Preseason play continues: Three things to watch

Portland, Ore. – The Winterhawks preseason schedule continues this weekend as the club heads to Cheney, Wash. to face the Spokane Chiefs and Kennewick, Wash. to take on the Tri-City Americans and the Wenatchee Wild. Portland’s regular season begins on Friday, September 20 at 7 p.m. on the road against the Kamloops Blazers.  

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Following two hard-fought preseason contests last weekend—falling 3-2 to the Spokane Chiefs and 2-1 in overtime against the Seattle Thunderbirds—the Portland Winterhawks are regrouping and ready to adjust. While the results didn’t go their way, several standout performances and learning opportunities arose from the games, providing a solid foundation for improvement as the preseason continues. Here’s a look at three key storylines heading into this weekend: 

Rising Stars Stepping Up 

The preseason is a stage for the younger players to prove their worth, and the Winterhawks’ new crop of talent did not disappoint. Hudson Darby, fresh off a stellar showing at the Neely Cup, continued his strong play with a goal and two assists across the two games. Darby’s ability to create offensive chances and execute in key moments shows why he’s poised to take on a larger role with Portland this season. 

Another name to watch is Jordan Duguay, who also impressed with three assists over the weekend. Duguay, known for his dynamic playmaking, is quickly adjusting to the WHL level, using his speed and vision to set up scoring opportunities. Keep an eye on how Darby and Duguay continue to elevate their game throughout the rest of the preseason. 

Defensemen Kayd Ruedig and Alex Thompson also tallied goals for the Winterhawks this past season.  

Goaltending 

Portland’s goaltending is emerging as a key strength early on, with several impressive performances in the opening weekend. Ondřej Štěbeták, a highly touted Czech prospect, turned aside 12 of 13 shots during his debut. Marek Shlenker finished off the game against Spokane with 21 saves on 23 shots. Returning goaltender Jan Špunar also had a stellar showing, stopping 25 of 26 shots he faced. Špunar’s experience as the reigning U.S. Division Goaltender of the Year was evident as he made key saves under pressure, demonstrating that he remains a reliable force in net for the Winterhawks. Complementing Špunar’s performance, Luke Brunen was rock-solid in the net, stopping 26 of 27 shots to keep the Winterhawks in the game until the final buzzer. With all four goalies performing at a high level, Portland can confidently rotate through the preseason, giving each netminder time to sharpen their game ahead of the regular season. 

Learning from Preseason Play 

The opening weekend may not have resulted in wins, but the Winterhawks will be taking valuable lessons from these contests. Both games were tightly contested, with the Winterhawks battling until the final moments and falling just short. Despite the losses, the team showed flashes of resilience, demonstrating they have the skill and determination to compete with their opponents. 

With several key veterans away at NHL rookie camps, younger players are being given the chance to shine. As the Winterhawks look ahead, they’ll aim to build chemistry and refine their play. Expect a more focused and determined effort as they seek their first preseason victory this weekend.  

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