[NoSkillz]

Training Camp Roster: Defensemen

Rick Caughell (RD/RW), 18 years old, 6'3", 211 lbs, Shoots Right, Canadian
Drafted Third Round (#44) by Sault Ste. Marie in 2002
2003/04 Stats: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) 1GP 0g 0a 0pts 0 0PIM
Mississauga (OHL) 42GP 0g 5a 5pts -3 21PIM
OHL Totals: 43GP 0g 5a 5pts -3 21PIM
Caughell's ability to play both defense and wing make him a useful player. The coaching staff thinks highly of his potential, although I don't really see him becoming anything more than a role player. Limited scoring ability but a decent crash & banger.

Matt Corrente (RD), 16 years old, 5'11", 185 lbs, Shoots Right, Canadian
Drafted First Round (#2) by Saginaw in 2004
2003/04 Stats: Vaughan (OHA) 42P 4g 10a 14pts 85PIM
OHL Totals: None
Corrente was our first pick in this year's draft. He's a smallish player but is quite the competitor. He also has some offensive potential as well, and wasn't utilized a lot in Vaughan last year. The coaching staff obviously feel he's going to be a good one. I plan on bringing him along slowly but he'll be playing this year.

Scott Fletcher (RD), 16 years old, 6'3", 198 lbs, Shoots Right, American
Drafted Second Round (#22) by Saginaw in 2004
2003/04 Stats: Detroit Honeybaked 88's (USAAA) Unknown Stats
OHL Totals: None
Our second round pick in this year's draft behind Corrente, Fletcher is a hard nosed, physical player. Very lanky, with room to grow, Fletcher should prove to be popular with his teammates, as he's a willing fighter. Great determination and hits hard.

Tyson Gimblett (LD), 19 years old, 6'3", 216 lbs, Shoots Left, Canadian
Drafted Second Round (#40) by St. Michael's in 2001
2003/04 Stats: Owen Sound (OHL) 5GP 0g 2a 2pts 16PIM
OHL Totals: 80GP 0g 4a 4pts 113PIM
Tyson is the twin brother of Jesse Gimblett, another Flyer player. Tyson has needed to fight to stay in the OHL over the past few years and will need to do so again this year. He's limited from a skill standpoint but shows a lot of heart, something my coaches seem to like in him. Gimblett is actually under contract to Georgetown of the OPJHL and here on loan.

Thomas Harrison (RD), 20 years old, 6'2", 220 lbs, Shoots Right, Canadian
Drafted Eleventh Round (#214) by Kitchener in 2000
2003/04 Stats: Kitchener (OHL) 44GP 0g 9a 9pts -4 143PIM
OHL Totals: 156GP 2g 21a 23pts +13 416PIM
Our 'tough guy'. Harrison won't back down from anyone in the league and will protect our smaller, more skilled players. Brings veteran leadership to the club in addition to providing big hits and solid defense. Will likely be in the lineup most games as an overager.

Dan Idema (LD), 20 years old, 6'3", 211 lbs, Shoots Left, Canadian
Drafted Fourth Round (#55) by Medicine Hat in 1999
2003/04 Stats: Medicine Hat (WHL) 69GP 4g 14a 18pts 0 93PIM
OHL Totals: None
Idema is another overager who comes to us from the Western Hockey League. He had a decent year with Medicine Hat in 2003 and seems strong mentally but weak from a skill standpoint. A guy who'll have to impress to stick around.

Jamie Klie (RD), 17 years old, 6'0", 205 lbs, Shoots Right, Canadian
Drafted Fifth (#82) by Saginaw in 2003
2003/04 Stats: Saginaw (OHL) 10GP 1g 0a 1pts 0 13PIM
OHL Totals: 10GP 1g 0a 1pts 0 13PIM
My coaches seem to like the potential of Klie, a determined young blueliner. He got a taste of OHL action last year and didn't look out of place. Will have a lot of competition on the right side to earn a spot with the Flyers.

Erik Lundmark (RD), 19 years old, 6'4", 220 lbs, Shoots Right, Canadian
Not Drafted
2003/04 Stats: Plymouth (OHL) 51GP 1g 3a 4pts 0 24PIM
OHL Totals: 92GP 3g 3a 6pts +5 44PIM
Lundmark is a big kid but is pretty soft. He's also quite slow and not a real skillful player. He's got some experience and may provide some cover in case of injury. I don't see him playing a big role with the club.

Patrick McNeill (LD), 17 years old, 6'0", 194 lbs, Shoots Left, Canadian
Drafted First Round (#1) by Saginaw in 2003
2003/04 Stats: Saginaw (OHL) 57GP 3g 11a 14pts -19 28PIM
OHL Totals: 57GP 3g 11a 14pts -19 28PIM
Only 17, the first overall pick in the 2003 Priority Draft is arguably the best player on the club. McNeill has great offensive ability, excellent leadership skills and is extremely reliable in his own end for a smaller defenseman. McNeill will play in all situations and is our number one blueliner.

Garrett Sinfield (LD), 17 years old, 6'3", 207 lbs, Shoots Left, Canadian
Drafted Tenth Round (#192) by Owen Sound in 2003
2003/04 Stats: Unknown
OHL Totals: None
Sinfield is another recent pickup and will have trouble cracking our main lineup. He isn't particularly skilled but has nice size. He'll have to have a great camp to get consideration.

Steve Whitely (RD), 17 years old, 6'5", 191 lbs, Shoots Right, Canadian
Drafted Fourteenth Round (#273) by St. Michael's in 2003
2003/04 Stats: Unknown
OHL Totals: None
Lanky young defenseman was a late round pick by St. Michael's and a recent pickup by our franchise. Big hitter and uses his size and long reach to his advantage. My coaches like his potential so he'll have a chance to play some minutes with the club.

Pre-Training Camp Thoughts:
I'm concerned with the lack of depth on defense, especially on the left side. McNeill is going to be a good one but after him, the jury is out. I've invited two unsigned LD prospects to camp on a tryout basis (Simon Gysbers from Stouffville and Mike Pain from Aurora) in order to bring some competition to the others. On the right side, things look more promising but again, our top talent is very young (Corrente and Fletcher). It will be an interesting camp, as it really is an open competition for spots.