Thursday, August 15, 2013
5 Minutes With Geroy Simon
It could be and should be a big weekend for Riders receiver Geroy Simon as he is two catches short of 1000 for his career. You may have seen my story on Riderville.com or Rob Vanstone's article on Geroy today as he was standing by listening in to my conversation with Simon (You're welcome for that RV). Here is how he is feeling going into Saturday and getting to a place where very few in the game have gotten to.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
5 Minutes With Andrew Albers
Andrew Albers is the talk of Major League Baseball right now. The left-hander from North Battleford has started his major league career by throwing 17 and 1/3 innings of shutout baseball in getting back to back wins for the Minnesota Twins. I spoke to Albers on Tuesday for an interview that ran on Sportscage Thursday.....
Good News For Sask MMA Fans
The Government of Saskatchewan has approved the establishment of a provincial athletics commission and is taking the necessary steps to have the commission running by the summer of 2014. This commission will hold the authority to sanction professional combative sports, including mixed martial arts and boxing events.
Bill S-209, a bill to amend section 83 of the Criminal Code to legalize the sport of mixed martial arts across Canada was passed in June 2013. This amendment makes professional boxing and mixed martial arts contests legal in Canada when they have the authorization of an athletics commission created by provincial legislation.
The legislation will provide protocols for license applications, event permits and the terms and conditions of an event. It will ensure that competitors participate in appropriate pre-fight medical testing, such as concussion screening, blood tests and eye exams. It will ensure that qualified medical staff and event officials are hired, that promoters and competitors have the proper licenses, and that promoters have suitable liability insurance. The commission will be responsible for tracking competitors’ fighting history and will ensure safety protocols are enforced.
If the government is involved, a consistent standard of qualifications, rules, regulations and safety protocols for all participants and officials across the province, through a uniform licensing framework, will occur. This will ensure the safety of the athletes.
“Our government is dedicated to protecting our athletes,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Kevin Doherty said. “A provincial athletics commission will help ensure the safety of everyone involved in professional combative sport competitions. After the amended changes to the Criminal Code were made in June, our government received the clarification we needed to move forward on this.”
“I want to thank the province for being proactive on this,” Tourism Saskatoon’s Director of Industry Development and Sport Randy Fernets said. “A provincial commission will attract large-scale MMA events to Saskatchewan. Such events are good for tourism and our growing province. Competitions such as the Ultimate Fighting Competition (UFC) will attract fans from across the province who will spend money on event tickets, hotel rooms and meals in restaurants.”
After thorough research and consultations, the Government of Saskatchewan determined that a provincial commission will be the most effective, efficient option for sanctioning mixed martial arts and boxing events in Saskatchewan. It is also in line with what the majority of provinces have done to sanction professional MMA events.
The amendments to the Criminal Code also impact amateur combative sports. The province is entering into an agreement with the Saskatchewan Martial Arts Association (SMAA). The SMAA will sanction and oversee amateur combative sports including mixed martial arts, kickboxing, modified muay thai and full-contact karate.
The SMAA is a provincial sport governing body representing amateur athletes. When sanctioning amateur events, the association will be responsible for co-ordinating approval of officials, tracking competitors’ fighting histories, and co-ordinating appropriate medical testing. To qualify for sanctioning, events must be hosted by a member of the SMAA. Competitors cannot be paid and they must be 18 or older.
“We are so pleased to oversee the sanctioning of amateur combative sport competitions in this province,” SMAA President Tim Oehler said. “By regulating amateur competitions, we help eliminate unsanctioned fights that put athletes at risk. We are passionate about sport development and look forward to continuing this role in partnership with the province.”
The SMAA will start sanctioning amateur combative sporting events immediately.
Bill S-209, a bill to amend section 83 of the Criminal Code to legalize the sport of mixed martial arts across Canada was passed in June 2013. This amendment makes professional boxing and mixed martial arts contests legal in Canada when they have the authorization of an athletics commission created by provincial legislation.
The legislation will provide protocols for license applications, event permits and the terms and conditions of an event. It will ensure that competitors participate in appropriate pre-fight medical testing, such as concussion screening, blood tests and eye exams. It will ensure that qualified medical staff and event officials are hired, that promoters and competitors have the proper licenses, and that promoters have suitable liability insurance. The commission will be responsible for tracking competitors’ fighting history and will ensure safety protocols are enforced.
If the government is involved, a consistent standard of qualifications, rules, regulations and safety protocols for all participants and officials across the province, through a uniform licensing framework, will occur. This will ensure the safety of the athletes.
“Our government is dedicated to protecting our athletes,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Kevin Doherty said. “A provincial athletics commission will help ensure the safety of everyone involved in professional combative sport competitions. After the amended changes to the Criminal Code were made in June, our government received the clarification we needed to move forward on this.”
