This week, Sunayas Sapurji lamented on the disappearing local news in CHL markets, and how it’s the only outlet for some teams at times.

I agreed and then snarked a bit, as is my brand. I thought about it all week and decided to get the ol’ RSS feed up and running and commit to putting up a weekly compilation of CHL news here at PPP Kitten Ranching, career ruining, and tote bag manufacturing, LLC.

I did a couple of these last year and they did well, and then I got laid off (probably for writing these at work), and lost interesting in most things. It’s hard to be motivated when you’re not being paid and the xbox is right there.

So, here we are again. Let’s see if it sticks around this time.

WHL News

BJ Crowe over at The Crowes Nest has a lot of links from Brandon for you.

Dan Kordic arrives, starts job as new AC with the Blazers - CFJC Today
The Kamloops Blazers have a new assistant coach after Mike Needham’s contract wasn’t renewed following major changes to the front office this summer.

The Dub Network is a great place for WHL news, podcasts, and everything you’d want about the second best CHL league.

Kootenay ICE extend bench personnel - e-know.ca
On the other side of the spectrum from Kamloops, the ICE are keeping their staff around longer.

The Edmonton Oil Kings have a new shoulder patch! You can watch the video about it here, or just look slightly down.

Rawr, it’s a lion!

They also made a trade:
From Edmonton:
Matthew Culling (C)
Chase Lacombe (D)
2019 4th round pick
2020 2nd round pick
From Swift Current:
Jacson Alexander (D)
Chad Smithson (D)
2020 6th round pick

Lethbridge city council is backing the Hurricanes big for the 2020 Memorial Cup - Global News
The city has committed $1,000,000 to the event.

The Medicince Hat Tigers and Kootenay ICE (you have to shout it) made a trade as well:

From Medicine Hat:
Jaeger White (C)

From Kootenay:
Confitional Draft Pick

Another trade for Kootenay, this time with the Regina Pats:

From Kootenay:
Carter Woodside (G)

From Regina:
2019 Conditional 8th round pick.

Ahead of rookie camp opening, the Victoria Royals have signed 2018 import draft pick, Danish forward Phillip Schultz.

Tiger Turf: 2018-2019 WHL Eastern Conference Predictions
The Turf makes their picks for the WHL East.

Former Chiefs Captain Derek Schutz Hired as Part-Time Assistant – Spokane Chiefs
In his new role, Schutz will assist during select home practices and do some individual on-ice instruction.

Eight Players From Washington Taking Part In T-Birds 2018 Training Camp – Seattle Thunderbirds
Important to have local players on the Thunderbirds

Blades announce additions to Manitoba scouting staff – Saskatoon Blades
Of course, they'll have to travel by car, and not fly.

Rockets' top prospect, Bowen, staying in BCHL | kelownadailycourier.ca
The Kelowna Rockets will have one, but not both of the Bowen brothers on their roster this season and in the fold when training camp opens on Friday.

Tiger Turf: 2018-2019 WHL Eastern Conference Predictions
The Turf makes their picks for the WHL East.

Warriors solidify scouting staff – Moose Jaw Warriors
Moose Jaw Warriors General Manager Alan Millar and Assistant General Manager Jason Ripplinger have announced changes to the teams scouting staff.  New to the staff this season will be Mark Blair, Todd Ripplinger, and Zenon Herasymiuk.

Regina Pats’ Cole Dubinsky determined to overcome injury setback - Regina Leader-Post
Regina Pats top prospect Cole Dubinsky isn’t taking part in rookie camp due to an ankle injury.

Thunderbirds’ first-round pick Kai Uchacz excited to join club - My Northwest
He’s signed, he’s sealed, and he’s delivered. Kai Uchacz made his accesso ShoWare Center ice debut Wednesday morning at Seattle Thunderbirds training camp.

Five players to watch with the Giants this season - Vancouver Sun
layers hit the ice at the Ladner Leisure Centre today.

OHL News

The Soo Greyhounds lost their Director of Player Personnel to the Toronto Maple Leafs yesterday.

Overage Situation Thinning Out In Owen Sound - The OHL Collective
The Attacks potential overagers included Trent Bourque, Sean Durzi, Alan Lyszczarczyk, Olivier Lafreniere, Chase Campbell, Kevin Hancock and Cole Cameron.

Cooper joins Hounds as new Athletic Therapist – Soo Greyhounds
The Montreal, QUE native most recently worked as the Head Athletic Therapist and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach with Okanagan Hockey Academy Europe in St. Polten, Austria.

Saginaw Spirit sign New York Islanders prospect Bode Wilde - Saginaw Spirit
Huge signing for the Spirit. Hopefully the team can use this to turn their fortunes around.

Still, I'm a little sad he didn't come to Niagara after all.

Petes Announce Additions to Hockey Operations Staff – Peterborough Petes
The Peterborough Petes announced Thursday that Noah Bucholtz has been promoted and Natasha Lagacé has been added to the team’s Hockey Operations department.

KNIGHTS SIGN IMPORT PICK – London Knights
Kolyachonok was the Knights’ second round selection in the 2018 CHL Import Draft

Cal Christner commits to Steelheads – Mississauga Steelheads
Christner was selected by the Mississauga Steelheads in the ninth round, (164th overall) of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.

