Stashing overage players on another team’s list may be within the rules, but WHL commissioner Ron Robison agrees that the practice is unethical.

The Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades, facing the Nov. 1 deadline for teams to declare their three 20-year-olds, decided to hide their extra overage players — both injured — elsewhere in the league.

The Wheaties traded forward Brett Girard, a Red Deer native, to Tri-City and the Blades sent defenceman Chad Manchakowski to Portland. But they were strictly paper transactions — neither move was publicized — with the Americans and Winter Hawks simply agreeing to add the injured players to their respective lists.

Robison, acting on the complaints of a handful of GMs, stepped in last week, transferred the rights of Girard and Manchakowski back to Brandon and Saskatoon, and gave each team until 4 p.m. Monday to get their overage affairs in order.

"It was a concern to some extent, but not a major concern," Robison told the Brandon Sun. "But we've looked after it, we've corrected it and the matter will be taken care of."

The league is expected to adjust the overage rule at the board of governors semi-annual meeting in February, perhaps allowing teams to carry an injured fourth 20-year-old for 30 to 60 days after the overage deadline.

The Wheat Kings, meanwhile, solved their overage dilemma by releasing left-winger Justin Hansen.

The move leaves the Wheat Kings with three 20-year-olds, goalie Jamie Hodson and forwards Girard, the team’s captain who has missed the last 14 games with a dislocated shoulder, and Aaron Goldade.

Although Hansen, acquired from Prince George in August for a conditional draft pick, had seven goals and 19 points in 18 games, Brandon GM Kelly McCrimmon couldn'’t find a trading partner.

"This was a difficult move for the club to make," said McCrimmon.

"Justin had far exceeded our expectations since his arrival and made a great contribution to our team.

"The reality is we were in a situation where there was no perfect solution. All four players are very talented as well as excellent people. Of the 54 available spots in the WHL for overage players, presently 53 are filled which made potential deals very difficult."

The Wheat Kings also assigned 17-year-old goaltender Krister Toews to St. Boniface of the MJHL, making room for Robert McVicar, who had left the club in September for the University of Maine.

McVicar returned last week after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA, and joins Hodson and rookie Geoff McIntosh in the Brandon crease.

----------------
Kootenay Ice star Mike Comrie is on pace to break league records for most goals and points in a WHL season. The 20-year-old, who left the University of Michigan during the off-season to join the Ice, has 35 goals in 23 games. He's on course to snipe 110 goals, which would break Ray Ferraro’s record of 108, set in the 1983-84 season with Brandon.

In addition, Comrie has racked up 63 points and could threaten the mark of 212 set by former Kamloops ace Rob Brown in the ’86-87 campaign.

----------------
The Regina Pats aren't playing like a team that is preparing to host the Memorial Cup tournament next May and head coach Lorne Molleken is understandably worried.

"There's a big concern right now," Molleken told the Regina Leader Post Sunday, following the Pats' 5-2 loss to the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds. "We're starting to take short cuts, we're not putting in the necessary work ethic and commitment, and, as a result, we're getting it handed to us."

The Pats, who host Tri-City tonight, posted a five-game unbeaten streak to close out October but have dropped four of their last five games, including three on home ice.

----------------
Calgary Hitmen forward Pavel Brendl has been named the WHL's player of the week after recording eight points in three games. Brendl led the Hitmen to a perfect 3-0-0 record last week with five goals and three assists.

----------------
Former Red Deer Rebels defenceman Lance Ward has been recalled by the Florida Panthers from Louisville of the AHL.