PDA

View Full Version : Meet the Opposition



Tipped Off
09-27-2005, 03:48 PM
Meet the opposition
Western Conference


Coach: Mike Williamson, sixth season

Last season: 35-27-5-5, second in U.S. Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.

Key returners: RW Dan DaSilva (31 goals, 42 assists), C Brandon Dubinsky (23 goals, 36 assists), LW Brian Woolger (24 goals, 35 assists), D Michael Funk (eight goals, 22 assists), D Brendan Mikkelson (five goals, 10 assists), D Michael Sauer (two goals, 11 assists).

Key newcomers: RW Jon Bubnick, RW Jannik Hansen, LW Stanislav Balan.

Key losses: D Braydon Coburn (12 goals, 32 assists), LW Cody McLeod (31 goals, 29 assists), RW Darrel May (18 goals, 35 assists), G Blake Grenier (17-11-1, 2.15 goals against average).

Outlook: Portland has a strong returning core, including a defense that includes three second-round NHL Draft picks (Mikkelson, Sauer). The big question mark for the Winter Hawks is in goal, where Dustin Butler has yet to fulfill his tremendous potential. If Butler proves a capable No. 1, Portland is a strong candidate to win the division title.

Seattle Thunderbirds
Coach: Rob Sumner, second season

Last season: 43-24-2-3, first in U.S. Division, reached second round of playoffs.

Key returners: G Bryan Bridges (36-20-2, 1.79 goals against average), C Aaron Gagnon (31 goals, 34 assists), C Chris Durand (19 goals, 34 assists), LW Ladislav Scurko (17 goals, 25 assists), D Scott Jackson (six goals, 16 assists), D Clayton Barthel (five goals, 13 assists).

Key newcomers: C Tyler Johnson, LW Roman Tomanek, D Thomas Hickey.

Key losses: LW Tyler Metcalfe (20 goals, 26 assists), C Nate Thompson (19 goals, 15 assists), RW Derek Couture (20 goals, 18 assists), D Zack FitzGerald (244 penalty minutes).

Outlook: Seattle went from last to first last season thanks in large part to a strong defense and an MVP-caliber season from Bridges. With Bridges and the bulk of the defense returning, the T-birds are in good position to repeat as division champions. But Seattle will need its new and young forwards to pick up some of the lost offensive production.

Spokane Chiefs
Coach: Bill Peters, first season

Last season: 24-38-8-2, fifth in U.S. Division.

Key returners: C Chad Klassen (27 goals, 37 assists), LW Jeff Lynch (23 goals, 26 assists), C Derek Ryan (14 goals, 32 assists), LW Miles Stoesz (238 penalty minutes), D Joe Logan (five goals, 19 assists), G Jim Watt (19-29-4, 2.96 goals against average).

Key newcomers: LW Johannes Salmonsson, LW Drayson Bowman, D Taylor Sutherlin, D David Schulz.

Key losses: LW Ned Lukacevic (18 goals, 28 assists), LW Jevon Desautels (15 goals, 13 assists), D Gary Gladue (six goals, 23 assists).

Outlook: Spokane had a difficult 2004-05, missing the playoffs and seeing coach Al Conroy relieved of his duties following the season. But new coach Peters has some talent to work with as Spokane lost the least of any team in the WHL. Expect the Chiefs to be among the most improved teams in the league, if not quite challenging for the division title.

Tri-City Americans
Coach: Don Nachbaur, third season

Last season: 26-35-8-3, fourth in U.S. Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.

Key returners: G Carey Price (24-31-8, 2.34 goals against average), C Ian McDonald (16 goals, 26 assists), RW Jason Beeman (13 goals, 18 assists), C Matt Schneider (16 goals, 14 assists), C Shaun Vey (seven goals, 16 assists), D Logan Stephenson (six goals, nine assists).

Key newcomers: LW Igor Bacek, C Alex Aldred, D Tanner Stockwell.

Key losses: D Shawn Belle (13 goals, 32 assists), D Clayton Stoner (12 goals, 34 assists), C Dylan Stanley (18 goals, 33 assists), LW Marcus Jonasen (21 goals, 20 assists).

