WHL west, team-by-team
The Western Hockey League Western Conference capsules, from Cory Flett at the WHL office. Later today we'll have our Spokane Chiefs' preview that will run in Friday's paper. The Chiefs open at Prince George on Friday. After two games on the road, the Chiefs return home to face Tri-Cites a week from Saturday.
2009-10 WHL Western
Conference Preview
B.C. Division
Chilliwack Bruins
2009 pre-season: 4-2-0
General Manager / Head Coach: Marc
Habscheid
2008-09 Record: 19-46-2-5, 45 pts (5th in
B.C. Div., 9th in Conf.) GF: 154 GA: 267
2009 Playoffs: Did not qualify.
2008-09 Top Scorers:
Ryan Howse
61gp-31g-13a-44pts
Kevin Sundher
67gp-19g-20a-39pts
Andy Smith
75gp-16g-22a-38pts
Up Front: The Bruins will look to greatly improve an
offense that ranked last in the WHL last season. Fortunately, the team’s two
most talented scorers, Ryan Howse and Kevin Sundher, are back and ready to put
up much better numbers. Howse, a Calgary Flames prospect, scored 31 goals last
season – 12 more than any other Bruins player – while Sundher impressed with 19
goals and 39 points as a 16-year-old rookie. Also back is 20-year-old veteran
Andy Smith, who is capable of putting up points, and 19-year-old Swede Alexander
Wiklund, who had 11 goals and 25 points last season. The Bruins are hoping
Czech forward Roman Horak, a New York Rangers prospect, can add more to the
team’s offense and help improve a power play that ranked last in the WHL last
season.
On The Blue Line: The Bruins return six rearguards
from last year’s squad, including 20-year-old veteran Jesse Craige and
19-year-old Brandon Manning. Manning has shown strong two-way ability, managing
11 goals and 29 points last season while playing a hard-nosed, rugged style as
evident with his 140 penalty minutes. 20-year-old Mitch McColm was acquired
from Tri-Cities to add more experience, toughness and defensive presence. The
Bruins will need more from returnees Carter Berg and Scott Ramsay while
16-year-old top prospect Mitch Topping could also help the team improve their
17th-ranked defense from last year.
Goaltending: Last year’s tandem of 19-year-olds Mark
Friesen and Lucas Gore return, giving the Bruins plenty of experience and
strength in goal. Friesen and Gore posted similar numbers last season, with
Friesen getting into 43 games compared with Gore’s 35 appearances. With two
WHL-proven netminders to choose from, goaltending should be a strength for the
Bruins.
Player to Watch: Kevin Sundher
The Bruins’ first-round pick at the 2007 Bantam Draft,
Sundher showed himself to be a game-breaking player and a go-to guy as a
16-year-old rookie last season, finishing second on the team in goals and
points. The Surrey, B.C., product can skate very well, has excellent puck
skills and offensive instincts, and doesn’t shy away from the physical side of
the game. A consistent threat as a scorer or a playmaker, Sundher will be a key
performer as the Bruins try to improve what was the 22nd-ranked
offense in the WHL last season.
Kamloops Blazers
2009 pre-season: 2-4-1
General Manager: Craig Bonner
Head Coach: Barry Smith
2008-09 Record: 33-33-2-4, 72 pts (3rd in
B.C. Div., 6th in Conf.) GF: 242 GA: 277
2009 Playoffs: Lost in four games to Tri-Cities in
first round.
2008-09 Top Scorers:
C.J. Stretch
72gp-29g-57a-86pts
Tyler Shattock 68gp-30g-39a-69pts
Shayne Wiebe
72gp-32g-33a-65pts
Up Front: With five of their top six scorers from
last season returning, plus the expected development of some of their young,
up-and-coming stars, the Blazers should be one of the more dangerous offensive
teams this season. Forwards C.J. Stretch, Tyler Shattock, Shayne Wiebe and
Jimmy Bubnick combined for 116 goals last season, and will be expected to
deliver similar, if not better numbers this year. Also back are talented Slovak
Dalibor Bortnak and 17-year-old Brendan Ranford, both of whom could see strong
increases in production with more responsibility this season. Rookies Dylan
Willick, 17, and Colin Smith, 16, could also prove to be valuable to the
Blazers’ attack.
