Tag: Dave Struch
2020 WJC gold-medal game for less than $27? . . . Nine WHLers to U17 camp. . . . Raiders, Giants draw first blood
Dayna Brons was a blood donor. A selfless quality that quietly epitomized her character by putting others ahead of herself. The world could use more people like her. #HumboldtStrong #GirlOnTheBus #HockeyGivesBlood @BronsCarol @carlyle77 @HumboldtBroncos @CanadasLifeline pic.twitter.com/LBAbijQd32
— Hockey Gives Blood (@hkygivesblood) April 5, 2019
F Andrej Kudrna (Vancouver, Red Deer, 2008-11) has signed a one-year contract extension with Sparta Prague (Czech Republic, Extraliga). This season, he had 11 goals and 14 assists in 52 games.
Tickets for the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship are scheduled to go on sale on April 24. The tournament is to be held in Ostrava and Trinec, Czech Republic, opening on Dec. 26 and concluding on Jan. 5. . . . Ticket prices for the gold-medal game will start at €17.50 — on Friday, Cdn$1 equalled 0.66 Euro; it also equalled 17.07 Czech Koruna. . . . Games will be played in the Ostravar Arena, which has a capacity of 7,800, and the Week Arena in Trinec, with a capacity of 4,200. . . . Ticket prices are the same in both facilities. . . .
From a news release:
"Thanks to the unobstructed sightlines from all seats at both arenas, all tickets are available at a single price level for each game. Tickets for group-stage games are in three price categories — 290 CZK (€11.30), 240 CZK (€9.30) and 140 CZK (€5.40).
"For the same price of 290 CZK (€11.30), tickets to all four quarter-final games will be available in both cities: two in Ostrava and two in Trinec. The last two days of the tournament will take place in Ostrava — the semi-finals and medal games will be played in Ostravar Arena.
"Tickets for both semi-finals will be available for 290 CZK (€11.30), and then fans can watch the bronze-medal game for 350 CZK (€13.60) and the championship final for 450 CZK (€17.50). Tickets for games of the best-of-three relegation series that will also take place at Ostravar Arena will be sold for 90 CZK (€3.50)." . . . About 25 per cent of tickets have been blocked off for the IIHF, teams and media, and for technical purposes. . . .
Tickets will be available online at 2020.worldjuniors.hockey.
In Canadian dollars, a ticket to the gold-medal game will set you back about $26.
The 2019 tournament was held in Victoria and Vancouver. A ticket package for games in Victoria (14 games) started at $399 ($28.50 a game), with a Vancouver package (19 games) starting at $650 ($34.21 a game).
Ticket prices for the 2019 tournament were markedly lower than the 2018 tournament, which was held in Buffalo, and the 2017 event (Montreal/Toronto). Swaths of empty seats at those tournaments resulted in organizers rethinking ticket prices before the 2019 WJC.
(A tip of the Taking Note fedora to Matt Smith — "a long-time reader from Portland who has been living in Prague, Czech Republic, for the past five years" — for steering me to this information. Yes, he will be in attendance at the 2019 WJC "for its entirety.")
There are nine WHLers among the 23 players invited by Hockey Canada to attend a selection camp next week prior to the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship. . . . That tournament will be held in Örnsköldsvik and Umeå, Sweden, from April 18 through April 28. . . . The 23 Canadian players will gather in Kisakallio, Finland, next week for a training camp prior to two pre-tournament games. The camp will run from Monday through Friday, with exhibition games set for April 14 (Belarus, in Umeå) and April 15 (Russia, in Örnsköldsvik). . . .
The camp roster features three goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards. . . . The WHLers invited to camp are G Taylor Gauthier, Prince George Cougars; G Dylan Garand, Kamloops Blazers; D Braden Schneider, Brandon Wheat Kings; D Kaedan Korczak, Kelowna Rockets; D Daemon Hunt, Moose Jaw Warriors; F Brayden Tracey, Moose Jaw; F Dylan Cozens, Lethbridge Hurricanes; F Connor Zary, Kamloops; and F Peyton Krebs, Winnipeg Ice. . . . Dave Struch, the head coach of the Regina Pats, is an assistant coach with the U18 team. . . . Canada hasn't won this tournament since 2013.
The training camp roster is right here.
The Spokane Chiefs have extended the contracts of three members of their hockey staff through the 2020-21 season. . . . Joseph Hurley, the team's athletic trainer and conditioning coach, is finishing up his second season with the Chiefs. He also has worked with the NAHL's Amarillo Bulls, the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and USA Ball Hockey. . . . Chris Baird, the assistant director of hockey operations, began with the Chiefs as a video co-ordinator in 2006-07. He has been in his present full-time position since August 2017. . . . Sports psychologist Jon Hammermeister has been an Eastern Washington U professor since 1999.
D Jared Freadrich of the Portland Winterhawks has signed on with the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears. Freadrich, who doesn't have any junior eligibility remaining, had 15 goals and 33 assists 67 games with Portland this season. . . . He also played with the Regina Pats, Red Deer Rebels and Victoria Royals during a WHL career in which he totalled 38 goals and 93 assists in 263 regular-season games.
D Calen Addison of the Lethbridge Hurricanes will spend the remainder of this season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. Addison, who will turn 19 on Thursday, was a second-round pick by Pittsburgh in the NHL's 2018 draft but has yet to sign with them. . . . This season, his third with Lethbridge, he had 11 goals and 54 assists in 67 games. He added two goals and seven assists in seven playoff games.
D Aaron Hyman, who completed his junior eligibility with the Tri-City Americans this season, has signed with the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings. Hyman, who also played with the Calgary Hitmen, Seattle Thunderbirds and Regina Pats, had 16 goals and 66 assists in 232 career regular-season games. . . . This season, he had 10 goals and 40 assists in 68 games as he started with the Pats and finished with the Americans. . . . Hyman played in back-to-back Memorial Cup tournaments — with Seattle and then Regina.
G Joel Hofer of the Portland Winterhawks will finish his season with the AHL's San Antonio Rampage. Hofer, 18, was a fourth-round pick by the Blues in the NHL's 2018 draft. He started this season with the Swift Current Broncos, before being dealt to Portland. All told, he was 15-29-3, 3.72, .906.
Very proud to have been apart of the turn around over the past few years with the @Blazers_MML, disappointed to see it end like this after a successful season both team wise and individually with so many players moving onto to Jr. A and the WHL.
— Carter Cochrane (@Cochrane_27) April 4, 2019
Chris Murray, a former NHL/WHL player, is the new head coach of the Kamloops-based Thompson Blazers of the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League. Murray, 44, played three seasons with the Kamloops Blazers, helping the team to Memorial Cup titles in 1991 and 1994. He went on to a pro career that included stints with the Montreal Canadiens, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, Ottawa Senators, Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars. . . . A city firefighter in Kamloops these days, Murray just completed his fifth season as a part-time assistant coach with the WHL Blazers. He also was the head coach of the minor midget Blazers. That position will be filled by Crosby Dorais of Kamloops.
USA Hockey named 23 players — two goaltenders, eight defencemen and 13 forwards — to its U-17 team on Friday. These players, all born in 2003, are expected to join USA Hockey's National Team Development Program and compete as the national U-17 team. The NTDP is a two-year residency program based in Plymouth, Mich. . . . The roster includes two players whose WHL rights belong to the Portland Winterhawks, and one who was drafted by the Prince George Cougars. . . . D Ty Murchison of Corona, Calif., played for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings U-16 team. The Winterhawks selected him in the third round of the WHL's 2018 bantam draft. He hasn't signed with them, nor has he made an NCAA commitment. F Chaz Lucius of Grant, Minn., has committed to the U of Minnesota for 2021-22. The Winterhawks selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 bantam draft. This season, Lucius had 39 goals and 23 assists in 13 games with the U-15 team at Gentry Academy in St. Paul, Minn. . . . Prince George selected D Aidan Hreschuk of Long Beach, Calif., in the fifth round of the 2018 bantam draft. He also played for the U16 Los Angeles Jr. Kings. Hreschuk has committed to Boston College for 2021-22. . . .
