D Oleg Tverdovsky (Brandon, 1994-95) signed a one-year contract extension with Metallurg Magnitogorsk (Russia, KHL). He had six goals and five assists in 24 games with Metallurg this season. Tverdovsky started the season with Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia, KHL), going pointless in 12 games, and played two games without a point for Salavat Yulaev's farm club, Toros Neftekamsk (Russia, Vysshaya Liga), before he was released. He then signed with Metallurg for the rest of this season. . . .
D Ivan Usenko (Swift Current, 2001-02) signed a one-year contract with Neman Grodno (Belarus, Open League). He had 12 goals and 18 assists for Yunost Minsk (Belarus, Open League) this season.
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ASK THE COMMISSIONER:
Your bantam draft was held on Thursday. During the draft, a few trades involving players were made. How long will it take you to get these deals included in the transactions

Also, will you be including the transaction in which the Portland Winterhawks dealt director of player personnel Garry Davidson to the Everett Silvertips for a second-round draft pick or two?
One other thing . . . Are you aware that the NHL no longer allows compensation when executives change teams? In fact, the NHL hasn’t allowed it since the lockout that cost it the 2004-05 season.
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THE WHL FINAL:
Game 3 . . .

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Jim Beseda of The Oregonian covered the game and his story is right here.
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Chris O’Leary was there on behalf of the Edmonton Journal. His game story is right here.
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Somehow, columnist John Canzano of The Oregonian discovered the WHL’s great secret — the two teams shared a charter flight from Edmonton to Portland on Saturday.
“Turns out the WHL finals are a big deal,” Canzano writes. “The pucks are brand new. The officials are said to be the best in the league. The Zamboni gets a tune-up. And also, it's the only road trip of the season that the teams utilize an airplane instead of a bus. Except, these are still tight economic times and the teams have agreed to share a single plane.”
And they’ll share again when they return to Edmonton for Game 5. Canzano’s column is right here. It’s terrific. And would someone find a way to get him on that flight to Edmonton. Please!
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Thursday, May 3: Portland 2 at Edmonton 3 (7,466)
Friday, May 4: Portland 5 at Edmonton 1 (10,720)
Sunday, May 6: Edmonton 3 at Portland 4 (10,947)
Tuesday, May 8: at Portland (Rose Garden), 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 10: at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
x-Saturday, May 12: at Portland (Rose Garden), 6 p.m.
x-Sunday, May 13: at Edmonton, 6 p.m.
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