Go West ! 2010 WHL Playoffs Round 1.

GO WEST!! - March 19, 2010

As a resident of B.C. I have an insight into the WHL specifically with the Kelowna Rockets as the reigning league champions. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the UFHL and appreciate all the updates from GMs who have inside knowledge on other leagues. My goal is to help the GMs who are not in the realm of the WHL to understand the teams, drafted players and upcoming prospects. In future blogs I will be helping GMs with their drafted players and lending a hand, while diminishing my inside knowledge mind you, with players to look for in the upcoming drafts.
However, with the 2010 WHL playoffs starting this week I will open my new blog by analyzing the 1st round matchups, predictions and who to watch if they are already drafted etc.

Eastern Conference:
(1)Calgary Hitmen vs. (8) Moose Jaw Warriors.
Prediction: Hitmen in 5
Who to watch: Calgary: Brandon Kozun (FLA), Joel Broda (WAS), Martin Jones (NYR)
Moose Jaw: Quinton Howden (2010), Ryan Stanton (UFA)

(2) Brandon Wheat Kings vs. (7) Swift Current Broncos.
Prediction: Wheat Kings in 4
Who to watch: Brandon: Brayden Schenn (FLA), Toni Rajala (LA)
Swift Current: Cody Eakin (SJ), Stepan Novotny (2010)

(3) Saskatoon Blades vs. (6) Red Deer Rebels
Prediction: Saskatoon in 6

Who to watch: Saskatoon: Stefan Elliott (PHI), Derek Hulak (UFA)
Red Deer: Landon Ferraro (NYR), Willie Coetzee (WAS)

(4) Kootenay Ice vs. (5) Medicine Hat Tigers
Prediction: Medicine Hat in 6
Who to watch: Kootenay: Steele Boomer (2010), Joey Leach (2010)
Medicine Hat: Wacey Hamilton (2010), Emerson Etem (2010)


Western Conference:
(1)Tri-City Americans vs. (8) Chilliwack Bruins
Prediction: Tri-City in 4
Who to watch: Tri City: Alexander Pechurski (BUF), Justin Feser (2010)
Chilliwack: Ryan Howse(SJ), Roman Horak (UFA)

(2)Vancouver Giants vs. (7) Kamloops Blazers
Prediction: Vancouver in 6
Who to watch: Vancouver: Craig Cunningham (2010), Kevin Connaughton (LA)
Kamloops: Linden Saip (2010), C.J. Stretch (UFA)

(3)Everett Silvertips vs. (6) Kelowna Rockets
Prediction: Everett in 5
Who to watch: Everett: Kellan Tochkin (UFA), Thomas Heemskerk (TB)
Kelowna: Shane McColgan (2011), Tyson Barrie (TB)

(4)Spokane Chiefs vs. (5) Portland Winterhawks
Prediction: Spokane in 7
Who to watch: Spokane: Mitch Wahl (COL), Jared Cowen (DAL)
Portland: Nino Niederreiter (2010), Ryan Johansen (2010)

Players of the Week - 3/7 - 3/13

Players of the week:

3. Tyler Myers - San Jose - 46 pts

2. Andrei Markov - NY Rangers - 59 pts

1. Mikeal Samuelsson - Detroit - 69 pts

*Note: If players had strong weeks and were traded I was unable to calculate them, too many player movements.

Team of the week:

New York Rangers - 368 points



Editors note: I'd like to thank everyone for a strong deadline week. Best of luck down the final stretch. The smell of playoff hockey is in the air!