WHL announces US Prospect Tournament and New American Draft
The WHL, @NHLSeattle_, & @visitkentwa are pleased to announce the inaugural WHL U.S. Challenge Cup!
DETAILS ? | https://t.co/ZCkaB6SubN pic.twitter.com/Td208oHoh8
— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 10, 2019
The WHL announced a new U.S. Prospect tournament set to take place in February 2020 as well as the first-ever American Draft which will happen after this year’s bantam draft. Our Brandon Rivers has all the details here.
Sukunda done for the season
General Manager Alan Millar with an update on 18-year-old defenseman Alek Sukunda pic.twitter.com/ZvLvom0I4C
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) December 10, 2019
Moose Jaw Warriors defenseman Alek Sukunda has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. In 25 games this season, he had one goal and one assist.
Broncos release Sowa from the active roster
NEWS: The Broncos have assigned Billy Sowa (02, D) to the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Details: https://t.co/NCoDY0aNAk pic.twitter.com/YZgjQ60jGa
— Swift Current Broncos (@SCBroncos) December 10, 2019
The Swift Current Broncos have released defenseman Billy Sowa from the active roster. In his second season in the WHL, Sowa had been held pointless through 15 games. He is expected to join the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL.
ICE sign Raeside
NEWS | The Winnipeg ICE announced on Tuesday that they have Signed 2003-born forward Rhys Raeside to a WHL Standard Player Agreement.
DETAILS ➡️ https://t.co/BNVNoNK58l pic.twitter.com/UHXp7Hjwkc
— Winnipeg ICE (@WHLWpgICE) December 10, 2019
The Winnipeg ICE have signed 2003-born forward Rhys Raeside to a WHL Education Contract. This season has been spent with the MJHL’s Winnipeg Blues where he’s notched 14 goals and 15 assists in 30 games.
Americans sign Feenan
✍️ | The Americans have signed 2004-born defenseman Ben Feenan to a WHL Standard Player Agreement.
Welcome, Ben! #AmsNation
? → https://t.co/0PUEBS96B6 pic.twitter.com/Ef1kr8uRyE
— Tri-City Americans (@TCAmericans) December 10, 2019
The Tri-City Americans have signed defenseman Ben Feenan to a WHL education contract. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, Feenan has two goals and nine assists in 18 games with the Yale Hockey Academy Prep team in the CSSHL.
Alberta amends legislation to exclude WHL clubs from paying minimum wage
Alberta's WHL teams won't have to pay their players at least minimum wage.
Jason Kenney's provincial government has amended its labour code to give WHL teams an exemption from employment legislation, a govt spokeswman confirmed to TSN.— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) December 10, 2019
The Alberta Provincial Government has modified its labour code to exclude WHL clubs from employment legislation, which could’ve required them to pay minimum wage. There is currently a class-action lawsuit being heard in Calgary against the WHL in which former and current players are fighting for minimum wage. Rick Westhead reports that the lawsuit will continue.
Marsh leads Blades in Love’s absence
Coach Ryan Marsh takes questions from the media following the Blades' loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers ? pic.twitter.com/WF94dKcNYt
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 11, 2019
Associate Coach Ryan Marsh has assumed head coaching duties of the Saskatoon Blades with Mitch Love away with Canada’s World Junior team.
World Junior Divison 1A Update
We’re through the first two days of the World Junior Division 1A Championship:
- Edmonton’s Vladimir Alistrov has one assist
- Prince Albert’s Aliaksei Protas has one goal
- Victoria’s Phillip Schultz has two assists
- Prince Albert’s Ilya Usau has one goal and one assist
Lottery to be held for 2021 World Junior Hockey Championships
NEWS | #WorldJuniors returns to Edmonton & Red Deer in 2021. Your only chance to get tickets is through the priority draw. Register before January 6 for your chance to be a part of @HC_WJC.
READ ➡️ https://t.co/5ARtXzkgCN
ENTER THE DRAW ⬇️
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 10, 2019
Hockey Canada has announced a “priority draw” for the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship to be hosted in Edmonton and Red Deer. If you’re interested in entering the draw, you can do so here.
Christiansen named to CHL Team of the Week
The @VaughnHockey #CHL Team of the Week features top performers by position for games December 2-8.
Forwards: @tydellandrea, Alexis Lafreniere, and Felix Robert.
