Claimed:Breeding Ground - WHL

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Breeding Ground - WHL Edition

 

The Canadian Hockey League is the premier league in junior hockey in North America. The fact that it can be broken down into three different well-established leagues is a more impressive stat though. Obviously the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League are planted in the eastern area of Canada. However, the Western Hockey League reigns supreme in the western portion of the country (as well as United States). The Victory Hockey League holds no favorites and accepts players from any junior league, not just the CHL. In the past we've done reports on the crop of players coming from these junior leagues, but we must admit that it's been quite awhile. This week we will look at a bunch of players that came from the Western Hockey League and have now come into our wonderful league.

 

Kelowna Rockets

 

The Kelowna Rockets have been a very successful franchise for quite a long time. The amount of players coming from Kelowna to professional hockey is outstanding. Jamie Benn, Alexander Edler and Tyler Myers are just a list of the names that have gone to the NHL from the Kelowna franchise. The VHL may be experiences the wonders of this franchise in the near future as well. Jihoon Park is a young prospect with a good upside that could be joining the VHL ranks soon enough. Park is currently in the VHLM, but last season he played his final year with the Rockets. Park technically still has junior eligibility but it is not said if he will return if his VHLM teams doesn't make the postseason. In the past the Rockets have also pumped out VHL veterans such as Kyle McLeod and Matt Fletcher.

 

Medicine Hat Tigers

 

The Medicine Hat Tigers have a long history of producing players that make it to the professional ranks. The Tigers also have various trophies in the trophy case because of these great players. The most notable players to come from Medicine Hat include Trevor Linden, Rob Niedermayer and Kris Russell. The Tigers have also been a big reason why hockey minds stay in the business, the likes of Barry Melrose and Ken Holland all started in the Medicine Hat franchise. The VHL has also seen the good fortunes of the Tigers help them with their prospect pool as well. Cologne Express captain Kameron Taylor is a former Medicine Hat Tiger and Medicine Hat born player. Taylor passed some big offensive milestones while in the Calgary city, but his biggest regret is not passing Darren Helm in many categories. The VHL also has seen former all-stars Matt Bailey and Kasey Braun graduate from the Tigers to the Victory Hockey League.

 

Edmonton Oil Kings

 

The Edmonton Oil Kings have recently gone and re-organized their franchise. This has turned out prosperous for the team as many of their former players have gone and played professional hockey. The franchise is responsible for the emergence of Tomas Vincour, Mark Pysyk and Griffin Reinhart who have all gone onto bigger and better things. Anatoli Zhumbayez is also a former Rocket and now finds his home in the Victory Hockey League. Zhumbayez was a highflying European on the Rockets team and played one season with Vincour before Tomas went to Vancouver and eventually the AHL. Former VHL superstars Layken Heidt and James Bencharski are also former Oil Kings and loved the time they played in Rexall place.

 

 

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[Da Trifecta 1,899]

Content: 3/3 Good to see you listing all them teams and the players. Hopefully these minors help the growth of the league.

Grammar: 2/2 I didn't see anything major to knock off points

Presentation: 1/1 It's there

 

Grade: 6/6

[Doomsday 4,130]

Content: 3/3 - Some of those team names are something else. Where did the name Medicine Hat come from?

 

Grammar: 2/2 - Didn't see anything.

 

Appearance: 1/1 - Nice pictures!

 

Overall: 6/6 - 

 

FINAL: 6/6

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