Hextall said the rookies "worked hard all summer. I think when we sent Ivan back last year, the message to Ivan was, 'Go back to Brandon and be the best defenseman in junior hockey.' So Ivan goes back to Brandon and he is the best defenseman in junior hockey. Then he comes to camp and plays real well. So he's made this team. Travis was similar. Probably going into camp you thought Ivan had a good shot and Travis had a shot. But he's done a real good job and full marks to him."