Outlook: Last season Tri-City was the consensus choice to win the U.S. Division, but the Americans fell flat and barely made it into the playoffs. With heavy losses from last season Tri-City has a tough road ahead. In Price the Americans have a premier goaltender, but he'll have to perform miracles to get Tri-City into the playoffs.

B.C. Division

Kamloops Blazers
Coach: Mark Ferner, second season

Last season: 26-37-7-2, fourth in B.C. Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.

Key returners: G Devan Dubnyk (23-34-7, 2.69 goals against average), D Roman Tesliuk (nine goals, 20 assists), C Reid Jorgensen (20 goals, 14 assists), D/RW Ray Macias (12 goals, 35 assists), LW Matt Kassian (172 penalty minutes), D Victor Bartley (four goals, six assists).

Key newcomers: LW Kris Versteeg, C Marc Connors, D Brennan Chapman, C Janick Steinmann.

Key losses: LW Aaron Richards (20 goals, 23 assists), LW Kris Hogg (18 goals, 22 assists), RW Nathan Grochmal (10 goals, 11 assists).

Outlook: The Blazers struggled through their first losing record since 1996-97 last season. However, Kamloops has minimal losses from last season and has an elite goaltender in place in Dubnyk. With the addition of Versteeg, a quality offensive player, via preseason trade with Lethbridge, the Blazers should be improved, though not enough to catch Kelowna.

Kelowna Rockets
Coach: Jeff Truitt, second season

Last season: 45-13-12-2, second in B.C. Division, WHL champions.

Key returners: RW Blake Comeau (24 goals, 23 assists), LW Justin Keller (31 goals, 22 assists), C Tyler Spurgeon (21 goals, 41 assists), D Mike Card (10 goals, 35 assists), D Kyle Cumiskey (four goals, 36 assists), G Derek Yeomans (33-13-8, 1.83 goals against average).

Key newcomers: D Alexander Edler, D Tysen Dowzak, D Luke Schenn.

Key losses: D Shea Weber (12 goals, 29 assists), C Tyler Mosienko (15 goals, 36 assists), D Brett Palin (four goals, 21 assists).

Outlook: Participants in the past three Memorial Cups, the Rockets are the odds-on favorites to make it four straight. Kelowna returns between 17 and 19 players, most of whom were key contributors during their recent run and have known nothing other than success. Forwards Troy Bodie and Lauris Darzins are still at NHL camps but may return. Losing Weber takes some of the punch out of the defense, but Kelowna has more than enough to compensate.

Kootenay Ice
Coach: Cory Clouston, fourth season

Last season: 47-15-7-3, first in B.C. Division, reached conference finals.

Key returners: C Dale Mahovsky (24 goals, 47 assists), RW Adam Cracknell (19 goals, 29 assists), LW Casey Lee (11 goals, 34 assists), C/LW Ryan Russell (32 goals, 21 assists), D Mike Busto (eight goals, 21 assists), G Taylor Dakers (13-7-2, 2.03 goals against average).

Key newcomers: D John Negrin, C Dustin Sylvester, C Marek Curilla.

Key losses: LW Nigel Dawes (50 goals, 26 assists), G Jeff Glass (34-11-5, 1.76 goals against average), RW Martin Sagat (17 goals, 46 assists), C Adam Taylor (20 goals, 32 assists), D James Cherewyk (four goals, 23 assists).

Outlook: Kootenay was a surprise winner of the WHL regular-season championship last season, tying for points with Kelowna but winning based on total victories. But the Ice lost as much as anyone in the Western Conference, and with a significantly younger team are unlikely to do much more than challenge for a playoff spot. Then again, no one expected Kootenay to do anything last season, either.

Prince George Cougars
Coach: Mike Vandekamp, first season

Last season: 26-41-3-2, fifth in B.C. Division.

Key returners: C Nick Drazenovic (18 goals, 38 assists), LW Colin Patterson (27 goals, 23 assists), C Eric Hunter (12 goals, 18 assists), D Andy Rogers (two goals, nine assists), G Scott Bowles (18-26-4, 2.77 goals against average), G Real Cyr (12-18-1, 2.80 goals against average).

