WHL
ANNOUNCES FIVE-GAME SUSPENSION FOR
THUNDERBIRDS’ MCNELLY FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE / WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019Calgary, Alta.
– The Western Hockey League announced today that
Cade McNelly of the Seattle Thunderbirds has been suspended five games
for a cross-check major and game misconduct he received during WHL
Regular Season Game #287 in Spokane on Tuesday, December 3.
McNelly’s suspension will start Friday, December 6 when Seattle visits
Victoria. McNelly will be eligible to return to the lineup for WHL
Regular Season Game #344 on Sunday, December 15.
Though there was no injury to the opponent on the play, McNelly is a
repeat offender, including being previously suspended for a cross-check
major and game misconduct.
About the
Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey
players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in
Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located
in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of
the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of
talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is
also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 350
graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a
post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also
form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2019Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that forward Bear Hughes of the Spokane Chiefs has been named WHL Rookie of the Month for November 2019.
A ‘C’-rated prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft, Hughes recorded 12 points (5G-7A) and a plus-12 rating in 12 games during November. The Chiefs went 7-3-2-0 in the calendar month, remaining in third place in the competitive U.S. Division.
During the month of November, Hughes recorded points in eight of his team’s 12 games, posting four multi-point efforts. The final point of the month for the Port Falls, Idaho product was an assist on the game-winning goal in overtime against the Victoria Royals Saturday night.
Throughout November, Hughes was recognized as the first star of the game and third star of the game once.
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound forward has posted 20 points (10G-10A), including one power-play goal, in 22 WHL games during the 2019-20 WHL Regular Season. Originally listed by the Chiefs, Hughes has posted 22 points (12G-10A) in 24 WHL regular season games, including one power-play goal. He’s also appeared in three WHL playoff games.
Hughes and the Chiefs are in action Tuesday, December 3 (7:05 p.m. PT) when they play host to the Seattle Thunderbirds at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey
League is proud to announce today eight WHL players have been invited to Hockey
Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp, scheduled for Monday,
December 9 to Thursday, December 12 in Oakville, Ont.
Five first-round NHL Draft selections headline this year’s representation from
the WHL, led by returning defenceman Ty Smith (Lloydminster, Alta. / Spokane
Chiefs).
Joining Smith at the National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp are
goaltender Joel Hofer (Winnipeg, Man. / Portland Winterhawks), defencemen Calen
Addison (Brandon, Man. / Lethbridge Hurricanes), Bowen Byram (Cranbrook, B.C. /
Vancouver Giants), Braden Schneider (Prince Albert, Sask. / Brandon Wheat
Kings), along with forwards Dylan Cozens (Whitehorse, Yukon / Lethbridge Hurricanes),
Nolan Foote (Kelowna, B.C. / Kelowna Rockets), and Peyton Krebs (Okotoks, Alta.
/ Winnipeg ICE).
WHL Invitees –
Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp
In total, Hockey Canada named four goaltenders, 10 defencemen, and 17 forwards to the 31-man roster.
“After a long evaluation process through summer camp, the early weeks of the CHL season and the Canada-Russia Series, we are nearing the final steps in selecting the roster that will represent Canada at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship,” said Hockey Canada’s Head Scout Brad McEwen. “We are expecting a highly competitive camp from these 31 players, and we know there will be many difficult decisions when it comes time to select the players who will wear the Maple Leaf in the Czech Republic.”
Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp will be held at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, home of the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, and will feature a pair of games against a team of U SPORTS all-stars on Dec. 11-12. Tickets for selection camp are available at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets, starting at $15 plus fees.
The 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship begins on Boxing Day when Canada takes on the United States at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will air all 31 games at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, providing wall-to-wall game coverage and analysis throughout the tournament.
Canada has won 31 medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship since 1977, including 17 gold, nine silver and five bronze. Team Canada last took home gold in Buffalo in 2018.
For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada’s National Junior Team and the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, Twitter and #WorldJuniors.
Calgary, Alta. – The Western
Hockey League announced today that Brandon Wheat Kings forward Cole Reinhardt
has been named the WHL On the Run Player of the Week
for the week ending December 1, 2019.
