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.