Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: WHL preparing for COVID-19 impacts

Written by Ben Dooley on

WHL updates COVID-19 Plan

The WHL announced an updated plan to combat the spread of COVID-19 throughout the league. The league has made the following recommendations to the teams in the league:

  • Elimination of handshakes between teammates, opponents, officials;
  • No sharing of water bottles or towels on benches or penalty box areas;
  • Avoid direct contact with fans, including high-fives, handshakes, and autographing of items.

Washington State Governor expected to ban crowds over 250 people

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee is expected to ban events and social gatherings of more than 250 people on Wednesday. The ban would be in place in the Snohomish, King, and Pierce counties and would presumably impact Everett Silvertips and Seattle Thunderbirds home games. The Silvertips have one home game remaining in the regular season on March 20th vs. Victoria while the T-Birds have three games left against Vancouver, Spokane, and Portland with the first game coming on Saturday vs. the Giants.

As it stands now, this ban does not appear to impact the Spokane Chiefs or Tri-City Americans who are not located within the affected areas. The WHL has not yet released a plan for this scenario, but that should come in relatively quick fashion after the official announcement comes down from Governor Jay Inslee.

Flyers sign Wylie to an entry-level contract

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed Everett Silvertips defenseman Wyatte Wylie to an entry-level contract. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Flyers, Wylie has 14 goals and 50 assists in 62 games this season with Everett.

Pats recall Kieper from MMHL

The Regina Pats have recalled goaltender Matthew Kieper from the Winnipeg Bruins of the MMHL. He will likely be with the Pats until the end of the regular season as his MMHL season has now concluded. Kieper has played one game with the Pats this year with a 10.24 GAA and .615 Save Percentage.

Sedoff returns for Rebels

Christoffer Sedoff returned to the Red Deer Rebels after missing two games last weekend due to injury.

Maier out of Blades lineup

Saskatoon Blades goaltender Nolan Maier was not dressed on Tuesday vs. Moose Jaw due to illness.

Hurricanes release playoff ticket prices

The Lethbridge Hurricanes have announced their playoff ticket pricing for season ticket holders. Tickets will be available for each round at $23 compared to $25 for the first round for non-season ticket holders.

Smith named to CHL Team of the Week

Spokane Chiefs defenseman Ty Smith has been named to the CHL Team of the Week as the lone WHL representative. In three games this week the New Jersey Devils prospect had two goals and five assists.

Royals unveil WHL Suits Up to Promote Organ Donation Jerseys

The Victoria Royals unveiled the jerseys they will be wearing on Friday against the Prince George Cougars for WHL Suits Up to Promote Organ Donation night.

Milestones

  • Spokane’s Lukas Parik became the first WHL goaltender to record a shutout and score a goal in the same game as he shot a puck into an empty net to secure a 3-0 win for the Chiefs over Kamloops.

Westgard wins BCIHL Rookie of the Year

Ty Westgard (28 GP, 1 G, 3 A with the Victoria Royals, Portland Winterhawks and Everett Silvertips from 2015-18) has been named the BCIHL Rookie of the Year. He played for Simon Fraser University scoring 10 goals and adding 19 assists in 24 games.

Weekly Report, report:

Calgary Hitmen:

–Luke Prokop officially out day-to-day with a lower body injury. Josh Prokop is getting closer at returning and is now day-to-day. After being taken off on a stretcher last Wednesday, Riley Fiddler-Schultz is out week-to-week with an upper body issue.

Everett Silvertips:

–Hunter Campbell is now day-to-day after being week-to-week last week. Wyatte Wylie now out day-to-day with a lower body injury.

Kelowna Rockets:

–Steel Quiring was sent back to the Okanagan Rockets of the BCMML. Liam Kindree is now 5-6 weeks out.

Lethbridge Hurricanes:

-Defenseman Chase Pauls was added from the SMHL’s Prince Albert Mintos.

Prince Albert Raiders:

–Evan Herman was added to the list as out day-to-day with an upper body issue.

Prince George Cougars:

–Nikita Krivokrasov has returned to the lineup.

Saskatoon Blades:

-Defenseman Marek Schneider was added from the Mintos. Forward Evan Patrician and defenseman Rhett Rhinehart are out indefinitely with upper body issues and forward Randen Schmidt has returned,

Seattle Thunderbirds:

-Forward Brendan Williamson is out day-to-day with an illness.

Spokane Chiefs:

–Brandon Reller and Filip Kral have returned.

Swift Current Broncos:

-Defenseman Chase Lacombe was returned to Humboldt of the SJHL.

Tri-City Americans:

-Lots of new scratches over the weekend and just some official word on statuses. Forwards: Connor Bouchard (week-to-week), Booker Daniel (day-to-day), Edge Lambert (1 week) and Parker Bell (day-to-day) were added along with defensemen Luke Zazula (day-to-day) and Tom Cadieux (week-to-week) and goalie Talyn Boyko (day-to-day).

Vancouver Giants:

-Defenseman Connor Horning is listed as out indefinitely with an upper body issue.

Victoria Royals:

-Defenseman Braden Smith was added from Thompson of the BCMML. Forward Riley Gannon is listed as out “TBD” with an upper body ailment.

Winnipeg ICE:

–Jackson Leppard is listed as out day-to-day with an upper body issue.

Three Stars

First Star: Spokane’s Lukas Parik made 36 saves on 36 shots and scored a goal in a 3-0 win over Kamloops.

Second Star: Medicine Hat’s Ryan Chyzowski scored twice vs. Red Deer.

Third Star: Saskatoon’s Alex Morozoff also scored twice vs. Moose Jaw.