Last week Nino Niederreiter was, in his own words, living the life.
Playing for the New York Islanders. Living out of a hotel. Competing at hockey’s highest level in one of the world’s great cities.
So, excuse the 18-year-old from Switzerland if it’s a bit of a comedown to be back with the Portland Winterhawks.
“I was living the life there,” Niederreiter said this week. “Back at junior, I have a curfew and everything like that. So it’s way different.”
Niederreiter, the No. 5 pick in the NHL Draft by the Islanders, played in nine games for New York. He had one goal and one assist.
In two games with the Winterhawks last weekend, he scored one goal. His return bolsters a Portland team that has a Western Hockey League-best record (12-2-0-1). The Winterhawks host Red Deer (11-6) today, then Everett (5-4-1-3) on Saturday. Both games start at 7 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum.
The Winterhawks then hit the long road, visiting the six East Division teams.
That bus trip will be much different than the travel and treatment Niederreiter experienced in the NHL. But he said he is not surprised, or discouraged, by his return to junior hockey.
Because the first year of NHL contracts kick in when a rookie plays in his 10th game, it was not a big surprise when Niederreiter was returned to the Winterhawks after playing in nine games. Because the Islanders had several forwards returning from injury, it seemed unlikely Niederreiter would get enough playing time in New York.
Niederreiter said he understands the decision. As a goal scorer, he wouldn’t benefit from limited playing time on a third or fourth line with the Islanders.
“I was in a tough situation. I knew that I was going to be back here, probably. At the end, they told me I have to score as much as I can this year. Have a great year here, and next year move forward.”
One nice aspect about returning to juniors, Niederreiter said, is the comfort level that comes from playing with friends.
“It’s always great to be back with guys who are your own age,” he said. “In the NHL, you have guys who are married, who are double your age. Doug Weight is almost 39, way older than I am, way more experienced.
“I could learn a lot from them, but now I’m back with the boys and having a good time here.”
Carruth honored
Winterhawks goalie Mac Carruth was named the WHL’s goaltender of the month for September and October.
The 18-year-old posted a 6-1 record with one shutout once he healed from a muscle strain that sidelined him at the start of the season.
“It’s more of a team (award) for a goalie because if you’re playing well, usually your team is playing well,” Carruth said. “So I look at it more as a team award rather than a personal award.”
He spent three weeks over the summer doing intense workouts with Winterhawks goalie coach Tyler Love. The goal was to improve his conditioning and his fundamentals. He had to do each drill right, or do it over. And over.
Carruth said he is benefiting from Love’s drills, and from being pushed in practice by Keith Hamilton. And he is more relaxed this season.
“I think last year I was almost too focused,” Carruth said. “This year I’m trying to have fun with it — messing around with the other team after whistles.”
• Despite being fourth the league in penalty minutes, the Winterhawks have the WHL’s best penalty kill. Portland has allowed only 10 goals in 96 shorthanded situations.
• The Winterhawks are ranked No. 1 in the WHL and No. 3 in North America in the most recent CHL MasterCard Top 10 poll of NHL scouts. Saskatoon (fifth) and Kootenay (ninth) are the other WHL teams ranked.
• Saturday’s game against Everett is the annual turkey shoot promotion. Women 18 and older can take a shot at goal to win a turkey from Fred Meyer.
On the road … still
Five different players scored — four in the third period — as the River City Jaguars rallied for a 5-4 win Thursday at Eugene. Braiden Carter opened scoring before Shane McGuiness, Alex Sulitzer, Ethan Fox and Sam Petrio tallied in the third period.
Vancouver’s Northern Pacific Hockey League team plays Saturday at Medford before duplicating the road trip on Friday and Saturday before playing their next three at Mountain View Ice Arena.
