WHL Breakdown

A breakdown of the teams competing against the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League:

U.S. DIVISION

Portland Winterhawks

Coach: Jamie Kompon (second season)

Last season: 43-23-2-4, second in U.S. Division, eliminated in conference finals

Key players: LW Paul Bittner (34 goals, 37 assists), G Adin Hill (31-11-1-0, 2.81 goals against average, .921 save percentage), C Dominic Turgeon (18 goals, 25 assists), D Jack Dougherty (rookie).

Outlook: Portland’s days as the division’s offensive juggernaut appear to finally be over following the latest round of graduations. A pair of high-profile defensive additions in Dougherty and Caleb Jones will help, but the Winterhawks will have to scratch and claw to stay among the elite.

Tri-City Americans

Coach: Mike Williamson (second season)

Last season: 31-38-0-3, fifth in U.S. Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs

Key players: D Brandon Carlo (four goals, 21 assists), D Parker Wotherspoon (nine goals, 33 assists), RW Beau McCue (26 goals, 25 assists), C Parker Bowles (13 goals, 31 assists).

Outlook: Tri-City was ravaged by injuries last season. The Americans have a nice foundation at the back in Carlo and Wotherspoon, and they have experience up front. A lot will depend on whether Evan Sarthou can capably replace all-star goaltender Eric Comrie.

Spokane Chiefs

Coach: Don Nachbaur (sixth season)

Last season: 34-34-3-1, fourth in U.S. Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs

Key players: LW Adam Helewka (44 goals, 43 assists), D Jason Fram (nine goals, 53 assists), C Kailer Yamamoto (23 goals, 34 assists), G Garret Hughson (23-23-3-1, 2.80 goals against average, .902 save percentage).

Outlook: Every year it seems disaster is predicted for the Chiefs, and every year it seems Spokane exceeds expectations. If Spokane doesn’t lose either of its top overagers (Helewka, Fram) to the professional ranks, the Chiefs will give the rest of the division fits again this season.

Seattle Thunderbirds

Coach:Steve Konowalchuk (fifth season)

Last season: 38-25-4-5, third in U.S. Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs

Key players: Mathew Barzal (12 goals, 45 assists), LW Ryan Gropp (30 goals, 28 assists), LW Jamal Watson (26 goals, 28 assists), D Ethan Bear (13 goals, 25 assists).

Outlook: Seattle is everyone’s pick as the team to beat in the division, given the return of almost every notable offensive player. The big question for the T-birds is in goal, where neither Logan Flodell nor trade acquisition Taz Burman has proven himself in the league.

B.C. DIVISION

Kamloops Blazers

Coach: Don Hay (second season)

Last season: 28-37-4-3, fourth in the B.C. Division

Key players: C Matt Needham (25 goals, 51 assists), G Connor Ingram (21-21-2-3, 2.96 goals against average, .904 save percentage), RW Deven Sideroff (17 goals, 25 assists), D Ryan Rehill (seven goals, 13 assists)

Outlook: After finishing with the league’s worst record two seasons ago and missing the playoffs last season, Kamloops appears poised for a playoff return in Year 2 of Don Hay’s return to the team he won two Memorial Cups with in the 1990s.

Kelowna Rockets

Coach: Brad Ralph

(first season)

Last season: 53-13-5-1, first in the B.C. Division, WHL champions

Key players: Nick Merkley (20 goals, 70 assists), C Rourke Chartier (48 goals, 34 assists), C Tyson Baillie (37 goals, 39 assists), G Jackson Whistle (34-10-5-0, 2.55 goals against average, .909 save percentage)

Outlook: Kelowna lost its coach and several high-profile players, particularly on defense. However, the Rockets have so much going offensively it may not matter. Kelowna remains the team to beat in the Western Conference.

Prince George Cougars

Coach: Mark Holick (fourth season)

Last season: 31-36-2-3, third in the B.C. Division, eliminated in the first round of the playoffs

Key players: C Jansen Harkins (29 goals, 59 assists), LW Chase Witala (38 goals, 31 assists), C Brad Morrison (23 goals, 27 assists), D Sam Ruopp (three goals, 23 assists)

Outlook: Is this the year Prince George finally becomes relevant again? The talent is there. The question is whether the Cougars can overcome the inertia that’s seen the franchise win just one playoff game over the past eight seasons.

