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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What to read into openers? Not much . . . Silvertips add a veteran import . . . Child blanks Blades . . . Winterhawks on fire

Last game at Dodger Stadium for #VIN: pic.twitter.com/LEAK7kOnU1

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 26, 2016

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Two days after the third anniversary of her kidney transplant, Dorothy took part in the Kamloops Kidney Walk for a third time on Sunday.

Dorothy with friends who walked with her on Sunday: Mark
Hunter, Sue and Ron Burt, Tanya Hunter, and Jenn Ruemper,
with Logan and Brooklyn. Dorothy is holding Charlie Hunter
and his brother, Max, is in the stroller.

This one really was special as Dorothy and her friend, Margaret Thompson, were co-honourees. As such, they got to address the crowd before the Walk began. They also were presented with plaques by the Kamloops chapter of the Kidney Foundation of Canada (B.C. and Yukon Branch) in recognition of their “commitment to supporting others dealing with kidney disease and transplantation.” Both women have been instrumental in getting the Kamloops Kidney Support Group off the ground.

Now here’s where you come in . . . 

Organizers also presented Dorothy with a certificate recognizing her as the top fund-raiser in Kamloops. Thanks to all of you — family, friends and all of our friends in the hockey crowd — she raised $2,486, pushing her three-walk total to almost $8,000.

Thank you all so much for being with us over the past three years. Your support really means a lot.

Since Sept. 23, 2013, I can’t tell you how many hockey games I have been at during which someone has approached me and asked about Dorothy. I come home and tell her that (insert name here) asked about her and her face absolutely lights up. It means a lot to know that people care.

Again, thanks so much.

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Whatever you do, don’t read a whole lot into the first bunch of games in the WHL’s regular season.

At a guess, the WHL’s 22 teams played through the first weekend with as many as 80 of their best players in NHL camps.

The Kelowna Rockets, for example, had six players away as they played a home-and-home series with the Kamloops Blazers, who were missing three players. The Blazers won at home, 9-2, on Friday; the Rockets went home and won, 5-1, on Saturday.

Chatting about it after Friday’s game, Kamloops head coach Don Hay looked ahead to the next time, after opening weekend, the Rockets and Blazers will meet, which will be Nov. 1 in Kelowna.

“I think there are going to be a lot of changes. Both teams will look a whole lot different,” Hay said with a chuckle.

That is pretty much the story across the league.

The Calgary Hitmen, with seven players away, had 10 freshmen in their lineup, six of them playing their first WHL game, when they played host to the Kootenay Ice on Friday.

The Prince George Cougars, with six players away, swept a doubleheader from the Royals in Victoria. The Royals were without five skaters who likely will return sometime in the next few days.

“I’m not going to lose too much sleep because of starting 0-2,” Victoria head coach Dave Lowry said to Cleve Dheensaw of the Victoria Times Colonist. “If we’re 0-15, give me a call.”

The Regina Pats and Prince Albert Raiders split two games. Each team was missing five top-end players.

Perhaps the most interesting development came prior to a home-and-home series between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Red Deer Rebels.

The Oil Kings had two players — D Aaron Irving and F Lane Bauer — in camp with the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, who happen to own that city’s WHL franchise.

The Oilers returned both players in time for them to play in Red Deer on Friday. Irving scored 26 seconds into OT — Bauer had the secondary assist — to give Edmonton a 3-2 victory.

One night later, before 18,102 fans at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Bauer’s shootout goal gave the Oil Kings a 4-3 victory. In regulation time, Bauer had a goal and an assist, while Irving drew two assists.

The Rebels, meanwhile, were without five of their top players, none of whom are in camp with the Oilers.

Of course, that begs the question: Would the Oilers have returned Red Deer players to the Rebels in time for the opening weekend had there been any in their camp?

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There was news late Sunday of at least five WHLers on their way back from NHL camps.

