Daily Dose of the Dub: Giants sign Shepard, Protas signs with Capitals, Martynov going to KHL

Shepard officially joins Giants 

As we speculated would happen, the Vancouver Giants officially announced the signing of 2017 second-round pick Cole Shepard on Wednesday. Shepard had committed to Harvard University, but is forgoing that commitment to play with his older brother Jackson Shepard, who the Giants acquired from Lethbridge earlier this summer. Last season, with a veteran Penticton Vees team, Shepard played 53 games and potted seven goals with 17 assists.

Protas gets an entry-level contract

The Washington Capitals have signed 2019 third-round pick Aliaksei Protas to his three-year entry-level contract. Selected in the first round of the 2018 CHL Import Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders, Protas played 61 games with the Raiders last season and posted 11 goals and 29 assists. He was most impressive on the Raiders playoff run, where he had 12 goals and 10 assists in 22 playoff games.

Martynov trying out for KHL Team

It looks like Victoria Royals overage import forward Igor Martynov won’t be returning to the WHL next season, as he has signed a tryout contract with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL. Martynov played 124 games and scored 29 goals with 56 assists. The Royals are now down to five overage players for the 2019-20 season: Tanner SidawayScott WalfordJameson MurrayWill Warm, and Shane Farkas.

Olson named Captain of Americans

Overage forward Kyle Olson has been named Captain of the Tri-City Americans for the 2019-20 season. After being selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Olson was left unsigned by the Ducks and re-entered the draft pool for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, but was not drafted. Olson has played 189 games with the Americans and has 48 goals and 107 assists.

Ferland signs four-year contract with Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks have signed Micheal Ferland (215 GP, 88 G, 123 A with the Brandon Wheat Kings) to a four-year contract. Last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, Ferland played 71 games, registering 17 goals and 23 assists.

Admirals sign Atwal

Defenseman Arvin Atwal (225 GP, 25 G, 83 A with the Vancouver Giants and Lethbridge Hurricanes) has signed a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. He played the majority of last season with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL, scoring 10 goals with 29 assists in 65 games.

Gerlach signs in Switzerland

Max Gerlach (277 GP, 141 G, 110 A with the Medicine Hat Tigers and Saskatoon Blades) has signed with HC Ambri Piotta of the NLA in Switzerland. Upon signing, Gerlach was immediately loaned to the HCB Ticino Rockets of the NLB.