BC Division players to watch

The BC Division featured four quality teams last season. The Prince George Cougars, Kelowna Rockets, Kamloops Blazers and Victoria Royals were a handful. Sorry Vancouver Giants, you were the weak sister. Three of the four teams mentioned (PG/Kelowna,Kamloops) had over 90 points with first to third separated by only 6 points. Here are four players, one from each BC Division team (Rockets excluded), that will make a significant impact this season.  

Kamloops Blazers Goaltender Dylan Ferguson:

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Playing behind arguably the best goaltender in the WHL over the last two seasons couldn't have been easy for Dylan Ferguson. With Connor Ingram getting better and better by the day, it wasn't until he made Canada's world junior team that Ferguson could prove doubters that he could carry the mail. Everyone on this side of the Rockies were waiting for the Blazers to fold with Ingram's absence, but Ferguson didn't allow that to happen. The now 19 year-old was so good in December, he was named the Vaughn Goaltender of the Month. The Lantzville, BC resident was 6-3-0-1 with a stellar 2.44 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. Now that Ingram has moved to pro, can Ferguson be the Blazers number one goalie? The answer? Darn rights! I think he can be one of the best in the Western Conference. Ferguson is attended Las Vegas Golden Knights rookie camp after originally being drafted this summer in the 7th round by the Dallas Stars.  


Victoria Royals Forward Matthew Phillips:

Arguably one of the most exciting players in the Western Conference, Phillips is a scoring machine. The now 19 year-old has scored 88 goals in 144 WHL regular season games. Not impressive enough for you? How about 169 points in 144 career games? At 5'7 and under 150 pounds, Phillips is slippery, durable and is as good on the ice as he is with the media. The Calgary Flames took him the 6th round in 2016, which some would consider a gamble, but the dude has produced at every levels he's played. A first team WHL all-star last season, look for Philips to again hit the 50 goal plateau and easily reach 100 points. If you are picking a player to lead the league in scoring, this is your guy.


Vancouver Giants Forward Tyler Benson:

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People often ask me what I think of Tyler Benson. The first word that comes out of my mouth is 'underwhelming'. Often injured, I have seen the now 19 year-old play a handful of times and always wonder if he is 100% healthy? I hope he is playing injured because my eyes don't pop out of my head when he has the puck. Sure, he has played on very poor Vancouver Giants teams over the last few years, but don't real good players stand out regardless? A second round pick of the Edmonton Oilers, which is bold, needs to stay out of the infirmary and play between 65 and 70 games this season. It's been suggested that a change of venue would help Benson, but would you be a willing trade  partner and give up a good player when the Edmonton product has played 63 games over the last two seasons? I would love to see Benson dominate like he did when he was a highly regarded bantam. Question is, can he do it at this level? I want to be a believer that Benson is a really good player. It isn't good for the BC Division when the Giants win only 20 games. A healthy Benson should change that.


Prince George Cougars Defenceman Dennis Cholowski

A first round NHL draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, Cholowski was signed with little fanfare by the Prince George Cougars in mid-August. The Cougars probably thought he would never play hockey up north when they drafted him in the 10th round of the 2013 WHL bantam draft.  It is another example of picking a player even though it was suggested he had no intention of playing major junior hockey. The Cougars took no risk in making the pick and now look like a genius because of it. The Red Wings clearly want their prospect to play in Prince George and why wouldn't they with an ownership group that actually cares. On top of that, the coaching staff, despite a first round playoff upset, appear to have their act together. The Langley, BC resident will make a significant impact and should be more than an adequate replacement for Cougars MVP Brendan Guhle. I'm excited to see him play.  I've heard some suggest GM Todd Harkins should trade him considering the Cougars are in a rebuild. I would guard against that. Unless the Cougars lose 8 straight games to start the season instead of winning 8 in a row, like they did a season ago on their way to a franchises first ever BC Division title, don't count on it.