First Cuts Complete

Jay Feaster and the rest of HOPS cut the Flames training camp roster today to 44.

These 15 guys were assigned to Abbotsford:

• John Armstrong (C)
• Adam Avramenko (G)
• Bryan Cameron (RW)
• Justin Dowling (C)
• Turner Elson (LW)
• Ryley Grantham (LW)
• Ryan Howse (RW)
• Quintin Laing (C)
• Logan MacMillan (LW)
• James Martin (D)
• John Negrin (D)
• Jonathan Rheault (RW)
• C.J. Severyn (LW)
• Dustin Sylvester (C)
• Mitch Wahl (C)

Three guys are going back to their junior teams:

• Michael Ferland (RW) Brandon (WHL)
• Patrick Holland (RW) Tri City (WHL)
• Joey Leach (D) Kootenay (WHL)

Lastly, Blake Gal (RW) has been released from his PTO, and will be heading back to Spokane (WHL).

Personally, I’m a little surprised about Negrin as I thought he showed exceptionally well in the Prospects games I saw. I guess having vets such as Wilson & Henry as well as the high expectations for T.J. Brodie probably sealed his fate. He’ll be a regular eventually. I’m still a little fuzzy on why John Armstrong was brought back, but whatever. Not my money and he’s not really taking a spot away.

In terms of the WHL guys, none of them were going to make the team and for the most part keeping them around much longer would’ve been a fruitless exercise. Leach in particular-he sucked. Gal never really did anything to justify sticking in Abby. Glad to see Sylvester hanging around, though. He’s got a little skill and should mesh well with the vision the team seems to be going-less grind, more goal.

All in all, pretty standard. Look for another round of snips after the Weekend.

by Richard Hammond