Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the DUB: Wheat Kings sign import Polshakov, lots of WHL alumni moves in Europe, and much more!

Written by Brian Wiebe on

Porter leaves the Oil Kings to join the Avalanche

The Edmonton Oil Kings announced on Thursday that director of scouting Jamie Porter has been hired by the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche as an amateur scout.

Porter worked with the Oil Kings for the last three seasons. He also served in a number of hockey operations roles with the Swift Current Broncos between 2003 and 2018.

Wheat Kings sign forward Polshakov

The Brandon Wheat Kings have signed 2003-born forward Zakhar Polshakov to a WHL standard player agreement. The native of Minsk, BLR was the Wheat Kings’ first selection, 29th overall, in this year’s CHL Import Draft.

He had 26 points in 38 games with Team Belarus U18 of Belarusian Extraleague B this past season. Polshakov was captain of the Belarusian team at the 2021 World U18 Championship.

Shmyr signs with Amiens for 2021-22

Forward Braylon Shmyr (111 goals, 129 assists in 300 games with Brandon and Saskatoon from 2013-18) has signed with Amiens of Ligue Magnus in France for the 2021-22 season.

The 24-year-old from Vancouver, BC had three goals and six points in 11 games with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies in 2020-21. He was also held off the scoresheet in three games with the Allen Americans of the ECHL.

Butt signs a deal for 2021-22 in Italy

20-year-old forward Dawson Butt (19 goals, 20 assists in 155 games with Everett from 2017-20) has signed a contract with Fassa in the Alps Hockey League for 2021-22.

Butt, who’s from Buckley, WA, didn’t play any games of note in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bow leaves Texas for the Czech Republic

Goaltender Landon Bow (74-56-13, 2.91 GAA, .912 SV%, 15 SO in 160 games with Swift Current and Seattle from 2012-16) inked a deal with Rytiri Kladno of the Tipsport Extraliga in the Czech Republic.

Bow, a 25-year-old from St. Albert, AB, was 1-1-0 with a 3.20 goals-against-average and an .889 save percentage in two games with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League in 2020-21.

Bergmann wins 2021 WHL Governors Award

The Western Hockey League announced on Thursday that Yvonne Bergmann is the 2021 recipient of the WHL Governors Award.

Bergmann spent two decades in the marketing, finance, and administrative operations arm of the WHL office before retiring at the end of June.

The WHL Governors Award is the highest honour given to an individual associated with the league and Bergmann is the first woman to receive it.

Silvertips promote Mass to associate coach and sign him to an extension

The Everett Silvertips announced on Thursday that assistant coach Louis Mass has signed an extension with the club and has been promoted to associate coach.

The 44-year-old product of Anchorage, AK, has been an assistant coach with the Silvertips since the 2018-19 season. Before that, he was an assistant with the University of Alaska-Anchorage in addition to the Alaska Aces of the ECHL.

Torzsok commits to Simon Fraser University

Forward Hunor Torzsok (one goal, three assists in 39 games with Vancouver and Everett between 2017 and 2020) has committed to Simon Fraser University of the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League for 2021-22.

The 2000-born left wing from Budapest, HUN had three goals and nine points in 17 games with the BCHL’s Prince George Spruce Kings in 2020-21.

Olson re-signs with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for 2021-22

Forward Kyle Olson (61 goals, 126 assists in 219 games with Tri-City and Calgary from 2015-20) signed an American Hockey League contract extension for 2021-22 with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Olson, 22, had two goals and six points in 23 games as a rookie with the Baby Pens during the 2020-21 season. The Calgary, AB product was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the 4th round of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Smejkal moves from Tappara to Pelicans

Forward Jiří Smejkal (17 goals, 42 assists in 130 games with Moose Jaw and Kamloops from 2014-16) has signed with Pelicans of Finland’s Liiga for the 2021-22 season.

The 24-year-old Ceske Budejovice, CZE native scored nine goals and 26 points in 48 games with Tappara in Liiga during the 2020-21 season. He also had five points in 17 international games for the Czech Republic.

Gennaro inks a deal for next season with ECHL Bakersfield

24-year-old forward Matteo Gennaro (124 goals, 124 assists in 338 games with Prince Albert, Calgary, and Swift Current from 2013-18) has signed an AHL contract with the Bakersfield Condors for 2021-22.

Gennaro, who’s from St. Albert, AB, was the second-leading scorer for the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder this past season, putting up 56 points in 61 games.

Long signs with Adirondack of the ECHL

Forward Colin Long (76 goals, 147 assists in 229 games with Kelowna from 2005-09) has signed with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL for the upcoming season.

Long, a 32-year-old centre from Santa Ana, CA notched 12 goals and 37 points in 33 games with EHC Lustenau of the Alps Hockey League in 2020-21, his eighth season playing in Europe.