WHL investigating the Winter Hawks

The past two seasons have been an on-ice disaster for the Portland Winter Hawks.

And now it appears the troubles have spilled off the ice, too.

With the team languishing in the standings for a second consecutive season, it was revealed last week that the Winter Hawks are also under investigation from the Western Hockey League for off-ice issues.

Stories released last week in both The Oregonian and the Portland Tribune said the league has looked into allegations that Portland has failed to pay equipment bills on time, as well as failed to provide adequate health care for its players.

The off-ice problems just heap more misery on a franchise that has gone 26-104-2-3 over the past two seasons.

“We want to make sure this franchise is turned around immediately,” WHL commissioner Ron Robison told The Oregonian.

Little has gone right for Portland, the U.S. Division’s most storied franchise, since it was bought by a group headed by New York businessman Jim Goldsmith prior to the 2006-07 season. Now the Winter Hawks find themselves swirled by controversy.

The health care rumors were particularly alarming, especially considering the rash of injuries the Winter Hawks have suffered this season. The specific allegation involved forward Kevin Undershute, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Undershute was allegedly scheduled for surgery in Portland, only for the team to cancel the procedure and tell Undershute to have the surgery back in Canada, where the cost would be picked up by the Canadian health care system rather than the team.

The team vehemently denied the claim of negligence, and Undershute also refuted the idea his care was mishandled by the Winter Hawks. Undershute has chosen to rehabilitate his shoulder rather than have surgery.

However, the financial situation remains dicey. Attendance figures have dropped, and the Winter Hawks’ lease with Memorial Coliseum is burdensome. Goldsmith admitted to the Portland Tribune that the Winter Hawks have outstanding debts, saying: “Everyone gets paid, we’re just slow.”

The league is also concerned with the on-ice product. Prior to this season Goldsmith appointed himself director of hockey operations. But according to The Oregonian, Robison told Goldsmith he has to find a more-qualified replacement for the position.

Despite all the problems, the Winter Hawks believe they can turn things around.

“I feel bad for our fans, but the heavy lifting has been done,” team president Jack Donovan told The Oregonian. “We’re a year away from having a five-year run that will have us knocking on the door the whole way.”

Just which door that ends up being remains to be seen.

Around the WHL: The final five remaining playoff spots were clinched last week. Chilliwack and Kamloops claimed the final two spots available in the Western Conference, while Brandon, Swift Current and Moose Jaw took the final three positions in the Eastern Conference. Three weeks remain for the seedings to be determined. … Kamloops reached a financial settlement with former coach/general manager Dean Clark, who was fired in November. The Blazers bought out the remainder of Clark’s contract, which ran through the 2008-09 season, for an undisclosed sum. … Vancouver has secured the services of another former British Columbia Hockey League star by signing 18-year-old Adam Basford. Basford, who is the third scoring forward the Giants poached from the BCHL this season, cannot join the team on a full-time basis until after his former team, the Surrey Eagles, completes its season. … Seattle center Jim O’Brien was named the WHL Player of the Week. O’Brien had two goals and six assists as the T-birds went 3-0.

League leaders: Points — Colin Long (Kelowna) 92; goals — Colton Yellow Horn (Tri-City) 45; assists — Long, Mark Santorelli (Chilliwack) 66; penalty minutes — Mike Reich (Saskatoon) 214; wins — Tyson Sexsmith (Vancouver), Chet Pickard (Tri-City) 38; goals against average — Sexsmith 1.92; save percentage — Dustin Tokarski (Spokane), Jacob DeSerres (Seattle) .919.