B.C. division now.....
Kamloops Blazers:
--------------------
Overagers:
In: Ryan Bender (D), Brock Nixon (F), Ryan White (D)
Out: - none -
Departed Players:
Dustin Butler (G-87) (Reg: 54gp, 33-19-2, 2.81gaa, .879sv%; Plf: 4gp, 0-4, 3.82gaa, .863sv%) - traded to Prince Albert
Brenden Dowd (F-88) (Reg: 47-5-10-15-24; Plf: 3-0-0-0-0) - traded to Edmonton
Terrance Delaronde (F-87) (Reg: 69-12-12-24-109; Plf: 4-2-0-2-4) - traded to Moose Jaw
Dalyn Flette (G-90) (Reg: 18gp, 5-5-3, 3.01gaa, .868sv%) - traded to Edmonton
Reid Jorgensen (F-86) (Reg: 61-39-29-68-61; Plf: 4-4-1-5-2) - graduated overager
Matt Kassian (F-86) (Reg: 72-8-10-18-162; Plf: 4-0-1-1-0) - graduated overager
Kevin Kraus (D-89) (Reg: 36-0-3-3-57; Plf: 4-0-0-0-2) - traded to Tri-City
Raymond Macias (D-86) (Reg: 70-30-40-70-58) - graduated overager
Brady Mason (F-87) (Reg: 70-8-16-24-25; Plf: 3-0-1-1-0) - released
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Kenton Dulle (F-88) (Reg: 48-4-7-11-51) - stats with Vancouver/Saskatoon
Travis Dunstall (F-89) (Reg: 54-12-17-29-65; Plf: 4-0-1-1-4)
Sasha Golin (F-88) (Reg: 27-5-3-8-53; Plf: 4-1-0-1-4)
Mark Hall (F-90) (Reg: 32-1-2-3-26; Plf: 2-0-0-0-4)
Brock Nixon (F-87) (Reg: 67-35-44-79-46; Plf: 4-0-1-1-4)
Juuso Puustinen (F-88) (Reg: 64-32-39-71-52; Plf: 4-0-3-3-4)
Alex Rodgers (F-89) (Reg: 41-6-11-17-19)
Ivan Rohac (F-88) (Reg: 70-9-18-27-51; Plf: 4-1-4-5-2)
Tyler Shattock (F-90) (Reg: 58-7-9-16-51; Plf: 4-0-0-0-0)
C.J. Stretch (F-89) (Reg: 72-10-26-36-92; Plf: 4-2-6-8-10)
Defence:
Victor Bartley (D-88) (Reg: 67-4-39-43-104; Plf: 4-0-2-2-8)
Ryan Bender (D-87) (Reg: 70-5-9-14-160; Plf: 4-0-0-0-2)
Keaton Ellerby (D-88) (Reg: 69-2-23-25-120; Plf: 4-1-2-3-12)
Jordan Rowley (D-90) (Reg: 49-0-6-6-49; Plf: 4-0-0-0-2)
Ryan White (D-87) (Reg: 69-5-13-18-47; Plf: 4-1-1-2-0)
Goaltenders:
Justin Leclerc (G-89) (Reg: 37gp, 15-17-3, 3.62gaa, .872sv%) - stats with Lethbridge
Rookies:
Jimmy Bubnick (F-91) (Reg: 2-0-1-1-0)
Darcy Huisman (D-89)
James Priestner (G-91) (Reg: 1gp, 0-0-1, 5.92gaa, 0.807sv%)
Mark Schneider (D-90) (Reg: 5-0-0-0-0)
Kurt Torbohm (D-90) (Reg: 4-0-0-0-0)
Shayne Wiebe (F-90) (Reg: 1-0-0-0-0)
Matt Wray (F-89)
Prognosis: Tough not to like this team to win this division. A very well-rounded team with not a lot of question marks. Up front they have two proven big guns in Nixon and Puustinen, plus Ivan Rohac is here for his 2nd season now and offensive breakout seasons should be expected from him, Travis Dunstall, C.J. Stretch, Alex Rodgers, and Tyler Shattock. There is also highly regarded rookie Jimmy Bubnick, although he is just 16. The blueline has five good returning vets who should eat up a lot of minutes between them. A trio of rookies fill the #6-#8 spots. The goaltending is perhaps the lone question mark; Justin Leclerc has emerged as the #1, beating out the now-traded Dustin Butler. But Leclerc comes with questions about consistency and his ability to be a top #1 goalie, based on his play in Lethbridge. Personally I think Leclerc is up for the job; he struggled last year under the pressure of being #1 for Lethbridge and the added weight of it being his draft year. He was only 17. Another year of maturity will help.
