If Moose Jaw Warriors forward Ryder Korczak ever wanted a chance to play alongside his brother, Vegas Golden Knights prospect and Kelowna Rockets standout Kaedan Korczak, in the black and orange of the Yorkton Terriers, now might just be the chance.
The Western Hockey League announced Friday that it was allowing it’s players to suit up in Junior A, Junior B and U18 AAA leagues across the country in order to have a chance to further their development as the pandemic keeps the WHL season on hold.
The temporary transfers will allow situations like the above, where Yorkton natives like the Korczak brothers could have a chance to play for their hometown team.
Several players were quick to take advantage of the news.
Everett Silvertips standout overager Cole Fonstad signed with his hometown Estevan Bruins on Friday afternoon and joined former Moose Jaw AAA Warriors standout Caelan Fitzpatrick in their lineup against Weyburn that evening.
The Silvertips also announced forward Jackson Berezowski (Yorkton) and Ethan Regnier (Melfort) were among five players they had loaned; the Mustangs also signed Regina Pats forward Zack Smith and Swift Current defenceman Alex Moar.
Players will be available to their lower-level clubs until Dec. 20, when they will report to WHL training camps.
“This is an opportunity for WHL roster players to continue their development by playing hockey at a competitive level,” stated WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “We felt it was very important to accommodate the requests of WHL roster players to play competitive hockey on a temporary basis in anticipation of WHL Training Camps beginning after Christmas.”
The WHL season is slated to begin on Jan. 8.
