The Portage Terriers will be without one of their best players this season as Nick Henry has signed in the WHL. He has opted to pursue an opportunity with the Regina Pats signing an agreement this past week.

The reigning MJHL rookie of the year had 61 pts in 50 games as a 16-year-old last season. Approaching his NHL draft eligible campaign Henry hopes playing in Regina will give him a better chance of being selected. "I think my odds might be a little bit better playing with the players I am going to play with, and under the coaches that I am going to play under this year."

It looks like he will be playing with NHL prospects Sam Steel (30th overall 2016) and Filip Ahl (109th overall 2015). The 5'11" 181 lbs forward says it wasn't an easy decision to leave his hometown team but feels this will be a great opportunity to improve. "I've been talking to their coaches and everything, and the situations they are going to put me in this year, and the linemates I am gonna play with are extremely good players, so I think for the time being it was my best bet for development."

Henry had looked at an opportunity to play for Western Michigan in the NCAA but liked the immediacy of the WHL route. "I'm able to come to the Western League right now, and play in a significant enough role, and I would have to wait probably two years to get into Western Michigan."

The Pats acquired Henry's rights this spring from the Everett Silvertips. Regina starts their season September 23rd.