** I will try to post two a day until all twenty-two are taken care of. I will hopefully have the pre-season edition done before the first crop of exhibition games commense.**
Here goes nothing. Teams will be ranked from one to twenty-two based on how I see the teams faring this coming season.
1) Medicine Hat Tigers: Western Hockey League Championship contenders? Absolutely. Memorial Cup Contenders? You better believe it. In my opinion, led by solid depth in all three facets, this may make the Tigers the team to beat in all of Canada. Alot of you would probably agree that the Tigers boast the best group of forwards led by the American duo of Emerson Etem and Tyler Pitlick. Both of whom could garner consideration to play in the professional ranks this coming season, but smart money says they will both be returned back to junior for further development. One of the things holding the Tigs back this year is their dicey twenty year old situation. Vey is long gone, so we need not worry about him coming back. Pitlick,although twenty as well ,has a better chance of being returned. Like I mentioned above, due to the fact that he suffered through an injury plagued season and surely the Oilers will want to see what damage Pitlick can inflict towards fellow opponents playing a full schedule. As far as the rest of the twenties go, it's a foregone conclusion that Devan Dubyk has played his last game in a Tigers uniform due to the emergence of seventeen year old Prince Albert native Dawson Macauluy. The last twenty the Tigers will likely part ways with is Cole Grbavac,who really is a mis-fit in the Tigers run and gun style.
Defence, although I don't agree, is widely percieved as a question mark this year. Everybody knows about gem Hunter Shinkaruk, but he's not the only one Tiger fans will take a liking to this season. Spencer Jensen, a 2010 Bantam draft first round pick, will take on a similar role that Shinkaruk took on this past season and be asked to carry a boat load's of responsibility. Veteran Matthew Konan will be a calming influence to a defensive tandem that has a striking resemblance to the Spokane Chiefs D-core of 2008. Is the defensive core #1 going in to the season? No,however won't be such of a crutch as some people may believe.
Goaltending shouldn't be a problem at all for the Hat. Arguably home to the dub's best goaltender in Tyler Bunz. Bunz should be good for about sixty to sixty five starts with a young, up and coming goaltender in Dawson MacAuluy waiting in the wings.. With the amount of depth they possess in other areas, they probably won't need top notch goaltending on a nightly basis, but with Bunz and MacAuluy, they'll get it anyways.
Predictions:
Wins(51)
Ranking:(1st Central)
Top Scorer: Emerson Etem
2) Vancouver Giants: Just as Dave Cameron attempted to do last year, wiley veteran coach Don Hay will embark on becoming a world junior gold medallist along with winning the WHL Championship in the same year. Led by potential MVP candidate Brendan Gallagher, the Giants possess a potent offence that will be a handsful out west. In order to maximize Gallagher's offensive potential, they will need a couple of other forwards to step up their play and become viable secondary scoring options. These players are Jordan Martinook and newly acquired Teal Burns. Martinook, who came off a twenty-eight point campaign a year ago, will be expected to meet and potentially exceed the 50 point plateau. Burns on the other hand was one of the centrepieces in the deal that sent Craig Cunningham to Portland. It's no secret and Teal underperformed in the second half last year but a full season under the tutilage of Hay and Glen Hanlon should make Burns into more of a complete hockey player.
Defensively, the G-Men have left little to be desired. The unknown fate of leader Neil Manning makes it difficult to gauge what kind of roles the likes of David Musil and Zach Hodder will play this year. As is the case with most teams in the dub,they will need partial contributions from their youngens. A candidate to fill this role could be a homegrown talent in Trevor Lima. Already 6'1, Lima should be a lock to crack the lineup and be given every opportunity to get time on the second unit powerplay.
As I see it, their are three ways the Giants could go about their goaltending. With the selection of a goaltender in the import draft, you would think Fin Jonathan Iilahti will have the upper edge in this internal competition. That was option one, option two could be going with the more proven commodity in Brendan Jensen, although Giant fans may frown upon the fact that I mentioned Jensen and proven commodity in the same sentence. Option three could be to go with the combination of the european Iilahti and sixteen year old Jackson Whistle. I'd be shocked if they went with this scenario because I can't imagine Hay will allow a "rebuild" in a year where the western conference is wide open.
