Daily Dose of the DUB: WHL players of the week, WHL firsts, and more

Wolf named WHL Goaltender of the Week

Everett Silvertips goaltender Dustin Wolf was named WHL Goaltender of the Week following back-to-back shutout wins over the weekend. The Calgary Flames seventh-round draft pick made 40 saves as the Silvertips downed the Tri-City Americans and the Spokane Chiefs. With 22 shutouts, Wolf now stands third all-time in the WHL behind Tyson Sexsmith and Carter Hart who each has 26 career shutouts.

Ritchie named WHL Player of the Week

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Nolan Ritchie was named the WHL Player of the Week after posting three goals and four assists in the team’s three games. The former third-round pick of the Wheat Kings in 2017, Ritchie has three goals and five assists through the Wheat Kings first five games.

CSSHL approves new teams for 2021-22

Three programs with teams in Western Canada were granted new teams in time for the 2021-22 season. Prairie Hockey Academy in Caronport, SK was granted U15 Prep and U18 Prep division teams. The Notre Dame Hounds program will add a U18 Pre division to their Wilcox, SK teams. Pilot Mound Hockey Academy will add a U15 prep team in Pilot Mound. MB.

The CSSHL is a major contributor to the pool of players eligible for selection at the WHL Draft, it also continues the development of players from across the WHL. 374 student-athletes have played in the three leagues that make up the CHL.

Stebbings scores first WHL goal

Swift Current Broncos 2002-born forward Carter Stebbings has scored his first WHL goal. The goal came at 19:09 of the second period and gave the Broncos a 4-1 lead, in a game in which they won 5-2. Stebbing was playing in his sixth WHL game after signing as a list player of the Broncos. He later scored the final goal of the game as well.

Aubin scores first WHL goal

Swift Current Broncos 2003-born defenseman Devin Aubin scored his first WHL goal in his third WHL game. Turns out the goal at 2:23 of the second period was the game-winner as the Broncos defeated the Prince Albert Raiders 5-2. Aubin was a fourth-round pick of the Spokane Chiefs in 2018 and was traded on December 4th, 2018, in a deal that saw Carter Chorney and the rights to forward Kye Buchanan and blue liner Devin Aubin head to Swift Current.

Dyck earns first WHL win

2004-born goaltender Reid Dyck earned his first win of the season for the Swift Current Broncos. Dyck was playing in just his second game and allowed just two goals on 30 shots. The Broncos selected Dyck in the third-round of the 2019 WHL Draft.

REMAX named title sponsor of WHL Hub Centres in Kamloops & Kelowna

RE/MAX of Western Canada was announced today by the Western Hockey League as the official title sponsor for the WHL’s Hub Centres in Kamloops and Kelowna for the 2020-21 Regular Season. The RE/MAX Cup will be presented to the B.C. Division Champions at the conclusion of the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season.

Kolesar scores first NHL goal

Forward Keegan Kolesar (243GP, 77G, 90A with Seattle ’12-’17) scored his first NHL goal at 11:19 of the third period to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 3-1 before they cruised to a 5-1 victory. Kolesar was playing in his 26th NHL contest and also has four assists. Kolesar, a former third-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2015, has spent the entire season with the NHL club. He was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights for a second-round draft pick at the 2017 NHL draft.

Dube hits 100 game milestone

Forward Dillon Dube (203GP, 101G, 131A with Kelowna ’13-’18) played his 100th NHL game on Monday night as the Calgary Flames took on the Ottawa Senators. In his NHL career, Dube has scored 14 goals and added 22 assists. The Flames selected Dube in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Scott reassigned to Maple Leafs taxi squad

Goaltender Ian Scott (175GP, 87-64-14, 2.90GAA, .905sv% with Prince Albert ’15-’19) has been reassigned by the Toronto Maple Leafs to their taxi squad from the Toronto Marlies. Scott did not play in 2019-20 due to injury and recovery and has yet to play a game this season due to a separate injury. Scott is a former fourth-round pick of the Maple Leafs at the 2017 NHL Draft. He was also the ninth overall pick of the Raiders at the 2014 WHL Draft.

Sabres recall Tokarski from the taxi squad

Goaltender Dustin Tokarski (129GP, 77-39-7, 2.18GAA, .925sv% with Spokane ’06-’09) has been recalled from the taxi squad by the Buffalo Sabres. The former fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008, has played just two games this season. Both games were played with the Sabres’ AHL affiliate, Rochester Americans. Tokarski is 1-1-0 on the season with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. Tokarski was an Ed Chynoweth Cup and Memorial Cup Champion with the 2007-08 Spokane Chiefs.

Strand recalled from Ontario Reign

Defenseman Austin Strand (268GP, 40G, 82A with Red Deer and Seattle ’14-’18) has been recalled to the Los Angeles Kings roster from the Ontario Reign. This season, Strand has played seven games with the Kings (0G, 1A) and nine games with the Reign (0G, 4A). The undrafted Strand was signed to a second NHL contract by the Kings on October 12, 2020. During the 2016-17 WHL season with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Strand won the Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champion.

Gurney commits to Wilfrid Laurier

Forward Justyn Gurney (175GP, 10G, 21A with Calgary, Regina, and Everett ’16-’20) has committed to Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, ON. Following last season, Gurney committed to the Trail Smoke Eaters and was then traded to the Coquitlam Express on January 13, 2021.