Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the DUB: Stringer to donate $5 for every goal, Cougars sign Thornton, and more

Written by Paul Figler on

 

Third week of testing results in zero positive tests

The WHL completed the third week of its return to play with no positive test results for COVID-19 among the 177 tests administered for the Central Division teams.

Thus far the WHL has administered 481 tests from February 6, 2021, through yesterday. There have been no positive results.

Cougars sign Thornton to WHL Standard Player Agreement

The Prince George Cougars announced they have signed 2018 second-round WHL Draft pick Hudson Thornton. This season, Thornton has been playing for the Fargo Force of the USHL, scoring twice and adding two assists in 23 games. Thornton had previously committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Mutala makes his professional debut

Forward Sasha Mutala (198GP, 59G, 75A) made his professional debut last night as a member of the Colorado Eagles, the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. Mutala is a 2019 fifth-round NHL draft pick of the Avalanche. He has yet to sign with the Avalanche. In 2016, Mutala was selected sixth overall by the Tri-City Americans

Stringer to donate to Canadian Cancer Society this season

17-year-old forward Zack Stringer (57GP, 12G, 26A) has made a commitment to support the Canadian Cancer Society this season. For every goal Stringer scores this season, he will donate $5 to the cause, doing so in honour of his dad.

“I’ve decided to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society in honour of my dad,” said Stringer. “He, unfortunately, passed from cancer at a young age, so it is an honour to do this in his memory,” said Stringer in a press release from the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Canadiens return Fairbrother and Guhle to their WHL teams

Defensemen Kaiden Guhle (137GP, 14G, 44A with Prince Albert) and Gianni Fairbrother (137GP, 17G, 49A with Everett) have been returned to their WHL teams by the Montreal Canadiens. Guhle had seen action in three games with the Laval Rocket, without registering a point, while Fairbrother collected an assist in his three games. Fairbrother was selected in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft. At the same draft, Guhle was selected in the first round (16th overall).

Jeannot recalled to the Predators taxi squad

Forward Tanner Jeannot (267GP, 77G, 93A with Moose Jaw ’14-’18) has been recalled by the Nashville Predators from the Chicago Wolves, to serve on the team’s taxi squad. Jeannot has split the season between Chicago (6GP, 3G, 5A) and the ECHL’s Florida Everblades (5GP, 3G, 3A). Jeannot was not drafted by the Moose Jaw Warriors or the Nashville Predators and has signed a contract with the Predators through the end of this season.

Blackhawks shuffle WHL alumni

Forward Brad Morrison (334GP, 112G, 150A with Prince George, Vancouver, and Lethbridge ’12-’18) has been recalled by the Chicago Blackhawks to serve on the team’s taxi squad. Morrison was originally a 2015 fourth-round NHL Draft pick of the New York Rangers. He then signed with the Los Angeles Kings on May 1, 2018. On October 4, 2020, Morrison was acquired by the Blackhawks. His contract expires at the end of this season.

Forward Reese Johnson (187GP, 55G, 45A with Red Deer ’14-’19) has been reassigned to the Rockford IceHogs by the Blackhawks after making his NHL debut and playing three games. Johnson was not drafted to the NHL but was signed by the team on March 6, 2019. His contract runs through the 2021-22 season.

Stephens recalled by Crunch

Defenseman Devante Stephens (203GP, 19G, 38A with Kelowna ’14-’17) has been recalled by the Syracuse Crunch from the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL). Stephens has appeared in 16 games this season with the Solar Bears, scoring three goals and adding three assists. The Buffalo Sabres selected Stephens in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft. Stephens was a member of the 2014-15 Ed Chynoweth Cup champion Kelowna Rockets.

Viveiros loaned to Augsburger Panther

Defenseman Layne Viveiros (195GP, 11G, 60A with Portland ’11-’15) has been loaned to the Augsburger Panthers (DEL) from EC Salzberg (IceHL). In 39 games with EC Salzberg this season, Viveiros scored one goal and added five assists. Viveiros is a dual Austrian / Canadian citizen. This was his fifth season with EC Salzberg, the team he won an EBEL Championship with in 2015-16.

Bittner signs extension with Grizzlys Wolfsburg

Defenseman Dominik Bittner (68GP, 4G, 13A with Everett ’11-’12) has signed a contract extension with Grizzlys Wolfsburg of the DEL. This season is his second with the team, despite not playing a game this season due to injury. He has spent the last eight seasons in the DEL, Germany’s top professional hockey league. Bittner was the 51st pick in the 2011 CHL Import draft.