Daily Dose of the Dub: Winterhawks acquire DiLaura, Wheat Kings acquire Ginnell and so much more

Winterhawks acquire DiLaura from Cougars 

The Portland Winterhawks have acquired Isaiah DiLaura from the Prince George Cougars in exchange for a 2022 seventh-round pick. DiLauara is entering his 19-year-old season and has 36 WHL games to his name over two seasons with the Cougars. He has a career 3.61 GAA and .889 save percentage since being drafted in the eighth round of the WHL Bantam Draft.

Hofer returned to Winterhawks 

Sticking with Winterhawks goaltending news, Joel Hofer has been returned to the team from the St. Louis Blues training camp. Hofer will be entering his first full season as the Winterhawks starter after coming over in a trade from the Swift Current Broncos last season.

Wheat Kings acquire Ginnell from Blazers

The Brandon Wheat Kings have acquired Riley Ginnell from the Kamloops Blazers for a sixth-round pick in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft. The 2002-born forward has yet to play a WHL regular-season game but does have a goal and three assists in 10 career preseason games with the Blazers.

ICE release overage forward Murray 

The Winnipeg ICE have released overage forward Davis Murray and he is now a free agent. The Sherwood Park native has 164 WHL games on his resume with the Edmonton Oil Kings and Kootenay ICE recording 13 goals and 18 assists. With the move, the ICE are now left with Isaac JohnsonChase Hartje, and Reece Harsch as their overage players as we enter the 2019-20 season.

Warriors release Ormsby 

The Moose Jaw Warriors have released overage forward Luke Ormsby from the roster and he is now on WHL waivers. In 190 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips, and Moose Jaw Warriors, Ormsby recorded 16 goals and 22 assists. The move leaves the Warriors with just recently-acquired Jadon Joseph and Bailey Brkin as their overage players and an open overage spot. Justin Almeida (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Josh Brook (Montreal Canadiens) are eligible to return from their NHL clubs but as both are signed to NHL deals, that is not a likely scenario, but stranger things have happened.

Canucks return Focht, Warm, Woo to WHL 

The Vancouver Canucks have returned Carson Focht and Jett Woo to the Calgary Hitmen while Victoria Royals defenseman Will Warm has been released from his try-out and will re-join Victoria for his overage season.

Avalanche return Burzan and Mutala to WHL 

The Colorado Avalanche have returned Brandon Wheat Kings forward Luka Burzan and Tri-City Americans forward Sasha Mutala to the WHL following the team’s first preseason game which they dropped 5-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Rockets’ Hamaliuk returned from San Jose Sharks 

Dillon Hamaliuk has been returned to the Kelowna Rockets from San Jose Sharks training camp meaning the Rockets will have all three pieces acquired in the draft-day trade with the Seattle Thunderbirds available to them on opening night.

Giants forwards’ battling with injuries 

According to Steve Ewen from The Province, the Vancouver Giants could be without forwards Cole ShepardSergei Alkhimov and Krz Plummer due to injuries when they head to Prince George this weekend. Shepard and Alkhimov were both added in the off-season while Plummer is looking to earn a full-time role with the club.

Flames return Roman, Wolf to WHL 

The Giants did get some help from the NHL’s Calgary Flames with overage import forward Milos Roman being returned to the team from Calgary’s training camp. Everett Silvertips goaltender Dustin Wolf is also on his way back from the WHL to defend his title as WHL Western Conference Goaltender of the Year.

Silvertips lineup updates

Josh Horton from The Herald in Everett has a bunch of Everett Silvertips updates:

  • Wyatte Wylie is returning to the Silvertips for his overage season after attending training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Silvertips now have Max PattersonBryce Kindopp and Wylie as their overage players on the roster. Jake Christiansen is on a try-out with the St. Louis Blues and could return to the team while Riley Sutter (Washington Capitals) and Connor Dewar (Minnesota Wild) are signed by their respective NHL clubs and not expected back in the WHL this season.
  • 2000-born Gianni Fairbrother will come back from Montreal Canadiens camp in the near future but won’t be available to the team for opening weekend.
  • Brendan Lee will be held out due to illness while Michal GutReece Vitelli, and Jackson Berezowski are expected to be in the opening night roster.

Hitmen release three from active roster

The Calgary Hitmen have released defensemen Tyson Galloway and Rory Neill as well as goaltender Ethan Hein from the active roster. Galloway and Hein are off to the BCHL and SJHL in Junior A respectively while Neill is returning to midget to play for the Winnipeg Wild in the MMHL.

Cougars’ Dowhaniuk to OHA Edmonton 

The Prince George Cougars have sent Keaton Dowhaniuk back to OHA Edmonton following the conclusion of the WHL Preseason. In four preseason games, he was held pointless with eight penalty minutes and eight shots on goal.

Art Hauser Centre still undergoing renovations

According to Jeff D’Andrea from panow.com, the Art Hauser Centre is still undergoing renovations with the Raiders home opener set to take place on Friday.

Saskatchewan names WHL Cup Roster

Team Saskatchewan has named its roster for the 2019 WHL Cup

  • Ethan Chadwick (Saskatoon Blades)
  • Dylan Ernst (Kamloops Blazers)
  • Tre Fouquette (Prince Albert Raiders)
  • Kevin Korchinski (Seattle Thunderbirds)
  • Hunter Mayo (Red Deer Rebels)
  • Logan McCutcheon (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
  • Kalem Parker (Victoria Royals)
  • Cole Tanchuk (Seattle Thunderbirds)
  • Carter Briltz (Victoria Royals)
  • Mason Bueckert (Saskatoon Blades)
  • Carter Cormier (Regina Pats)
  • Carter Dereniwsky (Victoria Royals)
  • Kyren Gronick (Prince George Cougars)
  • Parker Lalonde (Red Deer Rebels)
  • Jhett Larson (Red Deer Rebels)
  • Jakin Lawrence (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
  • Kylynn Olafson (Edmonton Oil Kings)
  • Tye Spencer (Kamloops Blazers)
  • Vaughn Watterodt (Kamloops Blazers)

Bruins sign ex-Americans defenseman 

The Boston Bruins have signed Brandon Carlo (186 GP, 12 G, 53 A with the Tri-City Americans) to a two-year contract extension. Last season with the Bruins, Carlo had two goals and eight assists in 72 games.

Stadel signs in Finland 

Riley Stadel (286 GP, 31 G, 84 A with the Kelowna Rockets and Edmonton Oil Kings) has signed in Finland for the 2019-20 season. Last season in England, he had five goals and 11 assists in 59 games.