ATLANTIC LEAGUE WEST
The Manitoba Vikings will be almost certainly win the Atlantic West this year, although this may be the last hurrah for a Manitoba team whose average age is creeping ever northward. Justin Homer (36) and Jonathan Gagnon (35) are in the twilight of distinguished careers, andthe leading defenceman of the team, Jason Woombill, is 33. More concerningly, the team's pair of Russian goaltenders - Artemy Balabuyev and Igor Poilov are 31 and 34 respectively and neither of them are elite among the league. Though the Vikings will be rebuilding at the end of this year, this may be their last chance at a division title for some time.
The Chicago Cougars, like the Whalers in the East, are deep into rebuilding already. Arthur Whittington and Milan Matz will be happy to lead their team to a better than .5 finish.24-year old goaltender Henrik Jensen has the makings of a star, but will take some time to make it to elite status. The Cougars can be hopeful but are likely to finish last in the Atlantic West.
The San Francisco Arrows, the newest club in either side of the league, have built up a solid played base over the last few years and, with goaltender Jim Biggio - a steal as a prospect and depth player from the now-defunct New York Players in the 1981 expansion draft - building to be one of the league's best. A good balance of veterans (left-winger Ed Ray, another expansion draft win from the Nationals) and rising stars (right winger Philippe Laliberte) give the Arrows the best chance of dislodging the Warriors from the top of their division due to their superior goaltending. A first or second place finish in their division for sure.
Finally, the Vancouver Giants are approaching the end of their rebuilding phase and preparing to run at the cup, though the question must be asked: what has happened to the depth of talent on offer in the goaltending stakes? A rising cup challenger like the Giants can only muster Dewitt Sykes, a high-potential but not-there-yet player who most cup teams would have playing for their affiliate. A good clutch of skaters - Beckman, Stadler, Paulseth and Ketteridge being the standouts - give the Giants a big advantage, but it is all for naught unless Sykes can step up and show himself to be made of sterner stuff than most currently believe he is. If Sykes fires, the Giants will win their division. If he struggles, they will finish third - behind SF and Manitoba, but ahead of Chicago.
Up next: Mountain League East