Simply put, the G-men have what it takes to go all the way. The Giants are a first class organization with a first class coach in Don Hay. Hay has done alot more with alot less before, so anything but a division title would be a complete shock.
Wins(45)
Top Scorer: Brendan Gallagher
Ranking(1st BC Division)
3) Moose Jaw Warriors: The Warriors will pride themselves this season by playing a defensive minded system that will look to suffocate opposing offensive attacks. Even though I have the Warriors ranked third, it would not surprise me in the least if they tallied the most regular season wins this year if for no other reason than the weak division that they reside in.
New coach Mike Stothers will rely on 2010 Florida Panthers first rounder Quinton Howden to lead the offensive splurge. Pro scouts may view Howden as a defensively responsible forward who utilizes his speed on a top line PK unit, the Warriors will need to see Howden build on last year's numbers where he compiled seventy-nine points. Behind Howden, they will need alot of career years from some of their younger prospects if they truly want to be legitimate contenders. A sleeper to have a big year could be Calgary product Sam Fioretti. Fioretti wasn't given much playing time to start last season, however as the season progresssed Fioretti's role expanded as his numbers were evidenced by this.
Defensively, Moose Jaw can count on the shut down duo, who I am self-proclaiming as the "McWarriors". That's right, McFaull and McIlrath will be given the reigns to shut down the top line stars each and every night. The McWarriors will be given the shut down assignments, which means Morgan Reilly will have every opportunity to run wild and be that guy that will be able to lead the attack from the back end. They have a surplus of WHL calibre defenceman, so you would think GM Alan Millar has contemplated, or is contemplating packaging a couple of these younger d-man for a proven goaltender because you best believe Millar has every intention of opening this new Warrior era with nothing less than a WHL championship.
As mentioned above, goaltending is the one thing that MAY hold the Jaw back. You have to wonder what goaltenders could be available. An intriguing scenario could play out if a rebuilding Seattle club decides to put Pickard on the block. If he does become available, Moose Jaw would from the outside, seem like a match made in heaven. Another option, although unsure of the plausibility, could see the Warriors go after recently released twenty year old James Priestner. Priestner hasn't exactly put up great numbers in his career, so you have to think they may be better off just going with what they currently have, that being Brandon Stone.
Wins(50)
Top Scorer: Quinton Howden
Ranking( 1st East Division)
4) Tri-City Americans: The Ams have the making to be one of the youngest, most up tempo teams that will hit the ice surface this coming year. Everything the Ams will be throwing out in the fold just consumates the leaps and bounds the game has hockey has taken ever since the lockout in 04/05. Long gone are the days where you have to be a big,bruising hockey club just to survive in the dub. Enter teams like the Ams who will strive on a electric brand of hockey that will promote speed, skill, and risk-taking. Frankly, based on the Ams youth, they will be left with little choice but to do just that as Jim Hiller will just have to let the kids fly and show how talented they really are.
This years crop illustrates the importance of drafting well from start to finish. GM Bob Tory may be the best in the business in not only finding the talent, but convincing the players that the western hockey league is the best option for their development. It can be argued that Tri-Cities 2010 draft class was at the very top. What makes this even more impressive is that they did NOT select in the first two rounds. Two Americans in Brian Williams and Eric Comrie(see below) were late round steals which just furthers my point of the importance of a detailed scouting presence to be able to snag these two kids.
The forwards will be good, but have the potential of being great if star Brendan Shinnimin comes back for his twenty year old season. Budding star Adam Hughesman is poised to have a huge year and may have to take the leadership role especially if Shinnimin is a no-go. Brian Williams will be asked to contribute approximately 50-60 points in his rookie year and from all accounts these expectations shouldn't be a problem. A dip in production last year from Red Deer product Justin Feser has local Kennewickans wondering whether his 09/10 season was an aberration or whether he can once again come close to the seventy-five point plateau. If he can, it's a pure bonus and Tri-City may just be knocking on the western conference door in late April.
