As the 2023-2024 regular season concludes this weekend, three long-time Portland Winterhawks are experiencing a series of lasts during their time in the Western Hockey League.
For captain Gabe Klassen, alternate captain Jack O’Brien, and recently signed Edmonton Oilers prospect James Stefan, the end of their junior careers is approaching, but they aren’t done yet.
“It doesn’t really feel like the end of the season because we have so much more in front of us as we make a deep playoff run,” Klassen said.
The trio of overage forwards have a special bond with one another, as they all entered the league at the same time back in 2019.
Winterhawks president, general manager, and head coach Mike Johnston smiled from ear to ear when asked about what this year’s 20-year-olds means to him and said, “It is kind of special to have guys that have been with you their whole career, guys who grew up as a list or draft picks of ours; they came in as young kids. It is special for us coaches because we know their journey and how they played. They are all having great finishing years individually along with the team, which is nice to see. They will get opportunities down the road here. It is just special when they are your guys from start to finish.”
If all three play in each game this weekend, they will finish with a combined 758 regular season games together (O’Brien 255, Stefan 254, Klassen 249).
“I’ve been friends with James since I was like ten years old, and Gabe has become one of my best friends, too,” O’Brien shared. “You don’t see that a lot with three 16-year-olds being 20-year-olds together, but that is wonderful to do it with them. We’ve been able to go through the highs and lows. We understand what each other is going through and has gone through. It has been special being with those two guys.”
Klassen explained the bond the three have together saying, “Jack and James are both unbelievable guys and have become best friends with. We will be friends for the rest of our lives, no doubt. It is not very often that you see five-year guys play their careers together. I’ve played on a line with these guys basically my whole career here, too, so you have even stronger of a bond as you take the chemistry off the ice and add in the chemistry on it too. We have a lot more to accomplish together, too.”
Due to the ice plant issues at the Moda Center, Klassen, Stefan, and O’Brien are the last players who have experienced playing next door to the VMC.
“Many of the younger guys have asked us about it because they know we’ve played there,” Stefan said. It was super special to play there, and a super cool arena to play in. I also like the VMC because I like the vibe because it is our actual home with our locker room. I love both rinks.”
Klassen enjoys some playful zingers back and forth with the younger guys about having the opportunity to play games in the Moda Center.
“We miss playing there and bug the guys about how we got to play there. We maybe even give them a little bit of s*** that we got to, and they haven’t,” he said with a smile. “It is pretty much an NHL rink, so it was an unbelievable experience playing there. The VMC is awesome as well, it has become a favorite place to play, too.”
The sigh let out by O’Brien when asked if he misses playing next door was audible from a long distance away.
“Oh, I miss the Moda Center so much! That would be a dream to go back into a Moda Center game, especially a Moda Center playoff game, my goodness! When it is rowdy in the Glass Palace, though, it is still a party. I love it so much when the fans get into the game. They are starting to come back a lot more since COVID. Our crowd has been great all year, but the Moda felt like you were playing in an NHL rink, and that is a cool feeling since that’s where you want to be,” he said.
With no return to the Moda Center in sight, the VMC is home and will be rocking when the Winterhawks open the playoffs at home on Friday, March 29.
O’Brien is excited for the return of a playoff atmosphere. “The energy in that building (VMC) is so contagious, and (the fans) may not realize it. Even the smaller things, like when someone makes a big hit or we get a clear on the penalty kill it creates energy and momentum for our team. It fires me up, and I say, ‘Oh, s***, it is game time now.’ That continued support and being there for us will help us a lot. I’ll do my job on the ice, so need them to do their job as well.”
Stefan offered his appreciation for the loyal and die-hard Portland fans who have shown up all season, saying, “They’ve been awesome all year and are the best fans in the WHL. Throughout my career here, they’ve given their support every night, and hope they bring even more support in the playoffs, helping us get all the way.”
Gabe Klassen
The Prince Albert, Saskatchewan native, was Portland’s first-round selection in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft and joined the team from the Prince Albert Mintos after having his affiliate-player status removed during his 16-year-old season in December 2019.