On The Blue Line: The Blazers welcome back six
rearguards from last season’s team, including veterans Giffen Nyren and Zak
Stebner, who combined for 22 goals and 80 points from the blue line last
season. While both will undoubtedly continue to provide offense, they’ll have
to tighten up in their own zone to help the Blazers improve what was the
19th-ranked defense last season. 18-year-old sophomore Linden Saip
adds some size and toughness to the Blazers’ defense corps while second-year
rearguards Josh Caron and Brandon Underwood should see more responsibilities
this season. The Blazers acquired mobile, puck-moving defenseman Bronson
Maschmeyer from the Vancouver Giants, which should benefit the team this
season.
Goaltending: Goaltending should be a strength for the
Blazers this season, with both Justin Leclerc and Jon Groenhyde returning to the
team. 20-year-old Leclerc has 183 regular-season games under his belt, and has
proven to be one of the top netminders in the WHL. 18-year-old Groenhyde has
shown plenty of potential, and should see more work this season. Both Leclerc
and Groenhyde will benefit from a tighter defense in front of
them.
Player to Watch: Brendan Ranford
The Blazers’ first-round pick at the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft,
Ranford is poised to become an impact player for the Blazers in 09-10. The
Edmonton, AB, product put up a respectable 13 goals and 27 points as a
16-year-old rookie last season, and added three assists in four post season
games as well. A tireless worker and gritty competitor, Ranford possesses
terrific vision and playmaking ability, and has a knack for making things happen
when he’s on the ice. Playing with talented forwards like C.J. Stretch and
Jimmy Bubnick, Ranford should be able to increase his production in his NHL
Draft-eligible season.
Kelowna Rockets
2009 pre-season: 2-3-0
General Manager: Bruce Hamilton
Head Coach: Ryan Huska
2008-09 Record: 47-21-1-3, 98 pts (2nd in
B.C. Div., 3rd in Conf.) GF: 267 GA: 178
2009 Playoffs: WHL CHAMPIONS.
2008-09 Top Scorers:
Colin Long
68gp-33g-58a-91pts
Jamie Benn
56gp-46g-36a-82pts
Cody Almond
70gp-33g-33a-66pts
Up Front: It will be a different-looking group of
Rockets forwards that hits the ice on opening night of the 2009-10 season than
the one that led the team to the 2009 WHL Championship. Gone are stars Jamie
Benn, Cody Almond and Mikael Backlund as well as veterans Ryley Grantham and Ian
Duval, leaving significant holes up front. The team could also lose top scorer
Colin Long, should he sign with the Phoenix Coytotes and play in their system.
Returning veterans Brandon McMillan, Kyle St. Denis and Lucas Bloodoff will need
to step up and take on much more responsibility this season in the wake of
losing so many impact players. Czech winger Stepan Novotny and feisty sparkplug
Mitchell Callahan could also help fill the offensive holes, as could talented
16-year-old Shayne McColgan.
On The Blue Line: The Rockets will return many of the
rearguards who helped the team to the 2009 WHL title. Guaranteed to return are
18-year-old veterans Tyson Barrie and Collin Bowman, and sophomores Curt Gogol
and Aaron Borejko. In Barrie, a Colorado Avalanche prospect, the Rockets have
one of the most effective offensive rearguards in the League. Bowman provides a
steady presence in the defensive zone, while Gogol adds toughness to the blue
line. The big question is whether or not All-Star Tyler Myers returns to the
team. If the towering Buffalo Sabres prospect doesn’t stay in the NHL, he’ll
surely be one of the most dominant forces in the WHL this season.
Goaltending: With veteran Mark Guggenberger and
sophomore Adam Brown returning to the team, the Rockets are set in goal for the
season. Although currently battling a nagging injury, Guggenberger is a proven
quality starter in the WHL who led his team to a WHL championship while
outdueling some of the best goalies in the League such as Chet Pickard, Tyson
Sexsmith and Martin Jones. Brown, meanwhile, is a highly-rated NHL
draft-eligible prospect who has the talent to be a solid and dependable starter
in the WHL.
Player to Watch: Adam Brown
A native of Yorba Linda, CA, Brown joined the Rockets as a
17-year-old rookie last season, and did nothing but impress. The 5’10”, 165-lb
netminder posted an outstanding 18-5-1 record in 29 games with two shutouts, and
an outstanding 2.02 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage to finish
among the top netminders in both categories. One of the top goaltending
prospects in the WHL for the 2010 NHL draft, Brown should be able to build on an
excellent rookie season and help the Rockets in their quest to defend their 2009
WHL Championship.
