For the second time in under a year, Vancouver Giants defenceman Brennan Menell has left the team. Last season, Menell requested that management move him, but he was coaxed back by GM Scott Bonner. This time new GM Glen Hanlon has publicly stated that he will be looking to move the disgruntled player.
Menell was the second-highest scoring player (7G, 46A) on last year’s Giants team, the fifth-worst offensive team (199 goals) in the WHL. He was expected to play the most minutes on the team this season as well as be the power play quarterback. A 60-point season would be a reasonable expectation for the 19-year-old from Woodbury, Minnesota, who may be looking for an opportunity to play closer to home.
Here are a few destinations that may be a good fit:
Brandon Wheat Kings
Brandon would be the team closest in proximity to Menell’s home in Minnesota. The Wheat Kings have seen Jordan Thomson move on and are thin on the back end in the ’97 age group. Menell’s offence would be welcome on a team that will miss Macoy Erkamp’s 71 points from the blue line.
Saskatoon Blades
The Blades recently lost Dustin Perillat, who did not show at training camp, and could really use a boost to their young back end. Menell would be the only ’97 on the defence as of this writing and would certainly help the 18th-ranked power play from a year ago.
Edmonton Oil Kings
Let’s face it, the Oil Kings could use upgrades at most positions. Menell would be helpful in many ways and give the team a boost. Could he make them a playoff team? Probably not, but he would be given a lot of ice time.
Prince George Cougars
While Prince George is nowhere near home for Menell, the Cougars are in a position to go for it all this season. He would be on a team that could contend for the WHL title with a few small improvements and a big move at the deadline. Will Vancouver move a key player within the division? That would probably cost more than the Cougars want to pay, but it is an option.
Spokane Chiefs
The Chiefs don’t have much offensive firepower on the blue line, so an addition like Menell would be welcome. They expect Ty Smith to be that player in the future, and he’ll probably get a lot of ice time this season, but it might be too early to expect the 16-year-old to pile up points consistently. The prospect pool is deep in Spokane, so they could afford to move some youth to complete a deal.
