February 2014 - Booster Club

Booster Club
A 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization
HAWKEY TALK NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2014
Presidents Message
Editor’s Notes
As we approach the final three weeks of the regular
season, the Winterhawks are on a 17 game winning
streak. It started well prior to our last issue of HawkeyTalk
and no one can see the light at the end of the tunnel... at
least I can't. When the team is firing on all cylinders, it
flows over to other parts surrounding the organization.
Your Board of Director’s met on Saturday, February 8,
2014 in the midst of the snow and ice storms to complete
necessary and timely items on the agenda. However,
even though there was a quorum for the Board of
Director’s Meeting there was not a quorum for the
General Membership Meeting.
To date, your Booster Club has hit some new levels. Just
short of 600 people have joined the Booster Club this
season; we held the first annual “Shop-With-A-Hawk”
community outreach event which was very successful.
We donated funds to the Winterhawks High School
Varsity Hockey League (WHSVHL) as part of the Betty
and Carl Savage Memorial Fund for Junior Hockey
Programs, we'll put up a sizable donation to the
Education Fund and we are going to help put kids on the
ice with The “Gift of Gear” Program that is being
organized by WHL Linesman Jarrod Bowman.
Luckily our Guest Speaker, Jarrod Bowman was in
attendance so we had an informal discussion on
refereeing and being a linesmen in the WHL. Jarrod is
also a referee in another local Junior Hockey League. It
was a most interesting discussion and the membership
had lots of questions and enjoyed the personal
interaction.
It's been a very different year for the Booster Club, many
new faces and a few different directions. One thing that I
have really noticed is the enjoyment people have shown
being a part of the Booster Club. It's a feeling that shows
that the hard work of the board and members have done
over the past several years is worth the effort.
As we approach nominations and elections, it will be
exciting to see the direction that the board and
membership take us for the next year or two. I am
amazed as to how far we've come since I came on board
with the Boosters back in 2005. I spent my first two years
on the Council before moving up to Sgt. at Arms and
within the year I moved to being the President. We still
worked hard to put on a great product, wonderful and
memorable fan trips and a great atmosphere at a time
where things had hit bottom for the team and the Hawks
organization. I am certainly glad to be past that point now
and heading in an entirely new direction.
As always, we'll make sure the Booster Club table is open
for the playoff season. It seems to be a strong time for
membership renewals and introducing the Booster Club
Continued on Page 4
Being that there was not a quorum for the Membership
Meeting it has been rescheduled for SATURDAY,
FEBRUARY 22, 2014 in the US PLYWOOD ROOM @
the VETERAN’S MEMORIAL COLISEUM. The board
will meet at 4:00 pm and the general membership will
meet at 4:30 pm. This is a very important meeting as it is
our Annual Nominations Meeting. Thank you to those
who are interested in running for the various offices this
season. See the previous newsletter and recent eBlast
on open offices, procedures and requirements for holding
office.
Regarding inclement weather situations the games will
always proceed if both teams and the officials are in the
house. That is the general rule of thumb. The booster
club follows these rules as some members may show up
as they did this last scheduled meeting. So, if you are
able and feel safe enough to travel and we have not
announced a cancellation then there will normal be a
meeting of the booster club when ever scheduled.
Any cancellations will be made by email, twitter and
Facebook pages.
See you on Saturday, February 22, at the meeting.
GOooo HAWKS!
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
http://www.pwhbc.com
Page 1
Booster Club Events
(PLEASE CALENDAR THESE DATES)
March Events:
Saturday, March 1st – Nicoli’s Viewing Party at 7 pm (@
Seattle)
Wednesday, March 5th – Nicoli’s Viewing Party at 7 pm
(@ Tri-City)
Friday, March 14th – Nicoli’s Viewing Party at 7:30 pm
(@ Seattle)
Monday, March 17th – Hawkey Talk at Nicoli’s (6-7 pm)
Dates, Times, Players and Venues Subject to Change,
please check at the Booster Club Table for updates!
2012-13
DONALD D. ICKES
MOST POPULAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Booster Club General Membership Meetings
2013-14 Hockey Season
Saturday, October 12 - MC - Courtside Club - 5 pm
Saturday, November 9 - MC - Courtside Club - 5 pm
Saturday, December 14 - VMC - US Plywood - 4:30 pm
Saturday, January 4 - VMC - US Plywood - 4:30 pm
Saturday, February 8 - VMC - US Plywood - 4:30 pm
(Nominations Meeting) (Rescheduled for SATURDAY,
FEB 22, 2014 due to snow and ice storm)
Saturday, March 15 - VMC - US Plywood - 4:30 pm
(Elections Meeting)
ALL TIMES AND VENUES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
HAWKEY TALK NEWSLETTER
John Fisher, Editor
Caroline Thurston, Co-Editor
2013 - 14 Board of Directors
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 - Gina Acosta
Council Member - Megan Waletich
Council Member - Richard Thomas
Council Member - Elke Thomas
Council Member - Pat Thorpe
#25 - TAYLOR PETERS
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
~FAN BUS TRIPS ~
WE HAVE SOLD OUT OUR BUS TRIPS FOR THE
SEASON. STAY TUNED FOR NEXT SEASONS
LINE UP.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR MEMBERS AND
HAWKS FANS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS
SEASONS TRIPS.
