Central division preview

Now the Central division preview.....hopefully there won't be 10 trades and cuts made in the next hour after I post this like there was yesterday with the Eastern division.


Calgary Hitmen:
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Overagers:
In: Ryan Gillen (D), Dan Mercer (D), Adam Ross (F)
Out: Brodie Dupont (F), Riley Merkley (F), Fredrik Petterson (F)

Departed Players:
Steve Covington (F-86) (Reg: 70-7-22-29-70; Plf: 18-2-8-10-19) - graduated overager
Brodie Dupont (F-87) (Reg: 70-37-33-70-90; Plf: 18-9-7-16-33) - turning pro
Robin Figren (F-88) (Reg: 62-10-17-27-54; Plf: 18-4-4-8-18) - to Edmonton in expansion draft
Derek LeBlanc (F-86) (Reg: 52-17-11-28-66; Plf: 18-7-7-14-9) - graduated overager
Riley Merkley (F-87) (Reg: 50-3-11-14-46; Plf: 13-1-1-2-2) - gone to university
Fredrik Pettersson (F-87) (Reg: 52-21-29-50-50; Plf: 18-1-6-7-17) - turned pro in Sweden
Dylan Yeo (D-86) (Reg: 57-8-23-31-64; Plf: 18-4-8-12-22) - graduated overager

Projected Returnees:

Forwards:
Keegan Dansereau (F-88) (Reg: 71-28-31-59-64; Plf: 18-2-6-8-12)
Ian Duval (F-88) (Reg: 54-18-15-33-44; Plf: 18-2-5-7-12)
Devon Kalinski (F-90) (Reg: 47-4-6-10-36; Plf: 5-0-0-0-4)
Ryan Letts (F-89) (Reg: 47-3-2-5-42; Plf: 3-0-0-0-0)
Carson McMillan (F-88) (Reg: 72-7-15-22-76; Plf: 18-2-0-2-17)
Brendan Rowinski (F-90) (Reg: 20-1-7-8-16; Plf: 15-0-1-1-8)
Brett Sonne (F-89) (Reg: 71-21-9-30-65; Plf: 18-5-1-6-22)
Ryan White (F-88) (Reg: 72-34-55-89-97; Plf: 18-6-8-14-36)

Defence:
Karl Alzner (D-88) (Reg: 63-8-39-47-32; Plf: 18-1-12-13-4)
Eric Frere (D-88) (Reg: 39-0-7-7-24; Plf: 7-0-0-0-2)
Ryan Gillen (D-87) (Reg: 22-0-3-3-20; Plf: 13-0-0-0-16)
Dan Mercer (D-87) (Reg: 27-2-16-18-36; Plf: 18-3-6-9-12)
Alex Plante (D-89) (Reg: 58-8-30-38-81; Plf: 13-5-6-11-14)
Brett Plouffe (D-89) (Reg: 44-0-8-8-26; Plf: 4-0-0-0-0)
Michael Stone (D-90) (Reg: 55-2-18-20-32; Plf: 17-0-3-3-14)

Goaltenders:
Martin Jones (G-90) (Reg: 18gp, 9-4-3, 3.03gaa, .884sv%)
Dan Spence (G-88) (Reg: 56gp, 30-22-4, 2.62gaa, .905sv%; Plf: 18gp, 9-9, 2.69gaa, .899sv%)

Rookies:
Ryan Fox (F-90) (Reg: 1-0-0-0-0)
T.J. Galiardi (F-88)
Bostjan Golicic (F-89) - new import
Brandon Kozun (F-90) (Reg: 11-1-1-2-4)
Matt MacKenzie (D-91)
Adam Ross (F-87)
Chase Schaber (F-91)
Ian Schultz (F-90) (Reg: 1-1-0-1-0)
Keith Seabrook (D-88)
Martin Stepan (F-89) - new import

