Daily Dose of the Dub: Savoie goes first to ICE, ICE move up to grab Geekie, Rockets start to build for Memorial Cup

ICE pick Matthew Savoie first overall 

The biggest storyline going into Thursday’s WHL Bantam Draft was whether or not the Winnipeg ICE, who recently relocated from Kootenay, would select Matthew Savoie with the first overall pick. The fifteen-year-old from St. Albert has committed to the University of Denver where he could play alongside his brother Carter Savoie. In an effort to lure Savoie to the WHL, the ICE previously acquired Carter from the Regina Pats. Ultimately, the ICE decided that picking Savoie was worth the risk of him going to the NCAA as they selected him with the first overall pick. In 31 games with the Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep, Savoie had 31 goals and 40 assists.

ICE make a pair of moves to obtain second overall pick

After selecting Savoie, the ICE went out and made a pair of splashes to move up in the draft to obtain the second overall pick in the draft. In the first move, the ICE acquired defenseman Reece Harsch (57 GP, 4 G, 16 A with the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Saskatoon Blades) and the 3rd overall pick from the Saskatoon Blades for the 9th overall pick (used to select forward Brandon Lisowsky from Burnaby Winter Club Bantam Prep where he had 32 G and 17 A in 26 GP), the 24th overall pick (used to select forward Hayden Smith from Yale Hockey Academy Bantam Prep where he had 24 G and 23 A in 30 GP) a 2020 2nd round pick, and a 2020 5th round pick.

The ICE then proceeded to send the 3rd overall pick (used to select defenseman Keaton Dowhaniuk, 8 G, 27 A with OHA Edmonton Bantam Prep) to the Prince George Cougars in exchange for the 2nd overall pick which they used to select Conor Geekie from the Yellowhead Chiefs Bantam AAA where he had 49 G and 37 A in 31 GP.

The ICE also acquired forward Isaac Johnson (31 GP, 12 G, 20 A) from the Tri-City Americans for the 81st overall pick that Tri-City used to pick forward Maxim Borovinsky (29 GP with 7 G, 19 A with Burnaby Winter Club Bantam Prep)

Rockets build for the Memorial Cup

The Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup and on Thursday they began the process to build a championship calibre team. In their first move of the day, the Rockets sent the 5th overall pick (used to select forward Nate Danielson from the Red Deer Rebels Bantam AAA where he had 26 G and 33 A in 29 GP) to the Brandon Wheat Kings for the 10th overall pick and defenseman Sean Comrie. Comrie had one assist in 18 games at the University of Denver. One suspects the Rockets believe they can get Comrie to come out of school, although nothing has officially been announced yet.

The Rockets then flipped the 10th overall pick (used to select defenseman Kevin Korchinski, 10 G, 37 A in 31 GP with the Saskatoon Generals Bantam AA) and forward Conner Bruggen-Cate (5 G, 9 A in 65 GP with Kelowna) along with a 2021 2nd and 2022 1st to the Seattle Thunderbirds for forward Dillon Hamaliuk (31 GP, 11 G, 15 A with Seattle), defenseman Jake Lee (67 GP, 3 G, 21 A with Seattle) and goaltender Cole Schwebius (17 GP with Seattle).

Thomson back to Finland?

The Kelowna Rockets may suffer a huge loss on their blueline for next season as rookie of the year nominated Lassi Thomson may return to Ilves for the 2019-20 season. Kelowna Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton issued a statement on Thursday saying they hope he’ll return to the team next season

“We’re aware of the report that was released today, We were somewhat surprised; however, Lassi has always been under contract to Ilves as they had to release him to play for us this past season. We look forward to the NHL Draft this upcoming June. We are hopeful that whichever NHL team drafts him and his club team Ilves decides that playing for the Rockets is in his best interest.”

Hitmen acquire Woo

The Moose Jaw Warriors were another team to make a huge splash at the bantam draft sending defenseman Jett Woo (62 GP, 12 G, 54 A with Moose Jaw) to the Calgary Hitmen for import forward Vladislav Yeryomenko (63 GP, 7 G, 26 A with Calgary), forward Ryder Korczak (50 GP, 8 G, 7 A with Calgary) and a 2021 second.  There is a small chance Woo could be on the Vancouver Canucks blueline next season but in the likely event that doesn’t happen Woo will help the Hitmen remain at the top of the Eastern Conference next season.

Royals improve goaltending in trade with Winterhawks

With Griffin Outhouse graduating from the WHL, the Victoria Royals were looking to improve their goaltending and did just that by acquiring Shane Farkas (50 GP, 2.71 GAA and .906 save percentage) and a the 102nd overall pick (used to select  forward Carter Briltz, 30 GP, 27 G, 24 A with the Regina Aces Bantam AA) from the Portland Winterhawks for the 80th overall pick, which Portland used to select forward Carter Streek (29 GP, 14 G, 14 A with Yale Hockey Academy Bantam Prep).

Thunderbirds make move for a goaltender

The Seattle Thunderbirds also made a move for a goaltender on Thursday acquired Blake Lyda (5 GP, 3.97 GAA and a . 895 save percentage with the CAC Canadians Midget AAA) from the Everett Silvertips for a 3rd round pick in 2021.

Hurricanes acquire a pair of ’02 born players

The Lethbridge Hurricanes acquired a pair of ’02 born players on Thursday. In the first move, they acquired defenseman Tyson Phare (14 GP, 0 points) from the Prince George Cougars for forward Fischer O’Brien (40 GP, 2 G, 5 A with the Cariboo Cougars).

In the second move, they shipped defenseman Wyatt Wilson (40 GP, 7 G, 23 A with Yale Hockey Academy) from the Swift Current Broncos for forward Alex Thacker. Thacker spent the majority of the season with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers Midget AAA where he had 10 G and 27 A in 34 GP but did get into two games with the Broncos where he was held scoreless.

McCrimmon named GM of Vegas Golden Knights

Brandon Wheat Kings Owner and Governor Kelly McCrimmon has been named General Manager of the Vegas Golden Knights. He takes over from George McPhee who remain with the organization as the President of Hockey Operations. McCrimmon had been linked to the Edmonton Oilers vacant GM position and the incoming Seattle NHL team but this move will keep him in Vegas for the foreseeable future.