WHL prospects at the Macs

The Macs Midget Hockey Tournament people released their schedule and list of invited teams for this year's tournament today. If you don't know what this is, it is one of the biggest AAA midget tournaments of the year and it's held every year from December 26 to January 1 in Calgary. It's a great chance to see many future WHLers going head to head in competition against some of the other best teams from the prairies and even some international teams every year.

If you're interested in following the tournament but can't go to the games in person, you can follow the results at their website, http://www.macstournament.ab.ca

Anyways, if you're interested, here's the list of WHL prospects that will be featured in this year's tournament...I've given the player's position, year of birth, WHL club that holds his rights, and how those rights were acquired by the team:


Battlefords Stars (North Battleford, SK):
*Spencer Bast (F-97) - Kamloops Blazers (Listed player)
Brandon Lesko (F-98) - Calgary Hitmen (2013 10th round pick)
Rylan Toth (G-96) - Red Deer Rebels (Listed player)

* Bast will not participate in the Macs as he will be playing at the World U-17 Challenge at the time

Calgary Buffaloes:
Adam Berg (F-97) - Regina Pats (Listed player)
Brayden Brown (F-97) - Edmonton Oil Kings (Listed player)
Mark Drohan (D-98) - Tri-City Americans (2013 3rd round pick)
Oliver Lester (D-97) - Victoria Royals (2012 9th round pick)
Ryely McKinstry (D-98) - Vancouver Giants (2013 2nd round pick)
Matthew Phillips (F-98) - Victoria Royals (2013 2nd round pick)
Jack Thomas (D-96) - Kootenay Ice (2011 12th round pick)
Logan Thompson (G-97) - Brandon Wheat Kings (2012 6th round pick)
Carsen Twarynski (F-97) - Calgary Hitmen (Listed player)

Calgary Flames:
Carter Czaikowski (D-98) - Portland Winterhawks (2013 6th round pick)
Cole Davis (F-97) - Lethbridge Hurricanes (Listed player)
Aaron Hyman (D-98) - Calgary Hitmen (2013 3rd round pick)
Riley Morris (G-97) - Medicine Hat Tigers (2012 7th round pick)
Mark Rassell (F-97) - Medicine Hat Tigers (Listed player)
Kurtis Rutledge (D-97) - Tri-City Americans (2012 8th round pick)
Evan Tschumi (F-97) - Red Deer Rebels (Listed player)

Calgary Northstars:
Brayden Dunn (F-98) - Victoria Royals (2013 4th round pick)
Josh Logel (F-98) - Red Deer Rebels (2013 7th round pick)
Austin Strand (D-97) - Red Deer Rebels (2012 3rd round pick)
Kyle Yewchuk (D-98) - Edmonton Oil Kings (2013 3rd round pick)

Calgary Royals:
Shane Allan (F-97) - Kootenay Ice (2012 7th round pick)
Logan Ferguson (F-97) - Edmonton Oil Kings (Listed player)
Josh Giacomin (F-97) - Spokane Chiefs (Listed player)
Cole Josefchak (D-97) - Edmonton Oil Kings (Listed player)
Max Lajoie (D-97) - Swift Current Broncos (2012 5th round pick)
Sean Montgomery (F-98) - Prince Albert Raiders (2013 6th round pick)

Cariboo Cougars (Prince George, BC):
Bryan Allbee (D-97) - Kootenay Ice (Listed player)
Chase Dubois (F-98) - Prince George Cougars (Listed player)
Steven Jandric (F-97) - Portland Winterhawks (Listed player)
Jesse Roach (F-97) - Vancouver Giants (2012 2nd round pick)
Colton Thomas (F-98) - Seattle Thunderbirds (2013 8th round pick)

