Early Thursday news . . .

The Seattle Thunderbirds have acquired LW Devon LeBlanc, 20, from the Prince Albert Raiders for a conditional 2009 fifth-round bantam draft pick. LeBlanc, who is from Brandon, had 31 points, including 17 goals, with the Raiders last season. They acquired him from the Red Deer Rebels in the middle of 2006-07. LeBlanc, an NHL free agent, is likely to attend the New York Rangers’ camp on a tryout agreement. . . . The Thunderbirds open camp Aug. 25 at the Kent Valley Ice Centre.
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THE SCOUTING/COACHING GAME: Jim Hammett has moved to the Tampa Bay Lightning as director of player personnel. You read it here last week; the Lightning have made it official. Hammett, who is based out of Kelowna, scouted for the Colorado Avalanche before signing on as Hockey Canada’s head scout. He then moved to the New York Rangers as head amateur scout before moving on to Tampa Bay. . . . The Lightning also named former NHL defenceman Tom Kurvers as assistant GM and former NHL forward Greg Malone as head pro scout. . . . Former Seattle Thunderbirds scout Jake Goertzen, Tampa’s long-time head scout, was among those moved out by the Lightning’s new owners. . . . The favourite game in the NHL these days isn’t Where’s Waldo? Rather, it’s Where’s Jay? That would be Jay Feaster, the Lightning’s GM. Never in sporting history has an organization ended up with so many people working to do the job of one man who already is in position and under contract. . . . Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers have firmed up their coaching staff with new head coach Peter DeBoer adding Pierre Groulx, Jim Hulton and Mike Kitchen to his staff. Guy Charron, who has a year left on his contract, has been released. Jamie Pringle is the Panthers' video coach. He spent the last two seasons as Hockey Canada's video manager.
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For your Thursday chuckle, pay this site a visit.
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Matt Swaby completed his WHL eligibility last season, finishing up with the Edmonton Oil Kings. If you’re wondering what he’s up to these days, you can check it out here.
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And for all you Kyle Beach fans, there's a story about him in Thursday's Chicago Tribune. That story is right here.