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| The Portland Winterhawks were the guests of honour at an NBA game on Wednesday night as the Portland Trail Blazers saluted the WHL's defending champions. The hockeyists gather at mid-court to pose, along with the Ed Chynoweth Cup. Later, the players took some free throws, which isn't to be confused with a shootout, and rumour has it that Brendan Leipsic, who is pictured here, dominated the unofficial competition. (Photos courtesy Portland Winterhawks) |
THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Petr Kalus (Regina, 2005-06) has signed for the rest of the season with the Nottingham Panthers (England, UK Elite).
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F Trace Elson has left the AJHL's Whitecourt Wolverines and is joining the Vancouver Giants. . . . Elson, who will turn 19 on Nov. 25, had 30 points, including 13 goals, in 20 games with the Wolverines. He also was the team captain. Last season, he had 26 points, 13 of them goals, in 55 games with Whitecourt. From St. Albert, Alta., he had one assist in five games with the Red Deer Rebels in 2011-12.———
The Prince George Cougars will be without D Joseph Carvalho, who suffered a broken jaw in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers. Carvalho, who turned 18 on Nov. 6, took a puck to the face when he went down to block a shot in the second period. The sophomore from Burnaby, B.C., had seven points, one of them a goal, in 23 games. . . . The Cougars meet the Chiefs in Spokane on Friday.———
Trent Knorr, a former on-ice official in the WHL who is from Powell River, B.C., made his debut as an NHL referee on Wednesday night. With his wife, who is expecting their first child in January, and parents in the stands, Knorr worked the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the host Minnesota Wild. He wears No. 44. . . . Former WHL G Mac Engel (Spokane, Prince George, Regina, 2010-14) has joined the AJHL's Whitecourt Wolverines, Engel, 20, from Red Deer, got into three games with the Regina Pats this season before being released. . . . The Kelowna Rockets have signed assistant coach Dan Lambert to an extension that runs through 2015-16.
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The Moose Jaw Warriors have dropped D Royce Rossignol, 17, from their roster. Rossignol, from Cloverdale, B.C., was pointless in three games this season. He was a seventh-round selection in the 2011 bantam draft. . . . Meanwhile, the Warriors, who will play their next five games on the road, have brought in F Brett Howden, the fifth overall selection in the 2013 bantam draft, from the midget AAA Eastman Selects, and F Ethan Lazaro, from the midget AAA St. Albert Raiders. . . . Lazaro, 16, was a seventh-round pick in the 2012 bantam draft. . . . Howden is the younger brother of former Warriors F Quinton Howden, who was selected by the Florida Panthers in the first round of the NHL's 2010 draft and is with the AHL's San Antonio Rampage. . . . Warriors F Jack Rodewald underwent surgery yesterday to repair a broken jaw suffered in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes. Moose Jaw also is without injured forwards Brandon Del Grosso and Brandon Potomak. . . . The Warriors will play three games in four nights in Alberta, starting tonight against the Oil Kings in Edmonton.———
From the New York Daily News: "A swarm of law enforcement officials, including agents from the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, arrested Phil Kenner and Tommy Constantine on multiple charges emanating from a wide-ranging grand jury investigation that concluded that the men bilked the players of the money they trusted them to invets for more than a decade." . . . The players in question were hockey players, including former NHLer Bryan Berard, who refused to give up in his pursuit of these two men. . . . There is more right here.
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Keith McCallum, who once owned a piece of the Brandon Wheat Kings, died on Saturday, one week before his 76th birthday. . . . He was the brother of the late Dunc McCallum, a former NHL defenceman and former head coach of the Wheat Kings. . . . A native of Flin Flon, Keith spent 43 years operating McCallum Jewellers in Brandon, before retiring six years ago. . . . Besides owning a chunk of the Wheat Kings, he also was heavily involved with the Brandon Olympics, a senior team that once was a force, and the Brandon Pioneer Oldtimers. . . . A service of remembrance is scheduled for Brandon's Central United Church 327-8th St., on Saturday at 2 p.m. . . . In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who wish donate to mthe Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, 150 McTavish Ave. East, Brandon, Man., R7A 2B3 or to a charity of choice. . . . A complete obituary is right here.
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WEDNESDAY:
In Saskatoon, F Chad Robinson scored twice as the Brandon Wheat Kings dumped the Blades, 5-2. . . . Robinson went into the game with one goal this season, that one coming on Sept. 21. . . . His second goal of the season, at 17:01 of the second period, broke a 2-2 tie. . . . Robinson's second goal of the game actually came when Saskatoon F Matt Revel cleanly won a faceoff and pulled the puck off Blades D Ayrton Nikkel and past G Troy Trombley. Robinson was credited with the goal. . . . With G Curtis Honey injured, G Jordan Papirny made his sixth straight start for Brandon. . . . Brandon F Richard Nejezchleb opened the scoring just 15 seconds into the first period. That was his ninth goal in his last six games and his 17th on the season. . . . Among Brandon's scratches was D Eric Roy, who was injured while blocking a shot on Monday. . . .
