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Flurry of Trades Interrupts Summer Doldrums

In News, Transactions on July 11, 2017 at 10:45 am

The slow, hazy days of summer got a shot of icewater this week with a sudden series of trades featuring some marquee names.

First, the Denver Spurs made a big play for goaltender Braden Holtby, but it came at a steep price: forwards Zach Parise, Max Domi, and Joel Armia, defenseman Olli Maatta, goaltender Al Montoya, and a first round pick all went to the Boston Banshees. The Spurs also picked up ageless Jaromir Jagr (the all-time GWMHL scoring leader) and defender Zach Bogosian. The Spurs and Banshees followed that up with another, more minor trade, which saw winger Colin Wilson and Boston’s first round Free Agent pick head to Denver for a third round rookie pick.

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2017 Gump Cup Playoffs Are Here!

In News on March 30, 2017 at 8:55 am

The 2017 battle for the Gump Cup is about to begin. After a busy trade deadline and a lot of late-season jockeying, the matchups are set.

Plante Conference
#4 South Side (35-33-14) at #1 Baltimore (49-21-12)
The Renegades’ midseason acquisitions paid off in a big way as they secured the last playoff berth ahead of Denver. Their reward? A first-round matchup against the reigning champions, Baltimore.
#3 Charleston (39-37-6) at #2 Salem (49-28-5)
For a while, it looked like the Chiefs’ playoff hopes may be fading. Facing Salem in the first round will be no picnic – Jonathan Quick will need to steal a game or two to have a chance.
Sawchuk Conference
#4 Portland (42-30-10) at #1 Boston (60-15-7)
Portland is probably the season’s biggest surprise. The ‘Hawks seemed to be committing to a total rebuild at midseason, yet still edged out Delta for the 4th seed. A much bigger surprise would be beating Boston, who are fresh off a historic 60-win season that saw them look nearly unbeatable both at home and on the road.
#3 Nashville (51-27-4) at #2 Farmington (50-24-8)
Likely the most even first-round matchup and really anybody’s guess. The Fighting Saints and Knights are both top GWMHL teams with deep rosters at all positions. Farmington’s Corey Crawford was the league’s best netminder this year – he may be the difference-maker.

Kane Gets Second Scoring Title

In News on March 30, 2017 at 8:47 am

Nashville Knights winger Patrick Kane has captured the second scoring crown of his career with one of the most remarkable offensive performances of recent seasons. Kane finishes the 2016-17 regular season with 134 points (27 ahead of second place, teammate Daniel Sedin) and a mind-boggling 70 goals (9 ahead of Boston’s Boone Jenner).

Kane previously won the scoring title in the lockout-shortened 13-14 season. His goal total demolishes his previous career high of 41, set two seasons ago, and it’s the first time he passed the 100-point barrier since his rookie season.

This is the fourth time in five seasons a Knight has led all scorers.

Trade Deadline: Winnipeg Scores Another D-Man in Suter

In News, Transactions on January 17, 2017 at 8:25 pm

The Winnipeg Falcons have swung another big move — and yet another high-profile defenseman is involved. Wait, make that two.

Going to Winnipeg from the Great Lakes Pilots is veteran Ryan Suter. The price for his acquisition was steep, as the Pilots acquire blueliner Jacob Trouba, winger Nail Yakupov, and Winnipeg’s 3rd round pick in 2017.

Trade Deadline: Bouwmeester to Ice Harbor

In Transactions on January 14, 2017 at 9:01 am

Veteran defender Jay Bouwmeester is heading from El Dorado to Ice Harbor — the third high-profile defenseman to be traded this week. The Storm hope Bouwmeester will help offset its disappointing start and push for a playoff spot. The Lynx, meanwhile, get forward Peter Holland and 2nd and 3rd round picks.

