Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Americans trade captain to Hitmen, Topping skates with Rockets and more

Written by Ben Dooley on

Americans continue shaking things up

The Tri-City Americans continued to shake things up in a major way with their fourth trade since December 27th. The team sent captain and overage forward Kyle Olson to the Calgary Hitmen for overage forward James Malm, a second-round pick in 2020 (Tri-City’s own acquired by Calgary in the Jake Bean trade) and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2020. Olson was a late return to the league as he started in the AHL with the Rochester Americans. Since returning to Tri-City, he’s notched five goals and nine assists in 16 games. Malm has been limited to 21 games this year due to injury but has put up point totals comparable to Olson with three goals and 14 assists.

Topping takes another step in recovery

Kelowna Rockets forward Kyle Topping has made another step in his recovery returning to the ice at practice with the team. Topping, who has been out since October 30th with a broken ankle, is not yet cleared to return to action, but certainly appears to be headed in that direction.

Perepeluk handed a two-game suspension

According to the WHL’s discipline page, Prince George Cougars forward Reid Perepeluk has been handed a two-game suspension for a kneeing major against Kelowna on Monday as well as being a repeat offender. He will miss the back-to-back series with the Everett Silvertips and be eligible to return on January 8th against Regina.

Sourdif absent from Giants practice

2020 NHL Draft Eligible prospect Justin Sourdif was absent from Vancouver Giants practice on Thursday for undisclosed reasons but the team expects that he will be in the lineup on Friday against Kamloops. Steve Ewen of The Province and our Stephen Hawco both point to a shot off the right skate that may be the cause of the absence.

Cougars recall Ziemmer 

The Prince George Cougars have recalled 2019 first-round pick Koehn Ziemmer from the St. Albert Raiders. He played one game on December 8th with the Cougars against the Portland Winterhawks but did not hit the scoresheet.

Silvertips expand leadership group

The Everett Silvertips expanded their leadership group on Thursday naming Cole Fonstad and Jake Christiansen assistant captains. Neither player started the year with the team, which explains the late addition to the group but both are veterans of the WHL. They join captain Bryce Kindopp and assistant captains Gianni Fairbrother and Wyatte Wylie as the leadership core.

World Juniors Update

  • Calgary’s Yegor Zamula had one assist.
  • Everett’s Martin Fasko-Rudas was eliminated from the tournament as was Dustin Wolf.
  • Lethbridge’s Dylan Cozens had two assists as did Calen Addison. Olivier Okuliar was eliminated from the tournament.
  • Moose Jaw’s Libor Zabransky was eliminated from the tournament.
  • Portland’s Joel Hofer made 17 saves on 18 shots. Simon Knak was eliminated from the tournament along with his Swiss teammates.
  • Saskatoon’s Radek Kucerik was eliminated from the tournament.
  • Seattle’s Simon Kubicek was eliminated from the tournament.
  • Spokane’s Lukas Parik was eliminated from the tournament.
  • Winnipeg’s Michael Teply was eliminated from the tournament.

WHLers named Czech Republic “Players of the Tournament”

Moose Jaw Warriors defenseman Libor Zabransky, Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Simon Kubicek and Winnipeg ICE forward Michael Teply were named the Czech Republic’s best three players of the tournament following their elimination from the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championship.

 

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Beckman takes home WHL Player of the Month

With 15 goals and 5 assists in 11 games in December, Spokane Chiefs forward Adam Beckman‘s dominant performance earned himself the WHL Player of the Month award. He ended the month on a nine-game goal and point-scoring streak and currently sits atop the WHL in goals (28) and points (58).

Cossa named WHL Goaltender of the Month

Edmonton Oil Kings goaltender Sebastian Cossa has been named the WHL Goaltender of the Month. The Oil Kings netminder posted a 6-1-0-0 record to go along with a 1.98 GAA and 0.933 Save Percentage. With the acquisition of Beck Warm from Tri-City, Edmonton now has one of the best goaltending duos in the league.

Sillinger once again WHL Rookie of the Month

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Cole Sillinger has once again been named the WHL’s Rookie of the Month with two goals and 15 assists in name games in the month of December. Sillinger previously took home the award in September/October.

Mullin to broadcast Broncos games on TV

Congratulations to our own Shawn Mullin, co-host of the WHL Unfiltered podcast, who has been selected as the broadcaster for select Regina Pats-Swift Current Broncos games on Access 7 Sports starting tonight.

Cougars set to host pride night

The Prince George Cougars will be hosting their first-ever pride night in support of the city’s LGBTQ+ community tonight. Cougars’ Pride Society President Susan Trabant told My Prince George Now she believes this is the first pride night held at the WHL level.

Brooks records first NHL point

Adam Brooks (317 GP, 119 G, 216 A with the Regina Pats from 2012-17) tallied his first NHL point on Thursday with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The fourth-round pick of the Leafs in 2016 was playing in just his third NHL game.

De Jong commits to Dinos

Brendan De Jong (317 GP, 24 G, 64 A with the Portland Winterhawks from 2014-19) has committed to the University of Calgary Dinos after starting the year with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder. The former sixth-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes had two goals and one assist in 25 games with the Thunder before deciding to pursue his post-secondary education.

Lukacevic signs in Germany

Ned Lukacevic (238 GP, 63 G, 74 A with the Spokane Chiefs and Swift Current Broncos from 2001-06) has signed with the Rostock Piranhas after notching two goals and two assists in a successful five-game try-out.