COME JOIN US AND SUPPORT OUR BOYS
Email: PNWHockey@gmail.com
FM RADIO ASSIGNMENTS IN VENUES: VMC 87.9 / MC (RG) 98.1
Page 2
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…
What an amazing run of victories for your Portland Winterhawks. I’m writing to
you on the eve of a showdown with the Prince George Cougars, and the
Hawks’ pursuit of a 17th straight win. The Hawks have earned points in 18
straight, and are clicking right now in the buildup to the postseason.
Sometimes in the WHL, late January and early February are known as the
“dog days.” You’ve already passed the trade deadline, still two months from
the playoffs, and sometimes teams (particularly high in the standings) can be
guilty of complacency this time of year. That’s one reason I’m so impressed by
the run the Hawks have been on this month. The Hawks haven’t allowed
complacency to creep into their game. The tenacity, the focus hasn’t wavered. And it’s very crucial that
the Hawks continue to play with that intensity since the system requires it.
Portland plays an up-tempo style, with the defense activating into the rush at any opportunity. A prime
example of this was the goal Derrick Pouliot scored on Saturday, as the fourth man joining the rush upice to support the attack he fired home the goal from the slot. This system allows the Hawks to have the
highest scoring offense in the WHL, because they pour so many players into the attack. But this system
only works if everyone is as committed to driving back into the defensive zone with the same intensity
and focus as they drive into the attack, and in that regard Portland has been terrific in the last month.
And so with this intensity of defending as hard as they attack, combined with a power-play that has been
clicking at near historic levels, the Hawks have won 16 straight games as of this writing. Portland will be
looking to win every game from here on out, as are all teams in the WHL. But for Portland, the biggest
objective now turns to building momentum into the playoffs and carrying the solid play they’re currently
showing into the second season. With the playoffs starting late in March, and carrying to the end of May
if you make it all the way through, they can really grind you down. Portland has experience in the grind
and the big games through the core of their team, and adding some highly motivated newcomers like
Matt Dumba and Garrett Haar to the blueline should position the Hawks perfectly to be clicking for what
they hope is a fourth straight run deep into the postseason. I, for one, can’t wait to watch it. See you at
the rink!
EDITOR’S NOTE: People have asked and now it is available on line …
THE OFFICIAL 2013-14 WHL HOCKEY RULE BOOK. Type the following
into your web browser to access:
http://www.whl.ca/uploads/assets/WHL_EN_SITE/2013_14_WHL_Season/
WHL_Documents/2013_14_WHL_Official_Rule_Book.pdf
Page 3
President’s Message (Continued from Page 1)
to new people. Please take the opportunity to let your
seatmates know about the Booster Club, its benefits and
programs. It's often through word of mouth, that the
Booster Club gets recognition.
2013-14
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
FOR JANUARY
We only have a few home games left in the regular
season before the second season starts, that being the
playoffs and who knows where we'll go this year. Win or
lose, the players have provided great nights of
entertainment and it is exciting to see where they
eventually land in their professional hockey career.
People may think having NHL hockey here would be
great, but for me I prefer to see them come here, develop
into elite players and be able to say I saw them when...
While it may sound cliché, I really do appreciate everyone
who has joined the Booster Club this season and to those
who have signed up for the first time, welcome, sit back
and enjoy the ride. Renewals have started already with
the new Zamboni commemorative lapel pin which I am
told by many is a real hit.
Now time to watch some hockey... Go Hawks!
Stuart Kemp
President
___________________________________________
CONGRATULATIONS
#28 - BRENDAN LEIPSIC
The Face-Off Spot (Continued from Page 7)
Talking Hockey With Coach Mike Johnston
(Continued from Page 6)
The NHL size arenas lead to more scoring chances and as you
can see from the early play of Canada if opponents are content
to sit back and clog up the middle it is difficult to generate
scoring chances on the larger ice. You wouldn’t think so but
wait for the comments after the games are over regarding the
debate over arena size.
I am not sure how many of you follow the women’s games but
with my niece (Rebecca Johnston) playing in her second
Olympics for Canada I have tried to catch as many as I can.
Once again it should be a thrilling final between the US and
Canada. It is impressive how far the women’s game has come
as far as skill and overall play.
Now that we are in the stretch run our focus as always at this
time of the year is on playoff habits. We want to be playing our
best hockey entering the playoffs and be confident in all areas
of our game. The last 15 games always go by quickly and it is
important that we win the season series with the majority of
teams we might face in the playoffs. We are now heading into
the most exciting time of the year!
You could pick any one player’s stats and they are
mathematical proof of what Brendan told me about how he
earned the goaltender of the week honors; everyone is playing
well…it’s a team effort. Like defenseman Garrett Haar – who
just a few months ago still seemed like a deer caught in the
headlights – but who is coming on strong and proving exactly
why Coach Johnston has always had faith in him. New
goaltender Corbin Boes is stepping up while Brendan is ill and
of course, what else can one say about Mathew Dumba but
“Welcome to Portland. We hope you enjoy your stay.” I know
from meeting them that all the Portland Winterhawks enjoy
their stay in Portland. Their time here is far too short, but it is
always glorious. Coach Johnston and his team have a keen eye
for individual talent and that talent has a keen instinct for
teamwork, sacrifice and endurance. The whole team is racking
up those impressive stats because the whole team is working
together to earn them. Loyalty is the Portland Winterhawks’
signature move and it has paid off as they barrel through the
final month of the season at high speed. They’ve racked up so
many stats and milestones and player of the week honors that
I’ve lost track. I need a spreadsheet to keep track of who
earned what honor and when. When the team has already done
it all, it really only leaves one question: where will they go
from here? The answer: London, Ontario, May, 2014.