Vancouver Giants

Coach: Lorne Molleken (first season)

Last season: 27-41-2-2, fifth in the B.C. Division

Key players: LW Tyler Benson (14 goals, 31 assists), RW Jackson Houck (22 goals, 29 assists), C Carter Popoff (24 goals, 26 assists), C Thomas Foster (13 goals, 33 assists)

Outlook: Once the WHL’s model franchise, Vancouver has been in disarray and will be playing under its fourth head coach in little more than a year. Molleken is an experienced hand in the WHL, but he has work to do to get the Giants in the playoffs.

Victoria Royals

Coach: Dave Lowry (fourth season)

Last season: 39-29-3-1, second in the B.C. Division, eliminated in the second round of the playoffs

Key players: D Joe Hicketts (12 goals, 52 assists), G Coleman Vollrath (28-15-3-1, 2.99 goals against average, .905 save percentage), C Tyler Soy (28 goals, 35 assists), C Alex Forsberg (26 goals, 32 assists)

Outlook: Victoria has been one of the division’s better teams the past two seasons, but may have trouble maintaining that position this season. The Royals do, however, have perhaps the conference’s best defenseman in Hicketts.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Calgary Hitmen

Coach: Mark French (second season)

Last season: 45-22-1-4, first in the Central Division, eliminated in the conference finals

Key players: D Travis Sanheim (15 goals, 50 assists), LW Jake Virtanen (21 goals, 31 assists), RW Chase Lang (25 goals, 31 assists), D Jake Bean (five goals, 34 assists)

Outlook: Calgary was one of the league’s legitimate championship contenders last season, and the Hitmen have enough returning to be listed among that elite group again this season.

Edmonton Oil Kings

Coach: Steven Hamilton (second season)

Last season: 34-31-4-3, fifth in the Central Division, eliminated in the first round of the playoffs

Key players: LW Brett Pollock (32 goals, 30 assists), D Dysin Mayo (14 goals, 37 assists), C Lane Bauer (25 goals, 30 assists), D Ben Carroll (nine goals, 23 assists)

Outlook: After a three-year reign atop the Eastern Conference, the Oil Kings took a step back last season. Edmonton has some pieces to work with, but it’s unlikely a bounce back to the top of the conference is in store this season.

Kootenay Ice

Coach: Luke Pierce (first season)

Last season: 37-31-1-3, fourth in the Central Division, eliminated in the first round of the playoffs

Key players: C Luke Philp (30 goals, 52 assists), RW Jaedon Descheneau (34 goals, 47 assists), G Wyatt Hoflin (36-26-0-3, 3.10 goals against average. .902 save percentage), RW Zak Zborosky (18 goals, 22 assists)

Outlook: In Philp and Descheneau the Ice have two forwards who could be among the league leaders in points. But after that there’s a big drop off in talent. The Ice could be big-time sellers in the trade market this season.

Lethbridge Hurricanes

Coach: Brent Kisio (first season)

Last season: 20-44-5-3, sixth in the Central Division

Key players: G Stuart Skinner (13-20-2-3, 3.69 goals against average, .909 save percentage), C Tyler Wong (26 goals, 28 assists), C Giorgio Estephan (23 goals, 28 assists), D Kord Pankewicz (seven goals, 34 assists)

Outlook: For the first time in years there seems to be a sense of stability surrounding the Hurricanes organization. Whether that’s sufficient to see Lethbridge get into the playoffs for the first time since 2009 remains to be seen.

Medicine Hat Tigers

Coach: Shaun Clouston (sixth season)

Last season: 45-23-2-2, second in the Central Division, eliminated in the second round of the playoffs

Key players: LW Trevor Cox (29 goals, 80 assists), RW Cole Sanford (50 goals, 45 assists), LW Dryden Hunt (33 goals, 50 assists), D David Quenneville (six goals, 14 assists)

Outlook: Medicine Hat will be able to score goals. A little less certain is whether the Tigers will be able to prevent them. But they always seem to be in the hunt.

