Daily Dose of the Dub: Smith returned to Chiefs, Hitmen release Krajc, Raiders and Rebels, Hurricanes and Silvertips connect on trades

Smith returns to captain the Chiefs 

The New Jersey Devils officially announced on Tuesday the decision to return defenseman Ty Smith to the Spokane Chiefs for another year of junior hockey. The reigning WHL defenseman of the year makes an already strong Chiefs team just that much better and they appear poised for another deep run into the WHL Playoffs. The Chiefs wasted no time immediately naming him captain upon his return. Smith had been co-captain with Jaret Anderson-Dolan last season, Anderson-Dolan is currently with the AHL’s Ontario Reign.

Krajc on Import Waivers, Funk and Viggars released from active roster 

The Calgary Hitmen have placed 2019 CHL Import draft pick Samuel Krajc on Import Waivers in order to comply with CHL import regulations following the return of Egor Zamula from Philadelphia Flyers training camp. Krajc played one game with the Hitmen and did not register a point.  The Hitmen also released Zac Funk and Andrew Viggars from the active roster after each had played one game with the club. Funk is expected to report to the Okanagan Rockets of the BCHL while Viggars is off to the West Kelowna Warriors of the BCHL.

Silvertips acquire Phare from Hurricanes for a sixth-round pick 

The Everett Silvertips have acquired 2002-born forward and former first-round pick Tyson Phare from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft. Originally drafted by the Prince George Cougars, Phare has played 18 games with the Cougars and Hurricanes and has yet to register his first career WHL point.

Rebels acquire Saleski from Raiders

The Red Deer Rebels have acquired 2002-born forward Cohner Saleski from the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft and a sixth-round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Saleski was originally drafted by the Raiders in the first round of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft and has recorded one assist in five games with Prince Albert. He has not yet played a game in the 2019-20 WHL season.

Dach to start the year with Blackhawks

Saskatoon Blades forward Kirby Dach is starting the year with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks as he recovers from a concussion suffered in pre-season action. There’s no word on whether he’ll return to the Blades when healthy or if the Blackhawks plan to give him a look in regular-season games.

Canadian Hockey League announces Team of the Week

The Canadian Hockey League has announced its team of the week for the week of September 23rd-29th. The team includes Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Dylan Cozens (2 GP, 3 G, 3 A), Vancouver Giants defenseman Bowen Byram (3 GP, 0 G, 5 A) and Tri-City Americans goaltender Beck Warm (2-0 record, 0.50 GAA, 0.986 save percentage).

Thunderbirds name leadership group 

With Matthew Wedman returning to the Seattle Thunderbirds, the team has gone ahead and named him captain for the 2019-20 season. Wedman has spent the entirety of his 255-game career with the Thunderbirds and was the team’s leading scorer last year with 40 goals and 37 assists. Joining him in the leadership group will be newly-acquired Conner Bruggen-Cate and Tyrel Bauer with a third ‘A’ to rotate through the team throughout the season.

Milestones around the league on Tuesday

There was just one game on the WHL Schedule on Tuesday as the Red Deer Rebels hosted the Saskatoon Blades. Blades forward Chase Wouters suited up for his 200th WHL game while goaltender Nolan Maier made his 100th appearance in between the pipes.

Cougars to make an announcement regarding an “addition to the organization” 

The Prince George Cougars are set to make an announcement this morning regarding what the team is calling a “major addition to the organization”. We’ll have the details tomorrow right here in your Daily Dose of the Dub.

Hockey Alberta announces roster for 2019 WHL Cup 

Hockey Alberta has announced the roster for the 2019 WHL Cup which includes WHL prospects like Keaton Dowhaniuk and Koehn Ziemmer from the Prince George Cougars and Jordan Gustafson from the Seattle Thunderbirds. Notably absent from the lineup is 2019 first overall pick Matthew Savoie from the Winnipeg ICE. For a full roster, you can head here.

