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WHL Portland Winterhawks

Game Day Hub: December 8 vs. Spokane

December 8, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


The Hawks are back in action on home ice with a divisional clash against Spokane.

Puck Drop: 7:00 P.M.

Venue: Veterans Memorial Coliseum - Portland, Ore.

Uniforms: White

2023-24 Season Series: Portland is 0-1-0-0 against Spokane

Spokane 5 @ Portland 2 (Nov 26 2023)

Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App

Watch Live: WHL Live on CHL TV

Game Notes: Winterhawks Game Notes

Follow the Winterhawks: X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Upcoming Promo Games:

Saturday, December 9 - Teddy Bear Toss - BUY TICKETS

Saturday, December 16 - Holiday Sweater Night - BUY TICKETS

Sunday, December 31 - New Year's Eve Party - BUY TICKETS

Fresh Start

A frustrating three-game set last weekend has left the Hawks with a string of defeats heading into tonight's tilt, but a new opportunity awaits with three games against divisional opponents on the docket this weekend. The Hawks are flying high after a good week of practice, and the excitement of Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday can already be felt throughout the Glass Palace.

But before we get to the flying fur, there's business to attend to against a team that topped the Hawks in their first meeting last month...

Revenge Game

Portland and Spokane have faced off just once thus far in 2023-24, a 5-2 Chiefs win at the VMC just under two weeks ago. Rasmus Ekström grabbed the game-winner as the Chiefs mounted a late comeback for the win. Since then, though, Spokane has lost three straight and enters tonight's contest with five defeats in their last seven games.

Top 2024 NHL Draft prospect Berkly Catton continues to star for Spokane, picking up 36 points in 25 games as he cements himself as one of the best players available to NHL clubs next June. Just behind him, 20-year-old former Dallas Stars prospect Conner Roulette is on pace for career-best numbers in his final junior campaign, boasting 33 points in 25 games as part of a formidable top-line duo with Catton.

On Portland's side, the top line of Gabe Klassen, James Stefan and Josh Davies remains as dominant as ever, but the key to success tonight is getting each line contributing offensively. After rookie Ryan Miller's first two WHL goals were the only ones Portland scored in their last meeting with Spokane, look for the veterans to step up in round two.

Pen To Paper

What a week for the Winterhawks!

Let's roll it back to Wednesday, when the Hawks swung a deal with the Kamloops Blazers to acquire the WHL playing rights of defenseman Tyson Jugnauth, a Seattle Kraken prospect who was playing in his sophomore season with the University of Wisconsin (NCAA). That trade raised eyebrows around the hockey world, with many wondering if the 19-year-old would leave school to ply his trade in the Rose City.

Well, they didn't have to wait long - on Thursday afternoon, it was announced that Jugnauth had signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Winterhawks and would join the team this weekend. While he is not expected to play in tonight's contest, Jugnauth will likely debut in tomorrow's Teddy Bear Toss game. The Kelowna, B.C. native joins the Hawks defense corps as the fourth NHL-drafted skater in that group, alongside Luca Cagnoni (SJ), Marek Alscher (FLA) and Carter Sotheran (PHI).

Amidst all of that excitement, a current Hawk also inked a contract of his own - Josh Davies signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Florida Panthers on Thursday morning, joining Alscher as the only two Hawks with an NHL contract. Davies has been on a blistering pace since joining the Winterhawks - posting a team-leading 19 goals in 22 games - and puts his consistent skill and physical style on display every night. Congrats, Dave-O!

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2023


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