Pachal signs entry-level contract with Golden Knights
The Golden Knights have signed defenseman Brayden Pachal to a three year entry-level contract!
Details ⬇️https://t.co/ei31sBaZMj
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) September 20, 2019
1999-born defenseman Brayden Pachal won’t be returning to the Prince Albert Raiders this season as he has signed an entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights after attending training camp on an amateur try-out contract. In 239 career WHL games with the Raiders and Victoria Royals, Pachal recorded 26 goals and 72 assists.
Christiansen off to AHL Camp
Seven players have been assigned to the San Antonio Rampage, cutting the training camp roster to 46 players. https://t.co/ThuI9A09H7 #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues ? (@StLouisBlues) September 20, 2019
The Everett Silvertips will have to wait a bit longer to see if Jake Christiansen will be returning for his final year of junior eligibility as the St. Louis Blues have decided to send him off to training camp with the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage after he attended Blues camp on an amateur try-out. When/if Christiansen returns from San Antonio’s camp they’ll have to make a decision with their overagers as they already have Bryce Kindopp, Max Patterson and Wyatte Wylie returning to the club.
Penguins return Addison to Hurricanes, Bellerive off to AHL camp
The Penguins have reduced their training camp roster to 46 players. Full details: https://t.co/IBFOcWPBHO pic.twitter.com/YeZiFZKmd6
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 20, 2019
The Pittsburgh Penguins have returned defenseman Calen Addison to the Lethbridge Hurricanes while Jordy Bellerive, who is still eligible to return to the Hurricanes, is off to AHL training camp with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.
Leschyshyn off to Wolves camp, Loewen signs with club
Training camp starts Monday morning — and these nine guys will be ready to start the journey to the top of @TheAHL.https://t.co/KCYplcNBTi#WeAreTheWolves pic.twitter.com/76jPMmrKhv
— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) September 21, 2019
Jake Leschyshyn, who is still eligible to return to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, is going to be attending training camp with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and barring any surprises, he should stick with that team. The Wolves also signed Jermaine Loewen (295 GP, 78 G, 64 A with the Kamloops Blazers) to an AHL contract.
Cougars sign Griffin to WHL Education Contract
SIGNED | We have signed forward Davin Griffin ('02) to a WHL Standard Player Agreement. ✒️?#WHLOpeningWeek #NorthernUprising
? https://t.co/sRwXNUQ83A pic.twitter.com/yssYXAVrLs
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) September 20, 2019
The Prince George Cougars have signed 2002-born Davin Griffin to a WHL Education Contract. The Cougars acquired Griffin’s rights earlier this month for a conditional draft pick from the Prince Albert Raiders. The Raiders selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. Griffin made his WHL debut on Friday night for the Cougars in a 5-3 loss to the Vancouver Giants and was held scoreless.
Also on Friday, the Cougars announced 2003-born forward Fischer O’Brien is off to the Cariboo Cougars of the BCMML and 2002-born defenseman Ethan McColm is joining the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. The team also announced Ilijah Colina has been placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.
Hitmen announce 27-man opening night roster
NEWS: Hitmen announce the 27-player opening night roster for the 2019-20 WHL regular season with 17 returning players from the 2018-19 club
Details ➡️ https://t.co/WWdIa8lo6j pic.twitter.com/SJVxDgAyNt
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) September 20, 2019
The Calgary Hitmen have released their 27-man opening night roster. Of note, Mark Kastelic has yet to be returned to the team by the Ottawa Senators while James Malm is week-to-week with a lower-body injury and Cael Zimmerman is out indefinitely following off-season hip surgery.
Injured players return to WHL Lineups
The following players who had been listed on the WHL’s injury report were in the lineup on Friday night
Kneen records 100th point in 250th career game
With an assist tonight, Nolan Kneen has reached 100 career WHL points. Tonight is also Kneen's 250th WHL career game.
Congrats Kneener! pic.twitter.com/GT9S676dYq
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) September 21, 2019
Saskatoon Blades defenseman Nolan Kneen played his 250th career game in the WHL on Friday night and recorded his 100th point.
Kosior scores first career WHL goal
What. A. Shot.@LandonKosior snipes home his first career WHL goal! #WHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/cVP3X42Wqm
— The WHL (@TheWHL) September 21, 2019
Another player to notch his first career goal was Prince Albert Raiders defenseman Landon Kosior who ripped a nice shot past Blades goaltender Nolan Maier.
Stankoven doesn’t waste time getting first WHL goal
What a laser! @LoganStankoven puts the @blazerhockey on the board with his first WHL regular season goal! #WHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/4toA9OCkn9
— The WHL (@TheWHL) September 21, 2019
Highly-touted Logan Stankoven didn’t waste time showcasing his shot in scoring the Blazers first goal and the first of his WHL regular-season career late in the first period.
Coaching staff named for Team WHL in Canada-Russia series
Mitch Love has been named the head coach of Team WHL for the 2019 @cibc #CANvsRUS Series!
