Chandler Stephenson, finally healthy, helps lead Regina Pats to a division title

There was no denying that Regina Pats sniper Chandler Stephenson was one of the top offensive talents in the Western Hockey League heading into this season. But with the 19-year-old missing 43 games over the course of the past two seasons because of injuries, it was tough to determine where he stood among the league’s top forwards.

“It was frustrating to go through those injuries, but they’re a part of the game,” says Stephenson, whom the Washington Capitals selected 77th overall in the 2012 draft. “I sprained my MCL when I was 17 and last year I had a cut tendon from a skate blade. It was tough to go through, especially injuries like those.”

A full regular-season later, Stephenson has shown what he can do when healthy by finishing 14th in the Dub’s scoring race with 30 goals and 89 points in 69 games.

“It was great to finally be healthy and almost play a full season,” says Stephenson, whose Pats finished second in the Eastern Conference with an East Division title. “I think there are a lot of reasons why I had a good year. I have a lot more experience now, being in my fourth year, and I got to take part in my first full NHL camp last year. I also had good chemistry with Dyson Stevenson and Morgan Klimchuk. They’re good players and we played well together all year.”

In addition to his teammates, the Saskatoon native credits first-year Pats head coach Malcolm Cameron for his stellar season as well as the Queen City Kids as a whole.

“I think the coaching change really helped us a lot,” says Stephenson on Cameron taking over from Pat Conacher, who stepped down to be the director of hockey operations for the AHL’s Utica Comets (Vancouver Canucks affiliate). “He (Cameron) really knows what he’s doing in all three zones and lets us get comfortable out there. He’s helped me become a better two-way player and a better player without the puck. I also think he’s done a great job on building confidence in us.”

Stephenson’s ‘focus’ and ‘ability to control the game’ stands out the most to Pats general manager Chad Lang on why he’s had so much success this season.

“Chandler is a very focused individual with a professional mentality,” says Lang, whose Pats face the Brandon Wheat Kings in the first round of the playoffs. “He has remarkable offensive instincts, and demonstrates superb poise with the puck having the ability to control the pace of the game. His speed and playmaking ability makes him an offensive threat every time he is on the ice, in all situations of the game.”

It goes without saying that the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Stephenson’s strong season played a major role in the Pats clinching the East Division title with a 39-26-4-3 record. He not only led Regina in points, but he also topped the team in plus-minus with a plus-27 rating. Not to mention, he played a vital leadership role in the dressing room.

“I tried to be a leader, being in my fourth year in the league,” says Stephenson. “We have some younger guys that I try to help out because I know what it is like to be in their situation. I’d tell them some tips and just try to give them a pat the back when they had a good game.”

The timing for Stephenson’s big year couldn’t be any better as he has until June 1 to sign an entry-level contract with the Capitals or he will go back into the draft.

“Yeah, I never really thought about that, but it did work itself out,” he says. “My agent is in the works of getting the contract together right now, so it will be nice to get that done.”

Assuming Stephenson doesn’t return to the Dub as an overager next season, he wants to end his major junior career with more than just solid personal stats.

“Since I expect to go pro next year, I want to end this year with a good playoff run,” says Stephenson. “We have a good team and I think we will go on a good run in the playoffs. People were saying we might finish last at the start of the year, but we’ve proved them wrong. And I think we’ll show we’re a real top team in the playoffs."

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen