Friday, January 14, 2011
McCormick Spills The Beans
Leader-Post sports writer Murray McCormick is making the weekend of many Rider fans. He has written this story saying special teams coach Jim Daley will not be back. Daley took the scorn of many Rider fans because of the team's "special" performance on special teams this year.
A Night That Is Long Overdue
I would think that if you are a professional athlete, and you have a long and storied career that at some point you would love to have your name associated with the championship trophy. If not that, you want to be recognized as a Hall of Famer.
Mike Sillinger never had the opportunity to play in a Stanley Cup final, but tonight he will get something which I think is long overdue----he will get his number retired by the Regina Pats in a pre-game ceremony.
I have been going to Pats games for years and there are many players that I enjoyed seeing do their thing night after night while sitting in Section "SS". Sillinger was one of those guys. You knew right from the beginning that Sillinger would be something special. He had what was needed to be an NHL'er. It couldn't have been easy for Sillinger along with Jamie Heward and Frank Kovacs to enter the rough and tough world of the WHL at 16, but they did and they flourished.
I would think it would be a very emotional night for Sillinger and it should be. If you can't be a Hall of Famer or a member of a championship team, having your name immortalized by having it hang from the rafters is special. Perhaps moreso for Mike because he is a Regina boy who grew up playing for the Pats never imagining that a night like this could occur.
I hope Regina hockey fans show up at the Dome tonight to help honor Mike in what will be a very special night. He deserves it. I'll be there. Hope to see ya!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Am I Missing Something Here?
I don't usually venture into hard-hitting news stories, but I can't help myself after this one. The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal has dismissed the Crown's appeal in the case where the mother of a newborn left said newborn in a Wal-Mart bathroom in Prince Albert. The woman was charged with child abandonment and was unbelievably found not guilty of that and now thanks to what happened today this woman gets away scott-free. ARE YOU F****ING KIDDING ME!!!!!! What the hell has happened to our justice system? This is wrong on so many levels, but I don't have to tell you that do I. I'm obviously missing something here and so is 99.9 percent of the general public that has a clue. WOW!!!
This And That
I've been on the road doing some SJHL duties over the past couple of days. We are on what's called "The President's Tour". Its a chance for fans to take a look at the Credit Union Cup (the SJ championship trophy) and a chance for team personnel to have some one on one time with the president of the league amongst other things. Its a busy couple of days and I have a few weeks where it will be like this so the blogging might be spotty for the next month.
Just a couple of things to comment on though.
1) To me, Hamilton just looks bad with the whole announcement of Ivor Wynne Stadium getting renovated. We went through all of that to get to the end and find out the solution is just to renovate the existing facility. WRONG!!! This is just the inadequacy and stupidity of local government to work with the football team to get a facility that both could be proud of and one that could have generated a lot of $$$$ for the Hamilton area. I really hope there are smarter heads in play here when it comes to what to do to Taylor Field. Another renovation simply won't cut it in my mind. Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff says its still a goal to get a dome built. With all apologies to Mr. Cheveldayoff whom I like, its time to either do it or quit talking about it. In other words, shit or get off the pot. The longer this thing drags out, the less optimistic I get and the less optimistic I get, the more I wonder if this will end up in what would be a waste of money as Mosaic Stadium gets renovated.
2) I was not in the Brandt Centre last night, but I have often said that the best goalkeeping performance I've seen by a Pats goalie was by Josh Harding when he stopped 50 some shots in a win one night during his stellar career here. The only performance that was better inside the Brandt Centre was the one Russian goalie Igor Bobkov had against Finland in the 2010 World Juniors. It sounds though as if Pats rookie Matt Hewitt had one that people will talk about for a long time. He faced 62 shots in a 4-3 shootout win over the Saskatoon Blades. 62 saves!!! I'm guessing Hewitt is a little sore today, but I'm also guessing the 18 year old is smiling from ear-to-ear after that one. Is that a glimpse to the future of Pats goaltending. Hope so!
