Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Wheat Kings bring in Lowry as head coach, Broncos sign Puutio and more

Written by Ben Dooley on

Wheat Kings bring in Lowry as head coach 

The Brandon Wheat Kings have hired Dave Lowry to be the team’s new head coach. Lowry has six seasons of head-coaching experience in the WHL (one season with the Calgary Hitmen and five with the Victoria Royals). His career coaching record in the WHL is 268-133-31 and he is also a two-time WHL Coach of the Year (2013-14 and 2015-16 both with Victoria) and brings international experience to the Wheat Kings, winning a gold medal with Canada’s World Junior squad at the 2015 World Juniors as an assistant coach. Lowry is returning to the WHL after being let go by the Los Angeles Kings as an assistant coach. He replaces former head coach David Anning who did not have his contract renewed when it expired at the end of May.

There are no longer any vacant head coaching positions in the Western Hockey League.

Broncos sign first overall import draft pick Puutio 

The Swift Current Broncos have signed the first overall pick of the 2019 CHL Import Draft Kaspar Puutio. A seventeen-year-old defenseman from Finland, Puutio joins the Broncos from the Kärpät U20 team of the Jr. A SM-liiga division where he had a goal and three assists in 31 games. He is the Broncos 11th defenseman signed for the 2019-20 season including overage Jake Kustra and import Roope Pynnonen. 

22 WHL prospects shortlisted by Saskatchewan Hockey for WHL Cup

The Saskatchewan Hockey Association has announced the shortlist for their 2019 WHL Cup Roster set to take place in October and it includes 22 WHL prospects:

  • Ethan Chadwick Goaltender Saskatoon Blades
  • Dylan Ernst Goaltender Kamloops Blazers
  • Max Hildebrand Goaltender Prince Albert Raiders
  • Tre Fouquette Defence Prince Albert Raiders
  • Eric Johnston Defence Edmonton Oil Kings
  • Kevin Korchinski Defence Seattle Thunderbirds
  • Hunter Mayo Defence Red Deer Rebels
  • Logan McCutcheon Defence Lethbridge Hurricanes
  • Kalem Parker Defence Victoria Royals
  • Cole Tanchuk Defence Seattle Thunderbirds
  • Carter Briltz Forward Victoria Royals
  • Mason Bueckert Forward Saskatoon Blades
  • Carter Cormier Forward Regina Pats
  • Declan Cosford Forward Red Deer Rebels
  • Carter Dereniwsky Forward Victoria Royals
  • Kyren Gronick Forward Prince George Cougars
  • Connor Hvidston Forward Red Deer Rebels
  • Parker Lalonde Forward Swift Current Broncos
  • Jhett Larson Forward Red Deer Rebels
  • Jakin Lawrence Forward Lethbridge Hurricanes
  • Kylynn Olafson Forward Edmonton Oil Kings
  • Tye Spencer Forward Kamloops Blazers

Dach named to Hockey Canada U-17 Development Camp

Saskatoon Blades prospect Colton Dach has been named to Hockey Canada’s U-17 Development Camp to replace the injured Landon McCallum. Dach will look to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Kirby Dach who had one goal and six assists in five games at the U-17 Tournament in 2017-18. The two brothers could see playing time together with the Blades if Kirby doesn’t stick with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.

Winterhawks announce training camp schedule

The Portland Winterhawks have announced the schedule for this season’s training camp which will run from August 21st-24th this year. Tickets for Neely Cup, which is an intrasquad tournament held during training camp, will go on sale today (July 19th).

Former Americans captain returning to team as a scout 

Former Tri-City Americans captain Mason Wilgosh (278 GP, 37 G, 75 A with the Americans) is returning to the team as a scout for the Manitoba region. Wilgosh rejoins the Americans after four seasons at the University of Prince Edward Island and two seasons of professional hockey in Europe.

Davis sticking with Eagles

 

Defenseman Kevin Davis (347 GP, 26 G, 149 A with the Everett Silvertips) is sticking with the Colorado Eagles next season for his second year of professional hockey. He played 25 games with the Eagles last season recording three goals and 12 assists.

Moroz re-signs with Steelheads 

The Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL are bringing back Mitch Moroz (213 GP, 64 G, 59 A with the Edmonton Oil Kings) for his third season with the organization. In 64 career games with the Steelheads, Moroz has 10 goals and 23 assists.

Low gets new deal with Royals

Brayden Low (187 GP, 26 G, 31 A with the Portland Winterhawks and Everett Silvertips) has signed a new contract with the ECHL’s Reading Royals. The team’s unsung hero last year, Low had 15 goals and 18 assists in 63 games.

Christie gets contract extension in Jacksonville

Jason Christie (279 GP, 115 G, 175 A with the Saskatoon Blades) has signed a multi-year contract extension with the Jacksonville IceMen of the ECHL. He has been with the IceMen since June of 2017 and is the league’s leader in wins (609) in 16 years behind an ECHL bench.