Charleston Hughes Signs Contract Extension With Riders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed international defensive lineman Charleston Hughes to a contract extension keeping him with the team through 2019.

The Riders acquired Hughes February 2nd in a trade with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, shortly after the Ti-Cats had picked up Hughes from the Calgary Stampeders.

Hughes (6’1 – 246) is a veteran of 10 CFL seasons after originally joining the Stampeders in June, 2008.

Over the last 10 seasons, Hughes has registered 412 defensive tackles, 99 quarterback sacks, 38 special-teams tackles and 23 forced fumbles. He’s also appeared in 11 career playoff games and four Grey Cup games.

In 2017, the 34-year-old Hughes registered 41 defensive tackles, 11 quarterback sacks, two tackles for loss and one forced fumble.

(Riders PR)

NHL Three Stars Of Week

New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier, Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta and Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Feb. 18.

FIRST STAR – NICO HISCHIER, C, NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Hischier scored in all four of his appearances, sharing the League lead with four goals and ranking second overall with 4-3—7 to power the Devils (31-20-8, 70 points) to a perfect week. He posted 1-1—2 in a 5-4 shootout victory over the Philadelphia Flyers Feb. 13. Hischier then registered 1-2—3, his third three-point performance of the season, in a 5-2 triumph against the Carolina Hurricanes Feb. 15. He added one goal in each of his next two outings, a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Feb. 17 and a 3-2 overtime victory against the Hurricanes Feb. 18. In doing so, Hischier became the fifth rookie in Devils franchise history to score in four straight team games and the first to do so since 1984-85 (Greg Adams). The 19-year-old Brig, Switzerland, native and No. 1 overall selection from the 2017 NHL Draft has played in all 59 New Jersey contests this season, ranking in the top 10 among rookies in assists (t-4th; 26), shots on goal (t-4th; 134), points (6th; 39) and goals (t-9th; 13).

SECOND STAR – ANTTI RAANTA, G, ARIZONA COYOTES

Raanta stopped 123 of the 126 shots he faced, compiling a 3-0-0 record with a 0.90 goals-against average, .976 save percentage and one shutout in four appearances to lift the Coyotes (17-32-10, 44 points) to their first four-game winning streak since Jan. 4-12, 2016 (also 4-0-0). He made 37 saves in a 6-1 triumph over the Chicago Blackhawks Feb. 12, followed by 12 stops in relief in a 2-1 victory against the San Jose Sharks Feb. 13. Raanta then denied 34 shots in a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens Feb. 15 before capping the week with 40 saves and his ninth career shutout in a 1-0 triumph against he Edmonton Oilers Feb. 17. The 28-year-old Rauma, Finland, native owns a 12-14-6 record with a 2.45 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and one shutout in 35 outings this season.

THIRD STAR – MARK SCHEIFELE, C, WINNIPEG JETS

Scheifele ranked third in the NHL with 3-4—7 in three contests to propel the Jets (35-15-9, 79 points) to a perfect week and the top of the Central Division standings. He collected 2-1—3, including the shorthanded game-tying goal with 14.4 seconds remaining in regulation and the lone assist on the overtime winner, in a 4-3 victory against the Washington Capitals Feb. 13. Scheifele then registered his second straight three-point outing with a trio of assists in a 6-1 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche Feb. 16. He closed the week by scoring the game-winning goal in a 7-2 victory against the Florida Panthers Feb. 18. The 24-year-old Kitchener, Ont., native sits second on the Jets with 18-28—46 this season (43 GP) despite missing 16 games due to injury.

(NHL Media) 

Something To "Mitch" About

Happy Family Day ya'll.  Will you be heading to Waskimo to take in everything or is it a day to relax.  It's the latter for this blogger.  Long weekend, days off? Not for this blogger.  Not complaining though, not one bit.

What a fantastic weekend at the Brandt Centre as the Regina Pats celebrated their 100th anniversary with their Centennial Celebrations.

As fans filed out of the Brandt Centre on Wednesday, they were wondering if they would see the Pats beat the Warriors this season.  As they filed out Sunday, they were wondering if it hadn't been for a 43 second meltdown in that Wednesday game if the home side would have gotten a sweep of the three game series.

Have the Pats planted a seed of doubt in the Warriors mind after what happened this weekend.  I am guessing the answer is no, but those wondering when and if this team would turn it around and get their you know what together may have shown they are ready to do so with just a handful of games remaining.