There are a couple of other players on USA Hockey's U-17 team with WHL connections. . . . F Tyler Boucher of Scottsdale, Ariz., is the son of former Tri-City Americans G Brian Boucher (1994-97). . . . F Colby Saganiuk of Valencia, Pa., is the grandson of Rocky Saganiuk, who played with the Kamloops Chiefs and Lethbridge Broncos (1975-77) and was the head coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 1995-96.
I haven't seen this mentioned. Saskatoon Blades HC Mitch Love was a defenceman when the Everett Silvertips beat Marc Habscheid's Kelowna Rockets in a 7th and deciding game in the Western Conference final in 2004. Habscheid now coaches the Prince Albert Raiders. #tidbit
— Regan Bartel (@Reganrant) April 5, 2019
NOTES: Two second-round series began on Friday night. . . . In Prince Albert, the Raiders got three goals from F Sean Montgomery and a goal and three helpers from F Brett Leason in beating the Saskatoon Blades, 6-1. They'll play Game 2 in Prince Albert on Sunday. The first three games of this series are being televised by Sportsnet. . . . In Langley, B.C., G Trent Miner recorded the shutout as the Vancouver Giants beat the Victoria Royals, 3-0. They'll play again tonight in Langley. . . .
The other two series get going tonight, with the Edmonton Oil Kings — the Edmonton Oilers' logo at centre ice in Rogers Place is gone — playing host to the Calgary Hitmen, and the Spokane Chiefs meeting the Silvertips in Everett.
Welcome to Round 2 #FearTheRoar pic.twitter.com/5a6mew2sc7
— Brad Lauer (@brad_lauer) April 5, 2019
Right-winger @Bleason7 had a goal and three assists tonight for the #PrinceAlbert #Raiders. #WHLPlayoff. #WHL. pic.twitter.com/9UHomTBkpQ
— Darren Steinke (@StanksSports) April 6, 2019
The Prince Albert duo of F Brett Leason and F Sean Montgomery proved too much in the early going as the Raiders beat the visiting Saskatoon Blades in Game 1 of their second-round series. . . . They'll play Game 2 in Prince Albert on Sunday, then head to Saskatoon for games on Tuesday and Wednesday. . . . Montgomery and Leason were in on the Raiders' first three goals. Montgomery scoring twice, with Leason getting a goal and two helpers. Montgomery later completed his first career WHL hat trick. . . . Montgomery (2) gave the home boys a 1-0 lead at 3:47 of the first period. . . . Saskatoon F Chase Wouters (2) tied it at 5:24. . . . Leason (3) broke the tie at 12:07, and Montgomery (3) upped the lead to 3-1 at 11:39 of the second period. . . . The Raiders went ahead 4-1 when F Parker Kelly (2) scored at 17:42. . . . Montgomery (4) completed his hat trick at 5:51 of the third period, on a PP. . . . Montgomery's first hat trick came in his 362nd career game — 345 in the regular season and 17 playoff games. . . . It also was Prince Albert's first three-goal playoff game since F Milan Kraft did it on March 30, 2000. On that night, Kraft scored the game's last three goals, two of them via the PP, as the Raiders won, 3-2, in Swift Current. F Layne Ulmer had both Swift Current goals. That was Game 1 in a first-round series that the Broncos won, 4-2. . . . Kelly (3) gave the Raiders a 6-1 lead on a PP at 13:40, with Leason earning his third assist, and fourth point, of the night. . . . The Raiders were 2-6 on the PP; the Blades were 0-2. . . . G Ian Scott stopped 23 shots for Prince Albert. He is 5-0, 1.60, .925 in these playoffs. . . . Saskatoon G Nolan Maier was beaten five times on 36 shots in 47:04. Koen MacInnes came on in relief to make his WHL debut with the Blades trailing, 5-1. He gave up one goal on three shots. . . . G Dorrin Luding (undisclosed) was among Saskatoon's scratches. MacInnes, 17, was dressed as Maier's backup. MacInnes, from Burnaby, B.C., was a second-round pick in the 2017 bantam draft. He played this season for the Burnaby Winter Club's prep team.
G Trent Miner turned aside 15 shots to help the Vancouver Giants to a 3-0 victory over the Victoria Royals in Langley, B.C. . . . They'll play Game 2 tonight in Langley. . . . Games 3 and 4 are scheduled for Victoria on Tuesday and Thursday. . . . F Davis Koch (2) gave the Giants a 1-0 lead at 13:44 of the first period, on a PP. . . . Koch, who had a goal and nine assists in the first round, now leads the WHL's playoff points race, with 11. . . . The Giants went ahead 2-0 at 5:50 of the third period as F Jared Dmytriw (2) scored. . . . F Dawson Holt (2) made it 3-0 with an empty-netter at 18:12. . . . Dmytriw also had an assist, while D Bowen Byram had two. . . . Vancouver was 1-3 on the PP; Victoria was 0-3. . . . Miner, who turned 18 on Feb. 5, was 24-5-2, 1.98, .924, with three shutouts, in the regular season. In the playoffs, he is 3-1, 1.51, .938 as he shares time with David Tendeck. . . . The Royals got 25 saves from G Griffen Outhouse. . . . Vancouver F Justin Sourdif played for the first time since he was injured late in Game 1 of a first-round series with the Seattle Thunderbirds. . . . As expected, the Giants scratched F Aidan Barfoot. He was injured in Game 4 against Seattle. . . . F Kody McDonald (suspended) and F Kade Oliver (shoulder) were among Victoria's scratches. Oliver's season is over.
A year ago tonight, 29 families crawled into their beds not knowing that it would be their last night with their family member.
Hug yours while you can. Hold them close for an extra moment. We'd give anything for just one more moment with them.
— Just Deb Darlin' (@DebbieJayneC) April 6, 2019
Author greggdrinnanPosted on April 5, 2019 April 7, 2019 Tags Aaron Hyman, Aidan Hreschuk, Andrej Kudrna, Braden Schneider, Brandon Wheat Kings, Brayden Tracey, Brett Leason, Calen Addison, Chaz Lucius, Chris Baird, Chris Murray, Colby Saganiuk, Connor Zary, Crosby Dorais, Daemon Hunt, Dave Struch, Davis Koch, Dylan Cozens, Dylan Garand, Jared Freadrich, Joel Hofer, Jon Hammermeister, Joseph Hurley, Kaedan Korczak, Kamloops Blazers, Kelowna Rockets, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Moose Jaw Warriors, Peyton Krebs, Portland Winterhawks, Prince Albert Raiders, Prince George Cougars, Regina Pats, Sean Montgomery, Spokane Chiefs, Taylor Gauthier, Thompson Blazers, Trent Miner, Tri-City Americans, Ty Murchison, Tyler Boucher, Vancouver Giants, Winnipeg IceLeave a comment on 2020 WJC gold-medal game for less than $27? . . . Nine WHLers to U17 camp. . . . Raiders, Giants draw first blood
Ice acquires Savoie, the elder. . . . WHL firms up a pair of indefinite suspensions. . . . Minor illness keeps Byram off ice
So here's the scoop on Craig Cunningham carving up the ice…the person who builds Craig's prosthetic legs made this…he took the Tuuk carrier/blade and created a prosthetic skate! @pomooldtimers he's playing on my wing next season okay? pic.twitter.com/f05fFPRJ0I
— JAY JANOWER (@JayJanower) April 3, 2019
F Travis Ewanyk (Edmonton, 2008-13) has signed a one-year contract extension with Krefeld Pinguine (Germany, DEL). This season, he had two goals and five assists in 40 games. . . .
