On Wednesday I made the trip to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum to cover practice in preparation for Portland’s two games this weekend. During practice I also spoke with a few players regarding the recent eastern road trip along with the trade deadline.
Towards the end of practice several players were taking shots on newly acquired Joel Hofer. The guys were playing some form of game based upon red vs. black, but I couldn’t quite tell how the score was being kept. All I could figure out was each color took turns shooting on Hofer, then they fought for any potential rebound. Without knowing the score, I would say Hofer won the game, but that is pure speculation.
Hofer was sporting his Swift Current mask and pads; however, I was told getting updated equipment is in the works, but a timeline hasn’t been established.
Head coach Mike Johnston was absent from practice on a recruiting/scouting trip. He will return in time for the Saturday game against the Everett Silvertips.
After practice I spent some time with the two newest Winterhawks, Joel Hofer and Josh Paterson. I also talked with Seth Jarvis, Cody Glass, and assistant coach Don Hay.
Final thoughts on eastern trip
Don Hay was very pleased with how the trip went for Portland, “First of all, those trips are always good for your team to get together to spend some time together away from home. We have a few Saskatchewan kids, so for them it was a homecoming. They were always excited about going home. Even though they just saw their parents at Christmas, it is still exciting to see family and friends come out to the game.”
The trip “got off to a good start” Don continued. “Those trips can be long depending on how you are playing. We played really well to go 5-1; it was a spectacular trip. We got to see all the teams out there.”
The one loss on Portland’s eastern swing was to the hands of the CHL’s top ranked Prince Albert Raiders. “I thought Prince Albert is a good team” Hay expressed. “I would like to play them again. The only way we can do that is if we meet in the finals. For me, it was really interesting to see what Prince Albert was like because their record is unbelievable. It was a good game. For two offensive teams, that was a low scoring type of game with not many scoring chances. I thought both teams really were feeling their way around, kind of seeing what the other team was like.”
One area of strength for Portland on the trip was the play of several of the younger forwards. Don pointed out Seth Jarvis specifically. “What you see with young players is after the Christmas break they really start to take off. It is the first time away from home for a lot of them until Christmas. They then go back and see their family & friends. They are then excited to get back in with their club teams. This is what I see with Seth.”
“His line has been playing really well” Don commented. “Both (Reece) Newkirk and (Jaydon) Dureau are from Saskatchewan which gave them a lot of energy and it pulled Jarvis into the battle. Jarvis is a really good finisher who is gaining confidence and is around the net competing for pucks.”
Winterhawks captain Cody Glass also praised how the younger players performed on the trip, “They did a great job; especially our 16-year-olds. They are young guys who can get energy out of nowhere. Jarvis is on quite the goal streak and is handling himself well. Cross (Hanas) and Robbie (Fromm-Delorme) did well too. They can just keep moving forward and being more consistent will help their game into the next year.”
Glass also made specific mention to the game against Prince Albert, “They play sort of the same way we do with high offense and keep pushing the puck up to forwards. I felt like it was a really fun game to be in with two offensive teams going at it.”
Overall the key to the trip for Cody was, “We are playing a full 200-foot game. I think we were playing well in the defensive zone that led to us scoring goals on the offensive side. It is a hard division over there, so good to get a couple of wins.”
Seth Jarvis on a hot streak
16-year-old rookie Seth Jarvis contributed both on and off the score sheet during the most recent eight games dating back to the Seattle game on December 29th. During this stretch the Winnipeg native tallied six goals and one assist. His recent run now has him eighth in rookie scoring with 25 points.
Jarvis shared on Wednesday about what is working well right now, “I think practice is a big part. I’m just trying to focus on scoring, and it is translating into the games.”
Seth also gave credit to his linemates, Dureau and Newkirk. “I think when you are playing in front of your friends and family you get a little more energy. We over passed a little too much in the beginning. We are now getting more of a shooting mentality which is resulting in more pucks going in.”
A key part of what is driving the line is their ability to forecheck and turn pucks over. Jarvis feels it is their “tenacity and being aggressive, not shying away from getting to the dirty areas” which is making them successful.
Trade deadline and logistics
The trade deadline this year happened to fall during Portland’s trip. Given the trades completed, actually worked out well logistically.
Last Wednesday the Winterhawks announced they acquired goalie Joel Hofer via Swift Current. Then on January 10th, the deadline to make trades, Portland traded forward Ryan Hughes for Josh Paterson and two draft selections from Saskatoon.
Hay spoke of the logistics, “Actually it was pretty easy because we were right there. Swift Current was two hours away. Joel packed up his stuff and drove in. Josh went home to his billets and packed up his stuff and came across (the hallway) in the morning with us. It wasn’t too difficult.”
I confirmed with Don, “Joel rode the bus down to Portland. His dad is going to bring his car down. Josh headed home with his car, and his dad jumped in with him before heading down to Portland with the car. His dad kept him company.”
The human side of completing trades
One key point the first-year Winterhawks assistant coach made was, “You forget these guys are only 18 or 19 years old and they are both going through it (being traded) for the first time. It is really emotional because you are leaving your friends, teammates, and billets. Everything is new including the situation, household, country, friends, and teammates. We want to make this as seamless as possible for them. We try to do as much as we can for keeping the parents informed with what is going on and how everything is working.”
As I mentioned in my article recapping the trade deadline, trading Hughes was a hard decision for Portland. Don commented a little more on the trade, “It was a trade of two players who were with their team since they were 16 years old and then playing against their former team. I think it was a surprise to both players, especially to Ryan.
Don especially noticed when “we played against him it was tough for him to leave the organization. It is a situation where it was a good hockey trade for both teams. Both teams are getting players that can help their team right now and in the future. Both could possibly be back as 20-year-old players. It was just a trade that was important for us to make for the betterment of our hockey club now and in the future.”
Hay also commented on the challenges facing Hofer and Paterson, “Josh just had to walk across the hallway so to speak, which was different for him too. Each situation is different, but especially for Josh and Ryan. First and foremost, they have to get used to new surroundings and a new coaching staff which takes a little while to adjust. I thought they (Josh and Joel) really stepped in there well.”
As Hofer stepped into the starting lineup the next day against Prince Albert and Paterson faced his former team, Hay said, “I think it is always tough for new guys coming in because you want to do so well. They want to show that you made the right move by trading for them. Our team welcomed both of them, that is the biggest thing. You have to welcome those players into your group so they feel comfortable and play to the best of their ability.”
Cody Glass echoed the point Hay made regarding the importance of making the new guys feel welcomed, “I think it is easy for me (as captain) with the team we have. It is fairly easy to get along with everyone. We are very open with our team and it is very easy to be talkative with any one guy on the team. It makes it easy on me and don’t have to do too much as just welcome the new guys in. They have adapted well being here, and they are going to have a fun time playing with us.”
Jarvis summed up the experience pretty well, “The two guys that came in are great. Obviously we lost Ryan, my roommate and one of my best friends. Joel is a great guy, same with Paty (Paterson). Joel had a great game against PA (Prince Albert) and Paty had a big influence in the Saskatoon game.”
Welcome to Portland Joel Hofer
I spent a few minutes with the newest goalie for the Winterhawks and the 18-year-old is excited to get started with his new club. “Obviously it is tough to leave an organization where I started my career, but I’m really excited to get things going here in Portland.”
Glass and Hay spoke about the importance of making the new guys feel welcomed, Joel felt the team did that for him. “The guys treated me like family right when I get there. It is truly exciting to come to a team that is contenting right away. Hopefully I can contribute as much as possible and get a championship out of it.”
Hofer will look back on his time with Swift Current fondly especially the role he played on last year’s WHL championship and Memorial Cup team, “It was an amazing experience to go through that. Watching the older guys how they run things and go about all of it. It is obviously something I will cherish forever and am hopeful I can bring it to the table here.”
