CHL Weekend Review: Happy Father’s Day
The weekend’s highlight was Father’s Day and that’s exactly where we begin our latest recap of news and notes from around the Canadian Hockey league.
Here’s a look at that story and more:
Happy Father’s Day
The CHL and many of its member teams took time Sunday to wish everyone a Happy Father’s Day with special recognition for hockey dads and billet dads from coast-to-coast. The CHL’s social thread below features videos from Christian Propp of the Kingston Frontenacs, a Saskatoon Blades dressing room clip with captain Chase Wouters’ dad Scott, and a photo of 2020 Rimouski Oceanic draft pick Loik Miville and his father Francois who was selected by the team back in 1998. Other teams got creative further down the thread by posting photos of their players and dads, and some video messages of thanks.
Happy Father’s Day!
We salute everyone across the #CHL family for all of the driveway practices and fun times spent playing the game we love.
🎥 via @OHLHockey grad @cproppsauce33 of @KingstonFronts. pic.twitter.com/gyli8CLrtz
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) June 21, 2020
Happy Father’s Day!
For sharing special #CHL moments like a draft day dream come true.
📸 via @oceanicrimouski with 2020 @QMJHL pick Loïk Miville and his dad François Miville chosen in 1998. pic.twitter.com/nTvepTJR7R
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) June 21, 2020
Happy Father’s Day!
For motivating us to be our best.
🎥 via @TheWHL’s @BladesHockey featuring #CHL captain @wouters_44’s dad @wouters_12. pic.twitter.com/MuMtPTcQVe
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) June 21, 2020
Happy Father's Day! 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/KQzHeNGXrP
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) June 21, 2020
The smiles on the dads of some of our 2020 Drafted players says it all. Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there who continue to be our number 👆fans…it just so happens that we feel the same about you 💙#HappyFathersDay2020 pic.twitter.com/1YzYaREt25
— Cape Breton Eagles (@CBEHockey) June 21, 2020
Happy Father's Day to all the dads, billet dads and father figures from the Swift Current Broncos! #FathersDay pic.twitter.com/o3mgilMzBG
— Swift Current Broncos (@SCBroncos) June 21, 2020
Happy Father’s Day to all of the great hockey dads out there! 🐟 pic.twitter.com/SIKZBvZH9X
— Mississauga Steelheads (@OHLSteelheads) June 21, 2020
À vous qui les protégez, les encouragez et les conseillez depuis le jour 1,
À vous qui les avez vus s’épanouir dans leur passion en y mettant tout autant de cœur,
À vous qui êtes devenus leurs fans #1 bien avant d’avoir attaché leurs premiers patins,
Bonne fête des Pères !🧔🏻 pic.twitter.com/Tmvaez4KMX
— Phœnix de Sherbrooke (@PhoenixSherbroo) June 21, 2020
Happy Father's Day! pic.twitter.com/T9BchJn5p9
— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) June 21, 2020
Happy #FathersDay from Jacob Ingham!@JacobIngham_ | #RTown | #OHL pic.twitter.com/xTvMlLakiQ
— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) June 21, 2020
One more round of #FathersDay shots before the day is done.
Hope you all had an amazing day! pic.twitter.com/VyHDxTyCxh
— Charlottetown Islanders (@IslandersHKY) June 21, 2020
Thank you, hockey dads!#AmsNation | #FathersDay pic.twitter.com/lVyDRQC1cZ
— Tri-City Americans (@TCAmericans) June 21, 2020
To all the Dad’s and Father figures—we appreciate you, we love you and thank you for everything you do!
Happy Father’s Day! pic.twitter.com/KnkBulJ81t
— Oshawa Generals (@Oshawa_Generals) June 21, 2020
Happy Father's Day to the hockey dads, billet dads, and Titan fans!
