Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Oil Kings reveal special edition jerseys; former Rocket calls it a career; WHL hands out weekly honours

Written by Stephen Hawco on

Oil Kings unveil Cherry jerseys

The Edmonton Oil Kings revealed their Don Cherry inspired uniforms they will sport for ‘WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation’ on Monday. The jerseys are designed to pay homage to Don’s unique style of suits with his high collar and original designs. The Oil Kings will sport these on January 19th against the rival Calgary Hitmen and will be put up for silent auction with proceeds going to the Kidney Foundation of Canada and will help as a way to promote awareness for organ donation.

Gorges retires

Former Kelowna Rockets captain Josh Gorges has hung up the skates after 13 NHL seasons. The veteran of 783 NHL games, carved out a solid career after signing with San Jose as undrafted free agent, also making stops in Montreal and Buffalo. The native of Kelowna was a part of back to back Memorial Cup appearances, including a WHL championship and captaining the team to the 2004 championship, where the tournament was hosted by the Rockets.

WHL names best of the week

Vancouver Giants standout and 2019 NHL Draft prospect Bowen Byram has been named ‘WHL Player of the Week’ after putting up six points (3G, 3A) in two games this weekend, including setting a franchise record with five points in one game by a defenseman. The 17-year-old sits second in team scoring with 39 points in 40 games and leads the league in goals by a blue liner. The Cranbrook native is listed as an ‘A’ prospect by the NHL’s Central Scouting.

Prince George Cougars goalie Taylor Gauthier has been named ‘WHL Goaltender of the Week’ after appearing in four games, going 3-1-0-0 with a 1.26 GAA and a .951 SV% (97 of 102 shots) as well as two shutouts. The ninth overall pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft improved his record to 12-15-1-1 with a 2.94 GAA, .905 SV% and three shutouts on a struggling Cougars team. Gauthier is listed as a ‘B’ prospect.

2019 U-17s hosts being made official

The 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge host cities will be made official on Wednesday. Medicine Hat and Swift Current were unofficially named hosts back in October after unsuccessfully bidding on the 2018 tournament. Quispamsis and Saint John, New Brunswick hosted this past November with Team Russia beating Team Finland in the gold medal game by a score of 2-1.

Former Wheat King scores a beauty