WHL teams select 27 imports ... Ice takes Kohler third overall ... Blades' GM: It's an odd draft ...

The CHL import draft was held on Wednesday, which means a whole lot of general managers held their noses and jumped into the pool.

One who didn’t was Colin Priestner of the Saskatoon Blades. His team has two imports scheduled to return, so Priestner didn’t have to spend “500 hours on the phones and emails” to prepare for the draft.

“It really is an odd draft,” Priestner told Kevin Mitchell of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.

“It’s the only draft in the world where you don’t know what the players are. Every team’s got a different list of players from the agents; it’s agent-driven. Some teams are told this player’s under contract in Europe and will not be coming over, and the same player gets drafted five picks later to a big-market team, and suddenly, they don’t have a (European) contract.

“You get told no a lot. You’re calling agents, and you’re getting told no hundreds of times, then you’re seeing these players show up in Ontario or Quebec. It’s frustrating, because there’s no defined list of who’s opting in. The obvious solution to that is an opt-in draft. But the problem with that is, if a player opts in for the CHL draft and someone takes him in a small town in Quebec he doesn’t want to go to, he’ll just stay in Europe. It’s a frustrating situation for all our managers to go through, because you really don’t know who’s available.”

This isn’t new to this draft; it’s been going on since Noah first set sale. In fact, former Kootenay Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth talked about this exact thing for years and for a while even chose not to participate.

For whatever reason, though, the CHL chooses to maintain the status quo, other than banning the selection of goaltenders, that is.

Anyway . . . Mitchell’s complete story with Priestner is right here.

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With the 1st overall pick in the @CHLHockey Import Draft, the Barrie Colts are proud to select Russian Forward Andrei Svechnikov pic.twitter.com/t9nvYiJC0C

— Barrie Colts (@OHLBarrieColts) June 28, 2017

The OHL’s Barrie Colts had the first pick in Wednesday’s CHL import draft and, as expected, took Russian F Andrei Svechnikov, who already is being seen as a potential No. 1 selection in the NHL’s 2018 draft.

Last season, he had 29 goals and 29 assists in 48 games with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks.

The CHL’s 60 teams combined to take 72 players, with 22 WHL teams taking 27 players, and don’t forget that the picking of goaltenders is verboten.

What follows is a team-by-team look at the WHL’s 22 teams and how they fared. Note that I use a different numbering system than most teams. When a team passes on a pick, I don’t give it a number because no player was selected. This means that, for example, while the CHL will say that the Regina Pats took F Emil Oksanen with the 120th selection, he actually was the 70th player chosen. Yes, there were a total of 48 passes in this draft.

Anyway . . . here we go:

Kootenay Ice — 3. F Gilian Kohler (2000), Switzerland. . . . Had eight goals and a league-high 42 assists in 43 games with a U-20 team in Switzerland last season. Also had a goal and five assists in 21 games with Switzerland’s U-18 team. . . . 55. D Martin Bodak (1998), Slovakia. . . . Has played the past two seasons in Finland. . . . Last season, he had seven goals and 15 assists in 38 games with Tappara’s U-20 team. . . . These are the first import selections by the Ice’s new owners — Greg Fettes and Matt Cockell. . . . This would seem to indicate that Russian D Nikita Radzivilyuk won’t return for a second season.

Vancouver Giants — 5. F Milos Roman (1999), Slovakia. . . . Had four goals and two assists in 29 games last season with HC Frydek-Mistek, a pro team in the second tier of pro hockey there. . . . Also had five assists in four games for Slovakia at last summer’s Ivan Hlinka Memorial. . . . He is represented by Gerry Johansson of Edmonton-based The Sports Corporation, which is where former Giants GM Scott Bonner now works. . . . 56. F Yannik Valenti (2000), Germany. . . . Had 20 goals and 23 assists with Jungadler Mannheim’s U-19 side. . . . Was pointless in three games with Germany at the U-18 Worlds (Division I Group A). . . . The two selections would seem to indicate that Dutch F Bartek Bison, 19, won’t be back. He was acquired last season from the Prince George Cougars.