Earning the award for the second time this season, the 19-year-old recorded
eight points (4G-4A) and a plus-seven rating in two games as the Wheat Kings
split a home-and-home set against the Winnipeg ICE. The win kept the Wheat
Kings six points ahead of the Moose Jaw Warriors for the second wild card spot
in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.
Friday, Reinhardt posted a career-high five points in a 7-4 win against the
ICE. The performance included the second hat trick of his WHL career and a pair
of assists. He scored the second, sixth, and seventh goals of the game for the
Wheaties, adding helpers on their third and fifth goals of the game. He was
named the first star of the game and first star of the night in the WHL.
In Saturday’s 6-5 loss to the ICE in Winnipeg, Reinhardt recorded a goal as
part of a three-point night.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound product of Calgary, Alta. is enjoying a strong first
half of the season, posting 28 points (17G-11A) in 28 games, including three
power-play goals, one short-handed goal, and two game-winning goals. His 17
goals are tied for fifth in the WHL.
Reinhardt was originally selected by the Wheat Kings in the ninth round, 197th
overall, of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. For his WHL career, Reinhardt has 114
points (61G-53A) in 224 WHL regular season games, including 14 power-play
goals, two short-handed goals, and 10 game-winning goals.
Brandon returns to action on Tuesday, December 3 (7:00 p.m. CT) when they play
host to the Swift Current Broncos at Westoba Place.
ROCKETS’ BASRAN NAMED WHL ELI WILSON
GOALTENDING GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2019Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Brandon Wheat Kings forward Cole Reinhardt has been named the WHL On the Run Player of the Week for the week ending December 1, 2019.
Earning the award for the second time this season, the 19-year-old recorded eight points (4G-4A) and a plus-seven rating in two games as the Wheat Kings split a home-and-home set against the Winnipeg ICE. The win kept the Wheat Kings six points ahead of the Moose Jaw Warriors for the second wild card spot in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.
Friday, Reinhardt posted a career-high five points in a 7-4 win against the ICE. The performance included the second hat trick of his WHL career and a pair of assists. He scored the second, sixth, and seventh goals of the game for the Wheaties, adding helpers on their third and fifth goals of the game. He was named the first star of the game and first star of the night in the WHL.
In Saturday’s 6-5 loss to the ICE in Winnipeg, Reinhardt recorded a goal as part of a three-point night.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound product of Calgary, Alta. is enjoying a strong first half of the season, posting 28 points (17G-11A) in 28 games, including three power-play goals, one short-handed goal, and two game-winning goals. His 17 goals are tied for fifth in the WHL.
Reinhardt was originally selected by the Wheat Kings in the ninth round, 197th overall, of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. For his WHL career, Reinhardt has 114 points (61G-53A) in 224 WHL regular season games, including 14 power-play goals, two short-handed goals, and 10 game-winning goals.
Brandon returns to action on Tuesday, December 3 (7:00 p.m. CT) when they play host to the Swift Current Broncos at Westoba Place.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2019
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Kelowna Rockets goaltender Roman Basran has been named the WHL Eli Wilson Goaltending Goaltender of the Week for the week ending December 1, 2019.
Basran made two appearances this week, posting a 1-0-0-1 record with a 0.96 goals-against average, and stopped 46 of 48 shots for a 0.958 save percentage along with one shutout. Earning three of four points from their two games this week, the Rockets are now 5-0-0-1 in their last six games and still sitting second in the B.C. Division, four points behind the Kamloops Blazers.
In Tuesday’s matchup against the Edmonton Oil Kings, Basran stopped all 27 shots through regulation and overtime for his first shutout this season. Though Basran did take the loss in the shootout, allowing one goal on three attempts, he was named the second star of the game for his efforts. Saturday against the Prince George Cougars, Basran stopped 19 of 21 shots in a 3-2 win for Kelowna. Basran stopped two shots in the first, 11 in the second, and six in the third.
The 18-year-old from Vancouver, B.C. was originally selected by the Rockets in the third round, 64th overall, of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. In 20 games this season, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound goaltender has a record of 11-5-1-2, 2.49 GAA, 0.917 SV%, and one shutout. For his WHL career, Basran has compiled a 37-27-4-3 record, 2.68 GAA, 0.911 SV%, and four shutouts in 82 WHL regular season games.
