Daily Dose of the DUB: Rebels get Uchacz from Seattle, Cougars cut Browne and Griffin loose, a ton of alumni moves, and more!

Uchacz acquired by Red Deer, permitted to play in 2021-22

The Red Deer Rebels have acquired 2003-born forward Kai Uchacz from the Seattle Thunderbirds for a second-round pick in 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

Uchaz, from Calgary, AB, didn’t play for the T-Birds in 2020-21 after he was removed from their roster in March. Seattle conducted a thorough review and unveiled that the sophomore had made racist comments and actions towards a teammate.

According to a WHL news release, Uchacz was required to undergo further training and education on anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and successfully completed the WHL Diversity Coaching Program in June.

Praught joins the Broncos coaching staff

Devan Praught has signed with the Swift Current Broncos as an assistant coach for the 2021-22 WHL season.

The 33-year-old from Summerside, PEI was the head coach of the Notre Dame Hounds U18 of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League for the past seven seasons.

Cougars cut ties with Browne and Griffin

The Prince George Cougars have released 2001-born forward Ethan Browne and 2002-born forward Davin Griffin after they cleared WHL waivers earlier this week. Both are now free agents eligible to sign with any team.

Browne, who’s from Sherwood Park, AB, had 19 goals and 72 points in 149 games with the Cougars and Everett Silvertips over the past four seasons.

Griffin hails from Regina, SK, and he posted two assists in 45 games with PG over the last two seasons.

Reaves traded from Sin City to the Big Apple

Forward Ryan Reaves (36 goals, 43 assists in 201 games with Brandon from 2004-07) was traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the New York Rangers on Thursday evening.

Reaves, a 34-year-old from Winnipeg, MB, has posted 49 goals and 101 points in 686 career NHL games with St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Vegas.

Southam inks a deal with Glasgow

Forward Rodney Southam (41 goals, 60 assists in 247 games with Tri-City and Kelowna from 2013-17) has signed with the Glasgow Clan of the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League.

Southam spent the last four seasons playing at Acadia University. In 68 career games for the Axemen, the 24-year-old from Saskatoon, SK notched 46 points.

Ruopp takes his game to Ireland

Defenseman Sam Ruopp (16 goals, 75 assists in 258 games with Prince George from 2013-17) will play in Ireland in 2021-22.

The 25-year-old Reginan signed with the EIHL’s Belfast Giants after posting 11 points in 21 games with Allen of the ECHL in 2020-21.

Olhaver changes teams in HockeyAllsvenskan

Forward Gustav Olhaver (three goals, five assists in 51 games with Seattle and Swift Current in 2015-16) has signed with Kristianstads IK of HockeyAllsvenskan, which is the second tier of Swedish pro hockey.

The 24-year-old native of Ängelholm, SWE put up eight points in 32 games with Tingsryds AIF in 2020-21. He also had one assist in 11 games with MODO. Both teams are part of HockeyAllsvenskan.

Buffalo adds Christie to its coaching staff

Fifty-two year old Jason Christie (115 goals, 175 assists in 279 games with Saskatoon from 1986-90) has been added to the Buffalo Sabres as an assistant coach.

The product of Gibbons, AB spent the last decade as a head coach in the ECHL, most recently with the Jacksonville Icemen.

Milyokhin signs in Ukraine for 2021-22

Forward Nikita Milyokhin (one goal, three assists in 16 games with Lethbridge in 2014-15) has signed with HC Mariupol of the Ukrainian Hockey League.

The 24-year-old from Krasnogorsk, RUS spent the last season and a half with Donbass Donetsk of the Ukrainian league and notched 41 points in 59 games.

Boyd bounces to Austria

Forward Dustin Boyd (103 goals, 114 assists in 265 games with Moose Jaw from 2002-06) has signed with Black Wings Linz of the ICE Hockey League, which is the top level of hockey in Austria.

Boyd, 35, didn’t play in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but spent the previous nine seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League, mostly with Barys, a club in Kazakhstan.

Versteeg released by Ferencvárosi TC

Defenseman Mitch Versteeg (12 goals, 29 assists in 148 games with Lethbridge from 2006-09) was released by Ferencvárosi TC of Erste Liga, which is based in Hungary and Romania.

The 32-year-old from Lethbridge, AB had eight points in 19 games with Ferencvárosi during the 2020-21 season.

Kemp signs with Ontario for the upcoming season

2000-born Medicine Hat Tigers forward Brett Kemp has signed an American Hockey League contract with the Ontario Reign for 2021-22.

Kemp hails from Yorkton, SK, and posted 12 goals and 31 points in 23 games with the Tigers during the 2020-21 season. He played 255 WHL games with Medicine Hat, Edmonton, and Everett over the last five seasons.

Elson returns to Grand Rapids for 2021-22

Forward Turner Elson (72 goals, 79 assists in 253 games with Red Deer from 2009-13) signed a one-year extension with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL for 2021-22.

The 28-year-old from New Westminster, BC spent the last four seasons with Grand Rapids and compiled 40 goals and 99 points. He’s played 396 career AHL games since 2012.

Burzan re-ups with AHL Colorado on a one-year deal

Forward Luka Burzan (104 goals, 103 assists in 270 games with Moose Jaw and Brandon from 2016-20) has signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL.

The 21-year-old from Surrey, BC had three goals and an assist in 14 games with the Eagles during the 2020-21 season.

Jeannot signs a two-year deal in Smashville

Twenty-four year old forward Tanner Jeannot (77 goals, 93 assists in 267 games with Moose Jaw from 2014-18) inked a two-year pact with the Nashville Predators that works out to $800,000 per season.

The native of Oxbow, SK split the 2020-21 season between the Predators, the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, and the Florida Everblades of the ECHL.

He finished the season with seven points in 15 NHL games, 21 points in 13 AHL games, and six points in five ECHL games.

Cougars bring on Achtymichuk as equipment manager

The Prince George Cougars unveiled the hiring of Kory Achtymichuk as equipment manager on Friday.

Achtymichuk was with the Regina Pats as an assistant equipment manager for the last four seasons. The Wadena, SK takes over in PG from Ramandeep Dhanjal, who left to join the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL.