Well here we are again on the precipice of greatness. The WNHL has expanded faster than my waistline, and we find ourselves staring down a season of eight teams vying for the greatest trophy in beer league hockey, The King Street Cup. We’ve also gone right off the rails and included goalies in the draft, because apparently goalies have feelings too. Who knew right? This year promises so much more, as we welcome members from the call up list to their full time spot as well as the return of the great unwashed from their season banishment. (and you thought it was impossible to think less of Kellman).

However, before we hit the ice and get a chance to drink and skate and then drink again, we need to establish allegiances. How else will you know who to hate for one hour on Wednesday nights? The battle lines will be drawn on August 24th, at the Rex Hotel. Welcome to the WNHL draft preview.

1 – The Atlas Steelers

After stumbling into the finals last year (only to get lit up like Podio at the golf tourney by the Townline Tunnelers), Jon Campbell returns as GM for the Steelers and sits atop the draft board with the number one overall pick. Will he continue his trend of picking only Fonthill players because of his strong belief that people from Fonthill are better than everyone? Who’s to say? What we can say, is that he will be without he fellow “better than you crew” Mike Podio as he’ll be seated at the same table as a GM of the Rose City Hockey Club, and you can bet he’ll have his big ol bear paws in the 892 honey pot.

So how does Campbell handle the pressure of having the number one spot without the Fonthill safety net? WIll he be forced to diversify and draft outside L0S area code? Will he draft Sinclair in the number one spot like some sort of weird unwashed safety blanket? How high is he willing to go to draft Haist to fulfil the Fenwick quota that seems to exist on the Steelers?

The Atlas Steelers are an Original Four franchise, and the inaugural King Street Cup champion, and Campbell, while not the original owner, has taken over the franchise and installed a “room first” philosophy. This has led to moderate success on the ice, but hall of fame level parking lots. So what does that mean having the number one overall? Last year’s number one pick was Cockell, who wins championships, but is prone to Cockell snap outs.

Campbell has to know that Craig Laro is right behind him at two who took Cockell at one last year leading to…well…this.

The other factor to consider when writing the draft previews is the the play of the GM himself. There is no doubt that Campbell is an offensive threat, scoring The King Street Cup winning goal is 2018. (Which denied me my three peat, and thus the above picture). Campbell also plays defence like he’s following Covid guide lines on the ice, by staying six feet away from the puck.

He’s going to need somebody to play on their own side of the blue line and somebody who can feed him tape to tape passes from goal line to blue line, as well as somebody who will fit it to a Steelers style room.

Prediction: Kevin Wright. A puck moving defenceman who controls the play, last years rookie of the year, Girardi award winner, Christmas Classic champion and KIng Street Cup champion. That’s quite a resume for a first year player. He’s like Dalton 2.0. (Suck it original Dalton).

Stay Tuned for part 2.

Schedule

Time	Home	Visitor
8:55pm	Hammers (Orange)	Rangers (Black)
9:10pm	Rangers (Black)	Cougars (White)
9:25pm	Cougars (White)	Hammers (Orange)
Ice Resurfacing
10:00pm	Hammers (Orange)	Rangers (Black)
10:15pm	Rangers (Black)	Cougars (White)
10:30pm	Cougars (White)	Hammers (Orange)
10:45pm	Championship Game	Championship Game

Teams (All Pelham Inspired)

• Canboro Cougars (White)
• Ridgeville Rangers (Black)
• Effingham Hammers (Orange) —– Orange Jerseys will be provided

Rules

• All games are 12 minutes
• Home Team starts with the Puck
• The puck is always live no icings, no offsides.
• When a goalie covers the puck the opposing players must tag the blue line and back in to engage their opponent
• Players can blow the zone at anytime
• Keep it classy as there is no refs in this format
• All plays off the mesh are in play
• Wins are worth 3 points, Ties 1 point, Head to Head is the first tiebreak, Goals for is the second tiebreak
• Teams can pull the goalie whenever they see fit to break a tie to earn the fancy 3 points
• No timeouts
• If the Championship Game is tied after 12 minute. There will be an NHL Style Shootout to claim the winner of the WNHL Mayhem 4 on 4 tournament.

After a long couple weeks of number crunching, contract negotiations and weighing options the WNHL Head Office as decided to expand the league to 8 teams this coming season. Too many players that got involved last year through COVID-19 impacts or injury impacts were great additions and we have a many returning players that we love to have return. Sprinkle in some fresh blood and I think the 8 teams will be a great addition to the WNHL. I believe the league is all about inclusion and embracing the sport of hockey every Wednesday. I feel this was the best decision to meet that goal.

I am excited to announce that Tyler Stack (New GM of the Merritt Islanders) Mike Podio (GM of the New Rose City Raiders Franchise) and Chicken (GM of the New Woodlawn Warriors Franchise) will be our three new GM’s for the league. All three are perfect in skill, attitude, leadership and WNHL consumption to be great leaders just like the rest of you.

Thank you to Ryan Daniel for your hard work as a GM during some challenging years with COVID-19. Ryan and Co-Commish Scottie Two Time will be managing our website and stats on a weekly basis.

Ryan Rumsby is excited to be returning to the net for the next season coming off his “Most Improved Award” this season. Dennis Martin will be our other new goalie, who provided some great goal tending skills in replacement of Dean. In the last 6 weeks Dean has returned to WNHL Summer Pickup leaner and meaner as new build towards the next season.

Here are some changes moving forward. Many of them were discussed at our Annual GM’s Meeting at the Rex Hotel.

• Host three WNHL Prospect Nights on August 3^rd, 10^th and 17^th. Each WNHL is Rookie is required to attend at least two of these games.
• The draft will be moved to August 24^th 2022 at the Rex Hotel at 7pm
• Season will start on September 7^th 2022 the season will be 30 games including the Championship March 25^th 2022
• Travel in 2023 will be higher and we will be taking March Break off (March 15^th) and that game will be replaced by your WNHL Super Sunday Game.
• Playoffs will start on February 15th 2022

So everyone knows this wasn’t a decision that was rushed into and over the course of the two years we were faced with many challenges. The most important by product is that now more great people are involved in the league.

The League Office is still shopping Ice Times with the local arenas.

Welcome back our COVID-19 Casualties and Welcome our new players!