Thunderbirds pull even in WHL final ... Six straight goals win it ... Game 5 goes Friday

F Robin Figren (Calgary, Edmonton, 2006-08) has signed a two-year contract with HV71 Jönköping (Sweden, SEL). This season, he had 11 goals and 10 assists in 48 games with Frölunda Gothenburg (Sweden, SEL).

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The Prairie Hockey Academy, which is located in Caronport, Sask., announced on Wednesday that Scott King has signed on as its director of player development. King has been with the Moose Jaw Warriors, as an assistant coach and player development coach. . . . The PHA is Saskatchewan’s first Hockey Canada Sports School. Before joining the Warriors for this season, King was with Hockey Canada as its head skills development coach. . . . King, the son of well-known coach Dave King, played one season (1996-97) with the Kelowna Rockets, before going on to a professional career that included 14 seasons in Germany.

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Taurean White is the new general manager and head coach of the MJHL’s Swan Valley Stampeders. White spent the previous two seasons as the director of hockey operations and head coach with the Kingston Voyagers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. . . . With the Stampeders, he replaces Erik Petersen, who was fired on Feb. 27. Petersen had been GM/head coach for four seasons. He has signed with the Danish team Vojens as head coach for next season.

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In the QMJHL, the visiting Saint John Sea Dogs won the President’s Cup with a 5-1 victory over the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. The Sea Dogs swept the championship series; the finished the playoffs with a 16-2 record. The Sea Dogs got four assists from F Mathieu Joseph in the victory, while F Spence Smallman had two goals and an assist, and F Matthew Highmore added a goal and two helpers. . . . Announced attendance: 3,500. . . .

In the OHL, F Warren Foegele scored three times and added two assists as the Erie Otters beat the host Mississauga Steelheads, 5-2. The Otters lead the championship series, 3-1, with a chance to wrap it up on home ice on Friday night. The announced attendance last night was 4,418. . . .

The 2017 Memorial Cup is to be held in Windsor, Ont., May 19-28, with the OHL’s Spitfires as the host team.

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Great to have @JonRyan9 from the @Seahawks drop the ceremonial first puck prior to Game 4 of the WHL Championship tonight. #WinTheCup pic.twitter.com/haK5ytNbJF

— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) May 11, 2017

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WEDNESDAY’S GAME:

Ok @SeattleTbirds fans - let's keep the fights on the ice and not in the parking lot tonite! Also, go Tbirds!! #WinTheCup #WHLChampionship

— Kent Police (@kentpd) May 11, 2017

KEEGAN KOLESAR

At Kent, Wash., the Seattle Thunderbirds erased a 1-0 deficit with two goals 19 seconds apart and went on to beat the Regina Pats, 6-1. . . . The WHL’s championship final for the Ed Chynoweth Cup is tied 2-2. Game 5 is scheduled for Kent on Friday night, with the teams then returning to Regina for Game 6 on Sunday. A seventh game, if needed, would be played in Regina on Monday. . . . Last night, the Pats got off to a 1-0 lead when F Sam Steel (10) scored, on a PP, at 13:15 of the first period. At that point, the Pats’ PP was 6-11 in the series. . . . Seattle F Ryan Gropp (5) tied it with his first goal of the series, on a PP, at 16:06. F Mathew Barzal drew an assist on the goal, running his point streak to 14 games. . . . The Thunderbirds went ahead 19 seconds later when F Sami Moilanen (6) stole the puck behind the Regina net and beat G Tyler Brown to the front side for a wrap-around goal. . . . Seattle went up 3-1 at 19:28 when F Mickey Volcan (4) scored on a rebound. . . . The Thunderbirds took complete control with three second-period goals. . . . D Jarret Tyszka (2) scored at 6:51, with F Alexander True (11) counting, on a PP, at 13:52, and F Keegan Kolesar (10) making it 6-1 at 18:51. . . . Kolesar added two assists to his

