Portland Winterhawks
This week: at Everett, 7:35 p.m. Friday; host Seattle, 7 p.m., at Moose Jaw, 6 p.m. Oct. 17.
Last week: Lost 4-3 in a shootout to Seattle; won 3-2 in overtime at Everett; lost 6-2 at Victoria.
Where they stand: At 1-6-0-1 Portland is last in the U.S. Division.
First win: First-year coach Jamie Kompon said his team played good games on Friday against Seattle (shootout loss) and Saturday at Everett (overtime win). Alex Schoenborn scored the game-winner on Saturday, the first of the season for Portland. The coach was less pleased with Monday’s 6-2 loss at Victoria, pointing to turnovers in the neutral zone as a problem.
Reunited: With Nic Petan returning to Portland and playing in Monday’s game at Victoria, the Winterhawks now have all of their players back from NHL camps. Kompon said the upcoming road swing through the East Division will be a chance for the players to become better acquainted off the ice and to practice and to build relationships on the ice.
Getting healthy: Defenseman Josh Hanson saw his first action of the season in Saturday’s win at Everett. A broken knuckle kept him out for of the first six games of the season. The 20-year-old is in his fifth season with Portland and expected to take a more prominent role this season and be a stabilizing presence for a young defense.
• Defenseman Blake Heinrich, out since preseason because of a concussion, practiced on Thursday. He will not play this weekend, but could be ready for the first game of the eastern road swing that begins Oct. 17. Kompon said the club wants to be extra careful with concussions and gave the 19-year-old Heinrich extra recovery time to lessen the chances of a setback.
Roster moves: On Thursday, the Winterhawks released two 20-year-olds: defenseman Joshua Smith and winger Travis McEvoy. Hanson and forward Miles Koules are the overage players still on the roster, meaning Portland could add one more at some point to reach the WHL limit of three.
In the NHL: A total of 13 former Winterhawks are on NHL opening day rosters, plus three who are on a team’s injured list: Braydon Coburn (Flyers), Craig Cunningham (Bruins), Brandon Dubinsky (Blue Jackets/injured), Matt Dumba (Wild), Andrew Ference (Oilers), Paul Gaustad (Predators), Jannik Hansen (Canucks), Marian Hossa (Blackhawks), Ryan Johansen (Blue Jackets), Seth Jones (Predators), Rob Klinkhammer (Coyotes), Cody McLeod (Avalanche), Brenden Morrow (Lightning/injured), Derrick Pouliot (Penguins/injured), Luca Sbisa (Canucks), Colton Sceviour (Stars).
Fort Vancouver Vipers
This week: At Wenatchee, 7:35 p.m. Friday and 2:35 p.m. Saturday.
Last week: Lost 18-1 at West Sound; lost 5-1 to West Sound.
Where they stand: At 0-6, the Vipers are last in the eight-team NPHL.
