Czech F Jiri Fronk won’t be joining the WHL’s Victoria Royals this season. . . . Cleve Dheensaw of the Victoria Times Colonist reports that the Royals “lost to the KLH Chomutov Under-20s without a puck being fired.” . . . The Royals selected Fronk, 19, in the CHL’s 2013 import draft, but the IIHF has ruled that his contract with Chomutov is valid. . . . “It was a reasoned written decision. That’s that,” Cam Hope, the Royals’ general manager, told Dheensaw. “It’s obviously disappointing but there’s nothing we can do about it. We have to respect the process because we rely on it both ways.” . . . The Royals are left with one import on their roster — G Patrik Polivka, 19, from Plzen, Czech Republic. . . . Dheensaw’s story is right here.———
The Prince George Cougars have acquired D Peter Kosterman, 20, from the Calgary Hitmen for two bantam draft picks — a fourth-rounder in 2014 and sixth in 2015. . . . The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Kosterman, who is from Calgary, is preparing for his fifth WHL season. He was a first-round selection, 19th overall, by the HItmen in the 2008 bantam draft. He had 32 points in 234 games with Calgary. . . . The Cougars now have two 20-year-olds on their roster, the other being F Klarc Wilson.———
It was mentioned here yesterday that Calgary Hitmen F Pavel Padakin and Kamloops Blazers F Devin Oakes, both of whom drew three-game WHL suspensions, would miss one exhibition game and two regular-season games. . . . Actually, each already had served one game, so were left with one exhibition game and one regular-season game to serve.
———
The Red Deer Rebels have added F Kailum Gervais, 18, to their roster. Gervais, 6-foot-0 and 200 pounds, played the last two seasons with the SJHL’s Yorkton Terriers, putting up 48 points, including 16 goals, and 126 penalty minutes in 85 games. . . . Gervais is coming off a knee injury, so will be given some time to skate his way into shape with the Rebels. . . . Greg Meachem of the Red Deer Advocate has more right here.———
D Tyler Yaworski, who played the last four seasons in the WHL, has signed with the Central league’s Quad City Mallards where he will play for former WHL player and coach Terry Ruskowski. . . . Yaworski played last season with the Brandon Wheat Kings, putting up 12 points in 63 games. In 227 regular-season games, he had 47 points and 595 penalty minutes. . . . Yaworski is scheduled to go to camp with the AHL’s Iowa Wild.———
The AJHL’s Grande Prairie Storm announced late Wednesday morning that it has “parted company with general manager Blaine Bablitz due to philosophical differences.” . . . The move came three weeks after Bablitz stepped aside as head coach to become a full-time GM. . . . Head coach Matt Hughes now also is the general manager. . . . Logan Clow of the Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune has more right here.———
Oscar De La Hoya always wanted to shut up Floyd Mayweather. But the Golden Boy was never able to accomplish that in a boxing ring. And now, when his guy, Saúl Álvarez, who also is known as Canelo, has the opportunith to do just that on Saturday, De La Hoya won’t be there — he is back in rehab, trying to deal with his demons. . . . Greg Bishop of The New York Times takes a look right here.
———
From Pat Siedlecki (@radiopat258), the radio voice of the Lethbridge Hurricanes: “Great news for the @WHLHurricanes. (D) Ryan Pilon cleared by doctors to practice. He's been out with mono. Might play game 3 of reg season.”
———
From Chris Dilks (@ChrisDilks) of westerncollegehockeyblog.com: “Maple Grove HS forward Josh Passolt will play for Prince Albert (WHL) this year.”
There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.
In their 43-year history, the Prince Albert Raiders have never retired a number. That will change on Nov. 1 when the Raiders retire F Mike Modano’s No. 9. This will happen prior to a game against the visiting Regina Pats. . . . Modano had 295 points in 176 games over three seasons with the Raiders. . . . According to a Raiders’ news release: “A sub-committee of the Raiders Board of Directors extensively researched and deliberated the honour of retiring jerseys by junior hockey franchises, and created a very strict criteria from their findings for the Prince Albert Raiders Hockey Club. Following an evaluation of the criteria, the Board of Directors approved the retirement of Mike Modano’s number 9.” . . . Mayor Greg Dionne has declared Nov. 1 and 2 to be Mike Modano Weekend in Prince Albert. The weekend also will feature the Kinsmen Sportsman Dinner, with Modano as special guest. Former Raiders play-by-play voice Kevin Winters will be the emcee.
The Edmonton Oil Kings have signed head coach Derek Laxdal to a two-year extension that runs through 2015-16. . . . Laxdal, 47, has been with the Oil Kings through three seasons and has gotten them into the last two WHL championship finals. The Oil Kings won it all in 2011-12 and were runners-up last season. . . . In his three seasons in Edmonton, the Oil Kings are 132-64-20. . . . Laxdal, who played in the WHL with the Brandon Wheat Kings and Portland Winterhawks, joined the Oil Kings from the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads, where he was director of hockey operations and head coach. The Steelheads won the Kelly Cup in 2007.
The BCHL’s West Kelowna Warriors have added Ryan Parent to their staff as an assistant coach and director of scouting. Parent, who lives in Vernon, most recently was general manager and head coach of the AJHL’s Lloydminster Bobcats. . . . Rylan Ferster, the Warriors’ GM/head coach, also announced that Cory Cross, who played more than 600 NHL games, will work with the team’s defencemen. . . . Brent Gough is back as assistant GM and associate coach. . . . Shae Naka, who had been on staff as an assistant coach, now is at Pursuit of Excellence.
Posts
