Prince George gets a commitment from Toman
Little refresher on some of @TomanMatej handiwork.#WHL #NorthernUprising pic.twitter.com/tJHNV4AvRG
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) August 9, 2018
The Prince George Cougars announced the signing of their 2018 CHL Import Draft pick (fifth overall) Matej Toman. The 2001-born forward is currently playing for the Czech Republic at the Hlinka Gretzky Tournament. He played for teams in the Czech U18 and U20 leagues last year, potting 29 points in 32 games. He also played at the World Hockey Challenge for the Czech Republic, notching three goals in three games.
The five-foot-10, 168 pound play maker was described as a smart two-way player by ISS Hockey.
This brings the Cougars import players to the limit of two as 1999-born forward Vladislav Mikhalchuk is expected back for the 2018-19 season after putting up 33 points in his first WHL season.
WHL training camps start in under two weeks.
These are the dates we know so far:
Brandon Wheat Kings: August 31st.
Calgary Hitmen: August 24th
Edmonton Oil Kings: Rookies August 23rd, on ice 24th
Kamloops Blazers: August 24th-27th
Kootenay ICE: August 25th-28th.
Medicine Hat Tigers: August 24th.
Moose Jaw Warriors: August 22nd.
Portland Winterhawks: August 21st-24th.
Red Deer Rebels: August 22nd.
Spokane Chiefs: August 23rd-25th with Red and White game going on August 26th. Camp will start with three teams for the first three days. Those teams will be named after former Chiefs Tyler Johnson, Kevin Sawyer and Derek Ryan.
Tri-City Americans: August 23rd-25th. Blue and White game on August 26th.
Detroit announces prospect tournament roster
The Red Wings camp attendees with WHL connections include signed first round picks Dennis Cholowski (Portland) and Michael Rasmussen (Tri-City), unsigned 2017 third round pick Lane Zablocki (Victoria) and recently signed former Tri-City center Jordan Topping (signed an AHL deal with Grand Rapids).
Canada and USA tangle in one semifinal, while Russia and Sweden battle in the other at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup
#Hlinka: Here is the eventual game winner for Canada as LHD Bowen Byram (Ranked No. 5) hammered a wobbly puck that C Kirby Dach (Ranked No. 10) tipped home.
Canada will face the U.S. in one semifinal on Friday, and the Swedes take on Russia. pic.twitter.com/OAueRzfNVj
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) August 9, 2018
Canada scored the game-winner with under two minutes left to win Group A over Sweden and Russia scored five straight goals to win 8-3 and take Group B over the USA. That sets up semifinals on Friday that will have the USA play Canada and Russia take on Sweden. The winners of those games will play in the final on Saturday in Edmonton, AB.
"I didn't touch it, that was all Bowen's shot" – Kirby Dach on Canada's game-winning goal over Sweden on Wednesday night at the #HlinkaGretzkyCup pic.twitter.com/33zx4beU9D
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) August 9, 2018
Links and notes:
@PDXWinterhawks Booster Club president Stuart Kemp determined to be ready for #WHL hockey season after suffering strokes: https://t.co/m1vcDc6ZSn
— Paul Danzer (@PaulDanzer) August 9, 2018
-Shortly after he was signed to a contract in The ECHL, former Portland Winterhawks and Kootenay ICE forward Colton Veloso got an invite to Manitoba Moose (AHL) training camp.
ICE alumnus Colton Veloso is heading to @ManitobaMoose camp.
READ >> https://t.co/qdMmijNOeN#OurICE pic.twitter.com/5lTLtGrTeo
— Kootenay ICE (@WHLKootenayICE) August 8, 2018
-Saskatoon announced some scouting staff changes today. They added former Swift Current Broncos scout Brian Leavold and Derek Serraglio. They also announced that Kerry Gladson had resigned. Gladson scouted in B.C. for the Blades.
-Former Vancouver Giants defenseman Neil Manning signed a one-year AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs.
-Former Portland Winterhawks d-man Blake Heinrich signed with the Rapid City Rush of the ECHL. He had spent the last two years with the University of Manitoba.