Prediction: This is the team to beat in BC. First in the division, 1st to 3rd in the conference.
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Vancouver Giants:
--------------------
Overagers:
In: Garet Hunt (F), Tim Kraus (F), Mike Wuchterl (F)
Out: Mario Bliznak (F), Cody Franson (D), Kenndal McArdle (F), Brendan Mikkelson (D)
Departed Players:
Mario Bliznak (F-87) (Reg: 47-8-14-22-20; Plf: 22-6-6-12-14) - turning pro
Brett Festerling (D-86) (Reg: 70-5-16-21-80; Plf: 22-1-6-7-24) - graduated overager
Cody Franson (D-87) (Reg: 59-17-34-51-88; Plf: 19-3-4-7-10) - turning pro
Blaine Neufeld (G-87) (Reg: 11gp, 5-4-0, 2.00gaa, .903sv%; Plf: 1gp, 1-0, 0.00gaa, 1.000sv%) - released
Kenndal McArdle (F-87) (Reg: 37-9-13-22-54; Plf: 22-11-9-20-49) - turning pro
Brendan Mikkelson (D-87) (Reg: 69-6-23-29-60; Plf: 21-3-7-10-10) - turning pro
Wacey Rabbit (F-86) (Reg: 30-11-25-36-34; Plf: 22-11-9-20-16) - graduated overager
A.J. Thelen (D-86) (Reg: 30-4-5-9-35; Plf: 22-1-7-8-18) - graduated overager
J.D. Watt (F-87) (Reg: 70-34-19-53-182; Plf: 21-2-3-5-72) - traded to Red Deer
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Lance Bouma (F-90) (Reg: 49-3-5-8-31; Plf: 22-3-3-6-12)
Chris Cloud (F-88) (Reg: 63-7-15-22-124) - stats with Saskatoon
Craig Cunningham (F-90) (Reg: 48-0-5-5-38; Plf: 15-0-1-1-15)
Mitch Czibere (F-89) (Reg: 69-7-15-22-27; Plf: 22-1-5-6-12)
Garet Hunt (F-87) (Reg: 57-6-5-11-156)
Tim Kraus (F-87) (Reg: 70-19-47-66-81; Plf: 20-2-8-10-33)
Milan Lucic (F-88) (Reg: 70-30-38-68-147; Plf: 22-7-12-19-26)
Spencer Machacek (F-88) (Reg: 63-21-24-45-32; Plf: 22-9-11-20-14)
Michal Repik (F-88) (Reg: 56-24-31-55-56; Plf: 22-10-16-26-24)
Nolan Toigo (F-89) (Reg: 33-0-2-2-29)
James Wright (F-90) (Reg: 48-5-7-12-31; Plf: 14-3-1-4-0)
Mike Wuchterl (F-87) (Reg: 27-4-5-9-33; Plf: 16-2-3-5-36)
Defence:
Mike Berube (D-88) (Reg: 66-4-16-20-78; Plf: 7-0-0-0-10) - stats with Red Deer
Jonathon Blum (D-89) (Reg: 72-8-43-51-48; Plf: 22-3-6-9-8)
Brent Regner (D-89) (Reg: 64-1-5-6-19; Plf: 22-0-6-6-10)
Juraj Valach (D-89) (Reg: 58-7-23-30-75; Plf: 6-1-1-2-12) - stats with Tri-City
Goaltenders:
Tyson Sexsmith (G-89) (Reg: 51gp, 31-12-8, 1.79gaa, .915sv%; Plf: 22gp, 14-7, 1.79gaa, .914sv%)
Rookies:
Kraymer Barnstable (G-90)
James Henry (F-91) (Reg: 2-0-0-0-0)
Evander Kane (F-91) (Reg: 8-1-0-1-11; Plf: 5-0-0-0-0)
Neil Manning (D-91) (Reg: 3-0-0-0-0; Plf: 1-0-0-0-0)
Mike Piluso (F-90) (Reg: 7-0-0-0-4)
Stefan Schneider (D-89)
Dillon Scholten (D-90) (Reg: 3-0-0-0-0)
