The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced today it has issued the following fines for Week 1 of the 2012 regular season:
Montreal Alouettes linebacker Shea Emry for an illegal hit on Calgary Stampeders quarterback Drew Tate during this past weekend’s game on July 1.
Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman Dimitri Tsoumpas for unnecessary roughness on Montreal defensive lineman J.P. Bekasiak during this past weekend’s game on July 1st.
Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive lineman Chris Patrick for throwing a punch at an opponent during this past weekend’s game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 29.
In keeping with league policy, player fine amounts are not disclosed.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
McGill Returns To Cranbrook
Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club, today announced the Club has hired Ryan McGill as the sixth bench boss in franchise history. McGill, who has signed a three-year contract, was Head Coach of the Edmonton / Kootenay ICE from 1997 – 2002 and led the club to the 2000 WHL Championship and 2002 Memorial Cup.
“Today is a special day for our organization as the Head Coach who first developed the winning culture and tradition that has been synonymous with our program for the past 14 years has come full circle. A Head Coach of Ryan McGill's caliber and experience will be invaluable to our Hockey Club as we move forward. During his time in the American Hockey League Ryan developed many current National Hockey League players and that experience will come in handy as we ice one of the youngest teams in the WHL this season,” continued Chynoweth.
“Being away from the game of hockey for the past year has made me appreciate it even more. Dealing with players today is much different than it was in 2002, but just like being a parent you learn to adapt and to adjust to each individual situation. The WHL is a great League with a lot of great coaches, but my familiarity with the Chynoweth family made the decision to return to Major Junior Hockey an easy one for myself and my family,” commented Ryan McGill.
Ryan McGill led the ICE to a 174-133-43 career regular season record during his first tenure with the Club, including back-to-back 100 point seasons (1999-2000 and 2000-2001), four playoff appearances, two conference titles, two WHL Championships (2000 and 2002) and one Memorial Cup Championship (2002). He was also named the Western Conference Coach of the Year in 2001-2002 and posted a 42-19 career playoff record (.689 winning percentage).
McGill left Kootenay following the 2002 Memorial Cup and spent seven years in the AHL as Head Coach with the Hartford Wolf Pack (2002-2005) and Omaha Ak-Sar Ben Knights / Quad City Flames (2005-2009). He was promoted to Assistant Coach with the Calgary Flames in June 2009 and spent two years with the NHL club.
“Today is a special day for our organization as the Head Coach who first developed the winning culture and tradition that has been synonymous with our program for the past 14 years has come full circle. A Head Coach of Ryan McGill's caliber and experience will be invaluable to our Hockey Club as we move forward. During his time in the American Hockey League Ryan developed many current National Hockey League players and that experience will come in handy as we ice one of the youngest teams in the WHL this season,” continued Chynoweth.
“Being away from the game of hockey for the past year has made me appreciate it even more. Dealing with players today is much different than it was in 2002, but just like being a parent you learn to adapt and to adjust to each individual situation. The WHL is a great League with a lot of great coaches, but my familiarity with the Chynoweth family made the decision to return to Major Junior Hockey an easy one for myself and my family,” commented Ryan McGill.
Ryan McGill led the ICE to a 174-133-43 career regular season record during his first tenure with the Club, including back-to-back 100 point seasons (1999-2000 and 2000-2001), four playoff appearances, two conference titles, two WHL Championships (2000 and 2002) and one Memorial Cup Championship (2002). He was also named the Western Conference Coach of the Year in 2001-2002 and posted a 42-19 career playoff record (.689 winning percentage).
McGill left Kootenay following the 2002 Memorial Cup and spent seven years in the AHL as Head Coach with the Hartford Wolf Pack (2002-2005) and Omaha Ak-Sar Ben Knights / Quad City Flames (2005-2009). He was promoted to Assistant Coach with the Calgary Flames in June 2009 and spent two years with the NHL club.
The Wild Win Parise and Suter Sweepstakes
The Minnesota Wild have officially won free agency.
That’s the big news on this July 4 holiday as the Wild announced they’ve landed both of this year’s prize UFAs — former Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Suter and former New Jersey Devils captain Zach Parise.
The deals cost Minnesota a fortune. ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the pair got matching 13-year, $98 million contracts, meaning both will have an average annual cap hit of $7.54 million.
And yes, the Wild just dropped $196 million dollars.
This will go down as one of, if not the, biggest days in franchise history. The Wild instantly become a Western Conference contender and may have shifted the landscape in terms of free agent philosophy — in a market where heavy hitters like Chicago, Detroit and Pittsburgh were all angling for Suter and Parise’s services, a team that’s missed the playoffs four straight years (and never been considered a big spender) reeled in the two biggest fish.
(From ProHockeyTalk.com)
That’s the big news on this July 4 holiday as the Wild announced they’ve landed both of this year’s prize UFAs — former Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Suter and former New Jersey Devils captain Zach Parise.
The deals cost Minnesota a fortune. ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the pair got matching 13-year, $98 million contracts, meaning both will have an average annual cap hit of $7.54 million.
And yes, the Wild just dropped $196 million dollars.
This will go down as one of, if not the, biggest days in franchise history. The Wild instantly become a Western Conference contender and may have shifted the landscape in terms of free agent philosophy — in a market where heavy hitters like Chicago, Detroit and Pittsburgh were all angling for Suter and Parise’s services, a team that’s missed the playoffs four straight years (and never been considered a big spender) reeled in the two biggest fish.
(From ProHockeyTalk.com)
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Silva Wants Sonnen
Middleweight champion Anderson Silva had to be restrained from hitting contender Chael Sonnen as the two prepared to pose for pictures at a media event promoting UFC 148 in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Still fuming from ongoing verbal taunts Sonnen has directed at him for more than two years, Silva walked quickly toward the man he will face Saturday night in their upcoming title bout and the two began to bump chests.
The more-aggressive Silva moved Sonnen backward, forcing UFC president Dana White to restrain Silva, who had his fists clinched. White then instructed Sonnen to leave the stage.
The incident comes one week after Silva vowed during a conference call to inflict serious bodily harm on Sonnen.
The two fought for Silva's title in August 2010. Sonnen dominated the fight for more than four rounds before getting caught in a triangle armbar at 3:10 of the fifth round.
Despite nearly losing his long-held title, Brazil's Silva offered his reasons Tuesday for not wanting to face the American a second time.
"The comments he made about my wife, the comments he made about my country were very disrespectful, not only to me but also to the country and also the UFC," Silva said. "We're very elite top athletes and we shouldn't be talking like that about each other.
"Chael tested positive for steroids, he offended a nation, he's been charged with a crime. How can you take anything this guy says for real? This guy is ridiculous."
Sonnen pled guilty to one count of money laundering in January 2011. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon, the fighter was involved in a mortgage-related fraud.
He received two years' probation and a $10,000 fine.
Sonnen was suspended for one year by the California State Athletic Commission in 2010 for elevated testosterone levels after his first fight with Silva.
In May, the Nevada State Athletic Commission granted Sonnen a conditional therapeutic use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy, applicable to his upcoming rematch with Silva.
After his Oct. 8 win over Brian Stann at UFC 136, Sonnen returned his attention to Silva during a postfight interview. His comment was directed at Silva's wife.
"You tell Anderson Silva I'm coming over and I'm kicking down his back door and patting his little lady on the (butt), and I'm telling her to make me a steak, medium-rare, just how I like it," Sonnen said.
On Tuesday, Sonnen brushed off Silva's remarks and vowed to leave the rematch victorious.
"All I can tell you is that Chael of today can beat up Chael of two years ago, and Chael two years ago stomped this bum," Sonnen said.
Still fuming from ongoing verbal taunts Sonnen has directed at him for more than two years, Silva walked quickly toward the man he will face Saturday night in their upcoming title bout and the two began to bump chests.
The more-aggressive Silva moved Sonnen backward, forcing UFC president Dana White to restrain Silva, who had his fists clinched. White then instructed Sonnen to leave the stage.
The incident comes one week after Silva vowed during a conference call to inflict serious bodily harm on Sonnen.
The two fought for Silva's title in August 2010. Sonnen dominated the fight for more than four rounds before getting caught in a triangle armbar at 3:10 of the fifth round.
Despite nearly losing his long-held title, Brazil's Silva offered his reasons Tuesday for not wanting to face the American a second time.
"The comments he made about my wife, the comments he made about my country were very disrespectful, not only to me but also to the country and also the UFC," Silva said. "We're very elite top athletes and we shouldn't be talking like that about each other.
"Chael tested positive for steroids, he offended a nation, he's been charged with a crime. How can you take anything this guy says for real? This guy is ridiculous."
Sonnen pled guilty to one count of money laundering in January 2011. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon, the fighter was involved in a mortgage-related fraud.
He received two years' probation and a $10,000 fine.
Sonnen was suspended for one year by the California State Athletic Commission in 2010 for elevated testosterone levels after his first fight with Silva.
In May, the Nevada State Athletic Commission granted Sonnen a conditional therapeutic use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy, applicable to his upcoming rematch with Silva.
After his Oct. 8 win over Brian Stann at UFC 136, Sonnen returned his attention to Silva during a postfight interview. His comment was directed at Silva's wife.
"You tell Anderson Silva I'm coming over and I'm kicking down his back door and patting his little lady on the (butt), and I'm telling her to make me a steak, medium-rare, just how I like it," Sonnen said.
On Tuesday, Sonnen brushed off Silva's remarks and vowed to leave the rematch victorious.
"All I can tell you is that Chael of today can beat up Chael of two years ago, and Chael two years ago stomped this bum," Sonnen said.
Durant Wins CFL Offensive Player Of The Week
Saskatchewan Roughrider quarterback Darian Durant has been named the CFL’s Gibson’s Finest Offensive Player of the Week.
Durant had an impressive start to the 2012 season in the Riders 43-16 victory over the Tiger Cats on Friday in Hamilton. On the night, Durant completed 25 of 34 passes for 390 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran the ball five times for 33 yards.
This is the second time in his career Durant has been named CFL Offensive Player of the Week to open the regular season.
Other award winners were Edmonton LB JC Sherritt (defence), Edmonton kicker Grant Shaw (special teams) and Calgary running back Jon Cornish (Canadian).
Durant had an impressive start to the 2012 season in the Riders 43-16 victory over the Tiger Cats on Friday in Hamilton. On the night, Durant completed 25 of 34 passes for 390 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran the ball five times for 33 yards.
This is the second time in his career Durant has been named CFL Offensive Player of the Week to open the regular season.
Other award winners were Edmonton LB JC Sherritt (defence), Edmonton kicker Grant Shaw (special teams) and Calgary running back Jon Cornish (Canadian).
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Something To Mitch About
Week 1 of CFL play is in the books. Damn, it was good watching some real-life football that mattered instead of NFL Classic games. Many of us needed to get our football fix back and we have it as the 2012 season is underway. I guess the CFL wanted to wait until Canada Day to show us this, but I can't understand why they wouldn't have trotted it out Thursday night.
If you didn't see this, take a few minutes and watch it. If it doesn't leave you with a lump in your throat, you might want to hand in your CFL fanclub card. What a tremendous job by the CFL! I do feel a little sorry for Szarka though.
That isn't the only question I have for the CFL as we wrap week 1 up. The other question I have is what better way to have spent Canada Day than with a CFL opening weekend triple-header. Could the Riders have not played in Hamilton at 11 our time followed by the Montreal-Calgary game or the Toronto-Edmonton contest with the Lions-Bombers game to cap it off. Did TSN need to start off with a Friday night football doubleheader? With events like the Euro 2012 final, the NHL free-agent frenzy and the PGA ( all events that TSN is contractually obligated to do), it just couldn't happen? Regardless, I think the league missed out on a major opportunity there. That's just my two cents on the matter.
I re-hashed the Riders game in an earlier post, but here are just some thoughts after the opening weekend
--Who looked better, the Riders or Calgary?
--Will Nik Lewis ever stop being a mouthpiece? If this guy handled himself on the field like Geroy Simon, I may be able to tolerate him. The guy dresses well and plays well, but that's about all the positives I can find.
--Who had the worst defence on Sunday, the Alouettes or Italy?
--Who said the East was going to be better than the West this year. West 4 East 0 after one week?
--Who went 1-3 in the CKRM CFL picks? (Oh wait...uhh yeah moving on)
--Ricky Ray may have lost his homecoming game, but his team is still better than the one he left. I was not impressed with the Eskimos, but while Toronto wasn't impressive either, I think they can and will improve.
--Why doesn't Buck Pierce try something where the chances of him being hurt are less than they are on the football field? I would think being a member of the bomb disposal unit might be a safer gig for him? I don't know why but I envision the Winnipeg quarterback living life in a wheelchair by the time he is 50. He is going to be like the Dynamite Kid of Stampede Wrestling fame minus the drug and alcohol abuse that the Kid put his body through. I don't know how Pierce does it and I don't know why. Is it really worth what he is doing to himself? I guess it is because he just keeps getting knocked down and he just keeps getting back up.
--The TSN panel debated at the half what player should have made the top 50 that didn't and they had their choice of four players who finished 51-54. None of the four were Rider receiver Chris Getzlaf. Where did he finish in this poll? Who voted? I think Murray McCormick was the only Saskatchewan based guy to vote which makes me wonder why people like Vanstone and Pedersen weren't asked. Still with the poll, Stamps defensive lineman Charleston Hughes is apparently pissed with TSN and wouldn't take his helmet off when being interviewed as a sign of protest. That's right Calgary, its all about you and not the team isn't it. The cockiness that team has is still high and its why I don't like them. BC isn't even in their league as far as I'm concerned when it comes to that area of the game.
Other tidbits floating through the brain...
--Good on the Oilers for getting free agent defenceman Justin Schultz. Has a free agent ever had his choice of all NHL teams and gone to Edmonton? That's a major coup. After all the talk about him, I just hope he isn't another Fabian Brunnstrom. Everyone has been raving about this guy and people I have talked to in the States say he is the real deal. Lets see!
--Free agency is killing or could kill the New Jersey Devils as we know it. The team could lose Martin Brodeur, they could lose Zach Parise, they could lose Bryce Salvador, they could lose Ryan Carter and they have lost Alexei Ponikarovsky. That's a big chunk out of their lineup if none of those guys return.
--Seeing Brodeur in a different uniform other than the Devils wouldn't be right, but he wouldn't be the first long-time vet to end his career elsewhere after many, many years with one team.
--The Vancouver Canucks have signed free agent defenceman Jason Garrison. Do they also get the rights to Mr. Hat? (South Park reference if you don't understand) For what its worth, I think the Canucks acquisition of Dan Hamhuis was better than the signing of Garrison and less expensive too. I'm not sure if that was the smartest move by Mike Gillis. We'll see.
--Steve Nash doesn't have an NBA title to his resume. He is close to being done. With that being the case, why not go somewhere where he has a chance. Going to Toronto will kill any thought process of Nash winning a title. Is he serious? If he does come back, basketball in this country will get a real shot in the arm, but common sense dictates he go somewhere where he can get a ring.
--Two of my personal pet peeves were front and center again this weekend 1)Why doesn't corporate Canada and sponsors of the CFL use CFL players in their ads. It baffles me as to why this doesn't happen. If the Phoenix Group can write a commercial that stars Jim Hopson, can not some national agency make an ad that stars the likes of Geroy Simon, Ricky Ray, Darian Durant or Henry Burris. I guess not. 2) When at a lottery kiosk checking out winners, go to the machine and if you must check it out with the retailer, have the sense to see what type of lineup is forming behind you. That just drives me right up the wall.
--Tiger Woods wins the National when Bo Van Pelt blows up in the final couple of holes. Late in the action, Tiger walked away from his drive because people were taking pictures and the sound of the shutter and the cellphone cameras distracted him. This bothered Phil Mickleson earlier this year. Is it just me or do you think golfers would fail miserably being a quarterback with 50-thousand yelling at you or at being a basketball player when fans behind the basket are trying to distract you while taking a foul shot. Cmon guys, man up!! By the way, Weyburn's Graham DeLaet took him another 15-grand as he nears closer to his card. He must be close by now.
--Brett Lawrie can play on my baseball team anytime he wants. His emotions may cause him to go overboard sometimes, but I love what the Toronto 3rd baseman brings to the table. He isn't taking any crap from anyone!
