The Portland Winterhawks played well during the 2012 season, despite ending with a loss in game seven of the Western Hockey League Championship playoffs. Now, the Winterhawks are attempting to build on their success.
On June 27, the Winterhawks made two selections in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, taking right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand in the first round and defenseman Kirill Vorobyov in the second. Both men are 17 years old.
Bjorkstrand spent his 2012 season in the Danish professional league, playing for the Herning Blue Fox and leading his age group in scoring. Vorobyov played 35 games for the New Mexico Mustangs in the Junior A Tier II North American Hockey League. Bjorkstrand and Vorobyov will be replacing Sven Bärtschi and Marcel Noebels on the Winterhawks’ roster.
“Oliver was terrific playing among professionals last season, was one of the youngest players in the World Junior Championship, and followed the season with an outstanding showing in the U18 championship,” said Winterhawks coach Mike Johnston in an official statement after the draft. “Kirill is a big defenseman who will provide us with depth on the blue line. He has gained valuable experience playing in North America, and we’re looking forward to having him join the team.”
The Winterhawks’ 2011–12 season nearly ended with a championship. Following a first-round playoff sweep against the Kelowna Rockets, Portland led the series against the Kamloops Blazers three games to none and had a 4-0 lead in game four. The Blazers came back to win game four with five unanswered goals and then won the following two games to set up a do-or-die game seven. The Winterhawks won game seven and then swept Tri-Cities in the next round to reach the finals.
Once there, they fought valiantly but came up short. The key moment in the series came in game four, with Portland leading two games to one and needing a victory to take control of the series. Trailing 3-1 in the third, Bärtschi scored twice to tie the game and send it into overtime, but then Edmonton scored to take the game and tie the series.
The Oil Kings then won game five on their home ice, but the Hawks delayed the Oil Kings’ celebration with a dramatic 3-2 late-game victory in game six, sending them into another do-or-die game seven. Edmonton jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the second period and went on to win 4-1.
Perhaps with Korobyov and Bjorkstrand, Portland can make another run to the finals in the 2012–13 season, which begins with a home game Sept. 21 against Seattle. They will raise their 2012 Western Conference Championship banner, and then immediately begin their quest for a 2013 Western Hockey League Championship banner.