| Cyclones players named to all-star team |
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| Local Content - Local Sports |
| Written by publisher |
| Tuesday, 05 January 2010 19:15 |
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By Paul Grigaitis Three Cypress Cyclones – goaltender Kevin Hassett, defenseman Rylan McKinnon and forward Kody Orr – have been named to the Prairie Junior Hockey League’s South Division all-star team. Cyclones head coach Blaine Stork said he’s not surprised that the league has invited three of his players to compete against the North Division all-stars in a game scheduled for Jan. 17 at Lanigan - the host city for SaskEnergy’s Hockey Day in Saskatchewan 2010 event weekend. “They’ve all had a pretty good year for us up to date,” Stork said of his three all-star players. While the second-year 18-year-old Orr has chosen to stay at home because of his academic obligations, Stork said Hassett and McKinnon are sure to represent the Cyclones well. The coach described McKinnon as a strong skater and puck handler who has improved considerably since he made a brief 10-game appearance as a Cyclone two years ago when he was just 16 years old. Stork said he’s happy to have McKinnon back on the team this season after spending the last season and a half playing in other communities including Swift Current, Kindersley and Tisdale. Stork said 20-year-old third-year Cyclone Hassett likely made a recent impression on the South Division managers who voted on the all-star players. “In the last month here he’s played his best hockey,” Stork said of Hassett. While his coach wasn’t surprised, the Cyclone veteran said he wasn’t expecting to be named an all-star. “I didn’t expect to be named on the team, but it was nice to hear,” Hassett said. He agreed that his play has improved in the past month. “I’ve had some injury problems in the last couple of years. At the start of the year, I started to feel better. Now confidence is up that the team’s starting to play better and it felt good out there.” Hassett, who originally hails from Craik, makes Maple Creek his home during the hockey season. “I’m glad I was selected. It makes you feel good about how you’re playing,” he added. McKinnon said he was also surprised to be named to the all-star team. “I’ve only played about 15 games so far so I was kind of surprised I got named,” he said. McKinnon said he also feels recent game play helped in the decision that got him selected to the South Division all-stars. He said he’s excited to make the trip to Lanigan. “I’ve never been to an all-star game before.” |