As is the case with the forwards, alot of the success will be dependant on whether Matt Mackenzie gets returned. I give him less of a chance of being sent back then Shinnimin, but just like the forwards, solid drafting/acquisitions will cause Tri-City not to go in panic mode. Future Winnipeg Jet Zach Yuen could be asked to anchor the defense, which he is more capable of doing. The recent trade that sent Mitch Topping to the Tri-state area gives them one more piece to the puzzle for their top 4.
Perhaps the most shrewd move in recent memory happened this off-season. Tri-City, who in large part can thank the emergence of Eric Comrie, were able to ship off a twenty year old goaltender Drew Owsley. In return, they get Ty Rimmer, a veteran journeyman goaltender. Why was this a heist? A few reasons. For starters, I firmly believe Rimmer projects as a solid #1 option while at the same time is younger. Secondly, Eric Comrie is waiting in the wings, so there was no point keeping a twenty year old as a stop gap when you can have an eighteen year old fill the same role. Lastly, a this trade shows why Tri-City has been a model franchise and why a team like Prince George struggles to stay afloat. When you're good, you're good, and Tri-City can expect to have a good season.
Wins(46)
Top Scorer: Adam Hughesman
Ranking(1st U.S Division)
5) Portland Winterhawks: Rewind back three to four years ago, the Portland Winterhawks were the laughing stock of the western hockey league. Boy, how times have changed. These positive changes can be thanked in large part due to GM and Head Coach Mike Johnston. Johnston refocused the emphasis of team work and skill development,something that was sorely lacking in the talent and discipline departments in the previous. Some thought the 10/11 season was to be a coronation for the Hawks and the dream season was ALMOST completed if it weren't for a pesky Kootenay Ice squad. No Neiderreiter? No Johansen? No problem for this motivated bunch.
Despite the afformentioned losses upfront, the Hawks are still loaded up front. Any time you can roll out a first line of Brad Ross, Sven Bartschl, and Ty Rattie you know goal scoring will not be a problem. All three should have no problem reaching the ninety point plateau, and with the remarkable talent these three possess, the one hundred point trifecta is a realistic possibility. The overlooked Winnipeger Brendan Leipsic will want to prove to scouts that's he worthy of a draft selection in what will be a very important year in his development. Second and third line scoring will be crucial for Portland to field a competitive team in what looks to be a very grueling U.S Division this coming year.
In a year that you have Rattie,Ross, and Bartschl(see above),offense must be the team strength right? Surprisingly no, as this year's Hawks will be built from the back end up. Even with the inevitable loss of Brett Ponich, the Hawks can safely roll out five defenceman who all could be top two defenceman on select teams in this league.These five include Troy Rutkowski,Tyler Wotherspoon, Taylor Aronson, Derrick Pouliot, and William Wrenn. You have to worry whether all this depth on the backend will cause dissention amongst the players who may feel that they are not getting the playing time they deserve. If this defensive core stays healthy, their will be little to no teams that can step for step compete with the size(all d-men over six feet) and the speed of this group. The defence alone makes this team instant contenders.
Goaltender Mac Carruth will once again be asked to carry the bulk's load. He had a solid year throughout the regular season, but inconsistencies in the playoffs caused fans of Portland to question whether Carruth can carry them to a WHL Championship. Truth be told, he probably won't have to because of all the depth around him. All the Winterhawks will ask of Carruth is to stay around the .900 save percentage that he had a year ago and all should be good in Oregon.
Watching Portland and Tri-City battle for the division all year long should be a treat. Obviously, based on the ranking I give Tri-City the edge, but by no means would I be surprised if the Winterhawks came out on top.
Wins(45)
Top Scorer: Sven Bartschl
Ranking(2nd U.S division)
6) Red Deer Rebels: Led by the NHL's most recent first overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Rebels on paper, have what it takes. I just hope that the paper that you used uses erasable ink. Questions galore in southern Alberta this year. If Nugent-Hopkins comes back, they will boast the biggest name(and almost longest) in the league. However, chances of him getting returned by the Edmonton Oilers don't appear to be great, especially with how the Oilers have handled other recent high picks. Without Nugent-Hopkins, the Rebels hypothetically could be a middle of the pack team, but their are some players on this squad that would like to say something about that.
