WHL Mid-Season Review

December 20th, 2007

The 2007-08 Western Hockey League season is at the midway point with teams having played roughly half of their regular season schedules, and it's time to take a look at how the season has shaped up so far.

Here's a team-by-team look at the BC Division through the first half of the 2007-08 WHL season. To read entire team by team recap please click here.

Chilliwack Bruins

2007-08 record: 36gp 17-15-3-1, 38pts (3rd in Div., 6th in Conf.) GF: 108 GA: 112
Top Scorers:
Mark Santorelli 36gp-18g-41a-59pts
Oscar Moller 34gp-25g-25a-50pts
Brandon Campos 33gp-16g-23a-39pts

After a strong start to the 2007-08 WHL season, the Bruins have slowed down but remain comfortably in the playoff mix in the Western Conference. The Bruins opened up their campaign with a 10-4-1 record through September and October, but have gone 7-11-2-1 through November and December. As it was last season, the Bruins have relied heavily on the offensive production of Mark Santorelli and Oscar Moller. Santorelli leads the WHL in points and assists while Moller is tied for second in the WHL with 25 goals. Brandon Campos has helped alleviate the offensive burden on Santorelli and Moller, while Evan Pighin has also contributed since joining the team in November. Defensively, the Bruins have struggled at times, and currently rank in the bottom half of the League in goals-against. Nick Holden has performed well at both ends of the ice for the Bruins. He currently ranks seventh among all WHL defensemen in scoring, and is one of only two Bruins rearguards with a positive plus/minus. Starting goaltender Matt Esposito has enjoyed several strong performances, but has also struggled at times. He’ll look to improve on his .890 save percentage during the second half of the season. Rookie netminder Mark Friesen has been steady in his first season, particularly in his last eight appearances where he’s posted a solid .920 save percentage.


Kamloops Blazers

2007-08 record: 35gp 16-17-1-1, 34pts (4th in Div., 8th in Conf.) GF: 98 GA: 115
Top Scorers:
Brock Nixon 35gp-13g-24a-37pts
Juuso Puustinen 32gp-12g-12a-24pts
Brady Calla 31gp-6g-18a-24pts

The Kamloops Blazers had high expectations coming into the 2007-08 season. However, they have so far failed to reach their potential. Although they are nine points clear for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, the first half of the season has been a struggle for the Blazers. Off-ice distractions such as a change in franchise ownership, and several on-ice changes including player movement and a coaching change have all played a part in the Blazers’ first-half struggles. On the ice, the Blazers have had problems at both ends of the rink. Up front, Brock Nixon has produced consistently, averaging over a point per game, while Brady Calla has added offense and grit since coming to the Blazers from Moose Jaw. However, more will be needed from Juuso Puustinen, the team’s second-leading scorer last season, and secondary sources like C.J. Stretch, Tyler Shattock and Alex Rodgers. Defensively, the Blazers have allowed the third-most goals in the Western Conference. Of their regular defensemen, only Victor Bartley and rookie Mark Schneider have positive plus/minus figures. The Blazers own the League’s 20th-ranked penalty killing unit, which has also contributed to their defensive struggles.


Kelowna Rockets

2007-08 record: 37gp 20-11-2-4, 46pts (2nd in Div., 4th in Conf.) GF: 125 GA: 111
Top Scorers:
Colin Long 37gp-19g-34a-53pts
Jamie Benn 33gp-17g-16a-33pts
Brandon McMillan 37gp-10g-15a-25pts

