Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Former Winterhawk Profile: Colton Sceviour

Colton Sceviour made news yesterday when he scored a hat trick and added an assist in the Dallas Star's 5-3 preseason victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Colton is pressing for a spot in the every-day roster of the Stars for the first time in his career and just may make the team.

Colton was a first round (#10 overall) WHL Bantam Draft pick for the Winterhawks in 2004. Unfortunately for Colton, this was during one of the worst eras for Winterhawks hockey. Colton played 6 games as a 15 year old on the 2004-05 Hawks, notching the first goal of his WHL career. He even played in 4 playoff games that season, as the Hawks were bounced in the first round. In 2005-06, Colton scored 3 goals and added 6 assists on a team led by future NHL players Brandon Dubinsky and Jannik Hansen. In 12 playoff games, Sceviour scored one assist as the Hawks lost in the 2nd round. He struggled for much of the season, but showed some potential as a play-maker for the Hawks. As a 17 year old in 2006-07, the Red Deer Albertan became a key contributor adding 9 goals and 20 assists to his numbers for a total of 38 points. Unfortunately for the Hawks, he was their 3rd leading scorer on a team that only won 17 games that season. Sceviour was drafted in the 4th round by the Dallas Stars after his breakout season.

Entering the 2007-08 season the Hawks knew that they were going to really struggle, but were probably still shocked when they limped out to a 3-15 start to the season. This meant that they needed to shake things up in their minds. They made 2 large trades on November 8th 2007, sending Forward Frazer McLaren (now with the Tonronto Maple Leafs) and D-man Ty Ariss to Moose Jaw for D-man Travis Ehrhardt and Forwards: Keith Voytechek and Jason Grecia. The other trade sent Sceviour and D-men Nicholas Hotson and Lucas Alexiuk to Lethbridge for Travis Bobbee, Ryan Kerr and Forwards Jacob and Nick Dietrich.

These trades have always seemed puzzling to me as they were not really made for the future because they sent out one 20 year olds, one 19 year old, two 18 year olds and one 17 year old, receiving two 20 year olds, three 18 year olds and two 17 year olds in the 2 deals. They did not even acquire any Bantam Draft picks in the last full season under Richard Kromm. Portland ended the season with only 11 wins and Sceviour made it all the way to the WHL Final with Lethbridge, before they were swept by the Spokane Chiefs. Colton was the 5th leading scorer in the playoffs for the Canes.

Sceviour led the Hurricanes in scoring in his 19 year old season with 80 points, but the Canes disappointed by getting swept by the Calgary Hitmen in the 2nd round.

Sceviour was signed and played as a 20 year old on the AHL affiliate for Dallas: the Texas Stars in 2009-10, potting 31 points in his first professional season. As a 21 year old in Texas, Colton made significant improvements in his game putting up 41 points and even gettin a call up to play in his first NHL game.

Colton has spent most of the last 2 seasons with Texas, scoring 53 and 52 points resepctively. He has only played in two NHL games over his 4 professional seasons and has yet to score his first NHL regular season goal.

Sceviour's hat trick and excellent all around preseason play in both ends, helps him out greatly in his hopes to make the team. Compile that with the fact that Dallas probably only has 10 for sure forwards locks and it looks like Sceviour will get to play with Dallas this season.

When Rich Peverly comes back, however, it is anyone's guess as to whether he will continue to see the ice or, if sent back to the AHL, have to clear waivers.

One thing is for certain it will be good to see another former Winterhawk have significant playing time in the NHL.

1 comment:

  1. Update 9/30: Despite a solid preseason, Sceviour was one of the last 3 cuts for the Stars, meaning he will start another season with the AHL's Texas Stars.

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