Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: International Rosters named, WHL Alumni on the move

Written by Ben Dooley on

Czech Republic names U-20 roster for summer series with Finland and Switzerland

The Czech Republic U-20 National Team will participate in a four-game series against Finland and Switzerland later this month as they prepare to host the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championship this winter. There are a few names that WHL fans will recognize that have been named to the roster:

  • Forward Filip Koffer (Prince George Cougars)
  • Forward Michal Kvasnica (recently released by the Portland Winterhawks)
  • Forward Martin Lang (Kamloops Blazers)
  • Forward Michal Teply (Winnipeg ICE)
  • Defenseman Simon Kubicek (Seattle Thunderbirds)
  • Defenseman Radik Kucerik (Saskatoon Blades)
  • Defenseman Libor Zabransky (Saskatoon Blades)
  • Goaltender Lukas Parik (Spokane Chiefs)

USA Hockey announces Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster

USA Hockey has named the roster which will participate in the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup early next month and Cross Hanas (67 GP, 8 G, 14 A with the Portland Winterhawks last season) is the lone WHL representative on the roster after an impressive showing at their development camp where he had 13 points in five games.

Leafs acquire Barrie in a blockbuster trade with Avalanche 

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired defenseman Tyson Barrie (256 GP, 51 G, 177 A with the Kelowna Rockets) in a blockbuster trade in which they also acquired former Seattle Thunderbirds prospect Alex Kerfoot (who never suited up for the T-Birds) and a 2020 sixth-round pick from the Colorado Avalanche for forward Nazem Kadri, defenseman Calle Rosen and a 2020 third round pick.

Barrie won a WHL championship with the Rockets in 2008-09 and was named the WHL’s Top Defenseman in 2009-10 after leading the league in assists by a defenseman (53)

Tyler Myers signs with Vancouver Canucks

Defenseman Tyler Myers (191 GP, 17 G, 60 A with the Kelowna Rockets) has signed a five-year contract with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. Myers was part of the 2008-09 Rockets team that won the WHL Championship and he was named WHL Playoff MVP. He was also named to the CHL Memorial Cup All-Star team that season. Last season with the Winnipeg Jets, he had nine goals and 22 assists.

Panthers sign Connolly to a four-year contract

Forward Brett Connolly (144 GP, 86 G, 66 A with the Prince George Cougars) is taking his talents to Florida on a four-year contract with the Panthers. Connolly was the WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year in 2008-09, leading the WHL in rookie goals with 30. Last year with the Washington Capitals, he had 22 goals and 24 assists in 81 games.

Blue Jackets re-sign Ryan Murray to a two-year contract extension

The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed Ryan Murray (191 GP, 22 G, 99 A with the Everett Silvertips) to a two-year contract extension. Murray was originally selected by the Blue Jackets with the second overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Khaira staying in Edmonton

Forward Jujhar Khaira (59 GP, 16 G, 27 A with the Everett Silvertips) is staying with the Edmonton Oilers on a two-year contract extension. Last season with Edmonton he played 60 games and scored three goals and added 15 assists.

Calvin Pickard headed to Detroit

The Detroit Red Wings have signed goaltender Calvin Pickard (241 GP with the Seattle Thunderbirds) to a two-year contract. Pickard played 17 NHL games last season split between the Philadelphia Flyers and Arizona Coyotes.

Blues sign two WHL alumni 

The St. Louis Blues have signed forward Evan Polei (242 GP, 72 G, 59 A with the Saskatoon Blades and Red Deer Rebels) and defenseman Derrick Pouliot (247 GP, 42 G, 163 A with the Portland Winterhawks) to one-year contracts.

Golden Knights sign Goulbourne and Lernout 

The Vegas Golden Knights have signed forward Tyrell Goulbourne (275 GP, 60 G, 65 A with the Kelowna Rockets) and defenseman Brett Lernout (205 GP, 23 G, 43 A with the Saskatoon Blades and Swift Current Broncos) to one-year contracts.

Flames also sign pair of WHL alumni

The Calgary Flames also signed a pair of WHL alumni on Monday. They got things started by signing forward Byron Froese (212 GP, 91 G, 108 A with the Everett Silvertips and Red Deer Rebels).

And they followed it up by signing defenseman Brandon Davidson (200 GP, 22 G, 122 A with the Regina Pats) to a one-year contract.

Tampa Bay Lightning sign Luke Schenn

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman Luke Schenn (189 GP, 12 G, 56 A with the Kelowna Rockets) to a one-year contract. He played 26 NHL games split between the Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver last season and had two assists.

Ennis signs with Senators 

Forward Tyler Ennis (245 GP, 115 G, 121 A with the Medicine Hat Tigers) will be staying in Ontario as he’s signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators. Ennis was a part of the 2006-07 Medicine Hat team that won the WHL Championship and was named the WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player in back-to-back- seasons in 2007-08 and 2008-09. He played 51 games last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and had 12 goals and six assists.

Leipsic signs in D.C.

The Washington Capitals have signed Brendan Leipsic (261 GP, 132 G, 170 A with the Portland Winterhawks) to a one-year contract. The highlight of Leipsic’s WHL career came in the 2012-13 season as the Winterhawks won the WHL Championship and he led the league in goals (49) and points (120). He split last season between the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings and played 62 games, scoring seven goals with 16 assists.

Elder Wotherspoon signs with Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon (239 GP, 17 G, 65 A with the Portland Winterhawks) to a one-year deal. Wotherspoon is a one-time WHL Champion as his Winterhawks took home the title in 2012-13. Last season with the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage, Wotherspoon had four goals and 18 assists in 70 games.

Oil Kings alumnus signs with Buffalo

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Curtis Lazar (199 GP, 99 G, 70 A with the Edmonton Oil Kings) to a one-year contract. During his time with the Oil Kings, Lazar was a part of two WHL Championships and one Memorial Cup Championship. He was also named the Memorial Cup most sportsmanlike player in 2014. He played one NHL game last year with the Calgary Flames and was held pointless.

Stars sign Scarlett

The Dallas Stars have signed defenseman Reece Scarlett (276 GP, 25 G, 108 A with the Swift Current Broncos) to a one-year contract extension. Scarlett tore his ACL in the first game of the AHL’s Texas Stars season last year, so he will be looking to rebound from that this season.

Blum signs in Sweden

Defenseman Jon Blum (248 GP, 49 G, 155 A with the Vancouver Giants) has signed with Färjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League for his 11th season of pro hockey. During his time with the Giants, Blum led the league in +/- (+37 in 2006-07), won a WHL Championship and CHL Memorial Cup and was named the WHL and CHL’s Top Defenseman in 2008-09. Last season with Dinamo Minsk in the KHL, he had three goals and seven assists in 35 games.

Aucoin going to Carleton University

Graduating WHL forward Parker AuCoin (262 GP, 88 G, 92 A with the Tri-City Americans) is off to Carleton University for next season. The St. Albert Native was named to the WHL Second All-Star Team at the conclusion of this season. He had played two games with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears after the Americans’ season wrapped up.