Prognosis: Serious losses, but given the state of the division, the Giants should not be that bad. For starters, they have a proven starting goaltender who is just entering what should be the prime of his WHL career. They also have four significant offensive players (Kraus, Lucic, Machacek, and Repik) up front plus one of the league's top 2008 draft prospects, James Wright, and a few other talented forwards (like Bouma and Czibere) whose numbers should improve with increased ice time over last year. The big concern is on defence, where they have Jon Blum as an anchor and then a lot of questions. Valach should help, but Berube and Regner have not established themselves as better than 6th/7th defencemen so far. Beyond those four names, it's going to be a bunch of rookies. There will be some growing pains there. One other big plus for the team though is the presence behind the bench of one of the WHL's finest coaches in Don Hay.
Prediction: 2nd in the division. 3rd or 4th in the conference. I've seen them picked for first in a bunch of different places but really, I don't see how a team with a defence that looks like that can be considered for first place ahead of the top-to-bottom solid Blazers?
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Chilliwack Bruins:
--------------------
Overagers:
In: Dylan Chapman (D), Nick Holden (D), Ken Petkau (F)
Out: - none -
Departed Players:
Alex Archibald (G-87) (Reg: 34gp, 8-15-4, 3.71gaa, .880sv%; Plf: 5gp, 1-4, 3.38gaa, .908sv%) - traded to Edmonton
Josh Aspenlind (F-86) (Reg: 71-22-35-57-109; Plf: 5-3-3-6-4) - graduated overager
Dillon Johnstone (F-86) (Reg: 53-8-12-20-18; Plf: 4-0-0-0-2) - graduated overager
Aki Kangasmaki (F-89) (Reg: 60-4-4-8-19; Plf: 4-0-0-0-0) - released
Craig Lineker (D-86) (Reg: 68-6-16-22-114; Plf: 5-0-2-2-8) - graduated overager
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Partik Bhungal (F-88) (Reg: 48-1-2-3-69; Plf: 5-0-0-0-7)
Donnie Glennie (F-88) (Reg: 55-3-4-7-89; Plf: 5-1-0-1-8)
Colton Graf (F-90) (Reg: 11-1-0-1-5)
Colby Kulhanek (F-89) (Reg: 70-2-5-7-78; Plf: 5-0-1-1-0)
Matt Meropoulis (F-89) (Reg: 70-3-3-6-56; Plf: 5-0-0-0-6)
Oscar Moller (F-89) (Reg: 68-32-37-69-50; Plf: 5-0-3-3-6)
Ken Petkau (F-87) (Reg: 55-24-18-42-46; Plf: 5-1-1-2-2)
Michael Proudley (F-89) (Reg: 55-1-2-3-27; Plf: 4-0-0-0-0)
Mark Santorelli (F-88) (Reg: 72-29-53-82-46; Plf: 5-2-3-5-2)
Cody Smuk (F-89) (Reg: 72-5-11-16-80; Plf: 5-1-0-1-0)
Defence:
Kevin Boutilier (D-88) (Reg: 38-3-2-5-40; Plf: 4-0-0-0-9)
Dylan Chapman (D-87) (Reg: 63-1-6-7-84; Plf: 5-0-0-0-6)
Cody Hobbs (D-89) (Reg: 22-0-2-2-24; Plf: 5-0-1-1-6)
Nick Holden (D-87) (Reg: 67-8-23-31-62; Plf: 5-1-1-2-6)
Scott Maetche (D-89) (Reg: 64-0-3-3-60; Plf: 3-0-0-0-0)
Matthew McCue (D-88) (Reg: 32-2-5-7-71; Plf: 5-0-0-0-14)
Cam Stevens (D-89) (Reg: 47-0-2-2-30)
Goaltenders:
Matt Esposito (G-89) (Reg: 32gp, 14-14-3, 2.97gaa, .900sv%)
Rookies:
Liam Darragh (F-90) (Reg: 15-1-0-1-12)
Jeff Einhorn (D-90)
Tanner Exner (F-91)
Mark Friesen (G-90)
David Hoda (D-89) - new import
Ryan Howse (F-91) (Reg: 5-1-0-1-2; Plf: 1-0-0-0-0)
Brayden Metz (F-90) (Reg: 2-0-1-1-2)
Jadon Potter (F-89) (Reg: 3-0-0-0-2)
David Robinson (F-90)
