2012-13 WHL Season Thread (Hitmen, Rebels, Canes, Tigers, et al)

[Freeway]

We're roughly a week away from the beginning of the WHL's regular season.
Will the Hitmen contend? Will they overcome the still-stacked Oil Kings?

We shall find out.

[Matty81]

Kelowna looks not great... aside from the fact that Kamloops seem like they might contend for the league for the first time in the better part of 2 decades and make the division toughish, I don't think they're going to score much. On the plus side they have built the most promising young D group I've ever seen and that's saying something in Kelowna, it's been an amazing blueline factory as long as I've been here.

[Red John]

Expecting a big season from the Blazers. Basically returning the same team minus the 20-year olds who aren't a huge loss.

Austin Madaisky will lead a solid blueline and frankly the forwards are an embarrassment of riches with Tim Bozon, Colin Smith, Brendan Ranford, and others. It's a very veteran group this year. Cole Cheveldave in net to build on his coming out party last year.

2013 draft watchers, remember this name: Matt Needham.

As last year, the team lacks a superstar but is solid top to bottom and mixing rookies in nicely to the veteran talent.

Memorial Cup contender.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Kelowna looks not great... aside from the fact that Kamloops seem like they might contend for the league for the first time in the better part of 2 decades and make the division toughish, I don't think they're going to score much. On the plus side they have built the most promising young D group I've ever seen and that's saying something in Kelowna, it's been an amazing blueline factory as long as I've been here.

Could you elaborate on that. Not too familiar with the blueline besides Madison Bowey and Damon Severson. Who else is worth watching for? Not Myles Bell...?

Also unrelated, but Brendan Ranford could lead the WHL in scoring this year...Ty Rattie will have a shot too.

[Cheese]

Kitchener Rangers look strong and could be Mem Cup contenders this year.
Ryan Murphy is one of the best offensive dmen in the league along with Radek Faksa, Matt Puempel, Tobias Rieder, Matia Marcantuoni as well as the best goalie in the OHL in John Gibson. If they all stay healthy it will be a very good year.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Red John

Could you elaborate on that. Not too familiar with the blueline besides Madison Bowey and Damon Severson. Who else is worth watching for? Not Myles Bell...?

Also unrelated, but Brendan Ranford could lead the WHL in scoring this year...Ty Rattie will have a shot too.

My 5 cent Kelowna Rockets defence scouting overview I think there are an amazing 8 guys who have a good shot of turning pro on talent. Toughest part will be finding minutes for all the young guys so they get showcased enough. It's not a mature group yet, but collectively they are the most promising group of blueliners I've ever seen here. As always with player development you never 100% know but I think they'll be pretty good.

The two real blue chippers among the 17 year olds on the blueline are Bowey and Jesse Lees - Jesse was drafted in the first round the year they took Bowey and looked as good a player to me last year as a 16 year old before he missed a huge chunk of time with injury. He's from Calgary and is an offensive puck moving d-man.

The other 95 who looks pretty darned good is Mitch Wheaton who they just convinced not to go NCAA:
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/jrh...010501987.html

Then you've got last year's NHL 2nd rounder Severson - probably not as good offensively as Lees or Bowey but more of an allrounder.

Two real promising 16 year olds for this year who look like they might be sticking around are Stewart Coyle who went undrafted and really bloomed late:
http://dubnation-news.blogspot.ca/20...blue-line.html
and Riley Stadel (3rd rounder last year), another guy who is a great skater and passer who looked really good last year when he got called up as a 15 year old.

Rounding out the group, Myles Bell - would certainly have been at least a 3rd rounder and NHL prospect if not for what happened, because of the circumstances I think he makes the Rockets group even more promising at the WHL level as he could be, on talent, the best 20 year old we've ever managed to keep if he stays next year. He's not as quick as Stadel, Coyle, Bowey or Lees but he's got as good a shot on the powerplay as I've seen in the dub.

Cole Martin who the Dallas Stars have had at development camp is the other 18 year old (besides Severson), probably the least talented guy naturally (which isn't saying much) and probably the most hard working, story about him in Dallas camp:
http://stars.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=637739

Then there are about 3 more decent 18 year olds who I won't go into who all played full time minutes last year - won't go to the NHL but will be moved if they go with two 16 year olds as they are good enough to be in another team's top 6 at least. The depth and talent is just ridiculous. If only the forward corps looked as good.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Red John

Expecting a big season from the Blazers. Basically returning the same team minus the 20-year olds who aren't a huge loss.

Austin Madaisky will lead a solid blueline and frankly the forwards are an embarrassment of riches with Tim Bozon, Colin Smith, Brendan Ranford, and others. It's a very veteran group this year. Cole Cheveldave in net to build on his coming out party last year.

