The season starts in 6 days and the exhibition schedule is complete.... What are everyones predictions for the regular season? Time to start talking hockey again.

WEST DIVISION

Hazelton Wolverines
Last season: 4-10-2
With a new coaching staff and a change in the teams commitment to conditioning this team should improve. How much remains to be seen. Still without former Captain and the heart and sole of the team, Stu Barnes, this team will struggle for leadership and depth, but with last years leading scorer Curtis Cardinal they will never be out of a game. Still this year will be a struggle to reach .500.
2010-11 Prediction: 3rd

Kitimat Ice Demons
Last season 14-1-1
Coming off another division title and appearance in the CIHL finals the Ice Demons are in the unknown spot of having something to prove. Despite all the achievements and a 14-1-1 record last season thing ended poorly for the Demons. The boys from Kitimat were swept in the CIHL finals and in the Coy Cup losing their final 5 games of the season and after an 0-2 exhibition season there still seems to be questions lingering. Throw in the lose of Geoff Morgan (arguably their best player) and the Demons seem to have their work cut out for them in 10-11. Having said that these are the Demons who sport a strong core of former CIHL and Coy Cup Champions and nothing will come easy for anyone playing them.
2010-11 Prediction: 2nd

Prince Rupert Rampage
Last Season: 7-6-3
With Smithers moved on and Kitimat taking a step (or two) backwards this division is open for the Rampage to make a move and I believe this is the year they will do that. With a healthy Colt Stava and Rob Millar in his second season with the team the offence should be more explosive and the goaltending has always been strong. This is still only the clubs third season, so I believe the team you see in October will be far stronger in january.
2010-11 prediction: 1st

Terrace River Kings
Last Season: 3-12-1
Coming off their worst season since joining the CIHL the River Kings will be looking for a fresh start and will have new look this year changing uniforms, but it will be who wears those jersey's that decides how the team will perform in 10-11. The team has never lacked size and physicality, but skill and speed have eluded them over the past few seasons. With the West down to four teams and an automatic playoff berth the Kings will have time to get their game together. If they expect to advance past the first round they will need some offensive support for Steve Cullis who has led the team in scoring by a wide gap the past two seasons.
2010-11 prdiction: 4th

EAST DIVISION

Burns Lake Braves
Last Season: 9-7-0
Coming off a successful return to the CIHL a year ago the Braves will be looking to improve again this year, but like for everyone in the East the task of winning got alot harder with the addition of the Steelheads. With steve Wilejto providing the explosiveness up front and a towering defence including Dave Wilejto, Dave Gordin and Ryan Fehler this team will be hard to play against, but lacking depth and with goaltending a question this team cant afford to make many mistakes. Nobody will take points from the braves without a fight though.
2010-11 prediction: 4th

Houston Luckies:
Last Season: 11-5-0
The defending East division regular season champs return pretty much the same group, which has been dangerous for the last 5 years. With a top line (B. Dinelle, D. Dinelle, J. Marren) as dangerous as any and arguably the leagues best goalie in Don Kenzel the Luckies will need the depth of their team to play a bigger role if they hope to advance even further this year. Holding the leagues best home ice advantage up their sleeves they are a tough team to beat on home ice, but a more consistent road effort will help them reach the next level overall.
2010-11 prediction: 3rd

Omineca Ice:
Last season: 4-12-0
Coming off a franchise worst season a year ago the Ice will look to rebound in a major way. Now back under the leadership of Jim Reed who was behind the teams most successful seasons 3 and 4 years ago the Ice will improve. it's just a matter of how much. Expect to see a younger team from the Vanderhoof, Ft. St. James, PG area. Omineca will also enjoy the return of Dustin Erickson who dominated the blue line for them when the Ice first joined the league, but in a division this deep they will have troubles winning many games.
2010-11 prediction: 5th

