Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the DUB: WHL makes changes to U.S. Division schedule, a bushelful of alumni moves, and more!

Written by Brian Wiebe on

WHL changes U.S. Division schedule

The Western Hockey League announced a change to one U.S. Division pre-season game and eight U.S. Division regular season games on Tuesday. Four of the five teams in the division are affected by at least one of the changes.

A full list of the adjustments is here.

T-Birds sign import draft selections Segafredo and Okonkwo Prada

The Seattle Thunderbirds announced the signing of 2004-born forward Alessandro Segafredo and 2003-born defenseman Leon Okonkwo Prada on Tuesday.

Segafredo, who’s from Asiago, ITA, was the T-Birds’ first choice in the 2021 CHL Import Draft, going 41st overall. He had 25 goals and 52 points in 26 games as an alternate captain with ZSC U17 in Switzerland during the 2020-21 season. The 16-year-old added 10 goals and an assist in 24 games with GCK Lions U20.

Prada was selected 86th overall by Seattle in the CHL Import Draft. As a 17-year-old in 2020-21, he posted a goal and seven points with Rögle BK J18 in Sweden. He hails from Colchester, GBR but has played his entire junior career in Austria and Sweden.

Wheat Kings assistant coach Miller gets the head job in Oshawa

Brandon Wheat Kings assistant coach Todd Miller was unveiled as the new head coach of the OHL’s Oshawa Generals on Tuesday.

Miller, 43, spent the 2020-21 season in Brandon after a decade as the assistant coach for the Barrie Colts of the OHL.

Ross inks a deal with Selber Wölfe for 2021-22

Defenseman Brad Ross (109 goals, 136 assists in 270 games with Portland from 2008-12) signed a contract for 2021-22 with Selber Wölfe of DEL2, which is the second tier of pro hockey in Germany.

The 29-year-old from Edmonton, AB tallied seven goals and 26 points in 44 games as captain of Lausitzer Füchse, which also plays in DEL2.

Kozun takes his game to Switzerland

Forward Brandon Kozun (92 goals, 178 assists in 217 games with Calgary from 2007-10) has left Dinamo Minsk of the KHL to join HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland’s National League for the 2021-22 season.

Kozun, 31, had 17 goals and 32 points in 37 games with Minsk during the 2020-21 season, his sixth in the KHL.

Rubinchik leaves Chelmet Chelyabinsk for St. Petersburg

Defenseman Mark Rubinchik (four goals, 42 assists in 130 games with Saskatoon from 2016-18) has signed a contract with Dynamo St. Petersburg of the Supreme Hockey League, also known as the VHL, which is the second tier of pro hockey in Russia.

During the 2020-21 season, the 22-year-old from Moskva, RUS had three assists in 42 games with Chelmet Chelyabinsk, which also plays in the VHL.

Krupic signs with Kristianstads IK

Defenseman Amil Krupic (five goals, 22 assists in 69 games with Saskatoon in 2014-15) returns to Kristianstads IK of HockeyAllsvenskan, the second-highest level of Swedish hockey, for the 2021-22 season.

The product of Halmstad, SWE posted 10 assists in 47 games with AIK in HockeyAllsvenskan during the 2020-21 season. Krupic, 25, spent parts of four of the previous five seasons with Kristianstads IK.

Buyalsky puts pen to paper with Chelmet Chelyabinsk

Forward Yegor Buyalsky (six goals, eight assists in 66 games with Moose Jaw in 2018-19) has signed with Chelmet Chelyabinsk of the Supreme Hockey League for 2021-22.

The 20-year-old product of Minsk, BLR posted two goals and seven points in 30 games with Yunost Minsk of the Belarusian Extraleague A in 2020-21.

Buyalsky also chipped in nine goals and 23 points in 17 games with Yunior Minsk of the Belarusian Higher League, which is, in fact, a level below the Extraleague.