Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the DUB: Brockman steps down, Raiders and Royals make roster moves, a couple of trades, and more!

Written by Paul Figler on

Brockman steps down

The Swift Current Broncos announced on Thursday afternoon that general manager and head coach Dean Brockman is stepping down from the team effective October 15, 2021. There was no reason given for the departure.

Swift Current also announced that Chad Leslie has been named interim general manager and Devan Praught the interim head coach.

For the last three seasons, Leslie has been the director of scouting for the Broncos. He was also a scout with the Saskatoon Blades previously.

Praught was in his first season as an assistant coach in the WHL, having previously been a head coach with the SMAAAHL’s Notre Dame Hounds.

WHL Unfiltered discussed the situation HERE.

Royals grab Salame from Wheat Kings

The Victoria Royals have traded for Neithan Salame, sending a fifth-round 2022 WHL Draft pick and a sixth-round 2023 WHL Draft pick to the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Thursday was the final day to get the WHL rosters down to three 20-year-old players.

The 2001-born defenseman from Edmonton, AB spent his entire WHL career with the Wheat Kings, registering seven goals and 25 assists in 150 games. In three games this season he has yet to collect a point.

Pearce heads to Brandon

The Brandon Wheat Kings traded a sixth-round draft pick in 2023 to grab Eric Pearce from the Prince Albert Raiders.

Thursday was the final day to get the WHL rosters down to three 20-year-old players.

The 2001-born forward from Regina, SK, spent his entire WHL career with the Raiders, scoring 21 goals and adding 21 assists in 197 games. In two games this season he has yet to register a point.

Bauer named Thunderbirds captain

2002-born defenseman Tyrel Bauer has been named the captain of the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Bauer, from Cochrane, AB has only played with the Seattle Thunderbirds over his 152 game career. He has collected eight goals and 31 assists. This season through three games he has one goal.

Raiders announce leadership group

The Prince Albert Raiders have named their leadership group that includes captain Kaiden Guhle, and three alternates: Ozzy Wiesblatt, Remy Aquilon, and Reece Vitelli.

Defenseman Guhle, 19, is a Montreal Canadiens draft pick and has played 140 WHL games, scoring 15 goals and adding 47 assists. He was also captain of the team in 2020-21. He had two assists in his only game with the team this season.

Forward Wiesblatt, 19, is a San Jose Sharks draft pick and has played in 156 WHL games. He has 50 goals and 92 assists. He has two goals and two assists on the season.

Defenseman Aquilon, 20, has played 150 WHL games with the Raiders and Victoria Royals. He has scored two goals and added 25 assists. This season he has one assist through five games.

Forward Vitelli, 20, has played in 227 WHL games with the Raiders and Everett Silvertips. He has 31 goals and 54 assists in his career. This season through four games he has three goals.

Raiders make roster moves

The Prince Albert Raiders announced a couple of roster moves on Thursday afternoon.

2004-born forward Alex Mack has been recalled from SSAC Athletics U18 AAA team, where he has four goals and one assist in five games.

2002-born forward Ethan Ironside is off to the SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers and 2004-born defenseman Tre Fouquette is headed to the SJHL’s La Ronge Ice Wolves.

Schwebius released by Rockets

20-year-old goaltender Cole Schwebius (17-23-2, 3.67 goals-against average, .890 save percentage, and two shutouts with Seattle and Kelowna from 2018-21) has been released by the Kelowna Rockets.

Schwebius had played in just one game this season with the Rockets.

Roster movement for Royals

Quietly forwards Ty Yoder, Graeme Byrks, and Trent Crane have been removed from the Royals roster on WHL.ca.

Yoder, 19, from Tofield, AB, has played 116 WHL games all with the Royals, scoring 10 goals and adding six assists. He had one assist in five games with the Royals this season.

Byrks, 20, from Edmonton, AB, has played 136 WHL games with Seattle and Victoria. He scored five times and added 15 assists. Through five games he was held without a point.

Crane, 18, from Morden, MB, has played 25 WHL games with Victoria. He scored two goals and added three assists. He was without a point in four games this season.

Silvertips add new broadcaster

The Everett Silvertips announced the arrival of Casey Bryant as their new broadcaster and media relations manager.

Bryant has previously been a broadcaster with the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (NAHL), Sacred Heart University Pioneers (NCAA D1), Jersey Hitmen (NCDC), and New York Apple Core (EHL).

Pulock signs eight-year extension with Islanders

27-year-old defenseman Ryan Pulock (64 goals, 146 assists in 261 games with Brandon 2010-14) has signed an eight-year contract extension with the New York Islanders.

Pulock is playing in his seventh NHL season having scored 33 goals and adding 92 assists through 291 games. The Islanders selected him 15th overall at the 2013 NHL Draft.

Flames add Rankin and Fujita to hockey operations staff

Former WHL player Connor Rankin (121 goals, 147 assists in 339 games with Tri-City and Calgary 2010-15) has joined the Calgary Flames as a Video Analyst.

Joining Rankin is Danielle Fujita who has worked with WHL players as a Skating Coach.

Capitals claim Cholowski, loan Malenstyn to Bears

23-year-old defenseman Dennis Cholowski (14 goals, 52 assists in 69 games with Prince George from 2017-18) has been claimed off waivers by the Washington Capitals. Cholowski was the 20th overall selection at the 2016 NHL Draft by the Detriot Red Wings. Cholowski had not played a game yet this season.

23-year-old forward Beck Malensytn (65 goals, 63 assists in 238 games with Calgary and Swift Current 2013-18) has been loaned by the Capitals to the AHL’s Hershey Bears. He has not yet appeared in any games this season. The Capitals selected Malenstyn in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Former Winterhawk McLeod named Iowa Wild captain

37-year-old forward Cody McLeod (69 goals, 68 assists in 257 games with Portland 2001-05) has been named captain of the AHL’s Iowa Wild.

McLeod has 775 games of NHL experience with the Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and New York Rangers. He was not selected through the NHL Draft.

Last season with Iowa, McLeod scored two goals and had two assists in 40 games.

Miner reassigned to Grizzlies

20-year-old goaltender Trent Miner (48-28-5, 2.49 goals-against average, .910 save percentage, eight shutouts in 84 games with Vancouver 2017-21) has been reassigned to the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies.

Last season Miner played 15 games with Giants (7-8-0, 2.16GAA, .915sv%, 4SO) as well as six with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles (2-3-1, 2.86GAA, .903sv%, 1SO). He was selected in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.

Makaj traded to Bulldogs

20-year-old goaltender Jesse Makaj (15-32-9, 4.17 goals-against average, .875 save percentage, 1 shutout in 60 games with Kootenay/Winnipeg 2017-20) has been traded in the BCHL, from the Coquitlam Express to the Blackfalds Bulldogs for future considerations.

Makaj did not play in 2020-21, and did not step on the ice for the Express. In 2019-20, Makaj played in 20 games for the Winnipeg Ice, posting a 10-10-0 record, a 3.84 goals-against average, and a .864 save percentage.