A Post-Season Chat With Rich Preston

Hurricanes Head Coach/GM Rich Preston just wrapped up coaching at the WHL's U.S. camp down in Anaheim. He took some time to speak with me Monday from down in California.

Pat: So how was the camp and did you see any kids that would look good in a Hurricanes uniform in the future?

Preston: "It was a pretty interesting weekend. The Western Hockey League does a bang-up job promoting and putting this U.S. camp together. They give the players and their parents a really good education on what the WHL is all about. One big thing is our league's scholastic program. Personally I thought it was enjoyable. There were about 80 kids broken up into four teams. There were kids from all over....San Diego, Seattle, Alaska, Colorado, Texas, California and a few other places too. Our Assistant G.M. and Player Personnel Director Brad Robson was here with me as well. There was a kid from Dallas that we really liked and a kid from Seattle who's dad is an NHL agent. There are definitely a few kids we've looked at that we'll be keeping an eye on."

Pat: The season for the Hurricanes has been over for almost a month now. Has this off-season been an eye-opener for you?

Preston: "It certainly has Pat. It's been a real good process for me. I just hope I won't be doing it next year this time! (Chuckling). It's great to go through this process this year being in my first year as G.M. of Lethbridge. Two weekends ago I saw the top Bantams in Saskatchewan. I did the same thing last week in Winnipeg. This coming weekend I'll be heading up to Prince George to see the top B.C. kids and at the end of the month I'll have a chance to see the Alberta kids at the Alberta Cup. So, I've been busy since the end of our season."

Pat: I know you can't trade again until June first when the new season officailly starts up again. Have you been at least talking about any potential deals that could come down in the months ahead?

Preston: "Well you see a lot of the General Managers and Player Personnel guys at these prospect camps so you're always talking about one thing or another. We've been kicking around a few things, but mostly I've been concentrating on the upcoming WHL Bantam draft (Apr. 29). We're getting four high picks this year. I haven't seen all the kids yet, but from what I have looked at so far in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and here in the U.S., we're going to be getting some very good players."

Thanks,
Pat