Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Pats release Holt, Cougars sign Herman, Patera out 2-3 weeks and more

Written by Ben Dooley on

Pats release Holt to finalize the overage group

The Regina Pats have decided to release Dawson Holt to pursue other hockey opportunities. The Pats are now in line with the WHL overage rules with Austin Pratt, Robbie Holmes, and Zach Wytinck. Acquired in the offseason from the Vancouver Giants for import forward Sergei Alkhimov and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft. In eight games with the Pats, Holt had three assists.

Pats also recall Kieper 

The Pats also announced that they have recalled goaltender Matthew Kieper from the Winnipeg Bruins of the MMHL. The third-round pick in this year’s bantam draft has played two games with the Bruins this year posting a 1-1 record with a 1.51 GAA and .961 Save Percentage. The move was made necessary as Max Paddock is recovering from an injury.

Cougars sign ’02 born Herman 

The Prince George Cougars have signed 2002-born goaltender Jacob Herman to a WHL Education Contract. Herman has already joined the Cougars and served as the back-up to Taylor Gauthier on Friday night when the Cougars visited the Spokane Chiefs. 2003-born goaltender Tyler Brennan is currently dealing with an upper-body injury. Herman had been playing in the SMAAAHL where he’s posted a 4-2 record with a 2.41 GAA and .920 save percentage in seven games with the Swift Current Legionnaires.

Patera to miss 2-3 weeks with a lower-body injury, Ungar recalled from AJHL

The Brandon Wheat Kings have announced that Jiri Patera won’t play on their upcoming Western road trip and that he’ll be out for the next 2-3 weeks as he recovers from a lower-body injury. In five games this year, Patera has posted a 3-2 record with a 2.77 GAA and .922 save percentage. Ethan Kruger will likely slide into the starter’s role while Connor Ungar has been recalled from the AJHL’s Okotoks Oilers and should see game action as well.

Tracey makes season debut 

Brayden Tracey made his season debut with the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night when the Vancouver Giants visited Moose Jaw. Tracey had missed the first three weeks of the season recovering from an injury suffered at Anaheim Ducks training camp. The Giants spoiled the return for Tracey defeating the Warriors 4-1, but Tracey did record an assist in the loss.

WHL announces a pair of rule changes 

The WHL has made a couple of rule changes that took effect in time for Friday night’s game. The first rule change mandates that video review takes place after any double-minor for high-sticking. The second rule changes the location of the face-off from the neutral zone to the offensive zone when there is a delayed penalty and the non-penalized team ices the puck.

Howe joins Warriors as WHL’s first female member of coaching staff

Olivia Howe has joined the Moose Jaw Warriors as a coaching assistant, making her the first woman to be on a WHL coaching staff. Howe started coaching in the 2016-17 season with Notre Dame’s junior female squad in the CSSHL. She previously worked with the Warriors as a guest coach at this year’s training camp.

Sydor takes leave of absence from the Blazers 

Kamloops Blazers associate coach Darryl Sydor has taken a leave of absence from the hockey club according to the Blazers. The Blazers don’t say when Sydor might return to the club. The former Blazers defenseman was behind the bench for the Blazers’ game on October 5th.

Milestones around the WHL

  • Kamloops Blazers’ import Inaki Baragano has his first WHL goal.
  • Ty Nash notched his first WHL goal for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
  • Alex Morozoff played in his 100th WHL game when the Seattle Thunderbirds took on the Kelowna Rockets.
  • Tom Cadieux recorded his first WHL goal with the Tri-City Americans.
  • Marco Creta also played in his 100th WHL game when the Winnipeg ICE played the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Mohr signs with Dragons 

After being released by the Kamloops Blazers earlier this season, Kobe Mohr has joined the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons to finish out his junior hockey career.

Loewen makes debut with Chicago Wolves 

Jermaine Loewen (295 GP, 78 G, 64 A with the Kamloops Blazers) made his professional debut on Friday night as the Chicago Wolves lost 3-0 to the San Antonio. Loewen didn’t hit the scoresheet but did get into his first tilt with former Red Deer Rebel Evan Polei. 

Andrusiak scores first pro goal 

Zack Andrusiak (202 GP, 80 G, 69 A with the Tri-City Americans, Prince Albert Raiders, Seattle Thunderbirds and Everett Silvertips) scored his first professional goal as the Idaho Steelheads beat the Utah Grizzlies 3-2.

Ferraro signs in Berlin 

Landon Ferraro (220 GP, 76 G, 76 A with the Red Deer Rebels and Everett Silvertips) has signed in Berlin for the rest of the 2019-20 season. The former second-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings attended training camp with the Vancouver Canucks this year but did not sign a contract with the club.

Three Stars of the Night:

First Star: Taylor Gauthier made 44 saves on 45 shots as the Prince George Cougars beat the Spokane Chiefs 3-1.

Second Star: The Saskatoon Blades beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 2-1 thanks to 37 saves from Nolan Maier. 

Third Star: Dylan Garand made 33 saves on 34 shots for the Kamloops Blazers in a 3-1 win over the Everett Silvertips.

Honourable Mention:

Kyle Topping recorded four assists in an 8-3 win for the Kelowna Rockets over the Seattle Thunderbirds.  Tristan Nielsen had two goals and an assist as the Vancouver Giants beat the Moose Jaw Warriors 4-1.