Page 4
PICK UP 8X10 PHOTOS OF SPECIFIC WINTERHAWK PLAYERS
LIMITED OFFER
You can own an 8x10 photograph
of your favorite players for $15.00
each … while supplies last.
Stop by the Portland Winterhawks
Booster Club table, Entrance A-11
(Moda Center (MC)) or BB
(Veterans Memorial Coliseum
(VMC)), and pick one or more up!
You will be glad you did! We also
have 4x6 action photos of most all
the players too!
LIMITED OFFER
NEW PHOTO BUTTONS
Just a Sampling of New Photo Buttons
$3.00 Each
Note: The Photo Flash is not on the actual buttons.
Page 5
Booster Club Newsletter for February 2014
We have had a busy month since the last newsletter with 14 games in the month of
January. Add to that in early February one of the longest trips of the year to Prince
George, Kamloops and Vancouver, British Columbia. This trip was made more
challenging because of the weather on the road, it was the snow storm that hit Portland
before we left. The most challenging part of the trip was getting past Seattle on
Saturday, February 8th when we headed out after the game against Everett. We had to
leave on Saturday night and go part way because Prince George had scheduled an
afternoon 2 pm start on Monday.
As challenging as the schedule was, this time period was exciting for the team as we went on to set a franchise
record. Tying the record in Kamloops and breaking the record in Vancouver with 16 wins, was a special
accomplishment considering the great teams of the past. Believe it or not there was very little discussion about
any streak or any records until after the game in Kamloops.
I have been asked a lot about why we have been playing so well since the Christmas break and the obvious
answer is that we had 4 players away with Canada at the World Juniors as well as a key player suspended
during that time period. But, like other years when players are away at the World Juniors Tournament or
playing with their NHL teams, I believe it is the experience that the remaining players gain that allows us to
take a big step. During the December time period all of our players were put into situations where they played
more minutes, received power play and penalty kill time and in general on a nightly basis played “important
minutes.” This experience is invaluable because it helps with their confidence and regardless if you are 20 or
16 it is always nice to have a bigger role and be counted on in all situations. From a coaching perspective it
helps us work with players in a variety of situations in case we have injuries or need someone to step up in a
specific game.
With so many Divisional games through the second half of the season now there is a little separation between
teams. It always amazes me though how tough our division is when you look at head to head games against
the Eastern Conference. When teams have made their swing through the US Division most have been
fortunate to win one game out of the five. As I have said before, I believe playing in such a tough division
throughout the year will help all of our teams come playoff time.
Today as I finish this newsletter I am watching the Olympic hockey games and look
forward to exciting quarter and medal round games. It is always nice to see best on
best. After watching these games I remember coaching with Team Canada and how
much I enjoy the smaller rinks better.
Continued on Page 4
Page 6
By Samantha Meese
London or Bust
What a difference a month makes: Since my last dispatch, the Portland
Winterhawks have set a new franchise record for consecutive wins (16), racked up 32 points in the
standings (they are now 1st in the U.S. Division and 2nd in the Western Conference) and clinched a playoff
spot. It’s that festive time of year when we can safely begin predicting how the team will do in the stretch
run and playoffs. For my part, I believe the team has a very good chance of making it to London and once
again competing for the Memorial Cup. Why? I can think of a few good reasons:
They never give up on a play. I admit it, I was a little worried when the team slumped over the holidays.
Much of it was attributed to top players being away at World Juniors, but the team is known for its depth
and they are known for stepping up when players are sidelined or otherwise occupied with tournaments or
prospects games. What made me nervous was that the team seemed to give up without much of a fight in
those losses, notably the ones where they fell to the Kelowna Rockets. I talked to them after those losing
games and they know they should have and can do better. And indeed they did. Since the team returned to
full strength, they haven’t lost a game since January 10, when they fell to Victoria in a shootout. The secret
to their winning streak success: Even in those games where they have slipped up defensively, they have
rebounded quickly and answered the opponent’s goals against them. Resilience is the most important
attribute a team needs to charge through the playoffs and reach the top and the Winterhawks have it in
spades.
The stretch run is their finest hour. Look at the team’s individual statistics during the streak, and you can
see why the team has won 16 consecutive games in a row. Alex Schoenborn has played his way to a Central
Scouting midterm draft ranking of 57 and is currently on a six-game point streak. Dominic Turgeon is
currently ranked 130th on the midterm rankings and is generally coming on strong in the second half of the
season. Like Alex, he is currently on a six-game point streak. Nic Petan briefly passed Mitch Holmberg to
become the league’s points leader; they are now tied at 100 points each. Taylor Leier was just named the
WHL Player of the Week, tallying four goals and six assists for 10 points with a +4 rating in four games
over the past week, playing a key role in the team’s perfect road trip. He was the fourth Winterhawk to earn
player of the week honors and two weeks before, goalie Brendan Burke was named the CHL Goaltender of
the Week after posting two consecutive shutout victories. Pick your player, pick your stat and they are all
on the upswing. In the four seasons I’ve covered the team, the stretch has always been their finest hour, and
this year is no exception.
All together now. The individual stats are impressive, but ask any player individually how he did it, and
you’ll get the same answer every time: teammates.
Continued on Page 4
Page 7
By Samantha Meese - February 8, 2014
From the Dub: Welcome to the future
We are heading down the stretch toward playoffs in the WHL, with an average of 18 games to go in the regular season.
The talent fueling the push to the playoffs was recently on display at the CHL Top Prospects Game and World Junior
Tournament and they are showing no signs of relenting now that they are back. Some of the best young talent in the
league, however, flies under the radar. Whether they are making headlines or quietly building their draft stock on the
third line, it’s safe to say that the future of the NHL is secure.
