WHL HEADLINES

WHL PLAYERS INK NHL DEALS – The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that several of the league’s top stars have signed professional contracts with National Hockey League clubs.
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rWHL stars and Canadian World Junior team standouts Brent Seabrook, Colin Fraser, Shawn Belle and Clarke MacArthur were among those who put pen to paper before Thursday’s deadline for NHL clubs to sign their 2003 draft picks.
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rSeabrook, who patrols the blueline for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Fraser, a Red Deer Rebel, both signed with the Chicago Blackhawks along with Prince George Cougars rearguard Dustin Byfuglien.
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rBelle, a defenceman with Tri-Cities, signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars, while Medicine Hat Tigers forward MacArthur inked a deal with the Buffalo Sabres.
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rPrince Albert Raiders pair and fellow World Junior teammates Jeremy Colliton and Rejean Beauchemin also signed pro contracts, as did fellow Raider Rick Kozak.
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rColliton signed with the New York Islanders while Kozak inked a deal with cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers. Beauchemin, a netminder, signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, who also inked Vancouver Giants forward Triston Grant.
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rBrandon Wheat Kings forwards Eric Fehr and Ryan Stone, who finished first and second respectively in league scoring during the 2004-05 season, were also signed by their respective NHL clubs; Fehr with the Washington Capitals, and Stone with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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rElsewhere, the Calgary Flames signed Vancouver Giants forward Cam Cunning and Seattle Thunderbirds forward Tyler Johnson, while the Edmonton Oilers signed Kelowna Rockets forward Troy Bodie, who helped the Rockets win the 2005 WHL championship.
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rThe Carolina Hurricanes strengthened their goaltending depth, signing 2003 draft pick and Medicine Hat Tigers netminder Kevin Nastiuk.
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rAlso signing were Seattle Thunderbirds pivot Nate Thompson, who inked a deal with the Boston Bruins, Thunderbirds defenceman Zack FitzGerald who signed with the St. Louis Blues, and Tigers sniper Stefan Meyer who signed with the Florida Panthers.
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