The Prince George Cougars are cleaning out their lockers today and getting ready to head home a little earlier than they would have liked. After a big playoff run last year that saw the Cats make into the Western Conference Final, this year they are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. The Cougars finished with a 20-48-1-3 record good for 9^th in the Western Conference and 14 points behind Kamloops for the final playoff spot.

What makes it even worse is the Cougars finished third last, but will not be able to use that draft pick in the upcoming bantam draft because it belongs to Saskatoon. The Cats traded that pick along with Stefan Elliot to the Blades last year for Devin Setoguchi. The Cougars can take some solace in the fact they do have Moose Jaw’s first pick in the bantam draft, thanks to the Ty Wishart trade, and that pick will be 11^th overall.

There are many questions about next year’s Cougar team. While many think it will be younger with possible players such as Brett Connolly, Bruin McDonald and Nick Buonassisi. The bigger question might be about the older players. The Cats only have Swedish Defenceman Patrick Maggnusson as the only potential overager next year. Having Magnusson come back would take up a 20 year old spot and one of the two European openings. The Cougars will also get a high selection in the CHL Import draft this year. Now matter how it is looked at local fans will be expecting more next season and will have plenty to talk about on coffee row. Let the debating begin, you now have until the end of August.