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

[jtfrogger]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Good crowd at the Dome tonight.
Hitmen look a bit tired.

I thought they looked a lot better than they normally do in September. Junior hockey in September is usually pretty ugly. However, having no one still in NHL camp might help that out slightly.

I think Pouliot was the difference tonight. Overall, I think the Hitmen skaters outplayed the Rebel skaters. I think their passing was fairly crisp for early season.

[Northendzone]

The local sports mentioned how the hit men are currently ranked in the top 10 in the chl.

Is this team really worthy of that kind of ranking. Are they expected to be that competitive all year?

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

The local sports mentioned how the hit men are currently ranked in the top 10 in the chl.

Is this team really worthy of that kind of ranking. Are they expected to be that competitive all year?

They will be one of the top teams in the league this year if all goes to plan.

[Northendzone]

I missed that this was going to be an up year for them.

[North East Goon]

I have watched all the Hitmen games thus far and they are a fun team to watch, seem to be well coached and play a hard working game.

[Red John]

Top 10 CHL rankings updated.

Four WHL teams (Edmonton, Kamloops, Portland, Calgary in that order) listed.

Noticed you can purchase WHL live on demand and stream any game. Has anyone tried this? Curious about video quality and whether its worth the $$$

[Trojan97]

Where does the Calgary hype come from? I know their overagers are all solid and I really like Driedger but what about the rest of the roster? Virtanen is going to be a good one but he's probably a year away still from making a true impact. They seem to me like a moderately talented bunch who will get by through hard work and relying on their vets. Is that worthy of being in the CHL top 10?

I'm not trying to knock the Hitmen, I'm sure they'll be good. I was just extremely surprised when I saw them ranked.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Where does the Calgary hype come from? I know their overagers are all solid and I really like Driedger but what about the rest of the roster? Virtanen is going to be a good one but he's probably a year away still from making a true impact. They seem to me like a moderately talented bunch who will get by through hard work and relying on their vets. Is that worthy of being in the CHL top 10?

I'm not trying to knock the Hitmen, I'm sure they'll be good. I was just extremely surprised when I saw them ranked.

The 2010 Hitmen team was nothing special on paper and a rebuilding year was expected after a long playoff run the year previous.

Instead they were WHL champions.

Last years Blazers had no superstar but the team was a goalpost away from likely going to the finals or Memorial Cup even.

Certain teams will always have an advantage in this league as long as illegal recruiting continues, but there is always an element of unpredictability as hard working, well put together teams can punch above their weight.

A final four of Kamloops-Portland and Calgary-Edmonton would be incredible hockey and drama.

Obviously it's still early.

[HOOT]

Got season tickets to the Victoria Royals for the second season here and so far I love what Dave Lowry has brought to this team system wise. They seem to have a lot more control in their system where last year it felt like I was watching five 12 year olds all chasing the puck to the corner vs finding open space like they are now.

It even shows early in the season they have a lot more confidence in their system. Both times I've been this year I have walked into the building and they are down 2-0 and both games they have come back to win in OT/SO. Last year they would fold after going down a couple goals early but he keeps them on track.

Always nice to see an ex-Flame behind the bench and so far he is doing a great job IMO. Although I still see them as a 6-8th place team when the season comes to a close they are playing with great passion right now.

[Freeway]

Excellent game tonight between the Hitmen and Prince Albert. Morrissey had three points, the Hitmen gave up three power-play goals, but Mack Shields was very good. Hitmen scored in last minute to force OT, then lost via shootout. 5-4 final.

[Red John]

Blazers beat Seattle 7-2 today on shaw. Was tied 2-2 in the third but the Blazers skill blew things open.

Brendan Ranford finally woke up. Five points.

Can't wait to see Hunter Shinkaruk play tomorrow, blazers vs tigers should be a good one.

[Flickered Flame]

The Blazers might have 2 or 3 kids put up 100 points or close to it. They have the best top 6 forward group in the league imo.

[Flickered Flame]

Hopefully the Hitmen get Rask back from AHL camp soon. He would really solidify there top 2 lines.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Excellent game tonight between the Hitmen and Prince Albert. Morrissey had three points, the Hitmen gave up three power-play goals, but Mack Shields was very good. Hitmen scored in last minute to force OT, then lost via shootout. 5-4 final.

Not withstanding the Hitmen's lack of discipline, Klein had a horrible game for a referee last night. I especially loved how, after Virtanen threw a couple big hits, he watched Roupp crosscheck, punch and rough Virtanen with no calls, then throws an instigator at Rissling when he came in to defend the kid, even though both players had the gloves off at the same time. That was the worst of a series of weak calls.

Speaking of instigators, I wouldn't be surprised if the coaches tore a strip off Kornelson for his idiotic instigator in overtime. That was a selfish penalty, even if he was trying to "defend" a teammate. As far as said teammate goes, I'm not yet sure why we have Padakin. He's got Blake Comeau's hands around the net and his defensive game is poor, to say the least. And he got crushed in that overtime last night because he tried to cut through the trolley tracks with his head down.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Hopefully the Hitmen get Rask back from AHL camp soon. He would really solidify there top 2 lines.

Honestly, if I'm the Canes, I assign Rask to Charlotte instead of Calgary. Rask showed last season he can handle the WHL. Objectively, time for the kid to move up. Subjectively, I hope you're right!

[Flickered Flame]

CHLPA is filing an unfair labour practice against the Calgary Hitmen.

the CHLPA is filing an unfair labour practice against the Calgary Hitmen general manager Kelly Kisio and head coach Mike Williamson for intimidation of their players.

The Calgary Hitmen refused to comment on the situation Friday, directing all inquiries to WHL league commissioner Ron Robison.
"Certainly, our clubs would not conduct themselves in that fashion whatsoever," he said. "It's unfortunate that these types of claims come forward because our clubs are very familiar with how to handle these situations.
"It's unfounded. We take exception to the fact that there would be any suggestion that our clubs would conduct themselves in this fashion."

http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald...d-b3955cbb708a

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

The Blazers might have 2 or 3 kids put up 100 points or close to it. They have the best top 6 forward group in the league imo.

Bozon - Smith - Lipon
Ranford - DePape - Willick

Will out score the Hitmens top six this year. And probably every other teams six.

The Bozon line had nine points tonight, for example. The other trio had 11 points last night.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Red John

Bozon - Smith - Lipon
Ranford - DePape - Willick

Will out score the Hitmens top six this year. And probably every other teams six.

The Bozon line had nine points tonight, for example. The other trio had 11 points last night.

I agree, which is what I said. It doesn't help the Hitmen forwards that they play more of a defensive style than the Blazers.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Honestly, if I'm the Canes, I assign Rask to Charlotte instead of Calgary. Rask showed last season he can handle the WHL. Objectively, time for the kid to move up. Subjectively, I hope you're right!

From what I've heard is that Kisio expected him to be back this year, a big reason why was Jeff Skinner was suppose to play in the AHL but he asked the Canes if he could skip on the AHL and they granted that. Who knows whats going to happen but the Canes have a lot of AHL vets and other prospects who will play in the AHL.

[Flickered Flame]

Entertaining game at the Dome this afternoon. The Hitmen beat Edmonton 6-5 in OT. TJ Foster scored 4 goals for the Oil Kings.