CARL STANKOWSKI

goal, while D Austin Strand and D Ethan Bear each had two assists and Gropp had one. . . . The Thunderbirds got 18 saves from G Carl Stankowski. . . . Regina starter Tyler Brown was beaten six times on 24 shots through 40 minutes. He sat out the third — the first time in these playoffs that he’s been on the bench — with Jordan Hollett coming on to stop all 12 shots he faced. . . . Seattle was 2-7 on the PP; Regina was 1-3. . . . Regina scratches: F Adam Brooks, D Dawson Davidson and F Jake Leschyshyn, all with injuries, G Max Paddock, F Duncan Pierce and F Owen Williams. . . . Seattle’s scratches: G Rylan Toth (injured), F Elijah Brown, F Tyler Carpendale, F Dillon Hamaliuk, D Jake Lee and F Luke Ormsby. . . . Jon Ryan, the veteran punter with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, took part in the ceremonial faceoff. From Regina, he stayed neutral by wearing a Switzerland t-shirt. . . . Some notes from TBird Tidbits (@TBirdTidbits): The Thunderbirds have set a franchise record for victories in a single playoff year (14). . . . Stankowski has set a Seattle record for most victories in a single playoff year (14). . . . Stankowski also holds the Seattle record for career playoff victories by a goaltender (14). . . . Announced attendance: 4,652.

Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post has a game story right here.

Andy Eide of 710 ESPN Seattle has a game story right here.

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THURSDAY’S GAME:

No Game Scheduled.

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FRIDAY’S GAME (all times local):

Regina vs. Seattle, at Kent, Wash., 7:35 p.m. (Series tied, 2-2)

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Blazers, Rockets make a deal . . . Ex-Pats coach back behind bench

You know what they say about some things depending on whose bull is being gored?

Well, on March 4, D Joe Gatenby of the visiting Kelowna Rockets stepped up in the neutral zone and drilled F Jake Kryski of the Kamloops Blazers with as hard a check as was seen in the WHL last season.

It was the second period of a game that was televised nationally in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet.

Kryski, who suffered a broken nose on the play, skated one more shift and called it a night. The Blazers weren’t happy with the hit, and F Deven Sideroff went right to Gatenby and dropped the mitts.

The next day, the Blazers filed for supplemental discipline; however, Kryski subsequently passed the concussion protocol and Gatenby wasn’t suspended. In fact, both played that night in Kelowna.

So, on Thursday, you guessed it . . . 

The Blazers acquired Gatenby, 19, and his brother Danny, a defenceman who will turn 18 on Sept. 17, from the Rockets for Kryski, 18. Kamloops also received a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2019 bantam draft. The Gatenbys are from Kelowna.

Shortly after the trade was announced, the Blazers, now with Joe Gatenby on their roster, were on Twitter . . . 

Here is a glimpse of what a player like Joe Gatenby can bring to the table, https://t.co/MRlTfpynW5

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) August 18, 2016

The Blazers made the trade in the hopes that the older Gatenby will be able to eat up some of the playing time created by the departure of Ryan Rehill, who played out his eligibility last season. Rehill played a regular shift, was on the point of the first power-play unit and also killed penalties. Yes, Gatenby is going to get his fill of playing time in Kamloops.

Joe Gatenby, 6-foot-0 and 185 pounds, is preparing for his fourth WHL season after being a second-

round pick by the Rockets in the 2012 bantam draft. He has 44 points, including five goals, in 174 regular-season games, all with the Rockets. Last season, he earned 23 points, three of them goals, in 66 games. He also has played in 52 playoff games and five Memorial Cup games. An alternate captain, he was honoured by the Rockets as their top defenceman last season.

Danny Gatenby, 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, split last season between the Rockets (22 games) and the major midget Okanagan Rockets (15 games). He had one assist with Kelowna and 10 points, including two goals, with Okanagan.

