The Western Hockey League is preparing to officially kick off their 2021-22 season.
https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/1443953856296144896
Last year’s season was only a little over 20 games (less for some teams) and saw teams play only within their own divisions. The BC division title was captured by the Kamloops Blazers without much of a fight. Kelowna finished second place, Vancouver third, Prince George fourth and Victoria in last place. How do these teams stack up after a lengthy offseason?
Victoria Royals
The Victoria Royals are finally bottoming out in their cycle. The team has never missed playoffs since relocating from Chilliwack in 2013, barring an act of God this will be the first. Victoria finished last season 3-17-1-1. The only team they beat the entire campaign was the fourth place Cougars, twice in overtime. It is not expected for the Royals to make much of a step forward. Fifth place.
Kelowna Rockets
The Kelowna Rockets have had a large turnover in their roster since placing second last season. Their current roster is riddled with rookies, and their older names were depth players in years prior with a chance to step up now. Their bright spot comes in net with two very capable goaltenders in Cole Schwebius and Roman Basran. I have Kelowna fourth, but far ahead of Victoria and very close to the rest of the pack. Fourth place.
Vancouver Giants
Vancouver finished third last season and will have some serious holes to fill that their over-agers will leave. Trent Miner did a lot to carry that team from the net, especially in the first half of the season when he broke the franchise’s longest shutout streak. Tristen Nielson and Eric Florchuk drove the bus offensively for the team, both gone as well. Having said that, the Giants showed depth last season and will still have players capable of producing. Third place.
Prince George Cougars
Call me crazy. Call me stupid. Call me a homer. Whatever, maybe you are right but hear me out. The Prince George Cougars have had 0 expectations since they won the BC division and then were upset in round 1 by Portland in 2016. Now, years of bottom feeding has paid off in the form of many high draft picks and a fresh faced team of high potential rookies and 17-year-olds. The team was expected to do nothing in the hub last season, yet they finished a game under .500 at 9-10-2-1 with ten rookies on their roster. It turns out these kids can play. Three of their young studs were invited to Canada’s U-18 development camp in the summer, the most of any team in the WHL tied with Regina. This team will surprise people this year. The Cougars also have what could be argued as the best goalie in the entire WHL in Taylor Gauthier, and undisputedly the best goaltending tandem with Tyler Brennan backing him up, both national caliber goalies. There are a lot of variables and factors with this team, but they will only get better as they get more experienced, and will soon be the team to beat. Second place, but 2-4 will all be close.
Kamloops Blazers
The reigning division champs back to back, looking to make it three before the window starts to close. It is easy to be sympathetic towards Blazers fans, they have won everything they possibly can in the last two years and have nothing to show for it because of the pandemic. Because of how fast turnover in the league is, Kamloops’ time in the sun could be coming to a close after this season. The Blazers will take a bit of a hit this year too, mainly in the form of losing Connor Zary to the NHL. The headlining talent will be Logan Stankoven, who will have a massive year with the club after sliding down to the second round in the NHL draft. Backed up by NHL drafted goalie Dylan Garand, it will take a lot to top the depth and talent of the Kamloops Blazers. First place.