Brad Ross, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)...

Kelowna hockey fans are in for a treat with the resurgent Portland Winterhawks in town for a Friday night tilt against the Rockets at Prospera Place.

The trio of Brad Ross, Nino Neiderreiter and Ryan Johansen are all eligible for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in June. Neiderreiter and Johansen are WHL rookies while Ross is in his second full season. As a forward line combination, they have been consistent offensive contributors on the much improved Winterhawks, a team that looks like a legitimate threat for a deep playoff run this coming spring. And by the way, the "kids" are not even Portland's first line!

Here are the numbers through Jan. 14:

Ross...22 goals, 27 assists, 49 points, 45 games, +18, 121 pim's

Neiderreiter...25g, 18a, 43p, 39 games, +7, 58 pim's

Johansen...16g, 29a, 45p, 39 games, +9, 27 pim's

Neidereitter was the WHL's rookie scoring leader before he left the 'Hawks in mid-December for the World Junior Championship, where he was outstanding in leading Switzerland to a fourth place finish.

Johansen, who played for the Penticton Vees of the BCHL last season, has been selected to play in the 2010 Top Prospects Game in Windsor, Ontario next week.

Ross, the younger brother of former Regina Pats/Kamloops Blazers/Vancouver Giants defenceman Nick Ross, has been on the outside looking in as far as the Top Prospects Game and international play are concerned. However, all the Lethbridge, Alberta native has done is lead the 'Hawks in both scoring and penalty minutes so far this season.

We spoke with Ross today before the team went for a skate on their off-day in Kelowna.

Geoff Smith (WHL) Kamloops Blazers...

When the current WHL season began, many pundits pointed to the Kamloops Blazers as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. With a veteran roster and proven offensive producers, it was suggested the team would be a handful for its rivals in the B.C. Division.

Alas, the inconsistency has led to an early season coaching change and some very definite soul-searching in Blazerville. A disastrous road trip through the Eastern Conference saw the team lose the last five of their six games against East Division teams. Upon their return home, head coach Barry Smith was replaced, but the Blazers were promptly trounced at home in consecutive games by the Chillwack Bruins (7-1) and the Tri City Americans (8-3). The club has rebounded of late, winning two in a row at home over the Edmonton Oil Kings and the Kelowna Rockets.

Scott Ferguson and Geoff Smith (pictured) are currently handling the coaching duties. Both are WHL grads and former NHLers. We spoke with Smith, the Edmonton Oilers second pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, at length today about his role and about a few veterans in Kamloops. You can listen to an excerpt below, as Smith talks about defencmen Giffen Nyren and Zak Stebner, goaltender Justin Leclerc, and forward C.J. Stretch.