Opportunity abounds in Portland, Q’s season begins in earnest: the coast-to-coast

Combing all corners of the country and the blogosphere for your junior hockey headlines ...

WHL

This blog's own Scott Sepich talks all things U.S. Division with Seattle Thunderbirds beat man Andy Eide. (The U.S. Division blog)

The absence of 19-year-olds Derrick Pouliot and Seth Jones has created opportunity for some youngsters in Portland, including Nebraska native Ethan Price. (KGW)

Guy Flaming explains why Edmonton Oil Kings goalie Tristan Jarry is the most intriguing draft pick the Pittsburgh Penguins have in their pipeline. (Coming Down The Pipe!)

Was the big playoff Kelowna's Tyson Baillie had last spring a harbinger of what's to come? Well, there are no guarantees in life, but let's give a strong "maybe." (Regan's Rant) Eighteen-year-old D-man Spencer Morse, who played 48 games spread across three seasons in Moose Jaw, is headed to the BCHL's Vernon Vipers. There's an instance where a player should be able to have his NCAA option reinstated if he so desires.

OHL Today's reminder the London Knights' existence is very different from yours and mine: the Budweiser Gardens now has a 791-foot-circumstance ribbon board, just like a NHL arena. (London Free Press)

Draft prospect Robby Fabbri feels buoyed by his stint with Canada's under-18 team last month. (Guelph Mercury)

The Barrie Colts are banking on continuity leading to success on their blueline. (Barrie Examiner)

Overage goalie Chris Festarini will be the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs training camp when the Niagara IceDogs play their season opener. That leaves sophomore Brent Moran as the de facto No. 1 goalie. (St. Catharines Standard)

Peterborough Petes wing Greg Betzold sat out Thursday due to a pinched nerve, but it's not considered a long-term injury. (Peterborough Examiner)

North Bay Battalion coach Stan Butler is girding to part with a pair of overages: "If Barclay Goodrow and Zach Bell can make it to the next level, good for them. That's what we're here for, so I won't be calling teams about if or when they're going to be back." Goodrow is vying to catch on in the Detroit Red Wings farm system, while Bell is bidding to score a pro shot in the Winnipeg Jets system. (North Bay Nugget)

The Windsor Spitfire are counting on rookie Dalen Kuchmey to back up first-year starter Jordan DeKort. (Windsor Star)

QMJHL In the wake of being bought by island interests, the Charlottetown Islanders have increased their season ticket base by more than 60 per cent. Meantime, the Islanders project to be a younger crew than last season. (Charlottetown Guardian)

Willy Palov says the path to the President's Cup goes through eastern Quebec — Baie-Comeau and Rimouski. Steve Turcotte says it's a distinct possibility. (Halifax Chronicle-Herald)

New coach Martin Bernard says he has a "hungry" team in Shawinigan. Every (Le Nouvelliste)

Overage defenceman Dillon Donnelly is glad to be with the Quebec Remparts, playing in the same home rink where his dad Gord was an enforcer for the Nordiques in the 1980s. The Remparts open with a tough test vs. Chicoutimi. (Le Soleil)

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.