Let’s get caught up with some of the news that my DubNetwork colleagues have not already touched on.
Paddock steps down
After five seasons as the head coach and four as the general manager of the Regina Pats, John Paddock has passed on his coaching duties to assistant Dave Struch. Paddock will maintain his general manager duties, but felt it was time to step away from the bench.
Paddock played part of two seasons for the Brandon Wheat Kings back when the league was called the WCHL and continued onto a 10-year professional career. He immediately transitioned into a head coaching gig in 1983-84 for the AHL’s Maine Mariners and was either an assistant or a bench boss until 1989-90 when he tried his hand as an assistant general manager for the Philadelphia Flyers. In 1991-92 Paddock got his first NHL head coaching job, with the Winnipeg Jets. He then bounced around the professional ranks as a head coach, general manager, assistant or scout for 23 years until he joined the Pats organization in 2014-15.
After coaching the Pats to an Eastern Conference title in 2016-17 and through the hosting of the 2018 Memorial Cup, Paddock felt it was time to step away from coaching. He will remain the Pats GM and will try his hand at retooling the roster after the Pats went for broke for two straight years.
Struch played from 1988-92 with the Saskatoon Blades before playing 13 seasons professionally in North America and overseas. He came back to Saskatoon as an assistant coach in 2006 and stayed in that role until he took over the head coaching job in 2013-14. The decimated Blades went 16-51-2-3 and Struch was not brought back. He then jumped over to an assistant coaching role with the Pats where he remained until now.
It is interesting that Struch takes over a team that just hosted the Memorial Cup for the second time in taking this position.
WHL teams draft 31 imports
Last Thursday the CHL Import Draft took place and WHL teams drafted 31 players they hope will make an impact for them in 2018-19 and beyond.
Here is who each team drafted:
Pick | Team | Player | Position | 2017-18 Team | Birth Year/NHL Draft |
2 | Edmonton | Vladimir Alistrov | Forward | Team Belarus U17 | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
5 | Prince George | Matej Toman | Forward | HC Ceske (Czech Republic) | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
11 | Kootenay | Valtteri Kakkonen | Defense | Jr. A SM-liiga (Finland) | 2000 |
14 | Kamloops | Martin Lang | Forward | HC Plzen U18 (Czech Republic) | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
17 | Red Deer | Oleg Zaitsev | Forward | MHK Dynamo MHL (Russia) | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
20 | Lethbridge | Akira Schmid | Goalie | Langnau U20 (Switzerland) | 2000/New Jersey 2018-5th round |
23 | Saskatoon | Emil Malysjev | Defense | HV71 J20 (Sweden) | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
26 | Prince Albert | Alexei Protas | Forward | Team Belarus U17 | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
29 | Seattle | Andrej Kukuca | Forward | HK Dukla Trencin U20 (Slovakia) | 1999 |
32 | Medicine Hat | Mads Sogaard | Goalie | Austin NAHL | 2000L/Eligible 2019 |
38 | Victoria | Philip Schultz | Forward | Rodovre Might Bulls (Denmark) | 2000 |
41 | Tri-City | Krystof Hrabik | Forward | Bill Tygri Liberec (Czech Republic) | 1999 |
44 | Brandon | Erik Brannstrom | Defense | HV71 (Sweden) | 1999/Vegas 2017-1st round-signed |
47 | Regina | Sergei Alkhimov | Forward | Colorado U16 | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
50 | Spokane | Yegor Arbuzov | Defense | CSKA Moskva U17 (Russia) | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
53 | Kelowna | Lassi Thomson | Defense | Ilves U20 (Finland) | 2000L/Eligible 2019 |
55 | Portland | Dean Schwenninger | Center | Zug U20 (Switzerland) | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
57 | Everett | Peter Melcher | LW | Iowa Wild U16 | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
59 | Swift Current | Joona Kiviniemi | LW | Karpat U18 (Finland) | 2001L/Eligible 2020 |
60 | Moose Jaw | Daniil Stepanov | Center | Team Belarus U18 | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
74 | Kamloops | Joonas Sillanpaa | Defense | HIFK U20 (Finland) | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
77 | Red Deer | Ivan Drozdov | RW | Yunost Minsk (Belarus) | 1999 |
80 | Lethbridge | Danila Palivko | Defense | Team Belarus U18 | 2001L/Eligible 2020 |
83 | Saskatoon | Kristian Roykas Marthinsen | LW | Almtuna IS 20 (Sweden) | 1999 |
89 | Seattle | Simon Kubicek | Defense | Czech Republic U17 | 2001L/Eligible 2020 |
92 | Medicine Hat | Vasili Podlozkin | RW | Vityaz Podolsk U17 (Russia) | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
104 | Brandon | Jiri Patera | Goalie | Cedar Rapids USHL | 1999/Vegas-2017-6th round |
107 | Regina | Nikita Sedov | Defense | Colorado U16 | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
115 | Portland | Michal Kvasnica | RW/LW | HC Frydek-Mistek (Czech Republic) | 2000 |
119 | Swift Current | Roope Pynnonen | Defense | HPK U18 (Finland) | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
120 | Moose Jaw | Yegor Buyalsky | Forward | Team Belarus U17 | 2001/Eligible 2019 |
L=Late Birthday
Thoughts:
-Brandon released Daniel Bukac and drafted two. Bukac was selected by Niagara of the OHL.