During his rookie season, he scored 7 goals and 8 assists in 30 games. The upward trajectory for his offensive production blossomed from there to now sitting at 105 points with three games remaining. He also enters the final weekend sixth in league scoring.
Johnston reflected on Klassen’s time with the Winterhawks organization, saying, “Gabe was our first-round pick, and when he first came in, like a lot of guys, he was underdeveloped physically. I think it took him the first four or five months to really get up to speed, and then he certainly has become a captain, a real leader on and off the ice, and couldn’t have done more for our organization over his time here. Rarely do you have a captain be a captain for two years in a row; he’s unique that way. Gabe is calm, he’s poised, and doesn’t get rattled. He is just that type of player who shows up in big games.”
“It is pretty crazy that I’ve been here for five years of my life and how fast it has gone by,” Klassen said as he prepares to play his final regular season games. “I’ve enjoyed all my time here and meeting a bunch of new guys. I’ve played some awesome hockey here in Portland. The last weekend of the year is a little bit sad but is also exciting because of how great of a group of guys we have here.”
As Johnston said, Klassen also has the distinction of being captain in both his 19- and 20-year-old seasons and it is not something he takes for granted.
“It is obviously special wearing the “C” for any organization but especially here in Portland. Then, to have it for two years is crazy to me. I probably wouldn’t have said that or believed that if you told me I would when I first came here as a 16-year-old. I just want to lead the boys to a championship; that’s been my main goal as captain.”
Klassen was quick to point out how much he’s changed and matured over the last five years.
“I think there have been some huge changes for me since coming in when you are 16. When I came here it was the first time I didn’t live at home while playing hockey. That was a big adjustment for me, and moving in with a new family and trying to fit in there. They helped me a lot because I had a good home away from home. Then, at the rink, on the ice, my whole game has developed. The coaching staff here is amazing, and they’ve helped me along the way. On and off the ice, they do a great job with us here. I can see some huge improvements over the course of my time.”
In his own words, Klassen says thank you.
James Stefan
Stefan made his way to the Rose City via a less conventional path compared to his linemate Klassen.
Hailing from Laguna Beach, California, Stefan was not drafted by Portland in 2018 but rather was listed by the Winterhawks while he and O’Brien were playing for Little Ceasers AAA program in Michigan.
Stefan played 49 games as a 16-year-old during the 2019-2020 season scoring five times and assisting on four goals.
After five years of development, Stefan’s hard work paid off with him signing an entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
With three games remaining in the season, the 186-pound winger needs only one point to join Klassen at the century mark for points and only two goals to become a 50-goal scorer in the WHL.
Johnston shared how proud he is of Stefan and how he’s bought into his development.
“When James came in, I thought of all the players, it took him a little bit longer to just mature into his body physically. I think with him and Jack (O’Brien) that COVID year where they had to go to another organization in the USHL (Lincoln) and play their year there because we didn’t know if we were playing. I didn’t think that helped them very much, but when they both came back, they took off again. James has kept getting better and better. Certainly, he can score, but I’ve been really proud of how he kills penalties and is a two-way player who protects the puck well now,” Johnston said.
“It is a whirlwind of emotions right now,” Stefan said in advance of his final regular-season WHL games. “It is an exciting time getting to the swing of playoffs, but is emotional that you don’t have that much time left. It is hitting me all at once, and realizing how fast this has gone by. Everyone always tells you that, but it is so true. I’m excited and a little bit sad at the same time.”
Like Klassen, Stefan has seen growth in himself compared to this time five years ago.
“I’ve grown a lot and developed on and off the ice. I think Portland is the best organization at doing that. As people first, they grow you into a young man and you do a lot of community work and things outside of the rink that helps. On the ice, I’ve developed a lot. Obviously, the coaching staff plays a huge role in that. They do a phenomenal job of developing every individual who is on the team. I couldn’t be more proud of my time here so far, but I’m not done either.”
Stefan is hoping to make a few more memories in Portland before he departs for the pro ranks but will miss the junior hockey comroderity.
