WHL MID-SEASON REVIEW: Eastern Conference
Calgary, AB — The 2013-14 Western Hockey League season is at the midway point with teams having played roughly half of their regular season schedules, and it’s time to take a look at how the season has played out thus far.
In the WHL Eastern Conference, the Calgary Hitmen have been neck-and-neck with the Edmonton Oil Kings for the lead in a heated Central Division battle, while the Swift Current Broncos have used their Conference-leading attack to push themselves into the East Division lead through the season’s first half.
Here’s a look at the WHL’s Eastern Conference teams through the 2013-14 season’s first half:
WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE
East Division
Brandon Wheat Kings
2013-14 record: 35gp 18-14-3-0, 39pts (3rd in Div., 6th in Conf.) GF: 129 GA: 129
Top Scorers:
Jayce Hawryluk 32gp-13g-23a-36pts
John Quenneville 35gp-14g-19a-33pts
Richard Nejezchleb 32gp-19g-8a-27pts
The Wheat Kings currently sit in the playoff mix in the WHL’s Eastern Conference after having a solid first half of the season, and entered the break having won three of their last four games. Sophomores Jayce Hawryluk and John Quenneville have taken big steps forward, helping pace the team to one of the more potent offenses in the Eastern Conference. Ryan Pulock has provided offense from the blue line and valuable leadership for a relatively young group. Czech sophomore Richard Nejezchleb paces the Wheat Kings in goals, and is on pace to near the 40-goal mark by season’s end. The addition of Peter Quenneville, the older brother of John, adds another element to the Wheat Kings’ impressive group of forwards. 17-year-old rookie netminder Jordan Papirny has performed valiantly in the Wheat Kings’ net with starter Curtis Honey missing a large part of the first half due to injury.
Moose Jaw Warriors
2013-14 record: 37gp 10-21-3-3, 26pts (5th in Div., 10th in Conf.) GF: 97 GA: 139
Top Scorers:
Travis Brown 37gp-9g-27a-36pts
Brayden Point 37gp-14g-17a-31pts
Sam Fioretti 37gp-12g-19a-31pts
The Warriors have endured some struggles through the first half of the season, and currently find themselves 10 points out of the playoff race in the conference at the halfway point. Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect Travis Brown has provided plenty of scoring from the back end, leading the team in scoring and ranking third among all WHL defencemen in points, but will need to help shore up the Warriors’ defensive game if they are to make a playoff push. Brayden Point and Sam Fioretti have been the most productive forwards in generating scoring, but are two of just three Warriors’ players with 10 or more goals. Rookie netminder Zach Sawchenko has shown plenty of promise in the Warriors’ net, boasting a 5-5-0 record in his 12 appearances behind starter Justin Paulic.
Prince Albert Raiders
2013-14 record: 35gp 17-16-2-0, 36pts (4th in Div., 9th in Conf.) GF: 121 GA: 124
Top Scorers:
Leon Draisaitl 33gp-18g-33a-51pts
Josh Morrissey 28gp-13g-22a-35pts
Dakota Conroy 31gp-17g-15a-32pts
The Raiders opened the 2013-14 season with a five-game winning streak, but have struggled to find consistency over the later part of the first half, now finding themselves on the edge of the playoff picture. Scoring hasn’t been an issue for the Raiders, with the team boasting the Eastern Conference’s fourth-best offense. German forward Leon Draisaitl, a top prospect for the 2014 NHL Draft, has taken his game to a new level, currently ranking among the WHL’s top scorers, while smooth-skating offensive defenceman Josh Morrissey continues to raise his game. Defensively, veterans MacKenzie Johnston and Dylan Busenius will be charged with helping the team improve in their own end to cut down on their goals-against over the second half is they are to make a charge up the Eastern Conference standings. 16-year-old rookie Nick McBride has turned heads with his impressive play, posting a .912 save percentage through his 13 appearances playing behind veteran Cole Cheveldave.
Regina Pats
2013-14 record: 36gp 18-14-2-2, 40pts (2nd in Div., 5th in Conf.) GF: 120 GA: 130
Top Scorers:
Boston Leier 35gp-24g-18a-42pts
Chandler Stephenson 33gp-13g-29a-42pts
Dyson Stevenson 32gp-19g-19a-38pts
The Pats have enjoyed a strong first half, and find themselves 12 points ahead of there they were at the halfway point last season. Acquired from the Medicine Hat Tigers early in the season, 20-year-old Boston Leier has done nothing but score for the Pats, netting 22 goals in 31 games since the trade. Chandler Stephenson and Dyson Stevenson have also put up points for the offensively-improved Pats, while Morgan Klimchuk has averaged better than a point per game as well. Defensively, the Pats have allowed the most goals of any Eastern Conference club currently in the playoff picture. Improving on their 22nd-ranked penalty killing unit will be a key focus for the Pats over the second half if they are to continue their quest for a playoff spot.
