B.C. DIVISION
Chilliwack Bruins
Coach: Jim Hiller (third season)
Last season: 28-35-4-5, third in B.C. Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.
Key players: RW Oscar Moller (39 goals, 43 assists), LW Alexander Wiklund (rookie), G Mark Friesen (10-12-2-2, 3.17 goals against average, .901 save percentage), D Jesse Craige (nine goals, 22 assists), RW Ryan Howse (10 goals, seven assists), C Kevin Sundher (rookie).
Outlook: Chilliwack lost the bulk of its team from last season, including league scoring champ Mark Santorelli. Moller is one of the most electrifying performers in the league. However, several young players must step for the Bruins to do more than just fight for a playoff spot.
Kamloops Blazers
Coach: Barry Smith (first season)
Last season: 27-41-2-2, fourth in B.C. Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.
Key players: D Nick Ross (eight goals, 39 assists), G Justin Leclerc (20-29-2-1, 3.29 goals against average, .895 save percentage), RW Kenton Dulle (21 goals, 16 assists), LW Alex Rodgers (16 goals, 29 assists), C Scott Wasden (12 goals, 21 assists), RW Jimmy Bubnick (nine goals, 18 assists).
Outlook: After undergoing a lame-duck campaign following an early-season change in owners, new ownership finally has its people in place. Smith and Co. have some pieces to work with. However, it may be a season too early to expect the Blazers to expect more than just a playoff berth.
Kelowna Rockets
Coach: Ryan Huska (second season)
Last season: 38-26-2-6, second in B.C. Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.
Key players: D Luke Schenn (seven goals, 21 assists), C Colin Long (31 goals, 69 assists), LW Jamie Benn (33 goals, 32 assists), D Tyler Myers (six goals, 13 assists), C Cody Almond (22 goals, 34 assists), G Torrie Jung (13-12-0-5, 2.80 goals against average, .891 save perecentage).
Outlook: Kelowna had a surprising year last season, and with virtually all of its team back the Rockets are the presumptive favorites in the B.C. Division. The only question mark is in goal, where Jung has never been a No. 1. If Jung proves up to the task, Kelowna may be the team to beat not only in the division, but in the league.
Prince George Cougars
Coach: Drew Schoneck (third season)
Last season: 20-48-1-3, fifth in B.C. Division
Key players: LW Dana Tyrell (25 goals, 40 assists), G Kevin Armstrong (20-5-1-3, 2.17 goals against average, .915 save percentage), C Justin Maylan (seven goals, 13 assists), RW Dale Hunt (nine goals, 12 assists), LW Brett Connolly (rookie), LW Marek Viedensky (rookie).
Outlook: After going for broke two seasons ago, Prince George paid the price last season as it began the rebuilding process. The Cougars have a legit offensive star in Tyrell, and Armstrong arrives after earning a Memorial Cup ring as Spokane’s backup, but Prince George will once again be challenged just to make the playoffs.
Vancouver Giants
Coach: Don Hay (fifth season)
Last season: 49-15-2-6, first in B.C. Division, eliminated in second round of playoffs.
Key players: D Jonathon Blum (18 goals, 45 assists), G Tyson Sexsmith (43-11-2-6, 1.89 goals against average, .911 save percentage), C Casey Pierro-Zabotel (19 goals, 29 assists), D Brent Regner (eight goals, 39 assists), LW Evander Kane (24 goals, 17 assists), RW Garry Nunn (eight goals, 21 assists).
Outlook: Vancouver, which has been the league’s powerhouse franchise the past three seasons, has all kinds of experience returning on defense and in goal. What this team is missing that previous Giants teams had is a dynamic offense. The Giants will still be one of the top teams in the conference, but might slip a step behind the other favorites.
CENTRAL DIVISION
Calgary Hitmen
Coach: Dave Lowry (first season)
Last season: 47-20-1-4, first in Central Division, eliminated in conference finals.
Key players: LW Kyle Bortis (37 goals, 35 assists), C Brett Sonne (eight goals, 12 assists), C Brandon Kozun (19 goals, 34 assists), C Ian Duval (22 goals, 28 assists), D Paul Postma (14 goals, 28 assists), G Martin Jones (18-8-0-1, 2.12 goals against average, .911 save percentage).
