2015 Draft Spotlight: Mathew Barzal

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Last night on The Pipeline Show we welcomed the top ranked 2015 eligible player from the WHL to the show as our Draft Spotlight feature; Seattle Thunderbirds forward Mathew Barzal. 

The Vancouver native discussed the parallels of his career to that of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the reasons it took a year for him to sign with Seattle, the pressures of being the 1st overall pick of a franchise that hasn't tasted success in years and of course we covered the 2015 NHL Draft. 

Barzal was an excellent interview, one of the best in recent memory of players put in the Draft Spotlight on our show. In particular, his answers about the upcoming NHL draft and whether he feels "lost in the shuffle" while the hype is all about Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.    

Our exclusive interview with Mathew Barzal from The Pipeline Show comes after the jump. 

Bye Bye Bunny

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The Edmonton Oil Kings have parted ways with defencemen Braeden "Bunny" Laroque. With several of his now former Edmonton teammates wishing him well in Seattle via Twitter, we know that he will be joining the Thunderbirds.

Although the deal has not been formally announced yet, a source out of Seattle has indicated to TPS that it is a "straight deal for a late round pick". (Now confirmed by the Oil Kings)

Laroque, is a 19-year-old blueliner that lost his spot in the roster with the additions of import Martin Gernat (EDM), Ashton Sautner and Mason Geertsen. The native of Saskatoon has appeared in 120 WHL games and has accumulated 8 points and 78 penalty minutes.

(Photo: Any Devlin / Edmonton Oil Kings)

Ice Prospect Scores 9 Points At TELUS Cup

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What a way to start a National Championship for the Pacific reps the Vancouver NW Giants as they beat up on the Western reps from Winnipeg 12-5.

Kootenay Ice Prospect Sam Reinhart scored an amazing 3 goals and 6 assists. His linemates Alex Kerfoot, a 12th round pick by Seattle in 2009 had 2 goals and 5 helpers while Dylan Houck a Giants 2010 pick recorded the hat-trick giving the trio 19 points.

Reinhart you might remember played during the playoffs with Kootenay until he used up his 5 game limit, he actually played for them in between clinching the Pacific title and the TELUS Cup.

Coaching Changes, top ranked goalie, and CHL playoffs tonight on TPS

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Tonight we'll find out from Seattle G.M. Russ Farwell why he made his coaching change today, and what the TBirds need to do in order to get back into the WHL post season.

We'll also speak with new Michigan State University head coach Tom Anastos about leaving his post as Commish of the CCHA to become a head coach, and what the new Big Ten Hockey Conference will do for College hockey.

The top ranked goaltender according to NHL Central Scouting is John Gibson of the U.S. National Development team. He'll try and lead the States to another gold medal at the U18 World Championship next month.

Guy and I will debate on who the best player in the WHL is right now...Ryan Johanssen of Portland or Brayden Schenn of Saskatoon, as well as what we think is the best story line in the WHL post season right now.

And our CHL insider Sam Cosentino will fill us in on what the big stories are in the OHL and QMJHL.

7-9 pm mst on the TEAM 1260 in Edmonton or online here.

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...

Cougars Win WHL Draft Lottery

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The WHL held it's draft lottery today in Calgary and with the most balls in the bucket, the Prince George Cougars have won the first overall pick. The Cougars who finished last in the WHL this year had 6 balls, followed by the Edmonton Oil Kings with 5, Lethbridge with 4, Seattle had 3, Regina 2 and Prince Albert 1.

Fallon Not A T-Bird Anytime Soon

An update now on forward Jacob Fallon, who recently left the US Under 18 team. Fallon is on the Seattle Thunderbirds protected list but has committed to the Michigan Wolverines next year, and it appears he'll keep his pledge to the Wolverines.

Fallon is staying in the USHL and has gone from the U18 team to the Indiana Ice. He's played 2 games with the ice so far, meaning he is no longer elegible for the WHL this season.

The Tbirds did try and contact Fallon but he didn't respond, so the team is assuming Fallon is not interested in the WHL at this time. Fallon will stay on Seattle's protected list should he decide to play in the CHL next year. I think it will depend on what NHL team drafts him this June. I'd imagine the Tbirds aren't holding out much hope for him, seeing as he didn't return their phone calls.

Jacob Fallon update

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Yesterday I wrote about 3 suspensions and one player quitting the US Under 18 team. The player who left the program is Jacob Fallon. His WHL rights are held by the Seattle Thunderbirds.

In an exchange of emails with Seattle G.M. Russ Farwell I have confirmed that the T-Birds have reached out to Jacob to discuss his level of interest and are waiting to hear back from him.


Fallon can play for Seattle this year as long as he hasn't played a game after January 10th, providing the Thunderbirds have room on their 25 man roster for him.

Currently Seattle trails Kelowna by 5 points for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Deadline Dmen in the WHL

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The WHL trade deadline is January 10th, just 5 days after the World Junior Championship. A player isn't supposed to be traded during the tournament, but it does happen, it's just not officially announced until after the event. Here are a few blueliners who will be available leading up to the deadline. Some of these players may have already been dealt, but as mentioned it can't be announced until they return to their WHL teams.