The 18-year-old center from Regina, Saskatchewan (he turns 19 in August), has improved his offensive output in each of his three seasons with the Western Hockey League's Moose Jaw Warriors. Included in that ascension was a superb 2005-06 season, when he finished fifth on the team with 19 goals and 38 assists in 64 games, with a remarkable plus-35 rating. He then proved instrumental in the team's march to the WHL Finals, scoring 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 22 playoff games.

He raised his game again during the 2006-07 season despite playing on a team that had 10 rookies and seeing both of his line mates from the previous season leave Moose Jaw for the pros. The 5-11, 185-pound center carried more of the load offensively, leading the team with career highs in goals (39), assists (43), points (82), and power play goals (17), while playing in a career-high 72 games.

The respect Holzapfel has earned as a scorer is added to the praise he was already receiving for his work ethic and play-making,

That respect is a double-edged sword, as it will likely earn him extra attention from the opposition's top defenders and hitters during the 2007-08 season, when he will surely be the center of attention in Moose Jaw. Atlantathrashers.com was able to slow down the fleet-footed center long enough to ask him a few questions during a break in the Thrashers Prospect Development Camp.

1. This was your second Prospect Development Camp. What has been the biggest difference between this year and last year?

HOLZAPFEL: Coming into it I kind of knew what to expect a little more than coming into it my first year last year. I knew it'd be a tough camp so I just came in ready and better prepared than last year. You don't realize how tough it is until you've been through one. This year is kind of the same thing as last year. All the guys are here to compete and battle in practice. The drills are tough and you just have to work through the week here and get it done.

2. Last season you scored more goals (39) than in your previous two seasons combined (15 in 2005 and 19 in 2006). How do you build off that success this year?

HOLZAPFEL: I always try to beat my point totals and individual stats from the past year. This year was a successful year for me. The team lost a lot of guys from the year before going pro and playing in the NHL (including Moose Jaw's top three scorers from 2005-06- Troy Brouwer, Dustin Boyd and Blair James), so I knew, being a third-year guy, that I'd have to take on more of a role and I tried to put as many pucks in the net as I could. Things worked out well for me. After this past year I proved to myself that I can score and I can also set goals up. So I can do both just as well.

3. How does it feel to have earned a reputation in the organization as an up-and-comer?

HOLZAPFEL: It's a great feeling, obviously. Coming into this camp I'm probably still one of the younger guys here (NOTE: For the record he is the second youngest draftee behind Spencer Machacek). It's my second year in the camp, so I just try to work hard every time I come to Atlanta or camp. I'll work hard wherever I play during the season, whether it's here or back in moose Jaw playing junior hockey. Wherever I end up I just have to work hard and prove myself.

4. What is the strength of your game and where would you like to improve?

HOLZAPFEL: Obviously my strength is scoring. I'm more of an offensive type of player so that would be the stronger part of my game. I have to work harder on getting bigger and stronger (NOTE: Holzapfel has added 15 lbs of mostly muscle since being drafted at 170 lbs. in 2006). To play at the next level, play pro or NHL, you have to be a lot stronger and have to be a lot better in all parts of your game. So I'm working on improving my all-around game.

5. What are your goals heading into the 2007-08 season?

HOLZAPFEL: This year we should have a pretty good team back in Moose Jaw. We have a lot of offensive power. Hopefully I can improve my individual points and if I do that it should help the team win even more games. I'll try to beat my totals from last year and improve on every year.