Outlook: Karl Alzner, the league’s MVP and top defenseman, is gone, along with three of the team’s top offensive players. However, the Hitmen still have the makings of a good No. 1 line. If Jones can play as well as a starter as he did as a backup last season, Calgary should have another solid season.
Edmonton Oil Kings
Coach: Steve Pleau (second season)
Last season: 22-39-4-7, fifth in Central Division
Key players: RW Tomas Vincour (16 goals, 23 assists), C Brenden Dowd (16 goals, 23 assists), RW Craig McCallum (15 goals, 24 assists), G Dalyn Flette (6-15-0-2, 3.50 goals against average, .890 save percentage), D Brandon Lockerby (seven goals, seven assists), D Mark Pysyk (rookie).
Outlook: Edmonton had a decent season as an expansion team, being competitive through hard work. This season in year two the Oil Kings are younger, but possess more skill. Vincour is a top prospect, and if the goaltending sorts itself out Edmonton could challenge for a playoff spot.
Kootenay Ice
Coach: Mark Hollick (second season)
Last season: 42-22-5-3, third in Central Division, eliminated in second round of playoffs.
Key players: C Dustin Sylvester (35 goals, 33 assists), RW Andrew Bailey (28 goals, 37 assists), LW Michael Stickland (22 goals, 28 assists), D John Negrin (one goal, 41 assists), D Ian Barteaux (one goal, 14 assists), G Kris Lazaruk (26-17-2-2, 2.90 goals against average, .910 save percentage).
Outlook: Kootenay lost a fair share of its offense and will be a young team this season, especially if Lazaruk gets traded as rumored. However, there’s enough quality in the returning players to prevent a collapse. The big key for the Ice is attracting enough fans to prevent the team from being able to opt out of its lease and relocate.
Lethbridge Hurricanes
Coach: Michael Dyck (third season)
Last season: 45-21-2-4, second in Central Division, eliminated in WHL finals.
Key players: C Zach Boychuk (33 goals, 39 assists), C Mitch Fadden (34 goals, 55 assists), LW Dwight King (34 goals, 35 assists), D Luca Sbisa (six goals, 27 assists), D Ben Wright (four goals, 34 assists), G Juha Metsola (20-7-0-1, 1.98 goals against average, .916 save percentage).
Outlook: Lethbridge won the Eastern Conference title last season and has all the tools to make another run again this season. The Hurricanes have a slew of scorers, a pair of top-notch defenders, and uncovered a gem in Metsola, who was fantastic down the stretch. Lethbridge has to be considered the division front runner.
Medicine Hat Tigers
Coach: Willie Desjardins (seventh season)
Last season: 43-22-5-2, third in Central Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.
Key players: C Tyler Ennis (43 goals, 48 assists), RW Brennan Bosch (22 goals, 48 assists), G Ryan Holfeld (28-11-3-1, 2.47 goals against average, .902 save percentage), D Thomas Kundratek (rookie), D Mark Isherwood (seven goals, 28 assists), C Wacey Hamilton (13 goals, 19 assists).
Outlook: One of the most consistently strong franchises in the league the past few years, Medicine Hat should once again be part of the mix in the Central Division. In Ennis the Tigers have a star, and there’s a solid group of younger players who appear ready to break out. Expect another challenge for the division’s top spot.
Red Deer Rebels
Coach: Jesse Wallin (first season)
Last season: 18-47-4-3, sixth in Central Division
Key players: C Brandon Sutter (23 goals, 23 assists), C Landon Ferraro (13 goals, 11 assists), LW Cass Mappin (five goals, 12 assists), G Morgan Clark (10-30-0-3, 3.70 goals against average, .884 save percentage), D Joel Kot (three goals, seven assists), D Tommi Kivisto (rookie).
Outlook: As dismal a season as Red Deer had last season, it could be even worse this season. Sutter may end up sticking with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, and goaltender James Reimer is off to the pro ranks. The Rebels will need their young players to develop quickly to avoid another season in the cellar.
EAST DIVISION
Brandon Wheat Kings
Coach: Kelly McCrimmon (fifth season)
Last season: 42-24-3-3, second in East Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.