Joyeuse fête des pères aux papas de hockey, aux papas de pension et aux partisans du Titan! pic.twitter.com/D3B8ouv6qT
— Titan Acadie-Bathurst (@ABTitan) June 21, 2020
To all the Fathers, Grandfathers and Father figures, Happy Fathers Day from the Portland Winterhawks! pic.twitter.com/rUOXJb4EDh
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) June 21, 2020
Between two Barber Poles
The Ottawa 67’s introduced a new web video segment titled Between Two Barber Poles and used the first episode to feature goaltender Cedrick Andree and his father Frank just in time for the weekend.
Welcome to the first episode of Between Two Barber Poles – Father's Day Edition.👔
We got the chance to sit down with Ceddy and his dad Frank! |📽️: https://t.co/qy0GUzoF8B pic.twitter.com/AwUub0a8Ae
— Ottawa 67’s (@Ottawa67sHockey) June 16, 2020
Hockey Canada begins road to World Juniors
Preparations for the holiday classic that is the IIHF World Junior Championship are underway as Hockey Canada has announced its roster of 41 players invited to take part in a virtual National Junior Team Summer Development Camp. The 39 CHL players involved will hope to represent their country in Edmonton and Red Deer this December. Among that group are seven who won gold in 2019 including Quinton Byfield (Sudbury Wolves), Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants), Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes), Jamie Drysdale (Erie Otters), Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic), Connor McMichael (London Knights), and Dawson Mercer (Chicoutimi Sagueneens).
NEWS | The road to the #WorldJuniors (@HC_WJC) continues July 27-31 when 41 players meet online for the @SportChek summer development camp.
ROSTER: https://t.co/lOc34VLQoU pic.twitter.com/hfZxOCY3g0
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) June 16, 2020
Five CHL players to skate with Team USA
The United States National Junior Team will converge in Plymouth, Michigan, for a Summer Showcase to evaluate their own talent ahead of the World Juniors. Five CHL players are among the 43 total invites including Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips and Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs who both represented their county last season in the Czech Republic.
43 players have been invited to the 2020 World Junior Summer Showcase at @USAHockeyArena. #WJSS 🇺🇸
Full details → https://t.co/J9euUpQ2vJ pic.twitter.com/WmWtrEphxe
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) June 16, 2020
Four CHL players named to Switzerland U20 Camp
Simon Knak of the Portland Winterhawks is the only returning member of the four CHL players invited to Switzerland’s summer camp for World Juniors. The other hopefuls include Inaki Baragano (Kamloops Blazers), Giancarlo Chanton (Niagara IceDogs), and Noah Delemont (Acadie-Bathurst Titan).
Simon Knak of the @pdxwinterhawks & @IBaragano of @blazerhockey have been invited to Team Switzerland’s U20 National Junior Team Summer Camp!
DETAILS 🇨🇭 | https://t.co/wlHnGjClN9 pic.twitter.com/q7SNvRGqTM
— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 18, 2020
Four CHL players eye Team Finland
First year Oshawa Generals forward Oliver Suni and former Windsor Spitfires Kari Piiroinen and Ruben Rafkin hope to represent Finland on the world stage along with Everett Silvertips defenceman Kasper Puutio. Only Piiroinen competed in last season’s event.
First year @Oshawa_Generals forward @oliver_suni and former @SpitsHockey teammates @piiroinen_kari and @rubenrafkin8 have been named to Finland's U20 summer roster.
DETAILS 🇫🇮 : https://t.co/jZabzPWshY pic.twitter.com/eT2Gmz66RR
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) June 21, 2020
World Under-18 Championship Scheduled
The IIHF assigned hosts and announced dates for several world championship events for the 2020-21 season including the under-18 category which will take place April 15-25, 2021, in Plymouth. The event returns to USA Hockey Arena where it was scheduled to take place in 2020 before its cancellation due to the pandemic.
The IIHF has assigned the tournaments for the upcoming season. We return to many venues of tournaments cancelled this spring with the #WomensWorlds in Canada, #U18Worlds in the U.S. The U18 Women's Worlds go to Sweden. Women's Olympic Qualification set. https://t.co/L2HMbN8Mwn
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) June 22, 2020
New Bauer PPE
Bauer, one of the CHL’s proud equipment suppliers, is excited to introduce some new Personal Protective Equipment to help us all stay safe as we continue to return to more frequent social and public gatherings.. These products include the Integrated Cap Shield, which can be worn over a baseball cap or alone, and Reversible Fabric Masks, which cover the nose and mouth, to provide a comfortable option where face coverings are recommended or required.
Protecting hockey players has been our mission for decades, and in response to the challenges created by COVID-19, we have taken learnings from our medical-grade face shields to design products which will keep our community safe both on and off the ice. pic.twitter.com/jEoglOAk7r
— BAUER Hockey (@BauerHockey) June 17, 2020
Design a Winnipeg ICE mask
The Winnipeg ICE recently unveiled the winning entry in the club’s Goalie Mask Design Contest. The event was proudly supported by CHL partner Real Canadian Superstore that hosted the big reveal.
In February Mathieu and hundreds of other kids in Winnipeg entered a Goalie Mask Design Contest with @RealCdnSS and this morning we got to see the big unveiling of his winning design! Congrats Mathieu, we can’t wait to see the goalie helmet in action! pic.twitter.com/hYdYj8uLtS
— Winnipeg ICE (@WHLWpgICE) June 10, 2020
Rangers Reach to help serve community
The Kitchener Rangers have announced the launch of a new Community Fund called Rangers Reach. The independent, non-profit organization, will work at arms length from the hockey club with a focus on supporting the community. The fund will coordinate community support and donations previously managed by the business operations side of the team which includes over $15 million since 2002.
We're pleased to announce our commitment to the community that has supported Kitchener Rangers hockey since 1963. https://t.co/A0Cbb4Krw0 #commYOUnity @OHLRangers
— Rangers Reach (@RangersReachWR) June 16, 2020
Spirit Fill The Bus
The Saginaw Spirit partnered with the United Way of Saginaw County and several local business and organizations for two Fill the Bus events to benefit Saginaw County flood victims. An estimated $30,000 was collected for those in need.
The Spirit want to send a heartfelt thank you to all of the businesses and non-profits involved in the “Fill the Bus” event last week. It was a BIG success as we brought in an estimated $30,000 in monetary, gift card, and supply donations. THANK YOU!! pic.twitter.com/k80BPSSJ8W
— Saginaw Spirit (@SpiritHockey) June 22, 2020
Bulldogs Foundation still supporting Hamilton Food Share
The Bulldogs’ Foundation is donating $5,000 to Hamilton Food Share to continue supporting the fight against food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bulldogs’ Foundation, ATS Healthcare and the Andlauer family donated $100,000 to Hamilton Food Share in early April when COVID-19 had shut down the city and province.
NEWS: Bulldogs' Foundation Continues Support of @HFShare – Full Story here: https://t.co/szKsxs7sZ3 pic.twitter.com/aByC20Y6GB
— Bulldogs' Foundation (@BulldogsFDN) June 18, 2020
More new sweaters
QMJHL prospects continue to receive special deliveries from around the league since first hearing their names called during the league’s 2020 Entry Draft held June 5-6. The Charlottetown Islanders, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and Sherbooke Phoenix were among the latest clubs to share photos of their new players and their families celebrating the next step in their hockey careers.
More Draft Kits are finding their way to our newest prospects – Check out 2nd round pick Sam Oliver in his gear! pic.twitter.com/bd5ywnfvSb
— Charlottetown Islanders (@IslandersHKY) June 19, 2020
Our first draft pick with cap & Huskies jersey!
Notre premier choix avec ses nouvelles couleurs!Welcome @DyllanGill1 pic.twitter.com/A26qP30iql
— Huskies de Rouyn-Noranda (@HuskiesRn) June 16, 2020
Livraison spéciale pour Zachary Lessard, Hugo Primeau et Jasmin Simon 😁😁 #phœnixsherbrooke pic.twitter.com/Q0BFyjBPPG
— Phœnix de Sherbrooke (@PhoenixSherbroo) June 19, 2020
#HockeyAtHome
A search through social media to see CHL stars staying active at home finds a Peterborough Petes online gaming tournament between Shawn Spearing and Tye Austin, Logan Nijhoff of the Regina Pats thanking those on the front lines, and Jacob Rabouin of the Sherbrooke Phoenix in motocross action.
