139 WHL Alumni on NHL opening night rosters
A total of 1️⃣3️⃣9️⃣ #WHLAlumni are featured on @NHL rosters to open the 2020-21 season! ?
DETAILS ? | https://t.co/XRIJrB3Hji pic.twitter.com/4PVKCOiwNw
— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 13, 2021
When you include the taxi squads for each NHL team, there are 139 WHL alumni on the rosters to open the 2020-21 NHL season. Edmonton leads the way with 11 former WHL players, followed by Vegas (10) and Vancouver (8).
18 former Kelowna Rockets make NHL rosters followed by Portland (14) and Seattle (11).
Sillinger heads to Sioux Falls for 2020-21 USHL season
2020-2021 Player Development Update:
Forward Cole Sillinger has been released to the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL. Cole will return to the Tigers once Sioux Falls' season is concluded.
Read the release -> https://t.co/oaeg5zINfY pic.twitter.com/9OBgcFIuh7
— Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) January 13, 2021
Cole Sillinger (52GP, 22G, 33A with Medicine Hat Tigers) has been released to the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL. The move is expected to assist in Sillinger’s development as he heads to the 2021 NHL Draft. Sillinger will return to the Tigers at the conclusion of the USHL season.
Porter Jr. resurfaces with the Vernon Vipers
2000-born goaltender James Porter Jr. is now on the roster of the Vernon Vipers.
The veteran of 82 WHL games was 3-6-0 with a 2.59 GAA, a .922 SV%, and one shutout in nine games with the Vipers in 2019-20.#BCHL | @BCHLNetwork https://t.co/1jnpwX98kW
— Brian Wiebe (@Brian_Wiebe) January 13, 2021
James Porter Jr. (82GP, 38-24-9, 3.12GAA, .900sv% with Kelowna and Spokane) has returned to the Vernon Vipers (BCHL) roster. Porter Jr. was released by the Chiefs on December 17, 2020.
Stone named first-ever captain of Golden Knights
We would just tell you who our first captain is…
but we’d rather have you C for yourself ?#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/icXmQvrClO
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) January 13, 2021
Mark Stone (232GP, 106G, 190A with Brandon ’08-’12) has been named the first-ever captain for the Vegas Golden Knights. Last season, Stone was granted an ‘A’ with the Golden Knights. Stone was also an assistant captain with the Wheat Kings in the 2010-11 & 2011-12 seasons.
Connauton earns one-year two-way contract
We have agreed to terms with defenseman Kevin Connauton on a one-year, two-way contract.
He is expected to be assigned to our taxi squad.
➡️ https://t.co/u9Je7hmFnS pic.twitter.com/W6IOJ0FfJB
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) January 13, 2021
Kevin Connauton (69GP, 24G, 48A with Vancouver ’09-’10) has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers, It is Connauton’s fifth NHL team following stints with the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes, and Colorado Avalanche.
Nicholls heads to DEL2
Confirmed: Josh Nicholls (F) | Kunlun Red Star -> Heilbronner Falken | https://t.co/KbfJ10mGyw #DEL2
— EP Transfers (@ep_transfers) January 13, 2021
Josh Nicholls (332GP, 138G, 175A with Saskatoon ’08-’13) has signed with Heilbronner Falken of the DEL2 in Germany, Nicholls started the season with Kunlun Red Star of the KHL, playing in four games, registering zero points. Nicholls was part of the 2012-13 Blades team that hosted the Memorial Cup.