You could write a book with all the talent that abounds in the WHL. These are just a few of my favorite things to watch
during what I like to call the second holiday season, otherwise known as the stretch run:
Eric Comrie: When the Tri-City Americans’ starting goaltender came into the league in 2011 as a rookie, he was better
known as Mike Comrie’s younger brother and frequently asked what Hilary Duff was really like. Today, the WHL's
Goaltender of the Month for January has a GAA of 2.36, a 0.93 save percentage and is the league’s third leading goalie
behind Victoria Royal Coleman Vollrath and Edmonton Oil King Tristan Jarry. Comrie was drafted 59th overall by the
Winnipeg Jets in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, and he signed an entry-level contract with the team in December. The
Portland Winterhawks seem to have dialed his number and that of his team this season, but Comrie is still widely
regarded as one of the top netminders in the league. As easy as they make it look to score against him, the Portland
Winterhawks have consistently told me that they have the utmost respect for him, as well they should.
Tayler with an E: Tayler Thompson played for two seasons with the Prince George Cougars and spent last season
with the Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, where he helped the team win the Canalta Cup.
He was invited to the Portland Winterhawks training camp last summer before being released back to Yorkton. He
earned a return trip to Portland this year, when he extended his stay with several pre-season games before returning to
the Terriers. Tayler is key piece of the Terriers current success. They have a record of 30-11-2-4 and are first place in
both their division and conference. Taylor is the league's third leading scorer, with 16 goals and 34 assists in 44 games
played. Based on his brief time in Portland, I can also tell you that Tayler is a sweet playmaker, he comes in pretty
handy on a face off and he’s definitely not afraid to drop the mitts. Most importantly, he's also a well-spoken, polite and
all-around good person. I believe the word for Tayler is sleeper; he's not the headline-making player whose name is on
everyone's lips, but if were in charge of Central Scouting, I'd give him a second look. He's worth it.
29 is the magic number: Portland Winterhawks forward Chase De Leo is coming on strong in the second half of the
season after a trip to the Top Prospects Game, where he finished second in the 30m sprint for Team Cherry. With top
players away at World Juniors in December, Chase was honored with the “A” on his sweater, and he stepped up to the
challenge with six goals and five assists in eight games between December 14 and January 4. Chase is
currently ranked 26th among North American skaters on the NHL Central Scouting midterm rankings, but many experts
think he's too small to be a first round pick in the 2014 Entry Draft. I beg to differ; he was chosen 192nd overall in the
9th round of the Bantam Draft and today he plays on one of the Winterhawks' top lines, he's played in the Top
Prospects Game and he's earned a solid midterm ranking. Back on the home front, he also has a bright future here in
Portland, where I would predict we'll see him wear the "A" full time next season. All of which is why I'm making an early
prediction that Chase will be chosen 29th overall in the 2014 Entry Draft, or even slightly higher. I may be alone in my
conviction, but I'm pretty sure there are a few ladies in the Portland house who are with me on this one.
Rebel alliance: 19-year-old Presten Kopeck was one of the key pieces of the blockbuster trade that brought Mathew
Dumba to Portland. A solid, reliable player with outstanding potential, Presten was a fan favorite in Portland and was
well liked by his teammates. While we were sad to see him go, it’s comforting to know that he has ascended quickly
through the Red Deer Rebels' ranks. Presten was recently honored with the “A” on his sweater and he has racked up
15 points in 15 games played with the Rebels. The team is currently 8th in the Eastern Conference; if playoffs started
today, they would qualify. With a little help from Presten, they just might. I would expect we'll see and hear more
about Presten in the coming months as he makes his case for a second look from the NHL.
Page 8
Above The Glass (Continued from Page 8)
Rocket Power: The Kelowna Rockets hold a comfortable lead in the Western Conference and they are the first team in
the league to clinch a playoff spot. I make it my business to fear and respect any team whose mascot is Canada’s
version of the Loch Ness monster, no matter where they are in the standings. The Rockets are easily my choice for the
team most likely to face off against the Portland Winterhawks for the Western Conference title. Players to watch:
Forward Myles Bell (drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2012), forward Tyson Baillie (draft eligible in 2014) and Captain
Madison Bowey (drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2013).
Kings of the Eastern Conference World: The Edmonton Oil Kings require no introduction. They are once again
the top contender for the Eastern Conference title. The new archrivals of the Portland Winterhawks are on fire, so a
third go ‘round with the perennially hot Kings in the WHL Championship could become a reality. Players to watch:
Center Curtis Lazar (signed by the Ottawa Senators in Sept. 2013), defenseman Griffin Reinhart (son of Paul Reinhart,
brother of Max and Sam, drafted 4th overall by the New York Islanders in 2012) and goaltender Tristan Jarry (drafted by
the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2013).
Royal treatment: The surprise of the 2013-2014 season has been the Victoria Royals (36-16-1-3). Backed by the
league’s leading goaltender, Coleman Vollrath (2.09 GAA, 0.936 save percentage), the Royals are currently third in the
Western Conference and second in the B.C. Division. In addition to their top-ranked goaltending, the team is also
backed by a strong blueline. Defensemen to watch include Captain Jordan Fransoo (drafted 186th overall in the 7th
round of the 2011 Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators), Keegan Kanzig (signed by the Calgary Flames in December
2013) and Joe Hicketts (draft eligible in 2014). On the forward line, keep an eye on the team’s points leader Brandon
Magee (50 points in 49 games played), 6’6” right winger Axel Blomqvist (43 points in 49 games played, signed by the
Winnepeg Jets in January, 2013), and center Ben Walker (39 points in 56 games played, attended Minnesota Wild
Development Camp in the summer of 2013). I would expect to see a late season burst of Royal firepower as we head
into the final month of the WHL season, capped off by a strong performance in the playoffs.
