Charles Thomas (Stompin' Tom) Connors, OC
(February 9, 1936 – March 6, 2013)

Gee, wasn’t the start of last night’s NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs exciting!
There was Toronto F Frazer McLaren, one of the toughest hombres in the WHL during his days with the Portland Winterhawks and Moose Jaw Warriors (2003-08) fighting Ottawa F David Dziurzynski, who obviously was overmatched.
The teams had been playing for 26 seconds.
Dziurzynski, it’s safe to say, will be on the shelf for a while. After going down like a fallen tree, he had to be helped to the dressing room. Shortly after, the Senators announced that he has a concussion.
Following the game, Ottawa F Zack Smith, a product of the Swift Current Broncos (2004-08), told reporters that McLaren “was asking (Dziurzynski) to fight as soon as we got on the ice. That's what McLaren does."
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The WHL has suspended Victoria Royals head coach Dave Lowry and two of his players — D Keegan Kanzig and F Tim Traber — for their roles in shenanigans in the third period of a 6-0 loss to the Blazers in Kamloops on Tuesday night.
On Wednesday, I received a missive from someone who had read about the goings-on and took issue with (a) my use of a couple of words, and (b) a few other things. . . .
“In reading your article . . . I am confused by the terms ‘goofy’ – ‘It was at 3:22 of the third period when things began to get goofy‘ – and ‘silliness’ – ‘There was more silliness as the period progressed’.
“In between goofy and silliness, I read about a player face down, with another player on top of him, pulling his sweater hard enough that ‘he choked me out’ according to the face down player. The Kamloops goalie stated ‘He was right out’.
“My impression of events from your article, is that the Kamloops player lost consciousness due to the actions of a Victoria player. I was not there, so correct me if I am wrong, however, I find that action neither goofy nor silly. It is violence. If you did that on a sidewalk, you would likely be charged with assault. If you did that at school, you would likely be suspended.
“Why is it acceptable on the ice? Why are violent actions minimized in the newspaper? The offending player should be tossed for multiple games, if not permanently. I find it ridiculous that adults cheer when young kids (which is really what WHL players are) fight so violently.
“I was also very disappointed to hear about it as it was happening, as my sister was there, taking her 10-year-old son, with his team, to the game as part of Minor Hockey Night. My son was also there with his team. My sister was not impressed by the number of people cheering at the fights. I sadly thought ‘Wow – what a great example for our kids.’ I'm not sure how many kids were there to see it, but I'd guess quite a few.
“People get annoyed when the younger kids play rough, and expect the refs to deal with it, yet where do they think kids learn this? We need to call it what it is and get fighting out of the game PERIOD.
“My son has been in hockey longer than he has been in school, and learned many very important life skills from it so I am reluctant to say that I hate hockey, but I can see how people would get that opinion.”
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D Scott Ramsay played four seasons (2007-11) in the WHL, splitting time with the Chilliwack Bruins, Seattle Thunderbirds and Medicine Hat Tigers, before his career came to an end because of post-concussion syndrome.
It is downright chilling to hear the 21-year-old Ramsay talk about how he battled depression before getting his life back on track.
He admits that he tried all kinds of medication. “You name it . . . we had a drawerful,” he says.
He also talks about how his mother told him that she would have kicked him out of the family home had she not been aware of his struggles, and that she said he had become a terrible person.
The interview is part of the Bell Let’s Talk program and it’s right here. It is three minutes in duration and really is worth a listen.
These days, Ramsay attends the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, B.C. He is studying to become a registered nurse and, if all goes well, he will graduate in 2015.
(A stick tap to DK for this one.)
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D Joel Edmundson of the Kamloops Blazers has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the NHL’s St. Louis Blues.
He is the third WHLer to sign an entry-level deal with an NHL team this week. Earlier, F Taylor Peters of the Portland Winterhawks signed with the Dallas Stars and F Josh Nicholls of the Saskatoon Blades got a deal done with the New York Rangers.
Edmundson, 19, was a second-round selection, 46th overall, in the NHL’s 2011 draft.
From Brandon, Edmundson was a sixth-round pick by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL’s 2008 bantam draft. He played two-plus seasons with the Warriors before being dealt to the Blazers. In exchange for Edmundson, the Blazers surrendered defenceman Tyler Bell, 18, centre Jayden Halbgewachs, who plays for the midget AAA Regina Pat Canadians and had been Kamloops’ first-round pick in the 2012 bantam draft, and a first-round selection in the 2015 bantam draft.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Edmundson has 17 points in 32 games with the Blazers, after earning eight points in 29 games with Moose Jaw. In his WHL career, he has 68 points in 188 games.
While contract details aren’t yet available for Edmundson’s deal, capgeek.com has the numbers on Peters and Nicholls.
Peters, 20, signed as an undrafted free agent. He signed for NHL salaries of US$792,500, $842,500 and $925,000. His AHL salary would be $70,000 in each of three seasons. He also got a signing bonus of $277,500, payable in three instalments of $92,500.
Nicholls, 20, was a seventh-round pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL’s 2010 draft. He never signed with the Leafs, and the Rangers got him as a free agent. Nicholls signed for NHL salaries of US$667,500, $717,500 and $742,500. His AHL salary would be $70,000 for each season. And he got the same signing bonus as did Peters – three annual payments of $92,500.
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It is signing season for former WHL players, too, with two Manitoba Bisons headed to the ECHL’s Florida Everblades.
F Ty Dittmer, 25, is joining the Everblades, as is G Jesse Decker, 26.
Dittmer, from Brandon, played three-plus seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings (2004-08) and then played four seasons (2009-13) the Bisons.
Deckert, from Winnipeg, playing in the WHL with the Regina Pats, Tri-City Americans and Prince Albert Raiders (2002-07) before going on to spend four seasons (2009-13) with the Bisons.
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Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune takes a look right here at the Portland Winterhawks as they head into the last few games of the regular season.
Eggers ends his piece like this:
“It may be that the Hawks are a team of destiny after losing general manager/coach Mike Johnston early in the season as part of league sanctions, the severity of which have never been fully explained.
“It would be nice for the title to come to Portland, if only for the opportunity to see Ron Robison present the championship trophy following the final game.
“The commissioner is looking ahead to that possibility with more than a bit of apprehension, don’t you think?”
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The Tri-City Americans have added F Tyler Fraser, 15, to their roster. Fraser, a third-round selection in the 2012 bantam draft, played this season with the midget A-1 Cloverdale, B.C., Colts.