The acquisition of the NHL-drafted Hofer brings Portland’s drafted players to four (Cody Glass, Joachim Blichfeld, Brendan De Jong, and Hofer). The netminder recalled the experience of hearing his name called last June. “It was an amazing feeling. A dream of mine to get drafted in the NHL, and for that to become a reality is pretty special. I didn’t go to the draft, but I was at home with all my family and was a special moment.”
Hofer playing in Swift Current after the Memorial Cup run saw many of the familiar faces depart after the season. After the trade deadline there were only three players left from the championship winning team. Joel watched several of his former teammates get traded away during the season, but “at the deadline I tried to not think too much about it. After practice I got called in and they told me the news.”
Finding out about the news brought upon mixed emotions, “Obviously I was sad at first, but a couple of hours later I was really excited to come to Portland and a first class organization.”
The few hours after he was informed of the trade were busy for Hofer. “You first get traded and your mind is racing a lot. You have a lot of different thoughts. Then the management starts calling you and introduces themselves. You will get there eventually and all the guys are really nice. They will introduce themselves. They make you feel part of a home. I’m glad to be in a place like this.”
Two days after the deadline Hofer played in his first game for the Winterhawks. Hay felt “Joel played really well in Prince Albert, a tough team to break in against.”
Glass was impressed by how Hofer handled the situation. “It is a good taste for him to get into it. He did a really good job; was really focused before the game. He wanted to show us what he had. He played really well, stopped a couple of breakaways, couple of back door tap ins, he kept us in it the whole time. We had a couple of bad breaks against, but for the first game coming in playing against Prince Albert, can’t ask for a better start.”
When asked to describe his style of goaltending Hofer said, “I’m a pretty calm guy in the net. I try not to over complicate things, like to be a difference maker on the ice. I want to steal games for my team; just want to win. I don’t care if we win 9-8 or 2-1, I just care about the win.”
Away from the rink Joel likes to golf, “I went to TopGolf; that was pretty fun. I’m a pretty big golfer.”
Getting to know Hofer a little more he described his game day ritual. “I will have a good sleep the night before a game. I will wake up, go to the rink, stretch, take a skate. Then I go home and nap for about two hours. I will have pasta, chicken, or rice. I then come back to the rink, tape my stick, stretch again, and mentally prepare for the game.”
Hofer is “not sure” on the goalie rotation yet, but feels “it is obviously for Shane (Farkas) and me to be challenging ourselves and both getting better at the same time. I’m sure we will both be getting time in the net, but whatever it takes for us to win.”
Don Hay did not give an indication who would start on Saturday or Sunday but said, “It is nice to have goalies that can play back-to-back and nice to have goalies to give each other a rest too. It is important that we keep both goalies sharp. I think there is around 25 games left and most of those games are in our own division and conference. There are a few Central Division teams who will come in here, but every game is important.”
Welcome to Portland Josh Paterson
Josh Paterson and I caught up for a few minutes when he first came off the ice. The 19-year-old power forward was all smile and said his time with the team so far “has been fantastic. It is a first-class organization with first-class guys. They have been really great welcoming me in and a great first couple of games with the team.”
After being acquired by Portland on Thursday he played his first game with the Winterhawks against Prince Albert, but his second game in a Portland sweater was a memorable one for him. For the first time in four years, instead of going to the home locker room in Saskatoon he went across the hallway to the visitor locker room. “It was definitely a weird experience since they played Saskatoon two days later (after the deadline). It had a really different feel being with one team for four years and then playing them a couple of nights later; a different perspective being on the other side of the rink.”
Paterson showed Portland fans what he brings to the team scoring two goals against his former team. With a huge smile Josh said, “It was a great last goodbye present to them. Our team was phenomenal that game.”
Paterson was moved up and down the lineup against the Blades, but found a home on the power play and with Cody Glass and Joachim Blichfeld.
