Winterhawks sign Hanson

Press Release

Portland. OR -- The Portland Winterhawks have signed defenseman Josh Hanson, the team’s eighth round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.

Hanson, a native of Anchorage, registered 25 points in 36 games playing for the Alaska All-Stars in the USA AAA Bantam League, and also posted 11 points in 12 games in the Alaska AAA Bantam League. Getting set to enter his 15 year-old season, Hanson, 6’2”, 175 pounds, will be eligible to join the Winterhawks at the conclusion of his 2009-10 midget season.

“Josh is a first round talent who fell only because of questions regarding whether he’d choose to play in the WHL or go the NCAA route. He is already one of the elite defensemen in his age group for U.S.-born players and I expect both Josh and Derrick Pouliot to be the cornerstones for our defense in the near future,” said Portland Winterhawks General Manager and Head Coach Mike Johnston. “At just 15 years old Josh is already 6’2” and still growing, and along with size he skates and moves the puck very well.”

Hanson will play this season for the L.A. Selects Midget U16 AAA team, one of the top midget programs in the nation. The Selects had six players drafted by WHL teams from their Bantam AAA team in May. This year’s team will play in the Midwest Elite Hockey League (MWEHL) which features elite programs such as Little Caesars, Compuware and Belle Tire.

Season tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now. Call 503-238-HAWK to reserve your spot to all 36 games today.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)