December 2014 - Booster Club

Booster Club
A 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization
HAWKEY TALK NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2014
HAPPY HOLIDAYS,
MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Presidents Message
With the halfway point of the schedule approaching
as this issue of Hawkeytalk comes out, I'd like to
reflect on what has been a wild first half of the
season thus far. Back in September, the Booster Club
had announced its fan trip schedule and to be honest,
I wasn't sure how an 18 hour drive from home for
two games would be taken, especially to the wilds of
British Columbia. I personally have been to the cities
for the BC teams (not just for hockey), however, I
can pretty much guarantee that no one else on the
trip has. That said, I have been exceptionally pleased
to state that the trip to Prince George is SOLD
OUT!!
I know it'll be cold, but it will also be a great deal of
fun as we travel the Gold Rush Trail to the
northernmost franchise in the WHL. The Prince
George Cougars are under new management and
ownership and they are building on the business
plan of the Portland Winterhawks. It will be
interesting to see how the two teams match up
both on and off the ice. The Cougars management is
very interested in the Booster Club as they currently
don't operate one. They want to see our model and
some of the functions we do. In particular, they are
very interested in seeing our yearbook, and we have
representatives from the yearbook committee who
Continued on Page 3
Editor’s Notes
On behalf of the Board of Director’s and Committee
Members we wish each and everyone Safe Travels,
Happy Holiday’s, a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy
and Prosperous New Year.
The second half of the season is about to begin and is
guaranteed to be exciting, probably more exciting than
the first part which was full of goals, hat tricks, and a
team “melting together to be a formidable power-house
on ice.” We as fans, boosters and supporters of the boys
are truly privileged to experience the growth of our
rookies to veteran’s and the quality of hockey they
provide. Sometimes this “quality” of talent on the ice
tends to make us think of professional ice hockey players
… but, we need to remember this is raw-talent, they are
teenagers … and we are supporting their dreams to
become professional hockey players. With that said, I
know that our boys are going to make a run for
excellence to the play-offs. Let’s enjoy the run together!
The boys in December made their annual visits to
Shriners Children Hospital, Veteran’s Hospital and
distributed toys to the children and handed out posters
and pennants as well.
New Year’s Eve brings Skate With The Hawks (postgame) which is always a fun event. If you don’t have
skates you can rent skates from the Winterhawks Skating
Center in Beaverton.
Come join us at the Booster Club Tables at all home
games and for our next Membership Meeting on
Saturday, January 10, 2015 @ 4:30 pm (VMC).
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
http://www.pwhbc.com
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Booster Club Fan Bus Trips
(PLEASE CALENDAR THESE DATES)
Saturday, Nov 29, 2014 - Tri-Cities Americans
Thursday, Jan 15 thru Monday, Jan 19, 2015
North to Prince George via Cache Creek
Saturday, Mar 21, 2015 - Seattle
Dates, Times, Players and
Venues Subject to Change, please check at the Booster
Club Table for updates!
2013-14
DONALD D. ICKES MEMORIAL TROPHY
MOST POPULAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Booster Club General Membership Meetings
2014-15 Hockey Season
Board Members @ 4:00 pm
General Membership @ 4:30 pm
Saturday, Oct 11, 2014 vs. Seattle (MC)
Saturday, Nov 8, 2014 vs. Kamloops (unk)
Saturday, Dec 6, 2014 vs. Everett (VMC)
Saturday, Jan 10, 2015 vs. Vancouver (VMC)
Saturday, Feb 21, 2015 vs. Lethbridge (VMC)
Saturday, Mar 21, 2014 vs. Prince George (VMC)
February - Nominations and March - Elections
ALL TIMES AND VENUES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
HAWKEY TALK NEWSLETTER
John Fisher, Editor
Caroline Thurston, Co-Editor
Margaret “Maggie” Allee, Co-Editor
2014 - 15 Board of Directors
#28 - BRENDAN LEIPSIC
President - Stuart Kemp
Vice President - Holly Thorpe
Corporate Secretary - John Fisher
Treasurer - MaryEllen Brown
Corresponding Secretary - Cathy Kemp
Sgt at Arms - Ron Spencer
Council Member - Jim Majorowicz
Council Member - Margaret “Maggie” Allee
Council Member - Megan Waletich
Council Member - Richard Thomas
Council Member - Elke Thomas
Council Member - Marilyn Barnhart
CONTACT INFORMATION
Portland Winterhawks Booster Club (PWHBC)
Post Office Box 6768
Portland, Oregon 97228-6768
Website: www.pwhbc.com
Email: “pwhbc@comcast.net”
Twitter.com - “PWHBC”
Facebook.com: - “Portland Winterhawks Booster Club” and at
“PortlandWinterhawks BoosterClub”
At All Home Games Staff Are Available at the Booster Club Table
HAWKEY TALK NEWSLETTER
Email: HAWKEYTALK@gmail.com
FM RADIO ASSIGNMENTS IN VENUES: VMC 87.9 / MC (RG) 98.1
BOOSTER CLUB LOCATIONS: VMC “CC” / MC “A-12”
Your Portland Winterhawks Booster Club has won the
top award for “Non-Profit Transparency” and ranks
within the top 3,000 of the tens-of-thousands of NonProfits Nationwide.