Coyotes claim Comrie off waivers from Jets 

The Arizona Coyotes have claimed goaltender Eric Comrie (168 GP with the Tri-City Americans) off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. Last season, Comrie spent most of the year with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose posting a 2.69 GAA and .917 save percentage in 47 games. In one game with the Jets, he posted a 5.00 GAA and .821 save percentage.

Oilers name Draisaitl assistant captain 

The Edmonton Oilers have named Leon Draisaitl (160 GP, 78 G, 138 A with the Prince Albert Raiders and Kelowna Rockets) to their leadership group as an assistant group. He joins former Red Deer Rebel forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as an assistant captain.

Samuelsson attending training camp with ECHL’s Railers 

Henrik Samuelsson (162 GP, 75 G, 123 A with the Edmonton Oil Kings) has popped up on the training camp roster of the ECHL’s Worchester Railers after attending training camp with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls on an amateur try-out contract.

Eansor announces his retirement from hockey 

Scott Eansor (219 GP, 47 G, 82 A with the Seattle Thunderbirds) has announced his retirement from professional hockey after 99 games in the AHL with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers where he notched 23 goals and eight assists.

Meyers joins Southern Alberta Hockey Academy 

Stefan Meyer (282 GP, 123 G, 123 A with the Medicine Hat Tigers) is joining the staff of the Southern Alberta Hockey Academy headed up by current Tigers head coach and general manager Willie Desjardins. 

Three Stars of the Night: 

First Star: Red Deer Rebels goaltender Ethan Anders made 34 saves on 35 shots in a 2-1 victory over the Saskatoon Blades

Second Star: Red Deer Rebels forward Arshdeep Bains had a goal on five shots

Third Star: Red Deer Rebels defenseman Ethan Sakowich had a goal on three shots.

Honourable Mention: 

Saskatoon Blades forward Riley Mackay had the lone goal for the Blades on two shots

Weekly Report, report:

Brandon Wheat Kings:

Ridly Greig now returns from his three-game suspension.

Edmonton Oil Kings:

-Recently acquired overage forward Ethan McIndoe returns from his lower-body injury. Was listed as week-to-week in the last report. 2001-born blueliner Jacson Alexander is also back from his ailment.

Everett Silvertips:

Martin Fasko-Rudas has been downgraded to week-to-week from month-to-month. Gianni Fairbrother is now day-to-day instead of week-to-week Conrad Mitchell meanwhile is week-to-week instead of day-to-day for his upper-body injury. Michal Gut is now day-to-day instead of week-to-week.

Kamloops Blazers:

-Defenseman Luke Zazula goes from “TBD” to day-to-day with his upper-body injury.

Lethbridge Hurricanes:

-Forward Justin Hall is back from injury.

Moose Jaw Warriors:

-They have 2001-born forward Cameron Sterling as being sent to “TBD” and removed from their roster.

Portland Winterhawks:

-2002-born defenseman Kurtis Smythe was injured in their game against the Vancouver Giants on Friday. He is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

Prince George Cougars:

Jackson Leppard (1-2 weeks) joins Ilijah Colina (now 2-3 weeks and Cole Moberg (1-2 weeks) on the injury list.

Red Deer Rebels:

Jace Isley is listed as out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

Regina Pats:

Duncan Pierce (1 week) and Nikita Sedov (2-3 weeks) are listed as out.

Seattle Thunderbirds:

Cade McNelly joins Matthew Rempe, Tyler Carpendale, and Mekai Sanders as out indefinitely.

Spokane Chiefs:

-Only change is defenseman Graham Sward is closer to returning as he is now day-to-day.

Tri-City Americans:

Nikita Krivokrasov moves from “TBD” to day-to-day.

Victoria Royals:

Ty Yoder joins the injury list for the Royals.

Winnipeg ICE:

Chase Hartje is now listed as day-to-day and goalie Dean McNabb joins fellow netminder Jesse Makaj as out.