Chiefs release Klassen, hand reins to Parik
? | G Reece Klassen has been released & cleared #WHL waivers.
We'd like to thank Reece for his time in Spokane and with him the best moving forward! #OnceAChief
? | https://t.co/YLjZ6as19F pic.twitter.com/UgtdRqkn9p
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) September 18, 2019
The Spokane Chiefs have released goaltender Reece Klassen and he is now a free agent and can pursue other hockey opportunities. The Cloverdale, BC native suited up for 62 WHL games over two seasons with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Spokane Chiefs. The move gives 2019 import draft pick Lukas Parik an opportunity to take the starter’s job and run with it. It also leaves the Chiefs with three overagers on the roster: Noah King, Ethan McIndoe, and Filip Kral. Jake McGrew is also eligible to return to the Chiefs this year but is signed and attending training camp with the San Jose Sharks. Normally that would make McGrew unlikely to return but as the Sharks do not currently have an ECHL affiliate he could be a surprise return to the WHL this year, as we saw with Noah Gregor last season.
Parik returned to Chiefs
The LA Kings have assigned Aidan Dudas, Arthur Kaliyev, Lukas Parik and Jordan Spence to their Junior Teams.
Billy Constantinou and Jonathan Yantsis were released from their ATO deals. https://t.co/tt7pNFnFgU
— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 18, 2019
Speaking of Parik, he’s been returned to the Chiefs from the Los Angeles Kings training camp and will be available for their season opener against Kamloops on Friday.
Caller released by Blazers, to join BCHL’s Vipers
D Jackson Caller to join BCHL’s Vernon Vipers.
Release: https://t.co/pXznd6a0cZ pic.twitter.com/AAtpx4jzst— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) September 18, 2019
The Kamloops Blazers have released 1999-born defenseman Jackson Caller and he will be joining the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers. In 210 games with the Portland Winterhawks, Saskatoon Blades and Kamloops Blazers, the Kamloops, BC native had six goals and 31 assists. With just Zane Franklin and Kobe Mohr remaining, the Blazers joined the Moose Jaw Warriors and Swift Current Broncos as teams currently carrying just two overage players.
Flyers send three WHLers back to junior
Down to 54. https://t.co/erop4wjFjB
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) September 18, 2019
The Philadelphia Flyers have returned Sean Comrie (Kelowna Rockets) Ben McCartney (Brandon Wheat Kings), and Egor Zamula (Calgary Hitmen) back to their respective junior clubs. Zamula returning to the Hitmen does create a problem for the team as they also have Jonas Peterek and Samuel Krajc as signed imports. The team will have a short window to comply with the CHL Import Restrictions which will require them to move out one of these three players.
Schmiemann, Zummack headed back to WHL
We have reduced our #BoltsCamp roster by six players.
Our roster now stands at 56.https://t.co/HZO5NQawpP
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 18, 2019
Quinn Schmiemann (Kamloops Blazers) and Eli Zummack (Spokane Chiefs) were among six cuts to the Tampa Bay Lightning training camp roster and will be returning to the WHL. They’ll take to the ice this weekend against each other when the Blazers and Chiefs do battle.
Barteaux returned to Rebels
We've returned Dawson Barteaux to Red Deer of the WHL. The roster now stands at 58.#GoStars https://t.co/GH99NYBbWB
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) September 18, 2019
Dawson Barteaux has been returned to the Red Deer Rebels and should be in the lineup when they take the ice on Saturday against the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Sydlowski released from Rebels active roster
The Rebels have assigned forward Blake Sydlowski (01) to Sherwood Park of the AJHL. #RDR
?@wallygator88 pic.twitter.com/BKQW0gUEz2— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) September 18, 2019
The Red Deer Rebels have released 2001-born Blake Sydlowski from the active roster and he will be reporting to the Sherwood Park Crusaders in the AJHL. Last season with the Rebels, he notched a goal and two assists in 35 games.
Hammett headed to Regina Pat Canadians
The Brandon Wheat Kings have reassigned 16-year-old defenceman Logen Hammett to the Regina Pat Canadians U18 Program.
The #BWK roster now sits at 17 forwards, 7 defencemen and 3 goaltenders.
?Roster: https://t.co/FO4lM1w7RB pic.twitter.com/oON6B46HWT
— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) September 18, 2019
The Brandon Wheat Kings have released 16-year-old defenseman Logen Hammett from the active roster. The 2018 fifth-round pick had one assist in three preseason games this year. He’ll be reporting to the Regina Pat Canadians.
Krebs to lead ICE in first season in Winnipeg
BREAKING | The Winnipeg ICE have announced the leadership group for the 2019-2020 season.
