Thursday's Portland Winterhawks' News and Notes: Checking in on Signed Winterhawks Prospects

Bronson Sharp of Yale Academy

Minor Midget and Midget playoff hockey across Canada are getting under way and several of Portland's prospects that have signed WHL education contracts with them are participating. Let's take a look at how some of them are doing and have done this year.

Signed Winterhawks' Prospects in Playoffs:

Bronson Sharp LW(1999)- Yale Hockey Academy Prep CSSHL (Prep)
-Yale plays vs. Program of Excellence, Burnaby Winter Club and Shanigan in Round Robin in Midget Prep Group B Round Robin in the CSSHL. They fell today in their first game to POE 4-2. Sharp had an assist in the loss.
Jackson Caller D(1999)-Revelstoke Grizzlies KIJHL (Junior B)
-Was listed via Elite Prospects on the Revelstoke Grizzlies' roster this year, but was not listed in the box scores for any of their four straight losses in their first round exit at the hands of the 100 Mile House Wranglers.
Jake Hobson D(1999)- Prince Albert Mintos SMHL (Midget AAA)
-The Mintos just had their season ended by the Tisdale Trojans, who took three of four in their best-of-five quarter-final playoff series.Hobson had 40 points from the blue line in 43 regular season games and added an assist in the playoffs. He is now playing on loan with the Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. So far, he has gotten into one game with Weyburn and could very well be with them for their playoff round vs. Flin Flon, which starts next weekend.

Ethan Middendorf G(1999)- Arizona Bobcats 16U NAPHL 
-I'm not entirely sure where Middendorf played this season. He is listed on the Arizona Bobcats roster, but did not play any games, as far as I could tell. What's interesting is that Portland has now added to their protected list the guy that replaced him with the Bobcats in goal: Riley Morgan.

Ilijah Colina F(2000)- Valley West Hawks BCMML (Minor Midget)
-The recently signed forward had a hat trick in Valley West's close out 9-2 win over the Greater Vancouver Canadiens in a two-game sweep. They outscored the Canadians 17-3 in the two games. The Hawks have moved on to BCMML semi-finals where they will face the Okanagan Rockets this weekend.

Matthew Quigley D(1999)- Lethbridge Hurricanes AMHL (Midget AAA)
-His Hurricanes were eliminated in the first round of the AMHL playoffs, by the Calgary Northstars. They fell 3-2 in overtime in the third game of the best-of-three series. Quigley had 13 points and 48 penalty minutes in 34 regular season games with the 'Canes.

Bradley Ginnell F(2000)- Calgary Royals Blue AMMHL (Minor Midget)
-Ginnell and the Royals' Blue team start the Sutter South Cup playoffs tonight and play three total round-robin games in Pool B this weekend.

Winterhawks in the NHL:

Wednesday:
-Sven Baertschi set up a goal by Luca Sbisa and Vancouver would go on to beat Arizona 3-2 in overtime.

Winterhawks in the AHL:

Wednesday:
-Taylor Leier notched two assists for Lehigh Valley and they fell to Wilkes Barre/Scranton in overtime 6-5.
-Nic Petan scored his ninth goal of the year, but Manitoba did not get enough scoring in a 4-2 loss to Iowa.
-Charlotte outshot Chicago 41-16 and beat them 4-1, but Ty Rattie was able to set up the lone Wolves goal.

Winterhawks in the ECHL:

Wednesday:
-Troy Rutkowski had a goal and an assist for Evansville, but they still fell to Quad City 5-4.
-Patrick Wellar set up the Alaska Aces' second goal and William Wrenn set up the overtime winner in Alaska's 3-2 win over Fort Wayne.