Behind RNH, this team will employ a scoring by committee approach. One of the leaders on this committee could very well be Swede John Persson. A sixty one point year playing on the second line was commendible, but due to the lack of depth around him, the Rebels will need much more. He'll have to become an offensive catalyst, someone who can take away some pressure opposing defences will place on Nugent-Hopkins. Another player coach Jesse Wallin will need more from will be Daulton Siwak. Siwak,when given the opportunity last year put up just OK numbers playing on the third line, but questions(recurring theme) if he can be a reliable 1st-2nd liner will on Rebels fans minds this campaign. Part of the problem in Red Deer is that they were so heavily reliant on the one line last year, that it may have stunted the development of some of their younger players not named RNH who weren't able to strut their stuff last year. Bottom line is, the forward group has the capability to be an above average unit, but the numbers will tell the truer story.
This particular defence will not be asked, nor will they be capable of providing much offence. The recurring theme for this group will be a responsible, defensive minded unit that won't be afraid to muck it up. This rugged group will be nightmarish for the rest of the central division,especially those smaller, skillful forwards who will not have much room to create. This defence will most certainly be led by Alex Petrovic,unless the Oilers pull a fast one and keep him up in the pro ranks. In this offence challenged group, they are going to have to see a more well rounded game from Petrovic, such as being able to quarterback a powerplay. It'll be interesting to see the growth of this unit as the season progresses.
Clutch goaltending is essential in all levels of hockey, and unfortunately for the Rebels, the loss of Darcy Kuemper is ginormous with no real "clutch" presence waiting in the wings. Three options for the Rebels. A) Give young Bolton Pouliot a chance to carry the load after he endured a miserable 10/11. B) Considering they dipped into the goaltending well at the most recent import draft, one would think they will give strong consideration to Czech netminder Patrik Bartosak. C) As I mentioned with the Warriors earlier, I see Calvin Pickard being a good fit here on a team that has cup aspirations. The one thing that would hold Red Deer back in the "C" scenario is they wouldn't want to part with valuable assets looking forward to 2012/2013,with what could be a Memorial Cup hosting year.
If everything falls into place for the Rebs, we could be seeing them in Shawinigan. More realistically however, there are too many question marks for this team to be serious contenders and they will likely enjoy a solid year that will see them fall just short of the main prize.
Wins(42)
Top Scorer: John Persson
Ranking(2nd Central Division)
7) Kelowna Rockets: Comparitive to the Tri-City Americans, the Rockets will be heavily reliant on their younger seventeen and eighteen year olds. Shayne McColgan will be the proof in the pudding as the eighteen year old will lead Kelowna to what they hope will be the promised land. This year's theme should be playing with chip on the shoulder. Along with McColgan, who was drafted much lower in the past NHL entry draft then he probably envisioned, there are a couple of other Rockets that fit this description to a T. Brett Bulmer, who the Minnesota Wild expended a second round pick on, is coming off of a very disappointing forty nine point campaign. Bulmer certainly has eighty point capabilities but will be on a short leash, and if he can't regain his form, look for a possible change of scenery later on in the year. Spencer Main, who possesses blazing speed also had a very sub par campaign and coach Huska knows Main can do better, but can Main prove the doubters wrong? Time will tell.
As mentioned above, upfront they will live or die based on the prowess of McColgan. This diminiuitive forward has top five scorer written all over him. If there was any need for extra motivation, McColgan will have is eyes set on cracking the U.S World Junior line-up which will only lift the Rockets to a higher level. Who centers McColgan on the top unit will be decided in training camp but one must think Cody Chikie stands a great chance. This 1994 born St.Albert product is one of the Rockets brightest commodities and will find out this year whether using a high '09 bantam pick on him was worth it in the end. Bottom line is, as McColgan goes, the Rockets go.