Yesterday @SpearingShawn took a 4-1 lead over @tye32austin and was already asking about a mercy rule. How far do you think Shawn will go in this tournament?
Watch the full game here >> https://t.co/Sbepp8rJTv#GoPetesGo pic.twitter.com/Ke5QPSiII0
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) June 19, 2020
Stick tap to all those putting it on the line from @LoganNijhoff! #ThankYou pic.twitter.com/mhVuY7Jxei
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) June 16, 2020
Jacob Rabouin l’hiver ➡️ Joueur de hockey
Jacob Rabouin l’été ➡️ Pilote de motocross pic.twitter.com/2MplR3sGJ5— Phœnix de Sherbrooke (@PhoenixSherbroo) June 16, 2020
New Player Ambassadors
Hockey Gives Blood, a non-profit society that partners with Canadian Blood Services to engage and educate the hockey community about the importance of blood and stem cell donation, continued naming new Player Ambassadors last week. Among the CHL faces joining the fight are Ethan Crossman (Charlottetown Islanders), Braden Hache (Kingston Frontenacs), Dylan Garand and Logan Stankoven (Kamloops Blazers), Ethan Cardwell (Barrie Colts), Cole MacKay (Soo Greyhounds), Liam Peyton (Halifax Mooseheads), Trevor Wong (Kelowna Rockets), and Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves).
Thrilled to have #CHL alum and Mem Cup champ Ethan Crossman as a #HGB Player Ambassador. Ethan is a multi-time blood donor and genuine advocate for @CanadasLifeline . @IslandersHKY @ABTitan @QMJHL @XMenhockey @USPORTS_Hockey @USPORTSca @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/6wi0oIjUQG
— Hockey Gives Blood (@hkygivesblood) June 20, 2020
Honoured to announce my partnership with @hkygivesblood as a player ambassador. A crash victim can use up to 50 units of blood to save their life. Learn how to book your appointment at https://t.co/b2sNWZSNSw@KingstonFronts @ohlofficial @chlhockey @canadaslifeline pic.twitter.com/DetnYbQBs8
— Braden Haché (@BradenHache) June 19, 2020
Excited to announce that I’m partnering with @hkygivesblood to become a #playerambassador Canadian blood services need 112,000 new donors each year. Learn more or book your appointment at https://t.co/WUYQ5ngGkL @hkygivesblood @CanadasLifeline @blazerhockey @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/U4vZmT0NoL
— Dylan Garand (@DylanGarand) June 19, 2020
Super excited to be teaming up with @hkygivesblood as a player ambassador. Each year @canadaslifeline needs 112,000 new donors and someone battling leukemia can use up to 8 units of blood per week. I encourage all to do their best to donate. @CHLHockey @OHLBarrieColts @OHLHockey pic.twitter.com/Wcqedvjijg
— Ethan Cardwell (@EthanCardwell2) June 18, 2020
I’m proud to announce that I’m teaming up with @hkygivesblood as a player ambassador. Every 60 seconds in Canada someone needs blood. A crash victim can use up to 50 units of blood to save their life. @blazerhockey @TheWHL @CHLHockey @CanadasLifeline @hkygivesblood pic.twitter.com/UISSDF22QP
— Logan Stankoven (@LoganStankoven) June 17, 2020
I’m excited to become a @hkygivesblood Player Ambassador. You can support @CanadasLifeline by registering online as a #StemCell donor or an #OrgansAndTissue donor.
