Kiviniemi returns to Finland
Statement: The status of Finnish forward Joona Kiviniemi
Giants forward Joona Kiviniemi has returned to his home country of Finland for personal reasons. The Giants wish to respect the privacy of Joona and his family, and will not be making any further comments at this time.
— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) November 11, 2019
After being traded from the Swift Current Broncos to the Vancouver Giants last week, Joona Kiviniemi has returned home to Finland for personal reasons. Kiviniemi did practice with the club on Wednesday and Thursday according to Province Reporter Steve Ewen, however, he did not suit up for Friday or Saturday’s back-to-back with the Portland Winterhawks. There is no word on when or if Kiviniemi plans to return to the Giants.
Wedman suspended four games
Things got testy tonight in Kent. With under 30 seconds left, Everett's Gianni Fairbrother checked Seattle's Conner Bruggen-Cate from behind. Went uncalled. Then Matthew Wedman came over and checked Fairbrother up high. He was given 5 for charging and a GM… pic.twitter.com/DVqyokuAyH
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) November 10, 2019
Seattle Thunderbirds forward Matthew Wedman has been suspended four games for the above check to the head on Everett Silvertips defenseman Gianni Fairbrother. Wedman was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for charging on the play. The suspension will keep Wedman out until November 23rd’s game against the Saskatoon Blades.
A melee followed and Everett's Dawson Butt was called for a match penalty/intent to injury. Camera cuts here and there so not entirely sure this is what he was called for but he catches Bruggen-Cate with an upper cut while the overager is somewhat tied up. pic.twitter.com/3zLskUM8Pn
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) November 10, 2019
Everett Silvertips forward Dawson Butt has also been suspended for two games for his role in the above melee following the hit on Fairbrother. Butt can be seen in the video hitting Thunderbirds forward Conner Bruggen-Cate with a swift uppercut while Bruggen-Cate was tied up. He will also see his return against the Saskatoon Blades when they visit Everett on November 22nd.
Rockets release Mofford from the active roster
The Rockets have reassigned forward Deegan Mofford to the West Kelowna Warriors of the BCHL.
Details ➡️ https://t.co/gQ5t3NLGCB pic.twitter.com/MJgXUDGxTg
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) November 11, 2019
The Kelowna Rockets have released forward Deegan Mofford from the active roster. A third-round pick of the Rockets in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, Mofford played in two games this season with zero points. Although he’s been released from the active roster, Mofford will be staying close to the Rockets as he’s expected to report to the West Kelowna Warriors of the BCHL.
Hamblin named WHL Player of the Week
Captain @HamblinJames10 of the @tigershockey is the WHL On the Run Player of the Week!
DETAILS ? | https://t.co/lonJYLLtGQ pic.twitter.com/JbKoyhGhDz
— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 11, 2019
For the second time this season, Medicine Hat Tigers captain James Hamblin has been named the WHL’s Player of the Week. The Edmonton, Alberta native led the WHL this week with three goals and five assists in three games. With 28 points in 19 games, he’s currently tied for third in WHL scoring.
Miner takes home WHL Goalie of the Week honours
.@Avalanche prospect @trent_miner of the @WHLGiants is your WHL @EliWilsonG Goaltender of the Week!
DETAILS ? | https://t.co/OtpGK9vFIF pic.twitter.com/XExQcgZW0B
— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 11, 2019
Vancouver Giants netminder Trent Miner has taken home this week’s WHL Goalie of the Week honours. After a bit of a slow start to the year, Miner has bounced back as of late. This week, he posted a 1-0-0-1 record with a 0.96 GAA and .964 save percentage.
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Milestones
- Kamloops Blazers forward Matthew Seminoff scored his first WHL goal.
Chipchura signs in KHL
Kyle Chipchura (Prince Albert, 2001-2006) signed contract for rest of this season with Severstal Cherepovets (Russia, KHL). Last season with Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia, KHL) 61 GP, 6+14, 14:59 average time on ice.
— MacBeth Report (@MacBethReport) November 11, 2019
Kyle Chipchura (216 GP, 59 G, 106 A with the Prince Albert Raiders from 2001-06) has signed on with Severstal Cherepovets in the KHL for the rest of this season. A former first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens, Chipchura had six goals and 14 assists in 61 games with Slovan Bratislava in the KHL last season.
Troubling Moment
Kelowna's Pavel Novak given a 5 minute major and GM for checking from behind on Kamloops forward Kyrell Sopotyk today. Sopotyk needed help to get off the ice. pic.twitter.com/N9qkhe3aAK
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) November 12, 2019
Kelowna Rockets forward Pavel Novak was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for the above hit on Kamloops Blazers forward Kyrell Sopotyk. Radio NL’s Jon Keen spoke to Blazers’ assistant coach Cory Clouston post-game who said Sopotyk will be out with a “longer-term injury”.
Three Stars of the Night
First Star: Tri-City Americans netminder Beck Warm made 48 saves on 48 shots in a 3-0 shutout win over the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Second Star: Kamloops Blazers forward Orrin Centazzo had two goals in a 5-2 victory for the Blazers
Third Star: Brandon Wheat Kings defenseman Braden Schneider had a goal and two assists in a 7-2 victory over the Winnipeg ICE:
Honourable Mentions
Tri-City Americans forward Connor Bouchard had a goal and two assists while Kamloops Blazers forward Zane Franklin had three assists.
