Joe's "Interesting" Team 2019-2020

I’m not good at gambling on sports. Just ask Jordan what my record is in fantasy sports. I have a knack for being able to draft what looks like a really good team on paper, and then watch as that team flounders in mediocrity.

Whether it’s specific games or being the seasonal prognosticator, I’ve been historically wrong so often it overshadows the few small victories I’ve had. As a result, I’ve given up on the game of guessing.

That said, I do enjoy taking a shot at specific story lines. My go-to word is “interesting.” We’re getting closer and closer to the start of the WHL regular season so I thought it’d be interesting to look at players from each of the Central Division’s six teams who I think could be difference makers. Six teams in the division, six players on the ice at any given time. Only makes sense that we make this a team. We’ll call it “Joe’s Interesting Team 2019-2020.”

Goaltender – Jack McNaughton – Calgary Hitmen

The Hitmen really struggled out of the gates last season, going 0-6 to start things off and it didn’t look good. Then in a game against Lethbridge, Jack McNaughton stopped 34 of 39 including some highlight reel saves to preserve a 6-5 win. Not pretty, and it’s not like Calgary went on a massive winning streak after that. But it opened a door for the soon-to-be 18-year-old to take over the starter’s role and helped guide his squad to the second round of the playoffs. This team’s expected to be good this year, and it’ll be important for McNaughton to show there is no sophomore jinx.

Defense – Dawson Barteaux – Red Deer Rebels

By the looks of things, the Rebels are heading into a rebuild kind of year, so any kind of stability is going to be welcomed. Barteaux has been the epitome of that, staying consistent on his offensive numbers over the last couple of seasons. The captain almost doubled his shot output though, showing he’s growing in that department and will need to continue that trend as the Dallas Stars’ prospect will also be surrounded by a relatively young group on the blueline as well.

Defense – Dru Krebs – Medicine Hat Tigers

This might be a long-shot, given Krebs is only 16. But he has the bloodlines in the Central Division, given his brothers are Peyton and Dakota, of the Ice and Hitmen, respectively. And he hasn’t disappointed in the preseason either, gathering three assists in three games. The Tigers also don’t have a wealth of veterans on the backend, so Krebs will be one of the many youngsters trying to catch the attention of coach and GM Willie Desjardins, who has always fostered a strong blueline presence.  

Forward – Ben King – Swift Current Broncos

It’s going to be weird for a while to consider the Broncos a part of this division after Kootenay’s move to Winnipeg. That being said, we’ll get the chance to see a little more of the 6’2”, 190 pound 17-year-old this season. He had a really impressive rookie campaign, notching 26 points in 48 games. Just five of those points were goals though, and on 107 shots, the Broncos will be hoping he tickles the twine just a few more times. He did face some injury woes last year as well, so he’ll be looking to put together a full season to get the attention of NHL scouts as well.

Forward – Jake Neighbours – Edmonton Oil Kings

File this one under “no-brainer.” Neighbours is highly-touted as a potential late-first round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and with good reason. He had 24 points in 47 games in the provincial capital last season, but he turned it up during the playoffs, posting 12 points in 16 games. The former first round bantam pick has come in as advertised, playing with smarts and physicality in the right moments. And with no Trey Fix-Wolansky this season, it’s pretty clear a top line spot for Neighbours is there for the taking. Can he continue his upward trajectory? We’ll see.

Forward – Zack Stringer – Lethbridge Hurricanes

Who doesn’t love a story about a hometown kid making it with the team he grew up watching? I know he’s only 16, but he didn’t look out of place at all. In his eight regular season games, he picked up a goal and three helpers, then became more of a force in that seven-game opening round series against Calgary. Unlike most 15-year-olds in that situation, Stringer wasn’t stapled to the bench and had some big playing time in six games, picking up a goal and two assists while hitting everything in sight. Even Hitmen fans admitted he was fun to watch, and I can only assume Hurricanes fans will be excited to see what he brings to the table over a full season.

Again, I’m not Nostradamus. All I know is that the intrigue heading into opening night will certainly be interesting, and I have no doubt fans are going to be entertained.