Returning Winterhawk Profile: #23 Dominic Turgeon

(Editors Note: In the countdown to the Winterhawks season opener; I will be looking, individually, at each returning player)

Next Up (in numerical fashion): #23 Dominic Turgeon

Born: 2/25/1996
Hometown: Cherry Hills, Colorado
Position: Center
How Acquired: 3rd Round (64th Overall) Bantam Draft Pick in 2011 Draft

NHL Drafted: Detroit Red Wings 3rd Round (64th Overall) in 2014. Unsigned.

Stats:
-2011/12 (As a 15 Year Old): 1 Game Played, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 Points, 0, 0 Penalty Minutes.
-2012/13: 54 GP, 3 G, 5 A, 8 Pts, -2, 2 PIMs.
               Playoffs: 5 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, 0, 0 PIMs.
-2013/14: 65 GP, 10 G, 21 A, 31 Pts, +18, 31 PIMs.
               Playoffs: 21 GP, 2 G, 6 A, 8 Pts, 18 PIMs.

Analysis:
-Turgeon is the son of the Pierre Turgeon, who put up over 1,200 NHl points and was the #1 overall pick in 1987. He is likely used to this being everybody's lead in to him as a player. Last season, he began to make his own way in the mind of the casual WHL fan. Dominic has NHL ready size and last season showed some elite flashes of stick-handling wizardry. He is the odd player who,at a young age has a great grasp of defensive awareness and with his size and reach, he is already the Winterhawk top penalty killer, going into this season. It's his offensive game that needs more consistency. At times, he seems like he doesn't know where the next play is going and his one timer and wrist shot needs more accuracy. Whether or not his lack of scoring was due to this or just because he was not asked to do this, we will find out this year. If he improves in the offensive game, I think Detroit will have found a steal in the 3rd round with Turgeon.

Outlook:
-Dominic played for Team USA in the Ivan Hlinka last year and should be a finalist to make the roster this year. Seeing as how it's his first year at NHL camp, he will probably not miss any time to start the season, but could definitely make the U.S. team and miss time around New Year's. He has the size and defensive awareness that will make him desirable to the U.S. coaches. He looks to either be the Center or wing on Portland's second line and this increased playing time will benefit his growth as a player and should increase his offensive output. He scored 3 points (including a 2 goal game) in 4 preseason games, so there is cause to believe he could have a breakout season as an 18 year old. He was also wearing an "A" in the preseason and shows great leadership abilities. If he is not named the Captain this season, he will definitely be it next season. I see him developing into a top notch player this season, as he can play in any situation and does not make many mistakes.


Previous Returning Winterhawk Profiles: Alex Schoenborn, Nic Petan, Tyson Predinchuk, Keegan Iverson, Adam De Champlain, Chase De Leo, Paul Bittner, Josh Hanson, Ethan Price, Anton Cederholm, Brendan Burke

Returning Winterhawk Profile: #22 Alex Schoenborn

(Editors Note: In the countdown to the season opener on September 19th vs. Seattle; I will be looking, individually, at each returning Winterhawk).

Next up (in numerical fashion): #22 Alex Schoenborn

Born: 12/12/1995
Hometown: Minot, North Dakota
Position: Right Wing
How Acquired: Signed on 1/9/2012, after being added to the protected list.

NHL Drafted: San Jose 3rd Round (#72 Overall) Pick in 2014. Unsigned.

Stats:
-2012/13: 20 Games Played, 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 2 Points, -2, 2 Penalty Minutes.
-2013/14: 72 GP, 18 G, 18 A, 36 Pts, +19, 121 PIMs.
              Playoffs: 21 GO, 2 G, 3 A, 5 Pts, 41 PIMs.

Analysis:
-Schoenborn was the undrafted U.S. player that came in with the most hype, as he had been drafted in the first round of the USHL Futures draft in 2011 and seemed a lock to go to the NCAA. Instead he seemed completely unprepared for the WHL level and after fighting through a midseason injury, could not adjust and ended up being loaned to the Wenatchee Wild of the NAHL in January of 2013. Schoenborn's career might have been saved by the fact that he had a late birthday and was not eligible for that year's draft and had another season to showcase himself. Portland gave him every opportunity to do this as he was put on the Hawks top line with Nic Petan and Brendan Leipsic to start the season. He ended up finding a much better fit on the 3rd (checking) line with Dominic Turgeon and Keegan Iverson.

