WHL News
So far puck stoppers have been hooked like amateur comics at an open mic comedy club. It’s been a complete goaltender merry-go-round in the Western Hockey League. Of the 22 WHL teams, a total of 57 goaltenders have seen action – that’s 2.6 goalies per team.
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And if early trends continue fans will continue to see different detailed mask designs donned during the course of the season.
The four division frontrunners are the Regina Pats (9-4-0-0), Kootenay Ice (9-3-0-2), Tri-City Americans (10-5-0-0) and Kamloops Blazers (9-3-0-0).
Trade
The Medicine Hat Tigers traded Kellan Tochkin, 20, to the Prince Albert Raiders for defenceman James Bettauer and a bantam draft pick. Tochkin, a budding Vancouver Canucks prospect, is playing in his final year in junior and has posted 8 assists in 10 games so far this season, while Bettauer has 9 points in 15 games for the Raiders.
Western Hockey League Weekly Notebook
Weekend Winners
Vancouver Giants (7-6-0-1): The Giants proved it can be a really a short distance from the doghouse to penthouse. After dropping consecutive contests last week, the G-men bounced back, hammering Victoria 8-1 on Friday and then cooling the Kelowna Rockets 5-3 on Sunday to get back in the B.C. Division running with 15 points – good enough for third place behind Kamloops and Victoria.
Weekend Losers
Everett Silvertips (3-8-0-2): The ‘Tips are struggling to win games. And according to a recent report from the Everett Herald, all-star defenecman Ryan Murray might be out for 5-weeks with a sprained ankle. Expect Everett’s woes to continue.
Weekend Warriors
Brendan Gallagher, 19, Vancouver Giants: The feisty undersized winger was honoured with WHL’s player of the week after notching 3 goals and 4 assists in three games.
Eric Comrie, 16, Tri-City Americans: The rookie netminder had back-to-back shutouts as the Americans swept the Prince George Cougars this weekend. Comrie has a 4-2-0-0 with a 2.75 goals against average and .903 save percentage.
Top 10 Scorers
1. (3) Mark Stone, Brandon Wheat Kings – 9g, 19a – 28 points
2. (1) Emerson Etem, Medicine Hat Tigers – 16g, 9a – 25 points
3. (4) Kevin Sundher, Victoria Royals – 5g, 20a – 25 points
4. (2) Adam Hughesman, Tri-City Americans – 12g, 12a – 24 points
5. (5) Taylor Vause, Swift Current Broncos – 10g, 11a – 21 points
6. (6) Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks – 10g, 10a – 20 points
7. (NR) Brad Ross, Portland Winterhawks – 8g, 12a – 20 points
8. (NR) Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver Giants – 11g, 8a – 19 points
9. (8) James Henry, Vancouver Giants – 3g, 15a – 18 points
10. (NR) Michael Ferland, Brandon Wheat Kings – 9g, 8a – 17 points
() Previous week’s ranking
About Aidan Chafe