2013 draft watchers, remember this name: Matt Needham.

As last year, the team lacks a superstar but is solid top to bottom and mixing rookies in nicely to the veteran talent.

Memorial Cup contender.

Happy for Blazers fans this year and last. I go to Kamloops for work all the time and I'm going to try to get in a game or two there this winter, I think they'll be real good - wish Needham didn't leave the OK valley!

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Matty81

My 5 cent Kelowna Rockets defence scouting overview I think there are an amazing 8 guys who have a good shot of turning pro on talent. Toughest part will be finding minutes for all the young guys so they get showcased enough. It's not a mature group yet, but collectively they are the most promising group of blueliners I've ever seen here. As always with player development you never 100% know but I think they'll be pretty good.

The two real blue chippers among the 17 year olds on the blueline are Bowey and Jesse Lees - Jesse was drafted in the first round the year they took Bowey and looked as good a player to me last year as a 16 year old before he missed a huge chunk of time with injury. He's from Calgary and is an offensive puck moving d-man.

The other 95 who looks pretty darned good is Mitch Wheaton who they just convinced not to go NCAA:
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/jrh...010501987.html

Then you've got last year's NHL 2nd rounder Severson - probably not as good offensively as Lees or Bowey but more of an allrounder.

Two real promising 16 year olds for this year who look like they might be sticking around are Stewart Coyle who went undrafted and really bloomed late:
http://dubnation-news.blogspot.ca/20...blue-line.html
and Riley Stadel (3rd rounder last year), another guy who is a great skater and passer who looked really good last year when he got called up as a 15 year old.

Rounding out the group, Myles Bell - would certainly have been at least a 3rd rounder and NHL prospect if not for what happened, because of the circumstances I think he makes the Rockets group even more promising at the WHL level as he could be, on talent, the best 20 year old we've ever managed to keep if he stays next year. He's not as quick as Stadel, Coyle, Bowey or Lees but he's got as good a shot on the powerplay as I've seen in the dub.

Cole Martin who the Dallas Stars have had at development camp is the other 18 year old (besides Severson), probably the least talented guy naturally (which isn't saying much) and probably the most hard working, story about him in Dallas camp:
http://stars.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=637739

Then there are about 3 more decent 18 year olds who I won't go into who all played full time minutes last year - won't go to the NHL but will be moved if they go with two 16 year olds as they are good enough to be in another team's top 6 at least. The depth and talent is just ridiculous. If only the forward corps looked as good.

Thanks for this, worth keeping an eye on for sure. Somewhat surprised Bell never got a NHL shot, lots of players with legal trouble still get a chance if they have the talent.

The forwards do look bad, losing Bulmer and trading McColgan (not sure why). Maybe Baillie or Rigby step up. You know it's bad when you have to bring in JT Barnett.

If only tickets weren't $23 a pop. That's too much for a WHL game. Had Blazers season tix last year right at center ice for what worked out to around 10 bucks per ticket.

Either way nice to have access to such entertaining hockey in the interior. Kamloops-Portland game 6 was one of the best games seen live. Will never forget it.

This season will be just as promising...Fri/Sat Blazers-Rockets home and home to kick it off. Can't wait to go to both.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Red John

Thanks for this, worth keeping an eye on for sure. Somewhat surprised Bell never got a NHL shot, lots of players with legal trouble still get a chance if they have the talent.

The forwards do look bad, losing Bulmer and trading McColgan (not sure why). Maybe Baillie or Rigby step up. You know it's bad when you have to bring in JT Barnett.

If only tickets weren't $23 a pop. That's too much for a WHL game. Had Blazers season tix last year right at center ice for what worked out to around 10 bucks per ticket.

Either way nice to have access to such entertaining hockey in the interior. Kamloops-Portland game 6 was one of the best games seen live. Will never forget it.

This season will be just as promising...Fri/Sat Blazers-Rockets home and home to kick it off. Can't wait to go to both.

They're putting alot of stick in this Rourke Chartier kid this year but to me you really need 3 or 4 good forwards of the same age at least if you want to end up being competitive. He's got skill but overall the crop of 16 year olds isn't amazing. Also the Rockets were really hoping Zemgus Girgenssons (sp?) would come up for the season but I hear he's got a huge ego and he thinks he's ready for the show, wants to play against men in the AHL if there's a lockout - I think he's going to really get beat up badly trying to play a crash bang style at 18 in the A.

Totally agree on the good hockey - I get to Cranbrook for work now and again too, lots of good hockey in the interior (we'll just pretend PG doesn't exist for the purposes of this discussion). Was especially glad for your fans that Ranford didn't get signed by Philly - that's a heck of a player to have returning at 20. Kelowna-Calgary 2009 game 7 WHL final double OT was the same for me, as good as any Flames playoff game I've been to for entertainment.

