“We like where we are sitting within the division.”
That’s from Prince George Cougars Director of Business Operations Taylor Dakers as the WHL’s most northern franchise kicks off its 30th season with a first-round playoff rematch against the Tri-City Americans Friday (7 pm) and Saturday (6 pm) from CN Centre.
The Cats have 13 returning players including NHL draft picks Koehn Ziemmer and Riley Heidt along with high-scoring defenceman Hudson Thronton to name a few.
Dakers believes if either Ethan Samson (Philadelphia Flyers) or Tyler Brennan (New Jersey Devils) are returned from the pro ranks, it will make this year’s team that much deeper.
“That could change things drastically if either one of those guys gets sent back. It’s not my department but we are going to be looking to be better and pushing for the top of that division.”
The Cougars were swept in the second round of last year’s playoffs by the Seattle Thunderbirds.
After getting that valuable post-season experience, Dakers noted expectations are high with the core of this team very much intact.
“I know Mark wants to win, I know Jim wants to win, I know Carter wants to win and ownerships wants to win. We just have to get the season started and find some holes or find some adjustments and make the changes if necessary.”
“We like where we are sitting as far as the division how our team finished up last season and where we are going with our players. We have a couple of question marks as far as 20-year-olds with Brennan and Samson off at camp right now.”
Dakers added season ticket memberships have seen a spike heading into the season.
As for the promotional side of things like feature games, the office staff will be kept on their toes with nine out of the first twelve games taking place at CN Centre.
“We have the home opener this weekend and then a somewhat busy October that is going to culminate with our Community Heroes weekend, which is always a success. Getting into November we will have another game of the month and December with the Teddy Bear Toss – so we kind of have a marquee game every month.”
“We’ve worked hard over the summer to grow those season memberships and to get people more excited about the team and a little more excited to come to the rink this winter. The buzz is really picking up lately,” added Dakers.
The PG Cougars schedule is here.