Cody Glass – Just how did he get to Portland?

Everyone knows and loves Cody Glass. Yes, he was selected in the first round by the Vegas Golden Knights, yes he is the 43rd captain in Portland Winterhawks franchise history, and yes he has been a WHL first team all-star the last two seasons including scoring over 100 points, but just how did this Winnipeg native arrive in Portland and become the player he is today? Chad Balcom and I discussed the backstory.

To fully appreciate what Glass has done for the organization, we need to go all the way back to a dark period in Winterhawks history. On November 28, 2012 the WHL placed heavy sanctions on Portland for violating WHL regulations. The punishment was heavy, as Portland was forced to surrender their first five picks in the 2013 bantam draft and then also their first round pick in the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 bantam drafts. (The 2017 first round pick would later be reinstated) As a result, the Winterhawks front office was faced with an uphill battle if they were to continue their dominance in the league.

The dominance began in 2011 when the Winterhawks won the Western Conference but lost to the Kootenay Ice in five games in the WHL Final, missing out on a WHL championship. The Winterhawks were back in the same spot the following year, this time playing the Edmonton Oil Kings. Portland would fall in seven games to a strong Oil Kings team led by Curtis Lazar, Michael St. Croix, and Tyler Maxwell.

After reaching back-to-back championship games but having to watch their opponent celebrate in front of them, the Winterhawks were ready to taste the thrill of victory in 2013. Led by Ty Rattie, Nic Petan, Brandon Leipsic, Derek Pouliot, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Seth Jones, the Winterhawks would not be denied. Portland defeated the Oil Kings in a rematch giving them their third Ed Chynoweth Cup and first since 1998.

As the 2013-2014 season was progressing, the Winterhawks had a player on their protected list named Adam Tambellini. Tambellini was selected in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers. Mike Johnston listed Tambellini on the protected list with the off chance the University of North Dakota freshman would leave NCAA hockey for the WHL. Johnston was correct; however, Tambellini was willing to leave, just not for Portland.

On January 8, 2014 the Winterhawks dealt the 19-year-old’s rights to Calgary for two conditional draft selections. The conditions were based entirely around if Tambellini would report to Calgary. Both fan bases didn’t need to wait long to learn what they were receiving in the trade, Adam not only reported and played for Calgary that same night, he scored and had 3 assists in his debut with the Hitmen. Given the arrival of Tambellini, Portland was now the proud owner of Calgary’s first round selection in the 2014 bantam draft. They also scooped up a fourth round pick in the 2015 bantam draft. Calgary was tremendously excited as Adam would bolster their lineup as they prepared to make a deep run in the 2014 and 2015 playoffs.

The Winterhawks and Hitmen began the 2014 playoffs with a similar goal, but the teams had opposite performances. The Winterhawks swept their first round series with Vancouver while Calgary was upset in the first round by the Kootenay Ice. Portland would win the Western Conference again and play Edmonton for the third Final series in a row. Edmonton defeated Portland in seven games for their second championship in three seasons. Portland shifted their focus to the WHL draft as they have a first round selection to make.

Cody Glass-Jaret Anderson-Dolan

May 1, 2014 is a day Winterhawks fans can look back and say, “This is where it all began.” While there were some recognizable names taken in the first round, Jordy Bellerive, Michael Rassmussen, Ian Scott, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, and Jarret Tyszka. None would turn out to be quite like the player selected 19th. The Winterhawks made the selection originally belonging to Calgary. The pick, you guessed it, Cody Glass.  

To start the 2014-2015 season Adam Tambellini made the Hitmen roster as a 20-year-old. In his overage season Tambellini would lead all Hitmen with 86 points. Cody Glass as a 15-year-old was eligible to play in five games, but only saw the ice in three games and failed to register a point.

Both teams would make the 2015 playoffs and have similar levels of success. Each team made it to their respective conference championship. Portland lost in six games while the Hitmen lost in five ending both teams’ run in the playoffs.

After playing with Calgary for almost a season and a half, Tambellini made the move to pro hockey with the AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack. He played three seasons for the Wolfpack before being signed to a one year two-way deal with the Ottawa Senators. Tambellini has yet to play a NHL regular season game.

Ty Kolle (Dayna Fjord)

In order to complete the Tambellini trade, we must view what came of the fourth round draft pick in the 2015 bantam draft. The selection was Ty Kolle. Winterhawks fans will remember him as hard-nose player who put in 100% effort every night. Kolle played 77 games with the Winterhawks before he was traded to Lethbridge on October 4th, 2018. Portland received a 5th round draft selection in the 2019 bantam draft as compensation. Therefore, the Adam Tambellini trade lives on for at least one more off-season.

Cody Glass had some pressure on him for being a first round bantam pick, but no-where near the “top-10 NHL draft pick” hype. In one of his last moves during his first tenure with Portland, Johnston was responsible for making the bantam draft selections. Not long after the bantam draft, Johnston would accept a position with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Winterhawks were turned over to Jamie Kompon.

Under Kompon there were a fair amount of struggles and Glass was a 16-year-old rookie. By the time the year was complete, Glass finished with 27 points. His point total was good enough for ninth best on the team and 23rd among fellow rookies. The promise wasn’t quite there yet for Glass, but something was about to change.

At the beginning of every season the NHL Central Scouting group grades players where they believe they are slotted. Glass received a “C” grade, meaning he would be a mid-to-late round selection. However, the coach and GM who drafted Glass into the WHL was making his triumphant return. Kompon was let go and Johnston returned to coach the Winterhawks starting with the 2016-2017 season. When the season was complete, Glass increased his point total from 27 the year before to finish with 94. He led the Winterhawks in scoring and was only a few points back of the Western Conference lead. The scouts within NHL Central Scouting took note and Glass was bumped up to an “A” level prospect, meaning a potential first round talent. Let’s not forget he was named a WHL First Team All-Star.

At the NHL Entry Draft in the summer of 2017, Glass would be selected sixth overall, and first in franchise history, by the Vegas Golden Knights. Cody would spend some time with Vegas during their development camp before returning to Portland for his 18-year-old season. His season saw significant highs and lows. Perhaps the lowest for Glass was barely missing Team Canada’s roster for the World Junior Championships. However, he used this as motivation to finish the season. His points increased to 102, a 75 point jump from just two seasons ago. Oh, he was also named WHL First Team All-Star for the second season in a row.

So as Cody Glass plays his final season in Portland, enjoy the ride and experience a tremendous player who has continued to turn challenges into success stories. Portland wasn’t even supposed to have a first round pick in 2014, but they gave up a player who had no intention of ever wearing the jersey, for one who is proud of the organization he represents. He is preparing to travel to play in the CIBC Canada Russia Series and then ultimately in World Juniors. Fans have the opportunity to watch a player who basically grew up in Portland and soon will be playing on some the biggest stages hockey offers.