Alex is adept at using his size (6'4" 194 lbs) and has surprising speed and stick-handling abilities. He was probably the most improved Winterhawk last season, as he threw his weight around and even had 2 multi-goal nights. He still lacked consistency, but improved enough to be taken with  San Jose's 3rd round pick. Schoenborn had 121 penalty minutes on the season and did not hesitate to drop the mitts.

Outlook:
-Schoenborn should be back from San Jose to start the season and could really use the increased ice time that he will see with the Petan's and Bjorkstrand's still gone. Regardless, it appears he will be given 2nd line time with Chase De Leo and Dominic Turgeon and if he keeps improving he has the type of power forward skills that could get hm signed by San Jose. If Alex continues to show some improvement in the defensive zone, as well, he could see some penalty kill time as well.

He will definitely benefit from choosing the WHL though, as his physical play gets more attention in the Dub. With increased ice time, especially when Portland is missing other players, he could be a 40 goal scorer.

Previous Returning Winterhawk Profiles: Nic, Petan, Tyson Predinchuk, Keegan Iverson, Adam De Champlain, Chase De Leo, Paul Bittner, Josh Hanson, Ethan Price, Anton Cederholm, Brendan Burke

Returning Winterhawk Profile: #19 Nicolas Petan

(Editors Note: In the countdown to the Winterhawks season opener against Seattle on September 19th, I am looking at each returning player, individually).

Next up (in numerical fashion): #19 Nic Petan

Born: 3/22/1995
Hometown: Delta, British Columbia
Position: Center
How Acquired: 1st Round (16th Overall) Bantam Pick in 2010

NHL Drafted: Winnipeg Jets 2nd Round Pick (43rd Overall) in 2013. Signed on 12/31/2013.

Stats:
-2010/11(As a 15 year Old): 3 Games Played, 0 Goals, 1 Assist, 1 Point, +1, 0 Penalty Minutes.
              Playoffs: 7 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, 0 PIMs.
-2011/12: 61 GP, 14 G, 21 A, 35 Pts, +7, 22 PIMs.
              Playoffs: 22 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, 4 PIMs.
-2012/13: 71 GP, 46 G, 74 A, 120 Pts, +68, 43 PIMs.
              Playoffs: 21 GP, 9 G, 19 A, 28 Pts, 16 PIMs.
-2013/14: 63 GP, 35 G, 78 A, 113 Pts, +47, 69 PIMs.
              Playoffs: 21 GP, 7 G, 21 A, 28 Pts, 38 PIMs.

Analysis:
-Petan took a huge step forward in the 2012/13 season, jumping from a 4th line 16 year old with 35 points, to a top line Center, playing with Brendan Leipsic and Ty Rattie on his wings, on his way to 120 pts and a tie for the WHL scoring title. This got him drafted by Winnipeg, despite his lack of size (5'9" 173 lbs then; now 175 lbs). No matter which level he has played at, so far, he is an elite play-maker, whose primary attributes include: stick-handling, skating and on ice vision. He really sees the plays before it happens and this top notch offensive ability will surely see him play at the NHL level, as soon as next year. He played point on the power play last year, but seems more at home on the half boards, where he can get a clear look at passing back to the point; across the middle or down low in front of the net. He had a 4 goal game against Saskatoon, last season, where he got a majority on the PP. An underrated area of his play, is his elite defensive awareness and shut down ability.

He needs to improve down in tight spaces, where larger D-men can use their size to push him off the puck. I'd also like to see him shoot more, as he has a wicked shot and sometimes looks to pass, almost to the teams' detriment. Another area that needs improvement is in the faceoff circles, where he was abused repeatedly by Ryan Olsen in the Western Conference Final and Curtis Lazar in the WHL Final. I never hear about an injury late last season, but if Petan was fighting through something I would not be surprised, as he only scored 8 goals over his last 38 total games and seemed to not be as impactful on the ice. Petan will now be counted on even more and his team cannot afford for him to have these scoring "droughts," as his high amount of offense is expected when it matters.

Petan was named Co-MVP last season for the Hawks and was a first team Western Conference All Star, He finished 2nd in WHL scoring, behind Spokane's Mitch Holmberg.

Outlook:
-With him playing top line Center at the recent Penticton Young Stars Tournament, near his hometown, Petan showed what he could do and impressed everyone watching. He had a goal (the over time winner) and 2 assists Saturday vs. Vancouver and an impressive shoot out goal in Monday's win over Edmonton. His advanced stats were even more evidence of the impact he has at all areas of the ice.

