t’s my Parting Shot the first of a three-part preview of the Western Hockey League’s 2018-19 season, complete with standings prognostications from the Fearless Predictor…

       We start with the Western Conference…with only 10 teams compared to 12 in the Eastern Conference, yet both conferences qualify eight teams for playoffs. Because of that fact, no team really goes through a full-blown re-build in the West…especially not in the U-S Division where the rivalries may be fiercer than anyone around here can imagine!

       The class of the conference should be the Vancouver Giants. Despite losing 50-goal man Ty Ronning to age graduation, the Vancouver franchise has a stockpile of eight effective 19-year-olds, including goaltender David Tendeck, and three solid 20 year-olds. Add in highly-rated N-H-L Draft prospect Bowen Byram on defence and the Giants are ready to ascend to the top!

       After that, the next-best five teams might all come from the American group with the four remaining B-C Division teams battling for two post-season berths. For my money, the best of the U-S teams is Spokane, followed by Portland and Everett with Tri-Cities and Seattle occupying the two wild-card spots. Besides Vancouver, the two B-C Division playoff teams will be Kamloops and Kelowna, in that order, with Prince George and Victoria bringing up the rear.

       Tomorrow, a look at the Eastern Conference with more of an in-depth look at the Saskatoon Blades on Thursday…plus Fearless finalist and Ed Chynoweth Cup-champion Predictions on that day as well!

       That’s my Parting Shot, I’m Les Lazaruk…