Favourite Sons: WHL Hockey Stars Who Left an Impression

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2004

By Lucas Aykroyd

Chocolate or vanilla? Classical or heavy metal? Leafs or Habs? Whatever the subject, everybody’s got their favourites.

When it comes to choosing favourite hockey players, the motivations aren’t always obvious. Of course, most people love a scoring superstar with a silky touch, or a scrappy guy who never gives up in the battles along the boards.

But Prospects Hockey recently surveyed current and former players, coaches, and writers with the following question, “Based on his WHL years, who is your favourite WHL player of all-time?” And quirkily enough, the answer sometimes hinges on a haircut or a witty one-liner. Here are some of the diverse responses we received.

Adam Courchaine, forward, Vancouver Giants: My all-time favourite was a forward with the Brandon Wheat Kings named Cory Cyrenne. He was a smaller guy kind of like myself. So I always watched him when the team would come into Winnipeg to play playoff games. Or sometimes we’d drive to Brandon to watch. He was a fast guy who could skate and shoot, lots of finesse.

Don Hay, head coach, Vancouver Giants: Every coach probably has a favourite player, and one guy that really stands out for me is Darcy Tucker from my years in Kamloops. He was a real competitive guy, one of the most competitive I’ve ever coached. He didn’t have an abundance of skill, but he battled so hard every night that he made himself into a player, and he turned into a good pro. It’s good to see a guy like that get rewarded for his work ethic and discipline and commitment to the game.

Joe Pelletier, hockey author: In Prince George I’ve seen some pretty good defensemen: Eric Brewer, Zdeno Chara, Joel Kwiatkowski, Sheldon Souray. But I’d have to say a local kid named Dan Hamhuis impressed me the most at this level. He walked onto the Cougars in 1998 on a tryout, and in four years became the top defenseman in juniors. His puck intelligence really stood out, but so did his zest for the physical game despite his average size as far as elite NHL defense prospects go.

Braydon Coburn, defenseman, Portland Winter Hawks: I grew up around the Swift Current area, and my favourite player back in the day was Rocky Thompson. He was a rough and tough guy who wasn’t afraid to get dirty. He played pretty much the same style he showed with the Calgary Flames. He was a team guy, and he had the long hair going, pretty classic for that time.

Dan Da Silva, forward, Portland Winter Hawks: I’d say Frank Banham. He played for the Saskatoon Blades when I was young, and I watched him a lot because I’m from Saskatoon. One year he set the team record for most goals in a season. It was fun to watch him, and I kind of looked up to him. I followed his career when he went on to the Anaheim organization and he was doing decent, although maybe not as well as he should have. I lost track of him when he started playing in Finland.

Steve Erickson, former WHL referee: Pokey Reddick was unique as a goalie with Nanaimo and New Westminster because he was colourful. He always had some great one-liners for the refs. Something, he’d just leave you floored. You never knew what Pokey was going to say next. He was a good young guy who played to win, and he wouldn’t take any garbage from anyone.

Nigel Dawes, forward, Kootenay Ice: Probably Joe Sakic. He had a really good WHL career with Swift Current. I love the way he works and plays at both ends of the ice, and today he’s got the best shot in hockey. I’ve always liked to watch him play. He’s a real smooth player.

Jeff Glass, goalie, Kootenay Ice: My favourite WHL player of all time is Jarome Iginla. He’s become a very decorated NHL player, and I think it all started in Kamloops. He basically grew up here in the BC Division, which is something our players are trying to emulate. He’s always carried himself in a very professional way, on and off the ice.

Zack FitzGerald, defenseman, Seattle Thunderbirds: I‘d have to pick a guy I played with here, Matthew Spiller. He’s a guy I definitely look up to, and he went on to play in the NHL his first pro season with Phoenix. He’s done really well for himself. He’s a consistent defenseman, a hard hitter who knows how to move the puck. He’s somebody I’d like to emulate.

Stan Smyl, former New Westminster Bruin and Vancouver Canuck: I’d say my old teammate Barry Beck. He was such a big player for his era, and he had such an impact on and off the ice. He was such a leader. I always looked up to him when I played against him in the BC Junior Hockey League, and for us to play together in New West was a real bonus for me. He was a character person. At that time, big men didn’t always carry themselves that well out there, but he did it really well. You could see his ability as an all-around athlete. For his day, he was perceived similar to how Dion Phaneuf is now. Barry could play both ways, physically or skillfully. Weights and off-ice training weren’t big in those days, but it was with Barry. He was a force.