WHL Spokane Chiefs

Koper Making His Mark

October 28, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Levko Koper is the reason why hockey scouts have jobs. His career has proven that there isn't a chart, tool, map, diagram or mathematical theorem that can measure a player's potential or development.

Undrafted as a bantam, Koper bucked the trend and stuck on Spokane's roster as a 16-year-old. His 12 goals and 26 points last year, his second as a Chief, was a step in the right direction but that total didn't even put him in the top 10 in scoring on his own team. Five players on this year's roster had more points than him in 2007-08.

"I'm the type who always wants to prove people wrong," Koper said about his Bantam Draft snub. "When I didn't get picked I knew I had to do something different to be a more effective player so I changed they way I approached the game."

Whatever change he made, it is paying dividends. Now as an 18-year-old veteran, his seven goals and 16 points in 14 games is leading the Chiefs in scoring, and he has arguably been the most consistent performer on the club.

The Edmonton product pointed to his training regimen, five days a week in the shortened off-season that included power skating, as one of the components to his quick start, but added that the confidence that he gained at the Memorial Cup has as much to do with it as anything.

To an outsider, his stretch of points in 13 of the first 14 games is a bit of a surprise, but those close to him knew this type of stretch was only a matter of time.

In 21 post season games last year, Koper scored four goals and nine points, but he and his linemates, Tyler Johnson and Justin McCrae, were assigned the team's most difficult task throughout the playoffs.

"Ultimately, they played against the top players on the other team for four straight playoff series, and the Memorial Cup, and came out as plus players," Chiefs Head Coach Hardy Sauter said.

"We really like playing with each other," Koper said about the line's chemistry, which has taken a bit of a hit due to a knee injury that has shelved McCrae for all but one game this year. "We feed off each other real well and they're both great skaters so it's a plus playing with guys like that."

In Sauter's opinion, they're development was a major component to last year's success, "If it wasn't the key, it was in the top two for sure. Yes, the goaltending was great and the defense was great, but they showed the value of a good two-way line that doesn't mind putting the team first."

Sauter boiled Koper's game down to one thing, "It's real simple for him, when he plays hard, he is an extremely effective player.

"I think there are a lot of good players who get drafted late, or not at all, and everyone can relate to the fact that at 15 to 18-years-old, physically and mentally, you grow a great deal."

Born on October 5th, 1990, Koper will be eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Koper will be in the line-up this weekend when the Chiefs travel to Everett to take on the Silvertips for a Halloween date Friday night. Spokane returns home Saturday night to play the Kootenay Ice on Fred Meyer's Shop with the Chiefs at 7:00. One fan will win a $1,000 shopping spree to Fred Meyer. Contestants will be chosen through entries selected at participating Fred Meyers (through October 30th) with one contestant being selected at the game.

Tickets to all home games are available by calling the Chiefs office at (509) 535-PUCK or TicketsWest at (800) 325-SEAT.

Check out the Spokane Chiefs Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from October 28, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central