Basran and the Rockets will begin their road trip through the East Division on Friday, December 6 (7:00 p.m. CT) against the Prince Albert Raiders.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26,
2019Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League today announced
the 10th edition of the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week for the 2019-20 season
based on individual performances from Nov. 18-24. This week’s team features a
pair of players from the Western Hockey League.
Headlining the forward ranks is Lethbridge
Hurricanes centre Logan Barlage who finished with nine points
(3G-6A) over three appearances. His top performance came with a season-high
five-point effort against the Red Deer Rebels on Saturday in which he finished
with one goal and four assists in an 11-2 win that earned him third-star
honours. For his efforts, Barlage was recognized as the WHL On the Run Player of the Week.
Also up front is London Knights centre and Washington Capitals
first-round pick Connor McMichael whose week saw him finish with
eight points counting three goals and five assists over a trio of appearances.
McMichael, who is currently riding a 14-game point streak, put up his best
showing of the week with a four-point night against the rival Kitchener Rangers
on Friday in which he recorded a hat-trick and added one assist to power his
squad to a 5-1 road victory and claim first-star honours.
Rounding out the forward ranks is Kamloops
Blazers right-wing Zane Franklin who impressed over three
contests, collecting seven points (5G-2A). With all three performances seeing
Franklin record at least two points, his best showing came against the Prince
George Cougars on Friday as he notched two goals and added one assist in the
4-3 final that saw him claim third-star recognition.
On the blue line, Flint Firebirds rearguard Riley McCourt shined
across three appearances as he finished the week with three goals and five
assists for eight points. Against the Sarnia Sting on Wednesday, McCourt was a
top performer for his squad as he tallied four assists – three of which came on
the man advantage – in the 6-4 final. That performance helped McCourt earn
recognition as the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week.
Rounding out the beck end is Knights blue-liner and San Jose Sharks
first-round pick Ryan Merkley, who has continued to impress in his first
season in London as he finished the week with two goals and five assists for
seven points across three games. His best showing came against the Rangers on
Friday as he finished with three assists and third-star recognition in the
eventual 5-1 road victory.
Between the pipes, Victoriaville Tigres rookie netminder Nikolas
Hurtubise was nearly unbeatable across his first two appearances of the
season as he stopped a combined 64 shots over 120 minutes to come away with a
pair of victories. His most impressive effort came in a 30-save outing against
the Quebec Remparts on Saturday in which he recorded his first career shutout
in a 2-0 win. In all, Hurtubise wrapped up the week with an incredible 0.50
goals-against average and .985 save percentage, earning him recognition as the
Ultramar QMJHL Player of the Week.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16,
2019
Calgary, Alta. – The Western
Hockey League, in collaboration with the Canadian Hockey League and Hockey
Canada, announced today the roster for Team WHL, which will compete against
Team Russia at the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series on November 13 and 14 in
Saskatoon and Prince Albert, Sask.
Returning to this year’s roster are seven members of Team WHL from the 2018
event, including three of the top-10 selections from the 2019 NHL Draft in
Kirby Dach of the Saskatoon Blades (Chicago Blackhawks, Round 1 – Pick 3),
Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants (Colorado Avalanche, 1-4), and Dylan Cozens
of the Lethbridge Hurricanes (Buffalo Sabres, 1-7). Returning forward Nolan
Foote of the Kelowna Rockets (Tampa Bay Lightning, 1-27 – 2019) will add to the
team’s strength at the forward position while a trio of 2018 NHL Draft
selections, including Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs (New Jersey Devils, 1-17),
Jett Woo of the Calgary Hitmen (Vancouver Canucks, 2-37), and Calen Addison of
the Lethbridge Hurricanes (Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-53), will once again bolster
the team’s blue line.
Team WHL will feature a strong Saskatchewan flavour, including Regina product
Carson Focht of the Calgary Hitmen (Vancouver Canucks, 5-133 – 2019), Estevan
product Cole Fonstad of the Everett Silvertips (Montreal Canadiens, 5-128 –
2018), Yorkton products Kaedan Korczak of the Kelowna Rockets (Vegas Golden
Knights, 2-41 – 2019) and Nolan Maier of the Saskatoon Blades (NHL Draft
Eligible, 2020). Finally, a trio of hometown stars join Team WHL, including
Saskatoon products Adam Beckman of the Spokane Chiefs (Minnesota Wild, 3-75 –
2019) and Connor Zary of the Kamloops Blazers (NHL Draft Eligible, 2020), along
with Prince Albert product Braden Schneider of the Brandon Wheat Kings (NHL
Draft Eligible, 2020).