Edmonton Canadian Athletic Club (CAC):
Brayden Burke (F-97) - Red Deer Rebels (2012 7th round pick)
Matthew Dykstra (F-97) - Victoria Royals (2012 4th round pick)
Cole Gammer (F-97) - Tri-City Americans (2012 9th round pick)
Brendan Holterhus (F-97) - Vancouver Giants (Listed player)
Ryan McKinnon (F-97) - Vancouver Giants (Listed player)
Benjamin McLeod (D-97) - Edmonton Oil Kings (Listed player)
Dylan Stewart (F-97) - Prince Albert Raiders (2012 5th round pick)
Eric Szudor (G-97) - Lethbridge Hurricanes (2012 6th round pick)

Edmonton South Side Athletic Club (SSAC):
Justin Greer (D-97) - Portland Winterhawks (2012 4th round pick)
Garan Magnes (F-97) - Edmonton Oil Kings (Listed player)
David Quenneville (D-98) - Medicine Hat Tigers (2013 1st round pick)
Stuart Skinner (G-98) - Lethbridge Hurricanes (2013 1st round pick)
Peter Tomaras (F-98) - Saskatoon Blades (2013 9th round pick)

Leduc Oil Kings:
Noah Gregor (F-98) - Victoria Royals (2013 3rd round pick)
Dalton Hamaliuk (D-98) - Spokane Chiefs (2013 2nd round pick)
Trevor Martin (G-96) - Spokane Chiefs (2011 9th round pick)
Curtis Miske (F-97) - Spokane Chiefs (2012 2nd round pick)
Tristan Starzynski (F-97) - Edmonton Oil Kings (2012 8th round pick)

Lloydminster Bobcats:
Chasetan Braid (F-97) - Saskatoon Blades (Listed player)
Kale Clague (D-98) - Brandon Wheat Kings (2013 1st round pick)
Jerad Coghill (D-97) - Prince Albert Raiders (2012 6th round pick)
James Hilsendager (D-97) - Regina Pats (2012 9th round pick)
Cole Johnson (F-98) - Swift Current Broncos (2013 2nd round pick)
Andrew Koep (F-97) - Edmonton Oil Kings (2012 2nd round pick)
Austin McGrath (G-98) - Medicine Hat Tigers (2013 4th round pick)
Mason Shaw (F-98) - Medicine Hat Tigers (2013 2nd round pick)

Moose Jaw Generals:
Rykr Cole (F-97) - Regina Pats (2012 3rd round pick)
Shane Collins (D-97) - Prince George Cougars (2012 3rd round pick)
Dawson Davidson (D-98) - Kamloops Blazers (2013 3rd round pick)
Jared Dmytriw (F-98) - Victoria Royals (2013 4th round pick)
Colby Entz (G-98) - Red Deer Rebels (Listed player)
Branden Klatt (F-98) - Edmonton Oil Kings (2013 6th round pick)
Jared Legien (F-98) - Kootenay Ice (2013 1st round pick)
Regan Nagy (F-97) - Victoria Royals (2012 2nd round pick)
Grant Naherniak (G-96) - Red Deer Rebels (2011 5th round pick)
Donovan Neuls (F-97) - Seattle Thunderbirds (2012 8th round pick)
Caleb Riess (F-98) - Red Deer Rebels (2013 4th round pick)
Kyle Sargent (D-98) - Red Deer Rebels (2013 9th round pick)
Ben Verrall (D-96) - Prince Albert Raiders (Listed player)

Notre Dame Argos (Wilcox, SK):
Colin Burston (F-97) - Calgary Hitmen (Listed player)
Dillon Dube (F-98) - Kelowna Rockets (2013 1st round pick)
Kaden Elder (F-98) - Seattle Thunderbirds (2013 1st round pick)
Dylan Ferguson (G-98) - Kamloops Blazers (2013 8th round pick)
Matt Kustra (G-97) - Prince George Cougars (2012 8th round pick)
Gage Ramsay (F-98) - Vancouver Giants (2013 3rd round pick)
Nolan Reid (D-98) - Saskatoon Blades (2013 2nd round pick)
Taylor Ross (F-98) - Spokane Chiefs (2013 4th round pick)