G Ville Kolppanen (Lethbridge, 2009-10) has signed a one-year-plus-option year contract with Ilves Tampere (Finland, Liiga). This season, with Rögle Ängelholm (Sweden, SEL), he was 6-10-1, 2.30, .916 in 18 games as the backup to Just Pogge (Prince George, Calgary, 2003-06). . . .
F Richard Mueller (Brandon, Saskatoon, Calgary, 1998-2003) has signed a one-year contract extension with the Kassel Huskies (Germany, DEL2). An alternate captain this season he had 26 goals and 25 assists in 52 games. He led the Huskies in goals, assists and points. Next season will be his 16th in Germany. . . .
D Jonathan Harty (Everett, 2004-08) has signed a one-year contract extension with Fehérvár AV19 Székesfehérvár (Hungary, Erste Bank Liga). This season, he had five goals and 13 assists in 52 games.
The Winnipeg Ice has acquired the WHL rights to F Carter Savoie, who turned 17 on Jan. 23, from the Regina Pats in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2019 bantam draft and conditional second- and third-round picks — the year or years undisclosed.
Those conditional picks will depend on if/when Savoie should sign with the Ice.
This has led to speculation that the Ice will select F Matt Savoie, Carter's younger brother, with the first pick of the 2019 draft when it is held in Red Deer on May 2. The Ice also holds the ninth selection in the first round.
The Savoie brothers are from St. Albert, Alta., and both have committed to the U of Denver, Carter for the 2020-21 season and Matt, who turned 15 on Jan. 1, for 2021-22.
The Pats selected Carter in the ninth round of the 2017 bantam draft. He is playing with the AJHL's Sherwood Park Crusaders, having put up 31 goals and 42 assists in 58 regular-season games. The Crusaders are alive in the playoffs, and he has two goals and eight assists in 10 games.
Matt played this season with the Northern Alberta X-Treme prep team, scoring 31 goals and adding 40 assists in 31 games. In five playoff games, he had three goals and nine assists.
The Savoie family applied to Hockey Canada during the season in the hopes of gaining exceptional status for Matt, something that would allow him to spend 2019-20 on a WHL roster. Under present rules, a 15-year-old player is limited to five games — except under emergency conditions — while his club team's season is alive. Although there has yet to be an official announcement from Hockey Canada, there have been reports that the family's request has been denied.
Matt Cockell, the president and general manager of the Winnipeg Ice — formerly the Kootenay Ice — did a question-and-answer session with the Winnipeg Sun's Ted Wyman the other day. . . . Patti Dawn Swansson, who blogs as The River City Renegade, spent a goodly number of years covering junior and pro hockey in Winnipeg so is quite familiar with the puck scene in the Manitoba capital. She responded to one of Cockell's answers at her blog.
At one point, Cockell told Wyman: "At the end of the day, the passion for hockey is really what's exciting about Winnipeg. When you look across Canada, there really isn't another city that embraces hockey the way Winnipeg does. We really believe it's the hockey capital of Canada."
To which, Swansson wrote: "Whoa boy. Let's not lose sight of the fact that Good Ol' Hometown has already let one NHL franchise get away (no, it wasn't Gary Bettman's fault) and two Western Hockey League outfits. Pegtown is the 'hockey capital of Canada' like Pierre's boy Justin is a man of all the people. And that's coming from someone born and raised in River City, someone who recalls seeing a lot of empty seats in the old barn on Maroons Road. Yes, I realize that Cockell is going to say all the right things in order to sell his freshly minted WHL franchise to the rabble, but I'm not sure that faux flattery is the way to go about it. Peggers are hockey wise, they aren't rubes."
Wyman's complete 21 questions with Cockell is right here.
If you are/were an Ice fan, who lives in the Cranbrook area, you shouldn't read this. It might be bad for your health, especially the part where Cockell responds to a question about "what do you say to the hockey fans of Cranbrook?"
Cockell's response: "We've had a lot of dialogue with them. I lived there right through to our last game. What our message has been in dialogue is that everybody did everything they possibly could, including the business community in Cranbrook, the fans in that community and our ownership group. We did everything we could to see if there was a sustainable opportunity there. It's unfortunate that we weren't able to get there, but at the end of the day we made a decision and we tried to be as honest as we could. It's hard and yet, we need to focus now on what we're doing moving forward and that's really exciting."
Some of that will be news to the Green Bay Committee, won't it?
Chances are that F Logan Barlage of the Lethbridge Hurricanes will miss a game or two when the 2019-20 season opens, thanks to the slashing major and game misconduct that he was hit with as Tuesday's game with the visiting Calgary Hitmen came to a close. . . . Barlage slashed Calgary F Carson Focht, who scored twice in Calgary's 4-2 victory in Game 7 of the first-round series. . . . If you watch the video in the tweet below, you also will see the Lethbridge right winger break the stick of the Calgary left winger with a slash.
With one second left in regulation, Lethbridge's Logan Barlage was given a 5 minute major and GM for his slash off the faceoff on Calgary's Carson Focht. pic.twitter.com/n57zf1nLpu
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) April 3, 2019
F Parker AuCoin, who played out his junior eligibility with the Tri-City Americans this season, has signed on with the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears. This season, he had 42 goals and 42 assists in 68 games with the Americans. . . . In 262 regular-season WHL games over four seasons, he has 88 goals and 92 assists. . . . From St. Albert, Alta., he was the 15th-overall pick in the WHL's 2013 bantam draft.
Dave Struch, the head coach of the Regina Pats, will be an assistant coach with the Canadian team that will compete in the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship in Örnsköldsvik and Umeå, Sweden, April 18 through 28. . . . Brett Gibson, the head coach at Queen's U for 13 seasons, will be the U18 team's head coach. . . . The other assistant coach will be Serge Aubin, who most recently was the head coach of the ZSC Lions in Switzerland's NL A. . . . Adam Brown of the Kelowna Rockets will be the U18 team's goaltending consultant.
Talk about a changing of the guard in the WHL. Only two teams that made last year's second round — Everett and Victoria — advanced this year. Brandon, Lethbridge, MJ, Swift, Tri and Portland either didn't make the playoffs or didn't win a series. Junior hockey, folks. #WHL
— Perry Bergson (@PerryBergson) April 3, 2019
NOTES: The Victoria Royals will be without F Kody McDonald for the first four games of their second-round series with the Vancouver Giants. McDonald had been under an indefinite suspension after being hit with a match penalty for a stick-swinging incident during Game 4 of their first-round series against the Blazers in Kamloops on March 27. The WHL announced Wednesday that the suspension has been set at six games. He has four games remaining on it. . . .
The WHL also announced that the indefinite suspension to F Sean Richards of the Seattle Thunderbirds has been set at eight games. He took a checking-from-behind major and game misconduct for a hit on Vancouver F Aidan Barfoot in Game 4 of their first-round series on March 27. Richards, 20, missed the last two games of the series, so has six games remaining. He doesn't have any junior eligibility remaining. According to the WHL, Richards "will be required to serve the remaining six games of his suspension during the 2019-20 season should he continue his playing career." . . .
Barfoot hasn't played since being hit by Richards and isn't expected back for the early part of the Giants' second-round series. They open against the Victoria Royals with games in Langley, B.C., on Friday and Saturday. . . . Steve Ewen of Postmedia reported Wednesday that Vancouver D Bowen Byram didn't skate for a second straight day. "GM Barclay Parneta says it is minor illness" and that Byram is expected to practice today and play Friday. . . . Giants F Yannik Valenti also didn't skate Wednesday. . . .
Sportsnet will televise the first three games of the second-round series between the Prince Albert Raiders and Saskatoon Blades. . . . Games 1 and 2 are set for Friday (7 p.m. CST) and Sunday in Prince Albert (6 p.m. CST), with Game 3 in Saskatoon on Tuesday (7 p.m. CST). . . .