Prognosis: Coming off a semifinals appearance last year, the Hitmen will look to build on that with a veteran-laden and heavily experienced team at every position. The roster boasts a combined 2420 games of WHL experience, nearly 150 more games than the next highest total in the league. There have been some questions about the scoring depth on the team, but there are four 20+ goal scorers returning (White, Dansereau, Duval, Sonne) plus the addition of T.J. Galiardi, who had 14 goals in 33 games as an NCAA freshman last year. There is also two new imports with good offensive credentials and a bumper crop of 1990-born forwards to fill out the lines. The Hitmen might not have quite as much firepower as Medicine Hat, Lethbridge or Kootenay but it'll be enough. The strength of this team though is on the blueline, where they return 7 players from last year plus the addition of Keith Seabrook from the NCAA, and thus will be able to roll out three NHL top-50 picks (Alzner, Plante, Seabrook) and five guys with 150+ games in the league. Alzner-Plante-Seabrook-Stone is probably about as good of a top four as there is in the league. Goaltending is solid with the return of both of last year's goaltenders. Dan Spence should establish himself as a top-five goalie in the league and Martin Jones should push for more playing time than he did last year as a 16 year old backup. Coach Kelly Kisio has also quietly put together a coaching staff (with Dave Lowry and Joel Otto) with over 3000 games of NHL experience, which can't hurt.

Prediction: Slightly less firepower then some other teams in the division, but the experienced back end sets them apart. First place in the division and 1st or 2nd in the Eastern conference.

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Medicine Hat Tigers:
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Overagers:
In: Jerrid Sauer (F), Daine Todd (F), Kevin Undershute (F)
Out: Gord Baldwin (D), Darren Helm (F), Jakub Rumpel (F), Kris Russell (D), Michael Sauer (D), David Schlemko (D)

Departed Players:
Gord Baldwin (D-87) (Reg: 53-7-19-26-70; Plf: 23-2-6-8-32) - turning pro
Derek Dorsett (F-86) (Reg: 61-19-45-64-206; Plf: 17-8-8-16-56) - graduated overager
Darren Helm (F-87) (Reg: 59-25-39-64-53; Plf: 23-10-12-22-14) - turning pro
Matt Keetley (G-86) (Reg: 55gp, 42-11-1, 2.19gaa, .913sv%; Plf: 23gp, 16-7, 2.18gaa, .916sv%) - graduated overager
Matt Lowry (F-88) (Reg: 63-10-12-22-42; Plf: 22-0-1-1-19) - traded to Brandon
Jakub Rumpel (F-87) (Reg: 51-13-23-36-42; Plf: 7-0-2-2-9) - released
Kris Russell (D-87) (Reg: 59-32-37-69-56; Plf: 23-4-15-19-24) - turning pro
Michael Sauer (D-87) (Reg: 32-1-10-11-29; Plf: 23-1-5-6-34) - turning pro
David Schlemko (D-87) (Reg: 64-8-50-58-78; Plf: 23-3-13-16-12) - turning pro
Chris Stevens (F-86) (Reg: 71-32-25-57-87; Plf: 23-8-11-19-28) - graduated overager
Tyler Swystun (F-88) (Reg: 70-12-24-36-45; Plf: 22-2-3-5-6) - traded to Portland

Projected Returnees:

Forwards:
Brennan Bosch (F-88) (Reg: 71-22-26-48-32; Plf: 23-7-9-16-14)
Tyler Ennis (F-89) (Reg: 71-26-24-50-30; Plf: 22-8-4-12-6)
Thomas Frazee (F-90) (Reg: 55-6-6-12-38) - stats with Portland
Colton Grant (F-89) (Reg: 71-4-9-13-30; Plf: 23-2-1-3-22)
Jordan Hickmott (F-90) (Reg: 29-3-1-4-4; Plf: 2-0-0-0-2)
Jerrid Sauer (F-87) (Reg: 54-9-7-16-36; Plf: 23-4-4-8-27)
Daine Todd (F-87) (Reg: 5-3-2-5-4; Plf: 22-7-8-15-18)
Kevin Undershute (F-87) (Reg: 71-12-22-34-110; Plf: 23-5-7-12-28)
Scott Wasden (F-88) (Reg: 67-8-9-17-63; Plf: 23-1-9-10-28)