Join today at https://t.co/JrOIEkewDn or https://t.co/06FUHaeQJt .@OHLHoundPower @OHLHockey @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/14rKQQVXnp— Cole MacKAY (@9Cmackay) June 18, 2020
I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community and support @CanadasLifeline.@hkygivesblood @HFXMooseheads@QMJHL @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/398lsTJv90
— Liam Peyton (@LPeyton78) June 17, 2020
As a member of the @Kelowna_Rockets I am proud to become a @hkygivesblood player ambassador.
Half of all Canadians will need blood or knows someone who will.
Book today or learn more at https://t.co/pbRSrTjvwd@CanadasLifeline @Kelowna_Rockets @TheWHL @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/xFlDIYPswB— Trevor Wong (@wongtrevor8) June 17, 2020
I am proud to become a @hkygivesblood player ambassador to help create awareness about the need for blood and blood components such as plasma. The need for plasma is 4 times greater then what is currently donated in Canada. Book today at https://t.co/i8VgPSRYmT @Sudbury_Wolves pic.twitter.com/wgwS6dXNFv
— JT (@jackthompson_22) June 16, 2020
19 QMJHL players receive academic bursaries
The Sport-Etudes Foundation announced a list of 68 student athletes recognized for their excellence in the classroom and in various sports. 19 QMJHL players were among those who each received bursaries of $1,250 including Rafael Harvey-Pinard who was named the league’s Scholastic Player of the Year.
La Fondation Sport-Études a récompensé 19 étudiants-athlètes méritants de la #LHJMQ dans le cadre de sa remise de bourses nationales 2020.
Félicitations à tous nos joueurs qui continuent de performer sur les bancs d'école, tout en évoluant dans un sport d'élite. #FiertéLHJMQ
— LHJMQ (@LHJMQ) June 19, 2020
Sea Dogs name Greg Gilbert head coach
The Saint John Sea Dogs recently introduced Greg Gilbert as the team’s new head coach. A three-time Stanley Cup champion as a player with the New York Islanders and Rangers, the 58-year-old from Mississauga has 20 years of head coaching experience across all levels. He last coached in the CHL for the Saginaw Spirit in 2015-16 and won OHL Coach of the Year honours back in 2012. Gilbert is the eighth head coach in franchise history and will take over head coaching duties from interim head coach, Jeff Cowan.
We're proud to announce the signing of new Head Coach, Greg Gilbert.
Gilbert, a former 3-time Stanley Cup champion as a player, has 20 years of Head Coaching experience, across the @NHL @TheAHL & @OHLHockey. He has won #AHL & #OHL Coach of the Year.
📰 https://t.co/T0AgGY7qww pic.twitter.com/7VQYKoeEwz
— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) June 19, 2020
Wildcats solidify staff
The Moncton Wildcats are pleased to announce that Daniel Lacroix will be returning as head coach for the upcoming season and Ritchie Thibeau, who has been interim director of hockey operations, is moving into the role in a full-time, permanent capacity. Lacroix took over as head coach in December and guided the team to a record of 26 wins and 6 losses over 31 games. Thibeau became assistant director of hockey of operations and head scout for the team back in 2016.
The Wildcats are pleased to announce that Dan Lacroix will be returning as head coach for the upcoming season!
Also, Ritchie Thibeau, who has been interim director of hockey ops, is moving into the role in a full-time, permanent capacity.
📰Story here: https://t.co/knMJUzp46c pic.twitter.com/7YJ1kZaaHb
— Moncton Wildcats (@monctonwildcats) June 22, 2020
U SPORTS Commitments
Scott Walford of the Saskatoon Blades is the latest member of the CHL’s 2020 class of overage graduates who will continue his hockey and education in U SPORTS while taking advantage of the league’s scholarship program. The former Montreal Canadiens third round pick has officially committed to McGill University.
McGill Hockey welcomes Scott Walford 🔴⚪️
Scott is a defensemen from Coquitlam B.C.
Scott played in the WHL (@TheWHL) for 5 seasons for the Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) and Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals).
He… https://t.co/FAl6YEj1i0— McGill Men's Hockey (@McGillHockey) June 22, 2020