A look back at ’16 and ahead to ’17

Trying to sum up 2016 has been a struggle. I wanted to start this article a few weeks ago and add to it as time went on but it really hasn’t been easy to put my thoughts down on paper.

WHLStats started on December 26th, 2015. Jesse and I worked tirelessly to bring the fans of the WHL the stats they wanted, some they didn’t, and just something different that wasn’t readily available. Over time we converted everything that we had on Google spreadsheets into a database. That database now contains records from 1996-97 to today, over 15,000 games worth of information that we are just now beginning to be able to manipulate and bring you even more stats. There are also over 4,300 players worth of information in our database and it means we will soon be able to bring you more details about how WHL players tick and what makes them into NHL, AHL and ECHL players.

DUBNetwork started on August 1st, 2016. We brought in people from all over the Western part of Canada and even a few from the US. They brought to you all kinds of interviews, previews, reviews, contests and more. There has been an amazing amount of growth in the viewership of our website and it has been mostly sustainable. We will be looking to add more features and one of our long term goals is to have someone to bring you the WHL news in every WHL city.

There have been some really great moments and some disappointments in running the site. My patience has been an issue at times, I take full responsibility for that. Sometimes I have tweeted things hastily or possibly out of line. However, to be honest, it’s generally with the best intentions. I am looking forward to some near term goals being reached. We will announce the hiring of our new Social Media and Marketing Manager on Monday. This will allow us to have some flexibility in potentially bringing on some familiar faces in the WHL in the not-to-distant future.

Thank you to the guys from Draft Geek for their WHL and Bantam insight, the people around the league have REALLY taken a liking to your reports as well as your rankings. We hope to see more of the same 2017. I know there are some things behind the scenes, I am personally looking very much forward to seeing these goals become a reality.

To each and every writer on our team. I appreciate your efforts more than you can imagine. DUBNetwork succeeds because of what you do. It’s been a great half a season and I look forward to more and more writing from each and every one of you. People are taking notice and that is really excellent.

Thank you to Jesse Phillips as well. Our website keeps running and looking great because of the things you do. The Stats side of the site is coming along with each passing day and you give me the projects I love to keep you updated on. We’re doing some pretty great things in the background and it is very exciting. I look forward to our possible trip to VANHAC, I think that will be the beginning of something even more exciting.

We’ve “lost” our editor, Scott Sepich, to his full time career. Without him, DUBNetwork wouldn’t have come to be in its current form. Thank you to Scott for everything you did to bring this to fruition, as well as the behind the scenes work I know you continue to do. Good luck to you in 2017 and beyond. Thank you to Mike Trafford for stepping in and helping us with editing where you are able to.

I wanted to say thank you to a few people who have been extra helpful for varying reasons.

Brandon Rivers: You have really come into your own with our site. The people are lucky to have your insight into the US division as well as all the support you have provided Jesse and I with the growth of the DUBNetwork. I think big things are in store for you in 2017, I have plans!

Chad Balcom: Likely the biggest retweeter, sharer and supporter of what it is we are trying to do. You’ve actually been around since my days with Rebel Nation and the work we’ve been doing behind the scenes will come to fruition in due time. Stay tuned folks, this is an excellent project.

Les Lazaruk and Thom Beuning: A couple of WHL broadcasters that have been especially supportive. Thanks for having me on Thom that was a lot of fun and exciting for us. Hopefully I can connect with Les when I travel to Saskatoon in the next few weeks.

Guy Flaming: Appreciate that you are available to chat with at anytime. We are very disappointed with the decision at TSN but understand business is what it is. We look forward to the Podcast in the coming months and hopefully we will see the return of the Pipeline Show to a radio near you.

Gregg Drinnan: Said it before and I’ll say it again. Thank you, for all you do for DUBNetwork, WHLStats and me personally. Having someone in the game for as long as you’ve been involved and easily approachable is a really special thing. Looking forward to all the Taking Note we can handle in 2017.

2017 will be a “season” of change for us. There will be new additions, some departures (?) and continued growth. We look forward to bringing you the best of everything from the WHL.

Thank you for everything fans. Please continue to like, share, retweet, favourite and whatever else comes in 2017, we appreciate the potential to extend our reach.