Wins, of course, are the bottom line. But in junior hockey, the growth of young players throughout a season is another source of pride for coaches in the Western Hockey League.
Among the Portland Winterhawks who have grown into bigger roles as this season progressed is Brendan De Jong, one of a trio of 17-year-old defensemen on the team.
De Jong, 6-foot-6 and 188 pounds, has played in all 66 games this season after getting into 54 games as a Western Hockey League rookie last season. Coach Jamie Kompon said the Victoria native has taken his game to another level during the second half of this season.
“Now you can trust him in all situations,” Kompon said, pointing to compete level and decision making as areas that stand out in De Jong’s growth.
De Jong’s size is obvious, and he has added close to 20 pounds since last season. But at 17 he still has plenty of strength develop. His growth is most evident in De Jong’s confidence.
“Brendan is much more mature moving the puck and skating,” Kompon said. “He’s competing. It’s not so much the physicality, but he’s more involved by getting into puck battles and winning puck battles.”
Winterhawks
This week: At Vancouver, 7:30 p.m. Friday; host Seattle, 7 p.m. Saturday (VMC); host Everett, 5 p.m. Sunday (VMC); host Spokane, 7 p.m. March 18 (Moda).
Last week: Beat Tri-City 5-3, lost at Seattle 2-1, lost at Everett 3-2.
Where they stand: At 33-29-4-0 (70 points), the Winterhawks are in third place in the U.S. Division.
Playoff picture: Six points from their final six games would clinch a playoff sport for the Winterhawks no matter what Tri-City does in its final five games. If the Americans go 5-0, they finish with 75 points. Each point Tri-City fails to earn lessens the points the Winterhawks need to earn.
Bittner update: Kompon said the Winterhawks will have a better idea after Monday about the chance of Paul Bittner returning to the team this season. Bittner, who had hip surgery in December, has been skating. He has a follow-up with a doctor on Monday that will clarify his progress according to Kompon.
The good from road losses: Slow starts were the difference in the one-goal losses at Seattle and at Everett. Other than the first seven minutes, Kompon said he was thrilled with his team’s play at Kent on Saturday. At Everett on Tuesday, Kompon said the Silvertips played with more urgency than did his Hawks — until Portland ramped things up in the third period and almost erased a three-goal deficit.
The Seattle game — featuring outstanding goaltending from Landon Bow and Adin Hill — was especially encouraging to Kompon.
“If we can play like that over a course of a full 60 minute period, I like our chances,” Kompon said.
Food drive: Fans who attend Saturday’s game against Seattle are encouraged to bring non-perishable food for the Burgerville Winterhawks Food Drive. Food donated will go to the Portland Police Bureau’s Sunshine Division. The first 500 fans to make a donation of at least three canned items will receive a $5 Burgerville gift card.
Vancouver Rangers
This week: Host Whitefish for a best-of-3 playoff series at Mountain View Ice Arena. Games at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and if needed at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Last week: Beat Seattle 5-2, lost to Seattle 8-3.
Where they finished: At 30-18-4, the Rangers finished fourth in the Northwest Division of the Western States Hockey League.
Playoff format: Vancouver hosts fifth-place Whitefish for a best-of-3 series this weekend. The winner will play a best-of-3 next weekend at either Idaho or Missoula in the division semifinals.