Defensively, this should be a very interesting group. Who will step up under the enormous shadow that was Tyson Barrie. Kevin Smith, who was acquired from the Warriors a year ago, could become the # 1 defenceman in the Okanagan but their's a sixteen year old who may have something to say about it. Say Hello to Madison Bowey. It is no secret that Bowey slipped to the second round of the bantam draft because he did not originally commit to the western hockey league. Even at sixteen, reminiscint to what Matt Dumba was able to accomplish a year ago,Bowey could easily become the Rockets go to guy in all areas. As hockey evolves,we see more and more younger players taking bigger roles at an earlier age. Bowey is just another one coming out of the woodwork. A top four of Smith,Bowey, Damon Severson and Antoine Corbin all of a sudden becomes very formidable.
Getting Adam Brown back for his twenty year old season would be a godsend for Kelowna, and from all accounts this will happen. With Brown back, they have a top five league wide goaltender, and without question the best goaltender in the B.C division. Stellar play from Brown will translate into lots and lots of W's this year which exactly could be the reason Kelowna may be booking flights to Shawinigan in May. I can't overstate the importance of Brown to the Rockets, as he will most definitily make or break the season.
Can Kelowna win the Western Hockey League? They certainly could, but in my opinion alot of things would have to go the Rockets way. Goaltenders can steal games and playoff series, that's why it is possible. A hot McColgan and Brown throughout the year makes them a dangerous team at the worst of times.
Wins(40)
Top Scorer: Shayne McColgan
Ranking(2nd B.C division)
8) Prince Albert Raiders: For years, the Prince Albert Raiders have lacked any kind of relevance. Not since the days of Kyle Chipchura and Aki Seitsonen have the Raiders had a such positive outlook going into a season. General Manager and Head Coach Bruno Campese has done an excellent job turning around this program to become a place where players want to be. No longer will complacency be accepted, as the Raiders not only expect to make the playoffs, but do some damage while in them.
Some feel that star forward Mark McNeill is NHL ready, which would be a crushing blow for Prince Albert of course. Even withstanding his 6'2 210 frame, the depth in the Blackhawks organization makes it's logical for them to allow McNeill atleast one more year to develop and hone his skills. McNeill will be the catalyst for thie group, with Brandon Herrod riding shotgun. Herrod is no slouch either as he amassed sixty-eight points on a Raider club that was a non playoff team last year. A year older and more mature, McNeill and Herrod could form one of the most potent dynamic duos in the dub. Further to this, their is alot more to look forward to then just these two stars. Mike Winther had a typical rookie season, but the Raiders forsee Winther being able to work his way onto the top two lines this year and be a contributing member to this strong forward crop. And lastly, and certainly not least, the Raiders are blessed with twenty year old sensation Jonathan Parker. The big question here is whether he will stay in the professional ranks or go back to junior where he will look to potentially top his forty-five goal mark from a year go. The Raiders are loaded upfront, and in a eastern division that is filled with obscurity, the boys from Northern Saskatchewan could run wild.
Unfortunately, the back end will not merit such rave reviews as the forwards will. Too much inexperience collectively could turn out to be their downfall. They have a few nice pieces back their, but not one that you could comfortably label as a number one defenceman. A numbers game probably means James Bettauer has played his last game as a member of the green,white and gold which may force Campese's hand in dealing for a more experienced defenceman. I think all the Raiders can really expect from this tandem is to a play safe,defensively responsible game where turnovers are limited,and take the bumps in the road that on some nights may be bumpier then most. A lot will be expected out of '10 first rounder Josh Morissey. Depending on how training camp plays out, may be in line for top two minutes. As of today, this position is absolutely the team weakness. Raider fans will be on Campese to change that.
Goaltending is up in the air. Or maybe not. If I am correct in assuming that Parker and Herrod will be retained, that leaves only one more twenty year old spot open. Do they use that spot on goaltender Jamie Tucker? If Tucker outperforms Eric Williams in training camp, I believe they will. If not, Tucker will be given walking papers with Williams getting the majority of the starts. If Williams does get the nod, he will have to improve on his 3.71 GAA from a year ago. On a team who's goal will be to atleast make it round two, those numbers just aren't good enough. Brendan Fiebelkorn will likely slot into to the backup role assuming they move one of the other two.
