Tuesday . . .

THE MacBETH REPORT: F Matt Ellison (Red Deer 2002-2003) signed a one-year contract with HC MVD Balashikha (Russia KHL). He had 15 goals and 24 assists in 55 games for Dinamo Riga (Latvia, KHL) last season.
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As expected, the Seattle Thunderbirds announced Tuesday night that they have signed John Becanic as an assistant coach. Becanic, the head coach of the Everett Silvertips for the last two seasons, will work alongside head coach Rob Sumner. Also on the staff are assistant coaches Turner Stevenson and Jim McTaggart and goaltender coach Paul Fricker. All told, Becanic spent six seasons with the Silvertips before he was dismissed following the conclusion of Everett’s 2008-09 season. . . .
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The Brandon Wheat Kings have signed F Brenden Walker, who was a finalist for the MJHL’s rookie-of-the-year award last season while with the Portage Terriers. He had 64 points in 59 regular-season games, and added 26 points in 20 playoff games. The Wheat Kings selected Walker in the 12th round of the 2007 bantam draft. . . .
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Former WHL G Gerry Festa has signed with the Central league’s Laredo Bucks, the same team that signed G Dustin Slade last week. Festa, 24, spent the last four seasons with the UBC Thunderbirds, going 37-33-3. In the WHL, he made stops in Saskatoon, Calgary, Spokane and Red Deer (2001-05). . . .
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The IHL’s Flint Generals have signed Jason Muzzatti, a former NHL goaltender, as their head coach. Muzzatti spent four seasons at Michigan State (1987-91) and was selected by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the NHL’s 1988 draft. . . . He spent 16 seasons playing professionally and saw NHL action with the Flames, Hartford Whalers, New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks. . . . He retired after playing in 41 games with the Generals in 2006-07. . . .
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The QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs have signed F Stanislav Galiev, the first overall pick in the CHL’s 2009 import draft. Galiev will join the Sea Dogs after playing for Russia at the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament that opens next week in Slovakia and Czech Republic. . . . The Sea Dogs also signed F Tomas Jurco, the fourth overall pick in the 2009 import draft. Jurco will play for Slovakia at the Ivan Hlinka tournament. . . . Galiev played last season with the USHL’s Indiana Ice, putting up 64 points in 60 games. Jurca had 54 points in 51 games with HC Košice of Slovnaft Extraliga. . . .
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F Darrell May, who played five seasons in the WHL, has signed with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads. May (Tri-City, Vancouver, Portland, 2000-05) spent the last four seasons with the UBC Thunderbirds. . . .
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The AHL’s Abbotsford Heat will play its first two home games on Sept. 25 and Sept. 27. Both are exhibition games and will feature the Manitoba Moose as the opposition. The Chilliwack Bruins are in Seattle on Sept. 25, at home to the Prince George Cougars on Sept. 26 and idle on Sept. 27. . . .
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Former WHL F Dylan Stanley has signed with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades. Stanley (Tri-City, 2000-05) spent last season in the German Oberliga. He played three seasons at the U of Alberta before journeying to Europe. . . .
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Mark LeRose, who resigned earlier as an assistant coach with the Everett Silvertips, has joined the coaching staff of the AHL’s Houston Aeros. He will join head coach Kevin Constantine and Troy G. Ward, the assistant GM/assistant coach. LeRose, 39, spent two seasons with Everett. . . .
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The Central league’s Corpus Christi IceRays have signed former WHL forwards Morgan Maclean and Jared Jagow. Maclean played last season with the Prince George Cougars, while Jagow split three seasons with the Regina Pats, Prince Albert Raiders and Seattle Thunderbirds.