3) Sportsnet is getting into the Canadian sports radio business as they have re-branded their Toronto and Calgary "FAN" stations. The story can be found right here. Sportsnet wants more of a foothold in the Canadian sports market and they are hoping they can do it with this. TSN is also considering getting into the sports radio biz as it starts to become more and more popular. TSN has the personalities to do this, Sportsnet doesn't---at least not at this time. Imagine Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole doing a radio show together---that would be gold!
4) BAZINGA!!! CBS announced it is renewing "Big Bang Theory" for another three years. I only wish I had someone that looked like Penny (Kaley Cuoco) as my next door neighbour when I was growing up.
5. I have not forgotten about this Sunday's playoff game between my Seahawks and the Chicago Bears. I'm going in rooting for the Seahawks, but like last week, I am highly realistic that they are huge underdogs to win. They're a bigger underdog this week but that's OK. Can they beat the Bears? Absolutely! Will they? Let's just say Chicago's defence will be a little tougher than New Orleans, but then again Chicago's offence isn't as close to being talented as to what New Orleans had. It will be a good game.
6. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has said he would like Matt Hasselbeck back next season. Hassebeck drank a youth potion last week as he reverted back to his 2005 form, but if he is to come back (and I am a Hasselbeck fan), it has to be as a back-up. This is not an endorsement for Charlie Whitehurst to be the starter. The only way Hasselbeck can be a starter next year is if the team drafts a QB that is the future. (HELLO Ryan Mallett)
6. I don't know why Cougar womens basketball coach Dave Taylor doesn;t get more recognition. He just keeps trotting out winner after winner over and now he has gotten a California girl who played US division 1 college basketball at Purdue to join the Cougars. Watch for the name Michelle Clark boys and girls. If she was playing at Purdue, she has to be a gooder.
7. Dear Snow. Two words for you---here's a hint...the second one is off!
8. The Blue Jays are apparently on a Cross Canada caravan to generate excitement across the country for the team in 2011. They have been in Calgary and I think they were in Vancouver too. Where's the Saskatchewan stop?? Oh yeah!!!! (Roll eyes here!)
Just a couple of things to comment on though.
1) To me, Hamilton just looks bad with the whole announcement of Ivor Wynne Stadium getting renovated. We went through all of that to get to the end and find out the solution is just to renovate the existing facility. WRONG!!! This is just the inadequacy and stupidity of local government to work with the football team to get a facility that both could be proud of and one that could have generated a lot of $$$$ for the Hamilton area. I really hope there are smarter heads in play here when it comes to what to do to Taylor Field. Another renovation simply won't cut it in my mind. Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff says its still a goal to get a dome built. With all apologies to Mr. Cheveldayoff whom I like, its time to either do it or quit talking about it. In other words, shit or get off the pot. The longer this thing drags out, the less optimistic I get and the less optimistic I get, the more I wonder if this will end up in what would be a waste of money as Mosaic Stadium gets renovated.
2) I was not in the Brandt Centre last night, but I have often said that the best goalkeeping performance I've seen by a Pats goalie was by Josh Harding when he stopped 50 some shots in a win one night during his stellar career here. The only performance that was better inside the Brandt Centre was the one Russian goalie Igor Bobkov had against Finland in the 2010 World Juniors. It sounds though as if Pats rookie Matt Hewitt had one that people will talk about for a long time. He faced 62 shots in a 4-3 shootout win over the Saskatoon Blades. 62 saves!!! I'm guessing Hewitt is a little sore today, but I'm also guessing the 18 year old is smiling from ear-to-ear after that one. Is that a glimpse to the future of Pats goaltending. Hope so!
3) Sportsnet is getting into the Canadian sports radio business as they have re-branded their Toronto and Calgary "FAN" stations. The story can be found right here. Sportsnet wants more of a foothold in the Canadian sports market and they are hoping they can do it with this. TSN is also considering getting into the sports radio biz as it starts to become more and more popular. TSN has the personalities to do this, Sportsnet doesn't---at least not at this time. Imagine Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole doing a radio show together---that would be gold!
