What Went Wrong?, Part 2 - 07-08 · Tuesday May 27, 2008

Part 2 looks at the 07-08 season.

Was it a perfect storm? Did the coaching change, injuries, bad past draft picks, and a tough US division all converge together to make the record breaking losing? Or was it all part of a 4 year plan by Hawk management to set in place a team that can compete for a Memorial Cup?

The season did not begin well. 07-08 started with indecision about what to do with coach Mike Williamson. His contract was up and negotiations were not going well. As reported by the Portland Tribune:

President Jack Donovan says. “We were so close to getting it done, and then it fell apart, within a blink of an eye. Donovan says, Williamson and his agent decided they wanted some modifications, and principal owner Jim Goldsmith, also the director of hockey operations, balked at them. Sources say the offers continued some performance-based stipulations that made Williamson uncomfortable.

Donovan, referring to the second removed agreement, says “some issues came up as far as team and direction and philosophy … it was a different set of opinions, and we reached a point that we felt we weren’t doing the right thing.” A source close to the situation says the owners “were kicking (Williamson) in the teeth,” and that he had become disenchanted with the new regime.

From the outside looking in Hawk management seemed to want their cake and eat it too. They wanted Williamson through the rebuilding season, but didn’t want to commit to him if it didn’t work out. Had he come back, he would have taken the most blame (undeserving) for the problems with the team.

What went wrong in this scheme was that Williamson didn’t fall in and Hawk management had to scrabbled to hire New coach Rich Kromm. The delay of hiring the new coach doomed the beginning of the season. The Hawks started the season 3-15 before deciding a complete overhaul of the roster was necessary. This included one of the largest multi-player trades in league history.

Game 19 was the debut for seven new players: Three defencemen, Travis Ehrhardt, Ryan Kerr, Travis Bobbe and four forwards Jacob Dietrich, Nick Dietrich, Jason Grecica and Keith Voytechek. The Hawks trade 20 year old tough guy Frazer Mclaren, their best potential play maker forward Colton Sceviour with two young unproven defencemen Lucas Alexiuk and Ty Ariss.

Travis Ehrhardt was the center piece of the trade. The Hawks were desperate to get a play making defenceman at the time. From the backline they were getting no scoring and had one of the worsted power plays in the league. Travis Bobbee also fit that role of play making defenceman, but was injured at the time and wouldn’t play until near the end of the season.

Looking at the stats before and after the trade both players provided some offense, and at least a better looking power play.

Travis Ehrhardt Stats:

Season   Team    Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM
----------------------------------------------
2007-08  MJ      WHL    18    3    9   12   27
2007-08  WH      WHL    54    7   22   29   53
----------------------------------------------

Travis Bobbee’s numbers were similar.

Season   Team    Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM  
----------------------------------------------
2007-08  Leth    WHL    18    2    3    5   12
2007-08  WH      WHL    47    5    4    9   22
----------------------------------------------

This was an improvement for the Hawks (long term) but any expectation that the team would improve on-ice in the next 30 games was wishful thinking.

For the immediate future, the Hawks gain some good promising young defencemen.

For 07-08, the real season killer was injuries. Injuries were at a all time high. Riley Boychuck (promising young number 1 draft pick) and Brock Cornish was injured before the season started. Cornish was out for the year and the brief time Boychuck played he was not effective. Not having Cornish forced the Hawks to pull the trigger on the multi-player trade for Travis Ehrhardt.

The Hawks single worst injury was to 20 year old Kevin Undershute who was acquired from Medicine Hat and would have provided needed scoring and leadership. Kevin showed scoring ability for the Hawks immediately and within a blink of the eye had a shoulder injury. He came back later in the season but was never the same.

Kevin Undershute Stats

                                           
Season   Team    Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM  
----------------------------------------------
2007-08  Hawks   WHL    18    6    6   12   14
----------------------------------------------

The Hawks through it all had some skill, grit and game but were out matched most every nite by the four other horseman of the US Division. Against the US division the Hawks could only muster 5 wins in 36 games. Against the rest of the league the Hawks added 5 wins in 28 games.

Record breaking losing can seriously affect the psyche of the fans, the league, and players. Give the young Hawks credit, through out all of the losing and controversy, last year the Hawks did not give up. With a few break this season the Hawks will be ready to experience some success.

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Hawks vs. Chiefs - Game 70 · Saturday March 15, 2008

The Spokane Chiefs scored on their first three power-play opportunities of the game and doubled up the Portland Winter Hawks by a score of 6-3 on Friday night at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane.

