Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the DUB: Silvertips acquire Abgrall’s rights, more alumni signings

Written by Paul Figler on

Silvertips and Oil Kings swing a deal

Back in 2018, the Edmonton Oil Kings selected Michael Abgrall in the fourth round, 67th overall. The Richmond, BC product elected to stay with the BCHL’s Powell River Kings, collecting 13 goals and 24 assists in 57 games last season. Abgrall is a commit of the University of Nebraska-Omaha of the NCAA. In return, the Oil Kings now have another eighth-round draft pick in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft as well as a conditional second-round pick in the 2023 draft. The conditional pick will be awarded should Abgrall sign.

Ranford signs with HC Slovan Bratislava

Brendan Ranford (348GP, 137G, 220A with Kamloops) has signed with HC Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia’s top hockey league. Last season, Ranford played with Mora IK of the Allsvenskan (Sweden’s second league), scoring 11 goals and adding 12 assists in 29 games.

Pierce joins Les Gothiques d’Amiens

Elgin Pierce (254GP, 65G, 83A with Kootenay and Medicine Hat) has signed to play with Amiens of France’s top professional circuit. Last season was spent split between Dundee Stars (25GP, 9G, 9A) and Belfast Giants (24GP, 11G, 10A) both of the EIHL, Great Britan’s top professional league.

Spacek signs with Tappara

Michael Spacek (120GP, 48G, 91A with Red Deer) has signed with Tappara of Liiga, Finland’s top professional league. Following three professional seasons with the Manitoba Moose, where he scored 36 goals and added 64 assists, the Marianske Lazne, Czech Republic product has returned to Europe. Despite being drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the fourth round in 2015, Spacek remains unsigned by the NHL club.

Disgraced former WHLer signs contract in KHL

Brendan Leipsic (261GP, 132G, 170A with Portland Winterhawks) has signed with CSKA Moskva of the KHL. Leipsic was released from his NHL contract in May following an incident involving a social media group that had derogatory statements about women and other players he played with. He had three goals and eight assists last season with the Washington Capitals in 61 games.

Vandane joins Esbjerg Energy

Davis Vandane (189GP, 15G, 64A with Saskatoon, Spokane, and Prince Albert) has signed on with the Esbjerg Energy of Denmark’s top professional league. The 28-year-old spent the last two seasons playing in Slovakia’s top professional league, scoring 23 goals and adding 48 assists in 110 games split between HKM Zvolen and DVTK Jegesmedvek.