With the two Gatenbys on board, the Blazers have nine defencemen on their roster with at least some WHL experience, the others being Dallas Valentine, 20, Cameron Reagan, 19, Dawson Davidson and Ondrej Vala, both 18, and Nolan Kneen and Conner McDonald, both 17. As well, Luke Zazula, a highly skilled 16-year-old from Langley, B.C., got into three games last season and is expected to be on the roster when the new season opens.

From Vancouver, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Kryski was the 13th overall selection in the 2013 bantam draft, taken by the Prince Albert Raiders. He was dealt to Kamloops in a trade that had G Cole Cheveldave go the other way. Kryski had 65 points, including 23 goals, in 136 regular-season games with the Blazers. Last season, he recorded 39 points, 12 of them goals.

The Rockets have lost F Tyson Baillie, their leading scorer from last season, to graduation, while F Rourke Chartier and F Justin Kirkland are likely to at least start the season as professionals. The Rockets, then, are hoping that Kryski can become one of their top six forwards. If they are fortunate, he will find some chemistry with the sublime F Nick Merkley, who is coming off a season-ending knee injury and create some offensive magic.

If you’re wondering, the Blazers and Rockets last pulled off a meaningful trade on Oct. 14 when F Gage Quinney, 20, was dealt to Kamloops for a third-round pick in the 2016 bantam draft. Quinney provided the Blazers with 50 points in 48 games; the Rockets used the pick to take F Dallon Wilton of Beausejour, Man., who had 48 points in 32 games with the bantam AAA Eastern Selects.

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The Saskatoon Blades will celebrate the life of Gordie Howe, aka Mr. Hockey, on Sept. 25. As plans

now stand, the ashes of Howe, who died on June 10 at 88, and his wife Colleen, who passed away in 2009, will be buried near a statue of Howe that stands by the Blades’ home arena, the SaskTel Centre. . . . Steve Hogle, the Blades’ president, asked city council to declare the area around the statue a cemetery, in order to allow this to happen. City council now has asked the Saskatchewan government for the OK. . . . The interment is only part of a special day that the Blades are planning. . . . Included in the goings-on will be a noon tailgate party and a pregame ceremony at 2 p.m. The Blades and Swift Current Broncos will play at 2:25 p.m. . . . Andrea Hill of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix has more right here.

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With the state of Alaska battling budget deficits, it seems the hockey programs at the U of Alaska-Anchorage and Alaska-Fairbanks may be in trouble. . . . “The Alaska university system released a Strategic Pathways report Thursday that detailed ‘options to be considered’ to address a state legislative mandate to trim $50 million from the budget of the university system,” College Hockey News reports. “The report addressed three options specifically related to athletics at both Alaska-Anchorage and Alaska-Fairbanks, and all three would affect the hockey programs of at least one of the schools.” . . . One option would eliminate both schools’ athletic departments. Another option would have the schools merge their athletic departments and cut the number of sports in which the new department would participate. A third option would eliminate Division I sports — that would include hockey — and compete on with existing sports in Division II. . . . “We are in a crisis (in Alaska),” Keith Hackett, the athletic director at Alaska-Anchorage, said. “And there’s no two ways about it.” . . . The College Hockey News piece is right here.

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The Colorado Avalanche is about to begin interviewing potential head coaches as it works to replace Patrick Roy, who quit last week. Reports indicate that three of the candidates are former WHL players, two of whom have coached in the WHL. . . . Travis Green, the head coach of the AHL’s Utica Comets, is believed to be on Colorado’s radar. He played in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs and Medicine Hat Tigers (1986-90) and coached with the Portland Winterhawks. . . . Lane Lambert, an assistant coach with the NHL’s Washington Capitals, spent two seasons (1981-83) with the Saskatoon Blades and coached with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Prince George Cougars. . . . Jared Bednar, who played with the Saskatoon Blades, Spokane, Medicine Hat Tigers and Prince Albert Raiders (1990-93), is the head coach of the Cleveland Monsters, who won the 2015-16 AHL title as the Lake Erie Monsters.  

