Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the DUB: WHL announcements, first WHL goals, alumni movement, and more!

Written by Paul Figler on

WHL announces schedule changes

The Western Hockey League announced on Friday that five games have had schedule changes

  • April 1 game between Kamloops and Victoria will now be played Saturday, April 3 @ 7:05 PM
  • March 31 game between Vancouver and Prince George will now be played Sunday, April 4 @ 6 PM
  • April 3 game between Kamloops and Vancouver will now be played Monday, April 5 @ 7 PM
  • April 8 game between Prince George and Vancouver is TBD

COVID-19 testing statement from WHL

To date, the Western Hockey League has administered a total of 4,991 tests for COVID-19 from February 12 through April 2, 2021, with nine positive test results. Eight of those test results are from the Kelowna Rockets and there was one positive test result returned for a WHL Official. That official has since tested a second time, with the results showing negative. The WHL Official has not skated a WHL game since March 20.

Tigers sign Dezainde

The Medicine Hat Tigers announced they have signed 2004-born forward Carlin Dezainde to a WHL Standard Player Contract. Dezainde was a listed prospect of the Tigers and played this season with Edge School Prep U18. In five games he scored six goals and added three assists.

Hildebrand signs with Raiders

The Prince Albert Raiders announced they signed 2004-goaltender Max Hildebrand to a WHL Standard Player Agreement. Hildebrand was a 13th round pick of the Raiders at the 2019 WHL Draft. This season in three games with the Saskatoon Contacts

Alexander earns first WHL shutout

Winnipeg ICE 2002-born goaltender Gage Alexander earned his first WHL shutout in a 3-0 win over the Prince Albert Raiders. Alexander has appeared in 12 WHL contests and has a 4-3-1-0 record, a 3.16 goals-against average, and a .883 save percentage. Alexander was a seventh-round pick of the ICE at the 2017 WHL Draft.

Peters scores first WHL goal

2003-born Edmonton Oil Kings defenseman Ethan Peters scored his first WHL goal last night in the Oil Kings 9-2 romp over the Red Deer Rebels. Peters’ goal came at 4:36 of the third period and gave Edmonton a 6-2 lead.

Smythe scores first WHL goal

Portland Winterhawks 2002-born defenseman Kurtis Smythe scored his first WHL goal in a 6-2 win over the Tri-City Americans last night. Smythe scored at 12:24 of the third period to give the Winterhawks a 5-2 lead. Smythe was a second-round pick of the Saskatoon Blades at the 2017 WHL Draft. He was dealt to the Winterhawks on May 3rd, 2018 in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick at the 2018 WHL Draft.

Brenton scores first WHL goal

Moose Jaw Warriors 2003-born defenseman Lucas Brenton scored his first WHL goal last night as his team won 4-0 over the Saskatoon Blades. Brenton’s goal came at 17:16 of the third period into an empty net. Brenton was a sixth-round 2016 WHL Draft pick of the Warriors.

Dorsette joins Tigers coaching staff

Tigers alumni forward Derek Dorsett (180GP, 49G, 79A with Medicine Hat ’04-’07) has joined the Tigers coaching staff. Dorsett was a seventh-round 2007 NHL Draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets and went on to play 515 NHL games before retiring following the 2018-19 season. He spent time with Columbus, the New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks. Dorsett was a member of the 2006-07 Ed Chynoweth Cup-winning Tigers team.

Coyotes recall Pederson, scores first NHL goal

Forward Lane Pederson (199GP, 53G, 87A with Seattle, Swift Current, and Red Deer) made his NHL debut last night after being called up by the Arizona Coyotes from the team’s taxi squad. In his NHL debut, Pederson at 10:47 of the second period to tie the game at two. Arizona went on to win 4-2. Pederson signed his second NHL contract for one year with the Coyotes on August 15, 2020.

Morrison traded by Blackhawks to Panthers

Forward Brad Morrison (334GP, 112G, 150A with Prince George, Vancouver, and Lethbridge) has been traded to the Florida Panthers by the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Vinnie Hinostroza. Morrison has split this season between the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs (6GP, 3G, 2A) and the ECHL’s Indy Fuel (3GP, 1G, 1A). Morrison was a fourth-round pick of the New York Rangers at the 2015 NHL Draft.

