Articles Archives
WHL Archives
11-04-2009 - Prospect of the Month, October 2009
The winner for the month of October, is Regina Pats forward Jordan Eberle, owned by the Edmonton Oilers.
10-24-2009 - Connauton follows a unique path
Kevin Connauton is off to a good start in the WHL, moving from Western Michigan University.
09-23-2009 - WHL Western Conference prospects to watch 2009-10
Just a couple of short weeks ago, a total of 138 players eligible to play in the Western Hockey League this season were attending National Hockey League training camps.
09-08-2009 - Q&A with Matt Calvert
Calvert has quieted doubts about his ability to produce with his work at the 2009 Traverse City Tournament.
07-12-2009 - Q&A with Chet Pickard
Pickard talks about goaltending coaching, his brother Calvin, and ideas for a new mask.
07-07-2009 - Tyrell to get back to ice at prospects camp
Back from an MCL/ACL tear, Tyrell is ready for Tampa Bay's rookie camp on July 8.
07-01-2009 - WHL 2009 NHL Draft review
A total of 31 players from the Western Hockey League were selected at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
06-13-2009 - Top 25 WHL prospects for 2009
Defenseman Jared Cowen tops the list of WHL-eligibles.
05-07-2009 - 2009 prospects: Collin Bowman
Collin Bowman, brother of Drayson, is a defenseman out of the Kelowna Rockets.
04-30-2009 - 2009 WHL Championship Series prospects preview
The Kelowna Rockets and the Calgary Hitmen face off in the WHL finals.
03-25-2009 - 2009 prospects: Jared Cowen
Jared Cowen is in rehab after surgery as he prepares for the 2009 draft.
03-12-2009 - Spurgeon’s career surgin’ in Spokane
There's something special in Spurgeon, brother of the Oilers' Tyler.
03-12-2009 - 2009 prospects: Landon Ferraro
Landon is the son of former NHLer Ray Ferraro, but they're not the same type of player.
03-09-2009 - 2009 Prospects: Ryan Howse
Forward Ryan Howse of the WHL's Chilliwack Bruins is a scoring prospect in the 2009 Draft
02-21-2009 - WHL Top 20 prospects, drafted and undrafted
Jon Blum, whose rights are owned by Nashville, is the top WHL prospect.
02-15-2009 - Backlund and Grantham fired up for Rockets’ playoff run
Ryley Grantham, selected in the sixth round, 168th overall, at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and Mikael Backlund, selected in the first round, 24th overall in 2007 are doing well for the Kelowna Rockets.
01-24-2009 - Sexsmith quietly proving himself in Vancouver
He’s been one of the top netminders in the WHL since the 2006-07 season and has a Memorial Cup ring and the individual records to prove it. Still, Tyson Sexsmith finds himself having to prove himself to critics time and time again.
12-15-2008 - Top 10 WHL prospects for 2009
However, there is plenty of talent available in the WHL in 2009, though it won't likely match the nine first rounders of 2008.
12-09-2008 - 2009 Top Prospects: Evander Kane
Evander Kane is perhaps the top forward in the WHL among 2009 NHL Entry Draft eligible players.
12-01-2008 - Off the Radar: Jason Bast
Jason Bast of the Moose Jaw Warriors has been passed over many times in his life, but is now finding a corner of the limelight.
11-28-2008 - 2008 ADT Canada/Russia Challenge: WHL review
With the WJC scheduled for the upcoming holiday season in Ottawa, Ontario, the pressure is very real to defend the gold medal on home turf. To this end, nary a CHL player invited to compete in the ADT Canada/Russia Challenge can afford to take a shift off.
11-17-2008 - 2009 Prospects: Tyson Barrie
Tyson Barrie is the son of Tampa Bay Lightning co-owner Len Barrie.
11-15-2008 - 2009 Prospects: Scott Glennie
Glennie is a sniper for the Brandon Wheat Kings.
11-10-2008 - Boychuk more than healed up
It has been a whirlwind six months for Zach Boychuk.
11-03-2008 - 2009 Prospects: Carter Ashton
Carter Ashton hopes to continue an NHL legacy next summer.
10-21-2008 - 2009 Prospects: Jimmy Bubnick
Bubnick is growing into leadership role for the Kamloops Blazers.
09-25-2008 - Outlook on the 2008-09 WHL season
As is the case every year in late September, Western Hockey League teams are playing regular season games amid the usual roster uncertainty.
06-29-2008 - WHL 2008 draft review
The strength of the WHL draft class was again its defensemen.
06-09-2008 - Top 15 WHL 2008 eligible prospects
The strength of the WHL 2008 class lies on the blueline this season, as it often does.
05-27-2008 - 2008 prospects: Q&A with Mitch Wahl
Center Mitch Wahl goes into the draft a champion with the WHL Spokane Chiefs.
05-26-2008 - Q&A with Drayson Bowman
Carolina draft pick Drayson Bowman is part of the 2008 Memorial Cup-winning Spokane Chiefs.
02-14-2008 - 2008 prospects: Luke Schenn
When the National Hockey League convenes in Ottawa for the 2008 Entry Draft in June, it's safe to say a certain hockey family from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan will make every effort to be there.
01-29-2008 - 2008 prospects: Tyler Ennis
Tyler Ennis is a top-ranked skater for the Medicine Hat Tigers.
01-23-2008 - 2008 prospects: Colten Teubert & Jordan Eberle
Regina Pats defenseman Colten Teubert and forward Jordan Eberle are set to perform at the 2008 Home Hardware CHL Top Prospects Game in Edmonton, Alberta.
01-23-2008 - 2008 prospects: Zach Boychuk and Luca Sbisa
Both Zach Boychuk and Luca Sbisa represented their countries in the WJC, and are now at the Top Prospects Game.
01-06-2008 - Top 10 WHL 2008 eligibles
An alphabetical look at the top prospects in the WHL for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
12-17-2007 - Colton Sceviour benefits from change of scenery
Benefiting from a mid-season trade to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Dallas Stars prospect Colton Sceviour has one eye on the current WHL season and the other firmly on his NHL dreams.
11-05-2007 - Oil Kings trying to make good first impression
The Edmonton Oil Kings are the 22nd franchise in the Western Hockey League, but are following in the rather big footsteps of the teams that have most recently entered the league.
11-02-2007 - 2008 prospects: Tyler Myers
Tyler Myers, a 6'7 defenseman for Kelowna, is comfortable with high expectations
10-27-2007 - Alzner a picture of composure in Calgary
The past year has seen the articulate team leader mature, having gone fifth overall and attending his first NHL training camp.
10-09-2007 - Lightning strikes twice in Kelowna
When Torrie Jung of the Kelowna Rockets and Riku Helenius of the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds started in goal for their respective clubs, the Tampa Bay Lightning prospects knew full well the nature of their competition is likely to change in the coming years.
10-04-2007 - WHL 2007-08 players to watch
Just one week into the Western Hockey League season, it is apparent there are a number of potential blue-chip prospects.
07-31-2007 - Q&A with Brett Sutter
Another member of the hockey-playing Sutter family from Viking, Brett Sutter is hoping to make the jump from junior hockey to the pro ranks in 2007-08.
07-17-2007 - WHL 2007 Entry Draft review
Thirty-seven WHLers were drafted in 2007, after a down year in 2006.
06-14-2007 - WHL Top 25 for 2007 NHL Entry Draft
Defenseman Karl Alzner is the top prospect in the WHL this year.
05-27-2007 - 2007 prospects: Q&A with Michal Repik
A strong performance in the playoffs and Memorial Cup has Michal Repik climbing draft rankings.
05-24-2007 - Q&A with Michael Sauer
Sauer talks about the Memorial Cup, playing with Kris Russell and his future.
04-06-2007 - 2007 WHL playoff update
With the first round of playoffs in the books, a number of future NHLers find themselves on the outside looking in. For others, it’s on to Round 2, just another step closer to a Memorial Cup championship.
03-27-2007 - 2007 prospects: Juraj Valach
Juraj Valach was the top-scoring defenseman for the Tri-City Americans in his rookie year in North America.
02-04-2007 - WHL Top 20 prospects
Hockey's Future's Top 20 ranking includes players across all years of birth who are currently playing in the WHL.
02-03-2007 - 2007 prospects: David Schlemko
Defenseman David Schlemko has become a reliable veteran during his three seasons in Medicine Hat.
01-29-2007 - 2007 prospects: Oscar Moller
Like so many Europeans who cross the Atlantic to play Canadian major junior hockey, Oscar Moller was largely an unknown quantity — a teenager toiling in the Swedish midget ranks suddenly thrown into the rough-and-tumble Western Hockey League.
01-10-2007 - 2007 prospects: Keaton Ellerby
Keaton Ellerby is a defenseman for the WHL Kamloops Blazers.
01-08-2007 - Pyett providing poise for Pats
Entering his third full season with the Regina Pats, Logan Pyett felt he arrived at training camp with something to prove.
01-03-2007 - 2007 prospects: Zach Hamill
The Port Coquitlam, B.C. native has become the ‘Tips all-time leading scorer.
12-20-2006 - Jackson continues to lead in Seattle
Defenseman Scott Jackson will play a huge role in Seattle’s attempt to secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the WHL playoffs.
12-19-2006 - WHL preliminary Top 10 prospects for 2007 Entry Draft
The talent pool in the WHL is significantly deeper this season, which suggests the number of drafted players should increase dramatically.
12-05-2006 - Puustinen adjusting well to WHL grind
When the Kamloops Blazers made Juuso Puustinen their first pick in the 2006 CHL Import Draft, they had a feeling the youngster from Finland could be an impact player.
12-02-2006 - 2007 Prospects: Linden Rowat
Linden Rowat is a goaltender for the WHL Regina Pats.
12-01-2006 - Team WHL dominates Russians in final match
The ADT Canada/Russia Challenge came to a merciful end in Kamloops, British Columbia last night, both for hockey fans and for the upstart group of Russian juniors.
11-30-2006 - Team WHL tames Russians
Team WHL and the Russians battled more than just each other on Wednesday in the fifth tilt of a six-game cross-country series.
11-25-2006 - 2007 Prospects: Nick Ross
Nick Rossis a 6’1 and 190-pound defenseman for the Regina Pats.
11-22-2006 - 2007 Prospects: Dana Tyrell
At 5’11 and a solid 180 pounds, Dana Tyrell is an explosive skater who surprises opponents with his strength.
