Jacob and Justin of the THN on the 'E' Podcast named their major storylines for the Western Conference ahead of the 2023-24 ECHL season.
We're just days away from the start of the 2023-24 ECHL season, and fans and media alike are still sifting through the postmortem of last year's storylines and major moments.
Ahead of opening night, THN on the 'E' podcast duo Jacob Stoller and Justin A. Cohn touched on their major storylines across the ECHL.
In the last installment of After the 'E', we looked at the major storylines the duo broke down from across the Eastern Conference. This week we turn to the major names and players across the Western Conference.
Can The Steelheads Strike Twice?
Beginning in the Mountain Division, the guys touched in the juggernaut Idaho Steelheads, who finished the 2022-23 campaign with the best regular season record in ECHL history.
Despite managing to keep a large group of their core roster from last year, Cohn admits that he's skeptical that the club can recreate the magic from 2022-23.
"I can't see a world in which their division rivals let them get close to that again," he said, "But they're set up really well. Everett Sheen is a terrific coach."
He praised their defensive core, which includes future ECHL Hall of Famer Matt Register, as well as their additions, including Mark Rassell.
Rapid Rise for Rush and Oilers?
The duo predicted a rise in fortunes for two Mountain Clubs who struggled last season: the Rapid City Rush and Tulsa Oilers.
Cohn says Logan Nelson is a player to watch out of the Rush, alongside former first-round NHL pick Conner Blakely. Keanno Yamammato, he says, should follow up on a strong rookie campaign.
On the Oilers, Cohn expects the Oilers to follow up on momentum built last year with the addition of Tag Bertuzzi, who returns this season while singing the praises of goaltender Julian Junca, who spent considerable time in the French league.
"I just look at Tulsa and Rapid City and I think that nobody is going to talk about these teams. Everyone is going to be talking about Idaho, Allen, Utah, and I'm saying don't sleep on those two teams because I think they're going to make a quantum leap," Cohn says.
A Cyclone in Cincinnati
In the Central Division, the Cincinnati Cyclone, according to the 'E' duo, could be a powerhouse once again. The question is how far can they rise?
"I guess the real question is can they make that jump this year into the conference finals or the finals, given all the change that they've had personnel-wise?" questions Stoller.
Familiar faces, including Louie Caporusso, Luka Burzan, Jalen Smereck, and Captain Justin Vaive all return this year, including an offensive lineup that Cohn calls "an embarrassment of riches."
Goaltending, he contends, could be a question mark, simply based on their newfound affiliation with the New York Rangers. He predicts the Cyclone should be the overall favorite in the division.
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