New site great news for WHL fans . . . Beijing businessman buys BCHL franchise

The hockey community really is close-knit. Just ask me. Almost three years after my wife, Dorothy, underwent a kidney transplant, hockey people — scouts, fans, coaches, players, owners, general managers, player agents et all — regularly ask me about her.

A while ago, I had occasion to speak with Willie Desjardins, the head coach of the NHL’s Vancouver

Canucks. His first words? “How is your wife?”

On Wednesday, I received a text from Travis Green, the head coach of the AHL’s Utica Comets. He wondered how things were going.

Mark Holick, Mark Ferner, Cam Hope, Bruno Campese, Colin Priestner, Craig Demetrick, Glen Hanlon, Bob Tory, Dan De Palma, Dave Lowry, Vaughn Karpan, Bob Lowes and on and on . . .

Everyone asks about Dorothy, and I make certain that every single greeting gets passed along. Oh, if you could only see the smile every time I let her know that someone has asked about her.

Well, she is doing really well, well enough that she now is preparing to take part in her third straight Kidney Walk. The Kamloops walk is scheduled for Sept. 25.

If you would like to support her, as many of you have done in the past, please click right here and make a donation. All the money goes to the Kidney Foundation, an organization that has done so much for us and one that Dorothy is proud to support.

Over the previous two walks, you have helped Dorothy raise more than $5,000.

——

If you are a follower of the WHL, this one’s for you. . . . Paul Figler and the gang at WHL Stats have graduated to something bigger and better. They are calling it DubNetwork.ca. . . . Figler writes: “We’ve decided to bring in an editor and some writers so that you can get information that goes beyond what the league provides. There will be interviews, editorials, scouting reports and more.” . . . It is in its infancy, but it’s right here and here’s hoping that there are great things ahead.

——

Hockey Canada has added D Josh Brook of the Moose Jaw Warriors to the roster of the team that will play in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup that opens Monday in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Bratislava, Slovakia. . . . Brook, 17, is from Roblin, Man. He will replace D Jacob Paquette of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs, who is injured. . . . Brook’s addition means the WHL has six players on Canada’s 22-man roster, the others being G Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders), D Jonathan Smart (Kelowna Rockets), F Jordy Bellerive (Lethbridge Hurricanes), F Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings) and F Michael Rasmussen (Tri-City Americans). . . . Canada, which has won this tournament each of the past eight years, is in Group B with Russia, Slovakia and Sweden. Canada will meet Czech Republic in a tuneup on Saturday. Canada begins tournament play on Monday against Slovakia.

——

F Carson Dimoff revealed via Twitter on Wednesday that he has committed to St. Lawrence U, where he will play for the Saints. . . . Dimoff, 17, is from Scottsdale, Ariz. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder played last season in Salzburg, Austria. He had 25 points, including 12 goals, with Salzburg’s U-18 team and four goals and an assist with a U-20 side. . . . Dimoff was a seventh-round selection by the Everett Silvertips in the 2014 bantam draft.

——

And now for something completely different. . . . Ray Zhang, a businessman who is from Beijing, has purchased the BCHL’s Cowichan Valley Capitals. . . . Here’s Zhang, from a news release: “This transaction is the first time someone from China has purchased an overseas hockey franchise. It will open the door for hockey families in China to learn about Canadian hockey firsthand. This link to Canadian hockey will prove valuable to encourage all of our young hockey players in China.” . . . According to Kent Rothbauer of the Cowichan Valley Citizen: “Zhang purchased the majority share of the team from former owner Cory Wanner, the Saskatchewan oilfield tradesman who bought into the club in 2013. Zhang's family plans to relocate to Duncan.” . . . Rothbauer’s story is right here.

———

Got a tip or some information you feel could be useful to me, feel free to email me at greggdrinnan@gmail.com.