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The Kootenay Ice have added F Hudson Elynuik, who was a third-round selection in the 2012 bantam draft. He plays for midget AAA Northwest Calgary Athletic Association Flames. He is the son of former WHL F Pat Elynuik and a brother to Campbell, who also played in the league.

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As expected, the Saskatoon Blades have added D Kyle Schmidt, who turned 20 on Jan. 20, to their roster. He played 16 games with the Blades earlier in the season, then was assigned to the SJHL’s Battlefords North Stars, whose season has ended. Schmidt played 65 games with the Calgary Hitmen in 2010-11 and got into 61 with the Blades in 2011-12, so provides the Memorial Cup hosts with some experienced depth on the back end as the playoffs approach. . . . Meanwhile, the Blades are saying the F Michael Ferland, 20, is doubtful for their next game, Friday against the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers. Ferland left in the first period of Tuesday’s 9-5 loss to the Calgary Hitmen with an undisclosed injury.
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There was an Alberta midget AAA playoff game last night that was decided after 143 minutes and 20 seconds. Yes, they played into the fifth OT period before the Southside Athletic Club beat Sherwood Park, 1-0. . . . F Jake Debrusk scored the goal and G Jordan Papirny earned the shutout with 62 saves. . . . Game 5 in the best-of-five series will be played Friday.
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The matchups, if the WHL playoffs opened today:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Edmonton (1) vs. Kootenay (8)
Saskatoon (2) vs. Swift Current (7)
Calgary (3) vs. Medicine Hat (6)
Red Deer (4) vs Prince Albert (5)

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Portland (1) vs. Everett (8)
Kelowna (2) vs. Seattle (7)
Kamloops (3) vs. Victoria (6)
Tri-City (4) vs. Spokane (5)
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WEDNESDAY’S GAMES:
In Swift Current, G Justin Paulic turned aside 37 shots as the Moose Jaw Warriors beat the Broncos, 2-1. . . . With Daniel Wapple (concussion) still out, Paulic was making his 21st consecutive start. Paulic, who has gone the distance in each of those starts, is 19-22-8. . . . G Zach Sawchenko, 15, has joined the Warriors for the remainder of the season and was on the bench last night. He played for the midget AAA Notre Dame Argos, whose season is over. . . . Moose Jaw F Brayden Point’s 19th goal, at 14:03 of the first period, gave his side a 2-0 lead and the Warriors went on to victory. . . . F Sam Fioretti drew two assists for the Warriors. . . . Moose Jaw F Miles Warkentine (knee) was back from a four-game absence. . . . The Broncos remain tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference. They and the Medicine Hat Tigers are three points ahead of the Kootenay Ice. . . .

In Prince Albert, F Elliott Peterson scored the game’s last two goals as the Calgary Hitmen edged the Raiders, 4-3. . . . Peterson, a 17-year-old freshman from Saskatoon, has four goals in 34 games. He also had an assist last night. He now has 11 points. . . . Raiders F Mark McNeill, with one goal in his previous 15 games, got No. 22 in the second period to give his guys a 3-1 lead. . . . Calgary F Cody Sylvester pulled the Hitmen to within one at 12:00 of the second on a power play. . . . Sylvester also had an assist, giving him nine points in slightly more than 24 hours. . . . A scoring adjustment was made sometime after Calgary’s 9-5 victory over the Blades in Saskatoon on Tuesday and Sylvester ended up with a goal and six assists. Yes, they added an assist to his totals. . . . Calgary G Chris Driedger stopped 38 shots. . . . F Leon Draisaitl, a freshman from Germany, scored his 20th goal of the season for Prince Albert. . . . The Raiders have lost three in a row, but they clinched a playoff spot when the Lethbridge Hurricanes lost. . . . Prince Albert’s loss allowed the idle Saskatoon Blades to clinch first place in the East Division. The Blades will go into the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed, meaning they will play the No. 7 seed. . . . The Raiders are fifth in the conference and now trail Red Deer by six points. . . .

In Regina, F Michael St. Croix rang up his seventh career hat trick, leading the Oil Kings to a 6-3 victory over the Pats. . . . The Oil Kings scored the game’s last four goals, all in the third period, as they overcame a 3-2 deficit. . . . St. Croix scored two of those goals — he’s got 36 — and also had an assist. He scored eight goals in four games against Regina this season. . . . The Oil Kings have won four in a row. . . . Edmonton F T.J. Foster had a goal, his 27th, and two assists, while F Trevor Cheek drew three assists. . . . Edmonton had a 38-14 shot advantage. . . . Edmonton lost D David Musil to a clipping major for a hit on Regina F Dyson Stevenson at 1:04 of the second period. . . . Regina D Colton Jobke returned from injury. He hadn’t played since Jan. 19. . . . However, Regina D Colby Williams left with a suspected concussion after taking a hit from D Stephen Shmoorkoff. . . . The Oil Kings lead the Eastern Conference with 99 points, eight fewer than the Portland Winterhawks, who lead the overall standings. . . .

In Lethbridge, G Patrik Bartosak stopped 39 shots as the Red Deer Rebels dumped the Hurricanes, 4-0. . . . Bartosak has five shutouts this season and six in his career. This season, he has an incredible .936 save percentage. . . . F Turner Elson scored the game’s first two goals, one on the power play and the other shorthanded. . . . Lethbridge hasn’t scored even one goal in its last three home games. . . . Hurricanes captain Graham Hood played in his 300th regular-season game, and he left early with a boarding major for a hit on D Devan Fafard at 3:54 of the second period. . . . The Hurricanes are six points out of a playoff spot with six games remaining. . . . Red Deer, which has won four in a row, is fourth in the Eastern Conference, six points ahead of Prince Albert. . . .

