Everett Silvertips (13-2-2-0) .824
Led by last year’s CHL Goalie of the Year, Carter Hart and his 1.89 GAA (1st overall) and .926 save percentage (3rd overall). This year the ‘Tips are benefactors of an increase in scoring, they are putting up 3.38 goals per game compared to last year’s 2.53. Trading for Dominic Zwerger appears to have done wonders for a team that lacked the up front presence. Especially working together on a line with third-year ‘Tips Patrick Bajkov and Matt Fonteyne. All three are averaging more than a point per game.
Goals: Riley Sutter (8)
Assists: Patrik Bajkov (14)
Points: Patrik Bajkov (21) T-11th overall
Rookie: Eetu Tuulola (4g,2a)
We keep wanting to write the Silvertips off each year but once again they prove us all wrong. Zwerger and Tuulola have been as advertised but guys like Sutter and Bajkov are giving the Tips scoring depth to go along with the division’s best defense and goalie in Hart. — Andy Eide
Tri-City Americans (12-6-1-0) .658
Draft eligible Michael Rasmussen has been dominant for a Tri-City team that many had not predicted would even make the playoffs this season. Morgan Geekie and Tyler Sandhu have stepped up with their leadership roles and have added some scoring punch to the young roster. Their goaltending was suspect while Evan Sarthou was injured before Rylan Parenteau was brought in from Prince Albert. Now that Sarthou has returned, it remains to be seen what the Americans plan to do with their crease wealth.
Goals: Michael Rasmussen (16) 1st overall
Assists: Tyler Sandhu (17) 5th overall
Points: Morgan Geekie (24) T-6th overall
Rookie: Carson Focht (1g,1a)
The Americans can score with anyone but the question still remains on the back end. Can they play enough defense and get the goaltending to stay in contention in the U.S?Rasmussen is proving he is the real deal and Tri City should not be over looked — Andy Eide
Spokane Chiefs (6-6-4-1) .500
The Chiefs have very much had an up and down start to the season. Which is somewhat to be expected from a team that has 16 and 17-year-olds playing big roles in their lineup. Kailer Yamamoto has been the workhorse for this team this season and has 11 more points than the next Chiefs’ player. Adding Tanner Wishnowski in a trade from Kelowna is helping though, as he has seven points in his first nine games with Spokane.
Goals: Kailer Yamamoto (13) 4th overall
Assists: Kailer Yamamoto (13)
Points: Kailer Yamamoto (26) 3rd overall
Rookie: Ty Smith (1g, 6a)
The Chiefs are right about where you would think they should be. A roster full of young and talented players is going to be up and down. and that’s what Spokane has been so far this year. They are fun to watch though and Kailer Yamamoto is on his way to a monster season in his draft year — Andy Eide
Seattle Thunderbirds (7-7-0-1) .500
Seattle was hit with an injury to one of their top players when he was returned to the team as Keegan Kolesar has yet to play a game this year. Matthew Barzal has been away with the New York Islanders and was only returned to the junior league team Wednesday. Once all the parts have some time to gel, the T-Birds will be a team that shoots up the standings. While one man does not a team make, Barzal and Kolesar have the ability to vault Seattle’s offense towards the top of the WHL class (currently residing in Regina).
Goals: Eansor / Volcan (6g)
Assists: 3 players tied with 7a each
Points: Scott Eansor (13)
Rookie: Sami Moilanen (4g, 7a)
Seattle broke in a bunch of new players and rookies and it showed with some inconsistent play. They began to put it together on their eastern swing however, just in time for the return of Barzal and Kolesar. With Ryan Gropp already back, how good can they be now? — Andy Eide
Portland Winterhawks (8-11-0-0) .421
A good start has been dampened by an eight-game losing streak. All eight losses though were tight as Portland trailed by one or less with a minute left in each game. hey also out shot opponents in seven of the eight games. The Winterhawks ice a team laden in youth and enthusiasm but are prone to mistakes that cost them games. Top d-man Caleb Jones having a minus 14, is a cause for concern among the Portland faithful. New (old) coach Mike Johnson will look to right the ship in the near future, in the hopes of landing a playoff spot this season for the youngsters.
Goals: Skylrr MacKenzie (11)
Assists: Cody Glass (18)
Points: Cody Glass (25) T-4th overall
Rookie: Joachim Blichfeld (5g,8a) 6th in rookie scoring
The Winterhawks put a scare into everyone when they tore through the first couple of weeks of the season. But the eight game losing streak is exposing some of their holes, especially on defense. There’s a ton of speed and offensive talent on this roster but can they out gun their way to the playoffs? — Andy Eide