Key players: C Brayden Schenn (28 goals, 43 assists), C Andrew Clark (16 goals, 39 assists), LW Matt Calvert (24 goals, 37 assists), RW Scott Glennie (26 goals, 32 assists), D Colby Robak (six goals, 24 assists), G Joe Caligiuri (30-19-1-1, 2.73 goals against average, .897 save percentage).
Outlook: Brandon was the surprise team of the division last season, thanks primarily to the instant impact of rookies Schenn, Glennie and Calvert. Those players are now a year older and a year better. If the Wheat Kings can get adequate goaltending, a conference championship is a real possibility.
Moose Jaw Warriors
Coach: Dave Hunchak (second season)
Last season: 37-21-6-8, fourth in East Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.
Key players: RW Jordan Knackstedt (31 goals, 54 assists), C Jason Bast (34 goals, 45 assists), C Joel Broda (30 goals, 23 assists), D Travis Harmonic (five goals, 17 assists), G Todd Mathews (9-5-0-1, 2.75 goals against average, .895 save percentage), LW Quinton Howden (rookie).
Outlook: Moose Jaw suffered some significant losses from last season and will be relying on an inexperienced goaltender. However, the Warriors still have some high-end talent up front. That should be enough to keep Moose Jaw in the top half of the division.
Prince Albert Raiders
Coach: Bruno Campese (second season)
Last season: 26-41-3-2, sixth in East Division.
Key players: C Matt Robertson (27 goals, 32 assists), LW Ryan McDonald (26 goals, 33 assists), C Justin Bernhardt (26 goals, 31 assists), G Steven Stanford (9-16-1-1,3.72 goals against average, .895 save percentage), D Ryan Button (no goals, eight assists), RW Igor Revenko (rookie)
Outlook: Prince Albert missed the playoff party last season. This season the Raiders will be heavily reliant on overagers Robertson, McDonald and Bernhardt, provided one isn’t traded. Prince Albert will need to find someone else to provide offense other than the overagers to get back into the playoffs.
Regina Pats
Coach: Dale Derkactch (first season)
Last season: 44-22-4-2, first in East Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.
Key players: RW Jordan Eberle (42 goals, 33 assists), D Colten Teubert (seven goals, 16 assists), D Victor Bartley (10 goals, 32 assists), G Linden Rowat (33-15-4-2, 2.68 goals against average, .904 save percentage), RW Michael MacAngus (18 goals, 33 assists), C Scott Doucet (17 goals, 17 assists).
Outlook: Derkatch, the all-time leading scorer in Pats history, takes over for Curtis Hunt, who joined the coaching staff of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. Derkatch is expected to turn up the offense, and in Eberle he has a player to lead that charge. However, with a limited amount of help behind Eberle, it’s likely Regina will slip back into the pack.
Saskatoon Blades
Coach: Lorne Molleken (fifth season)
Last season: 29-34-3-6, fifth in East Division.
Key players: G Braden Holtby (25-29-2-6, 2.84 goals against average, .908 save percentage), D Jyri Niemi (14 goals, 20 assists), D Teigan Zahn (four goals, 15 assists), D Stefan Elliott (nine goals, 31 assists), LW Derek Hulak (16 goals, 30 assists), Rw Chris Langkow (13 goals, 20 assists).
Outlook: Saskatoon’s gone two seasons without playoff action, and the Blades will have to fight to prevent that streak from hitting three. Saskatoon has a solid defense and a good goaltender in Holtby, but the Blades will need both at top form as there’s little to choose from up front.
Swift Current Broncos
Coach: Dean Chynoweth (fifth season)
Last season: 41-24-1-6, third in East division, eliminated in second round of playoffs.
Key players: RW Keegan Dansereau (22 goals, 34 assists), RW Dale Weise (29 goals, 22 assists), G Travis Yonkman (31-19-0-6, 2.67 goals against average, .909 save percentage), D Eric Doyle (10 goals, 39 assists), LW Geordie Wudrick (20 goals, 24 assists), C Cody Eakin (11 goals, six assists).
Outlook: Swift Current had its besst season in years last season, and although the Broncos lost some quality offensive players, they still have their share. With a solid defense and a quality goaltender in Yonkman, the Broncos appear poised to pick up right where they left off last season as one of the top teams in the division.
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