Daily Dose of the Dub: Prokop and Puutio headed to CHL/NHL Top Prospects game, Hunt out due to injury and more

Prokop, Puutio named to CHL/NHL Top Prospects game

Calgary Hitmen defenseman Luke Prokop and Swift Current Broncos defenseman Kasper Puutio have been named as injury replacements for the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. They’ll be replacing Halifax Mooseheads defenseman Justin Barron and Moose Jaw Warriors defenseman Daemon Hunt who will both be unable to compete.

Silvertips tops among WHL teams at the holiday break

The Everett Silvertips have risen to the third overall spot in the last CHL Weekly Ranking before the holidays to lead WHL clubs. Also cracking the rankings were the Portland Winterhawks, who rose to seventh, the Edmonton Oil Kings who rose to eighth and the Medicine Hat Tigers who seem to be getting comfortable in the ninth spot. The Kamloops Blazers are back on the radar with an honourable mention.

Milestone

  • Vancouver Giants defenseman John Little scored his first WHL goal against the Kelowna Rockets on Wednesday night.

Are you traveling the prairies to watch your favorite hockey players? Take advantage of DUBNetwork’s hotel partnership! You can save 15% off the Best Available Rates when booking at HomeStay Inn & Suites in Medicine Hat; the HomeStay Express in Airdrie, or the Days Inn Swift Current. Phone to reserve your room and mention the Company Profile “DUBNetwork”. You can also give them a “follow” on Twitter, @HomeStayInnMHAT.

Naylor named vice-president of Clippers

Darren Naylor (131 GP, 47 G, 55 A with the Victoria Cougars and Swift Current Broncos) has been named the Vice-President of the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL. Naylor who is a former Seattle Thunderbirds scout has been with the Clippers since 2017-18.

Carlson signs in Romania

Days after being released by Hungarian club UTE Budapest, Cody Carlson (305 GP, 25 G, 110 A with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Regina Pats and Prince George Cougars from 2006-12) has signed on with Corona Brasov in Romania for the rest of this season. In 23 games with UTE Budapest, he notched five goals and four assists.

Buyalsky signs with Chinese club

Yegor Buyalsky (66 GP, 6 G, 8 A with the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2018-19) has signed with ORG Juniors Beijing for the remainder of the year. Buyalsky had been with Belarus’ U-20 team but as a result of a third-place finish at this year’s World Junior Division 1A Championship the team was disbanded and removed from Extraliga A league play. In 29 games this year, Buyalsky has four goals and eight assists.

Three Stars of the Night 

First Star: Vancouver’s Tristan Nielsen had a goal and an assist against Kelowna

Second Star: Vancouver’s Alex Kannok Leipert matched those totals

Third Star: Spokane’s Campbell Arnold made 24 saves on 25 shots in a 3-1 victory over Victoria.

Honourable Mention

Kelowna’s Conner McDonald had three assists in a losing effort to Vancouver.