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

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Former Regina Pats head coach Brad Tippett has signed on as director of hockey operations and head coach of the junior B Peninsula Panthers of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League. . . . Tippett takes over as head coach from Rob Mortin, who left the team to pursue other opportunities. . . . Tippett, a brother to long-time NHL coach Dave Tippett, coached the Pats for four seasons (1989-93). . . . Steven Heywood of the Peninsula News Review has more on this story right here.

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The Moose Jaw Warriors have hired Scott King as assistant coach/co-ordinator, player development. . . . From Saskatoon, King played one season at Boston U and then joined the Kelowna Rockets for the 1996-97 season. He went on to a pro career that included 14 seasons (2001-15) in Germany. Last season, King served as the Warriors’ skills coach and also was Hockey Canada’s head skills development coach. . . . King, 39, is the son of veteran coach Dave King.

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The SJHL’s Nipawin Hawks have hired T.J. Millar as an assistant coach. From Calgary, Millar, 22, had been the Tri-City Americans’ video coach.

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You can all go home. The internet has been won for the day. #nakedtrump pic.twitter.com/nY3COVrB3W

— Sandi Behrns (@SandiBehrns) August 18, 2016

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Bozon story gets some national play

G Harrison May (Seattle, 2007-08) has signed with the Newcastle North Stars (Australia, AIHL). This season with the U of Ottawa (CIS), May was 3.05 and .881 in nine games. . . .
F Scott King (Kelowna, 1996-97) has signed a one-year extension with Lausitzer Füchse (Germany, DEL2). This season, King led the team in scoring, putting up 60 points, including 15 goals, in 47 games. He is preparing for his 14th season in Germany.
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The Tim Bozon situation got some play on Monday on the CBC Radio nightly national news program World at Six.
J.P. Barry, an agent with Creative Artist Agency (CAA), told CBC's Bonnie Allen: “For all of our players, whether it's in the NHL or junior, the club shall provide the player with out-of-country medical coverage . . .”
Neither Barry nor anyone else in CAA represents Bozon. He is represented by Roland Thompson of Maloney and Thompson Sports Management.
According to the WHL's Standard Player Agreement, Barry has a point.
In Article 5, under Obligations of the Club, there is this:
“5.1 The Club covenants and agrees . . .
“(f) to provide the Player with regular medical attention, as required, for the assessment and rehabilitation of injuries which the Player may sustain during the Hockey season;
“(g) to provide the Player with out of country medical coverage;
“(h) to provide the Player with medical and dental insurance coverage through the Hockey Canada national insurance program, for hockey related injuries.”
In the case of Bozon, a forward with the Kootenay Ice who spent a month in a Saskatoon hospital being treated for Neiserria meningitis, it would seem to be (g) that applies.
Allen ended her report with this: "In the background, the team, the league, the insurance companies, even the Montreal Canadiens, seem to be passing the buck, so to speak, on who pays the bill."
Bozon was selected by Montreal in the third round of the NHL's 2012 draft. He has since signed a three-year contract with the Canadiens.
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Ken Campbell of The Hockey News has an opinion on who should pay Tim Bozon’s medical and rehabilitation expenses. That piece is right here.
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The best story in hockey today may be occurring in the KHL where Dave King has Lokomotiv Yaroslav into one of the semifinal series. In fact, that series opens tonight. . . . George Johnson of the Calgary Herald has more right here on King’s second coaching stint in the KHL. It’s quite a story.
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F Mitch Holmberg of the Spokane Chiefs, the WHL’s scoring champion this season, has signed an ATO with the Oklahoma City Barons, the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers. . . . Holmberg, who is from Sherwood Park, Alta., played out his junior eligibility this season. He led the WHL in goals (62) and points (118). . . . Guy Flaming of TSN 1260’s The Pipeline Show, which originates in Edmonton, points out that Bob Green, the Edmonton Oil Kings’ former GM who now is the Oilers’ director of amateur free agent scouting, is Holmberg’s stepfather. . . . Holmberg is the fourth free-agent from the WHL to have signed with the Barons. The others are F Jujhar Khaira and F Josh Winquist of the Everett Silvertips and D Graeme Craig of the Prince Albert Raiders. . . . Oklahoma City also has added F Greg Chase of the Calgary Hitmen. Chase was a seventh-round pick by the Oilers in the 2013 NHL draft. Chase was born on Jan. 1, 1995, which means he will be back for another WHL season.