11-17-2006 - 2007 prospects: Thomas Hickey
Thomas Hickey is a defenseman for the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds.
11-09-2006 - Hobson leads the way in Spokane
Chicago Blackhawks draftee Adam Hobson has been with the club through the tough times.
10-31-2006 - Brandon banking on Burki
Codey Burki has taken on a leadership role with the Brandon Wheat Kings.
10-28-2006 - 2007 prospects: Colton Gillies
Gillies is making a name for himself on the prairies as a member of the Saskatoon Blades.
10-22-2006 - Q&A with Brady Calla
Calla, a 2006 pick of the Panthers, is being challenged to bring more offensively this year.
09-30-2006 - WHL Eastern Conference preview
The Kootenay Ice now reside in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference while the Swift Current Broncos have moved to the six-team East Division.
09-26-2006 - WHL Western Conference preview
A team by team look at what are expected to be the outstanding prospects in the Western Hockey League's Western Conference.
07-29-2006 - 2007 prospects: Q&A with Spencer Machacek
As a rookie in the WHL last season Spencer Machacek almost immediately adjusted to the league and once Gilbert Brule was returned from the NHL he got the chance to play on a line with one of the premiere players in the CHL.
07-07-2006 - WHL 2006 draft review
Of the 213 players selected during the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, a total of 24 came from the Western Hockey League.
06-17-2006 - WHL Top 15 prospects for the 2006 NHL Entry Draft
The Everett Silvertips, who won the U.S. Division crown, are deep in NHL prospects. It would not be inconceivable to see six ‘Tips chosen next weekend.
05-28-2006 - 2006 Prospects: Q&A with Milan Lucic
Lucic is a hard-worker and provided a strong physical presence for the Vancouver Giants this season, but next year he hopes to expand that role.
04-09-2006 - Pettersson enjoys playing in North America
Fredrik Pettersson is spending his rookie year in North America playing for the Calgary Hitmen.
04-05-2006 - Rome’s WHL career comes to an end
Boston Bruins prospect Ashton Rome finished the season, and his WHL career, with the Kamloops Blazers.
04-05-2006 - Cracknell’s season not quite on ice
While it wasn’t quite the send off an overage junior hockey player wants to experience, Adam Cracknell knows that at least he has more hockey to play this spring.
04-01-2006 - 2006 prospects: Ryan White
Finishing first in team scoring with 53 points in 72 games, White has surprised even himself with the season he’s had.
03-30-2006 - 2006 Prospects: Tysen Dowzak
Dowzak, who packs 225 pounds on a 6’5 frame, has been out of the lineup since Feb. 14 after suffering a knee injury in a freak collision.
03-26-2006 - 2006 prospects: Ben Maxwell
The North Vancouver native has become a reliable offensive contributor in his two seasons with the Ice.
03-25-2006 - 2006 prospects: Lazaruk holds fort for Ice
When starter Taylor Dakers (SJ) injured his hip, Lazaruk was called upon to keep the Kootenay goal clear of pucks.
03-21-2006 - Versteeg's Red Deer season over, looks ahead
Playing some of his time on defense, Kris Versteeg enjoyed a good year with the Red Deer Rebels as he hopes for a contract.
03-19-2006 - Rabbit and Blades ready for playoffs
The Saskatoon Blades finished off their 2005-06 season at the No. 2 spot in the East Division, fourth in the Eastern Conference of the WHL.
03-16-2006 - Q&A with Kyle Cumiskey
Colorado Avalanche defensive prospect Kyle Cumiskey has 5 goals and 24 assists in 48 games for the Kelowna Rockets.
03-15-2006 - Dupont meets goal of 30
Brodie Dupont scored his 29th and 30th goals of the season recently, meeting what he wrote down for himself at the start.
03-13-2006 - Chipchura wraps up junior career
With the Prince Albert Raiders failing to make the playoffs, Kyle Chipchura is likely just days away from turning pro.
03-07-2006 - Relaxed Schultz attributes success to signing
Signed by the Capitals at the start of the season, Jeff Schultz is having a good final year of junior with no pressure.
03-01-2006 - Q&A with Troy Bodie
Bodie’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by Kelowna management, even as the veteran forward struggles through a late-season, mini slump.
02-23-2006 - Q&A with Mike Card
With the Kelowna Rockets, veteran defenseman Mike Card is looked upon to contribute in many ways.
02-23-2006 - Q&A with Tyler Spurgeon
The 5’10, 190-pounder brings grit and determination to an experienced Kelowna Rockets lineup, although the Rockets were forced to play without that contribution for the first half of the season.
02-15-2006 - Everything clicking for Canes Carson
Just one season removed from registering 24 points in 61 games, Carolina Hurricanes prospect Brett Carson has exploded offensively for the Calgary Hitmen.
02-13-2006 - Q&A with Kristofer Westblom
Minnesota Wild prospect Kristofer Westblom of the Kelowna Rockets makes the most of the time he has in net.
02-09-2006 - 2006 Prospects: Logan Pyett
On a Regina Pats squad that sits third in the East Division, Pyett has accumulated little fanfare en route to posting impressive numbers in his third season in the league.
02-02-2006 - Q&A with Blake Comeau
Hockey’s Future caught up with Comeau before practice, a couple days prior to an important road game against the BC Division leading Kootenay Ice.
01-30-2006 - Q&A with Nick Drazenovic
A 2005 draft pick of the Blues, Nick Drazenovic has been a big contributor for the Prince George Cougars.
01-27-2006 - Q&A with Darren Helm
Through 48 games this season, Detroit Red Wing prospect Darren Helm has scored 30 goals and added 26 assists for Medicine Hat.
01-19-2006 - Q&A with Cam Barker
After starting the year with the Chicago Blackhawks, Cam Barker found himself heading back to the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. He's now out of the lineup with an ankle injury.
01-19-2006 - Q&A with Cody Franson
Cody Franson, selected 79th overall by Nashville in 2005 NHL entry draft, has played an important role along the blue line for the Vancouver Giants.
01-13-2006 - Pogge returns to Hitmen with gold
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Justin Pogge went undefeated in the WJC, winning all six games for Canada en route to gold. He returns to lead the Calgary Hitmen.
01-12-2006 - Kassian develops step by step
Matt Kassian of the Kamloops Blazers is a young man enjoying his development as a hockey player, acknowledging it is a step-by-step process.
01-01-2006 - 2006 WJC: Kris Russell for Team Canada
Currently manning the blue line at the 2006 World Junior Championships for Team Canada is Blue Jackets prospect Kris Russell.
12-28-2005 - McArdle had good first half for Warriors
Florida Panthers prospect Kenndal McArdle leads WHL top 20 scorers in penalty minutes.
12-02-2005 - Determined Darzins returns to Rockets lineup
After a summer shoulder surgery, Nashville Predators prospect Lauris Darzins is back on the ice for the Kelowna Rockets.
11-22-2005 - Healthy Rogers is a Canadian WJC hopeful
The Tampa Bay Lightning's AndyRogers, who skated in the 2006 Canadian Junior Summer Camp, is healthy this year and able to compete for a spot.
11-20-2005 - Thelen adjusts to the WHL
Twenty-one games into his first WHL campaign, Minnesota Wild 2004 first rounder A.J. Thelen has adjusted to hockey north of the border.
11-19-2005 - The Kohn Chronicles, finale
The fourth and final in a series following 18-year-old Dustin Kohn, a defenseman for the WHL Calgary Hitmen. Kohn was featured in a series of preview articles leading up to the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
11-16-2005 - 2006-eligible Mueller helping Silvertips shine
The move to the WHL has been an easy transition for Peter Mueller, who is second in the league in both rookie scoring and team scoring.
10-24-2005 - Wick starts slowly with Rebels
Overaged European Roman Wick looks to lead his Red Deer Rebels while trying to earn a contract offer from the Ottawa Senators.
10-24-2005 - Rumsey's eyes open returning to Broncos
Swift Current Broncos alternate captain and Calgary Flames 2005 NHL Entry Draft selection Myles Rumsey leads a rookie-laden squad.
09-23-2005 - Dakers ready for major minutes
San Jose Sharks fifth round draft pick Taylor Dakers will take the helm for the Kootenay Ice after two seasons of serving as Jeff Glass’ backup.
09-23-2005 - WHL B.C. Division preview
A look at key players coming and going from the WHL B.C. Division.
09-21-2005 - WHL U.S. Division preview
A look at key players coming and going from the WHL U.S. Division.
09-14-2005 - Improved Lukacevic reports to Kings camp
Spokane Chief and 2004 pick Ned Lukacevic is in Los Angeles Kings camp.
08-19-2005 - WHL 2005 draft review
Forty-three players were selected from the Western Hockey League in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
07-12-2005 - Two Canucks prospects selected in CHL Import Draft
The Portland Winter Hawks chose Danish forward Jannik Hansen, and the Kelowna Rockets chose Alexander Edler, both Vancouver Canucks picks from 2004.
06-25-2005 - WHL Top 40 prospects for the 2005 draft
Hockey’s Future's in-depth examination of the 2005 eligible crop of prospects from the Western Hockey League.
05-31-2005 - Kelowna Rockets Memorial Cup review
Player by player review of drafted and draft-eligible prospects of the Kelowna Rockets in the 2005 Memorial Cup.
05-26-2005 - Q&A with Justin Keller
Tampa Bay prospect Justin Keller is part of the Kelowna Rockets, representing the WHL at the 2005 Memorial Cup.
05-23-2005 - Q&A with Shea Weber
Nashville Predators prospect Shea Weber is leading the defensive charge for the Kelowna Rockets in the Memorial Cup.
04-17-2005 - WHL Top prospects of 2004-05
A ranking of the Western Hockey League’s Top 20 drafted prospects during the 2004-05 season.
04-02-2005 - Phaneuf making most of time with Red Deer
Calgary Flames prospect Dion Phaneuf has spent an extra year in the WHL due to the NHL lockout.
03-18-2005 - Q&A with Kyle Chipchura
Prince Albert's Kyle Chipchura remains out rehabbing an Achilles tendon injury suffered earlier this seeason.
03-17-2005 - Q&A with Rejean Beauchemin
Beauchemin has established himself as one of the top amateur goaltenders in North America, and will be leading the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders into the playoffs.
03-12-2005 - Ladd geared up for playoff run
Carolina Hurricanes prospect Andrew Ladd has rebounded from a season-long slump jumpstarted by a gold medal in the WJC.
