John Moore, a draft pick of the NHL's Blue Jackets, has played a key role for the Kitchener Rangers.

BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca

With the Christmas break in the CHL serving as the unofficial midway point of the season, Sportsnet.ca takes a look at which teams and players have surprised and disappointed in the first half of the 2009-10 campaign.

Québec Major Junior Hockey League

Surprise team: Saint John Sea Dogs

There was little doubt the Sea Dogs had the potential to surprise this season, but even they would probably admit success came quicker than expected. The franchise began the season with a new head coach, new general manager and several new faces in the lineup, and the transition was seamless.

The Sea Dogs set the third-longest winning-streak in league history after rattling off 22 straight wins just before the holiday break. Saint John's dominance is the only surprising aspect of its resurgence. When the league returns from break, Saint John will be the team to beat in the second half of the season.

Surprise player: Kevin Poulin, Victoriaville Tigres

The renaissance of goaltender Kevin Poulin is one of the main reasons for the Tigres' success this season. Victoriaville struggled mightily a year ago, after Poulin went down with various knee injuries. Now that he's healthy, the goaltender who was once considered among the league's best is realizing his potential this season.

Poulin's numbers are slightly better than those of Jake Allen, the starting goaltender of the Canadian world junior team. His team is just two points back of the defending league champion and close rival, Drummondville Voltigeurs, in the Telus Central Division. With Poulin performing to his potential, Victoriaville is a scary looking darkhorse down the stretch.

Disappointing team: Chicoutimi Saguenéens

Chicoutimi wasn't predicted to contend for the league title this season, but better things were expected in a division with so many rebuilding teams. Chicoutimi is third in the Telus Eastern Division standings, nine points back of the Rimouski Océanic -- a team that is also, admittedly, in a rebuilding phase.

The Saguenéens boast a young lineup, particularly in goal. However, with forwards Nicolas Deschamps, who has since been traded to Moncton, and Jacob Lagacé, this team was certainly strong enough to vie for the second spot in the division. Chicoutimi will likely continue dealing its veterans, a wise move considering this season is already lost.

Disappointing player: David Gilbert, Acadie-Bathurst Titan

Once considered a forward with so much potential, Gilbert will be joining his third franchise in three seasons after the holiday break. Gilbert was originally drafted sixth overall in the 2007 draft by the Halifax Mooseheads, but never played in Halifax. He was traded to Québec as part of the three-team trade between Halifax, Québec and Val-d'Or three years ago, when the Mooseheads acquired Brad Marchand from Val-d'Or.

With just 18 points through his first 31 games this season in Québec, Gilbert was given a fresh start in Acadie-Bathurst. His responsibilities will increase with the Titan, which will test the young forward, but could also bring out the best in him.

Ontario Hockey League

Surprise team: Kitchener Rangers

There was little doubt the Kitchener Rangers would have a strong campaign after missing the playoffs a year ago, but their emergence in the first half is ahead of schedule. Kitchener made several big-name acquisitions near the end of last season and in the summer, most notably the American trio of goaltender Brandon Maxwell, defenceman John Moore and forward Jeremy Morin.

The Rangers made no secret in declaring next season as a run year, yet there remains a distinct possibility Moore will not be back in Ranger blue next season. The first-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets nearly made the National Hockey League this season as an 18-year old. The Rangers might not be strong enough to knock off the defending champion Windsor Spitfires, but could be Windsor's toughest challenger in the West.

Surprise player: Troy Passingham, Windsor Spitfires

Passingham was as unknown as they came entering the new season, yet quickly established himself as Windsor's starting goaltender. The Spitfires planned on going with overage goaltender Josh Unice this season, but cut ties with the injured goaltender to make room for Memorial Cup hero Dale Mitchell.

