Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Rockets facility upgrades, WHL Debuts, ‘Forever a Hitmen’ inductee and more

Written by Ben Dooley on

 

 

Kelowna Rockets return home to upgrades to their facility

The Memorial Cup hosts continue to make upgrades to their home in Kelowna. Prospera Place now has brand new LED lights as well as new video board screens. The ice surface will be much brighter and continue to get even brighter as they work out the kinks and positions of the lighting.

Easton Armstrong and Parker Berge make WHL debuts

American prospect Easton Armstrong made his WHL debut on his 17th birthday. Armstrong had been playing with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings U16 program, posting 17 goals and 11 assists in 20 games before being called up to the Regina Pats.

2018 eighth-round draft pick Parker Berge also made his WHL debut with the Pats. He had been playing with the Northern Alberta X-treme Prep team scoring six times and adding 12 assists in 24 games.

Ronin Geraghty makes his WHL debut

With Talyn Boyko sidelined with injury, the Tri-City Americans brought in 2004-born Ronin Geraghty to serve as back up to Mason Dunsford. With the team falling behind in Friday night’s game, Geraghty was sent between the pipes for his first WHL action. He stopped 30 of 32 shots directed his way by the division-leading Portland Winterhawks.

Kelly Kisio to be inducted into ‘Forever A Hitmen’ program

After three seasons with the NHL’s Calgary Flames as a scout, the Calgary Hitmen named Kelly Kisio the general manager in time for the 1998-99 season. Until 2012-13 he served in that role before becoming the President of Hockey Operations in 2013-14. He served in that position until 2016-17 when he became a pro scout for the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. He will be inducted in the ‘Forever A Hitmen’ program on March 1st, 2020. Kisio also spent two seasons playing for the Calgary Wranglers in 1978-79 and 79-80. In 141 games with the Wranglers, Kisio scored 125 goals and added 134 assists. His son Brent Kisio is the head coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Cole Carrier returns from injury, Cikhart scratched

Despite recently being listed as injured indefinitely Cole Carrier was in the lineup for the Pats. Jan Cikhart was not listed as injured but was not in the Pats lineup as they took on the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

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Brendan Boyle returns to the line up following a scary incident

Boyle has not played since January 11th following a medical issue at a hotel the Cougars were staying at during their recent road trip. Boyle was able to return to game action last night in the Cougars 3-0 loss to the Kamloops Blazers.

Victoria Royals welcome back injured players

Both Shane Farkas and Kaid Oliver returned to the Royals lineup. Both players had missed the last two games for the Royals.

Rockets get several players back from injury, send several players back to their home clubs

It’s been well documented that the Rockets have had struggles with injuries this season. They welcomed back Trevor Wong, Kyle Topping, Sean Comrie, and Roman Basran on Friday night though.

Comrie last played on December 13th, Basran last played on January 11th, Trevor Wong on January 10th and Kyle Topping had not played since October 30th. He had 13 points in 14 games before his lower-body injury.

With all these returnees, the Rockets returned the following players to their home clubs: Rilen Kovacevic, Dylan Wightman, Jarod Newell, and Cole Tisdale.

Oil Kings get Ethan McIndoe back from injury

Forward Ethan McIndoe returned to the Oil Kings lineup after missing Wednesday night’s game against the Swift Current Broncos. Brendan Kuny was called up and saw game action while Jesse Seppala was scratched from the game lineup after just returning from a lengthy absence last weekend.

Alex Moar returns to the Broncos lineup

Recently listed as out week-to-week, Alex Moar returned to the Broncos lineup for the first time since January 11th.

Milestones

Atley Calvert and Jagger Firkus (Moose Jaw Warriors) both scored their first WHL goals

Troubling moments

Draft Eligible forward Connor Zary of the Kamloops Blazers was given a 5-minute major and game misconduct for goaltender interference on the play shown in the above tweet. There was no contact from the Prince George defenseman and the contact with the goaltender did knock his mask off.

Former Medicine Hat Tigers signs overseas contract

Tomas Netik played just three games in the Western Hockey League before heading back to his native Czech Republic and playing for HC Sparta Praha U20. He was not drafted to the NHL but did play some hockey in the KHL. He spent last season playing in both Slovakia (Kosice, Extraliga) and Austria (Innsbruck, Erste Bank Liga).

Three Stars of the night

1st star… Seth Jarvis (Portland) 2 goals 3 assists in 8-2 win over the Tri-City Americans

2nd star… Kyle Crnkovic (Saskatoon) 1 goal and 4 assists in 6-5 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers

3rd star… Calen Addison (Lethbridge) 5 assists in 7-2 win over the Regina Pats

Honorable mentions: Oliver Okuliar (Lethbridge) 2 goals 2 assists, Tristen Robins (Saskatoon) 3 goals, Jaydon Dureau (Portland) 1 goal 3 assists, Dylan Garand (Kamloops) 27 save shutout