Saskatchewan Roughriders Release 5 Including Seth Doege

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today the release of the following five players:

·         International defensive lineman Chancey Aghayere

·         International offensive lineman Pierce Burton

·         International linebacker Justin Cole

·         International quarterback Seth Doege

·         International defensive back Ryan Steed

Edmonton Oilers Make Many Changes In Front Office

Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) Chief Executive Officer & Vice Chair Bob Nicholson announced today significant changes to the management structure of the organization – both in hockey and business operations.

Peter Chiarelli has been appointed President of Hockey Operations and General Manager effective immediately. Chiarelli will report to CEO Bob Nicholson, and be responsible for all aspects of hockey operations.

“We are delighted to bring a person of Peter’s considerable hockey knowledge and experience to the Edmonton Oilers. Peter has had success at all levels of the game and we look forward to his leadership,” said Nicholson.

“I am honoured to join such a great organization with a long history of success. There is a strong, young core here with good complementary players,” said Chiarelli. “I hope to bring it to the next level with a measured approach. Daryl Katz and Bob Nicholson have a great vision here for the team and Rogers Place. I am very excited to be a part of it.”

Most recently, Chiarelli served as the General Manager of the Boston Bruins for the past eight seasons. He guided the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals twice during his tenure in Boston, including winning the Stanley Cup in 2011.

The Nepean, Ontario native has also served as a member of the management group for Hockey Canada’s National Men’s Team, including the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2013 Men’s World Hockey Championships.

Chiarelli graduated from Harvard University with an Economics degree in 1987 and he played for the Harvard men’s hockey team from 1983-87. He began his career in hockey after graduating with a law degree from the University of Ottawa and was hired as the Director of Legal Relations for the Ottawa Senators in 2000. In 2005, Chiarelli was promoted to assistant General Manager of the Senators and he served in that role for one season, before being hired by the Boston Bruins in 2006.

Kevin Lowe’s responsibilities transition out of hockey operations, however, he remains Vice Chair of Oilers Entertainment Group.

“I support Bob in the changes he has implemented and I am very excited about the bright future for the Edmonton Oilers, the City of Edmonton and Oilers fans everywhere,” said Kevin Lowe. “It has been an honour to represent the Oilers both on and off the ice, and I look forward to my new role in the organization.”

OEG also announced changes to business operations.

Patrick LaForge has stepped down as President & Chief Operating Officer.

“We thank Patrick for his dedication to the Oilers and Oil Country over the last 15 years. He made a significant mark on the organization and was the driving force behind many successful initiatives,” said Nicholson.

Working closely with Nicholson to continue to grow OEG business will be a trio of senior executives. Stew MacDonald will be responsible for marketing and revenue, Darryl Boessenkool will be responsible for finance and OEG transition business, and Bob Black will continue as Executive Vice President of the Edmonton Arena Corporation, and will also be heading up new business for OEG.

OEG Chairman Daryl Katz said, “I want to thank Kevin, Patrick and Craig for their commitment and contributions to the Oilers over the past many years. No one should question the heart, integrity, dedication or capability of any of these individuals. Each has done great things for the team and our city, but it was simply time for a change. We will honour their contributions and treasure their continued friendship. Once an Oilers, always an Oiler. I also want to commend Bob Nicholson on his leadership and welcome Peter Chiarelli aboard. Together, we are committed to making the Oilers a Stanley Cup contender.”

(Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club)

This And That

The weekly assortment of thoughts running through my muddled mind and as always they are in no particular order


--Game 3 of the Jets-Ducks series was one of the best hockey games I've seen. What didn't that game have? Its too bad it didn't have the great Don Wittman doing the play-by-play of the first playoff game in Winnipeg in 19 years. That isn't a shot at Dave Randorf either who I think is a lot better than what many give him credit for. He's better than Romanuk!

--I loved the whiteout in Winnipeg as that tradition was brought back, but it loses something when the home team comes out wearing blue? A blue-out?