Okanagan Rockets (Kelowna, BC):
Brendan Barry (G-97) - Kelowna Rockets (Listed player)
Tanner Browne (D-97) - Lethbridge Hurricanes (in trade with Brandon - was Brandon's 2012 2nd round pick)
Liam Finlay (F-97) - Regina Pats (Listed player)
Tyson Jost (F-98) - Everett Silvertips (2013 1st round pick)
Jake Kryski (F-98) - Kamloops Blazers (in trade with Prince Albert - was Prince Albert's 2013 1st round pick)
Tanner Wishnowski (F-97) - Kelowna Rockets (Listed player)

Prince Albert Mintos:
Dakota Boutin (F-97) - Brandon Wheat Kings (2012 3rd round pick)
Connor Ingram (G-97) - Kamloops Blazers (Listed player)
Rhys Kipling (D-96) - Prince Albert Raiders (Listed player)
Loch Morrison (D-97) - Calgary Hitmen (2012 7th round pick)
Matthew Parsons (D-98) - Swift Current Broncos (2013 3rd round pick)
Kody White (F-97) - Lethbridge Hurricanes (2012 11th round pick)
Lance Yaremchuk (F-96) - Prince Albert Raiders (2011 6th round pick)

Red Deer Optimist Chiefs:
Gabe Bast (D-96) - Medicine Hat Tigers (Listed player)
Layne Bensmiller (F-97) - Calgary Hitmen (Listed player)
TJ Brown (D-98) - Brandon Wheat Kings (2013 4th round pick)
Jeffrey De Wit (F-98) - Red Deer Rebels (2013 1st round pick)
Jordie Lawson (F-96) - Victoria Royals (Listed player)
Andrew Nielsen (D-96) - Lethbridge Hurricanes (Listed player)
Chase Olsen (F-97) - Medicine Hat Tigers (Listed player)
Carter Sawicki (F-96) - Kootenay Ice (Listed player)
Jayden Sittler (G-96) - Kootenay Ice (Listed player)
Tyler Steenbergen (F-98) - Swift Current Broncos (2013 1st round pick)
Travis Verveda (D-97) - Kamloops Blazers (Listed player)

Regina Pat Canadians:
Michael Eskra (D-97) - Vancouver Giants (2012 5th round pick)
*Logan Flodell (G-97) - Seattle Thunderbirds (2012 3rd round pick)
*Jayden Halbgewachs (F-97) - Moose Jaw Warriors (in trade with Kamloops - was Kamloops' 2012 1st round pick)
Owen Sillinger (F-97) - Saskatoon Blades (in trade with Vancouver - was Vancouver's 2012 10th round pick)

 * Flodell and Halbgewachs will not participate in the Macs as they will be playing at the World U-17 Challenge at the time

Sherwood Park Kings:
Brandon Biro (F-98) - Swift Current Broncos (2013 10th round pick)
Tyler Brown (F-97) - Kelowna Rockets (Listed player)
Travis Child (G-97) - Swift Current Broncos (2012 2nd round pick)
Danton Davis (F-97) - Prince Albert Raiders (Listed player)
Jared Freadrich (D-98) - Regina Pats (2013 4th round pick)
Jack Hamly (F-98) - Spokane Chiefs (Listed player)
Joel Lakusta (D-98) - Saskatoon Blades (2013 7th round pick)
Skyler Mckenzie (F-98) - Portland Winterhawks (2013 8th round pick)
Cameron Reagan (D-97) - Kamloops Blazers (2012 4th round pick)
Sam Steel (F-98) - Regina Pats (2013 1st round pick)

South Island Royals (Victoria, BC):
Josh Anderson (D-98) - Prince George Cougars (2013 1st round pick)
Cam Coutre (F-98) - Seattle Thunderbirds (Listed player)
Dawson Haines (F-98) - Moose Jaw Warriors (2013 4th round pick)
Haydn Hopkins (F-97) - Saskatoon Blades (2012 12th round pick)

UFA Bisons (Strathmore, AB)
Mason McCarty (F-97) - Red Deer Rebels (2012 4th round pick)

