Hitmen goalie Martin Jones is still not back in the WHL from his free agent tryout with the Los Angeles Kings. He is the only WHLer on a tryout who has not been returned to junior already. In fact, pretty much the only junior-eligible players who are still at NHL camps are either 20 year old guys who aren't coming back (the Karl Alzners), or 18/19 year olds who were high draft picks and might not come back (the Luke Schenns, etc). And then there's the undrafted, unheralded Jones, who didn't even get his NHL camp invite from the Kings until August 28.
So what's Jones still doing in La-la land? The Kings cut three goalies yesterday, including organization #1 prospect Jonathan Bernier, who is going to the AHL. There are only four goalies left in the Kings' NHL camp - Jason Labarbera (former WHLer there), Erik Ersberg, Jonathan Quick, and Jones. The first three names on that list all played some minutes in the NHL last year for the Kings....Jones was a backup in the WHL. It's next to impossible to find any media coverage of Kings training camp that even mentions Jones' name, but he must be having one hell of a camp if the Kings still have him there. The NHL season starts on Saturday so by this point, anyone still left in an NHL training camp must have a pretty good shot at making the team.
Undrafted tryout players must be signed by the start of the NHL season, so Jones' picture will be a lot clearer by around noon on Saturday at the latest, I would think. By then the Kings will have to either sign him to a free agent contract, or send him back to the WHL. You don't see 18 year old tryout players earning contracts very often but perhaps this is a case in the making here....
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Two moves
Two player moves today....
First, Kamloops is the first team to move their surplus goaltender, as they have sent 18 year old James Priestner to Brandon for a 2009 3rd round bantam pick. Priestner himself was a 2nd round pick of the Blazers 2006 so it's a reasonable price.
Secondly, Vancouver put overage forward Chris Cloud on waivers and he was claimed by the last-place-overall (only team in the WHL without a point, actually) Seattle Thunderbirds. The move gives the Birds four overagers....they have until October 16th to get down to three but it looks like they may have already made their decision since Ashton Hewson is no longer listed on their roster.
First, Kamloops is the first team to move their surplus goaltender, as they have sent 18 year old James Priestner to Brandon for a 2009 3rd round bantam pick. Priestner himself was a 2nd round pick of the Blazers 2006 so it's a reasonable price.
Secondly, Vancouver put overage forward Chris Cloud on waivers and he was claimed by the last-place-overall (only team in the WHL without a point, actually) Seattle Thunderbirds. The move gives the Birds four overagers....they have until October 16th to get down to three but it looks like they may have already made their decision since Ashton Hewson is no longer listed on their roster.
Couple notes
Just a couple things this morning....
First, defenceman Alex Plante was reassigned by the Edmonton Oilers back to the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday, and to almost everyone's surprise, he played that night for the Hitmen. This despite his rather public request for a trade. So now the question is whether this is a permanent situation (ie, the team & Plante have worked out their differences) or whether he is just playing for the Hitmen in order to allow the team to showcase him for an eventual trade. We'll see.
Personally, I'd like to think Plante had a change of heart (and perhaps the Oilers had a hand in it too!), because it is hard to imagine a better situation for Plante this year than being with the Hitmen. He is easily the #1 defenceman on that team and will play 30 minutes a night in every possible situation - even strength, shorthanded, powerplay, everything. Plus, probably the only place in the league where he would get more attention from the Oilers would be to play in Edmonton itself for the Oil Kings. All things considered, Calgary is about as good as it gets for him as he tries to showcase himself to the Oilers this season and earn a contract befitting a 15th overall pick. A trade to a contender (or at least to a team with a deeper defence) might see him used in a smaller role, and a trade to a smaller or more out-of-the-way city might not put him in front of Oilers scouts and management as much as playing in an NHL rink and for a team that makes several appearances in Edmonton this year might.
But, we'll see if he stays a Hitman the whole year or not.
In other news, it's starting to sound like the Chiefs might have lost import forward Ondrej Roman to a Czech team....read this post from Gregg Drinnan's blog for the details. Makes me think either Roman has given up on getting a release to come back here to North America, or he never planned to come back here in the first place and the release story was just an excuse. I mean, if you really want your club team to release you to cross the pond, why on Earth would you start playing some games for them? That's counterproductive.
And a minor trade on Saturday too, Edmonton sending 18 year old forward Brett Henke to Lethbridge for a 7th round pick in next spring's draft.
First, defenceman Alex Plante was reassigned by the Edmonton Oilers back to the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday, and to almost everyone's surprise, he played that night for the Hitmen. This despite his rather public request for a trade. So now the question is whether this is a permanent situation (ie, the team & Plante have worked out their differences) or whether he is just playing for the Hitmen in order to allow the team to showcase him for an eventual trade. We'll see.
Personally, I'd like to think Plante had a change of heart (and perhaps the Oilers had a hand in it too!), because it is hard to imagine a better situation for Plante this year than being with the Hitmen. He is easily the #1 defenceman on that team and will play 30 minutes a night in every possible situation - even strength, shorthanded, powerplay, everything. Plus, probably the only place in the league where he would get more attention from the Oilers would be to play in Edmonton itself for the Oil Kings. All things considered, Calgary is about as good as it gets for him as he tries to showcase himself to the Oilers this season and earn a contract befitting a 15th overall pick. A trade to a contender (or at least to a team with a deeper defence) might see him used in a smaller role, and a trade to a smaller or more out-of-the-way city might not put him in front of Oilers scouts and management as much as playing in an NHL rink and for a team that makes several appearances in Edmonton this year might.
But, we'll see if he stays a Hitman the whole year or not.
In other news, it's starting to sound like the Chiefs might have lost import forward Ondrej Roman to a Czech team....read this post from Gregg Drinnan's blog for the details. Makes me think either Roman has given up on getting a release to come back here to North America, or he never planned to come back here in the first place and the release story was just an excuse. I mean, if you really want your club team to release you to cross the pond, why on Earth would you start playing some games for them? That's counterproductive.
And a minor trade on Saturday too, Edmonton sending 18 year old forward Brett Henke to Lethbridge for a 7th round pick in next spring's draft.
NHL campers updated
Updated.....best as I can tell, the only players who remain away at NHL camps are:
Calgary: Martin Jones (L.A.),
Chilliwack: Oscar Moller (L.A.)
Everett: Kyle Beach (Chicago)
Kelowna: Tysen Dowzak (Hartford-AHL), Tyler Myers (Buffalo), Luke Schenn (Toronto)
Lethbridge: Zach Boychuk (Carolina), Mitch Fadden (Tampa Bay), Luca Sbisa (Philadelphia)
Moose Jaw: Jordan Knackstedt (Providence-AHL)
Red Deer: Brandon Sutter (Carolina)
Saskatoon: Colton Gillies (Minnesota)
Seattle: Thomas Hickey (L.A.)
Spokane: Justin Falk (Minnesota), Trevor Glass (Rockford - AHL)
Notes: Fadden, Knackstedt, Sutter, Gillies, Falk, and Glass may not return at all. Jones is only on a tryout so he must be really impressing to still be there.
Calgary: Martin Jones (L.A.),
Chilliwack: Oscar Moller (L.A.)
Everett: Kyle Beach (Chicago)
Kelowna: Tysen Dowzak (Hartford-AHL), Tyler Myers (Buffalo), Luke Schenn (Toronto)
Lethbridge: Zach Boychuk (Carolina), Mitch Fadden (Tampa Bay), Luca Sbisa (Philadelphia)
Moose Jaw: Jordan Knackstedt (Providence-AHL)
Red Deer: Brandon Sutter (Carolina)
Saskatoon: Colton Gillies (Minnesota)
Seattle: Thomas Hickey (L.A.)
Spokane: Justin Falk (Minnesota), Trevor Glass (Rockford - AHL)
Notes: Fadden, Knackstedt, Sutter, Gillies, Falk, and Glass may not return at all. Jones is only on a tryout so he must be really impressing to still be there.
Friday, September 26, 2008
3-in3's
With the arrival of the 2nd weekend of the season, that staple of junior hockey we call the "three-in-three" begins again tonight. Three teams - Edmonton, Kootenay, and Vancouver - will be playing three games in three nights this weekend.
Which brings me to the question of how often teams have to do that this year. Do some teams have significantly fewer of these tough weekends than others? Below is a table with the number of times each WHL team will play 3-in-3, 4-in-5, and the toughest of all, five games in six nights.
It should be noted that Vancouver's two 5-in-6 portions of the schedule actually overlap - two games are common to both those groups. In fact, in the ten days from February 20 to March 1, 2009, Vancouver will play eight games. An 8-in-10! If any of the players on that team can walk without limping on March 2, it'll be a miracle.
Which brings me to the question of how often teams have to do that this year. Do some teams have significantly fewer of these tough weekends than others? Below is a table with the number of times each WHL team will play 3-in-3, 4-in-5, and the toughest of all, five games in six nights.
| 3-in-3 | 4-in-5 | 5-in-6 | |
| Brandon | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Calgary | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Chilliwack | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Edmonton | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Everett | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Kamloops | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Kelowna | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Kootenay | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Lethbridge | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| Medicine Hat | 4 | 7 | 1 |
| Moose Jaw | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Portland | 6 | 9 | 1 |
| Prince Albert | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Prince George | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Red Deer | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| Regina | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Saskatoon | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Seattle | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Spokane | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| Swift Current | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tri-City | 8 | 6 | 1 |
| Vancouver | 7 | 8 | 2 |
It should be noted that Vancouver's two 5-in-6 portions of the schedule actually overlap - two games are common to both those groups. In fact, in the ten days from February 20 to March 1, 2009, Vancouver will play eight games. An 8-in-10! If any of the players on that team can walk without limping on March 2, it'll be a miracle.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
NHL campers stats - updated
Here's the NHL exhibition stats thus far, for 07-08 WHLers....this excludes the seven games so far for which NHL.com does not have complete stats.
(*) means the player has been assigned back to the WHL. Gendur is the only one of these players who is not technically eligible to play in the WHL again this season.
Oh, and as for the question about goalie stats - there aren't any. No 07-08 WHL goalies have seen NHL exhibition action yet, according to the available NHL.com summaries anyway.
| GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM | Icetime | ||
| Karl Alzner | Washington | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 0 | 22:00 |
| Jamie Benn | Dallas | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 12:42 |
| Jonathon Blum | Nashville | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18:50 |
| Drayson Bowman | Carolina | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 | 29:28 |
| Brady Calla | Florida | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10:07 |
| Keaton Ellerby | Florida | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 0 | 43:32 |
| Dan Gendur | Vancouver | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11:34 |
| Colton Gillies | Minnesota | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10:23 |
| Thomas Hickey | Los Angeles | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 0 | 16:18 |
| Oscar Moller | Los Angeles | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | +1 | 4 | 12:23 |
| John Negrin | Calgary | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 6 | 31:46 |
| Jim O'Brien (*) | Ottawa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7:58 |
| Michal Repik | Florida | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 16:09 |
| Nick Ross (*) | Phoenix | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 0 | 18:34 |
| Luca Sbisa | Philadelphia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 4 | 36:57 |
| Luke Schenn | Toronto | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 0 | 38:45 |
| Zack Smith | Ottawa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7:46 |
| Michael Stone | Phoenix | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 2 | 21:08 |
| Brandon Sutter | Carolina | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34:31 |
| Dana Tyrell | Tampa Bay | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7:56 |
| Dale Weise | NY Rangers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 0 | 36:17 |
| Ryan White | Montreal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13:09 |
| Ty Wishart | Tampa Bay | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 0 | 16:27 |
(*) means the player has been assigned back to the WHL. Gendur is the only one of these players who is not technically eligible to play in the WHL again this season.
Oh, and as for the question about goalie stats - there aren't any. No 07-08 WHL goalies have seen NHL exhibition action yet, according to the available NHL.com summaries anyway.
Thursday notes
Bunch of notes on happenings around the league the last couple days....no post yesterday because I used my time to work on my WHL stats database utility, so I'll soon be able to flood this blog again with the obscure and irrelevant stats you all love to hate (or hate to love?).
I believe there are now three goalies, full-time WHLers in 07-08, who are now sitting at home awaiting trades this fall. Chilliwack's Matt Esposito never even came to their camp, while Kelowna's Torrie Jung was sent home the other day and now comes the news that Kamloops and 07-08 backup James Priestner have agreed to part ways. Priestner has gone home to Edmonton to wait for a trade which may be coming in the next day or two.
I'm wondering where all these guys are going to end up....I don't think there's a team in the league that doesn't have an experienced starting goalie and the only teams I can think of who might be interested in upgrading their current #1 goalies might be Edmonton and Everett, and maybe Chilliwack. There's 15 teams who currently have unproven backup goalies though so perhaps some of them are interested in Priestner as their backup. But how many teams are interested in the 19 year old Esposito or Jung as backups?
Speaking of players who didn't report to Chilliwack, the Evan Pighin situation has now involved the WHL office and commish Ron Robison is not happy about it. Things between the BCHL and WHL are going to get real ugly....the two leagues have not been on good terms for a long while and this isn't going to help.
Another suspended player, Everett's Jordan Mistelbacher, has been allowed to return to the Silvertips. Mistelbacher and former Everett defenceman Tyler Kieffer were sent home during training camp for breaking team rules, believed to be a curfew violation. Kieffer was later traded to Medicine Hat, while the Tips have apparently decided to give Mistelbacher a third chance.
Meanwhile, Kieffer still has not reported to the Tigers after telling the team he was going home to Minnesota to get his stuff and would be there late last week. Something's up here....
And speaking of players going home, Prince Albert import Tomas Voracek has decided to go home to the Czech Republic to be with his mother, who has cancer. The Raiders are supportive of his decision even though there is no set return date for Voracek. Makes me wonder if Voracek was influenced by the death from cancer of teammate Ryan Aasman's father last week....if his mom's in bad shape, perhaps seeing the Aasman family situation made him remember that you don't get a 2nd chance to spend time with them once they're gone.....hope it all works out for the Voracek family.
Two WHL vets have been cut loose in the last two days as well. First it was Moose Jaw parting ways with 18 year old defenceman Ty Ariss; Ariss was a 2nd round bantam pick at one time but has never really developed very much since joining the WHL at 16. No idea why, but he just hasn't and obviously Moose Jaw no longer feels he is a WHL calibre player. And the other cut is (apparently, not confirmed anywhere yet though?) Vancouver overage forward Chris Cloud, whose name no longer appears on the Giants' whl.ca roster. Cloud is believed to be headed back to Manitoba to play Jr A for the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
I believe there are now three goalies, full-time WHLers in 07-08, who are now sitting at home awaiting trades this fall. Chilliwack's Matt Esposito never even came to their camp, while Kelowna's Torrie Jung was sent home the other day and now comes the news that Kamloops and 07-08 backup James Priestner have agreed to part ways. Priestner has gone home to Edmonton to wait for a trade which may be coming in the next day or two.
I'm wondering where all these guys are going to end up....I don't think there's a team in the league that doesn't have an experienced starting goalie and the only teams I can think of who might be interested in upgrading their current #1 goalies might be Edmonton and Everett, and maybe Chilliwack. There's 15 teams who currently have unproven backup goalies though so perhaps some of them are interested in Priestner as their backup. But how many teams are interested in the 19 year old Esposito or Jung as backups?
Speaking of players who didn't report to Chilliwack, the Evan Pighin situation has now involved the WHL office and commish Ron Robison is not happy about it. Things between the BCHL and WHL are going to get real ugly....the two leagues have not been on good terms for a long while and this isn't going to help.
Another suspended player, Everett's Jordan Mistelbacher, has been allowed to return to the Silvertips. Mistelbacher and former Everett defenceman Tyler Kieffer were sent home during training camp for breaking team rules, believed to be a curfew violation. Kieffer was later traded to Medicine Hat, while the Tips have apparently decided to give Mistelbacher a third chance.
Meanwhile, Kieffer still has not reported to the Tigers after telling the team he was going home to Minnesota to get his stuff and would be there late last week. Something's up here....
And speaking of players going home, Prince Albert import Tomas Voracek has decided to go home to the Czech Republic to be with his mother, who has cancer. The Raiders are supportive of his decision even though there is no set return date for Voracek. Makes me wonder if Voracek was influenced by the death from cancer of teammate Ryan Aasman's father last week....if his mom's in bad shape, perhaps seeing the Aasman family situation made him remember that you don't get a 2nd chance to spend time with them once they're gone.....hope it all works out for the Voracek family.
Two WHL vets have been cut loose in the last two days as well. First it was Moose Jaw parting ways with 18 year old defenceman Ty Ariss; Ariss was a 2nd round bantam pick at one time but has never really developed very much since joining the WHL at 16. No idea why, but he just hasn't and obviously Moose Jaw no longer feels he is a WHL calibre player. And the other cut is (apparently, not confirmed anywhere yet though?) Vancouver overage forward Chris Cloud, whose name no longer appears on the Giants' whl.ca roster. Cloud is believed to be headed back to Manitoba to play Jr A for the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
WHL camp rosters
Here's the current rosters.....these will be updated with cuts as best as I possibly can. The number in parentheses is the player's "hockey age" this coming season.
I have added the list of players who are away at NHL camps. I have left off from the NHL lists all players who were not expected to be back in the WHL this year anyway - basically, all signed 20 year olds.
Brandon Wheat Kings:
Goaltenders (2): Joe Caligiuri (19), Andrew Hayes (18)
Defencemen (9): Keith Aulie (19), Darren Bestland (18), Chad Erb (20), Alexander Grill-Donovan (18), Matt McCue (20), Brodie Melnychuk (17), Ryley Miller (16), Colby Robak (18), Stephane Robidoux (17)
Forwards (15): Matt Calvert (19), Paul Ciarelli (17), Andrew Clark (20), Del Cowan (19), Jay Fehr (19), Scott Glennie (17), Nathan Green (19), Jordan Hale (18), Jesse Hall (17), Cale Jefferies (19), Sanfred King (18), Aaron Lewadniuk (19), Matt Lowry (20), Brayden Schenn (17), Mark Stone (16)
Notes: 4 overagers left on roster.
Calgary Hitmen:
Goaltenders (3): Martin Jones (18), Michael Snider (17), Dan Spence (20)
Defencemen (7): Erik Bonsor (17), Matt MacKenzie (17), Austin Madaisky (16), Scott Maetche (19), Paul Postma (19), Keith Seabrook (20), Michael Stone (18)
Forwards (18): Cody Beach (16), Kyle Bortis (20), Rigby Burgart (18), Ian Duval (20), Tyler Fiddler (18), Ryan Fox (18), Bostjan Golicic (19), Jessi Hilton (17), Brandon Kozun (18), Jason MacDonald (19), Carson McMillan (20), Brendan Rowinski (18), MacKenzie Royer (16), Chase Schaber (17), Ian Schultz (18), Brett Sonne (19), Cody Sylvester (16), Edgars Ulescenko (18)
At NHL camps: Martin Jones (Kings)
Notes: 5 overagers on the roster.