Defence:
Jordan Bendfeld (D-88) (Reg: 72-9-21-30-136; Plf: 23-0-5-5-62)
Shayne Brown (D-89) (Reg: 57-1-7-8-69; Plf: 2-0-0-0-2)
Trevor Glass (D-88) (Reg: 48-4-15-19-33; Plf: 22-2-3-5-24)
Mark Isherwood (D-89) (Reg: 44-0-3-3-27)
Zach Sim (D-88) (Reg: 43-6-6-12-32; Plf: 5-0-0-0-4) - stats with Tri-City

Goaltenders:
Ryan Holfeld (G-89) (Reg: 16gp, 8-5-2, 2.92gaa, .890sv%; Plf: 1gp, 0-0, 16.00gaa, .500sv%)

Rookies:
Michael Ahlen (F-88) - new import
Bretton Cameron (F-89) (Reg: 5-0-0-0-5)
Cody Carlson (D-91) (Reg: 2-0-0-0-2)
Wacey Hamilton (F-90)
Matthew Konan (D-91)
Josh Koper (F-90) (Reg: 2-0-0-0-2)
Cory More (F-90)
Sean Ringrose (F-88)
John Stampohar (F-90)
Adrian Van de Mosselaer (D-90)
Linden Vey (F-91) (Reg: 2-0-0-0-2)
Tomas Vosvrda (G-89) - new import

Prognosis: Not many teams can lose their top three forwards, top four defencemen, and all-star starting goalie and not take a drop in the standings the next season. The Tigers will be no exception to that - but this is still a decent team left behind here despite the losses. As with Kootenay and Lethbridge (below), the scoring is going to be there up front. Todd, Bosch and Ennis are proven scorers at this level already, while Grant, Undershute, and Frazee should improve their totals with more ice time. 19 year old newcomer Sean Ringrose was a big scorer at the Jr A level as well and should also provide some offence. The question marks are on defence and in net; the blueline lost four prominent players and while there are five others returning who played significant numbers of games in the league last year, there is obviously quite a difference in the calibre of players here. The Tigers will also be looking to several rookies to fill the #6/#7 spots so there remains a question mark there as well. And in net, last year's backup Ryan Holfeld is back to battle for the starting spot with unknown Czech rookie Tomas Vosvrda; the Tigers badly need one of them to emerge as a #1 calibre WHLer and help to patch the hole left by the departure of star goalie Matt Keetley. Perhaps the best news for the Tigers though - and what really helps to set them apart from Lethbridge and Kootenay, who are mostly in the same boat strength/weakness-wise - is that they managed to not lose coach Willie Desjardins. Desjardins' performance with the Tigers over the last five years has established him as one of the best coaches in the league and have managed to be fairly successful during past "rebuilding" years like this one is expected to be.

Prediction: 2nd in the division but could just as easily be 4th in a close race. 4th to 6th in the conference.

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Lethbridge Hurricanes:
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Overagers:
In: Jacob Dietrich (F), Yashar Farmanara (F)
Out: Nicolaus Knudsen (D), Tomas Kudelka (D), Lukas Vantuch (F)

Departed Players:
Kyle Bailey (F-86) (Reg: 26-12-18-30-39) - graduated overager
Kris Hogg (F-86) (Reg: 70-39-30-69-131) - graduated overager
Randy King (D-87) (Reg: 65-1-14-15-167) - released
Tomas Kudelka (D-87) (Reg: 59-14-27-41-74) - turning pro
Kyle Lamb (F-86) (Reg: 27-7-11-18-26) - graduated overager
Justin Leclerc (G-89) (Reg: 37gp, 15-17-3, 3.62gaa, .872sv%) - traded to Kamloops
Nicolaus Knudsen (D-87) (Reg: 21-0-3-3-22) - released
Todd Panchyson (D-88) (Reg: 23-2-2-4-18) - traded to Portland
Lukas Vantuch (F-87) (Reg: 58-6-15-21-67) - signed in Europe

Projected Returnees:

