A Look At Minnesota's Offseason Moves

Minnesota's wheelings and dealings earn Ezell an A.

The Season 5 offseason seems to be coming to a close as teams are getting ready to start training camp, players are working out for their national teams, and general managers and coaches are now talking strategy instead of acquisition.

Today's entry will look at Minnesota's offseason, from potential trades, to management moves, to offseason acquisitions.

Minnesota comes into the season as one of the strongest teams in the Wilen Conference, if not, the BHL. Led by 1st time GM, Greg Ezell, the Warbirds have been overhauled from their S4 Thundercup Finals team after taking a new name and new identity.

There is no question that Ezell's heart is in right place, but did he make the moves to put the Warbirds over the top and win the Thundercup? We'll look at the moves and signings.

KEY ADDITIONS:
C Charlie Hooker (acquired from New England)
C Adam Stevens (signed via free agency)
LW Chris Bell (acquired from Toronto)
C Priscilla Williams (acquired from Toronto)

These four additions were the biggest additions that Minnesota made during the offseason. Minnesota's biggest need was a goal scoring center, which is something they got in Hooker and in Stevens.

#23 Charlie Hooker

Charlie Hooker was acquired on draft day and will be a big part of the Warbirds season. Last year, he had a very strong start before cooling off in the second half, but still had 22 goals and 9 assists for 31 points. Hooker will potentially be playing with Miika Kemppenin and Chris Coogan so his assists should change. Hooker’s contract has a player option at the end of the season, but many believe that he will be one and done in Minnesota.

#84 Adam Stevens

Adam Stevens may be the biggest pick-up for the Warbirds in the offseason. Stevens signed a 2 season deal and is the potent goal-scoring center that the Warbirds lacked last year. Many within the organization believe that Adam will be teamed up with Chris Bell and Matt Mahoney, another potent scoring tandem. Stevens led the BHL in scoring, posting 25 goals and 14 assists for a total of 39 points. Stevens has a proven track record as well, leading the Toronto Vipers to the S5 Thundercup finals as their center and as their GM.

#26 Chris Bell

Bell, who was traded to Toronto earlier in the offseason before coming to Minnesota, will be apart of the top 2 starting lines after a great offseason with the Castors. Bell brings grit, determination and a some positivety that was lacking last year with Minnesota. Bell posted respectable numbers with 4 goals and 5 assists in 22 games, but really made a case for himself in the playoffs, notching a hattrick in Castelgar's final game. Chris has already meshed with his teammates since coming to Minnesota and was appointed co-head coach for the ‘Birdz training camp.

#21 Priscilla Williams

The wild card here will be Priscilla Williams. This is her rookie season and was packaged with Bell in the deal due to their relationship off of the ice. She has the ability to play a big role on the checking line for the Warbirds and will most likely be partnered up with Zac Abrams and fellow rookie Saywer Withers.

KEY LOSSES:
LW Jordan Swance (traded to New England)
RW Tuomas Kiuru (traded to New England)

C Johan Eriksson (traded to Toronto)
LW Victoria Kloske (traded to Castelgar)
RW Brian McDonald (signed with Gem City)

The two biggest names on this list are Victoria Kloske and Brian McDonald. Kloske, who Ezell has mentioned as one of his favorite teammates and one of his closest friends on the Warbirds will be missed. She brought vigor, grit and a work ethic that has yet to have been surpassed by anyone in Warbird history.

McDonald, who came to Minnesota via trade at the trading deadline, will also be missed. It was rumored for a while that he was heading back to his original home of Gem City and decimated the Warbirds wing position before the acquisitions.

Biggest Addition: Adam Stevens
Biggest Loss: Brian McDonald

Overall, Ezell made some moves that will make the Warbirds a strong team this season and for many seasons to come. After a great draft and some very good trades, Ezell has put this team into position to make a run at the Thundercup in S6.

Grade: A