2015 Draft Spotlight: Connor Hobbs

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Defenceman Connor Hobbs is back on WHL ice after sitting out for almost three months waiting for a trade. Hobbs began the year as a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers but knew early in the season that it wasn't a fit for him so asked to be moved. That trade didn't happen until the days leading up to the January 10th WHL trade deadline when he was sent east to the Regina Pats. 

When Hobbs joined us on The Pipeline Show right before Christmas, he was still sitting by his phone waiting for the call. He'd temporarily joined the SJHL's Nipawin Hawks but his heart was in the WHL. We spoke about his reasons for wanting out of Medicine Hat and his concerns of what the layoff would mean to his draft stock. 

If you missed our 2015 Draft Spotlight segment with Hobbs on December 20th, we have it for you after the jump. 

WHL Rumor Mill Heating Up

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The Tri-City Americans acquired veteran import Richard Nejezchleb on Tuesday morning and that seems to have stirred up the trade market as teams begin establishing themselves as buyers or sellers. 

In the wake of the deal has come news that another veteran player, Calgary's Greg Chase, has been sent home to await a deal after requesting a trade. And his name to the list of Medicine Hat defenceman Connor Hobbs and Dakota Conroy of Prince Albert who are at home waiting for new teams.

On top of those players, speculation and rumors have other WHL stars potentially on the market. 

I'll tell you what I know and the speculation that has come my way after the jump. 

2015 Draft Blog: Matteo Gennaro Pt.1

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The WHL crop of players that make up the 2015 NHL draft class is a strong one. There are a lot of skilled forwards, tough defencemen and quality netminders from the Western League that NHL clubs will have a chance to add to their organizations.

Earlier this week our audience was introduced to Red Deer Rebels forward Grayson Pawlenchuk. 

Today, another Edmonton area product has submitted his first entry to his season long draft blog. St.Albert native Matteo Gennaro of the Prince Albert Raiders is now in year two of his WHL career and took the time to introduce himself. His blog is after the jump. 

2014-15 WHL Preview Show

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Tuesday night, Dean and I were fortunate to be joined by the voices of the Red Deer Rebels and Edmonton Oil Kings to preview the Western Hockey League. Cam Moon drove up from Central Alberta and Corey Graham trekked all the way from downtown Edmonton to the west end to sit in studio with us as we broke down all four divisions and more. 

After the jump, the links to the audio plus the summary of our predictions as we go on permanent record.

WHL Hammers Portland for Violations

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The WHL has announced massive penalties against the Portland Winterhawks today for violations which will result in the loss of 9 draft picks, a $200 thousand dollar fine and the suspension of GM and Head Coach Mike Johnston for the remained of the 2012-13 season and playoffs. 

As first reported by Dean Millard of The Pipeline Show and Global Sports back on November 13th, the league has been investigating the Winterhawks for several weeks.

After the jump, our reaction.

Winterhawks about to be clipped?

This past August the Windsor Spitfires were handed a $400,000 fine for recruiting violations.  A month later it was reduced to a $250,000 fine, as well as, some draft pick relief.

TPS has learned from multiple sources in the WHL that the Portland Winterhawks could be the next CHL club to face sanctions for player recruitment.

WHL Western Conference Preview: Flaming

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We are officially one game into the 2012-13 WHL schedule after last night's Oil Kings 5-3 victory over the Kootenay Ice game. Tonight, 16 more teams get underway including 6 of the 10 teams that make up the league's Western conference. That's the conference we preview today.

After the jump, my regular season prediction for standings and several individual awards as well. 

WHL Eastern Conference Preview: Flaming

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You will have seen Dean Millard's predictions this morning and that means it's my turn now. I'm sure there will be some similarities but I think one thing he and I will both agree on is that the playoff race in the Eastern conference could be one of the longest, closest and involving the most teams that we've seen for a long time. 

My predictions for the regular season standings and for conference award winners after the jump. 

New Season = New Rules

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All 3 leagues hit the ice Thursday and there are changes from coast to coast; Stiffer penalties, suspension and freedom for goalies stand out to me.

WHL Points to Ponder

The 2012-13 regular season begins in 10 days when the Edmonton Oil Kings host the Kootenay Ice at Rexall Place. It's a fitting start to the new season as the banner raising ceremony will be a prelude to the clash between the 2012 champs and the 2011 champs.

