Playing catchup . . . without ketchup

THE MacBETH REPORT: D Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (Brandon, 2002-2004) signed a two-year-plus-option contract with MoDo Örnsköldsvik (Sweden Elitserien). He had two assists in 18 games with Philadelphia (NHL) and one goal in 16 games with Grand Rapids (AHL) this season. . . .
F Marek Curilla (Kootenay, Medicine Hat, 2005-06) signed a one-year contract with HC Slovan Usti nad Labem (Czech Republic 2.Liga). He had two goals and two assists in 27 games with Kladno (Czech Republic Extraliga) and one goal in two games on loan to Vrchlabi (Czech Republic 2.Liga) this season. . . .
F Taggart Desmet (Calgary, 2000-01) signed a one-year contract extension with Brunico (Italy Serie A). He had 28 goals and 44 assists in 40 games for Brunico this season. . . .
G Aleksandr Fomichev (Calgary, Seattle, 1997-2000) signed a one-year contract extension with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (Russia KHL). Fomichev started the season with Sibir Novosibirsk (Russia KHL), where he posted a 2.81 GAA and a .885 save percentage in seven games. Sibir then loaned him to Zauralie Kurgan (Russia High League) for three games before releasing him on Dec. 17. Six days later, Fomichev signed with Torpedo, where he had a 2.22 GAA and a .930 save percentage in 22 games. . . . The last time the Calgary Hitmen were in the Memorial Cup, who was their goaltender? Yes, it was Fomichev.
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F Nick Shore of Denver has signed a letter of intent to attend the U of Denver and play for the Pioneers. He was a seventh-round selection by the Kelowna Rockets in the 2007 bantam draft. The Rockets recruited him rather heavily but in the end he chose to join his brother, Drew, a centre, with the Pioneers. Nick Shore played for the U.S. team that recently won the IIHF U-18 world championship in Minsk and Bobruisk, Belarus. . . . I believe that the Everett Silvertips had Drew Shore on their list until the bantam draft, when he was deleted. . . . Also committing to Denver were F Beau Bennett of Gardena, Calif., who had 120 points with the BCHL’s Penticton Vees, and G Sam Brittain of Calgary, who played for former WHL player and assistant coach Andrew Milne with the AJHL’s Canmore Eagles.
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D Jeremy Schappert, who played the last five seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds, has committed to the U of Manitoba and the Bisons. Schappert, who is from Winnipeg, had 78 points in 264 games with the Thunderbirds this season as he completed his major junior eligibility.
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Dallas Gaume, an assistant coach with the Red Deer Rebels for the past 11 seasons, has resigned. Gaume, 46, joined the Rebels in a part-time role in 1999.
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The Kelowna Rockets have told F Kyle St. Denis, 20, that they would like to know about his immediate future by July 1. St. Denis played just 26 games this season after suffering another in a series of concussions. St. Denis will have to get medical clearance before making a decision. Because he’s a 20-year-old, the Rockets need to know what his plans are in order to begin working towards finalizing their three 20s for next season. . . . Right now, assuming the Trail, B.C., native returns, the Rockets would have him, F Evan Bloodoff, F Tyler Matheson and F Geordie Wudrick vying for the three spots.
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The Tri-City Americans have placed F Todd Kennedy, 19, and D Riley McIntosh, 19, on waivers. Neither will be back with the Americans for their 20-year-old season. Kennedy, acquired from the Vancouver Giants in November, played in 10 regular-season games, thanks mainly to injuries and a suspension, but was in all 22 playoff games. he had two goals and six penalty minutes. McIntosh, who came over from the Kelowna Rockets in November 2008, had 10 points and 67 penalty minutes in 78 games with the Americans.