As the WHL’s attention turns to the NHL Draft beginning tonight, we bring you some of the information from around the Western Hockey League.
Team USA names two WHLers to its Summer Showcase roster
Forty-four players named to the initial U.S. roster for the 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase at @USAHockeyArena. #WJSS ??
Full details → https://t.co/ffj0T7L9BI pic.twitter.com/SxqyNkvbC4
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) June 20, 2019
After excellent seasons from both Luke Toporowski and Dustin Wolf, the American team has invited both players to their Summer Showcase team that will take place in Plymouth, Michigan from July 26th through August 3rd. The camp is an audition of sorts for the team that will be heading to Ostrava and Trinec, Czech Republic for the 2020 World Junior Championships from December 26th to January 5th, 2020.
Stu Barnes contract not renewed
Stu Barnes didn’t have his contract renewed with Dallas and will not be on the Stars coaching staff next season
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) June 20, 2019
A co-owner of the Tri-City Americans did not have his contract renewed by the Dallas Stars. Barnes is a former WHL player, having spent a season with the New Westminster Bruins and two with the Americans. He then became a part owner of the club in 2004-05. He became an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars in time for the 2017-18 season, it was his second stint as an assistant coach with the team.
Jim Playfair named an associate coach with the Edmonton Oilers
The #Oilers have hired Jim Playfair as an associate coach. Playfair brings 10 years of @NHL coaching experience, most recently working with Dave Tippett in Arizona from 2011 to 2017. https://t.co/CV2Fy2yghf
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 20, 2019
The former Portland Winterhawk and Calgary Wranglers defenseman was brought on to the coaching staff with the Edmonton Oilers yesterday. Playfair joined the Portland Winterhawks for parts of three seasons and played in two Memorial Cups with the team. He finished out his WHL career with the Calgary Wranglers. In 195 games he had 23 goals to go with 55 assists. He was selected by the Oilers in the first round of the 1982 NHL Draft.
Former Blazer Walton joins Nanaimo Clippers
. @ClippersHockey have added 99 F Travis Walton for the upcoming season. The power forward had 18 points in 141 with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL over the past three years. The Abbotsford native shares his excitement about joining the Clippers.https://t.co/ukyERUgwja
— danmarshall77 (@danmarshall77) June 20, 2019
The ’99 born forward was found to be part of the numbers game in Kamloops and has decided to join the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL. Walton previously played for the Chilliwack Chiefs in 2015-16 before joining the Blazers for three seasons. Over his three seasons, he scored nine goals and added nine assists.
Colin “Toledo” Robinson resigned by Blazers
Blazers re-sign Athletic Therapist Colin “Toledo” Robinson.
Details: https://t.co/uzyARiGwxv pic.twitter.com/y47ns629m1— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) June 20, 2019
As seen in a press release HERE, Robinson has spent 25 seasons as an Athletic Therapist in the Western Hockey League. The 2019-2020 season will be his 15th with the Blazers. He previously spent time with the Swift Current Broncos and Vancouver Giants. It is unknown how long the extension is for.
Riley Kosmolak named Blades Equipment Manager
NEWS: Blades Hire New Equipment Manager
? » https://t.co/DLxvK1XDBm#BladeCity pic.twitter.com/uln1BJmVSK
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) June 21, 2019
After Chad Scharff left the team to pursue a career in law enforcement, the Blades hired the Assistant Equipment Manager from the Manitoba Moose to head up their department. Riley Kosmolak has also worked with the Steinbach Pistons of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and at the World Junior A Challenge. More can be found at this link.