03-03-2005 - 2005 Prospects: Riley Merkley
Merkley is a talented defensive forward with the WHL Calgary Hitmen.
03-01-2005 - Dawes looks to finish strong with the Ice
New York Rangers prospect Nigel Dawes leads the Kootenay Ice in scoring for the third consecutive year.
02-28-2005 - Green finds his stride under Molleken
Washington Capitals prospect Mike Green leads the WHL in scoring among defensemen.
02-27-2005 - 2005 Prospects: Devin Setoguchi
Through 62 games this season, Setoguchi has more then doubled his goal scoring output with the Saskatoon Blades, with 29 goals, and a total of 56 points.
02-25-2005 - Pogge shines after trade to Calgary Hitmen
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending prospect Justin Pogge turned around his 2004-05 Western Hockey League season after a trade to Calgary.
02-21-2005 - 2005 Prospects: Thunderbirds' Durand, Jackson and Stamler
A trio of Thunderbirds lead a group of eight 2005 eligible prospects in Seattle.
02-07-2005 - 2005 prospects: Bryan Bridges
The Seattle Thunderbirds are riding the coattails of hot goalie Bryan Bridges during his breakout season.
02-02-2005 - Gutierrez is ready to bounce back
Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick Moises Gutierrez is healthy and regaining his confidence in Kamloops.
02-01-2005 - Q&A with Ivan Baranka
New York Rangers prospect defenseman Ivan Baranka in his second season with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL.
01-29-2005 - Gibbons and Seattle are bound by goals
Phoenix Coyotes prospect Ryan Gibbons talks about his play this season and his team's hopes for the postseason.
01-28-2005 - Q&A with Logan Stephenson
Phoenix Coyotes prospect and Tri-City defenseman Logan Stephenson is happy to be back the ice with the Americans.
01-28-2005 - Q&A with Clayton Stoner
Minnesota Wild prospect Clayton Stoner is a key factor behind Tri-City's recent surge towards the playoffs.
01-19-2005 - The Kohn Chronicles, Part 2
The second in a series taking a glimpse at the life of the soon to be 18-year-old Dustin Kohn, a defenseman for the WHL Calgary Hitmen, who is eligible for the 2005 Entry Draft.
12-18-2004 - WHL leads Team Canada into WJC
Fourteen members of the Western Hockey League have been selected to represent Team Canada at the 2005 World Junior Championships.
12-15-2004 - Dustin Byfuglien continues to be more than a fighter
Chicago Blackhawks defensive prospect Dustin Byfuglien leads his Prince George Cougars in points per game, and trails only Nicholas Drazenovic in total points.
11-18-2004 - Gagnon helps Thunderbirds take flight
Led by Coyotes prospect Aaron Gagnon, players are excelling under new Seattle head coach Rob Sumner.
11-14-2004 - The Kohn Chronicles, Part 1
The first in a series that will follow 17-year-old Dustin Kohn, a defenseman for the WHL Calgary Hitmen, leading up to the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
11-13-2004 - Colliton intent on righting Raiders' ship
Captain Jeremy Colliton looks to help his WHL Prince Albert Raiders better their 6-14-2-1 record.
11-11-2004 - Carson works on physical play with Hitmen
Carolina Hurricanes pick Brett Carson is back as a leader for the WHL Calgary Hitmen.
11-10-2004 - 2005 Prospects: Brule casting his own shadow
Gilbert Brule, the consensus No. 2 pick in the next draft, is third in the WHL in scoring with 25 points in 18 games.
11-09-2004 - Oilers WHL prospects update
The Edmonton Oilers have five prospects playing in the WHL this year, four of which were acquired by the club this past summer at the Entry Draft.
11-07-2004 - Seabrook consistent with Lethbridge
Chicago Blackhawks prospect Brent Seabrook leads Lethbridge defensemen in scoring and leads the team in penalty minutes in his fourth full year with the team.
11-06-2004 - Konsorada rebounds from injured season
Tim Konsorada leads the Brandon Wheat Kings in assists having missed nearly the entire 2003-04 season with a shoulder injury.
10-25-2004 - A confident Andy Rogers back in Calgary
After a whirlwind six months of being drafted, and attending national team camp and Tampa rookie camp, defenseman Andy Rogers is back home with the Calgary Hitmen.
09-20-2004 - WHL 2005 Prospects
Gilbert Brule leads the way amongst WHL hopefuls for the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
08-22-2004 - Boyd a late addition to Canadian Junior camp
Flames prospect Dustin Boyd replaced the injured Andrew Ladd at 2004 Canadian Junior Summer Development Camp in Calgary.
06-24-2004 - WHL 2004 Prospects: Vancouver
A look at three draft eligible players from the Vancouver Giants of the WHL.
06-06-2004 - Blue Jackets ink Wheat King duo
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced June 1st the signing of a pair of teammates, Tim Konsorada and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen of the Brandon Wheat Kings.
04-13-2004 - 2004 Prospects: Q&A with Jared Walker
Jared Walker, a center with the Red Deer Rebels, is ranked 79th among North American Skaters by Central Scouting in the mid-term rankings.
04-10-2004 - Brodziak and Moose Jaw on the warpath
Oilers prospect Kyle Brodziak after Game 3 in Red Deer and the chief of the Moose Jaw Warriors on playoffs, the regular season and also about what might lay ahead for him.
04-01-2004 - Q&A with Ryan Getzlaf
Despite playing in roughly 70 percent of Calgary Hitmen games this season, Mighty Duck prospect Ryan Getzlaf finished amongst the top twenty in Western Hockey League scorers.
03-28-2004 - 2004 Prospects: Dane Byers
Dane Byers, a big punishing winger out of the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL, is slotted in at the 18th spot on Central Scouting's mid-term rankings.
03-21-2004 - Q&A with Andrew Ladd
Left winger Andrew Ladd of the Calgary Hitmen is ranked second among North American skaters for the 2004 Entry Draft by CSS in the mid-term rankings.
03-16-2004 - Q&A with Mike Egener
Defenseman Mike Egener was a 2003 draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He's currently with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL.
03-13-2004 - 2004 Prospects: Q&A with Kyle Chipchura
Kyle Chipchura is the top ranked North American skater by CSS. He's currently with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders.
03-11-2004 - 2005 Prospects: Q&A with Dustin Kohn
2005 draft eligible Dustin Kohn is learning what it takes to play in the Western Hockey League.
03-06-2004 - Q&A with Jeremy Williams
Toronto prospect Jeremy Williams is one of the hottest prospects in the WHL right now. Hockey's Future caught up with Jeremy for a brief interview, so read on for the thoughts of this rising star...
03-02-2004 - Q&A with Darryl Yacboski of the Calgary Hitmen
Colorado’s seventh round selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, 6’3" Calgary Hitmen defenseman Darryl Yacboski, is solidifying one of the most terrorizing defensive corps in the CHL. Hockey's Future caught up with Darryl following a recent game.
03-01-2004 - Cam Barker Climbs the Charts
Cam Barker of the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers is currently the top defensive prospect for the 2004 NHL Draft. Hockey's Future caught up with Barker following a recent game.
02-27-2004 - 2004 Prospects: Q&A with Andy Rogers
Interview with the 34th ranked North American skater Andy Rogers, one of three draft eligible defensemen from the WHL Calgary Hitmen, all ranked in the Top 35 among North American Skaters by CSS.
02-12-2004 - 2004 Prospects: Q&A with Roman Tesliuk
Roman Tesliuk, a Russian playing his rookie season in the Western Hockey League, is ranked 22nd among North American Skaters by Central Scouting for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
02-08-2004 - 2004 Prospects: Q&A with Brett Carson
Brett Carson, one of three draft eligible defensemen from the Calgary Hitmen, is the 28th ranked North American skater in the CSS mid-term rankings.
02-08-2004 - 2004 Prospects: Q&A with Jeff Schultz
Jeff Schultz, one of three draft eligible defensemen for the Calgary Hitmen, is the 11th ranked North American skater in Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings.
01-25-2004 - 2004 Prospects: Q&A with Mike Funk
A few minutes with Mike Funk of the Portland Winterhawks, a 2004 eligible prospect.
01-18-2004 - 2004 Prospects: Q&A with Kris Versteeg
Interview with WHL Lethbridge Hurricances right winger Kris Versteeg, eligible for the 2004 Draft.
01-17-2004 - 2004 Prospects: Q&A with John Lammers
Left winger John Lammers of the WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes is ranked 69th among North American skaters.
01-13-2004 - Q&A with Adam Courchaine
Interview with Minnesota Wild 2003 pick Adam Courchaine of the WHL Vancouver Giants.
01-12-2004 - 2004 Prospects: Q&A with Mark Fistric
Interview with 2004 eligible WHL Vancouver Giants defenseman Mark Fistric.
12-22-2003 - Calgary and Brandon square off
Calgary trounced Brandon 7-1 last Wednesday at the Saddledome.
12-06-2003 - Q&A with Kyle Brodziak
Interview with WHL leading scorer, Team Canada candidate and future Edmonton Oiler Kyle Brodziak.
12-06-2003 - Sixteen WHLers on Canada's WJC preliminary roster
Sixteen Western Hockey League players, including eight defenseman, were invited to the Canadian National Junior Team Selection Camp.
09-13-2003 - Spotlight on Davis Parley
An in-depth look at Davis Parley, goaltending prospect out of Kamloops, who is attending Calgary Flames training camp this fall.
09-10-2003 - WHL: Brandon Wheat Kings season preview
A look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Brandon Wheat Kings headed into the 2003-04 season.
06-28-2003 - Wheat King Eric Fehr goes to Capitals
Reaction by Fehr upon being drafted by the Washington Capitals in the first round of the Entry Draft.
06-16-2003 - WHL: Prince George Draft Eligibles
Profiles of Dustin Byfuglien and Tyrell Moulton.
05-13-2003 - WHL: 2003 Lethbridge Prospects
Four Hurricane players were ranked in the CSB mid season set and all look to be drafted in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
03-31-2003 - Hitmen season comes to an end
The Calgary Hitmen, so soon into the post season are past due. Only managing one win in five games of the first round is grounds for dismissal. Barely squeaking into the playoffs at the end of the regular season, the Hitmen drew...
02-04-2003 - Portland Winter Hawks Update
The Hawks head East, fighting to keep the stranglehold on the last playoff spot. A look at how things are shaping up for the playoffs, and a preview of the five games against Eastern Division foes the Hawks will play. Hold on, it's gonna be a looooong bus ride.
