Scott Warner to Army and Crowell Suspension

A big congratulations to Smoke Eaters defenceman Scott Warner. Yesterday he officially accepted a full ride scholarship to play hockey for Army next season. It's something that has been coming together ever since Army grabbed Patrick Copeland from last year's Smokies. They had interest in Warner at the time and have apparently been up to watch him several times. After considering his options, Warner decided to sign on yesterday morning.

The Army is a tremendous educational opportunity for Warner. It's also guaranteed work after school is done. A five year commitment, but it's a guaranteed living if his pro career doesn't advance. If it does advance, Warner tells me he could play while working for the Army in the summer.

Warner also knows he's going to have a big role on the team. They are apparently short on defencemen, especially ones who can move the puck. Warner leads the Smokies defencemen with 25 points in 45 games this season. In 44 games last year he had 15 points. It's a significant and steady improvement as Warner was given a bigger role on the team. With the injury to Brodie and trade of Westover, Warner stepped right into the #1 role on the defensive core that he had been sharing with those two throughout the year. He plays in every situation and had to really log some huge minutes when Trail was down to 5 defencemen for a period of time so far this year. He did an admirable job in a tough situation.

It's always disappointing for a fan on some level when you know one of the team's best players won't be back. However, it's much more important that the player gets a chance to better themselves and their life. This is why a player like Warner came to the BCHL from Alaska. He told me yesterday that this opportunity probably wouldn't have come for him if he played elsewhere. It's wonderful for any program when you're able to say you moved your players on successfully to the next level of hockey.

We'll certainly miss watching Warner play next year, but everyone in Trail should be really glad that he's getting this great chance.

Congrats to Scott and his family for this great step in his life and career.

CROWELL SUSPENSION

The official word is in from the BCHL on the Chris Crowell hit. He'll receive 5 games for the hit. I'll have more on this later. I feel the suspension is a little light, but I'm glad the league is taking action. Crowell apparently called Hill after the hit. I don't know what he said or didn't say (And I'm not sure it's any of my business), but I will say that it takes class and integrity to take that kind of step. We all make mistakes, I know I make a ton of them, but if you take some responsibility for it I definitely respect that.

By the way, if anyone (and some have) questions whether it was the hit itself that took Hill out, all you have to do is take a look at his face. There's a huge scar/scrape/bruise on there right at the cheek area. In some ways he's lucky the hit didn't also break his jaw.

Lets hope this whole discussion helps limit future hits of this nature. More importantly, lets hope Ryan Hill is back soon.