Wednesday's news . . . for starters

The Kamloops Blazers practised Wednesday with all hands on deck for the first time this season. D Keaton Ellerby was on the ice, having returned earlier in the day from the camp of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, who took him 10th overall in the 2007 draft. . . .

The Tri-City Americans are down to 26 players, including 16 forwards, but one of them isn’t sniper Colton Yellow Horn. The 20-year-old Yellow Horn has moved from Tampa Bay’s camp to that of the Norfolk Admirals, the Lightning’s AHL affiliate. As a 20-year-old, Yellow Horn, an undrafted free agent, is eligible to play in the AHL should he sign a pro contract. . . . The Americans, who open the season Friday against the Silvertips in Everett, have reassigned F Braydon Nargang, who turns 19 on Sept. 28, is off to the SJHL’s Weyburn Red Wings, while D Colin Frederickson, 17, is awaiting assignment to a BCHL team. . . . The Americans acquired Frederickson from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in an offseason deal for LW Chris Inglis, 19. Inglis is at home in Calgary, recovering from head injuries incurred in a street fight last month. . . .

Former Kamloops Blazers captain Jared Aulin, who suffered a concussion in a non-contact game this summer when he was the victim of a stick swinging, has decided to go back to school and play for the U of Calgary Dinosaurs. Having played four seasons as a professional, Aulin only has one season of CIS eligibility remaining — under CIS rules, players forfeit one year of eligibility for each season of pro hockey. Aulin, 25, was hampered by injuries during his pro career and at one point had reconstructive shoulder surgery. . . .

C Zach Smith is the new captain of the Swift Current Broncos. Smith, a 19-year-old from Maple Creek, Sask., is going into his third season with the Broncos. The alternates are D Eric Doyle, 18, D R.J. LaRochelle, 20, D Paul Postma, 18, and RW Dale Weise, 19. . . .

The Brandon Wheat Kings have D Daryl Boyle, 20, back with them. He was in camp with the Boston Bruins and has turned down an invitation to go to camp with the AHL’s Providence Bruins. He is expected to play for the Wheat Kings against the visiting Saskatoon Blades on Friday. . . . Brandon has assigned D Derek Robinson, 18, to the MJHL. He played last season with the MJHL’s Southeast Blades.