12-10-2002 - Draft Document Featuring Braydon Coburn
Hello everyone. He we are, back again with this weeks The Draft Document. A very close vote was cast, it came down to a tie between Coburn and Zach Parise, but with me casting the deciding vote, we are headed to the WHL this week to take an in-depth look at Braydon Coburn, at present arguably the top defenseman eligible...
11-12-2002 - Milroy aims to refocus
Kootenay ICE forward Duncan Milroy will officially return to the ice tonight after serving a team imposed two-game suspension for breaking team rules when the Spokane Chiefs visit the Rec Plex for the club's first home tilt in three weeks.
11-09-2002 - Makway traded, Kootenay returns home a different club
If winning a championship is like building a house of cards, it's success dependant on a solid foundation, a team's defense will dictate whether or not it will be the last structure standing at the end...
11-05-2002 - Youth movement propels Rockets
While many people, myself included, wrote off the youthful Kelowna Rockets for the 2002/03, coach Habscheid and the rookie laden roster of the Rockets........
10-23-2002 - Home stand gets off on the wrong foot
Riding high after a red-hot 8-0-2-2 start, the Kootenay ICE ran headlong into a brick wall with a picture of a dead cow's skull on it over the weekend - in the form of a 5-2 loss to the Red Deer Rebels...
09-19-2002 - Rebels Look to Build on Winning Tradition
It's that time of year again. The Western Hockey League season kicks off this Friday with a full slate of games. Starting out at home against the Medicine Hat Tigers, the Red Deer Rebels are looking to start off strongly and return to the heights that saw them win the 2001 Memorial Cup.
09-11-2002 - Vancouver's Memorial Cup Bid Puzzling
The announcement by the WHL this past week that only four member clubs were going to bid on the right to host the 2004 Memorial Cup was disappointing.
09-06-2002 - Thompson traded to Lethbridge
The trading saga of Andy Thompson has ended before it really got started. Thompson, a former first round, seventh overall, Bantam pick of the ICE in 1999, was traded a couple hours drive down Highway 3 to the Lethbridge Hurricanes for a 1st and a 3rd Round Bantam picks in the 2003 WHL Draft.
09-03-2002 - Kootenay's first cuts in the books
It is perhaps the toughest job in hockey. Inviting a young talent to the camp of the defending Memorial Cup Champions and then, after six days of evaluation, observation and examination, telling that young prospect that he's just not quite good enough. At least not yet. That, in a nutshell, is the job of Kootenay ICE Assistant G.M. and Director of Player Personnel Roy Stasiuk and after week one of Kootenay ICE training camp 2002, over sixty players were pared down to just twenty-five.
08-27-2002 - Andy Thompson not returning to Kootenay
It is now official; Andy Thompson will not return to the Kootenay ICE and has requested a trade. For reasons that ran the gamut from being homesick, to a demanding girlfriend back home in North Delta, B.C. or parents that were breaking up, all grossly false in their nature, Andy Thompson left the ICE after the club’s 4-0 sweep of the Seattle Thunderbirds in the second round of the WHL Playoffs last spring.
08-22-2002 - Dawes looks to carry the torch into Kootenay’s future
Nigel Dawes is carrying on a tradition of sorts. Returning to Cranbrook one week prior to the opening of 2002 training camp of the Memorial Cup champion Kootenay ICE, Dawes has some more hardware to place upon his mantle - a gold medal from Canada’s win at the under-18 Eight-Nations Tournament in Priestany, Slovakia, this country’s sixth gold medal in a row at that tournament.
08-20-2002 - Former Kootenay workhorse makes the grade
One of the more exciting aspects of the WHL is that it produces, and has produced, some of the most exciting players on the planet. Players bound for the glory and paychecks of the NHL, tomorrow's stars today, is one of the league's most ardent selling points to the legion of fans that click its turnstiles each year.
08-09-2002 - Portland Winter Hawks - Summer Update
With Braydon Coburn off to the Under-18 Tournament in Slovakia, new Assistant Coach Blake Wesley joining Head Coach Mike Williamson behind the bench, and two new Import Draft picks ready to lace them up on American soil, the Portland Winter Hawks have had a busy summer!
08-08-2002 - Dawes makes cut, Bridges left out
Nigel Dawes is on his way to Piestany, Slovakia for the Under-18, Eight Nations tournament August 12-18. His teammate, Kootenay ICE goaltender Bryan Bridges, is not.
07-14-2002 - Kootenay D-man signs with Rangers
Less than two months after Craig Weller had finished his junior career on top of the junior hockey world with a Memorial Cup championship, the 21-yr-old defensemen finds himself embarking on a new journey with new horizons and new goals, a career in the NHL.
06-27-2002 - McGill heads to Hartford; ICE draft Czech import
An unprecedented era of hockey has ended in the Kootenays. Kootenay head coach Ryan McGill accepted the job as the new bench boss of the Hartford WolfPack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers last Thursday, signing a two-year deal. After six seasons...
06-25-2002 - Stoll an Oiler; McGill on the move?
Jarret Stoll knows all about the infamous Battle of Alberta between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. Growing up a hockey player in Saskatoon during the height of the rivalry, it would be hard not to. Now, at the age of nineteen and on the cusp of a...
06-05-2002 - Stoll Back in the Draft / WHL News and Notes
Last year it was a jammed fax. This year it was a mountain of paperwork to be filed within a scant nineteen minutes before the deadline....
05-29-2002 - ICE back home as National Champions
The Kootenay ICE returned home victorious from the Memorial Cup in Guelph, Ontario with junior hockey's famed chalice in tow Monday with a championship rally and parade awaiting them Tuesday at the Cranbrook Rec./Plex. It was a chance for the Kootenay faithful to experience in person something they'd been watching on T.V. for the better part of a week - the Memorial Cup.
05-22-2002 - Kootenay in Memorial Cup Final
In the 2000 Memorial Cup in Halifax the Kootenay ICE couldn't get a break. The big goal wouldn't come, the bad call the other way didn't happen. It was an appearance in the national championship that a team from a strange place called Kootenay could only describe it as forgetful. That was then, Guelph 2002 is most definitely now. In 2000 they couldn't win, in 2002, it seems, they might not lose.
05-08-2002 - Kootenay works overtime for the win
You know they want to. You know they can. Wide-open, no trap, no left-wing lock, throw caution into the wind and play some fire-wagon hockey, it does exist. And just when you thought it was going to happen, the game's over and you almost look at the scoreboard in disbelief, it's 3-2, in overtime no less.
05-01-2002 - Kootenay moves on to face Red Deer in finals
In the end, the one many thought might be the difference in the series just wasn't enough. At the other end, the one many thought might not be the difference, was. And even now, on the eve of the WHL Championship series against the Red Deer Rebels, Kootenay goaltender B.J. Boxma still has those who wonder...
04-24-2002 - Rockets blast back into series
If you thought it was going to be easy, think again, the Kelowna Rockets still has something so to say about the outcome of the Western Conference final. In fact, a decisive 5-1, game three victory at Skyreach Place in Kelowna Wednesday night to guarantee a fifth game in Cranbrook Friday proves the Rockets are going to do anything but go away quietly.
04-19-2002 - WHL Conference Championship Preview
In the Eastern Conference, the two Division Champions, Red Deer Rebels (Central) and the Brandon Wheat Kings (East) square off for Games 1 and 2 at Red Deer’s Centrium on Friday and Saturday...
04-17-2002 - Kootenay fired up for Kelowna
Facing-off against Shane Bendera in the conference final, Boxma, then with the Swift Current Broncos and Bendera, then of the defending Memorial Cup champion Red Deer Rebels, will square off in the Western conference version of the goaltending sequel beginning...
04-10-2002 - Johnson flying like a Bird
When Trevor Johnson was a member of the Kootenay ICE, the Trail native garnered his share of apt and deserving nicknames. 'T.J.' was the obvious, 'Crazylegs' Johnson was another moniker common to those who'd seen his peculiar skating style during his four years in Cranbrook....
04-04-2002 - Hockey's Future Interview with Jay Bouwmeester
Jay Bouwmeester, an excellent young defenseman from the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL, took the time out of his busy schedule to conduct an interview here at Hockey's Future. Bouwmeester anchored the Tigers' defense for the past....
04-04-2002 - Foster Returns to Help Wheat Kings
Adrian Foster, sidelined since mid February and for the first 4 playoff games, showed why the New Jersey Devils drafted him in the 1st round of the 2001 draft.
04-01-2002 - WHL Goalie Preview for the 2002 Draft
Guest contributor Tom Varley checks in with his report on the 2002 draft eligible goalies from the WHL. Read on for more.....
04-01-2002 - Hockey's Future Profiles Jonny Boychuk
Johnny Boychuk, a right-handed shooting defenseman with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. Boychuk is a player who delivers crushing body checks, has good overall mobility, and a hard low slap-shot from the point. His biggest asset is that he consistently makes smart plays with or without the puck in his own zone. In this installment...
04-01-2002 - Bouwmeester's Star Ready to Shine
It's been a hockey story eighteen years in the making and although the plot has been it's juiciest the past three or four winters, the book is within just months of it's climax, at least of volume one.
04-01-2002 - HF Interviews Calgary Hitmen's Brandon Segal
The unassuming Brandon Segal may not get noticed in a crowd due to his quiet nature, but he sure makes up for it on the ice and in the locker room. A tireless worker in the off-season, his dedication to improving all aspects of his game will help his draft status this season. Segal's ranked 20th overall in the Western Hockey League by the Central Scouting Bureau in their preliminary report, which puts him in the middle of the pack come...
03-26-2002 - Kamloops International Bantam Tournament
Well once again it's time for the Kamloops Bantam International Ice Hockey Tournament, a tournament with a rich history of showcasing future NHL and Major Junior hockey players.
03-26-2002 - Is this the end for Kootenay?
It's the end of March and playoff fever taken hold around the Kootenay's. Unfortunately, it's become more of an illness rather than a euphoria to both the players and their fans.
Left untreated, this condition will prove fatal.
03-21-2002 - 2001-2002 WHL Playoff Preview
A season in which geographical realignment was the big story, the WHL topped the 2.5 million mark in attendance for the seventh straight year, finishing with an eye-popping 2.95 million to eclipse last year’s total of 2.7 million...
