Kelowna Rockets return home to upgrades to their facility
A couple of upgrades were made to Prospera Place while we were away. Find out what you can expect to see at tonight's game ⬇️
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) January 24, 2020
The Memorial Cup hosts continue to make upgrades to their home in Kelowna. Prospera Place now has brand new LED lights as well as new video board screens. The ice surface will be much brighter and continue to get even brighter as they work out the kinks and positions of the lighting.
Easton Armstrong and Parker Berge make WHL debuts
He will make his WHL debut tonight, on his birthday!!
Happy 17th Easton Armstrong!#JoinTheRegiment pic.twitter.com/XwiA8wDquo
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) January 24, 2020
American prospect Easton Armstrong made his WHL debut on his 17th birthday. Armstrong had been playing with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings U16 program, posting 17 goals and 11 assists in 20 games before being called up to the Regina Pats.
2018 eighth-round draft pick Parker Berge also made his WHL debut with the Pats. He had been playing with the Northern Alberta X-treme Prep team scoring six times and adding 12 assists in 24 games.
Ronin Geraghty makes his WHL debut
When you get an opportunity, make the most of it.
That's what 2004-born goaltender Ronin Geraghty did tonight, stopping 30 of 32 shots faced. pic.twitter.com/2erz9iSSrZ
— Tri-City Americans (@TCAmericans) January 25, 2020
With Talyn Boyko sidelined with injury, the Tri-City Americans brought in 2004-born Ronin Geraghty to serve as back up to Mason Dunsford. With the team falling behind in Friday night’s game, Geraghty was sent between the pipes for his first WHL action. He stopped 30 of 32 shots directed his way by the division-leading Portland Winterhawks.
Kelly Kisio to be inducted into ‘Forever A Hitmen’ program
"His expertise, leadership, guidance and mentoring of many players and staff elevated the Hitmen to one of the premier franchises in the WHL."
On March 1st, Kelly Kisio will become the third inductee in the ‘Forever A Hitmen’ program! ➡️ https://t.co/o7RxKOLv8w pic.twitter.com/yAwOGoqEiW
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) January 24, 2020
After three seasons with the NHL’s Calgary Flames as a scout, the Calgary Hitmen named Kelly Kisio the general manager in time for the 1998-99 season. Until 2012-13 he served in that role before becoming the President of Hockey Operations in 2013-14. He served in that position until 2016-17 when he became a pro scout for the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. He will be inducted in the ‘Forever A Hitmen’ program on March 1st, 2020. Kisio also spent two seasons playing for the Calgary Wranglers in 1978-79 and 79-80. In 141 games with the Wranglers, Kisio scored 125 goals and added 134 assists. His son Brent Kisio is the head coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Cole Carrier returns from injury, Cikhart scratched
Tonight’s lineups for the @WHLPats and @WHLHurricanes. Cole Carrier will play in his first game with Regina, Parker Berge and Easton Armstrong to make their WHL debut. Danton Belluk starts in goal. Puck drops at 7 on @620ckrm. #WHL pic.twitter.com/24JDnT4F0I
— Phil Andrews (@Phil_Andrews_) January 24, 2020
Despite recently being listed as injured indefinitely Cole Carrier was in the lineup for the Pats. Jan Cikhart was not listed as injured but was not in the Pats lineup as they took on the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
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Brendan Boyle returns to the line up following a scary incident
Good to see @Boyler__8 back in the lineup tonight! pic.twitter.com/rky1CHt4bG
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) January 25, 2020
Boyle has not played since January 11th following a medical issue at a hotel the Cougars were staying at during their recent road trip. Boyle was able to return to game action last night in the Cougars 3-0 loss to the Kamloops Blazers.
Victoria Royals welcome back injured players
Here are tonight’s rosters and scratches! pic.twitter.com/ByIrA77tcF
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) January 25, 2020
Both Shane Farkas and Kaid Oliver returned to the Royals lineup. Both players had missed the last two games for the Royals.
Rockets get several players back from injury, send several players back to their home clubs
Starters, scratches and lines pic.twitter.com/YTPWpt9hBC
— Thom Beuning (@ThomBeuning) January 25, 2020
It’s been well documented that the Rockets have had struggles with injuries this season. They welcomed back Trevor Wong, Kyle Topping, Sean Comrie, and Roman Basran on Friday night though.
Comrie last played on December 13th, Basran last played on January 11th, Trevor Wong on January 10th and Kyle Topping had not played since October 30th. He had 13 points in 14 games before his lower-body injury.
With all these returnees, the Rockets returned the following players to their home clubs: Rilen Kovacevic, Dylan Wightman, Jarod Newell, and Cole Tisdale.
Oil Kings get Ethan McIndoe back from injury
We are less than 1 hour from puck drop in Prince Albert and these are your #OilKings lineups! #allhail pic.twitter.com/BS4DOllR4H
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) January 25, 2020
Forward Ethan McIndoe returned to the Oil Kings lineup after missing Wednesday night’s game against the Swift Current Broncos. Brendan Kuny was called up and saw game action while Jesse Seppala was scratched from the game lineup after just returning from a lengthy absence last weekend.
Alex Moar returns to the Broncos lineup
Broncos lineup for tonight:
Kaluski-Smithies-Jerome
A.Bulych-Nagy-Ostir
Alkhimov-Houk-Toman
Hagan-Pelletier-SaleskiMcGinley-Benson
DeKlerk-K.Bulych
Moar-SvensonPoulter
DilauraNot dressed: Hendren, Lacombe, Borysiuk, Sambrook, Buchanan
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) January 24, 2020
Recently listed as out week-to-week, Alex Moar returned to the Broncos lineup for the first time since January 11th.
Milestones
Atley Calvert and Jagger Firkus (Moose Jaw Warriors) both scored their first WHL goals
Troubling moments
Kamloops forward Connor Zary given a 5 minute major and a GM tonight for goalie interference on Prince George's Taylor Gauthier pic.twitter.com/CyKFDd1NPT
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) January 25, 2020
Draft Eligible forward Connor Zary of the Kamloops Blazers was given a 5-minute major and game misconduct for goaltender interference on the play shown in the above tweet. There was no contact from the Prince George defenseman and the contact with the goaltender did knock his mask off.
Former Medicine Hat Tigers signs overseas contract
Tomáš Netík (Medicine Hat, 2000-2001) signed contract for rest of this season with Karjalan Kopla Joensuu (Finland, Division 2). Last season with Košice (Slovakia, Extraliga) 30 GP, 6+18; with Innsbruck (Austria, Erste Bank Liga) 12 GP, 0+2.
— MacBeth Report (@MacBethReport) January 24, 2020
Tomas Netik played just three games in the Western Hockey League before heading back to his native Czech Republic and playing for HC Sparta Praha U20. He was not drafted to the NHL but did play some hockey in the KHL. He spent last season playing in both Slovakia (Kosice, Extraliga) and Austria (Innsbruck, Erste Bank Liga).
Three Stars of the night
1st star… Seth Jarvis (Portland) 2 goals 3 assists in 8-2 win over the Tri-City Americans
2nd star… Kyle Crnkovic (Saskatoon) 1 goal and 4 assists in 6-5 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers
3rd star… Calen Addison (Lethbridge) 5 assists in 7-2 win over the Regina Pats
Honorable mentions: Oliver Okuliar (Lethbridge) 2 goals 2 assists, Tristen Robins (Saskatoon) 3 goals, Jaydon Dureau (Portland) 1 goal 3 assists, Dylan Garand (Kamloops) 27 save shutout