WHL Notebook | Under new rules, T-bird steps it up

There are few hockey players more articulate than Bretton Stamler, so it's not too surprising he has been one of the first to adjust to the new rules in the Western Hockey League.

The new regulations crack down on hooking, holding and interference, and have already turned several games into power-play contests.

Stamler, a fourth-year defenseman for the Seattle Thunderbirds, has managed to stay out of the penalty box while adding a goal and two assists in Seattle's 1-1-0-1 start to the season.

"The key now is that you really have to keep your feet moving," Stamler said. "If you can't skate, you can't play. And if guys get a step on you, you're really in trouble. You have to keep good position all the time."

The T-birds play their first game inside the U.S. Division at 7:35 p.m. today at KeyArena against the Tri-City Americans. The T-birds then travel Saturday to play in Everett, which is at home tonight against Spokane.

In addition to staying away from penalties, Stamler believes the key for the T-birds is the power play.

"It's really a key part of our game and we know that," Stamler said. "Sometimes we just try to get too fancy and don't get pucks to the net."

Stamler, a 6-foot-1, 207-pound seventh-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2005, said added strength is the key to his improvement.

"I've wanted to score more for a few years, but there were holes in my game I had to fill first," Stamler said. "For me, it's basically getting shots on net when they are there and being willing to join the rush when I can."

Seattle general manager Russ Farwell said hard work has paid off for Stamler, who joined the Thunderbirds when he was 16.

"Stams is probably as focused a guy as we have and he knows it's time for him to step up and impact the game more," Farwell said. "He's really improved his shot and become a bigger force on the power play. He's really made himself into a player."

A native of Beaumont, Alberta, Stamler said the hardest adjustment for him was being willing to do the easiest things.

"Initially when I came into the league I tried to do too much with the puck," he said. "Now I'm more willing to make the simple play. Once you can do that consistently you can elaborate on your game."

Stamler sees power-play success, team success and personal success as a string of dominoes he's determined to topple this season.

"My No. 1 goal is to sign a contract with the Red Wings, and to do that we need to win," Stamler said. "To win we need to improve our special teams."

With Derek Yeomans in net and fellow defensemen Scott Jackson and Thomas Hickey on the blue line, the T-birds won't lack for defense. Scoring will again be the key.

"We have a really good group of guys who can really skate," Stamler said. "With the new rules that's really important."

Notes

• The Kamloops Blazers traded a sixth-round pick to Everett for the rights to 17-year-old GK Chris Ward, and then sent Ward to the Portland Winter Hawks. The deal patched up a failed effort in which Portland traded GK Dustin Butler to Kamloops for GK Kurt Kramer, who decided to quit hockey, and a fifth-round choice.

• Ladislav Scurko, who played two seasons with the T-birds, returns to KeyArena as a member of the Tri-City Americans. Scurko, 20, was traded by Seattle in the offseason.

• Devin Setoguchi, a 2005 first-round pick of the San Jose Sharks, was traded from the Saskatoon Blades to the Prince George Cougars. The Cougars gave up their first-round pick from last season (Stefan Elliott) and their first pick in 2007.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.