MJHL news and notes: Fisher cleared to play for Natives; Oil Caps' Kalynuk commits to Western Michigan

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Published on Thursday, October 10, 2013

myWestman.ca

Neepawa Natives netminder Davy Fisher has been cleared by doctors and will be the club's backup in Winnipeg against the Blues on Thursday night.

The 19-year-old suffered a concussion during the Sept. 12 MJHL pre-season game against the Portage Terriers and has yet to suit up for a regular season game this year because of the injury.

Fisher was acquired by Neepawa at last season's MJHL trade deadline (Jan. 10) from the Steinbach Pistons.

Meanwhile, forward Landon Thomson is scheduled to have shoulder surgery in the not-to-distant future. He will be out of action for an indefinite period of time.

The 20-year-old forward has one assist in three games this season.

Kalynuk commits

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Virden Oil Capitals announced on Thursday that 16-year-old defenceman Wyatt Kalynuk has verbally committed to Western Michigan University for the 2016-17 season.

Kalynuk, from Virden, has had a strong start to his rookie campaign in the MJHL thus far, playing a key role for the Oil Capitals in all situations. He currently has two assists in seven games for the Oil Capitals.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to play at the Division I college level,” said Kalynuk in a release. “There were a few different options that had presented themselves recently. I talked about them with my family and we felt that by verbally committing now, that gives me something to work towards in the next couple of seasons.”

 The Virden product played 43 games for the Southwest Cougars AAA midget program last year, registering one goal and 16 assists in his rookie season.

The Western Michigan University hockey program is coached by Souris native and former Team Canada and NHL head coach Andy Murray. The Broncos play in the newly-formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference against notable programs such as University of North Dakota, Denver University, and Minnesota-Duluth.

WMU is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, centrally located between Detroit and Chicago. The team finished last season with a 19-11-8 record overall (15-9-6 in conference).  The Broncos ended last season in a CCHA quarter-final loss to the Michigan Wolverines.

With files from Oil Capitals release