--I talked last week about wearing a Ducks Selanne jersey in Winnipeg, but what about with everyone wearing white at the Jets game, you go in a Riders road jersey with Getzlaf on it. That would be a double whammy to the Winnipeg sports fan. I would do that, but I think I would need Brendan Labatte and Ben Heenan with me.

--Stephen Harper has been photographed while wearing a Winnipeg Jets jersey, so why on earth wouldn't he have packed that for his trip to Winnipeg and Game 4 instead of wearing a Team Canada jersey.  SIGHHHHH!!!

--With the Ducks now advancing to play either Vancouver or Calgary in the 2nd round, all I have to say is GO DUCKS GO!! 

--The one thing you learn in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. 1) Never count out the Chicago Blackhawks and 2) Never count out the Detroit Red Wings. Many people didn't expect a lot out of either team going in.

--The Stanley Cup hasn't even gotten through the first round and the big winner may be the Edmonton Oilers. They've already acquired the opportunity to draft Connor McDavid and now it looks like Peter Chiarelli will be joining the club in some role. That's pretty good if you ask me and others in hockey circles. We now await word on a coach. I would have to think Todd McLellan will be the guy, but could Mike Babcock be tempted? I still think Babcock stays right where he is and the first round job he has done against Tampa cements that. Detroit doesn't want to let him go.

--Sam Bennett and Connor McDavid will definitely be the faces of "The Battle of Alberta" starting next year. Those two going head to head against one another will be special.

--We know Canadian quarterbacks get the shaft when it comes to the CFL, but what about Canadian running backs? Andrew Harris is the only Canadian running back who did his thing in Canada that is making any kind of noise in the CFL. Is the CIS producing running backs? That could be the answer. There was only one RB in the CIS who cracked the 1000 yard mark last year and that was Laurier's Dillon Campbell who was almost 500 yards ahead of his nearest competitor. I will admit I have never heard of Campbell. Will he get drafted in the CFL draft? It only asks the question as to why Canadian universities aren't producing CFL calibre running backs when we are seeing CFL calibre players at other positions. You can't tell me there aren't good running backs out there.

--After last week's offering, I understand the over/under on comments on RP's blog has been set at 70.5. Take the over and welcome back!

--Darian Durant played Madden with Jon Cornish in Toronto on Wednesday. Lets all hope Durant put the seed in Cornish's head right away by registering a one sided victory. You know the Stamps wanted nothing with the Riders in the West final last year and they want nothing to do with the Riders with a healthy DD.  Is it June yet?

--The NFL schedule came out and the NFL Network for some dumb reason has decided to prognosticate the schedule and start telling us where all teams are going to finish. ???? Isn't it a little early for that? Can we have the draft first? Can we start training camps? I realize the network has a lot of programming to fill, but throw some more top 10's in there. C'mon! 

--The Regina Rams have their first spring camp under Mike Gibson this weekend. When are the Rams going to get an offensive co-ordinator? You would think one should be in place before spring camp.

--It would appear as if the NHL and Las Vegas are destined to be partners very soon. I am a little skeptical as to how a franchise in Vegas would work, but owner Bill Foley seems to have the answers to the questions being asked and yes, if I were in Vegas during hockey season, I would want to go a game. The question I have about NHL expansion is why they wouldn't look at Portland while instead looking at cities like Seattle and Kansas City? Portland is obviously a hockey city as fans there love the Winterhawks. Sadly, they would probably be history if Portland became an NHL franchise, but I think a team there would be a huge success. Seattle wants a team, but they want that team to be a basketball team and not a hockey team.

--Golf courses are open in and around the city. Soon, I'll be slicing, hooking and cursing at a course and loving every minute of it!

--My thoughts and sympathies are with the people of Tisdale and surrounding area in the wake of this week's horrific murder-suicide. What a terrible story! How anyone can kill a child in cold blood is just beyond me.

--Congratulations to Rider great Ray Elgaard for getting named to the Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame!

