Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Tuesday . . .

The ECHL's Johnstown Chiefs have signed F Matt Robinson (Vancouver, 2004-05) to a one-year deal. Robinson joined the Chiefs in a trade from the Alaska Aces a year ago, but had his season cut short by a knee injury on Nov. 16. Just prior to being injured, he went through a stretch where he recorded eight points in five games.
———
The Moose Jaw Warriors signed a couple of players Tuesday — D Matthew Franczyk, 16, and D Joel Edmundson, 16. . . . Franczyk, a fifth-round pick in the 2008 bantam draft, played for the midget AAA Winnipeg Monarchs, picking up 21 points in 34 games. . . . Edmundson was a sixth-round pick the 2008 draft. He had 22 points in 41 games with the midget AAA Brandon Wheat Kings.
———
The Everett Silvertips have signed associate head coach Jay Varady to a contract extension through 2010-11. The 31-year-old Varady is entering his seventh season with the Silvertips. He has been with them for all of their WHL seasons. . . . Varady will serve as the video co-ordinator with the U.S. national junior team at the 2010 world junior championship in Saskatchewan.
———
Ever wonder what happened to former WHL goaltender David Lemanowicz. You can find out right here.
———
An interesting development in Edmonton on Tuesday where the NHL’s Oilers have added veteran coach Wayne Fleming to their coaching staff. He will work alongside head coach Pat Quinn and associate coach Tom Renney. That gives the Oilers three coaches with ties to Hockey Canada. Former WHL/NHL grinder Kelly Buchberger also is on the Oilers’ coaching staff. . . . Last season, you may recall, Fleming spent something of a tumultuous season with Avangard Omsk of the Continental Hockey League. He has NHL experience with the Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes and New York Islanders.
———
By the way, you may have read somewhere that Theo Fleury is working hard in an attempt to get back into the NHL. The rumour is that he will end up going to camp with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat.
———
Interesting times in Kelowna where G Mark Guggenberger, 20, hasn’t been able to skate with the Rockets due to a groin problem left over from last spring’s playoffs. If Guggenberger can’t get back on the ice — and you’ve got to wonder about an injury like that, if it is left over from last season — it would appear to leave sophomore Adam Brown, who will be 18 on Oct. 21, in the catbird’s seat when it comes to the starter’s role.
———
The Red Deer Rebels got some good news Tuesday. F Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the first overall pick in the 2008 bantam draft, received medical clearance and skated for a few minutes in the morning. He reported to the Rebels on Sunday, but hadn’t been feeling well so underwent blood tests. . . . Czech D Jindra Barak also had been held out of camp while he underwent blood tests. Those, too, came back negative and he skated for a bit before the club’s morning workout.
———
F Matt Wray (Kamloops, 2007-08) is on his way to the AJHL’s Camrose Kodiaks. Wray, who turns 20 on Nov. 22, has been dealt to the Kodiaks by the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks in exchange for future considerations. Last season, he had eight points and 159 penalty minutes in 46 regular-season games.
———
F Corey Tyrell, 19, who left the Prince George Cougars late last season, has surfaced with the Everett Silvertips, whose camp opens Wednesday. Tyrell, who played 129 games with the Cougars, is the younger brother of former Prince George captain Dana Tyrell. . . . Nick Patterson of the Everett Herald reports that the Silvertips have both of their 2009 CHL import draft picks — Finnish D Rasmus Rissanen and Czech D Radko Gudas — in camp. However, Rissanen is recovering from offseason surgery — he apparently had an upper-body injury — and will sit for at least two more weeks. . . . One player missing from camp is D Seth Jones, who was Everett’s second first-round pick, 11th overall, in the 2009 bantam draft. Jones, the son of former NBA player Popeye Jones, has yet to commit to the WHL.
———
F Levi Lind (Regina, 2004-08) has signed with the Southern Professional league’s Columbus Cottonmouths. Lind played last season with the SJHL’s Melville Millionaires.
———
There is an interesting situation developing in Russia involving a potential No. 1 pick in the 2010 NHL draft. The New York Times has the story right here.
———
Freshman Czech F Michal Poletin had two goals and sophomore F Jordan Weal drew three assists to lead Blue to a 6-4 victory over White in the Regina Pats’ annual intrasquad game in Lumsden, Sask. . . . Eight veterans sat out the game so a lot of younger players got chances to strut their stuff. . . . The Pats will hold one more practice in Lumsden before breaking camp and heading to Edmonton and this weekend’s Oil Kings tournament.

  © Design byThirteen Letter

Back to TOP