Thursday 10/2 News/Notes: Koules Will Wear #12

Miles Koules Will Wear #12:
-Koules will make his Winterhawks debut this Friday vs. Seattle at the Moda Center. He will be wearing the number, most known as the one Adam Deamarsh wore during his time in Portland and Presten Kopeck most recently wore. It is unknown at this time where he will be slotted in, but I would not be surprised if he played on a wing with Chase De Leo and Oliver Bjorkstrand, at least to start.

Bjorkstrand's Back:
-While acquiring Koules is reason enough to be excited for Friday night's game; the return of #27 to the lineup has got to have people ecstatic. Bjorkstrand had 109 points in 69 games last season, including 50 goals. The combination of him and De Leo on a line should be enough for Portland to create many more scoring chances then they have so far.
-With Bjorkstrand and Koules added to their wings, the Hawks now have 8 wingers that played in the WHL last season. This should mean that playing time will be decreased for the likes of Evan Weinger, Tyson Predinchuk, Ethan Price and Colton Veloso, who had all been pressed into top 9 minutes.

Too Many 20s:

-Portland has to decide which of their four 1994 born players to cut or trade from their roster by October 15th, though I expect it to happen sooner. Travis McEvoy is a big bodied winger who, though not a possesion style player, made an impact (particularly against Everett) by throwing many vicious checks. Despite this, because he was such a cheap addition for the Hawks (brought into camp after being released by Vancouver), I expect him to be the odd man out.

No Change on Injury Report:
-On the 9/29 injury report there were no changes listed as Josh Hanson(hand) is still listed as day to day and Blake Heinrich(concussion) is still listed as week to week. On Hawkey talk on Monday, Coach/GM Jamie Kompon stated that Hanson is still rehabilitating his hand injury and it appears that this is not happening as quickly as they had hoped because he was listed as day to day last week as well. Heinrich suffered his concussion in Portland's preseason game against Everett on 8/31, meaning that he has been out for over 1 month already. Last I heard, he was still not skating in practice with the team.

Nic Petan Still at Winnipeg Camp:
-Petan will suit up on the Jet's top line with Andrew Ladd and Michael Frolik in Calgary tonight. Due to injuries to other Jet's forwards and his stellar play, he has stuck around much longer then expected. He notched an assist(his first NHL point) on the eventual game winner in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Ottawa.

Bullion Gone:
-Reed Morison was removed from the roster for the second time this season, last week, after Keegan Iverson and Dominic Turgeon were returned to the roster. Also, 1997 born Goalie Michael Bullion, who got 1 start in a loss to Prince George was sent to the NAHL's Wenatchee Wild earlier this week. He may be recalled at some point if Brendan Burke makes the USA U-20 World Junior Championships Roster or if any injuries occur to Burke or backup Adin Hill.

McKenzie Snubbed;
-Despite his hot start to the season (4 points in 5 games), 1998 born Center Skyler McKenzie was not chosen for any of the 3 Canadian U-17 teams that will compete at the World U-17 Challenge November 2nd-8th in  Sarnia-Langton, Ontario. He could be a placement though, should any injuries occur.