The Rockets appear determined to end their one-year absence from playoff hockey. After posting a 5-7-0-1 record through their first 13 games of the season, the Rockets have rebounded to post a 15-4-1-3 mark up to the Christmas break, and now have a firm grip on second place in the B.C. Division and fourth in the Western Conference. Last season, the Rockets struggled to produce offense. Not so this season as the team has scored the third-most goals in the WHL so far. Colin Long ranks second among the WHL scoring leaders and, with 53 points, as already surpassed the team-high of 43 points that Cody Almond had all of last season. Rookie Jamie Benn has been terrific offensively since joining the team on October 1st, partnering with Long to form one of the most dangerous duos in the League. In addition, the team has received plenty of secondary scoring from the likes of Almond, Brady Leavold, Brandon McMillan and Kyle St. Denis among others. Defensively, the Rockets have seen great improvement from last season. Luke Schenn, who is eligible for the NHL Entry Draft in June, has been a rock on the blue line. He and fellow defensive defenseman Tysen Dowzak are a combined +25 this season. 16-year-old rookie Tyson Barrie has provided an offensive spark form the point, and currently leads all rookie rearguards with 25 points this season, while NHL draft-eligible rearguard Tyler Myers has also taken on greater responsibility. Both netminders, Kristofer Westblom and Torrie Jung, have been adequate but could show more consistency. However, they often have more than enough offensive support to help them win games.


Prince George Cougars

2007-08 record: 36gp 12-23-1-0, 25pts (5th in Div., 9th in Conf.) GF: 99 GA: 148
Top Scorers:
Ty Wishart 35gp-10g-25a-35pts
Dana Tyrell 32gp-15g-19a-34pts
Greg Gardner 36gp-15g-15a-30pts

The Prince George Cougars have had a rough first half of the 2007-08 season, and currently find themselves nine points adrift in the race for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, with 10 rookies in their line-up, growing pains were expected. Offensively, the Cougars have shown the ability to put the puck in the net, though, not consistently. Forwards Dana Tyrell, Greg Gardner and Alex Poulter, and defenseman Ty Wishart have carried much of the offensive load, accounting for over half of the team’s 99 goals and helping the Cougars to the sixth most effective power play in the League. Outside of the aforementioned four, only Morgan MacLean has more than five goals. Missing speedy forward Dale Hunt for a large part of the season has not helped the Cougars’ attack. Defensively, the Cougars have really struggled, having given up 148 goals in 36 games. Jesse Dudas has provided an offensive spark from the blue line with 19 points in 24 games he’s played this season. While their power play has been good, the Cougars penalty-killing currently ranks 22nd in the WHL, having conceded a WHL-high 57 goals and killing off just 71.5 per cent of opposition power plays. Goaltender Tommy Tartaglione has enjoyed some terrific performances, but has too often been left to fend for himself.


Vancouver Giants

2007-08 record: 35gp 24-7-1-3, 52pts (1st in Div., 2nd in Conf.) GF: 124 GA: 74
Top Scorers:
Michal Repik 30gp-17g-22a-39pts
Jonathon Blum 35gp-9g-30a-39pts
Spencer Machacek 34g-18g-18a-36pts

The Giants have enjoyed a great start to the 2007-08 season, and are looking very much like the defending Memorial Cup champions they are. Simply put, the Giants are very good in all aspects of the game. They are one of four teams to have 10 or more wins both at home and on the road, they own the WHL’s second-best power play and the third-best penalty killing, and they are the League’s fourth-best offensive team and the second-best defensive team. Up front, Michal Repik has been the top offensive producer for most of the season. But, even with Repik out of the lineup with an injury, the Giants have been an offensive juggernaut, scoring 26 goals in the five games since he’s been out of the lineup. Forwards Spencer Machacek, James Wright and Mario Bliznak, and defenseman Jonathon Blum have all contributed to the offense, while 16-year-old rookie Evander Kane has already scored 12 goals. The additions of Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Gary Nunn from the BCHL ranks has bolstered an already strong Giants’ attack. Defensively, the Giants have been tremendous, despite losing so many of their top defensemen from last year. Jon Blum not only leads all WHL rearguards with 39 points, he’s also ranked fifth among all WHL defensemen with a +19 rating. Brent Regner has also taken on a much larger role this season and has contributed at both ends of the rink, while veterans Craig Schira and Mike Berube have helped stabilize the defense corps. Tyson Sexsmith continues to provide the Giants with solid goaltending. The 18-year-old ranks among the top 10 in every goaltending category, and has appeared in a WHL-high 32 games this season.