He will attend Winnipeg Jets main camp, which starts later this week and should see some extended play in the NHL preseason. Just how long, he will be out of the Winterhawks lineup, is anyone's guess, but it is likely he will not return until early October. He will also, assuredly, miss time playing for Canada in the U-20 World Junior Championships, where he will be relied upon to be a leader as a 19 year old.

It should say something about how great Petan is, that WHL pundits still are favoring him to win the WHL scoring title. Petan should also move himself up the Winterhawks, all time scoring lists. He currently sits 15th in total points at 269 and with an "average" season for him, he could vault as high as 4th. He also sits 9th in Assists with 174 Assists and with another 70+ assist season, he could get as high as 3rd all time. If this were not his last season in Portland, it's fair to say that he could make a run at the Winterhawks records in both these categories.

Petan will be slotted in as the #1 Center for the Hawks (no surprise) and will be heavily relied upon in all aspects of the game. It will certainly be fun to see him for one more season in a Winterhawks sweater.

Previous Returning Winterhawk Profiles: Tyson Predinchuk, Keegan Iverson, Adam De Champlain, Chase De Leo, Paul Bittner, Josh Hanson, Ethan Price, Anton Cederholm, Brendan Burke

Returning Winterhawk Profile #15 Tyson Predinchuk

(Editors Note: I will looking at each returning Winterhawk, individually on the countdown to the home opener on September 19th).

Next Up (in numerical fashion) is #15 Tyson Predinchuk

Born: June 1st, 1995
Hometown: Regina, Saskatchewan
Position: Center
How Acquired: Picked up and brought to team December 27th, 2013, as Portland was missing players at World Juniors. Was originally a 6th round (#107 Overall) Bantam Draft pick for Spokane in 2010.

Stats:
-2012/13(with Spokane): 25 Games Played: 0 Goals, 5 Assists, 5 Points, -1, 5 Penalty Minutes
-2013/14(with Portland): 20 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 Pts, +2, 2 PIMs
               Playoffs: 9 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, 0 PIMs 

NHL Drafted: Was passed over in 2013 and 2014, is again eligible for the 2015 draft.

Analysis:
- Tyson was added for depth during the World Junior Championships last season, when Portland was missing many players and has shown enough to warrant him being included among the final 15 forwards for this year's team. In his second game in a Hawk's sweater, he potted a goal against the Tri City Americans. He added 1 more goal in limited time with the Hawks over the rest of the regular season and the playoffs. When he did play, he was relegated to the 4th line and played, probably an average of 5-10 minutes a night. Tyson has a big frame (6'3" 193 lbs) and does well along the boards. His skating isn't the best and the few times he was out there against the other team's better players, he looked over-matched. A pro contract is definitely a long shot for him because he again will see limited time, if he is one of the forwards kept on the team after the 6 forwards the Hawks have at pro camps come filtering back.

Outlook:
-Let's just be honest, the outlook is not great for Predinchuk to make much of an impact on this year's team. He has shown very limited offensive ability and is not someone who they have used often on the penalty kill either. When they have enough bodies back, there is a very strong possibility that Predinchuk is sent back to the Melville Millionaires of the SJHL. I just could not see why the Hawks would choose to give him the opportunity to take playing time away from several of the 17 year old wingers that need the ice time at this level to develop. If they do choose to send a few of these 17s down to Midget, I suppose Predinchuk is a guy that you do not worry about as much, psychologically, as far as constantly moving him up and down as a body, due to injuries. But unless the Hawks are beset upon by injuries, I could not see him staying for long.


Previous Returning Winterhawk Profiles: Keegan Iverson, Adam De Champlain, Chase De Leo, Paul Bittner, Josh Hanson, Ethan Price, Anton Cederholm, Brendan Burke

Returning Winterhawk Profile: #13 Keegan Iverson

(Editors Note: In the countdown to the season opener on September 19th, I will be looking, individually, at each of the returning Winterhawks who will be on the opening night roster)

Next Up (in numerical fashion) #13 Keegan Iverson

Born: 4/5/1996
Hometown: St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Position: Center
How Acquired: Signed on 3/18/2012 after being added to the protected list.