The Spokane Chiefs have added D Luke Gallagher, 18, to their roster as an AP. Gallagher, 18, had two assists in 22 games with the Chiefs earlier in the season. From Mead, Wash., he joined the BCHL's Trail Smoke Eaters in January, and recorded seven assists in 15 regular-season games and one in 12 playoff games.
Author greggdrinnanPosted on April 3, 2019 April 3, 2019 Tags Adam Brown, Bowen Byram, Carter Savoie, Dave Struch, Jonathan Harty, Kelowna Rockets, Kody McDonald, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Logan Barlage, Luke Gallagher, Matt Cockell, Matt Savoie, Parker AuCoin, Patti Dawn Swansson, Regina Pats, Richard Mueller, Sean Richards, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, Steve Ewen, Ted Wyman, Travis Ewanyk, Tri-City Americans, Victoria Royals, Ville Kolppanen, Winnipeg IceLeave a comment on Ice acquires Savoie, the elder. . . . WHL firms up a pair of indefinite suspensions. . . . Minor illness keeps Byram off ice
Two more WHL teams introduce new head coaches . . . Dyck, Struch take reins . . . At least eight clubs make change
F Parker Bowles (Tri-City, 2011-16) signed a one-year contract with Lillehammer (Norway, GET-Ligaen). Last season, with the Tilburg Trappers (Netherlands, Germany Oberliga), he had 29 goals and 37 assists in 44 games. He led the Trappers in goals and points. . . .
F Colin Smith (Kamloops, 2008-13) signed a one-year contract with Eisbären Berlin (Germany, DEL). Last season, he had five goals and 13 assists in 35 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), and four goals and 13 assists in 24 games with the Stockton Heat (AHL). . . .
F Brendan Ranford (Kamloops, 2007-13) signed a one-year contract with Eisbären Berlin (Germany, DEL). Last season, with the San Antonio Rampage (AHL), he had four goals and 15 assists in 57 games.
I was going to write something about the CHL's 2018 import draft, but it would only be repeating what already is out there. So I'm watching the Angels and Red Sox instead. . . . Each of the WHL teams that took part issued a news release, and there is a pick-by-pick look on the WHL website.
The Vancouver Giants introduced Michael Dyck as their new head coach on Thursday. Dyck replaces Jason McKee, who was fired by incoming general manager Barclay Parneta on June 15. . . . McKee had been the head coach for two seasons. . . . Deck, 49, is familiar with the Giants organization. He was an assistant coach for three seasons (2002-05), then scouted for them and worked as their director of player development (2010-12). His coaching career includes four seasons (2006-09) as head coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes. . . . He also has coached with the Medicine Hat Tigers. . . . He has been coaching minor hockey in Lethbridge of late. Last season, he took the midget AAA Hurricanes to a league championship. In 2015-16, he coached the bantam AAA Golden Hawks, including Giants D Bowen Byram, to a league title. . . . A defenceman in his playing days, he skated for the Calgary Wranglers, Brandon Wheat Kings and Regina Pats during a four-season (1985-89) career. . . . Steve Ewen of Postmedia has more right here.
As expected, the Regina Pats have promoted Dave Struch to head coach, with John Paddock moving away from the coaching game to focus on being the club's general manager. Struch, who has been with the Pats through four seasons, had been the assistant GM and assistant coach. Now he has assistant GM and head coach. . . . When the Queen City Sports and Entertainment Group purchased the Pats in 2014, Struch was a finalist for the coaching job that went to Paddock. . . . Brad Herauf will remain on staff as Struch's lead assistant coach. . . . Paddock, Struch and Herauf signed four-year extensions in January. . . . Struch joined the Pats after eight seasons with the Saskatoon Blades, the last one as head coach. He was fired following the 2013-14 season when he got caught up in an ownership change. . . . Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post has more right here.
If nothing changes between now and late August when training camps open, eight of the WHL's 22 teams will have different head coaches from the end of last season.
The Calgary Hitmen and Tri-City Americans are the teams without head coaches at the moment.
The Hitmen are looking for a replacement for Dallas Ferguson, who cited family reasons in resigning earlier this week after one season there.
Mike Williamson, the fifth-winningest regular-season coach in WHL history, left the Americans after four seasons.
The Vancouver Giants and Regina Pats named new head coaches on Thursday.
Prior to that, the Edmonton Oil Kings (Brad Lauer), Kamloops Blazers (Serge Lajoie), Saskatoon Blades (Mitch Love) and Swift Current Broncos (Dean Brockman) all named new head coaches.
Mark LeRose, a former Everett Silvertips assistant coach, is a free agent after choosing not to re-sign as the general manager of the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers. . . . LeRose, 48, spent two seasons (2007-09) with the Silvertips, then returned to them for 2013-14. . . . He has been the Musketeers' general manager for the past four seasons. . . . In a DM to Taking Note on Thursday, he wrote: "I did not re-sign as the general manager of the Sioux City Musketeers. I am officially a hockey GM/coach/scout free agent."
I don't know why anyone is surprised by Tavares meeting with all these teams. It's the same thing that happens in minor hockey in Toronto when kids are 9 years old.
— Gerry Dee (@gerrydee) June 27, 2018
Author greggdrinnanPosted on June 28, 2018 Tags Brendan Ranford, Colin Smith, Dave Struch, Greg Harder, Mark LeRose, Michael Dyck, Parker Bowles, Regina Pats, Steve Ewen, Vancouver GiantsLeave a comment on Two more WHL teams introduce new head coaches . . . Dyck, Struch take reins . . . At least eight clubs make change
Blades have their new coach . . . Capitals have WHL flavour, too . . . Giants sign first-round pick
F Taylor Vause (Swift Current, 2007-12) signed a one-year contract extension with the Vienna Capitals (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). This season, he had 13 goals and 25 assists in 53 games. . . .
F Kevin King (Kootenay, 2006-11) signed a one-year contract with the Guildford Flames (England, UK Elite). This season, with the Milton Keynes Lightning (England, UK Elite), he had 28 goals and 34 assists in 55 games. The team captain, he led the Lightning in goals and was second in points. . . .
F Tyler Redenbach (Prince George, Swift Current, Lethbridge, 2001-05) signed a one-year extension with Liberec (Czech Republic, Extraliga). He started this season with Tappara Tampere (Finland, Liiga), scoring once in 10 games. He signed with Liberec on Oct. 13 and finished with 12 goals and nine assists in 42 games.
The Saskatoon Blades are expected to introduce Mitch Love as their new head coach at a news conference this afternoon (Wednesday).
Love, who had been assistant to the general manager/assistant coach with the Everett Silvertips, replaced Dean Brockman in Saskatoon. Brockman had spent four seasons with Saskatoon, two as an assistant coach and the last two as head coach.
Love, 33, is from Quesnel, B.C. A hard-nosed defenceman, he played with the Moose Jaw Warriors, Swift Current Broncos and the Silvertips (2000-05). He was the Everett captain in his last of two seasons there and is one of the most popular players in that franchise's history.
He went on to a six-season pro career, playing in the AHL, ECHL and CHL, before starting his coaching career in Everett. Love just completed his seventh season as an assistant with the Silvertips. He twice has coached Canadian teams at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge.
The Blades interviewed Love during the WHL playoffs with the Silvertips involved in a second-round series with the Portland Winterhawks. Following the second game of that series there was a two-day break. A source has told Taking Note that Love met with Blades' management at Vancouver International Airport.
The Blades have missed the playoffs for five straight seasons. In fact, the last time they advanced past the second round was in 1994-95. They have missed the playoffs 11 times since that season.
Harley Love, Mitch's father, is one of the Blades' B.C. scouts.
The Edmonton Oil Kings, Kamloops Blazers and Swift Current Broncos now are the only WHL teams looking to hire head coaches.
The Oil Kings fired Steve Hamilton, their head coach for the past four seasons, on Monday.
The Blazers are looking for a replacement for Don Hay, the winningest coach in WHL regular-season and playoff history, who moved into an advisory role after four seasons as head coach.
