Medicine Hat Tigers (13-5-1-0) .711
The Tigers might be the positive surprise of the division this season, after a bit of a slump last year, coach Clouston has turned the team into the early division leaders. Mason Shaw has stepped up in a big way and is among the league leaders in assists and points. Import John Dalstrom has stepped into a top 6 role and excelled in the Central Division. The team is still not at their best in their new arena, going just 5-3-1 compared to 7-2-0 on the road. Nick Schneider has done enough between the pipes to lead the league in wins with 11.
Goals: Zach Fischer (13)
Assists: Mason Shaw (26)
Points: Mason Shaw (31) 1st overall
Rookie Scoring: John Dalstrom (8g,11a) 4th among rookies
The Tigers have been a surprise of sorts. Mason Shaw has had a fantastic year, and the Tigers who I think most had as a middle of the pack playoff team lead the central division. No reason the Tigers shouldn’t be able to challenge here all season long. – Brady Sim
Calgary Hitmen (7-6-2-0) .533
The Hitmen have played far and away the least amount of games in the WHL to this point (14). They have just embarked on a 6 game road trip through the US division (and Cranbrook) and are currently a .500 team on the road (3-3-1-0). Cody Porter has shouldered the load of games for the Hitmen with Nick Amundrud still sidelined by a lower body injury. 1st round pick Jake Bean has been injured as well and will remain out for up to 6 more weeks. The highly touted imports have not had the impact that was expected.
Goals: Carsen Twarynski (6)
Assists: Matteo Gennaro (9)
Points: Matteo Genaro (13)
Rookie Scoring: Andrei Grishakov (2g,5a)
Hard to be sold on the team who hasn’t really played. This road trip will show the true colours of this Hitmen team who have already been tested by injury. If Calgary can have any reasonable success on this road trip they should stay in the central division title hunt. When Jake Bean returns it should have a positive impact. – Brady Sim.
Red Deer Rebels (10-8-1-1) .550
This team has had some major changes following their Memorial Cup hosting season. Red Deer has not had very good luck this season in the crease, seeing Trevor Martin released, Rylan Toth traded, Tyson Verhelst brought in and subsequently injured, Lasse Petersen joined the team from Everett as the backup. Ryley Lamb, who joined the team from Midget AAA has been handed the starting position and has been inconsistent. Josh Mahura is tied for 1st among all WHL defensemen scoring. The team will be missing Grayson Pawlenchuk and import defenseman Alexander Alexeyev as both were sidelined with injuries.
Goals: Michael Spacek (12)
Assists: Michael Spacek (14)
Points: Michael Spacek (26) T – 7th overall
Rookie Scoring: Alexander Alexeyev (2g,5a)
The Rebels have ran as hot as the Sahara and about as cold as Alert, Nunavut in January. This team has the pieces necessary to be a formidable foe for any club, but on nights where goaltending doesn’t let them down something else does. If the Rebels can get back to October form they should be more than ok. Riley Lamb will need to find his game and quickly too. Bright spots have been Michael Spacek, Import (injured) d-man Alex Alexeyev and Josh Mahura. – Brady Sim
Lethbridge Hurrcianes (7-8-1-2) .472
Leading scorer Brayden Burke was recently traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors. Its has been implied that he was a problem in the dressing room and a distraction for the team. Lethbridge has surprised many people with their play this season as many picked them to be the class of the Central Division. Some of their depth players have been injured and Brady Reagan left the team for personal reasons. They will look to get back on track in the 2nd quarter of the season with the recent deal.
Goals: Jesse Zaharichuk / Giorgio Estephan (8)
Assists: Ryley Lindgren (14)
Points: Ryley Lindgren (21)
Rookie Scoring: Calen Addison (3g,5a)
What happened down south? Lethbridge and Medicine Hat have swapped places. The Hurricanes traded phenom, Brayden Burke to the Warriors implicating one of two things: Burke was a problem child in the ‘Canes locker room, or Lethy is counting the playoffs out. Heavily leaning toward the former myself as is everybody. Will be interesting to see how the Hurricanes come out of this. – Brady Sim
Edmonton Oil Kings (8-9-2-0) .474
This team is somewhat puzzling. Last year they decided not to move some of their pieces for an opportunity to play in the playoffs and have nothing to show for their appearance. Despite moving into the monstrous Rogers Place arena, the Oil Kings have not played well at home this year going just 3-6-1. On the road they are a better team at 4-3-1. Patrick Dea has been put in the starters role after it was revealed that Alec Dillion would not be returning to the Oil Kings due to an injury. Edmonton allows more than 3.6 goals per game while only scoring 2.67.
Goals: Lane Bauer (10)
Assists: Aaron Irving (16)
Points: Aaron Irving (23)
Rookie Scoring: Trey Fix-Wolansky (6g,8a)
Little surprised this team has a record this close to .500. Maybe the OK’s knew something we didn’t with guys like Trey Fix-Wolansky in the pipeline. Edmonton’s guns have done reasonably well too. Still don’t see them above a fringe playoff team at best… sound familiar? – Brady Sim
Kootenay Ice (3-11-4-1) .289
Another rough start to the season for the Kootenay Ice. Zak Zbrosky has been a positive for the team, his 13 goals is good for a tie for 5th in the WHL. The rookie Taphorn twins are fitting into their roles nicely and they will continue to develop under 2nd year head coach Luke Pierce. Both their Power Play and Penalty Kill are in the bottom half of the league.
Goals: Zak Zbrosky (13) T -7th overall
Assists: Matt Alfaro (10)
Points: Zak Zbrosky (18)
Rookie Scoring: Keenan Taphorn (3g,0a)
Aaaand to the surprise of no one, the Ice have struggled mightily on the ice this season. The future is reasonably bright however, Keenan Taphorn and Cale Fleury are two players you can build around. Another build year in Cranbrook, nothing wrong with that. (can you tell I’m an Oilers fan?) – Brady Sim