“I want to thank the province for being proactive on this,” Tourism Saskatoon’s Director of Industry Development and Sport Randy Fernets said. “A provincial commission will attract large-scale MMA events to Saskatchewan. Such events are good for tourism and our growing province. Competitions such as the Ultimate Fighting Competition (UFC) will attract fans from across the province who will spend money on event tickets, hotel rooms and meals in restaurants.”
After thorough research and consultations, the Government of Saskatchewan determined that a provincial commission will be the most effective, efficient option for sanctioning mixed martial arts and boxing events in Saskatchewan. It is also in line with what the majority of provinces have done to sanction professional MMA events.
The amendments to the Criminal Code also impact amateur combative sports. The province is entering into an agreement with the Saskatchewan Martial Arts Association (SMAA). The SMAA will sanction and oversee amateur combative sports including mixed martial arts, kickboxing, modified muay thai and full-contact karate.
The SMAA is a provincial sport governing body representing amateur athletes. When sanctioning amateur events, the association will be responsible for co-ordinating approval of officials, tracking competitors’ fighting histories, and co-ordinating appropriate medical testing. To qualify for sanctioning, events must be hosted by a member of the SMAA. Competitors cannot be paid and they must be 18 or older.
“We are so pleased to oversee the sanctioning of amateur combative sport competitions in this province,” SMAA President Tim Oehler said. “By regulating amateur competitions, we help eliminate unsanctioned fights that put athletes at risk. We are passionate about sport development and look forward to continuing this role in partnership with the province.”
The SMAA will start sanctioning amateur combative sporting events immediately.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Pat Conacher Has A New Job
Canucks Sports & Entertainment announced today the hiring of Pat Conacher to the role of Director, Hockey Operations and Paul Jerrard and Nolan Baumgartner as Assistant Coaches on the Utica Comets staff.
Conacher has coached and played over three decades of professional hockey including 521 career NHL games with a record of 139 points (63-76-139) and 235 penalty minutes. Most recently, Conacher was Head Coach of the Regina Pats of the WHL for two seasons from 2011.12 to 2012.13. His coaching career began in 2001.02 with the Phoenix Coyotes, where he spent three seasons as an Assistant Coach before Head Coaching appointments with the Utah Grizzlies and San Antonio Rampage.
Conacher was a member of the Utica Devils over the course of three seasons playing a combined 108 games and recording 97 points (27-70-97) and 91 penalty minutes. The Edmonton, AB native was drafted by the New York Rangers 76th overall in the 1979 Entry Draft and played for six NHL teams: the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames and New York Islanders. Conacher’s career includes two trips to the Stanley Cup finals, a championship with the Oilers in 1984 and a 24-game Cup run with Los Angeles in 1993.
Jerrard joins the Comets after spending eight seasons with the Dallas Stars organization as an Assistant Coach; during the 2011.12 and 2012.13 seasons he served on Glen Gulutzan’s coaching staff in Dallas following six previous seasons with the Stars’ primary development affiliates. Jerrard’s coaching career began in 1997-98 with his alma mater, Lake Superior State University. Over a 16-year career he has also held Assistant Coaching roles with the Colorado Avalanche, Hershey Bears and Lowell Lock Monsters.
Jerrard played a decade of professional hockey and was drafted by the New York Rangers 173rd overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. A member of the Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears in 1997, Jerrard played for eight professional teams between the IHL and AHL including five games in 1988-89 with the Minnesota North Stars.
Baumgartner enjoyed a 17-year professional playing career before joining the Canucks organization as an Assistant Coach with their AHL affiliate in 2012.13. In 143 career regular season NHL games Baumgartner recorded 47 points (7-40-47) and 69 penalty minutes with six teams including Washington, Chicago, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Dallas. The Calgary native played 887 regular season AHL games earning 390 points (83-307-390) and 815 penalty minutes and another 86 playoff games where he recorded 29 points and 75 penalty minutes. Selected 10th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Baumgartner was a member of the Memorial Cup championship Kamloops Blazers in 1994 and 1995.
(Vancouver Canucks)
Conacher has coached and played over three decades of professional hockey including 521 career NHL games with a record of 139 points (63-76-139) and 235 penalty minutes. Most recently, Conacher was Head Coach of the Regina Pats of the WHL for two seasons from 2011.12 to 2012.13. His coaching career began in 2001.02 with the Phoenix Coyotes, where he spent three seasons as an Assistant Coach before Head Coaching appointments with the Utah Grizzlies and San Antonio Rampage.
Conacher was a member of the Utica Devils over the course of three seasons playing a combined 108 games and recording 97 points (27-70-97) and 91 penalty minutes. The Edmonton, AB native was drafted by the New York Rangers 76th overall in the 1979 Entry Draft and played for six NHL teams: the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames and New York Islanders. Conacher’s career includes two trips to the Stanley Cup finals, a championship with the Oilers in 1984 and a 24-game Cup run with Los Angeles in 1993.