NHL Central Scouting identified both Schneider and Zary on its ‘Players to
Watch’ list as top-ranked prospects for the 2020 NHL Draft.
Team WHL will face Team Russia in Game 5 of the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series
in Saskatoon on Wednesday, November 13, before continuing on to Prince Albert
for Game 6 to conclude the series on Thursday, November 14. The Quebec Major
Junior Hockey League will host Games 1 and 2, while the Ontario Hockey League
will host Games 3 and 4. For the first time since 2013, the event will close
with two games in the WHL.
Team WHL Roster: Forwards
Player Name
Hometown
DOB
WHL Club
NHL Draft
Beckman,
Adam
Saskatoon,
Sask.
2001-05-10
Spokane
Chiefs
MIN
2019 (3-75)
Burzan,
Luka
Surrey,
B.C.
2000-01-07
Brandon
Wheat Kings
COL
2019 (6-171)
Chyzowski,
Ryan
Kamloops,
B.C.
2000-05-14
Medicine
Hat Tigers
Eligible
2020
Cozens,
Dylan
Whitehorse,
Yukon
2001-02-09
Lethbridge
Hurricanes
BUF
2019 (1-7)
Dach,
Kirby
Fort
Saskatchewan, Alta.
2001-01-21
Saskatoon
Blades
CHI
2019 (1-3)
Focht,
Carson
Regina,
Sask.
2000-02-04
Calgary
Hitmen
VAN
2019 (5-133)
Fonstad,
Cole
Estevan,
Sask.
2000-04-24
Everett
Silvertips
MTL
2018 (5-128)
Foote,
Nolan
Engelwood,
Colo.
2000-11-29
Kelowna
Rockets
TBL
2019 (1-27)
Hamaliuk,
Dillon
Leduc,
Alta.
2000-10-30
Kelowna
Rockets
SJS
2019 (2-55)
Krebs,
Peyton
Okotoks,
Alta.
2001-01-26
Winnipeg
ICE
VGK
2019 (1-17)
Tracey,
Brayden
Calgary,
Alta.
2001-05-28
Moose
Jaw Warriors
ANA
2019 (1-29)
Zary,
Connor
Saskatoon,
Sask.
2001-09-25
Kamloops
Blazers
Eligible
2020
Defenceman
Player Name
Hometown
DOB
WHL Club
NHL Draft
Addison,
Calen
Brandon,
Man.
2000-04-11
Lethbridge
Hurricanes
PIT
2018 (2-53)
Byram,
Bowen
Cranbrook,
B.C.
2001-06-13
Vancouver
Giants
COL
2019 (1-4)
Korczak,
Kaedan
Yorkton,
Sask.
2001-01-29
Kelowna
Rockets
VGK
2019 (2-41)
Schneider,
Braden
Prince
Albert, Sask.
2001-09-20
Brandon
Wheat Kings
Eligible
2020
Smith,
Ty
Lloydminster,
Alta.
2000-03-24
Spokane
Chiefs
NJD
2018 (1-17)
Woo,
Jett
Winnipeg,
Man.
2000-07-27
Calgary
Hitmen
VAN
2018 (2-37)
Goaltenders
Player Name
Hometown
DOB
WHL Club
NHL Draft
Hofer,
Joel
Winnipeg,
Man.
2000-07-30
Portland
Winterhawks
STL
2018 (4-107)
Maier,
Nolan
Yorkton,
Sask.
2001-01-10
Saskatoon
Blades
Eligible
2020
The 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series will represent the event’s return to both
Saskatoon and Prince Albert. In 2005 and 2014, the event made an appearance in
Saskatoon, while Prince Albert played host in 2008.
The six-game CIBC Canada Russia Series features regional league teams of
Canadian National Junior Team candidates competing against the Russian National
Junior Team. Team CHL has won 12 times in event history, with Russia emerging
victorious on four occasions.