READ ➡️ https://t.co/hCRVQpoGY8 pic.twitter.com/Pw4OeyEnal
— Winnipeg ICE (@WHLWpgICE) September 18, 2019
Peyton Krebs has been named Captain of the Winnipeg ICE for their inaugural season in Winnipeg. Fans who followed the team from their days in Kootenay will remember he was named captain back in December of 2018. He is currently recovering from an injury sustained in an off-season training accident. Wearing ‘A’s will be 2017 second overall pick Connor McClennon, Jakin Smallwood and Chase Hartje.
CHL releases first Top 10 ranking of the year
Preseason #KiaCHLTop10 Rankings:@GoLondonKnights open 2019-20 ☝️
1-LDN, 2-CHI, 3-SAS, 4-OTT, 5-KAM, 6-HAL, 7-SAG, 8-EDM, 9-SHE, 10-VAN.
Honours: PBO, MON, CGY
Let the march to @CHLMemorialCup Presented by @KiaCanada begin across @TheWHL, @OHLHockey, and @QMJHL ? pic.twitter.com/qIectgMF54
— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) September 18, 2019
The CHL has released their preseason edition of the Top 10 Rankings. Topping the list from a WHL perspective is the Saskatoon Blades who come in at #3 after posting a 4-0-1 record in the preseason. The undefeated Kamloops Blazers (7-0-0) we’re #5. They’re followed by the Edmonton Oil Kings at #8 (5-0-0) and Vancouver Giants at #10. (4-2-0). The Calgary Hitmen also received an honourable mention with a record of 2-2-0.
Verbicky signs with Capitals
The Capitals have signed 2003 born forward Kobe Verbicky (@KobeVerbicky )! See him in action tonight when the Caps host Surrey at the Cowichan Community Centre!https://t.co/sVoywIrX6a pic.twitter.com/3ulPWxC4pt
— Cowichan Capitals (@cowichancaps) September 18, 2019
After being released from the Edmonton Oil Kings active roster, Kobe Verbicky has signed on with the BCHL’s Cowichan Capitals for the 2019-20 season. In preseason action this year he had one goal in four games.
Newly-acquired Ginnell receives jersey number
New guy's in town?
Riley Ginnell will wear jersey number2⃣5⃣
You may remember jersey #25 from such players as Ray Ferraro, Terry Yake, Ryan Craig, Bryan McCabe and Ryan Reaves to name a few. pic.twitter.com/jDRE3xotCx
— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) September 18, 2019
Recently acquired Riley Ginnell will be wearing #25 with the Brandon Wheat Kings when they hit the ice for their season opener against the Winnipeg ICE on Friday night.
Art Hauser Centre update
There's a scoreboard in the Hauser! They're not using tonight for the Mintos vs. Blazers and it's hiding in the rafters, but it's there. pic.twitter.com/dieUR2NrGl
— Jeff D'Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) September 19, 2019
Yesterday we noted that the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert was still undergoing renovations. Today we can note that a scoreboard has been installed.
Ozar joins Ice Wolves
The Ice Wolves are pleased to announce that 2002 D man Alex Ozar has joined the team. Last year Ozar had 6G, 27A, and 82 PIM in 40 games with PA Mintos He was our #1 draft pick in 2017 and joins our #2 2017 pick Logan Holm. Welcome to the Pack!!!#Bleedteal #Packlife #SJHL pic.twitter.com/q3fL9rWE3F
— La Ronge Ice Wolves (@SJHL_IceWolves) September 19, 2019
The La Ronge Ice Wolves of the SJHL have signed 2002-born Alex Ozar after they selected him in the 2017 SJHL Draft. The Prince Albert, Saskatchewan native is a prospect of the Saskatoon Blades after they selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. He suited up for four preseason games this year and was held pointless.
Klinkhammer re-signs in KHL
Rob Klinkhammer (Lethbridge, Seattle, Portland, Brandon) signed one-year contract with Avangard Omsk (Russia, KHL). Last season with Ak Bars Kazan (Russia, KHL) 57 GP, 19+5.
— MacBeth Report (@MacBethReport) September 18, 2019
Rob Klinkhammer (230 GP, 57 G, 67 A with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Seattle Thunderbirds, Portland Winterhawks, and Brandon Wheat Kings) has signed with Avangard Omsk in the KHL. Last season with Ak Bars Kazan, he registered 19 goals and five assists in 57 games.
Card announces retirement
Caught up with Mike Card, who lives in Germany. The d-man told me he has officially retired as a player. Also told me he attended the NHL Exposure Combine in Buffalo in August. You can hear the interview this winter on 'The @Kelowna_Rockets This Week' on AM 1150. pic.twitter.com/pNYcbX5AW4
— Regan Bartel (@Reganrant) September 18, 2019
In an interview with AM1150’s Regan Bartel, Mike Card (269 GP, 35 G, 112 A with the Kelowna Rockets) has stated that he is officially retired from professional hockey. The Kitchener, Ontario native played 13 pro seasons which included a four-game stint with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.