———

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, have added three new faces to head coach Clark Donatelli’s staff. . . . J.D. Forrest and Chris Taylor have signed on as assistant coaches, while Madison Nikkel is the new video coach. . . . Jay Leach, the associate coach last season, and video coach Sean Andrake have moved on to other organizations. . . . Last season, Forrest, 35, coached with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. He also has coached in the U.S. National Team Development Program. . . . Taylor, 44, spent the previous four seasons on the staff of the AHL’s Rochester Americans. . . . Nikkel has been working with the Boston College Eagles for the past four years.

——

Ryan Ward has joined the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds as an assistant coach. He will work with head coach Drew Bannister and associate coach Joe Cirella. Ward spent the past two seasons as a video coach with the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. . . . He also worked four seasons as video co-ordinator with the NHL’s New York Islanders.

——

Keith McCambridge has joined the Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers, as an assistant coach. . . . McCambridge, 42, spent the past five seasons as the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets’ AHL affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps (2011-15) and Manitoba Moose (2015-16). . . . McCambridge, who is from Thompson, Man., played four seasons (1991-95) in the WHL with the Swift Current Broncos and Thompson Blazers. He helped the Blazers win the 1995 Memorial Cup.

———

Line at Athletes Village McDonald's, 4 pm. Don't let them tell you healthy eating is the key to making Olympics. pic.twitter.com/qfMtiJ3wSN

— John Branch (@JohnBranchNYT) August 3, 2016

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.

Goaltender heads for Austria . . . Blades add a scout . . . Portland lands defenceman from Preds

F David Hájek (Spokane, 1998-99) signed a one-year contract with Heilbronner Falken (Germany, DEL2). Last season, with Bad Nauheim (Germany, DEL2), he had two goals and five assists in 12 games, and in 16 games with Löwen Frankfurt (Germany, DEL2), he had two goals and six assists. . . .
F Igor Baček (Tri-City, 2005-06) signed a one-year contract with the Hannover Scorpions (Germany, Oberliga). Last season, with Rostock (Germany, Oberliga), he put up 14 goals and 56 assists in 30 games. He led his team and division (Oberliga North) in assists. . . .
F Grant Toulmin (Swift Current, 2005-07, 2008-09) signed a one-year contract with the Manchester Storm (England, UK Elite). Last season, with Heilbronner Falken (Germany, DEL2), he had nine goals and 15 assists in 45 games.
F Jerred Smithson (Calgary, 1995-2000) signed a one-year contract with Herning (Denmark, Metal Ligaen). Smithson didn’t play last season. In 2013-14, with the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), he was pointless in 19 games. He had two goals and nine assists in 51 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
———