Smithers Steelheads
Last season: 12-4-0
Another year, another playoff disappointment in 09-10 for the Steelheads, but they're hoping this year will be different. Having addressed their goaltending position with Tyler Perreault and with impact players Stu Barnes and Ryan DeVries entering their second season with the club they should be able to build on the positives from a year ago. With as much depth at forward and defence as any team in the league the Steelheads will be contenders again this year and looking to take the next step.
2010-2011 prediction: 2nd

Williams Lake Stampeders
Last Season: 8-6-2
Coming off the clubs first ever CIHL title and a third place showing at the Coy Cup the Stampeders are back again with the goal of recapturing the Coy Cup they won in 08-09. After missing last seasons Coy Cup in Powell River, playoff MVP Justin Foote will be back in the nets for the Stamps and with Francis Johnson, Wilf Robbins and Robin Gilbert back, the leagues most skilled forward line will continue to provide the majority of the offensive punch for this team, but with two other dangerous forward lines and a solid top 4 defensemen this team has all the tools to repeat and may be the best balanced team in the league, but in an ultra tough division and knowing they will get everyones best game the Stamps have work to do if they have any hope to repeat in 2010-11.
2010-11 prediction: 1st

I think your predictions are pretty bang on there rusty, Houston will for sure have another good team this year as well as Smithers going to the east I think it will be tough in that DIV with so many quality clubs. Personally I wouldn't count out Omineca. They have some solid players in the line up this season. They definitely have a fast team with some young players out there. I walked into their ice time on the weekend and saw some great stuff. # 74 on the white team looked great out there.. not sure who it was but there was a decent amount of skill on display.... Burns for sure going to be a threat this year but with that huge loss to houston kind of makes me wonder how they will do this year. Barnes gone from Hazelton again this year but Mitch marshall is back after missing last season. Kurt Cardnial I have heard is injured though and may miss some significant time this season... Rampage sound like they are a focused team this year and will for sure be a threat every night.... dont know much about terrace, kitimat has a lot to prove this year and i hope they do well. williams lake is... williams lake.. going to be a good team for a long time and should be. ty perrault has to shine again in net this year for the heads

Different Rusty.

West Div.

1)Prince Rupert Rampage
Winning the Challenge Cup, and watching them play, they have come along way from last season. For the most part, they are playing with discipline and support on and off the Ice.(1 meathead #9) A better team then Kitimat this past weekend. Goaltending really strong.

2)Terrace RiverKings
For those that know me, you know how hard this is for me to Rank them #2 in the west. Rumours, say that Terrace has picked up a couple key XDemons. Interesting. New Coachs, New Jerseys, New Players, gotta be a Winner or aleast enough to spank the Demons this year.

3)Kitimat Ice Demons
If what they had in Rupert is their best, their in trouble this season. They missed the energy, the will to win that Baby Hewey brings. This is the year the Demons will fall, even the scheduler won't help them this year.

4) Hazelton Wolverines
Last in the whole league, and yet will face the Rampage in the first round of the Playoffs. I do not think they will win a game this season. I think a Coach has to at least, played or be involved in or, in a higher Div, then what he is trying to coach. Rumours, A Paper Coach, and a few Midget House players, that have never played any higher calber will not win a game in this league. If there is players hiding in the woodwork, who knows.


East Div

1) Williams Lake Stampeders
They earned this spot last season, until they are beat they have to be the team to beat. Isn't that what Kitimat always said. With all last years main core returning, a proven #1 goaltender and a few noteable new comers. Better bring your A Team and game, or you will be handed a spanking you will never get over. When the Stampeders Come to Smithers, the outcome will decide first place in the East.

2) Smithers Steelheads
I like how the Steelheads look this year, and their chances of wining every game they play. The ? are they ready to move on up?

3) Houston Luckies
The Trailer Town boys are always a Threat. But, maybe two decent lines and three Dmen are not enough to be placed any higher, unless, this is the Sandlak Rankings

4) Vanderhoff Omenica Ice
Rumours, Speed and youth, maybe will start out slow but by the end of the season they will either improve or be so sick of the Steelheads(6 times)that they will run neck and neck with the Braves for last place in the East.