The Wheat Kings swung for the fences with Erik Brannstrom, a first round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017. He is signed and is eligible to play for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, but Brandon having connections in Vegas means that the likelihood of Brannstrom plying his trade in the WHL could very well happen.
-Spokane released Milos Fafrak and drafted defenseman Yegor Arbuzov. Fafrak had shown some potential but I guess the Chiefs felt like they could use another blue liner.
-Four of the 31 drafted players were from Belarus.
11 WHLers invited by Hockey Canada to World Juniors Summer Showcase
Wednesday it was announced who had been named to the 40-man roster for Hockey Canada. Along with four defenseman and seven forwards, there were two WHL coaches named to the team. The head coach will be Tim Hunter of the Moose Jaw Warriors and one of the assistants is Brent Kisio, head coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
-Calen Addison – Defense – Lethbridge – 2000.
-Ty Smith – Defense – Spokane – 2000.
-Josh Brook – Defense – Moose Jaw – 1999.
-Jett Woo – Defense – Moose Jaw – 2000.
-Justin Almeida – Forward – Moose Jaw – 1999.
-Jaret Anderson-Dolan – Center – Spokane – 1999.
-Jordy Bellerive – LW – Lethbridge – 1999.
-Cody Glass – Center – Portland – 1999.
-Michael Rasmussen – Center – Tri-City – 1999.
-Stelio Mattheos – Center – Brandon – 1999.
-Connor Dewar – LW – Everett – 1999.
The camp will go July 28th – August 4th in Kamloops, B.C. and USA Hockey, Sweden and Finland will also have teams there. Jake McGrew of the Spokane Chiefs was already named to the USA team.
The Chiefs will have three players at the showcase with Anderson-Dolan and Smith going for Hockey Canada.
Those most likely to make the final roster for Hockey Canada from the WHL in my opinion are Anderson-Dolan, Glass, Mattheos and Rasmussen, with all three being higher NHL draft picks in 2017. The tournament often leans heavy on those 19-year-olds and these four. Bellerive and Dewar also bring unique assets and could work their way onto the team with Bellerive having an incredible shot and Dewar being a workhorse who can play in all areas of the ice.
Just received a statement from Kyle McIntyre on behalf of the @SCBroncos board on the departure of Jamie Porter. I've posted it in our article on Swift Current Online which is just updating at the moment. https://t.co/p85PPga4YP
— Shawn Mullin (@shawnmullin) June 27, 2018
Calgary and Tri-City still searching for coaches
With Mike Williamson and Dallas Ferguson stepping away both Tri-City and Calgary are in need of new head coaches.
Coach and General Manager jobs made available this summer:
Calgary Hitmen:
Head Coach: ?
Edmonton Oil Kings:
Head Coach: Brad Lauer
General Manager: Kirt Hill
Kamloops Blazers:
Head Coach: Serge Lajoie – came over from the University of Alberta.
General Manager: Matt Bardsley – came over from the Portland Winterhawks.
Prince George Cougars:
General Manager: Mark Lamb.
Seattle Thunderbirds:
General Manager: Bill La Forge – came over from the Everett Silvertips.
Swift Current Broncos:
Head Coach: Dean Brockman
Tri-City Americans:
Head Coach: ?
Vancouver Giants:
Head Coach: Michael Dyck
General Manager: Barclay Parneta
More NHL Development Camp invites out
Here is who each NHL team has invited and how they got them. I have 98 so far attending with Chicago the lone team yet to announce their list of invited.:
Anaheim (3): Josh Mahura (D) – 1998 – Regina Pats – Drafted 3rd round 2016 – signed, Kyle Olson (C) – 1999 – Tri-City Americans – Drafted 4th round 2017 – injured, Sam steel (C) – 1998 – Regina Pats – Drafted 1st round 2016 – signed.