Chilliwack Bruins:
Goaltenders (2): Mark Friesen (18), Lucas Gore (18)
Defencemen (8): Carter Berg (16), James Bettauer (17), Jesse Craige (19), Jeff Einhorn (18), Brandon Manning (18), Scott Ramsay (17), Matt Strong (18), Chris Vanduynhoven (19)
Forwards (15): Partik Bhungal (20), Liam Darragh (18), Tanner Exner (17), Ryan Hankin (17), Ryan Howse (17), Scott McDonald (17), Randy McNaught (18), Matt Meropoulis (19), Brayden Metz (18), Oscar Moller (19), Jadon Potter (19), David Robinson (18), Kevin Sundher (16), Blair Wentworth (16), Alexander Wiklund (18)
At NHL camps: Oscar Moller (Kings)
Edmonton Oil Kings:
Goaltenders (2): Dalyn Flette (18), Cam Lanigan (16)
Defencemen (8): Kieran Friesen (16), Tyler Hlookoff (18), Brandon Lockerby (20), Drew Nichol (19), Jesse Pearson (17), Mark Pysyk (16), Henrik Tervonen (17), Adrian Van de Mosselaer (18)
Forwards (16): Braeden Adamyk (18), Brett Breitkreuz (19), Michael Burns (17), Clayton Cumiskey (18), Brenden Dowd (20), T.J. Foster (16), Brent Henke (18), Jeff Lee (20), Craig McCallum (19), Shayne Neigum (18), Logan Proulx (17), Rhett Rachinski (17), Brent Raedeke (18), Robin Soudek (18), Colton Stephenson (16), Tomas Vincour (18)
Everett Silvertips:
Goaltenders (2): Shayne Barrie (19), Kent Simpson (16)
Defencemen (9): Mike Alexander (19), Shayne Brown (19), Chris de la Lande (18), Taylor Ellington (20), Drew McDermott (17), Graham Potuer (20), Jeff Regier (17), Paul Sohor (17), Brenden Stephen (18)
Forwards (15): Cameron Abney (17), Daniel Bartek (20), Kyle Beach (18), Jesse Burt (19), Zack Dailey (19), Byron Froese (17), Shane Harper (19), Matt Ius (18), Tyler Maxwell (17), Markus McCrea (16), Jordan Mistelbacher (18), Tyler Parker (16), Kellan Tochkin (17), Paul Van de Velde (18), Ryan White (17)
At NHL camps: Kyle Beach (Blackhawks), Taylor Ellington (Canucks)
Kamloops Blazers:
Goaltenders (2): Jon Groenheyde (17), Justin Leclerc (19)
Defencemen (7): Nick Ross (19), Jordan Rowley (18), Linden Saip (17), Mark Schneider (18), Michal Siska (18), Kurt Torbohm (18), Brandon Underwood (16)
Forwards (16): Dalibor Bortnak (17), Jimmy Bubnick (17), Kenton Dulle (20), Cole Grbavac (17), Ryan Hanes (16), Devon Kalinski (18), Uriah Machuga (16), Giffen Nyren (19), Brendan Ranford (16), Alex Rodgers (19), Tyler Shattock (18), CJ Stretch (19), Jake Trask (17), Scott Wasden (20), Shayne Wiebe (18), Matt Wray (19)
Kelowna Rockets:
Goaltenders (2): Adam Brown (17), Kris Lazaruk (20)
Defencemen (8): Tyson Barrie (17), Aaron Borejko (17), Collin Bowman (17), Tysen Dowzak (20), Curt Gogol (17), Riley McIntosh (18), Tyler Myers (18), Luke Schenn (19)
Forwards (14): Cody Almond (19), Jamie Benn (19), Evan Bloodoff (18), Lucas Bloodoff (19), Mitchell Callahan (17), Dylan Hood (18), Colin Long (19), Spencer Main (16), Lukas Matejka (17), Brandon McMillan (18), Stepan Novotny (18), Jesse Paradis (17), Kyle St. Denis (18), Kyle Verdino (17)
At NHL camps: Jamie Benn (Stars), Tysen Dowzak (Rangers), Tyler Myers (Sabres), Luke Schenn (Maple Leafs)
Kootenay Ice:
Goaltenders (2): Thomas Heemskerk (18), Nathan Lieuwen (17)
Defencemen (8): Ian Barteaux (20), Eric Frere (20), Joey Leach (16), Cason Machacek (17), Brayden McNabb (17), John Negrin (19), Hayden Rintoul (17), Tyler Vanscourt (16)
Forwards (16): Joe Antilla (17), Andrew Bailey (20), Jordan Bauer (17), Steele Boomer (18), Michael Cassivi (17), Drew Czerwonka (16), Kris Foucault (18), Matt Fraser (18), Alex Frieb (19), Jesse Ismond (17), Kevin King (18), Dominik Pascovsky (18), Max Reinhart (16), Tylan Stephens (19), Michael Stickland (19), Dustin Sylvester (19)
At NHL camps: John Negrin (Flames)
Lethbridge Hurricanes:
Goaltenders (2): Juha Metsola (19), Michael Tadjdeh (17)
Defencemen (10): Lucas Alexiuk (19), Cody Castro (16), Derek Ryckman (16), Luca Sbisa (18), Cam Stevens (19), Brock Sutherland (17), Alex Theriau (16), Mitch Versteeg (20), Ben Wright (20), Brennan Yadlowski (17)
Forwards (14): Carter Ashton (17), Carter Bancks (19), Zach Boychuk (19), Cam Braes (17), Brandon Brossoit (16), Adam Chorneyko (20), Mitch Fadden (20), Austin Fyten (17), Dan Iwanski (18), Dwight King (19), Craig Orfino (18), Colton Sceviour (19), Cody Smuk (19), Garrett Taylor (17)
At NHL camps: Zach Boychuk (Hurricanes), Mitch Fadden (Lightning), Luca Sbisa (Flyers)
Notes: 4 overagers on roster. Fadden may not return from pro camp.
Medicine Hat Tigers:
Goaltenders (2): Tyler Bunz (16), Ryan Holfeld (19)
Defencemen (9): Scott Brkich (18), Cody Carlson (17), Thomas Carr (18), Jace Coyle (18), Mark Isherwood (19), Tyler Kieffer (19), Matthew Konan (17), Patrick Kozyra (19), Tomas Kundratek (19)
Forwards (14): Brennan Bosch (20), Bretton Cameron (19), Travis Dunstall (19), Tyler Ennis (19), Joey Frazer (18), Taylor Gal (18), Colton Grant (19), Wacey Hamilton (18), Tristan King (18), Josh Koper (18), Zdenek Okal (18), Sean Ringrose (20), John Stampohar (18), Linden Vey (17)
Moose Jaw Warriors:
Goaltenders (3): Kyle Birch (18), Deven Dubyk (17), Todd Mathews (18)
Defencemen (9): Clint Atkinson (17), Paul Bonar (17), Connor Cox (16), Travis Hamonic (18), Dylan McIlrath (16), Kevin Smith (17), Ryan Stanton (19), Chad Suer (18), Brett Ward (20)
Forwards (14): Jason Bast (19), Joel Broda (19), Martin Filo (19), Thomas Frazee (18), Evan Fuller (20), Ryley Grantham (20), Quinton Howden (16), Tomas Karpov (19), Jordan Knackstedt (20),Nathan MacMaster (16), Neal Prokop (18), Riley Reinbolt (17), Cory Scott (17), Brian Sommers (18)
At NHL camps: Jordan Knackstedt (Bruins)
Portland Winter Hawks:
Goaltenders (3): Keith Hamilton (16), Kurtis Mucha (19), Jordan White (20)
Defencemen (11): Travis Bobbee (18), Brock Cornish (19), Travis Ehrhardt (19), Scott Gabriel (20), Ryan Kerr (19), Joe Morrow (16), Lee Morrow (18), Brett Ponich (17), Troy Rutkowski (16), Stefan Schneider (19), David Watt (17)
Forwards (13): Ryan Andersen (18), Riley Boychuk (17), Nick Dietrich (19), Chris Francis (19), Oliver Gabriel (17), Jason Grecica (18), Killian Hutt (17), Taylor Peters (16), Colin Reddin (18), Brad Ross (16), Matt Schmermund (20), Radim Valchar (19), Luke Walker (18)
Prince Albert Raiders:
Goaltenders (2): Steven Stanford (18), Garrett Zemlak (19)
Defencemen (9): Ryan Aasman (16), Kyle Aschim (18), Ryan Button (17), Nathan Deck (18), David Dotan (17), Zak Stebner (18), Blaine Tendler (18), Garrett Thiessen (19), Tomas Voracek (18)
Forwards (15): Justin Bernhardt (20), Dustin Cameron (19), Robbie Ciofli (17), James Dobrowolski (18), Ryan Harrison (16), Brandon Herrod (17), Jordan Hickmott (18), Jordan Kochan (17), Bryce Lamb (19), Brent Martin (16), Ryan McDonald (20), Igor Revenko (18), Matt Robertson (20), Andy Smith (19), Jordan Trach (18)
Prince George Cougars:
Goaltenders (2): Kevin Armstrong (20), Ian Curtis (18)
Defencemen (8): Trevor Bauer (18), Art Bidlevskii (17), Cameron Cepek (20), Matt Cumming (17), Cody Hobbs (19), Dallas Jackson (19), Bruin McDonald (16), Colin Scherger (19)
Forwards (16): Nick Buonassisi (16), Brett Connolly (16), Greg Fraser (16), Tyler Halliday (19), Dale Hunt (18), Ryan Kowalski (17), Colby Kulhanek (19), Brian Matte (20), Justin Maylan (17), Alex Poulter (19), Cody Rainaldi (19), Parker Stanfield (18), Dana Tyrell (19), Corey Tyrell (18), Marek Viedensky (18), Marcus Watson (19)
Red Deer Rebels:
Goaltenders (2): Morgan Clark (18), Darcy Kuemper (18)
Defencemen (8): Colin Archer (18), Luke Egener (20), Tommi Kivisto (17), Joel Kot (18), Cullen Morin (19), Alex Petrovic (16), Justin Weller (17), Kevin Woodyatt (16)
Forwards (15): Willie Coetzee (17), Josh Cowen (17), Cody Esposito (19), Brett Ferguson (18), Landon Ferraro (17), Cody Gross (19), Adam Kambeitz (16), Cass Mappin (18), Steve Oursov (17), Tyler Penny (19), Tomas Polak (18), Connor Redmond (16), Carter Smith (20), Brandon Sutter (19), Brennen Wray (20)
At NHL camps: Brandon Sutter (Hurricanes)
Notes: Sutter may not return from pro camp.
Regina Pats:
Goaltenders (3): Jeff Bosch (18), Damien Ketlo (17), Linden Rowat (19)
Defencemen (8): Victor Bartley (20), Matt Delahey (19), Jeff Dort (18), Koltyn Miller (17), Alex Pym (17), Mike Scarborough (18), Justin Slobozian (16), Colten Teubert (18)
Forwards (15): Clarke Breitkreuz (17), Rudolf Cerveny (19), Mitch Czibere (19), Scott Doucet (20), Jordan Eberle (18), Dominick Favreau (16), Cody Hanson (18), Graham Hood (16), Thomas Hricina (18), Brett Leffler (19), Michael MacAngus (20), Garrett Mitchell (17), Kyle Mulder (17), Matt Strueby (19), Jordan Weal (16)
Saskatoon Blades:
Goaltenders (2): Braden Holtby (19), Adam Morrison (17)
Defencemen (9): Mitch Berg (17), Stefan Elliott (17), Ryan Funk (19), Colin Joe (20), Sam Klassen (19), Jyri Niemi (18), Tanner Sohn (17), Brendon Wall (18), Teigan Zahn (18)
Forwards (16): Cody Chikie (17), Darian Dziurzynski (17), Burke Gallimore (17), Colton Gillies (19), Curtis Hamilton (17), Derek Hulak (19), Charles Inglis (16), Andrew Johnston (17), Milan Kytnar (19), Chris Langkow (19), Josh Nicholls (16), Gaelan Patterson (18), Mike Reich (20), Brody Sutter (17), Travis Toomey (18), Walker Wintoneak (19)
At NHL camps: Colton Gillies (Wild), Jyri Niemi (Islanders)
Notes: Gillies may not return from pro camp.
Seattle Thunderbirds:
Goaltenders (2): Jacob DeSerres (18), Calvin Pickard (16)
Defencemen (9): Sena Acolatse (18), Steve Chaffin (17), Brenden Dillon (18), Erik Fleming (16), Brad Haber (18), Thomas Hickey (19), Jeremy Schappert (19), Kaydon Trumbley (17), Stefan Warg (18)
Forwards (16): Jeremy Boyer (18), Spencer Edwards (18), Colin Haas (19), Matt Hallick (19), Ashton Hewson (20), Jared Jagow (20), Devon Leblanc (20), Luke Lockhart (16), Chance Lund (16), Lindsay Nielsen (19), Jim O'Brien (19), Jon Parker (17), Prab Rai (19), David Richard (19), Brenden Silvester (17), Charles Wells (17)
At NHL camps: Thomas Hickey (Kings)
Spokane Chiefs:
Goaltenders (3): James Reid (18), Dustin Tokarski (19), Alex Wright (18)
Defencemen (10): Cory Baldwin (17), Brett Bartman (19), Jared Cowen (17), Justin Falk (20), Trevor Glass (20), Brenden Kichton (16), Garrett Leedahl (17), Mike Reddington (18), Jared Spurgeon (19), Stefan Ulmer (18)
Forwards (14): Michael Betz (16), Drayson Bowman (19), Seth Compton (20), David Conrad (17), TC Cratsenberg (16), Dustin Donaghy (19), Blake Gal (16), Tyler Johnson (18), Levko Koper (18), Steve Kuhn (17), Ryan Letts (19), Justin McCrae (20), Ondrej Roman (19), Mitch Wahl (18)
At NHL camps: Drayson Bowman (Hurricanes), Justin Falk (Wild), Trevor Glass (Rockford - AHL), Ondrej Roman (Stars), Jared Spurgeon (Islanders)
Notes: 4 overagers left on the roster. Falk and Glass might not return from pro camp.
Swift Current Broncos:
Goaltenders (2): Mark Guggenberger (19), Travis Yonkman (20)
Defencemen (9): Derek Claffey (19), Eric Doyle (19), Jesse Dudas (20), Jordan Evans (16), Andrew Hewett (18), James Martin (17), Spencer McAvoy (20), Ryan Molle (19), Joel Rogers (17)
Forwards (14): Mike Brown (18), Jan Dalecky (18), Keegan Dansereau (20), Justin Dowling (18), Cody Eakin (17), Brad Hoban (17), Oliver Jokel (17), Christian Magnus (16), Jordan Peddle (17), Matt Tassone (19), Grant Toulmin (19), Taylor Vause (17), Dillon Wagner (17), Geordie Wudrick (18)
Notes: 4 overagers on roster.
Tri-City Americans:
Goaltenders (3): Brett Martyniuk (17), Drew Owsley (17), Chet Pickard (19)
Defencemen (7): Spencer Humphries (16), Mitch McColm (19), Eric Mestery (18), Brett Plouffe (19), Tyler Schmidt (18), Jarrett Toll (19), Lane Werbowski (17)
Forwards (17): Spencer Asuchak (17), Justin Feser (16), Jason Gardiner (17), Drew Hoff (20), Adam Hughesman (17), Johnny Lazo (19), Brooks Macek (16), Blair Macaulay (20), Jordan Messier (16), Taylor Procyshen (20), Kruise Reddick (18), Jason Reese (20), Joel Ridgeway (18), Brendan Shinnimin (17), Petr Stoklasa (19), Mason Wilgosh (17), Brock Zimak (17)
Notes: 4 overagers on the roster.
Vancouver Giants:
Goaltenders (2): Tyson Sexsmith (19), Jamie Tucker (17)
Defencemen (9): Mike Berube (20), Jonathan Blum (19), Curtis Kulchar (18), Neil Manning (17), Bronson Maschmeyer (17), Brent Regner (19), Craig Schira (20), Mitch Spooner (16), Simon Witt (16)
Forwards (15): J.T. Barnett (16), Adam Basford (19), Lance Bouma (18), Chris Cloud (20), Craig Cunningham (18), Mikhail Fisenko (18), Brendan Gallagher (16), James Henry (17), Evander Kane (17), Todd Kennedy (18), Andrej Kudrna (17), Garry Nunn (19), Casey Pierro-Zabotel (20), Mike Piluso (18), James Wright (18)
At NHL camps: Jonathan Blum (Predators)
Notes: 4 overagers left on the roster.
I have added the list of players who are away at NHL camps. I have left off from the NHL lists all players who were not expected to be back in the WHL this year anyway - basically, all signed 20 year olds.
Brandon Wheat Kings:
Goaltenders (2): Joe Caligiuri (19), Andrew Hayes (18)
Defencemen (9): Keith Aulie (19), Darren Bestland (18), Chad Erb (20), Alexander Grill-Donovan (18), Matt McCue (20), Brodie Melnychuk (17), Ryley Miller (16), Colby Robak (18), Stephane Robidoux (17)
Forwards (15): Matt Calvert (19), Paul Ciarelli (17), Andrew Clark (20), Del Cowan (19), Jay Fehr (19), Scott Glennie (17), Nathan Green (19), Jordan Hale (18), Jesse Hall (17), Cale Jefferies (19), Sanfred King (18), Aaron Lewadniuk (19), Matt Lowry (20), Brayden Schenn (17), Mark Stone (16)
Notes: 4 overagers left on roster.
Calgary Hitmen:
Goaltenders (3): Martin Jones (18), Michael Snider (17), Dan Spence (20)
Defencemen (7): Erik Bonsor (17), Matt MacKenzie (17), Austin Madaisky (16), Scott Maetche (19), Paul Postma (19), Keith Seabrook (20), Michael Stone (18)
Forwards (18): Cody Beach (16), Kyle Bortis (20), Rigby Burgart (18), Ian Duval (20), Tyler Fiddler (18), Ryan Fox (18), Bostjan Golicic (19), Jessi Hilton (17), Brandon Kozun (18), Jason MacDonald (19), Carson McMillan (20), Brendan Rowinski (18), MacKenzie Royer (16), Chase Schaber (17), Ian Schultz (18), Brett Sonne (19), Cody Sylvester (16), Edgars Ulescenko (18)
At NHL camps: Martin Jones (Kings)
Notes: 5 overagers on the roster.
Chilliwack Bruins:
Goaltenders (2): Mark Friesen (18), Lucas Gore (18)
Defencemen (8): Carter Berg (16), James Bettauer (17), Jesse Craige (19), Jeff Einhorn (18), Brandon Manning (18), Scott Ramsay (17), Matt Strong (18), Chris Vanduynhoven (19)
Forwards (15): Partik Bhungal (20), Liam Darragh (18), Tanner Exner (17), Ryan Hankin (17), Ryan Howse (17), Scott McDonald (17), Randy McNaught (18), Matt Meropoulis (19), Brayden Metz (18), Oscar Moller (19), Jadon Potter (19), David Robinson (18), Kevin Sundher (16), Blair Wentworth (16), Alexander Wiklund (18)
At NHL camps: Oscar Moller (Kings)
Edmonton Oil Kings:
Goaltenders (2): Dalyn Flette (18), Cam Lanigan (16)
Defencemen (8): Kieran Friesen (16), Tyler Hlookoff (18), Brandon Lockerby (20), Drew Nichol (19), Jesse Pearson (17), Mark Pysyk (16), Henrik Tervonen (17), Adrian Van de Mosselaer (18)
Forwards (16): Braeden Adamyk (18), Brett Breitkreuz (19), Michael Burns (17), Clayton Cumiskey (18), Brenden Dowd (20), T.J. Foster (16), Brent Henke (18), Jeff Lee (20), Craig McCallum (19), Shayne Neigum (18), Logan Proulx (17), Rhett Rachinski (17), Brent Raedeke (18), Robin Soudek (18), Colton Stephenson (16), Tomas Vincour (18)
Everett Silvertips:
Goaltenders (2): Shayne Barrie (19), Kent Simpson (16)
Defencemen (9): Mike Alexander (19), Shayne Brown (19), Chris de la Lande (18), Taylor Ellington (20), Drew McDermott (17), Graham Potuer (20), Jeff Regier (17), Paul Sohor (17), Brenden Stephen (18)
Forwards (15): Cameron Abney (17), Daniel Bartek (20), Kyle Beach (18), Jesse Burt (19), Zack Dailey (19), Byron Froese (17), Shane Harper (19), Matt Ius (18), Tyler Maxwell (17), Markus McCrea (16), Jordan Mistelbacher (18), Tyler Parker (16), Kellan Tochkin (17), Paul Van de Velde (18), Ryan White (17)
At NHL camps: Kyle Beach (Blackhawks), Taylor Ellington (Canucks)
Kamloops Blazers:
Goaltenders (2): Jon Groenheyde (17), Justin Leclerc (19)
Defencemen (7): Nick Ross (19), Jordan Rowley (18), Linden Saip (17), Mark Schneider (18), Michal Siska (18), Kurt Torbohm (18), Brandon Underwood (16)
Forwards (16): Dalibor Bortnak (17), Jimmy Bubnick (17), Kenton Dulle (20), Cole Grbavac (17), Ryan Hanes (16), Devon Kalinski (18), Uriah Machuga (16), Giffen Nyren (19), Brendan Ranford (16), Alex Rodgers (19), Tyler Shattock (18), CJ Stretch (19), Jake Trask (17), Scott Wasden (20), Shayne Wiebe (18), Matt Wray (19)
Kelowna Rockets:
Goaltenders (2): Adam Brown (17), Kris Lazaruk (20)
Defencemen (8): Tyson Barrie (17), Aaron Borejko (17), Collin Bowman (17), Tysen Dowzak (20), Curt Gogol (17), Riley McIntosh (18), Tyler Myers (18), Luke Schenn (19)
Forwards (14): Cody Almond (19), Jamie Benn (19), Evan Bloodoff (18), Lucas Bloodoff (19), Mitchell Callahan (17), Dylan Hood (18), Colin Long (19), Spencer Main (16), Lukas Matejka (17), Brandon McMillan (18), Stepan Novotny (18), Jesse Paradis (17), Kyle St. Denis (18), Kyle Verdino (17)
At NHL camps: Jamie Benn (Stars), Tysen Dowzak (Rangers), Tyler Myers (Sabres), Luke Schenn (Maple Leafs)
Kootenay Ice:
Goaltenders (2): Thomas Heemskerk (18), Nathan Lieuwen (17)
Defencemen (8): Ian Barteaux (20), Eric Frere (20), Joey Leach (16), Cason Machacek (17), Brayden McNabb (17), John Negrin (19), Hayden Rintoul (17), Tyler Vanscourt (16)
Forwards (16): Joe Antilla (17), Andrew Bailey (20), Jordan Bauer (17), Steele Boomer (18), Michael Cassivi (17), Drew Czerwonka (16), Kris Foucault (18), Matt Fraser (18), Alex Frieb (19), Jesse Ismond (17), Kevin King (18), Dominik Pascovsky (18), Max Reinhart (16), Tylan Stephens (19), Michael Stickland (19), Dustin Sylvester (19)
At NHL camps: John Negrin (Flames)
Lethbridge Hurricanes:
Goaltenders (2): Juha Metsola (19), Michael Tadjdeh (17)
Defencemen (10): Lucas Alexiuk (19), Cody Castro (16), Derek Ryckman (16), Luca Sbisa (18), Cam Stevens (19), Brock Sutherland (17), Alex Theriau (16), Mitch Versteeg (20), Ben Wright (20), Brennan Yadlowski (17)
Forwards (14): Carter Ashton (17), Carter Bancks (19), Zach Boychuk (19), Cam Braes (17), Brandon Brossoit (16), Adam Chorneyko (20), Mitch Fadden (20), Austin Fyten (17), Dan Iwanski (18), Dwight King (19), Craig Orfino (18), Colton Sceviour (19), Cody Smuk (19), Garrett Taylor (17)
At NHL camps: Zach Boychuk (Hurricanes), Mitch Fadden (Lightning), Luca Sbisa (Flyers)
Notes: 4 overagers on roster. Fadden may not return from pro camp.
Medicine Hat Tigers:
Goaltenders (2): Tyler Bunz (16), Ryan Holfeld (19)
Defencemen (9): Scott Brkich (18), Cody Carlson (17), Thomas Carr (18), Jace Coyle (18), Mark Isherwood (19), Tyler Kieffer (19), Matthew Konan (17), Patrick Kozyra (19), Tomas Kundratek (19)
Forwards (14): Brennan Bosch (20), Bretton Cameron (19), Travis Dunstall (19), Tyler Ennis (19), Joey Frazer (18), Taylor Gal (18), Colton Grant (19), Wacey Hamilton (18), Tristan King (18), Josh Koper (18), Zdenek Okal (18), Sean Ringrose (20), John Stampohar (18), Linden Vey (17)
Moose Jaw Warriors:
Goaltenders (3): Kyle Birch (18), Deven Dubyk (17), Todd Mathews (18)
Defencemen (9): Clint Atkinson (17), Paul Bonar (17), Connor Cox (16), Travis Hamonic (18), Dylan McIlrath (16), Kevin Smith (17), Ryan Stanton (19), Chad Suer (18), Brett Ward (20)
Forwards (14): Jason Bast (19), Joel Broda (19), Martin Filo (19), Thomas Frazee (18), Evan Fuller (20), Ryley Grantham (20), Quinton Howden (16), Tomas Karpov (19), Jordan Knackstedt (20),Nathan MacMaster (16), Neal Prokop (18), Riley Reinbolt (17), Cory Scott (17), Brian Sommers (18)
At NHL camps: Jordan Knackstedt (Bruins)
Portland Winter Hawks:
Goaltenders (3): Keith Hamilton (16), Kurtis Mucha (19), Jordan White (20)
Defencemen (11): Travis Bobbee (18), Brock Cornish (19), Travis Ehrhardt (19), Scott Gabriel (20), Ryan Kerr (19), Joe Morrow (16), Lee Morrow (18), Brett Ponich (17), Troy Rutkowski (16), Stefan Schneider (19), David Watt (17)
Forwards (13): Ryan Andersen (18), Riley Boychuk (17), Nick Dietrich (19), Chris Francis (19), Oliver Gabriel (17), Jason Grecica (18), Killian Hutt (17), Taylor Peters (16), Colin Reddin (18), Brad Ross (16), Matt Schmermund (20), Radim Valchar (19), Luke Walker (18)
Prince Albert Raiders:
Goaltenders (2): Steven Stanford (18), Garrett Zemlak (19)
Defencemen (9): Ryan Aasman (16), Kyle Aschim (18), Ryan Button (17), Nathan Deck (18), David Dotan (17), Zak Stebner (18), Blaine Tendler (18), Garrett Thiessen (19), Tomas Voracek (18)
Forwards (15): Justin Bernhardt (20), Dustin Cameron (19), Robbie Ciofli (17), James Dobrowolski (18), Ryan Harrison (16), Brandon Herrod (17), Jordan Hickmott (18), Jordan Kochan (17), Bryce Lamb (19), Brent Martin (16), Ryan McDonald (20), Igor Revenko (18), Matt Robertson (20), Andy Smith (19), Jordan Trach (18)
Prince George Cougars:
Goaltenders (2): Kevin Armstrong (20), Ian Curtis (18)
Defencemen (8): Trevor Bauer (18), Art Bidlevskii (17), Cameron Cepek (20), Matt Cumming (17), Cody Hobbs (19), Dallas Jackson (19), Bruin McDonald (16), Colin Scherger (19)
Forwards (16): Nick Buonassisi (16), Brett Connolly (16), Greg Fraser (16), Tyler Halliday (19), Dale Hunt (18), Ryan Kowalski (17), Colby Kulhanek (19), Brian Matte (20), Justin Maylan (17), Alex Poulter (19), Cody Rainaldi (19), Parker Stanfield (18), Dana Tyrell (19), Corey Tyrell (18), Marek Viedensky (18), Marcus Watson (19)
Red Deer Rebels:
Goaltenders (2): Morgan Clark (18), Darcy Kuemper (18)
Defencemen (8): Colin Archer (18), Luke Egener (20), Tommi Kivisto (17), Joel Kot (18), Cullen Morin (19), Alex Petrovic (16), Justin Weller (17), Kevin Woodyatt (16)
Forwards (15): Willie Coetzee (17), Josh Cowen (17), Cody Esposito (19), Brett Ferguson (18), Landon Ferraro (17), Cody Gross (19), Adam Kambeitz (16), Cass Mappin (18), Steve Oursov (17), Tyler Penny (19), Tomas Polak (18), Connor Redmond (16), Carter Smith (20), Brandon Sutter (19), Brennen Wray (20)
At NHL camps: Brandon Sutter (Hurricanes)
Notes: Sutter may not return from pro camp.
Regina Pats:
Goaltenders (3): Jeff Bosch (18), Damien Ketlo (17), Linden Rowat (19)
Defencemen (8): Victor Bartley (20), Matt Delahey (19), Jeff Dort (18), Koltyn Miller (17), Alex Pym (17), Mike Scarborough (18), Justin Slobozian (16), Colten Teubert (18)
Forwards (15): Clarke Breitkreuz (17), Rudolf Cerveny (19), Mitch Czibere (19), Scott Doucet (20), Jordan Eberle (18), Dominick Favreau (16), Cody Hanson (18), Graham Hood (16), Thomas Hricina (18), Brett Leffler (19), Michael MacAngus (20), Garrett Mitchell (17), Kyle Mulder (17), Matt Strueby (19), Jordan Weal (16)
Saskatoon Blades:
Goaltenders (2): Braden Holtby (19), Adam Morrison (17)
Defencemen (9): Mitch Berg (17), Stefan Elliott (17), Ryan Funk (19), Colin Joe (20), Sam Klassen (19), Jyri Niemi (18), Tanner Sohn (17), Brendon Wall (18), Teigan Zahn (18)
Forwards (16): Cody Chikie (17), Darian Dziurzynski (17), Burke Gallimore (17), Colton Gillies (19), Curtis Hamilton (17), Derek Hulak (19), Charles Inglis (16), Andrew Johnston (17), Milan Kytnar (19), Chris Langkow (19), Josh Nicholls (16), Gaelan Patterson (18), Mike Reich (20), Brody Sutter (17), Travis Toomey (18), Walker Wintoneak (19)
At NHL camps: Colton Gillies (Wild), Jyri Niemi (Islanders)
Notes: Gillies may not return from pro camp.
Seattle Thunderbirds:
Goaltenders (2): Jacob DeSerres (18), Calvin Pickard (16)
Defencemen (9): Sena Acolatse (18), Steve Chaffin (17), Brenden Dillon (18), Erik Fleming (16), Brad Haber (18), Thomas Hickey (19), Jeremy Schappert (19), Kaydon Trumbley (17), Stefan Warg (18)
Forwards (16): Jeremy Boyer (18), Spencer Edwards (18), Colin Haas (19), Matt Hallick (19), Ashton Hewson (20), Jared Jagow (20), Devon Leblanc (20), Luke Lockhart (16), Chance Lund (16), Lindsay Nielsen (19), Jim O'Brien (19), Jon Parker (17), Prab Rai (19), David Richard (19), Brenden Silvester (17), Charles Wells (17)
At NHL camps: Thomas Hickey (Kings)
Spokane Chiefs:
Goaltenders (3): James Reid (18), Dustin Tokarski (19), Alex Wright (18)
Defencemen (10): Cory Baldwin (17), Brett Bartman (19), Jared Cowen (17), Justin Falk (20), Trevor Glass (20), Brenden Kichton (16), Garrett Leedahl (17), Mike Reddington (18), Jared Spurgeon (19), Stefan Ulmer (18)
Forwards (14): Michael Betz (16), Drayson Bowman (19), Seth Compton (20), David Conrad (17), TC Cratsenberg (16), Dustin Donaghy (19), Blake Gal (16), Tyler Johnson (18), Levko Koper (18), Steve Kuhn (17), Ryan Letts (19), Justin McCrae (20), Ondrej Roman (19), Mitch Wahl (18)
At NHL camps: Drayson Bowman (Hurricanes), Justin Falk (Wild), Trevor Glass (Rockford - AHL), Ondrej Roman (Stars), Jared Spurgeon (Islanders)
Notes: 4 overagers left on the roster. Falk and Glass might not return from pro camp.
Swift Current Broncos:
Goaltenders (2): Mark Guggenberger (19), Travis Yonkman (20)
Defencemen (9): Derek Claffey (19), Eric Doyle (19), Jesse Dudas (20), Jordan Evans (16), Andrew Hewett (18), James Martin (17), Spencer McAvoy (20), Ryan Molle (19), Joel Rogers (17)
Forwards (14): Mike Brown (18), Jan Dalecky (18), Keegan Dansereau (20), Justin Dowling (18), Cody Eakin (17), Brad Hoban (17), Oliver Jokel (17), Christian Magnus (16), Jordan Peddle (17), Matt Tassone (19), Grant Toulmin (19), Taylor Vause (17), Dillon Wagner (17), Geordie Wudrick (18)
Notes: 4 overagers on roster.
Tri-City Americans:
Goaltenders (3): Brett Martyniuk (17), Drew Owsley (17), Chet Pickard (19)
Defencemen (7): Spencer Humphries (16), Mitch McColm (19), Eric Mestery (18), Brett Plouffe (19), Tyler Schmidt (18), Jarrett Toll (19), Lane Werbowski (17)
Forwards (17): Spencer Asuchak (17), Justin Feser (16), Jason Gardiner (17), Drew Hoff (20), Adam Hughesman (17), Johnny Lazo (19), Brooks Macek (16), Blair Macaulay (20), Jordan Messier (16), Taylor Procyshen (20), Kruise Reddick (18), Jason Reese (20), Joel Ridgeway (18), Brendan Shinnimin (17), Petr Stoklasa (19), Mason Wilgosh (17), Brock Zimak (17)
Notes: 4 overagers on the roster.
Vancouver Giants:
Goaltenders (2): Tyson Sexsmith (19), Jamie Tucker (17)
Defencemen (9): Mike Berube (20), Jonathan Blum (19), Curtis Kulchar (18), Neil Manning (17), Bronson Maschmeyer (17), Brent Regner (19), Craig Schira (20), Mitch Spooner (16), Simon Witt (16)
Forwards (15): J.T. Barnett (16), Adam Basford (19), Lance Bouma (18), Chris Cloud (20), Craig Cunningham (18), Mikhail Fisenko (18), Brendan Gallagher (16), James Henry (17), Evander Kane (17), Todd Kennedy (18), Andrej Kudrna (17), Garry Nunn (19), Casey Pierro-Zabotel (20), Mike Piluso (18), James Wright (18)
At NHL camps: Jonathan Blum (Predators)
Notes: 4 overagers left on the roster.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Transactions
Was checking the transaction wire tonight for WHLers sent back from the NHL and spotted this:
CFL: Saskatchewan Roughriders add RB Hugh Charles, WR Chris Jones and WR Toby Ziegler to the practice roster.
I don't know what kind of football player he is, but I guess President Bartlett's letter of pardon for Toby made it through OK.
Hey, I thought it was funny.
CFL: Saskatchewan Roughriders add RB Hugh Charles, WR Chris Jones and WR Toby Ziegler to the practice roster.
I don't know what kind of football player he is, but I guess President Bartlett's letter of pardon for Toby made it through OK.
Hey, I thought it was funny.
Tuesday notes
Has Warriors goalie Todd Mathews already blown his chance at being the team's #1 goalie? Maybe. After posting a 5.93 GAA and .852 save percentage in losing both of the team's opening two games, Mathews now has some serious competition for the #1 job after the Warriors traded for Kyle Birch from the Americans last night.
I shouldn't be so harsh on Mathews; after all, I think the Warriors might have the worst defence in the league, and two games into the season 9 different players have already played defence for them. It's boggling that they didn't think Giffen Nyren could play defence for them when he wanted to. But Mathews' early numbers are bad even for a guy playing behind a weak blueline, and now he's got competition. Birch isn't the most experienced guy - only 596 career minutes played - and he just got beat out of the backup job in Tri-Cities by a couple rookies, but hey, he was the backup on the WHL's best regular season team last year.
Some 07-08 WHLers saw action in NHL exhibition games for the first time last night. Ben Maxwell scored a goal and took 4 PIM for the Canadiens in their loss to the Bruins. Oscar Moller had 1G and 2A plus 4 PIM for the Kings in a win over Phoenix, while Thomas Hickey played for the Kings in that game as well but was off the scoresheet. Nick Ross played for Phoenix in the game, and did not get on the scoresheet either. The Kings also played another game against St. Louis (yes, the Kings played two exhibition games on the same night....the NHL is allowing split-squad games like baseball does now?) and Colten Teubert suited up for the Kings in that one but was also off the scoresheet. In Tampa Bay, former P.G. teammates Dana Tyrell and Ty Wishart suited up for the Lightning against the Penguins. They each had one assist for the Lightning. Luca Sbisa played for the Flyers last night, and did not get on the scoresheet. And lastly, Luke Schenn played for the Maple Leafs, and did not get on the scoresheet despite Toronto scoring 7 goals in the game against Buffalo. I am sure this will prompt much teeth-gnashing and hair-pulling amongst Toronto media about whether the team made the right pick in the draft, blah blah blah.
I shouldn't be so harsh on Mathews; after all, I think the Warriors might have the worst defence in the league, and two games into the season 9 different players have already played defence for them. It's boggling that they didn't think Giffen Nyren could play defence for them when he wanted to. But Mathews' early numbers are bad even for a guy playing behind a weak blueline, and now he's got competition. Birch isn't the most experienced guy - only 596 career minutes played - and he just got beat out of the backup job in Tri-Cities by a couple rookies, but hey, he was the backup on the WHL's best regular season team last year.
Some 07-08 WHLers saw action in NHL exhibition games for the first time last night. Ben Maxwell scored a goal and took 4 PIM for the Canadiens in their loss to the Bruins. Oscar Moller had 1G and 2A plus 4 PIM for the Kings in a win over Phoenix, while Thomas Hickey played for the Kings in that game as well but was off the scoresheet. Nick Ross played for Phoenix in the game, and did not get on the scoresheet either. The Kings also played another game against St. Louis (yes, the Kings played two exhibition games on the same night....the NHL is allowing split-squad games like baseball does now?) and Colten Teubert suited up for the Kings in that one but was also off the scoresheet. In Tampa Bay, former P.G. teammates Dana Tyrell and Ty Wishart suited up for the Lightning against the Penguins. They each had one assist for the Lightning. Luca Sbisa played for the Flyers last night, and did not get on the scoresheet. And lastly, Luke Schenn played for the Maple Leafs, and did not get on the scoresheet despite Toronto scoring 7 goals in the game against Buffalo. I am sure this will prompt much teeth-gnashing and hair-pulling amongst Toronto media about whether the team made the right pick in the draft, blah blah blah.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Weekend doings
I see over the weekend that Kootenay has resolved their overage situation by trading goaltender Kris Lazaruk to Kelowna for a 2010 4th round bantam pick. I know a 4th round bantam pick seems awfully little for a good #1 goalie like Lazaruk, but that's the reality of trying to trade an overage goalie in a market where most teams are either set in net or set on their O/As. There just aren't that many suitors out there so the Ice probably did about as well with this trade as could be expected here.
The situation gets more interesting in Kelowna though, where apparently previous #1 goalie Torrie Jung has been told to clean out his locker and go home to wait for a trade. We can only wonder what caused the relationship between Jung and the Rockets to go so sour so quickly. I also have to wonder where Jung will end up....his numbers in his career are not outstanding (career 3.13 GAA, sub-par .894 save%, for example) so we'll have to see if there's anyone out there who sees him as a #1 goalie or whether he's destined to be a backup somewhere instead.
Another sticky situation is arising over the Evan Pighin problem too. Pighin has begun playing games for the BCHL's Victoria Grizzlies despite still not having his release from the WHL. Apparently the BCHL went to B.C. Hockey about the situation, and B.C. Hockey told them they could start using Pighin. The WHL (or at least, the Bruins) are not happy about this at all, so we'll see if the WHL office gets involved in this. I think they kind of have to get involved and go head to head with the BCHL on this one....if they don't, then that sends a message that the WHL won't enforce its contracts, and that will lead to other disgruntled players dropping down to Jr A without releases.
And is it just me or have the NHL camp players been slower to return this year than in the past? The opening weekend is in the books now and most teams in the league are still missing 2-4 or even more of their best players. Hopefully we'll see more guys come back this week so WHL teams can start icing full rosters. The points they win/lose early in the season here count just as much in the standings as the points in March so I'd like to see full rosters ASAP!
For a chuckle, read this Edmonton Sun story on Alex Plante. Apparently Plante is the older brother of Brandon's Brayden Schenn. I'm sure that comes as a surprise to Mr. and Mrs. Plante. And Mr. and Mrs. Schenn too.
And for the folks who thought it was unfair of me to single out the Ice for their attendance last Thursday: Portland drew only 3236 for their opener on Saturday and half of that, a pathetic 1823, for their 2nd game on Sunday. This team is in big trouble if things don't improve in that area....of course, improving the product on the ice would help with the fans, but drawing only 1823 fans for a weekend game is terrible anywhere in the league.
The situation gets more interesting in Kelowna though, where apparently previous #1 goalie Torrie Jung has been told to clean out his locker and go home to wait for a trade. We can only wonder what caused the relationship between Jung and the Rockets to go so sour so quickly. I also have to wonder where Jung will end up....his numbers in his career are not outstanding (career 3.13 GAA, sub-par .894 save%, for example) so we'll have to see if there's anyone out there who sees him as a #1 goalie or whether he's destined to be a backup somewhere instead.
Another sticky situation is arising over the Evan Pighin problem too. Pighin has begun playing games for the BCHL's Victoria Grizzlies despite still not having his release from the WHL. Apparently the BCHL went to B.C. Hockey about the situation, and B.C. Hockey told them they could start using Pighin. The WHL (or at least, the Bruins) are not happy about this at all, so we'll see if the WHL office gets involved in this. I think they kind of have to get involved and go head to head with the BCHL on this one....if they don't, then that sends a message that the WHL won't enforce its contracts, and that will lead to other disgruntled players dropping down to Jr A without releases.
And is it just me or have the NHL camp players been slower to return this year than in the past? The opening weekend is in the books now and most teams in the league are still missing 2-4 or even more of their best players. Hopefully we'll see more guys come back this week so WHL teams can start icing full rosters. The points they win/lose early in the season here count just as much in the standings as the points in March so I'd like to see full rosters ASAP!
For a chuckle, read this Edmonton Sun story on Alex Plante. Apparently Plante is the older brother of Brandon's Brayden Schenn. I'm sure that comes as a surprise to Mr. and Mrs. Plante. And Mr. and Mrs. Schenn too.
And for the folks who thought it was unfair of me to single out the Ice for their attendance last Thursday: Portland drew only 3236 for their opener on Saturday and half of that, a pathetic 1823, for their 2nd game on Sunday. This team is in big trouble if things don't improve in that area....of course, improving the product on the ice would help with the fans, but drawing only 1823 fans for a weekend game is terrible anywhere in the league.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
08-09 preview: U.S. division
Finally, the U.S. division....
Spokane Chiefs:
Projected Losses:
Kevin Armstrong (G-88): 33-20-5-4-2.17-0.915 (traded to Prince George)
Judd Blackwater (F-87): 71-31-29-60-96 (graduated overager)
Chris Bruton (F-87): 67-26-37-63-99 (graduated overager)
Seth Compton (F-88): 71-13-7-20-39 (overage numbers - projected)
Jace Coyle (D-90): 52-1-8-9-23 (traded to Medicine Hat)
Curtis Kelner (F-88): 53-6-9-15-89 (left WHL for university)
David Rutherford (F-87): 52-22-21-43-65 (graduated overager)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Drayson Bowman (F-89): 66-42-40-82-62
Dustin Donaghy (F-89): 38-1-0-1-49
Tyler Johnson (F-90): 69-13-22-35-34
Levko Koper (F-90): 69-12-14-26-45
Ryan Letts (F-89): 56-0-6-6-75
Justin McCrae (F-88): 30-8-9-17-25
Ondrej Roman (F-89): 72-15-46-61-28
Mitch Wahl (F-90): 67-20-53-73-63
Defence:
Brett Bartman (D-89): 48-0-6-6-20
Jared Cowen (D-91): 68-4-14-18-62
Justin Falk (D-88): 72-4-22-26-98
Trevor Glass (D-88): 27-3-10-13-14
Mike Reddington (D-90): 71-2-8-10-102
Jared Spurgeon (D-89): 69-12-31-43-19
Stefan Ulmer (D-90): 37-3-10-13-20
Goaltenders:
Dustin Tokarski (G-89): 45-30-10-3-2.05-0.922
Projected Rookies:
Cory Baldwin (D-91)
Michael Betz (F-92): 1-0-0-0-0
David Conrad (F-91)
T.C. Cratsenberg (F-92)
Blake Gal (F-92)
Brenden Kichton (D-92)
Garrett Leedahl (D-91)
James Reid (G-90)
Alex Wright (G-90)
Prognosis: the Chiefs are about to find out if the old adage is true: defending a title is really harder than winning it. They're the standard everyone else in the league measures themselves against this year and opponents will be bringing their "A" game every night. I think this team is up to the challenge though. There's three big guns up front in Bowman, Roman (assuming his paperwork gets sorted out) and Wahl, plus the leadership of McCrae and the team will surely be looking to guys like Koper and Johnson to take big steps offensively this year too. Ditto for Seth Compton if he ends up with an overage spot after all. The depth in the forward group is not as good as last year and they're going to be leaning on a bunch of 16 year olds to fill out the lines, but the top 6-9 forwards are pretty solid. The real strength of this team though is the back end, where they return at least six, maybe even seven (if Falk is back) defencemen from last year's team. Cowen (potential top-five NHL pick there), Falk, Glass, Reddington, Spurgeon, Ulmer...that might be the only top six in the WHL that could give Kelowna's a run for their money. And in net there's standout Dustin Tokarski so no worries there at all although the backup goalie will be one of two completely unproven 18 year olds.