Prince George Cougars
2009 pre-season: 2-2-1
General Manager: Dallas Thompson
Head Coach: Dean Clark
2008-09 Record: 25-44-0-3, 53 pts (4th in
B.C. Div., 8th in Conf.) GF: 188 GA: 298
2009 Playoffs: Lost in four games to Vancouver in
first round.
2008-09 Top Scorers:
Brett Connolly
65gp-30g-30a-60pts
Cameron Cepek 69gp-8g-37a-45pts
Dana Tyrell
30gp-19g-21a-40pts
Up Front: The Cougars will look to improve upon what
was the 19th-ranked offense in the WHL last season. Fortunately, the
Cougars return their leading scorer, Brett Connolly, who is poised for a
terrific year. Having led the team with 30 goals and 60 points as a
16-year-old, Connolly could be a candidate to find himself among the WHL’s
scoring elite this season. Aside from Connolly, the Cougars return just four
players who topped the 10-goal mark last season. 20-year-old Tyler Halliday and
19-year-olds Parker Stanfield and Marek Viedensky will need to contribute
considerably more to the offense while providing strong leadership. 19-year-old
off-season acquisition James Dobrowolski and 20-year-old veteran Alex Rodgers
should also be able to pitch in offensively.
On The Blue Line: Defensively, the Cougars will need
significant improvement this season as they allowed the second-most goals of any
team in the WHL last year. Veteran Dallas Jackson returns to provide an
offensive element while looking to shore up his defensive game, while veteran
Art Bidlevskii will look to improve his defensive zone play this season. Recent
acquisitions Daniel Medlan-Marchen and Kurt Torbhorm from Kamloops should add
depth to the Cougars’ blue line, while youngsters Jesse Forsberg and Bruin
McDonald will look to find a regular spot in the defense corps. Improving their
19th-ranked penalty killing unit would go a long way to helping
reduce the Cougars’ goals-against.
Goaltending: 18-year-old James Priestner, acquired
from Brandon in the off-season, will look to assume the starting role in the
Cougars’ cage. The Edmonton, AB, product posted a 17-7-2 record in 29 games for
the Wheat Kings last season, and has two years experience in the WHL.
17-year-old prospect Michael Salmon is the team’s goaltending future, and will
push Priestner for playing time this season.
Player to Watch: Brett Connolly
The Cougars’ first-round pick at the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft,
Connolly starred for the Cougars as a 16-year-old rookie last season, scoring an
impressive 30 goals and 60 points in 65 games to lead the team in scoring while
winning both the WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year awards. A Prince George, B.C.,
product, Connolly has all the tools to be a special player at any level. With
good size and strength, strong skating and quick feet, a hard and accurate shot,
and character, heart and determination in abundance, Connolly is a player who
makes an impact whenever he’s on the ice. Expect Connolly to rise to All-Star
status for the Cougars this season.
Vancouver Giants
2009 pre-season: 4-2-0
General Manager: Scott Bonner
Head Coach: Don Hay
2008-09 Record: 57-10-2-3, 119 pts (1st in
B.C. Div., 1st in Conf.) GF: 319 GA: 151
2009 Playoffs: Lost in six games to Kelowna in Western
Conference final.
2008-09 Top Scorers:
Casey Pierro-Zabotel 72gp-36g-79a-115pts
Evander Kane
61gp-48g-48a-96pts
Brent Regner
70gp-15g-52a-67pts
Up Front: The Giants will miss the offensive wizardry
of last year’s WHL scoring king Casey Pierro-Zabotel. However, they still
return an impressive group of forwards who can provide a balanced offensive
attack. Evander Kane should be able to challenge for the WHL goal-scoring and
point-scoring titles this season, should he not stick with the NHL’s Atlanta
Thrashers. Also back are veterans Garry Nunn, Craig Cunningham and James
Wright, who combined for 76 goals last season, and sophomores Andrej Kudrna and
Brendan Gallagher, who could both see a jump in production this year. Veteran
James Henry has the talent and ability to contribute much more to the offense,
while hard-nosed winger Lance Bouma should be able to pitch in more scoring
while continuing to play his rugged, physical style.
