Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Jokiharju and Rasmussen sent to AHL; WHL hands out Players of the Month; Rockets, Thunderbirds recall prospects; Hitmen make two moves; Koch hits 300 games

Written by Stephen Hawco on

Blackhawks reassign Jokiharju

The Chicago Blackhawks reassigned former Portland Winterhawk defenceman Henri Jokiharju to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, after recording 12 assists in 37 games this season in Chicago. The 19-year-old Finnish blueliner spent two seasons in Portland (’16-’18) appearing in 134 WHL games, scoring 21 goals, 98 assists and a +61.

Rasmussen conditioning in the AHL

Tri-City Americans team captain Michael Rasmussen is playing in the AHL. Per an exception to the CHL-NHL agreement in the CBA, Rasmussen is able to have a short conditioning stint when returning from injury.

Rasmussen was hurt on January 4th and was designated for Injury Reserve on January 15th by the Detroit Red Wings.

He got right to work in his first game in the AHL, tying the game on a rebound for the Grand Rapids Griffins

He then added an empty netter for his first two AHL goals in his very first AHL game.

WHL announce Players of the Month

Vancouver Giants defenceman Bowen Byram was named the WHL’s Player of the Month for the month of January after scoring ten goals and nine assists as well as a +17 in 13 games. The 2019 NHL Top Prospect has 47 points (19G, 28A) in 47 games this season which is good for third among WHL defenceman in points and leads the whole CHL in goals by a defenceman.

Edmonton Oil Kings goalie Todd Scott has been named WHL Goaltender of the Month after putting up a 4-0-0-0 record with a 1.47 GAA and a .945 save percentage. The Minnesota native led the Oil Kings to a 7-3-0-1 record in January and improved his season statistics to a 6-1-2-0 record with 3.14 GAA and a .892 save percentage.

Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Roddy Ross was named WHL Rookie of the Month for January. Since signing in Seattle on January 1st, he’s earned a 6-1-0-1 record with a 2.30 GAA and a .922 save percentage and has been a driving force for the Thunderbirds’ mid-season playoff push.

Two teams recall prospect

The Seattle Thunderbirds have recalled their top prospect Kai Uchacz for this weekend’s games against Everett. The 2018 10th overall pick in the bantam draft has spent this season for the Okotoks Oilers of the AMHL, putting up 30 points (15G, 15A) in 26 games this season. Uchacz signed with the Thunderbirds on August 20th, 2018.

The Kelowna Rockets have recalled 16-year-old prospect Cole Carrier and he has joined the team, expecting to make his WHL debut this weekend. He was originally drafted by Kelowna in the fourth round (71st overall) in 2017 and has spent this season with the Sherwood Park Kings Midget AAA of the AMHL, recording 24 points (13G, 11A) in 29 games and has scored twice in three AJHL games with the Whitecourt Wolverines.

Giants forward hits 300 games

Vancouver Giants forward Davis Koch skated in his 300th career WHL game in a 3-2 overtime win in Kamloops on Wednesday. The Surrey, BC native has split his WHL career between Edmonton and Vancouver after originally being drafted by the Oil Kings in the second round (42nd overall) in 2013. He has scored 83 goals and 145 assists for 228 career points. Koch is on pace to break his personal best 70 points in ’16/’17 with 51 points in just 47 games this season.

Hieman send Wiesblatt to MJHL, recall Tschigerl:

The Calgary Hitmen made a couple roster moves on Thursday. They sent 2000-born forward Orca Wiesblatt back to the MJHL’s Portage Terriers and recalled 2003-born and fourth overall selection in 2018’s WHL Bantam Draft, Sean Tschigerl from OHA Edmonton Prep.

The 18-year-old Wiesblatt has played in six games this season with Calgary, compiling an assist.

Tschigerl has played in one of the games he is allowed to play in before his CSSHL’s season is over and will be looking to get into another this weekend.

His lone game so far was back on January 20th against Red Deer.

Calgary has 14 forwards on the roster. With Jake Kryski still out indefinitely and Hunter Campbell not having played recently after takin a knee on knee hit from Regina’s Cole Dubisnky, Tschigerl would be their 12th forward.