Part two of exploring the Portland WInterhawks and Seattle Thunderbirds rivalry features two first round bantam picks and rookies this season.
In case you missed it, click here to read Part One – The Fans.
On Saturday the U.S. Division rivals meet for the tenth time this season and 49th time during the last five years. However, for Portland’s Seth Jarvis, and Seattle’s Payton Mount, their time in the rivalry is still relatively fresh.
In the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft Jarvis was selected 11th overall by the Winterhawks and Mount eight selections later at 19th overall.
Mount, a Victoria, BC native, was proud to be selected the Thunderbirds, “It was definitely a cool experience to come down and see the facility and team. It was definitely really cool to be drafted by Seattle; I’m really happy I’m here right now.”
2018 World U-17 Hockey Challenge
A unique experience arrived back in November when Jarvis and Mount left their junior teams to represent Canada in the 2018 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.
Jarvis spoke about what the tournament meant to him, “It was unbelievable wearing the Maple Leaf for the first time and a feeling I will never forget. I feel like I had a strong tournament. I think I represented myself well and that overtime winner was something really special.”
The overtime winner he referenced came in a preliminary round game against Finland.
Mount’s tournament was unfortunately cut short due to an injury, but is still an experience he remembers well, “It was definitely an amazing experience and to see different talent from all around the world. Just soak in what the coaches have to say; I’m always trying to soak in as much information as I can from any coach. So I think it was a great experience getting to play against kids my own age, a good experience overall.”
In five games Jarvis finished with two goals and three assists. Mount picked up one goal in the three games he played.
Not only were the two representing Canada, on the same team, but they played on the same line together. Both spoke about the chemistry they had with one another.
For Jarvis, “Playing with Payton was awesome. We were paired together for the games we played before he unfortunately got hurt. When we were together it was unbelievable. We read off each other really well, it was like we had been playing with each other for a while.”
“The injury definitely wasn’t planned, but we had some good chemistry before that” Mount said. “I think my line was doing really well. I was playing with Jarvis a lot and had some pretty good chemistry. We saw some pretty good talent over there which was good.”
Payton felt their line had success because “we both play similar styles. We both like to play fast, have a good shot, playmaker, and all of that stuff. It was pretty each to read off each other. He is an easy player to play with. I got to know him a little bit before the tournament, and I think that helped make more chemistry happen.”
Back to Portland and Seattle
Once the tournament was over the two rejoined their respective teams.
Now on opposite sides of the ice, the two must go from teammates to arch rivals on the ice.
When asked, Jarvis hopes the rivalry doesn’t impact his relationship with Mount too much, “I hope [the rivalry] doesn’t hurt it because I love the guy. I hope he likes me too, but obviously we are going to play them a lot with the old rivalry. We may get into it a little bit, but it will all be fun and games.
“You definitely have to battle like it is your arch rival like always” Payton described. “Off the ice you are buddies, and you can say hi, but when you are on the ice you have to have your game face on.”
More often than not when the Winterhawks and Thunderbirds get together, tensions rise on the ice and players come together to chirp or trash talk one another.
“I know a lot of guys chirp, obviously being a huge rivalry” Jarvis described. However, Seth doesn’t feel he or Payton are quite there yet, “Payton is a pretty quiet kid, so I don’t know, but I don’t have the confidence to let any chirps loose quite yet, maybe in a couple of years.”
Mount said he will “sometimes will give him a smile and see if you can throw him off his game a little bit; make him think about different stuff. However, mostly just head down, grind it out, and play my game though.”
Future of the rivalry
With many key players for both sides expected to play pro hockey next season, Seth Jarvis and Payton Mount represent the future for the longtime rivals. Each are proud to help carry on the tradition.
What does Mount hope to add to the rivalry? “Hopefully just to keep battling and make it an even better rivalry than it already is. I hope to keep pushing him and he will keep pushing back. Hopefully we just keep going back-and-forth.”
Meanwhile, Jarvis’ emphasis on continuing the rivalry is about “all of the 16-year-olds and the 17-year-olds coming in, I think we all have a long future ahead playing against Seattle. We just have to kind of carry that grit, and almost anger, against them that the older guys leave behind. We have to make sure it keeps getting passed down.”
Each of the rookies have a 19-year-old, and former first round pick, to look up to for guidance in the rivalry.
Cody Glass is the role model for Jarvis.
“Learned it is going to be a long process, one year isn’t going to destroy or make you” Seth said. “I watch Cody all the time in practice and the stuff he does, I try to pick off him. [Also] watch him against Seattle and see how he gets a little bit of space and what he can do with it. I hope I can do the same in a few years.”
Jarret Tyszka is that example for Mount.
Payton talked about what he has learned from Tyszka and some of the older Thunderbirds, “Definitely have to absorb everything the older guys tell you. Then watch them when they play, see the little things they do, then try to add those things into your game.”
Jarvis so far has played in the previous nine matchups and has five goals and four assists against the Thunderbirds. Mount missed one game in the series as he was recovering from the injury sustained in November. During the eight games against the Winterhawks, Mount picked up three assists.
The future of the Portland and Seattle rivalry is bright with Seth Jarvis and Payton Mount leading the way.
Stay tuned for part three as two veterans of the series speak about their memories playing against one another.