4) BAZINGA!!! CBS announced it is renewing "Big Bang Theory" for another three years. I only wish I had someone that looked like Penny (Kaley Cuoco) as my next door neighbour when I was growing up.
5. I have not forgotten about this Sunday's playoff game between my Seahawks and the Chicago Bears. I'm going in rooting for the Seahawks, but like last week, I am highly realistic that they are huge underdogs to win. They're a bigger underdog this week but that's OK. Can they beat the Bears? Absolutely! Will they? Let's just say Chicago's defence will be a little tougher than New Orleans, but then again Chicago's offence isn't as close to being talented as to what New Orleans had. It will be a good game.
6. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has said he would like Matt Hasselbeck back next season. Hassebeck drank a youth potion last week as he reverted back to his 2005 form, but if he is to come back (and I am a Hasselbeck fan), it has to be as a back-up. This is not an endorsement for Charlie Whitehurst to be the starter. The only way Hasselbeck can be a starter next year is if the team drafts a QB that is the future. (HELLO Ryan Mallett)
6. I don't know why Cougar womens basketball coach Dave Taylor doesn;t get more recognition. He just keeps trotting out winner after winner over and now he has gotten a California girl who played US division 1 college basketball at Purdue to join the Cougars. Watch for the name Michelle Clark boys and girls. If she was playing at Purdue, she has to be a gooder.
7. Dear Snow. Two words for you---here's a hint...the second one is off!
8. The Blue Jays are apparently on a Cross Canada caravan to generate excitement across the country for the team in 2011. They have been in Calgary and I think they were in Vancouver too. Where's the Saskatchewan stop?? Oh yeah!!!! (Roll eyes here!)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
WHL Comes Down On Drinnan Vs The Blazers
A sportswriter for the Kamloops Daily News, who was banned by the Kamloops Blazers and the Western Hockey League over coverage, is being reinstated to his position after a public outcry.
Gregg Drinnan will continue writing news coverage and columns, as he did before the Blazers sent a letter in late December outlining concerns with coverage and instituting a ban on speaking with the veteran WHL reporter.
League commissioner Ron Robison and Blazers owner Tom Gaglardi met for two hours with newspaper publisher Tim Shoults and editor Mel Rothenburger.
“We’re lifting the ban immediately,” Robison said. “Gregg will be reinstated with full access to all Blazer personnel and that will take effect immediately.”
Robison said the Blazers were in violation of the WHL media policy by restricting the sportswriter’s access to team personnel.
However, he was sympathetic to the Blazers’ perception that coverage has not been as balanced as what is received by other franchises in other WHL cities.
“One example being the lack of coverage surrounding a major news conference this year that both the club and league felt was very important, major announcements related to player signings, to announcements of scheduling special events in Kamloops,” Robison said.
The restriction of Drinnan’s rights to cover the hockey club became a hot button issue among sportswriters across the country who came to his defence through newspaper columns, blogs and twitter responses.
“The issue was not surrounding the factual nature of the reporting. It was more to ensure the Blazers received what we consider to be similar coverage to what we receive in other WHL markets in terms of coverage of media conferences, dealing with certain subjects of a more positive nature as opposed to reporting on other issues.”
Majority owner Gaglardi, who purchased the team in 2007 along with Shane Doan, Mark Recchi, Jarome Iginla and Darryl Sydor, said only that the team is onside with the league.
“This has been a league matter from the beginning and we were in lockstep with the league and we're satisfied with where we are today. We're happy to proceed in good faith with the league, as we've been, and the Kamloops Daily News,” Gaglardi said.
Rothenburger said there were no conditions placed by the league or team on reinstating access to players and team personnel.
“We welcome criticism of the way we cover the community, constructive criticism, and we'll look at details of examples raised,” Rothenburger said.
Gregg Drinnan will continue writing news coverage and columns, as he did before the Blazers sent a letter in late December outlining concerns with coverage and instituting a ban on speaking with the veteran WHL reporter.