F Hudson Elynuik, who will turn 19 on Dec. 10, will be rejoining the Spokane Chiefs after being with the Carolina Hurricanes, who selected him in the third round of the NHL’s 2016 draft. . . . The Calgary Flames returned four players to their WHL teams. . . . F Brayden Burke, 19, is returning to the Lethbridge Hurricanes after being with the Flames as a free-agent invitee. . . . D Aaron Hyman, 18, is rejoining the Calgary Hitmen after being with the Flames on a free-agent basis. . . . F Matt Phillips is headed back to the Victoria Royals. Phillips, 18, was a sixth-round pick by the Flames in 2016. . . . G Nick Schneider, 19, who signed with the Flames a year ago, has been returned to the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Even later on Sunday came word that the Detroit Red Wings had returned three free-agent skaters to WHL teams. . . . F Luke Coleman, 18, is on his way back to the Prince Albert Raiders. . . .  D Dylan Doghlan, 18, has been returned to the Tri-City Americans. . . . F Jeff de Wit, 18, will be rejoining the Red Deer Rebels.

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The Everett Silvertips have acquired Austrian F Dominic Zwerger, 20, from the Spokane Chiefs for a third-round selection in the WHL’s 2017 bantam draft. . . . Zwerger played in 189 regular-season

DOMINIC ZWERGER

games with the Chiefs, putting up 60 goals and 59 assists. He led the Chiefs with 27 goals last season. . . . However, Zwerger is a two-spotter — a 20-year-old import. Moving him out allows the Chiefs to get down the maximums of two imports and three 20-year-olds. They now are prepared to go with Czech freshmen forwards Ondrej Najman and Pavel Kousal. Najman is 18; Kousal is to turn 18 on Nov. 14. . . . Spokane’s 20s now are G Jayden Sittler, F Markson Bechtold and F Keanu Yamamoto. . . . Spokane’s roster now is at 26, including two goaltenders and 15 forwards. . . . Acquiring Zwerger left Everett with three imports, the other two being Slovakian F Mario Mucka, who turns 18 on Nov. 10, and Finnish F Eetu Tuulola, 18. Because of a rule prohibiting the trading of first-year import players, the Silvertips had to release one and the odd man out was Mucka, who had one assist in one game after recording one assist in six exhibition games. Tuulola had two goals and an assist in four exhibition games. A sixth-round pick by Calgary in the NHL’s 2016 draft, Tuulola is in camp with the Flames. . . . The acquisition of Zwerger also gets the Silvertips to three 20-year-olds, the others being F Graham Millar and F Lucas Skrumeda.

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The Kootenay Ice got its roster down to 25 players on Sunday by releasing three 16-year-olds — F Eli Lieffers, D Bobby Russell and D Loeden Schaufler. . . . Lieffers, 16, from Saskatoon, will return to the midget AAA Saskatoon Contacts. He was a fourth-round pick in the 2015 bantam draft. . . . Russell, 16, is from Langley, B.C. A sixth-round selection in the 2015 bantam draft, he will go back to the Valley West Hawks of the B.C. Major Midget League. . . . Schaufler, from Dewinton, Alta., was a third-round pick in 2015. He played last season with the midget AAA Notre Dame Hounds, but the Ice hasn’t yet found a place for him this season.

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The Saskatoon Blades all wore jerseys in honour of Gordie
Howe during Sunday's pregame warmup.(Photo: Darren Steinke)

It was Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon on Sunday as the ashes of Gordie Howe and his wife, Colleen, were interred near a statue of Howe at SaskTel Centre, the home of the Blades. Steve Hogle, the Blades’ president, is to be commended for all that went into this celebration of lives that included bringing in the legendary Bob Cole to be the event’s host.

Kevin Mitchell of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, who is a wonderful wordsmith and one of Canada’s best-kept secrets, has his take right here. There is a photo gallery at the bottom of Mitchell’s piece.

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With Vin Scully nearing the finish line, Mark Whicker of the Orange County Register writes:

“The sad irony is that baseball clubs have learned nothing from Scully. He stands for nothing they want.

