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 […]
Central Division
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: 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 […]
ICE post a pair of wins to close preseason
The wins and losses column of exhibition season is relatively meaningless. The preseason is generally billed as a chance for coaches and hockey operations staff to get a good look at their organizational depth and to throw line combinations at the wall to see what sticks. However, ask a player […]
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 […]
2017-18 season previews: Medicine Hat Tigers
(In our ongoing season preview series, today we preview the Medicine Hat Tigers) Medicine Hat Tigers (2016-17 record: 51-20-1-0, 103 points, lost to Lethbridge in the Central division final) The Tigers enter the season with an extensive amount of turnover, a new dressing room in the Canalta Centre and already […]
Off-season pro experience a boon for ICE veterans
There were a multitude of changes for the Kootenay Ice this off-season, the most significant being the sale of the team to Matt Cockell and Greg Fettes. Cockell, who is also serving as president and general manager of the club, overhauled the coaching ranks and brought in additional personnel and […]
Nielsen neutralizes Oil Kings comeback attempt
Four days off. That’s all Calgary Hitmen centre Tristen Nielsen allowed himself to have following the end to his first full season with the club. Coming back with a retooled body and an improved snap shot, Nielsen looks ready for an impact year with the Hitmen. He guided them to the 3-2 […]
Hitmen roll on as vets leave for NHL camps
As the Calgary Hitmen went to work this week following an 0-2 start to their preseason, they had to do so without seven of their veteran players. NHL training camps and the Young Stars Tournament in Penticton, B.C. swallowed up nearly one third of a projected starting lineup. Team Canada […]
So you want to be a WHL general manager
There are two seasons in Canada: hockey season and waiting for hockey season. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this time of the year with WHL training camps completed and the start of the regular season only a few weeks away is that everyone wants to make predictions. The […]