We’ve reached the unofficial halfway point of the 2023-24 WHL campaign, where five teams across the U.S. and B.C. Divisions remain within six points for the top spot in the Western Conference. Today, we’ll recap the teams in the U.S. Division and take a look ahead to the second half.

Wenatchee Wild: 21-11-3-0 — 45 pts (1st)

Wenatchee has hit the ground running in its first season in the U.S. Division thus far. Leading the way for the Wild have been their two stalwarts, Conor Geekie (ARI) and Matthew Savoie (BUF), as well as Japanese import Kenta Isogai emerging at the top of the Wild’s lineup.

And with some key contributions on the back end from players like defenseman Graham Sward (NSH) and goaltender Daniel Hauser, they have all-around talent that overpowers the rest of the league. Sporting one of the top-ranking home records in the league at 14-2-0-0, the Wild have positioned themselves well to take the division crown in their inaugural WHL season.

Top performer: Conor Geekie with 20 goals and 29 assists

Everett Silvertips: 21-13-1-1 — 44 pts (2nd)

Everett’s story has largely been its home-ice advantage as well, going 14-3-1 in the first half at Angel of the Winds Arena. Having a similar build to Wenatchee, depth scoring from Dominik Rymon, Ben Hemmerling (VGK), Teague Patton, and Austin Roest (NSH) gives the Silvertips a plethora of attacking opportunities. As well as boasting one of the better goalie tandems in the WHL in Ethan Chadwick and Tyler Palmer (CGY), the Silvertips combine that balanced presence and awareness that most teams need to go deep into the playoffs.

Top performers: Hemmerling with 12 goals and 31 assists; Rymon with 18 goals and 25 assists.

Portland Winterhawks: 20-10-1-1 — 42 pts (3rd)

When the Winterhawks score, they score in bunches, as 15 out of their 20 wins on the year have been by a margin of three or more goals. Despite losing two starting netminders in Jan Spunar and Justen Maric to injuries, Portland has gotten goals from all around their lineup, including Josh Davies (FLA) and James Stefan, who each have 23 goals on the year. Once healthy, Portland will boast one of the more complete lineups in the Western Conference.

I spoke with head coach and general manager Mike Johnston following Portland’s game in Spokane last week. “This year’s team is a veteran group with some good playoff experience,” Johnston said. “This team’s depth will probably be what carries us going forward.”

Top performer: Gabe Klassen with 17 goals and 41 assists.

Tri-City Americans: 15-14-1-1 — 32 pts (4th)

Tri-City was a very active team in making roster adjustments in the early parts of this season, most notably when the team traded for goaltender Kyle Kelsey from Red Deer. His partner, Lukas Matecha, has been one of the better goalies in the league this season, with a 9-7 record and a save percentage at .920. While the Americans sport a middling record, numerous glimpses of success against Wenatchee has me thinking of them potentially upsetting one of the higher seeds in the playoffs.

Top performer: Jordan Gavin with 16 goals and 20 assists.

Seattle Thunderbirds: 12-15-2-0 — 26 pts (5th)

A far cry from the year before for the defending champs, the Thunderbirds haven’t had much to write home about in the first few months. Despite starting the season at 7-1-0-0, since Oct. 24, Seattle plummeted with a 5-14-2-0 record. The T-Birds are currently last in the entire league in goals scored with 78, 10 worse than the next closest team. Their leading scorer is a defenseman, Jeremy Hanzel (COL).

One of the only things that has kept the T-birds afloat and still in playoff contention has been timely performances from goaltender Scott Ratzlaff (BUF), who—despite a few blowout starts—has kept Seattle in the playoff conversation.

Top performer: Hanzel with eight goals and 18 assists from the blue line.

Spokane Chiefs: 11-16-3-0 — 25 pts (6th)

Not much has gone right for the Chiefs to start the year, losing seven straight just before the break, dropping Spokane to last in the division. Berkly Catton (draft eligible) and Connor Roulette have carried the majority of the offensive weight for Spokane, each respectively tripling the next closest teammate in goals. While their battles with Portland so far this season have shown they aren’t in complete dire straits, the red flags are waving.

Top performer: Catton with 22 goals and 24 assists.

Player of the Half: Conor Geekie (WEN)

20 goals, 29 assists and a +21 for Geekie leads the first-place Wenatchee Wild.

Top Goalie: Tyler Palmer (EVT)

With a 13-6-1, 2.54 goals-against average, and a .912 save percentage, Palmer leads all U.S. Division goaltenders (min. 20 starts).

Important dates:

Transactions are currently closed for teams during the holiday break, re-opening on Dec. 27. Teams will then have until the trade deadline on Jan. 9 to make any final adjustments. The playoffs are set to begin in mid-March.

Header photo courtesy Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds.