KAMLOOPS BLAZERS
Last season: 47-20-2-3, third in Western Conference, first in B.C. Division. Lost in second round.
Head coach: Guy Charron (third full season).
Key losses: F Brandon Herrod and F Chase Schaber (both graduated). D Austin Madaisky signed with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets and should open with the AHL's Springfield Falcons.
The 20-year-olds: F Jordan DePape, F Brendan Ranford and F Dylan Willick give the Blazers as good a threesome as any in the WHL. Should Madaisky return, a tough decision will be made.
The imports: LW Tim Bozon, who was born in St. Louis, lives in Switzerland and plays internationally for France, was the Western Conference's rookie of the year. He put up 71 points, including 36 goals....Czech D Marek Hrbas is under-rated.
Key returnees: Bozon, C Colin Smith and RW J.C. Lipon put up 221 points, including 90 goals, last season and will be one of WHL's top forward units.... F Matt Needham, who had 34 points as a 16-year-old, continues to progress....D Tyler Hansen is a force in a shutdown role....G Cole Cheveldave gives Kamloops solid play and leadership.
New faces: F Rob Trzonkowski, 18, acquired from the Calgary Hitmen. . . . D Jordan Thomson, the fourth overall pick in the 2011 bantam draft, and D Josh Connolly, 17.
The prognosis: The Blazers have solid goaltending and a solid core of returnees. Another B.C. Division pennant and a deep playoff run should be ahead.
- Gregg Drinnan, Kamloops Daily News
KELOWNA ROCKETS
Last season: 31-31-4-6, sixth in Western Conference, third in B.C. Division. Lost in first round of playoffs.
Head coach: Ryan Huska (sixth season, 11th overall).
Key losses: C Spencer Main (health), G Adam Brown (graduation), RW Shane McColgan (leading scorer traded to Saskatoon), LW Brett Bulmer (NHL).
The 20-year-olds: D Mitchell Chapman plus recently acquired RW Dylen McKinlay, from Kootenay, and RW J.T. Barnett, claimed off waivers from Everett. Earlier this month, C Spencer Main stepped away from hockey for health reasons (concussions).
The imports: Slovakian RW Filip Vasko, a 5-foot-10 forward who recorded just 12 assists in 55 games as a rookie last season, and Swedish RW Henrik Nyberg, a six-foot rookie.
Key returnees: RW and captain Colton Sissons, who will need to stamp his identity on this team if it's to be successful, LW Zach Franko, who will need to dramatically improve last season's point totals (14-25-39), D Damon Severson, D Myles Bell and shutdown D Mitchell Chapman.
New faces: C Ryan Olsen, 18, acquired from Saskatoon in the McColgan trade, plus rookies C Rourke Chartier and 6-foot-5 D Mitchell Wheaton.
The prognosis: With most of last season's ho-hum and underachieving forwards returning, how Kelowna's defence plays will dictate the team's results.
Place them third again in B.C. Division standings.
- Doyle Potenteau, Daily Courier
VANCOUVER GIANTS
Last season: 40-26-2-4, fourth in Western Conference, second in B.C. Division. Lost in first round to Spokane.
Head coach: Don Hay (ninth season).
Key losses: RW Brendan Gallagher and C Jordan Martinook are expected to play their overage seasons in the minors. G Adam Morrison, D Neil Manning and LW Austin Fyten graduated.
The 20 year olds: F Taylor Makin, D Wes Vannieuwenhuizen and D John Neibrandt.
The imports: Slovak LW Marek Tvrdon, Vancouver's top returning scorer after his 31-goal, 74-point campaign, is back for a third season. Czech RW Ales Kilnar was the 44th overall pick in this year's CHL Import Draft.
Key returnees: D David Musil is a capable shutdown blue-liner. D Brett Kulak was plus-29 last season and should get more offensive opportunities with Manning gone. Besides Tvrdon, LW Cain Franson is being counted on to produce. He jumped to 27 goals from three in 2010-11.
New faces: G Liam Liston has been a starter in both Lethbridge and Brandon. Trade pick-up Neibrandt was part of Kootenay's 2011 championship team.
The prognosis: They'll have a veteran D and Hay's checking mandate. Their offence will keep them from hanging with the league's very best.
- Steve Ewen, The Province
PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS
Last season: 24-46-0-2, last in Western Conference, last in West Division. Missed playoffs.
Head Coach: Dean Clark (4th season)
Key losses: G Drew Owsley, D Cody Carlson and LW Spencer Asuchak graduated, C Greg Fraser (20) to BCHL Nanaimo Clippers, LW Campbell Elynuik (20), D Ricard Blidstrand (20), LW Austin Daae (19), D Jesse Forsberg (19) traded to Seattle Thunderbirds, D Reid Jackson (19) traded to Moose Jaw Warriors, D Shane Pilling (19) multiple concussions; will try to play in AJHL.
The 20-year-olds: D Dan Gibb, D Dallas Ehrhardt, C Brock Hirsche.
The imports: Lativian D Rinalds Rosinskis was selected in the CHL import draft 65th overall in 2012.
Key returnees: LW Troy Bourke, 18, was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NHL entry draft by the Colorado Avalanche and should be a leader on and off the ice heading into his third season. C Alex Forsberg, 17, needs to stay healthy after missing one-third of the season last year with a hip-flexor. If Forsberg gets off to a good start he could move into the Top 30 in the 2012 NHL draft eligible prospects.
New faces: C Colin Jacobs, 19, arrives via trade from Seattle, and is looking for a breakout season after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer of 2011. Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2011 NHL entry draft. Defencemen Rosinskis and Ehrhardt should provide depth.
The prognosis: The Cougars are probably a year away from being a serious contender but with a close-knit group of young talent led by Bourke a 4th to 6th place finish in the Western Conference
- Sheri Lamb, Prince George Citizen