The 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series is supported by title sponsor CIBC, the
Official Bank of the CHL, along with associate sponsors Kia Canada, Cooper
Tires, and Kubota Canada. All games will be broadcast nationally on
Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
Tickets for Games 5 and 6 of the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series are available
now. Complete ticketing options available at the links below.
2019 CIBC Canada
Russia Series Schedule
Game 1 – Monday, November 4 at Saint John, N.B.
Game 2 – Tuesday, November 5 at Moncton, N.B.
Game 3 – Thursday, November 7 at Kitchener, Ont.
Game 4 – Monday, November 11 at London, Ont.
Game 5 – Wednesday, November 13 at Saskatoon, Sask. – TICKETS
Game 6 – Thursday, November 14 at Prince Albert, Sask. – TICKETS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16,
2019
Calgary, Alta. – Hockey
Canada announced its 66-player roster, including 16 players currently
playing for or drafted by one of the Western Hockey League’s 22 member Clubs,
to represent Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, November 2-9 in
Medicine Hat, Alta. and Swift Current, Sask.
The 66 players will be divided into three teams representing Team Canada
Black, Team Canada Red, and Team Canada White when they compete against the
Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden, and the United States in their quest
for a gold medal.
Featured among the 16 WHL players named to the roster are the top five selections
from the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft – forwards Dylan Guenther (Edmonton,
Alta. / Edmonton Oil Kings), Sean Tschigerl (Whitecourt, Alta.
/ Calgary Hitmen), Logan Stankoven (Kamloops, B.C. / Kamloops Blazers) and
defencemen Carson Lambos (Winnipeg, Man. / Winnipeg ICE),
Nolan Allan (Davidson, Sask. / Prince Albert Raiders).
Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
DOB
Hometown
WHL Club
Jayden
Grubbe
F
6-2
189
2003-01-12
Calgary, Alta.
Red
Deer Rebels
Dylan
Guenther
F
6-0
167
2003-04-10
Edmonton, Alta.
Edmonton
Oil Kings
Conner
Roulette
F
5-10
158
2003-05-13
Winnipeg, Man.
Seattle
Thunderbirds
Matthew
Savoie
F
5-9
181
2004-01-01
St. Albert, Alta.
Winnipeg
ICE
Cole
Sillinger
F
5-11
185
2003-05-16
Regina, Sask.
Medicine
Hat Tigers
Logan
Stankoven
F
5-7
167
2003-02-26
Kamloops, B.C.
Kamloops
Blazers
Sean
Tschigerl
F
6-0
181
2003-04-11
Whitecourt, Alta.
Calgary
Hitmen
Kai
Uchacz
F
6-1
190
2003-06-24
De Winton, Alta.
Seattle
Thunderbirds
Nolan
Allan
D
6-1
188
2003-04-28
Davidson, Sask.
Prince
Albert Raiders
Nolan
Bentham
D
6-3
186
2003-06-12
Victoria, B.C.
Victoria
Royals
Carson
Lambos
D
6-0
204
2003-01-14
Winnipeg, Man.
Winnipeg
ICE
Kyle
Masters
D
5-11
159
2003-04-09
Edmonton, Alta.
Red
Deer Rebels
Graham
Sward
D
6-2
168
2003-09-12
Abbotsford, B.C.
Spokane
Chiefs
Olen
Zellweger
D
5-9
165
2003-09-10
Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.
Everett
Silvertips
Tyler
Brennan
G
6-3
193
2003-09-27
Winnipeg, Man.
Prince
George Cougars
Thomas
Milic
G
5-11
154
2003-04-14
Coquitlam, B.C.
Seattle
Thunderbirds
In July, 112 players were invited to participate in Canada’s national under-17
development camp and introduced to the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence. The
players chosen to represent Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge were
selected by Brad McEwen (Whitewood, Sask.), head scout for Hockey Canada,
with assistance from U17 Program of Excellence management group
lead Martin Mondou (Grand-Mère, Que./Shawinigan, QMJHL), as well as
regional scouts Rob Simpson (Ontario), Jason Smart (West), Darren Sutherland
(Atlantic), Shaun Sutter (West) and Darrell Woodley (Ontario).