Manny Viveiros, who guided Swift Current to the WHL championship earlier in the month, left the Broncos on Friday and now is an assistant coach with the NHL's Edmonton Oilers.
Might the Regina Pats make a coaching change before the 2018-19 season gets here? Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post reports that John Paddock, the Pats' general manager and head coach, is expected to step aside as head coach at some point this summer. Paddock, 63, would then focus on his duties as general manager, allowing Dave Struch, the assistant GM/assistant coach, to take over as head coach. . . . Paddock and Struch, a former head coach of the Saskatoon Blades, have worked together through four seasons with the Pats. . . . Harder's story is right here.
A few days ago, I wrote about the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights and the number of men with NHL ties, not including players, who are involved with the team.
I was remiss in not doing the same thing with the Washington Capitals, who have some serious WHL connections as they meet the Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup final.
At a glance, here are the men with WHL ties who are involved off the the ice with the Capitals:
Ross Mahoney, assistant general manager — Mahoney, 61, spent two seasons (1993-95) as an assistant coach with the Regina Pats. He then spent three seasons as an amateur scout with the Buffalo Sabres, before moving on to the Capitals. Mahoney is in his 18th season with Washington — 14 as director of amateur scouting and the last four as AGM. . . . Did you know: Mahoney was the leading hitter — he hit .636 — and all-star right field in helping the Melville, Sask., Elks win the 1973 Canadian midget baseball championship.
Barry Trotz, head coach — Trotz, 55, was a defenceman for three seasons (1979-82) with the Regina Pats. He played in the 1980 Memorial Cup with the WHL-champion Pats. Trotz is in his fourth season as Washington's head coach, after spending 15 seasons as head coach of the Nashville Predators. . . . Did you know: Trotz played his 20-year-old season in his hometown of Dauphin, Man., with the Kings of the MJHL. They won the MJHL title and the ANAVET Cup that season.
Lane Lambert, assistant coach — Lambert, 53, is from Melfort, Sask. He played in the WHL with the Swift Current Broncos (1980-81) and Saskatoon Blades (1981-83). He put up 233 points, including 104 goals, in 136 regular-season games. . . . He went on to a pro career that included 283 regular-season NHL games. . . . Lambert started his coaching career as an assistant coach with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors in 2002-03. He took over as head coach of the Prince George Cougars during the 2003-04 season, and also spent 2004-05 there. . . . He was an assistant coach under Barry Krotz in Nashville (2011-14) and is in his fourth season with Washington. . . . Did you know: As a player, Lambert won playoff championships in the IHL (Houston Aeros), AHL (Adirondack Red Wings) and the NLB in Switzerland (HC Ajoie).
Olie Kolzig, professional development coach — Kolzig, 48, played goal in the WHL with the New Westminster Bruins and Tri-City Americans (1987-90). . . . He scored a goal for the Americans on Nov. 29, 1989, the first WHL goaltender to manage that feat. . . . Kolzig's pro career included 10-plus seasons with the Capitals, with whom he won the Vezina Trophy and was named to the first all-star team for the 1999-2000 season. . . . Kolzig has owned a piece of the Tri-City franchise since 2004-05. . . . Did you know: Kolzig's number (33) has been retired by the Americans.
Jason Fitzsimmons, pro scout/minor league operations — Fitzsimmons, 46, is from Regina. A goaltender, he played three seasons (1989-92) with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors. . . . He played professionally for six seasons, in the AHL and ECHL, finishing up with the South Carolina Stingrays in 1997-98. . . . He transitioned to coaching with the Stingrays and spent nine more seasons there, the last five as head coach. . . . He joined the Capitals as a pro scout in 2007-08, then added the director of minor league operations to his duties prior to 2016-17. . . . Did you know: Fitzsimmons stepped down as the Stingrays' head coach after the 2006-07 season and was succeeded by Jared Bednar, who now is head coach of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche.
Brian Sutherby, scout — Sutherby, 36, is from Edmonton. He played four seasons (1998-2002) with the Moose Jaw Warriors, and was a first-round selection by Washington in the NHL's 2000 draft. He went on to play 460 regular-season NHL games, splitting them between the Capitals, Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars. He is in his third season on the Washington scouting staff. . . . Did you know: Sutherby retired after playing 25 games with the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters. He finished as the team captain, taking over after Bryan Lerg suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Alan May, TV analyst — May, now 53, played one season (1985-86) in the WHL — six games with the Medicine Hat Tigers and 32 with the New Westminster Bruins. . . . In a 393-game NHL career, May compiled 1,348 penalty minutes. . . . He now works as an analyst for NBC Sports Washington, where he has been since 2009. . . . Did you know: In 1984-85, May played in 64 games with the SJHL's Estevan Bruins. In 64 games, he had 51 goals, 47 assists and, yes, 409 penalty minutes.
The Vancouver Giants have signed F Zack Ostapchuk, their first-round selection in the WHL's 2018 bantam draft. Ostapchuk, who turned 15 on Tuesday, is from St. Albert, Alta. He was the 12th overall pick in the draft. . . . This season, he had 24 goals and 21 assists in 30 games with the Northern Alberta Xtreme bantam prep team.
WHL teams that have signed 2018 first-round bantam draft selections:
1 Edmonton — F Dylan Guenther.
2. Kootenay — D Carson Lambos.
3. Prince Albert — D Nolan Allan.
4. Calgary — F Sean Tschigerl.
6. Saskatoon — F Colton Dach.
8. Lethbridge — F Zack Stringer.
12. Vancouver — F Zack Ostapchuk.
14. Tri-City — D Marc Lajoie.
17. Spokane — D Graham Sward.
20. Edmonton — D Keegan Slaney.
The WHL teams that have yet to sign their 2018 first-round bantam draft selections:
5. Kamloops — F Logan Stankoven.
7. Red Deer — F Jayden Grubbe.
9. Prince George — F Craig Armstrong.
10. Seattle — F Kai Uchacz.
11. Medicine Hat — F Cole Sillinger.
13. Victoria — D Nolan Bentham.
15. Brandon — F Jake Chiasson.
16. Red Deer — D Kyle Masters.
18. Kelowna — F Trevor Wong.
19. Portland — F Gabe Klassen.
21. Prince George — G Tyler Brennan.
22. Moose Jaw — F Eric Alarie.
The Tri-City Americans have signed F Booker Daniel to a WHL contract. He will turn 17 on Aug. 13. From Vanderhoof, B.C., Daniel spent this season with the major midget Kootenay Ice. He had 16 goals and 15 assists in 26 games with the Ice.
Chris Johnston is the new head coach of the midget AAA Brandon Wheat Kings. He spent the past two seasons as an assistant to head coach Tyson Ramsey. . . . Johnston, 43, played five seasons (1990-95) in the WHL, splitting time with his hometown Wheat Kings, the Red Deer Rebels and Regina Pats.
Mike Hastings, the head coach at Minnesota State-Mankato, has been named the head coach of USA Hockey's national junior team. He takes over from David Quinn, who left Boston U earlier this month and now is head coach of the NHL's New York Rangers. . . . Quinn had been named the national junior team's head coach on April 20. Hastings had been selected as an assistant coach. . . . Scott Sandelin, the head coach at Minnesota-Duluth, has been added to Team USA as an assistant coach, joining David Lassonde, the associate head coach at Dartmouth, and Steve Miller, the associate head coach at Ohio State. . . . The 2019 World Junior Championship is scheduled for Vancouver and Victoria, running from Dec. 26, 2018, through Jan. 5, 2019.
"A medical consultant to the National Hockey League Players' Association has testified under oath that a top NHL lawyer watered down a warning to players about the long-term dangers of repeated head trauma on a poster displayed in every NHL team dressing room," writes Rick Westhead, TSN's senior correspondent, in the second of a five-part series that has been headlined NHL Under Oath. . . . The complete story is right here. . . . Meanwhile, the Toronto Star offered up this editorial right here.
