The last time the Prince George Cougars were in the playoffs, they were knocked out in the minimum four games by the Kelowna Rockets, a team that included P.G. product Brett Bulmer and current NHL star Tyson Barrie. It was the spring of 2011 and the Cats lost by scores of 4-1, 7-4, 7-6 and 4-2.
Prince George's early exit was followed by three years of dismal records and playoff-free hockey. It was also followed by steadily-declining interest in the team - the continuation of a trend that started in 2002-03 when average attendance at home games dropped by about 800 fans from the previous year. The floundering franchise was finally sold last spring, with the transfer from Rick Brodsky to the new owners being approved on April 30.
The new ownership group, headed by local businessman Greg Pocock and featuring former Cougars stars Dan Hamhuis and Eric Brewer, has made a ton of changes and improvements. Now, 11 months into the new regime, the Cougars are back in the Western Hockey League playoff picture and will start a first-round series tonight in Victoria against the Royals.
For the Cougars organization and the individual players on the 2014-15 roster, much is riding on this series and on these playoffs in general.
As an organization, the Cougars have a chance to seriously build on the momentum that saw them play home games in front of about 1,000 more fans this season compared to last. Even if they don't eliminate the favoured Royals, the Cats could get Prince George firmly back on the bandwagon by pushing the series to six games or beyond. Any playoff excitement they can generate (just imagine if they were to get past Victoria and go on a nice little run) will likely pay off at the box office next season and could be a stepping stone to the return of genuine Cougar fever in the city. From a business perspective, well-attended playoff games and additional paying customers next season would also help Pocock and the rest of the new owners see a bit of a return on their ongoing financial investment in the team, which has been substantial.
From a hockey operations standpoint, the 2015 playoffs will also be hugely important for the youngish Cougars. Simply put, there is no replacement for playoff experience and what it does for player development. When players get a taste of the increased intensity and pressure that comes attached to any playoff series, they can't help but improve. Like irons forged in flame, they become stronger. So, for the development of the team, this series (and any that may follow) will serve as a major building block for the future.
Additionally, many of the Cougar players have the chance to raise their stock when it comes to futures in professional hockey. National Hockey League scouts love to see which players elevate their performance levels during playoffs and, conversely, which ones take downward steps. Eyes will certainly be on 17-year-old forward Jansen Harkins, who led the Cougars in scoring this season (20 goals, 79 points in 70 games) and is projected to be chosen early in the next NHL draft. In NHL Central Scouting's mid-term rankings, he was 18th among North American skaters. Deliberations on final rankings will start today, and, with a good showing in playoffs, Harkins will only help his cause.
Another member of the Cougars who could end up under the microscope of scouts is 18-year-old goaltender Ty Edmonds, who was a draft prospect last summer but didn't have his name called on the big day. With his outstanding play in the last two months of the regular season (.925 save percentage in February and .902 in March) Edmonds carried the Cougars into the playoffs. If he continues his hot streak, he could be rewarded during the draft, which starts on June 26 in Florida.
Other Cougars with a lot on the line in playoffs include draft prospect Jared Bethune and overage forward Zach Pochiro, who has already signed with the St. Louis Blues and will be looking to make a statement to his NHL club.
So yes, for everyone in Camp Cougar, these playoffs are significant. With a 7:05 p.m. face-off at Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena, they will get started.
For the Cats, the longer they can delay the ending, the better.
