F Tomas Karpov (Moose Jaw, Calgary, 2007-09) signed a one-year contract with the Basingstoke Bison (England, Premier). He had three goals and 11 assists in 22 games with Berounsti Medvedi (Czech Republic, 1. Liga) and 14 goals and 24 assists in 23 games with the Telford Tigers (England, Premier) last season.
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The Spokane Chiefs apparently have signed D Jake Toporowski, a third-round selection in the WHL’s 2013 bantam draft. Toporowski, the son of former WHLer Kerry Toporowski, played for the Chicago Mission bantams last season. . . . He announced his signing via Twitter (@jaketop77): “Pretty sure my signature was different every time I signed because I was so shaky from excitement, but it’s official, proud to be a Chief!”———
THE COACHING GAME
Travis Green is the new head coach of the Utica Comets, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. Green is coming off a terrific WHL season, albeit one that came about under difficult circumstances. The assistant general manager and assistant head coach of the Winterhawks, Green was forced to the forefront when GM/head coach Mike Johnston was suspended by the WHL for the remainder of the season on Nov. 28. Green went on to lead the Winterhawks to the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions. Green had been with the Winterhawks since November 2008. . . . Green also is a former NHL and WHL player (Spokane, Medicine Hat, 1986-90).Scott Sepich has more for The Oregonian right here.
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The Salmon Arm SilverBacks have added Eric Godard to their staff as an assistant coach under GM/head coach Troy Mick. . . . Godard, from Vernon, B.C., played eight seasons in the NHL and has a Stanley Cup ring from the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins. He also played three seasons with the Lethbridge Hurricanes (1997-2000).
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The Federal league’s Dayton Demonz are in the market for a head coach after Marc Lefebvre resigned to pursue a job in Europe.
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Kevin Oklobzija of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports that Chadd Cassidy will be named head coach of the AHL’s Rochester Americans. Cassidy was an assistant coach with the Americans for a season and a half, and took over as head coach when Ron Rolston was promoted to the parent Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 20.
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From The Hockey News’s Ken Campbell (@THNKenCampbell): “By my calculations, since free agency opened July 5, NHL teams have signed 79 players to guaranteed, one-way deals totalling $536,450,000.”
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