Stats:
-2011/12(15 year old): 1 Game Played, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 Points, 0, 0 Penalty Minutes
               Playoffs: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, 0 PIMs
-2012/13: 47 GP, 6 G, 4 A, 10 Pts, +4, 69 PIMs
               Playoffs: 17 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 Pts, 15 PIMs
-2013/14: 67 GP, 22 G, 20 A, 42 Pts, +16, 70 PIMs
               Playoffs: 21 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 Pts, 12 PIMs

NHL Drafted: New York Rangers 3rd Round Pick (85th Overall) in 2014. Unsigned.

Analysis:
-Iverson provided instant size and tenacity into the Winterhawks lineup during his 16 year old season. He has a large frame that intimidates opposing Defensemen, is a solid puck carrier and is near immovable from in front of the other team's net. His role increased last year into a checking line Wing position with fellow draft eligible Hawks: Alex Schoenborn and Dominic Turgeon. He excelled in the checking portion of this role for sure, throwing his 215 lbs around, showing that he knows how to use his NHL caliber size and even potting 22 Goals, including a 4 game goal streak last October. Iverson enjoys going into the difficult areas and sticking up for his teammates and is also not afraid to drop the mits. One thing Iverson does need to work on to make the next level is his scoring touch. His size allows him to get open for a lot of good caliber shots, but he has not consistently shown that his hard wrist shot and one timer has the accuracy needed to become a professional.

Iverson also has a close relationship with paralyzed hockey player Jack Jablonski, which is the reason he wears #13 for Portland.

Outlook:
-With the loss of Taylor Leier and Brendan Leipsic off the top 6 forward unit, Iverson could be slated for a spot on the Wing of one of those lines. His background as a former D-man, gives him the acumen in his own zone to be trusted as a top penalty killer. Look for him to again play in front of the net on the second power play unit as well. Besides Adam De Champlain, Iverson may be the most hated Winterhawk around the league, as he plays with his emotions on his sleeve often and has been suspended multiple times (including this preseason) for head shots. Portland needs him on the ice, however and for him to grow into a consistent goal scorer. He is a power forward and the great ones tend to score big goals in big situations. In game 6 of last year's WHL Final, he scored the overtime game winner and will be relied upon to score these goals more often this season.

Iverson could miss time at the start of the season while he is at the Traverse City tournament and at Ranger camp to start the season. Keegan could also be asked to play in the World Junior Championships this December/January. He played in the Ivan Hlinka Tournament last year and scored 1 goal in 5 games. This was enough for him to be a late invite to the USA jr. development camp, this summer before he was cut and sent home. Iverson's ticket to the WJCs may not be punched until next year by the looks of it, unless he shows an improved scoring touch and starts lighting up the scoreboard. If Iverson makes large strides in his offensive game to go along with his imposing physical game, he will be tough for other WHL squads to stop.

Previous Returning Winterhawk Profiles: Brendan Burke, Anton Cederholm, Ethan Price, Josh Hanson, Paul Bittner, Chase De Leo, Adam De Champlain.

Returning Winterhawk Profile: #11 Adam De Champlain

(Editors Note: In the countdown to the Winterhawks season opener on September 19th, I will be looking, individually, at each returning player who looks to be on the opening night roster).

Next up (in numerical fashion): #11 Adam De Champlain:

Born: 2/15/1994
Hometown: Sherwood Park, Alberta
Position: Center
How Acquired: 10th Round (200th Overall) Bantam Draft Pick in 2009

Stats:
-2012/13: 60 Games Played, 8 Goals, 10 Assists, 18 Points, +11, 177 Penalty Minutes.
              Playoffs: 21 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, 33 PIMs
-2013/14: 43 GP, 6 G, 4 A, 10 Pts, -4, 94 PIMs
              Playoffs: 21 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 Pts, 20 PIMs

NHL Drafted: Free Agent.

Analysis:
-De Champlain did not sign with the Hawks until January of 2012 and came on as a 17 year old later that year. He has shown flashes of speed, grit and tenacity, 3 things every coach loves. This is evidenced by the "A" he was wearing on his sweater during this preseason and why he is being kept as an over-age this season, despite only having played 103 WHL regular season games. Part of this was due to a late regular season injury he suffered that put him out until the start of the post season.De Champlain is an agitator that sometimes takes things over the line as agitators do. He has moments where he looks like a play-maker, but for the most part has not shown much offensive ability. A guy like this is valuable though as he knows his role and plays all out, all the time. He also irritates the other team into taking stupid penalties which is useful, especially considering the Hawks had the #1 ranked (27.5%) power play last season. He was also a second unit penalty killer last year and will move up to the top unit with Dominic Turgeon this season.