Drayson Bowman scored two power play goals for Spokane while Ondrej Roman chipped in with a goal and two assists to lead the way for the Chiefs. Levko Koper (1 g, 1 a), David Rutherford (1 g, 1 a) and Judd Blackwater (2 a) also had multiple point nights while Justin McCrae added a single goal.

Portland scored twice themselves on the power-play, getting the first goal of the game off a man advantage slapshot from Travis Bobbee, set up by Radim Valchar and Matt Schmermund early in the first period.

After Spokane took a 5-1 lead, Portland rallied with two goals late in the second period to make it 5-3 after two periods. Colin Reddin scored a two-man advantage goal with assists by Travis Ehrhardt and Bobbee, and then Reddin set up Luke Walker for an even-strength goal just over two minutes later. Rookie David Watt added his first career WHL point on the Walker goal.

Jordan White stopped 38 of 44 shots in net for Portland while Kevin Armstrong stopped 22 of 25 in net for Spokane.

The Chiefs finish the night 4 for 8 on the power –play while Portland went 2 for 6.

Attendance: 10259
Memorial Area, Spokane, WA.

 SCORING  1  2  3  Total 
Chiefs  2  3  1  6
Hawks  1  2  0  3

SHOTS  1  2  3  Total 
Chiefs  12  18  14  44
Hawks  10  7  8  25

Game Description
Summary

Three Stars

Bowman (SPO), Roman (SPO), Rutherford (SPO)

Fight Card

Montgomery/Bruton

— S. Blanchard

Comment

T-Birds vs. Hawks - Game 68 · Sunday March 9, 2008

On Memorial Cup Championship reunion night it felt like game seven of the 98 championship game relived all over again. The MC was rocking and this time it was I-5 rival the Seattle T-Birds. The final score 4-3, ended a ugly 22 game losing streak and 10 straight losses to the T-Birds.

Jacob Dietrich scored twice, once short-handed and one on the power play, to lead the Hawks while they got single goals from Travis Bobbee and 15 year old Tayler Peters in the win. Bobbee’s goal came on the power play. Travis Ehrhardt chipped in two assists.

Seattle got goals from Thomas Hickey, Prab Rai and David Richard. Hickey added two assists for a three point night.

Kurtis Mucha, who only had to face 16 shots through two periods, was bombarded with 28 in the final period and wound up making 41 saves on 44 shots for the victory. Jacob Deserres stopped 33 of 37 shots in the loss for Seattle.

On special teams, Portland finished the night 2 for 8 on the power play while Seattle went 1 for 7 with a short-handed goal against.

Next up, the Hawks will travel to Tri City to take on the Americans at 5:00 on Sunday night.

Attendance: 8115
MC, Portland, Or.

 SCORING  1  2  3  Total 
T-Birds  1  0  2  3
Hawks  1  2  1  4

SHOTS  1  2  3  Total 
T-Birds  7  9  28  44
Hawks  15  17  5  37

Game Description
Summary

Three Stars

Dietrich (POR), Ehrhardt (POR), Mucha (POR)

Fight Card

None.

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Hawks vs. Chiefs - Game 66 · Thursday March 6, 2008

First two shots, two goals was all the Spokane Chiefs needed to coast to a 5-1 win over the Portland Winter Hawks on Wednesday night in Spokane. It was the Hawks 21st loss in a row.

The early goals were scored by Jared Spurgeon and Mitch Wahl 18 seconds apart in the opening two minutes.

This immediately got Kurtis Mucha off the bench and Jordan White was done for the night.

Mucha finished the night stopping 40 of 43 shots in relief.

Portland’s only goal came in the opening minute of the third period when defenseman Travis Bobbee’s point shot glanced off a defender in front of Armstrong and went into the net.

Spokane finished 2 of 9 on the power play; Portland was 1 of 4.

Spurgeon had a goal and three assists to lead Spokane. Chris Bruton had one goal and two assists; Mitch Wahl two goals; and Drayson Bowman two assists.

Next up Everett at home.

Attendance: 4660
Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

 SCORING  1  2  3  Total 
Chiefs  2  1  2  5
Hawks  0  0  1  1

SHOTS  1  2  3  Total 
Chiefs  11  18  16  45
Hawks  6  10  8  24

Game Description
Game Summary

Three Stars

Spurgeon (SPO), Bruton (SPO), Wahl (SPO)

Fight Card

Gabriel/Blackwater

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Hawks vs. Silvertips - Game 64 · Sunday March 2, 2008

The Portland Winter Hawks scored twice in the final minutes to force overtime against the Everett Silvertips, but Dan Gendur scored with just six seconds remaining to lead the Silvertips to a 4-3 win.