[Drake]

The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club announced today that they have acquired left wing Zane Jones and a conditional sixth round pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft from the Victoria Royals in exchange for left wing Alex Gogolev and a fourth round pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.

“Zane adds size to our group of forwards and improves our 18-year-old depth,” commented Hitmen Executive Vice President, Alternate Governor and General Manager Kelly Kisio. “We would like to thank Alex for his time in Calgary and wish him success in Victoria.”

Jones, a native of Olds, Alberta, recorded 32 points, including 14 goals, and 64 penalty minutes over 68 games as a member of the Royals in 2011-12. During the 2012 post-season, the 6-2, 192-pound, forward suited up for four playoff contests where he tallied one goal along with four penalty minutes.

http://whl.ca/article/hitmen-and-royals-complete-trade

[Flickered Flame]

The Hitmen should be a very good team this year. Likely top 3 in the East, likely third because Edmonton is stacked and ready for another Mem. Cup run. Keep an eye on Jake Virtanen, he is the kid the Hitmen drafted first overall in the bantam draft a couple years back.

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Drake

http://whl.ca/article/hitmen-and-royals-complete-trade

Hitmen are down to four over-agers now (Brooks Macek, Cody Sylvester, Trevor Cheek and Spencer Humphries), but they got a useful player for Gogolev.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Hitmen are down to four over-agers now (Brooks Macek, Cody Sylvester, Trevor Cheek and Spencer Humphries), but they got a useful player for Gogolev.

Jones seems like little more than a bit player but then again no one on
The Royals looked good last season. They gave up over 100 goals more than the next team and Marc Habscheid playing his son all year was a disaster.

Didnt see any mention of this but their new coach is none other than one David Lowry.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Hitmen are down to four over-agers now (Brooks Macek, Cody Sylvester, Trevor Cheek and Spencer Humphries), but they got a useful player for Gogolev.

I'm still thinking it comes down to either Cheek or Macek being traded or released. Sylvester is their captain and a solid 2 way player and Humphries has been an excellent addition since joining the club a couple years back, plus you can never have too much experience on the blue line imo.

Jones is an excellent return for the Hitmen. Considering Gogolev is a double spot taker (import and overager) the return is good. The Royals will get only one season of Gogolev where the Hitmen could get 3 out of Jones, at least 2 as he is only 18 right now. Jones played well on a bad Royals team last year and he adds some size up front. If all things go well, he could be a 50 point player for the Hitmen. Just depends on where they pencil him in.

[Hatter]

Go Tigers! Expecting a big year from Shinkaruk and Valk. Tough losing Bunz and Etem from last season. Not expecting a super good year from the Cats, but they should be competitive.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Jones played well on a bad Royals team last year

hope he works out for the Hitmen (former STH still have a soft spot for them) but that statement isn't really true.

How many times did u watch him play? Curious.

He was highly unimpressive and many Royals fans are quite happy to see him go. Says something when only netting a dime dozen overager is considered a good return.

He does still have time to develop though. A year changes the landscape a lot at this age.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Red John

hope he works out for the Hitmen (former STH still have a soft spot for them) but that statement isn't really true.

How many times did u watch him play? Curious.

He was highly unimpressive and many Royals fans are quite happy to see him go. Says something when only netting a dime dozen overager is considered a good return.

He does still have time to develop though. A year changes the landscape a lot at this age.

Must have watched him between 10-15 times last year. For whatever reason, I noticed him a fair bit. I find it hard to judge kids when the team is not very good because they really stand out when they are terrible or when they are good.

[evman150]

I like Zane Jones. I watched about 15-20 games last year and I though he showed pretty well. Decent size, decently physical, young, some skill. It's definitely a good return for Calgary. 50 points is a very realistic expectation for him.

I don't remember Gogolev from the two hitmen game I saw last year, can someone tell me about him? Stats look pretty good. We're not worried about the overage/import double whammy, as we have room in both.

As far as the Royals go, I think the team will be a lot better this year. Pretty sure they had the youngest team in the league last year, so they're all a year older (didn't lose any key players either). Goaltending looks much improved too. We're pretty excited about our new import goalie Patrik Polivka, whose had an awesome preseason. I think the team will be at least .500, potentially even better.

[Berger]

Gogolev is like any other Russian player, he picks what nights he wants to show up. When he does though he can put on a show. You can probably expect 80 points from him this year. Good pickup for the Royals for sure. I'm happy with getting any return for him especially a 18yr old who has some ok stats. Looking forward to some live hockey this weekend!

[sevenarms]

The WHL season starts tonight with Kootenay taking on Edmonton. Game starts at 7 and will be broadcasted by Shaw.