B.C. Division, Eastern Division, Insight, U.S. Division, USA Hockey

Daily Dose of Dub: McGauley headed to Swift Current; Dorsey signs with Tri-City

Written by Brandon Rivers on

Dean Brockman makes his first deal

Swift Current added an older, veteran player to their roster by moving an eighth round bantam pick to the Kelowna Rockets in the 2021 draft for 2000-born left wing Colum McGauley. He is the younger brother of former Brandon Wheat Kings forward Tim McGauley.

McGauley was originally drafted by the Spokane Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2015 bantam draft but never played for them as he was dealt to Kelowna for Tanner Wishnowski in October of 2016.

McGauley made his debut with Kelowna during the 2017-18 season. He notched two goals and was a minus-two in 47 games.

The five-foot-11, 174 pound native of Wilcox, SK should be given an opportunity at an increased role in Swift Current with the Broncos losing so much from their forward group.

Kelowna has four other forwards in the 2000 group with Nolan Foote, Ted Brennan, Liam Kindree and Wil Kushniryk, so they were dealing from a position of strength.

Nathan MacDonald was also named the Director of Business Operations for Swift Current today.

Matt Dorsey signed by Tri-City

The Tri-City Americans added to their experience as well up front by signing 1999-born forward Matt Dorsey. The six-foot-two, 190 pound native of Wenatchee, WA was drafted originally by the Calgary Hitmen back in 2014 and played 34 games for the Hitmen in 2016-17. He scored three goals and added three assists for six points. He then played in three playoff games as well.

Dorsey then went back home for the 2017-18 season and played 18 games in the regular season for the BCHL’s Wenatchee Wild. He had four goals and seven assists for 11 points. Then in the BCHL playoffs he scored two goals and added an assist for three points.

The Wild won the BCHL and advanced to the Doyle Cup, which they also won. Dorsey had two goals and two assists for four points in five games. Finally in the RBC Cup, Dorsey had a goal and two assists for three points in five games.

LW Center RW
Nolan Yaremko (98)^ Michael Rasmussen (99) Isaac Johnson (99)
Parker AuCoin (98)^ Kyle Olson (99) Sasha Mutala (01)
Brett Clayton (98)^ Riley Sawchuk (99) Blake Stevenson (01)
Kaden Kohle (02)* Connor Bouchard (01) Paycen Bjorklund (00)
Booker Daniel (01)* Matt Dorsey (99)

Dorsey adds some depth to Tri-City’s forward group and gives the Americans a possible overage option for the 2019-20 season with Michael Rasmussen and possibly Kyle Olson not coming back for their overage seasons. There is also the possibility that one or more of the 1998-born forwards listed above will not be back as the team has three overage options on the blue line as well. Dorsey was actually added through the bantam draft this year.

Hanas continues his strong play at USA Hockey’s Select 16 camp:

Portland Winterhawks 2002-born center Cross Hanas was in on all three goals for Team Red at USA Hockey’s Select 16 camp as they beat Team Forest 3-2. Team Red is now 2-1 at the camp and Hanas has two goals and five assists for seven points in the three games. He seems a front runner to make one of the two all star teams at the camp and play his way into a spot on the USA’s U17 team at the Five Nations Tournament. It takes place August 15-19 in Piestany, Slovakia.

If Hanas makes the roster, he would not have much time off from playing in that tournament to Portland’s training camp, which should start the following Wednesday.

Portland Winterhawks make some changes

With Assistant General Manager Matt Bardsley taking the General Manager job in Kamloops, there was a need for some changes to the staff in Portland. Kyle Gustafson, who is into his 14th year with Portland as an assistant or associate coach was tabbed as the team’s new Assistant General Manager. He will have a duo role as he continues to be the team’s Associate Coach.

Mike Coflin was named Assistant to the General Manager, Director of Scouting and Player Development. He was Head Scout in B.C. since 2012. He likely played a role in Portland bringing in Brendan De Jong, Lane Gilliss and Shane Farkas among many others.

Lisa Hollenbeck will now be the Senior Director, Hockey Operations, as well as Director of Hokey Operations. According to the press release Lisa will take on a lot of Bardsley’s dealings with the WHL.

There was no mention of the future of Assistant Coach Danny Flynn. He could well be in the running for a head coaching job with the Calgary Hitmen or Tri-City Americans, the last two remaining open head positions in the WHL.

Links and notes:

-While they never played against each other in the WHL, Ryan and Lucas Johansen will bring their sibling rivalry to the golf course.