Gendur provided the same OT game winner, same team and same result as the 1/23/08 game against the Silvertips.

The Hawks were down 1-0 after one period on a power-play goal by Jordan Mistlebacher eight minutes into the opening period. The Hawks spent most of the first period hitting the cross bar, but no goals yet.

After a scoreless second period, the Hawks tied the score on a wrist shot from Chris Francis in the slot just under seven minutes into the third period. That lasted one minute and Everett came roaring back with two goals, one by Gendur and the other by Zach Hamill to take a 3-1 lead with eight minutes remaining in the game.

Portland pulled goaltender Jordan White in the final two minutes and the Hawks capitalized twice, first by Tristan King and the second by Keith Voytechek, to force the extra session.

With only 6.5 seconds remaining in OT, Gendur’s shot from the blue line snuck through the body of White to end the contest.

The Hawks have shown something they haven’t in a long time. Outplayed an opponent and still lose. They are close. This type of effort tonight at home is going to see the losing streak end.

Next up Kelowna at home.

Attendance: 8321
Comcast Arena, Everett, Wa.

 SCORING  1  2  3  OT   Total 
Silvertips  1  0  2  1  4
Hawks  0  0  3  0  3

SHOTS  1  2  3  OT   Total 
Silvertips  12  8  14  4  38
Hawks  8  10  11  2  31

Game Description
Game Summary

Three Stars

Gendur (EVT), Hamill (EVT), Francis (POR)

Fight Card

No fights tonight.

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Hawks vs. Americans - Game 59 · Monday February 11, 2008

Portland Winter Hawks gave the Americans a game in the first two periods until Tri-Cities slammed the door with three goals in the third, final score 7-3.

Taylor Procyshen scored a pair of goals and the Tri-City Americans won their seventh straight with a 7-3 Western Hockey League victory over Portland, moving the Americans four points ahead of rival Spokane in the U.S. Division and Western Conference standings.

Quoted from the Mid Columbia Tri City Herald:

“You can’t expect us to be good every night,” said Americans coach Don Nachbaur. “We poured a lot into last night’s game (7-2 win over Spokane). We did enough to get by tonight, and we ended up on the right side of the scoreboard.”

“The last time we had a chance to go up on Spokane, we lost to Portland,” said Americans captain T.J. Fast, who finished with three assists. “This time we came out, played hard and came out with the win. The guys have been making it easy on themselves, knowing their roles and playing to their strengths. It makes it easy on all of us and has made us successful”

Shaun Vey (1-2-3) and T.J. Fast (0-3-3) each had three point nights for the Americans while Taylor Procyshen chipped in two goals. Radek Meidl, Colton Yellow Horn and Johnny Lazo also added goals.

Portland got a two point game from rookie forward Nick Dietrich, including his first career WHL goal, to get Portland back into the game in the second period, after falling behind 3-0. Dietrich’s tip in goal off of a Keith Voytechek feed made it 3-1 and less than two minutes later Dietrich set up Travis Bobbee for a partial breakaway that Bobbee finished with a backhand over the blocker of Kyle Birch.

Tri City made it 4-2 before the end of the second period, and then added another before Matt Schmermund scored on a power-play wrist shot to make it 5-3. The Americans would add two more to round out the scoring in the final period.

Next up Tri City on the road.

Attendance: 3805
Toyota Center – Kennewick, Wa.

 SCORING  1  2  3  Total 
Americans  2  2  3  7
Hawks  0  2  1  3

SHOTS  1  2  3  Total 
Americans  17  16  12  45
Hawks  7  7  4  18

Game Description
Summary

Three Stars

Fast (TRI), Procyshen (TRI), Macaulay (TRI)

Fight Card

None.

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Hawks vs. Oil Kings - Game 51 · Sunday January 27, 2008

The Portland Winter Hawks gave up three goals in less than two minutes in the second period to give the Edmonton Oiler Kings a comfortable 3-0 win.

The three goal stretch in a two minute was started on the power play, both goals set up by Craig McCallum and Brenden Dowd, and scored by Robin Figren. Karey Pieper added the final unassisted goal.

Goals two and three for the Oil Kings were shots that bounced off Portland defenders Travis Ehrardt and Travis Bobbee respectively.

