WHL preview

Tri-City Americans
General Manager: Bob Tory
Head Coach: Jim Hiller
2010 pre-season:  8gp, 6-2-0-0
2009-10 Record:  47-22-1-2, 97 pts (1st in U.S. Div., 1st in Conf.)  GF: 272  GA: 193
2009-10 Power Play / Penalty Killing ranking:  PP 2nd (28.0%)  PK 15th (78.5%)
2010 Playoffs:  Lost in five games to Calgary in WHL Championship Series
2009-10 Top Scorers:
Brendan Shinnimin         70gp-27g-55a-82pts
Justin Feser                  72gp-36g-37a-73pts
Brooks Macek               72gp-21g-52a-73pts

Up Front:  The Americans were the third-highest scoring team in the WHL last season.  Their offense should be just as deadly this season with almost all of their top guns returning for 2010-11.  Back are Brendan Shinnimin, Brooks Macek, Justin Feser, Kruise Reddick and Jordan Messier, who all scored at least 20 goals last season, as well as Adam Hugesman, who netted 19 times.  Those six, alone, form one of the WHL’s best top-two line combinations.  With Patrick Holland, who managed 16 goals and 36 points as a rookie, and fellow sophomore Mason Wilgosh returning as well, the Ams boast plenty of offensive depth.  Youngster Connor Rankin has made a good impression while 20-year-old veteran Mike Brown has done a good job during the pre-season in making his case to claim one of the three overage spots.

On The Blue Line:  The Ams only return four regular defensemen from last year’s team that boasted the WHL’s 4th-best defense.  20-year-old veteran Tyler Schmidt picked up 38 points, including seven goals, last season.  He’ll be charged with providing strong two-way play and leadership for what will be a younger Ams defense corps this season.  Also back is veteran Brock Sutherland, the only other returning rearguard with more than one season of WHL experience.  Sophomores Drydn Dow and Zach Yuen will take on bigger roles this season while Russian rookie Nikita Kardashev appears capable of stepping into a top-four role. 

Goaltending:  19-year-old Drew Owsley returns after enjoying a fantastic season in his first year as a starter last year.  Owsley was among the top five WHL netminders in just about every category last year, and was very good in the Ams’ run to the WHL Championship series.  Potentially back is 20-year-old Alex Pechurskiy.  The Russian netminder was very good in the 27 games he played, and was excellent in the post-season as well, when called upon.  Pechurskiy, however, is eligible to play professionally in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ system.  16-year-old rookie Chris Driedger has shown promise, and could slot into the back-up role.

Player to Watch:  Brooks Macek
A second-round pick, 43rd overall, in the 2007 Bantam Draft, Macek broke out last season with 21 goals and 73 points to establish himself as a top-notch playmaker.  The 5’11”, 175-lb Winnipeg, MB, product is a very good skater and has excellent vision and passing abilities.  Though not the biggest player, Macek competes hard and doesn’t shy away from physical play.  Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2010 NHL Draft, Macek will be a catalyst for what should be a very strong Americans offense this season.