Prince Albert Raiders — 8. F Dominik Bokk (2000), Germany. . . . Had 34 goals and 37 assists in 41 games with Kolner EC, a U-19 team. . . . “He’s considered to be the top talent to come out of Germany since Leon Draisaitl,” Curtis Hunt, the Raiders’ GM, said in a news release. . . . Led the IIHF U1-8 Worlds (Division I Group A) with seven goals and was tied for second in points (10), in five games. . . . The Raiders passed in the second round as they expect Czech D Vojtech Budik, 19, back for a third season.

Edmonton Oil Kings — 11. F Andrei Pavlenko (2000), Belarus. . . . Last season, he had 11 goals and 19 assists with the Belarussian U-18 team. . . . Had two goals and two assists in three games with a U-17 team at the Mac’s tournament in Calgary. . . . Had two goals and one assist in seven games at the U-18 Worlds. Played on line with Oil Kings F Artyom Baltruk . . . With Baltruk returning, Edmonton passed in the second round.

Saskatoon Blades — The Blades passed in both rounds. . . . Czech D Libor Hajek and Russian D Mark Rubinchik both are expected to return.

Spokane Chiefs — 15. F Milos Fafrak (1999), Slovakia. . . . Had 11 goals and 28 assists in 44 games with the Slovakian U-18 team in the U-20 Extraliga. . . . Added two goals and two assists in five games at the U-18 Worlds. . . . 59. D Filip Kral (1999), Czech Republic. . . . Put up four goals and six assists in 13 games with HC Kometa Brno in the Czech U-20 league, then was moved to Kometa Brno in the Czech Extraliga, where he had two assists in 23 games. . . . Neither of the two Czechs from last season — F Pavel Kousal nor F Ondrej Najman — will be back.

Calgary Hitmen — The Hitmen passed as they anticipate having Russian F Andrei Grishakov and D Vladislav Yeryomenko of Belarus back for another go-round.

Brandon Wheat Kings — 20. F Martin Kaut (1999), Czech Republic. . . . Last season, had four goals and 12 assists in 22 games with Pardubice in U-20 Czech league. . . . Also played 26 games with HC Dynamo Pardubice in Czech Elite League. . . . Brandon’s other import is Czech D Daniel Bukac, who will return for a second season.

Red Deer Rebels — 23. F Kristian Reichel (1998), Czech Republic. . . .Had two goals and six assists in 41 games last season with Litvinov (Czech Extraliga). . . . Was pointless in five games at the World Junior Championship. . . . His father, Robert, put up 630 points in 830 regular-season NHL games (1990-2004) split between the Calgary Flames, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs. . . . Red Deer made just the one selection as Russian D Alexander Alexeyev will return for a second season.

Victoria Royals — 26. F Igor Martynov (1999), Belarus. . . . Last season, had four goals and seven assists in 20 games with Belarus’ U-20 team. . . . Played at U-18 World Championship, leading team with three goals and four assists in seven games. . . . Had two assists in five games as Belarus won gold at the U-20 Worlds (Division 1 Group A). . . . Was selected in 2016 import draft by the OHL’s Peterborough Petes but didn’t report. Also was picked by Dinamo Minsk in the third round of the KHL’s 2016 draft. . . . The Royals passed in the second round. Russian F Yan Khomenko, who was acquired from the Moose Jaw Warriors on May 4, is their other import.

Portland Winterhawks — 28. F Samuel Fagemo (2000), 17, Sweden. . . . Last season, played for Frolunda’s U-18 and U-20 teams, totalling 17 goals and 22 assists in 41 games. . . . Had seven points in six games as Sweden won the U-17 World Hockey Challenge. . . . Portland was allowed to pick one import because Finnish D Henri Jokiharju was a first-round selection (Chicago Blackhawks) in the 2017 NHL draft. . . . Also on Portland’s roster is Danish F Joachim Blichfeld. Keep in mind that if the Winterhawks sign Fagemo and he makes the roster, he can’t be traded. That means that if Jokiharju and Blichfeld both return, one of them would have to be moved.

