Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the DUB: Winterhawks set to change their logo, Bilous signs in the SJHL, and more!

Written by Brian Wiebe on

Winterhawks set to unveil a new logo

John Canzano of The Oregonian wrote an article on Monday that the Portland Winterhawks are changing their logo away from the one featuring a Native American head, which mimics the Chicago Blackhawks logo. Portland has used the logo since the 1976-77 season.

Later that morning, Winterhawks tweeted out a short video, with the only caption being “The future flies”. The new logo will be unveiled on Wednesday.

Silvertips remove interim GM tag from Williams

The Everett Silvertips removed the interim general manager tag from head coach Dennis Williams after he took over the role last month.

The 41-year-old from Stratford, ON will now serve in both roles for the Tips. He also signed what the team announced as a multi-year contract extension.

Williams has coached the Silvertips for the past five seasons and twice won the WHL Western Conference coach of the year award.

Americans fire head coach Buchberger

The Tri-City Americans fired head coach Kelly Buchberger (26 goals, 39 assists in 123 games with Moose Jaw from 1984-86) on Monday.

The 54-year-old was behind the bench for the Ams for the last three seasons and finished with a 58-80-9 record. Buchberger, who’s from Langenburg, SK, spent 13 seasons coaching in the NHL and AHL before joining Tri-City in 2018.

Flames bring in Love to coach AHL team

The Saskatoon Blades are in the market for a new head coach after the Calgary Flames announced Mitch Love (33 goals, 66 assists in 320 games with Moose Jaw, Swift Current, and Everett from 2000-05) as the new bench boss for their American Hockey League affiliate in Stockton, CA.

Love, 37, has coached in the WHL since 2011, including the last three seasons leading the Blades. The Quesnel, BC native was an assistant coach with the Silvertips for seven seasons before that.

Bilous heads south from Moose Jaw to Estevan

2001-born Moose Jaw Warriors goaltender Boston Bilous has signed with the SJHL’s Estevan Bruins for the 2021-22 season.

The Langley, BC product played one game while on loan to the Bruins during the 2020-21 season and it was a 26-save shutout.

He’s played 97 games in the WHL over the last four seasons, amassing a 29-39-10 record to go along with a 3.54 goals-against-average, an .873 save percentage, and four shutouts.

Keith traded from Chicago to Edmonton

Defenseman Duncan Keith (11 goals, 35 assists in 37 games with Kelowna in 2002-03) was acquired by the Edmonton Oilers on Monday from the Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Caleb Jones (19 goals, 98 assists in 135 games with Portland from 2015-17) and a 2022 draft pick.

Keith, a 37-year-old from Winnipeg, MB, played 16 seasons in the Windy City from 2005-21, posting 105 goals and 625 points in 1,192 games. He won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013, and 2015 and an Olympic gold medal in 2010 and 2014.

Jones hails from Arlington, TX and the 24-year-old posted five goals and 19 points in 93 games with the Oilers over the last three seasons.

Yeo takes his game to France

Defenseman Dylan Yeo (21 goals, 52 assists in 228 games with Prince George and Calgary from 2003-07) has signed with Rouen of France’s Ligue Magnus for 2021-22.

The 34-year-old Prince Albert, SK native spent the last seven seasons in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, most recently posting six assists in 31 games with the Schwenninger Wild Wings in 2020-21.

Springer returns to Manchester for 2021-22

Defenseman Linden Springer (three goals, three assists in 62 games with Prince George and Portland from 2010-12) has signed with the Elite Ice Hockey League’s Manchester Storm for the upcoming season.

Springer, who’s from Lloydminster, AB, played two games with the Paradise Hill Hawks of the SaskAlta Senior Hockey League in 2020-21 and registered one assist.

He played in the EIHL from 2017 through 2020, including two seasons in Manchester, where he posted 29 points in 107 games.