Glass described Josh as “a strong two-way guy, versatile guy who can play power play or penalty kill. I think the biggest thing is he is so strong on his stick and so strong on the puck. Especially being on a line with Blich and me, he is going to be a good big-body guy who can get to the dirty areas for us. It is something we need. Obviously he adds some strength and toughness to our team which will help in the long run.”
Don Hay coaches the forwards and is excited to add Josh to the mix because, “he can play all three positions, play on the power play, where he has really good hands and stands in front of the net. He knows that area very well and is very good at it. Josh can also kill penalties. He is a veteran player who is really smart at the details of the game. He picked it up really quickly.”
Paterson didn’t start out being a net-front guy, “I started off a little more skilled, but I’m a hard working, two-way forward who likes to go to the dirty areas and hang around the net front. It is something I picked up in the league. I started getting rewarded and kept with that game plan.”
Jumping in on Portland’s power play “was a little different at first, but they are pretty skilled players. Most are pretty easy to read off, I just want to get to the net.”
Josh is thankful to have Joel around as “it is nice to have another person who isn’t 100% sure what is going on yet, and they are just learning the ropes too. It is good to have someone to learn with.”
Getting to know Paterson away from the rink he commented he likes “camping a lot; the mountains are good. That is another good thing about Portland, they are right there. I’ve always been a school guy as well. I’ve been in University since I was 16, so hopefully I will try to get into medicine (after hockey).”
Josh mentioned he is not a ritual guy and doesn’t really believe in them, just wants to get to the rink and play or practice.
His focus is “not on individual goals, but more team goals like the playoffs. I want to help produce every night and them win.”
Cody Glass returns from World Juniors
As the season progressed, Glass was working towards achieving his goal of representing Team Canada at the World Juniors. He achieved his goal and played with the team in Vancouver over Christmas and New Year’s.
Overall, the team did not achieve the results he was hoping for but the Winterhawks captain said, “it was a good experience. I felt like I played really well. It was a hard break. I felt whoever came out of our side had a good chance of winning it; Finland ended up winning. It was a great experience for myself and nothing I would ever take back. Playing in front of a crowd like that for your country, there is nothing like it. To be with all of those guys at such a high level and stress level was awesome.”
Have to feel for Cody Glass; had a great tournament. The Winterhawks captain was named one of the top 3 players for Canada
While obviously not a result he wanted, something stood out to me on the final play, & it wasn't the perfect no-look pass. Watch the backcheck of 8 in black pic.twitter.com/RGkID1afiG
— Joshua Critzer (@jjcritzer) January 3, 2019
During the tournament, a video went viral of Cody handing his stick to a kid near the bench. Glass recalled the special moment, “I remember watching World Juniors when I was younger and how much it meant to me watching those guys. That is where I wanted to be one day. For myself, when I saw that kid, I just pictured a young me watching. I gave him my stick, and I think it meant the world to him. It was fun to see that video for his reaction and seeing myself at that age.”
Cody Glass folks https://t.co/58jgSQA9HO
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) December 30, 2018
Glass was given a few days off after the completion of the tournament to recover. He told me “it was good, just sitting on the couch eating cookies sometimes.” However, he did more than just eat cookies during the break as he got back on the pond:
What does Cody do with a couple of days off? pic.twitter.com/bSDQcxZbzk
— Jeff Glass (@jeffglass87) January 6, 2019
He smiled and said, “Obviously the legs and the cardio were feeling it (coming back), but it was a good. I enjoyed some family time and friends I don’t get to see very often. I’m very happy to be back with the team. After a result we had with Team Canada, it is always good to get back to playing hockey with your buddies.”
De Jong continues to improve, but not cleared yet
Don Hay provided a quick update on overage defenseman Brendan De Jong after practice, “He looked good today. It is good to see him taking part in full practices which is a good sign. We just have to get the okay from the trainer and the doctor. Once we get that, he will be back in the lineup.”
If De Jong continues as he has this week in practice, the team is hopeful he will be able to return in time for this weekend’s games.
