WHL preview: U.S. Division

By None on September 22, 2018.

Everett Silvertips

Last year: 47-20-2-3, first in US Division, lost in WHL final to Swift Current Broncos

General manager: Garry Davidson (seventh season)

Head coach: Dennis Williams (second season)

Assistant coaches: Harry Mahood (first season), Louis Mass (first season), James Jensen (first season)

Key losses: Carter Hart (G), Garrett Pilon (C), Patrick Bajkov (RW), Matt Fonteyne (LW), Kevin Davis (D)

Key returnees: Sahvan Khaira (D), Connor Dewar (C), Riley Sutter (RW), Wyatte Wylie (D)

Spokane Chiefs

Last year: 41-25-3-3, third in US Division, lost in first round of playoffs to Portland Winterhawks

General manager: Scott Carter (third season)

Head coach: Dan Lambert (second season)

Assistant coaches: Scott Burt (sixth season), Adam Deadmarsh (second season), Derek Schultz (first season, part-time), Ryan Cyr (goalies)

Key losses: Zach Fischer (RW), Hudson Elyniuk (C), Tyson Helgeson (D)

Key returnees: Jaret Anderson-Dolan (C), Jake McGrew (RW), Ty Smith (D) Filip Kral (D), Riley Woods (LW)

Portland Winterhawks

Last year: 44-22-1-5, second in US Division, lost in second round of playoffs to Everett Silvertips

Head coach and general manager: Mike Johnston (ninth season)

Assistant coaches: Don Hay (first season), Kyle Gustafson (14th season)

Key losses: Alex Overhardt (C), Skyler McKenzie (LW), Kiefer Bellows (LW), Keoni Texiera (D), Cole Kehler (G)

Key returnees: Cody Glass (C), Brendan De Jong (D)

Tri-City Americans

Last year: 38-35-8-1, first wild card in Western Conference, lost in third round of playoffs to Everett Silvertips

General manager: Bob Tory (12th season)

Head coach: Kelly Buchberger (first season)

Assistant coaches: Brian Pellerin (associate, fifth season), Eli Wilson (goalies, second season)

Key losses: Jordan Topping (LW), Maxwell James (LW), Patrick Dea (G)

Key returnees: Michael Rasmussen (C), Kyle Olson (C), Nolan Yaremko (LW)

Seattle Thunderbirds

Last year: 34-28-8-2, second wild card in Western Conference, lost in first round to Everett Silvertips

General manager: Bil La Forge (first season)

Head coach: Matt O’Dette (second season)

Assistant coaches: Kyle Hagel (second season), Caston Sommer (second season), Ian Gordon (goalies, sixth season)

Key losses: Tyler Adams (LW), Donovan Neuls (C), Austin Strand (D), Turner Ottenbreit (D)

Key returnees: Matthew Wedman (C), Nolan Volcan (LW), Noah Philp (C), Zack Andrusiak (LW)