Forwards:
Carter Bancks (F-89) (Reg: 67-11-20-31-64)
Zach Boychuk (F-89) (Reg: 69-31-60-91-52)
Adam Chorneyko (F-88) (Reg: 63-6-11-17-39)
Jacob Dietrich (F-87) (Reg: 72-10-6-16-52)
Mitch Fadden (F-88) (Reg: 71-36-48-84-54)
Yashar Farmanara (F-87) (Reg: 67-18-28-46-74)
Josh Gionfriddo (F-89) (Reg: 53-2-3-5-41)
Dwight King (F-89) (Reg: 62-12-32-44-39)
Adam Matlock (F-88) (Reg: 37-1-2-3-20)
Drew Todd (F-89) (Reg: 37-1-1-2-6)

Defence:
Travis Bobbee (D-90) (Reg: 41-5-5-10-10)
Jesse Craige (D-89) (Reg: 59-9-12-21-77)
Ryan Kerr (D-89) (Reg: 61-1-14-15-158)
Mitch Versteeg (D-88) (Reg: 24-1-4-5-34)
Ben Wright (D-88) (Reg: 64-10-37-47-108)

Goaltenders:
Michael Maniago (G-88) (Reg: 37gp, 17-14-2, 3.53gaa, .877sv%)

Rookies:
Carter Ashton (F-91) (Reg: 2-0-0-0-0)
Cam Braes (F-91)
Nick Dietrich (F-89)
Daniel Iwanski (F-90)
Juha Metsola (G-89) - new import
Craig Orfino (F-90)
Luca Sbisa (D-90) - new import
Brennan Yadlowski (D-91)

Prognosis: Very similar to Kootenay and Medicine Hat in that goals will not be hard to come by on this team, but keeping them out might be a lot harder. In Boychuk and Fadden the team has two forwards who could contend for the league scoring title, and they are backed up by Farmanara, King, and Bancks, so there is some depth here. The problems are everywhere else, such as on defence where there's going to be a lot of crossed fingers that Ben Wright's decision not to have surgery on his injured shoulder was the right decision. After Wright, guys like Craige, Kerr, and Bobbee are decent 3rd/4th defencemen but depth here has to be a concern, especially with the team breaking in a 16 year old with regular ice time as well as a new import. God forbid Wright's shoulder not stand up to the season. And in net, more questions since Michael Maniago has thus far not established himself as a WHL starting goalie in either Kamloops or Lethbridge, and new import Juha Metsola offers another unknown quantity. The Canes really need one of those two to prove he can be a 50-55 game starter at this level.

Prediction: 3rd in the division but could easily be 2nd or 4th as well. 5th or 6th in the conference.

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Kootenay Ice:
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Overagers:
In: Clayton Bauer (F), Steve DaSilva (F), Chad Greenan (D)
Out: Lukas Bohunicky (D), Paul Kurceba (D), Ryan Russell (F), Luke Wiens (F)

Departed Players:
Curtis Billsten (F-86) (Reg: 70-24-40-64-96; Plf: 3-0-1-1-2) - graduated overager
Lukas Bohunicky (D-87) (Reg: 71-1-6-7-101; Plf: 7-0-2-2-14) - overage numbers
Michael Busto (D-86) (Reg: 70-20-43-63-79; Plf: 6-1-2-3-9) - graduated overager
Taylor Dakers (G-86) (Reg: 48gp, 33-10-4, 2.16gaa, .919sv%; Plf: 7gp, 3-4, 2.52gaa, .922sv%) - graduated overager
Paul Kurceba (D-87) (Reg: 71-4-12-16-108; Plf: 7-1-1-2-8) - trade bait (projected)
Ryan Russell (F-87) (Reg: 58-30-46-76-40; Plf: 7-3-6-9-2) - turning pro
Luke Wiens (F-87) (Reg: 52-3-7-10-84; Plf: 7-0-0-0-2) - overage numbers

Projected Returnees:

