READ | Built from the Booth
2021 WINNIPEG ICE – ROLE REVERSAL
Building a successful Western Hockey League program is serious business, when you’re competing in one of the world’s best junior leagues it has to be.
Hockey executives and team staff are trying to build competitive teams, develop players for the next level, and deliver on promises to families about providing a growth experience for their children – no small task.
From scouting, to the draft, to camps and forming rosters there’s a lot to consider and planning is short, medium, and long-term.
Now imagine taking on those responsibilities when you’re not a manager, scout, or coach.
Less-than-ideal in reality, but perfect when it comes to this exercise!
BUILT FROM THE BOOTH
Welcome to roster construction from a broadcaster’s perspective.
Here I’ll make my best guesses as to who will be in uniform for the Winnipeg ICE when the 2021 WHL season begins.
Notice the “best guesses” part?
That’s because my forecast is based on watching the team last season, doing a bit of research on prospects and player availability, and guessing.
Or, to dress it up a little “projecting” how all that might come together.
FORWARDS (14)
|
PEDERSON |
KREBS |
MCCLENNON |
|
MCDONALD |
LEPPARD |
TEPLY |
|
MUIR |
GEEKIE |
SMALLWOOD |
|
BRUCE |
FORM |
BERTHOLET |
|
DANIS* |
RAESIDE* |
WALDIE* |
*projecting 14 forwards on roster meaning “5th line” players are candidates for spots
The Winnipeg ICE were a relatively young team last year and a pretty good one too.
Posting the second-best point total in the hotly-contested East Division means there’s no need to make major changes.
Top-scorer, and ICE co-MVP (with Peyton Krebs), Isaac Johnson has graduated to Huntsville (SPHL) leaving 11 returning forwards to form the bulk of four lines.
A possible solution for the loss of Johnson is overage winger Anderson MacDonald who has been added to the ICE list from the QMJHL where he put up 142 points in 196 career games.
Vegas’ first rounder, and ICE captain, Peyton Krebs is skating with Henderson (AHL) but will return to Winnipeg as per the NHL-CHL agreement.
Chicago prospect Michal Teply’s status is up-in-the-air. Teply is with Rockford (AHL) and not required to return to junior having been selected out of the Czech Republic, but I’ve got him here because I think the Hawks will see it as a development opportunity.
If you’re wondering about veteran winger, and NHL Draft prospect, Mikey Milne – he’s sidelined with an upper-body injury and his return date is uncertain.
Conor Geekie, the second overall pick in the 2019 WHL Draft, is a natural centre and seems a good fit to move into a full-time role there after impressing on the wing in seven WHL appearances last season.
2019 fourth-round Bantam Draft selection Rieger Lorenz (Okotoks, AJHL) is unsigned, but you’d have to think he’d be a welcome addition if he commits.
I’ve included prospects Logan Danis, Rhys Raeside, and Evan Waldie as candidates to round out the compliment of forwards from a pool of quality options.
DEFENSE (7)
|
LAMBOS |
ORZECK |
|
ZLOTY |
MCMASTER |
|
LADYMAN |
PROSOFSKY |
|
BOUCHER |
Steady performer Reece Harsch is the only defender to age out from the 2019-20 ICE blueline leaving seven candidates to come back.
But, 2000-born Dawson Barteaux is under contract to Dallas and is with AHL Texas where he is expected to remain.
Highly-touted NHL Draft prospect Carson Lambos leads the corps of returnees after topping all WHL rookie d-men in points as a 16-year-old top-pairing regular. Lambos has spent the bulk of this season with JYP u-20 (Finland).
Nolan Orzeck, Ben Zloty, Anson McMaster, Mike Ladyman, and Karter Prosofsky round out the group expected to carry the load.
2004-born Owen Boucher out of Alberta is a good bet to get his introduction to the WHL as the 7th member of the ICE blueline brigade.
GOALIES (3)
|
STANKOWSKI/RABCAN/McNABB |
|
ALEXANDER/GURSKI |
|
HAUSER |
Liam Hughes made his ICE debut in December 2019 and stabilized the position. A 20-year-old then, Hughes went on to career bests in wins (21), goals-against average (2.53), and save percentage (.914).
But, Hughes’ graduation opens the door for someone else and there are some interesting possibilities.
Slovakian Eugen Rabcan was Winnipeg’s 2nd pick in the last CHL Import Draft and would seem to have an edge on the top job if available. Rabcan was on the roster for his country at the recent World Junior tournament in Edmonton and has seen limited duty HC Banska Bystrica in the top pro league back home this season.
Overage netminders Dean McNabb and Carl Stankowski are also options.
Stankowski is in his final year of junior and could get a shot to finish on a high-note. Prior to being slowed by injuries, he led Seattle to a WHL title in 2017 going 16-2-and-2 in the playoffs in his 16-year old season. The Calgarian has since seen time with the Hitmen and impressed with Penticton (BCHL) last campaign.
McNabb (Humboldt, SJHL) is also a proven WHL goalie, the Regina product was 5-and-1 for Winnipeg last season before being sidelined with an injury.
After those three, there are several considerations for backup or developmental roles including to goaltenders who spent time with the ICE in 2019-20.
Gage Alexander held a support role behind Hughes last season going 1-1-and-1 in 7 appearances.
While Will Gurski (Winnipeg Freeze, MJHL), a ’02-born tender, went 1-1-0 with the ICE last season
With an eye to the future, 2004-born Daniel Hauser may be ready for a WHL spot. Hauser impressed with Edge School Prep (CSSHL) u-18’s posting an 11-7-1 mark along with a 2.86 average and .900 save percentage.
POST-GAME SHOW
There you have it, the “best guess” from the booth as to what an ICE roster might look like when the puck drops on the 2021 WHL season.
A few unknowns, lots of familiar names, some important additions, and numerous roles to be earned – can’t wait to see what the roster really looks like when it’s safe to play hockey again!
The WHL Board of Governors have made a commitment to play a WHL 2020-21 Regular Season. The start date for the season will be determined once final approval has been received from the Health Authorities in each provincial and state jurisdiction and it is anticipated the approvals will be received soon.