5) Burns Lake Braves
The Braves I know nothing about, last year, slow lack of energy, questionable goaltending. We played them once last season and we were in the West, This season we are in the East and we do not play them.


The Steelheads play the Ice (6times), no Burns Lake and their in our division, have no home games with Hazelton, or Houston. Scheduled for 4 Sunday games and everybody Else 2 unless they asked for Double headers
(Stampeders, Omenica Ice ). There is only one team in this league last year that made any money on Sunday the rest expressed at the AGM, No Sunday games unless it was necessary. Our Blacked out weekends we could of easily traveled, we are one of the teams that can travel reasonable and yet we travel the least.


What has to be taken into account when scheduling, is MONEY. I would bet that most of the Teams in this League cannot pay their way, without deep pockets or another means of income.

To protect our League I really think a lot more effort has to be put in the scheduling to satisfy more than a team or two.

I know Lous your going to take this the wrong way, I am not trying to discredit your effort, I just think maybe more help or maybe two three heads together can come up with a better balanced schedule, that will help teams with the Money, or the League will be alot different soon.

West

1-Prince Rupert
Shown huge improvements every year so far and Demons are slipping a little so it is their year. Stava and Millar are ready to dominate backed by very solid goaltending.

2-Kitimat
Always a contender but no Morgan(if true) is a huge hit. They will be finally have a regular season full of challenges.

3-Terrace
Invaded by the Morgan brothers(can anyone confirm this?) they will be way better than past years.

4-Hazelton
Definetly playoff bound(haha). New coach, same old sh!tty results. All wolverines players and fans would like to thank Stu Barnes.

East

1-Smithers
To young and fast for the East...oh ya 6 games against Omineca.

2-Houston
Same old same old. Same, which is good as the vets are consistent and the young guys are starting to help out. Old, yes Kenzle, he is like a fine wine better with age(and the best in the league).

3-Williams Lake
Haven't heard much other than what green and black tells me. According to him they could win the stanley cup if given a chance.

4-Burns Lake
Very competitive and my personal favourite. The east is very tough and tight and I hope I am wrong with this prediction. Hang on 4th is in the playoffs and did I mention the east is tight so anything can happen. Go Braves!

5-Omineca
I don't think they will fair too well this season, but I wish them luck on the "regroup/restructer" in the Hoof to become a competitive team on the ice a strong organizartion off the ice.

I am quite amused that the first game of the season hasn't even started yet steely (obviously a smithers player) has his trap going about the Wolverines. It must be really hard for steely to see a small community like Hazelton commit to putting a team together when Smithers is the only GREAT team in the league. Yes, Wolverines have a new coach who is doing a good job with the Wolverines and yes, allowing up and coming midgets to come out and play and develop their skills. From the looks of the old farts on the Smithers Steelheads... succession plans for when the old farts start falling apart wont be there. I give Smithers tops... three years and the old farts will be washed up and because Smithers won't allow any young future players come out... I predict Smithers being at the bottom of the league.

Yes, enjoy your perceive glory while it lasts. And enjoy Barnes playing on your team. Hazelton will be working to put a team together that works as a unit this season and will put their best foot forward irregardless of your useless predictions.

Hockey is a game that brings a community together, lets do it with Honor and Class, Wolverines have to put hockey first, no inside administrative politic's involved, we'll move up if we control drinking, use our bench and let the coach do his work. I wish all success and safety this season, the kids are watching!

West

1) Prince Rupert Rampage
Took down Smithers and Kitimat over the weekend, have been doing training for months and have a strong core of returning players backed up by some pretty good goaltending. Think this year will be their year as Kitimat still gets their feet under them after all the changes going on in town.

2) Kitimat
Always a strong team and contender, but Rupert has been closing the gap in past years while Kitimat has been staying status quo (which is a really good level to be at). Will still be a contender for the championship, but see Rupert pulling ahead.