Defence: @jakec_9 & Jacob Dion.
Goaltender: @ceddy_29GUNN.
DETAILS ?: https://t.co/xPv8NtVLte pic.twitter.com/gtkApw8H3t
— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) December 10, 2019
Coming off a week in which he tallied five goals and three assists in just three games, Everett Silvertips defenseman Jake Christiansen has been named to the CHL Team of the Week as the lone representative from the WHL this week.
Milestones
- Brandon’s Marcus Kallionkieli made his WHL debut
- Kamloops’ Logan Bairos and Tye Spencer made their WHL debuts
- Medicine Hat’s Brett Kemp played in his 200th WHL game.
- Saskatoon’s Matt Sanders made his WHL debut
Mennell makes NHL debut
A hometown kid on hometown ice. Welcome, @brennanmenell!#mnwild pic.twitter.com/fCbG5DusnY
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 11, 2019
Brennan Menell (196 GP, 21 G, 124 A with the Vancouver Giants and Lethbridge Hurricanes) made his NHL debut on Tuesday night.
Laxdal promoted to Dallas coaching staff
BREAKING NEWS: Derek Laxdal has been promoted to the Dallas Stars coaching staff.
Additionally, Neil Graham has been named the fifth head coach in #txstars team history.
Read: https://t.co/XbDPa9PTrS pic.twitter.com/LeNvwYaWGc
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) December 10, 2019
Former Edmonton Oil Kings coach Derek Laxdal has been promoted to the Dallas Stars coaching staff from his position as head coach of the AHL’s Texas Stars following the firing of Jim Montgomery.
Anning joins Pistons
NEWS l Head Coach/GM Paul Dyck announced that the Pistons have made the following additions to their scouting staff:
Head Scout: David Anning (below)
Regional Scout – Brandon: Matt McNishRead more at https://t.co/bU08pViPWT. https://t.co/6v9u6Ya9PW#MJHL #PistonsHockey pic.twitter.com/Byb1NpbG1k
— Steinbach Pistons (@MJHLPistons) December 10, 2019
Former Brandon Wheat Kings head coach David Anning has returned to the Steinbach Pistons of the MJHL, where he was once an assistant general manager. In his return, he will be the team’s head scout.
Three Stars:
First Star: Medicine Hat’s Cyle McNabb had three goals and one assist
Second Star: Moose Jaw’s Brayden Tracey had two goals and one assist
Third Star: Spokane’s Adam Beckman had two goals and one assist
Honourable Mention
Medicine Hat’s James Hamblin had five assists, Kelowna’s Roman Basran had 33 saves on 34 shots.
Weekly Report, the report:
Brandon Wheat Kings:
Defenseman Dom Schmiemann has returned.
Calgary Hitmen:
-Captain Mark Kastelic is out “TBD” with a lower-body injury. Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Tye Carriere both have returned from their injuries.
Edmonton Oil Kings:
–Jesse Seppala is down to out of the lineup for 3-4 weeks. Scott Atkinson has returned.
Everett Silvertips:
–Michal Gut and Jalen Price join Tyson Phare as forwards out day-to-day.
Kamloops Blazers:
-Forward Kyrell Sopotyk is now listed as out for five more weeks.
Kelowna Rockets:
-Liam Kindree and Kyle Topping are a week closer to returning.
Medicine Hat Tigers:
Nick McCarry is back from injury
Moose Jaw Warriors:
–Daemon Hunt joined Cade Hayes as being out indefinitely.
Portland Winterhawks:
–Cross Hanas and Matt Quigley are both out day-to-day.
Prince George Cougars:
–Ethan Browne (ill) and Blake Eastman (upper body) are both out day-to-day.
Regina Pats:
–Makai Mitchell is a week closer to returning at five weeks, but Carter Massier has been ruled out for the rest of the season with his lower-body injury. Carter Chorney is now 1-2 weeks away as well.
Seattle Thunderbirds:
–Mekai Sanders is closer now at week-to-week. He has been out since the preseason.
Spokane Chiefs:
–Filip Kral, Bobby Russell, and Connor Gabruch are all out day-to-day.
Tri-City Americans:
–Mitchell Brown is now out “TBD” and Nick Bowman was added as out “day-to-day.”
Victoria Royals:
–Kaid Oliver went from “TBD” to week-to-week.
Winnipeg ICE:
–Michael Milne is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.