03-19-2002 - ICE G.M. optimistic going into post-season
Almost conceding the B.C. Division regular season crown to the Kamloops Blazers with only two weeks to go, the ICE decided to make a race out of it by clawing back from a nine-point deficit to a mere point differential with one game to go. Alas, it was not meant to be...
03-13-2002 - ICE win keeps club in pennant hunt
At the beginning of Tuesday night’s game at home against the Vancouver Giants the Kootenay were just three points back of the B.C. Division leading...
03-08-2002 - Boxma burns Blazers
If there were any reservations left about the Kootenay ICE goaltending capabilities they can be put firmly to rest. B.J. Boxma is doing just fine thank-you very much....
03-06-2002 - Playoff Chase Tightens
The race for a WHL playoff spot creates teams that play desperation hockey. For about four and a half periods over the two games against the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Kelowna Rockets, Kootenay ran into two clubs in desperation mode and it almost cost them four...
02-28-2002 - Concussions make Kootenay's Sinclair think twice
Perhaps one of the most defining aspects of today's game, concussions and the enormous increase in their occurrence, would have to rate at or near the top any list. In doing so, concussions have not only changed the game but also the lives of former players who've had to retire due to them. Brett Lindros, Pat LaFontaine, Nick Kypreos to name only a few.
Kootenay ICE forward Colin Sinclair has experienced that change and it's an encounter that the hard-working forward doesn't want to make a habit of being a part of.
02-27-2002 - Kootenay hits stride with win streak
It was supposed to be a battle of two heavyweights running elbow to elbow in the race for the WHL playoffs. It was supposed to be a possible prelude to a first round playoff match-up. Tuesday night's game between the Kootenay ICE and the Prince George Cougars was supposed to be a lot of things.
What it wasn't was your classic, late regular season division match-up.
In short, it was a massacre
02-19-2002 - Team suspensions hurt ICE
One look at the game-night roster and there is a stunning omission; Duncan Milroy and Shaun Norrie, two huge cogs in Kootenay's success in recent weeks, are healthy scratches. Western Conference All-Star and steady overage d-man Craig Weller and emerging winger Richard Hamula would be left in the stands of the Red Deer Centrium the following night
02-08-2002 - Pondering the WHL Western Conference Stretch Drive.
With all the WHL Western Conference teams having twenty games or less on their schedules, heres some speculation.....
02-01-2002 - Guelph the right site for Cup
When the Ontario Hockey League Memorial Cup selection committee made their announcement that Guelph would be the OHL city chosen to hold the tournament for junior hockey's holy grail, the Memorial Cup, it breathed a billow of fresh air into what's almost surely become just another trademark of the big business of hockey, junior or otherwise. In today's hockey, money talks. With this announcement however, perhaps not all things are just about the greenbacks
01-27-2002 - WHL - OHL All Star Game
It was a game of defensive talent when the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)Western Conference All-Stars took out the Western Hockey League(WHL)Eastern Conference in Red Deer on Wednesday night.
01-24-2002 - Silver hard to accept for Stoll
For every dark cloud, there's a silver lining, goes the old saying. After a bittersweet silver medal performance at the World Junior Championships three weeks ago, Jarrett Stoll's silver lining isn't much compensation for what he considers a dark cloud of losing the gold medal game to Russia.
01-16-2002 - Kootenay Swaps Rear-guards at Deadline
Being so close to the January 14 trade deadline it no longer became a wonder whether or not a personnel change might happen but rather a matter of when. Just before the 3:00 PM M.S.T. deadline, it did and again it would be a long-time familiar face that would be making his way out of town
01-14-2002 - Canes Make One Deal At Deadline
The Canes added another veteran player to the blueline today as the WHL trade deadline came and went. Lethbridge swapped d-men with the WinterHawks trading youth for experience. The Hurricanes get 19-year- old Chris Callaway along with the Hawks first...
01-12-2002 - Hurricanes Pick-Up Quarterback for PP
Well the Hurricanes had been missing one thing all year.... a quarterback for their powerplay. Numerous players had been given a shot at the job but the Canes just didn't have a pure offensive defensemen...
01-12-2002 - Hitmen above .500
Hitmen finally spark after a slow season so far.On Jan. 9th the Hitmen played their 43rd game of the season and squeezed over .500 totaling their record to 21-20-2. The Hitmen at home took an early 3-1 lead against the Saskatoon Blades after the first period. The teams exchanged a goal a piece...
01-10-2002 - Milroy's Dominance Starting to Shine Through
It's no secret that Duncan Milroy was surprised to find himself traded to the Kootenay ICE last month. It's also no secret that Milroy is considered something of a dominant offensive force in the WHL. Being a 2001 second round NHL draft pick (37th overall) of the Montreal Canadiens will do that for you....
01-10-2002 - Kootenay Not Selling the Farm
If the sign on the door clearly says 'not for sale', then the fence around the place is always in need of some fixin'. That, in a nutshell, is the prevalent attitude emitting from the offices of the Kootenay ICE as the club heeds the WHL's trading deadline January 14. Like a child drawing up his letter to St. Nick, ICE G.M. has a list of players that could help his hockey club that he's checked twice. But then again, so does every other G.M. in the WHL....
01-04-2002 - Trade Deadline a Seller's Market in the West
I'm all for the concept of parity that has inundated the Western Hockey League but as far as trade deadline deals, speculation and innuendo goes, she just ain't what used to be.
01-04-2002 - A Wheatie and a Hawk Named WHL Players of the Month
Calgary - The Western Hockey League today announced the Players of the Month for December in both the Eastern Conference and Western Conference...
01-03-2002 - Raider's Greg Watson is on a Roll
Greg Watson, a front-line power forward for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League, is on a roll. After a slow start to his Western Hockey League season, Watson has exploded to produce...
01-02-2002 - Brand-new year, same old story
With the progression of the calendar comes the glimmer of new hopes and new dreams for a new year. For the Kootenay ICE, the new year still holds that promise. It just didn't show itself on the year's first day with a 5-3 loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers and when it will show up is anyone's guess.
12-28-2001 - Western Hockey League - Standings and Scoring Leaders
Here is a look at the current standings and scoring leaders for the Western Hockey League (WHL).
12-22-2001 - Around the WHL
With the Western Hockey League trade deadline of January 15/02 lurking just around the corner......
12-21-2001 - ICE Rookies at the World Under-17
It has become something of a Christmastime tradition for the rookie 16-yr-olds of the Kootenay ICE. Adam Taylor and Andy Thompson played last year, and Dan Blackburn and Duncan Milroy played the year prior and Jarrett Stoll the year before that. This season isn't any different as a record three members of the ICE first-year....
12-21-2001 - Pressure not a factor for Stoll at WJC
Contrary to popular opinion, Kootenay ICE forward Jarrett Stoll making the 2001-02 edition of the Canadian World Junior Hockey team wasn't an automatic. Although one would be hard pressed to find the last junior national team veteran who was cut from the following year's squad, a fait accompli it wasn't....
12-18-2001 - ICE caught looking ahead, now find themselves behind
Perhaps I was erroneous in last week's column in the statement that the ICE had yet to find any consistency after the big trade. The ICE have indeed found consistency - of the losing kind...
12-11-2001 - Boxma and Milroy join Ice
In just over a week since B.J. Boxma and Duncan Milroy joined the Kootenay ICE their effect on the club has been a noticeable one. In the three games played since the trade however, the results are missing something just as noticeable - consistency.
12-06-2001 - Two WHL Players Named to the USA Hockey 2002 National Junior Team Roster
On Wednesday USA Hockey announced the roster for the Americans that will square off during the 2002 World Junior Championships. Check it out!
12-06-2001 - Rome, Harvey surprised by trade
You never really ever can prepare yourself for it. Even players who know almost certainly know that they're going to be moved are always taken a little off guard by the announcement. In the case of Jeff Harvey, Aaron Rome and Jason Jaffray, to say that the trade that saw them headed to Swift Current in exchange for...
12-06-2001 - Familiar Faces and Former Foes in Kootenay
It could be called an ironic twist of fate. It will most certainly be called the blockbuster of the year. Call it what you want but Kootenay fans weren't the only ones surprised at the monumental trade involving the Kootenay ICE and the Swift Current Broncos....
12-06-2001 - Big trade for Kootenay, but at what price?
Did the ICE give up too much? That's the $64,000 question....
12-05-2001 - ICE, Broncos make blockbuster trade
If it wasn't the biggest trade ever made in the history of the Kootenay ICE, it will certainly go down as the most shocking. In a deal to address a perceived shortcoming between the pipes, Kootenay ICE G.M. Jeff Chynoweth did what many had thought unthinkable....
12-04-2001 - Stone and Harding are WHL Players of the Month
The Western Hockey League today announced the Players of the Month for November in both the Eastern Conference and Western Conference. In the Eastern Conference, which includes the East and Central Divisions, the Player of the Month is....
12-02-2001 - Hurricanes Sharpen Game Against Blades
The Hurricanes continued their march back to the CHL top 10 tonight by handing the Blades a 4-1 loss. Lethbridge used a great first period to push their home record to an an impressive...
11-29-2001 - 13 WHL Players Named to Team Canada
The Western Hockey League is pleased to announce that 13 players from the WHL has been chosen to attend Canada's National Junior Team's Selection Camp from December 10-17 at the Beatrice Ice Gardens in North York, Ontario.....
11-28-2001 - Special teams go ICE cold
The one area that the Kootenay ICE have been so solid in this season. The one area that has bailed the club out from at times, indifferent play this season. The one area fans could point to in proof that the club indeed belonged in the upper echelon of the WHL - special teams. It is an area that has become a frozen wasteland of late and is a telltale sign of the club's downward....
11-27-2001 - Cellar-dwelling in Seattle
With a weekly schedule that included the Tri-City Americans and Vancouver Giants, the Thunderbirds had a good chance to gain ground on two important Western Conference rivals, but ultimately ended the week in the conference cellar, and the worst record in the WHL. Also this week the team saw two of its players ranked ...
11-24-2001 - The Demise of Canadian Hockey
What ever happened to ice hockey being a full-contact sport? Whether it is in the NHL or elsewhere...
11-23-2001 - Team Loaded with WHL Talent
Saskatchewan Hockey Association and Manitoba Hockey announced the roster for Team Western which will compete in the Under 17 World Hockey Challenge in Selkirk and Stonewall, Manitoba from....
