T-Birds sign Myatovic
? ? NEWS | T-Birds Sign Nico Myatovic https://t.co/1MhsPGedkV pic.twitter.com/QElWJiemQi
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) February 4, 2020
The Seattle Thunderbirds have signed 2019 sixth-round pick Nico Myatovic to a WHL Education Contract. Myatovic is a Prince George native and joined the T-Birds for their morning skate prior to Tuesday’s game against the Cougars. He’s played 29 games with BCMML’s Cariboo Cougars this season and has tallied six goals and six assists.
Winterhawks sign Litke
✍️ || SIGNED
The Portland Winterhawks are pleased to announce the signing of Winnipeg, MB native and forward Aidan Litke.
? https://t.co/8QMJr3mZ24 pic.twitter.com/PSpCS5IA4k
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) February 4, 2020
The Portland Winterhawks have signed 2018 sixth-round pick Aidan Litke to a WHL Education Contract. Our Josh Critzer has the full story here.
Winterhawks become first WHL team to clinch playoff spot this season
WE ARE OFFICIALLY IN!
The Winterhawks are the first team in the WHL to clinch a playoff spot!
It's the 11th consecutive season the Winterhawks will compete for the Ed Chynoweth Cup. pic.twitter.com/1MU40rA4YB
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) February 5, 2020
Despite falling to the Spokane Chiefs 7-6 in overtime on Tuesday, the Portland Winterhawks earned the single point they needed to clinch a spot in the WHL playoffs for the 11th straight year. The Winterhawks are the first club this season to clinch their spot in the post-season dance.
Paddock named to CHL Team of the Week
Goaltender Max Paddock from the @PARaidersHockey has been named to the @VaughnHockey CHL Team of the Week!
DETAILS ? | https://t.co/JQzIQHe840 pic.twitter.com/hStve3Cfo8
— The WHL (@TheWHL) February 5, 2020
Prince Albert’s Max Paddock was the lone WHL representative on the CHL Team of the Week after posting two victories, a 0.50 GAA and .972 Save Percentage last week.
Broncos unveil fan design jerseys
After months of gathering hundreds of entries, judging from a panel and eventual votes of select season ticket holders and players, we have the winner of our Junior Jersey Design Contest! Congrats to Wymark school's Jay Van Aswegan! We'll wear these March 13th vs Medicine Hat! pic.twitter.com/DOSnIqYM5O
— Swift Current Broncos (@SCBroncos) February 4, 2020
The Swift Current Broncos have been hosting a Junior Jersey Design Contest this season which will see the Broncos wear a fan-designed jersey for one game this season. The Broncos unveiled the winner on Tuesday and his winning design which they’ll wear on March 13th against the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Royals announce Tech Night
Join us this Sat for our 1st ever Tech Night presented by @regroove_inc! There will be FREE beer samples, a live Esports tournament and great prizes to be won!
Details: https://t.co/3C7fOJKcsv pic.twitter.com/En7S6iaZyB
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) February 4, 2020
The Victoria Royals will be hosting their first-ever “Tech Night” this Saturday when they host the Kamloops Blazers. The highlight of the night will be a live Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Melee esports tournament which will kick off pre-game and conclude on the jumbotron during the second intermission.
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.
Milestones
- Portland’s Nick Cicek played in his 100th WHL game.
- Vancouver’s Kaden Kohle scored his first WHL goal against his former team.
Bellows plays first NHL game
Trotz on Kieffer Bellows:
“Yeah he’s gonna play [tonight].” pic.twitter.com/WhH0oQfoHR
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 4, 2020
Kieffer Bellows (56 GP, 41 G, 33 A with the Portland Winterhawks in 2017-18) played his first NHL game on Tuesday with the New York Islanders who drafted him in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
True makes NHL debut
Alexander True is set to make his NHL debut tonight!
Last season, we featured him in Next In Line – watch it again and get to know him better ahead of the game. pic.twitter.com/0Bxg8DO8bC
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) February 4, 2020
Alexander True (169 GP, 45 G, 39 A with the Seattle Thunderbirds from 2014-17) played his first NHL game with the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. True joined the Sharks organization as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
Smyth inducted into IIHF Hall of Fame
The last member to be named to the IIHF Hall of Fame 2020 Induction Class is “Captain Canada” himself: Ryan Smyth! Congratulations to all the inductees, see you this May at the Induction Ceremony in Zurich! Full list of inductees here: https://t.co/lzP9Gz9gUi @HockeyCanada pic.twitter.com/gnsTl4zKN3
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) February 4, 2020
Ryan Smyth (188 GP, 110 G, 114 A with the Moose Jaw Warriors from 1991-95) will be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland in May.
Three Stars of the Night
First Star: Spokane’s Adam Beckman scored two goals and added an assist
Second Star: Vancouver’s Michal Kvasnica scored two goals and added an assist
Third Star: Vancouver’s Tyler Preziuso had two goals
Honourable Mentions
Spokane’s Jack Finley and Ty Smith each potted a goal and three assists while Vancouver’s Cole Shepard had four assists.
Weekly Report, report
Brandon Wheat Kings
- Ethan Kruger is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Calgary Hitmen
- Blake Allan is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
- Kyle Olson has been upgraded to day-to-day from week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
- Andrew Viggars is also listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury despite playing on Saturday.
Edmonton Oil Kings
- Jacson Alexander was considered week-to-week on the last weekly report but is now listed as month-to-month with an upper-body injury. .
Everett Silvertips
- Kasper Puutio is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Kamloops Blazers
- Dylan Garand is out for an undetermined length of time with a lower-body injury.
Kelowna Rockets
- Michael Farren is now week-to-week instead of day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
- Devin Steffler is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
- Matthew Wedman is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Calen Addison is day-to-day with an illness.
- Noah Boyko is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Medicine Hat Tigers
- Jonathan Brinkman has returned from illness.
- Cole Sillinger is out 1-2 weeks with an upper-body injury.
Moose Jaw Warriors
- Atley Calvert has joined the team from SMHL Moose Jaw
- Josh Hoekstra has joined the team from CSSHL OHA Edmonton
- Cole Jordan will be out four weeks with an upper-body injury.
- Denton Mateychuk has joined the team from MMHL Eastman
Portland Winterhawks
- Clay Hanus is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Red Deer Rebels
- Kyle Masters has been upgraded from week-to-week to day-to-day.
Regina Pats
- Robbie Holmes is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Saskatoon Blades
- Ethan Chadwick has been returned to SMHL Saskatoon
- Marek Schneider has been returned to SMHL Prince Albert.
Seattle Thunderbirds
- Zachary Ashton is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Spokane Chiefs
- Jordan Chudley is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
- Bobby Russell has returned from injury.
Swift Current Broncos
- Chase Lacombe has been returned to SJHL Humboldt.
Tri-City Americans
- Bryson Andregg has been returned to CSSHL Delta Academy Prep
- Krystof Hrabik is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
- Sam Huo is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
- Marc Lajoie is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
- John Little is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
- Rhett Melnyk has been returned to AMHL Fort Saskatchewan.
- Jake Sloan has been returned to AMHL Leduc
Victoria Royals
- Graeme Bryks is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
- Trent Crane has been returned to MJHL OCN Blizzard.
- Matthew Hodson has been returned to SMHL Saskatoon
- Connor Martin has been returned to AJHL Calgary.
Winnipeg ICE
- Nino Kinder is day-to-day with an upper-body injury
- Owen Pederson has returned from illness.