Key newcomers: D Ryan Kerr, F Fred Wikner, F Alexandre Alexandrov.

Key losses: D Dustin Byfuglien (22 goals, 36 assists), D Matej Trojovsky (199 penalty minutes), LW Lee Zalasky (16 goals, 19 assists).

Outlook: Prince George has missed the playoffs each of the past two seasons, is short on elite talent, and is constantly playing under the cloud of a possible franchise move. The Cougars hope new coach Vandekamp, a successful Junior A coach, can turn the team's momentum. But he'll need major impacts from new Europeans Wikner and Alexandrov as well as from Kerr, the first overall pick in the 2004 Bantam Draft, for that to occur.

Vancouver Giants
Coach: Don Hay, second season

Last season: 34-30-4-4, third in B.C. Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.

Key returners: C Gilbert Brule (39 goals, 48 assists), LW Mitch Bartley (30 goals, 23 assists), D Mark Fistric (one goal, five assists), D Brett Festerling (five goals, 15 assists), RW Tim Kraus (16 goals, 19 assists), LW J.D. Watt (213 penalty minutes).

Key newcomers: G Dustin Slade, C Mario Bliznak, RW David Rutherford.

Key losses: C Adam Courchaine (28 goals, 50 assists), LW Triston Grant (20 goals, 193 penalty minutes), D Andrej Meszaros (11 goals, 30 assists), G Marek Schwarz (26-24-4, 2.67 goals against average).

Outlook: The key to Vancouver's season lies with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets. The Predators are considering keeping Brule, who they selected sixth overall in this year's NHL Draft, even though the Giants' star is just 18 years old. If Brule returns, the Giants can contend for second behind Kelowna. If he doesn't, the Giants will have to fight for a playoff spot.

Tipped Off
09-27-2005, 03:48 PM
Eastern Conference - Central Division Calgary Hitmen
Coach: Kelly Kisio, second season

Last season: 34-23-9-6, third in Central Division, reached second round of playoffs.

Key returners: D Brett Carson (eight goals, 16 assists), D Jeff Schultz (two goals, 27 assists), D Dustin Kohn (eight goals, 35 assists), LW Brodie Dupont (14 goals, 11 assists), G Justin Pogge (24-21-5, 2.50 goals against average).

Key newcomers: C Lukas Vantuch, RW Fredrik Pettersson, C Brett Sonne.

Key losses: C Ryan Getzlaf (29 goals, 25 assists), LW Andrew Ladd (19 goals, 26 assists), LW Konstantin Pushkarev (22 goals, 30 assists).

Outlook: Calgary has a big, strong, experienced defense featuring eight returnees as well as a proven netminder in Pogge. But the Hitmen are hurting offensively, having lost their top five scoring forwards from last season. Calgary will have to grind out a lot of low-scoring victories if it is to match its performance from last season.

Lethbridge Hurricanes
Coach: Lindsay Hofford, second season

Last season: 39-20-12-1, second in Central Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.

Key returners: LW Colton Yellow Horn (35 goals, 51 assists), C Kyle Pess (22 goals, 26 assists), D Mark Ashton (three goals, 12 assists), C Mark Olafson (eight goals, 13 assists), LW Robert Klinkhammer (14 goals, 12 assists).

Key newcomers: RW Curtis Billsten, LW Kris Hogg, G Kevin Opsahl.

Key losses: D Brent Seabrook (12 goals, 42 assists), G Aaron Sorochan (35-19-8, 2.19 goals against average), RW Jonathan Filewich (42 goals, 38 assists), LW Kris Versteeg (22 goals, 30 assists), LW John Lammers (17 goals, 30 assists).

Outlook: The Hurricanes beefed up in the offseason after being pushed around by Calgary in the first round of the playoffs. But will it make a difference? It won't matter if Opsahl can't successfully fill the void left by Sorochan. If he can, Lethbridge can thrive in a division hit hard by player losses.

Medicine Hat Tigers
Coach: Willie Desjardins, fourth season

Last season: 45-21-4-2, first in Central Division, reached conference finals.

