The wait is over. The 22nd season of Prince George Cougars hockey is officially upon us, and for the WHL’s most Northern franchise, this is a welcomed day!

The excitement has been building in this city almost since the very moment last season came to an end, early in overtime in Game 5 against the Victoria Royals. Tonight, for the first time since the 2009-10 season, the Prince George Cougars start their season at home, and they’ll be put to the test immediately as they face the defending US Division champs, the Everett Silvertips.

EVERETT SILVERTIPS

Overview:

Kevin Constantine’s Everett Silvertips finished the preseason with a 5-2 record and were the top team in the US Division a season ago with a 43-20-3-6 record. After defeating the Spokane Chiefs in six games in Round 1, Everett was eventually ousted from the playoffs by the Portland Winterhawks, and this season they’ll look to remain atop the US Division. Last season they went 2-2 against the Cougars and both victories came at the CN Centre in late January. Over the past five seasons, Everett has compiled an 11-7-1-1 record against Prince George and are 8-1-1-0 against them at CN Centre.

Who’s Up Front:

With the departure of talented Russian forward Nikita Scherbak, much of the offensive onus now falls onto the shoulders of 20-year-old Carson Stadnyk. The fourth year product of Saskatoon, SK has played 215 career regular season games (all with Everett) and last season posted 27 goals and 69 points for the ‘Tips. He led all active Everett players with four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in four games last season against the Cougars. Stadnyk was named an alternate captain for Everett yesterday, and you can bet that the Cougars defense is going to get a steady dose of him this weekend.

Who’s on D:

The Prince George Cougars may have caught a major break this weekend as Montreal Canadiens first rounder Noah Juulsen remains at NHL camp and is believed to be still sidelined with an upper-body injury making his status for this weekend doubtful at this point. All Juulsen did last season was post nine goals, 43 assists and a +22 rating in 69 games. 20-year-old Cole MacDonald and 18-year-old Kevin Davis will be looked upon to provide big minutes this weekend in Juulsen’s absence. Both are capable two-way players and will likely see the most ice against the Cougars top offensive players.

Who’s in Goal:

The Everett Silvertips presently are set in goal with the tandem of 20-year-old veteran Lotz and sophomore Carter Hart who had the league’s lowest goals-against-average in 2014-15 at 2.29. The Silvertips are also carrying a third goaltender in 18-year-old Mario Petit who put up strong number last season with Steinbach in the MJHL. Long term the Silvertips have a choice to make: Do they keep the 20-year-old Austin Lotz along with Hart? Or do they deal Lotz for help elsewhere in their lineup knowing full well that Hart is capable of a heavier workload. No word yet on who will get the start tonight, but dressing Austin Lotz would mean that one of Cole MacDonald, Carson Stadnyk or Remi Laurencelle would have to sit as teams are only allowed to dress three 20-year-olds per game.

X-Factor:

Historically the Everett Silvertips have seldom been a run-and-gun type of team. They win games with strong goaltending, steady defense and timely scoring. On paper the Silvertips don’t have that one ‘goal-per-game’ type of player, but that’s not necessarily anything new either for this franchise. The big key for them this weekend will be team defence and timely scoring. The Silvertips would benefit greatly from scoring the first goal or two of the game, because that puts even more pressure on the home side to take more chances, and the Silvertips always seem to be a team that is fast in transition and a team that tends to feast on the mistakes of the opposition.
PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS

Overview:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars are ready. They’re roster is fully assembled and everything they’ve worked on during the preseason has led to this night and this opportunity. After dropping their first three games of the preseason, the Cougars, despite missing many of their regulars who attended NHL camps, rattled off three straight victories to end the exhibition season. Most recently the Cougars defeated Kamloops 6-5 in front of 3000-plus last Saturday in Prince George. With the home opener there always seems to be some added excitement, and to a man, the Cougars can’t wait for the puck to drop for real tonight.

Who’s Up Front:

The Prince George Cougars attack is going to be very balanced this season. Mark Holick and company have made it very clear that this is going to be a four line team that is going to come at opponents in waves. Jansen Harkins and Chase Witala were both point-per-game performers last season, and both could very well eclipse their previous totals from last season given they are a year older and wiser to the ways of the WHL. Brad Morrison, Jesse Gabrielle, Jared Bethune and Kody McDonald provide a nice compliment offensively, and rookies Brogan O’Brien, Bartek Bison and Justin Almeida should be able to supply ample secondary scoring this season. The biggest key tonight offensively is to shoot from everywhere! Goaltending is an obvious strength of the Silvertips, so the Cougars will need to do whatever possible to make life difficult on the opposing netminder.

Who’s on D:

Defensively the Prince George Cougars are going to be led by 19-year-old captain and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, Sam Ruopp. The third year rearguard is coming off a terrific season which saw him record 27 points and 140 penalty minutes. He will be complimented by Vancouver Canucks prospect Tate Olson, 20-year-old stalwart Joe Carvalho, and sophomores Josh Anderson and Shane Collins who look poised to breakout in 2015-16. Rookies Max Martin, Joel Lakusta and Luka Zorko will all challenge for playing time and will add strong depth The key for the Cougars defensively: Set an early tone. Protect the net, make a strong first pass and answer the bell physically.

Who’s in Goal:

The Prince George Cougars have chosen to go with the veteran goaltending tandem of 20-year-old Mack Shields and 19-year-old incumbent Ty Edmonds. Both could very well see some action this weekend as the teams will play tonight and Sunday. Regardless of who gets the nod tonight, they’ll need to do their part by keeping their game simple and calm. The nerves will be running rampant, especially early so it might mean a big early save or two from either guy. Both are up to the task, and will be ready for the task at hand this weekend.

X-Factor:

Opening night is terrific for fans, but it also has the potential to be extremely distracting for players and coaches. The biggest key for the Cougars tonight is for them to do their best to keep the added ‘hoopla’ out of sight and out of mind. Once the pregame intros and anthems are done, it’s honestly just another game. And as clichéd as that sounds, it’s important for the Cougars to keep that in perspective. It’s game 1 of 72 and there are going to be highs and lows along the way. As Mark Holick often says: “Control your work ethic, and the results will usually take care of themselves.”