League commissioner Ron Robison and Blazers owner Tom Gaglardi met for two hours with newspaper publisher Tim Shoults and editor Mel Rothenburger.
“We’re lifting the ban immediately,” Robison said. “Gregg will be reinstated with full access to all Blazer personnel and that will take effect immediately.”
Robison said the Blazers were in violation of the WHL media policy by restricting the sportswriter’s access to team personnel.
However, he was sympathetic to the Blazers’ perception that coverage has not been as balanced as what is received by other franchises in other WHL cities.
“One example being the lack of coverage surrounding a major news conference this year that both the club and league felt was very important, major announcements related to player signings, to announcements of scheduling special events in Kamloops,” Robison said.
The restriction of Drinnan’s rights to cover the hockey club became a hot button issue among sportswriters across the country who came to his defence through newspaper columns, blogs and twitter responses.
“The issue was not surrounding the factual nature of the reporting. It was more to ensure the Blazers received what we consider to be similar coverage to what we receive in other WHL markets in terms of coverage of media conferences, dealing with certain subjects of a more positive nature as opposed to reporting on other issues.”
Majority owner Gaglardi, who purchased the team in 2007 along with Shane Doan, Mark Recchi, Jarome Iginla and Darryl Sydor, said only that the team is onside with the league.
“This has been a league matter from the beginning and we were in lockstep with the league and we're satisfied with where we are today. We're happy to proceed in good faith with the league, as we've been, and the Kamloops Daily News,” Gaglardi said.
Rothenburger said there were no conditions placed by the league or team on reinstating access to players and team personnel.
“We welcome criticism of the way we cover the community, constructive criticism, and we'll look at details of examples raised,” Rothenburger said.
Renovating Ivor Wynne Stadium
Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina and Hamilton Tiger-Cats owner Bob Young reached an agreement Tuesday morning that would see the city and the club co-operate on funding for the creation of a 25,000-seat facility on the site of the 80-year-old Ivor Wynne Stadium.
The Ticats are expected to sign a 20-year lease with the city to play at the site, which also would be one of the locations for Pan American Games soccer games in 2015. The proposal will put before Hamilton city council Wednesday.
Young and Bratina say the refurbishment will cost $115-million. Under the terms of the deal, $70-million will be available from the Pan AM Host Corporation and a further $45-million from the Hamilton Future Fund. Young said team corporate partners Molson-Coors, Primus and Tim Hortons have agreed to provide funs for the project, but didn’t give specific dollar amounts.
"I want to thank Mayor Bob Bratina for finding a way to win the substantial funding of the Pan Am Games for Hamilton and to ensure the Tiger-Cats will continue to play in Hamilton in the future," Young said in a release. "I am especially pleased that the 'sacred ground' of so many great Tiger-Cat Football moments will remain our home in a new, state of the art facility that will be a showcase in Canada's league.
“Our goal from the beginning has been to ensure the Tiger-Cats will be on sound financial footing in the future and we believe this deal accomplishes that.”
The proposal calls for demolition and reconstruction of Ivor Wynne’s south stands and renovation of the north stands. Young said there may be opportunities to build more parking on vacant industrial land near the stadium. Ivor Wynne is located in a residential area of town. Young suggested that the Ticats might play in Toronto during the construction phase, although there are options, including playing the first half of the schedule on the road while the new stadium is being completed.
The Ticats’ previous preference was for sites on the CP Rail Yard and Confederation Park but both were shot down by council in December. Council was to consider a West Harbour site Wednesday, but the football club had already said that site was not acceptable and was looking elsewhere to relocate.
Toronto 2015, the Pan Am organizers, will comment later Tuesday on the latest offer. Hamilton city council would need to approve its end of the project.
The IWS site did not originally meet the Pan Am requirement to provide a 20 acre warm-up track next to the stadium, but Toronto 2015 resolved the issue when it moved track and field events to Toronto’s York University and soccer to Hamilton.
The new Ivor Wynne plan would leave no money from Toronto 2015 or the Future Fund to expand a planned Pan Am velodrome into a permanent facility, however.