Regina played right with and was better than Moose Jaw over the three-game set and the results showed that.

It was late last year when Regina took both ends of a home-and-home that sent Moose Jaw spiralling downwards.  Did they learn their lesson?  Was the weekend a turning point for Regina? We will find out over the next few months, but hold on because it should be a fun ride.

Sunday's game was preceeded by the NHL All-Star Celebrity Classic on Saturday afternoon and what an afternoon it was as NHL greats like Wendel Clark, Scott Niedermayer  and Brian Propp twirled around the ice as did former Pats Garth Butcher and Mike Sillinger.  One former Pat stole the day in the mind of this blogger though.

"Steady" Eddie Staniowski is 62 years old folks.  62 years old!  There he was patrolling the pipes to start the game for Team Saskatchewan. In his one period of work, he stood on his head making several big saves much to the disbelief of Team WHL who thought they had scored a couple of times. As Jarret Stoll said after the game, "Are you sure he is as old as they say he is?"  This weekend that brought together the military and the hockey team was one Staniowski had to take great joy in seeing the careers he has had in both.  My first Pats games at the old Exhibition Stadium had him in the net and admittedly the best I have seen in a Regina uniform that I can remember was Josh Harding.  Seeing Staniowski do his thing was fabulous to see regardless of whether he was 42 or 62. It was a treat.  It was also great to help Colby Armstrong to a night we may never see again.

Armstrong had joked he would donate money to a charity for every point he got so at one point Kelly Chase came to the penalty box and said add a couple of assists for Colby.  Did we ever! Every goal that was scored no matter what team saw the former Red Deer Rebel and Saskatoon native get an assist. The now-Sportsnet analyst ended up with four legitimate points and he was a great sport about it as we talked after the game.

Before I forget, it was not me who referred to Dale Derkatch as "Derek" during the game.  That was the guy in between the benches and not your friendly neighbourhood substitute Pats PA guy.  Derek Derkatch??!! Yeesh----and in the Brandt Centre too!

What also was a treat was Friday night at the Armouries.  As Rod Pedersen and myself did the Sportscage upstairs at the Armories, the stars of yesterday came pouring in.   Walking right past us were the likes of Niedermayer, Dale Derkatch, Niedermayer, Darryl Sutter.  It was a who's who of guys I had watched live at the Agridome and on TV.   It was surreal.  I had to leave at 6 to get to the U of R to do my basketball duties and when it came time to leave, I truly didn't.  I even had offers to stay, but sadly I couldn't.  I think it's safe to say I missed a good night and one I probably wouldn't have forgotten for a long time.

--By the way, did you get to Hometown Hockey? If so yay or nay? I wanted to get down there, but didn't get the chance. It looked good on TV!



--The debate is going on in the curling world. Did Rachel Homan do the right thing against Denmark or not? Homan removed a stone that was grazed by a Danish sweeper as it settled in the house. Graze or not, it was a good shot, but the Canadian skip tossed it out of play without a discussion or anything.  Many are coming to Homan's defense saying she played by the rules which technically she did.  Others are roasting her including those in the Canadian curling community.  What she did was right, but she handled it terribly and she probably considering the rock was not affected in any way should have just carried on.  Denmark's skip said after the game that karma came back to Homan. I can't argue that.  By the way, do we really have doping in curling?  One of the Russian ---I mean "Olympic Athletes from Russia" players on the mixed curling team tested positive for an illegal drug. In curling? Oyyyyyy!

--The Jake Harty signing by the Riders is an interesting one. Didn't think there was a need for any more receivers of his value, especially Canadian ones.  You already have Rob Bagg, Devon Bailey, Josh Stanford and Mitch Picton.  I think it's safe to say competition is a great thing.  My spidey senses also tell me this team is ready to make a major move via trade, but I don't know what the plan is and when it will be executed if indeed something big is coming.  Stay tuned!

--Have we come to an idea as to who won free agency?   They didn't win, but I like what Montreal did after it seemed as if they forgot that things were going on.  Calgary did a nice job in locking up Jagared Davis, Roy Finch and Davaris Daniels before free agency, but once you look at what teams did after free agency started, you have to look and see what the Riders did even though they said they weren't going to make a splash.  BC also shored up both their offensive and defensive line so we may not be able to declare a winner until the season actually starts, but those three teams were at the top of my list.


