My 5 Standout Players From Wednesday's Intra-Squad Game

As promised (sorry for the delay), here are the 5 players that stood out to me the most during the Intra-Squad game.  This is not to say there were only 5 noteworthy players, but these are the 5 players that stood out the most to me.


                                                 5. Coleman Vollroth (Goalie)

  It may seem silly to put a goalie on this list since each goalie only played one period, but Vollroth stood out the most of all the goaltenders.  His first couple saves were routine, as he was positionally sound for the saves.  It was the saves later on that he made when Team Black was dominating the offensive zone.  One save in particular saw Vollrath come way out to cut the angle off, but the attacking player made a move and shot at what seemed like a wide open net.  Vollroth, however, got his right pad, or toe, on it to keep it out.  For the rest of his period Vollrath was a calming presence in net, which allowed his team to go about their business.  Out of all the goalies, Vollrath was the standout as he gave up almost no rebounds and was positionally sound.

                                               4. Corey Renwick (Forward)

  I noticed Corey in the warm ups as he looked engaged already and the puck hadn't even dropped.  At six feet, Corey had the size and also the speed to compete with the others.  His goal, the first of the game, was a product of him slipping his check and being open beside the net to receive the pass and bury his opportunity.  He had a couple more scoring chances in the game, but was unable to capitalize on them.  Nearing the end of the game he started to show his defensive tendencies as he seemed to focus more on preserving the lead. 

                                                 3. Joe Hicketts (Defenceman)

  Hicketts is the Royals' first ever draft pick.  After the game was over I could see why they hold him in such high regard.  Joe didn't really stick out to me in the first period, but from the second period on it was like the kid finally wanted to take the game over.  He has deceptive speed, as he easily lead several rushes from his defensive zone to the offensive zone.  Hicketts seems to possess that special sense where he knows the exact right times to pinch in or the right place to position himself on the ice.  In one scenario, Hicketts gave the puck away and the opposing team forward had a shorthanded breakaway, but Hicketts got back and dove to knock the puck out of harm's way with his stick.  While not overly big -- he's just 5'8 and 170 lbs, he holds his own defensively and is strong on the puck.  This kid will be fun to watch in years to come.

                                                    2. Taylor Crunk (Forward)

  Taylor Crunk was quite possibly the fastest kid on the ice.  This kid can absolutely fly down the ice.  It takes him no time at all to go from a stationary stance to full speed.  Both of his goals were a product of his speed as he would just blast down the wing and catch the defenceman flat footed.  His second goal also showed that he has a good set of hands in tight.  The only knock on this kid is his strength.  During the game, especially near the end, the bigger defensive players would push him off the puck and throw him around.  Even when knocked down though, Crunk would either still pull the puck towards him or he would pop right back up and somehow end up with the puck back on his stick.  If this kid sticks, watch for him to be dynamite on the powerplay and on the rush.

                                                    1. Kade Pilton (Defenceman)

  At 6'4 and 191 lbs, it was expected that Kade would be strong defensively but lacking in other areas of skill.  This is not true.  This kid was the best player on the ice the entire game.  The first thing you notice about him is his size, then you notice his poise with the puck.  He was calm, and collected, with the puck in his own zone and the offensive zone.  If he ever gave the puck up he'd either use his reach to poke the puck away or would wrap his man into the boards.  He moves quick for a big guy, and he has quick hands.  His goal was probably the highlight goal of the game.  He deked a couple players and then shot the puck top shelf over the goalie.  I never got to see his slapshot really, so I can't attest to how good his points from the shots will be.  For this game, Kade seemed to be the real deal.  He was out their in important situations and never really let his coach down.  He has the size, the mobility, the poise, and the hands to be a very effective player for the Royals' backend.