On The Blue Line: Losing high-end NHL prospects like
Jonathon Blum, Brent Regner, Craig Schira and Nick Ross to graduation might
decimate the defense corps of most WHL teams. However, the Giants have reloaded
their blue line with talents like Vancouver Canucks prospect Kevin Connaughton,
who defected from the NCAA to join the Giants, veteran Ryan Funk, and
16-year-old top prospect David Musil, whom all should be able to step into large
roles this season. In addition, returning rearguards like Neil Manning, Dillon
Scholten and Nolan Toigo will need to take on more responsibility while
16-year-old rookies Zach Hodder and Luke Fenske have shown promise and could
play support roles should they find themselves in the Giants’ defensive
plans.
Goaltending: The graduation of veteran Tyson Sexsmith
to the pro ranks means Giants will have a new starting goaltender for the first
time since the 2006-07 season. 18-year-old Jamie Tucker posted an outstanding
18-1-1 record with six shutouts, a 1.51 goals-against average and a .936 save
percentage in 22 games as Sexsmith’s backup last season. He’ll have the upper
hand in the battle to take over the starting job. Battling for a backup role
are 18-year-old Mark Segal and 16-year-old prospect Brendan
Jensen.
Player to Watch: Lance Bouma
The Giants’ second-round pick at the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft,
Bouma has emerged as one of the team’s most valuable players. The Provost, AB,
product and Calgary Flames prospect boasts good size and strength, plays a
punishing physical game, and has the leadership qualities and fearless
attitude. Yet, Bouma also has good offensive abilities, and could develop into
a key cog in the team’s attack this season.
U.S. Division
Everett Silvertips
2009 pre-season: 5-1-0
General Manager: Doug Soetaert
Head Coach: Craig Hartsburg
2008-09 Record: 27-36-7-2, 63 pts (4th in
U.S. Div., 7th in Conf.) GF: 199 GA: 259
2009 Playoffs: Lost in five games to Tri-Cities in
first round.
2008-09 Top Scorers:
Kellan Tochkin
72gp-20g-54a-74pts
Shane Harper
72gp-32g-34a-66pts
Byron Froese
72gp-19g-38a-57pts
Up Front: The Silvertips return their top five
scorers as well as several other forwards from last season. Sophomores Kellan
Tochkin, Byron Froese and Tyler Maxwell will look to build upon their strong
rookie campaigns. Veteran Shane Harper enjoyed a breakout 32-goal season last
year and will look to equal or better that goal total this season. Veterans
Zack Dailey and Dale Hunt will also be counted on to contribute offense while
other forwards like Paul Van de Velde, Markus McCrae and newcomer Corey Tyrell
could also pitch in scoring. The ‘Tips will definitely need more scoring depth
this year if they want to improve upon what was the League’s
16th-ranked offense last season.
On The Blue Line: The Silvertips return five
rearguards with WHL experience, but only two with more than one season under
their belts. Gone are veterans Taylor Ellington, Graham Potuer and Mike
Alexander, meaning returnees like Chris de la Lande and veteran off-season
acquisition Colin Scherger, should he stick with the team, will need to step
into much bigger roles. De la Lande has strong offensive skills and could be an
option on the power play. Look for recent CHL Import Draft picks Rasmus
Rissanen and Radko Gudas to assume important roles on the blue line once they
get accustomed to the WHL. 16-year-old Ryan Murray has impressed in pre-season
play, and could be an asset this season if he finds himself in the ‘Tips’
plans.
Goaltending: 19-year-old Thomas Heemskerk and
17-year-old Kent Simpson return to man the cage in Everett, giving the ‘Tips a
solid tandem in net. Heemskerk was acquired from Kootenay midway through last
season and performed well for the ‘Tips, particularly in the post-season where
he faced over 40 shots per game in their first-round loss to Tri-Cities.
Simpson saw 27 games of action last season as a 16-year-old rookie, and appears
to be the goalie of the future for the ‘Tips.
Player to Watch: Byron Froese
Always one of the hardest-working players on the ice at any
given time, Froese has the heart and determination that teams covet. The
18-year-old from Winkler, MB, enjoyed a strong rookie season last year, scoring
19 goals and 57 points in 72 games for the ‘Tips, and even suited up for
Canada’s Under-18 team at the U-18 World Championship. The Chicago Blackhawks
prospect might not dazzle with Pavel Datsyuk-like moves, but you’d be hard
pressed to find a player who will battle as hard as Froese does, night in and
night out.
