Our great region may not have a National Hockey League (NHL) team, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t packed with tons of hockey talent. While we wait for our knight-in-shining-armor to bring our well-deserving metropolitan areas a team, go and check out the Western Hockey League (WHL) teams. If you’re like me, every time you go to a hockey game you wonder why you don’t do it more often. It certainly may not be the glitz and glamour of the road to the Stanley Cup, but you’ll definitely get to see NHL players in the making and won’t break the bank.
About the WHL:
The WHL is a major junior ice hockey league that’s been around since 1966. It has 22 member clubs, 17 of which are based in Canada (five in British Columbia, five in Alberta, five in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba) and five in the Pacific Northwest United States (four in Washington and one in Oregon). It has been the leading supplier to the NHL for the past 40 years (including eight first round draft picks in the 2013 NHL Draft).
Despite the uncertainty that may come playing for minor league sports, the WHL is proud to provide a full year guaranteed scholarship to player for any post-secondary institution (for every season he plays). According to the league, it also contributes over $1 million annually in support of local minor hockey and charities in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.
WHL Teams of the Pacific Northwest:
Seattle Thunderbirds – The T-birds are originally from Vancouver (born the Nats, 1971) by way of Kamloops, B.C., but moved to Seattle in 1977 to become the Seattle Breakers. In 1984, new ownership took over and renamed the team the Thunderbirds. They’ve had a decorated past of trips to the playoffs, and anyone who grew up around Seattle may have remembered them playing at Key Arena. However, the venue ironically designed for the dearly departed Super Sonics was unfit for hockey and they moved to the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington (roughly 20 miles south of Seattle). Don’t be discouraged, Seattle, tickets at the intimate venue start at $16.00, so it’s well worth a trip to see the immense talent on this team. Watch for Left Wing Ryan Gropp (12), Center Mathew Barzal (13) and Right Wing Justin Hickman (9) – these three lead the team in points per game.
Portland Winterhawks – The team’s history dates all the way back to 1951, when they were the Portland Buckaroos (until 1976). The team boasts three championships and a unique jersey history. Though their jersey looks like those worn by the Chicago Blackhawks (of the NHL), leading many to believe that they were a minor league team for Chicago, the original jerseys worn by the team were in fact used Chicago jerseys obtained by the Portland owner from Chicago. Portland has a longstanding history of sending great players to the NHL, which recently includes Seth Jones, a budding talent (and son of former NBA player Popeye Jones) for the Nashville Predators (yeah, that’s right, Arizona and Nashville have NHL teams, but not Portland and Seattle). The Winterhawks are off to a rough start this year, but the season is young, and Chase De Leo (C) is a young player worth catching before he inevitably ends up in the big league. Watch Paul Bittner (LW), who was given an ‘A’ rating by the NHL Central Scouting Service.
Everett Silvertips – Well, let me just say, there aren’t many things that make anyone in the PNW say, “Hey! Let’s go to Everett!” However, the Silvertips demand that you visit, and they’re well worth it. Though it’s only the team’s 12th season in the WHL, they sit nicely atop the U.S. Division with a nearly 78% winning record. There’s not a single man on the squad born before 1994, and the majority of the team hails from the ice hockey mecca itself (Canada). Despite their record, these guys fly way under the scouting radar with the NHL. Watch for the impressive defense that includes Noah Juulsen, Kevin Davis and Tristen Pfeifer.
Tri-City Americans – The team, actually based in Kennewick, Washington, has only been an establishment in the south-central Washington area since 1988, but has a history in WHL that dates back to the origin of the WHL. They moved from Calgary to Billings to Nanaimo to New Westminster prior to coming to the Pacific Northwest. More than any other local team, the Americans have been embroiled in controversy over moving the team back to Canada. In the mid-2000s, however, the team ended up in the more caring hands of former Washington Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig and Dallas Stars star Stu Barnes (both former Americans team members). Since then, attendance has grown to the level of the other U.S. teams and it won its first division championship in team history. The team is close on Everett’s heels for the U.S. Division lead, and despite the team’s diverse background, seem to be working harmoniously toward a playoff run.
Remaining Schedule:
You can find the remaining schedule for your local affiliate here. The season goes until late March, but you might as well catch a game now while you have your heavy winter coat on. Also, there is life beyond the NFL, I now demand you go out and support your local WHL team (at least on non-Sundays until football season ends).
For even more information, please visit www.whl.ca
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