Trade Deadline: South Side Acquires Karlsson in Blockbuster

In News, Transactions on January 13, 2017 at 7:54 pm
The Boston Banshees, currently the top team in the GWMHL after a stellar first half, have traded arguably their best player to the South Side Renegades in an 8-player blockbuster.
That’s right, Erik Karlsson is heading to South Side, along with veteran wingers Lee Stempniak and Jiri Hudler, defenseman Dan Hamhuis, and a 4th round pick. In return, the Banshees net forwards Jannik Hansen and Calle Jarnkrok, defensemen Darnell Nurse and Kevin Klein, and South Side’s 1st round pick in 2017.
In 40 games this season, Karlsson has 36 points. With the boost he provides, can South Side hang on to that last playoff spot in the Plante Conference? Will Boston fade in the second half after such a hot start? Time will tell.

Trade Deadline: Veteran Markov Heading to Winnipeg

In News, Transactions on January 13, 2017 at 3:03 pm

Andrei Markov, the Vancouver Night Train‘s longest-tenured player, all-time assists leader, and first decent draft pick, is packing his bags for Winnipeg. Markov will solidify the Falcons’ blueline, alongside fellow vet Tobias Enstrom and youngsters Ben Hutton and Jacob Trouba.

In return, the Falcons send a 2nd round pick to the Night Train.

Goalies Headline Mid-Season Free Agent Draft

In News, Transactions on January 13, 2017 at 9:23 am

The Mid-Season Claim Period is upon us — an annual opportunity for teams to pick up cast-offs and also-rans, and maybe score a gem of a prospect or gear up for a playoff run.

The top two teams — that is, the worst two teams so far this season — went for goalies, as Parry Sound claimed Anders Nilsson and San Jose picked up Mike Condon. At 3rd, El Dorado drafted versatile bottom-sixer Torrey Mitchell, Ice Harbor took a flier on defenseman Griffin Reinhart, and Adirondack acquired Patrick Eaves.

See the complete results here.

Kane Soars, West Virginia Surprises in Q1

In News on November 23, 2016 at 7:59 pm

The first quarter of the GWMHL’s 2016-17 season is in the books, and in 20 games there’s been no shortage of surprises.

Many of the usual suspects are atop the standings — Nashville (16-4-0), Boston (11-5-4), and Salem (13-6-1) — but the Baltimore Crab, defending Gump Cup champs, struggled to an 8-8-4 finish that puts them 5th in a tight Plante Conference race.

Meanwhile, the West Virginia River Rats, who kicked off a sudden and drastic rebuild shortly before this year’s draft, surprised everyone with an 11-5-4 record, good for 3rd in the Sawchuk.

Nashville’s Patrick Kane leads all scorers with 42 points in 20 games (including a league-leading 22 goals). He, along with his linemates Daniel Sedin and Claude Giroux, are 1-2-3 in league scoring.

McDavid Headlines 2016 Rookie Draft, But Crosby Steals the Show

In News, Transactions on September 25, 2016 at 2:38 pm

To the surprise of absolutely no one, the Parry Sound Orrsmen made Connor McDavid the top selection of the 2016 GWMHL Rookie Draft, but it was a trade by the West Virginia River Rats that sent ripples through the league.

The Rats, entering a sudden and bold rebuild mode, had already dealt Brent Burns and Henrik Lundqvist leading up to the draft, parted ways with the face of its franchise (and 39th leading scorer in league history), Sidney Crosby. Crosby gets a fresh start with the intriguing Great Lakes Pilots — while the River Rats get a pair of 1st rounders and a 3rd.

The draft would also see Max Pacioretty (Boston to El Dorado), Eric Staal (West Virginia to Delta), and Jimmy Howard (San Jose to Great Lakes) find new homes.

The draft itself offered one of the finest talent pools in recent memory. After McDavid, the San Jose Hosers selected Jack Eichel and the Portland Winterhawks took Artemi Panarin. The top defenseman chosen was Noah Hanifin (6th, Pittsburgh) and top goaltender was Matt Murray (11th, Boston).

See the complete 2016 draft results here.