Thursday . . .

THE MacBETH REPORT: D Tomá˚ Slovák (Kelowna) signed a one-year contract with Automobilst Ekaterinburg (KHL). He had one goal and seven assists in 34 games with Augsburg (Germany DEL) and one goal and three assists in 16 games with Ko˚ice (Slovakia Extraliga) last season. . . . D Ryan Jorde (Tri-City/Lethbridge/Moose Jaw) signed a one-year contract with the Hull Stingrays (UK elite). He had two goals and 21 assists in 66 games split between Flint (IHL) and Muskegon (IHL) last season. . . . F Johannes Salmonsson (Spokane) signed a one-year contract with Davos (Swiss NL A). He had five goals and four assists in 33 games with Rögle Ängelholm (Sweden Elitserien) last season.
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Former NHL G Ron Tugnutt, 41, has signed on as the goaltending coach with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals. Tugnutt played for the OHL’s Peterborough Petes. . . .
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The New York Islanders have signed LW Jeremy Reich (Seattle, Swift Current, 1995-2000) to a one-year contract. Last season, Reich was captain of the Providence Bruins, the Boston Bruins’ AHL affiliate. He totaled 34 points, including a career-high 21 goals. . . .
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A shocker in the Central Hockey League on Thursday as the Oklahoma City Blazers informed the league that they won’t play in 2009-10. The New Mexico Scorpions also announced that they won’t play either, but it was the Blazers who really rocked the boat.
The Blazers had operated in Oklahoma City for the last 17 seasons but there won’t be pro hockey there in 2009-10. Rather, the Blazers’ owners are negotiating in hopes of landing an AHL franchise for 2010-11.
It could be that Oklahoma City ends up with an AHL franchise that is owned by the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers but is presently inactive.
Doug Sauter, who played and coached in the WHL, is the Blazers’ longtime general manager and head coach.
All New Mexico and Oklahoma City players are free agents, effective immediately.
And the CHL isn’t happy, as you can tell from this press release:
“The request from the Blazers comes as a complete surprise for the league from a franchise that has annually been considered one of the best in all minor professional sports. The team had been approached numerous times about rumors of a switch to the American Hockey League (AHL) but had always denied such claims and had been working on a schedule for the upcoming season with the league.”
CHL commissioner Duane Lewis added: "We feel hurt by this late notice and surprising announcement. Many times as rumors had swirled about another League having interest in the market we asked about their intentions and repeatedly they refuted those claims. Representatives from our office have travelled to meet with team and City officials in Oklahoma City to assist and offer advice towards the Blazers' next lease, which turns out wasn't for a CHL team. This decision did not happen overnight, and to continue to work on the schedule and wait until July to inform us is disappointing. We feel for the Blazers staff and for the team's fans who are some of the best in hockey and who will lose their longtime and close rivals around the CHL.”
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The Chicago Blackhawks have their prospects camp running Monday through July 10 at Johnny’s Ice House in Chicago. WHLers included on the roster are F Kyle Beach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, who was their first-round pick in the NHL’s 2008 draft, F Sene Acolatse, who played defence for the Seattle Thunderbirds but is listed as a forward, F Byron Froese of the Everett Silvertips, F Brett Leffler of the Regina Pats and D Teigan Zahn of the Saskatoon Blades. Leffler was a draft pick of the Washington Capitals in 2007 who never signed. Chicago drafted Zahn in 2007.
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Big news in Victoria on Thursday, too, as Robin Gomez was found not guilty of assault causing bodily harm. Gomez was charged following an incident while he was playing for the ECHL’s Victoria Salmon Kings. He played last season for the CHL’s Oklahoma City Blazers so now is a free agent. . . . The Victoria Times Colonist’s story on the acquittal is right here.
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The Times Colonist also reports that Len Barrie, one of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s owners, is reconsidering whether to sell his Bear Mountain Resort. That story is right here.