Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Hayes makes return to Raiders, forces Martin trade to Kamloops, Broncos add Klassen and more

Written by Ben Dooley on

Hayes comes back to Raiders 

One day ago in this space, you were reading in this space that Zack Hayes had made the opening night roster for the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. That should tell you how close he came to turning pro as an undrafted 20-year-old free agent. Alas, it was not to be as Hayes was returned to the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday for his final year of junior eligibility. The Raiders wasted no time getting Hayes back in their lineup as he played Friday night when they took on the Saskatoon Blades, finishing with two shots on goal.

Raiders ship Martin to Kamloops 

With Hayes returning to the Raiders, the team was forced to make on a decision on which overage player they were going to move out. The team made that decision on Friday sending defenseman Max Martin to the Kamloops Blazers for Kamloops’ 2020 second-round draft pick and Kamloops’ 2020 sixth-round draft pick. Martin had played four games with the Raiders this year and had no points. He’s expected to be in the Blazers lineup on Saturday night when they take on the Everett Silvertips.

The Raiders overagers are now set with the aforementioned Hayes, recently-acquired Brayden Watts and defenseman Jeremy Masella. Meanwhile, the Blazers now have less than a week to move one of their overagers with Martin, the recently-acquired Ryan Hughes, captain Zane Franklin and Kobe Mohr on the roster.

Broncos add Klassen to the roster 

The Swift Current Broncos have added 1999-born goaltender Reece Klassen to fill their final overage spot on the roster. Klassen was released by the Spokane Chiefs after being lost in the shuffle year with first-year  Lukas Parik taking the starting job and overage players Jake McGrew and Filip Kral returning from the pros. He has played 62 WHL games since being added by the Lethbridge Hurricanes partway through the 2017-18 season.

To accommodate Klassen, 2002-born  Jordan Fairlie has been returned to the Cariboo Cougars of the BCMML after one game with the Broncos this season. The team also released 2000-born forward Owen Blocker from the active roster. He’s expected to join the MJHL’s Virden Oil Capitals after suiting up for just two games this year.

Christiansen added by AHL’s Heat

After being removed from the San Antonio Rampage roster, it looked like Jake Christiansen would be returning to the WHL with the Everett Silvertips. That return won’t be happening, at least not yet, as he’s now joined the AHL’s Stockton Heat on a professional tryout. The tryout allows Christiansen to play 25 games with the Heat before they have to sign him or release him.

Krajc clears import waivers 

After Egor Zamula returned from the Philadelphia Flyers, the Calgary Hitmen were forced to place 17-year-old forward Samuel Krajc on import waivers because of CHL rules. Krajc has now cleared import waivers making him a free agent who can sign with any team.

Stanick nicked up in practice this week 

Regina Pats forward Sloan Stanick was held out of Friday’s game against the Medicine Hat Tigers as he was “nicked-up” in practice this week. We’ll keep an eye out to see if he returns to the line-up tonight when the Pats take on the Prince Albert Raiders.

Hurricanes sign ’03 born Wood 

The Lethbridge Hurricanes have signed 2003-born forward Briley Wood from the Yellowhead Chiefs Midget AAA team of the MMHL. The undrafted Rivers, Manitoba native has played two games for the Chiefs and has two goals and three assists.

WHL Milestones on Friday night

The following milestones were noted on Friday night around the WHL:

  • Edmonton Oil Kings goaltender Sebastian Cossa started his first WHL game and recorded his first win with 40 saves for his first shutout.
  • Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Chase Wheatcroft scored his first WHL goal
  • Medicine Hat Tigers forward Caleb Willms scored his first WHL goal while Bryan Lockner played in his 200th career game.
  • Portland Winterhawks defenseman Nick Cicek tallied his first career goal
  • Red Deer Rebels forward Jayden Grubbe notched his first WHL point and forward Keaton Sorenson recorded his first career goal.
  • Seattle Thunderbirds forward Lucas Ciona recorded an assist for his first WHL point.
  • Swift Current Broncos defenseman Chase Lacombe made his debut on Friday night.

WHL returns to Access 7 for 2019-20 season 

The WHL has announced the 19-game broadcast schedule for games on Access 7 in Saskatchewan this year. All 19 games will feature the Regina Pats taking on an East division rival. Three games have already been broadcast on Access 7 and the next broadcast is scheduled for October 12th when the Pats take on the Vancouver Giants.

Graham to return to Oil Kings broadcast booth 

Great news in the WHL Broadcaster community today as Corey Graham announced he will be returning to the broadcast booth with the Edmonton Oil Kings for their home games this season. Graham had been away from the Oil Kings broadcast since March of 2018 after doctors found a massive tumour on his spine. With Graham continuing to recover, Andrew Peard will continue to call Oil Kings on the road and will stay on with Graham as his color analyst for home games. The unfortunate part of this news is that our Guy Flaming won’t be continuing as the Oil Kings colour analyst. That shouldn’t take away from how great it is to see Graham back in the WHL, as Flaming won’t be going away. You’ll still be able to hear him on Oil Kings’ intermissions from time to time and he’ll continue to host “The Pipeline Show” and contribute “Flaming Hot Takes” to this website.

Wheat Kings pay tribute to past broadcast crew

The Brandon Wheat Kings have added a plaque to their broadcast booth which pays tribute to all of the broadcasters to suit up for the organization dating back to Jim Craig in 1947 to present time with Branden Crowe.

Blues sign Schenn to eight-year contract extension

The St. Louis Blues have signed Brayden Schenn (224 GP, 116 G, 199 A with the Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades) to an eight-year contract extension. Schenn has played 588 games in the NHL and has tallied 154 goals and 218 assists with the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues.

Heat leadership group includes former WHLers

The Stockton Heat of the AHL have named Byron Froese (212 GP, 91 G, 108 A with the Everett Silvertips and Red Deer Rebels) team captain for the 2019-20 season. Also in the leadership group is Brandon Davidson (200 GP, 22 G, 112 A with the Regina Pats).

Three Stars of the Night 

First Star of the Night: He certainly didn’t need to put up the performance he did as the Oil Kings provided plenty of offensive support, but Oil Kings netminder Sebastian Cossa still made 40 saves as the Oil Kings downed the Winnipeg ICE 7-0.

Second Star of the Night: Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender Jiri Patera made 40 saves as the Wheat Kings shutout the Giants 3-0.

Third Star of the Night: Spokane Chiefs defenseman Ty Smith scored two goals and added an assist in his return to the WHL.

Honourable Mentions: 

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Ryan Chyzowski had a goal and two assists as did Edmonton Oil Kings forward Josh Williams.