For Portland Winterhawks forward Alex Overhardt, transitioning to a more prominent role during his second season in the Western Hockey League has been a fun challenge.
“Once you are used to it, it’s a fun league to play in,” Overhardt said.
His eight goals and 13 assists in 66 games are modest numbers, but Winterhawks coach Jamie Kompon said Overhardt’s growth has been significant in the faceoff circle and in playing without the puck.
“He took a big step this year,” Kompon said. “I can see him taking another really big step next year. He’s trending in that direction.”
Overhardt is now one of the players Kompon calls upon to win key faceoffs.
“One thing that Alex has really taken hold of is the faceoff dot,” Kompon said. “That’s a critical part of the game.”
For most young players, Kompon said, scoring comes after they figure out that defensive responsibilities and checking are what earn ice time.
“With any young player, once he learns to play without the puck, the rest of the game comes easier,” Kompon said.
Overhardt’s understanding of defensive responsibilities have led to consistent ice time in his 18-year-old season. He has good strength and shoots the puck well enough to see his point production go up once he improves his consistency, Kompon said.
The Winterhawks Scholastic Player of the Year last season, Overhardt said he has enjoyed helping this season’s rookies adjust the WHL, both on and off the ice. Overhardt said he learned the value of work and commitment last season from the work and shift-to-shift commitment from talented scorers such as Oliver Bjorkstrand and Nic Petan.
Kompon said that Bjorkstrand — who made his NHL debut with Columbus on Thursday — was a great example to follow because Bjorkstrand understands that it never gets easier to score goals.
Winterhawks
This week: Host Spokane, 7 p.m. Friday (Moda); at Seattle, 7:05 p.m. Saturday (TV: KRCW 32, cable ch. 3); Host Seattle, 5 p.m. Sunday (Moda).
Last week: Beat Vancouver 5-2, lost to Seattle 3-2, lost to Everett 3-2 (OT).
Where they stand: At 34-30-5-0 (73 points), the Winterhawks are in third place in the U.S. Division.
Playoff picture: The Winterhawks will clinch their seventh consecutive playoff appearance if they earn one point in their final three games — or if Tri-City fails to win both of its remaining games in regulation. More interesting is the battle for third place in the U.S. Division. Portland and Spokane are tied on points and meet today at Moda Center. A Portland win in regulation would clinch third for the Winterhawks based on tiebreakers.
Potential matchups: If Portland finishes third in the U.S. Division, it will open the playoffs against second-place Everett. Should Portland qualify as a wild-card team, it likely will face Victoria.
Schoenborn signs: Winterhawks forward Alex Schoenborn on Saturday signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks, who picked him in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft, 72nd overall.
Final weekend events: The annual dash for cash promotion is on Friday and on Sunday the Winterhawks will announce team award winners prior to the final regular-season game. Saturday’s road game from Seattle will be televised live on KRCW, channel 32 or Comcast channel 3.
