Thursday . . .

THE MacBETH REPORT:
D Dwayne Newman (Brandon, Victoria, 1987-92) signed a one-year contract extension with the Peterborough Phantoms (England Premier). He had no goals and 11 assists in 54 games last season. Next season will be Newman's 15th season in England. . . .
F Alex Leavitt (Swift Current, Everett, 2003-05) signed a one-year contract with the Ravensburg Towerstars (Germany 2.Bundesliga). He had 10 goals and 29 assists in 54 games for the Kassel Huskies (Germany DEL) last season. . . .
F Adam Hobson (Spokane, 2002-07) signed a one-year contract with Rögle Ängelholm (Sweden Allsvenskan). He had two goals and four assists in 31 games for the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) and 18 goals and 26 assists in 39 games for the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) last season. Hobson holds dual Swedish and Canadian citizenship.
———
The list of players who performed in the WHL before moving on to the NCAA continues to grow . . .
F Jim Hiller, now the head coach of the Tri-City Americans, played three games with the Prince Albert Raiders in 1986-87 and later played three seasons (1989-1992) at Northern Michigan. . . .
G Sean Matile played seven games with the Tri-City Americans in 1992-93 and three with the Kamloops Blazers in 1993-94. He later spent three seasons (1996-98) at the U of New Hampshire. . . .
F Mike Blaisdell played six games with the Regina Pats in 1977-78 before journeying on to the U of Wisconsin for the next season (1978-79). He played 20 games with the Badgers, but was back with the Pats for 1979-80. . . .
———
Steve Nash — yes, that Steve Nash — is going to be one of the stars before this World Cup is over.
He is reporting for CBSSports.com. You should hunt up the video of him in the cardboard box on the way to South Africa. It is absolutely hilarious.
His best line: “If I were a college basketball player, there’s no way they’d treat me like this.”
———
F Chris Francis, who played out his eligibility with the Portland Winterhawks last season, has signed with the AHL’s Springfield Falcons, who are affiliated with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. A native of Las Vegas — and how many natives of Sin City go on to pro hockey? — Francis had 82 points in 72 games with Portland last season.
———
The Moose Jaw Warriors have signed Trevor Weisgerber as their new assistant coach. He replaces Kevin Higo, whose contract wasn’t renewed. . . . Weisgerber spent last season as an assistant coach with the SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers.
———
F Ian Schultz of the Calgary Hitmen found himself included in an NHL deal on Thursday as the Montreal Canadiens dealt G Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues. Schultz’s reaction is right here.
———
Dave Trimmer of the Spokane Spokesman-Review reports that the Spokane Chiefs, who are in need of a head coach, have interviewed Steve Pleau. Pleau, a former Chiefs assistant coach, was fired as head coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings after last season. Trimmer’s story is right here.
———
Greg Puhalski is the new head coach of the Waterloo, Ont.,-based Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks men’s hockey team. He also will be the manager of hockey operations. Puhalski, who attended Wilfrid Laurier, is the Golden Hawks’ career scoring leader. Of late, he has been coaching the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers. All told, he has 16 years of coaching experience. . . . Puhalski replaces Kelly Nobes who left the Golden Hawks after last season. He now is the head coach at his alma mater, McGill University in Montreal.
———
Former WHLer Greg Stamler is the new head coach of the midget AAA Schwab GM Oil Kings in Leduc, Alta. Stamler took last season off after coaching the Oil Kings for four seasons. He split 24 WHL games between the Calgary Centennials, Billings Bighorns and Calgary Wranglers from 1976-80.