In Spokane, the Seattle Thunderbirds overcame a 2-0 deficit and beat the Chiefs, 4-2. . . . Seattle D Shea Theodore scored his 17th goal at 6:36 of the third period, on the PP, to tie the game. . . . Seattle F Connor Sanvido got his 14th, while shorthanded, at 8:01. . . . Seattle F Riley Sheen then added his13th into an empty net. . . . Seattle F Luke Lockhart had two assists. . . . The Chiefs had their five-game winning streak snapped. . . . Spokane D Tyler King returned to the lineup after being out since Jan. 25 with an undisclosed injury. . . . Seattle G Brandon Glover stopped 27 shots. That included a penalty shot by D Brenden Kichton at 16:20 of the third period with Seattle leading 3-2. . . . Seattle moved into sole possession of seventh in the Western Conference, two points ahead of the Everett Silvertips. . . . Each team has five games left. . . . The Chiefs are fifth, one point behind the Tri-City Americans. . . .

In Kelowna, F Rourke Chartier scored in the sixth round of the circus to give the Rockets a 4-3 victory over the Victoria Royals. . . . F Austin Carroll gave the Royals a 3-2 lead at 18:45 of the third perid, only to have D Madison Bowey get his second of the game, and 12th of the season, 27 seconds later to force OT. . . . With head coach Dave Lowry having been suspended by the WHL for goings-on in Kamloops the previous night, assistant Enio Sacilotto served as head coach for the first time. He is a veteran coach, having spent a long time coaching in Europe. . . . The Rockets were without F Myles Bell, their leading scorer. Bell, who suffered a leg injury in a 3-0 loss in Kamloops on Sunday, took the pregame warmup last night and then departed. . . . Due to injuries, illness and suspensions, the Royals, who are two games into a stretch of five games in six nights, dressed seven defencemen and nine forwards. . . . Victoria scratched nine skaters last night, including D Keegan Kanzig and F Tim Traber, who were suspended by the WHL for their actions in Kamloops on Tuesday night. As well, the Royals scratched F Logan Nelson, saying he was ill. He left the game in Kamloops at 19:10 of the third period and appeared to be favouring his left leg. . . . The Royals had D Chaz Reddekopp, the 13th overall selection in the 2012 bantam draft, make his WHL debut last night. Reddekopp plays for the midget AAA team at the Pursuit of Excellence in Kelowna. . . . Victoria also used F Matthew Campese, the 49th selection in that draft, for a second straight game. . . . Victoria F Alex Gogolev, the team’s leading scorer, missed his 14th straight game. . . . The B.C. Division-leading Rockets, who won seven of eight from Victoria this season, now hold a three-point lead on Kamloops and Kelowna has a game in hand. They’ll play Friday in Kamloops and Saturday in Kelowna. . . . The Royals appear headed to a sixth-place finish in the Western Conference.
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CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT:
F Levi Bews, Swift Current

CHECKING-TO-THE-HEAD COUNT:
None
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From Tri-City Americans F Malte Stromwall (@stroms15): “Finally in tri after the nightmare roadtrip!”
The Americans road the bus to Prince George on Sunday, played a Monday-Tuesday doubleheader, and headed for home immediately after dropping a 3-0 decision in the second game. Tri-City had won the opener, 6-3.
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From Edmonton Oil Kings F Curtis Lazar (@CurtisLazar95): “Just realized I forgot to roll up the rim on the coffee I drank today . . . #amateur #hopeless #imadud”


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THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Rudolf Cerveny (Regina, 2007-09) was assigned on loan by Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic, Extraliga) to Mlada Boleslav (Czech Republic, 1.Liga). He has two goals and one assist in 14 games with Ceske Budejovice this season. . . .
F Radek Duda (Regina, Lethbridge, 1998-2000) was released by Chomutov (Czech Republic, Extraliga) and signed to a contract for the rest of this season by Liberec (Czech Republic, Extraliga). He had two goals and 12 assists in 19 games for Chomutov prior to his release. . . .
F Marek Ivan (Lethbridge, Moose Jaw, 1996-98) was released by Novy Jicin (Czech Republic, 2.Liga). He had seven goals and eight assists in 10 games for Novy Jicin this season.
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There were 221 responses to the latest poll that was posted over there on the right.
The question was: Who gets most of the blame for the NHL lockout?
And there wasn’t much doubt which way y’all are leaning.
The NHL owners got 81 votes (36 per cent), with commissioner Gary Bettman close behind at 78 and 35 per cent.
NHL players got 35 votes (15 per cent), with Donald Fehr, the NHLPA’s executive director, drawing 27 votes (12 per cent).
You will note a new poll over there on the right. The teams are shown in the order of the Western Conference standings after Sunday’s game.
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The Name the Line contest ended Saturday at midnight PST.
I hope to be able to announce a winner at some point this week.
Thanks to those who took part.
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JUST NOTES:
The Saskatoon Blades will be without D Kyle Schmidt, 19, for six to 10 weeks after he suffered an undisclosed injury in Saturday’s 9-2 loss to the Rockets in Kelowna. The Blades already were without D Dalton Thrower (suspected concussion) and D Duncan Siemens, who is in Sherwood Park, Alta., with his father who is ill but apparently feeling better. . . . Lorne Molleken, the Blades’ general manager and head coach, told the Saskatoon StarPhoenix that Thrower, F Shane McColgan and F Brett Stovin may return to action this week. . . . The Blades don’t get much opportunity to rest as they meet the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes on Tuesday. . . .
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You will recall that prior to this season the OHL put a10-fight limit on its players. It’s interesting that fighting is down 20 per cent in the OHL. And the players don’t sound at all upset, not even the guy who fought 37 times last season. Jeff Z. Klein of The New York Times has more right here.
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SUNDAY’S GAME:
F Carter Rigby struck for three goals to lead the visiting Kelowna Rockets to an 8-2 victory over the Everett Silvertips. . . . The goals were the first of the season for Rigby, who just returned last week after missing 12 games with a shoulder injury. . . . Kelowna G Jackson Whistle ran his record to 6-0-0. He’s got a 1.20 GAA and a .955 save percentage. . . . The Rockets won three games in three nights over the weekend, outscoring the opposition, 22-5. . . . F Tyler Sandhu scored his ninth goal of the season for Everett. Sandhu, 16, leads the Silvertips in goals. . . . How good are the Rockets? "They're a good hockey team," Everett head coach Mark Ferner told Nick Patterson of the Everett Herald. "They're well coached and have a tremendous amount of talent. They're as good as we've faced this year."
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CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT:
D Ben Betker, Everett

CHECKING-T0-THE-HEAD COUNT:
None
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TWEET OF THE DAY:
From Calgary Hitmen F Calder Brooks (@CalderBrooks): “The merging lane on to the highway is useless if you’re going 40. #mixinawater”
Ain’t that the truth!
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From Vancouver Giants F Anthony Ast (@AAST18): “Goodbye Twitter, it’s been real.”

