From lmcewen@gpu.srv.ualberta.caWed Dec 4 22:19:31 1996 Date: Fri, 27 SEP 1996 00:31:14 -0600 (MDT) From: L McEwen To: HEBERT MARC Cc: Web Hockey League -- Dave Sprowl , Kevin Nash , Mike Vader , Michael Hebert , Mike Newman , Kevin Beilner , Dave Moore , Lorne Clarke , Shaun Driver , Robert Wysoglad , Kevin Sharples , "Jud. Burkett" , Lori Steward , Jason Stumpf , Adam Ardis , Andreas Larsson , Brian Howe , Todd Henry , David Jensen , Jason Kolsrud , Darren Kinnaird , Jeff Macdonald Subject: WHL: Vikings News With the 2nd WHL season looming, the Edmonton Vikings announced today that veteran defenceman Eric Desjardins would be the new team captain. The 1st Viking captain Brent Sutter was of course moved just before training camp along with Patrick Roy. Left winger Tony Granato would assume the "A" Desjardins wore last year. The Vikings struggled to a 1-3-1 record in the pre-season but GM Lee McEwen isn't alarmed yet. "The guys struggled but there is alot of talent and grit in this room. I'm confident that Zhamnov and Nolan will pick it up when the games count." The Vikings will be in tough to defend their regular season divisional crown with the addition of the Huskies to the Smythe division. The rest of the division is improved as well. Much of the load will fall to young goaltender Jamie Storr who has the uneasy task of replacing goaltending icon Patrick Roy. Storr seemed undaunted by the task in the pre-season though, compiling a 1.94 GAA and a .927 save percentage. The Vikings will have to score though, which is something they struggled with in the exhibition games. Team MVP and 49 goal man Alexei Zhamnov has to continue to produce at the same level. Who's Out: Brent Sutter C, Patrick Roy G Who's In: Chad Kilger C, Jamie Storr G, Curtis Joseph G, Radek Dvorak LW Four Pivotal Factors: 1) Goal scoring from all three lines. Players like Marchant, Kilger, Guerin and Young have to add scoring depth to the Vikings line-up. Zhamnov and Nolan can't put up 3 points a game each. 2) Contributions from the youngsters. Radek Dvorak and Chad Kilger have to contribute at both ends of the ice all year. Other youngsters like Steve Washburn, Eric Daze and Adam Deadmarsh have to continue their progress. 3) Jamie Storr. He has to show he can replace Roy night in and night out. If he can't the Vikes will struggle for sure. 4) Special Teams. The penalty killing and powerplay were very spotty last season. The PK especially has to perform better. Outlook: Fairly positive. This is basically the same team that won the divisional crown before being swept in the 2nd round. (3 OT losses) If Storr replaces Roy and Zhmanov, Nolan, Desjardins and Chiasson repeat last seasons successes another 1st place finish isn't out of the question. If the 2nd and 3rd line guys really come through the Vikes should be a serious contender. However if any of the front-line players get hurt or if the goaltending struggles it will be a long season. Expect a bit better than .500 and at least a 3rd place finish in the Smythe.