Tri-City Americans — 31. D Roman Kalinichenko (2000), Russia. . . . Played last season for CSKA Moskva’s U-17 side, scoring twice and adding four assists in 29 games. . . . Also played for Russia at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge. Was pointless in six games. . . . Is scheduled to play for Russia at Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in August. . . . 61. D Sergei Sapego (1999), Belarus. . . . Last season, he had 20 points, including three goals in 26 games with Belarus’ U-18 team and one assist in 12 games with the U-20 team. He had a goal and an assist in seven games at the U-18 Worlds. . . . The Americans’ roster also includes Finnish D Juuso Valimaki, who was a first-round pick by the Calgary Flames in the NHL’s 2017 draft, and they are expecting veteran Russian D Vladislav Lukin, 20, at training camp.
Swift Current Broncos — The Broncos passed in both rounds as Finnish F Aleksi Heponiemi and Russian Artyom Minulin are expected to return.

Kamloops Blazers — 36. Justin Sigrist (1999), Switzerland. . . . Last season, he had nine goals and 22 assists in 41 games with the GCK Lions, a U-20 team in the Elite Junior A League. . . . Added a goal and two assists in five games at the U-18 Worlds. . . . Twin sister Shannon played for Switzerland at 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Kamloops. . . . Czech D Ondrej Vala will be back for a third season, so the Blazers passed in the second round.

Moose Jaw Warriors — 39. D Oleg Sosunov (1998), Russia . . . They say that he’s 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, so he could have an impact in the Eastern Conference. . . . Last season, he was pointless in 32 games with Loko Yaroslav of the MHL. . . . The Tampa Bay Lightning selected him in the sixth round of the NHL’s 2016 draft. . . . With Russian D Dmitri Zaitsev returning, Moose Jaw passed on its second selection.

Lethbridge Hurricanes — 42. F Yegor Zudilov (2000), Russia. . . . Had 31 goals and 34 assists in 36 games with Avangard Omsk’s U-17 team last season. . . . Won’t turn 17 until Sept. 10. . . . Russian D Igor Merezhko will return for a third season, so Lethbridge passed in the second round. F Ebor Babenko, 20, also is on the Hurricanes’ roster.

Looks like @Kelowna_Rockets  got pretty good euros 💁🇨🇿 #czechs #rocketsnation

— Tomas Soustal (@TSoustal) June 28, 2017

Kelowna Rockets — 45. D Libor Zaransky (2000), Czech Republic. . . . Last season, had nine goals and 26 assists with HC Kometa Brno’s U-20 side. . . . Son of D Libor Zabransky, who was taken by the St. Louis Blues in ninth round of NHL’s 1995 draft . . . 67. F Marek Skvrne (1999), Czech Republic. . . . Was a teammate of Zaransky’s with Kometa Brno. Had eight goals and 13 assists in 21 games. . . . The Rockets’ roster also includes Czech F Tomas Soustal, 20.

Prince George Cougars — 48. F Vladislav Mikhalchuk (1999), Belarus. . . . Had 14 goals and 21 assists in 31 games in the U-18 program last season, and also had four assists in 13 games with the U-20 team. . . . Helped a team from Belarus win the Mac’s midget event in Calgary, putting up six goals and three assists in seven games. . . . The Cougars passed in the second round, as Russian F Nikita Popugaev is expected to return.

Seattle Thunderbirds — 50. F Nikita Malukhin (2000), Russia. . . . Last season, had four goals and two assists in 28 games with Irbis Kazan (MHL). . . . The Thunderbirds will have Finnish F Sami Moilanen back for a second season, so they passed in the second round. . . . Danish F Alexander True, 20, likely won’t return as a two-spotter. He scored the championship-clinching goal in Game 6 in Regina as the Thunderbirds won their first WHL title. . . . His brother, Oliver, 17, was picked yesterday by the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s.

Everett Silvertips — 52. F Martin Fasko-Rudas (2000), Slovakia. . . . Last season, he had 15 points, including eight goals, in 31 games with Slovakia’s U-18 team in a U-20 league. . . . Also had a goal and three assists in two games with HK Dukla Trencin’s U-20 team. . . . 70. F Pavel Azhgirei (2000), Belarus. . . . Won’t turn 17 until July 12. . . . Shown at 6-foot-6 and 192 pounds . . . Last season, he had five goals and five assists in 34 games with Belarus’ U-17 team, and also had three assists in 13 games with the U-20 team. . . . Finnish F Eetu Tuulola won’t be back for a second season, while Austrian F Dominic Zwerger has used up his junior eligibility.

Medicine Hat Tigers — 53. F Mick Kohler (1998), Germany. . . . The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder had 60 points, including 16 goals, in 31 games with Kolner EC’s U-19 team, and had two goals and two assists in 20 games with Dresdner Eislowen (DEL 2). . . . 71. D Linus Nassen (1998), Sweden. . . . He had 16 points, including three goals, with Lulea’s U-20 team, and also had a goal and an assist in 21 games with Lulea of the SHL. . . . Was selected by Brandon in the 2016 import draft but didn’t report . . . Was a third-round selection by the Florida Panthers in the NHL’s 2016 draft. . . . F Swedish F John Dahlstrom, 20, will play professionally at home in 2017-18. Latvian D Kristians Rubins, 20, remains on the Tigers’ roster.
Regina Pats — 54. D Yegor Zamula (2000), Russia. . . . Had three goals and 23 assists in 36 games with U-17 Metallurg Magnitogorsk . . . 72. F Emil Oksanen (1998), Finland. . . . Played professionally last season, putting up 13 goals and six assists in 48 games with Espoo United of the Mestis League. . . . Also had three goals and four assists in seven games with Finland’s U-20 team. . . . Swedish F Filip Ahl won’t return for a second season. The Pats’ roster also includes Russian D Sergey Zborovskiy, 20, who is expected to play in the New York Rangers’ organization.

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Monday's stuff . . .

There is an issue with the Twitter box over there on the right that I have to clear up.
And if it can’t be cleared up, the Twitter box will disappear.
For whatever reason, the source of a retweet doesn’t show up there.
For example, on Monday night, I retweeted an item from TSN’s Ryan Rishaug on Seattle Thunderbirds D Brenden Dillon signing with the Dallas Stars. Unfortunately, because Rishaug’s avatar doesn’t show up, it appears as though this tweet originated with me.
It did not.
We are working to repair this situation. As mentioned, if it can’t be repaired, the Taking Note on Twitter box will disappear.
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Cory Wolfe of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix made the trek to Moose Jaw with the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday for their very last game in the Civic Centre (aka the Crushed Can).
That story is right here. And it includes a photo of the Crushed Can, in case you haven't seen one.
In Wolfe’s story, Lorne Molleken, the GM and head coach of the Blades, offers a few reminisces, including the relationship between fans and Molson Canadian and smoke.
I haven’t been in the Crushed Can in more than 10 years. But how well I remember when there was a room for the fans located next to the visiting team’s dressing room. In the intermissions, the fans would head there to have a pop and a cigarette or two. It may have been my imagination, but it always struck me that all the smoke would waft from that room, through and over the wall and into the dressing room where the visitors were trying to catch their breath.
In those days, that was home-ice advantage.
And then there was the leather-lunged fan who spent two periods standing behind the visiting team’s goaltender. This fan wore big leather mitts. He would cup those mitts around his mouth and yell at the goaltender through the split between two panes of glass. And it would go on and on and on. . . .
One former WHL coach once told me that fan was worth at least a goal a game.
“If I ever get another job in the WHL,” that coach said, “I’m taking that guy with me.”
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OK, people, here we go!
Cleve Dheensaw of the Victoria Times-Colonist writes: “Sources have indicated to the Times Colonist an announcement may be coming this spring about a Victoria team in the WHL for the 2012-13 season.”
Dheensaw mentions the Kootenay Ice, Prince George Cougars, Chilliwack Bruins, Porltand Winterhawks, Saskatoon Blades . . .
Dheensaw’s story is right here.
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Kevin Clark of the Wall Street Journal has a good read here on how NHL teams are burying mistakes in the AHL. Did you know: D Wade Redden makes the AHL minimum salary of $37,500 in just one period play. That and more right here.
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The Brandon Wheat Kings have lost D Ryley Miller, 18, with an injury to his left hand. Miller, who will be out indefinitely, was injured in Saturday’s 9-3 victory over the visiting Regina Pats. . . . The Wheat Kings have had a tough time keeping veteran defencemen in the lineup. D Brodie Melnychuk, 19, recently returned after missing 12 games with a broken leg. . . . The Wheat Kings have brought in D Ayrton Nikkel, 15, of Kelowna, and he’ll spend the week with them. A second-round draft pick by the Saskatoon Blades in 2010, the Wheat Kings acquired him from the Saskatoon Blades in the Brayden Schenn deal. Nikkel has 41 points in 52 games with the Pursuit of Excellence team in Kelowna. . . . Not counting Nikkel, Brandon is carrying six defencemen and five of those are finishing up their freshman seasons — Ryan Pulock and Eric Roy both are 16, while Jordan Fransoo, Spencer Galbraith and Rene Hunter are 17. Pulock should be in any conversation as the Eastern Conference’s rookie of the year. . . . The Wheat Kings, who have won nine in a row at home, play the visiting Kootenay Ice on Wednesday, with Regina back on Friday.
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JUST NOTES: F Brendan Gallagher of the Vancouver Giants is the WHL’s player of the week. He had 10 points, including five goals, as the Giants went 2-1-0. . . . Thomas Heemskerk of the Moose Jaw Warriors is the WHL’s nominee as the CHL’s goaltender of the week. He was 1-1-0, 0.48, .984 last week. . . . Ryan Rishaug of TSN reported last night that the Dallas Stars “have agreed to terms with” D Brenden Dillon, the captain of the Seattle Thunderbirds. Dillon, a 20-year-old from Surrey, B.C., was a free agent. He has 49 points in 63 games with the Thunderbirds. . . .
Greg Meachem of the Red Deer Advocate reports that the Rebels should have F John Persson back tonight after a three-game absence. Persson was injured when he went heavily into the boards during a game against the visiting Kamloops Blazers on Feb. 19. Persson, who has 53 points, should be back alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Andrej Kudrna tonight when the Medicine Hat Tigers come calling. . . . The Rebels, however, remain without D Aaron Borejko (concussion) and F Josh Cowen (broken hand). . . . Borejko has missed two games but isn’t yet symptom-free so hasn’t even been on a bike. . . . The Tri-City Americans were without six regulars when they dropped a 5-0 decision to the host Vancouver Giants on Sunday. F Adam Hughesman, F Jordan Messier, F Marcus Messier, G Drew Owsley, F Neal Prokop and F Mason Wilgosh are were sidelined. Owsley has missed seven games with a knee injury. . . .
The Edmonton Oil Kings scored the game’s first seven goals as they beat the visiting Calgary Hitmen 7-1 on Monday night. The Oil Kings are sixth in the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of the Brandon Wheat Kings. . . . The Hitmen were minus five forwards — Jimmy Bubnick, Trevor Cheek, Tyler Fiddler, Kris Foucault and Cody Sylvester. All are either ill or injured. . . . Kootenay Ice D Brayden McNabb, who played in his 250th regular-season game on Saturday, has 19 goals this season, one shy of the franchise’s record for goals in one season by a defenceman. Mike Busto scored 20 in 2006-07. . . . .
The Swift Current Broncos raised $8,300 through their Rider Night promotion on Feb. 12. All proceeds went to the Swift Current Minor Hockey Association and Swift Current Minor Football. F Andy Blanke’s jersey went for $2,300 and F Justin Dowling’s for $1,000 in the live auction. F Adam Lowry’s went for $725.
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
     