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.

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Stepan Novotny (Kelowna, Swift Current, 2008-11), released last week by Liberec (Czech Republic, Extraliga), signed a one-year contract with Kosice (Slovakia, Extraliga). He was pointless in six games with Liberec.
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In the past, I have written here about the relationship between the Tri-City Americans and Jessi Smith, a young superfan who has had more than her share of medical problems brought on by Down Syndrome. Along the way, these problems claimed her sight.
And through it all she has had an amazing relationship with Tri-City players. Oh, she also is a member of the Tri-City Hockey Booster Club.
Here is the latest, from teacher Dawn Johnson:
“As you may remember, I've written you for the last few years about Adam Hughesman and Kruise Reddick mini-putting with blindfolds to mimic Jessi's first attempt after losing her sight.
“Then last year, I was touched by Kruise texting Justin Feser to ensure that Jessi had a partner since Kruise had graduated, and Adam was at an NHL camp. Justin asked Mitch Topping to join him, and the two made sure that Jessi had a wonderful day.”
Which bring us to this year, Dawn writes.
“The dates of the event are picked with about a month's notice, and Jessi and her family were disappointed that they wouldn't be able to attend as they had scheduled their vacation at that time (it was held on Sept. 9). That just wasn't good enough for Justin and Mitch, so last weekend Justin and Mitch played a second time — four weeks later the two players went to Golf Universe and met Jessi there to ensure she was able to play a round with ‘her hockey boys.’
“I definitely think that Justin and Mitch deserve to be recognized for going above and beyond!”
This is a terrific story, one that just keeps on giving.
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D Seth Jones, who at this point is looked at as potentially one of the first two selections in the NHL’s 2013 draft, is doing just fine in the early going of his first season with the Portland Winterhawks. . . . “It has been pretty good,” Jones told Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post after a 3-2 OT loss to the host Regina Pats on Tuesday. . . . At that point, Jones had two assists in eight games. . . . “My numbers aren’t really showing how good I think I’m playing right now,” Jones added. “I think I’m playing very solid. I’m moving the puck pretty well. I think my time with the puck has been exceptional. I obviously expected it to be a little tougher than what I came from. Now I’m really starting to get a feel for the level and the skillset in this league. Hopefully, I can produce a little bit more for my team but I think I’m playing pretty well right now.” . . . Jones had a goal and an assist in a 4-0 victory over the Blades in Saskatoon last night.
Harder’s complete story is right here.
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First, they assigned him; then they signed him.
The AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs assigned D Antoine Corbin, 20, to the Prince Albert Raiders on Wednesday morning. Later in the day, the Montreal Canadiens’ AHL affiliate announced that it had signed Corbin to a one-year AHL contract.
Corbin had been in Hamilton’s training camp on a free-agent tryout.
The Raiders had acquired Corbin from the Kelowna Rockets on Nov. 18, 2010, for a third-round pick in the 2012 bantam draft.
In 118 regular-season games with the Raiders, Corbin had 52 points, including 20 goals.
The Raiders are left with three 20-year-olds — D Davis Vandane, who was acquired last week from the Spokane Chiefs, F Anthony Bardaro, who came over from Spokane last season, and G Luke Siemens, an offseason acquisition from the Moose Jaw Warriors.
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The Saskatoon Blades have placed D Connor Cox on waivers in order to get down to three 20-year-olds. Cox led Saskatoon defencemen in assists (38) and plus-minus (plus-26) last season. This season, he had three assists in seven games. . . . The Blades got Cox from the Moose Jaw Warriors on Nov. 11, 2010, for a second-round pick in the 2011 bantam draft. . . . In 219 regular-season WHL games, Cox has 86 points. . . . The move leaves Saskatoon with F Adam Kambeitz, F Josh Nicholls and F Brenden Walker as its 20s. . . . The Blades also brought back D Kyle Schmidt, 19, who was in training camp with Saskatoon before being assigned to the SJHL’s Battlefords North Stars.
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The Kelowna Rockets have dealt F Austin Ferguson, 17, to the Red Deer Rebels for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2013 bantam draft. . . . Ferguson, from Abbotsford, B.C., has four points in 58 career regular-season games. He was a 10th-round pick by Kelowna in the 2010 bantam draft. . . . Ferguson had been one of 15 forwards on Kelowna’s roster. . . .
The legendary Bob Ridley (@BobRidley_CHAT) let his twitterverse know yesterday that the Medicine Hat Tigers continue to be without F Jayden Hart “due to an unspecified illness. Will be examined by specialists this week.” . . .
As mentioned here previously, G Tyler Fuhr of the Vancouver Giants is from Sherwood Park, Alta., but he isn’t related to Grant Fuhr, the former Edmonton Oilers goaltender. It seems, however, that the two have met. Earlier this summer, the younger Fuhr was headed to Palm Springs, Calif., to visit grandparents when he spotted Fuhr, the elder, in an airport. "I went over,” Tyler tells Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province, “and said, ‘Hi,' and told him, 'My name is Tyler Fuhr and I'm a goalie, too.’ He laughed. I thought it was pretty cool."
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WEDNESDAY’S STUFF:
G Mac Carruth earned the shutout as the visiting Portland Winterhawks beat the Saskatoon Blades, 4-0. . . . Carruth, 20, made his first start of the season for Portland since returning from the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. . . . G Cam Lanigan, 20, was scratched by Portland for a second straight game. . . . Carruth stopped 26 shots, including just one in the third period, in recording his fifth career shutout. . . . The Blades now have lost four in a row and been outscored 23-5 in the process. They are 0-4-0 at home. . . . Portland F Preston Kopeck scored his first two WHL goals 25 seconds apart to break a scoreless tie early in the second period. . . . Winterhawks D Seth Jones scored his first WHL goal. . . . Portland plays the red-hot Raiders in Prince Albert on Friday. . . . The Blades head out on the road for three in three nights. They’ll play Friday in Cranbrook against the Kootenay Ice, Saturday in Lethbridge and Sunday in Medicine Hat. . . .