Portland Winterhawks
2009 pre-season: 5-1-0
General Manager / Head Coach: Mike
Johnston
2008-09 Record: 19-48-3-2, 43 pts (5th in
U.S. Div., 10th in Conf.) GF: 176 GA: 288
2009 Playoffs: Did not qualify.
2008-09 Top Scorers:
Chris Francis
66gp-21g-46a-67pts
Luke Walker
71gp-29g-23a-52pts
Radim Valchar
67gp-21g-20a-41pts
Up Front: With several of their top offensive players
returning, plus the addition of a few top prospects, the Winterhawks are poised
to make some noise in the offensive zone this season. Back are veterans Luke
Walker and Chris Francis, the Hawks’ top two scorers from last season. Both
could improve upon last season’s solid offensive numbers. Also returning are
sophomores Colin Reddin, Oliver Gabriel and Brad Ross, who should be able to
build on strong rookie campaigns last year. The Hawks should also get some
offense from newcomers Spencer Bennett, a Calgary Flames prospect, and
highly-touted scorer Ty Rattie. In addition, the Hawks boast three strong
Europeans in Czech Radim Valchar, who scored 20 goals last season, Swiss
prospect Nino Niederreiter and Swede Jacob Berglund. However, the team can only
keep two of the three import players.
On The Blue Line: The Hawks may be young on the blue
line this season, but there is plenty of talent and potential among the team’s
defense corps. Veteran Travis Bobbee, 19, is the elder statesman and will need
to provide strong two-way play and leadership. Towering 18-year-old Brett
Ponich, a St. Louis Blues prospect, is set for a breakout season and could
become a dominant force on the Hawks’ blue line. Sophomore Troy Rutkowski has
shown good offensive instincts, and is a prime candidate for an increased
workload this season. One of the Hawks’ proprieties will be to improve a
penalty killing unit that has ranked at the bottom or near the bottom of the
League for the last three seasons.
Goaltending: The Hawks have three netminders who
could potentially take the starting role this season. Longtime incumbent Kurtis
Mucha is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played, and could potentially
hold down the job for a fourth straight season. 19-year-old Ian Curtis has 40
games of WHL seasoning, including 17 with the Winterhawks last season, while
17-year-old Keith Hamilton got his feet wet, appearing in 10 games as a rookie
last year. Whoever comes away with the starting job should benefit from an
improved defense in front of them.
Player to Watch: Nino Niederreiter
Drafted 2nd overall by Portland at the 2009 CHL
Import Draft, Niederreiter is a forward who could make a big impact for the
Winterhawks this season. The product of Chur, Switzerland, Niederreiter has a
big frame, is a strong skater, and has very good puck skills. A leader on the
Swiss Under-18 team at the World U-18 Championship, Niederreiter has been a
point producer at every level. Expect Niederreiter to become an impact player
for the Hawks sooner rather than later.
Seattle Thunderbirds
2009 pre-season: 2-3-0
General Manager: Russ Farwell
Head Coach: Rob Sumner
2008-09 Record: 35-32-1-4, 75 pts (3rd in
U.S. Div., 5th in Conf.) GF: 222 GA: 234
2009 Playoffs: Lost in five games to Spokane in first
round.
2008-09 Top Scorers:
Greg Scott
65gp-32g-44a-76pts
Prab Rai
61gp-25g-40a-65pts
Jim O’Brien
63gp-27g-35a-62pts
Up Front: A much different and younger group of
forwards will hit the ice for the Thunderbirds this season. The departure of
four of the team’s top five scorers from last season leaves plenty of room for
younger players and newcomers to step in and show what they’ve got. Returning
veterans Prab Rai and Lindsay Nielsen will be required to not only provide
offense but strong leadership for the team. 18-year-old Californian Jonathan
Parker should be able to improve upon a solid rookie season last year, and
become a go-to guy for offense, while converted defenseman Sena Acolatse should
be able to chip in offense while providing a physical presence as well. The
T-Birds also hope Russian Mikhail Senturin and talented 16-year-old Colin Jacobs
can step in and add scoring depth.
