Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Rebels sign Coward, Giants list Kvasnica and more

Written by Ben Dooley on

Rebels sign Coward

The Red Deer Rebels have signed 16-year-old goaltender Chase Coward to a WHL Education Contract. Coward had been on the Rebels protected list for the last year and is currently with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the SMAAAHL. In 13 games, he’s posted a 1.77 GAA and .940 save percentage. He is expected to remain with the Warriors unless Ethan Anders or Byron Fancy become unable to suit up for the Rebels.

Giants list Kvasnica 

The Vancouver Giants have added 19-year old import Michal Kvasnica to their protected list and are expecting him in town this weekend. Kvasnica played for the Portland Winterhawks last season and recorded eight goals and 12 assists in 66 games before being released in the off-season. He returned to his native Czech Republic this season and has played 21 games with HC-Frydek Mistek tallying two goals and an assist. The Giants had an open import spot with Joona Kiviniemi returning to Finland after being acquired in a trade with the Swift Current Broncos. The Giants are maintaining Kiviniemi’s WHL rights and he’s been placed on the suspended list.

Benson facing undetermined suspension 

Swift Current Broncos defenseman Matthew Benson has been suspended for an undetermined length for this hit on Lethbridge Hurricanes’ forward Dino Kambeitz. Kambeitz did not play on Friday night against Prince Albert.

Ritchie leaves game on stretcher

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Nolan Ritchie sustained an apparent serious leg injury and had to be stretchered off the ice on Friday night. According to those in attendance, Ritchie lost an edge and slid into the boards and there was no contact on the play. Wheat Kings head coach Dave Lowry did not have an update on Ritchie’s status post-game.

McNelly returns to Thunderbirds

Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Cade McNelly played his first game in almost two months on Friday night against the Kelowna Rockets. He had been out with an upper-body injury since September 27th’s game against the Tri-City Americans.

Krebs healthy scratch vs. Americans

The Winnipeg ICE are easing Peyton Krebs back into the lineup as he recovers from surgery on a partially torn-Achilles as he was a healthy scratch for Friday’s game against the Tri-City Americans.

Love’s jersey raised to rafters

Mitch Love (320 GP, 33 G, 66 A with the Moose Jaw Warriors, Swift Current Broncos and Everett Silvertips from 1999-2005) was back in Everett as head coach of the Saskatoon Blades on Friday night and saw his #2 raised to the rafters.

Chiefs add five players of all-time list

To commemorate the franchise’s 35th season, the Spokane Chiefs have expanded their “Top 30 Chiefs” list to the “Top 35 Chiefs”. The new additions are Troy Gamble (105 GP with the Chiefs from 1986-88), Dmitri Leonov (170 GP, 55 G, 80 A from 1993-96), Lynn Loyns (258 GP, 72 G, 114 A from 1997-2001), Mitch Holmberg (314 GP, 147 G, 149 A from 2009-14) and Jason Fram (308 GP, 32 G, 155 A from 2011-16).

Smith joins Broncos’ broadcast team 

Former Swift Current Wildcats captain Chloe Smith joined the Swift Current Broncos broadcast team for Friday night’s game against the Regina Pats as a colour commentator. In 110 games with the Wildcats from 2013-17, she recorded 42 goals and 62 assists.

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Milestones 

  • Kelowna Rockets forward Leif Mattson played in his 200th WHL game.
  • Jagger Firkus and Josh Hoekstra made their WHL debuts with the Moose Jaw Warriors
  • Regina Pats forward Robbie Holmes recorded his first WHL hat-trick.

Doan named to management group for Spengler Cup

Hockey Canada has added Shane Doan (174 GP, 68 G, 93 A with the Kamloops Blazers from 1992-95) to their management group for the upcoming Spengler Cup. This is Doan’s second gig with Hockey Canada having served as a consultant for the 2019 IIHF World Hockey Championship where Canada took home a silver medal.

Wotherspoon plays 400th professional game

Tyler Wotherspoon (239 GP, 17 G, 65 A with the Portland Winterhawks from 2009-13) played in his 400th professional game on Friday night. Drafted by the Calgary Flames in the second round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Wotherspoon has suited up for 30 NHL games all with Calgary and has tallied five assists.

Hunt records first KHL point 

Garet Hunt (193 GP, 16 G, 25 A with the Vancouver Giants from 2004-08) recorded his first KHL point with the Kunlun Red Star in his 14th KHL game.

Pacovsky signs one-month contract in Czech Republic

Dominik Pacovsky (114 GP, 13 G, 35 A with the Kootenay ICE from 2008-10) has signed a one-month contract with Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic. Last season with Mlada Boleslav he scored three goals and potted four assists in 30 games.

Troubling Moment

Regina Pats defenseman Ryker Evans received a five-minute major for this check to the head on Swift Current’s Ethan Regnier.

Three Stars:

First Star: Regina’s Robbie Holmes had a hat-trick against Swift Current

Second Star: Victoria’s Phillip Schultz had a hat-trick against Edmonton

Third Star: Everett’s Gianni Fairbrother recorded two goals and added an assist against Saskatoon

Honourable Mention

Everett’s Ronan Seeley had four assists, Regina’s Max Paddock had a 25-save shutout. Victoria’s Tarun Fizer has three assists.