What's the Deal with Doyle? / Moffat Says No Thanks?

Why has Swift Current Broncos defenseman Eric Doyle dropped 50 spots in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings?

Ranked 19th at mid-term, Doyle will head into the 2007 NHL Draft in Columbus ranked 69th by CSS.

In that time, Doyle has played in the CHL's Top Prospects game and represented Canada at the U-18 World Championships in Finland.

Could it be the increased role or the extra exposure that has soured Central Scouting?

The offensively-gifted defenseman needs to work on his defensive presence and maybe needs to play with a little more bite.

What I've heard? Some teams have him ranked real high, some teams don't care for his style at all. We'll see where the chips fall into place on draft day.

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Congratulations to Broncos defenseman Paul Postma who actually climbed in the rankings from 75th to 67th - now ranked ahead of the highly touted Doyle.

Derek Claffey held pretty much steady. The d-man dropped three spots from 143rd to 146th.

Riley Nash - a Broncos bantam draft pick in '04 took a nice jump in the final rankings. Playing in Salmon Arm of the BCHL, Nash went from 99th to 64th. Don't expect Nash in a Broncos uniform anytime soon. It looks like it will be the college route unless something changes. The team that takes Nash in the upcoming draft may want him to play Major Junior hockey to take his game to the next level. It's an outside chance, the Broncos are willing to wait.

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Thanks, but no thanks?

Word is the top rated player in the upcoming WHL bantam draft has said no to Portland. Phoenix Firebird Luke Moffat is the consenus (not the clear-cut) number one. Portland was said to be interested. They met with him last week and apparently Moffat has said he's not interested in playing in "Stumptown".

Some sources close to the team say this isn't the case, that the two sides are on good terms. We'll see what happens on draft day. It does make for some good discussion.

Did you know Moffat has a Broncos connection? Apparently his good buddy is Broncos draft pick Eric Ferber. He's the American born goaltender the Broncos drafted in the U.S. draft last season. Will Moffat want to play in Swifty? Maybe. Will he drop to #9 in the draft so the Broncos can take a stab? No.
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What did Prince Albert expect? The Raiders have chosen not to renew the contract of Head Coach Pete Anholt for next season.


Anholt took over in December 2002. Granted the Raiders haven't had a lot of success but just two years ago they were a win away from advancing to the league championship series.

Pete got them to the post-season this year. No one thought that could happen. Almost everyone picked the Raiders for last in the east division this past season. The Raiders finished 4th.

They limped into the playoffs losing most of their games down the stretch. Still, you ask anyone in PA if they would have taken the 4th spot in the east heading into the season and they would have jumped at it!


Pete Anholt should have been given an extention.

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Dane Crowley is making the slow journey back to Winnipeg after being ousted from the playoffs by the Prince George Cougars.

We spoke yesterday. He's going to spend some time in Banff, and Swifty before getting back home to the 'Peg.

Crowley could sign with Tampa Bay this off-season but says talks so far haven't really gotten started.

If not, he'll be back for his 20 year-old season in Everett and will be a lock to be one of three overagers for the 'Tips.

I asked him a few questions, I'll post a transcript of our interview in the coming days.
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