With only one game this week for the Portland Winterhawks, other news takes center stage.
Kurtis Smythe has been traded to the Medicine Hat Tigers for an eighth-round bantam pick in 2023. Smythe, 20, from Cloverdale, BC, is undrafted in the NHL but brings four years of experience and 141 games played in the regular season, 11 more in the playoffs. In that time, he has scored three times and added 32 assists, and brings a strong blueline presence to the Tigers.
People think that pick is low, but it is an average draft choice for most older players. He may suit up in the Tiger’s next game on Friday.
The Hawks also announced their team captain for this year. Gabe Klassen will take the helm as the 48th captain in franchise history.
Alongside him will be Robbie Fromm-Delorme, Kyle Chyzowski, and Jack O’Brien will be wearing the “A” of Alternate Captains. The new letters will be fully displayed at the next game versus Tri-City Americans on Saturday.
The Portland Winterhawks, based on their strong come-from-behind win over Kamloops Blazers, have suddenly found themselves in the fifth spot of the CHL Poll. Winnipeg still leads the way, with Sherbrooke Phoenix holding onto second. Third are the Quebec Remparts; Seattle Thunderbirds follow, and the Portland Winterhawks are not far behind. Gatineau Olympics take sixth, with Kamloops Blazers dropping to seventh. Mississauga Steelheads and Ottawa 67’s from the OHL make their appearance, and Red Deer Rebels from the WHL round out the top ten.
Honorable mentions go to Windsor Spitfires, Halifax Moosehead, and Everett Silvertips in week three.
Portland has three games left in October, Tri-City this weekend, and a pair next weekend against the Kelowna Rockets, where the Winterhawks will welcome the parents of the players.
In three weeks, the Hawks will get their first true test of what the Seattle Thunderbirds hold as they host on November 4.
