With the month of October ending and being only a few days into the month of November, it is time to reflect upon the WHL in the past month. The western league announced their roster for the annual Canada – Russian series games, with both games taking place earlier this week. Kailer Yamamoto returns from the Edmonton Oilers stint, a major piece coming back to Spokane. Scoring in the WHL up as goalie numbers sink.

 

WHL vs Russia

 

Goalies: Carter Hart (Philadelphia Flyers), Stuart Skinner (Edmonton Oilers)

 

Defense: Jake Bean (Carolina Hurricanes), Colby Sissons (New Jersey Devils), Josh Mahura (Anaheim Ducks), Kale Clague (LA Kings), David Quenneville (New York Islanders), Cal Foote (Tampa Bay Lightning), Dennis Cholowski (Detroit Red Wings)

 

Forwards: Cody Glass (Las Vegas Golden Knights), Matthew Philips (Calgary Flames), Jaret Anderson-Dolan (LA Kings), Ty Lewis (Colorado Avalanche), Michael Rasmussen (Detroit Red Wings), Tanner Kaspick (St. Louis Blues), Tyler Steenbergen (Arizona Coyotes), Dillon Dube (Calgary Flames), Jake Leschyshyn (Las Vegas Golden Knights), Brett Howden (Tampa Bay Lightning), Noah Gregor (San Jose Sharks), Sam Steel (Anaheim Ducks), Kole Lind (Vancouver Canucks)

 

Game 1 (7-0 WHL)

1st Period:

1-0 WHL – Kole Lind from Brett Howden and Kale Clague

2nd Period

2-0 WHL – Matthew Phillips from Kale Clague and Josh Mahura

3-0 WHL – Kole Lind from Michael Rasmussen and Cody Glass

4-0 WHL – Brett Howden from Dennis Cholowski and Tanner Kaspick

5-0 WHL – Tyler Steenbergen from Sam Steel and Dillon Dube

3rd Period

6-0 WHL – Cody Glass from Kole Lind and Michael Rasmussen

7-0 WHL – Dillon Dube from Kale Clague and Ty Lewis

 

WHL:

Carter Hart – 20/20 Saves

 

Russia:

Vladislav Sukhachev – 21/26 Saves

Alexey Melnichuk – 5/7 Saves

 

Game 2 (4-3 Russia)

1st Period:

1-0 WHL – Dillon Dube from Sam Steel and Jake Bean

2nd Period:

2-0 WHL – David Quenneville from Dillon Dube and Sam Steel

3-0 WHL – David Quenneville from Dillon Dube and Sam Steel

3-1Russia – Mikhail Maltsev from Alexey Polodyan and Maxim Tsyplankov

3rd Period:

3-2Russia – Arytom Maltsev from Artyom Manukyan and Daniil Veryaev

3-3Russia – Andrey Altybarmakyan

3-4Russia – Mikhail Maltsev from Andrey Altybarmakyan and Egor Zaitsev

 

WHL:

Stuart Skinner – 29/33

 

Russia:

Mikhail Berdin – 29/32

 

 

 

Kailer Yamamoto (Edmonton Oilers)

 

On November 6th, the Edmonton Oilers sent 1st round pick Kailer Yamamoto back to the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL. He recorded 3 assists the nine games he played with Edmonton, last year he posted 99 points in 65 games with Spokane. The undersized forward is expected to put up elite number this upcoming season, some have him in MVP talks. Yamamoto’s name has also been the talk of a few trade rumours, will be interesting to see where he could potential be suiting up for at the end of the season.

 

Tyler Steenbergen (Arizona Coyotes)

 

Steenbergen finished last season as one of the few 50 goal scorers in the CHL. Early this season he already has 23 goals in his first 15 games with the Swift Current Broncos, his 38 points put him a top CHL scoring. An intelligent scoring winger who knows where to be and how the put the puck in the net. He possesses an excellent wrist show and a quick release. Detail orientated zone entries have allowed him to be effective and score quick. High expectations for the potential CHL top scorer at the end of the year.

 

Aleksi Heponiemi

 

Heponiemi is another producing forward on the Swift Current Broncos who creates most of his points with his quick hands and vision on the pucks. Not the biggest player but highly skilled with breakaway speed. Reads the offensive zone well, finds space for himself. Heponiemi's game has continued to improve in the WHL, starting this season off with 37 points in 15 games, second in the WHL.

 

Matthew Philips (Calgary Flames)

 

Philips is a 6th round pick of the Calgary Flames. Small in stature he makes up for it with his competitive play on the puck and his ability to create turnovers. One of the most skilled players playing in the WHL, Phillips is producing at an impressive rate, 35 points in 19 games to start the season. Philips catalyst role for Victoria has put them a top the BC Division.