Saskatoon Blades
2013-14 record: 38gp 10-25-1-2, 23pts (6th in Div., 11th in Conf.) GF: 109 GA: 157
Top Scorers:
Nikita Scherbak 37gp-20g-28a-48pts
Nathan Burns 38gp-15g-26a-41pts
Collin Valcourt 36gp-14g-24a-38pts
The rebuilding Blades have endure their ups and downs over the first half of the season, and currently find themselves 13 points out of eighth place in the conference. Though they lost a large portion of their veteran offense from last season, the Blades have gotten an impressive amount of scoring out of Russian rookie Nikita Scherbak, who leads all first-year WHL players in scoring with 20 goals and 49 points. Returning veterans Nathan Burns and Collin Valcourt have done their part in providing offense. A young defence corps, featuring just one rearguard north of 18 years old, has struggled to shut down the opposition’s attack, with the Blades having given up the second-most goals in the WHL. Yet, the future bodes well for the Blades’ back end, with the likes of Nelson Nogier and David Nemecek gaining valuable experience.
Swift Current Broncos
2013-14 record: 38gp 20-13-1-4, 45pts (1st in Div., 2nd in Conf.) GF: 132 GA: 114
Top Scorers:
Graham Black 36gp-17g-32a-49pts
Colby Cave 38gp-20g-23a-43pts
Julius Honka 35gp-12g-24a-36pts
After an impressive first half, the Broncos entered the break sitting in first place in the East Division with a five-point cushion over their nearest rival. The top offensive team in the Eastern Conference, the Broncos have gotten plenty of scoring from veterans Graham Black, Colby Cave and Coda Gordon, who are all averaging better than a point per game. Rookies Glenn Gawdin and Jake DeBrusk have added secondary offense. Finnish defenceman Julius Honka has been a revelation on the Broncos’ blue line, posting 12 goals and 36 points while leading all rookie defencemen in the WHL in scoring. Honka and sophomore Brycen Martin have helped lead the Broncos’ fifth-ranked power play, but will aim to help shore up what is the 17th ranked penalty killing unit. Finnish goaltender Eetu Laurikainen has been even more impressive in his second season with the team, ranking among the WHL’s top goaltenders with a .921 save percentage.
Central Division
Calgary Hitmen
2013-14 record: 34gp 24-7-2-3, 49pts (1st in Div., 1st in Conf.) GF: 119 GA: 90
Top Scorers:
Greg Chase 33gp-19g-18a-37pts
Brady Brassart 32gp-13g-18a-31pts
Jake Virtanen 33gp-18g-10a-28pts
The Hitmen have enjoyed a very productive first half of the season, and find themselves atop the Central Division and Eastern Conference standings at the break. A 12-1-1 record over their last 14 games has pushed them past Central Division rivals Edmonton and Medicine Hat into that top spot. Offensively, the Hitmen have been paced by veteran Greg Chase, who has broken out this season to lead the team in goals and points. Veteran Brady Brassart and sophomores Jake Virtanen and Pavel Padakin have found the back of the net consistently, while rookie Radel Fazleev and defenceman/forward Kenton Helgesen have provided some secondary offense. Defensively, the Hitmen have been very strong, boasting the third-best defensive record in the WHL. Led by veterans Jaynen Rissling and Alex Roach, Calgary’s defense is a combined +59 this season. Goaltender Chris Driedger has been consistent for the Hitmen, ranking second among all WHL netminders with a .926 save percentage.
Edmonton Oil Kings
2013-14 record: 34gp 23-10-0-1, 47pts (2nd in Div., 3rd in Conf.) GF: 129 GA: 86
Top Scorers:
Henrik Samuelsson 28gp-14g-24a-38pts
Curtis Lazar 27gp-21g-16a-37pts
Mitch Moroz 34gp-21g-13a-34pts
The Oil Kings may have struggled to find their game early on in the season, but the two-time defending Eastern Conference Champions found their stride over the later part of the first half, posting a 15-3-0 mark over their last 18 games. The conference’s second-best offensive team, Edmonton has managed 129 goals through 34 games despite owning the 20th-ranked power play. While the trio of Henrik Samuelsson, Curtis Lazar and Mitch Moroz have paced the attack, the Oil Kings have demonstrated good offensive depth with nine players having put up 20 or more points. Defensively, the Oil Kings have allowed the fewest goals in the conference and the League’s second-best penalty kill. Veterans Cody Corbett and Griffin Reinhart have anchored the defence corps, while rookie Aaron Irving has stood out with his ability to produce offense. Goaltender Tristan Jarry has been among the League’s best, boasting a 2.11 goals-against average, a .920 save percentage and four shutouts over the first half.