“I don’t think one singular memory stands out, but a lot of the memories I’ve created are cliche. The bus rides are up there because I enjoy being with the guys. My favorite part is just being around this team and group of guys over the years. We obviously have some really long bus rides into Canada, that time on the bus with your best friends, not really many worries in the world, just sit back and enjoy how special it is.”
In his own words, Stefan says thank you.
Jack O’Brien
“He is the prototypical Portland Winterhawk center who is good at both ends of the ice and is really responsible,” Mike Johnston said of O’Brien.”
A native of Denver, Colorado, O’Brien joined the Winterhawks alongside Stefan as highly sought-after prospects.
When the 6-foot-1, 168-pound centerman debuted with Portland as a 16-year-old he played primarily on a line with now two current pros in Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes) and Jaydon Dureau (Tampa Bay Lighting organization and currently with Orlando in the ECHL)
The fit was a natural one and O’Brien netted 14 goals and 16 assists during his 55 games as a 16-year-old.
The 2020-2021 season was impacted by COVID and along with three of his teammates, including Stefan, O’Brien went to the United States Hockey League (USHL) when the WHL had yet to commit to playing games that year.
The experience was challenging for O’Brien, and he was beyond thankful to return to Portland for six games towards the end of the bubble season.
“I could say that it wasn’t great (in the USHL), but I feel like I’m choosing to let it be a learning moment for me. That is what being in juniors is all about: the learning and getting myself as ready as I can be to go pro. It wasn’t pleasant at times, but I don’t think my game would be where it is today if I didn’t have to go through some adversity and learn from that challenging situation.”
Johnston was quick to comment on O’Brien’s ability, saying, “(Jack) can play the game any way you want him to, physical, with skill, and he has great hockey sense. Jack is counted on by us in every situation, whether we are up or down a goal on the power play or the penalty kill. He is a guy I can trust no matter the moment in the game. Like James and Gabe, he needed time to mature into his body and fill out. Now, he’s more like a man four years later. It is nice to see the growth he’s taken.”
Like Stefan and Klassen, O’Brien is taking this weekend in stride.
“I’m just trying to absorb everything as I’ve been here for five years. I love this city a lot, my billet house, and everything else involved. From what I’ve heard in the past from guys who’ve moved on to pro, they said junior is the most fun time they’ve had in their life. So I’m trying to come into the rink every day and just enjoy it and the time at home with my billet family. I’m trying to cherish every moment and enjoy everything going on around me,” he said.
The positive memories were too plentiful to choose just one favorite. “I loved the home games where we have a huge crowd, everyone packed in, the game is close, and then we take it with an overtime winner in front of fans going crazy. Then, we come off the ice and everyone is still so fired up. That is a feeling during the moment and even after once I’m in the locker room where there isn’t words to describe the feeling. You can’t get that anywhere else either,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien has contributed to every line Johnston has used him on whether it be with players like Jarvis and Dureau as a 16-year-old, or more recently Winnipeg Jets first-round pick Chaz Lucius as a 19 and now Detroit Red Wingers 9th overall selection Nate Danielson as a 20. Known more as a setup man, O’Brien has also achieved a career-high 21 goals so far this season despite missing eight games due to injury.
“All those guys were such great players because they make the guys around them better. I think they all made me better. They pushed me and forced me to elevate my game because if their game is at that level, and I’m slacking or behind or not making plays, I probably won’t be on that line very long. In a way, that is what leadership is about as well, being an example themselves and pushing me to get to that level. All those guys are at the next level, and that’s where I want to go, so I’m trying to do it with others now, too.”
The growth O’Brien has made over the last five years goes beyond what fans have seen on the ice.
“I feel like there have been quite a few areas I’ve grown in, and not just as a hockey player. I’m trying to become the best person I can be. I want to be a good guy in addition to being a good hockey player,” he said. “I think I’ve learned how to be responsible and how to take accountability for myself. Those were two big things for me both in terms of my hockey game and how I handle myself off the ice. I’m making sure I’m eating and putting in time at the billet house to show the appreciation that I have for them, as they do such a great job. Portland is such a great place to help your development, not just as a player but as a person as well. I think that is so underrated here, and I’m beyond thankful.”
In his own words, O’Brien says thank you.