_____________________________________________________________________________
ROOKIE PROFILE: #15 TYSON PREDINCHUK
Age: 18
Position: Right wing
Birthday: 6/1/95
Hometown: Regina, Saskatchewan
Stats: Tyson has played 14 games with the Portland Winterhawks. He’s currently a plus-3 and has three
points to his credit. He played 25 games with the Spokane Chiefs last season, during which time he earned
five points and four PIMs.
The scoop: Tyson isn’t exactly a rookie, but he’s new to Portland and I think you’ll enjoy meeting him. There
are three things you should know right off the bat: He’s very tall (6’3”), he’s very blond and he’s very nice.
He is sincerely enjoying our town and seems very excited to be here. Best known around these parts for
scoring his first WHL goal in his first game with the Winterhawks, and challenging Brendan Leipsic for
ESPN Top 10 highlight reel goals in the Feb. 18 game, Tyson is a keeper in my book. If you see the chance to
meet him an upcoming player “meet and greets,” jump on it. You’ll be glad you did.
What do you think of Portland so far?
I love it. It’s a lot bigger and there’s a lot more to do here than back home in Regina.
Are you attending college online?
I attend college online, and all of us are taking a public speaking class.
Continued on Page 11
Page 9
Travis and Jessica
Huntington
Continued on Page 12
Page 10
ROOKIE PROFILE:
MARCH 2014
Barbee Linda
Barrett Rachelle
Brown Arlie
Clarkson Lee
Cooper Karmin
Croker Jim
Daufel Kiki
Dickens William
Doolin Faye
Forester Shelbey
Frank Mariah
Gent Annette
Girt Stan
Gurule Sam
Haliski Marybeth
Hall Barb
Hankins Julie
Herdman Lawrence
Holcomb Jesse
Howson Grace
Johnson Kennedy
Joseph Chelyn
Kammerer Sara
Kuffter Teri
Lidberg Stuart
Lowenstein Neree
MacDaniels Brian
MacPhail John
Maras-Lindeman Tore
Murphy David
Oathes Darren
Patrick Carol
Perry Danielle
Poland Alan
Prinslow McKenna
Richards John
Rittenberg August
Robinson Brad
Salyers Hunter
Smith Rosella
Snader Doug
Steiger Cameron
Taber Ray
Waddington Dillon
Waddington Marshal
Wagner Lynn
Whalen Ramsey
Note: If we miss someone, please let us know by
contacting us at the Membership Desk at any home
game or Email us at PWHBC@comcast.net …
Thank you.
Continued from Page 9)
What are your favorite things to do in your free
time when not attending school, practicing, etc?
Rest.
Now that you are here, what are your goals for
the season?
To stay a plus player for the rest of the season.
Do you go back home in the off season? And if so,
what types of things do you do for fun?
Yes. I work out with a trainer and do power skating.
What was your favorite cartoon or TV show
growing up?
Sponge Bob SquarePants.
What is the most embarrassing song or artist on
your iPod?
Taylor Swift, “Our Song.”
What was the last movie you saw and how would
you rate it?
“The Other Guys.” I’d give it 9 out of 10 stars.
After your playing days are over, would you
rather coach or become a ref or something else?
I would like to stay in hockey as a coach.
Who was your favorite player growing up?
Ty Domi.
What’s the one thing you would tell kids playing
hockey on what it takes to get to the WHL?
Keep working hard.
What is the best part of being a Portland
Winterhawk?
Winning.
Page 11
A Guest From The Hockey World (Continued from Page 10)
That meant plenty of evenings were spent in my bedroom doing homework and listening to play-by-play man Mike
Haynes call Avalanche games on Denver’s AM 950 The Fan. I’ll always remember his call of Uwe Krupp’s Stanley Cup
-winning, triple-overtime goal in Game 4 of the ’96 Finals.
Spending so much time hanging on every word of the radio call probably had a lot to do with my career choice. That
and the fact that I had been getting in trouble for talking too much in school for pretty much my whole life. Between a
love of sports, my natural chatterbox tendencies and the fact that my principal once told me “I never met a microphone I
didn’t like,” majoring in broadcast journalism when I headed off to Colorado State University was a pretty easy decision.
I marched down to the outstanding student-run radio station (90.5 FM KCSU) right away to see how I could get
involved. The Sports Director put me to work with a weekly sports update and I was hooked. I got the chance to cover
CSU football, basketball, and volleyball, host weekly sports talk show and learn all about radio on my way to eventually
becoming Sports Director myself. It was a great experience working with great people and friends I still have today.
During my college career at KCSU, I had the opportunity to work part-time as a board operator at the local Clear
Channel Radio group consisting of six stations. I started as a button-pusher for high school football and CSU women’s
basketball broadcasts before eventually working my way into a fill-in role at the sports desk and becoming the studio
host for CSU football broadcasts. After graduation, I worked at Safeway to pay the bills until that part-time radio gig
became a full-time job as the afternoon sports guy and fill-in news anchor in addition to my work on our live sports
broadcasts. I owe much of my career success to the people I worked with there.