The Kamloops Blazers ran their record to 6-0-1 with a 5-2 victory over the visiting Victoria Royals. . . . The Blazers, leading 1-0 after one, took control in the second period, outshooting the Royals 17-0 and outscoring them 2-0. . . . D Sam Grist, acquired by Kamloops from the Tri-City Americans on Tuesday, wasn’t in the Blazers’ lineup. He is expected to play Friday against the visiting Spokane Chiefs. . . . Kamloops D Tyler Hansen (concussion), who hasn’t played since Sept. 22, also is expected in the lineup for that one. . . .

The Edmonton Oil Kings were excellent on the penalty kill as they doubled the host Medicine Hat Tigers, 4-2. . . . Edmonton successfully killed eight of nine Medicine Hat power plays, including four 5-on-3s. . . . Edmonton G Laurent Brossoit made 34 saves, showing that he is closer to regaining last season’s form. . . . D Keegan Lowe (foot) returned to Edmonton’s lineup after missing four games. . . .

F Mitch Holmberg scored twice to help the Spokane Chiefs to a 6-4 victory over the Rockets in Kelowna. . . . Holmberg leads the WHL with nine goals and has scored in each of his club’s six games. Last season, he had 27 goals in 66 games. . . . Kelowna’s Myles Bell, a defenceman who is playing on a forward line, had three assists. With 14 points, he shares the WHL scoring lead with Kamloops F JC Lipon. . . . Kelowna G Jordon Cooke made his eighth straight start. . . . Kelowna F Carter Rigby (shoulder) left the game in the first period. . . . Spokane (5-1-0) has won three in a row. The Chiefs are in Kamloops on Friday. . . .

The Prince George Cougars were credited with only two assists as they scored a 5-4 victory over the Kootenay Ice in Cranbrook. . . . F Brett Roulston broke a 3-3 tie at 17:20 of the second period with his first WHL goal, an unassisted effort. . . . Kootenay D Joey Leach tied it at 2:49 of the third with his second goal of the game. . . . F Jari Erricson got the winner, unassisted, at 10:39. . . . The Cougars successfully killed off a major penalty to F Zach Pochiro for checking from behind shortly after Erricson’s goal. . . . The Ice held a 39-17 edge in shots. . . . The Cougars now are 5-1-1 as they head for Lethbridge and a Friday date with the Hurricanes.
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CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT:
D Jeff Hubic, Kootenay
F Zach Pochiro, Prince George (major)
F Henrik Nyberg, Kelowna

CHECKING-TO-THE-HEAD COUNT:
None.
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TWEET OF THE DAY:
D Griffin Reinhart (@GriffinReinharrt) of the Edmonton Oil Kings sometimes calls for questions from his Twitter followers. He was doing that yesterday afternoon.
“@RKENNY93: @GriffinReinhart who do you like more Sam or Max? Neither . I like my dog mojo the most.”
And a question from Sam Reinhart (@SamsonReinhart): “@GriffinReinhart I have a quick question for you. Are you this rude in person or am I mistaken by your tone over the screen?”
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For today’s good read, check out this piece right here by Bonnie D. Ford of espn.com.
She pretty much lays bare the myth of Lance Armstrong.


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The Kamloops Blazers assigned F Brock Balson, 19, to an undisclosed junior A team on Monday. Balson was a third-round selection by the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2008 bantam draft. He joined the Blazers last season from the BCHL’s Salmon Arm SilverBacks and had six points in 42 games with the Blazers. . . .
With the move, Kamloops is down to 25 players. That doesn’t include D Austin Madaisky, 20, who has been assigned by the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets to the AHL’s Springfield Falcons. That leaves Kamloops with three 20-year-olds — F Brendan Ranford, F Dylan Willick and F Jordan DePape, who finished the exhibition season playing on the same line. . . .
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The Saskatoon Blades are down to 23 players after assigning D Kyle Schmidt, 19, to the SJHL’s Battlefords North Stars and G Patrick Johnson, 19, to the SJHL’s Melfort Mustangs. Schmidt, from Waldheim, Sask., was acquired last season from the Calgary Hitmen and had 12 points in 61 games with the Blades. Johnson, from Saskatoon, got into one game with the Blades last season. . . .
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The Moose Jaw Warriors have assigned F Darcy DeRoose, 17, to the SJHL’s Estevan Bruins and F Brayden Cuthbert, 18, to the SJHL’s Melville Millionaires. Cuthbert is awaiting medical clearance after not having played since suffering a concussion on Jan. 22, 2011. . . .
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The Spokane Chiefs assigned F Markson Bechtold, 16, to the midget UFA Bisons, who play out of Strathmore, Alta. Bechtold was a third-round selection in the 2011 bantam draft. . . .

