Winterhawks notebook: Burke trade just part of busy week

Kompon called Burke a first-class person and teammate. Kompon described Tuesday as “a real emotional day.”

Kompon said Johnson will back-up Hill for the rest of this season while 17-year-old Michael Boullion, who played four games with Portland this season, will remain with Wenatchee of the North American Hockey League.

Defenseman acquired: The Winterhawks added veteran defenseman Adam Henry in a trade with Saskatoon.

“Anytime you can add a proven, experienced defenseman to solidify your defense that’s a positive,” Kompon said.

In addition to being mobile and experienced, Kompon likes that Henry knows the U.S. Division after spending last season with Seattle. The addition of Henry means the Winterhawks have the maximum three 20-year-olds on the roster. Forward Miles Koules and defenseman Josh Hanson are the others.

Trade deadline Saturday: Kompon said Thursday that he does not expect to make more trades before Saturday’s WHL trade deadline, but “I will always answer my phone” if other teams call.

World Juniors stars return: Nic Petan played a leading role in Canada’s run to the gold medal at the 2015 IIHF World Juniors Championships. In the semifinal win over Slovakia, Petan scored three goals. Petan tied with Team Canada mates Sam Reinhart and Connor McDavid with 11 points in seven games. Petan had four goals and seven assists. Petan (illness) will not play Friday at Spokane but should not be sidelined long, according to Kompon.

Portland’s Oliver Bjorkstrand finished with four goals and one assist in five games for Denmark, which was eliminated by Canada in the quarterfinal round. Kompon noted that Bjorkstrand was a team leader for Denmark and gained valuable experience playing the center position for the first time. Bjorkstrand scored Portland’s lone goal on Wednesday in a 4-1 loss at Spokane, his first game back.

Chase De Leo scored the game-winning shootout goal for Team USA in the first game of the tournament. Team USA lost to Russia in the quarterfinals.

“I’m really proud of the way our players performed” at the World Juniors, Kompon said.

Iverson suspended: Forward Keegan Iverson will serve the second game of a two-game suspension on Friday at Spokane. Iverson received a match penalty for having tape on his hands during a fight early in Sunday’s game against Seattle.

Hawks on TV: Beginning on Jan. 16, ROOT Sports will show live WHL games each Friday. The Winterhawks will be on three times: Feb. 6 at Seattle, March 6 at home against Seattle and March 13 at Spokane.