Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: WHL announces American Draft, Sukunda done for season and more

Written by Ben Dooley on

WHL announces US Prospect Tournament and New American Draft

The WHL announced a new U.S. Prospect tournament set to take place in February 2020 as well as the first-ever American Draft which will happen after this year’s bantam draft. Our Brandon Rivers has all the details here.

Sukunda done for the season

Moose Jaw Warriors defenseman Alek Sukunda has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. In 25 games this season, he had one goal and one assist.

Broncos release Sowa from the active roster

The Swift Current Broncos have released defenseman Billy Sowa from the active roster. In his second season in the WHL, Sowa had been held pointless through 15 games. He is expected to join the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL.

ICE sign Raeside

The Winnipeg ICE have signed 2003-born forward Rhys Raeside to a WHL Education Contract. This season has been spent with the MJHL’s Winnipeg Blues where he’s notched 14 goals and 15 assists in 30 games.

Americans sign Feenan

The Tri-City Americans have signed defenseman Ben Feenan to a WHL education contract. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, Feenan has two goals and nine assists in 18 games with the Yale Hockey Academy Prep team in the CSSHL.

Alberta amends legislation to exclude WHL clubs from paying minimum wage

The Alberta Provincial Government has modified its labour code to exclude WHL clubs from employment legislation, which could’ve required them to pay minimum wage. There is currently a class-action lawsuit being heard in Calgary against the WHL in which former and current players are fighting for minimum wage. Rick Westhead reports that the lawsuit will continue.

Marsh leads Blades in Love’s absence

Associate Coach Ryan Marsh has assumed head coaching duties of the Saskatoon Blades with Mitch Love away with Canada’s World Junior team.

World Junior Divison 1A Update

We’re through the first two days of the World Junior Division 1A Championship:

  • Edmonton’s Vladimir Alistrov has one assist
  • Prince Albert’s Aliaksei Protas has one goal
  • Victoria’s Phillip Schultz has two assists
  • Prince Albert’s Ilya Usau has one goal and one assist

Lottery to be held for 2021 World Junior Hockey Championships

Hockey Canada has announced a “priority draw” for the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship to be hosted in Edmonton and Red Deer. If you’re interested in entering the draw, you can do so here.

Christiansen named to CHL Team of the Week

Coming off a week in which he tallied five goals and three assists in just three games, Everett Silvertips defenseman Jake Christiansen has been named to the CHL Team of the Week as the lone representative from the WHL this week.

Milestones

  • Brandon’s Marcus Kallionkieli made his WHL debut
  • Kamloops’ Logan Bairos and Tye Spencer made their WHL debuts
  • Medicine Hat’s Brett Kemp played in his 200th WHL game.
  • Saskatoon’s Matt Sanders made his WHL debut

Mennell makes NHL debut

Brennan Menell (196 GP, 21 G, 124 A with the  Vancouver Giants and Lethbridge Hurricanes) made his NHL debut on Tuesday night.

Laxdal promoted to Dallas coaching staff

Former Edmonton Oil Kings coach Derek Laxdal has been promoted to the Dallas Stars coaching staff from his position as head coach of the AHL’s Texas Stars following the firing of Jim Montgomery.

Anning joins Pistons

Former Brandon Wheat Kings head coach David Anning has returned to the Steinbach Pistons of the MJHL, where he was once an assistant general manager. In his return, he will be the team’s head scout.

Three Stars:

First Star: Medicine Hat’s Cyle McNabb had three goals and one assist

Second Star: Moose Jaw’s Brayden Tracey had two goals and one assist

Third Star: Spokane’s Adam Beckman had two goals and one assist

Honourable Mention 

Medicine Hat’s James Hamblin had five assists, Kelowna’s Roman Basran had 33 saves on 34 shots.

Weekly Report, the report:

Brandon Wheat Kings:

Defenseman Dom Schmiemann has returned.

Calgary Hitmen:

-Captain Mark Kastelic is out “TBD” with a lower-body injury. Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Tye Carriere both have returned from their injuries.

Edmonton Oil Kings:

–Jesse Seppala is down to out of the lineup for 3-4 weeks. Scott Atkinson has returned.

Everett Silvertips:

–Michal Gut and Jalen Price join Tyson Phare as forwards out day-to-day.

Kamloops Blazers:

-Forward Kyrell Sopotyk is now listed as out for five more weeks.

Kelowna Rockets:

-Liam Kindree and Kyle Topping are a week closer to returning.

Medicine Hat Tigers:

Nick McCarry is back from injury

Moose Jaw Warriors:

–Daemon Hunt joined Cade Hayes as being out indefinitely.

Portland Winterhawks:

–Cross Hanas and Matt Quigley are both out day-to-day.

Prince George Cougars:

–Ethan Browne (ill) and Blake Eastman (upper body) are both out day-to-day.

Regina Pats:

–Makai Mitchell is a week closer to returning at five weeks, but Carter Massier has been ruled out for the rest of the season with his lower-body injury. Carter Chorney is now 1-2 weeks away as well.

Seattle Thunderbirds:

–Mekai Sanders is closer now at week-to-week. He has been out since the preseason.

Spokane Chiefs:

–Filip Kral, Bobby Russell, and Connor Gabruch are all out day-to-day.

Tri-City Americans:

–Mitchell Brown is now out “TBD”  and Nick Bowman was added as out “day-to-day.”

Victoria Royals:

–Kaid Oliver went from “TBD” to week-to-week.

Winnipeg ICE:

–Michael Milne is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.