Another American-born player is headed for Austria and the EC Red Bull Salzburg organization.
On Friday, G Nick Vilardo tweeted: “Excited to announce I've signed with EC Red Bull Salzburg organization in Austria. Thankful for the opportunity. All glory to Jesus #RedBull”
Vilardo is an 18-year-old from Clarence, N.Y., who played last season with the U-18 Buffalo Jr. Sabres. In 50 games, he was 1.93 and .923. He also was 2.30 and .901 with the U-18 Jr. Sabres. This season, he appeared ticketed for the NAHL’s Topeka Roadrunners, until choosing to head for Austria.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that F Ryan Savage and F Carson Dimoff, both of Scottsdale, Ariz., had agreed to join the Red Bulls organization.
Meanwhile, F Riley Stotts of Winnipeg, a first-round-selection by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2015 bantam draft, is pondering an offer to join Red Bull but apparently has yet to make a decision.
——
The Saskatoon Blades have added Cody Nickolet to their scouting staff. This is an excellent more for the Blades and, of course, for Nickolet, but likely not for WHL fans.
Nickolet, whose Twitter handle is @CodyNickolet, had a banner 2014-15 hockey season. An avid WHL follower, he took it upon himself to make available line combinations and defence pairings for both teams in every regular-season game. He also has tweeted all kinds of WHL-related.
And anyone who took a look at his 2015 NHL draft rankings, well, was there anything available to the general public that was more comprehensive?
One day, Nickolet will be working for an NHL team. Bet on it being sooner than later.
In the meantime, the Blades will be the beneficiaries of his expertise.
——
The Portland Winterhawks received an enormous boost on Friday with the news that D Jack Dougherty, 19, had signed with the NHL’s Nashville Predators. Dougherty, a second-round pick by Nashville in the NHL’s 2014 draft, played last season with the U of Wisconsin Badgers.
Upon signing Dougherty, the Predators announced that he is expected to start the season in Portland. Because he was drafted off an NCAA team’s roster, and not a major junior team, Dougherty is eligible to play in the AHL at 19.
Dougherty, from St. Paul, Minn., had nine points, two of them goals, in 33 games during his freshman season with the Badgers.
In 2013-14, he was in the U.S. National Team Development Program. In 23 USHL games, he had 12 points, including four goals, in 23 games. In 55 games with the U-18 national team, he had 22 points, including six goals, in 55 games. He is a candidate to play for the U.S. national junior team this time around.
Here’s Future Considerations on Dougherty: “Dougherty is an intelligent defenseman who tries to blend strong positioning while trying to inflict a physical dimension on his opponent. He isn't the fleetest of foot, but does get where he needs to go. He also makes a strong first pass and has solid offensive instincts.”
——
Got a tip or some information you feel could be useful to me, feel free to send an email to greggdrinnan@gmail.com.
———



Dave Dupas, 53, has signed on as an assistant coach with the AJHL’s Fort McMurray Oil Barons. Dupas, who is from Burnaby, B.C., was the head coach of the BCHL’s Prince George Spruce Kings for the previous four-plus seasons. . . . In Fort McMurray, he will work with GM/head coach Tom Keca.
———

Schloß Schönbrunn | Schloss Schönbrunn | Vienna, Austria #whlcanes #travelingpuck pic.twitter.com/4R6ycYZZw7

— Kathy Hong (@kayyhong) July 25, 2015

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.

Everett draft picks to Austria . . . Warriors show profit again . . . Benson off to school

F Johannes Salmonsson (Spokane, 2005-06) signed a one-year contract with the Cologne Sharks (Germany, DEL). Last season, with Linköping (Sweden, SHL), he had five goals and four assists in 46 games.
———