When the #BCLions crash the local aquafit class 🕺🏽🎉🎊#camplife #kamloops #myTRU @Thompsonriversu @cfl pic.twitter.com/ehf0lERroc
— BC Lions (@BCLions) May 29, 2018
Author greggdrinnanPosted on May 29, 2018 May 29, 2018 Tags Alan May, Barry Trotz, Booker Daniel, Brian Sutherby, Chris Johnston, Dave Struch, Greg Harder, Jason Fitzsimmons, John Paddock, Kevin King, Lane Lambert, Mike Hastings, Mitch Love, Olie Kolzig, Regina Pats, Rick Westhead, Ross Mahoney, Saskatoon Blades, Taylor Vause, Tri-City Americans, Tyler Redenbach, USA Hockey, Vancouver Giants, Washington Capitals, Zack OstapchukLeave a comment on Blades have their new coach . . . Capitals have WHL flavour, too . . . Giants sign first-round pick
Wheaties manage to beat Raiders . . . Hurricanes blow away Ice . . . Kambeitz breaks Giants' hearts
Some of the very well done posters by Claresholm, Ab., school children welcoming @BladesHockey to their community. #communityspirit pic.twitter.com/p5sRUo7Yc9
Thanks @BladesHockey for stopping in to skate @ #Claresholm Arena! It was great to see you! @chip77757 @local_press #hockey pic.twitter.com/1MPIqYww6T
— Town of Claresholm (@ClaresholmTown) February 18, 2018
A LITTLE OF THIS . . .
Sillinger is getting his sticks ready. Doug Sauter is watching over things. It feels like the 80's at the Brandt Centre this afternoon. @WHLPats pic.twitter.com/rfcGWNl3Vg
— Mitchell Blair (@scruffyregina) February 17, 2018
A number of former NHLers, including Hockey Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier, were in Regina for the All-Star Celebrity Classic on Saturday.
During the lead-up to the game, Dave Struch, the Regina Pats' assistant GM and assistant coach, came face-to-face with Trottier for perhaps the second time in their lives.
The first time? That was during Struch's four-game NHL career.
Struch relived that first meeting with Rob Vanstone of the Regina Leader-Post, and it's all right here. Hey, there might even be a coaching lesson buried in here somewhere, courtesy of Dave King.
If you have a tip or just want to chat, email me at greggdrinnan@gmail.com. You are able to follow me on Twitter at @gdrinnan.
IF THE PLAYOFFS OPENED TODAY …
Saskatoon at Moose Jaw
Regina at Medicine Hat
Brandon at Swift Current
Red Deer at Lethbridge
Seattle at Everett
Tri-City at Kelowna
Spokane at Portland
Vancouver at Victoria
8:37 left at the media timeout.
Bdn leads 4-2, but trails on the shot clock 37-11. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like this before.#BWK #BDNMB #WHL #BDNvPA
— Perry Bergson (@PerryBergson) February 18, 2018
At Brandon, the Wheat Kings opened up a 3-0 first-period lead and, despite being badly outshot, beat the Prince Albert Raiders, 4-3. . . . Brandon (31-22-5) had lost its previous three games, including a 5-2 setback in Prince Albert on Friday. It moved back into third in the East Division, one point ahead of Regina. . . . Prince Albert (23-24-11) is four points behind Saskatoon, which holds down the Eastern Conference's second wild-card spot. . . . Brandon is 3-2-0 in the season series; the Raiders are 2-2-1. . . . F Ty Lewis gave the home side a 1-0 lead 26 seconds into the first period. F Marcus Sekundiak (3) made it 2-0 at 2:40, and D Ty Ettinger (2) upped it to 3-0 at 14:31. . . . The Raiders got the only two goals of the second period, both on the PP, from F Jordy Stallard (38), who is from Brandon, at 9:35, and F Brett Leason (11), at 10:47. . . . The Raiders outshot the Wheat Kings 15-5 in the first period and 16-4 in the second, but went into the third period trailing 3-2. . . . Brandon stretched the lead to 4-2 when F Rylan Bettens (5) scored at 2:15 of the third. . . . F Spencer Moe (8) cut the Raiders' deficit to one at 13:39. . . . The Raiders got two assists from F Kody McDonald. . . . Prince Albert was 2-5 on the PP; Brandon was 0-4. . . . G Logan Thompson stopped 39 shots in earning the victory. . . . Curtis Meger started for the Raiders and gave up four goals on 10 shots in 42:15. Ian Scott came on to stop the three shots he faced in 16:14. . . . The Wheat Kings again were without F Stelio Mattheos, but also scratched D Chase Hartje, D Daniel Bukac and F Linden McCorrister (all ill). . . . Announced attendance: 3,826.
At Lethbridge, the Hurricanes erased an early 2-0 deficit and went on to defeat the Kootenay Ice, 5-2. . . . Lethbridge (28-24-6) has won two in a row. It is second in the Central Division, three points behind Medicine Hat. . . . Kootenay (25-32-3) is tied with Red Deer (20-26-13) for third in the Central Division, with the Rebels having a game in hand. The Ice has five more victories, but Red Deer's loser points leaves it with a higher points percentage — .449 to .442. . . . The Ice and Hurricanes will meet this afternoon in Cranbrook. Each team will be playing its third game in fewer than 48 hours. . . . Lethbridge is 5-1-0 in the season series; Kootenay is 1-5-0. . . . The Ice led 2-0 on first-period goals from F Cameron Hausinger (18), at 2:57, and F Gillian Kohler (5), on a PP, at 5:04. . . . F Dylan Cozens (18) started Lethbridge's comeback at 13:17, and F Brad Morrison (22) tied it, on a PP, at 15:41. . . . F Jordy Bellerive put the Hurricanes in front with 18.7 seconds left in the second period, on a PP. Bellerive had left the game briefly at 17:03 after taking a knee from Ice D Martin Bodak, who was tossed with a major and game misconduct. . . . F Jadon Joseph (7) upped the lead to 4-2 at 14:44 of the third period. . . . Bellerive (41) added an empty-netter at 19:59. . . . F Brett Davis had two assists for Kootenay. . . . Lethbridge was 2-5 on the PP; Kootenay was 1-7. . . . The Hurricanes got 29 saves from G Logan Flodell. . . . G Matt Berlin stopped 37 shots for the Ice. . . . Announced attendance: 3,680.
Gawdin knots it up with a wrist shot off the rush and the Broncos fans in the building erupt. Louder than when Jevne scored actually #shocker
— Ryan McCracken (@MHNMcCracken) February 18, 2018
At Medicine Hat, F Ryan Jevne's OT goal gave the Tigers a 4-3 victory over the Swift Current Broncos. . . . Medicine Hat (29-24-7) had lost its previous two games. It leads the Central Division by three points over Lethbridge. . . . Swift Current (42-13-5) has points in seven straight (6-0-1) and now is tied with Moose Jaw atop the overall standings. The Warriors hold four games in hand. . . . One night earlier, the Broncos beat the visiting Tigers, 6-2. . . . The Broncos won the season series, 3-0-1; the Tigers were 1-3-0. . . . Earlier, Jevne gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead, on a PP, at 17:18 of the first period. . . . The Broncos went ahead 3-1 on goals from F Glenn Gawdin (51), at 3:35 of the second period; F Aleksi Heponiemi (25), at 4:01 of the third; and D Artyom Minulin (12), at 6:14. . . . The Tigers got to within a goal when F Bryan Lockner (11) scored at 9:21, then tied it when F Elijah Brown (6) scored at 15:00. . . . Jevne won it with his 16th goal, at 3:07 of extra time. . . . The Tigers got two assists from F Mark Rassell. . . . Heponiemi had an assist for the Broncos, as did Gawdin. . . . Gawdin leads the WHL scoring race with 111 points, eight more than Heponiemi. . . . Gawdin also is on a 19-game point streak. . . . The Tigers were 1-3 on the PP; the Broncos were 0-5. . . . G Michael Bullion stopped 28 shots for the Tigers. . . . The Broncos got 34 saves from G Stuart Skinner. . . . Medicine Hat D Dylan MacPherson was back in the lineup after leaving Friday's game early after taking a shot off one knee. . . . Announced attendance: 3,677.
