Eastern Division

Daily Dose of the Dub: Blades hire Xavier Labelle; more NHL camp rosters announced

Written by Brandon Rivers on

Saskatoon hires Labelle

The Blades brought in Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Xavier Labelle as a Hockey Operations Assistant. Labelle had spent time on Saskatoon’s protected list and was in camp in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Blades General Manager Colin Priestner had visited him at the hospital during his recovery and connected with Labelle.

It was also announced that he would play a role in the tribute Saskatoon is planning for their home opener against the Swift Current Broncos on September 22nd.

Flames, Devils and Red Wings announce their training camp rosters

The only team whose main camp roster we do not know is the New York Islanders. However, only drafted and signed 1998-born players David Quenneville and Kieffer Bellows were in camp with them and it is very safe to assume they will go onto main camp.

All signed 1998-born players are italicized.

Of the invited players invited to main camp we found about today, they were all with the Calgary Flames. Jake Christiansen, Igor Merezhko and Brayden Pachal were defensemen that earned main camp invites.

Brandon Wheat Kings (6 – 2 not returned yet)

  • Ty Lewis (COL) – 1998 – Free Agent – Signed.
  • Schael Higson (VGK) – 1998 – Invite. Returned.
  • Luka Burzan (OTT) – 2000 – Invite- Returned.
  • Stelio Mattheos (CAR) – 1999 – Drafted 2017.
  • Cole Reinhardt (COL) – 2000 – Invite. Returned.
  • Jiri Patera (VGK) – 1999 – Drafted 2017. Returned.

Calgary Hitmen (4 – 2 not returned yet)

  • Riley Stotts (TOR) – 2000 – Drafted 2018.
  • Vladislav Yeryomenko (NSH) – 1999 – Drafted 2018.
  • Carson Focht (BOS) – 2000 – Invite. Returned.
  • Egor Zamula (PHI) – 2000 – Invite. Returned.

Edmonton Oil Kings (3 – 1 not returned yet)

  • Trey Fix-Wolansky (CBJ) – 1999 – Drafted 2018.
  • Brett Kemp (VGK) – 2000 – Invite. Returned.
  • Wyatt McLeod (PIT) – 2000 – Invite. Returned.

Everett Silvertips (7)

  • Connor Dewar (MIN) – 1999 – Drafted 2018.
  • Riley Sutter (WSH) – 1999 – Drafted 2018.
  • Wyatte Wylie (PHI) – 1999 – Drafted 2018.
  • Jake Christiansen (CAL) – 1999 – Invite. Extended to main camp.
  • Carter Hart (PHI) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed. 
  • Ondrej Vala (DAL) – 1998 – Free agent – Signed.
  • Garrett Pilon (WSH) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.

Kamloops Blazers (4 -3 not returned yet)

  • Montana Onyebuchi (TB) – 2000 – Invite.
  • Dylan Ferguson (VGK) – 1998 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • Jermaine Loewen (DAL) – 1998 – Drafted 2018.
  • Sean Strange (COL) – 2000 – Invite. Returned.

Kelowna Rockets (4)

  • Kyle Topping (SJ) – 1999 – Invite. Extended to main camp.
  • Dillon Dube (CAL) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Cal Foote (TB) – 1998 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • Kole Lind (VAN) – 1998 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.

Kootenay ICE (3 – 1 not returned yet)

  • Martin Bodak (VGK) 1998 – Invite. Returned.
  • Duncan McGovern (WPG) – 2000 – Invite. Returned.
  • Brett Davis (DAL) – 1999 – Drafted 2017.

Lethbridge Hurricanes (4)

  • Igor Merezhko (CAL) 1998 – Invite. Extended to main camp.
  • Jordy Bellerive (PIT) – 1999 – Free Agent – Signed.
  • Calen Addison (PIT) – 2000 – Drafted 2018.
  • Akira Schmid (NJ) – 2000 – Drafted 2018.

Medicine Hat Tigers (6)

  • Mason Shaw (MIN) – 1998 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • David Quenneville (NYI) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Jordan Hollett (OTT) – 1999 – Drafted 2017.
  • Linus Nassen (FLA) – 1998 – Invite. Earned main camp invite.
  • Dylan MacPherson (FLA) – 1998 – Invite. Earned main camp invite.
  • Ryan Chyzowski (VGK) – 2000 – Invite. Extended to main camp.

Moose Jaw Warriors (6)

  • Justin Almeida (PIT) – 1999 – Drafted 2018.
  • Kale Clague (LAK) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Brett Howden (NYR) – 1998 – Trade with Tampa Bay – Signed.
  • Oleg Sosunov (TB) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.

Portland Winterhawks (10 – 8 not returned yet)

  • Cody Glass (VGK) – 1999 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • Jake Gricius (SJ) – 1999 – Invite. Extended to main camp.
  • Joachim Blichfeld (SJ) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Henri Jokiharju (CHI) – 1999 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • Skyler McKenzie (WPG) – 1998 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • Dennis Cholowski (DET) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • John Ludvig (BOS) – 2000 – Invite. Returned.
  • Kieffer Bellows (NYI) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Brendan De Jong (CAR) – 1998 – Drafted 2017.
  • Shane Farkas (CAL)- 1999 – Invite. Returned.