Key returners: G Matt Keetley (21-5-3, 1.66 goals against average), D Kris Russell (26 goals, 35 assists), D Gord Baldwin (three goals, eight assists), LW Darren Helm (10 goals, 14 assists), LW Roman Psurny (21 goals, 28 assists), RW Tommy Maxwell (10 goals, 22 assists).

Key newcomers: RW Michal Psurny, F Jordie Deagle, F Tyler Ennis, F Brennan Bosch.

Key losses: C Stefan Meyer (34 goals, 43 assists), LW Clarke MacArthur (30 goals, 44 assists), D Cam Barker (15 goals, 33 assists), G Kevin Nastiuk (23-18-1, 2.18 goals against average).

Outlook: Medicine Hat was devastated by losing standouts Meyer, MacArthur, Barker (who could still return) and Nastiuk on top of their graduated overagers. Keetley actually played better in goal than Nastiuk while Nastiuk was injured, but he'll be under fire with an extremely young defense in front of him. The Tigers won 40-plus games each of the past two seasons, but are unlikely to extend that streak to three.

Red Deer Rebels
Coach: Brent Sutter, seventh season

Last season: 36-26-6-4, fourth in Central Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.

Key returners: LW Roman Wick (32 goals, 38 assists), RW Ashton Rome (19 goals, 27 assists), C Jared Walker (13 goals, nine assists), D Paul Kurceba (four goals, 14 assists), RW Ted Vandermeer (seven goals, 13 assists), G Andrew Leslie (14-12-4, 2.72 goals against average).

Key newcomers: D Matthew Hansen, D Vladimir Mihalik, C Brandon Sutter.

Key losses: D Dion Phaneuf (24 goals, 32 assists), C Colin Fraser (24 goals, 43 assists), LW Ty Morris (28 goals, 44 assists), D Mikko Kuukka (three goals, 24 assists).

Outlook: In Phaneuf, Red Deer lost the WHL's premier player, and the Rebels suffered several other key losses as well. With many of the other teams in the Central Division also suffering heavy losses, the Rebels should have enough to be a significant player come playoff time.

Swift Current Broncos
Coach: Dean Chynoweth, second season

Last season: 22-41-6-3, fifth in Central Division.

Key returners: G Kyle Moir (20-33-4, 2.73 goals against average), C Luke Hunter (24 goals, 21 assists), LW Marc Desloges (12 goals, 23 assists), RW Josh Aspenlind (14 goals, 16 assists), D Myles Rumsey (two goals, four assists).

Key newcomers: C Daniel Rakos, C Levi Nelson, RW Kyle Bortis.

Key losses: LW Barry Horman (six goals, 14 assists), RW Justin Cruse (10 goals, nine assists).

Outlook: Chynoweth came in last season and cleaned house. Although the team attitude improved, the talent-starved Broncos missed the playoffs for the first time since 1973, largely due to an offense that scored a league-low 135 goals. Swift Current is hoping the offense improves this season, but the Broncos are still in the early stages of their building process.

East Division

Brandon Wheat Kings
Coach: Kelly McCrimmon, second season

Last season: 45-21-5-1, first in East Division, reached WHL finals.

Key returners: G Tyler Plante (34-11-2, 2.58 goals against average), D Riley Day (three goals, seven assists), LW Mark Derlago (injured), LW Derek LeBlanc (14 goals, 15 assists), C Codey Burki (10 goals, 13 assists).

Key newcomers: LW John Wikner, C Tyler Dittmer, LW Andrew Clark, D Keith Aulie.

Key losses: RW Eric Fehr (59 goals, 52 assists), C Ryan Stone (33 goals, 66 assists), LW Tim Konsorada (29 goals, 58 assists), RW Lance Monych (30 goals, 36 assists), D Steven Later (14 goals, 49 assists).

Outlook: Brandon was the WHL's highest-scoring team last season, but the Wheat Kings lost nearly 80 percent of their offensive production. Plante is the reigning rookie of the year and the Wheat Kings have seven returning defensemen. If they can find a way to replace the scoring, they can still challenge for a top spot in the division.