11-22-2001 - Pat's G.M. bucking the trends
After the Regina Pats came away the victors after last Sunday's tilt against the Kootenay ICE by a 3-1 margin, the first thought that occurred to me was that the club that sold its future in order to compete as hosts of the Memorial Cup last season had pulled a fast one. If this club sold the farm in order to be competitive, it appears that Pats might just have more than one farm lying around.
11-21-2001 - Giants Snap Winless Streak At 13
A strong 3rd period for the Giants resulted in a refreshing 6-3 win over the Tri-City Americans on Tuesday night. Bucking a recent trend, the Giants play actually improved as the game progressed.....
11-20-2001 - Home not so sweet for Kootenay
The good news is that the Kootenay ICE have resurrected their road game record and seemed to have solved the problems that plagued the club earlier on in the season while away from the Cranbrook Rec./Plex.
11-19-2001 - Giants Go Down, Kovar Injury Diagnosed
The Vancouver Giants looked a lot like an expansion team on this night, going down 4-1 to the Kelowna Rockets. As usual, the Marach - Lynch - Jackson line played it's quality two-way game. However, the...
11-17-2001 - Giants Make Changes Focused on Future
In just over a month, the Giants have changed their look and it appears to be with a focus on the future. Of note, the club seems to be....
11-16-2001 - Boxma still haunting the ICE
B.J. Boxma doesn't have anything left to prove against the Kootenay ICE. The Edson, Alberta native accomplished that goal last April when he backstopped his Swift Current Broncos to a seventh game Eastern Conference Semifinal win over the ICE to unceremoniously boot his former mates from last year's playoffs.
11-14-2001 - ICE Warriors on the Road
Five games in six nights across three provinces, one time zone now that we've gone into winter's darkness of daylight-saving time and 3212 kilometers round trip of November across the Canadian Prairies. Not exactly...
11-07-2001 - Q & A With the Chiefs Kurt Sauer
Following a tough 3-2 Spokane Chiefs loss to the Kamloops Blazers, Chiefs defenseman and Colorado Avalanche prospect Kurt Sauer was kind enough to allow us this interview. Also a brief look at the top six clubs around the WHL and a look at the return of Jarret Stoll.
11-05-2001 - Beechey's return burns the ICE
All good things must come to an end. Great movies, summer vacations and yes, even unbeaten streaks. It had to be somebody, even worse, it had to be the Calgary Hitmen and as returning player stories don't often go, it was a familiar friend leading the charge against his former teammates.
11-05-2001 - WHL's OPEN ICE HIT-Hawks/Rockets Deal
The Portland Winter Hawks and the Kelowna Rockets get busy dealing d-men, while Hawk fans go nuts in Portland. Are they not trusting the Ken Hodge empire? Read more . . .
11-01-2001 - Back to the 'Future Considerations'
A few trades of late in the WHL have brought on some confusion to some in the sense of not 'who's going where' but rather 'who's coming back' or 'wasn't he with???'.
10-30-2001 - WHL B.C. Division Roundup
The Kootenay Ice are nipping at the Blazers heels......
10-30-2001 - WHL Central Division Roundup
The Swift Current Broncos continue to lead the Central Division....while the Rebels are only a point behind....and defensively, the "BOBS", er, I mean Tigers....
10-30-2001 - WHL Sports Four Teams in CHL Top 10
The Western Hockey League is well represented in this week's Top 10 Canadian Hockey League Teams. Yakubov, T Smith, Milroy, and Kopecky all stake their claim on WHL territory. Strong team play enables the Red Deer Rebels to remain 1st overall.
10-29-2001 - WHL's OPEN ICE Hit
What has been shakin' in Junior Hockey's toughest league. Who's fighting, who's scoring, and who's just plain making noise. A look at current Portland Winter Hawks/NHL prospects Josh Olson (Panthers) and Josef Balej (Canadiens). Medicine Hat's "Team of Terror" . . . Ryan Olynyk, Derek Boogaard, and Brett Scheffelmaier join to form the WHL's most feared teammates.
10-26-2001 - Goaltender plot thickens; ICE trade for Kolewaski
Ever since the New York Rangers decided that they were keeping standout goaltender Dan Blackburn on their NHL roster, the goaltending pendulum for the Kootenay ICE has been swinging back and forth between Jeff Harvey and rookie Bryan Bridges.
10-24-2001 - Hard work now powering the ICE
Excuses, like a Phillips head screwdriver in a room full of Robertson screws, doesn't do anyone much good. Sure they provide you with a reason why you can't get the job done but eventually those screws are going to have to come out one way or another.
10-20-2001 - Giant Growing Pains
Like most newborns, the Vancouver Giants are also susceptible to growing pains. These pains were most evident over the last three-game homestand.....
10-18-2001 - WHL Eastern Division Leaders
The Brandon Wheat Kings have taken advantage of some struggling teams in the east division
10-18-2001 - Moral victory comes at a high cost
It wasn't a win, but it sure felt like one. Both players and fans alike came away from Wednesday's 1-1 tie game with Red Deer feeling like it was a moral victory in that it provided some pluses for a club sorely in need of good things to build on. It also proved to be very costly.
10-17-2001 - WHL B.C. Division Leaders
The Kamloops Blazers were expected to be strong this season after icing very young teams over the previous...
10-17-2001 - WHL's U.S. Division Leaders
The Spokane Chiefs have bolted from the starting gate.....
10-17-2001 - WHL's Central Division Leaders
The Swift Current Broncos just continue to churn out competitive teams year after year and the 01/02 season appears to be no different,.....
10-15-2001 - Fortunes freezing up for the ICE
What's wrong with the Kootenay ICE? For the first time the club's four-year history in Cranbrook, that's the question being asked with more and more frequency among the ICE faithful.
10-12-2001 - Present day Rome rises in Kootenay
In the dying days of Ancient Rome, it was said that Nero fiddled while the city burned. Present day Kootenay ICE defenseman Aaron Rome might want to do some fiddling of his own come June of 2002. And the only thing that'll be burning is himself, right up the scouting charts.
10-11-2001 - From one end of the spectrum to the other
In a world seemingly gone loony and getting crazier by the minute, I offer up a rant and rave about things that, upon further review seem minuscule in the greater scheme of things. Stepping away from CNN for a moment.....
10-10-2001 - One Giant Star Overlooked
In the infamous words of Rodney Dangerfield, some guys 'don't get no respect.' In the Vancouver Giants 6-5 home victory last night against the Medicine Hat Tigers and their star, Jay Bouwmeester, the difference in the game....
10-05-2001 - Spotlight is on now on ICE Goaltenders
Let's face it. If you asked every Kootenay ICE fan, those in the administration and any local pundits and purveyors of comment, no one really had processed the realization that all-everything.....
10-03-2001 - Chuck Kobesew is coming
Highly skilled Chuck Kobasew, who left Boston College to join the Kelowna Rockets has continued to give fans and management of the Rockets more excitement than they can handle.......
10-02-2001 - Chynoweth pulls trigger on overage trade
It is an annual occurrence. Not that a team wants to, not that a team needs to, it has to, just to satisfy the league rule of a maximum three twenty-yr-old, overage players on its roster and this year was no exception. Like Scott Roles, Dion Lassu, Brad Tutschek before him, Tyler Beechey had grown up with the Kootenay ICE and last Friday Beechey became part of the club's most ardent rival, the Calgary Hitmen.
10-02-2001 - Kamloops Already Getting The Breaks In The Battle of "Special K's"
While most pundits agreed that the Western Hockey League's B.C. division shaped up as a great battle between the "Special K's", Kamloops, Kelowna and Kootenay,....
09-27-2001 - WHL Expansion: Location, Location, Location
When the WHL announced a couple of weeks ago that they had for all intents and purposes found the location of the much coveted twentieth team for the league in Everett, Washington to begin play in 2003-04, I thought that through all the specifics attached to the announcement, it wasn't a bad choice....
09-25-2001 - Down and up weekend for ICE
If they crowned the Memorial Cup champions on paper, it would be easy to see why the Kootenay ICE were ranked number one in the CHL's Top Ten rankings. Incredible firepower on offense, size and.....
09-24-2001 - Giants Jump-Start With Team Chemistry
The Vancouver Giants played their inaugural games this past Friday and Saturday night at the Pacific Coliseum. As the WHL's newest franchise, the Giants certainly left us all recognizing....
09-20-2001 - ICE Ready for season opener
Ready or not, the Kootenay ICE 2001-02 WHL season begins this week and if the pre-season is a good indicator of things to come, a 4-0 exhibition record is a nice....
09-20-2001 - Stoll Back in the saddle with the ICE
The return of Jarrett Stoll back to the Kootenay ICE from the Calgary Flames training camp produces some obvious mixed emotions for both the.......
09-14-2001 - WHL Preview
With the pre-season firing on all cylinders, it is time to kick off this season’s WHL coverage with a look into the new rules of play. Junior hockey fans are in for some interesting changes this season with new procedures like the “Fast Face-Off” and “4-on-4” regulation play...
09-11-2001 - Hitmen Freeze up against ICE
Coming off a 3-2 overtime win in Lethbridge, the Kootenay ICE kicked off their home debut of the 2001 exhibition season against an old rival that hardly needed any introduction, the Calgary Hitmen.
09-07-2001 - Impressive bunch at ICE Training Camp '01
It's always a treat to experience the first weekend of WHL hockey in town as the Kootenay ICE held their training camp kickoff to the 2001-2 season over the weekend....
09-07-2001 - Vancouver Giants: Building a Winner
A few hours before the Vancouver Giants began their third pre-season game out at Queen's Park Arena in New Westminster, I spoke with Scott Bonner, GM, about the organizational plans for the newest team to enter the WHL...
08-19-2001 - Canada captures gold at Six Nations U-18 Cup
The Canadian under-18 squad did not just beat the Russians in their quest for gold at the Six Nations U-18 Cup on Sunday, they humiliated them in a 9-4 shellacking that gave the red and white their eighth gold medal ...
08-16-2001 - Three up, three down for Canadian U-18 team
Team Canada exploded for five goals, including three in the first period, in their 5-1 victory over the Swedish contingent at the 2001 Six Nations Tournament in the Czech Republic on Thursday...
08-14-2001 - WHL'ers continue to shine at U-18's
Canada improved to 2-0 at the under-18 Six Nations Tournament on Tuesday, knocking off the host Czech Republic by a count of 3-1 ...