Check out www.pwhbc.com and “click” on the
GuideStar Box at the top of the page for details.
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Player Appearance Schedule
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (Continued from Page 1)
All Player Appearance are subject to
Changes in Dates, Times or Players
will be traveling on this trip to show them the book and let
them know the amount of work that goes into it.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
SKATE WITH THE HAWKS
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 (Post Game)
SEASON TICKET HOLDER
MEET AND GREET
Sunday, January 25, 2015
(Ticketed Event Only)
BURGERVILLE
All Appearance are from 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Hawthorne - Tuesday, Feb 3, 2015
Scholl’s Ferry - Tuesday, March 10, 2015
LES SCHWAB
All Appearance are from 4:30 to 6:00 pm
Portland (122nd/Division) - Wednesday, Jan 21, 2015
Barbur Boulevard - Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Hillsboro - Wednesday, March 4, 2015
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
Away Games Viewing
Times listed are for Game Starts
Be there Early
No Player’s at these Events
Rose Bud’s and Tom-A-Hawk will be Present
Beaverton - Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - 7:00 pm
Lloyd Center - Friday, Feb 6, 2015 - 7:35 pm
Hazel Dell - Friday, Mar 20, 2015 - 7:00 pm
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PHOTO CREDITS COURTESY OF
At the Booster Club table, we have had a copy of this
past season's book up for raffle and the response has
been very strong. The volunteers for the Yearbook
Committee are also offering a copy of this year's book on
a raffle to end at the last regular season game this
season. If you haven't seen one of our yearbooks, there
is a copy in the Winterhawks office. We are proud of the
fact that the team appreciates and publicly displays the
yearbook. Make sure you get your raffle tickets to win
one of these great yearbooks at the next game!
Speaking of raffles, our latest jersey for raffle is the Hawk
Eyes jersey of Layne Viveiros. Tickets are being sold for
this raffle through the end of January. You can get 3
tickets for $5 and one winner will get to own this great
game worn jersey. Our Friday and Saturday stick raffles
have been going well this season as well, and those
tickets are also 3 for $5.
I wanted to touch on this year’s Christmas Ornament
auction. Final numbers are still rolling in, but after costs I
believe this may have been the most successful
Ornament auction ever. Some very lucky fans picked up
one-of-a-kind ornaments and many of these players’ are
in their last season in a Winterhawks uniform. Thank you
to the Team and Staff who joined in the fun, and helped
make it possible.
Another Thank you is to the fans who donated items to fill
the player's gift bags this season. Once again, you've
outdone yourselves and the players loved them.
Our “Shop With A Hawk” was a great success! We are
now collecting for next year and appreciate any
donations you would like to contribute! .
Now we move through a busy schedule in January with
an average of a game every two days, followed by a
moderate February and heavy March. There's a great
deal more hockey to go and the ride is about to take off.
Here’s to having the second half of the season being as
exciting as the first half has been!
GO HAWKS!!
BRYAN HEIM PHOTOGRAPHY
DAYNA FJORD
JIMMY BUDINSKI
PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS HOCKEY CLUB
AND OTHERS AROUND THE RINK
THANK YOU
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ROOKIE PROFILE:
EVAN WEINGER
By Samantha Meese
*The stats: Evan is one of three California-born players on the Winterhawks’ roster. The 17year-old right winger was selected by the Winterhawks in the 13th round of the 2012 WHL
Bantam Draft. The Los Angeles native played last season for the Los Angeles Junior Kings
of the Tier 1 Elite League, totaling 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 35 games.
Fun fact: Evan (4/18/97) is three days younger than Jack Flaman (4/15/97). They were both
signed by the Winterhawks on the same day.
My take: I was forewarned that Evan is one of the more soft-spoken players on this team,
but I found him to be very enthusiastic and engaging. Above all things, Evan is one of the most sincere and genuine
players I’ve ever spoken to. I think you’ll enjoy meeting him this season. If you just want to follow along with his
adventures in Portland, give him a follow on Twitter: @EvanWeinger
*Source: winterhawks.com
What do you think of Portland so far?
I love it. It’s different than where I’m from. It rains a lot; it doesn’t rain where I’m from. I’ve had one snow day here too.
Can you tell us a little bit about your family?
I have one little brother who plays hockey.
What do you do for fun in the off-season?
I go to the beach and hang out with my friends.
What has been the biggest change, challenge, or difference in transitioning to the WHL?
The speed of the game. You have to keep your head up.
Are you attending a local high school?
I go to Sunset High School.