Passingham began training camp as the No. 3, behind Unice and 17-year-old Steve Gleeson. The newcomer won the job after Unice's injury and Gleeson's request to be traded closer to his home in Toronto. Passingham's numbers are among the league leaders in each category. The only question that remains is if the Spitfires' brass will seek a proven veteran or ride with their surprise reclamation project.

Disappointing team: Guelph Storm

Much more was expected from the Storm this season. Guelph drafted well over the years, particularly their 1991-group, which features Anaheim first-round pick Peter Holland. But in spite of their strength on paper, the team struggled on the ice. Prior to the season, Guelph was believed to be a contender for the Midwest Division crown, but their trouble in the defensive zone has them in last place in the division.

The Storm traded captain Matt Kennedy to the Barrie Colts before the break, a wise move considering the deep hole the team dug in the first half. Guelph is still well within reach of a playoff spot, but this team won't be competing for much more than that down the stretch.

Disappointing player: John McFarland, Sudbury Wolves

This was supposed to be a huge year for the first-overall pick in the 2008 Priority Selection. McFarland endured an eight-game stretch where he did not record a point in early November and rumours circulated of his unhappiness in Sudbury. The team struggled in the weaker Eastern Conference and one can't help but wonder how much McFarland's struggles will affect his draft status.

The sophomore forward can take solace in the fact he still caught Hockey Canada's eye, as he was named to the selection camp, but was subsequently cut. He will have much to prove in the second half and a strong showing could help redeem some of the position he lost in the draft rankings.

Western Hockey League

Surprise team: Prince Albert Raiders

Expectations weren't too high for Saskatchewan's northern-most team after missing the playoffs by losing in a tiebreak against Edmonton last season. The Raiders traded goaltender Steven Stanford early in the season to make Garrett Zemlak their undisputed No. 1 and Zemlak has not disappointed. The team is also receiving balanced scoring, particularly from the trio of Craig McCallum, Brandon Herrod and Igor Revenko.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Prince Albert's ascension is due to the competition they face on a nightly basis. The East Division is strong from top to bottom, as both the Saskatoon Blades and Brandon Wheat Kings are regular opponents. Prince Albert is third in the division and fifth in the Eastern Conference heading into the break. They will need to maintain their hot start to ensure a return to the post-season this season.

Surprise player: Drew Owsley, Tri-City Americans

Owsley had a tough act to follow but the proud goaltending tradition in Tri-City continues. The product of Lethbridge, Alta. split time with Brett Martyniuk as Chet Pickard's understudy last season and often viewed games from the press box, rather than the bench. There's no question which goaltender is now the starter as Owsley is among the league leaders in every goaltending category.

Although small at five-foot-eight and 156 pounds, Owsley plays with a dogged determination which enables him to overcome his short stature. Their starting goaltender is one of the reasons the Americans sit in first place in the U.S. Division at the break and will be crucial for Tri-City in pursuit of its third consecutive division title.

Disappointing team: Prince George Cougars

The rebuilding continues for the floundering franchise, which is having as much difficulty drawing fans as it is keeping pucks out of its own net. Prince George has a better team than its record would indicate, but struggles to find the win column with a league-worst seven victories through the first 35 games.

The only bright spot is sophomore forward and top draft prospect Brett Connolly. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Connolly spent the majority of the first half of the season on the shelf with a nagging injury. This is a different team without him in the lineup. Prince George is 17 points back of the last playoff spot and will likely miss the post-season for the second time in three years.

Disappointing player: Cass Mappin, Regina Pats

Just a year ago, Mappin was highly-regarded as a prospect by the NHL's Central Scouting for the draft. He eventually went undrafted, and is now playing for his third team this season. The Red Deer Rebels shipped him to Vancouver early this season, where the Giants subsequently sent him to Regina shortly before the Christmas break.

As a 19-year-old forward, Mappin is running out of time to live up to the potential he once displayed in Red Deer. He has just four goals and 14 points in his first 30 games with three teams and will need a big second half to reclaim some of the attention he received in his draft year.