Five early-season WHL studs
The 2014-15 WHL season is past the quarter pole and heading toward the halfway mark.
That means hot starts are no longer just hot starts. Instead, in some cases something much bigger is brewing.
These are five players that have exceeded expectations and are well on their way to having career years.
Rourke Chartier, Kelowna Rockets
The former Saskatoon Contact was productive last season, tallying 24 goals and 58 points in 72 games.
Chartier was even better in the playoffs, when thencoach Ryan Huska leaned on him in key situations and he responded with 12 points in 14 games.
Chartier’s performance enticed the San Jose Sharks to select him in the fifth round (149th overall) in the NHL draft in June.
He’s been even better this season.
Chartier led the WHL with 23 goals heading into action against the Victoria Royals on Wednesday.
He was riding a leaguehigh 10-game streak, which according to Rockets playby-play man Regan Bartel ties him with Jesse Schultz for the franchise record.
Chartier’s 40 points are second in the WHL. Only teammate and 2013-14 rookie-of-the-year Nick Merkley, with 41, has more.
Landon Bow, Swift Current Broncos
Goaltending may have been a concern in Swift Current after former world junior player Eetu Laurikainen exhausted his junior eligibility.
Landon Bow has alleviated any worries thus far.
Formerly Laurikainen’s backup, Bow has been outstanding, posting the best goals-against average (2.18) and save percentage (.934) in the WHL. His four shutouts also put him at the top of the class.
The 19-year-old had 11 wins prior to Wednesday’s game in Brandon, propelling the Broncos to a 12-8-0-4 mark. Swift Current is second in the East Division and third in the Eastern Conference.
Bow went 13-5-2-1 with a 3.12 GAA and a .901 save percentage last year.
Joe Hicketts, Victoria Royals
Royals head coach Dave Lowry said Hicketts was one of the best defencemen in the WHL before a torn tendon in his elbow derailed his 2013-14 season.
Well, Hicketts is back to his old self and then some.
The 18-year-old led all blue-liners with 29 points, two ahead of Rockets captain Madison Bowey, heading into action Wednesday. That’s good for fourth in league scoring.
He already has five more points than last season in 14 fewer games.
After going unselected in the 2014 NHL draft, Hicketts attended the Detroit Red Wings’ training camp and signed an entry-level deal with the club.
Things just seem to keep getting better for him.
Ivan Provorov, Brandon Wheat Kings
The CHL import draft can be a bit of a crapshoot, but the Wheat Kings appear to have hit the jackpot with Provorov.
He was selected 30th overall in July after spending last season with the United States Hockey League’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.
The Russian was third among league blue-liners in scoring with 24 points, best for rookies, before Wednesday’s game. Wheat Kings teammate Ryan Pilon, of Duck Lake, isn’t far behind with 19 points.
Provorov’s performance has most independent scouting services projecting the 17-year-old to be a late firstround NHL draft pick next June.
Adam Helewka, Spokane Chiefs
Helewka had a good season last year. The Chiefs left-winger recorded 23 goals and 50 points in 62 games — easily respectable numbers.
He’s on pace to crush those totals now.
The Burnaby, B.C., product has 27 points in just 16 games. He’s 12th in WHL scoring.
He’ll have to continue to be a key contributor if the Chiefs (9-7-3) are going to make the post-season.