Now that you are here in Portland, what are your goals for this season?
To get better and stronger and hopefully get drafted.
Who was your favorite player growing up?
T.J. Oshie. I like the way he plays. He’s a hitter, but he can still score goals.
What was your favorite cartoon/TV show growing up?
Sponge Bob Squarepants.
What is the most embarrassing song or musician on your iPod?
Probably something my brother downloaded onto it; I think there’s some Bieber on it.
What was the last movie you saw, and how would you rate it?
The first Hobbit movie. I liked it.
After your playing days are over, would you rather coach or become a ref (or something else)?
A trainer.
What’s the one thing you would tell kids playing hockey, on what it takes to get to the WHL? What would you
tell them about it takes to get to the next level?
Get bigger, stronger and faster and just work hard.
Continued on Page 5
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What is the best part of being a Portland Winterhawk?
Everything.
Where did you learn to fight like that?
I watch a lot of NHL 15 and we practice after practice. I’m also learning from Alex Schoenborn.
True story: This profile was Evan’s first official media interview.
Bonus warm and fuzzy kitten moment: Evan was genuinely surprised and delighted when he learned that a group
of young fans gathered outside the locker room wanted his autograph.
__________________________________________________________________________________
TEAM VISITS TO THE HOSPITALS
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DECEMBER 2014 - TEDDY BEAR TOSS
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DECEMBER 2014
Shortly after November’s newsletter came out, we hit the road for a quick three-game trip
to BC. This gave us the chance to play a pair of games against the Kelowna Rockets, the
top team in the WHL. Those two games in Kelowna were a great early season test for us,
and I was extremely proud of how we played.
In the first game, televised nationally in Canada and the U.S., we overcame a three-goal
deficit and forced overtime, with Alex Schoenborn scoring the winning goal. The next
night, we defeated Kelowna again to give the Rockets their first regulation loss on home
ice all season. The victories were the start of a six-game winning streak, and as I write
this we’ve won eight of our last nine games overall.
As many of you may know, we are quickly approaching the 2015 World Junior
Championship, which will be held in Toronto and Montreal at the end of December. The
Canadian national team has invited our captain, Nic Petan, to attend their selection camp beginning on Dec. 11 in
Toronto, while alternate captain Chase De Leo has been invited to the U.S. National Junior Selection Camp in Boston
beginning on Dec. 16. Petan represented the Canadian team at last year’s World Junior Championship in Sweden, and
he is looking to make the team for the second straight year.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, who recently passed Jozef Balej to become the highest-scoring import in Winterhawks history, will
also be representing his home country of Denmark at this year’s World Junior Championship. Last year, he led Denmark
to a victory in the B Pool and qualified his team for the main tournament this year.
These camps will provide our players with an excellent opportunity to gain international experience. It will be a challenge
for our team as we will lose some of our top players to their respective national teams, but this will give the rest of our
players a chance to step up and play more minutes in bigger roles for the team in the interim.
On another note, I recently had the chance to experience my first Teddy Bear Toss. On December 6, a sellout crowd
tossed 10,578 stuffed animals onto the ice after Paul Bittner opened the scoring in the first period. We’ve donated the
bears to children’s hospitals and other kids’ organizations in the Portland metro area to benefit the area’s youth in time
for the holidays. Soon, the players and coaching staff will also head out to the children’s hospitals to hand out teddy
bears in person and continue a wonderful tradition of giving here in Portland.
Speaking of the holidays, in a few weeks the players will head home for the league’s Christmas break, giving them a
chance to spend time with their families and to recharge their batteries for the second half of the season. From Portland,
we are wishing each and every one of you a safe and happy holidays.
Page 7
By Todd Vrooman, Radio Announcer and Broadcast Communications
Manager for the Hawks. Catch him with Andy Kemper bringing you the best
of Portland Winterhawks hockey on the radio…
Happy Holidays Booster Club, and thanks again for having a look at my
musings on the Winterhawks. I’m writing to you today on the eve of the
Hawks’ final weekend before the Christmas Break, and in a pleasant mood for
sure. The Hawks have won 8 of the last 9 games, and have shot up to second
in the U.S. division standings with 3 games before the halfway mark of the
WHL season. I thought I’d take a look forward today on moments I’m looking
forward to in the next couple of months, some dates to “circle on the
calendar”:
Saturday, January 10th: Hawks vs. Vancouver (Memorial Coliseum)
This will be the first home game for the Hawks after the completion of the
World Junior Hockey Championships, and hopefully Oliver Bjorkstrand, Nic Petan, and Chase De Leo
will all come back with medals (Come on Denmark we believe in you!). This is also the date of the WHL’s
trade deadline, so by the time the Hawks take the ice that night we’ll know the final roster that will take
the team towards their goal of a 4th WHL Title in franchise history and a berth in the Mastercard Memorial
Cup in Quebec City. Also, Portland will be looking to seek revenge on a Giants team that won both of the
first two games between the teams in Vancouver this season.
