Taking Note

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Patrik Valcak (Lethbridge, Kelowna, 2003-04) signed a one-year contract with Yunost Minsk (Belarus, Extraliga). He had four goals and 15 assists in 23 games for Olofström (Sweden, Division 1) last season. . . .
D Tomas Slovak (Kelowna, 2001-03) signed a one year-contract with Dynamo Minsk (Belarus, KHL) after a successful tryout. He had three assists in 21 games with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (Russia, KHL) and three goals and six assists in 10 games with Pirati Chomutov (Czech Republic, 1.Liga) last season.
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Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province reported Friday morning that the Vancouver Giants may not be able to land the services of G Jonathan Iilahti of Finland. Ewen’s story is right here.
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After you read Ewen's piece, you'll want to know that the Espoo Blues, who play in Finland’s SM-Liiga, announced Friday that “Blues goaltender G Jonathan Iilahti has been loaned to Sport Vaasa (Finland, Mestis) until the Christmas break."
It is believed that Iilahti will replace G Erno Suomalainen with Sport Vaasa. Suomalainen is out with a long-term injury (shoulder).
Sport Vaasa confirmed Friday that Iilahti will challenge Joni Puurula for playing time.”
According to a Sport Vaasa release: “Iilahti comes from Espoo Blues on a loan agreement that lasts until the Christmas break, after which the situation will be revisited."
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By the way, it’s great to have Steve Ewen back churning out copy in the pages of The Province as he continues to kick the crap out of cancer. Keep on truckin’, Big Guy!
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THE COACHING GAME:
The AJHL’s Bonnyville Pontiacs have signed GM/head coach Chad Mercier to a five-year deal that runs through the 2015-16 season. Mercier, a former WHL goaltender and a Bonnyville native, has been filling those positions with the Pontiacs since April 2006. . . . The Pontiacs also promoted assistant coach Ryan Pollock to assistant GM/assistant coach and signed him to a five-year deal. Pollock has been an assistant coach with the Pontiacs for four seasons. . . .
The Moose Jaw Warriors announced Friday that Trevor Weisgerber is returning to the team as an assistant coach. He will work alongside new head coach Mike Stothers and returning assistant Mike Vandenberghe. There had been speculation that Weisgerber wouldn’t be returning after head coach Dave Hunchak’s contract wasn’t renewed following last season.
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JUST NOTES: The Moose Jaw Warriors also announced that athletic therapist Curtis Amiot has signed a multi-year contract. (No, they didn’t announce what multi-year means.) Amiot is heading into his seventh season in Moose Jaw. . . . F Ryan Harrison of the Everett Silvertips will go to camp with the Vancouver Canucks’ rookie team, which is to play in a tournament in Penticton, B.C. Harrison, 19, will open camp with the Silvertips before moving on to the Canucks. He had 19 points and 55 penalty minutes in 29 games with Everett after being acquired from Medicine Hat. He had put up 33 points in 40 games with the Tigers before the deal.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
     
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