T-Birds general manager Russ Farwell optimistic about second half

After nine days off the Seattle Thunderbirds return to the ice this weekend to kick off the second half of the Western Hockey League season. Seattle completed an up-and-down first half that saw them deal with injuries to key guys and the growing pains of a young team.

Seattle stands at 14-15-2-2, putting them at eighth place in the Western Conference. While that may seem bleak, when looking at the bunched standings they are still in pretty good shape. Heading into the weekend they are only nine points behind third-place Portland with three games in hand.

Considering that the club has not played one minute of hockey with both Shea Theodore and Mathew Barzal on the ice, the start has been better than it appears.

“We’re not disappointed in our team at all,” general manager Russ Farwell says. “I think when Mat went down there and with the way Theo’s season started we were going to have to scramble to keep up.”

Scramble is a good way to describe the first half. Seattle has been strong on defense and in goal this year but it has had trouble scoring on a consistent basis. Some of that is due to not having their two best players available, while some of it has been youth.

The T-Birds are one of the youngest teams in the league, with three 16-year-olds and seven other rookies on the roster, all of which are playing considerable minutes. Farwell says that one of the biggest challenges for young players is gaining confidence, and He feels that some his young guys are starting to build it.

“I think (Nolan) Volcan is everything we thought,” Farwell says. “I think (Kaden) Elder will tell you he’s a little disappointed, but Kaden’s got offense. I think he just needs a little more confidence and be a little bit better in our end so Steve (head coach Steve Konowalchuk) will give him more minutes.”

Farwell also points out that 16-year-old Sahvan Khaira is showing signs of growing as a defenseman, which is a tough position to step in and play.

One player that has been a pleasant surprise is Donovan Neuls. The 17-year-old rookie from Grenfell, Saskatchewan has been logging regular minutes playing on special teams and seems to have a bright future.

“I think Neuls has been really good,” Farwell says. “He’s got the penalty-killing minutes, he’s been on the power play. We thought he could play but we didn’t know he could do what he’s done so far.”

One of the most anticipated aspects of the T-Birds season is the development of their NHL Draft-eligible players. Barzal, Ryan Gropp and Ethan Bear were all highly touted coming into the season, but a couple of guys have added their names to that list.

Keegan Kolesar is now getting NHL attention, and the big winger has been good, potting 11 goals so far.

“It’s experience,” Farwell says of Kolesar’s improvement. “He’s always been strong but now (he’s) confident. He looks like a big, old guy, but he’s not. He’s a kid. You get him some more confidence and off the wing he gets a good chance and it’s like a light goes on.”

The other player who is starting to get noticed more by NHL scouts is Alexander True. The Danish import has five goals so far, is starting to play with more confidence, and at 6-foot-4 the 17-year-old has all the size that NHL scouts love to see in a center.

“He’s now one of the guys (scouts) are starting to ask for on off-days and after games,” Farwell says. “The only thing he’s lacking is bulk to be effective in trying some of the things he does. It’s not for lack of trying, and the bulk’s going to come.”

Seattle is without True and Theodore for a little while as both players are representing their countries at the World Junior Championships. Once they get back – along with a healthy Barzal – the T-Birds will have a better idea of what kind of team they could be. Until then – which will be some time in January – they will still be scrambling.

With the WHL trade deadline only a few weeks away, Farwell says he’d like to add a veteran forward. That might be easier said than done however.

“I’d like to add something, but it’s not a strong year,” Farwell says. “Everyone’s in the race.”

Whether they can add a player or not, Farwell feels that getting Theodore and Barzal back, along with the development of a player like True, should be enough for the T-Birds improve. In many ways their return will have the same impact as a trade, only not many teams can add the caliber of Theodore and Barzal to their rosters.

“We’re going to have three lines that can carry the play,” he says. “That will be the key, and then spreading scoring out will be key to take the pressure off one group.”

Farwell likes his young club and doesn’t sound interested in dealing away any of those guys for a rent-a-player this year. The experience the young guys are picking up this year should pay dividends for the T-Birds down the road. If there is a trade, don’t expect any of Seattle’s roster players to be a part of it.

“No, I don’t think so,” Farwell says of his young players being traded. “I think our future is good, next year is good … We’re not looking to let any of our guys go.”

The upcoming stretch may say a lot about where Seattle will end up this season. Nine of their next ten games are against division opponents who are ahead of them in the standings. If they can go from scrambling to climbing, they will end up in good shape come playoff time.

Follow Andrew Eide on Twitter @andyeide.

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