So word on the street is that the Portland Winterhawks are FINALLY being investigated into some fishy business going on. They used to be the garbage team of the WHL a few years ago back in the Brandon Dubinsky days and all that (roughly 5-8 years ago). Now they are constantly one of the top teams in the CHL. They constantly sign these TOP young college prospects from the USA that apparently would only play in NCAA but all of a sudden change their minds to join Portland. Rumors have spread for a few years now that they are paying their players and/or promising 4 years of schooling after their junior career even if they only play 1 season. They are loaded once again with these great young players that are 16 and 17 years old, not to mention Seth Jones out of the blue signing with Portland right after Everett traded his rights to Portland due to Jones stating he was going to play NCAA for North Dakota. Recently there was the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL that was investigated into the Jacob Trouba saga and was fined HUGE and lost quite a few picks. I have a feeling something like this is going to happen soon to Portland.
The Windsor investigation wasn't involving Trouba or Seiloff. But previous players.
Kitchener was the team that offered Trouba something like $250,000 (correct me if I'm wrong) to play for Kitchener instead of going to Michigan.
Ya i dont fully remember... I know Windsor got in trouble somehow too.... Anyways this is about Portland and their HUGE signings they somehow constantly get. Have many others read about this or heard about it? Its been very hush hush but the investigation is going on apparently
So word on the street is that the Portland Winterhawks are FINALLY being investigated into some fishy business going on. They used to be the garbage team of the WHL a few years ago back in the Brandon Dubinsky days and all that (roughly 5-8 years ago). Now they are constantly one of the top teams in the CHL. They constantly sign these TOP young college prospects from the USA that apparently would only play in NCAA but all of a sudden change their minds to join Portland. Rumors have spread for a few years now that they are paying their players and/or promising 4 years of schooling after their junior career even if they only play 1 season. They are loaded once again with these great young players that are 16 and 17 years old, not to mention Seth Jones out of the blue signing with Portland right after Everett traded his rights to Portland due to Jones stating he was going to play NCAA for North Dakota. Recently there was the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL that was investigated into the Jacob Trouba saga and was fined HUGE and lost quite a few picks. I have a feeling something like this is going to happen soon to Portland.
Ya i dont fully remember... I know Windsor got in trouble somehow too.... Anyways this is about Portland and their HUGE signings they somehow constantly get. Have many others read about this or heard about it? Its been very hush hush but the investigation is going on apparently
I did do, an interview I heard were saying that scouts from other WHL teams were saying that "It's about time that they got caught."
Sorry, my bad... his first year they had a terrible team(19 wins 40 losses) but did make playoffs.. but thats not the point. Also here are a couple websites about the whole investigation stuff....
Sorry, my bad... his first year they had a terrible team(19 wins 40 losses) but did make playoffs.. but thats not the point. Also here are a couple websites about the whole investigation stuff....
They can line up right behind the London Knights for teams who need a good old investigation. Unfortunately even if everyone agrees that payments were made at some point in time, until there's proof there's nothing anyone can do.
well players do get a bit of money from their team throughout the year...roughly a couple hundred bucks a month. But its against the rules to get a lump sum to join teams and all that. I know of a few people forsure that were former WHL players that were released from their teams in their later years and the richer Junior A teams gave them a few thousand(under the table) to join their team. It does happen forsure but its definately against the rules
They can line up right behind the London Knights for teams who need a good old investigation. Unfortunately even if everyone agrees that payments were made at some point in time, until there's proof there's nothing anyone can do.
haha there are rumblings that London has done this too???? I believe that!
If you read Lafleur's biography he was paid 25000 in his final year and got a new car in his last home game.Many of the top quebec players played in the ontario league including Dionne.So giving money to junior players is nothing new.
@darenmillard: In the midst of the #lockout another canadian hockey league team to get Hit Hard with penalties. WHL Portland to learn in next 48hrs.
Bob McKenzie
Quote:
@TSNBobMcKenzie: Lots of talk in junior circles another CHL team, this time in WHL, will face six-figure financial sanctions for inappropriate spending.
The Western Hockey League announced today the disciplinary action which has been taken against the Portland Winterhawks franchise for a series of violations of the WHL Regulations.
As a result of a series of player benefit violations which have occurred over the past four seasons, WHL Commissioner Ron Robison has suspended the Portland Winterhawks from participating in the first five rounds of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft and the forfeiture of their first round selections in the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 WHL Bantam Drafts. Should the first round selection in 2014 not be available due to a conditional trade, Portland will surrender their second and third round picks in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft. The WHL also announced the Portland Winterhawks have been fined $200,000 and Winterhawks General Manager and Head Coach Mike Johnston has been suspended for the balance of the 2012-13 season, including the 2013 WHL Playoffs.
...
I wonder how much Jones got to show up?
The fact that their GM/Head Coach is suspended is an interesting twist. I don't think that happened to the Spitfires, did it?