In Swift Current, G Eetu Laurikainen turned aside 14 shots as the Broncos blanked the Kootenay Ice, 3-0. . . . The Broncos have won nine in a row. . . . Laurikainen, a Finnish sophomore, has one shutout this season and two in his career. . . . Broncos F Jay Merkley scored his eighth goal at 15:30 of the first period and it stood up as the winner. . . . Broncos F Graham Black got his 13th goal, shorthanded, at 18:20 of the first period. . . . Black left 22 seconds into the second period for a brief time. According to a tweet from Brad Brown of the Prairie Post, Black was favouring his left shoulder after crashing into the boards. He missed a shift or two before returning to the game. . . . The Ice, which was able to muster only a season-low 14 shots on goal, has been shut out three times this season. . . . Kootenay D Rinat Valiev was in his first WHL fight and also picked up a game misconduct for his efforts. Ice assistant coach Jay Henderson told Trevor Crawley of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman that Valiev got the game misconduct for a slew foot. . . .
In Kamloops, the Medicine Hat Tigers opened a 2-0 lead with two PP goals and beat the Blazers, 3-1. . . . Medicine Hat F Logan McVeigh was back playing in Kamloops for the first time since the Blazers dealt him to the Prince Albert Raiders on New Year's Eve of 2011. . . . McVeigh drew an assist on the game's first goal, a PP score by D Kyle Becker. . . . D Tommy Vannelli had two assists for the Tigers. . . . The Blazers were without D Jordan Thomson, the fourth overall selection in the 2011 bantam draft. He has left the team and is at home in Wawanesa, Man., pondering his future. . . . Kamloops D Connor Clouston, 16, the son of Shaun Clouston, the Tigers' general manager and head coach, got his first WHL point when he drew an assist on D Sam Grist's third-period goal. . . . The Blazers have lost four in a row. . . . The Tigers are 2-0 on a swing into the B.C. Division that continues Friday in Vancouver. . . .
In Everett, F Dyson Stevenson scored at 1:11 of OT as the Regina Pats erased a late 5-3 deficit and beat the Silvertips, 6-5. . . . The Pats tied the game on goals by F Dryden Hunt at 14:29 of the third period and D Dmitry Sinitsyn, on the PP, at 18:51. F Connor Gay drew an assist on each of those goals. . . . Sinitsyn, who drew an assist on the winner, finished with a goal and three helpers. The Russian freshman went into the game with seven points in 21 games. . . . Everett F Tyler Sandhu scored three times, giving him nine this season. It was his second career hat trick. . . . Everett F Josh Winquist continued his hot streak with three assists. He has 38 points in 21 games. In his last 10 games, he has put up 26 points. In fact, he has had multiple points in nine of those games. . . . Everett G Austin Lotz was on the bench, backing up Daniel Cotton, the first time he had been in uniform since suffering an ankle injury on Oct. 26. . . . Regina played without F Chandler Stephenson, who completed a two-game WHL suspension. . . . The Pats are 3-1-0 on an eight-game road trip that continues Friday against the Tri-City Americans in Kennewick, Wash. . . . Everett has points in six straight games as it prepares to play host to the Portland Winterhawks on Kevin Constantine Bobblehead Night on Friday.NOTE: Photographer Chris Mast has posted a gallery from Regina's victory over Everett right here. You will want to check out the second-last photo. That one picture sums up the entire game — it is a cliche, but the joy of victory and the agony of defeat has never been more in evidence. Be sure to take a look.
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From Brandon Sun sports editor James Shewaga (@JamesShewaga): "Czech RW Richard Nejezchleb now leads the @bdnwheatkings with 17 goals in 21 games and has scored 9 goals in his last 6 games. #bdnmb"
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From Kirk Penton (@PentonKirk) of the Winnipeg Sun: "@JamesShewaga Bless you."
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F Igor Valeev (Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Swift Current, 1998-2000) has been reassigned by Traktor Chelyabinsk (Russia, KHL) to Chelmet Chelyabinsk. Valeev will be captain of Chelmet (Vysshaya Liga). This season, he was pointless in six games with Traktor, after putting up six points, two of them goals, in 13 games with Chelmet.
