The Portland Winterhawks’ history of finding stars with their first-round WHL Bantam Draft picks is impressive. Gabe Klassen, the 19th overall selection in the 2018 draft, is looking to add his name to the list. He joins fellow first-round selection (2017) Seth Jarvis on the 2019-2020 Winterhawks roster.
Dating back to 2007, Portland has made seven selections in the first round. Current Vegas Golden Knight and first-round NHL draft pick Cody Glass is the most recent (2014) behind Jarvis and Klassen. During his time in Portland, Cody racked up 94 goals, 198 assists, and 292 points.
The other recent Winterhawks first-round WHL Bantam Draft selections are:
- Nic Petan (2010) – 110 goals, 248 assists, 358 points – 2nd round NHL draft
- Derrick Pouliot (2009) – 42 goals, 163 assists, 205 points – 1st round NHL draft
- Ty Rattie (2008) – 151 goals, 197 assists, 348 points – 2nd round NHL draft
- Brad Ross (2007) – 109 goals, 136 assists, 245 points – 2nd round NHL draft
If Klassen’s first 12 games are any indication — four goals and one assist — there is no doubt his name will be among Portland’s elite. “I wasn’t really expecting it to come like that here, but having (four) goals, my linemates have been a big part of that.”
What made Winterhawks vice president, general manager, and head coach Mike Johnston so excited to select Klassen? “His hockey IQ is really good and has great hockey sense. He is a center that distributes the puck well and has offensive instincts. I still think the best part of his game is that he is a 200-foot center. We talk about that a lot with our centers being 200-foot players, like our centers to be good at both ends of the rink. Gabe thinks the game so well that he is good at both ends of the ice.”
To start the 2019-2020 season, Klassen went back to the Prince Albert Mintos in the SMHL. Last year, he led the Mintos in scoring with 31 goals and 23 assists in 42 games played.
“It has kind of been up and down a little bit,” the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, native said when asked how his season has been so far. “Going back home to Prince Albert to start the year, started off pretty well there. I like the group back at home, but getting called back up here and getting to be back with these boys has been really good. I’m loving it here so far.”
Scoring is something Klassen has always excelled at in his young career. Not only did he lead the Mintos in scoring in his 15-year-old season, but he also led his Prince Albert Raiders Bantam AA team in scoring for two straight seasons as well.
Before getting called up to Portland, he was on pace to accomplish the feat for a fourth time. A humble Klassen said, “I think just being with a really good group of guys. We had a lot of returning guys from last year. We already had some chemistry built up so got to play with some of my good buddies. We found ways to score.”
One aspect of Gabe’s scoring ability is how quick he can elevate the puck. “In tight, my hands are quick so I can get a quick release. I also can surprise goalies with my shot. I’m always working on that, including from spots where they wouldn’t expect. It will then create havoc around the net and help someone else get a scoring chance.”
He demonstrated this ability when he went top-shelf on a backhanded shot against the Saskatoon Blades earlier this season.
While Klassen’s goal was to play the full season with Portland, he is appreciative of how well the Prince Albert Mintos prepared him for the WHL. “It boosted my confidence being able to have the puck for a lot of the game. I was able to control the play and also being able to get into the gym and focus on that helped me as well.”
One of the biggest differences he faced when making the jump to the WHL was that “the pace is a lot faster. I notice it most in the defensive zone when trying to find a man down low to cover. Then, how quickly the play goes from defense to offense, you have to get yourself into the rush.”
The 5-foot-10, 161-pound center mentioned further developing his skating. “I think the biggest thing I need to work on right now is my quickness and speed to match up to the bigger, stronger guys at this level.”
Gabe demonstrated some of the Hockey IQ Johnston praised. “I think it is important though to be on the defensive side of the puck and then get speed going. I’ve also realized you don’t always have to be the first guy on the rush, but get your speed going to join the rush. I can then see the open areas and drive to the net.”
Ultimately, Klassen is excited to be back in Portland in what appears to be full time. “As a 16-year-old being at home, a little bit isn’t a bad thing, but my goal is being here in Portland. Coming back here is always easier (than going back to Prince Albert). I hope the fans realize I’m doing everything I can to impress this season.”
Johnston agrees. “We were fortunate that when we sent him back, we were also able to bring him up a couple of times. I thought he looked really good in his first games. He is starting to get a little bit more comfortable playing in this league. That is always a confidence thing for young kids. I don’t think he lacks confidence and is very comfortable against older and better players. I really like how he is coming along and looks really good.”
On May 3, 2018, Gabe Klassen and the rest of his Prince Albert teammates gathered in a classroom to watch the WHL Bantam Draft.
“We had the draft on the big SMART Board so the whole class was watching,” Klassen reminisced. “I was in school, actually had a hockey class that morning. A couple of us were expected to go so we were watching it all together. It was really cool to hear my name and especially to Portland.”
When the Winterhawks selected him with the 19th overall pick, “all the boys called me out, jumped up, and got pretty excited and congratulated me. Then we had to get right back watching to see if anyone else would go right away.”
The moments following for Klassen specifically included a text to his dad and then his agent. Mike Johnston also contacted Gabe which was a surreal moment for him. “It was one of the spots that I was like, ‘Wow, I really want to go there, can see myself playing there in a few years.’ To see that, just know that is a great organization, I was really looking forward to getting started.”
The wait for Klassen to officially become a Winterhawk took only 33 days.
“I wasn’t really expecting it,” Gabe said of signing his WHL contract. “Portland isn’t really known to sign guys early. They usually wait until training camp. All of a sudden they said they wanted to sign me. Obviously, without a doubt, I 100% wanted to play here, so we agreed to it and signed right away.”
Another celebration ensued for the Klassen family. “It is only a start. I have a long way to go to meet the final dream, just want to get to work,” the young center said.
While hockey is Gabe’s passion, getting some time away from the rink and playing other sports helps him.
Up until last season, he played shortstop for his baseball team. When he wasn’t scoring goals on ice, he was turning double plays on dirt. Klassen traded the cleats for skates.
Like many hockey players, golf is also something the 16-year-old enjoys doing in his free time. Ask many of the Winterhawks who the best three golfers are on the team, and many will answer with Simon Knak, Gabe, and goalie Joel Hofer.
Klassen’s answer: “Simon is pretty good. He uses a two-iron instead of a driver. I think Joel has got me by a bit though. Mostly I play at home, have played a few rounds here (in Portland), but can’t really play much now with the rain here or it being too cold and snowy back home. Over the summer though, I play a lot of golf.”
On the music side, Klassen will flip back and forth between rock and country music. “I like Nickelback, kind of my go-to music,” he said. “Luke Combs is one of the big ones on the country side though.”
Jake Gricius and Johnny Ludvig often have the final say on the choice of music in the locker room. Klassen has no complaints. “I think the guys do a pretty good job of making it a group decision and we have some good tunes in the room.”
Traveling with the Winterhawks is a little different than with the Mintos.
Gabe said, “In Prince Albert, we are only playing in Saskatchewan, so here some trips are at least double what I’m used to. However, I’m really excited to travel and go on the road with the boys and also get into more games.”
With many young rookies, the team’s veterans play a key role in welcoming them to the team. Klassen is no different and for him, “Newkirk is a big one. With him being from Saskatchewan too, he is always talking to me, making sure I’m doing well. I live with Isaiah (DiLaura), and (Nick) Cicek drives us everywhere, so those two are big ones in always helping me. They help make me feel more and more comfortable every day.”
Getting on the ice routinely for games is helping him feel comfortable.
“I’m a two-way centerman and responsible in my own end. I also want to turn pucks over and get the play going the other way pretty quick. Having a good hockey sense and being able to make skilled plays and execute them is part of my game too.”
Over the weekend against Tri-City, fans saw exactly what Klassen was discussing. He put on a strong forecheck and stole the puck. Almost immediately, the puck was in the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
With the first half of Portland’s 2019-2020 season in the rearview mirror, Klassen is looking towards the future. “I want to hopefully keep finding the score sheet and just become a better all-around player to help the team win any way I can.”
Gabe Klassen may only be 12 games into his WHL career, but all signs indicate he will join the ranks of Portland Winterhawks first-round immortality.