Wednesday, January 28th: Hawks vs. Victoria (Moda Center)
The Hawks have taken 2 of the first 3 meetings against the Royals this season, the last of which was a
thrilling 6-4 win in Victoria on December 2nd. The Royals are a team who look to be contenders for the
WHL crown this season. They have the leading defensive goal scorer in the league in Travis Brown, and
the defensive point leader Joe Hicketts as well. Brandon Magee, when he’s not doing something to get
himself suspended, is an elite offensive talent. Greg Chase adds some scoring depth they seemed to be
missing, and Coleman Vollrath is starting to play better in net. The Royals, to me, look like a team
capable of competing with Kelowna in the postseason to come out of the BC Division and into the
conference final. And, these two teams have become big rivals in the last two years, this game will be a
big battle for both sides.
Saturday, January 31st: Hawks vs. Everett (Moda Center)
The Hawks have already played the division leading Silvertips 7 of 10 times this season before
Christmas, and as a result this is the only meeting in the City of Roses in the second half. Everett has
won 4 of the first 7 games between the teams, but the Hawks have won the last two games at home in
convincing fashion. If the Hawks hope to catch the Silvertips for first in the division, winning the head-tohead game is key. Plus it is Mascot Night, so Tom-A-Hawk will be hanging out with all his best pals and
having his annual hockey game during an intermission.
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By Samantha Meese
Happy Hockey New Year! The Sequel
It seems like only yesterday that the Winterhawks were hoisting yet another
Western Conference trophy and here it is, almost 2015 already. 2014 has been
almost like living through two different years in one: pre and post-Mike Johnston. It went like so:
Must be 21 and over to play: The Kelowna Rockets spoiled our New Year celebrations by defeating the
Winterhawks with the greatest of ease on Dec. 31 and January 2. But turnabout is fair play; the Winterhawks
promptly roared back and for the next two months, they were unstoppable. The 21-game winning streak they
amassed in the heart of the stretch run would go down in the record books as the second-best in WHL history.
Here comes the boom: The boys entered the off-season poised for the fourth Western Conference championship
they would go on to win. Hot off the heels of the 21-game winning streak and the U.S. Division title, it looked like
another walk in the park. But that’s the thing about four consecutive championship seasons in a row: they only look
easy. Enter the Edmonton Oil Kings and a third consecutive showdown for the WHL title. The boys frequently tell me
that the playoffs are like a whole new season. Based on that, the WHL Championship series was a lot like a third
season. After a weekend of games in which the Winterhawks dispatched the Oil Kings with the greatest of ease, the
tables turned. Enter Game 6 and New York Rangers draft pick Keegan Iverson, setting the stage for Game 7 and the
chance at last to celebrate the WHL title on home ice with Mike Johnston behind the bench. In the end, the hockey
gods had other ideas. When all was said and done, the Oil Kings deserved the win. The heartbreaker did not take
away from the glorious season that preceded it. The only thing more happy and sad at the same time was what
came next:
Off-season, what off-season?: The departure of Mike Johnston, the entry draft and summertime WJC evaluation
camps guaranteed that local fans and media had plenty to keep us busy in the off-season. Throughout the 2012 –
2013 season, there was always a light at the end of the tunnel because we knew that Mike Johnston would
eventually be back, and that he was guiding Travis Green from behind the scenes. I knew he wouldn’t stay forever,
but I must admit that I wasn’t quite ready for Coach Johnston to leave when he had only just come back. On the other
hand, I can’t help but be excited for him and the Pittsburgh Penguins, my favorite NHL team. To think that I spent the
past four seasons interviewing and getting to know a man who now coaches the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni
Malkin is like the hockey version of being with the band. I can’t help but be happy for him and for the possibility of
things to come this season for the Pens. And who didn’t love seeing Dominic Turgeon in his Detroit Red Wings jersey
on draft day, speaking to the media alongside his legendary father? It was easily THE warm-and-fuzzy-kitten moment
of the off-season.
You say tomato, I say Alex: It’s funny what a little pre-season trip to Everett will teach you about the enemy. Like
the fact that the Everett Silvertips call Alex Schoenborn “tomato.” Or that the Spokane Chiefs like to douse every
piece of food they scooped up from the Holiday Inn breakfast buffet with ketchup. The pre-season found the
Winterhawks back in fine form, as they returned from Everett with a nearly perfect record. What followed was very un
-Winterhawk like, but none of it held a candle to the antics that got Everett Head Coach Kevin Constantine booted
from the Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the second time in his career. When I told my mom what happened, she
naturally assumed the coach was really young; like under-30 young. I’d tell you what she said when I told her that
Constantine was in fact twice that old and then some, but the editors don’t allow the use of “colorful language” in this
newsletter. In the end, I was proud of the Winterhawks of keeping their cool while he put on a show.
