From today's paper:
Two years ago, the Kindersley Klippers had the best line in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, featuring Brett Leedahl, Jordan Braid and Kirk Pearce.
Fast forward to 2010 and that looks to be the case again.
Newly named captain Andrew Dommett, along with linemates Johnny Calkins and Braeden Adamyk, all return to the club as 20-year-olds looking to go out with a championship.
They will have a better shot at that goal than the 2008-09 Klippers, in large part because this year’s edition has much more offensive depth.
“This is the year for the Klippers to do something, so if we can accomplish... you don’t want to say too much too early, but we know what we have to do to be successful and hopefully we can do that,” said Adamyk, a native of Neepawa, Man.
The trio spent their summer working in the area - Dommett and Adamyk in Kindersley, Calkins in Rosetown - and they’re eager to get back in action.
“I think we’re as ready as we can be,” said Calkins, who is from Kyle. “It’s just going to be good to get on the ice and start the year.”
The three players - who are all natural centres - were put on the same line from the beginning of last season and were asked to step up their game. They delivered tenfold.
Dommett, a native of Major, tied for the SJHL lead with 36 goals - the second-highest total in franchise history - and finished with 60 points.
Calkins, primarily a playmaker, started to shoot more often and broke out with 17 goals and 50 points.
Adamyk, acquired the previous season for goalie Matt Weninger, made the adjustment to playing on his off-wing and produced 20 goals and 47 points.
Entering their final season in junior hockey, each of them feels they have room for improvement.
“I think each of us wants to improve - not so much point-wise, but in aspects of the game,” said Calkins. “Maybe be better defensively, or small things like face-offs. I don’t think we really have personal goals other than to be better.”
Dommett has a legitimate shot at the SJHL scoring title this season and his linemates should both end up in the top 10 if all goes well.
“It’d be nice for one of us to maybe get 40 (goals) or even reach that 50,” said Adamyk.
It is exceedingly rare for a line to stay together over a whole season, at any level of the game. Dommett said the keys to the trio’s chemistry are communication on the ice and cohesion off it.
“We understand each other and we don’t get mad if we don’t get a pass, because we know there was a reason for it,” said the captain.
“We talk a lot. We have full conversations on the ice. If a guy’s coming to hit me, Adamyk’s telling me, ‘There’s a guy coming to your right,’ just stuff that makes it so much easier. It’s great playing with them.”
Added Adamyk: “We’re all like brothers. We’re on each other’s case pretty good and I think that makes us better hockey players and better people too, outside the rink. We have our differences like everyone else, but we work around those and leave it off the ice because that’s why we’re here.”
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