Who knows if I would’ve had the chance to work in hockey if a minor-pro team hadn’t been dropped in my backyard
during college. The Colorado Eagles started in the Central Hockey League the same year the Silvertips entered the
WHL. Of course I jumped at the chance to cover the team and was fortunate that the broadcast rights belonged to
Clear Channel. I became the studio host for the Eagles and began to work closely with a number of people in the
organization. Recommendations from those contacts ended up getting me my first play-by-play gig with the CHL’s
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.
I moved away from Colorado for the first time in September 2007, re-locating to Louisiana to become the “Voice of the
Mudbugs” and the team’s PR director. It was definitely a learning curve and a HUGE change in culture and lifestyle (I
never would have guessed that chasing a hockey career would land me in the south), but I wouldn’t have traded it for
the world. I spent four seasons with the Mudbugs and loved the job. I crossed paths with so many great people, made
some lifelong friends and matured considerably as a person. Being a part of the Mudbugs’ 2011 President’s Cup
Championship season was an incredible experience and highlights the great memories I took with me.
Unfortunately the Mudbugs ceased operations following that season, and after getting married over the summer I was
on the market again. So how did I get hooked up with the Silvertips? My last year in Bossier-Shreveport, I got to know
one of our players with strong ties to Everett, a player by the name of Mitch Love. Mitch helped get my name in the hat
for the Silvertips’ radio job, and knowing fellow Assistant Coach Chris Hartsburg from his playing days in Colorado
probably didn’t hurt either.
I was fortunate enough to land here in Everett and am having a great time. I’m thankful for all the people who have
helped me get where I am and consider myself extremely lucky to be doing a job I love. Sometimes I make a point to
stop and remember how great it is to be working in hockey. I hope it comes through on the broadcast how much fun I
have calling games. We might be coming from different angles when our teams face each other on the ice, but we can
all agree on how much joy and excitement we get from this great game!
Thanks again for wanting to hear about where I came from, and here’s to a great rest of the season. It should be a wild
ride.
See you at the rink!
Travis Huntington
Page 12
Portland Winterhawks Coach Mike Johnston earns U.S. citizenship. Portland
Winterhawks coach Mike Johnston and his wife, Myrna, officially became U.S. citizens Wednesday in a ceremony at
Portland's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office.
The Oregonian - Danny Moran - January 15, 2014
PORTLAND -- Portland Winterhawks coach and general manager Mike Johnston became a naturalized United States
citizen Wednesday in a roughly 45-minute ceremony at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Portland Field
Office in Northwest Portland.
Johnston and his wife, Myrna, were two of 37 applicants from 21 countries who were granted citizenship after passing
required test on U.S. history and government that morning.
"When we had to do the test, to be honest, I was a little bit nervous," Johnston said after the ceremony. "I was a history
minor in college so it was a little bit easier (in) that section. But the government section, I really had to study up for. My
wife was a lot better than I was at that."
Johnston, who was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and his family each applied for green cards when he moved to the
U.S. to work as an associate coach for the NHL's Los Angeles Kings in 2006. He then began thinking about becoming
a citizen after joining the Winterhawks in 2008.
Johnston and his wife were the only native Canadians at the ceremony to become citizens. The couple's son, 23, and
daughter, 21, both live in Canada, although Johnston said he expected them to eventually move to the United States
and go through the same process.
In order to take the test and attend the ceremony, Johnston missed Wednesday's Winterhawks practice, which he
joked was much to his players' delight.
"I'm not sure if they were more excited that I was away from practice today or that I was getting my citizenship,"
Johnston said chuckling.
Note: The membership and board wish to add our congratulations to Myrna and Coach Mike Johnston for taking the
Oath of Citizenship.
__________________________________________________________________________________
FRED MEYER’S REWARDS CARD - CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS:
Soon through the use of your Fred Meyer’s Rewards Card you will be able to ask Fred Meyer’s to
contribute part of your grocery savings to your Portland Winterhawks Booster Club. No “out-ofpocket” expense from you. More on this next month.
This will help your Booster Club with additional avenues of giving in our community, such as the
new “Shop-With-A-Hawk Program” in which Fred Meyer, Portland Sunshine Division and your
Portland Winterhawks are partners with the Booster Club.
This will be a “seamless” easy way
while you save money at Fred
Meyer Rewards Card each time
to contribute to charitable causes
Meyer’s just by using your Fred
you shop.
We hope you will choose your
Club as your charity. Thank you!
Portland Winterhawks Booster
Page 13
Recently Published Hockey Terms - Do You Know These? What did they say?
Boys/Fella’s – Teammates
Hatty – Short for Hatrick – 3 Goals in 1 game.
Knob – End of the stick held by the player.
Sauce – The best kind of pass that leaves the ice.
Knob – Total weenie. Terrible hockey player. Absolute
bender.
Clapper – Slap shot.
Bender – Ankles on a player bending inward due to lack
of strength and skill.
Rook – New guy on the team. Short for Rookie.
Plug – Guy slotted into the lineup due to another
players injury or suspension. Never part of the starting
team.
Halfy – Visor worn by players to protect their eyes.
Bucket – Helmet.
Dangle – Juking the opposing team.
Dusty – Terrible hockey player. Looks like he hasn’t
touched his skates in months.
Gonger – Big game.
Gonger – Huge Party.
Tilt – Game.
Tilly – Fight.
Mitts/Mittens – Gloves.
Bar Down – Scoring a goal that deflects off the cross bar
and go straight down into the net.
Boots – Skates.
Floatin’ the biscuit – Saucer pass.
Twig – Stick.
Leaking – Cut and bleeding from doing something
masculine on the ice.
