That talk was quickly squashed by naysayers squawking loudly about there not being enough support or interest to maintain a pro hockey team here. Well, I have a request for you guys: get into your car and start driving. Pick a direction, any direction. I guarantee that no matter where you head, you WILL find a hockey team. The obvious among you will nod knowingly and say, "Of course, head up I-5 and across the border to see the Vancouver Canucks play." Others may point to our very good junior hockey teams, the Everett Silvertips and Seattle Thunderbirds.

But these are not the only teams in the region.

Can't afford NHL ticket prices but long for pro hockey? Cross the border at Sumas and hit Abbotsford, which now boasts an AHL team. The Abbotsford Heat is the minor league affiliate of the Calgary Flames. The team is stacked with talent, as well as a couple of familiar names. Everett fans will recognize former Silvertip Riley Armstrong, who spent the majority of his time since leaving Everett playing with the San Jose Sharks organization, most notably, the AHL Worcester Sharks, where he has been a strong fan favorite. Following a stellar season in which he scored 25 goals and 17 assists for 42 points, San Jose chose not to exercise an option to keep him. But the Sharks' mind-boggling decision proved to be a golden opportunity for the Flames to bring him into their fold. Riley chatted with me twice last season; once in May when he talked about what he's been up to since leaving Everett. Click here for that. He also caught up with me right after he signed with Calgary. Click here for more.

I've mentioned the Silvertips and T-Birds. If you have lived in this area for more than a year and haven't seen either of these teams in action, SHAME ON YOU. You're missing out on some of the most talented young players you will see in your lifetime. If you think I'm wrong, consider some Everett and Seattle "graduates" who are in the NHL system right now:

Peter Mueller (fomer 'Tip, currently plays for the Phoenix Coyotes),
Patrick Marleau (former T-Bird, currently plays for the San Jose Sharks),
Chris Osgood (brief stint with the T-Birds, currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings),
Riku Helenius (former T-Bird, currently plays for the AHL Norfolk Admirals <- Tampa Bay Lightning affiliate),
Taylor Ellington (former 'Tip, currently plays for the AHL Manitoba Moose <-Vancouver Canucks affiliate),
Greg Scott (former T-Bird, currently plays for the AHL Toronto Marlies <-Toronto Maple Leafs affiliate),
Bud Holloway & Thomas Hickey (former T-Birds, currently play for the AHL Manchester Monarchs <-Los Angeles Kings affiliate).

Shall I go on? I think you get the picture, but if you want a complete list, email me. I'll be happy to oblige.

Head south on I-5 to Portland and you can catch the Winterhawks at the Rose Garden. This year's team looks to be the strongest yet. The Winterhawks have already given the T-Birds fits, beating them 5-0 and 6-1. Notable Portland graduates include: Brandon Dubinsky (New York Rangers), Braydon Coburn (Philadelphia Flyers), Marian Hossa (Chicago Blackhawks), and some guys named Mark Messier (Edmonton Oilers/New York Rangers/Hall of Famer!) and Cam Neely (Boston Bruins/Hall of Famer!).

Head east on I-90 and you'll find two more talented WHL teams: the Tri City Americans and Spokane Chiefs. Both teams are strong and both have their fair share of well-known grads. The Americans are owned by two NHL notables: Olaf Kolzig, former Washington Capitals goaltender who just retired; and Stu Barnes, who retired last year and is currently the Assistant Coach of the Dallas Stars. Ams alumni include: Scott Gomez (Montreal Candiens), Jason LaBarbera (Phoenix Coyotes), Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens), and Chet Pickard (AHL Milwaukee Admirals <-Nashville Predators affiliate).

The Spokane Chiefs won the OHL Memorial Cup in 2008, a feat that may be better remembered for what happened during the trophy presentation than the tournament itself. Captain Chris Bruton received the trophy, hoisted it in the air, kissed it and went to hand it to teammate Trevor Glass. As he did, the trophy broke in two! After pondering for a few moments, Glass hoisted the broken bottom half of the trophy into the air and the celebration continued. There are many video clips of the incident posted at YouTube.

The Chiefs would love to raise the Memorial Cup again, whole or broken, and they seem to have amassed a pretty strong team this year to make a run. One notable addition: talented winger Kyle Beach, who is as well known around the league for his antics as he is for his skill. In the three games he's played in a Spokane uniform, he's scored 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points for a +/- rating of +2. He also has 8 penalty minutes and yes, I know the season is still young. Kyle began his WHL career with the Everett Silvertips and remains a strong fan favorite whenever he visits Comcast Arena. Star goaltender Dustin Tokarski is gone, snatched up by the Tampa Bay Lightning and absorbed into their system. James Reid is starting in net for the Chiefs now, backed up by Chase Martin.

The Chiefs boast their own list of "who's who" among alumni, including: current Detroit Red Wings (and Stanley Cup winning) Head Coach Mike Babcock, Valeri Bure (former Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers), Bryan McCabe (Florida Panthers), Drayson Bowman (Albany River Rats <-Carolina Hurricanes AHL affiliate), Dustin Tokarski (Norfolk Admirals <-Tampa Bay Lightning AHL affiliate).

Other notable WHL teams within driving distance: Vancouver Giants, Kelowna Rockets, and Kamloops Blazers (although a drive to Kamloops might be a little more than you might want to undertake).

Drive to central Washington and you'll run into the Wenatchee Wild. They belong to the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and are the reigning West Division Champions. They lost the Robertson Cup to a strong St. Louis team but have started the new season strong as they look to work their way back to the championship this season. The NAHL is similar to the WHL (Silvertips, T-Birds, et al.) but their players retain NCAA eligibility, while WHL players do not. NAHL players are also eligible for the NHL draft and the Los Angeles Kings took Wild Center Nic Dowd in the 7th round of the 2009 draft. He's now playing for the Indiana Ice of the USHL, but there's no doubt that you will see him in the pro ranks before too long.

Head west from Seattle and yes, you'll hit water. But, hop a ferry to Victoria, BC and you can slake your hockey thirst, after enjoying high tea at the Empress Hotel or a stroll through Butchart Gardens. Head over to the Sav-On Foods Memorial Center (or SOFMC for short) and take in a Victoria Salmon Kings game. The Salmon Kings are the ECHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and feature some promising up and coming players.

There's another league that has teams in Seattle and the northwest. In our region, the North Pacific Hockey League is represented by the Seattle Junior Totems, Tri City Titans (Pasco), Eugene Generals, Puget Sound Tomahawks (Bremerton), River City Jaguars (Beaverton, OR), and the Rogue Valley Wranglers (Medford, OR).

The Seattle Junior Totems have a strong history of winning (they're the defending Pacific Division Champions) and some very distinguished alumni, including current St. Louis Blues phenom and US Olympic Hockey Team hopeful T.J. Oshie. Totems players go on to college, to bigger leagues and as mentioned above, even end up in the NHL. They play their home games at Olympic View Arena in Mountlake Terrace.

Here's a list of links to most teams and leagues mentioned in the story:
Abbotsford Heat
AHL (American Hockey League)
Everett Silvertips
Seattle Thunderbirds
Portland Winterhawks
Tri City Americans
Spokane Chiefs
Vancouver Giants
Kelowna Rockets
WHL (Western Hockey League)
Wenatchee Wild
Victoria Salmon Kings
ECHL (East Coast Hockey League)
Vancouver Canucks
St. Louis Blues
NHL (National Hockey League)
Seattle Junior Totems
Tri City Titans
Eugene Generals
Puget Sound Tomahawks
River City Jaguars
Rogue Valley Wranglers
Indiana Ice
USHL (United States Hockey League)