The 19 year old is enjoying a sensational season in the Queen City. The reigning WHL player of the month enters Wednesday's action with 86 points, just one off the league lead. Weal is a 3rd round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2010 and has represented his country twice in under 18 events. Despite his stellar campaign, the product of North Vancouver was never invited to Canada's National Junior Team's final selection camp. Weal was very disappointed, but has been focused on one thing all season, leading this storied franchise back to the playoffs. A place they have not been for three consecutive seasons.
The burning question surrounding Weal is, should he still be a Regina Pat? The Pat's brass found themselves in a similar scenario with now, Edmonton Oiler, Jordan Eberle, a couple of years ago.
They stood Pat (pardon the pun) and failed to advance to the dance. The Pats have once again chosen to keep their star, and I say good for them. Is it a risk, and the organization is taking a chance by not looking to the future and building on what is a good young crop of 17 and 16 year old players.
More now than ever before, I feel being a successful organization means building a culture. A winning culture, and the only way to do that is by having some post season success or at least exposing your young players to the most special and important time of the season. The 7th place Pats even added to their arsenal when they acquired Oilers second round pick, Martin Marincin, from the Prince George Cougars and surrendered 1st and 2nd Round picks in the upcoming draft to do so.
Yes, buyers not sellers. And a huge reason why is their faith in Weal. They have given this crafty talented forward the keys, with hopes that he will drive them not only into the post season, but take them past round one. Weal wanted to finish his junior career in red white and blue.
As Jordan goes, so goes the Pats. He has seven game winners already this season. The Pats truly want and need to go where they haven't been since Weal was an underage call up in 2007-2008.
You get the feeling he wouldn't have it any other way.
We love Weal here in Regina and I'm personally SO glad that he's getting some exposure now. LA STOLE him in the 3rd round and he was ROBBED of a World Junior spot this year. Not to mention he scored 102 points in 76 games playing BEHIND Jordan Eberle. Unreal.
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