Daily Dose of the Dub: Rockets forward retires; WHLers named captains at Top Prospects Game; pair of defenceman score first WHL goals; Chyzowski returns to lineup

Gardiner retires

Kelowna Rockets assistant captain Erik Gardiner has retired for health and personal reasons, including a puck to the head while trying to block a shot last season that resulted in a serious injury. The 19-year-old was originally acquired in a 2016 trade with Regina that involved Jonathan Smart going the other way.  The native of Humboldt, Saskatchewan is a veteran of 114 WHL games between Regina and Kelowna, collecting 51 points along the way. For more insight from DUBNetwork.ca, click right here.

Dach and Cozens named captains

Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Dylan Cozens and Saskatoon Blades forward Kirby Dach have been named as the two captains of the upcoming CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Red Deer. Dach will be captaining Team Orr and Cozens Team Cherry. Cozens, the 2016 19th overall pick in the WHL Bantam Draft, sits ninth in league scoring with 58 points in 43 games while Dach has produced 48 points in 41 games which is good for 18th in the WHL. The pair are the ninth and tenth captains from the WHL since 2009.

A night of firsts

Kootenay ICE rookie defenceman Valtteri Kakkonen scored his first WHL goal Wednesday night in a 4-3 win over Regina. The Finnish import has eight points in 36 games in his first season in North America after being selected 11th overall in the first round of the 2018 CHL Import Draft.

The second milestone of the night came out of Kelowna when Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Drae Gardiner snapped one over Roman Basran’s glove for the first goal of his young WHL career. The Calgary native is in his first season in the league, appearing in 23 games recording three points. Gardiner was Moose Jaw’s eighth round selection, 166th overall in 2016.

Chyzowski back in the lineup

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Ryan Chyzowski returned to the lineup on Wednesday in a 4-3 shootout win over Edmonton, registering a goal. The Kamloops, BC native missed two games due to injury and is now up to 33 points in 41 games this season with the Tigers and is listed as a ‘C’ rated skater going into the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.

U-17 location made official

As mentioned in Tuesday’s Daily Dose and first reported by DUBNetwork’s own Traci Kay, the 2019 U-17 World Hockey Challenge will be hosted by the cities of Medicine Hat and Swift Current. The tournament will take place from November 2-9 and will be the first time in the 33 year history of the tournament that it will be hosted by a pair of prairie provinces.

Three Stars of the Night

1st Star: Vancouver’s Bowen Byram had two goals and an assist, including the overtime winner in a 5-4 win over Tri-City.

2nd Star: Moose Jaw’s Josh Brook had three helpers in the Warriors’ 5-1 win over Kelowna.

3rd Star: Giants forward Jadon Joseph scored twice and had one assist in the 5-4 overtime win.

Honourable Mentions

Regina’s Sebastian Streu had a goal and an assist in a losing effort against Kootenay….Tigers captain James Hamblin had two assists in a 4-3 shootout win….Prince George goaltender Taylor Gauthier had 43 saves against the first place Raiders….Vancouver’s Davis Koch had a goal and an assist for the Giants….