Toronto 2015 has said Hamilton must present a complete proposal by February 1. Toronto 2015 also said Pan Am stadium money must go to a new facility.
The Ticats are expected to sign a 20-year lease with the city to play at the site, which also would be one of the locations for Pan American Games soccer games in 2015. The proposal will put before Hamilton city council Wednesday.
Young and Bratina say the refurbishment will cost $115-million. Under the terms of the deal, $70-million will be available from the Pan AM Host Corporation and a further $45-million from the Hamilton Future Fund. Young said team corporate partners Molson-Coors, Primus and Tim Hortons have agreed to provide funs for the project, but didn’t give specific dollar amounts.
"I want to thank Mayor Bob Bratina for finding a way to win the substantial funding of the Pan Am Games for Hamilton and to ensure the Tiger-Cats will continue to play in Hamilton in the future," Young said in a release. "I am especially pleased that the 'sacred ground' of so many great Tiger-Cat Football moments will remain our home in a new, state of the art facility that will be a showcase in Canada's league.
“Our goal from the beginning has been to ensure the Tiger-Cats will be on sound financial footing in the future and we believe this deal accomplishes that.”
The proposal calls for demolition and reconstruction of Ivor Wynne’s south stands and renovation of the north stands. Young said there may be opportunities to build more parking on vacant industrial land near the stadium. Ivor Wynne is located in a residential area of town. Young suggested that the Ticats might play in Toronto during the construction phase, although there are options, including playing the first half of the schedule on the road while the new stadium is being completed.
The Ticats’ previous preference was for sites on the CP Rail Yard and Confederation Park but both were shot down by council in December. Council was to consider a West Harbour site Wednesday, but the football club had already said that site was not acceptable and was looking elsewhere to relocate.
Toronto 2015, the Pan Am organizers, will comment later Tuesday on the latest offer. Hamilton city council would need to approve its end of the project.
The IWS site did not originally meet the Pan Am requirement to provide a 20 acre warm-up track next to the stadium, but Toronto 2015 resolved the issue when it moved track and field events to Toronto’s York University and soccer to Hamilton.
The new Ivor Wynne plan would leave no money from Toronto 2015 or the Future Fund to expand a planned Pan Am velodrome into a permanent facility, however.
Toronto 2015 has said Hamilton must present a complete proposal by February 1. Toronto 2015 also said Pan Am stadium money must go to a new facility.
A Busy Monday
It was trade deadline day in both the WHL and SJHL. The Saskatoon Blades did get Brayden Schenn and they did pay a big price to get him. Is getting Schenn the thing that will make Blades hockey an event that Saskatoon sports fans should go to. I hope so. Its no secret that those in the Bridge City don't like going to see the Blades. That big arena looks empty on most nights. I hear the team is averaging about 4-grand a night and that is sad when you consider they are one of the top teams in the WHL.
Regina hockey fans would love to be able to cheer for a team like the Blades have right now and would probably sell out the Brandt Centre on most nights if it were to ever happen. Now that Schenn is back home and wearing the colours of the home team, its time for Saskatoon to step up and start supporting this team.
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While the Blades and Kootenay Ice appear to be the winners in the WHL as they get Schenn and Cody Eakin respectively, I can't help but think the Melfort Mustangs are the big winners in the SJHL. The Mustangs are already a good team, but they have added Brayden Metz and Cody Hanson from Melville in the last couple of days, they also received Carter Berg from the Calgary Hitmen. They have all the ingredients. The only thing standing in their way in the Bauer Conference will be La Ronge and Bob Beatty isn't going to give up the championship without a fight. In the Sherwood, one has to like Yorkton's chances after getting Jeremy Boyer and Justin Buzzeo last week and Brant Remenda on Monday from Nipawin. If Davis Vandane comes back from Spokane, Yorkton will be sitting pretty. There's a long ways to go, but if I were a betting man, I might take a Melfort-Yorkton final about now.