No breaks from the Officials with a PP advantage of 7-3 for the Oil Kings resulting in two of the Kings goals.

Alex Archibald made 18 saves to shut-out the Winter Hawks while Kurtis Mucha stopped 25 of 28 in net for Portland. Portland has now been shut-out in back-to-back games.

Edmonton finished the night 2 for 9 on the power play while Portland went 0 for 3.

Next up Red Deer on the road.

Attendance: 5965
Rexall Place, Edmonton

 SCORING  1  2  3  Total 
Oil Kings  0  3  0  3
Hawks  0  0  0  0

SHOTS  1  2  3  Total 
Oil Kings  9  11  8  28
Hawks  4  6  8  18

Game Description
Summary

Three Stars

Figren (EDM), McCallium (EDM), Archibald (EDM)

Fight Card

McGill/Neigum – /Some good blows on both sides.

Edge Neigum

The game ended with a line-brawl in the final 14 seconds with Gabriel bumping Archibald.

Schmermund/Adamyk – no information

Ponich/Lee – Ponich landed a few shots

Edge to Ponich

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Hawk's Problems Point to 2003 Bantam Draft (Rev) · Tuesday January 15, 2008

After reviewing the 2002, 2003, and 2004 Bantam draft it is clear why the Portland Winter Hawks are having trouble putting together a competitive team. 2003 was a disastrous year for Hawk draft picks starting with their number 1 pick 10th overall forward Sasha Golin.

Golin as a right winger/centerman showed promise in 05-06 with 10 goals, 18 assists, in 68 games, but dropped off the map in 06-07 with only 1 goal, 6 assists in 39 games. The Hawks lost faith in Golin’s upside and moved too 5th round pick Matt Schmermund acquired in a straight up trade with Kamloops.

Update: Golin as a 20 year old was not on the Kamloops roster.

After round one it got worse for the Hawks proceeding to get nothing from their 2nd round highly rated D-man Eric Gryba who recently signed with Boston U and their 3rd round pick Rhett Rakhshani, a top forward making an impact at the U of Denver. Both chose collegiate hockey over Major Juniors and both are highly regarded by NHL scouts.

Without Michael Sauer a 4th round bantam pick, they would be left with no impact players in the draft. But the 06-07 season was so bad that they quickly dumped their older players with any value leaving the franchise to flounder with a truly developmental team of mostly untested 16, 17, and 18 year olds.

As part of the “ look to future/get younger movement” Sauer was traded to Medicine Hat at the end of 2007 season for two 16-year-old D-man prospects in Patrick Weircoich (a 2005 2nd round draft pick) and Lee Morrow (a 2005 9th round draft pick).

To date Patrick Weircoich is keeping his options open playing for the Junior A Burnaby Express in the BCHL, but this seems more and more like a kid that that is not sure whether the WHL is for him. He also may go the way of Gryba, Rakhshani, and Knelson to the US college route.

Note: 1/29/08 Reported that defenseman Patrick Wiercioch will play college hockey at the University of Wisconsin

You only have to look at the success of the 2003 bantam draft to find out who is at the top and bottom of the US division in 06-07. Everett drafts and signs: Zack Hamill, Peter Mueller, Brady Calla and Leland Irving. Portland drafts Sasha Golin, Erick Gryba, Justin Mazurek and Rhett Rakhshani and signs only Golin and Mazurek.

2003 (Today’s 19 year olds)

Round Player Status
1st Rd #5 Sasha Golin Low impact player traded for Matt Schmermund a 5th rounder
2nd Rd #23 Eric Gryba Highly rated D-man who signed with Boston U, a 3rd round pick of the Ottawa Senators
3rd Rd #33 Justin Mazurek Low impact player that played some for the Hawks and was traded; now on the Gatineau Olympiques [QMJHL] roster
3rd Rd # 49 Rhett Rakhshani Top forward making an impact at the U Denver; 4rd pick of the New York Islander
4th Rd # 63 Justin Favreau D-man who played for Nanaimo Clippers [BCHL] in 06-07
5th Rd # 49 Michael Sauer Top D-man played for Portland and traded to Medicine Hat near the end of the 06-07 season for two 16 year old D-men Patrick Weircoich and Lee Morrow; Sauer was a 2nd rd pick for the New York Rangers
6th Rd # 103 Kelly Friesen Low impact player played for the Hawks said to retire from the WHL injured
7th Rd # 103 Cameron Cepek Starting D-man for the Hawks on a poor defensive team. Injured most of the 06 season, played 49 games in 07. Picked by the Oil Cans in the expansion draft.

