Thursday's update

Might the Medicine Hat Tigers need a general manager and head coach before too long? There are rumblings that GM/head coach Willie Desjardins has had discussions with the Phoenix Coyotes, who are looking for a head coach for their AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.

Yes, Mike Williamson is the leading candidate to replace Cory Clouston as head coach of the Kootenay Ice. Clouston was introduced today as head coach of the AHL’s Binghamton Senators.

Boaz Herzog, writing in today’s Oregonian, following Williamson’s departure from the Portland Winter Hawks: “Jim Goldsmith, the team's principal owner, said he initiated ‘deep discussions’ Wednesday morning with three potential candidates to replace Williamson. (Goldsmith) said he expects to name a new head coach within one week to 10 days, well before the club's training camp begins the third week of August.”

Barry Trapp, who has a long history of involvement with hockey in Western Canada, is back in the game. Trapp, a former Regina Pats coach whose game has long been scouting, will be touring the west again, this time on behalf of Phoenix. Trapp’s last coaching job was with the Toronto Maple Leafs but he is perhaps best known for his work as Hockey Canada’s head scout. It’ll be great to see Trapper back in the rink.

On the subject of Hockey Canada, sources confirm that its head scout, Kelowna-based Jim Hammett, is about to make a move to the New York Rangers. Look for an announcement from the Rangers sometime next week. Hammett was the Colorado Avalanche's head scout before moving to Hockey Canada.

D David Schlemko, who has played three seasons with Medicine Hat, has signed a three-year deal with Phoenix. Schlemko, 20, had 58 points and 78 penalty minutes in 64 games with the Tigers last season and was named to the Eastern Conference‘s second all-star team.

The Coyotes also signed Brad Treliving to a multi-year deal as assistant general manager, under GM Don Maloney. Treliving, 37, has been president of the Central Hockey League for seven years. You may recall that Treliving and former WHL coach Rick Kozuback founded the Western Professional Hockey League in 1996. Treliving, who is from Penticton, had WHL stints with Portland, Brandon, Spokane and Regina.