WHL Announces Honourary Captains for ADT Canada Russia Challenge

Calgary , AB – The Western Hockey League today announced the Honourary Captains for Team WHL in the upcoming ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.

Former Kootenay Ice goaltender Dan Blackburn will serve as the Honourary Captain for the game held in Cranbrook, B.C. (Kootenay) on November 28 while Medicine Hat Tiger Alumnus Kelly Hrudey will in act in the same capacity for the game in Medicine Hat on November 29.

Blackburn played two seasons with the Kootenay Ice (1999-2001), posting an overall record of 67-22-9 and goals against average of 2.64. He led the Ice to a WHL Championship during his rookie tenure in 2000 and was named CHL and WHL Goaltender of the Year in 2001.

In June 2001 Blackburn was selected in the 1 st round – 10 th overall by the New York Rangers at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He went on to start 31 games, as an 18 year old, for the ‘blueshirts’ in his rookie NHL season and for his efforts was named to the 2002 NHL All Rookie Team. Blackburn started 32 games in his second year with the Rangers, before sustaining a nerve injury in his shoulder during the Rangers 2003 Training Camp which caused him to sit out the entire 2003-04 NHL season and eventually led to his retirement from the game in 2005.

Blackburn now lives in Dallas, Texas working in hockey as manager of business development for the Goaltender Development Institute (GDIhockey.com).

Kelly Hrudey played three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers (1978-1981), posting an overall record of 69-76-12 and goals against average of 4.77 while playing over 9000 minutes. He went on to be drafted by the New York Islanders in the 2 nd round – 38 th overall at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.

Hrudey went onto an illustrious 15 year career as an NHL goaltender with the New York Islanders, LA Kings, and San Jose Sharks. He compiled a record of 271-265-88 with a goals against average of 3.43, with 16 shutouts. He helped lead the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals where they were eventually defeated by the Montreal Canadians.

In July of 1998, Hrudey retired from the NHL and joined the cast of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada as a full-time analyst.

Team WHL Roster Changes for ADT Canada Russia Challenge

The WHL also announced two roster changes for the ADT Canada Russia Challenge Series games in Cranbrook and Medicine Hat. Kootenay Ice forward Dustin Sylvester will replace injured teammate Ben Maxwell in the Team WHL line up for the game in Cranbrook on Wednesday, November 28 th. Meanwhile, due to the re-scheduling of the Vancouver Giants and Prince George Cougars game on Thursday, November 29 th, Saskatoon Blades Braden Holtby will replace the Giants’ Tyson Sexsmith as the back-up goaltender in the game Thursday, November 29 th in Medicine Hat. In addition, Swift Current Broncos General Manager and Head Coach Dean Chynoweth will replace Don Hay as an Assistant Coach for the game in Medicine Hat.

The second game of the ADT Canada Russia Challenge Series will be held tonight in Gatineau, QC as the Quebec Major Junior League tries to tie the series with the Russian National Junior Team. The series will then shift to the Ontario Hockey League with games between Team OHL and the Russians Thursday, November 22 nd in Kitchener and Monday, November 26 th in Sudbury. The ADT Canada Russia Series then moves west as Team WHL plays host to the Russians Wednesday, November 28 th in Cranbrook, B.C. and Thursday, November 29 th in Medicine Hat, AB.

Game tickets are available at the Kootenay Ice Office (250) 417-0322 and at the Medicine Hat Tigers Box Office ( 403) 527-8406 .