Training camp for the Western Hockey League teams began this Wednesday, and there are many questions, the least of which involve who will stick in the NHL and who will be back for another season in the WHL. For now, September 20 is a date to be circled, as the defending Ed Chynoweth champion Edmonton Oil Kings square off against the 2011 Ed Chynoweth winner Kootenay Ice. The Portland Winterhawks open their season on September 21 against the I-5 rivals in the Seattle Thunderbirds. They will be without Ty Rattie, Mac Carruth, Sven Baertschi, and Joe Morrow, as their WHL eligibility will have been exhausted. 2012 first round pick Derrick Pouliot will likely return to the team, since the Pittsburgh Penguins are stacked on the blue line, one that includes Morrow, and don't have to rush Pouliot. Other opening night matchups on the 21st include Kamloops against Kelowna, the Regina Pats versus the Brandon Wheat Kings, Medicine Hat against Lethbridge, Swift Current versus Moose Jaw, Saskatoon against Prince Albert, Calgary and Red Deer squaring off, and the Victoria Royals versus the Vancouver Giants. Prince George faces Everett and Spokane faces Tri-City on September 22 in their opening games.
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