Around the Dub

Here's what's been happening around the Western Hockey League:

On Saturday the 12th, the Medicine Hat Tigers will don their Pink in the Rink jerseys when they host the Red Deer Rebels. The jerseys will be signed and auctioned off after the game.

The Tri-City Americans welcome back Kyle Olson and Krystof Hrabik to their lineup. Olson, who will wear the captain's C this season for the Ams, was in camp with the AHL's Rochester Americans. Hrabik, a native of the Czech Republic, was in camp with AHL San Jose. He has also signed a two-year contract with the Barracudas.

There is just one WHL team without a loss of any kind. The Portland Winterhawks, currently tied for first in the U.S. Division, has won all three of their starts. There are just two unbeaten (in regulation) teams left. Calgary in the Central Division and Prince Albert in the East Division. Both are 3-0-1-0.

In the latest standings heading into action tonight, Portland and Tri-City both have 6 points to top the U.S. Division. Kelowna paces the B.C. Division with 7 points. Calgary's 7 points are best in the Central Division. Prince Albert and Winnipeg are tied for first in the East Division with 7 points each.

Orrin Centazzo of Kamloops has bolted to the top of the scoring ledger in the WHL. After registering a pair of assists in the opening game of the season, Centazzo has exploded offensively, with 4 goals in his past two games and 6 assists in 6 games, for a total of 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points in 6 games. Ryder Korczak of Moose Jaw (2g, 7a) and Connor Zary (2g, 7a) of Kamloops are both 1 point back.

Dylan Hamaliuk of Kelowna, Milos Roman of Vancouver and Kyle Topping are best on the man advantage with 4 goals each. Leif Mattson of Kelowna, along with Zary and Korczak are tied for top spot with 7 power play assists. Centazzo's 10 points, which has him leading the entire WHL in scoring, have all come on the power play.

Korczak and Egor Zamula of Calgary are the WHL,\'s best on the +/- scale, at +7.

Hunter Campbell of Calgary leads the parade to the sin bin with 18 minutes.

In net, David Tendeck of Vancouver leads with a 0.50 goals against average and a .976 saves percentage in 120 minutes played. Seven goaltenders have posted shutouts so far this season.

Spokane leads the league in average attendance at 8,122 in one opening. For teams with 2 or more home dates, Portland is best at 5,724.

Four players have recorded hat tricks this season. Kyle Crnkovic of Saskatoon vs Winnipeg, Nino Kinder of Winnipeg in the same game vs Saskatoon, Josh Tarzwell of Red Deer vs Lethbridge, all on September 27th. The very next night, Riley Stotts of Calgary scored three times against Red Deer.

In this past week, Carl Stankowski of Calgary recorded a 33 save shutout vs Medicine Hat and Vancouver's David Tendeck was called upon to make just 14 saves vs. Kelowna, both this past Sunday the 29th.

Medicine Hat's 10 goals in their 10-1 home ice win over Swift Current September 28th are best in the league so far this season. Tiger players tallied 18 assists in that game, for a league single game high (so far) of 28 points.

Tranasctions in the past week:

Everett sends their 6th round Bantam pick in 2023 to Lethbridge for Tyson Phare.
Cohner Saleski of Prince Albert goes to Red Deer for a pair of draft picks, 6th round in 2020 and 4th round in 2021.
Red Deer moves Ryan Gottfried to Seattle for Noah Barlage and a 7th round conditional pick in 2022.
Moose Jaw's 6th round pick in 2023 goes to Vancouver for Owen Hardy.
Kamloops sends their 2nd and 6th pound picks in 2020 to Prince Albert for Max Martin.

There are 8 games in the Western Hockey League tonight, 8 tomorrow and 4 on Sunday. Get out, support your local teams and have some fun. Take a friend too!