--I am interested to see how CFL Week is going to go in Winnipeg next month.  With the Jets capturing the imagination of the Winnipeg sports fan and for good reason, will enough go out to take in what we saw in Regina last year.   Could the Jets success turn CFL Week into a bust?  If it does, and I certainly hope it doesn't, it will tell me two things    1) Bring it back to Regina 2) Remember this when you look at moving the season up and competing with the Stanley Cup playoffs. Although it does sound like the latter will move up so the CFL can get some additional $$$$ from the NFL Network if what I continue to hear is accurate.

--In a statement never before uttered, NHL salaries are getting out of control.  I'm sorry, but the Calgary Flames giving Mikael Backlund 5 years at over 6 million a season is beyond ridiculous. What is even more ridiculous is this gives the agent for soon to be free agent Patrick Maroon the ammo to get a contract in the 6.5-7 million dollar range.  That also is ridiculous.  Backlund has 34 points in 59 games and is 29.  Maroon is 29 and has 29  points  in 55 games.  Both shouldn't be getting anywhere close to that in my mind.  I know hockey salaries are out of whack and this is a prime example.

-That's all I got.  Have a great week!

Riders Add Another Canadian Pass-Catcher

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed national free-agent receiver Jake Harty to a two-year contract. 

              

Harty (6’2 – 210) joins the Riders after spending his first three CFL seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks where he was originally selected in the 2nd round (10th overall) of the 2015 CFL Draft. 

The 27-year-old Calgary product played 34 career regular-season games for the Redblacks, collecting 36 receptions for 307 yards and one touchdown while adding 12 special-teams tackles. He also played three playoff games and two Grey Cup games. 

Harty won his first career Grey Cup in 2016.

NHL Alumni Game Hits The Brandt Centre

The final score didn't really matter to the players.  It was getting back on the ice, renewing old relationships and telling stories while having fun playing the game they love.

On Saturday afternoon at the Brandt Centre as a part of the Regina Pats 100th Anniversary Centennial Celebration, many who played for the Pats and other Saskatchewan based WHL teams took on a team featuring former NHL'ers who played for other Western Hockey League teams.

The game featured former Kamloops Blazer Scott Niedermayer and Darcy Tucker, former New Westminster Bruin Cliff Ronning and former Red Deer Rebel and Saskatoon native Colby Armstrong along with Pats alumni like Garth Butcher, Dale Derkatch and Ed Staniowski.

Staniowski, the former Pats goalie, who helped the team to their last Memorial Cup championship in 1974, showed he still has it as he made several dazzling saves in the opening period.

The 62 year old, who is a retired Lieutenant-Colonel for the Canadian Military, says it was an unbelievable experience.

"At my age and with my skill level, you just stand there and hope it comes to you and if it does that's a good thing." Staniowski said. "I don't do this often, but when I was asked to do this, I couldn't say no. The people of Regina were very fortunate to have this type of talent on the ice. It was a real privilege to be a part of it."

Armstrong, who won a Memorial Cup at the Brandt Centre with the Rebels in 2001, had a running gag going after saying he was donating 10 dollars per point scored to charity resulting in him getting announced on every goal no matter what team scored.

Armstrong says this has been a great weekend and he was thrilled to be a part of it.

"It was fun, I had a great time.  I loved the running gag. " Armstrong said. "I am very proud to be from Saskatchewan and have played in the Western Hockey League and I know how big it is for the event to be held here.  This rink and this city has fond memories for me and I can't wait to be back here for the Memorial Cup in a few months.

The homecoming weekend will close on Sunday when the Pats take on the Moose Jaw Warriors in a 2 o'clock start.

 Before the game, the team will honor Jock Callander by retiring his number 15 jersey. 

Cougars WBB Team Moves Into Canada West Semis

Kyanna Giles poured in a career-high 28 points to lead the University of Regina’s women’s basketball team to a 71-62 victory over UBC on Friday night in Game 2 of a Canada West quarterfinal sweep at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.

The win gives the Cougars a two-game sweep over the Thunderbirds as the U of R becomes the first team to advance to the Canada West semifinals.

While Thursday’s win saw the Cougars jump out to an early double-digit lead and hold a comfortable lead the entire way, Friday’s game was a different story. Regina took the lead for good midway through the second quarter and though the Cougars built up a 12-point lead at one juncture in the third quarter, UBC battled back and it was a one-possession game for most of the first half of the fourth.

