Tagged: Portland Winterhawks

Taylor-Leier

Philadelphia Flyers‘ 4th round pick in the 2012 draft (#117 overall) left wing Taylor Leier(23) is having an impressive rookie campaign with minor league affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Skating in 63 AHL games with a team that hovers around the .500 winning mark he’s managed to put up 13 goals and 15 assists, while directing 109 shots on net.

The not exactly large 5’11” 177 lbs. forward played his junior hockey with Portland Winterhawks for three seasons, always increasing his point totals to become more than a point-per-game in his final run as captain.

He also won the 2013 WHL Championship and helped his squad with 9 goals and 7 assists in 21 games on the way to the title. They actually almost went all the way a 2nd year in a row taking it to game 7 of the 2014 Finals and close yet again in his first year, making it every year he was with them.

Signed to an entry level deal through 2016/2017, this still young 21-year old definitely is a prospect that looks to bring it forward, but he’s going to have to work every day and want to make it happen.

Dallas Stars v Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild 1st round pick in the 2012 draft (#7 overall) defenseman Matt Dumba(55) has been on a wild ride to start his pro career but is starting to settle nicely now.

He started in 2013 with then affiliate Houston Aeros skating in three regular season contests and 5 in the playoffs.

The very tough, hard hitting 6′ 189 lbs. d-man with the rocket blast from the point made his NHL debut out of training camp and played 13 games on the roster until he was reassigned to join the Canadian National Team at the WJC, then subsequently sent back for his final year of junior hockey with Portland Winterhawks.

Once again he made the squad to start 2014/2015 but his game was a bit slow to materialize, so he was sent down to farm team Iowa Wild, where he spent the next six weeks skating hard, proving his abilities were ready to step up.

He was recalled but returned to the minors once again for a shorter stint.

In 20 AHL appearances he ended up getting 5 goals and 9 assists with a +2 rating and 39 shots on net and that was probably the last time he’ll be on the bus heading to games.

Ty Rattie

St. Louis Blues‘ 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft (#32 overall) 2nd year right wing Ty Rattie(8) potted over 100 points in each of his last two seasons of juniors with Portland Winterhawks.

He won the 2012 WHL Championship with the team, went to the Finals 2011-2013, had the most playoff goals 2012-2013, most points in the 2013 postseason and named 2013 MVP.

The 6′ 192 lbs. forward continued his scoring trend as a rookie on reassignment with minor league affiliate Chicago Wolves getting most goals in the league at 31.

He looks to be on his way to another 30 goal season in the current campaign but could get slightly sidetracked as he scored his second career recall.

In a pair of games with the parent club he’s skated an average of 13 shifts for 9 minutes, had one hit, one breakup and even got in :54 of power play time but no points in two team wins.

The 21-year old could be looking at some extended time up with the injury bug bearing down on the Blues.

Derrick Pouliot

Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 1st round pick in the 2012 draft (#8 overall) rookie defenseman Derrick Pouliot(51) scored his first NHL goal in his debut.

It turned out to be the game-winner and he was also named third star for his efforts.

The 6′ 208 lbs d-man was an absolute fiend for points in four years with Portland Winterhawks scoring 42 goals and 163 assists in 247 games.

He also won the 2013 WHL Championship and was named the league’s and 2014 CHL Defenseman Of The Year, while leading all blue liners through the postseason in assists with 27.

Starting the season with the parent club as he rehabbed from off season shoulder surgery, he was reassigned to affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to start his pro career.

Out of the gate quickly in his debut and before his recall in 23 AHL games he’d already struck for 7 goals and 13 assists.

Joe MorrowBoston Bruins‘ defenseman Joe Morrow(7) is technically only playing the second season of his entry level contract but is in his third pro year under contract with already with his third team.

Originally a Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 1st round pick in 2011 (#23 overall) he was traded late in his rookie campaign to Dallas Stars in a no relation deal for namesake veteran forward Brendan Morrow.

He finished out the regular calendar and 8 Calder Cup Playoff games with affiliate Texas Stars.

Before the former Portland Winterhawks‘ blue liner could even get an apartment in the Lone Star state, he once again found himself on the move as a minor add on in a blockbuster trade that had him heading east to Boston.

He spent his sophomore season (first of his contract) on reassignment to Providence Bruins taking up where he left off in 4 years of WHL junior hockey, handing a lot of pucks to scorers for assists.

The 6’1 206 lbs. d-man had 6 goals, 23 assists in 56 AHL games and 128 shots on net. He added another pair of tallies and 5 assists with a +7 rating in 10 postseason matchups.

The still only 21-year old picked up where he left off to start 2014/2015. In 5 games he has a goal and an assist but is an already outstanding +4.

With injuries running rampant for the parent club, he gets his first chance and completes the NHL appearances of the four players picked up in the swap that brought him to the team.

In three games, all wins, he has yet to record a point but is a +2 plus/minus, has 8 shots on the goal and averaged 24 shifts each outing with over 17 minutes time on ice.

See related: 10/21-12