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Speaking of Yorkton, I will see the new look Terriers tonight as the league begins its Presidents Tour at the Gallagher Centre. Its time to go around the province and visit the different venues over the next few weeks. I'm looking forward to these trips. The drive to La Ronge and Flin Flon won't be fun, but I'm sure the people in both locales will more than make up for the marathon hours on the highway.
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Auburn wins the BCS football championship with a 22-19 win over Oregon. I thought that would be the score after the 1st quarter. I guess when you don't play for six or seven weeks, your offence gets rusty and the defences know what you are going to do. I'm glad I didn't pay a lot of attention to that game.
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Have you seen this story out of Seattle? Seahawks fans apparently made the earth move Saturday night!
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The whole Nexus thing on RAW last night was just stupid.
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Prechae Rodriguez has signed on with the Alouettes. Can they get out of him what the Riders couldn't. It also looks as if Ben Cahoon is retiring. A story has come out saying he has applied for a position at BYU.
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It doesn't surprise me to see Donald Fehr, the new boss of the NHLPA supplant Gary Bettman as the number one person when it comes to the Power and Influence list which is in the Hockey News. Fehr will bring the sport to its knees whether you like it or not. He is the one that killed the baseball season and he won't hesitate to stick the knife in hockey's heart either. I think hockey fans across this great country of ours will have to go another year without a Stanley Cup playoffs and a hockey season. Its either that or the owners had better do a lot of laying down.
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Have a great Tuesday and a great 1-11-11!!
Regina hockey fans would love to be able to cheer for a team like the Blades have right now and would probably sell out the Brandt Centre on most nights if it were to ever happen. Now that Schenn is back home and wearing the colours of the home team, its time for Saskatoon to step up and start supporting this team.
---
While the Blades and Kootenay Ice appear to be the winners in the WHL as they get Schenn and Cody Eakin respectively, I can't help but think the Melfort Mustangs are the big winners in the SJHL. The Mustangs are already a good team, but they have added Brayden Metz and Cody Hanson from Melville in the last couple of days, they also received Carter Berg from the Calgary Hitmen. They have all the ingredients. The only thing standing in their way in the Bauer Conference will be La Ronge and Bob Beatty isn't going to give up the championship without a fight. In the Sherwood, one has to like Yorkton's chances after getting Jeremy Boyer and Justin Buzzeo last week and Brant Remenda on Monday from Nipawin. If Davis Vandane comes back from Spokane, Yorkton will be sitting pretty. There's a long ways to go, but if I were a betting man, I might take a Melfort-Yorkton final about now.
-------
Speaking of Yorkton, I will see the new look Terriers tonight as the league begins its Presidents Tour at the Gallagher Centre. Its time to go around the province and visit the different venues over the next few weeks. I'm looking forward to these trips. The drive to La Ronge and Flin Flon won't be fun, but I'm sure the people in both locales will more than make up for the marathon hours on the highway.
----
Auburn wins the BCS football championship with a 22-19 win over Oregon. I thought that would be the score after the 1st quarter. I guess when you don't play for six or seven weeks, your offence gets rusty and the defences know what you are going to do. I'm glad I didn't pay a lot of attention to that game.
-----
Have you seen this story out of Seattle? Seahawks fans apparently made the earth move Saturday night!
-----
The whole Nexus thing on RAW last night was just stupid.
------
Prechae Rodriguez has signed on with the Alouettes. Can they get out of him what the Riders couldn't. It also looks as if Ben Cahoon is retiring. A story has come out saying he has applied for a position at BYU.
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It doesn't surprise me to see Donald Fehr, the new boss of the NHLPA supplant Gary Bettman as the number one person when it comes to the Power and Influence list which is in the Hockey News. Fehr will bring the sport to its knees whether you like it or not. He is the one that killed the baseball season and he won't hesitate to stick the knife in hockey's heart either. I think hockey fans across this great country of ours will have to go another year without a Stanley Cup playoffs and a hockey season. Its either that or the owners had better do a lot of laying down.
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Have a great Tuesday and a great 1-11-11!!
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