Forwards:
Andrew Bailey (F-88) (Reg: 72-30-42-72-79; Plf: 7-1-4-5-13)
Clayton Bauer (F-87) (Reg: 68-24-28-52-90; Plf: 7-1-0-1-9)
Steve DaSilva (F-87) (Reg: 71-38-53-91-108; Plf: 7-5-5-10-16)
Trent Fussi (F-89) (Reg: 49-6-3-9-25; Plf: 6-0-0-0-2)
Arnaud Jacquemet (F-88) (Reg: 50-13-16-29-33; Plf: 7-2-3-5-4)
Kevin King (F-90) (Reg: 65-5-9-14-23; Plf: 7-1-0-1-4)
Ben Maxwell (F-88) (Reg: 39-19-34-53-42; Plf: 7-1-4-5-21)
Tylan Stephens (F-89) (Reg: 71-9-17-26-46; Plf: 7-1-1-2-2)
Michael Stickland (F-89) (Reg: 62-4-12-16-71; Plf: 5-0-0-0-2)
Dustin Sylvester (F-89) (Reg: 72-17-25-42-53; Plf: 7-2-0-2-6)

Defence:
Ian Barteaux (D-88) (Reg: 70-3-9-12-107; Plf: 7-0-2-2-7)
Chad Greenan (D-87) (Reg: 72-12-34-46-86; Plf: 7-2-4-6-8)
Paul MacDonald (D-88) (Reg: 30-1-1-2-13; Plf: 1-0-0-0-0)
John Negrin (D-89) (Reg: 44-1-15-16-57; Plf: 7-0-2-2-8)
Jordan Wilkins (D-90) (Reg: 25-1-0-1-5)

Goaltenders:
Kris Lazaruk (G-88) (Reg: 26gp, 16-6-2, 3.04gaa, 0.904sv%)

Rookies:
Joe Antilla (F-91)
Steele Boomer (F-90)
Scott Ferguson (F-90)
Thomas Heemskerk (G-90)
Nathan Lieuwen (G-91)
Brayden McNabb (D-91) (Reg: 3-0-0-0-0)
Jiri Ryzuk (D-90) - new import
Konrad Sander (F-90)

Prognosis: The ability to score goals by the truckload can make up for some defensive shortcomings that are sure to occur, so look for the Ice to be involved in some high-scoring games this year....not a single team in the WHL has more 06-07 goals on its roster. The likely roster potted 183 goals last year, including at least three players who could/should top 40 goals this year (Bailey, DaSilva, Maxwell) and a strong supporting cast of Bauer, Jacquemet, King, Stephens, and Sylvester. Goal judges are going to have sore thumbs at the Rec Plex this year. In more ways than one though, because the Ice blueline is a work in progress as well. Chad Greenan and John Negrin are a good start but depth drops off a bit after that with the loss of three of last year's regulars. There are a couple good rookie hopefuls in Jiri Ryzuk and Brayden McNabb and the club will have to hope Paul MacDonald can stay healthy and Jordan Wilkins' skating has improved. In net, Kris Lazaruk will get the chance to be a #1 after two years as backup. He has looked decent in his backup role but we'll have to see how he handles facing the top teams in the league every start instead of only occasionally as backups usually do. His backup this year will be one of two highly-regarded rookies who may slug it out well into the season before a winner emerges there.

Prediction: Fourth in the division, but things will be very close with Lethbridge and Medicine Hat for 2nd-3rd-4th. 6th or 7th in the conference.

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Red Deer Rebels:
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Overagers:
In: - none -
Out: Martin Hanzal (F), Pierre-Paul Lamoureux (F), Jason Lynch (D), Kirill Starkov (F), Brett Sutter (F), J.D. Watt (F)

