Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Six WHLers win Gold at World Juniors, Americans and Giants swap forwards and more

Written by Ben Dooley on

Six WHLers win Gold at World Juniors

Team Canada took home gold at the World Juniors with a 4-3 victory over the Russians on Sunday. Portland’s Joel Hofer made 35 saves, Lethbridge’s Dylan Cozens scored the opener while his Hurricanes teammate Calen Addison registered two assists and Vancouver’s Bowen Byram also had an assist in the win. Also on the winning Canadian team but held off the scoresheet in the win were Kelowna’s Nolan Foote and Spokane’s Ty Smith. The Canadian staff also featured a strong WHL presence with assistant coach Mitch Love (Saskatoon Blades), goaltending coach Jason Labarbera (Calgary Hitmen), athletic therapist Mike Burnstein (Vancouver Giants) and Team Physician Dr. Ed Berdusco (Edmonton Oil Kings).

Calgary’s Yegor Zamula also took home a silver medal with the Russian team, scoring the opening goal in the loss.

Giants acquire Kohle from Americans for Little

The Vancouver Giants acquired 2002-born forward Kaden Kohle along with a 2020 seventh-round pick from the Tri-City Americans for 2002-born forward John Little and a 2020 sixth-round pick. Kohle was drafted by the Americans in the first round of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft but has struggled to make an impact in the WHL with just one assist in 28 games this season and two assists in 84 career WHL games. Little was a third-round pick in 2017 and is in his rookie season in the WHL with one goal in 31 games so far.

Makaj returns to Ice

Winnipeg Ice netminder Jesse Makaj was back between the pipes tonight for the first time in a little over a month. He was listed on the most recent weekly report with an upper-body injury.

Milestones

  • Kelowna’s Steel Quiring registered his first WHL point.
  • Regina’s Nikita Sedov played his 100th WHL game.
  • Seattle’s Payton Mount played in his 100th WHL game.
  • Swift Current’s Braeden Lewis made his WHL debut

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.

Dubnyk plays 500th NHL game

Devan Dubnyk (192 GP, 2.69 GAA, 0.912 Save Percentage, 83-84-3-1 record with the Kamloops Blazers from 2001-2006) played in his 500th NHL game on Sunday. A former first-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers, Dubnyk’s career has also included stops with the Nashville Predators and Arizona Coyotes before heading to the Minnesota Wild where he is in his sixth season.

Sleptsov traded in VHL

Alexei Sleptsov (114 GP, 4 G 41 A with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Victoria Royals from 2013-15) was traded by Tambov in the Russian VHL to Molot-Prikamie Perm for monetary compensation. In 24 games this season, he has one assist.

Three Stars of the Night

First Star: Kelowna’s Pavel Novak tallied two goals and two assists

Second Star: Seattle’s Keltie Jeri-Leon scored two goals

Third Star: Brandon’s Jiri Patera made 31 saves in a shutout.

Honourable Mentions

Brandon’s Luka Burzan registered two goals, as did Prince Albert’s Reece Vitelli.