Red indicates players on the current roster.

All in all 2002 was a much better draft for the Hawks with Brandon Dubinsky, Fraser McLaren, and Dustin Butler all proven WHL players and if Dubinsky would have stayed in the league as a 20 year old he would have been considered one of the top 5 forwards in the league.

2002 Draft (Today’s 20 year olds)

Round Player Status
2nd Rd #32 Fraser McLaren Hawks’s top-line forward; part of a multiplayer deal for Travis Erdhardt
3nd Rd #51 Kevin Tipper Traded to Prince Albert for Garth Collins then ended up with the Junior A Burnaby Express
4nd Rd #70 Rick Lecuyer D-Man with the Junior A Winkler Flyers
5th Rd # 88 Brandon Dubinsky Impact player who move on to the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) with and is now an up and coming star with the New York Rangers
5th Rd # 89 Dustin Butler Starting Goalie for Kamloop Blazers

The book is not yet written on the class of 2004 crop of 18 year olds but there does seem to be some hopeful early signs with Colton Sceviour who could be the most talented player in the group that shown in 2006 that he could make a difference if he can stay healthy. Kurtis Mucha with a fantastic season as a 16 year old, playing on the worst defensive team in the league as a 17 year old, hopefully will contributed positively to his development as an 18 year old.

2004 Draft (Today’s 18 year olds)

Round Player Status
1st Rd #10 Colton Sceviour Hawks’s top-line forward for upcoming season; part of a multiplayer trade to acquire Travis Bobbee, Ryan Kerr, Jacob and Nick Dietrich
2nd Rd #25 Kurtis Mucha Top 17 year old goalie in the league. Put up poor numbers on the worst overall defensive team in the league
3rd Rd #45 Trevor Verwolf D-man played for the Langley Chiefs [BCHL]
4th Rd # 70 Lewis Laczko Top D-man for Midget AAA Prince Albert Mintos
4th Rd # 73 Dion Knelson Signed with the U of Alaska to play with his brother.
5th Rd #85 Jacob Verheyden Forward for the Merritt Centennials [BCHL], 41 games played with 3 pts.
6th Rd #110 Aaron Lewadniuk Traded to the Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange for a 6th round choice in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft that turns into a 4th round choice if he play in the 07 season.
7th Rd #130 Lucas Alexiuk Starting D-man as a 17 year old on a poor defensive team. Could develop into a solid back line player; part of a multiplayer trade to acquire Travis Bobbee, Ryan Kerr, Jacob and Nick Dietrich
7th Rd # 170 Matt Betker Scrappy forward with potential to be a solid role player

Dion Knelson is the little fish that has turned into a big fish that got away to the U of Alaska along with his older brother Brandon. He is just what the Winter Hawks need today a smart, quick, young, gifted scorer. He was the second leading scorer with the Drumheller Dragons with 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 28 games. At the U of Alaska was voted top rookie and earned “honorable mention” honors for the CCHA All Rookie Team.

According to NHL Prospects, on the NHL Central Scouting’s “Players to Watch” listing, Dion Knelsen is one of four collegians listed as an “A” player, meaning that he is one of the top players eligible for the 2007 NHL draft.

— S. Blanchard

Tbirds vs. Hawks - Game 38 · Wednesday January 2, 2008

The Hawks could not recover from a 2 goal deficit in the first giving the Tbirds a final 6-3 win at the MC. The Tbirds closed out the year with another win over the Hawks.

“Tonight we were right there,” coach Rich Kromm said. “A couple of mistakes and a couple of selfish penalties cost us.”

“We’ve got to look at the new year as a clean slate,” he said. “With what we’ve got here we feel confident we can do some damage.”

Seattle jumped out to an early lead with goals from Jan Eberle and Ian McKenzie in the games opening 11 minutes.

Radim Valchar cut the lead in half with a top-shelf goal on a power play at the 15:30 mark of the first period, highlighting another strong showing from him and his line mates, Matt Schmermund and Jacob Dietrich. With their aggressive skating and checking, the three were at the heart of numerous scoring opportunities.

Chris Francis scored Portland’s second goal unassisted 2:13 into the third period. After out shooting Seattle 14-8 in the first period, Portland was outshot 32-22 in the final two periods.

Kurtis Mucha stopped 34 of 39 shots in net for Portland while Jacob DeSerres stopped 32 of 36 Portland shots for Seattle.

Portland finished the night 2 for 4 on the power play while Seattle went 1 for 3.

