Thursday . . .

THE MacBETH REPORT: D Greg Kuznik (Seattle, 1995-98) signed a contract for the rest of this season with Pontebba (Italy Serie A). He had five goals and 13
assists in 37 games this season for Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia, plays in Austria Erste Bank Liga). That club released Kuznik two weeks ago for financial reasons. . . .
G Milan Hnilicka (Swift Current, 1992-93) has been released by Slavia Praha (Czech Republic Extraliga). He had a 4.38 GAA and a .833 save percentage in three games with Slavia this season. Hnilicka signed with Slavia on Dec. 22.
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D Brandon Manning, 19, is the new captain of the Chilliwack Bruins. He replaces D Mitch McColm, 20, who was traded to the Regina Pats on Sunday. . . . The Brandon Wheat Kings were missing C Paul Ciarelli, D Ryley Miller, D Colby Robak and D Alexander Urbom when they practised Thursday. Yes, the flu bug is making its way through the Wheaties. . . . D David Greyeyes, 18, was to have played for the Prince George Cougars but has been out with a concussion. He was acquired last week by the MJHL’s OCN Blizzard from the Dauphin Kings and may play before season’s end. . . . The Breitkreuz brothers will go head-to-head Friday in Prince George. Brett, 20, plays for the Vancouver Giants, while Clarke, 18, is with the Cougars. The Giants are in Prince George for a Friday-Saturday doubleheader.
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The Saskatoon Blades have lost D Teigan Zahn, 19, for the rest of the season. He suffered a broken right fibula in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over visiting Calgary when he was hit by Hitmen F Del Cowan. “I was bracing myself for (the hit),” Zahn told the Saskatoon StarPhoenix’ Cory Wolfe. “The guy knocked me over, but my foot stayed where it was and my body went the opposite way. I knew something was wrong because I had a shooting pain up my leg.” . . . Zahn is to have surgery Friday morning and is looking at a recovery time of up to five months.
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D Austin Madaisky, who was acquired Sunday by the Kamloops Blazers from the Calgary Hitmen, has been named to the Top Prospects Game as an injury replacement. Madaisky replaces D Erik Gudbranson of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs. Madaisky was at No. 59 in Central Scoutings midseason ranking of North Americans skaters eligible for the 2010 NHL draft. The Top Prospects skill session and game are scheduled for Jan. 19 and 20 in Windsor. . . . Madaisky may have been the Blazers’ best defenceman in a 5-4 victory over the visiting Portland Winterhawks on Wednesday night. He will miss two road games while in Windsor -- against the Tri-City Americans and a rematch with the Winterhawks.
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According to Regan Bartel’s blog, “Kelowna Rockets head coach Ryan Huska is about to become a dad . . . for a third time. Huska's wife Denise is expecting. The due date is late June.”
Hmmm . . . could it be that the Huskas chose to celebrate the Rockets’ 5-0 victory over the visiting Kamloops Blazers on Sept. 26?