End of a Historic Run

With the loss last night to the Kelowna Rockets, this will be the first time in five years that someone other than the Portland Winterhawks will represent the Western Conference in the WHL Finals.  The Winterhawks had made the WHL Finals in the previous four years, winning it all in 2013, and despite being denied their fifth straight final, the Winterhawks did well considering their slow (even by their standards) start and a new head coach/general manager.  So, what roster decisions need to be made for next season?

For one, the trio of Miles Koules, Adam Henry, and Josh Hanson will be moving on, as they were the three over-agers this season.  Nic Petan and Oliver Bjorkstrand are likely turning pro, meaning the team's top two scorers are going to be gone and need to be replaced.  As for potential over-agers for next season, the Winterhawks will have to choose from Alex Schoenborn, Chase DeLeo, Anton Cederholm, Blake Heinrich, and Layne Viveiros, which is five players for three spots.  Of that group, Cederholm also occupies an import slot, and it is possible the Winterhawks could use both picks in the upcoming Import Draft.

Goaltending is in good hands for next season, as Adin Hill is penciled in as the starter, and other than the last game, where the defense in front of him deserves some of the blame, Hill played well when given the starting job.  As for backup, Evan Johnson is in that spot, though the Winterhawks could go younger, as both Hill and Johnson are 1996 born players.  As for defensemen, Keoni Texeira will return, along with Brendan DeJong.  Nick Heid will have a chance to prove himself next season, as will newcomer Caleb Jones, though Jones will have some (unfairly) lofty expectations put upon him, as he is the younger brother of Seth Jones, who played for the Winterhawks in the 2012-13 season.  Paul Bittner would be the top returning leading scorer if DeLeo is allowed to turn pro.