Moose Jaw Warriors
Coach: Steve Young, second season

Last season: 14-47-10-1, fourth in East Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.

Key returners: LW Kenndal McArdle (37 goals, 37 assists), C Dustin Boyd (26 goals, 35 assists), C Blair Jones (14 goals, 36 assists), RW Troy Brouwer (22 goals, 25 assists), C Riley Holzapfel (15 goals, 13 assists), G Josh Lepp (5-23-4, 3.72 goals against average), G Joey Perricone (8-17-3, 3.45 goals against average).

Key newcomers: RW Bjorn Svensson, D Jesse Zetariuk.

Key losses: C Masi Marjamaki (14 goals, 32 assists), D Stuart Kerr (four goals, seven assists).

Outlook: Moose Jaw suffered through a historically bad start last season, going winless in its first 19 games, a WHL record. But the Warriors improved as the season went along and have a ton of offensive firepower. Question marks on defense and in goal likely will prevent a Saskatoon-like turnaround, but Moose Jaw should improve its record substantially.

Prince Albert Raiders
Coach: Peter Anholt, third season

Last season: 31-32-5-4, third in East Division, reached second round of playoffs.

Key returners: C Kyle Chipchura (14 goals, 18 assists), C Aki Seitsonen (24 goals, 28 assists), RW Brett Novak (19 goals, 22 assists), C Brad Erickson (10 goals, 20 assists), D Evan Schafer (one goal, 15 assists), G Alex Archibald (10-12-1, 2.60 goals against average).

Key newcomers: D A.J. Thelen, C Peter Cmorej.

Key losses: C Jeremy Colliton (16 goals, 30 assists), G Rejean Beauchemin (21-24-4, 2.61 goals against average), LW Caine Pearpoint (20 goals, 28 assists), D Luke Fritshaw (eight goals, 33 assists).

Outlook: Last season Prince Albert survived regular-season injuries and became a real threat in the playoffs. The Raiders have lost some significant players, but Thelen is a major addition and having Chipchura, who only played 28 games last season, healthy again should be a big boost. Expect Prince Albert to challenge for the division title.

Regina Pats
Coach: Curtis Hunt, second season

Last season: 12-50-4-6, fifth in East Division.

Key returners: LW Jordan McGillivray (18 goals, 13 assists), D Kyle Deck (six goals, 13 assists), C Kyle Ross (10 goals, 30 assists), D Logan Pyett (five goals, 19 assists), D Derek Reinhart (198 penalty minutes).

Key newcomers: G Michael Wall, RW Petr Kalus, C Matt Robinson, C Garrett Festerling.

Key losses: C Rick Rypien (22 goals, 29 assists), LW Brent Hill (21 goals, 36 assists), RW Jon Bubnick (21 goals, 16 assists).

Outlook: Regina finished with the worst record in the league last season, and with a young team the Pats are expected to struggle again. Much depends on Wall. If he returns from his tryout with Anaheim, his ability in net might be enough to pull the Pats from the depths.

Saskatoon Blades
Coach: Lorne Molleken, second season

Last season: 37-23-6-6, second in East Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.

Key returners: RW Devin Setoguchi (33 goals, 31 assists), C Joe Barnes (30 goals, 32 assists), C/LW Wacey Rabbit (22 goals, 45 assists), LW Aaron Bader (18 goals, 36 assists), LW Zdenek Bahensky (14 goals, 17 assists), C Justin McCrae (eight goals, 11 assists), D Dalyn Flatt (237 penalty minutes).

Key newcomers: G Anton Khudobin, C Colton Gillies, LW Brandon Tidball.

Key losses: D Mike Green (14 goals, 52 assists), RW Ryan Keller (40 goals, 33 assists).

Outlook: Saskatoon pulled off a Lazarus-like resurrection last season, going from having one of the worst seasons in WHL history to being one of the top teams in the league overnight. With plenty of offense returning, the Blades are considered one of the favorites both in the division and the conference. But Saskatoon needs Khudobin to live up to the hype to take the next step forward.