gdrinnan.blogspot.com
     
Taking Note on Twitter

Mel Rothenburger, the editor of the Kamloops Daily News, makes a couple of points on the resolution of things that have gone on in these parts over the last three weeks. He does it right here on his blog.
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Cory Wolfe of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, who covers the Saskatoon Blades on a daily basis, weighs in on the situation right here.
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Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post, who covers the Regina Pats for that newspaper, offers up his opinion right here.
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And, finally, I think my 15 minutes is pretty much up after an appearance on CBC Radio’s As It Happens. . . . That happened on Wednesday and it’s right here. I am told that it’s somewhere near the end of Part Two.
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THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Adrian Foster (Saskatoon, Brandon, 1999-2002) was released by Örebro (Sweden Allsvenskan) at the end of his one-month tryout contract. He was pointless in seven games. . . .
G Scott Reid (Tri-City, Seattle, Kamloops, Saskatoon, 1994-97) and D Evan Schafer (Prince Albert, 2002-06) were granted their releases from Edinburgh Capitals (UK Elite). Reid has a 5.26 GAA and a .867 save percentage in 34 games. Schafer has three goals and seven assists in 34 games for the Capitals this season. The Capitals are in financial difficulties and have seen their coach and eight of their 11 import players leave the team. . . .
F Tim Konsorada (Brandon, 1999-2005) signed a contract for the rest of the season with Selb (Germany Oberliga) after obtaining his release from Merano (Italy Serie A2). He had 10 goals and 14 assists in 24 games for Merano this season.
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JUST NOTES: The OHL’s Soo Greyhounds fired head coach Denny Lambert on Tuesday, with general manager Dave Torrie stepping in on an interim basis. The Greyhounds are 14-21-5 and last in the Western Conference. Lambert, a former NHL player, took over from Craig Hartsburg for 2008-09. Lambert was an assistant under Hartsburg for four seasons. Hartsburg now is in his second season as head coach of the Everett Silvertips. . . . Ice F Matt Fraser had a goal and two assists. . . .
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SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM WEDNESDAY’S GAMES:   
In Edmonton, the Oil Kings played one of those day games aimed at the youngsters and drew 7,066 fans as they dropped a 5-2 decision to the Kootenay Ice. . . . Ice F Drew Czerwonka had a goal and two assists. He was a sixth-round draft choice of the Edmonton Oilers in 2010. . . . Ice F Max Reinhart got bragging rights, at least for now, with two goals and two assists. He was plus-4. His brother, Edmonton D Griffin Reinhart, was pointless and minus-3. . . . The teams were on their best behaviour with nary a scrap in front of all the school children. . . .
In Moose Jaw, G Darcy Kuemper stopped 32 shots as the Red Deer Rebels dumped the Warriors, 4-0. . . . Kuemper leads the WHL with seven shutouts, and he has 13 in his career — both franchise records. He had three shutouts in each of his last two seasons. . . . F Brett Ferguson had a goal and two assists for the Rebels. . . .
In Prince Albert, F Jonathan Parker continued with the best season of his WHL career, scoring three times and adding two helpers in an 8-4 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings. . . . Parker, a 19-year-old from Solana Beach, Calif., has 27 goals. He is in his third WHL season — in his first two, he had 17 and then 15 goals. Parker has 53 points in 45 games. He had 39 in his first season (2008-09) with the Seattle Thunderbirds. . . . Parker has two career hat tricks — one with the Raiders and one with Seattle. . . . Raiders D Tyler Yaworski, who had missed the previous seven games with mononucleosis, had a goal and two assists, and was plus-5. . . . Raiders F Brandon Herrod also had a goal and two assists, while F Mark McNeill got his 20th goal of the season. . . . The Raiders have beaten Brandon three times in nine days. Those are tough losses for the Wheat Kings because the Raiders, who hold down the Eastern Conference’s last playoff spot, are five points ahead of Brandon. . . . John MacNeil of the Brandon Sun notes: “Wheat Kings D Brodie Melnychuk, who suffered a leg injury while blocking a shot in Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout loss at Saskatoon, sat out Wednesday, snapping a 208-game ironman streak for the Balgonie, Sask., native.” . . .
In Regina, G Matt Hewitt stopped 59 shots through overtime and the Pats went on to beat the Saskatoon Blades, 4-3, in a shootout. . . . Hewitt stopped 22 shots in the first period, 17 in the second and 16 in the third. He then was perfect in OT as the Blades outshot Regina, 4-0. . . . The Pats outscored the Blades 3-2 in the shootout. . . . F Jordan Weal had two assists for the Pats. . . .
In Lethbridge, the Calgary Hitmen forced OT at 19:02 of the third period and beat the Hurricanes, 4-3, in a shootout. . . . Calgary D Kyle Schmidt scored his second goal of the season late in the third period. . . . Lethbridge had taken a 3-1 lead into the third period. Caglary F Justin Kirsch got Calgary to within one with his 20th, at 5:52. . . . Calgary scored the only two goals of the shootout, one of them coming from F Brooks Macek, who was acquired Monday from the Tri-City Americans. . . .
In Chilliwack, D Jesse Zgraggen got his first goal of the season to help the Bruins to a 5-2 victory over the Prince George Cougars. . . . Zgraggen, a 17-year-old from Lethbridge, had been pointless in his first 33 games. . . . Prince George D Cody Carlson finished at minus-5, while D Daniel Gibb was minus-4. . . . Chilliwack also got a goal each from three of its top guns — Kevin Sundher (15), Roman Horak (16) and Ryan Howse (27). . . . The Bruins will head north and meet the Cougars in Prince George on Friday and Saturday. . . .
In Kamloops, Medicine Hat F Linden Vey moved into the WHL scoring lead as the Tigers got past the Blazers, 4-1. . . . Vey scored one goal and set up another, giving him 67 points. That’s one more than Kamloops F Brendan Ranford, who went pointless. . . . Vey was playing on a line with Emerson Etem, who scored his 23rd goal of the season, and Kellan Tochkin, who was acquired from the Everett Silvertips on Monday. . . . Tochkin had one assist. . . . The Tigers had only one two-minute PP — their other one lasted 11 seconds — but head coach Shaun Clouston started it with five forwards, the first time he has done that this season. The five were Vey, Tochkin, Etem, Wacey Hamilton and Tyler Pitlick. . . . Emerson’s goal was the Tigers’ WHL-leading 12th shorthanded score of the season. . . .
In Portland, the Spokane Chiefs built up a 4-1 lead and hung on for a 4-3 victory over the Winterhawks. . . . Portland got third-period goals from F Riley Boychuk, at 12:33, and F Sven Bartschi, his 23rd, at 13:04, but couldn’t get the equalizer. . . . Spokane G James Reid stopped 29 shots. . . . Spokane F Tyler Johnson took over the WHL goal-scoring lead with his 31st. He has one more than Kamloops F Brendan Ranford. . . . The Chiefs now are two points behind the Western Conference-leading Winterhawks and Spokane holds three games in hand. . . . Spokane has lost three fewer games than Portland.
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WEDNESDAY’S CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT:
Three minors:
D Connor Cox, Saskatoon.
F Shayn Neigum, Regina (double minor)