--The Regina Red Sox are back home at Currie Field Monday night as they play Melville in a 705 start. That would be a great way to end the holiday weekend.
--Two Saskatchewan ball players are getting noticed as they climb the ladder to possible major league spots. Both North Battleford's Andrew Albers and Moose Jaw's James Avery will play in the Eastern League (AA) All-Star game later this month. Seeing their rise makes me wonder if and when Dustin Molleken will get called up to the Colorado Rockies from their Triple A affilliate in Colorado Springs.
--The Grey Cup will bring an estimated 123 million dollars to Regina. Just think of what it will bring when a fancy new stadium comes on board. If something happens to derail that stadium, it will be the last time we see the event come to Regina. Bank on it!
--Whoever said Saskatchewan is the least beautiful province in Canada needs to take a look at some of what this province has to offer. What a colossal joke that was!
--One media outlet this weekend suggested what it would have been like in Regina 100 years ago if we had Twitter. I asked the question "Without computers and cellphones, Twitter wouldn't have done anyone any good." Was I wrong!
--Chris Cuthbert is 54? Speaking of Cuthbert, he mentioned the name of Kerwin Bell on Friday night. I'm not sure why he was referring to Bell, but whenever you think of Kerwin Bell, you think of what is one of the best sports-related bloopers of all time. Remember.....
That's all I got! Later!
If you didn't see this, take a few minutes and watch it. If it doesn't leave you with a lump in your throat, you might want to hand in your CFL fanclub card. What a tremendous job by the CFL! I do feel a little sorry for Szarka though.
That isn't the only question I have for the CFL as we wrap week 1 up. The other question I have is what better way to have spent Canada Day than with a CFL opening weekend triple-header. Could the Riders have not played in Hamilton at 11 our time followed by the Montreal-Calgary game or the Toronto-Edmonton contest with the Lions-Bombers game to cap it off. Did TSN need to start off with a Friday night football doubleheader? With events like the Euro 2012 final, the NHL free-agent frenzy and the PGA ( all events that TSN is contractually obligated to do), it just couldn't happen? Regardless, I think the league missed out on a major opportunity there. That's just my two cents on the matter.
I re-hashed the Riders game in an earlier post, but here are just some thoughts after the opening weekend
--Who looked better, the Riders or Calgary?
--Will Nik Lewis ever stop being a mouthpiece? If this guy handled himself on the field like Geroy Simon, I may be able to tolerate him. The guy dresses well and plays well, but that's about all the positives I can find.
--Who had the worst defence on Sunday, the Alouettes or Italy?
--Who said the East was going to be better than the West this year. West 4 East 0 after one week?
--Who went 1-3 in the CKRM CFL picks? (Oh wait...uhh yeah moving on)
--Ricky Ray may have lost his homecoming game, but his team is still better than the one he left. I was not impressed with the Eskimos, but while Toronto wasn't impressive either, I think they can and will improve.
--Why doesn't Buck Pierce try something where the chances of him being hurt are less than they are on the football field? I would think being a member of the bomb disposal unit might be a safer gig for him? I don't know why but I envision the Winnipeg quarterback living life in a wheelchair by the time he is 50. He is going to be like the Dynamite Kid of Stampede Wrestling fame minus the drug and alcohol abuse that the Kid put his body through. I don't know how Pierce does it and I don't know why. Is it really worth what he is doing to himself? I guess it is because he just keeps getting knocked down and he just keeps getting back up.
--The TSN panel debated at the half what player should have made the top 50 that didn't and they had their choice of four players who finished 51-54. None of the four were Rider receiver Chris Getzlaf. Where did he finish in this poll? Who voted? I think Murray McCormick was the only Saskatchewan based guy to vote which makes me wonder why people like Vanstone and Pedersen weren't asked. Still with the poll, Stamps defensive lineman Charleston Hughes is apparently pissed with TSN and wouldn't take his helmet off when being interviewed as a sign of protest. That's right Calgary, its all about you and not the team isn't it. The cockiness that team has is still high and its why I don't like them. BC isn't even in their league as far as I'm concerned when it comes to that area of the game.
Other tidbits floating through the brain...
