Daily Dose of the Dub: Raiders, Silvertips send prospects back; Broncos release Waitzner; multiple milestones around the league; former Warrior named captain in the Q; Cougars sign prospect; Spokane’s Gallagher heading to BCHL

Prospects sent back

The Prince Albert Raiders have returned ‘01 goalie Brett Balas to the Calgary Canucks of the AJHL. Balas went 2-0-0-0 with a 2.56 GAA and a .871 SV%, he re-joins a struggling Canucks team that sits second last in the league where he sports a 2-16-1 record with a 5.11 GAA and a .880 SV%.

The Everett Silvertips have reassigned ‘03 defenceman Olen Zellweger to OHA Edmonton of the CSSHL. The 2018 second round pick has played one game with Everett this season and has 21 points in 24 games with OHA. He will be representing Team Alberta in the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

Broncos release forward

The Swift Current Broncos have released ‘00 forward Quinton Waitzner after collecting two assists in 34 games. The Victoria native was the Broncos’ ninth round selection, 186th overall in the 2015 Bantam Draft and has played in 82 WHL games, all with the Broncos.

Milestone night in the Dub

Thunderbirds captain Nolan Volcan dressed in his 300th WHL regular season game last night, all with Seattle. Since dressing in his first game as a 15-year-old, he has recorded 211 points and has made two trips to the WHL final, winning in 2017. He was selected in the second round 27th overall in the 2013 Bantam Draft.

Cougars forward Rhett Rhinehart appeared in his 100th WHL game last tonight. The 17-year-old has split his WHL career between Prince Albert and Prince George, recording 19 points in the meantime. Rhinehart was drafted by the Raiders in the first round 13th overall in 2016.

Saskatoon Blades prospect Braden Plaschewsky skated in his first WHL game against Seattle last night, the 16-year-old plays for Calgary Buffaloes in the AMHL. The 2017 second pick has 13 points in 26 games for Calgary this season.

‘01 forward Zach Ashton scored his first career WHL goal against his former team in a 4-3 loss to Saskatoon. Ashton was just acquired on January 2nd from the Blades in exchange for defenseman Reece Harsch. He has two points in three games since being acquired and has skated in 14 WHL games between the two clubs.

Ex-Warrior captains in the Q

Former Moose Jaw Warriors and Red Deer Rebels defenseman Colin Paradis has been named captain of the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL. This comes as an interesting move seeing as Paradis has played just eight QMJHL games with Shawinigan. Paradis is a veteran of 194 WHL games between Moose Jaw and Red Deer.

Cougars sign prospect

Prince George has signed ‘03 Blake Eastman to a Standard WHL Player Agreement. He was selected in the second round 44th overall in the 2018 Bantam Draft and has been playing this season for OHA Edmonton Elite 15 team where he has 25 points in 21 games.

Gallagher to the BCHL

‘00 defenseman Luke Gallagher has joined the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL after spending parts of the last three seasons with the Spokane Chiefs. He had two assists in 22 games this season with the Chiefs and has played in 66 career WHL games recording seven points.

Three Stars of the Night

1st Star: Prince George’s Taylor Gauthier stopped all 36 shots he faced in a 1-0 win over Tri-City for his second shutout of the season.

2nd Star: Saskatoon’s Kyle Crnkovic had a goal and an assist in the Blades’ 4-3 win over Seattle.

3rd Star: Brandon’s Ben McCartney scored twice in a 4-3 loss to Portland.

Honourable Mentions

Brandon’s Jiri Patera stopped 47 of 51 shots in a losing effort….Seattle’s Matthew Wedman had a goal, an assist and a fight for a Gordie Howe hat trick….Prince George’s Ethan Browne scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over the Cougars.