Continued on Page 10
Page 9
THE FACE-OFF SPOT (Continued from Page 9)
Onward!: Now that the Winterhawks have returned to their winning ways, it’s time for some New Year’s resolutions.
These are just a few of the things I’d like to see a little more of in 2015:
Gone surfing, be back soon. I’m all about my Beach Boys line (Evan Weinger – Chase De Leo – Miles Koules). I
don’t know why, but they worked when Coach Kompon rolled them out and I’m all for putting them on a line
permanently.
Ready to Rumble. Hello my name is Samantha and I’ve secretly been waiting for Oliver Bjorkstrand to drop the mitts
since he came to Portland; because I knew he would just totally drop his opponent. If a rival player wants to sucker
punch Oliver again, that’s his prerogative and good luck with that. You let us know how that works out for you. And I
really must make note to ask Evan Weinger where he learned to fight like that.
Special delivery. Reflecting on the past six months of this year, I’m glad I decided not to have too many expectations
about this season. “Expect the unexpected” has pretty much been the story of 2014 for yours truly. I have faith the
boys will continue their upward trajectory, but I also know that not every year can literally be a banner year. I’m ok with
that, because I know that the boys will always give us their very best. Which means that there is one thing I know for
sure: whatever the second half of the season holds for the Winterhawks, I know they will make it special.
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Winterhawks fans get 50% off the regular menu price of all large pizzas when ordering online and using the
promo code HAWKEY. This offer is valid on all Monday through Thursday Winterhawks game days! For more
information and to view participating locations go to winterhawks.com/papajohns.
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Surging Winterhawks hope to maintain momentum after holiday break
By Scott Sepich - Special to The Oregonian - December 26, 2014
With 72 games in less than six months, the Western Hockey
League schedule can become a grind for the mostly teenage
players who leave their hometowns behind to chase their
hockey dream in Portland with the Winterhawks.
That's why the Hawks cherish the yearly WHL holiday break,
which gives each player the opportunity to spend about 10
days at home to relax and recharge before the season's
second half starts this weekend with games Saturday in
Seattle and Sunday against Spokane at Veterans Memorial
Coliseum.
"It's one of the only opportunities to be with friends and family
all year," 18-year-old Winterhawks forward Paul Bittner said earlier this week from his home in Crookston, Minnesota.
"I try to see everyone I can, and even go over to school and say hi. It's awesome to not have to worry about the
season for a while and just be a kid."
The Hawks last played on Dec. 14, so first-year head coach and general manager Jamie Kompon wants to make sure
the players stay in game shape when they could be tempted to spend their vacation overeating, oversleeping and
staying glued to the couch in front of the television.
"It's a good mental break for the kids because most of them haven't been home since August," Kompon said. "But we
have a program for off-ice workouts to keep their conditioning at a high level. They need to be ready to go when they
get back."
Kompon's first season in Portland began with a whimper, with the Hawks going 1-7-0-2 through the first 10 games. It
was a jarring start for a franchise that won the last four Western Conference championships under former coach and
GM Mike Johnston, who is now the head coach of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.
"It was very frustrating," said forward Dominic Turgeon, who's spending Christmas with his family in the Denver suburb
of Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. "We're not really sure what it was since we've always gotten off to good starts the last
few years."
Things have turned around in recent weeks, though, as the Hawks have won 18 of their last 26 games to pull within
striking distance of first-place Everett in the U.S. Division race at the halfway point.
Part of the reason for the turnaround has been the reintegration of nine players who missed time early in the season at
NHL training camps.
"We had two weeks all together in our training camp, and then all those guys go away to different teams for a few
weeks," Kompon noted. "Then they suddenly have to come back and relearn what we've been working at, and it took a
little time."
There was also an adjustment period for players who were used to Johnston's ways, as well as for Kompon, who's
coaching junior players for the first time after spending the last 17 years as an assistant coach in the NHL.
Kompon learned quickly that coaching players who are 16 to 20 years old is much different from working with
professionals.
"The biggest thing is the emotional level of the kids," he said. "They ride high and low, and it isn't always about hockey.
They're very resilient physically, but the mental side can be more tiring."
Continued on Page 13
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Over the last several weeks, the Hawks have tightened up play in their defensive zone and played with a structure that
was lacking early in the season. Rookie goaltender Adin Hill has also emerged as a key player, and ranks first in the
league with a .926 save percentage.
"We've been more diligent in our own end, and I think we're starting to move the puck really well and creating some
good rushes," Kompon said. "I'd also like to see us get more shot attempts on goal. Some teams like to throw a lot of
pucks at the net to create second and third opportunities, and I'd like to see our team have that mindset."
Portland's three leading scorers — Oliver Bjorkstrand, Chase De Leo and Nic Petan — are missing out on the holiday
break to participate in the yearly world junior championship, which starts Friday and runs through Jan. 5 in Montreal
and Toronto.
