The Portland Winterhawks (7-3-0-1) are coming off a weekend securing four points in two nights against the Vancouver Giants, one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Portland is looking to ride the momentum as they prepare for their first weekend of three games in three nights.
The Winterhawks first play on Friday evening in Spokane, Washington as they face the Chiefs (6-3-1-2) for the first time this season. Spokane’s roster was bolstered this week as the Los Angeles Kings returned Jaret Anderson-Dolan after he played five games. The 19-year-old co-captain scored 40 goals for Spokane last season in addition to contributing 51 assists. After practice today, head coach Mike Johnston commented about the test the Winterhawks face playing the Chiefs, “Spokane is a team everyone recognizes as a top team. Getting Anderson-Dolan back is going to be almost like a playoff matchup from last year and we know how tough that was. Going into their building, first game, is another measuring stick for our team and see how good we are. Can we play with the best in our division?”
On Saturday and Sunday the Winterhawks return home to battle the Kamloops Blazers (3-6-0-1) for the final time this season. Portland traveled to the Sandman Centre in Kamloops earlier this month and left with two victories. Johnston said, “three games in three nights is always tough, especially on the younger guys. They need to go through it in order to learn how to play it. I think it tests our team, but we are looking for that. We want to see how our guys handle it.”
Goaltending
Shane Farkas has played and started all 11 games for the Winterhawks. Last season playing behind Los Angeles Kings-signed Cole Kehler, Shane appeared in 24 games. After winning the job with his stellar play in preseason, 16-year-old and Winnipeg native, Dante Giannuzzi is Portland’s backup this season.
Farkas spoke about the increase in ice time, “It is a huge privilege to play any games in this league; nonetheless all of them so far. I’m really grateful for the opportunity as I get time in the net.” Despite playing every minute, Farkas said he has “a great relationship with Dante. Obviously being a younger guy, he might be a little shy, we’ve all been there before. However, we want to make everyone feel welcome.”
Johnston wouldn’t confirm exactly when, but the expectation is Giannuzzi will start his first WHL game this weekend against Kamloops.
Team Canada for Seth Jarvis and Cody Glass
Cody Glass was recently named to Team WHL as part of the CIBC series where CHL teams play against Team Russia in preparation for the World Juniors later this year. Johnston said, “I think for Cody, he’s had a chance to play for Team Canada before, never in the world junior tournament. That is his goal, he wants to be a key guy on this year’s World Junior team and in part of that process is the series against the Russians. I know he is looking forward to that. This is going to be an exciting opportunity to play international competition, but more so to try and solidify his position on the world junior team.”
Based upon the schedule, the expectation is Cody will only miss one game for Portland.
Portland’s 2017 first round Bantam Draft selection Seth Jarvis will also be wearing a Hockey Canada jersey as he heads to Saint John and Quispamsis, New Brunswick for the World U-17 Hockey Challenge. Johnston spoke about the opportunity for Jarvis, “Seth is getting his first chance to play on a world stage with the under 17 team. Canada has three teams, it is a real tough tournament as the other countries are sending their best. It is the one time, at the under 17s, where you get to see best on best. When you get to get World Junior or under 18s, some guys have already made the NHL and are gone. At the under 17 you see the very best from every country.”
Jarvis is excited for what is to come over the next two weeks, “It means a lot. I have been watching the World Juniors for so long. This is a stepping stone for that opportunity. I’m super excited to get going.” He doesn’t know what his role will be on the team but, “I’m hoping to learn more once I get out there. Whatever it is though, I’ll gladly accept and do whatever I can to help the team win.”
Jarvis will wear his number 24 for Canada Red and is scheduled to leave for the tournament on Monday following Portland’s games this weekend. He will then miss the next two weeks for the Winterhawks.
New Assistant to GM Mike Coflin
During the offseason longtime Winterhawks assistant general manager Matt Bardsley left the organization to become the general manager for the Kamloops Blazers. Bardsley had been the assistant general manager for Portland since 2013. With Matt’s departure, the Winterhawks chose to add to assistant coach Kyle Gustafson’s title; he was officially named assistant general manager. Gustafson wasn’t the only staff member to receive a promotion.
Mike Coflin was promoted to Assistant to the GM and Director of Scouting & Player Development. Johnston said, “Mike [Coflin] came on with us about 5-or-6 years ago in a part-time position as an area scout. He has grown with the organization, his job as a vice principal took away from anything else. When Matt left, he has an opportunity to come in and share some responsibilities with Kyle, expand his role, and become a full time guy with us. He’s a former coach at UBC [University of British Columbia].” Mike Johnston describes Coflin as, “a real smart hockey guy, has a great eye for players, good feel for the game and the Western Hockey League. We feel very fortunate to bump guys up in the organization when we lose a top guy like Matt.”
Injuries and Forward Depth
Robbie Fromm-Delorme is currently out of the lineup after getting injured in practice last week. Today at practice he was on the ice, but wearing a no-contact jersey. Johnston said after practice “Robbie won’t be ready this weekend, but should be in time for next weekend.”
With his injury the Winterhawks have 12 healthy forwards. At this time Johnston doesn’t plan on making any moves, but said “we have Kishaun Gervais, Tyson Kozak, and 2018 first rounder Gabe Klassen we can bring in if it happens we have another injury.”
Portland chose to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen for last Saturday’s game against Vancouver instead of the traditional 12 & six.