Arizona (3): Max Gerlach (RW) – 1998 – Saskatoon Blades – Invite, Tyler Steenbergen (LW) – 1998 – Swift Current Broncos – Free Agent – signed, David Tendeck (G) – Vancouver Giants – Drafted 6th round 2018.
Boston (1): Daniel Bukac (D) – 1998 – Brandon Wheat Kings – Drafted 7th round 2017.
Buffalo (1): Max Patterson (RW) – 1999 – Swift Current – Invite.
Calgary (10): Jake Christiansen (D) – 1999 – Everett Silvertips – Invite, Dalton Hamaliuk (D) – 1998 – Spokane Chiefs – invite, Joel Lakusta (D) – 1998 – Prince George Cougars – invite, Igor Merezhko (D) – 1998 – Lethbridge – invite, Brayden Pachal (D) – 1999 – Prince Albert – invite, Juuso Vålimåki (D) – 1998 – Tri-City Americans Drafted 1st round 2017 – singed, Egor Zamula (D) – 2000 – Calgary – 2000 – invite, Dillon Dube (C) – Kelowna – 1998 – Drafted 2nd round 2016 – signed, Matthew Phillips (C) – Victoria – 1998 – Drafted 6ht round 2017 – signed, Milos Roman (C) – Vancouver Giants – 1999 – Drafted 2018 4th round.
Carolina (3): Stelio Mattheos (C) – 1999 – Brandon – Drafted 3rd round – 2017, Jake Bean (D) – 1998 – Tri-City Americans – Drafted 1st round 2016 – signed, Morgan Geekie (C) – 1998 – Tri-City- Drafted 3rd round 2017- signed.
Colorado (6): Nick Henry (RW) – 1999 – Regina – Drafted 4th round 2017, Ty Lewis (LW) – Brandon Wheat Kings – 1998 – Free Agent -signed, Josh Anderson (D) – Swift Current Broncos – Drafted 3rd round 2016 – signed, Cole Reinhardt (C) – 2000 – invite, Robbie Holmes (LW) – 1999 – Regina – invite, Sean Strange (D) – 2000 – Kamloops Blazers – invite.
Columbus (1): Trey Fix-Wolansky (RW) – 1999 – Edmonton Oil Kings – Drafted 7th round 2018.
Dallas (4): Ondrej Vala (D) – 1998 – Everett Silvertips – Free Agent – signed, Jermaine Loewen (RW) – 1998 – Kamloops Blazers – Drafted 7th round 2018, Brett Davis (RW) – 1999 – Kootenay ICE – Drafted 6th round 2017, Dawson Barteaux (D) – 2000 – Red Deer Rebels – Drafted 6th round 2018.
Detroit (3): Dennis Cholowski (D) – 1998 – Portland Winterhawks – Drafted 1st round – 2016- signed, Michael Rasmussen (C) – 1999 – Tri-City – Drafted 1st round 2017 – signed, Lane Zablocki (RW) – 1998 – Victoria – Drafted 3rd round 2017.
Edmonton (3): Kailer Yamamoto (RW) – 1998 – Spokane Chiefs – Drafted 1st round 2017 – signed, Stuart Skinner (G) – 1998 – Swift Current – Drafted 3rd round 2017 – signed, Tyler Benson (RW) – 1998 – Vancouver – Drafted 1st round 2016 – signed.
Florida (2): Linus Nassen (D) – 1998 – Medicine Hat Tigers – invite, Dylan MacPherson (D) – 1998 – Medicine Hat – invite.
Los Angeles (1): Kale Clague (D) – 1998 – Moose Jaw – Drafted 2nd round 2016, signed. Jaret Anderson-Dolan (C) – 1999 – Spokane Chiefs – Drafted 2nd round 2017 – signed
Minnesota (2): Connor Dewar (LW) – 1999 – Everett – Drafted 3rd round 2018, Mason Shaw (C) – 1998 – Medicine Hat – Drafted 4th round 2017 – signed.
Montreal (7): Cole Fonstad (C) – 2000 – Prince Albert – Drafted 5th round 2018, Brandon Hagel (LW) – 1998 – Red Deer – invite, Ryan Hughes (LW) – 1999 – Portland – invite, Josh Brook (D) – 1999 – Moose Jaw – Drafted 2nd round 2017, Cale Fleury (D) – 1998 – Regina – Drafted 3rd round 2017, Jarret Tyszka (D) 1999 – Seattle – Drafted 5th round 2017, Scott Walford (D) – 1999 – Victoria – Drafted 3rd round 2017 – injured.