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The Brandon Wheat Kings have trimmed G Jordan Papirny, 16, from their roster which means they will open the season with Corbin Boes, 19, and Curtis Honey, 18, as their goaltenders. . . . Papirny was a first-round selection in the 2011 bantam draft. . . . Brandon also released F Dominic Favreau, 20, leaving it with three 20s – F Nick Buonassisi, D Ryley Miller and D Tyler Yaworski. . . . Favreau spent two seasons in Brandon after being acquired from the Regina Pats for D Mark Schneider. Last season, Favreau had 18 points in 42 games with Brandon. . . . The Wheat Kings got down to 26 players by also assigning F Kailum Gervais, F Kyler Hehn, 17, and F Hunter Smith, 17. . . .
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The Vancouver Giants, with one victory in six exhibition games, made some significant moves on Monday, especially considering that they came four days before the start of the regular season.
Vancouver acquired F Tanner Moar, 18, and F Stewart Coyle, 17, from the Kelowna Rockets for a fourth-round selection in the 2014 bantam draft and a sixth-round pick in 2015.
The Giants also picked up F Tristan Sieben, 18, from the Edmonton Oil Kings for a sixth-round pick in the 2014 bantam draft. Sieben, from Edmonton, played 34 games with the Oil Kings last season, picking up 14 points.
Moar, from Canwood, Sask., had eight points in 65 games with Kelowna last season. At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, he brings some size to the Giants’ forward ranks, something that has been lacking of late.
Coyle, 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, played last season with the junior B Sicamous Eagles of the Kootenay International league. He had five points in 22 games with the Eagles. In four exhibition game with the Rockets, he had three points. Coyle is from Sicamous.
The Giants now have 29 players on their roster, including injured F Arvin Atwal, so more moves are imminent.
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The Prince Albert Raiders have traded G Cole Holowenko, 19, to the Everett Silvertips for G Andy Desautels, 18, and D Evan Morden, 19.
Desautels, from White City, Sask., played last season with the SJHL’s Flin Flon Bombers, going 3.64, .899 in 25 games. His arrival leaves the Raiders still with three goaltenders, the other two being Luke Siemens, 20, who was acquired over the summer from the Moose Jaw Warriors, and Rylan Parenteau, a 16-year-old from Saskatoon.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Morden, from Swan River, Man., is prepping for his third WHL season. He had 13 points and 92 penalty minutes in 114 games over the last two seasons.
Holowenko, from Penticton, B.C., was 13-26-2, 3.98, .890 in 47 games as a freshman with the Raiders last season.
The Silvertips then got down to two goaltenders by assigning 6-foot-7 Troy Trombley, 18, to the SHL’s Melville Millionaires. That leaves Holowenko and sophomore Austin Lotz, 17, to mind the twine in Everett.
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The Tri-City Americans got down to 27 players by dropping G Luke Lee-Knight, 19, F Dallin Wolf, 18, and F Dylan Schellenberg, 19. . . . Lee-Knight, from Calgary, played 22 games in the WHL last season, splitting them with the Spokane Chiefs and Prince Albert Raiders. . . . Lee-Knight’s departure means that freshman Brenden Fiebelkorn, 17, of Winnipeg will back up sophomore G Eric Comrie. . . . Wolf has been returned to the junior B Kimberley Dynamiters of the Kootenay International league. He had 14 points and 135 penalty minutes in 39 games there last season. . . . Schellenberg, from Drumheller, split last season between the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons and Camrose Kodiaks. . . . The Americans are carrying two goaltenders, nine defencemen and 16 forwards.
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It would seem that the Seattle Thunderbirds are down to three 20-year-olds — G Brandon Glover, F Luke Lockhart and F Brendan Rouse.
Deagle (@BraDeagle92) tweeted this on Monday: “Was fortunate to meet a lot of great people in Seattle made many new friends and a lot of new brothers! Going to miss it #thunderbeauties.”
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G Keith Hamilton, who has WHL experience with the Portland Winterhawks and Victoria Royals, has signed with the QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar. . . . Hamilton, a 20-year-old from Kelowna, was 20-31-5, 4.10, .880 with Victoria last season. He was released by the Royals last week as they worked to get down to the maximum three 20-year-olds. . . . The signing of Hamilton was first reported by Parlons junior, a Quebec-based website.

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DEPT. OF CH-CH-CHING:
Pat Conacher, the head coach of the Regina Pats, has been fined $500 for comments he made to the Regina Leader-Post’s Greg Harder after a 3-2 OT loss to the visiting Kootenay Ice on Wednesday.
It always is interesting when someone associated with a team is critical of the officials because it hardly ever happens in the vanilla world of the WHL.
In the interests of clarity, here’s what happened. . . . The Pats lost 3-2 on a PP goal by Sam Reinhart scored on a back-door play at 3:32 of exta time. Regina D Brandon Davidson was in the penalty box at the time.
Anyway, here’s what Harder wrote (that applause you hear is coming from other WHL coaches, none of whom are likely to help Conacher pay the fine despite their feelings):
Afterwards, Pats head coach Pat Conacher was less-than impressed with the work of referees Chris Crich and Cole Hamm.
“Those guys don’t work hard enough to get down the ice and they’re definitely not together. They’re lazy getting up the ice,” said Conacher, who referred to the penalty against Davidson as a “very bad call both ways.”
“There should have been an interference call on Jordan Weal (late in the third) and there could have been a holding call on Dyson Stevenson at the blue line. Then they come down and call that on Brandon. I’m going, ‘Come on guys, give us a break.’ ”
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DEPT. OF JUSTICE:
Richard Doerksen, the WHL’s vice-president, hockey, hit D Dylan McIlrath of the Moose Jaw Warriors with an eight-game suspension on Friday, the result of a check to the head of Victoria Royals D Jesse Zgraggen on Wednesday.
As a result, McIlrath sat out the Warriors’ 6-5 OT victory over the visiting Kootenay Ice on Friday night. Zgraggen, who is concussed, sat out the Royals’ 6-4 victory over the Raiders in Prince Albert.
The WHL doesn’t do video explanations, but here is what was posted: “Primary contact was made to the head of the opponent. The hit resulted in an injury to the opponent. This is the second suspension the player has received this season.”
Doerksen is going to be busy for the next day or two, as well.
Three players left games last night with major penalties and game misconducts.
In Swift Current, Broncos D Colby Cave took a charging major and game misconduct for a hit on Edmonton Oil Kings F Mason Geertsen, who left the ice on a stretcher and was taken to hospital.
In Prince Albert, Raiders F Austin Bourhis was given a charging major and a game misconduct.
In Calgary, D Alex Roach of the Hitmen took a major and game misconduct for a check to the head.
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You often hear WHL players say something about “Living the life.” Oftentimes it is said with tongue planted firmly in cheek.
Like this Friday afternoon tweet from Edmonton Oil Kings D Mark Pysyk before a game in Swift Current against the Broncos:
“If you absolutely love pasta I challenge you to join a hockey team for a year, and see if you still feel the same. #breakfast #lunch #dinner”
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And then there was this Twitter exchange between Regina D Brandon Davidson and Medicine Hat G Tyler Bunz, both of whom are Edmonton Oilers’ draft picks . . . It went like this:
Bunz: “Game in Regina tonight against @bdavy3 . Keep your head up kid;) #throwingbows”
Davidson: “@tylerbunz wondering where to shoot tonight? Ill see if u got a quick chest first and go from there #cheese?;)”
Bunz: “@bdavy3 last time you went Chee it didn't go to well;) maybe if you shoot through screens like you always do you'll bury again #shothaseyes”
Davidson: “@tylerbunz ahhh true...true. Don't remind me :s #seeyaafter”
So what happened later? Well, Davidson had one assist and Bunz stopped 32 shots. And the Tigers won 3-2 in OT.
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JUST NOTES:
In the OHL, F Brody Silk of the Sudbury Wolves drew a 12-game suspension for a “blow to the head of an unsuspecting player.” Silk punched F Ryan Strome of the Niagara IceDogs in the head during a scrum on Jan. 13. Strome, selected fifth overall by the New York Islanders in the NHL’s 2011 draft, ended up with multiple facial fractures and a broken nose. He has undergone surgery. Strome played for Canada at the recently completed World Junior Championship. . . . In the BCHL last night, the Penticton Vees ran their winning streak to 24 games with a 4-0 victory over the visiting Westside Warriors. The Vees next play Sunday when they are at home to the Prince George Spruce Kings. . . .
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F Brett Connolly of the Tampa Bay Lightning played six minutes 28 seconds over 11 shifts in a 2-1 victory over the host Dallas Stars last night. He played six shifts in the first period, three in the second and two in the third. He didn’t have any shots on goal, but took two tripping minors. . . . Hello, Steve, this is Bob Tory calling. Yeah, Tri-City Americans. . . .
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 FRIDAY’S GAMES:
In Regina, F Cole Grbavac’s OT goal gave the Medicine Hat Tigers a 3-2 victory over the Pats. . . . Grbavac, the team captain, scored his seventh goal of the season at 2:07 of extra time. . . . Regina F Lane Scheidl forced OT with his 16th goal at 8:18 of the third. . . . F Emerson Etem got his 40th goal of the season for the Tigers. . . . Emerson now has at least one goal in nine straight games, the longest such streak in all of the CHL this season. . . . The Tigers are at home to the Swift Current Broncos tonight. . . . F Jordan Weal had a goal, his 29th, and an assist for Regina. . . . The Pats have lost three in a row. . . .