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You likely are aware that the CHL has outlawed the selection of goaltenders in its annual import draft. Well, one Russian goaltender has found his way around that rule. That story is right here.
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G Chris Driedger of the Calgary Hitmen has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators, who selected him in the third round of the NHL's 2012 draft. Driedger, who turns 20 on May 18, played the last three seasons with the Hitmen, after being acquired from the Tri-City Americans. A Winnipegger, he was 28-14-7, 2.65, .918 in 50 appearances this season.
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Derek Bachynski, an assistant coach with the BCHL's Powell River Kings for two seasons, is the new head coach of the junior B Nanaimo Buccaneers of the Vancouver Island junior league. . . . Bachynski, 31, is from Belle River, Ont. . . . The Buccaneers are preparing for their third season in the VIJHL. Brad Knight, the head coach who got them into the playoffs each of the first two seasons, has chosen to step down. . . . Glen Smith remains Nanaimo's general manager.
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THE SECOND ROUND (best-of-seven; all times local):
(x - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
EDMONTON (1) vs. BRANDON (7)
Season series: Edmonton, 3-1-0; Brandon, 1-2-1.
Thursday: Brandon at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Saturday: Brandon at Edmonton, noon
Tuesday: Edmonton at Brandon, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9: Edmonton at Brandon, 7 p.m.
x-Friday, April 11: Brandon at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
x-Monday, April 14: Edmonton at Brandon, 7 p.m.
x-Wednesday, April 16: Brandon at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
INJURIES
Edmonton: F Brandon Baddock, 3-5 weeks; D Blake Orban, indefinite; F Reid Petryk, day-to-day.
Brandon: None.
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MEDICINE HAT (4) vs. KOOTENAY (6)
Season series: Medicine Hat, 3-3-0; Kootenay, 3-3-0.
Saturday: Kootenay at Medicine Hat, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: Kootenay at Medicine Hat, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9: Medicine Hat at Kootenay, 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 10: Medicine Hat at Kootenay, 7 p.m.
x-Saturday, April 12: Kootenay at Medicine Hat, 7:30 p.m.
x-Monday, April 14: Medicine Hat at Kootenay, 7 p.m.
x-Wednesday, April 16: Kootenay at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m.
(NOTE: Kootenay plays home games in Cranbrook, B.C.)
INJURIES
Medicine Hat: F Anthony Ast, indefinite; F Gavin Broadhead, day-to-day; F Hunter Shinkaruk, indefinite.
Kootenay: F Tim Bozon, indefinite; F Ryan Chynoweth, indefinite; D Tyler King, day-to-day; D Tanner Faith, 3-5 months.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
KELOWNA (1) vs. SEATTLE (4)
Season series: Kelowna, 2-1-1; Seattle, 2-1-1.
Thursday: Seattle at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: Seattle at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday: Kelowna at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9: Kelowna at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.
x-Friday, April 11: Seattle at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
x-Sunday, April 13: Kelowna at Seattle, 5:05 p.m.
x-Tuesday, April 15: Seattle at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
(NOTE: Seattle plays home games in Kent, Wash.)
INJURIES
Kelowna: F Myles Bell, day-to-day; D Jesse Lees, indefinite.
Seattle: F Connor Honey, indefinite.
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PORTLAND (2) vs. VICTORIA (3)
(Series televised by Shaw-TV)
Season series: Portland, 1-1-2; Victoria, 3-1-0.
Friday: Victoria at Portland (Veterans Memorial Coliseum), 7 p.m.
Saturday: Victoria at Portland (Moda Center), 7 p.m.
Monday: Portland at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday: Portland at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
x-Thursday, April 10: Victoria at Portland (Moda Center), 7, p.m.
x-Saturday, April 12: Portland at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
x-Monday, April 14: Victoria at Portland (Veterans Memorial Coliseum), 7 p.m.
INJURIES
Portland: None.
Victoria: None.