Departed Players:
Mike Berube (D-88) (Reg: 66-4-16-20-78; Plf: 7-0-0-0-10) - traded to Vancouver
Martin Hanzal (F-87) (Reg: 60-26-59-85-94; Plf: 6-2-7-9-19) - turning pro
Jordan Henry (D-86) (Reg: 72-7-25-32-162; Plf: 7-0-4-4-26) - graduated overager
Patrick Kozyra (D-89) (Reg: 55-1-4-5-24) - traded to Spokane
Pierre-Paul Lamoureux (F-87) (Reg: 55-0-6-6-113; Plf: 2-0-0-0-0) - released
Jason Lynch (D-87) (Reg: 63-1-4-5-131; Plf: 7-0-0-0-2) - going to university
Dustin Moore (F-86) (Reg: 64-20-28-48-94; Plf: 7-4-2-6-27) - graduated overager
Karey Pieper (F-87) (Reg: 63-4-5-9-101; Plf: 7-2-3-5-13) - to Edmonton in expansion draft
Evan Pighin (F-88) (Reg: 62-3-8-11-51; Plf: 7-0-1-1-8) - traded to Prince George
Alex Poulter (F-89) (Reg: 67-6-6-12-24; Plf: 7-0-1-1-2) - traded to Prince George
Kirill Starkov (F-87) (Reg: 72-34-37-71-41; Plf: 7-2-4-6-4) - turning pro
Brett Sutter (F-87) (Reg: 67-28-29-57-77; Plf: 7-3-4-7-11) - turning pro
Ted Vandermeer (F-86) (Reg: 58-12-13-25-47; Plf: 7-2-3-5-6) - graduated overager

Projected Returnees:

Forwards:
Luke Betts (F-89) (Reg: 62-2-1-3-42; Plf: 7-1-0-1-0)
Scott Doucet (F-88) (Reg: 33-8-5-13-29; Plf: 7-2-1-3-10)
Cass Mappin (F-90) (Reg: 23-1-0-1-37)
Brandon Sutter (F-89) (Reg: 71-20-37-57-54; Plf: 7-0-3-3-14)
Brennen Wray (F-88) (Reg: 37-3-12-15-35; Plf: 6-2-1-3-6)

Defence:
Luke Egener (D-88) (Reg: 70-2-10-12-76; Plf: 7-1-0-1-6)
Cullen Morin (D-89) (Reg: 35-4-13-17-34)
Mike Scarborough (D-90) (Reg: 19-0-1-1-10; Plf: 5-0-0-0-0)

Goaltenders:
Morgan Clark (G-90) (Reg: 21gp, 9-5-2, 3.25gaa, .882sv%)
James Reimer (G-88) (Reg: 60gp, 26-23-7, 2.66gaa, .912sv%; Plf: 7gp, 3-4, 3.88gaa, .871sv%)

Rookies:
Colin Archer (D-90)
Willie Coetzee (F-90)
Jordan Draper (F-89)
Spencer Edwards (F-90) (Reg: 2-0-0-0-2)
Landon Ferraro (F-91) (Reg: 4-0-0-0-0; Plf: 1-0-0-0-0)
Matt Fraser (F-90) (Reg: 3-0-0-0-2; Plf: 1-0-0-0-0)
Dallas Jackson (D-89)
Joel Kot (D-90) (Reg: 1-0-1-1-0; Plf: 7-0-1-1-2)
Mike Krgovich (F-90) (Reg: 4-0-0-0-0)
Tyler Penny (F-89)
Tomas Polak (F-90) - new import
Zak Stebner (D-90) (Reg: 1-0-0-0-0)

Prognosis: Year #4 of the rebuilding in Red Deer is the most ambitious yet, as the team cleaned house in the offseason - with the end result being a roster that features only 7 players who spent all of last year in the WHL. Added into the offseason changes is the departure of coach/GM Brent Sutter; his replacement behind the bench is brother Brian and while it is often said that all the Sutters are cut from the same cloth, Brian still has to prove he can fill his little brother's sizeable shoes in the WHL. With so few vets, Sutter will have his work cut out for him with this young bunch. Up front only Brandon Sutter is a proven scorer at the WHL level; the team has no overagers right now and are obviously hoping for the return of one or more of Kirill Starkov, Brett Sutter, and J.D. Watt to help fill the scoring roles. If one or more of those guys does return, it obviously will be a big help but there are no certainties with any of them. Without any of those guys back, scoring is going to be a big problem. The defence has basically one vet (Egener) and another guy with half a year's experience (Morin) and then five rookies. They have high hopes for some of these rookies, but lack of experience can't help but be an issue here. At least there are two veteran goaltenders standing behind the young defence, but Reimer and Clark are going to have to be sharp every night.

Prediction: This many new faces = some long nights. 5th in the division but they might be closer to Edmonton than they'd like. 10th or so in the conference.