Prediction: Cream of the crop in this division I think, and 1st or 2nd in the conference. Could be a good battle with Kelowna for #1 seed.
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Tri-City Americans:
Projected Losses:
T.J. Fast (D-87): 71-17-37-54-92 (graduated overager)
Drew Hoff (F-88): 67-3-5-8-46 (overage numbers - projected)
Radek Meidl (F-88): 26-8-8-16-14 (released)
Nolan Toigo (D-89): 14-0-1-1-2 (released)
Shaun Vey (F-87): 70-27-46-73-42 (graduated overager)
Colton Yellow Horn (F-87): 67-48-49-97-63 (graduated overager)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Jason Gardiner (F-91): 36-0-6-6-37
Adam Hughesman (F-91): 61-17-24-41-19
Johnny Lazo (F-89): 70-15-24-39-18
Blair Macaulay (F-88): 72-9-18-27-72
Taylor Procyshen (F-88): 51-32-20-52-39
Kruise Reddick (F-90): 72-23-51-74-60
Jason Reese (F-88): 68-24-58-82-44
Joel Ridgeway (F-90): 46-2-3-5-4
Petr Stoklasa (F-89): 68-6-15-21-70
Mason Wilgosh (F-91): 44-3-5-8-17
Defence:
Mitch McColm (D-89): 52-1-8-9-100
Eric Mestery (D-90): 71-2-14-16-65
Brett Plouffe (D-89): 59-3-9-12-53
Tyler Schmidt (D-90): 66-2-12-14-129
Jarrett Toll (D-89): 64-5-12-17-47
Lane Werbowski (D-91): 37-2-2-4-8
Goaltenders:
Kyle Birch (G-90): 15-6-4-0-2.51-0.904
Chet Pickard (G-89): 64-46-12-4-2.32-0.918
Projected Rookies:
Spencer Asuchak (F-91)
Justin Feser (F-92)
Spencer Humphries (D-92)
Colan Jackson (F-90): 8-0-0-0-0
Brooks Macek (F-92)
Brett Martyniuk (G-91)
Jordan Messier (F-92)
Drew Owsley (G-91)
Brendan Shinnimin (F-91): 4-0-0-0-0
Brock Zimak (F-91)
Prognosis: some big losses offensively for this team but they still return a pretty good bunch. The main challenge is replacing the 90+ goals that walked out the door, but there's still Reddick, Reese, Procyshen who had 20+ last year and last year's secondary guys like Hughesman, Lazo, and Macauley will get the chance to boost their totals as well. Some rookies with offensive potential here too who could chip in a few goals. The team might not score as many goals as last year but they'll be OK. The defence is good at the top end - Mestery, Schmidt, Toll - but I think it tails off a bit in the #4 - #6 spots. Still an average to slightly above average group though. And in net, the Americans have one of the 2 or 3 best - if not THE best - goalie in the league in Pickard, probably playing his final season in the league. There's a three-way battle for his backup spot still going on but Pickard is going to get the bulk of the action regardless.
Prediction: not quite as good as Spokane, I don't think, but still a pretty good team. 2nd in the division, 3rd or 4th in the conference.
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Seattle Thunderbirds:
Projected Losses:
Jan Eberle (F-89): 55-7-14-21-35 (released)
Riku Helenius (G-88): 41-22-12-6-2.42-0.915 (turning pro)
Bud Holloway (F-88): 70-43-40-83-55 (turning pro)
Scott Jackson (D-87): 58-6-17-23-44 (graduated overager)
Josh Lazowski (F-91): 13-1-1-2-0 (traded to Red Deer)
Ian McKenzie (F-87): 68-19-21-40-103 (graduated overager)
Benn Olson (D-87): 71-0-12-12-266 (graduated overager)
Steve Oursov (F-91): 3-0-0-0-0 (traded to Red Deer)
Isak Quakenbush (F-90): 61-3-2-5-57 (traded to Prince George)
Greg Scott (F-88): 72-38-37-75-56 (turning pro)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Jeremy Boyer (F-90): 72-16-14-30-44
Spencer Edwards (F-90): 30-3-1-4-21 (stats with Red Deer)
Colin Haas (F-89): 65-3-5-8-37 (stats with Prince George)
Ashton Hewson (F-88): 62-6-9-15-77 (stats with Prince Albert)
Jared Jagow (F-88): 29-5-6-11-15 (stats with Prince Albert)
Mike Krgovich (F-90): 63-4-3-7-54 (stats with Red Deer)
Devon LeBlanc (F-88): 71-17-14-31-67 (stats with Prince Albert)
Lindsay Nielsen (F-89): 72-13-30-43-29
Jim O'Brien (F-89): 70-21-34-55-66
Prab Rai (F-89): 72-20-45-65-21
David Richard (F-89): 72-22-32-54-59
Brenden Silvester (F-91): 52-2-5-7-11
Charles Wells (F-91): 45-3-4-7-25
Defence:
Sena Acolatse (D-90): 71-7-24-31-107
Steve Chaffin (D-91): 49-0-5-5-55
Brenden Dillon (D-90): 71-1-10-11-54
Brad Haber (D-90): 12-1-0-1-11
Thomas Hickey (D-89): 63-11-34-45-49
Jeremy Schappert (D-89): 40-1-6-7-14
Goaltenders:
Jacob DeSerres (G-90): 34-20-11-1-2.28-0.922
Projected Rookies:
Erik Fleming (D-92): 2-0-2-2-0
Matt Hallick (F-89)
Luke Lockhart (F-92): 2-0-0-0-2
Chance Lund (F-92): 7-0-0-0-2
Jon Parker (F-91)
Calvin Pickard (G-92)
Kaydon Trumbley (D-91)
Stefan Warg (D-90) (new import)
Prognosis: not a bad-looking team, too bad they play in the same division with Spokane and Tri-City or else they would have a shot at higher than 3rd. This is the most experienced team in the league, top-to-bottom, with no major weaknesses at any position. There are no big scoring stars up front but they have 6, 7, 8 players who should all score 15-20 goals and up. That's a pretty good offensive punch there, with lots of depth provided by 3rd/4th liners who have 1 or 2 years in the league already. On the blueline, assuming they get Hickey back from the NHL, there's five experienced guys from last year lead by Hickey, and although they tail off towards the average in the #5-#7 slots, it's still a pretty decent group. Goaltending is maybe the only question mark, where Jacob DeSerres gets the chance to be #1 all by himself for the first time. He posted excellent numbers in a 1B/backup role last year; he'll be backed up by 16 year old Calvin Pickard, who the Birds sure hope will be as good as his older brother.
Prediction: Could be 2nd or even first in any other division in the league. In the U.S., 3rd, and 4th-6th in the conference.
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Everett Silvertips:
Projected Losses:
Clayton Bauer (F-87): 51-21-15-36-41 (graduated overager)
Dane Crowley (D-87): 66-10-19-29-131 (graduated overager)
Eric English (F-88): 39-0-1-1-88 (released)
Dan Gendur (F-87): 60-29-55-84-68 (graduated overager)
Zach Hamill (F-88): 67-26-49-75-88 (turning pro)
Jonathan Harty (D-88): 65-11-34-45-143 (left WHL for university)
Leland Irving (G-88): 56-27-24-3-2.45-0.919 (turning pro)
Vitaly Karamnov (F-89): 61-10-15-25-61 (turning pro)
Tyler Kieffer (D-89): 27-0-3-3-27 (traded to Medicine Hat)
Jordan Mistelbacher (F-90): 67-10-10-20-54 (awaiting trade)
Tyler Skauge (F-90): 52-1-3-4-23 (retired)
Lukas Vartovnik (F-89): 72-11-11-22-51 (turning pro)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Daniel Bartek (F-88): 54-22-14-36-18 (stats with Brandon)
Kyle Beach (F-90): 60-27-33-60-222
Jesse Burt (F-89): 71-3-5-8-59
Zack Dailey (F-89): 60-9-10-19-39
Shane Harper (F-89): 71-17-26-43-18
Matt Ius (F-90): 66-4-6-10-28
Defence:
Mike Alexander (D-89): 58-0-6-6-33
Shayne Brown (D-89): 55-3-7-10-89 (stats with Medicine Hat)
Chris de la Lande (D-90): 39-2-7-9-8
Taylor Ellington (D-88): 48-3-11-14-66
Graham Potuer (D-88): 64-3-11-14-110
Jeff Regier (D-91): 41-0-2-2-17
Goaltenders:
Shayne Barrie (G-89): 20-12-6-0-2.99-0.900
Projected Rookies:
Cameron Abney (F-91): 4-0-0-0-0
Byron Froese (F-91)
Tyler Maxwell (F-91)
Markus McCrea (F-92)
Drew McDermott (D-91)
Tyler Parker (F-92)
Kent Simpson (G-92): 1-0-0-0-2.07-0.950
Paul Sohor (D-90): 3-0-0-0-0
Brenden Stephen (D-90): 7-0-0-0-2
Kellan Tochkin (F-91)
Paul Van de Velde (F-90)
Ryan White (F-91)
Prognosis: Could this be the year the Tips finally resemble an expansion team? With 12 rookies on their current 25 man roster, the Silvertips are going to have some growing pains this season. Start up front where Bartek-Beach-Harper is a good first three but after that, there's pretty much zero for proven scoring and in fact there will be 6 rookie forwards dressed every night. Some of those rookies come with pretty good credentials but it's never fair or realistic to expect 16 or 17 year old rookies to carry your team in a league dominated by 18 & 19 year olds, so we won't. The blueline is actually pretty decent, with a couple 200+ game overagers anchoring it along with a couple 19 year olds in their 3rd/4th years in the league. There might not be a lot of offence coming from the back end but they should be able to do the job in their own end decently well at least. In net is another question mark though, as Shayne Barrie and his 1060 minutes (that's 18 games) of experience gets handed the starting job, backed up by a 16 year old rookie. Not to say Barrie can't do the job but if he can't, it could be a really long year in Everett given that goals may be at a premium here.
Prediction: they are not in the same league as the three teams above them. Definitely in 4th, 7th-9th in the conference.
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Portland Winter Hawks:
Projected Losses:
Matt Betker (F-89): 38-4-4-8-38 (released)
Jacob Dietrich (F-87): 54-16-6-22-45 (graduated overager)
Tristan King (F-90): 69-9-16-25-39 (traded to Medicine Hat)
Aaron McGill (F-89): 52-0-2-2-90 (released)
Bo Montgomery (D-90): 57-0-7-7-100 (left WHL for university)
Tyler Swystun (F-88): 72-12-22-34-39 (left WHL for university)
Kevin Undershute (F-87): 18-6-6-12-14 (graduated overager)
Keith Voytechek (F-87): 38-6-10-16-54 (graduated overager)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Riley Boychuk (F-91): 5-0-1-1-0
Nick Dietrich (F-89): 49-1-3-4-25
Chris Francis (F-89): 72-10-13-23-12
Jason Grecica (F-90): 31-2-6-8-37
Colin Reddin (F-90): 23-3-3-6-17
Matt Schmermund (F-88): 72-8-12-20-84
Radim Valchar (F-89): 72-9-15-24-55
Luke Walker (F-90): 70-9-12-21-84
Defence:
Travis Bobbee (D-90): 47-5-4-9-22
Brock Cornish (D-89): DNP in 07-08 (injury)
Travis Ehrhardt (D-89): 54-7-22-29-53
Scott Gabriel (D-88): 60-1-5-6-244
Ryan Kerr (D-89): 15-0-1-1-36
Lee Morrow (D-90): 20-0-2-2-10
Brett Ponich (D-91): 64-0-3-3-63
Stefan Schneider (D-89): 36-0-4-4-36 (stats with Vancouver)
Goaltenders:
Kurtis Mucha (G-89): 49-9-36-2-4.10-0.898
Jordan White (G-88): 24-1-20-1-4.75-0.893
Projected Rookies:
Ryan Andersen (F-90)
Olver Gabriel (F-91)
Keith Hamilton (G-92)
Killian Hutt (F-91)
Daniel Johnston (D-92): 10-1-1-2-18
Joe Morrow (D-92): 1-0-0-0-0
Taylor Peters (F-92): 5-2-0-2-0
Brad Ross (F-92): 3-0-0-0-0
Troy Rutkowski (D-92)
David Watt (D-91): 8-0-0-0-2
Prognosis: it's become a cliche to pick this team last and I almost don't want to because there are some good signs here....but at the same time I'm not sure they're better than Everett. Up front there is nobody who has ever exceeded 10 goals in a season, and the Hawks are by far the least-experienced team up front in the league. There are some good rookies coming in like Hutt and Ross and Peters. But again, they are rookies and looking good in the preseason is a far cry from doing it against regular rosters. They need huge improvements from Boychuk, Francis, Redden, Grecica, etc. The defence is certainly deep in experience but save for a couple guys, it's a pretty average group talent-wise. Not a bad group though, just average. In net the Hawks are again backstopped by one of the league's underappreciated goalies, Kurtis Mucha, who should help steal a few games again this year if the offence can help him out with a little support.
Prediction: if things go well for the Hawks, they could challenge Everett for #4 and maybe even a playoff spot? For now though, 5th in the division, 9th or 10th in the conference.
Spokane Chiefs:
Projected Losses:
Kevin Armstrong (G-88): 33-20-5-4-2.17-0.915 (traded to Prince George)
Judd Blackwater (F-87): 71-31-29-60-96 (graduated overager)
Chris Bruton (F-87): 67-26-37-63-99 (graduated overager)
Seth Compton (F-88): 71-13-7-20-39 (overage numbers - projected)
Jace Coyle (D-90): 52-1-8-9-23 (traded to Medicine Hat)
Curtis Kelner (F-88): 53-6-9-15-89 (left WHL for university)
David Rutherford (F-87): 52-22-21-43-65 (graduated overager)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Drayson Bowman (F-89): 66-42-40-82-62
Dustin Donaghy (F-89): 38-1-0-1-49
Tyler Johnson (F-90): 69-13-22-35-34
Levko Koper (F-90): 69-12-14-26-45
Ryan Letts (F-89): 56-0-6-6-75
Justin McCrae (F-88): 30-8-9-17-25
Ondrej Roman (F-89): 72-15-46-61-28
Mitch Wahl (F-90): 67-20-53-73-63
Defence:
Brett Bartman (D-89): 48-0-6-6-20
Jared Cowen (D-91): 68-4-14-18-62
Justin Falk (D-88): 72-4-22-26-98
Trevor Glass (D-88): 27-3-10-13-14
Mike Reddington (D-90): 71-2-8-10-102
Jared Spurgeon (D-89): 69-12-31-43-19
Stefan Ulmer (D-90): 37-3-10-13-20
Goaltenders:
Dustin Tokarski (G-89): 45-30-10-3-2.05-0.922
Projected Rookies:
Cory Baldwin (D-91)
Michael Betz (F-92): 1-0-0-0-0
David Conrad (F-91)
T.C. Cratsenberg (F-92)
Blake Gal (F-92)
Brenden Kichton (D-92)
Garrett Leedahl (D-91)
James Reid (G-90)
Alex Wright (G-90)
Prognosis: the Chiefs are about to find out if the old adage is true: defending a title is really harder than winning it. They're the standard everyone else in the league measures themselves against this year and opponents will be bringing their "A" game every night. I think this team is up to the challenge though. There's three big guns up front in Bowman, Roman (assuming his paperwork gets sorted out) and Wahl, plus the leadership of McCrae and the team will surely be looking to guys like Koper and Johnson to take big steps offensively this year too. Ditto for Seth Compton if he ends up with an overage spot after all. The depth in the forward group is not as good as last year and they're going to be leaning on a bunch of 16 year olds to fill out the lines, but the top 6-9 forwards are pretty solid. The real strength of this team though is the back end, where they return at least six, maybe even seven (if Falk is back) defencemen from last year's team. Cowen (potential top-five NHL pick there), Falk, Glass, Reddington, Spurgeon, Ulmer...that might be the only top six in the WHL that could give Kelowna's a run for their money. And in net there's standout Dustin Tokarski so no worries there at all although the backup goalie will be one of two completely unproven 18 year olds.
Prediction: Cream of the crop in this division I think, and 1st or 2nd in the conference. Could be a good battle with Kelowna for #1 seed.
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Tri-City Americans:
Projected Losses:
T.J. Fast (D-87): 71-17-37-54-92 (graduated overager)
Drew Hoff (F-88): 67-3-5-8-46 (overage numbers - projected)
Radek Meidl (F-88): 26-8-8-16-14 (released)
Nolan Toigo (D-89): 14-0-1-1-2 (released)
Shaun Vey (F-87): 70-27-46-73-42 (graduated overager)
Colton Yellow Horn (F-87): 67-48-49-97-63 (graduated overager)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Jason Gardiner (F-91): 36-0-6-6-37
Adam Hughesman (F-91): 61-17-24-41-19
Johnny Lazo (F-89): 70-15-24-39-18
Blair Macaulay (F-88): 72-9-18-27-72
Taylor Procyshen (F-88): 51-32-20-52-39
Kruise Reddick (F-90): 72-23-51-74-60
Jason Reese (F-88): 68-24-58-82-44
Joel Ridgeway (F-90): 46-2-3-5-4
Petr Stoklasa (F-89): 68-6-15-21-70
Mason Wilgosh (F-91): 44-3-5-8-17
Defence:
Mitch McColm (D-89): 52-1-8-9-100
Eric Mestery (D-90): 71-2-14-16-65
Brett Plouffe (D-89): 59-3-9-12-53
Tyler Schmidt (D-90): 66-2-12-14-129
Jarrett Toll (D-89): 64-5-12-17-47
Lane Werbowski (D-91): 37-2-2-4-8
Goaltenders:
Kyle Birch (G-90): 15-6-4-0-2.51-0.904
Chet Pickard (G-89): 64-46-12-4-2.32-0.918
Projected Rookies:
Spencer Asuchak (F-91)
Justin Feser (F-92)
Spencer Humphries (D-92)
Colan Jackson (F-90): 8-0-0-0-0
Brooks Macek (F-92)
Brett Martyniuk (G-91)
Jordan Messier (F-92)
Drew Owsley (G-91)
Brendan Shinnimin (F-91): 4-0-0-0-0
Brock Zimak (F-91)
Prognosis: some big losses offensively for this team but they still return a pretty good bunch. The main challenge is replacing the 90+ goals that walked out the door, but there's still Reddick, Reese, Procyshen who had 20+ last year and last year's secondary guys like Hughesman, Lazo, and Macauley will get the chance to boost their totals as well. Some rookies with offensive potential here too who could chip in a few goals. The team might not score as many goals as last year but they'll be OK. The defence is good at the top end - Mestery, Schmidt, Toll - but I think it tails off a bit in the #4 - #6 spots. Still an average to slightly above average group though. And in net, the Americans have one of the 2 or 3 best - if not THE best - goalie in the league in Pickard, probably playing his final season in the league. There's a three-way battle for his backup spot still going on but Pickard is going to get the bulk of the action regardless.
Prediction: not quite as good as Spokane, I don't think, but still a pretty good team. 2nd in the division, 3rd or 4th in the conference.
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Seattle Thunderbirds:
Projected Losses:
Jan Eberle (F-89): 55-7-14-21-35 (released)
Riku Helenius (G-88): 41-22-12-6-2.42-0.915 (turning pro)
Bud Holloway (F-88): 70-43-40-83-55 (turning pro)
Scott Jackson (D-87): 58-6-17-23-44 (graduated overager)
Josh Lazowski (F-91): 13-1-1-2-0 (traded to Red Deer)
Ian McKenzie (F-87): 68-19-21-40-103 (graduated overager)
Benn Olson (D-87): 71-0-12-12-266 (graduated overager)
Steve Oursov (F-91): 3-0-0-0-0 (traded to Red Deer)
Isak Quakenbush (F-90): 61-3-2-5-57 (traded to Prince George)
Greg Scott (F-88): 72-38-37-75-56 (turning pro)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Jeremy Boyer (F-90): 72-16-14-30-44
Spencer Edwards (F-90): 30-3-1-4-21 (stats with Red Deer)
Colin Haas (F-89): 65-3-5-8-37 (stats with Prince George)
Ashton Hewson (F-88): 62-6-9-15-77 (stats with Prince Albert)
Jared Jagow (F-88): 29-5-6-11-15 (stats with Prince Albert)
Mike Krgovich (F-90): 63-4-3-7-54 (stats with Red Deer)
Devon LeBlanc (F-88): 71-17-14-31-67 (stats with Prince Albert)
Lindsay Nielsen (F-89): 72-13-30-43-29
Jim O'Brien (F-89): 70-21-34-55-66
Prab Rai (F-89): 72-20-45-65-21
David Richard (F-89): 72-22-32-54-59
Brenden Silvester (F-91): 52-2-5-7-11
Charles Wells (F-91): 45-3-4-7-25
Defence:
Sena Acolatse (D-90): 71-7-24-31-107
Steve Chaffin (D-91): 49-0-5-5-55
Brenden Dillon (D-90): 71-1-10-11-54
Brad Haber (D-90): 12-1-0-1-11
Thomas Hickey (D-89): 63-11-34-45-49
Jeremy Schappert (D-89): 40-1-6-7-14
Goaltenders:
Jacob DeSerres (G-90): 34-20-11-1-2.28-0.922
Projected Rookies:
Erik Fleming (D-92): 2-0-2-2-0
Matt Hallick (F-89)
Luke Lockhart (F-92): 2-0-0-0-2
Chance Lund (F-92): 7-0-0-0-2
Jon Parker (F-91)
Calvin Pickard (G-92)
Kaydon Trumbley (D-91)
Stefan Warg (D-90) (new import)
Prognosis: not a bad-looking team, too bad they play in the same division with Spokane and Tri-City or else they would have a shot at higher than 3rd. This is the most experienced team in the league, top-to-bottom, with no major weaknesses at any position. There are no big scoring stars up front but they have 6, 7, 8 players who should all score 15-20 goals and up. That's a pretty good offensive punch there, with lots of depth provided by 3rd/4th liners who have 1 or 2 years in the league already. On the blueline, assuming they get Hickey back from the NHL, there's five experienced guys from last year lead by Hickey, and although they tail off towards the average in the #5-#7 slots, it's still a pretty decent group. Goaltending is maybe the only question mark, where Jacob DeSerres gets the chance to be #1 all by himself for the first time. He posted excellent numbers in a 1B/backup role last year; he'll be backed up by 16 year old Calvin Pickard, who the Birds sure hope will be as good as his older brother.
