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33 WHL alumni sign new deals on day one of NHL free agency

Written by Paul Figler on

 

Free agency opened on Thursday afternoon in the National Hockey League and although the deals will continue to roll in, as of this writing 33 former WHL players have signed new contracts.

The contracts dolled out ranged from one-year, two-way deals worth as little as $750,000 to Brayden Point’s monster deal with the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning worth $76 million over eight years.

Overall, $147,600,000 total contract dollars were signed by former WHLers as the NHL’s annual free-agent frenzy started.

Holtby signs with Stars

31-year-old goaltender Braden Holtby (177 games, 82-75-15, 2.87 GAA, .905 sv% with the Saskatoon Blades ’05-’09) has signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars. Last season in 21 games with the Vancouver Canucks, Holtby was 7-11-3, with a 3.67 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage. Holtby was originally drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL Draft.

Brossoit signs with Golden Knights

28-year-old goaltender Laurent Brossoit (147 games, 88-34-13, 2.59GAA, .909 sv% with the Edmonton Oil Kings ’09-’13) has signed a two-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. Brossoit spent 2020-21 playing for the Winnipeg Jets, sporting a 6-6-0 record, a 2.42 goals-against average, and a .918 save percentage through 14 games. Brossoit was drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames. The Edmonton Oil Kings won the WHL Championship in 2011-12 with Brossoit between the pipes.

Reimer inks deal to return to Sharks

33-year-old goaltender James Reimer (124 games, 41-56-14, 2.72 GAA, .912 sv% with Red Deer ’05-’08) has signed a two-year contract with the San Jose Sharks, marking his return to the team. Last season Reimer played 22 games with the Carolina Hurricanes, posting a 15-5-2 record, a 2.66 goals-against average, and a .906 save percentage. The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Reimer in the fourth round of the 2006 NHL Draft.

Petrovic heads to Dallas

29-year-old defenseman Alexander Petrovic (270 games, 29 goals, 117 assists with the Red Deer Rebels ’07-’12) has signed a one-year two-way contract with the Dallas Stars. Last season, the Edmonton, AB native played for the AHL’s Stockton Heat, where he scored two goals and added 10 assists through 17 games. the Florida Panthers drafted Petrovic in the second round of the 2010 NHL Draft.

Thompson, Jones sign with Philadelphia

36-year-old forward Nate Thompson (253 games, 55 goals, 88 assists with the Seattle Thunderbirds ’01-’05) signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. Thompson played 2020-21 with the Winnipeg Jets, where he scored two goals and added three assists in 44 games. Thompson was a sixth-round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2003.

31-year-old goaltender Martin Jones (148 games, 108-28-9, 2.24 GAA, .912 sv% with the Calgary Hitmen ’06-’10) also signed a one-year contract with the Flyers. Jones played in 34 games in 2020-21 for the San Jose Sharks. He was 15-13-4 with a 3.28 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage. In 2009-10 the Hitmen won the WHL Championship with Jones between the pipes. He was also a Stanley Cup Champion as a member of the Los Angeles Kings in 2013-14.

Baertschi heads to Vegas

28-year-old forward Sven Baertschi (113 games, 67 goals, 112 assists with the Portland Winterhawks ’10-’12) has signed a one-year two-way contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. Last season Baertschi played with the Utica Comets of the AHL, where he scored five goals and added nine assists in 24 games. The Calgary Flames selected Baertschi 13th overall at the 2011 NHL Draft.

Canucks sign Luke Schenn, Hamonic

31-year-old defenceman Luke Schenn (189 games, 12 goals, 56 assists with Kelowna Rockets ’05-’08) has signed a two-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks. Schenn spent the 2020-21 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he scored two goals and added two assists through 38 games. He won his second straight Stanley Cup with the team in 2020-21. The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Schenn fifth overall at the 2008 NHL Draft.

20-year-old defenseman Travis Hamonic (181 games, 29 goals, 80 assists with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Brandon Wheat Kings ’06-’10) has been re-signed by the Canucks, to a two-year contract. Last season with the team, Hamonic played 38 games and registered three goals and seven assists. The St. Malo, MB product was drafted by the New York Islanders in the second round of the 2008 NHL Draft.

Khaira signs with Blackhawks

26-year-old forward Jujhar Khaira (59 games, 16 goals, 27 assists with the Everett Silvertips ’13-’14) has signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Last season through 40 games with the Edmonton Oilers, Khaira scored three goals and added eight assists. The Oilers selected Khaira in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft.

Bruins add Lewington

26-year-old defenceman Tyler Lewington (250 games, 18 goals, 94 assists with the Medicine Hat Tigers ’11-’15) has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins. Lewington only played in five games in 2020-21, two with the Nashville Predators, where he had one assist and three with the Chicago Wolves. Lewington was originally a seventh-round pick of the Washington Capitals at the 2013 NHL Draft.

