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WHL Portland Winterhawks

Thank You Hawks Fans

April 21, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


The entire Portland Winterhawks organization wants to thank all of our incredible Season Ticket Holders, fans, and partners for another fantastic season of Winterhawks hockey!

After a third place finish in the Western Conference and our sixth consecutive 40+ win campaign, the Winterhawks have a lot to be proud of. While we wish we were still competing for our fourth Ed Chynoweth Cup, we could not have had as successful of a season without you, the fans, bringing your electric energy to the VMC on a nightly basis.

Because of you, Portland continues to be one of the premier franchises in the Canadian Hockey League and there is undoubtedly a bright future ahead in the Rose City with numerous players set to return for the 2023-24 season and build upon their run to the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

This year, we averaged over 4,500 fans each game and you helped us sell out the Coliseum for the first time in three years during the annual Les Schwab Teddy Bear Toss. We celebrated game nights in our 'Hockey is for Everyone' series like Pride Night, Black Hockey History Night and Women of the Rose City. We kept Portland weird with fun promotions like Where's Waldo Night, enjoyed countless wins together, and belted T-N-T over 250 times this season. You helped raise thousands of dollars for our community in our annual Hawks Fight Cancer, Hawks Fight Hunger and Toy Drive games.

The Portland Winterhawks pose with teddy bears on the ice after Marcus Nguyen scored to send 14,787 teddy bears onto the ice during a game against Seattle on December 10, 2022. (Photo: Megan Connelly / Portland Winterhawks)

On the ice, 19-year-old captain Gabe Klassen helped lead this team to the best start in franchise history with the Hawks earning points in 19 of their first 20 games. Multiple players set new career highs in scoring production, including your captain, Robbie Fromm-Delorme, Jack O'Brien, Marcus Nguyen, Luca Cagnoni, and Ryan McCleary.

We celebrated with second-year Winterhawk Marek Alscher as he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers this spring. Three current Winterhawks were named on the final NHL Central Scouting rankings hoping to hear their name called at this summer's NHL Draft.

Nearly a dozen players skated for the Winterhawks for the first time and celebrated their first goal celebrations, first wins and postgame hugs on the ice. Now with four playoff series under this team's belt since 2021 and a healthy portion of the roster returning next year, the Winterhawks are looking to compete for another championship.

We look forward to the 2023-24 season and your continued, passionate support of the Portland Winterhawks.

See you again this fall at our Winterhawks Alumni Charity Golf Weekend (Save the Date: August 27 & 28) and Neely Cup Training Camp (more information coming soon)!

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from April 21, 2023


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