When questioned about his strengths on the hockey rink in comparison to his teammate Berkly Catton, Conner Roulette swiftly redirected the inquiry.
“This week, as the Chiefs gear up for the Western Hockey League playoffs, Roulette stated, “What doesn’t he excel at on the ice?” “I think he just sees the game a lot better than me,” he added, emphasizing Catton’s superior understanding of the game.
Despite both Catton and Roulette amassing over 100 points each during the 68-game regular season, there’s an air of modesty in Roulette’s comments about his 18-year-old teammate, given their impressive achievements. Roulette, already drafted by the Dallas Stars as the 111th overall pick in 2021, recognizes Catton’s potential as a projected top-10 pick in the upcoming NHL draft this June.
However, one thing remains certain: as the Spokane Chiefs gear up for a best-of-seven, first-round Western Hockey League playoff series against the top-seeded Prince George Cougars starting on the road Friday, they’ll rely heavily on the performances of both players.
“The chemistry they have is unique,” commented Spokane coach Ryan Smith, “and it’s special when it’s happening.” Smith emphasized the significance of maintaining this chemistry as they head into the playoffs.
Returning to the Western Conference playoffs after a hiatus last season, the eighth-seeded Chiefs are determined to make their mark. Despite finishing the regular season with 66 points, their highest since the truncated 2019-20 season, they face a formidable opponent in the Prince George Cougars, who amassed 102 points and haven’t suffered a regulation loss since February 2, boasting a point streak of 19 games.
However, despite the Cougars’ impressive record, the Chiefs have demonstrated their ability to compete, having secured victories in two out of four matchups this season, including a recent 5-4 overtime win on March 1st. The playoff series will commence in Prince George before shifting to Spokane Arena for the middle three games, if necessary.
“For us, it’s Spokane versus Prince George,” Smith emphasized, highlighting the team’s focus on the upcoming challenge. Under Smith’s leadership, the Chiefs have showcased significant offensive prowess this season, scoring 268 goals, ranking seventh in the 22-team WHL, a testament to their growth and development over the past few years.
The Chiefs managed to reduce their goals allowed by 31 compared to the previous season, but they still conceded 283 goals, ranking fifth-highest in the league this year. This suggests that the upcoming series is likely to feature plenty of scoring, especially considering that only Portland (330 goals) scored more than Prince George’s 316 goals.
With ten WHL players surpassing the 100-point mark this season, including five from both teams in the series, offensive firepower will be abundant. The Cougars boast three such players, led by winger Zac Funk, who topped the league in goals with 67 and accumulated a total of 123 points with 56 assists. Additionally, center Riley Heidt (117 points) and right wing Terik Parascak (105 points) contribute significantly to the Cougars’ offensive threat. Despite playing only 58 games, winger Ondrej Becher managed to amass 96 points.
The Chiefs will rely on the scoring prowess of Conner Roulette and Berkly Catton to match the Cougars’ offensive output. This season, both players achieved the milestone of 100 points, marking the first time since 1993-1994 that the franchise has had two 100-point players in the same season. Catton notably improved from 55 points last season to an impressive 116 points this year, becoming the team’s first 50-goal scorer since 2013-14. Similarly, Roulette contributed significantly with 108 points, scoring 45 goals and providing 63 assists, demonstrating his impact on the team since joining.
Roulette’s playoff experience, having reached the Eastern Conference final last year and the WHL Final two years prior with the Seattle Thunderbirds, makes him a valuable asset to the team. He emphasizes the importance of mental strength and composure in navigating the challenges of playoff hockey, especially for younger players.
As the Chiefs secured their playoff berth, Catton and Roulette played pivotal roles in their success. Over the last ten games, Catton netted 11 goals and provided 11 assists, while Roulette contributed seven goals and 15 assists. Both players embrace an offensive mindset, constantly seeking to create scoring opportunities, which they believe will eventually lead to success on the ice.
According to Roulette, much of their success on the ice stems from their ability to identify open spaces when they are without the puck.
“Catton is an excellent playmaker, and he has a knack for finding me when I’m in open positions,” Roulette explained. “So, I believe what has truly benefited us is that when I possess the puck, I trust that he will be available and will find openings and spaces. Similarly, when he is in possession, I make an effort to do the same.”
Reflecting on the team’s performance two years ago, the Chiefs entered the playoffs as the seventh seed and faced a dominant defeat, with Kamloops outscoring them 20-6.
However, Catton expressed that since the beginning of this season, the Chiefs have shown overall improvement.
“At the very least, this season has demonstrated that the Chiefs possess the offensive firepower necessary to compete,” Catton stated. “I believe we’ve made strides in every aspect, honestly. We’ve developed better cohesion as a team, and our strategies have become more robust.”
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