At Kamloops, the Prince George Cougars got two shootout goals to beat the Blazers, 7-6. . . . Prince George (20-30-8) had lost its previous four games. It is fifth in the B.C. Division, nine points behind the Blazers. . . . Kamloops (26-28-5) has lost four straight (0-3-1) and is eight points out of a playoff spot. . . . Kamloops leads the season series, 5-2-1; Prince George is 3-5-0. . . . The Blazers, who lost 2-1 to visiting Kelowna on Friday night, are scheduled to play in Everett his afternoon. . . . F Nick Chyzowski (16) gave Kamloops a 1-0 lead 15 seconds into the first period. . . . The Cougars took a 2-1 lead on goals from F Vladislav Mikhalchuk, at 7:08, and F Josh Maser, on a PP, at 10:22. . . . The Blazers then went ahead 3-2 on goals from F Justin Sigrist (3), at 11:55, and F Jackson Shepard (9), on a PP, at 14:03. . . . Maser (25) tied it at 1:57 of the second period. Maser joined the Cougars during last season, after playing with the junior B Kamloops Storm. . . . F Josh Curtis (9) put the Cougars ahead, 4-3, at 4:14. . . . The Blazers got the next two goals to go ahead 5-4. F Jermaine Loewen (29) scored at 4:42, with F Quinn Benjafield (19), on a PP, scoring at 12:05. . . . The Cougars go the next two goals, going ahead 6-5 at Mikhalchuk (12) scored at 17:49 and F Jared Bethune (19) counted, on a PP, at 19:53. . . . After all that, F Tylor Ludwar (1) scored the only goal of the third period to get the Blazers into a 6-6 tie. . . . Mikhalchuk and F Ethan Browne scored shootout goals for the Cougars; Sigrist had one for the Blazers. . . . Kamloops was 2-3 on the PP; Prince George was 2-5. . . . The Cougars got 39 saves from G Tavin Grant. . . . Kamloops G Dylan Ferguson started and allowed five goals on 24 shots in 37:49. Max Palaga finished up, stopping six of seven shots in 27:11. . . . The Blazers lost D Nolan Kneen to a kneeing major and game misconduct at 2:48 of the second period. . . . F Connor Bowie, 16, made his WHL debut with the Cougars. From Fort St. John, B.C., he was a seventh-round pick by the Portland Winterhawks in the 2016 bantam draft. The Cougars acquired his rights in a deadline deal that had D Dennis Cholowski go to Portland. . . . Announced attendance: 3,165.
At Kelowna, F Trey Fix-Wolansky scored the only goal of a shootout to give the Edmonton Oil Kings a 3-2 victory over the Rockets. . . . Edmonton (18-33-7) was 3-1-0 on a trek into the B.C. Division. . . . Kelowna (35-18-6) leads the B.C. Division by one point over Victoria. . . . The Oil Kings were able to dress only 10 forwards. . . . D Cal Foote (15) gave the home team a 1-0 lead at 5:34 of the first period. . . . D Conner McDonald (5) tied it with a PP goal, at 11:58. . . . D Braydyn Chizen (5) gave the Rockets a 2-1 lead at 5:52 of the second period. . . . Edmonton F Tomas Soustal (16), who moved over from Kelowna earlier in the season, tied it at 15:09. . . . Edmonton was 1-4 on the PP; Kelowna was 0-2. . . . The Oil Kings got 29 saves from G Todd Scott. . . . James Porter Jr. turned aside 27 shots for Kelowna. . . . Announced attendance: 5,112.
At Victoria, F Dino Kambeitz broke a 3-3 tie at 19:49 of the third period to give the Royals a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Giants. . . . Victoria (35-21-5) had lost its previous three games (0-2-1). It is second in the B.C. Division, one point behind Kelowna and five ahead of the Giants, who have three games in hand. . . . Vancouver (31-19-8) had won its previous two games. . . . Victoria won the season series, 7-3-0; Vancouver was 3-4-3. . . . Kambeitz won it with his 11th goal of the season. . . . Giants F Ty Ronning had tied the score with his 53rd goal, with 36.3 seconds left in the third period. . . . Ronning had scored the game's first goal, on a PP, at 1:41 of the second period. . . . Victoria went ahead 2-1 on goals from Kambeitz, at 11:57, and F Tyler Soy, at 1:59 of the third period. . . . F Brayden Watts (15) tied it for Vancouver at 13:15. . . . Soy put Victoria back out front with his 32nd goal, at 16:06. . . . The Royals got three assists from F Matthew Phillips, but he wasn't able to score on a first-period penalty shot. Phillips ran his point streak to 21 games. . . . Watts added an assist for Vancouver. . . . With 53 goals, Ronning is one off the WHL lead that is held by Moose Jaw F Jayden Halbgewachs. . . . The Giants were 2-3 on the PP; the Royals were 0-1. . . . G Griffen Outhouse, back after being out for a couple of games, stopped 24 shots for the Royals. . . . G Trent Miner was outstanding for the Giants. He finished with 38 saves, 19 of them in the first period. . . . The Royals also had D Ralph Jarratt back after he sat out a couple of games. . . . Victoria D Kade Jensen played in his 300th regular-season game. . . . Announced attendance: 5,816.
At Spokane, F Jake McGrew had a goal and two assists to lead the Chiefs to a 5-1 victory over the Tri-City Americans. . . . Spokane (32-20-5) has won two in a row. It is third in the U.S. Division, five points behind Portland. . . . Tri-City (29-21-8) has lost two straight. It is fourth in the U.S. Division, three points behind Spokane and one ahead of Seattle. . . . Spokane is 5-2-2 in the season series; Tri-City is 4-2-3. . . . The Chiefs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals from F Ethan McIndoe (8), on a PP, at 3:54 of the first period, and D Ty Smith (10), at 4:14. . . . F Max James (7) scored Tri-City's goal at 4:44. . . . Spokane got second-period goals from F Luke Toporowski (8), at 4:33, and McGrew (15), at 17:05. . . . D Dalton Hamaliuk (2) had Spokane's final goal, at 7:06 of the third period. . . . F Riley Woods had two assists for the Chiefs. . . . Spokane was 1-5 on the PP; Tri-City was 0-1. . . . The Chiefs got 18 saves from G Dawson Weatherill. . . . G Patrick Tea stopped 27 shots for the Americans. . . . Announced attendance: 9,785.
The boys + Mr. Yuill #SelfieMode
(pic by @cdewar26) pic.twitter.com/oqH5C1WbXT
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) February 17, 2018
At Everett, the Seattle Thunderbirds got two shootout goals and beat the Silvertips, 3-2. . . . Seattle (28-20-9) had lost its past four games (0-2-2). It holds down the Western Conference's second wild-card spot, one point behind Tri-City. . . . Everett (37-17-5) has points in seven straight (5-0-2). It leads the Western Conference standings by three points over Kelowna. . . . On Friday, the visiting Silvertips beat the Thunderbirds, 4-3, in overtime. . . . Seattle is 4-2-1 in the season series; Everett is 3-2-2. . . . F Martin Fasko-Rudas (4) gave Everett a 1-0 lead at 16:54 of the first period. . . . Seattle F Blake Bargar (11) tied it, on a PP, at 1:42 of the second period. . . . D Jarret Tyszka (7) gave Seattle a 2-1 lead at 4:26. . . . Everett F Riley Sutter (23) tied it at 16:20. . . . F Noah Philp and F Zack Andrusiak scored shootout goals for Seattle, with F Matt Fonteyne replying for Everett. . . . Tyszka also had an assist. . . . Seattle was 1-2 on the PP; Everett was 0-5. . . . Seattle G Dorrin Luding stopped 41 shots through OT. . . . Everett got 30 stops from G Carter Hart. . . . The Silvertips were without F Sean Richards after he drew a TBD suspension. He was given a checking-from-behind major and game misconduct for a hit on Seattle D Jarret Tyszka on Friday. . . . Announced attendance: 8,238.
