Cougars sifting through resumes . . . Silvertips getting 'Trumped' . . . SJHL to salute Mr. Hockey

The Prince George Cougars are in the market for an assistant coach, general manager Todd Harkins confirmed to Taking Note on Sunday. They have a vacancy after Michael Hengen left the team after two seasons. . . . "We have had quite a few resumes come in and are slowly sifting through them,” Harkins said. . . . A new assistant coach will work alongside head coach Richard Matvichuk and associate coach Steve O’Rourke, both of whom are starting their first seasons with the Cougars. . . . As for Hengen, he told Taking Note that he has “decided to move on from coaching.” It was, he added, “an absolute dream come true to coach in the WHL.” He had to make a “tough decision,” he continued, “but it’s a very necessary choice that I had to make.” . . . Brent Arsenault, who had been with the organization since 2005 and also was the education advisor, has left the Cougars, too. Harkins said that the Cougars have added Mary LaMarre as the education advisor. She “was Brent’s contact and right-hand person at Prince George Secondary School,” Harkins said.

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With two of the WHL’s Big Three having left for the NHL over the past month, what about the one who remains? Bruce Hamilton, the majority owner, president and governor of the Kelowna Rockets, told Larry Fisher of the Kelowna Rockets: “I’m 59 and I’m not so sure that’s in line for me right now. I’m happy here right now. We want to win again — that’s the most important thing for us, and to continue to have one of the better franchises in the Canadian Hockey League.” . . . Kelly McCrimmon, the owner of the Brandon Wheat Kings, has signed on with the NHL’s Las Vegas expansion franchise as assistant general manager. Tim Speltz, the long-time general manager of the Spokane Chiefs, is leaving to join the Toronto Maple Leafs as a western scout. . . . Hamilton? Well, he added: “If the right thing came along that interested me, yeah, I would listen. You’d be stupid not to listen.” . . . Fisher’s story is right here.

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The Everett Silvertips are being ‘Trumped’ on Tuesday. . . . Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, has Everett’s Xfinity Arena booked for the entire day, so the Silvertips will be on the outside looking in. Unless, of course, they plan on attending The Donald’s rally, which begins at 7 p.m., although the doors apparently open at 4. . . . The Silvertips wrapped up their main camp with the annual Green vs. Grey intrasquad game on Sunday afternoon.

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The Saskatoon Blades have signed F Brady Nicholas, who was a fifth-round selection in the 2016 bantam draft. From St. Albert, Alta., the 6-foot-0, 178-pound Nichols had 43 points, 14 of them goals, in 30 games with the bantam AAA St. Albert Saints last season. 

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The Moose Jaw Warriors announced the signings of four players, each of them taller than 6-foot-0, following their intrasquad game on Sunday night. . . . D Matthew Benson of Surrey, B.C., played last season with the Delta Hockey Academy Elite 15s. The 6-foot-1, 187-pound Benson recorded one goal and 12 assists in 33 games. He will turn 16 on Nov. 24. . . . D Matthew Sanders of Calgary was a fifth-round selection in the 2016 bantam draft. Sanders, 6-foot-2 and 191 pounds, played last season with the bantam AAA Calgary Bisons, scoring seven goals and adding 10 assists in 36 games. . . . F Kale Clouston, 6-foot-4 and 177 pounds, is from Rockyview, Alta. He was a fifth-round pick in the 2015 bantam draft. Last season, with the minor midget AAA Rockeyview Raiders, he had 39 points, including 14 goals, in 62 games. . . . F Brecon Wood of Edmonton also signed. The 6-foot-2, 168-pounder was selected in the seventh round of the 2015 bantam draft. He will turn 16 on Dec. 5. Last season, he had 15 points, four of them goals, in 23 games with the OHA-Edmonton team in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League.

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Want to thank the @MJWARRIORS for their continued support of mental awareness and the honoring of my son Ethan Williams. #SickNotWeak

— Chris Williams (@chriswwms) August 28, 2016

When the Moose Jaw Warriors held their intrasquad game on Sunday night, admission was by donation with all proceeds going to the Canadian Mental Health Association in memory of Ethan Williams. . . . It is important that people like Williams not be forgotten. . . . Two years ago, Williams, a Warriors prospect from Winnipeg, took his own life at 16 years of age. . . . Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press explored Williams’ story right here.

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The SJHL has announced that all of its players will wear No. 9 patches this season in honour of the late Gordie Howe, who died on June 20, 2016. Born in Floral, Sask., Mr. Hockey grew up in Saskatoon. . . . “As a league from Mr. Howe’s home province, from what he did for hockey in Saskatchewan and the world, the SJHL’s governors wanted to recognize him somehow,” SJHL president Bill Chow said. “It was decided a No. 9 patch would be worn on the sweaters. Mr. Howe meant a lot to hockey and the Saskatchewan people. He is the epitome of what Saskatchewan hockey is all about — heart, soul, character, dedication and commitment.”

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By now you will be aware of the thief in goaltending gear who hit a beer store in Russell, Man., the other night. All of the publicity this thief has received reminded me of a gem of a book that I don’t think received its proper due when it was published in 2005. The book, by Julian Rubinstein, carries the title Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts. . . . Seriously, that is the title. . . . It is the story of Attila Ambrus, who moonlighted as a gentleman thief while trying to carve out a career as a professional goaltender in Budapest. . . . This is a truly bizarre story and a worthwhile read, one that will leave you shaking your head in disbelief.

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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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Monument unveiled honouring the dear departed Matroska, arena cat at Admiral Vladivostok: pic.twitter.com/LrNZB0BNnS

— Patrick C (@ChunkletsHockey) August 28, 2016

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Departures in Prince George . . . Rockets sign first-round pick . . . Koep, Matsuba won't be back

The Prince George Cougars have yet to announce it but sources have told Taking Note that assistant coaches Michael Hengen and Brent Arsenault have left the organization. . . . The names of both men have been removed from the Cougars’ website. . . . Hengen had been with the Cougars since July 3, 2014, when he signed on as assistant coach and strength-and-conditioning coach. A native of Surrey, B.C., he had been with the BCHL’s Penticton Vees for four seasons prior to joining the Cougars. He is a former WHL player who split 226 regular-season games between the Swift Current Broncos, Edmonton Oil Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, Calgary Hitmen and Saskatoon Blades. . . . Arsenault had been with the Cougars since 2005. He signed on as an assistant coach and in 2007 also became the team’s education advisor. . . . The Cougars’ coaching staff now comprises head coach Richard Matvichuk, who is prepping for his first season on a three-year contract after replacing Mark Holick, and associate coach Steve O’Rourke, who also is about to begin his first season in Prince George. He had been on staff with the Red Deer Rebels before leaving after last season.

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Assuming that the Cougars will hire an assistant coach, by my count there are three WHL teams on the hunt. . . . The Victoria Royals are looking to fill the spot created when veteran assistant Enio Sacilotto was moved up to director of prospect development and scout. That came about after Grant Armstrong, the Royals’ assistant general manager, player personnel signed with the Brandon Wheat Kings as their general manager. . . . The Calgary Hitmen, meanwhile, have yet to replace Trent Whitfield, a one-season assistant coach who now is an assistant with the AHL’s Providence Bruins.

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D Kaedan Korczak has signed with the Kelowna Rockets. Korczak, the 10th overall pick in the 2016 WHL bantam draft, announced the signing on Twitter. . . . The Rockets traded up at the draft in order to pick the native of Yorkton, Sask. . . . The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder had 15 points, two of them goals, with the midget AAA Yorkton Maulers last season. He will be returning to the Maulers for a second season.

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F Andrew Koep has decided not to return to the Edmonton Oil Kings for a third season. The 19-year-old from Lloydminster, Alta., has chosen instead to attend the U of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. . . . Koep was a second-round pick by the Oil Kings in the 2012 bantam draft. . . . Last season, he had 22 points, 11 of them goals, in 71 games. In 130 career regular-season games, Koep put up 63 points, including 26 goals.