Valley West Hawks (Langley, BC):
Trevor Ayre (F-98) - Seattle Thunderbirds (Listed player)
Matt Barberis (D-98) - Vancouver Giants (2013 1st round pick)
Matt Bradley (F-97) - Medicine Hat Tigers (2012 2nd round pick)
Luke Gingras (F-98) - Saskatoon Blades (2013 4th round pick)
Davis Koch (F-98) - Edmonton Oil Kings (2013 2nd round pick)
Jesse Lansdell (F-98) - Saskatoon Blades (Listed player)
Mitch Newsome (F-97) - Saskatoon Blades (2012 12th round pick)
Devante Stephens (D-97) - Kelowna Rockets (Listed player)
Ty Westgard (F-98) - Victoria Royals (2013 8th round pick)

Vancouver NE Chiefs:
Caleb Fantillo (F-98) - Medicine Hat Tigers (2013 6th round pick)
Jordan Henderson (D-97) - Spokane Chiefs (2012 4th round pick)
Lucas Johansen (D-97) - Kelowna Rockets (2012 6th round pick)

Vancouver NW Giants:
Tak Anholt (F-98) - Lethbridge Hurricanes (2013 2nd round pick)
Quinn Benjafield (F-98) - Kamloops Blazers (2013 1st round pick)
Dante Fabbro (D-98) - Seattle Thunderbirds (2013 1st round pick)
Tavin Grant (G-98) - Prince George Cougars (Listed player)
Keyvan Mokhtari (F-98) - Everett Silvertips (2013 7th round pick)
Ty Schultz (D-97) - Medicine Hat Tigers (2012 1st round pick)
Owen Stout (F-97) - Prince George Cougars (Listed player)

There are three other, international, teams at the Macs this year: the Alaska Jr. Aces, the Finnish U-17 team, and the Switzerland U-17 team. There wouldn't be any WHL prospects on the Finnish or Swiss teams (CHL teams can't draft European players until they're 17) and I did not find any WHL-affiliated players on the roster of the Alaska Aces.

There are also several WHL prospects who are listed as Affiliate Players of these teams above. So some of these players may play in the Macs although it is not guaranteed:

Calgary Flames:
Cale Makar (D-98) - Medicine Hat Tigers (2013 8th round pick)

Calgary Royals:
Reed Morison (F-98) - Portland Winterhawks (Listed player)

Edmonton Canadian Athletic Club (CAC):
Austin Shmoorkoff (D-97) - Red Deer Rebels (Listed player)

Edmonton South Side Athletic Club (SSAC):
Matt Berlin (G-98) - Spokane Chiefs (2013 7th round pick)
Colby Sissons (D-98) - Swift Current Broncos (Listed player)

Leduc Oil Kings:
Lane Zablocki (F-98) - Prince George Cougars (2013 5th round pick)

Lloydminster Bobcats:
Dalton Angeltvedt (D-98) - Swift Current Broncos (2013 9th round pick)
Ryan Gilchrist (G-98) - Seattle Thunderbirds (Listed player)
Dallas Hines (D-98) - Kootenay Ice (2013 5th round pick)

Prince Albert Mintos:
Zac Paziuk (F-97) - Kootenay Ice (2012 10th round pick)
Cole Young (F-98) - Prince George Cougars (2013 11th round pick)

Red Deer Optimist Chiefs:
Luke Coleman (F-98) - Prince Albert Raiders (2013 5th round pick)
Matt Krawiec (D-98) - Kootenay Ice (2013 6th round pick)
Landon Mackenzie (D-98) - Swift Current Broncos (Listed player)

Regina Pat Canadians:
Caleb Griffin (F-98) - Seattle Thunderbirds (2013 12th round pick)
Brandon Griffiths (D-98) - Prince Albert Raiders (2013 7th round pick)

Sherwood Park Kings:
Carter Hart (G-98) - Everett Silvertips (2013 8th round pick)
Colin Paradis (D-98) - Moose Jaw Warriors (2013 4th round pick)

