nivek_wahs
09-21-2007, 09:51 AM
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=07a43815-181d-4f48-b167-9e1d17bb342b
Around the WHL
CanWest News Service
Published: Friday, September 21, 2007
Racing From Front
- Calgary Hitmen: With a solid returning corps, led by Canadian world junior defenceman Karl Alzner, the Hitmen are favourites in the Central Division. They're bolstered by the additions from the NCAA of winger T.J. Galiardi and defenceman Keith Seabrook, both NHL draft picks.
- Kamloops Blazers: Their veteran defence, led by Victor Bartley, new captain Ryan Bender and Keaton Ellerby, should keep them in contention.
- Vancouver Giants: The reigning Memorial Cup champions have more grit than they had a year ago. They have a playoff-tested goalie in Tyson Sexsmith and firepower up front in Michal Repik and Milan Lucic.
- Seattle Thunderbirds: Could this finally be Seattle's year? They added two first-round NHL picks, goalie Riku Helenius and centre Jim O'Brien to a group that included another first rounder, defenceman Thomas Hickey.
- Everett Silvertips : Were there tears or cheers when Kevin Constantine told players he had an American Hockey League job?
Moving From the Middle
- Regina Pats: The Pats might have the best blueline group in the league, paced by Logan Pyett, Craig Schira and Nick Ross, and a first-rate goalie in Linden Rowat.
- Spokane Chiefs: Even with Michael Grabner gone, they're still a high-scoring, fan-friendly team. They also have one of the more intriguing rookies, in 2006 bantam first-overall draft pick Jared Cowen, a defenceman.
- Kootenay Ice: They can put up numbers, with scoring title candidates Steve Da Silva, a winger, and Ben Maxwell, a centre, leading the charge. If rookie coach Mark Holick, formerly of British Columbia Hockey League's Vernon Vipers, can find a way to stop goals, they could surprise.
- Medicine Hat Tigers: The reigning league champs are young and they're rebuilding.
Back in the Pack
- Swift Current Broncos: The Broncos don't have too much of one thing, but a little bit of everything. They have six second-line type forwards, although Geordie Wudrick has first-line potential.
- Prince Albert Raiders: The Raiders took a step forward Tuesday when they landed overage goalie Dustin Butler from Kamloops for a draft pick. They are solid on defence, capable up front.
- Chilliwack Bruins: If they find a running buddy for Oscar Moller and Mark Santorelli on the first line and their defence improves, the Bruins could have the sixth seed out of the tough West.
- Kelowna Rockets: Good? They've added the son of former WHL sniper Len Barrie. Bad? He's a defenceman for the scoring-starved Rockets.
- Lethbridge Hurricanes: Winger Zach Boychuk could win the scoring title. Rookie goalie Juha Metsola may have coach Michael Dyck saying, "We've given up a 2-on-1 again?" in Finnish by Christmas, too.
- Moose Jaw Warriors: They are the long last-name team, with forwards Riley Holzapfel, Keith Voytechek Jordan Knackstedt and Terrance Delaronde.
- Saskatoon Blades: The Blades are shooting to host the 2010 Memorial Cup, so they're young yet again.
- Brandon Wheat Kings: Brandon has an elite defence, featuring Keith Aulie, Daryl Boyle and Theran Yeo. Brandon also lost six of their top seven scorers from last year, plus starting goalie Tyler Plante.
Tri-City Americans: Sniper Colton Yellow Horn will help a young group develop.
- Red Deer Rebels: Owner Brent Sutter brought brother Brian in to coach, while Brandon Sutter will lead the team on the ice.
Pulling Up the Rear
- Prince George Cougars: The Cougars will have trouble scoring. They'll also have trouble not dealing away defenceman Ty Wishart to pick up the draft picks they lost last year in the Devin Setoguchi trade.
- Portland Winter Hawks: Portland has an entertaining goalie in Kurtis Mucha. Unfortunately, he gets too many opportunities to entertain.
- Edmonton Oil Kings: They'll benefit from being in the Eastern Conference, the weaker of the two.