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Edmonton Oil Kings:
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Overagers:
In: Alex Archibald (G), Michael Hengen (D), Karey Pieper (F), Bretton Stamler (D), Matt Swaby (D)
Out: - none -

Departed Players:
- none - (expansion team)

Projected Returnees:

Forwards:
Brett Breitkreuz (F-89) (Reg: 58-8-6-14-67) - stats with Kelowna
Brenden Dowd (F-88) (Reg: 47-5-10-15-24; Plf: 3-0-0-0-0) - stats with Kamloops
Robin Figren (F-88) (Reg: 62-10-17-27-54; Plf: 18-4-4-8-18) - stats with Calgary
Brandon Lockerby (F-88) (Reg: 40-1-8-9-16) - stats with Brandon
Karey Pieper (F-87) (Reg: 63-4-5-9-101; Plf: 7-2-3-5-13) - stats with Red Deer
Scott Skrudland (F-88) (Reg: 23-0-0-0-47) - stats with Kamloops and Saskatoon
J.P. Szaszkiewicz (F-88) (Reg: 63-8-8-16-44; Plf: 6-0-0-0-10) - stats with Spokane

Defence:
Karl Benke (D-88) (12-0-0-0-35) - stats with Swift Current
Cameron Cepek (D-88) (Reg: 49-1-8-9-87) - stats with Portland
Michael Hengen (D-87) (Reg: 65-8-25-33-66) - stats with Calgary & Moose Jaw
Lance Redden (D-89) (Reg: 52-2-7-9-86; Plf: 1-0-0-0-0) - stats with Prince George
Bretton Stamler (D-87) (Reg: 72-8-24-32-135; Plf: 11-0-1-1-14) - stats with Seattle
Matt Swaby (D-87) (Reg: 62-2-18-20-90; Plf: 6-0-3-3-8) - stats with Tri-City

Goaltenders:
Alex Archibald (G-87) (Reg: 34gp, 8-15-4, 3.71gaa, .880sv%; Plf: 5gp, 1-4, 3.38gaa, .908sv%) - stats with Chilliwack
Dalyn Flette (G-90) (Reg: 18gp, 5-5-3, 3.01gaa, .868sv%) - stats with Kamloops

Rookies:
Braeden Adamyk (F-90)
Clayton Cumiskey (F-90)
Brent Henke (F-90)
Tyler Hlookoff (D-90) (Reg: 9-0-1-1-6) - stats with Everett
Craig McCallum (F-89)
Shayne Neigum (F-90) (Reg: 4-0-0-0-0) - stats with Medicine Hat
Drew Nichol (D-89)
Brent Raedeke (F-90)
Tomas Vincour (F-90) - new import

Prognosis: Surprisingly for an expansion team, there are actually things to like about this roster. There are a few players up front who should be able to put the puck in the net, such as imports Tomas Vincour and Robin Figren, and rookie Craig McCallum. Things kind of thin out after that but there's several quality veterans providing some versatility, such as Szaszkiewicz, Breitkreuz, Dowd, and Pieper. Those kind of guys might not score a lot of goals but they can do a little bit of everything, providing depth there. This is a team that is really going to struggle to score goals when all is said and done though. Fortunately, the defence looks strong with four 150+ game veterans who all bring various strengths to the team. And in net there's two WHL vets in Archibald and Flette. Archibald was the #1 last year for Chilliwack so he is experienced in backstopping an expansion team and the Oil Kings should be fine in that area. Overall they aren't going to be terrible, but is it enough to avoid the basement? Especially when the temptation to trade some of those vets - particularly on the blueline - for younger prospects will be strong, and such moves could spell a long post-deadline second half to the season.

Prediction: predictions for expansion teams are so stereotypically easy: last place. Recent WHL expansions have not held true to that mould though, with Everett and Chilliwack making the postseason in their first years. I think there is a chance that the Oil Kings will not be last in the Central, but they will not make the playoffs. To do that they would have to be better than four other teams in the Eastern conference and I just can't see it. 6th in the Central, 12th in the conference.