In Swift Current, D Mark Pysyk scored twice and added an assist to help the Edmonton Oil Kings to a 6-1 victory over the Broncos. . . . The victory was Edmonton’s 31st of the season, tying the modern franchise record that was set last season. . . . Pysyk has five goals this season. . . . The Oil Kings scored the game’s first six goals and took a 5-0 lead into the second period. . . . Edmonton F Tyler Maxwell opened the scoring for the fourth straight game. He finished with two goals, giving him 27. . . . Edmonton F Mason Geertsen was injured late in the game when he took a hit from D Colby Cave in front of the Oil Kings’ bench. Geertsen received attention from both trainers, a doctor and EMT personnel before leaving the ice on a stretcher. . . . Cave was given a charging major and game misconduct, so almost certainly is looking at a suspension. . . . The Broncos took 93 of the game’s 151 penalty minutes as handed out by referee Nathan Wieler. . . . There were eight fighting majors. . . . Edmonton G Tristan Jarry, getting into his eighth game of the season, stopped 21 shots. Jarry, 16, is 5-2-0, 2.60, .906 . . . Shortly after the game had ended, the Oil Kings tweeted: “Mason Geertsen has gone to the hospital, hes conscious and alert the early indications seem positive.” . . . That was followed shortly after by: “Word from the Trainers is everything is OK with Mason Geertsen will remain in observation over night. #GetWellSoonMase” . . .

In Moose Jaw, F Andrew Johnson scored twice, including the OT winner, as the Warriors dumped the Kootenay Ice, 6-5. . . . Johnson, who has 13 goals, got the winner at 2:27 of OT. . . . Moose Jaw D Joel Edmundson tied the game with 51 seconds left in the third period. That was his first goal of the season. . . . F Brock Montgomery, who is from Moose Jaw, had given the Ice a 5-4 lead on the PP at 18:53 of the third. . . . F Jonathon Martin of the Ice had two goals, giving him four. . . . Ice F Sam Reinhart scored his 16th goal of the season, setting a franchise record for 16-year-old skaters. F Nigel Dawes had scored 15 in 2001-02. . . . The Ice was 2-3 on the PP; the Warriors were 2-4. . . . For a second straight game, the Warriors went without G Luke Siemens. After he sat out Wednesday’s game, head coach Mike Stothers said Siemens needed to get “re-focussed.” . . . Hmmmm. . . . G Spencer Tremblay is expected to make his third straight start for the Warriors tonight in Regina, with Siemens backing him up. . . .

In Prince Albert, the Victoria Royals scored the game’s last two goals and beat the Raiders, 6-4. . . . F Austin Carroll broke a 4-4 tie at 7:48 of the third period and F Logan Nelson added insurance at 12:30 with his 19th score this season. . . . The Raiders had pulled into a 4-4 tie with two goals early in the third period, F Anthony Bardaro getting his 21st goal 40 seconds in and D Tyler Yaworski equalizing at 1:27. . . . Nelson and F Jamie Crooks each had a goal and two assists for the Royals, who are 2-3-0 on an East Division swing that wraps up tonight in Saskatoon. . . . Raiders F Justin Maylan celebrated his 21st birthday with three assists. He has 59 points, including 40 helpers, in 46 games. . . . The Royals were without F Tim Traber, who was injured in a fight on Wednesday in Moose Jaw, and D Jesse Zgraggen, who was injured on that hit from Moose Jaw D Dylan McIlrath. But D Zach Habscheid, who also left Wednesday’s game early, was back in the lineup. . . . Raiders F Austin Bourhis was given a charging major and game misconduct nine minutes into the second period. . . .