Prediction: Could be 2nd or even first in any other division in the league. In the U.S., 3rd, and 4th-6th in the conference.
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Everett Silvertips:
Projected Losses:
Clayton Bauer (F-87): 51-21-15-36-41 (graduated overager)
Dane Crowley (D-87): 66-10-19-29-131 (graduated overager)
Eric English (F-88): 39-0-1-1-88 (released)
Dan Gendur (F-87): 60-29-55-84-68 (graduated overager)
Zach Hamill (F-88): 67-26-49-75-88 (turning pro)
Jonathan Harty (D-88): 65-11-34-45-143 (left WHL for university)
Leland Irving (G-88): 56-27-24-3-2.45-0.919 (turning pro)
Vitaly Karamnov (F-89): 61-10-15-25-61 (turning pro)
Tyler Kieffer (D-89): 27-0-3-3-27 (traded to Medicine Hat)
Jordan Mistelbacher (F-90): 67-10-10-20-54 (awaiting trade)
Tyler Skauge (F-90): 52-1-3-4-23 (retired)
Lukas Vartovnik (F-89): 72-11-11-22-51 (turning pro)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Daniel Bartek (F-88): 54-22-14-36-18 (stats with Brandon)
Kyle Beach (F-90): 60-27-33-60-222
Jesse Burt (F-89): 71-3-5-8-59
Zack Dailey (F-89): 60-9-10-19-39
Shane Harper (F-89): 71-17-26-43-18
Matt Ius (F-90): 66-4-6-10-28
Defence:
Mike Alexander (D-89): 58-0-6-6-33
Shayne Brown (D-89): 55-3-7-10-89 (stats with Medicine Hat)
Chris de la Lande (D-90): 39-2-7-9-8
Taylor Ellington (D-88): 48-3-11-14-66
Graham Potuer (D-88): 64-3-11-14-110
Jeff Regier (D-91): 41-0-2-2-17
Goaltenders:
Shayne Barrie (G-89): 20-12-6-0-2.99-0.900
Projected Rookies:
Cameron Abney (F-91): 4-0-0-0-0
Byron Froese (F-91)
Tyler Maxwell (F-91)
Markus McCrea (F-92)
Drew McDermott (D-91)
Tyler Parker (F-92)
Kent Simpson (G-92): 1-0-0-0-2.07-0.950
Paul Sohor (D-90): 3-0-0-0-0
Brenden Stephen (D-90): 7-0-0-0-2
Kellan Tochkin (F-91)
Paul Van de Velde (F-90)
Ryan White (F-91)
Prognosis: Could this be the year the Tips finally resemble an expansion team? With 12 rookies on their current 25 man roster, the Silvertips are going to have some growing pains this season. Start up front where Bartek-Beach-Harper is a good first three but after that, there's pretty much zero for proven scoring and in fact there will be 6 rookie forwards dressed every night. Some of those rookies come with pretty good credentials but it's never fair or realistic to expect 16 or 17 year old rookies to carry your team in a league dominated by 18 & 19 year olds, so we won't. The blueline is actually pretty decent, with a couple 200+ game overagers anchoring it along with a couple 19 year olds in their 3rd/4th years in the league. There might not be a lot of offence coming from the back end but they should be able to do the job in their own end decently well at least. In net is another question mark though, as Shayne Barrie and his 1060 minutes (that's 18 games) of experience gets handed the starting job, backed up by a 16 year old rookie. Not to say Barrie can't do the job but if he can't, it could be a really long year in Everett given that goals may be at a premium here.
Prediction: they are not in the same league as the three teams above them. Definitely in 4th, 7th-9th in the conference.
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Portland Winter Hawks:
Projected Losses:
Matt Betker (F-89): 38-4-4-8-38 (released)
Jacob Dietrich (F-87): 54-16-6-22-45 (graduated overager)
Tristan King (F-90): 69-9-16-25-39 (traded to Medicine Hat)
Aaron McGill (F-89): 52-0-2-2-90 (released)
Bo Montgomery (D-90): 57-0-7-7-100 (left WHL for university)
Tyler Swystun (F-88): 72-12-22-34-39 (left WHL for university)
Kevin Undershute (F-87): 18-6-6-12-14 (graduated overager)
Keith Voytechek (F-87): 38-6-10-16-54 (graduated overager)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Riley Boychuk (F-91): 5-0-1-1-0
Nick Dietrich (F-89): 49-1-3-4-25
Chris Francis (F-89): 72-10-13-23-12
Jason Grecica (F-90): 31-2-6-8-37
Colin Reddin (F-90): 23-3-3-6-17
Matt Schmermund (F-88): 72-8-12-20-84
Radim Valchar (F-89): 72-9-15-24-55
Luke Walker (F-90): 70-9-12-21-84
Defence:
Travis Bobbee (D-90): 47-5-4-9-22
Brock Cornish (D-89): DNP in 07-08 (injury)
Travis Ehrhardt (D-89): 54-7-22-29-53
Scott Gabriel (D-88): 60-1-5-6-244
Ryan Kerr (D-89): 15-0-1-1-36
Lee Morrow (D-90): 20-0-2-2-10
Brett Ponich (D-91): 64-0-3-3-63
Stefan Schneider (D-89): 36-0-4-4-36 (stats with Vancouver)
Goaltenders:
Kurtis Mucha (G-89): 49-9-36-2-4.10-0.898
Jordan White (G-88): 24-1-20-1-4.75-0.893
Projected Rookies:
Ryan Andersen (F-90)
Olver Gabriel (F-91)
Keith Hamilton (G-92)
Killian Hutt (F-91)
Daniel Johnston (D-92): 10-1-1-2-18
Joe Morrow (D-92): 1-0-0-0-0
Taylor Peters (F-92): 5-2-0-2-0
Brad Ross (F-92): 3-0-0-0-0
Troy Rutkowski (D-92)
David Watt (D-91): 8-0-0-0-2
Prognosis: it's become a cliche to pick this team last and I almost don't want to because there are some good signs here....but at the same time I'm not sure they're better than Everett. Up front there is nobody who has ever exceeded 10 goals in a season, and the Hawks are by far the least-experienced team up front in the league. There are some good rookies coming in like Hutt and Ross and Peters. But again, they are rookies and looking good in the preseason is a far cry from doing it against regular rosters. They need huge improvements from Boychuk, Francis, Redden, Grecica, etc. The defence is certainly deep in experience but save for a couple guys, it's a pretty average group talent-wise. Not a bad group though, just average. In net the Hawks are again backstopped by one of the league's underappreciated goalies, Kurtis Mucha, who should help steal a few games again this year if the offence can help him out with a little support.
Prediction: if things go well for the Hawks, they could challenge Everett for #4 and maybe even a playoff spot? For now though, 5th in the division, 9th or 10th in the conference.
Friday, September 19, 2008
08-09 preview: B.C. division
The B.C. division now....
Kelowna Rockets:
Projected Losses:
Colin Joe (D-88): 68-1-12-13-24 (traded to Saskatoon)
Milan Kytnar (F-89): 62-9-13-22-66 (traded to Saskatoon)
Brady Leavold (F-87): 67-27-42-69-138 (graduated overager)
Myles MacRae (F-88): 64-10-11-21-24 (released)
James McEwan (F-87): 37-2-4-6-93 (graduated overager)
Kris Westblom (G-87): 43-25-14-3-2.86-0.890 (graduated overager)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Cody Almond (F-89): 69-22-34-56-114
Jamie Benn (F-89): 51-33-32-65-68
Evan Bloodoff (F-90): 69-15-12-27-69
Lucas Bloodoff (F-89): 70-21-16-37-92
Dylan Hood (F-90): 63-10-8-18-50
Colin Long (F-89): 72-31-69-100-41
Brandon McMillan (F-90): 71-15-26-41-56
Jesse Paradis (F-91): 40-1-9-10-10
Kyle St. Denis (F-90): 64-16-24-40-26
Kyle Verdino (F-91): 32-0-2-2-25
Defence:
Tyson Barrie (D-91): 64-9-34-43-32
Collin Bowman (D-91): 67-2-7-9-45
Tysen Dowzak (D-88): 68-0-13-13-91
Riley McIntosh (D-90): 39-1-1-2-16
Tyler Myers (D-90): 65-6-13-19-97
Luke Schenn (D-89): 57-7-21-28-100
Goaltenders:
Torrie Jung (G-89): 33-13-12-5-2.80-0.891
Projected Rookies:
Aaron Borejko (D-91)
Adam Brown (G-91)
Mitchell Callahan (F-91)
Brock Genyk (F-91)
Curt Gogol (D-91): 1-0-0-0-0
Jonas Lopushinsky (F-91)
Spencer Main (F-92)
Lukas Matejka (F-91) (new import)
Stepan Novotny (F-90) (new import)
Prognosis: Hard not to like the looks of this team. They might have the best defence in the entire WHL and the offence is not too shoddy either. Up front they start with scoring title runner-up Colin Long; Almond, Benn, both Bloodoffs, McMillan, St Denis....all these guys should be 15-20+ goals at least. Word is that new import Stepan Novotny could be a big-time impact player too. The Rockets should definitely be up there with the top offences in the league. And the news is even better on the blueline, where they have two NHL first round picks (Myers & Schenn) anchoring the team, along with two more guys (Bowman & Barrie) who are going to get serious NHL consideration this year as well. McIntosh and Dowzak aren't chopped liver either, making this group probably the league's best, #1 to #6. If the team has a weak spot, it might be in net where Torrie Jung is now the starter and his numbers last season were a little on the average side. But he's a capable goalie and with the team in front of him, it'll still be fine if he has a few shaky moments. This team is solidly set up to take a run at another WHL title this year.
Prediction: First in the B.C. division and #1 or #2 in the conference.
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Vancouver Giants:
Projected Losses:
Mario Bliznak (F-87): 67-19-32-51-36 (graduated overager)
Chris Cloud (F-88): 65-8-11-19-105 (overage numbers - projected)
Mitch Czibere (F-89): 67-6-15-21-53 (traded to Regina)
Garet Hunt (F-87): 62-7-11-18-239 (graduated overager)
R.J. LaRochelle (D-87): 22-0-4-4-40 (graduated overager)
Spencer Machacek (F-88): 70-33-45-78-69 (turning pro)
Justin Palazzo (D-89): 30-1-3-4-56 (released)
Michal Repik (F-88): 51-27-34-61-62 (turning pro)
Stefan Schneider (D-89): 36-0-4-4-36 (traded to Vancouver)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Adam Basford (F-89): 4-0-0-0-0
Lance Bouma (F-90): 71-12-23-35-93
Craig Cunningham (F-90): 67-11-14-25-72
James Henry (F-91): 46-7-8-15-67
Evander Kane (F-91): 65-24-17-41-66
Todd Kennedy (F-90): 30-2-3-5-41 (stats with Regina)
Garry Nunn (F-89): 35-8-21-29-4
Casey Pierro-Zabotel (F-88): 49-19-29-48-8
Mike Piluso (F-90): 48-8-8-16-27
James Wright (F-90): 60-13-23-36-21
Defence:
Mike Berube (D-88): 72-5-13-18-95
Jonathon Blum (D-89): 64-18-45-63-44
Curtis Kulchar (D-90): 50-0-3-3-22 (stats with Regina)
Neil Manning (D-91): 34-1-7-8-11
Brent Regner (D-89): 72-8-39-47-45
Craig Schira (D-88): 63-8-22-30-58
Goaltenders:
Kraymer Barnstable (G-90): 14-6-4-0-2.45-0.886
Tyson Sexsmith (G-89): 62-43-11-8-1.89-0.911
Projected Rookies:
J.T. Barnett (F-92)
Mikhail Fisenko (F-90) (new import)
Brendan Gallagher (F-92)
Mikael Jung (F-92)
Andrej Kudrna (F-91) (new import)
Bronson Maschmeyer (D-91)
Mitch Spooner (D-92): 3-0-1-1-0
Jamie Tucker (G-91)
Simon Witt (D-92)
Prognosis: Not quite in Kelowna's league but a very well-rounded team here that should stay near the top of the standings as well. They have a fairly young and inexperienced group up front with only three players aged 19 or older - and none of those three has more than a half-season in the league - but there's some scoring here. Bouma, Kane, Nunn, Pierro-Zabotel, and Wright should be good for 60-65+ points each this year, and they have some good new rookies and new Euros to help add some depth. The blueline is good with Jon Blum anchoring a top three with Regner and Schira; Berube, Kulchar, and Manning are a very good #4-#6 group (in fact, nobody in the league has a blueline with more games of experience than Vancouver's) and there's a couple kids who are going to push for ice time too. And in net there's one of the best in the league in Sexsmith. The backup spot is still undecided but Sexsmith is going to play 55 games anyway so no worries there.
Prediction: 2nd in the B.C. division, 3rd or 4th in the conference.
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Kamloops Blazers:
Projected Losses:
Brady Calla (F-88): 52-10-20-30-52 (turning pro)
Spencer Fraipont (D-88): 30-0-1-1-22 (released)
Mike Gauthier (D-87): 58-2-7-9-146 (graduated overager)
Sasha Golin (F-88): 71-5-11-16-100 (released)
Darcy Huisman (D-89): 63-2-9-11-55 (retired)
Juuso Puustinen (F-88): 60-27-26-53-26 (turning pro)
Ivan Rohac (F-88): 58-17-34-51-28 (turning pro)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Jimmy Bubnick (F-91): 64-9-18-27-24
Kenton Dulle (F-88): 62-21-16-37-47
Mark Hall (F-90): 67-5-7-12-68
Devon Kalinski (F-90): 30-3-3-6-30
Alex Rodgers (F-89): 68-16-29-45-46
Tyler Shattock (F-90): 48-9-14-23-45
C.J. Stretch (F-89): 65-11-17-28-65
Scott Wasden (F-88): 45-10-16-26-43
Shayne Wiebe (F-90): 66-9-8-17-59
Matt Wray (F-89): 43-3-1-4-147
Defence:
Giffen Nyren (D-89): 69-7-15-22-58 (stats with Moose Jaw)
Nick Ross (D-89): 31-5-14-19-55
Jordan Rowley (D-90): 66-5-18-23-68
Mark Schneider (D-90): 34-1-1-2-12
Kurt Torbohm (D-90): 35-0-1-1-39
Goaltenders:
Justin Leclerc (G-89): 54-20-29-3-3.29-0.895
James Priestner (G-91): 24-6-12-1-3.41-0.873
Projected Rookies:
Dalibor Bortnak (F-91) (new import)
Cole Grbavac (F-91)
Jon Groenheyde (G-91): 1-1-0-0-2.00-0.943
Ryan Hanes (F-92)
Uriah Machuga (F-92)
Brendan Ranford (F-92): 3-0-0-0-0
Linden Saip (D-91): 6-0-1-1-0
Michal Siska (D-90) (new import)
Brandon Underwood (D-92)
Prognosis: time to start taking care of business again in Kamloops after a couple pretty bad seasons. The Blazers are definitely a big cut below the Rockets and Giants but they could be a .500 team. Probably the biggest question is whether they have enough scoring; they really need veteran guys like Dulle, Shattock, Stretch, and Wasden to take a step up from their 25-30 point numbers of seasons past and become 60-70 point men instead. Big things are expected from Jimmy Bubnick in his draft season as well, and Alex Rodgers will have to continue to improve on his totals from last year. The defence is a similarily average group, some top end talent in Nick Ross who needs to play like a top end talent more consistently this year to help his NHL ambitions. Rowley and Nyren are a couple more good vets who add some offence and puck moving from the back end too. Some depth is a concern but the team thinks new import Michal Siska can step right in and contribute. In net, Justin Leclerc is back as the #1 and really needs to move himself into the upper half of starting goalies around the league this year or else possibly lose his job to one of the two younger guys pushing him.
Prediction: 3rd in the division, 6th/7th in the conference.
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Prince George Cougars:
Projected Losses:
Real Cyr (G-87): 50-13-31-3-4.17-0.888 (graduated overager)
Greg Gardner (F-87): 72-24-29-53-52 (graduated overager)
Colin Haas (F-89): 65-3-5-8-37 (traded to Seattle)
Jan Kupec (F-90): 32-3-2-5-24 (released)
Patrik Magnusson (D-88): 70-8-11-19-102 (released)
Brad Riege (F-89): 26-4-5-9-34 (retired)
Kalvin Sagert (D-87): 72-4-15-19-88 (graduated overager)
Tommy Tartaglione (G-88): 22-6-12-0-3.59-0.894 (overage numbers - projected)
Garrett Thiessen (D-89): 69-0-4-4-178 (traded to Prince Albert)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Jordie Deagle (F-89): 67-8-12-20-108
Dale Hunt (F-90): 48-9-12-21-35
Ryan Kowalski (F-91): 61-1-4-5-33
Colby Kulhanek (F-89): 64-14-14-28-43 (stats with Chilliwack & Red Deer)
Justin Maylan (F-91): 31-6-8-14-14
Alex Poulter (F-89): 72-16-21-37-35
Parker Stanfield (F-90): 67-14-9-23-56
Corey Tyrell (F-90): 70-5-4-9-12
Dana Tyrell (F-89): 68-25-40-65-47
Marcus Watson (F-89): 60-6-10-16-34
Defence:
Trevor Bauer (D-90): 22-0-0-0-20
Art Bidlevskii (D-91): 62-1-7-8-73
Cameron Cepek (D-88): 58-7-18-25-119 (stats with Edmonton)
Matt Cumming (D-91): 39-0-2-2-43
Cody Hobbs (D-89): 31-2-2-4-26
Dallas Jackson (D-89): 59-5-14-19-41 (stats with Regina and Red Deer)
Goaltenders:
Kevin Armstrong (G-88): 33-20-5-4-2.17-0.915 (stats with Spokane)
Ian Curtis (G-90): 8-1-4-1-4.94-0.858
Projected Rookies:
Nick Buonassisi (F-92): 4-1-0-1-0
Brett Connolly (F-92): 4-0-0-0-0
Greg Fraser (F-92)
Tyler Halliday (F-89)
Brian Matte (F-88)
Bruin McDonald (D-92): 6-0-0-0-6
Cody Rainaldi (F-89)
Colin Scherger (D-89)
Marek Viedensky (F-90) (new import)
Prognosis: surprisingly, the Cougars are looking at being one of the oldest teams in the league this year, with thirteen players aged 19 or 20 on this 27 player roster above. The bad news is that some of those older players are a little unproven and/or underwhelming. The team is chock-full of average and below average older players and I have to hope they are going to divest themselves of some of them and play the younger players because that's the only way this team is going to improve going forward. Up front they have one big star, Dana Tyrell, and a couple others like Deagle and Hunt who really need to step up offensively and really live up to their first round bantam pick status this year. Getting Poulter, Stanfield, Kulhanek, etc to double last year's production would help too. Not getting new import Jerome Flaake hurts. Some good younger players coming up here too, like Maylan, Fraser, Connolly, etc. I hope they get to play. The defence....well, apart from Cameron Cepek it's a pretty inexperienced group. The top two are probably Cepek and Dallas Jackson, who were surplus on Edmonton and Regina. Good potential in Bidlevskii and Cumming but overall a pretty average group I think. The bright spot on the team is in net, where veteran Kevin Armstrong should give the team every-night stability and leadership there.
Prediction: 4th in the division, 8th to 10th in the conference.
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Chilliwack Bruins:
Projected Losses:
Brandon Campos (F-87): 67-25-46-71-52 (graduated overager)
Dylan Chapman (D-87): 59-2-4-6-92 (graduated overager)
Matt Esposito (G-89): 48-18-23-5-3.19-0.891 (awaiting trade)
Nick Holden (D-87): 70-22-38-60-54 (graduated overager)
Evan Pighin (F-88): 53-22-26-48-41 (to Jr A)
Michael Proudley (F-89): 52-6-10-16-40 (released)
Mark Santorelli (F-88): 72-27-74-101-40 (turning pro)
Cody Smuk (F-89): 60-4-10-14-71 (traded to Lethbridge)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Partik Bhungal (F-88): 43-1-2-3-71
Liam Darragh (F-90): 60-2-6-8-87
Ryan Howse (F-91): 54-10-7-17-12
Randy McNaught (F-90): 30-3-1-4-53
Matt Meropoulis (F-89): 43-1-9-10-60
Brayden Metz (F-90): 48-4-6-10-18
Oscar Moller (F-89): 63-39-43-82-42
Jadon Potter (F-89): 70-11-17-28-14
David Robinson (F-90): 71-7-8-15-117
Defence:
Jesse Craige (D-89): 52-9-22-31-39 (stats with Lethbridge)
Jeff Einhorn (D-90): 67-2-3-5-18
Scott Ramsay (D-91): 30-0-0-0-46
Matt Strong (D-90): 30-0-4-4-63
Chris Van Duynhoven (D-89): 41-1-4-5-59
Goaltenders:
Mark Friesen (G-90): 31-10-12-4-3.17-0.901
Projected Rookies:
Carter Berg (D-92): 1-0-0-0-0
James Bettauer (D-91): 1-0-0-0-0
Tanner Exner (F-91)
Lucas Gore (G-90): 1-0-0-0-5.19-0.667
Ryan Hankin (F-91): 3-0-0-0-0
Brandon Manning (D-90): 6-0-0-0-8
Scott McDonald (F-91)
Kevin Sundher (F-92): 6-0-1-1-2
Blair Wentworth (F-92): 1-0-0-0-0
Alexander Wiklund (F-90) (new import)
Prognosis: from the 2nd oldest team in the league to the 2nd youngest. After two years in the league, it looks like the youth movement might be starting in Chilliwack with only six players older than 18 on this roster. Up front there is very little proven scoring beyond Oscar Moller, and one has to wonder who's going to get Moller the puck this year now that Mark Santorelli is gone. Time for Howse, Metz, Potter, etc to step up to the plate here. Big things are also expected from rookies Sundher, McDonald, and Wiklund, but they are still rookies so expectations should be kept modest there. The defence is not too bad although a little heavy on the average players. Craige should provide some offence there and I know they expect more from Ramsay, Manning, etc. Goaltending is a bit of another question mark, with Mark Friesen needing to establish himself yet as a night-in, night-out starting goalie. He'll be pushed by an 18 year old rookie, Lucas Gore.
