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WHL Prince George Cougars

Preview: Cougars Take on Americans to Kick off 2023-2024 Regular Season

September 22, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release


PRINCE GEORGE, BC - The Prince George Cougars begin their 30th season of hockey tonight, hosting the Tri-City Americans for the team's regular-season opener. "We're all excited," Cougars defenceman Hudson Thornton said following Tuesday's practice. "I like our group this year, we got a nice mix of older guys and younger guys. I know on Friday, right from puck drop, we are going to be ready to go."

The Cougars kick off the season on home ice against Tri-City for the second consecutive time. PG is coming off an impressive 2022-23 season, finishing fourth in the Western Conference, while scoring 290 goals (3rd in Western Conference). Prince George took another step in the 2023 WHL Playoffs, defeating the Americans in an exciting six games to claim their first playoff series win since 2007.

Not resting on their laurels after being swept by the eventual WHL Champion and Memorial Cup runner-up Seattle Thunderbirds in Round 2, the Cougars will look to take another step in the 2023-24 campaign. The Cougars acquired forward Oren Shtrom in a deal that saw forward Caden Brown go to the Everett Silvertips. Along with Shtrom making his Cougar debut this evening, there are a number of rookies who will be on the team's roster. Skaters Lee Shurgot, Jett Lajoie, Aiden Foster, Nick McLennan, Terik Parascak, Drew Peterson, Tyson Buczkowski, Joshua Ravensbergen, and Madden Mulawka are all gearing up for their WHL rookie season.

"You're excited for training camp, then you're excited for exhibition, and now we are excited for the regular season," said Mark Lamb who is the reigning BC Division Coach of the Year. "We're here to win and everyone in our dressing room is capable."

Prince George will be without the talents of forwards Riley Heidt, Koehn Ziemmer, and Ty Young who are all currently attending their respective NHL Training Camps.

After taking a big step in the 2022-23 regular season, finishing 5th in the Western Conference, the Americans are among one of the conference's best entering 2023-24. "It's an exciting time of the year, no doubt," Head Coach and reigning U.S. Division Coach of the Year Stu Barnes said in an interview with the WHL leading up to the season. "Our guys are very excited about another opportunity to try and get back to playoffs and hopefully have a little bit more success." In 2022-23, Seattle Kraken 2nd rounder Lukas Dragicevic paced the Americans in points (75) and was Top 5 in points among all WHL blue-liners. Tyson Greenway is back for his 20-year old season after contributing in a big way scoring 27 times which sat 2nd among all American skaters.

Tri-City will be without the duties of Dragicevic, Parker Bell, and Tomas Suchanek who are all attending NHL Camps.

THEY SAID IT

"This is one of the best times of year with the season getting going. There is a big buzz around the rink and the city, we are super excited and ready to go." - Cougars forward Carlin Dezainde on the team's home opener

"It's been an exciting camp. Our guys have a lot of fun, they compete and work very hard, and it really is such an exciting time of year" - Americans Head Coach Stu Barnes on preparing for the 2023-24 season

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN

When: Sep. 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Where: CN Centre - Prince George, BC

Stream: CHL Live

Radio: 94.3 The Goat

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 22, 2023


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