Next up Everett at home.

Attendance: 6762
Memorial Coliseum

 SCORING  1  2  3  Total 
Tbirds  2  1  3  6
Hawks  1  0  2  3

SHOTS  1  2  3  Total 
Tbirds  8  17  15  40
Hawks  14  12  10  36

Hawks Box Score

Radim Valchar (5) 1G
Chris Francis (7) 1G
Kevin Undershute (6) 1G
Schmermund, Swystun, Walker, Ehrhardt, Bobbee and Montgomery 1A

Tbirds Box Score

Bud Holloway (17) 2G
Ian McKenzie (9) 1G, 1A
Jan Eberle (5) 1G, 1A
Scott Jackson (3) 1G
David Richard (4) 1G
Rai, O’Brien, Nielsen and Olson 1A

Game Description
Game Summary

Kemper’s Three Stars

Eberle (SEA), Valchar (POR), McKenzie (SEA)

Fight Card

Dietrich/Rai – No comment.

King/Boyer – First fight I have seen from King. A lot of wrestling not much fighting.

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Americans vs. Hawks - Game 37 · Monday December 31, 2007

The Hawks scored first, put together some team defense and limit the Americans to only 38 shots for a 2-1 win at home.

Jacob Dietrich’s goal at 5:58 of the second period was a real beauty started off a pass from Radim Valchar, a break alone to the goal, deek to the right, and put it past goalie Chet Pickard on the left.

Tri-City defenseman T.J. Fast evened the score in the second period with a power-play goal at 4:28.

Colton Yellow Horn assisted on Fast’s goal, giving him 300 career points and extended his point steak to a WHL-leading 19 games.

Portland goalie Kurtis Mucha finished with 37 saves as the Winter Hawks (7-29-0-1) broke a three-game losing streak.

The Hawk back line missing (Kerr, Morrow, and Gabriel) were much better tonight. Travis Bobbee was a cool customer putting together the connecting backline pass after pass keeping the American from camping out in our zone. Bobbee deserved a star and showing why skilled nimble backline players like Bobbee and Ehrardt can make a big difference for the future Hawks.

Next up Seattle at home.

Attendance: 3492
Memorial Coliseum

 SCORING  1  2  3  Total 
Americans  0  1  0  1
Hawks  1  1  0  2

SHOTS  1  2  3  Total 
Americans  8  13  17  38
Hawks  19  9  6  34

Hawks Box Score

Jason Grecica (2) 1G
Jacob Dietrich (5) 1G
Walker, King, Valchar and Montgomery 1A

Warriors Box Score

T.J. Fast (5) 1G, 1A
Yellow Horn and Reese 1A

Game Description
Game Summary

Kemper’s Three Stars

Mucha (POR), Detrich (POR), Fast (TRI)

Fight Card

No fights tonight…just a win.

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Broncos vs. Hawks - Game 33 · Saturday December 15, 2007

After a 7-1 defeat at Spokane, the Portland Winter Hawks provided the home crowd some home cooking with a solid performance with a 3-1 win over the Swift Current Broncos.

A healthy returning Kevin Undershute is making a difference.
The 20 year old from Medicine Hat, set up Travis Bobbee for the game’s first goal. Undershute then scored the game winner on a wrister from the slot with seven minutes remaining in the period. Undershute finished the night with 1 goal and 2 assists

The Broncos cut the lead in half when Erik Felde tipped in a Michael Wilson pass on a two-on-one eight minutes into the final period, but Portland took advantage of a late power play and scored the insurance marker with just over five minutes left.

Viktor Sjodin tipped in a centering pass from Tyler Swystun for the Hawks third goal to seal the win. Sjodin finished with 1 goal and 1 assist and Swystun added 2 assists to combine for seven points for the Hawks top line.

Bobbee’s first period goal was his first since he was acquired earlier this season. Bo Montgomery also added an assist for Portland.

Hawks goaltender Kurtis Mucha go on board stopping 30 of 31 shots. It was the third game this year where Portland has out-shot their opponent. The 43 shots on goal was also a season high.

Portland finished the night 2 for 7 on the power play while Swift Current went 0 for 5 with the man advantage.

A dominant performance for the Hawks where great goal tending was not the only element to a win. The Hawks could have easily won this game 6-1 without a solid performance by Broncos goalie Travis Yonkman. The Broncos were put on the defensive for most of the second and third periods with two 4 minute high sticking penalties. Hawks PP looked very dangerous tonight.

Next up Everett away.

