Final cut last year - Bourke first named to Canada U18 team

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Last August Prince George Cougar forward Troy Bourke was the final cut for team Canada's entry into the U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. It could have been a devastating blow for the teenager, and it looked for a while that Bourke wasn't yet over the disappointment as he struggled out of the gate.

However he finished strong and it's why TPS has learned Hockey Canada has tapped him for their team this spring.

2012 Draft Blog: Troy Bourke

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In past years we've heard from Brett Connolly of the Prince George Cougars and in the future Alex Forsberg will be a focal point in PG, but this year the Cougars have Troy Bourke who will hear his named called at the NHL draft. He currently leads Prince George in scoring and put up 21 points in 21 games through Nov/Dec earlier this season.

Earlier this year we have heard from Michael Matheson of the Dubuque fighting Saints in the USHL, Cody Ceci of the Ottawa 67's, Everett Silvertips captain Ryan Murray and Brendan Gaunce of the Belleville Bulls.

In his own words we introduce you to Troy Bourke.

Is Marincin on the Move?

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Here's a hypothetical question for you: Let's say you're the 9th place team in an 8-team conference. The team you are chasing for the final playoff spot is just three points ahead of you in the standings but have 4 games in hand thus potentially increasing that lead to as many as 11 points.

Let's further suppose that three years ago you just squeaked into the playoffs and were soundly swept in 4 straight games. You probably would have dealt your best player before the deadline that year but he got hurt at Canada's WJC camp and was done for the season, preventing you from stockpiling the youth and picks he would have garnered in a deal.

Now imagine that the next year you not only miss the playoffs but finish dead last in the league because your new star player was hurt at a summer camp for Hockey Canada and battled injuries all year long, only appearing in 16 games. He comes back the next year and with some promising youth and additions, you make it back into the postseason but fail to win a playoff game once again.

You prepare for 2011-12 as though you may have the pieces in place to not just make the playoffs but potentially host in the opening round as a top-4 team. Your key import is sent back to you instead of the AHL and all seems right with the world.

Then, that star player that you were counting on to guide your team to the top of the standings? He surprises and sticks with his NHL club as a 19-year-old meaning you can't have him on your roster and you've lost another franchise player without getting anything in return.

Now... with a month to go before the trade deadline, you've got a decision to make. Do you try and rally the troops to overcome the 3-11 point deficit so you can just make it into the playoffs (to face a potential Memorial Cup champion in the first round) or do you take advantage of the first chance you've had in 4 years to make trades to better your franchise for the future?

Such is life for the Prince George Cougars who have two impact players on their roster that they know won't be back in the WHL next year. One is definitely available, the other is a guy 21 other teams would love to add to their squad.

Yesterday I asked GM Dallas Thompson what he plans to do with 32-goal scorer Charles Inglis and stud import defenceman Martin Marincin.

Comrie Stones Cougars Again

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16-year-old Eric Comrie wasn't having the greatest start to his WHL career but it's taken a big turn for the better after he posted back-to-back shutouts against the Prince George Cougars over the last two nights.

Phaneuf to P.E.I

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The Prince George Cougars released Edmonton Product Dane Phaneuf 2 weeks ago, but now the former South Side Athletic Club member has found a new home out east.

Marcel Vander Wier has the details of the deal here.

It was a depth issue for the Cougars and the young blueliner was waived through the WHL. That has worked out for someone recently, as Jacob De Serres also went through the WHL waiver wire and ended up with a Memorial Cup ring in Saint John.

This fall when Dane played for the Cougars in the Oil Kings pre-season tournament I ran into Dion and we chatted about P.E.I as his family has roots there so the comfort level should be pretty high for Dane.

Cougars/Americans Goalie Swap

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A deal today in the WHL that sees the Tri-City Americans and Prince George Cougars swapping goaltenders. The Americans have acquired Ty Rimmer and a 2012 rd plus 2013 5th round pick while sending 20-year-old Drew Owsley and a conditional 7th in 2013 to the Cougars.

Saturday Morning Special - July 23rd

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Back from the 3rd annual TPS Invitational Golf Tournament in Jasper, we were happy to be joined by three live guests but also selected 3 highlight interviews from the first 6 seasons of The Pipeline Show. We spoke with a top prospect who was recently involved in a major NHL trade, we chatted with the voice of another CHL team and also heard from a new media contact south of the border about the ramifications of the NCHC.

We opened our vault and picked a trio of must-listen conversations we had in the past, two with Hall of Famers looking back at their junior days and another spotlighting an infamous moment during the 1987 World Junior Championship.

Marincin Signs With Edmonton

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The Edmonton Oilers have made official what was speculated here last weak; that Martin Marincin would be signed to an entry level deal. The Slovak defenceman had a terrific year in the WHL with the Prince George Cougars after being chosen 1st overall in the 2010 CHL Import Draft. The native of Kosice Slovakia registered 56 points in 67 WHL games and 5 more in four playoff games.

Now the question is "where will he play next year?"

Seattle Makes Coaching Change, Update on relocating teams

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As TPS eluded to last night, the Seattle Thunderbirds have made a move behind the bench, electing to not renew Head Coach Rob Sumner. Here's is the full release with quotes from TBird GM Russ Farwell.

We also wrote about WHL teams relocating/being sold last night. One of the scenarios that was passed onto us was Chilliwack being sold and moving to Victoria and Prince George heading to Chilliwack. According to Cougars G.M. Dallas Thompson, the team has 8 more years left on it's deal in PG, and another source told us that while there is an out clause, it's ridiculously hard for the team to use it.

