Calgary, AB – The 2009-10 Western Hockey League schedule enters its final weekend of play in November with a busy slate of 21 games slated for Friday and Saturday.
This weekend also marks the start of Teddy Bear and Toque Toss events around the WHL. WHL Clubs will try and break the record of 26,919 stuffed animals collected in Calgary last year.
In Everett, WA, the Silvertips will kick off their Christmas House Holiday Drive on Friday night when they host the Regina Pats. Beginning Friday, and continuing through all ‘Tips’ home games until December 12th, representatives of Christmas House, a non-profit organization, will be accepting donations of stuffed animals, blankets, clothing and monetary donations to help children of low-income families during the Holidays.
In Portland, OR, Saturday night is Teddy Bear Toss night when the Winterhawks host the Seattle Thunderbirds. Last year, the Hawks saw 22,392 bears litter the ice, which set a team record.
In Prince Albert, SK, Riders fever is in the air. On Friday, the Raiders will be giving away a Pair of Tickets to Sunday’s Grey Cup game in Calgary. Fans are encouraged to wear green to support the Grey Cup hopes of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
In Prince George, B.C., the Cougars will be Serving Lunch next Thursday at A & A Gourmet. Select Cougars players will be at the restaurant through lunch. Proceeds from coffee sales that day will be donated to Big Brothers and Sisters of Prince George.
In Saskatoon, SK, the Blades and MD Ambulance are reminding fans to Bring a Packed Shoebox to Friday night’s game versus the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The shoeboxes will help support Operation Christmas Child. Fans at Friday night’s Blades game will also notice Something New at Credit Union Centre.
SUBWAY® SUPER SERIES CONCLUDES ON THURSDAY NIGHT…
The 2009 SUBWAY® Super Series concludes on Thursday night with Team WHL hosting Russia for Game 6 of the series in Kelowna, B.C.
Thursday night’s contest between Team WHL and Russia can be seen on ROGERS SPORTSNET (SNET-W 11:00pm MST, SNET-P 11:00pm PST).
Team WHL defeated Russia 2-1 in Victoria, B.C., in Game 5 of the series on Wednesday night, leaving the Russians with an 0-5 record. The Russian team dropped a pair of games to Team QMJHL to open the series, and then lost twice to Team OHL before heading west.
For more on Team WHL and the 2009 SUBWAY® Super Series, click HERE…
WHL WELCOMES TYLER BOLDT AS MANAGER, PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND RECRUITMENT
CALGARY, AB - Western Hockey League Commissioner Ron Robison announced today that Tyler Boldt has been appointed to the new WHL position of Manager, Player Development and Recruitment. Boldt, a former WHL player and WHL Scholarship recipient, will officially commence his duties at the WHL office in Calgary on January 4, 2010.
A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Tyler Boldt was a first round WHL Bantam Draft pick and went on to play five full seasons in the WHL as a defenceman with the Kamloops Blazers, Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades. Boldt, who was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the eighth round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, participated extensively in the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence in 2001 representing Team Western in the World Under 17 Challenge and Canada’s National Under 18 Team in the Six Nations Cup in the Czech Republic.
“I am very honoured to be working for the WHL and its member Clubs in this new capacity,” commented Tyler Boldt, “I was fortunate to benefit from the WHL Scholarship and look forward to using my first-hand knowledge of the League and its programs to continue to educate young hockey players and their families on the benefits of playing in the WHL.”
Tyler Shattock and the Kamloops Blazers (11-13-2-1) host Dustin Sylvester and the Kootenay Ice (11-13-1-1) on Friday night.
Friday’s contest between the Ice and Blazers can be seen live on SHAW (7:00pm PST).
The Blazers snapped a five-game losing skid with a 4-3 shootout win in Chilliwack last Saturday, and currently sit tied with Kelowna for third place in the B.C. Division. The Blazers made a flurry of moves over the last week, releasing goaltender Justin Leclerc while acquiring netminder Kurtis Mucha from Portland, sending defenseman Giffen Nyren to Calgary, and acquiring defenseman Ryan Funk from Vancouver in exchange for forward Brett Lyon. The Blazers also welcomed new head coach Guy Charron to the team.
The Ice have been off since Saturday’s 6-2 loss to the visiting Swift Current Broncos for their second straight defeat, and currently share third place in the Central Division with Red Deer. The Ice own a 4-7-0-0 record on the road this season, winning two of their last three games on enemy ice. Dustin Sylvester leads the Ice with 10 goals this season.
It’s the only meeting of the season between the Ice and Blazers. The Ice won last season’s only meeting versus the Blazers with an 8-3 victory in Cranbrook, B.C. on December 10, 2008.
Click HERE for the complete WHL on SHAW broadcast schedule.
KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS…
Calgary Hitmen @ Saskatoon Blades
Saturday, November 28th
Derek Hulak and the Saskatoon Blades (19-3-0-3) host Brandon Kozun and the Calgary Hitmen (19-8-0-0) for a battle between the Eastern Conference’s top two teams on Saturday night.
The East Division-leading Blades’ last action was last Friday when they posted a 4-1 victory in Moose Jaw, stretching their winning streak to four straight. The Blades are 10-1-0-0 at home this season, and have won nine straight games at Credit Union Centre. Derek Hulak (12g-20a) leads the team in scoring with 32 points.
The Central Division-leading Hitmen are coming off a 3-2 loss to the visiting Spokane Chiefs on Sunday for their second straight loss, but currently sit three points behind the Blades for the Eastern Conference lead. The Hitmen are 10-5 on the road this season. Kozun (11g-36a) leads the WHL scoring race with 47 points this season.
It’s the second meeting of the season between the Hitmen and Blades. The Blades managed a 5-1 win in Calgary on October 17th in the first meeting.
The Blades will host Lethbridge and the Hitmen will visit Prince Albert on Friday prior to Saturday’s head-to-head clash.
Portland Winterhawks vs Seattle Thunderbirds
Friday, Nov. 27 at Kent, WA; Saturday, Nov. 28 at Portland, OR.
Chris Francis and the Portland Winterhawks (16-12-0-0) take on Prab Rai and the Seattle Thunderbirds (10-14-1-3) for a home-and-home series between the U.S. Division rivals this weekend.
The Winterhawks are coming off a 6-2 loss to the Tri-City Americans on Wednesday for their fourth straight defeat, and have cooled off lately after opening the season with a 13-5 record through the end of October. The Hawks are 10-7 on the road, but have dropped their last three road games. Francis has five goals in three games versus Seattle this season.
The Thunderbirds skated to a 5-2 win over visiting Regina on Wednesday, giving them six wins in their last eight games after struggling to open the season. The T-Birds are 5-6-0-1 on home ice this season, and have won two of their last three home games. Prab Rai has racked up nine goals and 18 points through 10 games in November.
The T-Birds and Winterhawks have met three previous times this season, with the Hawks winning on all three occasions.
