Chris Mast

Seth Jarvis being relied upon early by the Winterhawks

This past weekend was exciting and new for many members of the Portland Winterhawks. Portland had seven players in their lineup who qualified as rookies in the WHL.

With so many players graduating to the professional ranks and others missing, Portland head coach, general manager and vice president Mike Johnston leaned a lot on 16-year-old forward Seth Jarvis.

Johnston has a lot of confidence in his 2017 first round WHL Bantam Draft pick. So much so, that he is playing him in the middle, something Jarvis has not done a lot of.

“We’ve been playing him a lot at center, which he is not used to. His coverage in his own zone, down low has been good. His speed is also a real big factor out there,” Johnston said.

Jarvis’ speed is something that catches your eye when you see him play. Several time during the weekend, he slipped in behind the defense, causing opponent’s to drag him down for penalties – on one occasion – a penalty shot.

His skating was something he worked hard at over the summer.

“This a really fast league. I knew I needed to be ready to play at the speed they play at here,” Jarvis said.

Jarvis got into 11 games as a 15-year-old a season ago. He had two assists in those 11 games. His first taste of WHL action got him ready for what was to come this year.

“I was a lot more comfortable. I played a lot of games as a 15. The adjustment helped me improve and made me feel comfortable coming here from Midget.”

Jarvis put up 60 points in 32 games at the Rink Hockey Academy last year.

His two goals in the first game of his rookie season over the weekend are a sign that he is very capable of producing at the WHL level, even as a 2002-born player.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has felt comfortable right away this year on his line with 2000-born import Michael Kvasnica and fellow 2002-born play-maker Cross Hanas. Besides Hanas and Jarvis, Portland is carrying another 16-year-old forward in Robbie Fromm-Delorme.

“We all are super tight. All three 16-year-olds are best friends and Michael is the nicest guy I have ever met. It’s hard not to have good chemistry with them. They all think the game super fast and they are all skilled enough to make the plays. It all meshes well together.”

While it is tempting to think about what will happen when the young core of this team is older, Jarvis knows that he just needs to worry about this year.

“It’s really excited. but I’m focused on taking it one game and one year at a time. I’ve been told by all the older guys that times just flies by. I just want to enjoy my time here.

With fellow Winnipegger Cody Glass still in camp with the Vegas Golden Knights and Ryan Hughes injured, Jarvis is being given more ice time than a lot of other WHL players his age. While he enjoys being out there in crunch time, he knows that the team is better served with it’s skilled veterans on the ice.

“It’s really good for me but in the end, Glass and Hughes they are going to help the team win and that is the number one goal. I’d be fine with sitting in the last minute of the game if they are out there winning it. Whenever they get back that is going to be greatly appreciated.”

The Winterhawks have stumbled out of the gate, dropping their first two games, but Jarvis and company have given fans something to get excited about while older players work their way back to the team. The experience he is getting in the meantime is something that will certainly pay dividends down the road.