While I will have predictions post before the new campaign begins, this is it. Today I'm throwing out some other thoughts as things cross my mind waiting for September 20th. 

Branch Shoots Down Spitfires

Friday was a huge day in the Ontario Hockey League and quite possibly for the entire structure of North American amateur hockey. David Branch, the President of the Canadian Hockey League and Commissioner of the OHL, dropped a bomb on the Windsor Spitfires in the form of massive fines and the stripping of several high end draft picks. 

The official statement released by the OHL can be read here. Media friends of TPS wrote several fantastic features on the subject and a couple of them will be on the show as guests later this Saturday morning. Neate Sager from Yahoo! and Buzzing the Net can add to this piece written by Cam Charron. 

TPS regular Patrick King's story can be found at Sportsnet.ca.

Chris Peters offers the American based perspective and it's a terrific read. You can find that here and he'll touch on it with me on the radio this morning as well.    

After the jump, I'll offer my own initial thoughts which are more about, "What happens next?"

TPS In Studio: Ewanyk & Bunz

Over the years several guests have joined us in studio during an edition of The Pipeline Show. We like to try and have those types of shows during the summer months because, let's face it, there usually isn't a heck of a lot going on to talk about. 

Last night, we added another chapter to the In Studio series. 

Koules Picks Medicine Hat

Photo: John Sullivan

Like father like son, Miles Koules has decided that the Western Hockey League is the right fit for him and announced earlier today on Twitter that he'll join the Medicine Hat Tigers next season. The 5'10 right winger from California will follow in the footsteps of his father, former Tampa Bay Lightning owner Oren Koules, who played three years in the WHL with six different clubs including Medicine Hat. 

The news is good for Medicine Hat and the WHL but may sting a bit for the University of North Dakota where Koules indicated he would play had he opted for the collegiate route. According to Brad Elliot Schlossman, Koules is the third such player that UND has lost to the CHL in the past 10 months. 

Oil Kings closing in on playoff records: Updated

Ask an Edmonton Oil King player, coach, manager, trainer, broadcaster or booster and they'll all respond the same way, the streak doesn't matter, only the next win does.  It has to be that way for the team or else they start drifting off and setting up their opponents for 5 alarm chances.

The WHL's Century Club

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With a goal and an assist last night, Edmonton's Michael St. Croix became the 8th player in the WHL this season to crack the 100-point plateau. It's the first time an Oil King of the modern era has managed to surpass the century mark and the center did it in fine style in front of a nearly sold out Rexall Place.

Silvertips Fire Soetaert

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Breaking news coming out of Everett that the Silvertips have fired General Manager Doug Soetaert. Beat writer Nick Patterson broke the news on Twitter about an hour ago.

I touched base with a handful of league executives. Some expressed shock, one called it "classless" and another suggested that it wouldn't take long for Soetaert to land on his feet again elsewhere in the WHL if that was what he wants.

OHL - The New Goalie Factory

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There are 10 different nations represented in the World Junior Championship but nearly half of the goaltenders expected to be on those roster will come from teams based in the Canadian Hockey League. Is the CHL, and more specifically the Ontario Hockey League, becoming the new place for goaltenders to develop?

Here's a look at the CHLers from around the globe.

Coming Down the Pipe...Tonight

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We kick things off tonight at 7 on the TEAM 1260 in Edmonton or online here where you can also vote on our poll question and check out past shows contests.

Wheat Kings Shuffle The Deck...Twice

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My inbox buzzed twice in less then two hours today with 2 separate deals that Brandon Wheat Kings G.M. Kelly McCrimmon pulled off. He added stability to the crease and some firepower up front.

Warriors helping to Stick It To Cancer Tonight

If you're in the Moose Jaw area tonight then you should check out the Warriors-Swift Current Broncos tilt. Not only will you watch a talented Warriors club play in one of the nicest facilities in the league, but you can also help 'Stick it to Cancer' by snapping up some Stylish head gear.

TPS is happy to spread the word about the fund raiser that will leave you looking cool at the rink this year. All the details can be found here.

You'll be able to pick up your Stickhead lid at the Warriors home tilt with Speedy Creek tonight.