Almeida signs
BREAKING: Justin Almeida (@justinalmeida27) signs NHL Entry-Level contract w/ @penguins
DETAILS: https://t.co/E5aJuLqgXv pic.twitter.com/nCeAFBFCnp
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) March 9, 2019
Moose Jaw Warriors forward Justin Almeida signed his entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. The 1999-born was drafted by the Penguins in the fifth round (129th overall) in last year’s entry draft after a 98 point season. Almeida also reached the 100 point plateau last night with a three point night in a 6-1 win over Regina. He now has 100 points (30G, 70A) in 60 games this season, leading the league in assists.
Sutter gets 500th win
Congratulations to Coach Brent Sutter on becoming the 9th coach in @TheWHL history to reach 500 wins! #RDR pic.twitter.com/Bzyh4np9PU
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 10, 2019
Red Deer Rebels Head Coach Brent Sutter earned his 500th WHL win in a big 8-4 win over Kootenay, becoming the ninth coach to do so. After his long NHL career ended, he became the franchise owner, president, general manager and head coach of the Rebels in 1999, where he remained GM/Head Coach until 2007 when he had a brief stint in the NHL, coaching the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames. Sutter returned to coach the Rebels in 2012 and has remained in the position since. He has coached in 943 WHL games and won a Memorial Cup in 2001.
Hajek gets first in NHL
FIRST @NHL GOAL ALERT!
Libor Hajek ties it up! pic.twitter.com/WLBRgK2v6V
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 10, 2019
Former Saskatoon Blades and Regina Pats defenceman Libor Hajek scored his first NHL goal on Saturday. The New York Rangers prospect has spent the majority of the season with Hartford of the AHL where he has five assists in 58 games and has one goal in five NHL games this season. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round (37th overall) in 2016 and was involved in a blockbuster deal that sent Ryan McDonough to the Lightning and fellow WHL alumnus Brett Howden to the Big Apple as well. In 192 WHL games between the Blades and Pats, he had 91 points (19G, 72A).
Byram sets new record
GOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLL!!!!@BowenByram in overtime!!! Giants win the game 4-3! Byram sets a new @TheWHL record for most OT goals in a single season! His sixth goal of the season gives the G-Men their 46th win of the season!
— xy – Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) March 10, 2019
Vancouver Giants defenceman Bowen Byram set a new WHL record with his sixth overtime winner of the season in a 4-3 overtime win over Tri-City. The record was previously held by Eric Fehr (2004/05) and Deven Sideroff (2016/17) who had five overtime goals. One of the top prospects heading into the upcoming NHL Draft, he is up to 69 points (26G, 43A) in 65 games.
Milestones
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Congrats to Chiefs defenseman Nolan Reid (@topchedda14) on 100 career @TheWHL assists!#GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/bYAlu0G1uh
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) March 9, 2019
Spokane Chiefs defenceman Nolan Reid earned his 100th WHL assist on Friday. The overage defenseman has split his WHL career between Saskatoon and Spokane, appearing in 328 games and has 37 goals and 101 assists. In his last year of junior hockey, he’s had his most productive season with 45 points (15G, 30A) in 64 games.
An unforgettable moment! ???#LETvsCGY pic.twitter.com/UfPkDueLKn
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) March 10, 2019
Calgary Hitmen top prospect Sean Tschigerl scored his first WHL goal in a 7-4 win. The 2018 fourth overall pick has played eight games with the Hitmen this season, recording the goal, and plays for OHA Edmonton Prep where he has 47 points (21G, 26A) in 28 games.
WOOOO! ? Just over two minutes into the 2nd, Chase Leslie gets his 1ST EVER WHL GOAL to make it 4-1! #RDR #CountryAndWesternNight #PlayoffPush pic.twitter.com/TuVQOuhynN
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 10, 2019
Red Deer Rebels rookie defenceman Chase Leslie scored his first WHL goal in their win over Kootenay on Saturday. The 16-year-old was the Rebels’ eighth round pick (163rd overall) in 2017 and has played in 43 games this season, collecting two points (1G, 1A).
Kukuca to miss games
Seattle will be without forward Andrej Kukuca tonight and the following two games. Per TBirds GM Bil La Forge “Andrej has to go home to write a test for schooling. He will miss the next three games."
— Andy Eide (@AndyEide) March 9, 2019
Seattle Thunderbirds import forward Andrej Kukuca will be missing three games due to exams back in Slovakia. This marks the third player to have to miss games for this, including Vancouver’s Milos Roman and Kootenay’s Martin Bodak. The Slovak has 54 points (25G, 29A) in 57 games with the Thunderbirds this season.
Troubling Moment
Red Deer's Alex Morozoff was given a 5 minute major for boarding and a GM for this hit on Kootenay's Valtteri Kakkonen last night pic.twitter.com/KwHnBLEX2S
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) March 10, 2019
Red Deer’s Alex Morozoff was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for this hit against Kootenay. He has no previous suspension history.
Three Stars of the Night
1st Star: Lethbridge’s Jordy Bellerive had two goals and three assists in a 7-4 win over Calgary.
2nd Star: Seattle’s Roddy Ross stopped 46 of 47 shots for a 2-1 win over Everett.
3rd Star: Spokane’s Adam Beckman had two goals and two assists in a 6-1 win over Victoria.
Honourable Mentions
Moose Jaw’s Brayden Tracey had two goals and an assist in a 6-1 win over Regina….Saskatoon’s Eric Florchuk had three assists in their 6-1 win over Swift Current….Red Deer’s Brandon Hagel had a goal and three assists in an 8-4 win over Kootenay….Medicine Hat’s Ryan Jevne had two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win over Brandon….Kamloops’ Jermaine Loewen scored the game winner in a 2-1 win over Kelowna….Prince George’s Josh Maser had two goals in a 5-2 win over Portland….Tri-City’s Parker AuCoin had two goals in a 4-3 overtime loss to Vancouver….
