Brent Parker is expected to return for his 14th season as the general manager of the WHL's Regina Pats.

An official announcement will likely come after he deals with some other important business -- namely lease negotiations with IPSCO Place.

Talks are slated to heat up later this week between the Pats and their Brandt Centre landlord. The current lease is set to expire at the end of this month.

"This will be an important week as to whether or not this is a process that's going to lead us into new ground in terms of a better relationship and a better partnership or if it's going to be the status quo," Parker said Tuesday. "I'd certainly like to see it lead us to a new positive relationship."

The previous lease agreement was reached in January of 2002 after nearly eight months of acrimonious negotiations. The on-again, off-again nature of those talks forced the Pats to play under the guidelines of the previous lease for more than half the 2001-02 campaign.

Parker doesn't want the current talks to drag out in the same manner.

After going "back and forth" on some details this spring, the Pats' GM hopes to get down to specific details when the sides meet face to face later this week.

Parker has made no secret of the fact that these lease negotiations could play a major role in a number of decisions, including his own future as well as the ownership of the franchise.

It's well known that there's serious interest from a group that includes ex-Pats stars Mike Sillinger and Jamie Heward to purchase the team from Russ Parker. An ownership change isn't imminent, although that could change if lease negotiations break down.

Asked if he's optimistic that this week's talks will bear fruit, Parker chose his words carefully.

"I'm hopeful; I think both sides are," said the veteran GM, who hasn't formally declared his intention to return next season. "I really think everybody would like to alleviate the aggravations that have been there. I'm confident that both sides want that."

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The Pats have improved their odds for the June 25th CHL import draft by acquiring a first-round pick (27th overall) from the Everett Silvertips. In return, Everett receives the Pats' first-round pick in the 2009 import draft.

The deal allows Regina to move up 24 spots in the draft. They were slated to pick 51st out of 60 teams based upon their finish in the overall CHL standings.

"It just gives you a better chance of getting a better player," said Parker, who's hoping to land an impact forward but felt it would have been "really tough" to do so with the 51st pick. "There certainly are no guarantees but it does give us a better opportunity."

The Pats will attempt to trade their own first-round selection (51st), perhaps swinging a deal to replace the pick they sent to Everett for next year. Regina won't need to select two players in this year's draft because they plan to bring back Czech left-winger Rudolf Cerveny, 18, who showed promise while collecting 10 goals and nine assists in 61 games as a WHL rookie.

"Rudi is coming back for sure," said Parker. "We thought he made huge strides as the year went on. He has a better understanding of North America and he's a quality kid. He fit in really well. I think he has a ton of upside."

Top prospect Spencer Braaten has committed to attend training camp with the Pats in the fall.

The flashy forward, who will be 18 next season, finished third in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League scoring race with 31 goals and 79 points in 43 games. He added nine goals and 15 points in 12 playoff games.

Regina placed the diminutive speedster on its protected list last year and secured a verbal commitment this spring. He's slated to attend training camp but won't play in an exhibition game -- which would affect his NCAA eligibility -- until he's sure he can cut it in the WHL.

"We'll sit down with the family (after camp) and say, 'Here's what we see,' " said Parker. "But there's no doubt in my mind he's good enough. He truly wants to play in the league and he should. It's where the best players should play. He's a talented, talented kid."

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