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

[spetch]

Knowing some of the perks the Oil Kings get I wonder if they are gonna tighten ship for the next little bit.

[Flickered Flame]

I think there is much more to this story than what has been made public.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by sevenarms

Those penalties are too excessive. It makes you think what they would have done if Portland gave families money in the six fiugres. Team expelled from the league? Loss of first round draft picks for life? I think Portland will appeal and will have the penalty significantly reduced.

It depends, if the Hawks offered Bartschi's parents/family flights and accommodation multiple times a year to come see their son play and THAT is why he played there - not harsh.

It appears the hawks used large incentives to attract players that may have not played there otherwise and not marginal players either.

When you have the Swift Currents/Moose Jaws of the world in the league - the WHL needs to keep the playing field level.

[Resolute 14]

Not coinicidentally, the timing of the violations matches the tenure of the new owner. They also match the team's rise from near devastation to near-championship calibre.

[EddyBeers]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

I think there is much more to this story than what has been made public.

It is hard to know what it is about since the WHL has said nothing and the only source for what the violations were is the from the organization that broke the rules.

[Flickered Flame]

Interesting to hear Robison on HC today. He basically said it was not the severity of violations but the frequency of violations.

[king_amonte]

Hurricanes and Rockets on Sportsnet tonight! Hurricanes are a fun team to watch! Yakaubowski has 9 pts in his last 3 games and has been WHL player of the week 2 weeks in a row! Scored 5 goals in a game last week vs Med Hat. Should be some good hockey!

[Matty81]

Went to see the Blazers-Rockets tonight and was a little disappointed. Sissons and Lipon were missing talent wise but pretty one sided. Not real optimistic about the BC division contending for the dub this year. Kelowna is coming but need another year I think... guess you never know, they're already better than I thought. Kamloops was disappointing for a team with more than 10 19/20 year olds.

[Drake]

I'm a day late with this but Jayden Hart has asked to be traded from the Medicine Hat Tigers. They were informed Dec. 22 by his agent that he is requesting a trade and not returning to the team. He cited "personal reasons" (reading a blog from people who have "inside" information to the club it all apparently has to do with different of opinions of coaching).

Interesting to see if anyone has interest in him as I imagine it is going to be some big pieces to get him. They have until January 10th to move him. What a huge blow for them as he is 12-6 when he's dressed. 3-12-2 when he is not dressed.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Drake

I'm a day late with this but Jayden Hart has asked to be traded from the Medicine Hat Tigers. They were informed Dec. 22 by his agent that he is requesting a trade and not returning to the team. He cited "personal reasons" (reading a blog from people who have "inside" information to the club it all apparently has to do with different of opinions of coaching).

Interesting to see if anyone has interest in him as I imagine it is going to be some big pieces to get him. They have until January 10th to move him. What a huge blow for them as he is 12-6 when he's dressed. 3-12-2 when he is not dressed.

I'm not really familiar with the player - stat line looks pretty meh for an 18 year old forward- why would he cost some big pieces? Good two way forward or big expectations?

[Matty81]

Dunno if there's anything to it but the local paper here is still making noise about the Rockets working to get Zemgus Girgenssons sent down from the AHL, pretty classic move for the Rockets, they seem to do this every year or two (eg Backlund and Kobasew from the Flames both came here after having issues at other levels), had heard that Girgenssons wasn't really seeing alot of ice in the A and I think sending an 18 year old straight out of the USHL there was a bit boneheaded anyway but am getting the feeling it's a longshot. The team has been continually improving this year, he will get big minutes to work on offensive skills and probably a couple rounds of playoff experience so you never know.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Drake

I'm a day late with this but Jayden Hart has asked to be traded from the Medicine Hat Tigers. They were informed Dec. 22 by his agent that he is requesting a trade and not returning to the team. He cited "personal reasons" (reading a blog from people who have "inside" information to the club it all apparently has to do with different of opinions of coaching).

Interesting to see if anyone has interest in him as I imagine it is going to be some big pieces to get him. They have until January 10th to move him. What a huge blow for them as he is 12-6 when he's dressed. 3-12-2 when he is not dressed.

Tigers send Hart to PA.

The Tigers have acquired centre Logan McVeigh (94), defenceman Zach Hodder (93), defenceman Connor Hobbs (97) and a 2nd round pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.


In return, Prince Albert will receive defenceman Dylan Busenius (93), forward Jayden Hart (94) and a 6th round pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

http://www.tigershockey.com/article/...l-with-raiders

[Flickered Flame]

Things are really starting to heat up as we near the trade deadline in 10 days. The Hitmen need a top 6 forward and a puck moving defenseman, I think Kisio only gets one of those 2. I also think Ferland ends up in Edmonton, he would be a great fit on that team. From what I've been reading and hearing, prices are really high right now for the top end guys.

[Freeway]

Kisio's a smart customer (see: Jones for Gogolev). He'll only pull the trigger if he gets what he wants.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Kisio's a smart customer (see: Jones for Gogolev). He'll only pull the trigger if he gets what he wants.

He hasn't lost many trades.

[evman150]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Kisio's a smart customer (see: Jones for Gogolev). He'll only pull the trigger if he gets what he wants.

This was also a very good trade for Victoria. Gogolev is exactly what the team needed. Obviously a one-year thing, but with our glut of very good 93/94 forwards (Hodges/Magee/Walker/Nelson/Carroll) we could afford to deal Jones, a good player, but stuck down the depth chart.

And on a mildly unrelated note, I think Ben Walker is one of the most underrated players in the league. 29 points and a +18 in 33 games on team that is filled with minus players. Pretty much always one of the best players on the ice every game.

[Flickered Flame]

Had an interesting twitter conversation with someone in the Edmonton media who I know, he is very well connected to the Oil Kings, they are interested in Ferland but there are some concerns over his character.

[Flickered Flame]

Kale Kessy is on his way to the Blazers from Vancouver.

[Matty81]

Wonder who leaves the WHL now? Rockets have been informed that Sissons, Severson, Olsen etc will not be getting called to NHL camps, roster will remain intact which is great news as they are really on fire right now - moved into a tie for 2nd in the league with Kamloops with a game in hand last night and are on a 17-2 run.

Gotta think a few teams would think long and hard about at least giving their top picks a look, the Griffin Reinharts and Morgan Reilly's of the league.

[Flickered Flame]

The Rockets have been my darkhorse team this season. The trade deadline just became very, very interesting.