08-13-2001 - Kobasew comes westward
At a press conference this morning, Kelowna Rockets President and General Manager, Bruce Hamilton, announced that list player Chuck Kobasew has elected to leave Boston College ...
08-13-2001 - Lukin leads Canada at U-18 World Cup
Kamloops Blazer forward Jarret Lukin scored two goals for Team Canada, including the game winner, en route to the squad's 5-0 shutout over Slovakia in the first official game of the 2001 Six Nations Tournament in Kolin, Czech Republic ...
08-04-2001 - Stepp invited to Canadian National Junior Team camp
The Canadian Hockey Association announced the addition of center Joel Stepp to the Canadian National Junior Team Camp on Friday. The 18-year-old Torquay, Saskatchewan native played for ...
06-29-2001 - ICE draft Czech Import
The names of recent Kootenay ICE European members of their club read somewhat like a whose who of able scorers, deft puck-handlers and flashy offensive......
06-13-2001 - Kootenay’s move greeted with cautious optimism
When the notion of the Kootenay ICE moving to the WHL’s West Division surfaced, there were two main concerns, rivalries and cost...
06-04-2001 - Jakes and Tootoo likely to be taken in Entry Draft
At last years NHL Entry Draft, a number of Brandon Wheat Kings headed into the event with high hopes...
05-29-2001 - Rebellious Cup Champs
As the Red Deer Rebels were crowned Memorial Cup champions this past week in Regina in a thrilling overtime victory over the Val D'or Foreurs, I was overcome with mixed emotions. On one hand, the WHL had won the Memorial Cup for the first time in three years. On the other, it was the dreaded Rebels who were carrying the hardware, and deservedly so after being ranked the number one club in the country
05-23-2001 - Memorial Cup Couch Potato
With the annual passing of the Victoria Day long-weekend signifying not only the start of camping season in these parts but the culmination of the year's Major-Junior hockey in the Memorial Cup in Regina. Four teams, round-robin and playoff format with the hardware of the Memorial Cup clearly in sight.
05-04-2001 - ICE increase size at Bantam Draft
Go Big or go home. That was the order of the day for the Kootenay ICE as the WHL held their 12th annual Bantam Draft at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary this past Thursday.
04-20-2001 - A season worth remembering
Just before the puck was dropped on game seven of the WHL semifinal series between the Kootenay ICE and the Swift Current Broncos this past week I asked ICE minority owner Jim Stypula if he was nervous as to the outcome of the deciding game. "Win or lose," he replied. "The sun will still come up tomorrow." In the aftermath of a heartbreaking seventh game loss by the ICE at the hands of the Broncos, those words of obvious truth were of little consequence to fans, players, coaches, management
04-20-2001 - The Curtain falls on Kootenay's season
Signaling the finale of the 2000-01 season, the Kootenay ICE returned to their Cranbrook Rec/Plex dressing room this past Thursday to clean out their stalls and attend individual departure meetings with management before scattering to their respective hometowns for the summer. It is an arduous process unless you happen to be the last team taking part in the tedious task and for some, it would be the last time in their junior careers that they would do so.
04-18-2001 - Broncos Buck the ICE out of the Playoffs
Revenge, they say, is a dish best served cold. For B.J. Boxma it is a dish that will probably taste sweeter, if you’ll excuse the pun, on ice...
04-10-2001 - Broncos prove hard to break
For what it's worth, Game One of the WHL's Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Kootenay ICE and the Swift Current Broncos was probably one of the most technically perfect games the ICE have played this season which showed on the scoreboard as a 7-1 shellacking by the ICE...
04-09-2001 - The 33rd Annual Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament
Glen Crichton is back this year to cover the 33rd Annual Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament. He had some GREAT coverage last year and you can expect the same again this year. I hope you enjoy his tournament recaps and feel free to email him any questions or compliments you may have...
04-04-2001 - ICE - Broncos Playoff Rematch
Exactly 361 days ago, the stage was set in an eerily similar way. The Kootenay ICE had just finished off a four game sweep of the Red Deer Rebels...
03-27-2001 - Open Season on Moose Jaw
It was opening weekend of the WHL Eastern Conference Quarter-final this past weekend and the Kootenay ICE decided to do a little moose hunting and take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Moose Jaw Warriors.
03-23-2001 - Comrie/Van Ryn Rule Haunting the CHL
The continual posturing and infighting that goes on between the NHL and the player's union, the NHLPA, has now spilled over and is directly affecting the CHL and the three leagues under its umbrella...
03-22-2001 - Captain Crunch dominates ICE Awards
The Kootenay ICE held the 2001 edition of their team awards banquet this past Tuesday at the Town & Country Inn Ballroom and similar to his play on the ice, team Captain Dean Arsene, nicknamed Captain Crunch for his punishing hits on opponents all season long, made his presence felt by being honored four times...
03-20-2001 - The Second Season Begins - Playoff Time
1296 games, 3888 periods, 233,280 minutes of play (not counting overtime), over two million fans and now the fun begins. With the second season upon us, it just wouldn't be the playoffs if we didn't have predictions.
03-14-2001 - Jarret Stoll Takes Charge
While not nearly as successful as the weekend before, the Kootenay ICE accomplished what they needed to in their second three game in three nights weekend in a row...
02-24-2001 - Blackburn returns
There are some that say that Dan Blackburn was going through somewhat of a sophomore jinx. After the three game stretch last weekend against Lethbridge, Prince George and the Hurricanes again, one might want to revise that theory...
02-13-2001 - Kootenay starting to put it together
A six game road trip, four out of the six being wins, a possible nine of twelve points in solidifying their current second place in the Central Division standings....
02-12-2001 - Top Prospects, Top Pressure
The sixth annual CHL Top Prospects game took place this past week and it didn't fail to live up to it's accrued billing of the showcase of top major junior players on the continent. Trouble is, it's only one game...
02-06-2001 - Playoff race heats up
In the NHL, the space of time occupying the latter half of January and the early part of February are known simply as the dog days of the hockey season. No trading deadline is in sight.
01-23-2001 - Tigers too tough to tame for the ICE
In what amounted to be a game of paramount importance for the Kootenay ICE if they have any hope of catching the WHL leading Red Deer Rebels and staving off the surging Calgary Hitmen, the ICE were looking for the automatic two points on Sunday night against the Medicine Hat Tigers...
01-11-2001 - Trade Deadline Madness
It happens every time at this point in the WHL season. Actually, it happens with all hockey leagues from the CHL up into the NHL...
01-08-2001 - ICE G.M. confident about club without Comrie
With the loss of ICE captain Mike Comrie to the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, many detractors would say it is a blow that the ICE cannot overcome. Not so says ICE G.M. Bob Tory...
01-02-2001 - 2001 A.C. - After Comrie
Mike Comrie has left the building, and the city and the area, all for the bright lights and greener pastures of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers. Turn out the lights, stick a fork in ‘em, the Kootenay ICE are done, right? ...
12-28-2000 - Is Mike Comrie about to sign with the Oilers?
That, in a nutshell, is the million dollar question both in Edmonton and Cranbrook this week. With the January 1 deadline looming for the Oilers to sign the WHL’s leading scorer if they want Comrie to play for...
12-13-2000 - Canadian Team Prepares For World Junior Tournament
Once again the Canadian Hockey League will play a big part in the success/failure of the Canadian entry in the World Junior Hockey Championships...
12-08-2000 - Tyler Dyck carving out his own niche
When Tyler Dyck first arrived in Cranbrook for his first full season in a Kootenay ICE uniform, along with him came expectations...
12-07-2000 - W.J.C. Snub a blessing in disguise
The candidates for Canada's entry into this year's World Junior Hockey Championships were announced this past week and if you look closely, you will notice that Kootenay ICE goaltender Dan Blackburn didn't get an invitation...
12-01-2000 - New CHL All-Star Format Announced
In keeping up with the changing times of All-Star exhibitions of hockey, the Canadian Hockey League announced that it has changed it’s format in dramatic fashion...
11-27-2000 - Lundmark takes flight with Thunderbirds
When Rangers prospect Jamie Lundmark was returned to the WHL earlier this fall after failing to make the parent squad on Broadway, the highly touted center refused to return to his former Moose Jaw Warriors, instead demanding to be traded to a more competitive team...
11-24-2000 - Svatos' Frustration Mounting
There are times when a hockey player has to sit on the sidelines instead of playing the game they love...
11-22-2000 - Making the Grade - ICE Report Card
With over one-third of the 2000-01 season already in the books, the Kootenay ICE encountering some adversity of late and crucial tests coming up in the next two weeks...
11-09-2000 - WHL: Rants and Ravings
In all my experiences in expressing my various musings about the world of sports, there is one thing I have learned...
11-07-2000 - Could the Unthinkable Happen?
By now, you are probably well aware of the Mike Comrie situation. That being of course that the Edmonton Oilers have until the June 2001 NHL Draft deadline to sign the prominent Kootenay ICE forward or lose him to unrestricted free agency...
11-03-2000 - New Additions to the ICE make debut
Different surroundings, different teammates and a fresh start were the orders of the day as the two newest members of the Kootenay ICE made their debuts in practice Thursday...
11-02-2000 - ICE fly in a couple of Birds
The Kootenay ICE pulled off a blockbuster trade this past week that continues to raise eyebrows around the WHL...
11-01-2000 - WinterHawks' & Cougars' four player deal shakes up Western Conference
Western Conference rivals Portland WinterHawks and Prince George Cougars each swapped a Center and a Defenseman in a four player deal Thursday following Atlanta Thrasher's draft pick Blake Robson's request for a trade. Check it out!
10-30-2000 - Interview with Jordin Tootoo
HF correspondent John Agar recently got the chance to talk with Jordin Tootoo and learn more about the person behind the hockey player...
10-26-2000 - Kootenay’s Tutschek Playing the Waiting Game
On the ice, Kootenay ICE forward Brad Tutschek is used to facing his opponents head on, with his trademark toughness, grit and attitude that have made him a stalwart in the ICE lineup since he joined the club via a trade from the Medicine Hat Tigers in 1996.
10-17-2000 - ICE snare two in historic Home opener weekend
W. P. Kinsella once wrote, “if you build it, they will come.” We built it and they came, in droves. In a scene reminiscent of an arena setting in Spokane or Calgary, the Kootenay ICE held their two inaugural home opening games this past weekend at Cranbrook’s brand new Recreational Complex and, to put it mildly, it was an unqualified success. Two consecutive sold-out crowds of 4301 were treated to two exciting and dramatic hockey games that seemed to play themselves out to an unofficial script that every hockey team opening a new home would be overjoyed to occur -wins.
