The spotlight will shine on Reed Linaker as the St. Albert Steel's star attraction in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
The 18-year-old centre succeeds Bryce Williamson as the most dynamic scorer on the Steel roster and is a candidate to replace Ryan Edens as team captain.
"I'm looked at as a go-to guy and I'm ready to take on that responsibility," said Linaker, the third-highest scorer in Steel history with 121 points in 107 games. "I'm also looking forward to teaching younger players what it takes to play in this league."
Williamson and Edens, a pair of Steel originals from the inaugural 2007/08 season, have graduated to the college ranks, leaving behind major holes in the line-up for returning players like Linaker to fill.
"I've got a bit bigger role this year and I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I'm just hoping to build off last year and take things in stride."
Wearing the A he finished second in team scoring and seventh overall in the AJHL with 81 points in 58 games.
Williamson's 107 points tied Zahn Raubenheimer of the Grande Prairie Storm for the Ernie Love Trophy as the league's top scorer.
"He left with large shoes to fill. Hopefully I can fill them," Linaker said of the franchise leader in games played (179), goals (102), assists (136), points (238), power play goals (44) and game winners (13).
Linaker's 37 goals — 18 more than the season before as the team's rookie of the year — was seventh best in the AJHL, and on the power play his 16 goals led the league.
"I had a lot more expectations on my shoulders last year and I really enjoyed that responsibility," said Linaker, who was limited to 39 points in 47 games in his AJHL rookie debut because of a knee injury.
On the top line he was flanked by Williamson, a prolific right winger who racked up 41 goals. Splitting time on the left side was the skilled Dan Carr, until the Christmas break when his trade wish was granted, followed by the rugged Alex Perkins for the rest of the season.
"I had great linemates and playing with Bryce all year was also a treat. We really fed off each other well and that makes the game easy and fun," said Linaker, who joined Williamson as the Steel reps at the 2010 AJHL all-star game.
Training camp
Who will skate alongside Linaker is one of several question marks surrounding the Steel on the eve of their training camp, which opens Monday at Servus Credit Union Place.
"Hopefully this year I can do the same thing as last year and I can build some chemistry with some guys," said the north division all-rookie team selection in 2009.
One prospect was Justin Morello. The 18-year-old winger with offensive promise was acquired from the Drumheller Dragons at the January trade deadline for defenceman Nick Scott and was carded as a junior B affiliate, but last month the Spruce Grove product signed with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.
Topher Flanaghan, a newcomer from the Canmore Eagles in a trade for future considerations, will challenge for first line status. Last season in Canmore the 19-year-old Edmonton product scored eight goals (three on the power play and two shorthanded) and added 12 assists in 57 games. The five-foot-eight, 160-pound skater broke into the AJHL in 2008/09 and recorded six goals and eight assists in 51 games with Canmore.
The Steel also brought on board forward Derek Bacon from the Victoria Grizzlies in exchange for Mitch Labreche, a forward who played last season with the Powell River Kings. Bacon scored seven goals and had 23 assists in 58 games with Victoria in his first BCJHL season. The five-foot-eight skater hails from Calgary and turns 19 on Sept. 27.
The five-foot-10 Labreche recorded 14 goals and 22 assists in 60 games for the BCHL finalists after playing the previous two years with the Penticton Vees. The 20-year-old became Steel property in the offseason as part of the future considerations the Kings owed St. Albert from a previous deal.
Overall, 15 players are eligible to return from the sixth-place finishers in the north division, with 24 wins and 55 points as the third worst defensive team in the AJHL. In the playoffs the Steel bowed in three games to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons in the best-of-five opening round.
"It's always exciting to start a new season. Hopefully we can build off last year and have a better finish and maybe get deeper in the playoffs," Linaker said. "We've got some potential. Four of our D [Ryan Wilkinson, Dane Olsen, Jesse Altheim and Jordan Abt] are coming back so we've got good experience there. We've also got some good forwards coming back too."
After the playoffs Linaker stayed away from the rink to let his body heal before starting his summer workouts. Weekly skating sessions hosted by the Steel in June and July, as well as ice time in Calgary in recent weeks, got his wheels turning again.
"Once the season is over I like to take my mind off of hockey and enjoy the time off because the season is a long grind," said Linaker, who plays a tough game [averaging 123 penalty minutes per season with the Steel] despite a skinny five-foot-nine, 165-pound frame. "I like to work out on my own. My uncle is a body builder so he puts me through fitness programs. I've worked out with him for four years and I like what he has to offer and what he teaches me."
Linaker is also in good shape to land a scholarship in his second-last year of junior hockey.
"I've talked to quite a few schools but it's more kind of like kicking the tires," said the Archbishop O'Leary High School graduate. "There isn't too much pressure but it's always there in the back of your head that you want to get it right away so we'll see what happens."
Plans are in the works to visit Dartmouth in the next few weeks.
"Hopefully that triggers a few more visits down the road and I can get it out of the way as soon as possible and enjoy the season."
ICE CHIPS: The Steel will play the Drayton Valley Thunder, Spruce Grove Saints and Sherwood Park Crusaders in a pre-season tournament, starting Aug. 27. Games are scheduled in Sherwood Park and Spruce Grove and the Aug. 29 finals are at Servus Credit Union Place.
The Steel and Crusaders also hook up in exhibition action Sept. 2 in St. Albert and Sept. 4 in Sherwood Park. Game times are 7 p.m.
The AJHL's regular season opens Sept. 10, as the Steel hosts Drumheller at 7 p.m.
The Steel's third annual golf tournament tees up Aug. 25 at the Sandpiper Golf and Country Club. Registration is 12:30 p.m. and the shotgun start is 1:30 p.m. The cost is $125, which includes the green fee, cart and awards reception. For more information, contact the Steel office at 780-459-5218 or [email protected]