“After a successful development camp with the top young players in the country,
there were many difficult decisions made to select the 66 players that will
compete at this year’s World Under-17 Hockey Challenge,” McEwen said. “We feel
this group exemplifies the values of the Program of Excellence and will
represent Canada with pride as we compete for a gold medal this November.”
The tournament opens with all three Canadian teams in action Saturday, November
2 (7:00 p.m. MT); Team Canada Red takes on Russia at the Innovation Credit
Union i-Plex in Swift Current and Team Canada Black faces off against Team
Canada White at the Canalta Centre in Medicine Hat.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will air the
semifinal in Medicine Hat on Friday, November 8, as well as the bronze and gold
medal games on Saturday, November 9; please check local listings for details.
Media accreditation for the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge can be
requested online.
Prior to the start of play, the teams will take to the ice for pre-tournament
games on Thursday, October 31, (7 p.m. MT). Team Canada Black will match up
against Finland at the Crescent Point Wickenheiser Centre in Shaunavon, Sask.,
Sweden will play the Czech Republic at the Centennial Regional Arena in Brooks,
Alta., Team Canada White will face off against Russia at the Innovation Credit
Union i-Plex in Swift Current and Team Canada Red will meet the United States
at the Canalta Centre in Medicine Hat.
After a successful ticket launch, event organizers have announced that
single-game tickets will be available for purchase starting at $10 for youth
and $15 for adults on October 16, and can be purchased online at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.
Medicine Hat and Swift Current will receive the net proceeds from all ticket
sales as a legacy of the event to support grassroots hockey within their
communities. Additionally, recent editions of the World Under-17 Hockey
Challenge have resulted in as much as $6 million in economic impact within the
host communities.
More than 1,800 NHL draft picks have suited up since the inception of the World
Under-17 Hockey Challenge (previously known as the Quebec Esso Cup) in 1986,
including 14 first-overall draft picks since 2001 (Ilya Kovalchuk, 2001; Rick
Nash, 2002; Marc-André Fleury, 2003; Alexander Ovechkin, 2004; Erik Johnson,
2006; Patrick Kane, 2007; John Tavares, 2009; Taylor Hall, 2010, Ryan
Nugent-Hopkins, 2011; Nathan MacKinnon, 2013; Aaron Ekblad, 2014; Connor
McDavid, 2015; Auston Matthews, 2016; Jack Hughes, 2019).
For more information on the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via
social media on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Western
Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players,
the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The
WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in
the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has
been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50
years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over
350 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary
education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of
Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
Calgary, Alta. – The Western
Hockey League announced today two rule changes that will take effect
immediately. The rule changes were approved Tuesday, October 8 at the WHL
General Managers meeting in Calgary.
The rule changes to be in effect for games beginning tonight include:
Double-Minor Penalty –
High-Sticking
When a double-minor penalty has been assessed
due to an injury from high-sticking, the Referee will instruct the Video Goal
Judge to review the situation to either confirm or overturn the penalty. This
means that in every situation when a double-minor penalty is assessed for
injury due to a high stick, the Video Goal Judge must review the situation.
There are three possible outcomes from a Video Review in this scenario:
Video Goal Judge confirms that
a Double-Minor Penalty for High-Sticking is to be assessed;
The penalty is overturned
because the Video Goal Judge determines the injury was caused by a
teammate’s stick or the puck;
The review is inconclusive and
the original call on the ice stands – a Double-Minor Penalty for
High-Sticking is assessed.
It is important to note that the Video Goal
Judge is only to be used to review a Double-Minor Penalty for High-Sticking
that was assessed on the ice by the on-ice officials. The Video Goal Judge
cannot be used to add a penalty that was not originally assessed. The Video
Goal Judge is also not able to assess a Double-Minor Penalty for High-Sticking
when only a single Minor Penalty for High-Sticking has been assessed on the ice
by an on-ice official.
Face-off Location
When a delayed penalty is signalled, and the
team not being penalized ices the puck, the ensuing face-off will be conducted
at one of the two face-off circles in the penalized team’s end zone.
Previously, the face-off would have been moved outside the blue line.
As a result of the elimination of the above exception, when the team not being
penalized ices the puck the ensuing face-off will be conducted at one of the
two face-off circles in the penalized team’s end zone.
About the Western
Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players,
the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The
WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in
the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has
been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50
years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over
350 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary
education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of
Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team
