Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Goalie shuffling in WHL, released overagers find new teams, Weekly report and more

Written by Ben Dooley on

Raiders acquire McGovern 

The Prince Albert Raiders have acquired goaltender Duncan McGovern from the Winnipeg ICE for an eighth-round pick in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft. The Winnipeg native had been playing in the MJHL this year with the Dauphin Kings. In two games so far he’s posted a 2.88 GAA and .893 save percentage. His WHL career has been split between the Medicine Hat Tigers and Kootenay ICE with a 22-33-5-0 record, 3.85 GAA and 0.868 save percentage. The Raiders say he’ll remain in Dauphin for the time being.

Chiefs acquire Balas from Raiders 

After bringing in McGovern, the Prince Albert Raiders sent goaltender Brett Balas to the Spokane Chiefs for a 2023 ninth-round pick. Balas has three WHL games on his resume with a 2.96 GAA and .857 save percentage. He had recently joined the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons but is expected to join the Chiefs this week. The Chiefs also returned Mason Beaupit to the Valley West Giants of the BCMML.

Raiders name leadership group 

In the final piece of Raiders news, the team has unveiled its leadership group for the 2019-20 season. Defenseman Zack Hayes has been named captain while Aliaksei Protas, Brayden Watts, and Jeremy Masella will wear the ‘A’s.

Hitmen release Stankowski from the active roster 

The Calgary Hitmen have released goaltender Carl Stankowski from the active roster. In three games this year, he recorded a 3.30 GAA and .884 save percentage. The Hitmen will retain his WHL rights but it is not yet known where he’ll report to next.

Pats send Kieper back to Bruins 

After making his WHL debut, Matthew Kieper has been returned to the MMHL’s Winnipeg Bruins by the Regina Pats.

Americans release Kushniryk 

The Tri-City Americans have released forward Wil Kushniryk. In four games this year, Kushniryk had been held off the scoresheet. It’s not known where he’s headed for the next step in his hockey career.

Kaluski returns home after being released by Thunderbirds

A day after being released by the Seattle Thunderbirds, Jaxan Kaluski has joined his hometown Lloydminster Bobcats to conclude his junior hockey career. In 131 games with the Thunderbirds and Moose Jaw Warriors, Kaluski had nine goals and 16 assists.

Vipers add Holt 

The BCHL’s Vernon Vipers have added 1999-born Dawson Holt to their roster. Holt will have some familiarity with the Vipers as they’re coached by Jason McKee, who coached Holt with the Vancouver Giants from 2016-18. In 208 games with the Giants and Regina Pats, Holt had 25 goals and 54 assists.

Beamin returned to Hawks 

The Nipawin Hawks say Cole Beamin has been returned to the team after three games with the Prince George Cougars this year in which he was pointless. The 2001-born defenseman split last season between Nipawin and Prince George playing in 53 games with two goals and three assists.

Zazula returns to Blazers lineup 

Luke Zazula has returned to the Kamloops Blazers after being out since the opening game of the season with an upper-body injury.

Tigers’ captain named WHL Player of the Week

Medicine Hat Tigers captain James Hamblin has been named WHL Player of the Week after a week in which he posted two goals and five assists in three Tigers’ wins. He was also named to the CHL Team of the Week.

Hofer named WHL Goaltender of the Week

Portland Winterhawks goaltender Joel Hofer has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week thanks to a 2-0-0-1 record, .963 save percentage and 0.97 GAA with one shutout in three games this week. Along with Hamblin, e’s also been named to the CHL Team of the Week.

Milestones on Tuesday

  • Kamloops Blazers forward Matthew Seminoff recorded his first WHL point, while Rayce Ramsey notched his first shutout.
  • Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Dylan Cozens recorded his 150th WHL point in just his 136th game.
  • Medicine Hat Tigers defenseman Dru Krebs scored his first WHL goal

Card signs in Germany after missing 2018-19 season

Mike Card (269 GP, 35 G, 112 A with the Kelowna Rockets) has come out of retirement to play in Germany for the rest of this season. The 33-year-old defenseman missed the entire 2018-19 season due to injury.

Tochkin let go by Sportsnet 650 

Kellan Tochkin (256 GP, 91 G, 152 A with the Everett Silvertips, Medicine Hat Tigers and Prince Albert Raiders) says he’s been let go from Sportsnet 650 Vancouver where he had been the producer of the station’s morning show.

Three Stars of the Night:

First Star: Lethbridge’s D-Jay Jerome had two goals and one assist in a 6-0 win for the Hurricanes

Second Star: Orrin Centazzo recorded two goals for the Kamloops Blazers in a 4-0 win.

Third Star: Defenseman Alex Cotton notched two goals for Lethbridge

Honourable Mention:

Noah Boyko had a goal and two assists for Lethbridge.

Weekly Report, report:

Brandon Wheat Kings:

-Forward Ben McCartney is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. 2002-born blueliner Vincent Iorio is back from his ailment.

Edmonton Oil Kings:

–Jacson Alexander is listed as out “TBD” with an upper-body ailment.

Kamloops Blazers:

–Kyrell Sopotyk is getting closer to coming back as he is now listed as out day-to-day.

Lethbridge Hurricanes:

-16-year-old forward Zack Stringer is out day-to-day with an upper-body ailment.

Portland Winterhawks:

-Defenseman Kurtis Smythe has returned from his injury.

Prince George Cougars:

–Ilijah Colina is inching closer and is day-to-day along with Ethan Browne. 16-year-old goalie Tyler Brennan is also still listed as day-to-day but with Jacob Herman being sent back to Swift Current of the SMHL, Brennan should be back by Friday’s game with Spokane.

Regina Pats:

–Robbie Holmes is out day-to-day.

Saskatoon Blades:

–Kjell Kjemhus is getting closer to coming back he is down from out indefinitely to day-to-day. Defenseman Parker Malchuk was deleted from the active roster and has reported to Neepawa of the MJHL.

Seattle Thunderbirds:

-Defenseman Tyrel Bauer has returned from injury and Matthew Rempe is down from indefinitely out to week-to-week.

Spokane Chiefs:

–Jake McGrew is now week-to-week after being day-to-day last week with upper and lower body injuries. Defenseman Matt Leduc is back.

Swift Current Broncos:

–Jake Kustra is out week-to-week with an upper boy ailment and Tyler Smithies is closer to coming back as he is now day-to-day.

Tri-City Americans:

– Booker Daniel has joined Bryan McAndrews as back from injury.

Vancouver Giants:

Cole Shepard is day-to-day.

Victoria Royals:

–Alex Bolshakov is out one week from 10-14 days now, Carson Miller is now week-to-week, Phillip Schultz is now day-to-day, Carson Golder, Ty Yoder, and Riley Gannon are all back but Gary Haden (day-to-day) and Jacob Herauf (day-to-day) and Graeme Bryks (day-to-day)  have been added. Their injury list is six deep.