DETAILS ???? | https://t.co/kGD8z5mkj9 pic.twitter.com/K8ClgaTrWJ
— The WHL (@TheWHL) September 20, 2019
When the annual Canada-Russia series heads to Saskatoon and Prince Albert in November, there will be a couple of familiar faces behind the bench as Saskatoon Blades head coach Mitch Love has been named head coach while Prince Albert Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid and Regina Pats head coach Dave Struch will be joining the staff as assistant coaches.
Ludvig to lead Winterhawks in 2019-20 season
Opponents beware, Johnny Ludvig becomes the 44th captain in Winterhawks team history!
? https://t.co/r7DphrfJTY pic.twitter.com/QO7GZwQGXK
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) September 20, 2019
The Portland Winterhawks have announced Johnny Ludvig is the 44th captain in franchise history. The team has also named five alternate captains: Lane Gilliss, Jake Gricius, Mason Mannek, Reece Newkirk and Matthew Quigley
Oil Kings announce 2019-20 leadership group
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2019-20 Edmonton #OilKings Leadership Group!
Note: Matthew Robertson will also be wearing an "A". (He would have been in the photo but he is a little busy in New York at the moment ?)
Full story ➡️ https://t.co/nFvUObGsU8 pic.twitter.com/kjolwwSXbv
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) September 20, 2019
The Edmonton Oil Kings have announced their leadership group for the 2019-20 season. 19-year-old Scott Atkinson has been named the 13th captain in franchise history while Wyatt Mcleod, Ethan Cap, and Conner McDonald have been named as his alternates. Matthew Robertson will also be an alternate captain this year, but he has yet to return from New York Rangers training camp.
Regnier named 32nd captain in Broncos history
NEWS: Ethan Regnier has been named captain of the Swift Current Broncos.
Details: https://t.co/cxa0XMFbIt pic.twitter.com/butOF4oRRu
— Swift Current Broncos (@SCBroncos) September 20, 2019
The Swift Current Broncos have announced that Ethan Regnier has been named the 32nd captain in franchise history. The 2000-born forward is entering his third season with the Broncos and is just one of two players remaining from the 2018 WHL Championship team.
Murray to play final junior season with Sherwood park
BREAKING: We're proud to announce the addition of Davis Murray ('99) from the Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
Welcome to the Crusaders, Davis!#OneCru #AJHL
READ ⏩ https://t.co/7uznXQ55N4 pic.twitter.com/M9MFrl5ueo
— Sherwood Park Crusaders (@SPcrusaders) September 21, 2019
Sherwood Park native Davis Murray will be playing his final year of junior eligibility in front of the home-town crowd with the AJHL’s Sherwood Park Crusaders after the Winnipeg ICE decided to release him from their roster.
Zonneveld reporting to AJHL’s Dragons
The Dragons are excited to add D- Steven Zonnefeld (6’3 – 181lbs) from the WHL’s Regina Pats. In 17’/18’ he played 1 game with Drum as an AP from the Calgary Flames AAA Midget. In another move, the Dragons have released D-Colton Kitchen. We wish Colton all the best. pic.twitter.com/l49zEb2FKz
— Drumheller Dragons (@drumdragons) September 20, 2019
When the Regina Pats released Steven Zonneveld from the active roster, they said he’d be reporting to the AJHL but didn’t specify which team he would be joining We now know that team is the Drumheller Dragons, who announced his addition on Friday. Zonneveld played 42 games with the Pats last season and had a goal and six assists.
Schaufler joins Saints
The Spruce Grove Saints are proud to announce right-shot defenceman, Loeden Schaufler (Dewinton, AB) has joined the Saints for the 2019-2020 season.https://t.co/oVq0ZY03x7#AJHL pic.twitter.com/aMvOrN8qXd
— Spruce Grove Saints (@sgsaints) September 20, 2019
2000-born defenseman Loeden Schaufler has joined the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints after being released by the Prince Albert Raiders. In 73 games with the Raiders, Kootenay ICE and Seattle Thunderbirds, he has 10 assists.
Three Stars of The Night:
First Star: Tri-City Americans forward Sasha Mutala led the WHL with two goals and two assists to take an early lead in the WHL scoring race
Second Star: Regina Pats forward Ty Kolle was involved in each of the Pats’ three goals as they defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors 3-2.
Third Star: Spokane Chiefs forward Jake McGrew looked impressive for the Chiefs in a 4-3 win over Kamloops with two goals.
Troubling moment:
-Brandon’s Ridly Greig could be facing a suspension after hitting Winnipeg’s Chase Hartje with a high-speed hit just 21 seconds into the game. Greig had already drawn the ire of the ICE for another hit he laid on Matthew Savoie in the preseason.
Just 21 seconds into the WHL season, Brandon's Ridly Greig was assessed a 5 minute major and GM for a hit to the head on Winnipeg's Chase Hartje. pic.twitter.com/JOhOB2Z4Qx
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) September 21, 2019
-Kamloops defenseman Quinn Schmiemann was also given a five minute major and game misconduct for a hit in the Blazers 4-3 loss to the Spokane Chiefs.