© The Calgary Herald 2007
Around the WHL
CanWest News Service
Published: Friday, September 21, 2007
Racing From Front
- Calgary Hitmen: With a solid returning corps, led by Canadian world junior defenceman Karl Alzner, the Hitmen are favourites in the Central Division. They're bolstered by the additions from the NCAA of winger T.J. Galiardi and defenceman Keith Seabrook, both NHL draft picks.
- Kamloops Blazers: Their veteran defence, led by Victor Bartley, new captain Ryan Bender and Keaton Ellerby, should keep them in contention.
- Vancouver Giants: The reigning Memorial Cup champions have more grit than they had a year ago. They have a playoff-tested goalie in Tyson Sexsmith and firepower up front in Michal Repik and Milan Lucic.
- Seattle Thunderbirds: Could this finally be Seattle's year? They added two first-round NHL picks, goalie Riku Helenius and centre Jim O'Brien to a group that included another first rounder, defenceman Thomas Hickey.
- Everett Silvertips : Were there tears or cheers when Kevin Constantine told players he had an American Hockey League job?
Moving From the Middle
- Regina Pats: The Pats might have the best blueline group in the league, paced by Logan Pyett, Craig Schira and Nick Ross, and a first-rate goalie in Linden Rowat.
- Spokane Chiefs: Even with Michael Grabner gone, they're still a high-scoring, fan-friendly team. They also have one of the more intriguing rookies, in 2006 bantam first-overall draft pick Jared Cowen, a defenceman.
- Kootenay Ice: They can put up numbers, with scoring title candidates Steve Da Silva, a winger, and Ben Maxwell, a centre, leading the charge. If rookie coach Mark Holick, formerly of British Columbia Hockey League's Vernon Vipers, can find a way to stop goals, they could surprise.
- Medicine Hat Tigers: The reigning league champs are young and they're rebuilding.
Back in the Pack
- Swift Current Broncos: The Broncos don't have too much of one thing, but a little bit of everything. They have six second-line type forwards, although Geordie Wudrick has first-line potential.
- Prince Albert Raiders: The Raiders took a step forward Tuesday when they landed overage goalie Dustin Butler from Kamloops for a draft pick. They are solid on defence, capable up front.
- Chilliwack Bruins: If they find a running buddy for Oscar Moller and Mark Santorelli on the first line and their defence improves, the Bruins could have the sixth seed out of the tough West.
- Kelowna Rockets: Good? They've added the son of former WHL sniper Len Barrie. Bad? He's a defenceman for the scoring-starved Rockets.
- Lethbridge Hurricanes: Winger Zach Boychuk could win the scoring title. Rookie goalie Juha Metsola may have coach Michael Dyck saying, "We've given up a 2-on-1 again?" in Finnish by Christmas, too.
- Moose Jaw Warriors: They are the long last-name team, with forwards Riley Holzapfel, Keith Voytechek Jordan Knackstedt and Terrance Delaronde.
- Saskatoon Blades: The Blades are shooting to host the 2010 Memorial Cup, so they're young yet again.
- Brandon Wheat Kings: Brandon has an elite defence, featuring Keith Aulie, Daryl Boyle and Theran Yeo. Brandon also lost six of their top seven scorers from last year, plus starting goalie Tyler Plante.
Tri-City Americans: Sniper Colton Yellow Horn will help a young group develop.
- Red Deer Rebels: Owner Brent Sutter brought brother Brian in to coach, while Brandon Sutter will lead the team on the ice.
Pulling Up the Rear
- Prince George Cougars: The Cougars will have trouble scoring. They'll also have trouble not dealing away defenceman Ty Wishart to pick up the draft picks they lost last year in the Devin Setoguchi trade.
- Portland Winter Hawks: Portland has an entertaining goalie in Kurtis Mucha. Unfortunately, he gets too many opportunities to entertain.
- Edmonton Oil Kings: They'll benefit from being in the Eastern Conference, the weaker of the two.
© The Calgary Herald 2007