Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Cougars make coaching change, ICE start Hall of Fame; Modano named to IIHF Hall of Fame; Rockets recall forward; several milestones around the league

Written by Paul Figler on

Prince George Cougars relieve Matvichuk of his duties

Gregg Drinnan has reported and confirmed that the Prince George Cougars head coach Richard Matvichuk has been relieved of his coaching duties.

ICE to honour former captain

In a surprising move, the team in Kootenay, that is being moved to Winnipeg following the end of the season, announced the launch of their ICE Hall of Fame. Jarret Stoll will be the inaugural inductee, he played in parts of 5 seasons with the Edmonton/Kootenay ICE from 1997-98 season through 2001-02. In 245 games with the team, he produced 124 goals and 162 assists. The team went on to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup twice as well as a Memorial Cup in 2002. March 2nd will be the date of the induction ceremony.

Modano added to the list of 2019 IIHF Hall of Fame inductees

The 2019 IIHF Hall of Fame class included the former Prince Albert Raider. The Livonia, Michigan product spent three seasons in the WHL, all with the Prince Albert Raiders. In 176 games, Modano registered 118 goals and 176 assists. He twice represented the United States at the World Junior Championships, playing in 14 games. He collected 20 points. Modano was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame on November 17, 2014 following 1499 NHL games, 1374 points and a Stanley Cup Championship with the Dallas Stars.

Quiring makes WHL debut with the Rockets

The 2003-born product of Vernon, BC made his WHL debut on Wednesday night in the Rockets 5-4 Loss to the Spokane Chiefs. Quiring is a 2018 WHL draft selection, 89th overall (5th round). He has split time with the Okanagan Rockets and the Vernon Vipers. He has 39 points (15G,24A) in 29 games with the Okanagan Rockets. He was pointless in his debut.

A couple of first goals from around the WHL

In the same game just minutes apart, the Kelowna Rockets Alex Swetlikoff and the Spokane Chiefs Connor Gabruch scored their first goal of the season. For Swetlikoff it opened the proverbial floodgates as he later scored his second of the season. It was his 16th game with the Rockets. For the 2001-born Gabruch, it was his 35th game with the Chiefs.

Two players collect their first WHL hat trick

In a losing effort, Ty Kolle of the Regina Pats scored all three goals for his team. The hat trick brought his goal total to 11 on the season. The Pats fell 4-3 to the Calgary Hitmen.

Phillip Schultz of the Victoria Royals scored his first WHL hat trick, collecting a goal in each period. He scored on the power play as well as at 5-on-5 and into an empty net with five seconds remaining to send his team to a 5-3 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds. He also now has 11 goals on the season.

Troubling moment

In a game that was already out of hand with the Saskatoon Blades up 5-1 late in the third, Jett Woo caught Kirby Dach heading up ice. This video does not clearly show the incident but the refs did catch it and assessed a 5-minute major and game misconduct to Jett Woo. It is believed the league will review this penalty, fortunately, Dach did return to the game.

Three Stars of the night

1. Phillip Schultz (VIC) His first WHL hat trick lead the way for the Victoria Royals, winners 5-3 over the Seattle Thunderbirds

2. Ty Kolle (REG) Scored all three goals in Regina’s losing 4-3 effort against the Calgary Hitmen. His first WHL Hat Trick

3. Ryan Jevne (MH) Two goals and two assists including the game winning goal in Medicine Hat’s 6-3 win over the Kootenay ICE

Honorable Mentions… Blades Rookie Kyle Crnkovic had 1 goal and 2 assists in Saskatoon’s 6-1 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors, Dawson Davidson also had 1 goal and 2 assists. Bowen Byram had the Overtime game winner to go with an assist as the Giants beat Prince George 4-3. Spokane’s Jake Toporowski scored twice and added an assist as the Chiefs squeezed by the Rockets 5-4