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D Mark Matsuba won’t be back with the Brandon Wheat Kings for his 19-year-old season. From St. Albert, Alta., Matsuba has chosen to retire. He was fourth-round selection in the 2012 bantam draft. . . . Last season, he had a goal and five assists in 50 regular-season games. In two seasons, he put up 10 points, two of them goals, in 86 games. . . . He played in only two playoff games during the Wheat Kings’ championship run last spring. . . . If you missed it, Perry Bergson of the Brandon Sun also reported Saturday that D Jordan Thomson, 20, has retired so won’t be returning to the Wheat Kings.

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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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For those of you asking. Can't have been me, 5 hole is not big enough.... #alibi https://t.co/oF7uUoDj0I

— Strombone (@strombone1) August 27, 2016

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Winterhawks close in on GM/head coach

F Ian McDonald (Tri-City, 2000-06) signed a one-year contract with Briançon (France, Ligue Magnus). Last season, with Beibarys Atyrau (Kazakhstan, Vysshaya Liga), he had a team-leading 57 points, including 27 goals, in 54 games. He finished seventh in the league’s scoring race.
F Brad Schell (Spokane, 1999-2004) signed a one-year contract with Herning (Denmark, Metal Ligaen). Last season, with Rossoblu Milan (Italy, Serie A), he had 45 points, including a team-leading 35 assists, in 38 games. . . .
F Jozef Balej (Portland, 1999-2002) signed a one-year contract with Plzeň (Czech Republic, Extraliga). Last season, with Chomutov (Czech Republic, Extraliga), he had 14 points, eight of the goals, in 37 games.
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1. The Portland Winterhawks are looking for a replacement for Mike Johnston, who had been their GM/head coach since October 2008. Johnston signed on as head coach of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins last month. . . . How close are the Winterhawks to signing someone? . . . “Should have an announcement on a new head coach very shortly,” a Portland insider told me on Friday. . . . When queried as to whether the Winterhawks were on the verge of hiring a GM or a GM/head coach, the response was “GM/head coach combo.”

2. The Prince George Cougars have hired Michael Hengen as what their news release called “an assistant/strength and conditioning coach.” . . . Hengen, from Surrey, B.C., spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the BCHL’s Penticton Vees. . . . Hengen, 26, was selected by the Swift Current Broncos in the fifth round of the 2002 bantam draft. He split 226 WHL regular-season games between the Broncos, Edmonton Oil Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, Calgary Hitmen and Saskatoon Blades. . . . With the Cougars, Hengen will work alongside head coach Mark Holick.

3. The Swift Current Broncos have signed Josh Dixon to a three-year contract as their associate coach. Dixon spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Regina Pats. He left last month after being unable to reach a contract agreement with the Pats’ new owners. . . . In Swift Current, Dixon will work with GM/head coach Mark Lamb. . . . With the Broncos, Dixon also will be responsible for all off-ice training and what Lamb referred to as “the fitness aspect of the Broncos organization.” . . . Dixon fills the void created when Darren Evjen resigned after four seasons.

4. The Regina Pats have re-signed goaltending coach Rob Muntain for another season. He is preparing for his fourth season working with Regina’s goaltenders. Muntain, an officer in the Regina Police Service, is a former WHL goaltender (Brandon, 1995-96), who has worked with the Saskatchewan Hockey Association and Hockey Canada. . . . The Pats also are working to sign a head coach and two assistant coaches.

5. Kris Mallette has signed on as an assistant coach with the Kelowna Rockets. He will work with head coach Dan Lambert, who was promoted after five seasons as an assistant coach. Former head coach Ryan Huska now is head coach of the Adirondack Flames, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames. . . . Mallette (Kelowna, Moose Jaw, 1996-2000) spent last season as an associate coach with the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers.

6. Through four days of NHL free agency, capgeek.com reports that 78 unrestricted free agents have signed for a total of US$560,950,000.


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