The OHL's Erie Otters had their 11-game winning streak come to an end Sunday afternoon when they dropped a 6-2 decision to the Knights in London. Former WHL player and coach Kris Knoblauch is the head coach of the Otters, who establishd a franchise record with the streak. . . . Meanwhile, the Guelph Storm is on a 10-game winning streak after beating the visiting Sudbury Wolves, 3-1, on Sunday. Here’s Tony Saxon in the Guelph Mercury: “It was the first time in the past nine home games that the Storm has failed to score at least five goals and send the crowd home with free chicken wings as part of an in-house promotion.” . . . The Storm next plays Thursday in London.
In Calgary, the Edmonton Oil Kings opened a five-game road trip with a 4-2 victory over the Hitmen. . . . The Oil Kings scored the game's last three goals, including one from F Curtis Lazar, who has 11 snipes this season. . . . Edmonton D Cody Corbett had two assists in his first game after not playing since Oct. 11 because of an undisclosed injury. . . . D Alex Roach, 20, played his first game with the Hitmen after being returned by the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. . . . Calgary D Jaynen Rissling scored his fifth goal of the season in his 17th game. That equals his output in each of his previous three seasons, in 61, 55 and 67 games. . . .
In Cranbrook, the Tri-City Americans scored the game's last two goals to beat the Kootenay Ice, 4-2. . . . F Brian Williams broke a 2-2 tie with his 13th goal at 10:21 of the third period and F Marcus Messier later added an empty-netter. . . . Tri-City's Comrie Connection struck again, too. G Eric Comrie stopped 30 shots, while younger brother Ty scored his second goal in as many games. . . . F Parker Bowles had three assists for the Americans, giving him five points in three games since he came off the injured list. . . . The attendance was announced at 1,987. Ice owner/GM Jeff Chynoweth confirmed that it's the smallest crowd in Kootenay franchise history. . . . The Americans went 2-0-1 as they played three games in as many nights in the Central Division.
BCHL's Penticton Vees to join the Thunderbirds on Tuesday, also giving up his commitment to the U of North Dakota in the process. He had said he would attend UND in the fall of 2014.
"I couldn't agree more with you and the others about the lack of a WHL Guide this year. As someone who lives on the U.S. East Coast and listens to games over the Internet, it has been absolutely indispensable. I can't fathom the short-sightedness of the people who manage the league."
F Martin Ruzicka (Everett, Lethbridge, 2003-05) signed a one-year contract extension with Trinec (Czech Republic, Extraliga). He had 40 goals and 43 assists in 52 games with Trinec last season. Ruzicka led Extraliga in scoring (by 25 points), goals (by 13 goals), and assists (by four over ex-NHL player Martin Straka) last season. . . .
It almost certainly will be the end of an era in the WHL today as the board of governors gathers in Calgary today where it is expected to vote unanimously in favour of allowing Saskatoon Blades owner Jack Brodsky to sell the franchise to Edmonton-based auto dealer Mike Priestner. . . . The sale needs two-thirds of the 22 governors to vote in favour in order to pass. But it is expected to be unanimous, simply because of Brodsky’s long-standing relationship with the WHL. The franchise has been in the Brodsky family since 1976. . . . With the sale price said to be north of $9 million, you can bet there will a lot of smiles around the governors’ table today. . . . The Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson reports that Steve Hogle, the vice-president of hockey communications with the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, is expected to take over as the Blades’ president.
The Everett Silvertips have signed F Patrick Bajkov, D Jordan Wharrie and D Lucas Skrumeda. . . . Bajkov, who turns 16 on Nov. 27, was a sixth-round pick in the 2012 bantam draft. The Nanaimo, B.C., native had 31 points, including 20 goals, with the major midget North Island Silvertips last season. . . . Wharrie, 16, was taken in the fifth-round of the 2012 bantam draft. From Port Moody, B.C., he had two points in 39 games with the major midget Vancouver North East Chiefs. . . . Skrumeda, a list player, is to turn 17 on Oct. 7. From St. Andrews, Man., he had 28 points in 43 games with the midget AAA Winnipeg Thrashers last season.
The Portland Winterhawks, the WHL’s defending champions, have nine players heading out to NHL training camps — F Oliver Bjorkstrand, Columbus Blue Jackets; G Brendan Burke, Phoenix Coyotes; F Anton Cederholm, Vancouver Canucks; F Adam de Champlain, Vancouver; D Garrett Haar, Washington Capitals; F Taylor Leier, Philadelphia Flyers; F Brendan Leipsic, Nashville Predators; F Nic Petan, Winnipeg Jets; and D Derrick Pouliot, Pittsburgh Penguins.
assistant coach Kyle Gustafson and Rich Campbell, the athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach. All three now are signed through 2014-15.
According to a tweet from his major midget team, the Red Deer Rebels have signed G Taz Burman, a second-round selection, 30th overall, in the 2012 bantam draft. Burman was drafted from the North Shore Winter Club, then played this season with the Greater Vancouver Canadians of the B.C. Major Midget League. This season, Burman was 12-10-1 with a 2.64 GAA in 24 games with the Canadians.
