Some European signings and lots of coaching news

F Konstantin Panov (Kamloops, 1998-2001) signed a one-year contract with Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk (Russia, KHL). Last season, he was an alternate captain with Traktor Chelyabinsk (Russia, KHL). He had 12 goals and 12 assists in 59 games. . . .
F Sergei Varlamov (Swift Current, 1995-98) signed a one-year contract with Donbass Donetsk (Ukraine, PHL).Varlamov only played for the Ukraine’s national team last season. He had one assist in three games at the IIHF Division 1A World championship. In 2013-14, with Donbass in the KHL, he had one goal and three assists in 39 games.
D Logan Stephenson (Tri-City, 2001-06) signed a one-year extension with the Tohoku Free Blades Hachinohe (Japan, Asia HL). Last season, he had five goals and seven assists in 43 games as the Free Blades won the league championship. . . .
D Tomáš Mojžíš (Moose Jaw, Seattle, 2000-03) signed a one-year extension with TPS Turku (Finland, Liiga). He had one goal and five assists in 45 games last season.
———
Got a tip or some information you feel could be useful to me, feel free to send an email to greggdrinnan@gmail.com.
———



Jason Christie (Saskatoon, 1986-90) is the new head coach of the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers. Christie, 46, spent the past four seasons as head coach of the ECHL’s Ontario Reign, winning at least 43 games each season. Christie, who is from Gibbons, Alta., is preparing for his 14th season as a head coach. He has 483 ECHL coaching victories, just nine behind John Marks, who holds down the all-time record. . . . In Tulsa, Christie takes over from Bruce Ramsay, who now is an assistant coach with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins.
——
Shawn Belle’s playing career over. Belle, a smooth-skating defenceman with the Regina Pats and Tri-City Americans (2001-05), has retired and signed on as an assistant coach with the AJHL’s Sherwood Park Crusaders. Belle, a 30-year-old from Edmonton, played the past four seasons in Europe. He and Wendell Hodgson, a veteran coach on the Alberta scene, were named assistant coaches on Thursday.
——
Cail MacLean is the first head coach in the history of the ECHL’s Adirondack Thunder. MacLean, 38, was introduced as head coach on Thursday. The Thunder is affiliated with the NHL’s Calgary Flames. . . . MacLean, who is from Middleton, N.S., spent two seasons (2011-13) as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat, which also was a Flames’ affiliate. He has previous head-coaching experience in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays (2009-11).
——
The AJHL’s Calgary Canucks have signed Jay Pylypuik as their new general manager and head coach. He had been the head coach of the midget AAA Calgary Royals. . . . Earlier, he was on the coaching staff of the AJHL’s Canmore Eagles for five years. . . . With the Canucks, he takes over from Ryan Barrett, who was fired as head coach earlier this month, and Chad Shiel, who resigned as GM shortly thereafter. . . . The Canucks have added Adam Redmond as an assistant coach. He had been the head coach of the midget AAA CFR Chemical Bisons, who play out of Strathmore, Alta. The Bisons had hired Redmond on June 28.
——
John Wroblewski is the new head coach of the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms. Wroblewski, 34, spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Rochester Americans. Prior to that, he was the head coach of the ECHL’s Gwinnett Gladiators for two seasons. . . . Wroblewski takes over from Anthony Noreen, who was there for four seasons and now is the head coach of the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears.
———




Trevor Heinzerling is the Seattle Thunderbirds’ new equipment manager. Last season, he was the equipment manager with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. Heinzerling takes over from Ben Calkins, who left to work as co-equipment manager with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. . . . The Thunderbirds open training camp on Aug. 24 in their home arena, the ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash.
——
In something of an early commitment, D Tyler Jubenvill has decided to attend Bemidji State and play for the Beavers. Jubenvill, who is from Gilbert Plains, Man., won’t turn 16 until Nov. 30. He was a ninth-round selection by the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL’s 2014 bantam draft. . . . Last season, he had eight goals and 21 assists with the midget AAA Parkland Rangers. He is expected to play with the MJHL’s Winkler Flyers in 2015-16.
———

1978-79 Victoria Cougars team photo. They were 2nd in the West Division that year & lost in the 2nd round to Portland pic.twitter.com/3NKwUWJZfr

— Victoria Cougars (@victoriacougars) July 23, 2015

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.