“He is rigidly non-partisan and, most nights, discusses opposing players more than Dodgers. Scully finds anecdotes that you’ve never heard before, even in the information age. When someone mentioned that he must have great researchers, Scully shook his head. He does it all himself, right to the finish line.

“Nor is Scully interested in umpiring. He doesn’t like the superimposed strike zones that networks use. ‘The umpire has a hard enough job as it is,’ he said.”

Whicker’s piece — and it’s a good read — is right here.

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JUST NOTES:

Prior to Saturday’s home-opener, the Kelowna Rockets dedicated the game to the memory of Norbert Heinzelmann and his family. Heinzelmann, a longtime off-ice official, died on Sept. 2 at the age of 57. He had been a volunteer with the Rockets since the team’s first game in Kelowna in 1995. The Rockets beat the Kamloops Blazers, 5-1, in the Saturday game. . . . 

You may recall that the start of Saturday’s game between the Red Deer Rebels and Oil Kings in Edmonton was delayed 90 minutes after an hydraulic lift malfunctioned on the ice surface. You may be wondering what that machine was doing on the ice. A tweet from Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun: “Reason there was a hydraulic cherry picker on the ice before warm up? Photographer putting camera in scoreboard.”

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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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A quick look at the halftime stats shows Seattle with 311 yards and the 49ers for sale on Craigslist.

— John Blanchette (@JPBlanchette) September 25, 2016

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SUNDAY GAMES:

At Saskatoon, G Travis Child stopped 28 shots in recording his first WHL shutout as the Swift Current Broncos beat the Blades, 6-0. . . . Saskatoon had gone into Swift Current and dumped the Broncos 5-1 on Friday night. . . . The shutout came in Child’s 52nd appearance over three seasons, all with the Broncos. He’s a 19-year-old from Killam, Alta. . . . The Broncos got two goals and an assist from Calvin Spencer, while Finnish F Aleksi Heponiemi had four assists. F Brandan Arnold and F Tyler Steenbergen each had a goal and an assist. . . . Saskatoon G Brock Hamm stopped 25 shots. . . . The Broncos were 2-5 in the PP; the Blades were 0-5. . . . Announced attendance: 6,359.

——

At Portland, F Skyler McKenzie scored twice to help the Winterhawks to a 7-3 victory over the Tri-City Americans. . . . It was the second time in two nights that the Winterhawks (2-0-0) scored seven goals on home ice. They beat the Seattle Thunderbirds 7-3 on Saturday night. . . . Portland scored the game’s first three goals and led 3-0 at 13:24 of the first period. The Americans got it to 3-2 by 11:10 of the second, but Portland took control with the next two goals. . . . D Henri Jokiharju, F Evan Weinger and F Ryan Hughes each had a goal and an assist for Portland, while Ty Kolle and F Cody Glass had two assists apiece. . . . Tri-City (1-1-0) got a goal and an assist from F Tyler Sandhu and two assists from each of Dalton Yorke and Juuso Valimaki. F Michael Rasmussen scored his fifth goal in two games. . . . G Cole Kehler stopped 26 shots for Portland, four fewer than Tri-City’s Beck Warm. . . . The Winterhawks were 1-2 on the PP; the Americans were 1-3. . . . Announced attendance: 4,836.

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MONDAY GAMES (all times local):

No Games Scheduled.

——

TUESDAY GAME (all times local):

Prince George vs. Vancouver, at Langley, B.C., 7 p.m.

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More on the Blades . . .

A statement issued Friday by the Saskatoon Blades.