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
     
gdrinnan.blogspot.com
     
Taking Note on Twitter

The QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques have added D Bruin McDonald, 18, to their roster. At first, it was thought he might join the Olympiques in time to play last weekend. That didn’t happen. Why not? Because he hadn’t headed east. McDonald, who started this season with the Spokane Chiefs, who had acquired him from the Prince George Cougars, is scheduled to fly out of Vancouver today at 7:30 a.m. . . . The Olympiques next play Friday when they are at home to the Victoriaville Tigers. . . . After being released by the Chiefs, McDonald joined the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies. They traded him last week to the Vernon Vipers. While preparing to join the Vipers, McDonald was contacted by the Olympiques, who apparently have promised him a roster spot for the remainder of this season.
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The Saskatoon Blades understand the importance of media coverage. Which is why the Blades, under GM/head coach Lorne Molleken, gave Cory Wolfe of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix complete access to their operation on Saturday as they prepared to play the Rockets in Kelowna. Wolfe’s story provides great insight into what goes on, especially involving a coach and his staff, in the hours and minutes leading up to a game. Check out the StarPhoenix’s website for Wolfe’s story. . . . By the way, Wolfe regularly makes the Blades’ B.C. or U.S. division swing, and his copy is as good as you’ll find in the world of hockey. Period.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca  gdrinnan.blogspot.com  Taking Note on Twitter