Saturday, April 30, 2016

Mick One Happy Bandit:

This was in Fridays Morning Star Newspaper:

Mick one happy Bandit
                 
by Kevin Mitchell - Vernon Morning Star

Apr 29, 2016

All Logan Mick wanted was more ice time when he was traded to the Brooks Bandits by the Langley Rivermen.

The 19-year-old Vernon roadrunner got extra playing time and may be competing for the Royal Bank Cup in May.

Mick and the 100-point Bandits won the Albert Junior Hockey League Gas Drive Cup over the 102-point Spruce Grove Saints in a five-game final, ending the Saints’ two-year run as champions.

Brooks opens the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup Sunday in Estevan when they tangle with the BCHL Fred Page Cup winning West Kelowna Warriors in a matinee.

“I know about half of the Warriors, but nothing on the other teams,” said Mick, who amassed six goals and 16 points in 24 games with the Bandits after earning 2-8-10 with Langley.

The Bandits held a Thursday morning practice and will take a stingy defence (+171 goal differential in regular season) into the five-team Western tournament.

“We were just sharpening up everything, making sure we’ve got things wedged in our minds,” said Mick, who plays on the third line with Landon Welykholowa of Calgary and Tyrell Mappin of Big Valley, Alta.

The veteran unit has 21 points in the post-season. Mick has two goals and six points.

“I’m actually playing more of an offensive role on this team. I’m still playing my game, skating hard and going into the corners. I’m definitely glad I came here. It’s a great hockey town.  Everybody knows who the Bandits are.”

Mick spent 2012-14 with the Vipers, racking up 11-12-23. He then landed with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks the year later. He will play NCAA Division 1 for the Quinnipiac Bobcats in Hamden, Conn. next fall.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder, who is blessed with NHL speed, is high on Brooks head coach Ryan Papaioannou, a 32-year-old Calgarian who played 61 games as a goalie with four WHL teams.

“Coach Papaioannou is the best coach I’ve ever played for,” said Mick. “He just hammers in the details to make sure we’re prepared. He doesn’t overlook anything.”

Meanwhile, the Vipers took a look at 100 youngsters in their spring camp at Kal Tire.

“It was a good camp; there were lots of good, young players,” said Vernon head coach/GM Mark Ferner.

Ferner and staff will run a Viper prospects camp starting July 29 in Detroit, where he said “There is lots of untapped talent in that area.”

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