10-10-2000 - ICE Home Opener This Week/ Rumours Abound
It’s been thirteen months in theconstruction stage, seven years in thedevelopmental, planning, referendumand hoping stage and ten long 2000-01regular season games in the waiting, butthe opening day of Cranbrook’sRecreational Complex is finally upon us.
10-10-2000 - New Guns on the Hitmen
With the defections of Brad Moran, Chris Nielson and Kris Beech from the Hitmen roster, the scoring has had to come from different sources. Oilers prospect Shawn Norrie has been one of those sources early in the season.
09-29-2000 - CHLers moving up to the NHL
Some of the names we have heard for the past few years in Canadian Junior Hockey, we will not hear this year. We will hear about them in the National Hockey League...
09-27-2000 - Portland Goes to Wild for NHL Action
A look at the Minnesota Wild vs. San Jose Sharks exhibition game in Portland, Oregon.
09-26-2000 - Making a case for the Rebellion
The rivalry is dead, long live the rivalry.Two different games, two differentcities, two entirely different results. TheKootenay ICE opened the 2000-01WHL season in Calgary and Red Deerthis past weekend and on the surface,things are definitely not as they seem.
09-19-2000 - Brandon Wheat Kings 2000-2001 Preseason Prospects
Where did we leave off last year? Something about a tough season for the Brandon Wheat Kings. Funny, I did not see it that way...
09-19-2000 - The Curtain Rises on ICE 2000-01
When the Kootenay ICE won the 1999-2000 WHL championship andrepresented the league at the MemorialCup last spring, they essentially did theunexpected. If there is any drawback tobe found with winning a championshipbanner it is that what was once theunexpected suddenly becomes theexpected.
09-18-2000 - Portland Winterhawks on Comeback Trail
The Winterhawks gear up for a come-back year and look solid in their first pre-season home game filled with speed and hits. Player profiles.
09-16-2000 - Kyle Wanvig: Out of the Shadows, Into the Spotlight
Remember this name: Kyle Wanvig. You may be very glad you did. Here’s a few reasons why...
09-14-2000 - ICE Sightings at NHL Camps
It is only now that we are seeing the fulleffect of the NHL expansion agenda ishaving on the junior hockey scene. Withthis year’s addition of two memberclubs, the Minnesota Wild andColumbus Blue Jackets, along with theirexpansion cousins in Nashville andAtlanta over the past two seasons, thetrickle down effect is starting to takeshape.
09-11-2000 - A Look forward to the 2001 Draft: Ryan Hollweg
Hockey's Future staff caught up with Ryan Hollweg of the Medicine Hat Tigers, and was fortunate enough to ask him a few questions regarding the upcoming draft, his past playing experience and much more.
08-31-2000 - ICE Training Camp 2000 - Roster Spots hard to come by
ICE Camp 2000- Roster Spots hard to come byNow that the bevies of rookies havemoved on to make room for returningveterans and up and comers looking tomake their mark on the 2000 edition ofthe Kootenay ICE, one thing hasbecome abundantly clear - there isn’tmuch room at the Kootenay ICE inn.
08-24-2000 - ICE Training Camp 2000
Why do they call it a camp? There’s nocampfires, no wiener or marshmallowroast, no fishing and the only singingaround the fire you might hear are theones singing the blues because theydidn’t make the cut. No, this isn’t yourrun-of-the-mill weekend at the lake kindof camp. Miles of skating, the odd puckand buckets of sweat - Welcome to ICETraining camp 2000.
08-17-2000 - Michigan Star to make the Jump to Junior
When the Kootenay ICE finished their 1999-2000Memorial Cup finalist season, they lost a good percentage of their offensive output when Captain Mike Green (Florida) and line-mate JaroslavSvoboda (Carolina) graduated to the professional ranks...
07-27-2000 - Dan's BLACKmagic BURNing Opponents
The Kootenay Ice were known as a threat around the WHL two seasons ago but were ousted by the Hitmen in first round 7 game thriller. A year later they returned the favor to the Hitmen in the WHL semi-finals by brushing them aside in 5 games.(Editors Note: Be sure to check out the Dan Blackburn profile in the 2001 Draft Center)
04-27-2000 - ICE/Hitmen East Conference Final - WHL Playoffs
In the land of make-believe and movies, rarely does the sequel ever live up to the billing of the original blockbuster or the hype of the ensuing drama posed by the second installment of a hit. If the first four games of ICE/Hitmen II - The WHL Freez
04-19-2000 - ICE in Eastern Conference Final against the Hitmen
It has been said that revenge is a dish best served cold. Perhaps that dish might even taste better served on ICE. It’s been one year since an upstart Kootenay ICE club took the eventual Memorial Cup finalists to seven games in the opening round of t
04-06-2000 - The Next Phenomenon: Jay Bouwmeester
When you see this kid play, you know you are seeing greatness. He can skate with the best of them, make tape-to-tape passes blindfolded, and his vision of the ice and the play that is unfolding is unsurpassed. Who am I talking about? Who else. Jay Bo
03-31-2000 - Future Captain Scott Hartnell
I recently had a chance to speak with future top draft choice Scott Hartnell of the Prince Albert Raiders. He's a good kid with a smart head on his shoulders. You know this kid is going far in the league just by talking to him.
03-30-2000 - The Second Season
After each of the WHL’s 18 member teams have finished their grueling 72-game schedule, a league total of 648 contests to eliminate four teams from playoff contention, the fourteen remaining teams start a playoff odyssey...
03-11-2000 - A look at Ryan Craig
I had an oportunity recently to ask Brandon Wheat Kings forward Ryan Craig a few questions. This is the jist of what I got out of this interview.
01-10-2000 - WHL West Division: At The Half
Here are the standings for the Western Hockey Leagues West Division just past the half way point on the schedule...
01-08-2000 - Hawks Nest
Yes the grades come after the Christmas break and midway point of the season, but better late than never. So without further adieu...
12-14-1999 - Hawks Nest
The platinum blonde hair is a dead giveaway. The hair may turn the girl's heads, but his speed down the wing is what's turning the scout's heads. The white flash of uniform that flies around the ice, wreaking havoc and bringing scoring chances with h
12-11-1999 - Kamloops Blazers Re-Tooling Speeding Ahead on Schedule
After a disappointing four games to one defeat to the Calgary Hitmen in the last years Western Hockey League Final, the Blazers went to work to re-tool a hockey club laden with nineteen year old players...
12-10-1999 - Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
The Kootenay Ice saw themselves move up to the number nine position in the CHL Top Ten list last week after defeating both the Calgary Hitmen and the Seattle Thunderbirds and tying the Portland Winterhawks in the last three games of their six-game ro
12-07-1999 - Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
The Ice are now 17-8-4-0 after finishing their six-game road trip. This puts the Ice in second place in the Central Division and 3rd overall in the WHL. The first half of the trip saw them go through Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Swift Current...
11-24-1999 - Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
The Kootenay Ice saw their 7 game undefeated and 6 game winning streak come to an end this past weekend when the Kelowna Rockets, Calgary Hitmen, and Regina Pats came to town. The Ice played three games in three nights and were defeated 3-2 by both t
11-19-1999 - Future Prospects- WHL Prince George Bantam Cougars: Young Guns Impressive
Prince George may have come second in the Randy Lindros Memorial Tournament, held Nov. 11- 14 in Kamloops, but their team speed and relentless work ethic was a pleasure to watch...
11-18-1999 - Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
11-18-1999 - Kamloops Blazers Find Another Diamond in the Rough
The Kamloops Blazers found another diamond in the rough, drafting Eric Christensen in the sixth round, 101st overall in the 1998 WHL Bantam Draft and the young man, who doesn't turn sixteen until mid-December, is already turning heads with his early
11-10-1999 - Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
11-10-1999 - Western Hockey League West Division
Entering the seventh week of the WHL West Division season things are beginning to take shape as the large descrepancy in games played amongst the teams is begining to dwindle.
11-05-1999 - Wheat Kings' Youth Parade
The Brandon Wheat Kings year after year seem to find a way to the medical ward. Injuries have been the story every season for the Wheat Kings and this year is no exception.
10-29-1999 - The Western Hockey Leagues West Division
As of Thursday morining, Oct. 28, the division is lead by the Prince George Cougars with fifteen points from fourteen games followed by the Kamloops Blazers, defending division champions, and Kelowna Rockets, each with thirteen points from the same
10-27-1999 - Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
10-20-1999 - Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
We apologize for the length of time between the last news update and this one.
10-18-1999 - Portland Winterhawks Home Opening Week
Three teams rolled into Portland, Oregon to start off the Winter Hawk's season and all three left feeling pretty good about themselves.
10-04-1999 - Go West Young Man! – An Interview with Jere Kolari
I recently had a chance to interview Jere Kolari, a Finnish, Kuopio born player who is now chasing his dream in WHL playing for the Lethbrigde Hurricanes. Usually it's players from Russia, Slovakia and Czech reb. who want to make the jump to North-Am
10-01-1999 - Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
The 99-00 WHL season has begun and the Kootenay Ice started off with their third consecutive home and home series with the Red Deer Rebels. In the previous two home openers between these teams, the club who wins the first game of the home and home s
09-24-1999 - Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
Kootenay Ice: ICE CHIPS
09-22-1999 - ICE CHIPS
Something to prove is the buzz about the Kootenay Ice going into this season. With 19 returning players, there are not a lot of openings for these up and coming players to fill.
09-13-1999 - Brandon Wheat Kings Veterans Preseason
Last week we took a look at the future of the Brandon Wheat Kings, the rookies. This week let's take a look at who is returning.
09-10-1999 - Portland Winterhawks Prospect Outlook
558 miles to Kimberley, BC, the training camp home of the Portland Winterhawks, from Portland, OR was every bit worth the effort.
09-05-1999 - Brandon Wheat Kings Preseason Prospects
Last night the Brandon Wheat Kings faithful had a good look at the future of the Wheat Kings as Brandon faced off against the Regina Pats in the first pre-season tilt of the year.
09-02-1999 - Western Hockey League West Division Preview
With twenty four days to go before the puck drops on the 1999/2000 Western Hockey League Season all teams in the West Division are well into training camp. Seattle seems like a sure fire pick to lead the division...
12-30-1997 - Top WHL Prospects
A quick look at the Top Players in the WHL.
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