Despite early-season scoring troubles and the long-term injury to import forward Carl Ericson, the Portland Winterhawks are not looking to quickly add a third 20-year-old. The Winterhawks did not pick up any of the 20-year-olds who were released by WHL clubs on Thursday — the deadline for teams to be down to three overage players.
Coach and general manager Jamie Kompon said the focus is on solving from within the early-season challenges the team is facing.
“We’re not looking for a cavalry to come in,” Kompon said.
The Winterhawks have two of the three allowed overage players now: Forward Alex Schoenborn and defenseman Blake Heinrich. Kompon, who last year added defenseman Adam Henry as a 20-year-old near the trade deadline, said he won’t add a 20-year-old just to have three overage players.
“It has to be the right fit,” Kompon said.
Six games into the season, the Winterhawks have scored 14 goals. Take away two five-goal games and Portland has totalled four goals in the other four games.
Tuesday’s 4-0 home loss to Prince Albert was “unacceptable,” Kompon said. In that contest, the Winterhawks failed to get a shot during a 51-second five-on-three power play in the first period. They did get a few odd-man rushes and several scrambles around the crease. Kompon credited Raiders’ goalie Rylan Parenteau, who made 36 saves, with a strong effort, but said his team needs to do better when scoring opportunities are there.
“It’s just about determination. If you see the back of the net, you’ve got to be able to hit the back of the net,” Kompon said, adding that players need to be tougher around the net. “It can’t be a fade-away jumper.”
Winterhawks
This week: Host Everett, 7 p.m. Friday (Veterans Memorial Coliseum); at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m. Saturday; at Everett, 7:35 p.m. Oct. 23.
Last week: Beat Spokane 5-0, lost to Seattle 3-2, lost to Prince Albert 4-0.
Where they stand: At 1-5, the Winterhawks are last in the U.S. Division, five points back of fourth-place Tri-City (3-3-1).
Injury updates: Carl Ericson’s surgery for a lower-body injury was successful, according to Kompon. The 19-year-old center from Sweden is expected to miss at least three months, though he is officially listed as week-to-week. Austin Gray (illness) is on injured reserve and is eligible to return in late October.
Glass selected: Rookie forward Cody Glass is one of 66 players chosen to represent Canada in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, which takes place Oct. 30 to Nov. 7. In addition to three Canadian teams, teams from the United States, Czech Republic, Russia, Finland and Sweden will take part in the tournament in British Columbia.
Player visits: Winterhawks players will be at Toyota dealerships from noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, including Vancouver Toyota and Dick Hannah Toyota of Kelso. Families can enter the Winterhawks Toyota Hockey Family of the Year contest at these events.
WHL top 50 players: In honor of the league’s 50th season, the WHL is compiling a list of the top 50 players in league history. Fans can vote as part of the process by visiting Top50.whl.ca once a week through Dec. 20.
Vancouver Rangers
This week: host Seattle Totems, 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at Mountain View Ice Arena.
Last week: Won 16-2 and 9-4 in games at Lake Tahoe.
Where they stand: With six wins and one overtime loss, the Rangers are second in the Western States Hockey League Northwest Division behind the 7-0 Missoula Maulers.
About the Totems: Seattle (2-7) has lost six games in a row. Coach Dave Daniello said he expects the Totems to bring a physical presence to the rink.
Goalie traded: The Rangers sent goalie Max Elmgren, who made 19 saves for the win on Saturday at Tahoe, to El Paso. That leaves the Rangers with three goalies, a perfect number according to Daniello.