WHL Notes:Chilliwack to Victoria, Some Nervous Coaches & Jaden Schwartz rumours

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At Rexall Place tonight for game 3 between Red Deer and Edmonton there were more then 23 NHL scouts/G.M's representing 12 different NHL teams as well as various scouting agency's and WHL personell. Needless to say it was a good place to pick up some information, and here are some things that were passed our way tonight.

Is the WHL moving back to the Island?

Jim Mullin reported recently that the Chilliwack Bruins were fielding offers from a group in Victoria, and could be on the move. TPS received an email tonight stating that a deal was done. We reached out to different people in the league to try and find out more, and received several 'no comments' but noone flat out said it wasn't happening. Another source passed on that if Chilliwack does move to the Island, then Prince George might have an interest in shuffling off to Chilliwack. A well placed source told us the league very much wants to have two more clubs in the Western Conference to make it an even dozen just like the east. Nanaimo has also been long rumoured as a possible destination.

WHL Western Conference Playoffs - Who Wants In?

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There are 4 teams still looking to clinch a spot in the WHL's Western Conference; Prince George is in 7th with 66 points followed immediately by Everett with 66. Currently on the outside looking in are the Kamloops Blazers with 63 points and Seattle with 61.

The T-Birds have the biggest hill to climb as they'll need to run the table and hope the clubs ahead of them all fail to pick up points. That won't happen though because, although PG and Kamloops each only have two games left, they are against each other so points are guaranteed.

It's become a bit of a snail race though as the four teams have combined to win just 15 of their last 40 games, Seattle has 6 of those victories.

Crazy playoff thoughts follow...

Acolatse Signed by Sharks

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The Pipeline Show has learned that Prince George Cougars defenceman Sena Acolatse has been signed by the San Jose Sharks. The 20-year-old is in his final season in the WHL and has earned the 3-year entry level contract with his performance for the Cougars.

Cougars/Oil Kings Tilt Lives Up To Hype - Wild Comeback And More

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Earlier today we gave you a number of reasons why attending the Prince George-Edmonton game at Rexall would be entertaining. A number of them happened as well as some other wild action in a 6-5 come from behind win for Edmonton.

Top 5 Tuesday: Why You Should Watch Cougars/Oil Kings Tonight

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Tonight the Edmonton Oil Kings play host to the Prince George Cougars at Rexall Place. It's a game that you should try to get to if you're a fan of entertainment and future stars of the NHL. It's also a pretty important game for both teams who sit 6th in their respective conferences. Here now are 5 reasons you should check it out.

NCAA Rule Gets Failing Grade:The Taylor Stefishen Story

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Taylor Stefishen was hoping to graduate from Ohio State University at the age of 21 with a degree in financial planning. Ironically, his plan won’t happen apparently because of finances.

However his consolation prize is pretty good; Getting to play on a line with a 6th overall NHL pick as a point-per-game player.

We’ll get to that part of his life in a second, but first here’s how the North Vancouver product became a Prince George Cougar of the WHL.

WHL Trade Frenzy

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A number of deals over the last few days in the WHL as the October 10th deadline for teams to get down to three 20-year-olds draws closer. The Prince George Cougars have been front and center this week having been involved in a number of deals. A summary of the transactions follows...

WHL trade...our crystal ball was right for once

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If you were listening Tuesday night you might have heard Guy and I talking about a possible trade taking place in the WHL. It wasn't a major block buster but an interesting one.

From a Buckeye To a Cougar

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The Prince George Cougars had to wait a while for 2005 draft pick Taylor Stefishon, but he will be in the line up this week. You can read the team release here.

The Nashville Predator 5th rounder in 2008 has left the Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photo: Jeff Mills via WHL.ca)

Yukon Klipper

A chance meeting at a rink last year led to Prince George Assistant General Manager and head scout Wade Klippenstein flying north to Whitehorse, Yukon this past weekend.

While scouting for the Cougars last year, Klippenstein got chatting with a fellow who was involved with Team Yukon for the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax this coming February. Once it was discovered that scouting hockey is what Klippenstein did for a living one thing lead to another and Klippenstein found himself on a plane north several months later.

This past weekend the former Quebec Nordique draft pick helped evaluate hockey players that will represent their territory in Halifax.

"It was a pleasure to be part of the selection process for Team Yukon, a truly unique experience that combined community and athletics. Their is nothing quite like northern hospitality" Klippenstein told TPS, and he should know. The Dauphin, Manitoba product spent 3 years as a player with the Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks of the CCHA, and returned to the NCAA team in 2004 for another 3 year stint on the coaching staff.

Klippenstein will no doubt be keeping an eye on some of the players he watched over the weekend, and the fine folks of Whitehorse will get another visit from the WHL this February when Vancouver and Kamloops play a regular season game in the Yukon capital as part of CBC's Hockey Day in Canada.

Seen & Heard at Oil Kings Camp

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It sure was great to get back to the rink over the weekend. Not only did the Edmonton Oil Kings tournament provide onlookers with an opportunity to watch several high profile prospects, new Oiler properties and get a feel for how the local WHL is shaping up, but it also let me get back in face-to-face contact with the WHL community.

And there was lots of talking going around between WHL executives and scouts as well as the plethora of NHL scouts who were in St. Alberta as well.