UFA Bisons (Strathmore, AB)
Kurtis Chapman (G-98) - Regina Pats (2013 7th round pick)
Shaye Seefried (D-98) - Saskatoon Blades (2013 8th round pick)

So the totals by WHL team - not counting AP's or the players who are away at the World U-17's:

Red Deer Rebels: 11
Edmonton Oil Kings: 10
Medicine Hat Tigers: 10
Saskatoon Blades: 9
Victoria Royals: 9
Kamloops Blazers: 7
Lethbridge Hurricanes: 7
Prince Albert Raiders: 7
Spokane Chiefs: 7
Vancouver Giants: 7
Calgary Hitmen: 6
Kelowna Rockets: 6
Kootenay Ice: 6
Prince George Cougars: 6
Regina Pats: 6
Seattle Thunderbirds: 6
Swift Current Broncos: 6
Brandon Wheat Kings: 4
Portland Winterhawks: 4
Tri-City Americans: 3
Everett Silvertips: 2
Moose Jaw Warriors: 1

Dumba moves

Is this the kickoff deal to start the WHL's trade deadline runup? Portland and Red Deer swung a potential blockbuster today, with the Rebels sending '94 defenceman Mathew Dumba and a conditional bantam draft pick to Portland in return for '95 forward Presten Kopeck and conditional bantam draft picks.

I say potential blockbuster because of the small detail that Dumba is currently in the NHL, on the roster of the Minnesota Wild. But he hasn't suited up for a game for them in over two weeks and has only played in 13 of 32 games overall, averaging 12 and a half minutes of ice time per game. Which is not a lot of ice time for a defenceman so all these factors put together - plus the fact that they've already decided to loan him to the Canadian team for the World Juniors - would seem to indicate that the Wild are coming to the conclusion that Dumba is not in their plans for the remainder of this season. If I were a betting man I would be laying down a wager that we'll see Dumba in Winterhawks colours by the 2nd week of January.

To break down the rest of the deal, it's hard to really understand who gets what since all the draft picks involved are conditional. We know the Rebels get Kopeck (who is currently injured and not due back until mid-January or so) and that's really the only thing for sure right now. I would speculate (and only speculation) that the conditional pick the Rebels give up is only in the case that Dumba never comes back to the WHL. In that situation, the Rebels will send the Hawks a pick and the deal is simply Kopeck for the pick, and nothing else happens.

If Dumba DOES come back though then the Rebels don't owe the Hawks a pick at all. Instead the Hawks will send the Rebels a few more picks and the deal becomes Dumba for Kopeck and those picks. (All my speculation here still though, remember)

The conditional picks going to Red Deer are another good source of speculation. Normally a deal for a player of Dumba's calibre would involve a 1st round bantam pick, or even more than one. (Case in point: Kootenay gave up a 1st round pick plus a prospect who was a past 1st round pick, for Tim Bozon of Kamloops earlier this year). The stumbling block in Portland giving the Rebels a first round bantam pick for Dumba is that they don't have any first round picks again until 2018 thanks to the WHL sanctions last year. So it seems pretty safe to say they didn't give up any 1st rounders for Dumba.

So was it 2nds? 3rds? We don't know....I guess we'll have to wait and see if Dumba comes to Portland and then analyze the price the Hawks paid once we know what it was.

This deal also cements the Rebels as sellers at this year's trade deadline, joining Lethbridge, Moose Jaw, and Kamloops as teams we can be fairly certain are willing to deal veterans for younger players and prospects. From the Rebels point of view, that might include goaltender Patrik Bartosak, the reigning CHL goaltender of the year. He's an overage AND an import, which will reduce the potential suitors for him, but he would be a nice pickup for a team that sees itself taking a little playoff run but are uncertain about their goaltending. Other possible trade bait in Rebelville would be overage forward Lukas Sutter (Memorial Cup experience there with the Blades last year) and maybe 19 year old defenceman Brady Gaudet?