Exit Interviews: The Rookies
The future is bright in the Rose City, and not just because the sun is finally out again.
The Portland Winterhawks fielded 15 rookies throughout the 2022-23 season – with nine of those playing at least 20 regular-season games – setting the stage for another wave of talent to flood the VMC as the team looks to continue its tradition of success. Each contributed in his own way, from Josh Zakreski’s rookie-leading 25 points to Jan Špunar’s 17 wins in 31 games between the pipes.
Looking back on the year, there’s plenty for the first-years to be proud of, even if the season ended earlier than they would have liked. Surviving long road trips, winning a sold-out Teddy Bear Toss game and helping the team reach its sixth-consecutive 40-win season stand out among a plethora of wonderful memories.
“There were a lot of great moments this year. Looking back on it after (Game 4), it was an awesome season, but I think for me, the one thing that stands out was winning that 40th game this year,” said Zakreski. “We were struggling against Seattle in the second half, four of the last five games against them, and we came out shorthanded, we didn’t even have our own coach on the bench. We came out and we just battled and we wanted that 40th win and we got it.”
Zakreski embodied that “battle,” notching two points – including the game-winning goal – in that final contest. But as good as that 40th win felt, Zakreski and Co. are locked in on a longer playoff run next spring.
“Next year, it’s going to be awesome,” he said. “We’re going to have a lot of experienced guys and we’re going to know what the pain feels like losing out in the playoffs and we’re going to come back with vengeance next year. We’re going to want it that much more and I think we’re going to be a really good team coming into next year.”
Zakreski starts it, Zakreski finishes it! pic.twitter.com/pDmNycOnGX
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) March 25, 2023
Diego Buttazzoni – one of two full-time 16-year-olds on the roster this season – echoed Zakreski’s sentiments. The Langley, B.C. native bagged 15 points in his first WHL season and put up two goals in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semi Final against Kamloops while quickly getting a feel for how intense postseason hockey is at this level.
“Playoffs are a lot more physical. It’s obviously hard on your body,” said Buttazzoni. “You probably get hit as much (in one playoff game) as you do in five regular season games. You have way less time with the puck, too, and obviously everyone is going 120%. They don’t want to go home obviously, they want to go all the way so it’s a lot more physical. Big battles and stuff. It’s tiring, but it’s really fun as well and a great experience.”
And while there were plenty of learning moments in the postseason and the 68-game slate alike, Buttazzoni says the biggest shock was how quickly he was brought into the Winterhawks’ fold as a rookie. Each member of the team welcomed the team’s youngsters from the first puck drop of training camp.
“I’m not going to lie, I was pretty surprised when I got here,” said Buttazzoni. “Everyone welcomed me and Alex (Thompson, the other full-time 16-year-old) in like we’ve been here for four years already. We’re all like a brotherhood, so no one hangs out in groups or just singles guys out. Everyone’s involved in everything. I was pretty surprised because other junior teams I don’t think do that. Like I talked to the 19-year-olds and 20-year-olds as much as I talked to the 16- and 17-year-olds. I was pretty close to everyone on the team this year and they were great welcoming me in.”
The warm welcome helped the rookies through some growing pains, fostering the development necessary for players like Buttazzoni, Zakreski and more to hit their stride in the back half of the campaign.
“I think confidence is key. The first half was not the way I wanted it to go, but then the second half I had a better half I’d say. Our line was pretty good, my linemates helped me out a lot – Schelts (Luke Schelter) and (Josh) Zakreski. We had good chemistry and worked well together. It worked out well and it was fun to play with them,” said Buttazzoni.
While Zakreski started the year hot with seven points in his first 11 games, he says joining the Schelter/Buttazzoni line late in the year was key to him working through his own offensive struggles. That line produced a goal in seven of the last eight regular-season contests.
“The start of the season I was doing good point-wise, then in the middle of the season it slowed down and I was struggling. That’s one of the stages everyone goes through (during their first year in the league), but I think as the season went on and towards the end of the year, I thought I really improved and my offensive game improved getting to play with those guys, and it showed on the scoresheet,” he said.
The latter portion of the regular season also introduced another rookie in Kyle McDonough, who perhaps wasn’t expected to have the kind of impact that he did. What began as a late-March call-up as an affiliate player led to the Winterhawks’ 2022 second-round WHL Prospects Draft selection sticking around for playoffs – where he notched his first point in the league.
“Super cool to come in as such a young guy. All the guys here treat you so well, and the coaches too. It was just a great experience to be here for the week that I was here, and then being told that I got to stay for playoffs was another level. Being part of the team was just something special with the group we had this year, so I’m just super grateful,” said McDonough.
Never gets old 🥲
Welcome to @TheWHL, Kyle McDonough! pic.twitter.com/Q8pEUMIz6U
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) March 11, 2023
Even before his time in the Rose City, it was a special year for the Okotoks Oilers (AEHL) standout, who produced at more than a point-per-game pace in his first U18 season before representing his province at the 2023 Canada Winter Games alongside fellow Portland prospect Ryan Miller. Put it all together, and Kyle McDonough seems like a name Hawks fans will be hearing for quite a while.
“Being with my (Oilers) team this year was pretty special. Just all my childhood friends, we got to play one last year together. It was more of a fun year. Didn’t get the outcome we wanted, but it was a fun year. And then the (Canada) Winter Games were something special too, just being on the national stage and being able to play for my province. Everybody supported me, it was pretty cool – felt like a mini Olympics. Pretty busy season, but it was awesome,” said McDonough.
As expected, the first-year players will have more responsibilities during their second season in Portland. In a few short months, the team will hit the ice together again with high expectations.
“Get right to work,” said Buttazzoni of his summer plans. “Maybe I’ll take a week off, but then I’ll get right back on the ice and in the gym to get a bit stronger. Obviously, next year’s a big year and we’re going to have a great team again. I mean we’re going to go for another run next year, so I’m looking forward to that and I want to bring whatever I can for the team and try to be a key player.”
“I feel like we have a chance to get 50-plus wins next year,” said McDonough. “So yeah, we’re gonna be a good team.”
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Thank you to our passionate fans and partners for another terrific season of Winterhawks hockey! We can’t wait to see you again this fall. Season tickets are now available for the 2023-24 season!
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