Steelheads Announce New Addition to Front Office Staff – Mississauga Steelheads
Dach Hiller will join our front office staff as the Vice President, Director of Business Operations.

ANNOUNCEMENT | IceDogs name MacLean GTA Scout – Niagara IceDogs
The former New York Islanders scout is now scouting the GTHL for Niagara

ATTACK PARTNER WITH CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY FOR 2ND ANNUAL CUBS FOR CANCER EVENT – Owen Sound Attack
Cubs For Cancer will again see the Attack don special jerseys for the game, which will take place on Saturday, November 17th versus the Flint Firebirds.

IceDogs deal MacPherson, add coach, scout | BP Sports Niagara
The IceDogs also added former National Hockey League forward Jody Hull as the team’s new associate coach. Hull replaces Ted Dent, who took a scouting job in the Arizona Coyotes organization.

Firebirds Add Fred Coccimiglio to Scouting Staff – Flint Firebirds
From OHL Central Scouting to focusing on Flint

From the Stands: Assistant Coach Chad Wiseman – Guelph Storm
Guelph adds former NWHL Metropolitan Riveters head coach to their staff

A Look at Barrie Molson Centre Attendance. Can it improve? #OHL - A Very Barrie Colts Blog
Why was attendance so low for the 2017-18 season?

Uncertainty envelopes makeup of Matsos’s Bulldogs - Hamilton Spectator
While the Hamilton Bulldogs open training camp in less than a week, it could be a month or more before they know how their roster will shape up this season.

Kingston Frontenacs’ Larry Mavety honoured by OHL - Kingston Whig-Standard
The Ontario Hockey League has named former Kingston Frontenacs coach and general manager Larry Mavety the recipient of the Bill Long Award for Distinguished Service

‘Personal reasons’ behind Vallati move - Waterloo Record
It was a trade that caught many people off guard.

First-round draft pick Will Cuylle still not expected at Peterborough Petes training camp - Peterborough Examiner
Petes have no plans to trade him to another OHL club

Petes, listen. You just need to accept you’ve been a mess for a long time and you have to rebuild your reputation with players who will report.

Giffen: If nothing else, the Sudbury Wolves will be exciting this season - Sudbury Star
It seems safe to predict that they’ll be better in 2018-19 than they were last season

QMJHL News

In the Q, training camps are already under way with trades and cuts galore.

The Sherbrooke Phoenix have parted ways with goalie Reilly Pickard.

The Olympiques and Foreurs have made a trade!

From Gatineau:
2020 6th round pick.

From Val d’Or:
Darick Louis-Jean (D)
2020 10th round pick.

The Victoriaville Tigres and Quebec Remparts also made a trade:

From Victoriaville:
Anthony Morrone (G)

From Quebec:
2021 5th round pick

The QMJHL’s third Winter Classic to be hosted in Saint-Tite – QMJHL
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Shawinigan Cataractes today announced the Cataractes will be hosting two outdoor games, one against the Rimouski Oceanic and one against the Quebec Remparts, at Grandes Estrades du Festival Western de Saint-Tite on February 8–9, 2019.

Nouvelles coupures au camp d’entraînement – Armada BLB
William Dumont, Alex Larocque, and Blake Richardson have been cut from BBA camp.

Screaming Eagles Make Two Reassignments, Make Player Loan – Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
In addition to the reassignments, the Screaming Eagles have loaned Jérémie Major to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

Islanders make next round of releases – Charlottetown Islanders
The Islanders training camp roster now sits at 30 players: 17 forward, 9 defensemen, and 4 goalies.

More players released from camp – Moncton Wildcats
Five players were sent home

Communiqué | De nouvelles coupures au camp d’entraînement – Rimouski, Oceanic
Five players were cut from camp.

Mooseheads training camp roster trimmed to 42 – Halifax Mooseheads
Goalie Simon Bucheler and forward Miguel Duchaine were reassigned.

Titan release three players from training camp – Acadie-Bathurst Titan
Forwards Olivier Coulombe and Bennett MacArthur along with defenceman Zachery Bennett are no longer in camp.

There’s lots to catch up on, with a lot of pre-camp signings and hirings in the OHL and WHL, and cuts from camps in the Q.

If there’s any blogs I missed, let me know.

Now, if you’ve always wanted to be a part of a team, here are some pre-season openings.

Portland Winterhawks seek energetic performer with ‘rugged’ dance moves to take on mascot role

Flint Firebirds Arena Host – Flint Firebirds
Game Night Host Auditions – Erie Otters
Want to run around an arena for 4 hours? Now's your chance!

2018-2019 GAME DAY VOLUNTEERS – London Knights
I mean...if you're desperate.

Gameday Staff Opportunities – Medicine Hat Tigers
Game Day and Video Production help needed

I worked game day for the IceDogs in 2012 and it was a lot of fun. Work at intermissions, watch the games for free. If you’re lucky you can show former Maple Leafs where the bathrooms are or have Tie Domi make fun of your grunt work (typical Knights dad).

Next week should have more camps cuts and possibly some trades. Podcast season is also ramping up as The Pipeline Show has started season 14. Others will be starting as the seasons begin as well.

Drop a link to your favourite blog and news site if you have one. General CHL coverage is sparse outside of league sites and Sportsnet so let’s share what we can among the leagues fans.

Canadian Hockey League