Injuries to veteran forwards Alex Schoenborn and Keegan Iverson meant the Portland Winterhawks had to turn to younger players in three recent losses.
Schoenborn (upper body) might return this weekend, according to coach Jamie Kompon. Iverson (lower body) is likely out until after the Christmas break.
Kompon acknowledged that the absence of two of his most physical forwards — and two veteran players — added to the challenge on Tuesday and Wednesday in Prince George. Injuries also lead to shuffling of line parings.
But Kompon said that was no excuse for the losses.
“Every team goes through injuries. We’re not going to use that as an excuse,” Kompon said.
Kompon noted that this is an opportunity for younger players seeking playing time to step up and contribute. Consistency, not flashes of good play, is what will earn younger players a larger role long term, Kompon said.
To help weather the storm, the Winterhawks called up 17-year-old winger Tanner Nagel from the Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. In three games with the Winterhawks, Kompon said Nagel has added depth to the third and fourth lines and played with consistency shift to shift.
Nagel, who signed with Portland off its protected list in September, has six goals and one assist in 23 SJHL games this season. Kompon said he will stay with Portland until the roster depth improves, perhaps through the end of this month.
One young player who has shown some spark according to Kompon is Cody Glass. Glass has joined Latvians Rihards Bukarts and Rodrigo Abols on a line.
“Those are three guys who think the game at a very high level,” Kompon said.
Winterhawks
This week: At Kamloops. 7 p.m., Friday; at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m. Saturday; at Everett, 7:05 p.m. Wednesday; host Prince George, 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 6 p.m. Dec. 12 (VMC).
Last week: Lost to Vancouver 2-0, lost twice at Prince George 3-2 and 5-3.
Where they stand: At 12-13-0-0 (24 points), the Winterhawks are in fourth place in the U.S. Division, six points behind third-place Everett, and have the eighth most points in the Western Conference.
Trade: On Nov. 29, the Winterhawks sent 18-year-old forward Austin Gray and the rights to 17-year-old Reed Morison to Kootenay for a seventh-round pick in next year’s bantam draft. Kompon said both players wanted the chance for more playing time in the WHL and the trade was made to accommodate their wish.
Junior Worlds: USA Hockey is expected to announce today that Buffalo will host the 2018 World Juniors. It is also anticipated that USA Hockey will announce its camp roster for the 2016 World Juniors, which take place Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Finland. The Winterhawks could have several players selected.
Vancouver Rangers
This week: At Idaho Junior Steelheads (McCall, Idaho) 7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
Last week: Idle.
Where they stand: At 17-2-1 (35 points), the Rangers are tied with the Idaho Junior Steelheads for second in the Northwest Division of the Western States Hockey League. Missoula (19-4, 38 points) leads the division.
Scouting the Steelheads: Idaho is coming off three losses by a total of four goals on the road against division leader Missoula. Nikita Zgirskis (21 goals, 13 assists) leads Idaho’s attack. The Steelheads have allowed only 29 goals through 20 games (including six shutouts) and have scored 108 more than that.