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THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Scott King (Kelowna, 1996-97) signed a one-year contract extension with the Hannover Scorpions (Germany, DEL). He had 15 goals and 20 assists in 52 games for the Scorpions last season.
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The Edmonton Oil Kings have signed F Luke Bertolucci, who was a 10^th round pick in the 2010 bantam draft. Bertolucci, from Montrose, B.C., played last season with the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters, picking up 18 points in 47 games.
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The Vancouver Giants have acquired G Liam Liston, 19, from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for two selections, in the third and sixth rounds, of the 2013 bantam draft. . . . Lethbridge acquired Liston from the Brandon Wheat Kings on Oct. 16, for G Brandon Anderson and D Spencer Galbraith. In 24 games with the Hurricanes, Liston was 7-13-0, 4.22, .881. . . . The Giants are looking to replace the graduated Adam Morrison and obviously will give Liston first chance. But they do have two young goaltenders – Jackson Whistle, 17, and Payton Lee, 16 – in the organization with considerable promise. However, head coach Don Hay much prefers a veteran goaltender, as was proven last season, again, when the Giants acquired Morrison from the Saskatoon Blades. . . . The Hurricanes, meanwhile, acquired G Ty Rimmer, 20, from the Tri-City Americans on May 3, meaning Liston became expendable.
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THE COACHING GAME:
Dean Chynoweth, a former WHL player, coach and GM, is the new head coach of the Lake Erie Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. . . . Chynoweth was dropped as an assistant coach by the New York Islanders when their season ended. . . . He had been with the Islanders for three seasons. . . . With the Monsters, he takes over from David Quinn, who was head coach for three seasons and now is an assistant coach with the Avalanche. . . .
Brent Thompson, another former WHL player, now is an assistant coach with the NHL’s New York Islanders. He had been head coach of their AHL team, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. . . . Two seasons ago, he was the head coach of the ECHL-champion Alaska Aces.
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THE MacBETH REPORT:
G Barry Brust (Spokane, Calgary, 2000-04) signed a one-year contract with the Straubing Tigers (Germany, DEL). He had a 2.53 GAA and a .925 save percentage in 52 games for the AHL-champion Binghamton Senators last season. . . .
D Lawrence Nycholat (Swift Current, 1996-2000) signed a one-year contract with the Krefeld Pinguine (Germany, DEL). He had five goals and 23 assists in 32 games for the Hershey Bears (AHL) last season. . . .
F Scott King (Kelowna, 1996-97) signed a one-year contract with the Hannover Scorpions (Germany, DEL). He had seven goals and 15 assists in 49 games with Adler Mannheim (Germany, DEL) last season. . . .
G Rastislav Stana (Moose Jaw, Calgary, 1998-2000) signed a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow (Russia, KHL). He had a 2.24 GAA and a .917 save percentage in 26 games with Severstal Cherepovets (Russia, KHL) last season.
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I was saddened to read that Ralph Borger, who for years owned the MJHL’s St. Boniface Saints and was a driving force behind that junior A league, died on Sunday, 18 days past his 81st birthday. . . . Back in the day, when I was at the Winnipeg Tribune, I got to know the always-smiling Ralph and always enjoyed his company. And no one was more supportive of the MJHL than was Ralph. . . . Oh, those were some kind of meetings with Ralph and Ben Dzikowicz in attendance! . . . For more on Ralph and his contributions to hockey, check out this right here. . . . You have to know that hockey is better for this man having taken a huge interest in it.
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Alan Caldwell over there at Small Thoughts At Large has done up his annual study of the WHL teams and mileage they will accumulate in the approaching season. Yes, the Prince George are No. 1 on the bus parade. . . . Check it out via the link over there on the right.
