Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Blades sign Saunderson, Byram leads Canada to pre-tournament win, Alumni updates and more

Written by Ben Dooley on

Blades sign Saunderson

The Saskatoon Blades have signed 2019 fifth-round pick Ben Saunderson to a WHL Education Contract. Saunderson is currently with the Yellowhead Chiefs Midget AAA team in the MMHL where he has one goal and 17 assists in 27 games.

Byram, Hofer lead Canada to pre-tournament victory

Vancouver Giants defenseman Bowen Byram scored the clinching goal and Portland Winterhawks goaltender Joel Hofer made four saves in 30 minutes of action as Canada shutout Switzerland 3-0 in pre-tournament action ahead of the World Junior Hockey Championship.

WHL to offer three days of free WHL Live

WHL fans will be able to watch games free of charge on December 28th, 29th, and 30th by entering the promo code “WHLGIFT19” on the WHL Live site.

WHL partnering with Okanagan Hockey Group for U.S. Combines

The WHL will be hosting two U.S. combines in April of 2020 in Irvine, California and Las Vegas, Nevada has the league looks to expand its presence in the western United States. The combines will be open to players born in 2004-09 and those interested can register here. The WHL also notes that attending the combine will not impact a player’s NCAA eligibility.

Comrie re-claimed by Jets

Eric Comrie (168 GP with the Tri-City Americans from 2010-2015) has re-joined the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft after the Winnipeg Jets claimed him off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings.

Anderson scores first AHL goal

Josh Anderson (206 GP, 9 G, 26 A with the Prince George Cougars and Swift Current Broncos from 2013-18) scored his first AHL goal on Thursday in his seventh AHL game.

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McMillan traded to Avangard Omsk 

Brandon McMillan (251 GP,  56 G, 113 A with the Kelowna Rockets from 2006-10) has been traded in the KHL from Dinamo Riga to Avangard Omsk. In 34 games this season, he’s posted nine goals and 11 assists.

Milyokhin receives release

Nikita Milyokhin (16 GP, 1 G, 3 A with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 2014-15) requested and received his release from Russian club Torpedo-Gorky. In 29 games this year, he had three goals and three assists.

Hockey Canada announces Spengler Cup roster

Hockey Canada has announced the 22-man roster for this year’s Spengler Cup and a total of seven WHL alumni will represent Canada this year:

  • Adam Tambellini (102 GP, 64 G, 61 A with the Calgary Hitmen from 2013-15)
  • Kris Versteeg (264 GP, 62 G, 105 A with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kamloops Blazers and Red Deer Rebels from 2002-06)
  • Eric Fehr (279 GP, 146 G, 131 A with the Brandon Wheat Kings from 2000-05)
  • Scottie Upshall (173 GP, 99 G, 127 A with the Kamloops Blazers from 2000-03)
  • Ben Maxwell (210 GP, 64 G, 95 A with the Kootenay ICE from 2003-08)
  • Paul Postma (270 GP, 44 G, 117 A with the Swift Current Broncos and Calgary Hitmen from 2004-09)
  • Brendan Burke (144 GP with the Portland Winterhawks and Calgary Hitmen from 2011-16)

Pittis to be inducted into Americans Hall of Fame

Domenic Pittis (203 GP, 110 G, 159 A with the Lethbridge Hurricanes from 1991-1994) will be inducted into the Rochester Americans Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020. Pittis played parts of three seasons with the Americans tallying 246 points in 204 games.

Rigby named Head Coach of Coyotes

Carter Rigby (226 GP, 70 G, 62 A with the Prince George Cougars, Kelowna Rockets and Swift Current Broncos from 2009-2015) has been named the head coach of the KIJHL’s Osoyoos Coyotes. This will be his first coaching gig after retiring from hockey in 2015-16).