In Saskatoon, D Kyle Schmidt’s first goal of the season stood up as the winner as the Blades edged the Brandon Wheat Kings, 3-2. . . . The teams split a doubleheader, as Brandon had won 6-4 there on Wednesday. . . . That was Schmidt’s first goal in 36 games this season. He had three goals in 65 games with the Calgary Hitmen last season. Oh, he turned 19 on Friday. . . . Brandon G Brandon Anderson stopped 43 shots. . . . Brandon F Mark Stone got his 31st goal. . . . The Blades had a 20-8 edge in shots in the second period. . . . Saskatoon had F Josh Nicholls (knee) back in the lineup, but G Andrey Makarov (concussion) remains out. . . . G Alex Moodie stopped 33 shots for the Blades and was named the game’s first star. He is expected to rejoin the midget AAA Winnipeg Wild next week when Makarov returns to game action. . . .  Moodie has beaten Brandon twice in three starts while filling in for Makarov. . . .

In Calgary, F Victor Rask scored twice to help the Hitmen to a 5-1 victory over the Prince George Cougars. . . . Rask has 19 goals this season. . . . Prince George F Jordan Tkatch got his side to within one at 2:55 of the second period, but F Alex Gogolev scored his 19th at 8:46 on the PP and the Hitmen were on their way. . . . The game featured two former Tri-City Americans goaltenders, with Chris Driedger stopping 18 shots for the Hitmen and Drew Owsley making 39 saves for the Cougars. . . . The Cougars took 62 of 105 penalty minutes. . . . Calgary D Alex Roach took a major and game misconduct for a check to the head at 6:57 of the third period. . . . According to the online game sheet, Calgary F Rob Trzonkowski took a fighting major by himself at 16:11 of the first period, while Prince George F Campbell Elynuik took a fighting major and game misconduct by himself at 17:36 of the third period. Interesting. . . .

In Kelowna, F Brody Sutter scored twice to lead his Lethbridge Hurricanes to a 6-3 victory over the Rockets. . . . Sutter now has 20 goals on the season. . . . He also had an assist. . . . Lethbridge D Landon Oslanski set up two goals as the Hurricanes finished a B.C. Division swing at 2-3. . . . The Hurricanes scored the game’s first five goals. . . . The Rockets cut the deficit to 5-3 before Lethbridge F Graham Hood iced it with an empty-netter. . . . F Colton Sissons got his 25th goal of the season for the Rockets. . . .

In Kennewick, Wash., D Brenden Kitchton broke a 1-1 tie at 10:56 of the third period and the Spokane Chiefs went on to a 3-1 victory over the Tri-City Americans. . . . The loss was only the third of the season for the Americans on home ice. . . . F Brian Williams gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at 7:19 of the first period. . . . Spokane G Mac Engel, who finished with 37 saves, shut the door after that goal. . . . F Dominik Uher added insurance with a shorthanded goal at 17:20 of the third period. . . . G Eric Comrie stopped 20 shots for the Americans. . . . F Connor Rankin returned to the Americans’ lineup for the first time since Dec. 17. . . .

In Kent, Wash., the Kamloops Blazers ran their winning streak to eight games as they beat the Seattle Thunderbirds, 4-3. . . . The victory lifted the Blazers into first place overall, one point ahead of the Tri-City Americans. Those two will meet tonight in Kennewick, Wash. . . . They have played twice before this season — the Americans won 3-2 in OT at home on Nov. 19; the Blazers won 3-2 at home in regulation on Jan. 11. . . . F Chase Schaber scored twice for Kamloops, the second one into an empty net after Seattle had closed to within one, at 4-3, on F Seth Swenson‘s goal at 17:07 of the third. . . . F Colin Smith and D Bronson Maschmeyer each had a goal and an assist for Kamloops. . . . G Cam Lanigan stopped 30 shots for Kamloops. It was Lanigan’s 11th start this season, but just his first since Dec. 30 and his third over the Blazers’ last 27 games. . . . F Chance Lund scored twice for Seattle, which got 36 saves from G Daniel Cotton. . . . Seattle was 0-for-6 on the PP, including a 5-on-3 that took up the last 40 seconds of the second and the first 1:20 of the third. . . .

In Vancouver, G Payton Lee made 19 saves in his WHL debut as the Giants beat the Everett Silvertips, 4-3. . . . Lee was a second-round pick in the 2011 bantam draft by the Giants, who are without G Adam Morrison (concussion). . . . D Brett Kulak scored twice for the Giants, giving him six on the season. His second goal, at 16:50 of the second on a PP, gave the Giants a 4-2 lead. . . . Down 2-0 in the first period, the Silvertips took advantage of a 5-on-3 PP to score twice. . . . In an interesting piece of numerology, the scorers bagged goals No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in this game. . . . Vancouver F Riley Kieser got his third, Giants F Anthony Ast got his fourth, Kulak looked after five and six, Everett F Cody Fowlie got his seventh and eighth, and Everett F Kohl Bauml got his ninth. . . . The Giants continue to be without F Brendan Gallagher (shoulder), F Dalton Sward (shoulder), D David Musil (wrist) and Morrison. . . . During the game, the Giants’ twitter account carried this: “Big Brett Kulak with the HOWITZER from the point! Puts in his 5th on the PP. Giants lead 2-0, 12:18 into the 1st.” . . . Dear Mr. Giant: Please look up howitzer in your dictionary. Thank you. . . .
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Dylan Bumbarger, who blogs on all things Portland Winterhawks with a lot of WHL-related sidebars, has plotted the Western Conference race through games of Feb. 6. . . . His figurings make for an interesting read. Check it out right here.
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The NFL has been hit with another class action law suit with former players claiming long-term problems associated with post-concussion syndrome. This news release goes so far as the provide the symptoms with which some of the former players are suffering.
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If you’re looking for a good read, try this right here. It’s from Gene Pereira and the Barrie Examiner, and it’s all about the return of Bill Stewart, a coach who had been away from the OHL for 10 years. Why? Well, you could start with his twice putting a Ukrainian player in the luggage hold under the bus to get him over the U.S. border. . . . And it gets better from there.


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