The WHL exhbition schedule opened Wednesday with the host Prince Albert Raiders scoring a 6-5 shootout victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors. Brad Reige, with two, Quinton Howden, Martin Filo and Neal Prokop scored for Moose Jaw. . . . Wasn’t able to find out who scored for the Raiders, but after the game they did release forwards Sean Aschim, 15, Ryan Harrison, 15, Kyle Golz, 16, Taylor Wasden, 16, Matt Bailey, 16, Travis Statchuk, 17, and defenceman David Dotan, 16.
It really is too bad that the WHL doesn’t seem to realize the interest fans have in preseason games. With all the technology available in terms of e-mail and Internet, it’s too bad the WHL can’t get its act together and get game scores, scorers and highlights posted on its website immediately after exhibition games. . . .
The Tri-City Americans have reassigned 10 players — G Mark Kotylak, Spruce Grove (AJHL); G Kyle Jahraus, La Ronge (SJHL); D Richard Ursulak, Leduc (Alberta midget AAA); D Jordan Krankowsky, Fort Saskatchewan (Alberta midget AAA); D Brad Senner, Tri-City Titans (Nor-Pac Jr. B); F Brock Zimak, Winnipeg South Blues (MJHL); F Jesse Wiebe, Tri-City Titans (Nor-Pac Jr. B); F Pat Bartoshyk, Drumheller (AJHL); F Adam Wihak, Regina (Saskatchewan midget AAA); F Des Ritari, Tri-City Titans (Nor-Pac Jr. B). . . .
G Andrew Hayes, 17, arrived for the Brandon Wheat Kings’ camp with a broken finger and is out indefinitely. Hayes, the 57th pick in the 2005 bantam draft, was the starter for the AJHL’s Bonnyville Pontiacs last season. When he is healthy, Hayes is likely to be the back up to Joe Caligiuri, 18, in Brandon. . . . RW Lukas Mikkelsen, the 94th pick in the 2005 draft, has mononucleosis so isn’t in Brandon’s camp. . . . Russian D Nikolai Lukyanchikov, 18, whom the Wheat Kings took in the 2007 import draft, isn’t in camp. Neither is RW Aaron Lewadniuk, 18, the MJHL’s rookie of the year last season. He is with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers. . . .
The expansion Edmonton Oil Kings have released G Tommy Tartaglione, 19, leaving them with three goaltenders with WHL experience — Alex Archibald, 20, Dalyn Flette, 17, and Chris Ward, 17. . . . The Oil Kings also cut forwards Tyler Halliday, Brayden Nargang and Ryan Sawka, all of whom have WHL experience. . . .
Regina Pats C Kirt Hill (shoulder) won’t play in this weekend’s tournament in Edmonton. LW Myles Stoesz may also be doubtful after needing some dental work after taking a stick to the face. . . .
Alan Caldwell reports on his blog, courtesy of Seattle fan Jon Whiting, that C Jim O’Brien, an NHL first-round pick who has signed with the Ottawa Senators, has yet to receive medical clearance and may not play until November. . . . O’Brien, a Minnesotan, was an eighth-round pick by the Kamloops Blazers in the 2004 bantam draft. He went into the U.S. National Team Development Program before spending last season at the U of Minnesota. Seattle added him to its list after Kamloops dropped him.