Prognosis: After exceeding many observers' expectations last year by qualifying for the playoffs as an expansion team, the Bruins will attempt to improve on that this year, bringing back 18 players from last year's team and adding a few high quality rookies to replace the departed players. Depth is still a problem but that's to be expected from a team only in its 2nd year. Up front the Bruins have a troika of quality snipers (Moller, Santorelli, Petkau) and high hopes for rookies such Ryan Howse and Jadon Potter. Depth is an issue but they should get 100-110 goals from those top three. On the back end, things are crowded there with seven returnees from last year. Depth is again an issue though, as the ability of some of those vets to play regular shifts for some other teams in the league is questionable. With a new import defenceman forcing his way into the mix, some of those returnees may find themselves on the outside looking in. But the defence is not terrible by any means, and it is helped out by the presence of Matt Esposito in net. Esposito was a very pleasant story for the Bruins last year as he emerged as a legit #1 goalie candidate, displacing veteran Alex Archibald in the process. He'll have the #1 job to himself this year with a rookie backup, Mark Friesen.
Prediction: 3rd in the B.C. division. Probably 6th-7th in the conference.
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Kelowna Rockets:
--------------------
Overagers:
In: James McEwan (F), Lyon Messier (D), Kris Westblom (G)
Out: - none -
Departed Players:
Clayton Barthel (D-86) (Reg: 65-8-10-18-98) - graduated overager
Brett Breitkreuz (F-89) (Reg: 58-8-6-14-67) - to Edmonton in expansion draft
Chris Ray (F-86) (Reg: 60-19-16-35-58) - graduated overager
David Schulz (D-86) (Reg: 56-6-17-23-78) - graduated overager
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Cody Almond (F-89) (Reg: 68-15-28-43-72)
Justin Bernhardt (F-88) (Reg: 40-8-12-20-45)
Evan Bloodoff (F-90) (Reg: 59-4-4-8-20)
Lucas Bloodoff (F-89) (Reg: 69-10-11-21-73)
Matthew Brusciano (F-89) (Reg: 30-0-2-2-22)
Dylan Hood (F-90) (Reg: 47-0-2-2-17)
Colin Long (F-89) (Reg: 69-11-17-28-38)
Jason MacDonald (F-89) (Reg: 37-2-4-6-12)
Myles MacRae (F-88) (Reg: 64-14-13-27-54)
James McEwan (F-87) (Reg: 68-3-3-6-202)
Brandon McMillan (F-90) (Reg: 55-2-10-12-27)
Defence:
Tysen Dowzak (D-88) (Reg: 55-3-4-7-68)
Colin Joe (D-88) (Reg: 62-1-3-4-53)
Riley McIntosh (D-90) (Reg: 42-0-2-2-31)
Tyler Myers (D-90) (Reg: 59-2-13-15-78)
Luke Schenn (D-89) (Reg: 72-2-27-29-139)
Goaltenders:
Torrie Jung (G-89) (Reg: 33gp, 8-15-7, 3.46gaa, .896sv%)
Kris Westblom (G-87) (Reg: 42gp, 14-26-2, 3.05gaa, .900sv%)
Rookies:
Tyson Barrie (D-91) (Reg: 7-0-3-3-2)
Collin Bowman (D-91) (Reg: 4-0-0-0-2)
Milan Kytnar (F-89) - new import
Lyon Messier (D-87)
Jesse Paradis (F-91) (Reg: 3-0-0-0-0)
Daniel Salamandyk (G-90) (Reg: 1gp, 0-0-0, 3.00gaa, .909sv%)
Kyle St. Denis (F-90) (Reg: 4-1-1-2-2)