Outlook:
-I kind of think we have not seen all of De Champlain's abilities. He has game breaking speed and plays with a tenacity unmatched on the team. If he had the chance at more ice time, I think there's a good chance he would be a 20 goal scorer. But having the type of talent the Hawks do at Forward, means De Champlain will probably be slotted in on the 3rd line and as a top penalty killer. At least at the start of the season, he may see some time on the second power play unit as well. He must be a good locker room guy as most teams do not carry 20 year olds that are not in the top 6. New Coach Jamie Kompon may not give him the same amount of leeway as Johnston did though, so anymore over the top antics, may not be tolerated as much if they hurt the team. An invite was not extended this season to any training camps, as it was last year from the Vancouver Canucks, so Adam's got a long way to go before earning a pro contract in his last season in the WHL.

De Champlain up to his normal antics, irritating the entire Seattle bench and earning a power play.

Previous Returning Winterhawk Profiles:

Previous Returning Winterhawk Profiles: Brendan Burke, Anton Cederholm, Ethan Price. Josh Hanson, Paul Bittner, Chase De Leo

Returning Winterhawk Profile: #9 Chase De Leo

(Editors note: In the countdown to the Winterhawks season opener, I will be looking, individually, at each of the returning Winterhawks who look to be on the opening night roster).

Next up (in numerical fashion): #9 Chase De Leo

Born: 10/25/1995
Hometown: La Mirada, California
Position: Center
How Acquired: 9th Round Pick (192nd Overall) in 2010 Bantam Draft

Stats:
-2011/12: 69 Games Played, 14 Goals, 16 Assists, 30 Points, +12, 25 Penalty Minutes
               Playoffs: 22 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, 2 PIMs
-2012/13: 71 GP, 18 G, 38 A, 56 Pts, +28, 24 PIMs
               Playoffs: 21 GP, 5 G, 12 A, 17 Pts, 15 PIMs
-2013/14: 72 GP, 39 G, 42 A, 81 Pts, +49, 36 PIMs
               Playoffs: 21 GP, 10 G, 9 A, 19 Pts, 6 PIMs

NHL Drafted: Winnipeg Jets 4th Round (99th Overall) in 2014. Unsigned.

Analysis:
-Chase came into Portland as another under-sized yet skilled forward. He found a real home in his 17 year old season as the second line Center between Taylor Leier and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Chase at first concentrated on setting up these two skilled forwards, but last year, during his draft year he showed a real goal scoring touch around the net and had 7 multi-goal games. This despite being the odd man out on the Hawk's top power play unit.

He will, most likely, take over Brendan Leipsic's spot as Center on the top unit this coming season. In a lot of ways, prior to last season he was a little lost in Petan's shadow, but emerged as a play maker in his own right, finishing 19th in the WHL in points. He is one of the Hawk's top puck carriers and one of the best two way forwards, as well. Countless times last season. Chase's back-checking tied up an opponent's stick and prevented a scoring chance. He plays a crucial role on the Hawk's penalty killing unit and should continue to be one of Portland's most trusted players this coming season in every situation. One weakness that was exploited last season was his poor faceoff skills, which could see him move to the wing on the second line with Dominic Turgeon and Alex Schoenborn.

Outlook:
-Of all of the Winterhawks who attended USA jr. Development Camp; Chase should be the biggest lock to make the team. His type of NHL ready play-making and puck handling skills are an asset to a team competing in a short tournament like the World Juniors and will even more valued on a team lacking a lot of those like the U.S. Chase could also miss time at the beginning of the season at Winnipeg Jets training camp.

He impressed the Jets during Rookie Development Camp in July and could get an extended look and even a contract before returning to the Hawks for his 19 year old season. Chase has put on 7 more lbs this past off season and will need to show more strength in the corners, as well as, an improved shot to guarantee a contract from Winnipeg and a spot on the USA WJC roster. If he played on a team with a less skilled forward unit, Chase would be the go-to Center, but his drive and all around ability, should be enough to push for increased playing time. One things for sure, his good looks and personality will continue to win over fans of the Jets, not even considering his unique personal connection to another Jets prospect that will interest the common fan.

Previous Returning Winterhawk Profiles: Brendan Burke, Anton Cederholm, Ethan Price. Josh Hanson, Paul Bittner