kings and the second year player in the Western Hockey League says he's chomping at the bit to get going.
“I'm pretty exited to get back on the ice and get things started this year.”
The Wheat Kings co-captain from last season, Matt Calvert, who tied Brayden Schenn (the team's other co-captain) for the team lead in points last season (99), has graduated from the league and will not be back with the club. Meanwhile, Schenn's return to the team is up in the air. The 19-year old is hoping to earn a roster spot with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. This means that Ferland, the gritty left-winger, who finished the year with nine goals and 28 points and 85 penalty minutes in 61 regular season games in his first WHL season, should get ample opportunity to produce more offensively this year.
“I'm hoping to get more of an opportunity this year and hopefully things will go good from me,” said Ferland.
He says he's anticipating being on one of the Wheat Kings top two lines this season and hasn't ruled out the possibility of netting 30 goals this season.
“I don't think it's out of reach, and maybe 10 fights would be nice as well,” said Ferland with a grin.
Wheat Kings training camp begins tomorrow, as close to 90 prospects are expected to participate in rookie camp over the next two days. Meanwhile returning players, which includes Ferland, will be undergoing fitness testing this week before hitting the ice for the first time on Friday. The club's annual intra-squad game will take place on Sunday afternoon. |