Prognosis: Last year was a disappointing one for the Rockets, as they failed to make the playoffs after years of being one of the best teams in the league. It was a rebuilding year though and the hope is that this can be a transitional year between rebuilding last year and contention again in 08-09. Certainly there are some good building blocks in place now but the questions for this year remain. Up front there is a dearth of proven WHL scoring, with only Cody Almond having broken the 40 point mark last year. There are definitely some promising players here though, such as Justin Bernhardt, who scored 45 points as a 17 year old with Regina in 05-06. Also the two Bloodoff brothers, Colin Long, Myles MacRae, and Brandon McMillan have the ability to improve on their numbers from last year, plus rookies Milan Kytnar and Kyle St. Denis will be expected to pot some goals as well. Still a question mark though until some of them prove they can do it. The defence is a strong point, with two NHL first round hopefuls in Myers and Schenn. McIntosh, Dowzak, and Joe provide a bit more depth, and the team is high on rookies Tyson Barrie and Collin Bowman. The biggest strength of the team is probably in net, where they have two starting-calibre goalies. Don't be surprised to see Kris Westblom moved to a contender by the trade deadline though.
Prediction: Not making the playoffs again won't be acceptable, but expectations have to be kept reasonable as well. They won't catch Kamloops or Vancouver but should be able to battle Chilliwack (again) for position in the standings. 4th in the division, 8th or 9th in the conference.
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Prince George Cougars:
--------------------
Overagers:
In: Real Cyr (G), Greg Gardner (F), Kalvin Sagert (D)
Out: Nick Drazenovic (F), Vladimir Mihalik (D), Richard Rapac (F), Devin Setoguchi (F)
Departed Players:
Scott Bowles (G-86) (Reg: 23gp, 12-9-1, 2.43gaa, .909sv%; Plf: 4gp, 1-2, 3.23gaa, .917sv%) - graduated overager
Nick Drazenovic (F-87) (Reg: 58-18-32-50-63; Plf: 15-9-10-19-6) - turning pro
Chris Durand (F-87) (Reg: 37-4-15-19-30; Plf: 15-4-10-14-14) - traded to Saskatoon
Eric Hunter (F-86) (Reg: 69-24-31-55-109; Plf: 6-2-2-4-6) - graduated overager
Steven Kajic (F-88) (Reg: 36-0-1-1-10; Plf: 3-0-0-0-0) - released
Kyle Klym (F-88) (Reg: 46-2-0-2-65; Plf: 11-0-0-0-9) - released
Vladimir Mihalik (D-87) (Reg: 53-7-19-26-91; Plf: 15-1-2-3-17) - turning pro
Curtis Patterson (D-87) (Reg: 61-1-5-6-68; Plf: 15-0-4-4-14) - traded to Saskatoon
Richard Rapac (F-87) (Reg: 35-8-7-15-51; Plf: 13-4-5-9-12) - released
Lance Redden (D-89) (Reg: 52-2-7-9-86; Plf: 1-0-0-0-0) - to Edmonton in expansion draft
Devin Setoguchi (F-87) (Reg: 55-36-29-65-55; Plf: 15-11-10-21-24) - turning pro
Jared Walker (F-86) (Reg: 70-27-28-55-105; Plf: 15-8-13-21-18) - graduated overager
