This story could change by the time you read it — or sometime over the weekend. The Western Hockey League trade deadline is Sunday, which means the Portland Winterhawks might see some arrivals and departures.
But for one of the few times in recent years the Winterhawks are not likely to make a significant addition at the deadline.
Coach and general manager Jamie Kompon said Thursday that his phone has been ringing but so far none of the offers have made sense.
“If something comes up that is a deal we can’t refuse then we’ll talk about it. But otherwise I’m very confident and our group is very confident in where we’re at,” Kompon said.
During their recent run of success, trade deadline deals have brought veterans such as Matt Dumba, Craig Cunningham, Luca Sbisa and Marcel Noebels to help Portland push for a league title.
These Winterhawks are a younger team than in recent seasons. While their four wins since the holiday break have them in the mix of a tight U.S. Division, it seems unlikely the Winterhawks will be trade deadline buyers this season.
“If we can add something, great,” Kompon said. “But we’re not going to go adding and subtracting. We like where our group’s headed.”
Winterhawks
This week: At Seattle, 7:35 p.m. Friday; host Kamloops, 7 p.m. Saturday (Moda); host Kamloops, 5 p.m. Sunday (VMC); host Regina, 7 p.m. Wednesday (VMC); at Spokane, 7:05 p.m. Jan. 15.
Last week: Beat Spokane 6-5 (shootout), beat Spokane 5-1.
Where they stand: At 20-17-1-0 (41 points), the Winterhawks are in fourth place in the U.S. Division, but are within two points of Seattle and Spokane and five points of first-place Everett. Portland is eighth in the Western Conference.
Post-holiday push: The Winterhawks are 4-1 since returning from a six-day holiday break — all five games against U.S. Division rivals over an eight-day stretch.
“I think consistency was the biggest thing. We played with consistency,” Kompon said. The coach noted that consistency from shift to shift has been preached to the young players since the start of the season.
Bittner update: Kompon reported that forward Paul Bittner is now using only one crutch and is able to drive following hip surgery last month. If things go well during a visit to a specialist next week, Bittner could soon begin serious rehabilitation work. The timetable for recovery is four months. The hope is that Bittner can return in time for the playoffs.
“If he’s a quick healer he should be back for the playoffs,” Kompon said. “We’ve got to hold our end of the bargain up and get in the playoffs and hopefully that’s going to be our trade deadline acquisition is getting Paul Bittner back in the lineup.”
Vancouver Rangers
This week: Host Whitefish (Mont.) Wolverines, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Mountain View Ice Arena.
Last week: Idle.
Where they stand: At 20-7-0-3 (43 points), the Rangers trail the Idaho Junior Steelheads by six points and the Missoula Maulers by five points in the Northwest Division of the Western States Hockey League.
Rangers All-Star: Joel Lehtonen participated in the first Western States Hockey League All-Star game, played on Saturday in Oklahoma City. The forward from Finland, who leads the Rangers with 27 goals and 28 assists through 30 games, was selected by a committee based on team nominations. He played on one of four lines in the All-Stars’ 3-0 win over the host Oklahoma City Blazers.
“It was a great experience,” Lehtonen said. “I met a lot of great guys.”
The event included a Jan. 1 dinner honoring the All-Stars, and one practice on the morning of the game.
Las Vegas recap: The Rangers went 2-1-1 in four games against teams from other WSHL divisions during the league’s Las Vegas Showcase tournament. Coach Dave Daniello said his team played three good games and one poor one.
Daniello said he was told that more than 100 college hockey scouts attended, and that several made contact with Rangers players. The coach added that several scouts told him that the level of hockey in the WSHL is better than it’s ever been.
Glad to be home: The Rangers will play their first home games since mid-November at Mountain View Ice Arena when they host Whitefish on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Roster update: Defenseman Mathieu Gerger was traded to the Valencia Flyers for cash considerations. Forward Chris Alberts (wrist) and defenseman Michael Hennekens (knee) are sidelined with injuries. Daniello said he is optimistic both will return soon.
