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WHL This Week: Looking Ahead...

Published on February 11, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, AB - The 2009-10 Western Hockey League schedule enters its second weekend of play in February - the Family Day long weekend in Canada and President's Day in the United States - with a busy schedule of 28 games slated for Friday, Valentine's Day Saturday, Sunday and holiday Monday.

In Prince George, B.C., the Cougars will be Opening the Doors Early on Friday night so fans can watch the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver prior to the game versus the Portland Winterhawks.

Also in Prince George, Saturday night is the second annual Hockey in Heels night when the Cougars host the Winterhawks. The Cougars are calling on all female hockey fans to head to Saturday's game and take part in several activities, including a discussion on the basics of the game by the PG Women's Recreational Hockey League.

In Kent, WA, Valentine's Day Saturday is KISS from a T-Bird day. Members of the Seattle Thunderbirds will be at two Fred Meyer locations handing out Hershey's Kiss chocolates, signing autographs and interacting with fans.

In Spokane, WA, Saturday is Buck Night when the Chiefs host the Tri-City Americans. Prior to the game, the Spokane Police Department will play the Sheriff's Office of the Spokane Area in a charity game to raise money for the surviving children of the four Lakewood Police Officers who were killed in the line of duty. The Chiefs will also hold a silent auction with proceeds going to this cause.

In Kennewick, WA, Friday night is Breast Cancer Awareness Night when the Tri-City Americans host the Chilliwack Bruins. The Ams players will wear Commemorative Pink Jerseys, which will be auctioned off, and the ice at the Toyota Centre will be colored pink. The team will also hold a silent auction for Ams' memorabilia and gift baskets donated by the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation Board Members.

28 WHL GRADS SET TO BATTLE FOR OLYMPIC HOCKEY GOLD...

Calgary, AB -- The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that 28 WHL alumni will participate in the 2010 Winter Olympic hockey tournament in Vancouver, B.C., which begin on Friday.

12 countries will compete for an Olympic Gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics including Belarus, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

Seven of the 12 competing entries have at least one WHL graduate on their roster. Canada and Slovakia each boast eight WHL graduates, the Czechs have four WHL alumni, and Switzerland and Germany each have three.

CHL COMMISSIONERS PAY VISIT TO MEMORIAL CUP HOST CITY BRANDON...

Brandon, MB. - The three Commissioners of Canada's Major Junior Hockey Leagues, including Canadian Hockey League President David Branch concluded their 2-day site tour and came away pleased with the Local Host Committee's preparations for the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

Branch, who also serves as Commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League, visited Brandon this week and in addition to meetings with the Local Host Organizing Committee, conducted tours throughout the city.

Besides visiting Brandon's major hotels, Branch, who was joined by Western Hockey League Commissioner Ron Robison and Commissioner Gilles Courteau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, toured the entire Keystone Centre complex including Westman Place as well as the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium that will serve as site of the 2010 CHL Awards Ceremony.

KURTIS MUCHA SETS NEW WHL MARK FOR GOALTENDERS...

Kurtis Mucha of the Kamloops Blazers once again wrote his name in the WHL record books, breaking the WHL's all-time record for career regular-season games played by a goaltender.

The 20-year-old from Sherwood Park, AB, played his 234th career regular-season contest in a 5-1 loss in Spokane to the Chiefs on Friday, February 5th, breaking the old WHL record held by former Swift Current Broncos goaltender Kyle Moir.

Mucha in his fifth season in the WHL, beginning his full-time WHL career as a 16-year-old with the Portland Winterhawks in 2005-06 when he appeared in 32 games for the Hawks. Mucha spent over four seasons with the Winterhawks, appearing in 219 regular-season contests, including two as a 15-year-old affiliate player. The Hawks' 2nd round pick, 25th overall, in the 2004 WHL Bantam Draft, Mucha was traded to Kamloops in November 2009.

Mucha also holds the WHL and CHL all-time record for most career minutes played. He also ranks third in the WHL record books for most career saves

SILVERTIPS HOST CHIEFS ON FRIDAY NIGHT, LIVE ON FSN

Byron Froese and the Everett Silvertips (35-18-2-1) host Mitch Wahl and the Spokane Chiefs (32-20-3-1) for a U.S. division clash on Friday night.

Friday's meeting between the 'Tips and Chiefs can be seen live throughout the Pacific Northwest on FSN (7:30pm PST).

The Silvertips are coming off a 4-0 shutout win over the visiting Kelowna Rockets on Wednesday night, putting an end to the Rockets' nine-game win streak while picking up their second straight victory, and currently sit in third place in the Western Conference. With Wednesday's win over the Rockets, the Silvertips clinched a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season. Froese has scored three goals and six points over his last two games.

The Chiefs are coming off a 6-3 win over the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors on Wednesday for their third victory in their last four games, and currently occupy fifth place in the Western Conference. The Chiefs are 16-9-2-1 on the road this season. Mitch Wahl has piles up eight points (1g-7a) over his last three games.

It's the seventh meeting of the season between the 'Tips and Chiefs. Everett has won five of six meetings versus Spokane this season, including all four previous encounters at home.

KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS...

Calgary Hitmen vs Brandon Wheat Kings

Monday, February 15th

Brandon Kozun and the Calgary Hitmen take on Matt Calvert and the Brandon Wheat Kings for a battle between two of the Eastern Conference's top squads on Monday afternoon.

The Hitmen are currently in the midst of a six-game winning streak, having most recently wrapped up a short Saskatchewan road trip with a 6-2 win in Regina over the Pats, and currently hold a three-point lead over Kootenay for first place in the Central Division. The Hitmen have outscored their opponents 23-5 over the course of their last six victories.

The Wheat Kings are coming off a 6-2 win over the Pats in Regina on Tuesday to improve to 8-0-1 over their last nine games, and currently sit tied on points with the Saskatoon Blades for the East Division and Eastern Conference lead. The Wheat Kings have scored a WHL-best 249 goals this season and have scored 45 goals over their last nine games.

It's the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the Hitmen and Wheat Kings. The Wheaties won two of three previous meetings versus the Hitmen, including a 6-3 victory in Calgary on January 29th.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE - February 12 - 15

All times local

WATCH WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON WHL WEB TV

Friday, Feb. 12

Swift Current @ Brandon; 7:30

Prince Albert @ Calgary; 7:00

Kootenay @ Edmonton; 7:00

Spokane @ Everett; 7:35 **Live on FSN**

Kelowna @ Kamloops; 7:00

Saskatoon @ Medicine Hat; 7:30

Portland @ Prince George; 7:00

Regina @ Red Deer; 7:30

Moose Jaw @ Seattle; 7:35

Chilliwack @ Tri-City; 7:05

Saturday, Feb. 13

Vancouver @ Chilliwack; 7:00

Regina @ Edmonton; 7:00

Moose Jaw @ Everett; 7:05

Kamloops @ Kelowna; 7:00

Saskatoon @ Lethbridge; 7:00

Portland @ Prince George; 7:00

Prince Albert @ Red Deer; 7:30

Tri-City @ Spokane; 7:00

Medicine Hat @ Swift Current; 7:30

Sunday, Feb. 14

Saskatoon @ Kootenay; 6:00

Calgary @ Lethbridge; 2:00

Brandon @ Medicine Hat; 6:00

Kamloops @ Tri-City; 5:05

Chilliwack @ Vancouver; 5:00 (Langley)

Monday, Feb. 15

Brandon @ Calgary; 2:00

Moose Jaw @ Portland; 2:00

Vancouver @ Seattle; 5:05

Everett @ Spokane; 3:00

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 11, 2010


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