Prince Albert Raiders (5 – 4 not returned yet)

  • Parker Kelly (OTT) – 1999 – Free Agent – Signed.
  • Cole Fonstad (MTL) – 2000 – Drafted 2018. Returned.
  • Ian Scott (TOR) – 1999 – Drafted 2017.
  • Brayden Pachal (CAL) – 1999 – Invite. Extended to main camp.
  • Noah Gregor (SJ) – 1998 – Drafted 2016

Prince George Cougars (2 – 1 not returned)

  • Joel Lakusta (STL) – 1998 – Invite. Returned.
  • Jackson Leppard (TB) – 2000 – Invite.

Red Deer Rebels (5 – 2 not returned yet)

  • Alexander Alexeyev (WAS) – 1999 – Drafted 2018.
  • Dawson Barteaux (DAL) – 2000 – Drafted 2018.
  • Brandon Hagel (MTL) – 1998 – Invite. Returned.
  • Jacob Herauf (PIT) – 2000 – Invite. Returned.
  • Reese Johnson (NYR) – 1998 – Invite. Returned.

Regina Pats (8 – 7 not returned yet)

  • Jake Leschyshyn (VGK) – 1999 – Drafted 2017.
  • Cale Fleury (MTL) – 1998 – Drafted 2017.
  • Nick Henry (COL) – 1999 – Drafted 2017.
  • Robbie Holmes (COL) – 1999 – Invite. Returned.
  • Max Paddock (SJ) – 2000 – Invite. Extended to main camp.
  • Sam Steel (ANA) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Josh Mahura (ANA) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Libor Hajek (NYR) – 1998 – Trade with Tampa Bay – Signed.

Saskatoon Blades (4 – 3 not returned yet)

  • Eric Florchuk (WSH) – 2000 – Drafted 2018.
  • Max Gerlach (ARI) – 1998 – Invite. Returned.
  • Kristian Roykas-Marthinsen (WAS) – 1999 – Drafted 2017.
  • Chase Wouters (TB) – 2000 – Invite.

Seattle Thunderbirds (3 – 1 not returned yet)

  • Jaret Tyszka (MTL) – 1999 – Drafted 2017. Injured.
  • Reece Harsch (VGK) – 1999 – Invite. Returned.
  • Liam Hughes (PHI) – 1999 – Invite. Returned.

Spokane Chiefs (7 – 6 not returned yet)

  • Jake McGrew (SJ) – 1999 – Drafted 2017.
  • Jaret Anderson-Dolan (LAK) – 1999 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • Filip Kral (TOR) – 1999 – Drafted 2018. Injured.
  • Ty Smith (NJ) – 2000 – Drafted 2018 – Signed.
  • Eli Zummack (TOR) – 2000 – Invite. Extended to main camp.
  • Dawson Weatherill (BOS) – 1998 – Invite. Returned.
  • Kailer Yamamoto (EDM) – 1998 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.

Swift Current Broncos (6)

  • Tyler Steenbergen (ARI) – 1998 – Free Agent – Signed.
  • Josh Anderson (COL) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Stuart Skinner (EDM) – 1998 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • Beck Malenstyn (WSH) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Joel Hofer (STL) – 2000 – Drafted 2018.
  • Colby Sissons (NJ) – 1998 – Signed.

Tri-City Americans (7 – 6 not returned yet)

  • Michael Rasmussen (DET) – 1999 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • Jusso Valimaki (CAL) – 1998 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • Kyle Olson (ANA) – 1999 – Drafted 2017.
  • Krystof Hrabik (WPG) – 1999 – Invite. Returned.
  • Morgan Geekie (CAR) – 1998 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • Jake Bean (CAR) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Dylan Coghlan (VGK) – 1998 – Free Agent – Signed.

Vancouver Giants (7 – 4 not returned yet)

  • Milos Roman (CAL) – 1999 – Drafted 2018.
  • Dylan Plouffe (ARI) – 1999 – Invite. Returned.
  • Tyler Benson (EDM) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Kaleb Bulych (VAN) – 1999 – Invite to Young Stars. Returned.
  • Owen Hardy (VAN) – 1999 – Invite to Young Stars. Returned.
  • David Tendeck (ARI) – 1999 – Drafted 2018
  • Alex Kannock-Leipert (WSH) – 2000 – Drafted 2018

Victoria Royals (4)

  • Scott Walford (MTL) – 1999 – Drafted 2017. Injured.
  • Tanner Kaspick (STL) – 1998 – Drafted 2016 – Signed.
  • Matthew Phillips (CAL) – 1998 – Drafted 2017 – Signed.
  • Lane Zablocki (DET) – 1998 – Drafted 2017.

Links and notes:

-The Humboldt crash touched many in the WHL and Kelowna Rockets forward Erik Gardiner is one of those.

-Dino Kambeitz is one to watch in 2018-19 as he enters his second year with the Victoria Royals.

-There is a Regina Pat Canadians connection with the Swift Current Broncos this year as both Matthew Culling and Erik Houk are trying to make the Broncos.