P.A should have the best group of twenties in the league if all falls into place. Prince Albert has above average goaltending. Prince Albert has alot to be desired in the back end which will be their demise come playoff time. If Bruno wants a ring, Bruno best be getting himself a defenceman.
Wins(38)
Top Scorer: Mark McNeill
Ranking(2nd East Division)
9) Edmonton Oil Kings: The grace period is over for this franchise, who since their inception in 2007-2008,has never got out of the first round. Some may consider this team one year away from truly contending, however one should not discount the value of youthful exuberance that the Oil will show, and how dangerous that could be to the twenty one other clubs. The Oil Kings,atleast to start will rely on defenceman Mark Pysyk's leadership to get them by the early struggles that are naturally sure to come for this young group. What is not known however, is how super prospect, '10 2nd overall pick Curtis Lazar will adapt to the Western hockey league, where he will have to bide his time for the first two months to get acclimatized to his new surroundings and having the mindset that he will not have to carry the team on his shoulders, something he has had to do his entire minor hockey career. If Lazar can adapt quickly, you best believe these Oil Kings will be players in the ever tough central division.
Aside from all the hype about Lazar, their are some other pieces to the pie worth talking about upfront. Michael St.Croix will have tons of motivation this coming year. He will try and show NHL general managers across the league that he should of been picked much higher then his 106th overall selection by the New York Rangers would indicate. Seventy five points one year ago,St.Croix will look to become a more well rounded player, someone coach Derek Laxdal can count on to not only score the clutch goals, but to take on grueling defensive assignments when a lead must be held onto late in the game. If St.Croix can show all of this, we can officially credit the Rangers with a late round steal. Toughness upfront could be a pressing issue especially considering their is a very strong possibility that they will lose twenty year old Cameron Abney to the pro ranks. The best candidates to fill in where Abney was so effective last year may be Mitchell Moroz and Klarc Wilson. Caught in a numbers game last year, the feisty Moroz has killer speed and has the size to disrupt smaller,speedy forwards. Wilson, on the other hand, has better offensive instincts then Moroz, but a lack of speed may forward hesitation from Laxdal to send Wilson out on the ice during shut down moments.
If the Oil Kings are truly a year away from contending, an intriguing dilemma will be pressed upon them. At some point throughout the year, likely around the January trade deadline,would they ever consider trading away Mark Pysyk for valuable assets that could help them in what could be a banner 2012-2013 season? As frustrating a trade it would be for Oil King fans, this may be plausible due to the depth behind Pysyk. Keegan Lowe is ready to show he can be a legit # 1 defenceman in this league, or at the very least be a reliable wingman playing beside Pysyk. Playing behind these afformentioned two could be North Vancouver product Griffin Reinhart, and recently acquired via the import draft,Slovakian Martin Gernat. With Gernat, the Oil Kings are hoping he can replicate the success that Martin Marincin had in Prince George a year ago. Gernat will also be a positive contribution in aiding the size issue that Edmonton will be faced with. The Oil Kings are a better team with Pysyk, which will make General Manager Bob Green's decision that much harder as he must weigh whether being competitive in 2011-2012 is more important then potentially being the team to beat in 2012-2013.
Knowing who in the Edmonton Oil Kings starter goaltender has been in recent years,virtually impossible. It seems as one goaltender comes in, another goes out. Laurent Brossoit looks to finally add some stability to this position. After posting a 13-12 record last year in a back-up capacity, more will be expected from him as their will be ZERO competition behind him. This is his job, and I feel confident he will run with it.
As I've stated a few times, in my personal opinion if Green stays status quo, the Oil Kings will be a handsful to play against this year, but may not have what it takes to go all the way. The thing working in their favor is the unpredictability in this league as it seems now a days all you have to do is just make the dance, and just maybe your dancing partner could be someone you are compatible with. If they draw the right opponent, these exuberant Oil Kings will not go down without a fight.
