Daily Dish: NAHL Pre-Season Picks - Junior Hockey News

Published: Tuesday, 4 Sep 2012

By: Stephen Heisler | Web site: JuniorHockey.com

The start of the 2012-2013 junior hockey season is just days away so it is time for us the break out the magic ball and predict where North American Hockey League teams will end up in the final standings.

This should be very interesting.

CENTRAL DIVISION

The Austin Bruins are set for a breakout season and should have enough to win the division. Bismarck will give chase but will be unable to catch the Bruins. Aberdeen, Coulee Region and Brookings will be in a battle all season for third place. Why not Minot? Not even close yet.

How they will finish-

Austin Bruins

Bismarck Bobcats

Aberdeen Wings

Coulee Region Chill

Brookings Blizzard

Minot Minotauros

NORTH DIVISION

Before moving to Western Pennsylvania, the Alaska Avalanche were one of the west division's top teams. As the Tomahawks, look for this group to sail through the North Division. Moe Mantha's Warriors will try and keep up with Johnstown and finish in the #2 spot. Kalamazoo is going to be good again, but not as strong as last year. The Soo Eagles and Janesville Jets will battle it out for fourth place. Jamestown, Port Huron, and Springfield will be in an epic struggle to be the worst team in the league outside of Minot.

How they will finish-

Johnstown Tomahawks

Michigan Warriors

Kalamazoo K-Wings

Soo Eagles

Janesville Jets

Jamestown Ironmen

Port Huron Fighting Falcons

Springfield Blues

SOUTH DIVISION

Can they do it again? The Amarillo Bulls are still angry about last season's Robertson Cup result and have their eyes placed squarely on the hardware this season. Finishing on top of the South Division standings is not going to be enough for this group. Topeka owner Don Stone's patience should also be wearing thin. His RoadRunners have gotten a sniff of the hardware on multiple occasions but are going to find themselves in a dog fight this year to even get close. Paul Baxter is not a big fan of losing and his young team got a full schedule of seasoning in last year to prepare for a Wildcats run in 2012-2013. Can Wichita Falls finish ahead of Tony Curtale's Texas Tornado? I think so. Corpus Christi and Odessa are also much stronger teams than last year. I have to think that this division is going to be the best in the league and it should be. Top to bottom, these teams are certainly head and shoulders above the rest of the NAHL.

How they will finish-

Amarillo Bulls

Topeka RoadRunners

Wichita Falls Wildcats

Texas Tornado

Corpus Christi IceRays

Odessa Jackalopes

WEST DIVISION

The South may have the best division but the west is going to have the best team. Bliss Littler as the coach in Wenatchee makes the Wild one of the best Tier II teams on the continent. Over the last two weeks, his team went 3-2 on the road against teams from the British Columbia Hockey League. Fairbanks is always going to be strong and Fresno will also be tough. Kenai River is in desperate need of a shot in the arm and I don't feel that Oliver David has what it takes to get the Brownies over the hump. If Kenai River is ever going to be compete for the Robertson Cup, they are going to need to bring in a coach with the power to get it done. In this division, that means somebody with an edge on Littler. Rob Proffitt's name would be high on that list, as would a few names from the United States Hockey League recent coaches list.

How they will finish-

Wenatchee Wild

Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Fresno Monsters

Kenai River Brown Bears

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Stephen Heisler resides in Puerto Penasco with his wife, Maria, and their two children, Sonia and Tomas. Friend him on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/stephen.heisler for more information and pictures from Mexico.

Author: Stephen Heisler from JuniorHockey.com

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Discuss:

posted Sep. 4th, 2012 - 5:47am

Randy Russon says:

Port Huron for seventh place in the North and one of the worst teams in the NAHL? Hmmmmm. Not sure about that. Fighting Falcons return considerable veteran talent. I would think they will be in an epic battle for fourth place. Coach-general manager Steve Shannon has a lot of talent to work with.

posted Sep. 4th, 2012 - 7:41am

Cody Oakwood says:

Why have Springfield so low? I only ask because I'm going to their exhibition game against the University of Illinois' club team Friday and would be interested to have an idea of what to expect out of the Blues. I haven't seen Springfield play in years.

posted Sep. 4th, 2012 - 11:05am

Cody Mesick says:

Stephen, are you saying that the Kenai River Brown Bears should try lure Rob Proffit away from Fairbanks? hahahahahahahahahaahha

That will never happen. EVER! You realize that Rob Proffit basically runs all levels of hockey in Fairbanks right? Maybe the Brownies should also consider Dan Bylsma too?

posted Sep. 4th, 2012 - 3:34pm

Stephen Heisler says:

Rob Proffitt is one of the few guys that can step in and make Kenai River a powerhouse...

posted Sep. 4th, 2012 - 8:05pm

Craig Shermoen says:

Stephen,

I know it is difficult to have a handle on every team and division. I will comment on the Central division. i have coached 22 players in that division in the last 2 years. I saw The Aberdeen main camp, Austin Camp and a little of the Brookings camp. There is no way Brookings finishes behind Aberdeen and Coulee. I agree that Austin and Bismarck are both strong, If Brookings finds a goalie they will compete for the top of this division. Their top 4 'D' are as strong as any in the league. Should be a battle all year.

posted Sep. 4th, 2012 - 8:55pm

Stephen Heisler says:

Cory Laylin might have been a great college hockey player as well as a decent professional player and coach... but that does not mean squat in the North American Hockey League. The handicap here is the coach. It will take him 2-3 months to get the hang of things and by that time it will be too late.

Jason Spence, on the other hand, has a strong group of older veteran players and the amazing support of ownership, management, and community. Johnstown will be humming while Brookings is sinking.

posted Sep. 5th, 2012 - 2:34pm

Michael Gosnell says:

After seeing the Tomahawks roster, I can tell you that this group will be in the mix from the very start. The team has some tough games in Port Huron and then against Showcase Opponents Austin, Brookings, Kenai River, and Corpus Christi. We here in Johnstown are very excited about the team and are grateful for the opportunity to play in the NAHL.

posted Sep. 5th, 2012 - 3:24pm

Randy Russon says:

to Michael Gosnell,

Knew a defenceman by the name of Rick Gosnell who played in the OHL circa 1981, 1982 with Brantford Alexanders and Windsor Spitfires. He came from the Detroit area. Are you and he related, by chance?

Regards,

Randy

posted Sep. 5th, 2012 - 9:15pm

Michael Gosnell says:

No there is no relation there, unfortunately. Would have been cool if there was.

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