WHL Portland Winterhawks

Neely Cup Training Camp: What to Expect

August 29, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


It's the best time of year - players are beginning to report to Portland for the Winterhawks annual Neely Cup Training Camp! With over 70 players attending this week's camp, there will be a handful of new faces across western North America, from the heart of Portland to Nunavut, Canada, that will skate for their first time at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The younger prospects will blend with some Winterhawks veterans into four teams to compete in intra-squad games, giving the camp a mixture of players born between 2002 and 2007.

Here are some storylines to keep an eye on throughout the week to help you stay up-to-speed while attending camp.

THE 2021 AND 2022 WHL DRAFT CLASSES

This year's camp will feature many notable, high-end prospects from the 2006 and 2007 age groups.

Due to COVID-19 shortening and, in some cases, cancelling seasons across all levels of hockey, the Western Hockey League held four drafts in the same year for the first time ever. Portland added 27 new prospects during the WHL Prospects and U.S. Priority Drafts during December and May.

A handful of those prospects - Luke Brunen, Diego Buttazzoni, Cole Cairns, Carsyn Dyck and Hudson Darby - have already signed a WHL Standard Player Agreement with the Winterhawks and more signings could follow after camp.

Top unsigned prospect Alex Thompson will also showcase his skills to the Portland faithful, and nine of the 11 Winterhawks draft selections from the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft will also be fun to watch this week.

THE EUROS

Third-round NHL draft selection Marek Alscher and signed newcomer Jan Špunar competed for Czechia at the Four Nations Tournament in Finland last week.

Alscher picked up one primary assist during three games at the tournament, while Špunar stopped 22 of 27 shots during his one start in Finland.

Due to their playing schedule, neither Alscher nor Špunar will be in town in time for Neely Cup as originally planned. But have no fear, Hawks fans - they'll be here shortly and you can see them in preseason play.

BROTHERLY LOVE

On initial glance, you may recognize some familiar names on the camp rosters - and your suspicion is probably correct!

Camp invitee Lucas Schoenborn is the younger brother of former Winterhawk Alex Schoenborn (2012-16). Also, Travis Smythe is in fact the younger brother of current Winterhawks Kurtis Smythe, and they'll play together on Team Carruth. That should make exciting car rides to the Glass Palace. I wonder who will control the music?

JR. WINTERHAWKS

Last year, former Portland Jr. Winterhawk Tanner Bruender captured plenty of attention for his dazzling week at the Neely Cup. This year, four players with ties to the Junior Winterhawks program will compete.

Cooper Jones, 15, Alexander Mason, 15, and Daniel Carl, 16, each played for the Jr. Winterhawks organization last year and Fritz Berback-Rosengreen, 16, grew up playing youth hockey with the Winterhawks before moving to Wenatchee and Kelowna to continue his hockey career.

Keep an eye on the homegrown talent looking to make an impact this week!

NHL CALIBER TALENT ON DISPLAY

Last year's team captain Tyson Kozak signed with the Buffalo Sabres earlier this month and he'll be in Portland for camp, looking to become a three-time Neely Cup champion, before attending the Sabres main camp in September.

Notable NHLers, including Oliver Bjorkstrand, Nic Petan, Jake Oettinger, Cody Glass, and Seth Jarvis, have won a Neely Cup Championship in the last ten years, so there is no shortage of talent at camp.

Ryan McCleary joins Kozak as the other NHL-drafted player at the Neely Cup, but the talented youngsters are sure to add to those totals.

Fresh off a 47-win campaign, the Winterhawks look to remain near the top of the Western Conference standings and the road to the Memorial Cup starts now.

A friendly reminder that all Neely Cup games are open to the public. See you at the VMC!

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Western Hockey League Stories from August 29, 2022


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