3) Hazelton
New coaching can make a big difference, especially one that wants to put the focus on hockey. Think this team will be out to prove something this year but won't be able to hang with the top two in the division.

4) Terrace
Just don't think they'll be too much of a contender in the league this year following the abysmal season last year and the massive restructuring taking place off the ice. On the ice, if they can't find some speed could be a problem. Prove me wrong River Kings, I hope you do...

East

1) Williams Lake
Admittedly not to knowledgeable on the teams and players on the east, so this is basically just going on past performance, my own biases and what I hear on here.

2) Smithers Steelheads
3) Houston Luckies
4) Burns Lake Braves
5) Vanderhoof

Best of luck and safe travels to all the teams and players this year.

Prediction Thread Haida 1, not crying, making excuses, over your spilt milk thread.

Census Canada says, the Hazelton area is not that far behind Smithers in population, Smithers is just the business hub for the area, do you not agree.

We will have to get Stats man to tell us all which team is the youngest. I will guarantee that Smithers is one of the youngest.

A decent organization will attract the talent and keep it, you do not want me to tell what I know why Stu left the Hazz. The new Coach and his morals and beliefs are a great improvement, but there is alot more to a team.

In all the years that the Steelheads have been around, try outs have been opened to any and everybody, the players that were ever cut would not make the Hazelton Wolverines. I do not know one young player that was ever out right cut from Smithers, he may of been told, keep coming out to practise, but your playing time will be limited, until your ready, some stayed and are playing today and some moved on.

Haida 1 this thread is asking you for your prediction for the season, seeing whats happened in the Hazeltons, your take would be interesting.

Good Luck this season.

West

1) kitimat- one exibition weekend for a team missing some very key players cant really knock them from #1 can it? I hope your all right but they deserve this spot until its taken away from them. interested to see thier line up this weekend. i,m suspecting we'll see a much different team for the season opener.
2) rampage- we've worked hard to become a better team, have a few great new additions and will definately be alot better than last year but we only have 1 win against a team with a winning record in our first 2 seasons! were looking forward to saturdays game, should be a good one!
3)riverkings- they have something to prove after last years disaster. i think kitimat, terrace and rupert will be a very tight race and the west is really up for grabs between these 3 teams. the fans will definately be entertained when these teams match up!
4)hazelton-i really hope they can suprise us and put out a good team. its a shame they will be without cardinal and barnes. i dont know the circumstances that have them not playing where they live but its really too bad. with those two guys in the lineup they could be competitive.

East

1) williams lake- ive never seen them play but they have to be the team to beat. we are looking forward to the trip out east in november.
2) smithers- smithers are big, fast, and highly skilled. they dont appear to have any weakspots. probably the most depth of any team we've faced, 3 solid lines.
3) houston
4) burns lake
5) omineca

Here you go Steely... My predictions;

That every team in the CIHL will put their best foot forward to build a winning team. They will be supported by their friends, family, fans and community and will provide hockey entertainment for the region.

The CIHL this season, as in many previous years, has a depth in talent. The teams that will be successful will be the ones that buy in, the guys that are playing for the teammate beside them and not themselves. This is a tricky thing to do when playing for pride alone. Best of luck to all the teams this year. Lets have a fun and most of all, safe year.

By the way Sandlak, I saw you walking down the street the other day and you've got to get away from the A&W buddy. That sirloin sale is starting to take its toll. You've got to roll onto a treadmill or something. I'am genuinely concerned!

for us all to see.

I do not want kitimatfan to get a blister on his pointer Finger.

Only one thing to remember. Two games to go - nothing's over till it's over -- then it starts again.

My own prediction for East v West for CIHL championship is still WLS and KID. The one home ice extra game could be the controlling point -- so let's see where they finish and who plays who... Three game playoffs are a minefield.

But Ive been wrong before...then again, I've been right before...