It could be that we are on the verge of some interesting moves in the world of hockey.
On Friday morning, Over The Boards (@OTBPuckWatch) revealed via Twitter that two — and perhaps three — WHL draft picks are headed to Austria.
According to two tweets, F Carson Dimoff and F Ryan Savage are to join the EC Red Bull Salzburg organization, while F Riley Stotts is “rumored to be joining them . . . as well.”
The Everett Silvertips selected Dimoff in the seventh round of the 2014 bantam draft. In the 2015 draft, the Silvertips took Savage in the fourth round. Dimoff and Savage are from Scottsdale, Ariz.
Savage is the son of former NHLer Brian Savage, who is working with Red Bull Salzburg in the area of skill development.
Stotts, from Winnipeg, was selected by the Swift Current Broncos with the 10th pick of the 2015 bantam draft.
We have grown so accustomed to European players coming to North America when the pipeline runs the other way it is a bit of a shock.
Of course, earlier this summer, we heard that F Auston Matthews, an 18-year-old from Scottsdale, had signed to play professionally with the Zurich-based ZSC Lions, a Swiss team.
Since then, it has come to light that Matthews, whose WHL rights are owned by Everett, has been unable to get a work permit that would allow him to play for the Lions. In Switzerland, a soccer or hockey player has to have played professionally for one season in order to receive the OK.
Matthews, who is a prospective No. 1 selection in the NHL’s 2016 draft, and his representatives are believed to be working to resolve that situation.
And let’s not forget that Bill Gallacher, the owner of the Portland Winterhawks, has purchased the Kloten Flyers, who play in the same Swiss league as the Lions.
How long before the Winterhawks have prospects playing over there?
Dimoff had 17 points, 10 of them goals, with the U-16 Phoenix Jr. Coyotes last season, after putting up 21 points, including 12 goals, in 18 games with the bantam AAA Jr. Coyotes in 2013-14.
Savage had 13 points, including six goals, in 23 games with the U-16 Jr. Coyotes last season. In 2013-14, he had 17 points, nine of them goals, in 18 games with the bantam AAA Jr. Coyotes.
Last season, Stotts scored 39 goals and added 29 assists in 29 games with the the bantam AAA Winnipeg Monarchs. In 2013-14, he had 76 points, including 43 goals, in 30 games with the Monarchs’ bantam AAA Division 2 team.
Red Bull Salzburg has U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-20 teams, among others, as part of its organization.
——
Despite missing the playoffs for a third straight season, the Moose Jaw Warriors showed a profit of $306,136 in 2014-15. That was the word at an annual general meeting that lasted 30 minutes on Thursday evening. . . . The financial report also showed retained earnings of $917,270. . . . “A community-owned team with the revenues that we bring in, we do a great job of managing our expenses,” said Warriors president Chad Taylor is quoted as saying on radio station CHAB’s website. “At the end of the day, salaries are in a good spot, expenses are in a good spot, but there is more opportunities for us to generate more revenue on the ticket side. We've got to go find them though, they're not going to come to us.” . . . Taylor also talked about the attendance challenges that may be in the team’s future. “From a league side, this is something that the 21 other teams are all talking about,” he said. “Some of the bigger franchises are seeing their season-ticket holders go away. I don't think the Moose Jaw market is that way, but we definitely have to be prepared for it.” . . . The Warriors reported $1,529,119 in ticket revenue, down about $60,000 from 2013-14. They also got $320,600 from their booster club, an increase of $115,290 from the previous season. . . . On the education front, the Warriors paid out $142,000 to 25 recipients. . . . The Warriors have shown a profit for at least five straight seasons now — $144,457, $394,646, $343,890, $61,566 and $306,136.
——
Got a tip or some information you feel could be useful to me, feel free to send an email to greggdrinnan@gmail.com.
———



Mike Gabinet is the new head coach of the NAIT Ooks. He had been the associate coach under Serge Lajoie, who was named Thursday as the head coach of the U of Alberta Golden Bears. . . . Gabinet, who is from Edmonton, has been the Ooks associate coach for three seasons. He is a grandson of Canadian coaching legend Clare Drake.
———



F Cole Benson, who played the past four seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings, has decided to leave the WHL and attend the U of Western Ontario in London where he will play for the Mustangs. . . . All told, Benson, 20, played in 216 regular-season and 43 playoff games with Edmonton. He was a 10th-round pick in the 2010 bantam draft. . . . He finishes with 58 regular-season points, including 27 goals. . . . An Edmonton native, he was part of one Memorial Cup-winning team and two WHL championship sides. . . . Without Benson, the Oil Kings’ roster would appear to contain four 20-year-olds — F Brandon Baddock, F Luke Bertolucci, D Ben Carroll and D Marshall Donald.
——
After posting a link here last night to a story on the life and career of Herb Wakabayashi, I heard from Dusty Imoo, via Twitter: “Herb helped me decide to go to Japan. Sad to hear of this. I did not know that he had passed:( #Seibu4ever”
Imoo played in the WHL (1987-91) with the New Westminster Bruins, Lethbridge Hurricanes and Regina Pats. He later went on to play in Japan, spending nine seasons with the Seibu Lions and three with the Oji Eagles. His journey to Japan paid off in one appearance in the Olympic Winter Games. He also played in four IIHF World championships.
After ending his playing career following 2005-06, Imoo got into coaching. He now is the Los Angeles Kings’ goaltending development coach.
———

Sale of Erie Otters is final. Court docs show former CHUM radio president James Watters paid $7.2M for the OHL team.

— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) July 17, 2015

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.