The WHL’s overager deadline came and went last Thursday with little fanfare. Although there were a handful of teams that needed to make cuts to get down to the limit of three 20-year-olds, there were few surprises.
The biggest name to feel the axe was Prince George goaltender Scott Bowles. Bowles was one of the top netminders in the league last season, going 26-16-2-2 with a 2.40 goals against average and .915 save percentage. However, with a capable 19-year-old goaltender in Real Cyr also in the fold, and with three quality overage forwards in Eric Hunter, Brett Robertson and Jared Walker, it was no shock Bowles was let go.
Bowles cleared WHL waivers and his rights were picked up by the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League.
Two other teams made cuts Thursday. Vancouver released utilityman Chad Scharff and Tri-City released defenseman Cole Butterfield. Scharff was acquired by Chilliwack in the cutdown draft, the only player to be picked up among the released overagers. However, Scharff has yet to report to Chilliwack as he considers his options.
Only one team remains over its overager limit. Prince Albert has until early this week to make its final cut because defenseman A.J. Thelen wasn’t returned until Oct. 3, and teams have two weeks to make their decision after a player is returned.
Slap shots: Vancouver fell just short of breaking the league record for consecutive wins to start the season, finishing in a tie with the 1978-79 Brandon Wheat Kings after having its streak stopped at 10 by a 2-1 overtime loss at Seattle on Saturday. However, the Giants did receive what could be a major consolation as it was revealed last week that star 19-year-old center Gilbert Brule, who’s struggling with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, could be sent back to Vancouver should he continue to struggle. … Spokane defenseman Matt McCue has left the team. The 18-year-old was reportedly unhappy with his playing time. … Regina moved quickly to shore up its goaltending situation. The same day the Pats traded David Reekie to Everett, they acquired 18-year-old goaltender Tommy Tartaglione from Vancouver for a fourth-round pick in the 2007 bantam draft. … Moose Jaw acquired 19-year-old goaltender Kurt Jory, a former Everett property, from Brandon in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2008 bantam draft. … Chilliwack picked up 17-year-old left wing Mike Proudly from Brandon for a fifth-round pick in the 2007 bantam draft. … Brandon left wing Andrew Clark was named the WHL Player of the Week. Clark had three goals and eight assists in four games, helping the Wheat Kings go 3-0-0-1.
League leaders: Points – Martin Hanzal (Red Deer) 19; goals – Kirill Starkov (Red Deer) 10; assists – Hanzal, Cody Franson (Vancouver) 14; penalty minutes – Frazer McLaren (Portland), Theran Yeo (Brandon) 51; wins – Leland Irving (Everett) 6; goals against average – Irving 1.12; save percentage – Irving .952.
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