Bjorkstrand is competing for his home country of Denmark, while California native De Leo is playing for the U.S. team
and Petan will play for Canada. The NHL Network is broadcasting all games involving the U.S. and Canada.
All three players will miss at least the next five games for the Hawks, leaving others like Bittner and Detroit Red Wings
draftee Turgeon to pick up the slack.
"Those three are definitely key players, but we have a lot of guys on the team who can take on that role," said Turgeon,
an 18-year-old who has 11 goals and 26 points in his third season in Portland. "If we stay consistent and keep working
hard, good things will happen."
Bittner and Kompon mentioned that the Hawks really found their confidence during back-to-back road wins over the
league-leading Kelowna Rockets in late November. The Hawks rallied from a 3-0 deficit on Nov. 21 to win 4-3, then
beat the Rockets by the same score the next night.
"There might've been some panic before, but our guys had the confidence to believe in each other and the system, and
we came back to win that first game," said Kompon.
Bittner, who has 13 goals in 30 games, said those wins "let us know we could compete and beat anybody in the
league, which was a big boost, especially for our young guys."
Portland likely won't be at its best without its top three players — who combined for 44 goals and 115 points in the first
half of the season. When they return, though, the Hawks expect to be in the mix for an unprecedented fifth
consecutive trip to the WHL finals.
"I feel like we've overcome the slump," Turgeon said. "We had a strong finish to the first half and I think we can keep
swinging the momentum when we get back."
Page 13
Winterhawks expect to be buyers as WHL trade deadline approaches
By Scott Sepich - Special to The Oregonian - December 26, 2014
First-year general manager and head coach of the Portland Winterhawks, Jamie Kompon, said this week that he would
be looking at ways to improve the team before the Western Hockey League's Jan. 10 trade deadline.
The Hawks' 1-7-0-2 record through the first 10 games of the season led to speculation that Kompon could be looking to
trade some of the team's veteran stars — like Oliver Bjorkstrand and Nic Petan — to rebuild with young players and/or
draft picks. Kompon acknowledged that some opposing GMs have asked about the availability of Portland's key
players, but he's not interested being a seller.
Instead, Kompon will be looking at adding a player or two to prepare for another deep playoff run.
Though Portland (19-14-0-3) currently sits behind the Kelowna Rockets and Everett Silvertips in the Western
Conference standings, the team's recent run of 10 wins in 12 games has led Kompon to believe that the Hawks are
contenders for an unprecedented fifth straight conference title.
The first three months of the season involved a lot of conversation among WHL GMs, according to Kompon, but most of
that was just "kicking tires."
"Now, it's about what we can do to enhance our team, and we'll be exploring those options," he said.
The league-leading Rockets made the trade season's first big deal, acquiring defenseman Josh Morrissey from the
Prince Albert Raiders on Dec. 10. Morrissey is one of the top defenseman in the league, and bolsters a Rockets team
that went 28-5-3-0 without him. There are also rumblings that Kelowna could be pursuing a deal for 19-year-old
German forward Leon Draisaitl, who has been playing this season for the NHL's Edmonton Oilers but may be sent back
down to junior hockey in January. Draisaitl's WHL rights belong to Prince Albert, so the Rockets would have to swing
another trade with the rebuilding Raiders to bring him in.
The Winterhawks have dealt Kelowna three of its eight losses this season, but with Morrissey and potentially Draisaitl
on board, the Rockets are positioned as the conference favorites.
Kompon knows that he might need to make moves to keep up, but doesn't want to have to deal any of the team's core
players.
"Our philosophy is to try to improve without having to trade away guys from our current roster," he said.
That's easier said than done, especially when the Hawks are short on draft picks that selling teams often covet when
making deadline trades. League sanctions from 2012 have left Portland without a first-round bantam draft choice for the
next three drafts, and the Hawks also don't have a second-round pick in 2015 or 2016 due to a trade by former coach/
GM Mike Johnston last year to acquire defenseman Mathew Dumba.
Though Kompon could trade picks from lower rounds, that could further hamper the Hawks' ability to build a future
roster through the draft. If he does deal away picks, he could attempt to recover one or more by trading non-roster
players on the team's 50-name protected list.
The Hawks also could pursue current NCAA players whose rights they own, but while they acquired multiple players
that way during Johnston's tenure, moves like that are rare during the season.
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On the halfway point: 2 out of 5 ain't bad
By Samantha Meese - The Oregonian - December 18, 2014
The math: Spokane Chiefs 4, Portland Winterhawks 3 (Friday). Portland Winterhawks 2, Seattle Thunderbirds 1
(Saturday). Portland Winterhawks 4, Tri-City Americans 3 (Sunday).
Record: 19-14-0-3. 41 total points earned in the standings.
Standings: The Winterhawks are second in the U.S. Division and third in the Western Conference. They are
three points behind the number one team in the U.S. Division, the Everett Silvertips, who have three games in hand.