Pysyk returns to Buffalo

29-year-old utility player Mark Pysyk (243 games, 25 goals, 100 assists with the Edmonton Oil Kings ’07-’12) has signed for one year with the Buffalo Sabres. Pysyk played the 2020-21 season with the Dallas Stars where he recorded three goals and one assist in 36 games. The Sabres selected Pysyk 23rd overall at the 2010 NHL Draft. Pysyk was with the Edmonton Oil Kings in 2011-12 when they won the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Four WHL alumni head to Vancouver

https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1420496795373752324

https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1420500571606294531

 

 

26-year-old forward Nic Petan (252 games, 110 goals, 248 assists with the Portland Winterhawks ’10-’15). His deal is for one year and is a two-way contract (NHL/AHL). Last season Petan played for both the Toronto Maple Leafs (7 games, 1 assist) and the Toronto Marlies (14 games, 7 goals, 8 assists). The Winnipeg Jets selected Petan in the second round of the 2013 NHL Draft. Petan and the Winterhawks won the Ed Chynoweth Cup following the 2013-14 season.

30-year-old forward Justin Dowling (280 games, 81 goals, 161 assists with the Swift Current Broncos ’06-’11) was signed to a one-way contract by the Canucks on Wednesday. Last season with the Dallas Stars, Dowling scored one goal and added four assists in 27 games. As a member of the Texas Stars in 2013-14, Dowling won the Calder Cup Championship.

26-year-old defenseman Kyle Burroughs (250 games, 22 goals, 98 assists with the Regina Pats and Medicine Hat Tigers ’10-’15) has signed a two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks. Last season, Burroughs played for both the Colorado Avalanche (5 games, 1 assist) and the Colorado Eagles (11 games, 1 goal, 3 assists). Burroughs was a seventh-round draft pick of the New York Islanders in 2013.

24-year-old defenceman Devante Stephens (203 games, 19 goals, 38 assists with the Kelowna Rockets ’14-’17) has also signed with the Vancouver Canucks on a two-way contract. Stephens split last season between the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch (26 games, 5 goals, 6 assists) and the ECHL’s Orland Solar Bears (16 games, 3 goals, 3 assists). Stephens was a member of the 2014-15 Kelowna Rockets team that won the Ed Chynoweth Cup. The Buffalo Sabres selected Stephens in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft.

Oilers add Ryan

https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1420527195752075264

34-year-old forward Derek Ryan (216 games, 67 goals, 100 assists with the Spokane Chiefs ’03-’07) will join the Edmonton Oilers on a two-year contract. Last season with the Calgary Flames, Ryan scored two goals and added 11 assists in 43 games. Ryan was not drafted by an NHL team but made his way following four seasons with the University of Alberta and four seasons overseas. In 2011-12 he won a championship with  Fehérvár AV19.

Hicketts, Turgeon enter the Wild

https://twitter.com/mnwild/status/1420481709653516294

The Minnesota Wild added a pair of WHL alumni on Wednesday. 25-year-old defenceman Joe Hicketts (224 games, 32 goals, 141 assist with the Victoria Royals ’12-’16) signed a two-year, two-way contract. Last season, Hicketts played 32 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins, scoring one goal and adding 17 assists. Hicketts won a Calder Cup with the Griffins in 2016-17.

25-year-old forward Dominic Turgeon (259 games, 67 goals, 85 assists with the Portland Winterhawks ’11-’16) also signed with the Wild, for one year on a two-way contract. Turgeon played 31 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2020-21, where he scored six goals and added seven assists. Turgeon was a member of the 2012-13 Winterhawks team that won the WHL Championship as well as the 2016-17 Calder Cup Champion Griffins.

Rangers on the Hunt

https://twitter.com/NYRangers/status/1420449377236172801

25-year-old forward Dryden Hunt (269 games, 117 goals, 132 assists with the Regina Pats, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Moose Jaw Warriors ’11-’16) has signed a two-year contract with the New York Rangers. Hunt played 26 games with the Arizona Coyotes in 2020-21, scoring three times and adding five assists.

Edler heads to Hollywood

https://twitter.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1420452339538870274

35-year-old defenceman Alexander Edler (62 games, 13 goals, 40 assists with the Kelowna Rockets ’05-’06) has signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings. Edler, originally a Vancouver Canucks third-round draft pick in 2004, played all 925 career NHL games with the team. Last season Edler had eight assists in 52 games. He is one goal shy of 100 for his career.

Getzlaf re-signs with Ducks

https://twitter.com/AnaheimDucks/status/1420500673121046529

36-year-old forward Ryan Getzlaf (233 games, 95 goals, 120 assist with the Calgary Hitmen ’01-’05) has signed a one-year contract extension with the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks selected Getzlaf 19th overall at the 2003 NHL Draft and he has played all of his 1101 games with the team. Last season he scored five goals and added 12 assists in 48 games. Getzlaf and the Ducks won the Stanley Cup championship in 2006-07.

Red Wings re-sign Pickard

https://twitter.com/DetroitRedWings/status/1420394174940069888

29-year-old goaltender Calvin Pickard (241 games, 91-120-27, 3.29GAA, .909 sv% with the Seattle Thunderbirds ’08-’12) has re-signed with the Detroit Red Wings. Pickard split 2020-21 between three teams, a loan assignment to the Vienna Capital of ICEHL (6 games, 3-3-0, 1.96, .919) the Detroit Red Wings (6, 2-1-1, 2.16, .874), and the Grand Rapids Griffins (3 games, 1-1-1, 3.33, .882). The Colorado Avalanche drafted Pickard in the second round of the 2010 NHL Draft.

