2011-12 WHL Thread (Hitmen/Rebels/Hurricanes/Tigers!) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FCAV · 08-24-2011, 05:05 PM

2011-12 Western Hockey League season is nearing! Camps open in the next few days and it's time to get excited.

Lots of things to be excited about this year, especially if you're a Rebels fan. RNH will likely return and defenseman Matt Dumba looks to be a top-5 pick at this point.

Hitmen will be much improved as well. Kelly Kisio has done an exceptional job rebuilding this team. Could very well be looking at getting back to the Memorial Cup in two-three years.

Get out and support these teams! Plus you'll get to see some Flames prospects, and a pile of guys eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft!

Puppet Guy · 08-25-2011, 02:51 PM

Looking forward to hitting up some Hitmen games this year - I usually take in five or so, but last year was a write-off for hockey thanks to my newborn.

Flickered Flame · 08-25-2011, 06:21 PM

I'm hopeful that the Hitmen can hover around that .500 mark. I think RNH sticks in Edmonton, there are several "experts" up there you keep saying that is basically on the team, if he does stay the Rebels will back a bunch. I hate to say it but I think the Oil Kings are ready to take a major step forward this year.

Resolute 14 · 08-25-2011, 06:39 PM

I'd expect RNH to stick with Edmonton as well, more because the only thing worse than Oiler players are Oiler management. They're gonna burn a year on a kid who could still benefit from another year in junior despite the fact that it will be a throwaway year in the NHL.

I wonder what becomes of Myles Bell?

Nowhere for the Hitmen to go but up! Hopefully Carolina convinces Victor Rask that a year with the Hitmen would be a good thing.

Flickered Flame · 08-25-2011, 06:59 PM

Yeah my fairly confident that Rask plays with the Hitmen this year. Their other import pick Gogolev has been in town awhile and is going to report, which can be a wild card with Russians.

FCAV · 08-25-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I wonder what becomes of Myles Bell?

He's on the Pats protected list but will not be in camp.

FCAV · 08-25-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

Looking forward to hitting up some Hitmen games this year - I usually take in five or so, but last year was a write-off for hockey thanks to my newborn.

You picked a good year to skip!

Resolute 14 · 08-25-2011, 07:32 PM

I figured as much. Wonder if he returns to the Pats after the judge gives him the typically pitiful sentence?

Trojan97 · 08-25-2011, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I'd expect RNH to stick with Edmonton as well, more because the only thing worse than Oiler players are Oiler management. They're gonna burn a year on a kid who could still benefit from another year in junior despite the fact that it will be a throwaway year in the NHL.

I wonder what becomes of Myles Bell?

Nowhere for the Hitmen to go but up! Hopefully Carolina convinces Victor Rask that a year with the Hitmen would be a good thing.

Indeed. RNH will be on IR within 5 games if Edmonton tries to play him in the bigs this year. The kid will be a walking injury all season if they try and keep him up.

What's a guy got to do around here to get the Wheat Kings added to the thread title

Freeway · 08-26-2011, 01:44 AM

I'm very interested to see how Kootenay can repeat their great run from last year. Reinhart and a lot of the key pieces will be back.

North East Goon · 08-26-2011, 09:34 AM

The Oil Kings should be a contender for sure.

Cheese · 08-30-2011, 01:38 PM

Looks like Rask is playing for the Hitmen?
Dependant on his NHL tryout of course.

Resolute 14 · 08-30-2011, 06:39 PM

That would be excellent news for the Hitmen!

Any thoughts on Max Domi being dealt from Kingston to London? A lot of angst about this deal, and how the OHL has lost any sense of competitive balance. Kids basically engineering their way from smaller teams to larger ones. It seems he and daddy Tie used the threat of Max going to the NCAA to push the trade through.

Cheese · 08-30-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

That would be excellent news for the Hitmen!

Any thoughts on Max Domi being dealt from Kingston to London? A lot of angst about this deal, and how the OHL has lost any sense of competitive balance. Kids basically engineering their way from smaller teams to larger ones. It seems he and daddy Tie used the threat of Max going to the NCAA to push the trade through.

It seems the Hunters of London have significant push in the O. They seem to get the guys they want one way or the other. As far as Max goes, Im not sure he is the "next one" as far as Junior stars are concerned...from what I can gather he will be a decent player but not likely to be star material. If his head is as hard as his dads he may "bull" his way to the majors LOL.
Kingston has Doug Gilmour as HC so that team has its pull as well, not sure I buy into the competitive balance deal at all. Owen Sound, last years champs isnt exactly a high profile place. In years past places like Plymouth, Windsor, Peterborough and Belleville have all had their shots at glory...its all about management, typical to the WHL and the Q.

CofR · 08-30-2011, 09:43 PM

Didn't Nathan Mackinnon use the same threat to get traded from Baie-Comeau to the Mooseheads earlier this summer in the Q?

FCAV · 09-10-2011, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CofR

Didn't Nathan Mackinnon use the same threat to get traded from Baie-Comeau to the Mooseheads earlier this summer in the Q?

Essentially. His big desire was going to an English-speaking community.

FCAV · 09-10-2011, 12:22 AM

Hitmen play the Rebels Saturday night in an exhibition tilt at the Flames Community Arenas. Tickets will be cheap, and there's a good chance you'll see Matt Dumba play. He's looking like a top-5 pick in this year's draft.

Failing that, you should get the chance to see Greg Chase up close. He's had a very impressive camp for a 16-year-old.

Drake · 09-22-2011, 11:09 PM

Myles Bell will be given a second chance as he was traded to Kelowna this afternoon for Colton Jobke. He is expected to be in the lineup this weekend.
IMO, its the best thing for everyone involved.

http://whl.ca/article/pats-and-rockets-complete-trade

Matty81 · 09-22-2011, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drake

Myles Bell will be given a second chance as he was traded to Kelowna this afternoon for Colton Jobke. He is expected to be in the lineup this weekend.
IMO, its the best thing for everyone involved.

http://whl.ca/article/pats-and-rockets-complete-trade

The core of Kelowna's d is him, Madison Bowey (16) Jesse Lees (16) and Damon Severson (17). All really talented players but with how young they are he's going to be playing 25 minutes + a night, if he's capable of performing mentally he is going to have a monster year points wise and could be a pretty heavily pursued free agent.

Beerfest · 09-22-2011, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty81

The core of Kelowna's d is him, Madison Bowey (16) Jesse Lees (16) and Damon Severson (17). All really talented players but with how young they are he's going to be playing 25 minutes + a night, if he's capable of performing mentally he is going to have a monster year points wise and could be a pretty heavily pursued free agent.

I could be wrong, but wont he be draft eligible this year again?