--I don't know who is doing the Telus Cup games for Hockey Canada, but he must have stocked up on throat lozenges. The guy has done every game of the tournament meaning he has done four games a day. That's no walk in the park. I did three games a day at the Esso Cup when it was in Regina and by mid-week my voice was gone. I don't think I've drank as much chamomile tea as I did that week. Some woman from Thunder Bay kept getting me some saying it was the best thing for a strained voicebox. I wasn't going to argue!

--The Regina Red Sox annual sportsman dinner goes Saturday night with former Jays center-fielder Devon White speaking. I won't be able to get to the event this year, but it will be a great night. If you haven't got a ticket yet, I think you can still get some.

--The stars of High Impact Wrestling have one of the biggest shows in Western Canadian independent wrestling tonight. These guys work their tails off and they will be putting on an outstanding performance at the Highland Club starting at 7. Support independent pro wrestling and entertain yourself on a Friday night!

--The Blue Jays lead the majors in runs and Bautista and Encarnacion are hitting a combined .174. That's a little hard to believe and just reinforces top-notch pitching is needed to become a contender.

--The New York Mets have 11 won in a row. Are Keith Hernandez and Mookie Wilson back?


--If you are diagnosed with kleptomania, do you take something for it?

--Have a great weekend!

Another Telus Cup WIn For Regina Pat Canadians

Arthur Miller had two goals and two assists as the Regina Pat Canadians improved to 4-0 Thursday night at the Telus Cup Midget Hockey Championship with a 6-3 win over Albatross du Notre Dame,

Owen Sillinger had three points to give him a tournament leading 12.

The Pat C's, who have already advanced to a semi-final Saturday, close out round-robin play with a game against Newbridge Academy--the Maritime reps on Friday morning at 11 AM Regina time.

Duron Carter Says Its Time To Grow Up

By Mike Wells ESPN.com


INDIANAPOLIS -- Duron Carter isn’t running from his past. He knows he’s had his fair share of problems.

“The first step is admitting it, right? I got through that point,” the Indianapolis Colts receiver said.

He had the talent to be part of powerhouse football programs at Ohio State and Alabama, but he didn't like school. No, he hated school. He just wanted to play football.

Carter, the son of Hall of Fame receiver and current ESPN analyst Cris Carter, had academic problems at Ohio State and was dismissed from Alabama for a failed drug test and missing a winter conditioning workout.

But that's not how it works. No grades, no football. And that’s why Carter attended four different colleges, played a total of nine games, went undrafted and had to spend two seasons playing in the Canadian Football League.

“Just being immature,” Carter said. “Not taking school serious. I always knew I was a football player and I always wanted to be in the NFL. I didn’t really know the route it took to get there. I messed that opportunity up, a few opportunities, really. And for me, I’m really on my last chance and making sure I do everything day to day, doing everything right, not making any wrong decisions. Don’t shoot myself in the foot. That’s what I always seemed to do before.”

Carter is getting that opportunity, and it’s with a franchise that has a winning tradition and a quarterback in Andrew Luck that many people want to play with.

“He’s great,” Carter said. “I’ve never been around a quarterback like him. He’s just so in-depth with detail. If we miss a route, we’ve got to run it again. Everything is precise and to the point. That’s what you need.”

The Colts signed Carter in February after he had 124 receptions for 1,939 yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL. Minnesota, Carolina, Washington, San Francisco and Cleveland were all interested in Carter.

But nobody knows what type of NFL player Carter will be.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano referred to Duron Carter as an unknown because he has never taken a snap in an NFL game.

“The speed of the game,” Carter said when asked about the difference between the CFL and NFL. “You’re dealing with the top 1 percent of athletes. Watching film, guys aren’t taking plays off. Defenses are running to the ball full-speed. Really for me is getting in the film room. Knowing the correct depth, correct angles and just hitting the ground running.”