Prediction: I can't see this being a playoff team. 5th in the division, 9th/10th in the conference.
Kelowna Rockets:
Projected Losses:
Colin Joe (D-88): 68-1-12-13-24 (traded to Saskatoon)
Milan Kytnar (F-89): 62-9-13-22-66 (traded to Saskatoon)
Brady Leavold (F-87): 67-27-42-69-138 (graduated overager)
Myles MacRae (F-88): 64-10-11-21-24 (released)
James McEwan (F-87): 37-2-4-6-93 (graduated overager)
Kris Westblom (G-87): 43-25-14-3-2.86-0.890 (graduated overager)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Cody Almond (F-89): 69-22-34-56-114
Jamie Benn (F-89): 51-33-32-65-68
Evan Bloodoff (F-90): 69-15-12-27-69
Lucas Bloodoff (F-89): 70-21-16-37-92
Dylan Hood (F-90): 63-10-8-18-50
Colin Long (F-89): 72-31-69-100-41
Brandon McMillan (F-90): 71-15-26-41-56
Jesse Paradis (F-91): 40-1-9-10-10
Kyle St. Denis (F-90): 64-16-24-40-26
Kyle Verdino (F-91): 32-0-2-2-25
Defence:
Tyson Barrie (D-91): 64-9-34-43-32
Collin Bowman (D-91): 67-2-7-9-45
Tysen Dowzak (D-88): 68-0-13-13-91
Riley McIntosh (D-90): 39-1-1-2-16
Tyler Myers (D-90): 65-6-13-19-97
Luke Schenn (D-89): 57-7-21-28-100
Goaltenders:
Torrie Jung (G-89): 33-13-12-5-2.80-0.891
Projected Rookies:
Aaron Borejko (D-91)
Adam Brown (G-91)
Mitchell Callahan (F-91)
Brock Genyk (F-91)
Curt Gogol (D-91): 1-0-0-0-0
Jonas Lopushinsky (F-91)
Spencer Main (F-92)
Lukas Matejka (F-91) (new import)
Stepan Novotny (F-90) (new import)
Prognosis: Hard not to like the looks of this team. They might have the best defence in the entire WHL and the offence is not too shoddy either. Up front they start with scoring title runner-up Colin Long; Almond, Benn, both Bloodoffs, McMillan, St Denis....all these guys should be 15-20+ goals at least. Word is that new import Stepan Novotny could be a big-time impact player too. The Rockets should definitely be up there with the top offences in the league. And the news is even better on the blueline, where they have two NHL first round picks (Myers & Schenn) anchoring the team, along with two more guys (Bowman & Barrie) who are going to get serious NHL consideration this year as well. McIntosh and Dowzak aren't chopped liver either, making this group probably the league's best, #1 to #6. If the team has a weak spot, it might be in net where Torrie Jung is now the starter and his numbers last season were a little on the average side. But he's a capable goalie and with the team in front of him, it'll still be fine if he has a few shaky moments. This team is solidly set up to take a run at another WHL title this year.
Prediction: First in the B.C. division and #1 or #2 in the conference.
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Vancouver Giants:
Projected Losses:
Mario Bliznak (F-87): 67-19-32-51-36 (graduated overager)
Chris Cloud (F-88): 65-8-11-19-105 (overage numbers - projected)
Mitch Czibere (F-89): 67-6-15-21-53 (traded to Regina)
Garet Hunt (F-87): 62-7-11-18-239 (graduated overager)
R.J. LaRochelle (D-87): 22-0-4-4-40 (graduated overager)
Spencer Machacek (F-88): 70-33-45-78-69 (turning pro)
Justin Palazzo (D-89): 30-1-3-4-56 (released)
Michal Repik (F-88): 51-27-34-61-62 (turning pro)
Stefan Schneider (D-89): 36-0-4-4-36 (traded to Vancouver)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Adam Basford (F-89): 4-0-0-0-0
Lance Bouma (F-90): 71-12-23-35-93
Craig Cunningham (F-90): 67-11-14-25-72
James Henry (F-91): 46-7-8-15-67
Evander Kane (F-91): 65-24-17-41-66
Todd Kennedy (F-90): 30-2-3-5-41 (stats with Regina)
Garry Nunn (F-89): 35-8-21-29-4
Casey Pierro-Zabotel (F-88): 49-19-29-48-8
Mike Piluso (F-90): 48-8-8-16-27
James Wright (F-90): 60-13-23-36-21
Defence:
Mike Berube (D-88): 72-5-13-18-95
Jonathon Blum (D-89): 64-18-45-63-44
Curtis Kulchar (D-90): 50-0-3-3-22 (stats with Regina)
Neil Manning (D-91): 34-1-7-8-11
Brent Regner (D-89): 72-8-39-47-45
Craig Schira (D-88): 63-8-22-30-58
Goaltenders:
Kraymer Barnstable (G-90): 14-6-4-0-2.45-0.886
Tyson Sexsmith (G-89): 62-43-11-8-1.89-0.911
Projected Rookies:
J.T. Barnett (F-92)
Mikhail Fisenko (F-90) (new import)
Brendan Gallagher (F-92)
Mikael Jung (F-92)
Andrej Kudrna (F-91) (new import)
Bronson Maschmeyer (D-91)
Mitch Spooner (D-92): 3-0-1-1-0
Jamie Tucker (G-91)
Simon Witt (D-92)
Prognosis: Not quite in Kelowna's league but a very well-rounded team here that should stay near the top of the standings as well. They have a fairly young and inexperienced group up front with only three players aged 19 or older - and none of those three has more than a half-season in the league - but there's some scoring here. Bouma, Kane, Nunn, Pierro-Zabotel, and Wright should be good for 60-65+ points each this year, and they have some good new rookies and new Euros to help add some depth. The blueline is good with Jon Blum anchoring a top three with Regner and Schira; Berube, Kulchar, and Manning are a very good #4-#6 group (in fact, nobody in the league has a blueline with more games of experience than Vancouver's) and there's a couple kids who are going to push for ice time too. And in net there's one of the best in the league in Sexsmith. The backup spot is still undecided but Sexsmith is going to play 55 games anyway so no worries there.
Prediction: 2nd in the B.C. division, 3rd or 4th in the conference.
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Kamloops Blazers:
Projected Losses:
Brady Calla (F-88): 52-10-20-30-52 (turning pro)
Spencer Fraipont (D-88): 30-0-1-1-22 (released)
Mike Gauthier (D-87): 58-2-7-9-146 (graduated overager)
Sasha Golin (F-88): 71-5-11-16-100 (released)
Darcy Huisman (D-89): 63-2-9-11-55 (retired)
Juuso Puustinen (F-88): 60-27-26-53-26 (turning pro)
Ivan Rohac (F-88): 58-17-34-51-28 (turning pro)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Jimmy Bubnick (F-91): 64-9-18-27-24
Kenton Dulle (F-88): 62-21-16-37-47
Mark Hall (F-90): 67-5-7-12-68
Devon Kalinski (F-90): 30-3-3-6-30
Alex Rodgers (F-89): 68-16-29-45-46
Tyler Shattock (F-90): 48-9-14-23-45
C.J. Stretch (F-89): 65-11-17-28-65
Scott Wasden (F-88): 45-10-16-26-43
Shayne Wiebe (F-90): 66-9-8-17-59
Matt Wray (F-89): 43-3-1-4-147
Defence:
Giffen Nyren (D-89): 69-7-15-22-58 (stats with Moose Jaw)
Nick Ross (D-89): 31-5-14-19-55
Jordan Rowley (D-90): 66-5-18-23-68
Mark Schneider (D-90): 34-1-1-2-12
Kurt Torbohm (D-90): 35-0-1-1-39
Goaltenders:
Justin Leclerc (G-89): 54-20-29-3-3.29-0.895
James Priestner (G-91): 24-6-12-1-3.41-0.873
Projected Rookies:
Dalibor Bortnak (F-91) (new import)
Cole Grbavac (F-91)
Jon Groenheyde (G-91): 1-1-0-0-2.00-0.943
Ryan Hanes (F-92)
Uriah Machuga (F-92)
Brendan Ranford (F-92): 3-0-0-0-0
Linden Saip (D-91): 6-0-1-1-0
Michal Siska (D-90) (new import)
Brandon Underwood (D-92)
Prognosis: time to start taking care of business again in Kamloops after a couple pretty bad seasons. The Blazers are definitely a big cut below the Rockets and Giants but they could be a .500 team. Probably the biggest question is whether they have enough scoring; they really need veteran guys like Dulle, Shattock, Stretch, and Wasden to take a step up from their 25-30 point numbers of seasons past and become 60-70 point men instead. Big things are expected from Jimmy Bubnick in his draft season as well, and Alex Rodgers will have to continue to improve on his totals from last year. The defence is a similarily average group, some top end talent in Nick Ross who needs to play like a top end talent more consistently this year to help his NHL ambitions. Rowley and Nyren are a couple more good vets who add some offence and puck moving from the back end too. Some depth is a concern but the team thinks new import Michal Siska can step right in and contribute. In net, Justin Leclerc is back as the #1 and really needs to move himself into the upper half of starting goalies around the league this year or else possibly lose his job to one of the two younger guys pushing him.
Prediction: 3rd in the division, 6th/7th in the conference.
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Prince George Cougars:
Projected Losses:
Real Cyr (G-87): 50-13-31-3-4.17-0.888 (graduated overager)
Greg Gardner (F-87): 72-24-29-53-52 (graduated overager)
Colin Haas (F-89): 65-3-5-8-37 (traded to Seattle)
Jan Kupec (F-90): 32-3-2-5-24 (released)
Patrik Magnusson (D-88): 70-8-11-19-102 (released)
Brad Riege (F-89): 26-4-5-9-34 (retired)
Kalvin Sagert (D-87): 72-4-15-19-88 (graduated overager)
Tommy Tartaglione (G-88): 22-6-12-0-3.59-0.894 (overage numbers - projected)
Garrett Thiessen (D-89): 69-0-4-4-178 (traded to Prince Albert)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Jordie Deagle (F-89): 67-8-12-20-108
Dale Hunt (F-90): 48-9-12-21-35
Ryan Kowalski (F-91): 61-1-4-5-33
Colby Kulhanek (F-89): 64-14-14-28-43 (stats with Chilliwack & Red Deer)
Justin Maylan (F-91): 31-6-8-14-14
Alex Poulter (F-89): 72-16-21-37-35
Parker Stanfield (F-90): 67-14-9-23-56
Corey Tyrell (F-90): 70-5-4-9-12
Dana Tyrell (F-89): 68-25-40-65-47
Marcus Watson (F-89): 60-6-10-16-34
Defence:
Trevor Bauer (D-90): 22-0-0-0-20
Art Bidlevskii (D-91): 62-1-7-8-73
Cameron Cepek (D-88): 58-7-18-25-119 (stats with Edmonton)
Matt Cumming (D-91): 39-0-2-2-43
Cody Hobbs (D-89): 31-2-2-4-26
Dallas Jackson (D-89): 59-5-14-19-41 (stats with Regina and Red Deer)
Goaltenders:
Kevin Armstrong (G-88): 33-20-5-4-2.17-0.915 (stats with Spokane)
Ian Curtis (G-90): 8-1-4-1-4.94-0.858
Projected Rookies:
Nick Buonassisi (F-92): 4-1-0-1-0
Brett Connolly (F-92): 4-0-0-0-0
Greg Fraser (F-92)
Tyler Halliday (F-89)
Brian Matte (F-88)
Bruin McDonald (D-92): 6-0-0-0-6
Cody Rainaldi (F-89)
Colin Scherger (D-89)
Marek Viedensky (F-90) (new import)
Prognosis: surprisingly, the Cougars are looking at being one of the oldest teams in the league this year, with thirteen players aged 19 or 20 on this 27 player roster above. The bad news is that some of those older players are a little unproven and/or underwhelming. The team is chock-full of average and below average older players and I have to hope they are going to divest themselves of some of them and play the younger players because that's the only way this team is going to improve going forward. Up front they have one big star, Dana Tyrell, and a couple others like Deagle and Hunt who really need to step up offensively and really live up to their first round bantam pick status this year. Getting Poulter, Stanfield, Kulhanek, etc to double last year's production would help too. Not getting new import Jerome Flaake hurts. Some good younger players coming up here too, like Maylan, Fraser, Connolly, etc. I hope they get to play. The defence....well, apart from Cameron Cepek it's a pretty inexperienced group. The top two are probably Cepek and Dallas Jackson, who were surplus on Edmonton and Regina. Good potential in Bidlevskii and Cumming but overall a pretty average group I think. The bright spot on the team is in net, where veteran Kevin Armstrong should give the team every-night stability and leadership there.
Prediction: 4th in the division, 8th to 10th in the conference.
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Chilliwack Bruins:
Projected Losses:
Brandon Campos (F-87): 67-25-46-71-52 (graduated overager)
Dylan Chapman (D-87): 59-2-4-6-92 (graduated overager)
Matt Esposito (G-89): 48-18-23-5-3.19-0.891 (awaiting trade)
Nick Holden (D-87): 70-22-38-60-54 (graduated overager)
Evan Pighin (F-88): 53-22-26-48-41 (to Jr A)
Michael Proudley (F-89): 52-6-10-16-40 (released)
Mark Santorelli (F-88): 72-27-74-101-40 (turning pro)
Cody Smuk (F-89): 60-4-10-14-71 (traded to Lethbridge)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Partik Bhungal (F-88): 43-1-2-3-71
Liam Darragh (F-90): 60-2-6-8-87
Ryan Howse (F-91): 54-10-7-17-12
Randy McNaught (F-90): 30-3-1-4-53
Matt Meropoulis (F-89): 43-1-9-10-60
Brayden Metz (F-90): 48-4-6-10-18
Oscar Moller (F-89): 63-39-43-82-42
Jadon Potter (F-89): 70-11-17-28-14
David Robinson (F-90): 71-7-8-15-117
Defence:
Jesse Craige (D-89): 52-9-22-31-39 (stats with Lethbridge)
Jeff Einhorn (D-90): 67-2-3-5-18
Scott Ramsay (D-91): 30-0-0-0-46
Matt Strong (D-90): 30-0-4-4-63
Chris Van Duynhoven (D-89): 41-1-4-5-59
Goaltenders:
Mark Friesen (G-90): 31-10-12-4-3.17-0.901
Projected Rookies:
Carter Berg (D-92): 1-0-0-0-0
James Bettauer (D-91): 1-0-0-0-0
Tanner Exner (F-91)
Lucas Gore (G-90): 1-0-0-0-5.19-0.667
Ryan Hankin (F-91): 3-0-0-0-0
Brandon Manning (D-90): 6-0-0-0-8
Scott McDonald (F-91)
Kevin Sundher (F-92): 6-0-1-1-2
Blair Wentworth (F-92): 1-0-0-0-0
Alexander Wiklund (F-90) (new import)
Prognosis: from the 2nd oldest team in the league to the 2nd youngest. After two years in the league, it looks like the youth movement might be starting in Chilliwack with only six players older than 18 on this roster. Up front there is very little proven scoring beyond Oscar Moller, and one has to wonder who's going to get Moller the puck this year now that Mark Santorelli is gone. Time for Howse, Metz, Potter, etc to step up to the plate here. Big things are also expected from rookies Sundher, McDonald, and Wiklund, but they are still rookies so expectations should be kept modest there. The defence is not too bad although a little heavy on the average players. Craige should provide some offence there and I know they expect more from Ramsay, Manning, etc. Goaltending is a bit of another question mark, with Mark Friesen needing to establish himself yet as a night-in, night-out starting goalie. He'll be pushed by an 18 year old rookie, Lucas Gore.
Prediction: I can't see this being a playoff team. 5th in the division, 9th/10th in the conference.
Friday notes
It's Friday, which is good enough news in itself, but most WHL teams also kick off their seasons tonight so it's doubly good news for most of us. There's 9 games tonight, with 17 teams playing their first games.
As you might expect, today's papers are chock-full of WHL news, previews, etc, so a whole bunch of links here. First though, more info on Swift Current overage defenceman Jesse Dudas' injury; he suffered a torn MCL in one of his knees at Oilers camp and will be out minimum 4-6 weeks. This poor guy just can't stay healthy, can he.
The Chilliwack paper takes a look at the 08-09 Bruins and the questions around this year's team. One of the players not in question is 16 year old rookie Kevin Sundher, who might be ready for a big role right away.
The Rockets may be on the verge of greatness, says the Daily Courier. But like most other teams, they'll still have to start the season without many of their best players. Tyson Barrie is there though, ready to earn his own way into the NHL this season even though his dad owns an NHL team.
The Hitmen are still shorthanded heading into tonight's season opener, and their opponents and rivals, the Rebels, even got some ink in the Calgary Herald. Meanwhile, the Calgary Sun took a look at the Hitmen goaltending and overage picture.
In Red Deer's paper, they take a look at two players, overage defenceman Luke Egener and rookie (but 18 year old) goalie Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper is expected to start tonight in the season opener against the Hitmen.
In the Everett Herald, a look at the team's losses for this year and one at all the changes on the team, some things they need to do to win. And a look at the team's class of '91, which they hope will be as strong as their class of '88 was.
In Vancouver, Don Hay is all about the team-first concept, and Giants' top NHL draft prospect Evander Kane isn't backing down from anyone this year.
The Edmonton Journal talks home opener with the Oil Kings. There's also five articles on the Oil Kings in the Edmonton Sun, but none of the links seem to work so I can't read the articles or post links. Give it a try later perhaps.
In Saskatoon, Curtis Hamilton plans to grow a playoff beard this season to replace his regular season moustache.
The Americans are ready to raise their banners, and then start defending them.
In Portland, Scott Gabriel wants to be a leader this year. And in Moose Jaw, the Warriors are raring to go. And in Regina, "relentless" is the word the Pats want to hear a lot of this year, and Greg Harder runs down the Pats roster.
Jim Swanson takes a look at this year's Cougars, where Dale Hunt expects bigger things from himself this season, coach Drew Schoneck is excited to get going, and where Seattle's Jared Jagow didn't want to play last year.
An actual T-Birds article in the Seattle paper. No, really!....I don't even care what it says, I'm just excited to see they got some coverage.
Swift Current's Southwest Booster takes a look at the Broncos' upcoming season.
Lastly, there will be no posts from me over the weekend, as I have a wedding to go to tomorrow that will eat up most of my Saturday and Sunday. Back on Monday.
As you might expect, today's papers are chock-full of WHL news, previews, etc, so a whole bunch of links here. First though, more info on Swift Current overage defenceman Jesse Dudas' injury; he suffered a torn MCL in one of his knees at Oilers camp and will be out minimum 4-6 weeks. This poor guy just can't stay healthy, can he.
The Chilliwack paper takes a look at the 08-09 Bruins and the questions around this year's team. One of the players not in question is 16 year old rookie Kevin Sundher, who might be ready for a big role right away.
The Rockets may be on the verge of greatness, says the Daily Courier. But like most other teams, they'll still have to start the season without many of their best players. Tyson Barrie is there though, ready to earn his own way into the NHL this season even though his dad owns an NHL team.
The Hitmen are still shorthanded heading into tonight's season opener, and their opponents and rivals, the Rebels, even got some ink in the Calgary Herald. Meanwhile, the Calgary Sun took a look at the Hitmen goaltending and overage picture.
In Red Deer's paper, they take a look at two players, overage defenceman Luke Egener and rookie (but 18 year old) goalie Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper is expected to start tonight in the season opener against the Hitmen.
In the Everett Herald, a look at the team's losses for this year and one at all the changes on the team, some things they need to do to win. And a look at the team's class of '91, which they hope will be as strong as their class of '88 was.
In Vancouver, Don Hay is all about the team-first concept, and Giants' top NHL draft prospect Evander Kane isn't backing down from anyone this year.
The Edmonton Journal talks home opener with the Oil Kings. There's also five articles on the Oil Kings in the Edmonton Sun, but none of the links seem to work so I can't read the articles or post links. Give it a try later perhaps.
In Saskatoon, Curtis Hamilton plans to grow a playoff beard this season to replace his regular season moustache.
The Americans are ready to raise their banners, and then start defending them.
In Portland, Scott Gabriel wants to be a leader this year. And in Moose Jaw, the Warriors are raring to go. And in Regina, "relentless" is the word the Pats want to hear a lot of this year, and Greg Harder runs down the Pats roster.
Jim Swanson takes a look at this year's Cougars, where Dale Hunt expects bigger things from himself this season, coach Drew Schoneck is excited to get going, and where Seattle's Jared Jagow didn't want to play last year.