Hurricanes re-sign Martinook

29-year-old forward Jordan Martinook (144 games, 51 goals, 41 assists with the Vancouver Giants ’10-’12) has re-signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. His contract is for three years. Last season Martinook scored four goals and added nine assists in 44 games. Martinook was originally drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the second round of the 2012 NHL Draft.

Quinney re-signs with Golden Knights

26-year-old forward Gage Quinney (182 games, 53 goals, 66 assists with the Prince Albert Raiders, Kelowna Rockets, and Kamloops Blazers ’12-’16) has signed a one-year two-way contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights. Last season with the Henderson Silver Knights, Quinney scored 10 goals and added seven assists in 19 games. Quinney was a member of the 2014-15 Rockets team that won the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Oilers re-sign Barrie

30-year-old defenceman Tyson Barrie (256 games, 51 goals, 177 assists with the Kelowna Rockets ’06-’11) was signed to a three-year contract extension by the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. In 58 games in 2020-21, Barrie scored eight goals and added 40 assists. Originally drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the third round of the 2009 NHL Draft. Barrie won the 2008-09 WHL Championship as a member of the Kelowna Rockets.

Sutter re-signs with Canucks

32-year-old forward Brandon Sutter (205 games, 68 goals, 86 assists with the Red Deer Rebels ’04-’08) has re-signed for one season with the Vancouver Canucks. Last season in 43 games, Sutter scored nine goals and added three assists. Sutter was originally drafted 11th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes at the 2007 NHL Draft.

Eight-year extension for Point

25-year-old forward Brayden Point (252 games, 134 goals, 190 assists with the Moose Jaw Warriors ’11-’16) signed an eight-year contract extension with the Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Last season in 56 games, Point scored 23 goals and added 25 assists along with another 14 goals and nine assists in 23 playoff games. He now has two Stanley Cup rings. Point was selected in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Lightning.

McIlrath, Johansen re-sign with Capitals

https://twitter.com/Capitals/status/1420493407638675456

29-year-old defenceman Dylan McIlrath (232 games, 16 goals, 58 assists with the Moose Jaw Warriors ’08-’12) has been re-signed to a two-way contract by the Washington Capitals. With the Grand Rapids Griffins in 29 games, McIlrath scored two goals and added six assists. The New York Rangers selected McIlrath 10th overall at the 2010 NHL Draft. He won the Calder Cup as a member of the Griffins in 2016-17.

23-year-old defenceman Lucas Johansen (202 games, 17 goals, 81 assists with the Kelowna Rockets ’14-’17) has also been re-signed to a two-way contract by the Capitals. Johansen has only played 14 games over the last two seasons, including just five in 2020-21. He had two assists. The Capitals selected Johansen 28th overall at the 2016 NHL Draft. He was a member of the Kelowna Rockets 2014-15 WHL Championship winning team.

Davidson signs extension with Sabres

https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1420496907449810949

29-year-old defenseman Brandon Davidson (200 games, 22 goals, 112 assists with the Regina Pats ’09-’12) has signed a one-year contract extension with the Buffalo Sabres. Davidson, a Taber, AB product, split last season between the Sabres (6 games) and the Rochester Americans (2 games). He was held pointless. The Edmonton Oilers drafted Davidson in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Draft.

Merkley signs with Sharks

https://twitter.com/SanJoseSharks/status/1420529652225957895

24-year-old forward Nick Merkley (245 games, 85 goals, 174 assists with the Kelowna Rockets ’12-’17) has signed a contract with the San Jose Sharks just days after being dealt to the team. Merkley split the season between a loan to Assat of Liiga (19 games, 4 goals, 9 assists), the New Jersey Devils (27 games, 2 goals, 8 assists), and the Binghamton Devils (5 games, 1 goal, 2 assists). Merkley was originally drafted by the Arizona Coyotes 30th overall at the 2015 NHL Draft.

De Leo signs with Devils

https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/1420441698103083014

25-year-old forward Chase De Leo (279 games, 110 goals, 141 assists with the Portland Winterhawks ’11-’15) has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New Jersey Devils. Last season, De Leo played for the San Diego Gulls, where he scored 15 goals and added 20 assists in 37 games. He also played one game with the Anaheim Ducks. The Winnipeg Jets selected De Leo in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Draft. De Leo was a member of the 2012-13 WHL Championship-winning Portland Winterhawks.

Pederson starts swimming with the Sharks

https://twitter.com/SanJoseSharks/status/1420455932132167683

Forward Lane Pederson (199 games, 53 goals, 87 assists with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Red Deer Rebels, and Swift Current Broncos ’14-’17) signed a new contract with the San Jose Sharks after being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes earlier in the day.

The 23-year-old from Saskatoon, SK had a goal and three points in 15 games with the Coyotes in 2020-21. He added seven goals and 17 points in 16 games at the American Hockey League level with the Tucson Roadrunners.