Nashville (1): Vladislav Yeryomenko (D) – 1999 – Calgary Hitmen – Drafted 5th round 2018.
New Jersey (1): Ty Smith (D) – 2000 – Spokane Chiefs – Drafted 1st round 2018.
New York Islanders (1): Kieffer Bellows (LW) – 1998 – Portland – Drafted 1st round 2016 – signed.
New York Rangers (3): Brett Howden (C) – 1998 – Moose Jaw Warriors – Trade with Tampa Bay – signed, Libor Hajek (D) – 1998 – Regina Pats – Trade with Tampa Bay – signed, Ty Ronning (RW) – 1998 – Vancouver – Drafted 7th round 2017 – signed.
Ottawa (3): Jordan Hollett (G) – 1999 – Medicine Hat – Drafted 6th round 2017, Luka Burzan (C) – 2000 – Brandon – invite, Parker Kelly (C) – 1999 – Prince Albert Raiders – Free agent – signed.
Philadelphia (2): Carter Hart (G) – 1998 – Everett – Drafted 2nd round 2016 – signed, Wyatte Wylie (D) – 2000 – Drafted 5th round 2018.
Pittsburgh (3): Calen Addison (D) – 2000 – Lethbridge Hurricanes – Drafted 2nd round 2018, Justin Almeida (C) – 1999 – Moose Jaw – Drafted 5th round 2018, Brodi Stuart (LW) – 2000 – Kamloops – invite.
-Jordy Bellerive not attending rookie camp.
San Jose (5): Joachim Blichfeld (RW) – 1998 – Portland – Drafted 7th round 2016 – signed, Jake Gricius (C) – 1999 – Portland – invite, Jake McGrew (RW) – 1999 – Spokane – Drafted 6th round, Kyle Topping (C) – 1999 – Kelowna – invite, Max Paddock (G) – 2000 – Regina – invite.
St Louis (2): Joel Hofer (G) – 2000 – Swift Current – Drafted 4th round 2018, Tanner Kaspick (C) – 1998 – Victoria – Drafted 4th round 2016 – signed.
Tampa Bay (4): Cal Foote (D) – 1998 – Kelowna Rockets – Drafted 1st round 2017 – signed, Oleg Sosunov (D) – 1998 – Moose Jaw – Drafted 6th round 2016 – signed, Jackson Leppard (LW) – 2000 – Prince George Cougars – invite, Chase Wouters (C) – 2000 – Saskatoon – invite.
Toronto (3): Riley Stotts (C) – 2000 – Calgary – Drafted 3rd round 2018, Filip Kral (D) – 1999 – Spokane – Drafted 5th round 2018, Eli Zummack (C) – 2000 – Spokane – invite.
-Ian Scott not attending rookie camp.
Vancouver (6): Kole Lind (RW) – 1998 – Kelowna – Drafted 2nd round – signed, Liam Kindree (LW) – 2000 – Kelowna – invite, Dylan Plouffe (D) – 1999 – Vancouver – invite, Mitchell Prowse (D)- Victoria – 2000 – invite, Jett Woo (D) – 2000 – Moose Jaw – Drafted 2nd round 2018, Sahvan Khaira (D) – 1998 – Swift Current – inivte.
Vegas (6): Dylan Ferguson (G) – 1998 – Kamloops – Trade with Dallas – signed, Cody Glass (C) – 1999 – Portland – Drafted 1st round 2017, signed, Dylan Coghlan (D) – 1998 – Tri-City – Free Agent – signed, Ryan Chyzowski (LW) – 2000 – Medicine Hat – invite, Reece Harsch (D) – 1999 – Seattle Thunderbirds – invite, Martin Bodak (D) – 1998 – Kootenay – invite.
Washington (6): Garrett Pilon (RW) – 1998 – Everett – Drafted 3rd round 2016 – signed, Riley Sutter (C) – 1999 – Everett – Drafted 3rd round 2018, Alexander Alexeyev (D) – 1999 – Red Deer – Drafted 1st round 2018, Eric Florchuk (C) – 2000 – Saskatoon – Drafted 7th round 2018, Beck Malenstyn (LW) – 1998 – Swift Current – Drafted 5th round 2016 – signed, Alex Kannok-Leipert (D) – 2000 – Vancouver – Drafted 6th round 2018.
Winnipeg (2): Skyler McKenzie (RW) – 1998 – Portland – Drafted 7th round 2017 -signed, Kristian Reichel (RW) – 1998 – Red Deer – signed an AHL deal.
-I only included those eligible to return to their WHL teams. It should be noted that every 1998-born and signed players is more than likely going to play professionally in 2018-19.