Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the DUB: Barnes takes helm of the Ams, Steel re-ups with the Ducks, T-Birds change hockey ops staff, and more!

Written by Brian Wiebe on

Ams name Barnes as head coach

Stu Barnes (148 goals, 238 assists in 204 games with New Westminster and Tri-City from 1987-90) was named head coach of the Tri-City Americans on Saturday.

The 50-year-old from Spruce Grove, AB has been a part-owner of the Americans since the 2005-06 seasons. Barnes has been a pro scout for the Seattle Kraken for the past two seasons.

Steel agrees on an extension with Anaheim

Sherwood Park, AB product and forward Sam Steel (123 goals, 215 assists in 258 games with Regina from 2014-18) has signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

The 23-year-old is entering his fourth season in Anaheim. He had six goals and 12 points in 42 games with the Ducks during the 2020-21 season.

Thunderbirds make changes to hockey operations staff

The Seattle Thunderbirds announced on Friday the hiring of Matt Marquardt as an assistant coach, Brad Guzda as goaltending coach, and the promotion of Jared Crooks to assistant general manager.

Marquardt, 34, was a player-assistant coach for the Dundee Stars of the Elite Ice Hockey League from 2018 to 2020. Guzda, 48, has worked as a goalie trainer in the Nashville, TN region since 2012. Crooks, 32, spent the last three seasons as the T-Birds’ skills development, video coach, and player education advisor.

WHL reschedules Oil Kings-Warriors game

The Western Hockey League announced that the Friday, Jan. 21 game in Edmonton between the Oil Kings and Moose Jaw Warriors has been rescheduled. The game is now set for Tuesday, Jan. 25 at Rogers Place.

Smith leaves the Cougars for Lehigh Valley

Jason Smith (23 goals, 81 assists in 128 games with Regina from 1991-93) is the new assistant coach of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League.

Smith, a 47-year-old from Calgary, AB, spent the last two seasons as associate coach for the Prince George Cougars. He was also head coach of the Kelowna Rockets from 2016-18.

Lind accepts qualifying offer from the Kraken

Forward Kole Lind (83 goals, 141 assists in 204 games with Kelowna from 2015-18) has accepted his qualifying offer from the Seattle Kraken and now has a one-year, two-way contract for 2021-22.

The 22-year-old from Shaunavon, SK played seven games for the Vancouver Canucks in 2020-21 and didn’t put up any points. He added eight points in eight games with Utica of the AHL.

Kulda inks a deal with Dinamo Riga

Forward Edgars Kulda (49 goals, 58 assists in 177 games with Edmonton from 2012-15) has signed with Dinamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League for 2021-22.

Kulda, a 26-year-old from Riga, LAT, had eight goals and 16 points in 41 games with Metallurg Novokuznetsk of Russia’s Vysshaya Hokkeinaya Liga in 2020-21.

Zorko moves to the Czech Republic

Twenty-four year old defenseman Luka Zorko (one goal in 26 games with Prince George in 2015-16) has signed with SK Kadan of Chance Liga, which is the second-highest level of pro hockey in the Czech Republic.

The native of Novo Mesto, SLO posted six goals and 22 points in 40 games with HK Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenia this past season.

Shilo moves to Yunost Minsk of the Belarusian League

2003-born forward Vladislav Shilo has signed for the 2021-22 season with Yunost Minsk of the Belarusian Extraleague A, which is the top hockey league in Belarus.

Shilo, who’s from Minsk, BLR, was the Prince Albert Raiders first pick, 45th overall, in last year’s CHL Import Draft. He had four points in 14 games with Team Belarus U18 this past season.

Lipsbergs signs an extension in Austria

Forward Roberts Lipsbergs (79 goals, 67 assists in 165 games with Seattle from 2012-15) signed an extension with EC Bregenzerwald of the Alps Hockey League for 2021-22.

The 27-year-old from Riga, LAT posted 21 goals and 35 points in 27 games with Bregenzerwald this past season.

Mount Royal University brings in WHL alumni

The Mount Royal University Cougars of U SPORTS announced their incoming group of players for the 2021-22 season on Thursday, including seven Western Hockey League players.

  • Forward Ty Kolle (86 points in 197 games with Portland, Lethbridge, Regina, and Everett from 2016-20)
  • Forward Josh Tarzwell (110 points in 253 games with Lethbridge and Red Deer from 2016-21)
  • Forward Robbie Holmes (114 points in 231 games with Regina and Everett from 2016-20)
  • Forward Ethan Regnier (89 points in 207 games with Swift Current and Everett from 2017-21)
  • Forward Spencer Moe (129 points in 286 games with Prince Albert from 2016-21)
  • Defenseman Seth Bafaro (45 points in 206 games with Tri-City, Saskatoon, and Vancouver from 2016-20)
  • Defenseman Kyle Walker (43 points in 187 games with Everett and Regina from 2017-21)

Sale and Alexander listed by the Cougars

The Prince George Cougars announced the placing of 2005-born forwards Josh Sale of Prince George, BC and Grayden Alexander of Fort St. John, BC on their 50-player WHL protected list on Saturday.

Sale spent the 2020-21 season with the Cariboo Cougars U16 AAA team and Alexander was with the North East Zone U15 AA squad. He also spent time with the North East Zone U18 AA team.