By Robb Fenton
The Lloydminster Bobcats aren’t wasting any time trying to load up for the 2010-2011 Alberta Junior Hockey League season.
Head coach and general manager Brian Curran made a few deals last week, bringing in a pair of players he believes will help the team. Curran signed Kevin Deagle who played for the Brooks Bandits last season and swapped Brett Slobodzian for Steve Dobbin, also of the Brooks Bandits.
“Kevin Deagle is actually my nephew. So I know him and he’s a tall kid, about 6-foot-3, works very, very hard, knows what I like and what I expect. He’s a leader also,” Curran said.
In the trade, Dobbin was brought in and should fit into the team nicely, according to Curran.
“Steve Dobbin is another one that is just like him, works hard. He’d be like a taller Kory Chisholm,” Curran explained. “Both (Dobbin and Slobodzian) of them were similar in their point production. There’s a little bit more of a dimension with Steve and the biggest difference I would say, not putting down Brett whatsoever, is a little more of a leadership role, he’s that type of player.”
Slobodzian led the Bobcats this past season with 46 points and while Curran had nothing but great things to say about Slobodzian, it was a move Curran felt he should make.
“He’s more of a leader and I wanted to get that in our dressing room a bit more,” he said of bringing Dobbin in. “If I could have kept Brett I would have, but unfortunately when you’re getting a good player, you have to give away one. I think it’s a good move and I wish Brett the best of luck, he’s a good kid.”
Dobbin put up 46 points last season, including 16 goals and Deagle piled up 16 points in just 38 games, while adding 77 penalty minutes. While there were skilled players on the team, their stats and numbers don’t reflect what they bring to the table, which is often all people look at – the numbers.
There’s a common trait with the players Curran has brought in is hardworking.
“With all the kids we’ve signed to this point, they’re all very hard workers, I expect all of them to make the team, I certainly hope they do,” he said. “I think they are the kind of guys who will go through the wall, work extremely hard, are all team guys and really want to succeed. I’ll take guys like that anytime.”
The next step is filling in some pieces.
“If I can find a couple scorers, from that point on I think we will have a successful season compared to the past,” Curran said.