Wins(38)
Top Scorer: Michael St.Croix
Ranking(3rd Central)
10) Kootenay Ice: Evidenced by the fact that the Ice are the fourth team in the Central ranked inside the top ten, I expect the Central to be the cream of the crop in this year's western hockey league. As defending league champions, alot will be expected from the fans of Cranbrook,whether or not the expectations are fair remain to be seen. A lot of key contributors from the championship team will not return this season but the Ice were built around having great depth, so they should have enough to field a competitive team. Saying so long will be star defenceman Brayden McNabb, playoff MVP Nathan Lieuwen, and World Junior star Cody Eakin. For the Ice to any have chance, players who toiled on the third and fourth lines a year ago will need to replace those stars mentioned above and provide above average numbers.
No Eakin? No Problem? Well,maybe not, but if you ask Calgary Flame prospect Max Reinhart, he may have other ideas. Playing in the shadows of a bonified superstar last year will help Reinhart elevate his game to a point where the Ice can count on him becoming a one hundred point player thus inserting himself as the anoynmous #1 center. Riding shotgun for him will be his younger brother Sam. With the amount of hype surrounding the younger Reinhart, you have to wonder how he slipped all the way to the fifteenth overall pick in the bantam draft. I can't remember the last time that a brother combination both tallied one hundred points plus in the same season if it's happened at all, but the Reinhart's have a legitimate possibility of doing so. Reinhart squared will be the catalyst, but in order to maximize their individual production, and the fortunes of the team they will need some help along the way. Leading candidates include Drew Czerwonka and possible twenty year old Joe Antilla. Czerwonka had a coming out party at the Memorial Cup and the Ice will need him to continue playing that bruising power forward game that he so eliquently displayed in Mississauga. Antilla, on the other hand should be a safe bet to return as a twenty and it will be crucial that he improves on his forty point mark from a year ago. This team is an anamoly comparative to the rest of the WHL because unlike most forward groups who are built around finesse, these Ice pride themselves on playing a powerful, in your face type of system that will drive opposing defences bonkers.
If James Martin returns, which appears to be a big if, he will be the lone veteran presence on the backend. The loss of Brayden McNabb cannot be understated, as he played a significant part on both the offensive and defensive side of things. Replacing your team leader is difficult at the best of times, but the experience the Ice instilled in themselves through last year's Mem Cup adventure will allow younger players to take leadership roles earlier then they probably would otherwide. Joey Leach, who hails from Wadena, Sk draws slight comparisons to a former WHL star, that being Tyler Myers. At 6'4, Leach showed that he can physically compete with the best of them. What he will need to work on this year is complimenting that big frame of his with an improved offensive game. Areas such as starting out breakouts, getting quality shots to the net were all parts of Joey's game that lacked last year, and it will be up to coach Knoblauch and staff to tutor and develop his game so he can one day be just like Myers, a future National hockey league star.
Barring a trade, it is common knowledge that the two goaltenders will be Brett Teskey and Mackenzie Skapski. Who starts in the net will be determined through the performances in training camp. Just because Teskey stuck with the team last year does not mean he has the upper hand. It is believed that the reason Teskey stuck over Skapski is because they knew Lieuwen would get the bulk of starts and wanted Skapski to play on a more permanent basis. Both goaltenders are capable of backstopping a playoff calibre team but their is the uncertainty of knowing how these two will handle pressure because none of which have had any substantial playing time in this league. There will be a distinct correlation with how the defence holds up and the statistical output from the goalies. If the defense is reliable, you will see higher numbers in the W column for both netminders, however if the defence falters it will be open season for respective WHL snipers to feast on this inexperienced tandem.
The reason the Ice are ranked 10th, and not lower is because I believe the experiences shared from last year's run will be beneficial to the players, even for the players that played lesser roles a year ago. Just soaking in all of that success will motivate the '11/'12 version to replicate what was accomplished last year and not wanting to smell the taste of defeat. The Ice will be a marked team all season long, which means they won't be able to afford any nights off. Cranbrook,prepare for a grinding year, a new Kootenay Ice era is upon us.
Wins(36)
Top Scorer: Sam Reinhart(Just a hunch)
Ranking(4th Central division)
