24 in 24 Series: Wenatchee Wild

September 10, 2014

 

Bliss Littler (3rd year)

2013-14 record: 29-23-8, 66 pts. (3rd in the Midwest Division)

2013-14 leading scorer: Troy Loggins (60 GP, 23 G, 30 A, 53 pts, +2)

2014 Playoffs: Lost in the Midwest Division Finals to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, 3 games to 2

2014-15 Division: South

First regular season game: Wednesday, September 17th vs. Amarillo Bulls, 10:30am

Home opener: Friday, September 26th vs. Odessa Jackalopes, 7:05pm

 

It was a season to remember for the Wenatchee Wild last year. They pushed to the eventual Robertson Cup Champions to the brink and were a goal away from advancing from the Robertson Cup final four. They also advanced eight players onto NCAA Division I hockey in 2013-14. One of the encouraging things for head coach Bliss Littler is that the team progressively got better as the season went along. The Wild were a young group and it showed at the beginning of the season, as they only won five of their first 15 games. However, the responded quickly and won a string of games to keep them above .500 for the rest of the season.

 

The Wild only won one of their final six games heading into the playoffs where they faced the Minnesota Wilderness in the Division Semi-Finals. After taking the first two games, the Wild dropped the next two, only to see future NHL Draft pick Chase Perry post a shutout in Game 5, making 48 saves to advance to the Midwest Finals against Fairbanks. Again, their series would go five games and take another overtime in the 5th and deciding game, but this time it was their opponent moving on in the playoffs and eventually winning the Robertson Cup as the Wild season came to a close.

 

“I am very proud of what the group last year accomplished and I think the last month of the season and into the playoffs, we were playing as good as anyone,” said Littler. “We moved a lot of players onto the next levels of hockey from a very young group, so that was very gratifying for our organization.”

 

Many of the key pieces from the group last season are gone including Perry, who was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in June and will play in the NCAA for Colorado College this season. Also gone are the top seven scorers from a year ago.  Littler said that heading into this year, they approached building their team like a complete reconstruction. “Our job is to move as many players on as possible, so we planned like every player was moving on. From there we fill in the pieces and we are going to find ourselves in a similar situation as last year where we have a handful of returners, but mostly new players including 10 players who will be in high school,” said Littler. 

 

Littler said that having a younger roster has played a role in Wenatchee’s Division I commitments and has also played a major role in seeing the NCAA commitments at a record level league-wide. “There is no doubt that there is a really nice balance right now of younger talent, who are developing and adapting to this level of play at a rapid pace, as well as, older players who taking advantage of their last opportunity to make an impression. We have seen a big increase in the past few years of this happening and the league is trending younger, so it is something that is going to continue. The NAHL is a place where there is a home for everyone, which gives the rosters some diversity.”

 

Of the seven returners coming back this season, Littler said that guys like David Powlowski and Jakob Ahlgren are two forwards who will be looked to carry some of the early load on offense. Powlowski had 14 goals last season, which ranked 3rd and had 24 points. Ahlgren had 17 points in 35 games played. Other returning forwards include Andre Pison, James Mathias and Joseph Kaszupski, who will provide some experience and depth. “Last year, we had a tough time starting out with scoring goals, but hopefully this year that won’t be the case with the amount of returners we have up front,” said Littler.

 

On defense, Littler is very complimentary about Dan Bailey, who is committed to Air Force and who will join veterans Ryan Gotelaere and Mitch Demario to enhance the defense. “Dan brings a nice amount of skill to the table and will make our power play better,” said Littler. “Our defense will be pretty new to the mix, but there is some skill there so I am optimistic.”

 

As for some of the other new faces expected to make an impact, Littler mentioned Ivan Bondarenko, who is a Russian-born player that is committed to Alabama-Huntsville, Donovan Ott, who is committed to Cornell and David Lappin, who played junior hockey last season in Canada. 

 

The one position that remains unresolved in the goaltending position. The Wild lost both goalies from last season, including the NHL Draft pick Perry, so that will be the biggest question mark heading into the Showcase. Goalies listed on Wenatchee’s current roster include Andrew Rohkohl, who backstopped Edina High School in Minnesota to the state championship last season and Johan Blomquist, who is a Swedish-born goaltender.

 

The Wild will play in the South Division this year, which is something Littler says will be a different factor compared to last season. “There will be a lot of travel, but that is normal, but we will be playing in bigger buildings in front of bigger crowds and the teams will be new.  Everyone will be well-coached and it will be a battle every night, but it is too early to tell how it is going to go.”