Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
I am a big fan of WHL hockey. We have a hometown junior team and I am a season ticket holder. I go to most games throughout the season and I cheer loud and proud for every player that I am lucky enough to watch on our home ice because I know that these kids are the future of the NHL.
My appreciation for WHLers doesn’t stop when they leave the Dub. No, I’m a true hockey girl and I follow most careers of those who I have been fortunate to watch up close. Every once in a while, a player from another team passes through our arena that piques my interest and I have learned that my instincts about those players are usually right as well.
In the past few season, I’ve been paying closer attention to the NHL prospects and AHL players while they play in other leagues, which has led to my appreciation for the up-and-comers. Here’s a brief look at some of the Calgary Flames farm team players that I have been keeping an eye on lately.
Tyler Wotherspoon is a defenseman from Surrey, British Columbia, who had played for the Portland Winterhawks before joining the Abbotsford Heat this season. At 203 lbs, he’s a powerful force on the blue line and has achieved 5 assists and one goal in 18 games.
Chris Breen has quite the presence about him. He is 6 feet and 7 inches of intimidation in front of the Abbotsford net. After a short stint in Calgary with the Flames this season, Breen was sent back down to the Heat, where he has played 10 games and garnered 3 points. He’s a 224 lb defenseman from Uxbridge, Ontario, who has previously played for the Erie Otters during his junior years.
Max Reinhart came to the Flames organization from the Kootenay Ice. The son of former Flames defenseman, Paul Reinhart, Max is a centerman with 12 points in 19 games (3 goals and 9 assists) so far with Abbotsford.
Ben Hanowski is a right-winger from Little Falls, Minnesota who played for St. Cloud State before he was picked up in the Iginla trade to Pittsburg. In his first season with the Heat, Hanowski has done well, attaining 7 goals and 8 assists in 22 games played.
Michael Ferland. This 225lb left-winger from Swan River, Manitoba played for the Brandon Wheat Kings before making his way to Abbotsford. In 19 games played so far this season, he has accumulated 4 goals and 7 assists (11 points).
Joni Ortio has gone back and forth between Canada and Finalnd, before finally settling in Abbotsford this season. This 185lb goalie seems to have transitioned well this season for the Heat after playing a while for the Alaska Aces. In Abbotsford, Ortio has played 9 games so far and has not lost one yet. With a save percentage of .928 and 2.26 goals allowed, Ortio finally achieved his first shutout of the season on Saturday, November 23 against the Iowa Wild.
Granted, not all prospect stay with the teams who have drafted them and not all AHLers play in the NHL, but, based on these players, the future of the Flames organization looks bright.