SUNDAY (all times local):
Moose Jaw at Regina, 2 p.m.
Saskatoon at Calgary, 2 p.m.
Lethbridge vs. Kootenay, at Cranbrook, B.C., 4 p.m.
Red Deer vs. Vancouver, at Langley, B.C., 4 p.m.
Kamloops at Everett, 4:05 p.m.
Spokane vs. Seattle, at Kent, Wash., 5:05 p.m.
As @SCBroncos Alumni I had the privilege of telling the tragic story to my sons atom team at the monument today. We all paid tribute to the young broncos we lost way too early. @City_SC pic.twitter.com/fvGAkL1ZmX
— Jeremy Rondeau (@RondeauJMR) February 17, 2018
Author greggdrinnanPosted on February 17, 2018 Tags Brandon Wheat Kings, Dave Struch, Dino Kambeitz, Dorrin Luding, Edmonton Oil Kings, Jake McGrew, Jordy Bellerive, Josh Maser, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Logan Thompson, Matthew Phillips, Medicine Hat Tigers, Prince George Cougars, Rob Vanstone, Ryan Jevne, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, Trey Fix-Wolansky, Victoria RoyalsLeave a comment on Wheaties manage to beat Raiders . . . Hurricanes blow away Ice . . . Kambeitz breaks Giants' hearts
Pats extend coaching staff . . . Season over for two Oil Kings . . . Heponiemi burning it up
Barys Astana, the Kazakhstani KHL team that sacrificed a sheep right on the ice during practice, has now sacrificed its leading scorer (3rd in the league), the Canadian Linden Vey. His contract was terminated today, shortly after he appeared in the All-Star Game. Bloody business.
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) January 18, 2018
F Linden Vey (Medicine Hat, 2006-2011) signed a contract for the rest of the season with the ZSC Lions Zurich (Switzerland, NL A) after being released by Barys Astana (Kazakhstan, KHL). He had 17 goals and 35 assists in 50 games with Barys Astana. Vey was third in the KHL in assists and points. Astana has been eliminated from KHL playoff contention.
The Regina Pats have signed John Paddock, their general manager and head coach, Dave Struch, the assistant GM and assistant coach, and assistant coach Brad Herauf to multi-year contract extensions. . . . No further details were released, but Rob Vanstone of the Regina Leader-Post reported that all three extensions were "for three-plus years." . . . Paddock joined the Pats prior to the 2014-15 season. In three-plus seasons, he has a regular-season record of 149-83-31 and the Pats have reached at least the second round of playoffs each season. In 2016-17, the Pats set a franchise record with 52 regular-season victories, before losing out in the WHL's championship series. He has twice been named the WHL's coach of the year. . . . Struch is in his 12th season as a WHL coach. Like Paddock, he came to Regina prior to the 2014-15 season. . . . Herauf, a former head coach of the midget AAA Regina Pat Canadians, is in his third season with the Pats.
The Edmonton Oil Kings revealed via Twitter on Thursday that two players — G Travis Child and F Andrei Pavlenko — will miss the remainder of this season "due to shoulder surgery." . . . Child, from Killam, Alta., is a 20-year-old so the injury means his junior hockey career is over. He got into 23 games with the Oil Kings this season, last playing on Dec. 15 when he left after the first period of a 5-0 loss to the visiting Tri-City Americans. . . . Pavlenko is a 17-year-old freshman from Minsk, Belarus. He had three goals and an assist in 20 games, but hasn't played since Nov. 14.
#WHL Longest point streaks since 1996-1997:
25: A. Heponiemi, @SCBroncos – 10/14/17-present
24: T. McGauley, @bdnwheatkings – 1/16-3/13/15
24: B. McLean, @Kelowna_Rockets – 1/1/97-End
23: C. Cyrenne – 12/9/97-2/6/98
23: J. Reich – 9/24-11/19/99
23: B. Shinnimin – 2/3/12-End https://t.co/OgDixJCeAX
— Geoffrey Brandow (@GeoffreyBrandow) January 18, 2018
F Aleksi Heponiemi of the Swift Current Broncos ran his point streak to 25 games in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime victory over the host Tri-City Americans. He had two goals, including the winner, and an assist in the victory.
In the 25 games, he has 19 goals and 43 assists. He has had two five- and two four-point games. There have been seven three-point outings, including each of the past two. He has enjoyed two-point games on nine occasions, and five times has had one point.
The Broncos will play Game 2 of a U.S. Division trek tonight in Portland.
Heponiemi last went pointless on Oct. 13 in a 1-0 victory over the visiting Vancouver Giants. The Finnish sophomore missed 10 games while playing at the WJC in Buffalo.
The longest point streak in WHL history lasted 56 games. F Jeff Nelson of the Prince Albert Raiders put up 108 points from Oct. 24, 1990, through March 6, 1991.
Second on the list is 47 games, which two members of the Regina Pats — Jock Callander (141 points) and Wally Schreiber (99 points) — did in 1981-82.
In 1980-81, Portland D Jim Benning had a 45-game streak during which he had 95 points.
A couple of notes from info supplied by Geoffrey Brandon (@GeoffreyBrandow):
F Matthew Phillips of the Victoria Royals had a goal and two assists Wednesday's 4-2 victory over the Winterhawks in Portland. He now has 31 goals this season, the third straight season in which he has scored at least 30. He also has 40 assists for a second straight season.
In his last 15 games, during which he has been blanked twice, Phillips has 10 goals and 14 assists.
Meanwhile, F Tyler Soy of the Royals scored his 20th goal of the season in Portland. He is the first play with four straight 20-goal seasons since Tyson Baillie (Kelowna Rockets), Jackson Houck (Vancouver Giants/Calgary Hitmen), Luke Philp (Kootenay Ice/Red Deer Rebels) and Brayden Point (Moose Jaw Warriors) all did it from 2012-16.
If you would like to contact Taking Note with information, have a question or just feel like commenting on something, feel free to send an email to greggdrinnan@gmail.com. I'm also on Twitter (@gdrinnan).
If you enjoy stopping by here, and even if you don't, feel free to make a donation to the cause by visiting my old site, taking note.ca, and clicking on the DONATE button. Thank you, in advance.
No Games Scheduled.
FRIDAY (all times local):
Kamloops at Calgary 7 p.m.
Prince Albert at Red Deer, 7 p.m.
Edmonton vs. Kootenay, at Cranbrook, B.C., 7 p.m.
Swift Current at Portland, 7 p.m.
Lethbridge at Prince George, 7 p.m.
Brandon vs. Tri-City, at Kennewick, Wash., 7:05 p.m.
Victoria vs. Vancouver, at Langley, B.C., 7:30 p.m.
Kelowna vs. Seattle, at Kent, Wash., 7:35 p.m.
Lucky for me Tim Hunter has a sense of humour. pic.twitter.com/ZwpXQSDWHY
— Elston Cartoons (@ElstonCartoons) January 18, 2018
Author greggdrinnanPosted on January 18, 2018 January 18, 2018 Tags Aleksi Heponiemi, Andrei Pavlenko, Brad Herauf, Dave Struch, Edmonton Oil Kings, Geoffrey Brandow, Gregg Drinnan, John Paddock, Linden Vey, Matthew Phillips, Regina Pats, Rob Vanstone, Swift Current Broncos, Travis Child, Tyler Soy, Victoria RoyalsLeave a comment on Pats extend coaching staff . . . Season over for two Oil Kings . . . Heponiemi burning it up