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The Vancouver Giants have added veteran WHL scout Todd Ripplinger to their front office. Ripplinger, whose contract wasn’t renewed by the Regina Pats last month, is the Giants’ new director of player development. Ripplinger had been Regina’s director of scouting since 1997. . . . The Giants also extended the contracts of director of player personnel Jason Ripplinger and scouting director Terry Bonner, both of whom have been with the club since Day 1. . . . Yes, the Ripplingers are brothers. . . . Terry Bonner is the father of Giants general manager Scott Bonner and Kamloops Blazers GM Craig Bonner.
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F Kevin King (Kootenay, 2006-11) has signed with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. He had 76 points, including 33 goals, in 68 games with the Ice last season, then added 16 points in 19 playoff games as the Ice won the WHL championship. He had 227 points in 335 games with the Ice over five seasons. . . . Mark Holick, a former Ice head coach, is heading into his second season as the Crunch’s head coach.
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Ben Pherson of the Rochester, Minn., Post-Bulletin offers up his opinion of what’s going on with NCAA hockey. That is right here, and he doesn’t think this is such a good idea.
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Mark Driver of the Providence Journal checks in with old friend Ed Staniowski, whose goaltending helped the Regina Pats win the 1974 Memorial Cup at the Corral in Calgary. Staniowski certainly has had an interesting time since his hockey career came to an end. That story is right here.
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JUST NOTES: F Marcel Noebels of the Seattle Thunderbirds has signed a three-year deal with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers. From Germany, he was a fourth-round pick in the 2011 NHL draft. Last season, his first in the WHL, Noebels had 54 points, including 28 goals, in 68 games. . . . The MJHL’s Selkirk Steelers have acquired the rights to F David Conrad (Spokane, Tri-City, 2008-11) in a deal with the Winnipeg Saints. Conrad, from Winnipeg, is a 20-year-old. He had 24 points in 69 games with Tri-City last season. . . . G Julien LaPlante, who lost his scholarship to Union College, because he didn’t tell the coaching staff he had played 20 minutes in an exhibition game for the Portland Winterhawks, will attend Providence College. There’s more right here.
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THE COACHING GAME: Former NHL player John Marks is the new director of hockey operations and head coach of the USHL’s Fargo Force. He spent last season as head coach of the MJHL’s Winkler Flyers. With the Force, he takes over from Jason Herter, who left for an assistant coaching role with the U of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Marks was attractive to the Force at least in part because he played and coached at the U of North Dakota. . . . Former WHL coach Jeff Truitt is one the move again. But this time he is at least staying in Texas. Truitt, a former assistant and head coach with the Kelowna Rockets, stepped down as director of hockey operations with the Moose Jaw Warriors a year ago to become an assistant coach with the San Antonio Rampage, then the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes. But the Coyotes have moved their affiliation from San Antonio to the Portland, Me., Pirates, with the Florida Panthers now the Rampage’s parent club. Truitt, who just last week was working the Coyotes’ development camp, was named Monday as an assistant coach with the Texas Stars, who are hooked up with the NHL’s Dallas Stars. Glen Gulutzan, who was the Texas head coach last season, has moved up as head coach in Dallas. Last week, Texas named Jeff Pyle its new head coach. . . .
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By now you likely have heard that former WHL and NHL star Joe Sakic scored a $1-million hole in one on Sunday. If you haven’t seen it, the video is right here, and it is outstanding. I can’t ever recall seeing the normally reserved Sakic celebrate like that after scoring a goal.
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Today’s good read comes from Adrian Dater of SI.com. . . . Get yourself a double-double and check out this story right here. It’s all about Tim Horton and Tim Hortons.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
     
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