--Good on the Oilers for getting free agent defenceman Justin Schultz. Has a free agent ever had his choice of all NHL teams and gone to Edmonton? That's a major coup. After all the talk about him, I just hope he isn't another Fabian Brunnstrom. Everyone has been raving about this guy and people I have talked to in the States say he is the real deal. Lets see!
--Free agency is killing or could kill the New Jersey Devils as we know it. The team could lose Martin Brodeur, they could lose Zach Parise, they could lose Bryce Salvador, they could lose Ryan Carter and they have lost Alexei Ponikarovsky. That's a big chunk out of their lineup if none of those guys return.
--Seeing Brodeur in a different uniform other than the Devils wouldn't be right, but he wouldn't be the first long-time vet to end his career elsewhere after many, many years with one team.
--The Vancouver Canucks have signed free agent defenceman Jason Garrison. Do they also get the rights to Mr. Hat? (South Park reference if you don't understand) For what its worth, I think the Canucks acquisition of Dan Hamhuis was better than the signing of Garrison and less expensive too. I'm not sure if that was the smartest move by Mike Gillis. We'll see.
--Steve Nash doesn't have an NBA title to his resume. He is close to being done. With that being the case, why not go somewhere where he has a chance. Going to Toronto will kill any thought process of Nash winning a title. Is he serious? If he does come back, basketball in this country will get a real shot in the arm, but common sense dictates he go somewhere where he can get a ring.
--Two of my personal pet peeves were front and center again this weekend 1)Why doesn't corporate Canada and sponsors of the CFL use CFL players in their ads. It baffles me as to why this doesn't happen. If the Phoenix Group can write a commercial that stars Jim Hopson, can not some national agency make an ad that stars the likes of Geroy Simon, Ricky Ray, Darian Durant or Henry Burris. I guess not. 2) When at a lottery kiosk checking out winners, go to the machine and if you must check it out with the retailer, have the sense to see what type of lineup is forming behind you. That just drives me right up the wall.
--Tiger Woods wins the National when Bo Van Pelt blows up in the final couple of holes. Late in the action, Tiger walked away from his drive because people were taking pictures and the sound of the shutter and the cellphone cameras distracted him. This bothered Phil Mickleson earlier this year. Is it just me or do you think golfers would fail miserably being a quarterback with 50-thousand yelling at you or at being a basketball player when fans behind the basket are trying to distract you while taking a foul shot. Cmon guys, man up!! By the way, Weyburn's Graham DeLaet took him another 15-grand as he nears closer to his card. He must be close by now.
--Brett Lawrie can play on my baseball team anytime he wants. His emotions may cause him to go overboard sometimes, but I love what the Toronto 3rd baseman brings to the table. He isn't taking any crap from anyone!
--The Regina Red Sox are back home at Currie Field Monday night as they play Melville in a 705 start. That would be a great way to end the holiday weekend.
--Two Saskatchewan ball players are getting noticed as they climb the ladder to possible major league spots. Both North Battleford's Andrew Albers and Moose Jaw's James Avery will play in the Eastern League (AA) All-Star game later this month. Seeing their rise makes me wonder if and when Dustin Molleken will get called up to the Colorado Rockies from their Triple A affilliate in Colorado Springs.
--The Grey Cup will bring an estimated 123 million dollars to Regina. Just think of what it will bring when a fancy new stadium comes on board. If something happens to derail that stadium, it will be the last time we see the event come to Regina. Bank on it!
--Whoever said Saskatchewan is the least beautiful province in Canada needs to take a look at some of what this province has to offer. What a colossal joke that was!
--One media outlet this weekend suggested what it would have been like in Regina 100 years ago if we had Twitter. I asked the question "Without computers and cellphones, Twitter wouldn't have done anyone any good." Was I wrong!
--Chris Cuthbert is 54? Speaking of Cuthbert, he mentioned the name of Kerwin Bell on Friday night. I'm not sure why he was referring to Bell, but whenever you think of Kerwin Bell, you think of what is one of the best sports-related bloopers of all time. Remember.....
That's all I got! Later!
Happy 145th Canada
Be proud to be Canadian and belt out the anthem today, but do a better job than this. Remember!!!!
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