New WHL Rule Changes made little Difference

The new rule changes really increased scoring this season in Western Hockey League - not!

Unless you were a fan of the shoot-out, which I will admit grew on me as the season went on, having the leading scorer put up just 93 points is pathetic.

Good on Zach Hamill to win the scoring title, but the W.H.L looks pretty bad compared to the OHL and QMJHL's leaders.

In the 'O' the leading scorer had 145 points. In fact 9 players had over 100 points and they had three players who scored over 50 goals. In the 'Q', the leading scorer had 125 points, and had 5 players score over 50 times.

Yes Hamill's totals were the lowest in league history for a leading scorer, and the rule changes didn't even see one player hit the 50 goal plateau.
The closest anyone came to that feat was Mark Derlago of the Brandon Wheat Kings who had 46. Last season only one player had 50 goals. Can you name him? The answer is Rockets forward Justin Keller, who had 51.

The upcoming B.C divisional matchup between the Blazers and Cougars not only features two great teams, but two great Western Hockey League sports writers.

Drinnan vs. Swanson!

What a battle it will be.

Gregg Drinnan is a seasoned veteran who knows what is happening within the league before it even happens.

Swanson gives the Cougars more coverage then they rightfully deserve, and comes out swinging when it comes to opinion pieces.

You have to love both of these guys...I do (in a manly way)!

Both offer great reads, and the series will be covered with pin point accuracy.

Who can get the better quote? Who will get the dirt?

The sports fan will be the real winner as these two 'sports writer heavyweights' clash.

Who say's a radio broadcaster can't get involved in the W.H.L playoffs, even though the team he calls the games for failed to qualify?

Last week I had the privilege of doing some voice work on a motivational power point presentation for the Swift Current Broncos.
I want to thank Broncos assistant coach Dave Hunchak for the calling me on my cell, thanking me for the work on the project.
Rockets Head Coach Jeff Truitt knows Hunchak well after they were both assistant's with the Under 18 Canadian team in August. Truitt had nothing but good things to say about Hunchak, and the small gesture of calling me was proof that he indeed is a class act.

My conversation last week with Rockets General Manager Bruce Hamilton took us into all sorts of areas about the hockey club.
Hamilton told me he wouldn't go back on trading Ofukany, Hill and Saulietis to Regina. Hamilton says Kyle St. Denis is well worth the deal, and both Ofukany and Hill were not exactly an ideal influence on a young Rockets team.

Hamilton also said Justin Bernhardt isn't the bad apple he is being made out to be. While he ran into some off ice problems in Regina, Hamilton believes 'Bernie' can be a point producer if he comes into camp in what he called 'Rockets shape' next season.

It will be interesting to see who the Rockets leave exposed for the upcoming Western Hockey League expansion draft.
I was asked that exact question at Monday's awards banquet.
I think four players are in question.

My guesses are Tysen Dowzak, Colin Joe, Myles MacRae and Jason MacDonald (one of the four) will likely be wearing Oil Kings colors shortly.

Who the Edmonton Oil Kings pick is anyones guess?

It's interesting that three of those four players will be 19 years-old next season.

The Rockets will take an older defenseman and a older forward at the C-H-L european draft. While Oscar Moller was a nice fit with the Chilliwack Bruins this season at the tender age of 17, Moller is the exception to the rule of being an impact guy at such a young age.

My picks to advance in the first round playoff series in the Western Conference of the W.H.L are as follows:

Vancouver will eliminate the expansion Chilliwack Bruins in 4 straight.
The Bruins scored just two goals in four games at Pacific Coliseum this season, and will find it even harder to score in the playoffs.
Have fun Bruins goaltender Matt Esposito.
Is their shellshock therapy for goaltenders?

Prince George will surprise Kamloops with a 6 game series win over Kamloops. The Blazers down the stretch were terrible, especially on the road, while the Cougars are now health enough to ice one of the most talented lineups in the league. Ray Macius missing the series with a bum arm makes matters even worse for the Blazers.
The question around the Cougars is will they play as a team, or as individuals?

Everett won't lose to Spokane in the opening round.

The Chiefs will give them a good go though, like they have all season, but Tips forward Peter Mueller has something to prove despite being a superstar in this league.
Can he lead his team to a championship? He sure won't win one next year as a member of the Phoenix Coyotes.
I'm sure the big paycheck will take away the pain Pete!

The most intriguing match-up may be Tri City vs. Seattle in the first round.

The only reason why the Americans have home advantage was because the T-Birds couldn't win a shoot-out game.

The T-Birds lost 11 times under the new format.

Derek Yeomans vs. Carey Price. The goaltending matchup couldn't be better. Price is the man in the picture on the left if you didn't already know.
I'll pick the Am's in 6 just because of the coach. Donnie Nachbaur is a hard ass, but a class act all the same.

How can you tell it's spring time in the Okanagan?
The golf course two blocks from my place is open, and the sound of choppers (street bikes) roaring down the street is now common place.
The scene of the golf course being open again is music to my ears, but those loud 'crouch rockets' are deafening and got to go!

Will I mention that next time I see a biker roar by me?

No!

Being severely beaten just doesn't appeal to me. Being mentally and emotionally tormented by the Rockets play this season is enough.

I can't take it any more!!