Miller Receives Honor

Ryan Miller was recently named second runner-up for player of the week. Miller put up incredible numbers during his stretch. He had a 2.35 goal against average as well as a .925 save percentage. However, clearly not by his fault we finished the week with 1 win in 4 games.

Minnesota has been in search for a little more offensive all season. Team GM has stated that the team doesn't want to jeopardize their future by getting rid of star young talent such as Nikolai Zherdev & Derek Roy to obtain a player that may or may not help them in their short-term run. Look for Minnesota to shop Brent Seabrook or Brent Burns to obtain a young centermen the second half of this season.

Sanderson Passes 1,000 Games

A recent milestone was accomplished in Minnesota as Rink Rats veteran Geoff Sanderson surpassed 1,000 games. Sanderson, who was an All Star last season, has 16 goals and 34 points this season and is 3rd on team scoring for Minnesota.

Sanderson stated after the game, "It's been great playing on this club and I feel privileged to have had such a long and lustrous career. I love playing for Minnesota and hope to retire a Rink Rat".

Sanderson recently turned 36 years old and is slowly approaching the end of his career. Minnesota had him on their trade block earlier this season but have kept him in hopes of a playoff run and believed his leadership could help their young club.

All-Star Weekend In Full Force

The WHL All-Star Weekend is in full effect. Many of the WHL’s finest have gathered to compete in the festivities. This year the WHL has added new concepts in the WHL Young Stars Game & Skills Challenge. Some of the WHL’s most promising young stars have battled it out in Niagara in what could surely be the future of the WHL All-Star Game.

The Minnesota Rink Rats had a strong presence in the Young Stars Game with 3 defensemen and 1 forward competing in the Young Stars Game. Minnesota’s Brent Burns scored the Campbell Conference’s lone goal with an assist credited to Ladislav Smid. Smid & Burns were joined by teammates Brent Seabrook & Dustin Boyd representing the Campbell Conference in the Young Stars Game.

Minnesota had 1 player participating in the All-Star Game as well in young goaltender Ryan Miller. Miller will play as the 3rd string goaltender for the Campbell Conference behind Bulls goaltender Tomas Vokoun & Martin Brodeur. Miller seemed shaky at times in the Skills Competition allowing 3 goals in the shootout but then stopping 2 of 3 in a sudden death shootout. Perhaps nerves got the better of the young goaltender early on but he showed his true colors late in the contest.

In other Rink Rats news, the team has announced that they've put young defenseman Ladislav Smid back on the trade block looking for similar value in a young forward. Teams that are interested are asked to send in trade requests immediately to be reviewed by GM Rink Rat. "We're looking for a young forward who we may be able to use this year. We'd like to see someone with a shot of 6 or better so we're asking teams to send in offers and we'll review our options. Smid is still a great young defenseman and could help many teams in their future".