Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Habscheid earns 500th win; Hagel breaks franchise record; Everett books ticket to postseason

Written by Stephen Hawco on

Habscheid joins 500 club

Prince Albert Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid earned his 500th career WHL coaching win Saturday night against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The Swift Current native started his WHL coaching career in the 1997-98 season with the Kamloops Blazers where he coached for two seasons, earning 85 wins before leaving for the Kelowna Rockets where he led the team to a Memorial Cup in 2004 and won CHL Coach of the Year the season prior. Habscheid returned to the WHL for the 2009-10 season with the Chilliwack Bruins (now Victoria Royals) where he coached for three seasons before taking the job with the Raiders in 2014-15 season as a mid-season replacement. He is also coming up on another big milestone, being just five games away from 1000 WHL games coached.

Hagel breaks assist record

Red Deer Rebels forward Brandon Hagel broke the all-time assist record for the franchise, passing Aaron Asham in 23 less games, with his 162nd assist. After going unsigned by Buffalo (2016 sixth round, 159th overall), Hagel landed an entry level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks this past October. The Morinville, AB native was originally undrafted in the bantam draft and signed with the Rebels in 2015 after starting the season in the AJHL.

Everett clinches a spot in postseason

For the 16th time in 16 seasons, the Everett Silvertips are heading to the playoffs.

The Silvertips became the second team in the WHL to clinch a playoff spot, along with the Prince Albert Raiders, after a 5-0 win over Portland. The Western Conference leaders own a 38-13-1-1 record with 78 points help continue an impressive playoff streak that started with a trip to the WHL final in their inaugural season, losing to Medicine Hat in four straight games in 2003-04.

Christiansen gets first hat trick

Everett Silvertips defenceman Jake Christiansen recorded his first career hat trick to lead the Silvertips to a 5-0 win over Portland. The hat trick was also the first by a defenceman in franchise history.

The 1999-born defender has 39 points (12G, 27A) in 52 games, matching his goal total from the last two seasons combined. He was originally drafted by Everett in the fifth round (105th overall) in 2014.

Pats reassign Sanders

With Pats forward Cole Dubinsky returning from his four game suspension, the team reassigned Cale Sanders to Edge School Prep of the CSSHL. He got into his first three WHL games of his career, going pointless. He was originally signed by Regina as a camp invite in August and has 33 points (16G, 17A) in 28 games this season with Edge Prep.

Troubling Moments

Tri-City’s Dom Schmiemann was given a two minute minor for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, a five minute major for a One Man Fight and a game misconduct after taking exception for a hit on a teammate from Royals forward D-Jay Jerome. He has no previous suspension history.

Three Stars of the Night

1st Star: Everett’s Jake Christiansen scored a hat trick in a 5-0 win over Portland.

2nd Star: Seattle’s Andrej Kukuca had two goals and two assists in a 4-3 overtime win over Medicine Hat.

3rd Star: Moose Jaw’s Adam Evanoff stopped 47 of 48 shots to hold off the Red Deer Rebels for a 2-1 win.

Honourable Mentions

Saskatoon’s Gary Haden had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over the Broncos….Prince Albert’s Cole Fonstad scored twice in a 6-5 win over Lethbridge….Kelowna’s Lassi Thomson had two goals and an assist in a 4-1 win over Kamloops….Spokane’s Jack Finley had two goals in a 5-2 win over Kootenay….Victoria’s D-Jay Jerome had two goals and an assist in a 7-4 win over Tri-City….