Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Cougars’ Mikhalchuk heading to Russia & so much more

Written by Ben Dooley on

Cougars’ Mikhalchuk heading to Russia

The Prince George Cougars suffered a big, but not entirely surprising, blow on Monday as Vladislav Mikhalchuk signed a one-year contract with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL. Mikhalchuk was the Cougars leading scorer in the 2018-19 season with 25 goals and 25 assists in 68 games and would have been an overage import had he returned to the Cougars.. His career stat line in the WHL ends at 128 GP, 39 G, and 44 assists all with the Cougars. He was the Cougars first-round pick in the 2017 CHL Import Draft. The move means the Cougars will be able to select at least one import in this month’s import draft. They currently have Matej Toman (66 GP, 9 G, 11 A this season) filling their other import spot.

Blazers announce summer hockey school

The Kamloops Blazers have announced the details of their summer hockey school taking place in August. The program is open to Initiation, Novice, Atom, and PeeWee aged children. The cost to attend the school is $500 per child, but there is a discount for season ticket holders.

Winterhawks announce charity weekend

The Portland Winterhawks have announced a Charity Weekend taking place this August. The weekend will include a Charity Cookout, Auction and Golf Tournament. All proceeds from the weekend will be donated to the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and the Winterhawks Amateur Hockey Association. Tickets range from $250 for a single golfer and $800 for a foursome.

Varada to return as head coach of Czech-U20 team

Vaclav Varada (127 GP, 89 G, 84 A with the Tacoma/Kelowna Rockets) will be back behind the bench of the Czech U-20 squad for the 2019-20 season. Varada coached the Czech Republic to a 2-2-0 record at the 2019 World Junior Championship before they fell to the United States in the quarterfinal.

Irving signs in Sweden

Aaron Irving (276 GP, 42 G, 99 A with the Edmonton Oil Kings and Everett Silvertips) has signed in the SHL with Örebro HK for the 2019-20 season. Irving spent the 2018-19 season in Norway with Storhamer playing in 47 games and scoring 12 goals and 26 assists. He was a sixth-round pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Eberle re-signs with Steelers

The Sheffield Steelers of the EIHL have re-signed Tanner Eberle (270 GP, 80 G, 92 A with the Moose Jaw Warriors) for the 2019-20 season. In 57 games last season with Sheffield, Eberle had nine goals and 17 assists.

Imoo heads to KHL

Dusty Imoo (171 GP with the New Westminster Bruins, Lethbridge Hurricanes and Regina Pats) has decided to leave his position with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings as their goaltender development coach to join the KHL’s Kunlun Red Star. Prior to joining the Kings, Imoo had also spent two seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds as their goaltending coach.

Goethals commits to University of Manitoba 

Bradly Goethals (95 GP, 19 G, 20 A with the Everett Silvertips and Saskatoon Blades) has committed to the University of Manitoba Bisons for the 2019-20 season.

Crusaders acquire Oil Kings draft pick Wutzke 

The Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL announced that they have acquired overage defenseman Max Wutzke from the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs in exchange for future considerations. Wutzke was originally drafted by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the eighth round of the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, but he has not suited up for a WHL game.