Attendance: 2977
Memorial Coliseum

 SCORING  1  2  3  Total 
Broncos  0  0  1  1
Hawks  0  2  1  3

SHOTS  1  2  3  Total 
Broncos  10  12  9  31
Hawks  11  13  19  43

Game Description

Game Summary

Kemper’s Three Stars

Undershute (POR), Swystun(POR), Sjodin (POR)

Fight Card

No fights tonight…all business.

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Chiefs vs. Hawks - Game 31 · Monday December 10, 2007

The Portland Winter Hawks rallied from two goals down in the final two minutes to force overtime against the Spokane Chiefs. The Chiefs pulled it out in the shoot-out, to win 5-4. For most fans at the MC this was a real winner for the Hawks.

Spokane came into the game as the top team in the WHL and ranked #2 overall in the entire Canadian Hockey League.

The Hawks pulled Kurtis Mucha twice in the final two minutes and scored both times as Jacob Dietrich and Kevin Undershute scored to force overtime. Undershute’s tying goal came with just 18.4 seconds left on the game clock.

Portland took a two-goal lead early in the second period after goals by Luke Walker and Chris Francis, but Spokane rallied for four consecutive goals to take a 4-2 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the third period. Spokane got goals from Chris Langkow, Drayson Bowman, Chris Bruton and Jared Spurgeon.

Travis Ehrhardt had two assists, setting up both the third and fourth goals for Portland. Bowman and Bruton each added assists for two-point nights as well for Spokane.

After a scoreless overtime, Jace Coyle scored the lone goal in the shoot-out for Spokane as the second shooter for the Chiefs. Dustin Tokarski stopped Undershute, Tyler Swystun and Ehrhardt to preserve the victory. Kurtis Mucha stopped Bowman and Ondrej Roman in the shoot-out as well.

Mucha stopped 47 of 51 Spokane shots and received the number one star of the game.

Portland went 2 for 5 on the power play while Spokane went 1 for 5.

Next up Spokane away.

Attendance: 3330
Key Arena

 SCORING  1  2  3  OT   SO   Total 
Chiefs  0  2  2  0  1  5
Hawks  1  1  2  0  0  4

SHOTS  1  2  3  OT   SO   Total 
Chiefs  13  15  17  6  1  52
Hawks  5  12  9  3  0  29

Game Description
Game Summary

Kemper’s Three Stars

Mucha (POR), Ehrhardt (POR), Bowman (SPO)

Fight Card

No fights tonight…all business.

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Hawk's Problems Point to 2003 Bantam Draft · Wednesday June 20, 2007

After reviewing the 2002, 2003, and 2004 Bantam draft it is clear why the Portland Winter Hawks are having trouble putting together a competitive team. 2003 was a disastrous year for Hawk draft picks starting with their number 1 pick 10th overall forward Sasha Golin.

Golin as a right winger/centerman showed promise in 05-06 with 10 goals, 18 assists, in 68 games, but dropped off the map in 06-07 with only 1 goal, 6 assists in 39 games. The Hawks lost faith in Golin’s upside and moved to 5th round pick Matt Schmermund acquired in a straight up trade with Kamloops.

After round one it got worse for the Hawks proceeding to get nothing from their 2nd round highly rated D-man Eric Gryba who recently signed with Boston U and their 3rd round pick Rhett Rakhshani, a top forward making an impact at the U of Denver. Both chose collegiate hockey over Major Juniors and both are highly regarded by NHL scouts.

Without Michael Sauer a 4th round bantam pick, they would be left with no impact players in the draft. But the 06-07 season was so bad that they quickly dumped their older players with any value leaving the franchise to flounder with a truly developmental team of mostly untested 16, 17, and 18 year olds.

As part of the “ look to future/get younger movement” Sauer was traded to Medicine Hat at the end of 2007 season for two 16-year-old D-man prospects in Patrick Weircoich (a 2005 2nd round draft pick) and Lee Morrow (a 2005 9th round draft pick).

To date Patrick Weircoich is keeping his options open playing for the Junior A Burnaby Express in the BCHL, but this seems more and more like a kid that that is not sure whether the WHL is for him. He also may go the way of Gryba, Rakhshani, and Knelson to the US college route.

You only have to look at the success of the 2003 bantam draft to find out who is at the top and bottom of the US division in 06-07. Everett drafts and signs: Zack Hamill, Peter Mueller, Brady Calla and Leland Irving. Portland drafts Sasha Golin, Erick Gryba, Justin Mazurek and Rhett Rakhshani and signs only Golin and Mazurek.

