Expectations High for Winterhawks This Season


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As the WHL season gets underway this Friday with a seven game slate, I believe it is now time to hand a little season prep for the Portland Winterhawks.

Portland lost in heartbreaking fashion last year, losing Game 7 of the Ed Chynoweth Cup Finals, which would have been their second championship in as many years. Though they lost, the Winterhawks look to keep the momentum of four straight WHL Western Conference championships rolling as they hit the ice this Friday. They’ll face rival Seattle Thunderbirds in the season opener.

While it might seem that four straight Western Conference titles should easily lead to a fifth, there are a few new challenges the Winterhawks have to overcome this year. First and foremost, they have a new coach/GM taking the reins.

Portland’s new coach and general manager, Jamie Kompon, comes to PDX with a stellar hockey resume having won two Stanley Cups as an assistant. While that may look good on paper, he has zero head coaching experience to rely on and will be thrown right into the fire on opening night.

Another challenge that faces these Winterhawks is the constant turnover involved with junior hockey rosters. Out of the 29 total roster spots, the Hawks lose 10 from last year’s roster. Portland has, however, overcome this roster turnover each of the last four years to win the Western Conference. Unfortunately, this has left a sour taste in the mouth of all Portland hockey fans because they have only been able to clinch the cup one time in these four tries.

This year is likely to shape up like the last couple with the same teams competing for the championship. Since I believe that pre-season results in no way predict regular season results, my first power rankings will be released next week after the opening games. That being said, a couple things really stand out in regards to this year’s slate of opponents.

Though the Regina Pats and the Calgary Hitmen are in the Eastern Conference, they both averaged 5 goals a game this preseason! With that type of offensive output, they look like the teams to beat, or outscore, in the East. Out West, while the Winterhawks are sure to be toward the top of the standings once spring approaches, the Everett Silvertips and Kamloop Blazers both had great preseasons and look to build off that momentum.

So until we get a pulse of the WHL this season, head down to Moda Center this Friday and support the Winterhawks as they continue to show the city of Seattle why PDX is the king of the Pacific Northwest.

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Ryan Boshoven
Ryan is a former Division 1 athlete now working in the world of sport marketing. He earned his Master's Degree in Sports Business. He likes to spend his free time playing golf and going to sporting events. Ryan also has two brothers that are the same age as him. "Being a triplet is pretty awesome!" he says.
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