2016 NHL DRAFT: WHL REVIEW (Part 2)

Here's a look at what unfolded during the proceedings in Buffalo during the third round. The focus here is on Western Hockey League prospects.

Round 3
71 - Colorado...Josh Anderson, D, Prince George Cougars (HF Rank: N/R; WHL: 10th)
74 - Carolina...Hudson Elymiuk, C, Spokane Chiefs (HF Rank: N/R; WHL: 11th) 
82 - Philadelphia...Carson Twarynski, LW, Calgary Hitmen (HF Rank: N/R; WHL: 12th)
85 - Anaheim...Josh Mahura, D, Red Deer Rebels (HF Rank: 9th; WHL: 13th)
87 - Washington...Garrett Pilon, RW, Kamloops Blazers (HF: N/R; WHL: 14th)
88 - Tampa Bay...Connor Ingram, G, Kamloops Blazers (HF: N/R; WHL: 15th)

Notes: Anderson was injured late in the second half of the season, a blow to the Cougars fortunes heading into the playoffs...Elyniuk's father, Pat, played for the Prince Albert Raiders years ago and now devotes time to training hockey players in the Calgary area...The selection of Twarynski seems to confirm the Flyers like what they see when watching the Hitmen. Former Hitmen defenseman Travis Sanheim (17th, 2014) and forward Radel Fazleev (168th, 2014) have recently been drafted and signed by Philadelphia...Mahura played a total of two regular season games, but was highly-touted and never out of the 2016 Draft conversation during his abscence. He returned to play during the post-season and Memorial Cup...Pilon is the son of former NHL defenseman Rich Pilon, and a former player in the successful Saskatoon Contacts AAA midget program. I spoke with Pilon in Kamloops during the final week of the WHL regular season. That piece is right here...Ingram was outstanding in Kamloops this season, evidenced by the flood of scouts into the Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops late in  the season. Hockey followers will recall Ingram playing almost nine full periods during the playoff round of the 2014 Telus Cup in Moose Jaw, backstopping the Prince Albert Mintos to the national midget championship. That tournament featured 2016 first rounder Tyson Jost (Colorado, 10th overall) of the Okanagan Rockets, who won the bronze medal.

Total number of WHL players selected at the NHL Draft:

2016:  34. (1st Rd: 4)         2010:  33. (1st Rd: 5) 
2015:  35. (1st Rd: 5)         2009:  31. (1st Rd: 5) 
2014:  37. (1st Rd: 9)         2008:  37. (1st Rd: 9) 
2013:  33. (1st Rd: 8)         2007:  37. (1st Rd: 9)
2012:  32. (1st Rd: 6)         2006:  24. (1st Rd: 4) 
2011:  33. (1st Rd: 6)

Mike Williamson (WHL) Portland Winterhawks...

After a three-year, 236-game playing career with the Portland Winterhawks that ended in 1994, Mike Williamson returned one season later and became a member of the coaching staff. Then, midway through his fifth season as an assistant coach, he was promoted to the head coach position, where he remained until the end of the 2006-2007 season. All tolled, Williamson spent 16 years associated with hockey in Portland, Oregon.

In July of 2007, after a tumultuous, debacle-like season where off-ice distractions were commonplace among those in charge on the business side, Williamson left the organization. The team has since been sold and now ranks among the top two in the WHL standings.

The other team near the top of the heap is the Calgary Hitmen, who during this past off-season, hired Williamson as head coach. (Dave Lowry had moved on to coach in the Calgary Flames' system with the new AHL affiliate, the Abbottsford Heat.) While Williamson has inherited a roster with some high-end talent, a group that finished last season only two wins away from a Memorial Cup berth, he is relishing his return to the WHL.

With expectations always high in the Hitmen camp, Williamson has his charges off to a 12-4 start this season. We spoke with him prior to the game in Kelowna against the Rockets, a 4-1 loss. For many on the Calgary roster, the game was a rematch of last season's WHL Championship Final Series.