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Jordie Deagle (F-89) (Reg: 71-5-10-15-52; Plf: 13-0-1-1-14)
Evan Fuller (F-88) (Reg: 72-8-12-20-70; Plf: 15-3-6-9-12)
Greg Gardner (F-87) (Reg: 72-16-16-32-55; Plf: 15-4-4-8-12)
Chad Hohmann (F-89) (Reg: 32-1-3-4-30; Plf: 14-0-0-0-4)
Dale Hunt (F-90) (Reg: 55-4-8-12-19; Plf: 15-0-1-1-12)
Alex Poulter (F-89) (Reg: 67-6-6-12-24; Plf: 7-0-1-1-2) - stats with Red Deer
Dana Tyrell (F-89) (Reg: 72-30-26-56-51; Plf: 15-1-6-7-4)
Defence:
Jesse Dudas (D-88) (Reg: 32-2-27-29-51)
Kalvin Sagert (D-87) (Reg: 69-3-27-30-70; Plf: 15-0-2-2-14)
Garrett Thiessen (D-89) (Reg: 35-1-3-4-58; Plf: 14-0-0-0-14)
Chris Van Duynhoven (D-89) (Reg: 52-1-10-11-71; Plf: 15-0-0-0-10)
Ty Wishart (D-88) (Reg: 62-11-38-49-59; Plf: 15-3-8-11-6)
Goaltenders:
Real Cyr (G-87) (Reg: 43gp, 20-17-6, 2.66gaa, .904sv%; Plf: 12gp, 8-4, 3.01gaa, .906sv%)
Rookies:
Trevor Bauer (D-90)
Matthew Belich (F-90)
Art Bidlevskii (D-91)
Wade Epp (D-89)
Colin Haas (F-89)
Ryan Kowalski (F-91)
Jan Kupec (F-90) - new import
Patrick Magnusson (D-88) - new import
Parker Stansfield (F-90)
Cory Tyrell (F-90)
Prognosis: The Cougars scored 220 goals last year. The roster they have now scored just 88 of them - 30 from one player (Tyrell). It is impossible to make up the loss of 132 goals and there is no doubt this team is going to take a dive in the standings. The goaltending is good as long as Real Cyr stays healthy and plays most of the games; backup Joel Danyluk was probably #4 on the depth chart but got the job by default when two other goalies declined to attend camp. He'll have to prove he can play at the WHL level in the starts he gets. The blueline actually is not too bad if glass-bodied Jesse Dudas can stay healthy, as he, Sagert, and Wishart make a good top three. Little short on blueline depth after that though and there are four rookies looking for ice time at that position. Up front there is one star sniper in Tyrell although he will likely have to work harder for his goals this year than he did last year when the team also had Hunter, Drazenovic, and Setoguchi to draw checking lines. Greg Gardner will have to take more of an offensive role this year, and Jordie Deagle and Dale Hunt will get every opportunity to showcase the bantam scoring skills that made them first round picks. It's likely that scoring is going to be difficult for this team though, which will put more pressure on Cyr and the defence. Another factor is that G.M. Dallas Thompson has not ruled out trading star defenceman Ty Wishart for future help....such a move would surely sting the team in the 2nd half of the season.
Prediction: Severe losses and likely going to move some vets for youth = last in the division, but the #8 playoff seed race could be close. 9th or 10th in the conference.
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