On The Blue Line: The T-Birds will miss the presence
of All-Star Thomas Hickey on their blue line, but still return six rearguards
from last year’s team. 20-year-old Jeremy Schappert is the elder statesman in
the defense corps, and will need to take on a bigger role this season. Also
back are 19-year-olds Stefan Warg, Brenden Dillon and Brad Haber. Big-bodied,
two-way Swedish defender Warg should be able to have a bigger impact this year.
17-year-old Erik Fleming will look to earn himself a bigger role this season,
while 18-year-old Steve Chaffin will look to bounce back after spending time on
the injured list towards the end of last season.
Goaltending: The T-Birds have plenty of talent
between the pipes, and will have some tough decisions to make as to who gets the
starting job. 19-year-old Jacob DeSerres, a Philadelphia Flyers prospect, has
shown himself to be one of the best goalies in the League with his past
performances. However, highly-rated 17-year-old Calvin Pickard performed
valiantly as a rookie last season, and stole the starting job from DeSerres.
19-year-old Kyle Jahraus is also in the mix for a spot in the T-Birds’
cage.
Player to Watch: Calvin Pickard
The T-Birds’ second-round pick in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft,
Pickard is following in his older brother Chet’s footsteps in becoming a blue
chip goaltending prospect. As a 16-year-old last season, Pickard’s performance
was strong enough for him to supplant NHL-drafted Jacob DeSerres as the T-Birds’
starter. With good size, strong athletic ability, excellent fundamentals, and a
calm and cool demeanor, Pickard may continue to follow his brother’s lead as a
potential first-round pick in next summer’s NHL Entry Draft.
Tri-City Americans
2009 pre-season: 3-3-0
General Manager: Bob Tory
Head Coach: Jim Hiller
2008-09 Record: 49-20-0-3, 101 pts (1st in
U.S. Div., 2nd in Conf.) GF: 263 GA: 184
2009 Playoffs: Lost in six games to Kelowna in second
round.
2008-09 Top Scorers:
Taylor Procyshen
72gp-36g-45a-81pts
Jason Reese
69gp-31g-50a-81pts
Mitch Fadden
63gp-37g-39a-76pts
Up Front: The departure of Taylor Procyshen, Jason
Reese and Mitch Fadden means the Ams will need to find a way to replace 104
goals and 238 points the trio generated last year – not an easy task. Veterans
Johnny Lazo, 20, Kruise Reddick, 19, and Adam Hughesman, 18, will need to step
up and fill the void left by the graduation of Procyshen, Reese and Fadden.
Lazo is the only returning forward who topped the 20-goal mark last season,
while both Reddick and Hughesman have shown they can generate consistent
offense. Also back are sophomores Justin Feser and Brendan Shinnimin, who will
look to build off solid rookie seasons, and fellow second-year players Jordan
Messier and Brooks Macek, who have the ability to take on more responsibility
this season. Rookies Sergei Drozd and Patrick Holland are also candidates to
contribute offense.
On The Blue Line: The Ams return six regulars from
last season’s defense corps, including 20-year-old veterans Brett Plouffe and
Jarrett Toll, and 19-year-old Tyler Schmidt. All three boast impressive two-way
abilities, having combined for 34 goals, 109 points and a +75 rating. Schmidt
also adds toughness and strength to help protect a smaller group of forwards.
Also returning are veterans Lane Werbowski, Brock Sutherland and Riley McIntosh,
who add experience and depth to the defense corps. Impressive rookies Zach Yuen
and Drydn Dow could also step in and bolster the blue line.
Goaltending: With the graduation of back-to-back WHL
Goaltender of the Year Chet Pickard, the Ams will look to new blood to fill the
void in net. 18-year-olds Brett Martyniuk and Drew Owsley shared the backup
role behind Pickard last season, and both posted similar numbers. Either one
could take the starting job, though Owsley has performed quite well in
pre-season action. Also in the mix is 19-year-old Joel Danyluk. The Ams are
also hoping to see Russian netminder Alex Pechurski at some point, though he is
under contract in the KHL.
Player to Watch: Justin Feser
The Americans’ ninth-round pick in the 2007 Bantam Draft, Feser enjoyed an excellent first season in the WHL last year, earning the Ams’ Rookie of the Year award after posting 12 goals and 28 points as a 16-year-old. Not the tallest player, Feser is well-built and can handle the physical play and protect the puck. He’s also got a terrific shot, good vision and hockey sense, and the confidence to make plays. With the loss of Ams’ top scorers from last season, expect Feser to take on a much bigger offensive role this season.