Kids, don't try this at home: The third period of the Spokane game. It was like the hockey version of an ugly
Christmas sweater, in which it seemed like the Chiefs fired all 53 of their shots in the last two minutes of the game.
There's a first time for everything: Forward Alex Overhardt scored his first career WHL goal in Kennewick, at the
17:48 mark of the first period. But why stop there? He earned his fifth assist of the season with a helper on Even
Weinger's fifth goal of the season at the 11:15 mark of the second period.
Family business: Brothers Kailer and Keanu Yamamoto, both Spokane natives, were responsible in one way or
another for all three of the Chiefs' third period goals. They are the first pair of Spokane-native siblings to play for the
team at the same time.
Pleased to meet you: I had the pleasure of meeting Evan Weinger on Friday night for the next rookie profile. He's
easily one of the most sincere and genuine players on this team and I recommend meeting him at a community event
if you have the opportunity.
The future is now: Invitations to World Junior camps, the CHL Top Prospects Game and being picked in the NHL
Entry Draft have become annual traditions for the Winterhawks. Add Paul Bittner to that list. Already on early draft
watch lists, he will play for Team Orr in the 2015 Top Prospects Game.
Top of the Hill: After 13 games and 682 minutes played, Adin Hill leads the league in save percentage, at .926.
Sportsnet's list of Top 30 NHL Draft Prospects has him listed as "on the radar." Paul is listed at number 28.
Did I mention I love shootouts?: Especially when former Winterhawk Ryan Johansen scores in a shootout for the
Columbus Blue Jackets.
2 out of 5 ain't bad: Considering that the team started the season with six straight losses, second place has never
looked so good. There are five teams in the U.S. Division and it wasn't that long ago that the Winterhawks seemed
like they might be a permanent fixture at number five. But this is the Winterhawks, after all. I knew that wouldn't last
forever. Bolstered by a six-game winning streak, the Winterhawks changed their game and their standings in both the
U.S. Division and Western Conference. All things considered, second place out of five ain't bad. In fact, here at the
halfway mark of the season, 2015 is starting to look pretty darn good.
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~~~ “SHOP-WITH-A-HAWK” ~~~
WE NEED YOUR HELP IN MAKING THIS
PROGRAM A SUCCESS EACH YEAR.
THE PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS BOOSTER
CLUB IS ACCEPTING YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
YEAR ROUND TO BENEFIT CHILDREN IN
OUR COMMUNITIES.
“SHOP-WITH-A-HAWK” INVOLVES THE PORTLAND
WINTERHAWKS hockey PLAYERS and pairs them up
“ONE-on-ONE” WITH CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY TO
SHOW THESE CHILDREN THAT PEOPLE CARE … THAT
teenagers care too!
This is a program sponsored by you the members of
the Portland Winterhawks booster club and fans
with partners from the community including fred
meyer, Portland sunshine division, volunteers AND
OF COURSE YOUR PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS HOCKEY
CLUB. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONSIDER THIS
OPPORTUNTY TODAY TO BRING SMILES, LAUGHTER AND
CHRISTMAS JOY TO SO MANY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
THIS YEAR.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS PROGRAM A GROWING SUCCESS!
Donations are accepted at all Home Games at the Portland Winterhawks Booster Club Tables. Cash, Check or Credit Cards are
Accepted. Or Send your donations by check made payable to:
Portland Winterhawks Booster Club (PWHBC)
Attn: Charitable Giving Coordinator
P. O. Box 6768
Portland, Oregon 97228-6768
ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE
TAX-DEDUCTION LETTERS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Page 16
____________________________________________________________________________________
CATCH ALL THE WINTERHAWKS
ACTION THIS SEASON
on KPAM 860 AM and the Winterhawks Radio Network.
All of the regular season and playoff action will be heard live this season on multiple platforms, either over-the-air on
KPAM 860 AM, the team's online radio network, and smartphone apps.
In addition, every Monday night from 6 - 7 p.m. the Hawks will have an exclusive "Hawkey
Talk" show on KPAM, hosted by Ron Callan. "Hawkey Talk" will feature weekly updates
from General Manager & Head Coach Mike Johnston, play-by-play announcer Todd
Vrooman, player interviews, and questions from fans. Don't miss this exclusive weekly
show!
You can also tune in to all games on your smartphone or tablet by downloading the free
“Live365” app from your marketplace. Just search for "Winterhawks" in the app, then
make it a preset and you can tune in anytime!
Along with the games, the Winterhawks will use the online network to broadcast teamrelated content 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Fans can find the station by visiting
winterhawks.com and clicking the “Listen Live” link at the top of the page. Fans can also
listen to games on KPAM 860 AM.
