The Kamloops Blazers are bringing in G Jon Groenheyde, 16, from the BCHL's Merritt Centennials and he is likely to make a two-game trip into Alberta with them. His numbers with a struggling Merritt side aren't very good -- 1-4-0, 6.46, .835 -- but the a 6-foot-3, 180-pound Groenheyde, who is from White Rock, had a terrific training camp with the Blazers and earned a WHL contract with his performance. He is being brought in as a precautionary measure after G Justin Leclerc, 18, injured his left leg -- it may be a high ankle sprain -- seven minutes into the first period of what would be a 3-1 loss to the Tri-City Americans in Kennewick, Wash. If Leclerc is unable to go, Groenheyde will backup James Priestner, 16, who has made three appearances this season. He beat the Portland Winter Hawks twice -- 4-0 and 5-4 -- and was terrific in stopping 19 of 21 shots in relief on Tuesday. . . . Priestner is the son of Mike Priestner, who once upon a time played goal for the Kamloops Chiefs. Mike owns the Mike Priestner Automotive Group which is based in Edmonton. Yes, he made an offer to purchase the Blazers over the summer. . . .
Fans of the Everett Silvertips shouldn’t hold their breath awaiting the return of C Peter Mueller, the 19-year-old who is with the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes. He didn’t score in his first four games and was a healthy scratch Saturday when the Coyotes played the Minnesota Wild. None of which means he’s on his way back. Head coach Wayne Gretzky told Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic that Mueller could play Thursday or Saturday when the Coyotes entertain the Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings. "We know the good things he brings to our team,” Gretzky said. “He's gonna be a big part of this organization for a long time, so we're just going to be patient with him. He had a good practice (Tuesday). We don't want to keep him out too long. He's too good of a kid." . . .
It’s going to be a fun time in Prince Albert tonight as the Raiders play host to the Prince George Cougars and G Real Cyr, 20. Cyr is from Victoire, which is located about an hour’s drive northwest of Prince Albert. This will be Cyr’s final WHL appearance in Prince Albert, barring a trade or a playoff game, of course, and there is word that he could have as many as 300 family and friends in attendance. . . .
The Saskatoon Blades have rescheduled a February game against the Prince Albert Raiders, moving it from Feb. 12 to Feb. 20, due to scheduling conflicts at Credit Union Centre. Game time will be 7:05 p.m.