Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: WHL kicks off 2019-20 season

Written by Ben Dooley on

Pachal signs entry-level contract with Golden Knights 

1999-born defenseman Brayden Pachal won’t be returning to the Prince Albert Raiders this season as he has signed an entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights after attending training camp on an amateur try-out contract. In 239 career WHL games with the Raiders and Victoria Royals, Pachal recorded 26 goals and 72 assists.

Christiansen off to AHL Camp 

The Everett Silvertips will have to wait a bit longer to see if Jake Christiansen will be returning for his final year of junior eligibility as the St. Louis Blues have decided to send him off to training camp with the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage after he attended Blues camp on an amateur try-out. When/if Christiansen returns from San Antonio’s camp they’ll have to make a decision with their overagers as they already have Bryce Kindopp, Max Patterson and Wyatte Wylie returning to the club.

Penguins return Addison to Hurricanes, Bellerive off to AHL camp 

The Pittsburgh Penguins have returned defenseman Calen Addison to the Lethbridge Hurricanes while Jordy Bellerive, who is still eligible to return to the Hurricanes, is off to AHL training camp with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.

Leschyshyn off to Wolves camp, Loewen signs with club 

Jake Leschyshyn, who is still eligible to return to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, is going to be attending training camp with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and barring any surprises, he should stick with that team. The Wolves also signed Jermaine Loewen (295 GP, 78 G, 64 A with the Kamloops Blazers) to an AHL contract.

Cougars sign Griffin to WHL Education Contract 

The Prince George Cougars have signed 2002-born Davin Griffin to a WHL Education Contract. The Cougars acquired Griffin’s rights earlier this month for a conditional draft pick from the Prince Albert Raiders. The Raiders selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. Griffin made his WHL debut on Friday night for the Cougars in a 5-3 loss to the Vancouver Giants and was held scoreless.

Also on Friday, the Cougars announced 2003-born forward Fischer O’Brien is off to the Cariboo Cougars of the BCMML and 2002-born defenseman Ethan McColm is joining the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. The team also announced Ilijah Colina has been placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.

Hitmen announce 27-man opening night roster 

The Calgary Hitmen have released their 27-man opening night roster. Of note, Mark Kastelic has yet to be returned to the team by the Ottawa Senators while James Malm is week-to-week with a lower-body injury and Cael Zimmerman is out indefinitely following off-season hip surgery.

Injured players return to WHL Lineups 

The following players who had been listed on the WHL’s injury report were in the lineup on Friday night

  • Cameron Sterling (Moose Jaw – Upper Body, Day to Day)
  • Matthew Benson (Moose Jaw – Upper Body, Day to Day)
  • Ryder Korczak (Moose Jaw – Upper Body, Day to Day)
  • Colton Dach (Saskatoon – Lower Body, Day to Day)
  • Michal Gut (Everett – Upper Body Day to Day)

ICE have a night of milestones in first win 

The Winnipeg ICE played their first game since moving to Winnipeg and recorded their first win in the Battle of Manitoba. Connor McClennon recorded the first goal for the ICE while 2019 import pick Michal Teply recorded his first goal in his WHL career. Our Darnell Duff has a full recap here.

The ICE and Wheat Kings also dealt with serious fog throughout the game as evidenced by pictures like this one.

Kneen records 100th point in 250th career game 

Saskatoon Blades defenseman Nolan Kneen played his 250th career game in the WHL on Friday night and recorded his 100th point.

Kosior scores first career WHL goal 

Another player to notch his first career goal was Prince Albert Raiders defenseman Landon Kosior who ripped a nice shot past Blades goaltender Nolan Maier.

Stankoven doesn’t waste time getting first WHL goal 

Highly-touted Logan Stankoven didn’t waste time showcasing his shot in scoring the Blazers first goal and the first of his WHL regular-season career late in the first period.

Coaching staff named for Team WHL in Canada-Russia series

When the annual Canada-Russia series heads to Saskatoon and Prince Albert in November, there will be a couple of familiar faces behind the bench as Saskatoon Blades head coach Mitch Love has been named head coach while Prince Albert Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid and Regina Pats head coach Dave Struch will be joining the staff as assistant coaches.

Ludvig to lead Winterhawks in 2019-20 season 

The Portland Winterhawks have announced Johnny Ludvig is the 44th captain in franchise history. The team has also named five alternate captains: Lane Gilliss, Jake Gricius, Mason Mannek, Reece Newkirk and Matthew Quigley

Oil Kings announce 2019-20 leadership group 

The Edmonton Oil Kings have announced their leadership group for the 2019-20 season. 19-year-old Scott Atkinson has been named the 13th captain in franchise history while Wyatt Mcleod, Ethan Cap, and Conner McDonald have been named as his alternates. Matthew Robertson will also be an alternate captain this year, but he has yet to return from New York Rangers training camp.

Regnier named 32nd captain in Broncos history 

The Swift Current Broncos have announced that Ethan Regnier has been named the 32nd captain in franchise history. The 2000-born forward is entering his third season with the Broncos and is just one of two players remaining from the 2018 WHL Championship team.

Murray to play final junior season with Sherwood park 

Sherwood Park native Davis Murray will be playing his final year of junior eligibility in front of the home-town crowd with the AJHL’s Sherwood Park Crusaders after the Winnipeg ICE decided to release him from their roster.

Zonneveld reporting to AJHL’s Dragons 

When the Regina Pats released Steven Zonneveld from the active roster, they said he’d be reporting to the AJHL but didn’t specify which team he would be joining  We now know that team is the Drumheller Dragons, who announced his addition on Friday. Zonneveld played 42 games with the Pats last season and had a goal and six assists.

Schaufler joins Saints 

2000-born defenseman Loeden Schaufler has joined the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints after being released by the Prince Albert Raiders. In 73 games with the Raiders, Kootenay ICE and Seattle Thunderbirds, he has 10 assists.

Three Stars of The Night:

First Star: Tri-City Americans forward Sasha Mutala led the WHL with two goals and two assists to take an early lead in the WHL scoring race

Second Star: Regina Pats forward Ty Kolle was involved in each of the Pats’ three goals as they defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors 3-2.

Third Star: Spokane Chiefs forward Jake McGrew looked impressive for the Chiefs in a 4-3 win over Kamloops with two goals.

Troubling moment:

-Brandon’s Ridly Greig could be facing a suspension after hitting Winnipeg’s Chase Hartje with a high-speed hit just 21 seconds into the game. Greig had already drawn the ire of the ICE for another hit he laid on Matthew Savoie in the preseason.

-Kamloops defenseman Quinn Schmiemann was also given a five minute major and game misconduct for a hit in the Blazers 4-3 loss to the Spokane Chiefs.