Page 17
By Samantha Meese - December 20, 2014
From the Dub: Pooh for Short
Twitter is exploding today with news that Derrick Pouliot has been called up by the Penguins for tonight’s game against
the Florida Panthers. His path to the NHL has come full circle: chosen first overall in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft,
Derrick was the first player Mike Johnston drafted as General Manager of the Portland Winterhawks. Judging from
Twitter alone, Portland fans who had plans tonight are either canceling them or preparing to multi-task as we look
forward to the professional debut of a former Winterhawk who will always be a fan favorite. In honor of Derrick’s NHL
debut, kindly allow me to introduce you to the young man Portland just calls Pooh for short.
Welcome to Portland: Derrick was 16 when he reported for Winterhawks training camp in 2010. He blew into town
sporting super-short hair, baby fat and a penchant for scoring. It was my first season covering the Winterhawks for
oregonlive, and I mistook him for a forward at first glance. It was then that a local fan pointed out to me that Derrick
was, in fact, a defenseman. I didn’t make the same mistake twice. Speaking of people who learn quickly:
Kids, don’t try this at home: Like all young junior players, Derrick made his share of rookie mistakes while he played
in Portland. The most painful one occurred during the second round of the 2011 playoffs, in Game 5 versus the
Kelowna Rockets. Derrick made an ill-timed cross ice pass at the blueline that changed the game. He might as well
have donned a Rockets jersey and passed the puck directly to Jessey Astles, who promptly absconded with it and
scored on a breakaway, 7:08 into overtime. At the time, the Winterhawks led the series 3-2. The victory forced Game 6
and an-eight hour bus ride the next day to Kelowna. Mike Johnston didn't make a federal case out of it; he simply told
local media that the pass was “a mistake by a young player.” Mike also told the media that night that “playoffs are
tough. You’re going to lose a game here and there, and you have to be able to rebound.”
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again: Rebound the Winterhawks did, winning the first of four consecutive
Western Conference titles. As for Derrick, he assured me after that game that he wouldn’t make the same mistake
twice and he kept his word. He would go on to contribute to all four Western Conference championships and the 2013
WHL title. In addition, he achieved the following milestones and honors during his four seasons with the Winterhawks:
Played on Canada's gold medal team at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Named to the World U-17 Hockey Challenge Tournament All-Star Team (2011)
CHL Memorial Cup All-Star Team (2013)
WHL First All-Star Team (West, 2012 – 2013)
Played for Team Canada in the 2014 World Junior tournament.
WHL and CHL Defenseman of the Year (2013 – 2014)
He shoots, he scores: Derrick currently leads the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins in scoring, with 20 points (7G,
13A) in 23 games played. His point total ranks fourth (tied) among all AHL rookies and fifth overall among all AHL
blueliners. He comes to Pittsburgh with five goals and seven points in seven games during the month of December.* If
tonight’s game goes to a shootout, don’t be alarmed if you see Coach Johnston put him in as the first shooter. It
became standard operating procedure in Portland, and it worked.
He’s a social butterfly: For my two cents, next to onetime Penguins prospect Joe Morrow, Derrick Pouliot is the
proprietor of the absolute best Tweets ever. My personal favorite: “Turtle Eats Goldfish in Class.” It’s a classic that also
happens to be a true story. Honorable mention goes to his one and only Tweet about the 2012 lockout: “Lockout, not
cool.” It didn’t matter if you were a fan, a player or the NHLPA. That Tweet said it all about how everyone felt.
Page 18
Don't Poke the Pooh Bear: If a Florida Panther wants to get into it with Derrick tonight, that's his prerogative and
good luck with that. Having seen Derrick drop the mitts, I would personally recommend passing on that option. But
that's just me; I like all my body parts and vital organs where they are, thank you.
Pittsburgh is the new Portland: Tonight marks an epic milestone not only for Derrick Pouliot, but for local Portland
Winterhawks fans as well. Enjoy the moment Pittsburgh. I know for sure that we did. And if you see him around, tell
him Portland said hello and that we will always be proud of him.
*Source: http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=745024
Page 19
YOU CAN HELP YOUR
PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS BOOSTER CLUB
EARN DONATIONS TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY GIVING
JUST BY SHOPPING WITH YOUR FRED MEYER REWARDS CARD!
Fred Meyer is donating $2.5 million per year to non-profits in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington,
based on where their customers tell them to give. Here’s how the program works:
Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to your
PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS BOOSTER CLUB at www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards. You can
search for us by our name or by our non-profit number (NPO) 81503.
Then, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you are helping the PORTLAND
WINTERHAWKS BOOSTER CLUB earn a donation from Fred Meyer.
By supporting your Charitable Club you will allow them to do more community outreach with no out-ofpocket-expense. A Win-Win!
You still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points, and Rebates, just as you do today. Your Rewards don’t
change. But, Fred Meyer’s Gives based on your use of the Rewards Card. However, first you have to go
“online” and “link” your card to the Portland Winterhawks Booster Club.
If you do not have a Rewards Card, they are available at the Customer Service desk of any Fred Meyer
store.
For more information, please visit www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards.
Thank you
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