2003 (Today’s 19 year olds)

Round Player Status
1st Rd #5 Sasha Golin Low impact player traded for Matt Schmermund a 5th rounder
2nd Rd #23 Eric Gryba Highly rated D-man who signed with Boston U, a 3rd round pick of the Ottawa Senators
3rd Rd #33 Justin Mazurek Low impact player that played some for the Hawks and was traded; now on the Gatineau Olympiques [QMJHL] roster
3rd Rd # 49 Rhett Rakhshani Top forward making an impact at the U Denver; 4rd pick of the New York Islander
4th Rd # 63 Justin Favreau D-man who played for Nanaimo Clippers [BCHL] in 06-07
5th Rd # 49 Michael Sauer Top D-man played for Portland and traded to Medicine Hat near the end of the 06-07 season for two 16 year old D-man Brent Ponich and Lee Morrow; 2nd rd pick for the New York Rangers
6th Rd # 103 Kelly Friesen Low impact player played for the Hawks said to retire from the WHL injured
7th Rd # 103 Cameron Cepek Starting D-man for the Hawks on a poor defensive team. Injured most of the 06 season, played 49 games in 07. Picked by the Oil Cans in the expansion draft.

Red indicates players on the current roster.

All in all 2002 was a much better draft for the Hawks with Brandan Dubinsky, Fraser McLaren, and Dustin Butler all proven WHL players and if Dubinsky would have stayed in the league as a 20 year old he would have been considered one of the top 5 forwards in the league.

2002 Draft (Today’s 20 year olds)

Round Player Status
2nd Rd #32 Fraser McLaren Hawks’s top-line forward; part of a multiplayer deal for Travis Erdhardt
3nd Rd #51 Kevin Tipper Traded to Prince Albert for Garth Collins then ended up with the Junior A Burnaby Express
4nd Rd #70 Rick Lecuyer D-Man with the Junior A Winkler Flyers
5th Rd # 88 Brandon Dubinsky Impact player who move on to the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) with a 6 game stay with the New York Rangers
5th Rd # 89 Dustin Butler Starting Goalie for Kamloop Blazers

The book is not yet written on the class of 2004 crop of 18 year olds but there does seem to be some hopeful early signs with Colton Sceviour who could be the most talented player in the group that shown in 2006 that he could make a difference if he can stay healthy. Kurtis Mucha with a fantastic season as a 16 year old, playing on the worst defensive team in the league as a 17 year old, hopefully will contributed positively to his development as an 18 year old.

2004 Draft (Today’s 18 year olds)

Round Player Status
1st Rd #10 Colton Sceviour Hawks’s top-line forward for upcoming season; part of a multiplayer trade to acquire Travis Bobbee, Ryan Kerr, Jacob and Nick Dietrich
2nd Rd #25 Kurtis Mucha Top 17 year old goalie in the league. Put up poor numbers on the worst overall defensive team in the league
3rd Rd #45 Trevor Verwolf D-man played for the Langley Chiefs [BCHL]
4th Rd # 70 Lewis Laczko Top D-man for Midget AAA Prince Albert Mintos
4th Rd # 73 Dion Knelson Signed with the U of Alaska to play with his brother.
5th Rd #85 Jacob Verheyden Forward for the Merritt Centennials [BCHL], 41 games played with 3 pts.
6th Rd #110 Aaron Lewadniuk Traded to the Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange for a 6th round choice in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft that turns into a 4th round choice if he play in the 07 season.
7th Rd #130 Lucas Alexiuk Starting D-man as a 17 year old on a poor defensive team. Could develop into a solid back line player; part of a multiplayer trade to acquire Travis Bobbee, Ryan Kerr, Jacob and Nick Dietrich
7th Rd # 170 Matt Betker Scrappy forward with potential to be a solid role player

Dion Knelson is the little fish that has turned into a big fish that got away to the U of Alaska along with his older brother Brandon. He is just what the Winter Hawks need today a smart, quick, young, gifted scorer. He was the second leading scorer with the Drumheller Dragons with 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 28 games. At the U of Alaska was voted top rookie and earned “honorable mention” honors for the CCHA All Rookie Team.

According to NHL Prospects, on the NHL Central Scouting’s “Players to Watch” listing, Dion Knelsen is one of four collegians listed as an “A” player, meaning that he is one of the top players eligible for the 2007 NHL draft.

— S. Blanchard

US Divisional News · Friday January 18, 2008

— S. Blanchard

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