After picking up three wins last week, the Tri-City Americans moved back into the CHL poll — coming in at No. 5 — after tumbling out the week before.
Here's how the scouts see it:
1. London Knights (11-2-0-1)
2. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (11-4-0-0)
3. Saint John Sea Dogs (12-5-0-0)
4. Miss. St. Michael's Majors (9-3-0-1)
5. Tri-City Americans (10-5-0-0)
6. Sarnia Sting (9-2-0-2)
7. Victoriaville Tigres (12-6-0-0)
8. Regina Pats (9-4-0-0)
9. Quebec Remparts (9-3-2-1)
10. Kamloops Blazers (9-3-0-0)
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Wednesday always seem to be the day where deals are made in the WHL.
Earlier today, the Seattle Thunderbirds traded defenseman Erik Fleming to the Swift Current Broncos for future considerations in the 2012 Bantam Draft.
Fleming appeared in 156 games for the T-Birds over the last three seasons and had 15 points career point on two goals and 13 assists with 62 penalty minutes.
In Calgary, the Hitmen acquired center Joey Kornelsen, 18, defenseman Collin Bowman, 20, and a fourth-round pick in 2012 in exchange for forward Justin Kirsch, 19, and center Kenton Miller, 20.
"We needed a puck-moving defenseman for our power play and to add young talent up front," said Calgary GM Kelly Kisio. "This deal accomplishes both of those needs."
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On the disciplinary front, PG's Martin Marincin is awaiting suspension by the WHL for an interference major and a game misconduct at Vancouver on Tuesday. Also, both PG and Vancouver were fined $250 each for multiple fights in their game that saw 185 combined penalty minutes and six fights.
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In Medicine Hat, the Tigers are on the cusp of their 300th sellout at The Arena. Tonight's game against Portland will mark the 300th straight time the Tigers have sold out a regular-season game.
The sellout streak began on March 1, 2003, when the Tigers beat the Calgary Hitmen 7-2.
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Prince George will be playing without Brett Connolly this season after the Tampa Bay Lightning asked him to stick around.
Tuesday was Connolly’s ninth NHL game of the season. His contract kicks in once he dresses for a 10th game. Had the Lightning decided not to keep the sixth overall pick in the NHL’s 2010 draft, he would have been returned to the Cougars.
The Red Deer Rebels still are awaiting word on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Edmonton Oilers), and the Portland Winterhawks on Ryan Johansen (Columbus Blue Jackets).
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And, thanks to Gregg Drinnan in Kamloops and his overseas connections for this tidbit: Forward Pat Iannone (Kootenay, Tri-City, Regina, 1999-2003) signed a one-year contract with Pontebba (Italy, Serie A). He had 11 goals and 26 assists in 38 games for Valpellice (Italy, Serie A) last season.
