2017-18 season previews: Vancouver Giants

(Our ongoing series previewing teams for the 2017-18 WHL Regular Season continues with a look at the Vancouver Giants)

Vancouver Giants (2016-17 season: 20-46-3-3-46 points, failed to make playoffs)

The Vancouver Giants first home game of the 2017-18 season will honour the 2007 Memorial Cup championship Vancouver team and the Giants are hoping that some of the past success will transfer to this year’s team. In a tough BC Division last season, Vancouver was on the outside looking in as the only team not to make the playoffs. It was the third straight year the once powerhouse of the WHL failed to make the playoffs and the team went into rebuild mode, trading away veterans for prospects and draft picks.

Departures

  • G- Ryan Kubic (’98) to the Saskatoon Blades for a 2nd round pick in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft
  • G- Jacob Wassermann (’00) to the Regina Pats for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft
  • F- Tristyn DeRoose (’99) to the Moose Jaw Warriors for a sixth-round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft
  • D- Jordan Wharrie (’97) to Nanaimo of the BCHL
  • F- Bartek Bison (’98) to the Fargo Force of the USHL
  • F- Taden Rattie (’98) rights acquired by LaRonge Ice wolves
  • D- Ryan Jones (’98) not returning
  • F- Jordan Bortsmayer (’98) not returning
  • F- Johnny Wesley (’97) to the Surrey Eagles of the BCHL
  • D- Tyler Brown (’97) not returning

Head Coach Jason McKee was brought back for a second season and a chance to build up his young team. With the rest of the division possibly taking a step back this season, the G-Men looked solid in preseason competition posting a 5-1 record, their best since 2011. The goal this year will be to develop the youngsters while pushing to catch the rest of the division pack. The 1999-born group of forwards looks strong, with Brendan Semchuk, James Malm and Owen Hardy possibly poised for breakout seasons.
Sixteen-year-old Bowen Byram looks to have an impact this season, and McKee said of his young defenceman: “Bowen is a hybrid d-man and can really do it all. He’s eligible to play in our league this year as a 16-year-old. We are expecting him to come in and be an every-day contributing member.”

For the Giants to return to the playoffs, their remaining veterans will have to lead the way. Forwards Ty Ronning (New York Rangers) and Brad Morrison (Calgary Flames) recently returned from their respective NHL training camps and will be called upon to provide much of the offense. Of concern for this year’s team will be the health of Tyler Benson. Injury woes continue for the talented forward, who is currently on the mend from sport hernia surgery and will start the season on the disabled list. Benson has only played a combined 63 games over the last two seasons for the Giants. An interesting stat is that with the trade of goaltender Ryan Kubic, Vancouver only has two 1998-born players on the roster in Benson and D- Matt Barberis, one of the smallest 19-year-old groups in the WHL.

The overage situation in Vancouver may be a difficult one to decide. Ronning and Morrison are joined by gritty defenceman Darian Skeoch and heart-and-soul player Jack Flaman. McKee said of his 20-year-olds “We are fortunate that we have four quality guys and there is going to be a tough decision as well.”

Import forward Milos Roman looks to contribute offensively this season, and had four points (2g, 2a) in 5 preseason games. The native of Kysucke Nove Mesto, Slovakia was selected in the first round, sixth overall in the 2017 CHL Import Draft. Goaltending was an area of strength last year, and although there was not a lot of defensive help, Kubic shined at times. With his departure, the crease will belong to David Tendeck (’99) and Todd Scott (’00). Vancouver had five goalies signed going into camp and when asked about it, McKee said “It’s a position of strength with our depth and I like all our guys. They are great kids and competitive people. Time will tell and we will let that play out.” It is now clear that the team feels the younger netminders can handle to load.

Tendeck (photo-Chris Relke)

The Vancouver Giants are not afraid of change.  Over the past few seasons, moves have been made in management, buildings, coaches and players. It is clear this once powerful WHL team is seeking a return to glory, and they will likely continue to shuffle the deck until prolonged success is once again achieved. Clearly this team is being built for the future and although it has shown flashes of competitiveness in the 2017 preseason, it is likely more changes are on the horizon as they search for the recipe of postseason success.