Kootenay Ice
2013-14 record: 37gp 18-16-2-1, 39pts (4th in Div., 7th in Conf.) GF: 109 GA: 109
Top Scorers:
Sam Reinhart 33gp-16g-34a-50pts
Jaedon Descheneau 36gp-23g-25a-48pts
Luke Philp 36gp-13g-20a-33pts
The Ice find themselves in seventh place in the Eastern Conference through the first half of the season as they aim to stretch their streak of consecutive playoff appearances to 16 straight years. Top trio of Sam Reinhart, Jaedon Descheneau and Luke Philp have combined for 62 of the team’s 109 goals this season while Montreal Canadiens’ prospect Tim Bozon has helped bolster the Ice attack as well. Kootenay will look for more secondary scoring over the second half of the season. Defensively, the Ice have been solid, having allowed the fifth fewest number of goals in the conference. Netminders Mackenzie Skapski and Wyatt Hoflin have both been steady in the Ice net, with both goaltenders posting save percentages over the .900 mark in the first half.
Lethbridge Hurricanes
2013-14 record: 38gp 6-27-2-3, 17pts (6th in Div., 12th in Conf.) GF: 96 GA: 174
Top Scorers:
Tyler Wong 38gp-14g-12a-26pts
Brady Ramsay 38gp-8g-14a-22pts
Riley Sheen 28gp-8g-13a-21pts
It’s been a difficult first half for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, who have struggled to the WHL’s 22nd-ranked record through 38 games and currently sit 19 points out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. With veterans Jaimen Yakubowski and Sam McKechnie, and sophomore Axel Blomqvist having been traded, the ‘Canes looked elsewhere to generate scoring. Sophomore Tyler Wong has stood out, netting 14 goals and a team-leading 26 points, while veterans Riley Sheen and Brady Ramsay have also helped out the offense. The ‘Canes have had trouble keeping the puck out of their net, allowing a WHL-high 174 goals through the first half. Veteran netminder Corbin Boes has managed just three wins in 30 appearances. Acquired in November from Regina, Teagan Sacher has posted a 2-3-1 record with a shutout and a .904 save percentage in seven appearances for the ‘Canes.
Medicine Hat Tigers
2013-14 record: 35gp 21-11-3-0, 45pts (3rd in Div., 4th in Conf.) GF: 119 GA: 100
Top Scorers:
Trevor Cox 34gp-10g-26a-36pts
Curtis Valk 35gp-15g-20a-35pts
Cole Sanford 35gp-17g-14a-31pts
The Tigers’ first half was an impressive one, with the team finding itself sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and with a comfortable nine-point cushion for a playoff spot. Trevor Cox has emerged as a key offensive weapon for the Tigers, posting a team-leading 36 points, while veteran Curtis Valk has been his usual productive self. More will be needed from star Hunter Shinkaruk over the second half if the Tigers are to challenge for a Central Division title. On the back end, the Tigers have been solid, having allowed the third-fewest goals in the conference while owning the WHL’s seventh-ranked penalty kill. 18-year-old rookie Tommy Vannelli has impressed, putting up 10 goals and 27 points, and veterans Dylan Bredo and Tyler Lewington have helped shut down opposing scorers. Goaltenders Marek Langhamer and Daniel Wapple have both been consistent in the Tigers’ cage, with Langhamer owning a 9-4-2 record with a .916 save percentage and Wapple boasting a 12-7-1 record with a .912 save percentage.
Red Deer Rebels
2013-14 record: 35gp 17-16-0-2, 36pts (5th in Div., 8th in Conf.) GF: 104 GA: 108
Top Scorers:
Conner Bleackley 35gp-17g-24a-41pts
Rhyse Dieno 32gp-11g-19a-30pts
Dominik Volek 32gp-15g-9a-24pts
It’s been an up-and-down first half for the Red Deer Rebels, who, at the break, find themselves tied for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. A quick start – 4-1-0 through their first five games – was followed by eight losses in their next 10 games. Since then, the Rebels have managed to string together three or four consecutive wins on three occasions while keeping themselves in the playoff race. Three straight wins going into the break are a positive on which to build. Conner Bleackley, a 17-year-old NHL Draft-eligible forward, has found a new level to his game, leading the team in goals and points while also donning the captain’s ‘C’. Rhyse Dieno and Dominik Volek are the only other Rebels’ players besides Bleackley with 10 or more goals. Haydn Fleury, Brady Gaudet and Kayle Doetzel have helped the Rebels to the Conference’s fourth-best defensive record. Reigning WHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year Patrik Bartosak has been strong again, dominant at times, for the Rebels, owning a .921 save percentage.