But the No. 2-ranked Cougars clamped down on defence down the stretch to secure the win. They only surrendered three points in the final five minutes of the game – all of which came on a Jessica Hanson three-pointer – and Giles hit a pair of three-pointers to help the lead balloon back up to 12 with two minutes to go.

Giles, who now has at least 20 points in six of her last seven games, eclipses her previous career high of 27 which she set earlier this season in a win over Fraser Valley. She was 11-for-18 from the field overall and 4-for-8 from three-point land in the win, while also pulling down six rebounds for the Cougars.

Regina also had a 12-point, nine-rebound effort from veteran forward Charlotte Kot and 10 points from Kyia Giles. Michaela Kleisinger added eight points and a game-high five assists.

Hanson finished with a team-leading 19 points for UBC, while Maddison Penn collected 15 points and 12 rebounds to notch the game’s lone double-double. While the season ends for the Thunderbirds, head coach Deb Huband will expect to return the entire roster. Hanson, Penn, and Krysten Lindquist are the team’s elder statesmen but still have two full seasons of U SPORTS eligibility remaining, while all seven other Thunderbirds that played tonight are only in their first or second seasons.

The Cougars will now turn their attention to next weekend, which will see them host either Calgary or Victoria in another best-of-three series.

“We were able to make plays down the stretch when we needed to, and I’m extremely happy we got this done in two games,” Cougars head coach Dave Taylor said. “We need to have a good week of preparation heading into a best-of-three semifinal series, which is something we haven’t done in years.”

It’s been 16 years since the Cougars have played in a best-of-three Canada West semifinal. The Cougars beat Alberta in two straight games back in 2002 to advance to the conference final, and Canada West changed the playoff format soon thereafter to go to a Final Four format which saw a single semifinal game immediately followed by a single conference championship game. This year’s format will have two best-of-three semifinals next weekend and a one-game conference final the following weekend.

Next weekend’s semifinal series will again be scheduled for Thursday and Friday with a third and deciding game to be played on Saturday if it’s needed. All games will tip off at 7:00 PM at the CKHS.

(U of R Athletics) 

Regina Pats Community Foundation Announced

Queen City Sports & Entertainment Group (QCSEG) is pleased to announce the creation of the Regina Pats Community Foundation (RPCF).

The RPCF has been established with the intent of funding the scholarship program available to Pats players and to support youth initiatives focused on health, wellness, education and sport in Regina and the surrounding area.  The Foundation currently manages the 50/50 program at all Regina Pats home games.  The RPCF works cooperatively with the Regina Pats and QCSEG but is a separate and independent body guided by its own board of directors.

“We are very pleased to have passionate local business people step up to be on the first Board of Directors for the RPCF,” said Anthony Marquart.  “The goal of QCSEG is to build the Regina Pats and this new Foundation into a community leader and to continue to build a bright future for the great people of Regina.”

Four long-time Regina and area business people have been appointed to the first board of the RPCF.  A brief description for each individual is below.

Dion Tchorzewski – Lawyer, McDougall Gauley LLP – has practiced law for over 20 years in Saskatchewan and internationally.  He holds the corporate director designation (ICD.D) from the Institute of Corporate Directors and is a member of the board of Information Services Corporation.  Dion is active in Regina’s multicultural community and is the first Board Chair for the RPCF.

Jeff Christiansen – Vice President of Operations, Speers Funeral & Cremation Services – has a passion for caring for people and serving the community.  He is currently on the board of Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association and is a member of the Board of Regents for Luther College.

Jason Carlston – Regional VP Land, Dream Development – believes strongly in the importance of working with youth and community groups to strengthen social connections within the community.  Jason currently serves on the board of the YMCA, and is an active member of the RRHBA chairing their Community Developers Committee.

Tracy Fahlman – President & CEO, Regina Hotels Association – is a passionate advocate for Regina’s business community. Whether in her current role promoting the interests of Regina’s hoteliers or previously with Regina Downtown, Tracy knows how important local business is to the community.

The Regina Pats Community Foundation is the first of its kind among Saskatchewan based WHL teams.  The first major event for the Foundation is the RPCF Honours Dinner taking place this Friday beginning at 6 p.m. as part of Homecoming Weekend.