Lumber – Stick.
Yard Sale – Getting hit so hard your gloves and stick go
flying.
Grocery Stick – Player on the bench that separates the
offense from defense. Doesn’t play or move much.
Howitzer – absolute rocking of a clapper. Blows by the
tend before he even saw it.
Tendy – Goalie.
Barn- Ice Arena.
Wheeling – Flying down the ice, blowing by the
opposing team.
Top Cheddar/Ched/Top Chee – Scorin’ a gino in the top
corners or top part of the net.
Wheeling – Bringing home the girl at the bar/party.
Top Shelf (Where Mama keeps the cookies) – Scoring in
the upper part of the net.
Snipe – Puttin’ the puck in the corners of the net when
scoring.
Cage – Net.
Snipe – Catching the eyes of the girl at the bar/party.
Precursor to wheeling.
Top Gouda – Variation of top ched.
Celly – Celebration after scoring.
Nippin’ Twine – Sniping top shelf on a goalie.
Zebra – Ref.
Gino – Goal.
Pipe- Goal Post.
Apple- Assist.
Wesley Pipes – Hitting the post.
Wesley Snipes – Snipe.
Flow – Amazing luscious hair that flows out of your
bucket.
Mane – Flow.
Chirping – Trash talking
Johnny Apple Seed – Player who racks up a ton of
assists.
Biscuit – Puck.
Beauty – Really good play/goal/pass or player.
Page 14
Winter Olympics 2014: Lyndsey Fry and Winterhawks' Dominic Turgeon carry
on a memory as they pursue hockey dreams
The Oregonian - Scott Sepich - February 6, 2014
They spend their days on hockey rinks on opposite sides of North
America, but Dominic Turgeon and Lyndsey Fry have the same
person in their thoughts every time they're on the ice.
Dominic remembers his sister. Lyndsey remembers her close
friend.
As they pursue their hockey dreams, they carry on the memory of
Liz Turgeon, who was killed in a car accident in New Mexico two
days before Christmas in 2010 when she was 18.
Lyndsey has spent the last three years playing hockey while
attending Harvard University, and on Jan. 1 the 21-year-old
forward made the U.S. Olympic team. On every step of her journey
to Sochi, Lyndsey has carried around the No. 23 jersey Liz wore
for the U.S. under-18 team.
As Lyndsey Fry (second from left) trained with the
U.S. Olympic women's hockey team last month in
Boston, she got a visit from the Turgeon family,
including Pierre (from left), Elisabeth and Valerie.
(Courtesy of Turgeon family)
Dominic, 17, is in his second year with the Portland Winterhawks. Though born in Canada,
he’s spent most of his life in the Denver area and considers the U.S. his home. He wears
one of hockey’s most famous names on his back: His father, Pierre Turgeon, was the first
overall pick in the 1987 NHL draft and went on to a standout 19-season career that ended
with him ranking 31st on the all-time scoring list.
But instead of sporting Pierre’s signature No. 77 on his jersey, Dominic wears 23 in honor of
Liz.
“She was very close to me,” Dominic said. “When we were younger, it was always me and
her. She loved hockey and we had a bond over that.”
Early last year, an official with USA Hockey contacted Lyndsey to ask what should be done with Liz’s old jersey. There
were thoughts of hanging it up in the federation’s training facility, but Lyndsey had another idea.
“It didn’t seem like it belonged hanging in a training center, so I asked if I could carry it with me to tryouts,” Lyndsey
said.
The jersey has been with her ever since, a powerful symbol of her relationship with
Liz, and a reminder that they hoped to compete in the Olympics together. For
Lyndsey, hanging the No. 23 jersey in her locker keeps that dream alive.
Mostly, Lyndsey keeps the jersey in her training bag, but she takes it out at important
moments — or whenever she needs extra motivation or inspiration.
“I think the big moment for me every day is when I hold it while I’m putting it in my
bag or taking it out to hang up," she said. “Those few seconds when I can take some
time to think about her, it’s comforting.”
Lyndsey Fry, flanked by
Valerie Turgeon (left) and
Alexandra Turgeon (right),
“They were unbelievable friends, I think it’s awesome that she’s doing this,” he said. “I carries the jersey of her close
friend Liz Turgeon, who died
think it shows how much she really cares.”
in 2010.
Dominic smiled when talking about Lyndsey’s gesture.
Continued on Page 16
Page 15
Winter Olympics 2014: Lyndsey Fry …
(Continued from Page 15)
Three years ago, a trip to the Sochi Olympics seemed premature for Lyndsey’s stage of development. Though she
competed well at the under-18 level, she faced a long, competitive road to make the final roster of 21 players who will
compete this month.
Last April, she made the cut for the women’s world championship, and won a gold medal as the U.S. upset Canada in
the final in Ottawa.
Lyndsey grew up in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, Ariz., which is hardly a hockey hotbed, especially for girls.
Like many her age, she was originally drawn to the sport when she watched "The Mighty Ducks” movies as a kid. Her
dad got her roller skates she could strap around her shoes, and she started to play roller hockey at age 6.
Soon after, she started on the ice, and by her early teenage years was attending national camps in hopes of connecting
with a program that could help her attain her goal of playing in college.
While at those camps, she started to notice one girl who stood out.
“There’s always that girl who’s outgoing and always talking and who everyone wants to be like,” Lyndsey said. “Liz
Turgeon was that girl, the one who was cool and also so great at hockey.”
Lyndsey was a bit intimidated by Liz’s confidence, but Liz reached out and invited Lyndsey to play cards with her once
at an airport as they waited for their flight. Soon they were friends.