In Swift Current, F Levi Bews scored twice and added two assists as the Blazers doubled the Prince Albert Raiders, 6-3. . . . Bews has 20 goals this season. . . . F Colby Cave also reached the 20-goal for the Broncos as he scored twice. . . . Broncos G Eetu Laurikainen stopped 33 shots. . . . The Broncos moved into a tie for sixth with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Eastern Conference. Each has five games remaining. . . . The Raiders now are four points behind the fourth-place Red Deer Rebels. . . . 
In Red Deer, F Rhyse Dieno drew three assists to help the Rebels beat the Kootenay Ice, 6-4. . . . Dieno, 19, now has 54 points, including 28 assists, in 44 games. . . . F Tyson Ness scored twice for Red Deer, giving him 15. . . . Red Deer D Mathew Dumba broke a 3-3 tie at 14:12 of the second period as he scored his 14th goal. . . . Ness added insurance at 17:53. . . . F Jaedon Descheneau had two goals, giving him 24, and an assist for the Ice. . . . The Rebels appear headed to a first-round matchup with Prince Albert, and Red Deer would hold home-ice advantage. . . . 
In Prince George, G Mac Engel turned aside 22 shots to lead the Cougars to a 3-0 victory over the Tri-City Americans. . . . Engel has two shutouts this sason and seven in his career. . . . The Americans had won 6-3 in Prince George on Monday. . . . Last night, Cougars F Troy Bourke scored the game’s first two goals in his 200th regular-season game. He’s got 13. . . . F Zach Pochiro had two assists. . . . F Connor Rankin, who scored two goals Monday, was scratched by the Americans for this one. . . . The Cougars, who had lost five straight, are six points out of the Western Conference’s last playoff spot. They have seven games left to play, but must play six of those on the road. . . . The Americans remain fourth in the conference, a point ahead of the idle Spokane Chiefs. . . . 
In Kamloops, F Kale Kessy had two goals and two assists, for his second career four-pointer, as the Blazers dumped the Victoria Royals, 6-0. . . . Kessy has 19 goals. . . . F Colin Smith, F Tim Bozon and D Sam Grist each had a goal and two assists. . . . Kamloops G Cole Cheveldave stopped 14 shots in recording his sixth shutout of the season and 10th of his career. . . . He shut out the visiting Kelowna Rockets 3-0 on Sunday. The last Blazers goaltender with back-to-back shutouts? Cheveldave did it to the Prince George Cougars in January 2012. . . . The Royals were again without F Alex Gogolev, their leading scorer who is out with an undisclosed injury. He is back skating and it’s hoped he will get into a game or two next week and then be ready for the first round of playoffs. . . . Victoria F Logan Nelson hobbled off the ice at 19:10 of the third period. He appeared to be favouring his left leg. . . . The Cougars had F Matthew Campese in their lineup. Campese, a third-round selection in the 2012 bantam draft, is the son of Bruno Campese, the Prince Albert Raiders’ general managre. Matthew plays at the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton. Campese came close to scoring at 7:10 of the first period when Cheveldave stopped his redirection. That may have been Cheveldave’s best save. . . . The Blazers are a point behind the B.C. Division-leading Kelowna Rockets, who hold two games in hand and will play host to Victoria tonight. . . . The Royals appear headed to a sixth-place finish in the Western Conference. . . . 
In Saskatoon, F Cody Sylvester had a goal and five assists and was plus-6, leading the Calgary Hitmen to a 9-5 victory over the Blades. . . . Sylvester moved past F Ryan Getzlaf and into eighth place on Calgary’s career scoring list. Sylvester has 217 points. . . . After the game, Brad Curle, the radio voice of the Hitmen, tweeted that Sylvester had a goal and six assists, which would be a franchise record, so perhaps a scoring change is coming. . . . The Blades have followed an 18-game losing streak with two loses. They had been 18-0-1 in their last 19. . . . The Hitmen, who had lost four in a row, now have one more point than the Blades, who lead the East Division so are the second seed in the Eastern Conference. . . . Sylvester has 34 goals. . . . F Brady Brassart added two goals, giving him 30, and three assists for Calgary, while F Jake Virtanen scored twice, giving him 14. . . . Calgary scored nine goals on 38 shots, driving Saskatoon G Andrey Makarov to the bench in the process. That mean backup Alex Moodie got into a game for the first time since Dec. 30. . . . Calgary D Jaynen Rissling had a goal and two assists, and was plus-5. . . . Saskatoon lost F Michael Ferland, 20, late in the first period. He has an undisclosed injury and is to be re-evaluated today. . . .
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