The Calgary Hitmen are playing the waiting game this year at the Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. Following the fourth-worst season in franchise history, the Hitmen fell back one spot in the WHL Lottery and will draft fourth overall tomorrow at the Sheraton Hotel in Red Deer. Coming into the […]
2017-18 Season Previews
2017-18 season previews: Victoria Royals
(Our ongoing series previewing teams for the 2017-18 WHL regular season concludes with a look at the Victoria Royals) Victoria Royals (2016-17 season: 37-29-5-1-80 points, lost in the first round to the Everett Silvertips) The Victoria Royals found themselves in tight battle last season, finishing fourth in the BC Division […]
2017-18 season previews: Edmonton Oil Kings
(In our ongoing series, we preview the WHLs 22 teams in order of when the joined the league. We have reached the Edmonton Oil Kings) Edmonton Oil Kings (2016-17 record, 23-43-5-1 finished outside the playoffs) Who they lost from last year: The Oil Kings lost several players from the 2016-2017 season. […]
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 […]
2017-18 season previews: Kootenay ICE
When it comes to the Kootenay Ice this season, the only constant is change. The organization has new ownership, new branding, new coaches, new players… You see the theme here? Greg Fettes and Matt Cockell, a pair of Winnipeg investors, purchased the team from Jeff Chynoweth over the summer, whose […]
Restructured Hitmen look to build off last year’s playoff drive
Calgary Hitmen 2016-17 season: 30-32-8-2, 70 points, swept by the Regina Pats in the opening round of the playoffs 4-0. It was an offseason of great turnover for the Calgary Hitmen this summer, on and off the ice. In July, the Hitmen introduced a pair of personnel changes, with a […]
2017-18 season previews: Kelowna Rockets
Kelowna Rockets (2016-17 season: 45-22-5-0: 90 points. Lost in the Western Conference Final to Seattle Thunderbirds) Expectations are always high in Kelowna, among the Rockets fan base and indeed, in both the front office and dressing room. The Rockets have won the Western Hockey League championship four times since the […]
2017-18 season previews: Red Deer Rebels
(In our on-going series on team previews for the 2017-18 WHL Season, we have reached the last team to host the Memorial Cup from the WHL, the Red Deer Rebels) Red Deer Rebels (2016-17 season: 30-29-9-4 73 points, lost to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the opening round of the playoffs […]
2017-18 season previews: Tri-City Americans
(Photos courtesy of Tri-City Americans/Doug Love) Tri-City Americans (2016-17 record: 42-28-3-0, 85pts. 3rd in U.S. Division, lost to Seattle in first round of the WHL playoffs) The Tri-City Americans enter the 2017-18 season as an early favorite to do well in the strong U.S. division. Regardless of whether they win […]
2017-18 season previews: Lethbridge Hurricanes
(In our ongoing season preview series, we started with the Regina Pats, and have made our way to the Lethbridge Hurricanes.) Lethbridge Hurricanes (2016-17 regular season: 44-21-4-3 95 points, lost Eastern Conference final to the Regina Pats 4-2) A player like Tyler Wong only comes around every so often. The […]