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DUB’s Daily Dose: WHL update, Oil Kings and Americans deal and more!

Written by Kevin Shaw on

 

WHL update

“The Western Hockey League announced today the following update on WHL COVID-19 Protocols, including current pausing of team activities for 15 WHL Clubs, resumption of team activities for one WHL Club, and the postponement of eight WHL Regular Season games.” The release said.

“The Lethbridge Hurricanes and Swift Current Broncos have been cleared to resume all team activities. It is anticipated that numerous other WHL Clubs currently on pause will be cleared to resume team activities in the coming days.” Two teams as stated in the release are back to work.

Eight more games were postponed:

Saturday, January 8: Spokane at Seattle

Tuesday, January 11: Calgary at Regina, Prince Albert at Edmonton, Spokane at Victoria, and Kelowna at Prince George

Wednesday, January 12: Calgary at Moose Jaw, Spokane at Victoria, and Kelowna at Prince George

A full 68-game schedule and playoffs is the expectation of the league: “The WHL and our member Clubs remain fully committed to playing through the 68-game WHL Regular Season schedule and Playoffs,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “As we work through the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our priority continues to be to deliver a world-class development experience for WHL players, staff, and officials, and to do so in a safe and healthy manner. On behalf of the entire WHL, I wish to thank WHL fans and WHL corporate partners everywhere for their patience as we work to reschedule games in the coming weeks.”

Oil Kings and Americans make a deal

The Edmonton Oil Kings traded defenseman Chase Friedt-Mohr to the Tri-City Americans in exchange for an eight round pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects draft.

The 18-year-old defenseman returns to the US Division where he started the season in Spokane with the Chiefs. He was traded to the Oil Kings on December 6. In eight games with the Oil Kings he scored twice.

Americans honor Swaby

The Tri-City Americans tweeted out a picture of a helmet decal that the team would be wearing in honor of former player Matt Swaby (Tri-City, Edmonton 2004-08) who tragically passed away on November 26, 2021.

Swaby played three of his four WHL seasons with the Americans suiting up in 186 games for the club notching 36 points (nine goals, 27 assists). He played his overage season with the Oil Kings.

Swan reassigned

Sequoia Swan was reassigned to the Winnipeg Freeze of the MJHL.

Originally a draft pick of the Tri-City Americans in 2017, Swan made the ICE out of training camp this season. In 18 games thus far in 2021-22, the Winnipeg product has one assist and 30 penalty minutes.

The 5’10”, 185 lb. forward had played the majority of his junior career playing in the MJHL with the OCN Blizzard and Winkler Flyers where he’s played 120 games.

Winterhawks call up a trio

The Winterhawks have added a trio of 16-year-olds as affiliated players to their roster for the weekend. Josh Zakreski, Nick Johnson and Rhett Ravndahl were added for Portland’s trip into British Columbia.

Zakreski was Portland’s 8th round pick in the 2020 WHL Draft and has 10 goals and 11 assists in 20 games for his hometown Saskatoon Blazers of the SMAAAHL. He made his debut with the Winterhawks earlier in the season where he skated in two contests.

Johnson was Portland’s 10th round pick in the 2020 WHL Draft (220th overall). He has 28 points (9 goals, 19 assists) in 22 games for Edge School U18 Prep team.

Ravndahl, another 2020 WHL pick for Portland was selected in the fourth round (83rd overall). The defenseman has 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) in 27 games for the Prince Albert Mintos SMAAAHL team.

Henry gets tryout with Springfield

Jordan Henry (Moose Jaw, Red Deer 2003-07) signed a professional tryout with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds. The 35-year-old Milo, AB product did not play during the 2020-21 season. His last action was in 2019-20 with the Brampton Beast of the ECHL.

Henry’s WHL career lasted 270 games where he picked up 73 points (12 goals, 61 assists) and 536 penalty minutes.

Fouquette traded in the SJHL

Warman, SK defenseman Tre Fouquette (Prince Albert 2020-22) was traded by the SJHL’s La Ronge Ice Wolves to the Nipawin Hawks for Mkyllan Couture.

Fouquette played in ten games over the last two seasons with the Raiders collecting two points (one goal, one assist), the seventeen-year-old has played in 12 games for La Ronge picking up five assists before the trade.