Red Deer Rebels

Coach: Brent Sutter (sixth season)

Last season: 38-23-5-6, third in Central Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs

Key players: C Conner Bleackley (27 goals, 22 assists), D Haydn Fleury (six goals, 22 assists), C Wyatt Johnson (25 goals, 29 assists), G Rylan Toth (28-18-4-5, 2.84 goals against average. .904 save percentage)

Outlook: This season’s Memorial Cup hosts may look considerably different after the trade deadline than at the start of the season. Though solid, if the Rebels don’t make any more upgrades it’s questionable whether they have a team that belongs at the Memorial Cup.

EAST DIVISION

Brandon Wheat Kings

Coach: Kelly McCrimmon (third season)

Last season: 53-11-4-4, first in the East Division, eliminated in WHL finals

Key players: D Ivan Provorov (15 goals, 46 assists), C Tim McGauley (42 goals, 63 assists), C Jayce Hawryluk (30 goals, 35 assists), G Jordan Papirny (44-9-4-2, 2.74 goals against average .910 save percentage)

Outlook: Brandon is unquestionably the league favorite heading into the season. The Wheat Kings were considered a year away last season, yet won the Eastern Conference. Brandon has no apparent weakness.

Moose Jaw Warriors

Coach: Tim Hunter (second season)

Last season: 32-35-4-1, fourth in the East Division

Key players: C Brayden Point (38 goals, 49 assists), C Brett Howden (22 goals, 24 assists), G Zach Sawchenko (21-22-2-0, 3.32 goals against average, .896 save percentage), RW Torrin White (17 goals, 21 assists)

Outlook: Point may be one of the league’s most dynamic offensive talents, but he doesn’t have a lot of support. He’ll need it for the Warriors to end a string of missing the playoffs in three straight seasons.

Prince Albert Raiders

Coach: Marc Habscheid (second season)

Last season: 31-37-2-2, fifth in the East Division

Key players: RW Reid Gardiner (34 goals, 30 assists), D Jesse Lees (13 goals, 33 assists), D Brendan Guhle (five goals, 27 assists), LW Craig Leverton (20 goals, 33 assists)

Outlook: Prince Albert is a franchise that’s been drifting in irrelevance for several seasons now. There’s not a lot to indicate anything is going to change this season.

Regina Pats

Coach:John Paddock (second season)

Last season: 37-24-5-6, second in the East Division, eliminated in second round of playoffs

Key players: G Daniel Wapple (29-15-4-6, 3.03 goals against average, .906 save percentage), D Colby Williams (11 goals, 30 assists), C Adam Brooks (30 goals, 32 assists), C Sam Steel (17 goals, 37 assists)

Outlook: Regina had a remarkable season in 2014-15, selling off all its top veterans yet still finishing second in the division and winning a playoff round. The Pats probably can’t challenge Brandon, but they can be a part of the next tier.

Saskatoon Blades

Coach: Bob Woods (second season)

Last season: 19-49-2-2, sixth in the East Division

Key players: D Brycen Martin (seven goals, 31 assists), RW Connor Gay (23 goals, 38 assists), G Nik Amundrud (7-22-0-2, 3.94 goals against average, .895 save percentage), C Cameron Hebig (18 goals, 22 assists)

Outlook: Saskatoon sold the farm as the Memorial Cup host in 2013 and has paid the price ever since. This does not appear to be the season when that pain ends for the Blades.

Swift Current Broncos

Coach: Mark Lamb (sixth season)

Last season: 34-33-1-4, third in the East Division, eliminated in the first round of the playoffs

Key players: LW Jake DeBrusk (42 goals, 39 assists), G Landon Bow (31-27-1-4, 3.14 goals against average, .911 save percentage), D Max Lajoie (seven goals, 34 assists), C Glenn Gawdin (15 goals, 39 assists)

Outlook: Swift Current limped to the finish line last season, and player losses suggest it won’t be any easier for the Broncos this season. DeBrusk is a top talent, but Swift Current may not have the depth to support him.