NHL PDX

After a breakout season this past year, Oregon native Jasper Weatherby recently decided to return to University of North Dakota for his Senior season to finish his degree. As a San Jose Sharks draft pick, he had the opportunity to sign his first pro contract, but had some unfinished business after UND suffered a heartbreaking loss in the 5th (!) overtime period of their NCAA Regional Championship. He was an Assistant Captain as a Junior, and is in the running for Team Captain this next year. He was more than willing to answer some questions for us about his hockey career that started here in the Pacific Northwest.

After hitting the market shortly after the pandemic ended their season, the Winterhawks’ new owners officially took over on January 1st, buying the storied franchise for $5.85 million. Since then, it’s become clear that the people involved in the ownership group have the hockey and business bonafides necessary to better fulfill the potential Portland has as a hockey town. Despite a history of skepticism, this author is excited about the team’s future, and here’s why you should be too.

To any prospective owners of the Winterhawks, please read the following before signing on the dotted line.  Portland’s hockey community needs the new ownership to commit to building our hockey infrastructure and pursuing new fans of the team and the sport while engaging with existing fans (from casual to hardcore).

A discussion with THPRD about the status of the dual-sheet facility proposed at Terpenning Complex yielded some updates.  With no meaningful progress to report, Portland’s oft-jaded hockey enthusiasts are undoubtedly thinking “here we go again.”  This post won’t make the cynics do an about-face, but it will lay out where we’re at for additional ice sheets.