OK. So the Saskatoon Blades have been sold. Well, they have been according to at least one report.
But, then again, Jack Brodsky, who is the WHL franchise’s majority owner, and Mike Priestner, the Edmonton-based auto dealer who may, or may not, be first in line, say a deal hasn’t been done.
Ahh, who to believe?
I’m thinking that we go with Brodsky and Priestner, who admit that they are talking. Priestner, in fact, has told Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix that he plans on checking back with Brodsky on Tuesday, this being a long weekend up here. (Unless I missed it, Brodsky has yet to indicate why he suddenly is interested in divesting himself of the franchise, which makes the situation all the more interesting.)
I have been told that a deal is close, which is hardly news. I also have been told that the sale price appears to be $9.8 million, and if that is the case it will make other WHL franchise owners beyond happy. That is about $3 million more than the Kamloops Blazers sold for in 2007.
Yes, Priestner was involved in that situation, too.
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What follows is from a story I wrote in early August of 2007:
River City Hockey Inc. (RCH), a five-man group led by Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi and including four ex-Blazers players, made an offer of $6.1 million July 18. Under the terms of that offer, the shareholders would be bought out, the coaching staff would be retained and remaining monies after all expenses had been paid would go to the Kamloops Blazers Sports Foundation. As is standard in a lot of deals such as this, the society would terminate other front-office employees — and be liable for any severance packages. Those people then would be allowed to re-apply for the positions.
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At the time, Priestner had hired former WHL commissioner Dev Dley, then a Kamloops-based lawyer, to represent him. (Dley now is a B.C. Supreme Court justice.)
———
According to Dley, there would be minimum disruption to the organization under Priestner’s offer.
“He wants to keep the local shareholders involved so he will keep the shareholders intact,” said Dley, adding that Priestner would purchase 55 per cent of the franchise, leaving shareholders with 45. “The end result is that the community continues to own a portion of the team and there is a guarantee of money flowing into the foundation.
“It’s the best of both worlds . . . it’s the absolute best of both worlds.”
Dley added that what Priestner has done is "put a value on the team that is more than Gaglardi's people and then offered to buy the majority of the team."
Priestner’s offer, Dley said, also is worth “more (than RCH’s), and the actual details provide a much greater return to the community and on a longer term basis.”
———
A week later, this appeared in a story in The Daily News:
RCH was rebuffed in an attempt to purchase the franchise for $6 million early last summer (2006). RCH, which wants to purchase 100 per cent of the operation, came back July 18 with a second offer, this one for $6,100,176.
Mike Priestner sent an offer to board members Friday — he calls it a partnership proposal — that would have him take over 51 per cent of the franchise, with the society retaining 49 per cent. Priestner is offering to pay $3,626,100, something that would place a value of $7,110,000 on the Blazers.
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Of course, the Gaglardi group ended up purchasing the Blazers, paying somewhere above $6 million for the franchise. Should the Blades sell for anywhere above $9 million, the value of all WHL franchise certainly would increase.
And you may recall that True North Sports & Entertainment, which owns the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets, was sniffing around not that long ago, apparently interested in purchasing a WHL franchise.
You have to wonder if they still would be interested if the price of poker now is approaching $10 million.
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A second group that is hoping to purchase the Saskatoon Blades is hoping that it still is in the running. That group includes, among others, former Blades players Kelly Chase, Rhett Warrener and Dave Chartier. . . . Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix has more right here.
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Kevin Mitchell of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix takes a look right here at the history of the Blades’ ownership and wonders why Jack Brodsky wants out and also ponders the future.
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F Liam Stewart of the Spokane Chiefs has been named to the preliminary roster of Great Britain’s U-20 team that will play in the IIHF Division 1, Group B world championship. Great Britain will be playing at home, with the tournament to be held in Dumfries, Dec. 9-15. . . . Stewart, the son of legendary rocker Rod Stewart and model/actress Rachel Hunter, is one of 18 forwards on the preliminary roster. . . . The complete roster is right here.
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THE COACHING GAME:
The BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers have added Dave Johnston and Brad Leeb to their coaching staff as assistants under GM/head coach Mike Vandekamp. . . . They will the void created when Michael Olson left after last season. . . . Leeb, who played four seasons with the Red Deer Rebels, retired after playing last season with the Coventry Blaze of the U.K.’s Elite league. . . . Josh Aldrich of the Nanaimo Daily News reports that Johnston also will be the assistant GM and director of business operations. . . . Aldrich has more right here.
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One of the big stories of the next few months is going to involve Russia and it’s suddenly very public campaign against gays. So how did Russia get there from there? Mariam Elder of BuzzFeed explains right here.
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To boycott or not to boycott the Sochi Olympic Winter Games over Russia’s anti-gay stance, that is the question. Dave Zirin, from grantland.com, states his case right here.


