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Ziemmer returns from L.A. Kings camp, Cats host Portland Winterhawks tonight

Two-game WHL series rekindling memories of spring playoff matchup
Ted Clarke
Cats Koehn Ziemmer Nov.20 2021
The Los Angeles Kings have returned right winger Koehn Ziemmer to the Prince George Cougars just in time for tonight's game at CN Centre against the Portland Winterhawks.Citizen photo by James Doyle/Local Journalism Initiative

He’s back, just in time for a much-anticipated rematch with the Portland Winterhawks.

On Monday, the Prince George Cougars welcomed back one of their top players – Los Angeles Kings draft pick Koehn Ziemmer.

Ziemmer is expected to be in the Cats’ lineup tonight (7 p.m.) at CN Centre when they host the Winterhawks in the first of two back-to-back games against last year’s Western Conference playoff champions.

Ziemmer, who turns 20 on Dec. 8, missed 45 games with the Cougars last year when he broke his leg in a game in November. He rejoined the team in March, just before the playoffs, and helped the Cougars go deep into the postseason, producing 10 points in 15 games before their Winterhawks eliminated them with a double-overtime win at CN Centre in Game 6 of the Western Conference final.

The native of Mayerthorpe, Alta. was drafted by the Kings in the third round (78th overall) in 2023 after an 89-point season in 2022-23. In 23 regular season games last season he had 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points.

Heading into his fifth WHL season, Ziemmer ranks fifth on the all-time Cougar list with 91 career goals. In 183 games he has 189 points.

Ziemmer is the latest Cougar to return to Prince George from an NHL training camp. That list also includes newly appointed captain Riley Heidt (Minnesota Wild), forwards Terik Parascak (Washington Capitals), Hunter Laing (Calgary Flames), Carlin Dezainde (Boston Bruins)  and Borya Valis (Detroit Red Wings), and defencemen Viliam Kmec (Vegas Golden Knights) and Bauer Dumanski (Detroit).

The Winterhawks (4-1-0-0, fifth in West) are coming off a 3-2 win over the Cougars Saturday in Portland. Ryan Miller netted the game-winner with three seconds left in the third period.

This marks the start of a three-game homestand for the Cougars (4-2-1-0, third in West).

The rematch with Portland is set for Wednesday and on Saturday the Cats host the Prince Albert Raiders.

The Raiders will have 19-year-old defenceman Vojtech Vochvest, traded to Prince Albert earlier this week by the Cougars for an eighth round draft pick in 2027.