An actual T-Birds article in the Seattle paper. No, really!....I don't even care what it says, I'm just excited to see they got some coverage.
Swift Current's Southwest Booster takes a look at the Broncos' upcoming season.
Lastly, there will be no posts from me over the weekend, as I have a wedding to go to tomorrow that will eat up most of my Saturday and Sunday. Back on Monday.
Game on!
Season is underway with Kootenay's 4-2 win over the Chiefs tonight. Couple notes after watching the game on Shaw....
First, the attendance was embarrassing for the Ice and the city of Cranbrook. Officially announced at 2,845, entire sections of the lower bowl were visibly empty on the broadcast. For the season and home opener. Against the Memorial Cup champions. When the team has exercised a clause that allows them out of their lease if attendance doesn't meet standards this season. One word: embarrassing. If the Ice ever end up moving (and I hope they don't), it's nights like this that many fans of other teams around the league will remember - TV broadcasts of a mostly empty building.
As for the game itself, it looks like Ray Ferraro's 25 year old WHL record for goals in a season (104 goals in 83-84) will finally be broken this year. After his four goal performance tonight, Kootenay's Michael Stickland is on pace for 288 goals this year. Even allowing for a few slumps, he should be able to hit 104 no problem.
I was quite surprised at how much the Ice outplayed the Chiefs for stretches of the game. I mean, I get that the Chiefs were missing some key players like Bowman, Johnson, Spurgeon, Roman, etc (plus Falk and McCrae, but those two might not be coming back anyway), but Kootenay also played without Negrin, Sylvester, and Lazaruk, and with only two overagers due to Ian Barteaux being suspended. In fact, I believe the Ice dressed four defencemen who were making their WHL debuts in this game. I thought for sure Spokane would be more competitive than they were. But hey, it's only one game, who cares.
First, the attendance was embarrassing for the Ice and the city of Cranbrook. Officially announced at 2,845, entire sections of the lower bowl were visibly empty on the broadcast. For the season and home opener. Against the Memorial Cup champions. When the team has exercised a clause that allows them out of their lease if attendance doesn't meet standards this season. One word: embarrassing. If the Ice ever end up moving (and I hope they don't), it's nights like this that many fans of other teams around the league will remember - TV broadcasts of a mostly empty building.
As for the game itself, it looks like Ray Ferraro's 25 year old WHL record for goals in a season (104 goals in 83-84) will finally be broken this year. After his four goal performance tonight, Kootenay's Michael Stickland is on pace for 288 goals this year. Even allowing for a few slumps, he should be able to hit 104 no problem.
I was quite surprised at how much the Ice outplayed the Chiefs for stretches of the game. I mean, I get that the Chiefs were missing some key players like Bowman, Johnson, Spurgeon, Roman, etc (plus Falk and McCrae, but those two might not be coming back anyway), but Kootenay also played without Negrin, Sylvester, and Lazaruk, and with only two overagers due to Ian Barteaux being suspended. In fact, I believe the Ice dressed four defencemen who were making their WHL debuts in this game. I thought for sure Spokane would be more competitive than they were. But hey, it's only one game, who cares.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
08-09 preview: Central division
Central division now.....
Lethbridge Hurricanes:
Projected Losses:
Adam Chorneyko (F-88): 70-8-23-31-52 (overage numbers - projected)
Jesse Craige (D-89): 52-9-22-31-39 (traded to Chilliwack)
Nicholas Hotson (F-87): 44-13-23-36-4 (graduated overager)
Paul MacDonald (D-88): 30-0-5-5-18 (overage numbers - projected)
Michael Maniago (G-88): 46-25-14-5-2.5-0.896 (left WHL for university)
Jeff May (D-87): 29-3-21-24-19 (graduated overager)
Mike Wuchterl (F-87): 63-13-10-23-105 (graduated overager)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Carter Ashton (F-91): 40-5-4-9-21
Carter Bancks (F-89): 70-15-30-45-56
Zach Boychuk (F-89): 61-33-39-72-80
Cam Braes (F-91): 71-11-8-19-37
Mitch Fadden (F-88): 72-34-55-89-72
Dan Iwanski (F-90): 71-10-9-19-25
Dwight King (F-89): 72-34-35-69-56
Craig Orfino (F-90): 65-1-9-10-26
Colton Sceviour (F-89): 52-31-23-54-36
Cody Smuk (F-89): 60-4-10-14-71 (stats with Chilliwack)
Defence:
Lucas Alexiuk (D-89): 40-0-9-9-25
Luca Sbisa (D-90): 62-6-27-33-63
Mitch Versteeg (D-88): 56-3-5-8-138
Ben Wright (D-88): 69-4-34-38-105
Brennan Yadlowski (D-91): 50-0-3-3-54
Goaltenders:
Juha Metsola (G-89): 30-20-7-1-1.98-0.916
Projected Rookies:
Brandon Anderson (G-92)
Brandon Brossoit (F-92)
Cody Castro (D-92)
Derek Ryckman (D-92)
Austin Fyten (F-91): 6-0-0-0-0
Ryon Moser (F-92)
Mark Reners (F-92)
Cam Stevens (D-89): 5-0-1-1-8
Brock Sutherland (D-91): 5-0-0-0-2
Michael Tadjdeh (G-91)
Alex Theriau (D-92): 4-0-0-0-2
Prognosis: Lots to like about the defending conference champs, as they return 193 goals from last year's output (which puts them tops in the league) and have tons of veteran scoring available to them. (Trivia: the Canes have 429 career WHL goals on their roster, which is over 100 goals more than the next-best team!). Fadden, Boychuk, King, Sceviour, Bancks, these are all probably 60+ point guys minimum. Add in up-and-comers like Ashton, Braes, and Iwanski and there's lots of scoring depth here even if Fadden DOESN'T come back to the WHL. I'm assuming he does but if he doesn't, hey, replace him with Chorneyko. Games between Lethbridge and Brandon are going to give goal judges tendinitis in their thumbs. The blueline is a little shakier for the Canes, with only Ben Wright and Luca Sbisa being proven top-four guys there. There's potential from Yadlowski but for the rest, so far vets Alexiuk, Stevens, and Versteeg probably aren't more than 5th/6th guys in this league. So the Canes might need to beef up the blueline before the playoffs. Even earlier than that if they don't get Wright back from his NHL tryout (!!!). In net the Canes have a solid #1 goalie in Metsola, although some questions about his consistency remain unanswered from last year's performance. But I don't think a bad goal or an off night here and there is a big issue to worry about when you have the kind of goal production ability that the Canes will.
Prediction: Definitely #1 in the Central, probably by 10 points or more. Battle Brandon for #1 in the conference.
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Medicine Hat Tigers:
Projected Losses:
Mikael Ahlen (F-88): 34-8-3-11-20 (released)
Jordan Bendfeld (D-88): 72-6-19-25-160 (turning pro)
Shayne Brown (D-89): 55-3-7-10-89 (traded to Everett)
Yashar Farmanara (F-87): 64-21-20-41-78 (graduated overager)
Thomas Frazee (F-90): 43-3-4-7-25 (traded to Moose Jaw)
Jordan Hickmott (F-90): 55-7-4-11-24 (traded to Prince Albert)
Jerrid Sauer (D-87): 68-8-11-19-46 (graduated overager)
Daine Todd (F-87): 70-25-40-65-22 (graduated overager)
Tomas Vosvrda (G-89): 36-14-11-3-2.87-0.899 (released)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Brennan Bosch (F-88): 72-22-48-70-48
Bretton Cameron (F-89): 59-11-19-30-75
Travis Dunstall (F-89): 37-10-14-24-45
Tyler Ennis (F-89): 70-43-48-91-42
Colton Grant (F-89): 67-12-16-28-48
Wacey Hamilton (F-90): 63-13-19-32-95
Tristan King (F-90): 69-9-16-25-39 (stats with Portland)
Sean Ringrose (F-88): 68-10-24-34-38
John Stampohar (F-90): 42-3-1-4-52
Linden Vey (F-91): 48-8-9-17-21
Defence:
Cody Carlson (D-91): 49-2-14-16-34
Jace Coyle (D-90): 52-1-8-9-23 (stats with Spokane)
Mark Isherwood (D-89): 71-7-28-35-109
Tyler Kieffer (D-89): 27-0-3-3-27 (stats with Everett)
Matthew Konan (D-91): 42-0-4-4-21
Patrick Kozyra (D-89): 53-1-7-8-32
Goaltenders:
Ryan Holfeld (G-89): 48-28-11-4-2.47-0.902
Projected Rookies:
Scott Brkich (D-90)
Tyler Bunz (G-92): 1-1-0-0-3.00-0.885
Thomas Carr (D-90)
Joey Frazer (F-90)
Taylor Gal (F-90): 2-0-0-0-0
Josh Koper (F-90): 7-0-1-1-4
Tomas Kundratek (D-89) (new import)
Zdenek Okal (F-90) (new import)
Prognosis: A decently well-rounded team here, not as offensively talented as Lethbridge but probably equal on the blueline and in net. The Tigers have a pretty good first line with Ennis (who should score 50 goals this year) and Bosch, and some decent scoring depth from guys like Ringrose, King, Hamilton, Dunstall, etc. There's two pretty good scoring lines there and some decent depth through the 3rd line. On defence, there's a collection of above to above average defencemen here but no big stars....yet, anyway. New import Kundratek should be a very good addition here and could become the #1 d-man in short order, and the Tigers will be looking for bigger contributions from guys like Carlson, Konan, and Coyle than what they had to do last year for their teams. Not a dazzling group but they should be OK. And in net, Ryan Holfeld has the #1 job all to himself and will be looking to add more consistency to a 07-08 season which saw him post decent numbers, albeit a bit streaky. He'll be pushed by #1 bantam pick Tyler Bunz.
Prediction: Not in Lethbridge's league but should be 2nd in the division and 3rd or 4th in the conference.
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Calgary Hitmen:
Projected Losses:
Karl Alzner (D-88): 60-7-29-36-15 (turning pro)
T.J. Galiardi (F-88): 72-18-52-70-77 (turning pro)
Ryan Gillen (D-87): 54-2-6-8-107 (graduated overager)
Carson McMillan (F-88): 72-16-26-42-87 (overage numbers - projected)
Dan Mercer (D-87): 40-2-12-14-46 (graduated overager)
Brock Nixon (F-87): 29-17-15-32-14 (graduated overager)
Alex Plante (D-89): 36-1-1-2-28 (awaiting trade)
Dan Spence (G-88): 48-29-12-4-2.19-0.907 (overage numbers - projected)
Ryan White (F-88): 68-28-44-72-98 (turning pro)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Kyle Bortis (F-88): 68-37-35-72-30
Ian Duval (F-88): 71-22-28-50-42
Ryan Fox (F-90): 46-1-7-8-16
Bostjan Golicic (F-89): 57-12-18-30-24
Brandon Kozun (F-90): 69-19-34-53-46
Brendan Rowinski (F-90): 63-8-12-20-52
Chase Schaber (F-91): 49-3-1-4-30
Ian Schultz (F-90): 67-15-15-30-128
Brett Sonne (F-89): 29-8-12-20-12
Defence:
Matt Mackenzie (D-91): 39-2-6-8-8
Paul Postma (D-89): 66-14-28-42-30
Keith Seabrook (D-88): 59-4-13-17-47
Michael Stone (D-90): 71-10-25-35-28
Goaltenders:
Martin Jones (G-90): 27-18-8-1-2.12-0.911
Projected Rookies:
David Aime (G-89): 6-0-2-0-6.40-0.783 (stats with Red Deer)
Cody Beach (F-92)
Erik Bonsor (D-91)
Tyler Fiddler (F-90): 2-1-2-3-0
Jessi Hilton (F-91)
Jason MacDonald (F-89)
Austin Madaisky (D-92)
Scott Maetche (D-89)
Mackenzie Royer (F-92)
Michael Snider (G-91)
Cody Sylvester (F-92)
Edgars Ulescenko (F-90) (new import)
Prognosis: Some question marks here but should be a .500 team or thereabouts. The forward ranks are quite solid despite the loss of Galiardi, Nixon, White, etc. Bortis, Duval/McMillan, Sonne, Kozun, Schultz, and Golicic should all score 20+ goals, with a good supporting cast in Rowinski, Fiddler, Schaber, etc. They aren't going to compete with the Lethbridges and Brandons of the East in the scoring department but the Hitmen should be in the next group below that offence-wise. It's the blueline that is a big concern here, with only four returnees. Postma and Stone are a good first two but the Hitmen really need Seabrook to improve on his 07-08 showing and for Matt Mackenzie to take a big step forward as a 17 year old in order to have even an average top four d-men. The #5 - #7 guys have a total of 65 career games in the WHL, all by Maetche - who wasn't good enough to play for Chilliwack last year. Perhaps trading one of the overage forwards and/or Alex Plante will acquire someone to shore up the defence but for now this is a big question mark for the Hitmen. In net they will probably feature Martin Jones as the new #1; Jones put up pretty good numbers last year as the backup and even started some playoff games, and should be a capable #1. His backup will likely be either journeyman vet David Aime or rookie Michael Snider; in either case, Jones is going to be expected to carry the bulk of the load this year.
Prediction: 3rd in the Central, 4th-6th in the conference.
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Kootenay Ice:
Projected Losses:
Steve DaSilva (F-87): 68-40-50-90-47 (graduated overager)
Josh Gionfriddo (F-89): 29-2-1-3-29 (to Jr A)
Chad Greenan (D-87): 69-9-33-42-80 (graduated overager)
Arnaud Jacquemet (F-88): 65-27-26-53-22 (turning pro)
Paul Kurceba (D-87): 66-4-23-27-135 (graduated overager)
Kris Lazaruk (G-88): 51-26-17-4-2.9-0.91 (overage numbers - projected)
Ben Maxwell (F-88): 31-9-18-27-26 (turning pro)
Jiri Ryzuk (D-90): 45-0-0-0-21 (released)
Zach Sim (D-88): 30-1-7-8-37 (overage numbers - projected)
Jordan Wilkins (D-90): 30-1-0-1-32 (released)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Joe Antilla (F-91): 56-2-1-3-35
Andrew Bailey (F-88): 72-28-37-65-87
Steele Boomer (F-90): 62-11-19-30-32
Kris Foucault (F-90): 33-0-3-3-12
Matt Fraser (F-90): 63-9-11-20-48
Kevin King (F-90): 63-8-13-21-61
Tylan Stephens (F-89): 66-9-21-30-64
Michael Stickland (F-89): 71-22-28-50-60
Dustin Sylvester (F-89): 70-35-33-68-38
Defence:
Ian Barteaux (D-88): 71-1-14-15-134
Eric Frere (D-88): 30-3-2-5-35
Brayden McNabb (D-91): 65-2-9-11-63
John Negrin (D-89): 71-1-41-42-68
Goaltenders:
Thomas Heemskerk (G-90): 27-15-4-3-2.65-0.906
Projected Rookies:
Jordan Bauer (F-91)
Michael Cassivi (F-91)
Drew Czerwonka (F-92): 2-0-0-0-0
Ales Frieb (F-89) (new import)
Jesse Ismond (F-91)
Joey Leach (D-92)
Nathan Lieuwen (G-91): 3-1-1-1-3.27-0.91
Cason Machacek (D-91)
Dominik Pacovsky (F-90) (new import)
Max Reinhart (F-92)
Hayden Rintoul (D-91)
Tyler Vanscourt (D-92)
Prognosis: it's shaping up to be a young team for the Ice this year, with 12 players aged 16 or 17 on the roster right now. That kind of youth means depth is usually an issue at most positions, and that's the case here for the Ice this year. Up front they have Bailey, Sylvester, and Stickland, and will be expecting bigger things from Boomer, Stephens, and King, but it drops off after that. There's some promising guys there but little that is proven. Same on defence, where the four returnees - Negrin, McNabb, Barteaux, and Frere - are a decent bunch but after that the Ice, like the Hitmen, are going to be using unproven rookies in the #5 - #7 slots. If blueline stud Negrin sticks in the NHL (the Flames have made noises about that), the Ice could be in some big blueline trouble. The good news is that they are so deep in net, they might have three #1-calibre goalies there. So good is the potential of sophomore Heemskerk and rookie Lieuwen that I'm picking incumbent #1 Kris Lazaruk as the odd man out in the Ice overage carousel; they need Bailey's offence and Barteaux/Frere's veteran presence on defence more than they need Lazaruk in net when you consider they still have Heemskerk and Lieuwen ready to take over from Lazaruk. I see Lazaruk being dealt for help on defence or more scoring.
Prediction: the Ice are going to take a drop this year. 4th in the Central, 6th to 8th in the conference.
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Red Deer Rebels:
Projected Losses:
Spencer Edwards (F-90): 30-3-1-4-21 (traded to Seattle)
Mike Krgovich (F-90): 63-4-3-7-54 (traded to Seattle)
Colby Kulhanek (F-89): 24-3-3-6-17 (traded to Prince George)
Mark Louis (D-87): 62-5-14-19-78 (graduated overager)
Brett Miller (F-91): 26-1-1-2-5 (released)
Troy Ofukany (F-87): 30-10-17-27-29 (graduated overager)
James Reimer (G-88): 30-8-15-4-2.73-0.916 (turning pro)
Mike Scarborough (D-90): 59-1-4-5-42 (traded to Regina)
Juraj Valach (D-89): 30-4-8-12-38 (released)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Willie Coetzee (F-90): 23-2-0-2-14
Cody Esposito (F-89): 39-0-2-2-93
Landon Ferraro (F-91): 54-13-11-24-65
Cody Gross (F-89): 32-4-5-9-10
Cass Mappin (F-90): 64-5-12-17-89
Tyler Penny (F-89): 69-1-6-7-16
Tomas Polak (F-90): 45-5-5-10-27
Carter Smith (F-88): 43-7-8-15-55
Brandon Sutter (F-89): 59-26-23-49-38
Brennen Wray (F-88): 71-7-19-26-98
Defence:
Colin Archer (D-90): 48-1-3-4-44
Luke Egener (D-88): 64-2-7-9-80
Joel Kot (D-90): 20-3-7-10-10
Cullen Morin (D-89): 58-1-19-20-92
Justin Weller (D-91): 49-0-3-3-40
Goaltenders:
Morgan Clark (G-90): 47-10-30-3-3.70-0.884
Projected Rookies:
Josh Cowen (F-91)
Brett Ferguson (F-90)
Adam Kambeitz (F-92)
Tommi Kivisto (D-91) (new import)
Darcy Kuemper (G-90)
Steve Oursov (F-91): 3-0-0-0-0 (stats with Seattle)
Alex Petrovic (D-92): 10-1-0-1-2
Connor Redmond (F-92): 3-0-2-2-2
Kevin Woodyatt (D-92)
Prognosis: so much youth and inexperience, again. Seems like the Rebels have been rebuilding for three years now and this is probably going to be another one of those years. The forward corps has one player (Sutter) who has ever topped 30 points in a season, and I'd say there is a better than 50/50 chance that he sticks in the NHL this year and doesn't come back. With or without Sutter, much bigger roles are going to be expected of Ferraro, Wray, Mappin, Gross, Polak, etc, as well as immediate contributions from rookies like Connor Redmond. Any way you look at it, scoring is going to be a concern and losing Sutter would make things pretty dire offensively, I think. The defence is one of the greenest in the league, with only 450 total WHL games between the five "veteran" players and half of that belongs to Luke Egener. New import Tommi Kivisto is supposed to be looking pretty good, and I know they like rookie Alex Petrovic as well, but on the whole I think I'd have a hard time saying the Rebels' defence ranked higher than the bottom third of the league. In net they have Morgan Clark returning to be the #1, but he lost three times as many games as he won last year and his numbers weren't impressive. He might be pushed for his starters job by 18 year old rookie Darcy Kuemper, who has looked very good in preseason.
Prediction: too many weaknesses and question marks, again. 5th in the Central, 10th-12th in the conference.
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Edmonton Oil Kings:
Projected Losses:
Alex Archibald (G-87): 56-16-24-9-2.91-0.915 (graduated overager)
Cameron Cepek (D-88): 58-7-18-25-119 (traded to Prince George)
Robin Figren (F-88): 35-18-13-31-46 (turning pro)
Karey Pieper (F-87): 67-6-7-13-73 (graduated overager)
Brennan Sonne (F-87): 28-4-3-7-87 (graduated overager)
Matthew Swaby (D-87): 70-1-12-13-75 (graduated overager)
J-P Szaszkiewicz (F-88): 65-5-10-15-67 (left WHL for university)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Braeden Adamyk (F-90): 66-4-6-10-39
Brett Breitkreuz (F-89): 70-15-19-34-105
Clayton Cumiskey (F-90): 70-9-13-22-24
Brenden Dowd (F-88): 70-16-23-39-67
Brent Henke (F-90): 63-2-6-8-24
Jeff Lee (F-88): 47-7-12-19-55
Craig McCallum (F-89): 68-15-24-39-24
Shayne Neigum (F-90): 62-5-9-14-87
Brent Raedeke (F-90): 72-15-16-31-62
Tomas Vincour (F-90): 65-16-23-39-36
Defence:
Tyler Hlookoff (D-90): 53-2-6-8-20
Brandon Lockerby (D-88): 36-7-7-14-8
Drew Nichol (D-89): 67-0-3-3-127
Adrian Van de Mosselaer (D-90): 53-1-3-4-39
Goaltenders:
Dalyn Flette (G-90): 28-6-15-2-3.50-0.890
Projected Rookies:
Michael Burns (F-91): 6-0-3-3-0
T.J. Foster (F-92)
Kieran Friesen (D-92)
Cam Lanigan (G-92)
Logan Proulx (F-91): 14-0-2-2-6
Jesse Pearson (D-91)
Mark Pysyk (D-92): 14-1-2-3-8
Rhett Rachinski (F-91): 2-0-0-0-0
Robin Soudek (F-91) (new import)
Colton Stephenson (F-92): 1-0-0-0-0
Henrik Tervonen (D-91): 6-0-0-0-0
Prognosis: the Oil Kings might give Red Deer a run for their money in the division. For sure they should have more offence than the Rebels, although that might not be saying much. Breitkreuz, Dowd, McCallum, Raedeke, Vincour....maybe only one of those guys would play on the top line on many other teams in the league, but combined it's a decent top six for the Oil Kings. It'll be scoring by committee but if all those guys could get 20-25 goals or 45-60 points, they should have enough scoring to win some games. Depth is an issue but that's to be expected from the first couple years for an expansion team. The real problems for Edmonton start after you get past the forwards. They have the least-experienced blueline in the league by a mile (281 games combined) and even with the huge things expected from rookie Mark Pysyk, the Oil Kings' ability to defend their own end has to be a big question mark. They might not have a veteran guy there who would be in the top four on most other teams. And in net is maybe an equally big question, where the #1 is Dalyn Flette - who has not been particularily impressive in his two seasons in the league so far - and backed up by a 16 year old rookie. The Oil Kings are really going to need Flette and some of the defencemen to step up their play this year if the team is going to be competitive.
Prediction: 6th in the Central, 11th/12th in the conference. Shouldn't be too far off from Red Deer though. Wouldn't surprise me at all if they were ahead of the Rebels when all is said and done either.
Lethbridge Hurricanes:
Projected Losses:
Adam Chorneyko (F-88): 70-8-23-31-52 (overage numbers - projected)
Jesse Craige (D-89): 52-9-22-31-39 (traded to Chilliwack)
Nicholas Hotson (F-87): 44-13-23-36-4 (graduated overager)
Paul MacDonald (D-88): 30-0-5-5-18 (overage numbers - projected)
Michael Maniago (G-88): 46-25-14-5-2.5-0.896 (left WHL for university)
Jeff May (D-87): 29-3-21-24-19 (graduated overager)
Mike Wuchterl (F-87): 63-13-10-23-105 (graduated overager)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Carter Ashton (F-91): 40-5-4-9-21
Carter Bancks (F-89): 70-15-30-45-56
Zach Boychuk (F-89): 61-33-39-72-80
Cam Braes (F-91): 71-11-8-19-37
Mitch Fadden (F-88): 72-34-55-89-72
Dan Iwanski (F-90): 71-10-9-19-25
Dwight King (F-89): 72-34-35-69-56
Craig Orfino (F-90): 65-1-9-10-26
Colton Sceviour (F-89): 52-31-23-54-36
Cody Smuk (F-89): 60-4-10-14-71 (stats with Chilliwack)
Defence:
Lucas Alexiuk (D-89): 40-0-9-9-25
Luca Sbisa (D-90): 62-6-27-33-63
Mitch Versteeg (D-88): 56-3-5-8-138
Ben Wright (D-88): 69-4-34-38-105
Brennan Yadlowski (D-91): 50-0-3-3-54
Goaltenders:
Juha Metsola (G-89): 30-20-7-1-1.98-0.916
Projected Rookies:
Brandon Anderson (G-92)
Brandon Brossoit (F-92)
Cody Castro (D-92)
Derek Ryckman (D-92)
Austin Fyten (F-91): 6-0-0-0-0
Ryon Moser (F-92)
Mark Reners (F-92)
Cam Stevens (D-89): 5-0-1-1-8
Brock Sutherland (D-91): 5-0-0-0-2
Michael Tadjdeh (G-91)
Alex Theriau (D-92): 4-0-0-0-2
Prognosis: Lots to like about the defending conference champs, as they return 193 goals from last year's output (which puts them tops in the league) and have tons of veteran scoring available to them. (Trivia: the Canes have 429 career WHL goals on their roster, which is over 100 goals more than the next-best team!). Fadden, Boychuk, King, Sceviour, Bancks, these are all probably 60+ point guys minimum. Add in up-and-comers like Ashton, Braes, and Iwanski and there's lots of scoring depth here even if Fadden DOESN'T come back to the WHL. I'm assuming he does but if he doesn't, hey, replace him with Chorneyko. Games between Lethbridge and Brandon are going to give goal judges tendinitis in their thumbs. The blueline is a little shakier for the Canes, with only Ben Wright and Luca Sbisa being proven top-four guys there. There's potential from Yadlowski but for the rest, so far vets Alexiuk, Stevens, and Versteeg probably aren't more than 5th/6th guys in this league. So the Canes might need to beef up the blueline before the playoffs. Even earlier than that if they don't get Wright back from his NHL tryout (!!!). In net the Canes have a solid #1 goalie in Metsola, although some questions about his consistency remain unanswered from last year's performance. But I don't think a bad goal or an off night here and there is a big issue to worry about when you have the kind of goal production ability that the Canes will.
Prediction: Definitely #1 in the Central, probably by 10 points or more. Battle Brandon for #1 in the conference.
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Medicine Hat Tigers:
Projected Losses:
Mikael Ahlen (F-88): 34-8-3-11-20 (released)
Jordan Bendfeld (D-88): 72-6-19-25-160 (turning pro)
Shayne Brown (D-89): 55-3-7-10-89 (traded to Everett)
Yashar Farmanara (F-87): 64-21-20-41-78 (graduated overager)
Thomas Frazee (F-90): 43-3-4-7-25 (traded to Moose Jaw)
Jordan Hickmott (F-90): 55-7-4-11-24 (traded to Prince Albert)
Jerrid Sauer (D-87): 68-8-11-19-46 (graduated overager)
Daine Todd (F-87): 70-25-40-65-22 (graduated overager)
Tomas Vosvrda (G-89): 36-14-11-3-2.87-0.899 (released)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Brennan Bosch (F-88): 72-22-48-70-48
Bretton Cameron (F-89): 59-11-19-30-75
Travis Dunstall (F-89): 37-10-14-24-45
Tyler Ennis (F-89): 70-43-48-91-42
Colton Grant (F-89): 67-12-16-28-48
Wacey Hamilton (F-90): 63-13-19-32-95
Tristan King (F-90): 69-9-16-25-39 (stats with Portland)
Sean Ringrose (F-88): 68-10-24-34-38
John Stampohar (F-90): 42-3-1-4-52
Linden Vey (F-91): 48-8-9-17-21
Defence:
Cody Carlson (D-91): 49-2-14-16-34
Jace Coyle (D-90): 52-1-8-9-23 (stats with Spokane)
Mark Isherwood (D-89): 71-7-28-35-109
Tyler Kieffer (D-89): 27-0-3-3-27 (stats with Everett)
Matthew Konan (D-91): 42-0-4-4-21
Patrick Kozyra (D-89): 53-1-7-8-32
Goaltenders:
Ryan Holfeld (G-89): 48-28-11-4-2.47-0.902
Projected Rookies:
Scott Brkich (D-90)
Tyler Bunz (G-92): 1-1-0-0-3.00-0.885
Thomas Carr (D-90)
Joey Frazer (F-90)
Taylor Gal (F-90): 2-0-0-0-0
Josh Koper (F-90): 7-0-1-1-4
Tomas Kundratek (D-89) (new import)
Zdenek Okal (F-90) (new import)
Prognosis: A decently well-rounded team here, not as offensively talented as Lethbridge but probably equal on the blueline and in net. The Tigers have a pretty good first line with Ennis (who should score 50 goals this year) and Bosch, and some decent scoring depth from guys like Ringrose, King, Hamilton, Dunstall, etc. There's two pretty good scoring lines there and some decent depth through the 3rd line. On defence, there's a collection of above to above average defencemen here but no big stars....yet, anyway. New import Kundratek should be a very good addition here and could become the #1 d-man in short order, and the Tigers will be looking for bigger contributions from guys like Carlson, Konan, and Coyle than what they had to do last year for their teams. Not a dazzling group but they should be OK. And in net, Ryan Holfeld has the #1 job all to himself and will be looking to add more consistency to a 07-08 season which saw him post decent numbers, albeit a bit streaky. He'll be pushed by #1 bantam pick Tyler Bunz.
Prediction: Not in Lethbridge's league but should be 2nd in the division and 3rd or 4th in the conference.
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Calgary Hitmen:
Projected Losses:
Karl Alzner (D-88): 60-7-29-36-15 (turning pro)
T.J. Galiardi (F-88): 72-18-52-70-77 (turning pro)
Ryan Gillen (D-87): 54-2-6-8-107 (graduated overager)
Carson McMillan (F-88): 72-16-26-42-87 (overage numbers - projected)
Dan Mercer (D-87): 40-2-12-14-46 (graduated overager)
Brock Nixon (F-87): 29-17-15-32-14 (graduated overager)
Alex Plante (D-89): 36-1-1-2-28 (awaiting trade)
Dan Spence (G-88): 48-29-12-4-2.19-0.907 (overage numbers - projected)
Ryan White (F-88): 68-28-44-72-98 (turning pro)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Kyle Bortis (F-88): 68-37-35-72-30
Ian Duval (F-88): 71-22-28-50-42
Ryan Fox (F-90): 46-1-7-8-16
Bostjan Golicic (F-89): 57-12-18-30-24
Brandon Kozun (F-90): 69-19-34-53-46
Brendan Rowinski (F-90): 63-8-12-20-52
Chase Schaber (F-91): 49-3-1-4-30
Ian Schultz (F-90): 67-15-15-30-128
Brett Sonne (F-89): 29-8-12-20-12
Defence:
Matt Mackenzie (D-91): 39-2-6-8-8
Paul Postma (D-89): 66-14-28-42-30
Keith Seabrook (D-88): 59-4-13-17-47
Michael Stone (D-90): 71-10-25-35-28
Goaltenders:
Martin Jones (G-90): 27-18-8-1-2.12-0.911
Projected Rookies:
David Aime (G-89): 6-0-2-0-6.40-0.783 (stats with Red Deer)
Cody Beach (F-92)
Erik Bonsor (D-91)
Tyler Fiddler (F-90): 2-1-2-3-0
Jessi Hilton (F-91)
Jason MacDonald (F-89)
Austin Madaisky (D-92)
Scott Maetche (D-89)
Mackenzie Royer (F-92)
Michael Snider (G-91)
Cody Sylvester (F-92)
Edgars Ulescenko (F-90) (new import)
Prognosis: Some question marks here but should be a .500 team or thereabouts. The forward ranks are quite solid despite the loss of Galiardi, Nixon, White, etc. Bortis, Duval/McMillan, Sonne, Kozun, Schultz, and Golicic should all score 20+ goals, with a good supporting cast in Rowinski, Fiddler, Schaber, etc. They aren't going to compete with the Lethbridges and Brandons of the East in the scoring department but the Hitmen should be in the next group below that offence-wise. It's the blueline that is a big concern here, with only four returnees. Postma and Stone are a good first two but the Hitmen really need Seabrook to improve on his 07-08 showing and for Matt Mackenzie to take a big step forward as a 17 year old in order to have even an average top four d-men. The #5 - #7 guys have a total of 65 career games in the WHL, all by Maetche - who wasn't good enough to play for Chilliwack last year. Perhaps trading one of the overage forwards and/or Alex Plante will acquire someone to shore up the defence but for now this is a big question mark for the Hitmen. In net they will probably feature Martin Jones as the new #1; Jones put up pretty good numbers last year as the backup and even started some playoff games, and should be a capable #1. His backup will likely be either journeyman vet David Aime or rookie Michael Snider; in either case, Jones is going to be expected to carry the bulk of the load this year.
Prediction: 3rd in the Central, 4th-6th in the conference.
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Kootenay Ice:
Projected Losses:
Steve DaSilva (F-87): 68-40-50-90-47 (graduated overager)
Josh Gionfriddo (F-89): 29-2-1-3-29 (to Jr A)
Chad Greenan (D-87): 69-9-33-42-80 (graduated overager)
Arnaud Jacquemet (F-88): 65-27-26-53-22 (turning pro)
Paul Kurceba (D-87): 66-4-23-27-135 (graduated overager)
Kris Lazaruk (G-88): 51-26-17-4-2.9-0.91 (overage numbers - projected)
Ben Maxwell (F-88): 31-9-18-27-26 (turning pro)
Jiri Ryzuk (D-90): 45-0-0-0-21 (released)
Zach Sim (D-88): 30-1-7-8-37 (overage numbers - projected)
Jordan Wilkins (D-90): 30-1-0-1-32 (released)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Joe Antilla (F-91): 56-2-1-3-35
Andrew Bailey (F-88): 72-28-37-65-87
Steele Boomer (F-90): 62-11-19-30-32
Kris Foucault (F-90): 33-0-3-3-12
Matt Fraser (F-90): 63-9-11-20-48
Kevin King (F-90): 63-8-13-21-61
Tylan Stephens (F-89): 66-9-21-30-64
Michael Stickland (F-89): 71-22-28-50-60
Dustin Sylvester (F-89): 70-35-33-68-38
Defence:
Ian Barteaux (D-88): 71-1-14-15-134
Eric Frere (D-88): 30-3-2-5-35
Brayden McNabb (D-91): 65-2-9-11-63
John Negrin (D-89): 71-1-41-42-68
Goaltenders:
Thomas Heemskerk (G-90): 27-15-4-3-2.65-0.906
Projected Rookies:
Jordan Bauer (F-91)
Michael Cassivi (F-91)
Drew Czerwonka (F-92): 2-0-0-0-0
Ales Frieb (F-89) (new import)
Jesse Ismond (F-91)
Joey Leach (D-92)
Nathan Lieuwen (G-91): 3-1-1-1-3.27-0.91
Cason Machacek (D-91)
Dominik Pacovsky (F-90) (new import)
Max Reinhart (F-92)
Hayden Rintoul (D-91)
Tyler Vanscourt (D-92)
Prognosis: it's shaping up to be a young team for the Ice this year, with 12 players aged 16 or 17 on the roster right now. That kind of youth means depth is usually an issue at most positions, and that's the case here for the Ice this year. Up front they have Bailey, Sylvester, and Stickland, and will be expecting bigger things from Boomer, Stephens, and King, but it drops off after that. There's some promising guys there but little that is proven. Same on defence, where the four returnees - Negrin, McNabb, Barteaux, and Frere - are a decent bunch but after that the Ice, like the Hitmen, are going to be using unproven rookies in the #5 - #7 slots. If blueline stud Negrin sticks in the NHL (the Flames have made noises about that), the Ice could be in some big blueline trouble. The good news is that they are so deep in net, they might have three #1-calibre goalies there. So good is the potential of sophomore Heemskerk and rookie Lieuwen that I'm picking incumbent #1 Kris Lazaruk as the odd man out in the Ice overage carousel; they need Bailey's offence and Barteaux/Frere's veteran presence on defence more than they need Lazaruk in net when you consider they still have Heemskerk and Lieuwen ready to take over from Lazaruk. I see Lazaruk being dealt for help on defence or more scoring.
Prediction: the Ice are going to take a drop this year. 4th in the Central, 6th to 8th in the conference.
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Red Deer Rebels:
Projected Losses:
Spencer Edwards (F-90): 30-3-1-4-21 (traded to Seattle)
Mike Krgovich (F-90): 63-4-3-7-54 (traded to Seattle)
Colby Kulhanek (F-89): 24-3-3-6-17 (traded to Prince George)
Mark Louis (D-87): 62-5-14-19-78 (graduated overager)
Brett Miller (F-91): 26-1-1-2-5 (released)
Troy Ofukany (F-87): 30-10-17-27-29 (graduated overager)
James Reimer (G-88): 30-8-15-4-2.73-0.916 (turning pro)
Mike Scarborough (D-90): 59-1-4-5-42 (traded to Regina)
Juraj Valach (D-89): 30-4-8-12-38 (released)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Willie Coetzee (F-90): 23-2-0-2-14
Cody Esposito (F-89): 39-0-2-2-93
Landon Ferraro (F-91): 54-13-11-24-65
Cody Gross (F-89): 32-4-5-9-10
Cass Mappin (F-90): 64-5-12-17-89
Tyler Penny (F-89): 69-1-6-7-16
Tomas Polak (F-90): 45-5-5-10-27
Carter Smith (F-88): 43-7-8-15-55
Brandon Sutter (F-89): 59-26-23-49-38
Brennen Wray (F-88): 71-7-19-26-98
Defence:
Colin Archer (D-90): 48-1-3-4-44
Luke Egener (D-88): 64-2-7-9-80
Joel Kot (D-90): 20-3-7-10-10
Cullen Morin (D-89): 58-1-19-20-92
Justin Weller (D-91): 49-0-3-3-40
Goaltenders:
Morgan Clark (G-90): 47-10-30-3-3.70-0.884
Projected Rookies:
Josh Cowen (F-91)
Brett Ferguson (F-90)
Adam Kambeitz (F-92)
Tommi Kivisto (D-91) (new import)
Darcy Kuemper (G-90)
Steve Oursov (F-91): 3-0-0-0-0 (stats with Seattle)
Alex Petrovic (D-92): 10-1-0-1-2
Connor Redmond (F-92): 3-0-2-2-2
Kevin Woodyatt (D-92)
Prognosis: so much youth and inexperience, again. Seems like the Rebels have been rebuilding for three years now and this is probably going to be another one of those years. The forward corps has one player (Sutter) who has ever topped 30 points in a season, and I'd say there is a better than 50/50 chance that he sticks in the NHL this year and doesn't come back. With or without Sutter, much bigger roles are going to be expected of Ferraro, Wray, Mappin, Gross, Polak, etc, as well as immediate contributions from rookies like Connor Redmond. Any way you look at it, scoring is going to be a concern and losing Sutter would make things pretty dire offensively, I think. The defence is one of the greenest in the league, with only 450 total WHL games between the five "veteran" players and half of that belongs to Luke Egener. New import Tommi Kivisto is supposed to be looking pretty good, and I know they like rookie Alex Petrovic as well, but on the whole I think I'd have a hard time saying the Rebels' defence ranked higher than the bottom third of the league. In net they have Morgan Clark returning to be the #1, but he lost three times as many games as he won last year and his numbers weren't impressive. He might be pushed for his starters job by 18 year old rookie Darcy Kuemper, who has looked very good in preseason.
Prediction: too many weaknesses and question marks, again. 5th in the Central, 10th-12th in the conference.
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Edmonton Oil Kings:
Projected Losses:
Alex Archibald (G-87): 56-16-24-9-2.91-0.915 (graduated overager)
Cameron Cepek (D-88): 58-7-18-25-119 (traded to Prince George)
Robin Figren (F-88): 35-18-13-31-46 (turning pro)
Karey Pieper (F-87): 67-6-7-13-73 (graduated overager)
Brennan Sonne (F-87): 28-4-3-7-87 (graduated overager)
Matthew Swaby (D-87): 70-1-12-13-75 (graduated overager)
J-P Szaszkiewicz (F-88): 65-5-10-15-67 (left WHL for university)
Projected Returnees:
Forwards:
Braeden Adamyk (F-90): 66-4-6-10-39
Brett Breitkreuz (F-89): 70-15-19-34-105
Clayton Cumiskey (F-90): 70-9-13-22-24
Brenden Dowd (F-88): 70-16-23-39-67
Brent Henke (F-90): 63-2-6-8-24
Jeff Lee (F-88): 47-7-12-19-55
Craig McCallum (F-89): 68-15-24-39-24
Shayne Neigum (F-90): 62-5-9-14-87
Brent Raedeke (F-90): 72-15-16-31-62
Tomas Vincour (F-90): 65-16-23-39-36
Defence:
Tyler Hlookoff (D-90): 53-2-6-8-20
Brandon Lockerby (D-88): 36-7-7-14-8
Drew Nichol (D-89): 67-0-3-3-127
Adrian Van de Mosselaer (D-90): 53-1-3-4-39
Goaltenders:
Dalyn Flette (G-90): 28-6-15-2-3.50-0.890
Projected Rookies:
Michael Burns (F-91): 6-0-3-3-0
T.J. Foster (F-92)
Kieran Friesen (D-92)
Cam Lanigan (G-92)
Logan Proulx (F-91): 14-0-2-2-6
Jesse Pearson (D-91)
Mark Pysyk (D-92): 14-1-2-3-8
Rhett Rachinski (F-91): 2-0-0-0-0
Robin Soudek (F-91) (new import)
Colton Stephenson (F-92): 1-0-0-0-0
Henrik Tervonen (D-91): 6-0-0-0-0
Prognosis: the Oil Kings might give Red Deer a run for their money in the division. For sure they should have more offence than the Rebels, although that might not be saying much. Breitkreuz, Dowd, McCallum, Raedeke, Vincour....maybe only one of those guys would play on the top line on many other teams in the league, but combined it's a decent top six for the Oil Kings. It'll be scoring by committee but if all those guys could get 20-25 goals or 45-60 points, they should have enough scoring to win some games. Depth is an issue but that's to be expected from the first couple years for an expansion team. The real problems for Edmonton start after you get past the forwards. They have the least-experienced blueline in the league by a mile (281 games combined) and even with the huge things expected from rookie Mark Pysyk, the Oil Kings' ability to defend their own end has to be a big question mark. They might not have a veteran guy there who would be in the top four on most other teams. And in net is maybe an equally big question, where the #1 is Dalyn Flette - who has not been particularily impressive in his two seasons in the league so far - and backed up by a 16 year old rookie. The Oil Kings are really going to need Flette and some of the defencemen to step up their play this year if the team is going to be competitive.
Prediction: 6th in the Central, 11th/12th in the conference. Shouldn't be too far off from Red Deer though. Wouldn't surprise me at all if they were ahead of the Rebels when all is said and done either.
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