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THE MacBETH REPORT:

F Dylan Sylvester (Kootenay, 2004-10) signed a one-year contract with the Vienna Capitals (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). He had 11 goals and 12 assists in 62 games with the Abbotsford Heat (AHL) this season.
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Morris Dalla Costa writes in Thursday’s London Free Press that Hockey Canada’s decision to give the 2015 and 2017 world junior tournaments to Toronto and Montreal is “a big screw-you junior hockey fans.” You know what? He’s right. . . . His complete column is right here.
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Peter Travers, the excellent movie critic for Rolling Stone, remembers James Gandolfini right here.
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We also lost writer/reporter Michael Hastings this week, killed in a car accident in Los Angeles early Tuesday. He was 33. Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone remembers Hastings right here.
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Kevin Mitchell of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix takes a look right here at Lorne Molleken and what all went into his decision to step aside as head coach of the Saskatoon Blades.
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The BCHL’s Surrey Eagles have hired Grant Ammann as their athletic therapist and equipment manager. Ammann had been with the Brandon Wheat Kings since 2010 as their athletic therapist. He is from Aldergrove, B.C.
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It appears that head coach Rob Daum, a former WHL coach, has firmed up his lineup with the Black Wings Linz of the Austrian Erste Bank Liga. . . . The last signing was F Jason Ulmer of Wilcox, Sask., who played the last two seasons with Red Bull München of the German DEL. This will be Ulmer’s 10th season in Europe.
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THE COACHING GAME:
Brent Belecki isn’t returning as the Red Deer Rebels’ goaltending coach. Belecki, who had been with the Rebels since 2010-11, worked with a pair of WHL goaltenders of the year in Darcy Kuemper (2010-11) and Patrik Bartosak (2012-13). . . . “We are going in a new direction with increasing the role of our goaltending coach,” Brent Sutter, the Rebels’ owner, general manager and head coach, said in a news release. “The increased role will involve working with prospects and our scouting staff. Unfortunately, Brent’s job as a firefighter in Calgary and with a young family, he was not able to commit to spending the time that is required for this expanded role.”
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Former NHLer Shean Donovan has joined the coaching staff of the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s as an assistant to head coach Chris Byrne, who also is the general manager. Donovan, a veteran of 15 NHL seasons, played three-plus seasons with the 67’s before going on to his pro career.
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The AJHL’s Sherwood Park Crusaders have hired Scott McNeill as their associate coach, to work alongside GM/head coach Tim Fragle. McNeill played three seasons with the AJHL’s Grande Prairie Storm before going on to Princeton U, only to have injuries end his career after a couple of seasons. He has spent three seasons coaching at Edmonton’s South Side Athletic Club.
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Former Everett Silvertips assistant coach Jay Varady was introduced Thursday as head coach of the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers. There’s more, including a video clip, right here. . . . When the Silvertips entered the WHL in 2003-04, Varady was an assistant coach under Kevin Constantine who, of course, returned to that position last week. . . . The other assistant coach was John Becanic, who now is a special consultant with the NAHL’s Topeka RoadRunners.
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From former Seattle Thunderbirds F Tyler Alos (@tyler_alos13): “Feels so good to skate. Especially with all the boys in spoke. Wish my head was healthy everyday. Appreciate it while it's there. #ifonly??”
Alos, who turned 20 on Jan. 27, is from Spokane. His 2012-13 season was ended by post-concussion syndrome that followed multiple brain injuries over two seasons. He announced his retirement on Dec. 3.


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.