Some big news rocked the Western Hockey League earlier this week, as 18-year-old National Hockey League draft pick and Brandon Wheat Kings defenseman Ryan Pilon didn't report to camp. In an article on the team's website, coach and general manager Kelly McCrimmon related that Pilon told him that he had lost his passion for hockey and was leaving the team.
The departure of Pilon, a fifth round pick of the New York Islanders from June's draft, leaves a big hole on the blueline of a Wheat Kings team that may (including myself) thought could contend for a Memorial Cup Championship this season.