Nothing will be given to Carter. Receiving roles will sort themselves out in training camp with T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson expected to be the top players at that position. Everything else is up in the air.

“I’m just here to play football,” Carter said. “Anytime I can get in there and help the team out. If I’m the fourth-best receiver, then we must have a pretty good receiving corps.”

Eskimos Extend Hervey's Contract

Eskimos President and CEO Len Rhodes announces the contract extension of General Manager Ed Hervey.

The extension sees Hervey also named Vice President of Football Operations and keeps him with the Green and Gold through the 2017 season.

“Preserving effective leadership is integral to the health and success of this club,” says Rhodes. “Every decision Ed makes is with the goal of long-term success on-field and making a positive impact in the community. He has quickly developed as a leader among his peers.”

“Naming Ed a vice president reflects the executive role he plays within the organization at a senior management level.”

Hervey enters his 17th season with the Eskimos and his third as General Manager after his hire on Dec. 10, 2012.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to build a team this community can be proud of,” says Hervey. “A total group effort, I appreciate the coaches, staff and players who work tirelessly to transform our football department and establish a solid foundation for sustained success.”

“I’m very excited about what lies ahead for our organization. I thank Len and the Board of Directors for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading Eskimos football.”

On Nov. 27, 2013, Hervey made his first Head Coach hire, naming Chris Jones as the 20th Head Coach of the Edmonton Eskimos.

Last season, the club set a franchise record for single-season turnaround with a 12-6 record, won the West Semi-Final at home and made an appearance in the West Final.

Hervey continues to build a competitive roster with an emphasis on depth, character, toughness, athleticism and winning.

Also under Hervey’s leadership, the scouting department expanded to ensure widespread coverage in all regions of the United States and Canada, increasing the club's ability to identify and recruit top level talent.

Hervey established the Annual Amateur Football Summit, now in its third year, with the goal of Long-Term Athlete Development. The event brings together stakeholders from Northern Alberta to review rules and regulations, player skill development, coaching development, officiating and the continued advancement of football at all levels.

A two-time Grey Cup champion and former CFL All-Star, Hervey was the team's West Coast Scout from 2007 to 2008 and Head Scout from 2009 to 2012.

(Edmonton Eskimos)

Regina Pat Canadians 3-0 At Telus Cup

  Conner Chaulk scored once and added two assists, Jake Tesarowski had one of each and Riley Woods had two helpers of his own to help the Regina Pat Canadians rally past the Strathmore Bisons 4-2 on Wednesday and remain the only undefeated team at the 2015 TELUS Cup.

The key for the Pat Canadians, as it was the first two days, was the power play; Regina scored three times on nine chances with the man advantage, and is a tournament-leading 8-for-28 (28.6%) through three games.
It was the Bisons who got on the board first after Gary Haden dropped for Barrett Sheen, who fired a wrist shot past Regina goaltender Curtis Meger just 62 seconds after the puck dropped.
That would be the lone goal of the first period, despite Regina holding a 13-8 advantage in shots on goal.
The Pat Canadians finally answered 39 seconds into the second period on a power play goal off the stick of Owen Sillinger, but Austin Wong restored the Strathmore lead at 8:22 of the middle frame, sending the Pacific Region champions to the dressing room with a one-goal advantage.
Regina managed just nine shots on goal in the third period but made good on three of them to take over,
Tesarowski tied the game at 7:23 on another Pat Canadians power play, and Chaulk one-timed a rebound past Bisons netminder Kurtis Chapman just 50 seconds after that to give Regina its first lead.
Arthur Miller roofed a loose puck from in close midway through the period to make it 4-2, chasing Chapman and giving netminder Cody Campbell his first action of the entire postseason.
The much-anticipated game did not disappoint, with both teams played a feisty and heavy-hitting game from puck drop to the final whistle, combining for 38 minutes in penalties and 17 power play opportunities.
Regina will go for four wins in as many days Thursday when it takes on the host Albatros du Collège Notre-Dame (7:30 p.m. ET),