Chiefs face loaded U.S. Division once again

To illustrate the depth of the Western Hockey League’s U.S. Division, consider the Spokane Chiefs’ position last season. The Chiefs finished with 86 points in 2013-14 – a solid showing, to be sure, but only good enough to place fourth in the five-team division. The same amount of points would have given the Chiefs the fourth-best showing among the entire 12-team Eastern Conference. The division should be a minefield again for the 2014-15 season, which the Chiefs will kick off Saturday in Kennewick against the division-rival Tri-City Americans. The role of division favorite again belongs to the Portland Winterhawks, who are aiming to become the first team in league history to play in five consecutive league finals. But Seattle and Everett both took big steps last year and finished ahead of the Chiefs with 88 points. Tri-City, in a rare down season, still qualified for postseason. Chiefs coach Don Nachbaur, when pondering the division race a week before the season started, couldn’t see a weak link in the bunch. “I think the Portland Winterhawks are going to be strong,” Nachbaur said. “I think Everett’s improved. I like Seattle’s team. Tri is going to have most of their lineup back from last year. “I don’t think there’s going to be easy nights in the U.S. Division or, for that matter, the Western Conference.” U.S. Division capsules (in order of predicted finish): Portland Winterhawks Last season: 54-13-2-3, second in Western Conference; lost WHL final. Head coach: Jamie Kompon (first season). Key losses: Left wings Brendan Leipsic and Taylor Leier to the AHL; defensemen Derrick Pouliot and Mathew Dumba could play in the NHL; D Garrett Haar, center Adam Rossignol and goaltender Corbin Boes graduated. The 20-year-olds: D Josha Smith, D Josh Hanson, C Adam DeChamplain. Key returners: C Nicolas Petan, 223 points over the last two seasons; LW Paul Bittner; LW Oliver Bjorkstrand; C Chase De Leo; RW Alex Schoenborn; C Keegan Iverson; C Dominic Turgeon. New faces: Minnesota-born defensemen Nick Heid and Blake Heinrich have left the NCAA to join the WHL; forwards Alex Overhardt, Skyler McKenzie and Colton Veloso. Prognosis: The Winterhawks’ offense should be dominant again. The key is whether a defensive group lacking in star power and goalie Brendan Burke can keep the puck out of their net. Scott Sepich, Portland-based free-lancer Seattle Thunderbirds Last season: 41-25-2-4, fourth in Western Conference; lost in second round of playoffs. Head coach: Steve Konowalchuk (fourth season). Key losses: RW Branden Troock signed with Dallas; LW Alex Delnov signed with the Kontinental Hockey League; LW Roberts Lipsbergs signed in Europe; LW Jaimen Yakubowski traded to Moose Jaw. The 20-year-olds: Seattle must select three from among a group of RWs Justin Hickman and Sam McKechnie, G Taran Kozun, and Ds Evan Wardley and Adam Henry. Key returners: Shea Theodore (79 points) led league defensemen in scoring; C Mathew Barzal (54 points) is ranked in the top 10 by most NHL draft experts; LW Ryan Gropp; D Ethan Bear. New faces: G Logan Flodell; D Sahvan Khaira; C Kaden Elder. Prognosis: Seattle will have an experienced defense but will be young up front. The Thunderbirds should compete for a top-four conference seed. Andrew Eide, 710 ESPN Seattle Tri-City Americans Last season: 29-33-4-6, eighth in Western Conference; lost in first round of playoffs. Head coach: Mike Williamson (first season). Key losses: D Mitch Topping; LW Phil Tot; LW Jessey Astles. The 20-year-olds: D Justin Hamonic, team captain; F Lucas Nickles; F Jackson Playfair, acquired from Spokane last year. F Steven Hodges, acquired from Victoria, is at Florida Panthers camp and likely won’t return. Key returners: G Eric Comrie, second in the league last year with .925 save percentage; F Brian Williams, who led the team with 36 goals and 56 points. New faces: F Maxwell James; F Zach Andrusiak, who had 36 goals and 52 assists last year with POE Prep. Prognosis: With a new coach and new game plan, look for the Americans to improve on last year’s finish and get past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Annie Fowler, Tri-City Herald Everett Silvertips Last season: 39-23-7-3, fifth in Western Conference; lost in first round of playoffs. Head coach: Kevin Constantine (second season). Key losses: LW Joshua Winquist, D Matt Pufahl and C Manraj Hayer all graduated; C Jujhar Khaira is off to the professional ranks. The 20-year-olds: D Ben Betker is a lock; C Kohl Bauml appears safe; LWs Zane Jones and Brayden Low will battle for the final over-age spot. Key returners: G Austin Lotz; D Kevin Davis; D Noah Juulsen; C Ivan Nikolishin; LW Carson Stadnyk. New faces: D Carter Cochrane; RW Graham Millar, acquired from Saskatoon. Prognosis: The foundation is there as the Silvertips are strong and experienced on defense and in goal. But without some offensive breakthroughs, Everett will be hard-pressed to finish higher than it did last season. Nick Patterson, Everett Herald Spokane Chiefs Last season: 40-26-3-3, sixth in Western Conference, lost in first round of playoffs. Head coach: Don Nachbaur (fifth season). Key losses: RW Mitch Holmberg, WHL scoring champion with 62 goals and 118 points; C Mike Aviani (81 points); and G Eric Williams (33-19-2-2), all graduated; captain D Reid Gow (56 assists), chose not to return; D Jeremy McIntosh chose not to return; LW Carter Proft signed with a German team; D Cole Wedman was traded to Moose Jaw; LW Adam Hascic returned to Slovakia. The 20-year-olds: RW Connor Chartier (14 goals, 32 points); C Liam Stewart (seven goals, 21 assists); C Marcus Messier (31 total points), a late-season acquisition from Tri-City. Key returnees: D Jason Fram (51 assists); LW Adam Helewka (23 goals, 50 points); RW Riley Whittingham (13 goals, 32 points); D Colton Bobyk. New faces: G Alex Moodie was acquired from Saskatoon; C Kailer Yamamoto was signed to attempt to join his brother, Keanu (11 goals, 25 points in rookie season), on the roster. Prognosis: This could be a long season for the Chiefs, who lost a big chunk of their offensive power, veteran leadership on defense and their top goaltender. New blood will have to rise to the challenge. Chris Derrick