As Lyndsey realized that playing in Colorado provided the best path to college hockey, she began to travel between
there and Arizona, sometimes over multiple weekends each month. The Turgeons offered to house her on those trips,
and the bond deepened.
“I just fell in love with that family,” Lyndsey said.
Eventually, Lyndsey left her high school to enroll at an online school so she could spend weeks at a time in Colorado
playing hockey and staying with the Turgeons.
Both Liz and Lyndsey found themselves in demand by NCAA programs later in high school. Liz decided to attend
Minnesota, while Lyndsey chose Harvard over Cornell.
The friends parted ways for college in the fall of 2010. They wouldn’t see each other again.
While Lyndsey was at home in Arizona during Christmas break, she received a phone
call from Liz’s mom, Elisabeth.
“I was excited at first because I hadn’t talked to her for a while and I wanted to catch
up,” Lyndsey said. “But I could tell she wasn’t herself. She asked if I was alone, and
for some reason I assumed the worst.”
Lyndsey Fry (18) scores a
goal during a U.S. loss to
Canada in November.
Lyndsey’s fears were confirmed. Liz had been in an accident on a remote highway
intersection in New Mexico. Just after midnight on Dec. 23, the pickup truck she was
driving collided with a semi-truck in dense fog. Liz was pronounced dead at the scene.
“As humans, I think we do that, we prepare for bad news,” Lyndsey continued. “But to
actually hear those words, my world went upside down.”
Three days later, Lyndsey was scheduled to be at her first camp with the senior national team.
Continued on Page 17
Page 16
Winter Olympics 2014: Lyndsey Fry …
(Continued from Page 16)
She pulled herself together enough to attend the camp, but left early to deliver a eulogy at Liz’s funeral. After that,
Lyndsey began to feel helpless as the joy of hockey — and life — started to slip away when she returned to Harvard.
“I couldn’t find the love in hockey anymore,” she said. “I was angry, confused and frustrated.”
She credits her family, and the Turgeons, for sticking
with her even as she “pushed away.”
“I was in a dark place, and it wasn’t fun,” she said.
“But when I came home that summer, I had my
support system there, and something inside of me
urged me to pull myself out of this.”
She took solace in frequent conversations with
Elisabeth Turgeon, as they negotiated the pain
together. As she sorted out her feelings, her hockey
future came back into focus. And although Liz was no
longer physically with her, a spiritual connection drove
Lyndsey forward.
“I had to use what I had left of Liz to help me get to
where I was going,” she said. “Instead of being angry,
I would try to hear her voice in my head, pushing me
like she did when we did drills together.
The Turgeon children, Dominic (from left), Alexandra, Liz and
Valerie, in 2010.
“Picturing her with me, those memories were the
turning point. You start getting to a point where you can look back and smile. For a long time I couldn’t do that, but I
needed to make her memory a positive thing for hockey.”
Last summer, Lyndsey had the chance to go back to Colorado to visit the Turgeons and saw Dominic for the first time in
more than a year. She said it felt like she “never left.”
“I do see Lyndsey as a sister,” said Dominic, who has two other sisters, Liz’s twin, Alex, and 15-year-old Valerie. “She
was always there when I needed someone like that.
“I’m so proud of her, she really deserves this. For her to reach this dream, it’s awesome for me to see.”
For Lyndsey, the bond with the Turgeons will never weaken.
“It makes me smile so big that Dominic thinks about me that way,” she said. “It says a lot about my relationship with that
family.”
After taking this year off from Harvard to prepare for Sochi, Lyndsey will return to school next season for her senior
year. With no professional women’s hockey league to look forward to right now, future Olympic appearances remain her
ultimate goal.
Dominic, meanwhile, is working hard to live up to recent rankings that suggest he should be chosen in this year’s NHL
draft.
The No. 23 on his back provides both fuel and perspective for his journey.
“Losing her is something nobody should have to go through, especially at a young age,” said Dominic, who was 14
when Liz died. “But when I’m playing hockey, I feel that Liz is always with me.”
-- Scott Sepich, Special to The Oregonian
Page 17
One More Year. Class Act. Derek Jeter with Jack
Jablonski and Max Jablonski,
One of your Portland Booster Club’s Charitable
Community Outreach Programs is in supporting former
Junior Hockey Player’s who have been injured in the sport
of hockey. We are supporting through contributions
Spinal Cord Research and a Scholarship Program to
assist these players.
Contributions to The Jack Jablonski “Bel13ve in Miracles“
Foundation are accepted at the Portland Winterhawks
Booster Club. Contributions are Tax Deductible contact
the membership table. Anonymous donations accepted in
the container at the Buttons, Photos and Contest table.
Make checks payable to PWHBC.
Jack has come a long way through your continued
support while gaining access to “advanced therapies”
through Spinal Cord Research … Do you “Bel13ve In
Miracles?” We do! Jack is a shining example and
inspiration to so many.
Thank you for your continued support through your
Portland Winterhawks Booster Club.
OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY - February 15 thru April 1, 2014
Rose City Champions: 100 Years of Hockey
Partnering with a group of community fans and the Winterhawks
organization, this exhibition will explore 100 years of hockey history in
Portland. The story of hockey in Portland began with the Portland
Rosebuds, the first US team to play for the Stanley Cup. The Rosebuds
gave way to the Buckaroos, a colorful part of the Pacific Coast Hockey
League and WHL, and eventually led to the formation of today’s recordsetting Portland Winterhawks. www.ohs.org for more information.
Page 18