Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: CHL names first full-time president, Hitmen sign imports, Hockey Canada announces Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster

Written by Ben Dooley on

Canadian Hockey League names first-full time president 

The Canadian Hockey League has hired Dan MacKenzie to be the league’s first full-time president. He will be overseeing the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and of course, the Western Hockey League. MacKenzie comes to the CHL from the NBA where he had spent the last 20 years as an executive including the last eight as the Managing Director of NBA Canada. He will report to the CHL Executive Council which will consist of OHL Commissioner David Branch, QMJHL Commissioner Gilles Courteau, and WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. MacKenzie begins his new role in September.

Hitmen sign both imports from 2019 CHL Import Draft 

The Calgary Hitmen have signed 2019 Import Draft Picks Jonas Peterek and Samuel Krajc to WHL Player Agreements. Peterek is a 2001-born forward from Ostrava, Czech Republic who played primarily with HC Frydek-Mistek last season recording two goals and nine assists in 41 games. Krajc is a 2002-born forward from Martin, Slovakia who mostly split last season between HK Dukla Trencin’s U18 and U20 programs. He saw action in 41 games with 19 goals and 14 assists. One has to wonder what this means for Yegor Zamula’s future with the team. The 19-year-old defenseman who is a Philadelphia Flyers prospect played 61 games with 10 goals and 46 assists with the Hitmen last year. One of these three imports will have to be cut or moved from the organization in order to be compliant with the CHL’s import rules.

Hockey Canada announces Hlinka Gretzky Cup Roster 

Hockey Canada has announced the roster for next week’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup Roster in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and a total of nine WHL players have made the roster:

  • Ozzy Wiesblatt (Prince Albert Raiders)
  • Justin Sourdif (Vancouver Giants)
  • Ridley Greig (Brandon Wheat Kings)
  • Connor McClennon (Winnipeg ICE)
  • Jake Neighbours (Edmonton Oil Kings)
  • Seth Jarvis (Portland Winterhawks)
  • Daemon Hunt (Moose Jaw Warriors)
  • Kaiden Guhle (Prince Albert Raiders)
  • Dylan Garand (Kamloops Blazers)

Hockey Canada also announced that Kelowna Rockets goaltending coach Adam Brown will be joining Hockey Canada as a goaltending consultant assistant for the tournament. The tournament runs from August 5th to August 10th and you can view the full schedule by clicking here.

Dach, Foote impress in the opening game of Hockey Canada’s World Junior Summer Showcase

Saskatoon Blades forward Kirby Dach and Kelowna Rockets forward Nolan Foote were among those who impressed in Canada’s first game at World Junior Summer Showcase, each garnering three points in a 4-1 victory for the Canadians. Everett Silvertips netminder Dustin Wolf played the full game for the Americans making 18 saves on 22 shots.

Streu signs in Germany 

Sebastian Streu (90 GP, 16 G, 18 A with the Kootenay ICE and Regina Pats) won’t be returning to the Pats for his overage season as he has signed with Eisbaren Berlin in the DEL. The move puts the Pats at the overage limit with Austin Pratt returning to the team and Dawson Holt and Robbie Holmes acquired in off-season trades with the Vancouver Giants and Everett Silvertips respectively.

Cougars announce additions to scouting department 

The Prince George Cougars have announced some additions to their scouting staff. As previously reported here, Leland Mack is joining the organization and we have learned his official title will be ” Head Pacific Region Scout.” Also joining the team are Rob Rogers, Tim Mills, David Reekie and re-joining the team is Trevor Sprague. 

Rogers joins the Cougars after serving as the B.C. Scout for the Spokane Chiefs. He will hold a similar title with Prince George. Mills comes to the Cougars from the Swift Current Broncos. He will serve as an Okanagan Scout. Reekie is a former WHL goaltender who played 121 games with the Regina Pats and Everett Silvertips from 2004-07. He will be involved in scouting the Regina and Southern Saskatchewan region. Finally, Sprague rejoins the organization as a Northern B.C./BCMML scout after leaving two years ago. Sprague, who also has experience with the Portland Winterhawks as a scout, is currently the General Manager of the BCMML’s Cariboo Cougars.

Hitmen to get a new arena 

Calgary City Council voted on Monday to approve a new arena deal between the City, Calgary Sports, and Entertainment Corporation and the Calgary Stampede Exhibition and Stampede. This new arena will play host to the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen when construction finishes but there is no word on when that date will be or when construction will begin on the new site.

Fake WHL Merchandise circulating on social media 

You may have seen this ad come up on your timeline but please DO NOT click the link. It’s a scam, it has been reported, and it has no affiliation with the WHL or the Saskatoon Blades. We do not love it.

Posted by Saskatoon Blades Hockey Club on Tuesday, July 30, 2019

You may have seen ads similar to this circulating on social media in the past few days. In addition to this post, we have seen reports of ads with Victoria Royals, Red Deer Rebels, and Everett Silvertips merchandise. Please be advised that this is not official WHL merchandise being advertised and that it is believed to be a scam. If you do see the ad on your social media, you are advised to report it to Facebook.

Witala returns to North America with IceMen

Chase Witala (302 GP, 120 G, 119 A with the Prince George Cougars) is returning to North America with the ECHL’s Jacksonville IceMen after spending the last 2+ years in Europe. Last year with Starbulls Rosenheim in the German Division III league, Witala had 21 goals and 30 assists in 44 games. 

Ross signs with ECHL’s Komets 

This news slipped by us last week but the Fort Wayne Komets have signed Lethbridge Hurricanes graduating forward Taylor Ross to an ECHL contract. In 233 games split between the Spokane Chiefs and Hurricanes, Ross recorded 65 goals and 70 assists.

Warrener announces departure from Sportsnet 960 

Rhett Warrener (197 GP, 22 G, 62 A with the Saskatoon Blades) has announced he won’t be returning to Sportsnet 960 this fall. Warrener, who played 12 seasons in the NHL with the Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames will be retiring from broadcasting to spend more time with his family.