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WHA 2007/08 season predictions

Ahh predictions - the art of having egg on your face while fans remind how wrong you were. Why would anyone want to put himself in such a position of public humiliation? Because it's hockey and that's the Canadian way.

Ahh predictions - the art of having egg on your face while fans remind how wrong you were. Why would anyone want to put himself in such a position of public humiliation? Because it's hockey and that's the Canadian way. I have been told by my editor that I could update my predictions in midseason because of the volatile nature of junior hockey, but I plan to stick by my thoughts despite the possibility my eighth place pick could go on to win the cup. After discussing the upcoming season with the WHA coaches, here's my view of what should transpire.

Despite being an expansion team, the River Kings have players who have played in provincial Midget championships. They were able to recruit from all over Alberta and have been on the ice since Sept. 1 - longer than any other WHA team. And Tony Fiorillo's reputation in his role as player's coach could spell trouble for the rest of the WHA. The River Kings have an advantage of playing all their home games back to back. But it remains to be seen how they will handle those long road trips to B.C. and Fort Vancouver. Although you can never discount that tough Prairie spirit in a hockey player.

I know I will hear from Cougars fans and all out of town fans on this one.But before you gather the tar and feathers or call this a hometown view, remember that last season the Cougars were the best team in the WHA from January on. With over half the team returning, it gives head coach Matt Samson a solid base to build a contender. It will be tough to score on the Cougars this season as they have four returning WHA veterans, Nils Hanfstingl, Bruce Zimmerman and Kyle Ritchie for the Cougars and they picked up Todd Coates from the Bulls. To add more misery for the rest of the WHA, Cole Nelson could return if his tryouts don't work out in another league. Add top netminder Graham Hallenbeck to the line of defence and it will be tough for opponents to score. The Cougars look like they have improved their offence with the additions of Mattias Oertel and former Bull, Chase Haubursin. In addition, returning players Troy McLean (WHA leading scorer), Spencer Samson, Jeremy Ennis, Nick Johnston, Sinclair Kim and Garrett Unger give the Cougars two solid lines up front and a third that could cause headaches for opponents. But this is the same team that would get a good lead on their opposition and then allow their opponents to get back into the game. The Cougars also struggled on the road last season in stretches and if that continues it will haunt them this season. At the same time never count out a team coached by Matt Samson.



They may be new to the WHA but the Fort Vancouver Pioneers have been successful in the U.S. Junior hockey circuit. Last season in the NPHL they had a .886 winning percentage and their road record was better than their home record. Despite the Pioneers only have AJ Sanders returning their winning formula should carry over to the WHA. In addition the Pioneers have an organization that not only has a head coach, assistants and a general manager but they have a scouting staff that recruits players from all over the Pacific Northwest. What would keep the Pioneers from climbing higher in the standings is their youth. GM Brian Cheek told me they made the choice to go with a younger team this season. Of course we saw how well this worked for the Anaheim Ducks.

It's great to see the Saints back and it's good to know that new coach, Gil Pearce has a lot of veterans to count on, including Jesse Reusch, to carry the team this season. The Saints were the top defensive team in the WHA last season and their opponents can expect them to be tough to beat again. With some excellent recruits including players from Houston, BC, the Saints could be more dangerous offensively.With the exit of WHA top goalie, James Morrison, the Saints could vulnerable between the pipes. Lumby won a lot of games last season by low scores so the offence has to improve this season or the Saints will find themselves further down the standings. But the Saints could surprise if they draw on the 25 years of coaching experience that Gil Pearce brings to the rink.



After a fast start last season, injuries took their toll on the hard working Sharks. Despite the return of the injured players, the Sharks never put a run that would get them out of fifth place. New head coach, Tim Ostoforoff, is no stranger to the Sharks as he was the assistant to Dan Choffey (now with Burnaby in BCHL) last season. The Sharks have 10 returning players, which gives Ostoforoff a good nucleus to build from. Armstrong will benefit from having played local minor hockey together for years.One problem the Sharks had last season was their size. Opponents were able to wear them down with physical play. The Sharks have new goalies, which could slow their ascent up the standings as they adjust to the new league. A more physical Shark team this season could give them the bite they need.

Not many pundits would be brave enough to predict the league champions will fall so far in the standings. The Whalers are reloading this season as they only have five returnees lining up. But despite this, coach Garry Unger said he feels the new players coming in will be able to fill those vacated spots. This team will have a similar international flair that the Cougars have as the Whalers boast six players from Colorado and a netminder from Switzerland. Unger said he's looking for a hard working disciplined team this season. Due to the civic strike in the Lower Mainland, the Whalers will be like gypsies this season playing home games in different rinks. They will be primarily based in Burnaby but moving around may give his players the feeling they are constantly on the road. It remains to be seen whether the Whalers will be able to gel fast enough to defend their title. If anyone can achieve this it will be Garry Unger.

Of all the new franchises in the WHA, the Oliver Jets are the real expansion team. New coach Ken Law, who was an assistant in the BCHL last season, said he's excited about the challenges he faces creating a competitive team. Law is expecting his team to be fast-skating, led by Californian, Kyle Quick (we're not kidding, that's his name). The Jets are still seeking a couple of d-men to bolster their blueline. With players coming from all over B.C. and the U.S. (Wisconsin, California, Dallas) the Jets will have some growing pains as everyone gets to know each other. If you ask others in the WHA, Ken Law is the perfect coach for the Jets, and they could surprise.



Last season the Spurs had distractions on and off the ice. A coaching change early in the season certainly put them behind the eight ball from which they never really recovered.

This season the Spurs are off to the slowest start of all WHA teams including a change of coaches before the first puck was dropped. On the positive side, the team has been welcomed back to Osoyoos and the Sun Bowl has been made available to the Spurs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With the team's obstacles at the start of this season, it will be a hard climb to catch the other seven. But then again, this is junior hockey - always expect the unexpected.

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