Here's a link to an article on the Heat's season preview:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_va...131149668.html
Some interesting notes from the article:
- Bancks and Kolanos aren't practicing because they have undisclosed injuries.
- Kolanos is on a two-way AHL/ECHL contract.
- The lines during practice the last couple of days are as follows:
Sylvester-Walter-Nemisz
Rheault-Byron-Desbiens
Meyer-Laing-Bouma
Howse/MacMillan-Wahl-Patterson
-
David Brown will be the Heat's third backup goalie and will spend his year in Utah pending injuries from Irving and Ortio.
- Laing wearing the "C" on his jersey to start this season. He was chosen by the players and coaching staff as the captain last year (basically due to his age and experience). Meyer and Piskula will be the wearing the "A's". Ward said these are only temporary letters. The coaches will determine who will be the permanent Captain and Alternate captains next week.
- Ward said everyone on the team is excited about what the team CAN be given the additions of Walter, Wilson, Henry, Mikkelson, and potentially/eventually Smith, etc. The key to this season, according to Ward, is materializing that excitement into a consistent and successful season.
So, how do all of you think this season will be for the Heat?
I'm going to take an educated guess and, taking into consideration the division re-alignment, I think the Heat will finish 2nd in the West division behind the Houston Aeros. They will make it to game 7 of the 2nd round of the playoffs only because they lose Bouma and Nemisz to the Flames because the Flames make it to the playoffs.
Team MVP: Walter
Unsung hero: Sylvester or Bancks
Tough guy: Desbiens
Sleeper: Patterson
Rookie to watch: Howse or Martin