Giants and Coyotes eagerly watching Nick Ross

Those eagerly watching Nick Ross’ rise as a WHL standout defenseman will have to keep their eyes peeled for the #25 jersey with the powerhouse Vancouver Giants.  The official press release is here.

Ross was moved with forward Alex Rodgers to add extensive depth to the CHL’s 4th ranked team, poised to make another stab at the Memorial Cup.  Arguably more so than ever before, the Giants have mortgaged the future sending defenseman Curtis Kulchar, their 3rd and 4th draft picks in 2009, and another 3rd in 2010. 

The instinct displayed by management in Vancouver may also be better timed than at any other time in the franchise’s history.  They smell blood.  With an extraordinary defense that features Team USA junior captain Jon Blum (Nashville), Brent Regner (Columbus), undrafted Craig Schira, and a rock steady net-minding tandem with Tyson Sexsmith (San Jose) and Jamie Tucker (eligible), well, the Giants believe that this is another Cup contending team.  Craig Bonner, who was instrumental in building the Memorial Cup Champion Giants in 2006, left his twin brother in Vancouver to take over as General Manager of the Blazers in Kamloops this summer.  Surely this deal was brought about through situational familiarity.  Ross balances out the defense pairings, as only Mike Berube is left-handed, and will immediately stimulate Don Hay’s power-play.

In what amounts to his final WHL season, Ross has put up brilliant numbers in his career.  Starting with the Regina Pats, the offensively gifted blueliner was moved to Kamloops, where the points continued to pile up.  When the Blazers closed up shop last season, the Lethbridge native laced up his skates for Phoenix’s AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.  In 4 playoff games Ross, the Coyotes’ 30th overall draft-pick in 2007) scored one goal.  This season has seen Ross accumulate four goals and 18 assists in 40 games for Kamloops, and has added one goal and four total points for Vancouver in his first four games. 

There is a bright future ahead for many parties.

15 January 2009 / Robin Keith Thompson