Clague and Strand recalled from LA Kings taxi squad

Defensemen Kale Clague (195GP, 26G, 141A with Brandon and Moose Jaw ’13-’18) and Austin Strand (268GP, 40G, 82A with Red Deer and Seattle ’14-’18) were activated by the Los Angeles Kings from their taxi squad. Clague has played 11 games with the Kings this season, registering three assists. He has also played 18 games with the Ontario Reign, scoring once and adding five assists. Clague is in the final year of the three-year entry-level contract signed on March 6, 2017. Strand has played 10 games with the King this season, registering one assist. In 11 games with the Reign, he has four assists. Strand signed a one-year deal with the Kings on October 12, 2020.

Davidson reassigned to Rochester Americans

Defenseman Brandon Davidson (200GP, 22G, 112A with Regina ’09-’12) has been reassigned to the Rochester Americans by the Buffalo Sabres. Davidson has played six games with the Sabres this season and one with the Americans and has yet to hit the score sheet. Davidson was selected in the sixth round of the 2010 WHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. He has since played with the Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks and Sabres.

Warm reassigned to Chicago Wolves

Goaltender Beck Warm (150GP, 71-56-13, 3.15GAA, .908sv% with Tri-City and Edmonton ’14-’20) has been reassigned from the Carolina Hurricanes taxi squad to the Chicago Wolves. Warm did not see any game action with the Hurricanes before being sent back to the AHL. With the Wolves, Warm is 5-1-0-0 with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage. Warm signed a two-year contract with the Hurricanes on March 5, 2021.

Johnson reassigned to IceHogs

Forward Reese Johnson (187GP, 55G, 45A with Red Deer ’14-’19) was reassigned to the Rockford IceHogs by the Chicago Blackhawks. In five games with the Blackhawks this season, Johnson has yet to hit the scoresheet. With the IceHogs, Johnson has three goals and three assists in eight games. Johnson signed a three-year contract with the Blackhawks on March 6, 2019.

Rasmussen reassigned to Red Wings taxi squad

Forward Michael Rasmussen (161GP, 81G, 76A with Tri-City ’14-’18) has been reassigned to the Red Wings taxi squad. Rasmussen has played 22 games with the Red Wings this season, scoring once and adding five assists. While with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Rasmussen has two goals and four assists through seven games. Rasmussen was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Red Wings. He signed a three-year entry-level contract on August 5, 2017.

Ennis assigned to Oilers taxi squad

Forward Tyler Ennis (245GP, 115G, 121A with Medicine Hat ’05-’09) has been reassigned to the Edmonton Oilers taxi squad after clearing waivers. Ennis has played 27 games with the Oilers this season, registering three goals and six assists. Originally drafted in the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Ennis has also played for the Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ottawa Senators. Ennis is on his sixth NHL contract, which he signed on October 9, 2020.

Glass recalled from Silver Knights

Holden recalled from taxi squad

Coghlan returned to taxi squad

Forward Cody Glass (239GP, 94G, 198A with Portland ’14-’19) has been recalled by the Vegas Golden Knights from the Henderson Silver Knights. Glass has played 25 NHL games this season, scoring four goals and adding six assists. In his only game with the Silver Knights, Glass scored once and added an assist. Glass is a 2017 first-round NHL draft pick of the Golden Knights. He is in the second season of his three-year entry-level contract, signed on July 15, 2017.

Defenseman Nick Holden (137GP, 30G, 61A with Chilliwack ’06-’08) has been recalled from the Golden Knights taxi squad. In 13 games this season with the Golden Knights, Holden has one assist. Holden, who was not drafted to the NHL, is in the first year of a two-year contract signed with the Golden Knights on February 24, 2020. It is his third NHL season with the Golden Knights. Holden has played 509 NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and the Vegas Golden Knights.

Defenseman Dylan Coghlan (265GP, 38G, 107A with Tri-City ’14-’18) has been reassigned to the Golden Knights taxi squad following his emergency callup. In 21 games with the Golden Knights, this season Coghlan has three goals and two assists. Coghlan is in the second year of his three-year entry-level contract signed on September 20, 2017.

Smithies commits to Grant MacEwen University Griffins

Forward Tyler Smithies (136GP, 8G, 27A with Moose Jaw and Swift Current ’16-’20) has committed to the Grant MacEwen University Griffins for the 2021-22 season. This season Smithies is playing for the Drayton Valley Thunder of the AJHL, he has one assist in six games.

Porter Jr. commits to Grant MacEwen University Griffins

Goaltender James Porter Jr. (82GP, 38-24-9, 3.12GAA, .900sv% with Kelowna and Spokane ’17-’20) has committed to the Grant MacEwen University Griffins for the 2021-22 season. Porter is currently a member of the Vernon Vipers and recorded a shutout in his first appearance. Porter was a seventh-round pick of the Kelowna Rockets at the 2015 WHL Draft.