Jerrard joins the Comets after spending eight seasons with the Dallas Stars organization as an Assistant Coach; during the 2011.12 and 2012.13 seasons he served on Glen Gulutzan’s coaching staff in Dallas following six previous seasons with the Stars’ primary development affiliates. Jerrard’s coaching career began in 1997-98 with his alma mater, Lake Superior State University. Over a 16-year career he has also held Assistant Coaching roles with the Colorado Avalanche, Hershey Bears and Lowell Lock Monsters.
Jerrard played a decade of professional hockey and was drafted by the New York Rangers 173rd overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. A member of the Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears in 1997, Jerrard played for eight professional teams between the IHL and AHL including five games in 1988-89 with the Minnesota North Stars.
Baumgartner enjoyed a 17-year professional playing career before joining the Canucks organization as an Assistant Coach with their AHL affiliate in 2012.13. In 143 career regular season NHL games Baumgartner recorded 47 points (7-40-47) and 69 penalty minutes with six teams including Washington, Chicago, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Dallas. The Calgary native played 887 regular season AHL games earning 390 points (83-307-390) and 815 penalty minutes and another 86 playoff games where he recorded 29 points and 75 penalty minutes. Selected 10th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Baumgartner was a member of the Memorial Cup championship Kamloops Blazers in 1994 and 1995.
(Vancouver Canucks)
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Something To "Mitch" About
For the first time this year, the Riders are coming off a loss. Yeah, it didn't look pretty on Friday night and some said the loss was predictable seeing they were coming off a bye week, but the Riders had a chance until the Jock Sanders braincramp which led to a Calgary safety which led to them gaining the momentum back.
The Rider defence didn't look good as Jon Cornish punished them for four touchdowns while Nik Lewis seemingly caught the ball whenever it was thrown to him, but the offence continued to move the football and that's a good sign because you know the defense is a lot better than they showed. The question now is who is the best team in the CFL? I would say its Calgary. How can you not say that?
Can you say Kory Sheets is like a baby's bottom. They are both smooth and explosive at times!!!
One thing that did upset me Friday night was the officiating. There are times in the CFL when the officiating is gawd-awful and it was that way at McMahon. How can you give John Chick a roughing the passer call in the first half when Kevin Glenn had just barely thrown the ball away. There were also times when Chick and other members of the Rider D-line were being held yet no linen flew. That is what makes the game so frustrating and if its that way in the stands, the pressbox or watching on TV, imagine what it must be like on the field.
Other tidbits from the weekend
--The changes may have been made in Winnipeg, but the gongshow continues. You would think Buck Pierce would get his job back, but nope ---3rd stringer Max Hall will start this week. What is going on there? One has to think Jeremy O'Day will get an interview for the GM's job.
--How is it Rene Paredes can be charged with an attempt for a PAT that was blocked, yet the CFL says the blocked field goal which should have prevented his record for consecutive FG's made does not count as an attempt. This makes absolutely no sense. C'mon CFL, you are making yourself look bad.
--The NFL pre-season is one week in and there may be no worse team out there than the New York Jets. They looked horrible in their game against Detroit. I love the fact the NFL Network shows all pre-season games. You get to take a look at all the teams. Its a football fans heaven!
--LA Dodger Juan Uribe was thrown out at 3rd base Saturday when he fell victim to the hidden ball trick. Really? In this day and age, no one on one team realizes that the hidden ball trick is on. The Dodgers were definitely guilty of sleeping on that one. However, the Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball since the all-star break so I'm guessing not many are complaining.
--Jason Dufner had one of the more methodical and more boring rounds in the last round of a major to win. There wasn't much drama on the final 18 at Oak Hill. Oh well, at least Tiger wasn''t there. Give a lot of credit to Jim Furyk who would not go away making big shot after big shot until the end. He was waiting to pounce on Dufner if he made a mistake, but that wasn't going to happen. By the way, did I just see things or did Jason grab his wife's ass after she came onto the course to celebrate with him? It sure looked like it to me. Is that what Dufnering is?
--Went for a walk through Wascana Park with the family on Saturday night. It would have been perfect it weren't for the damn mosquitoes.
--Sunday nights won't be boring for much longer. Thank god for Sunday Night Football!
--If you're on Twitter and you want to see who is following you and who has dropped you...go to fllwrs.com. What a great site!! By the way, thanks to the over 21-hundred who are following me.
--Alex Rodriguez sickens me. When he loses his appeal, I hope that is it for him. It bothers me that all the other major leaguers suspended took their punishment like a man, but A-Rod won't. He may have actually won some people over if he had just said OK and accepted his penalty.
--The Seattle Mariners put Ken Griffey Junior in their Hall of Fame on Saturday night. I can't help but wonder what type of numbers Griffey would have put up had he stayed healthy. I still can't believe his Seattle Mariners teams that included the likes of Randy Johnson and yes, I believe Alex Rodriguez did not win a World Series.
--Why weren't there any interviews with Wayne Gretzky on his 25th anniversary trade to L-A. I found that strange.
--Matt Sekeres --formerly of the Globe and Mail--now hosts a sports talk show in Vancouver. He asked listeners the other day who the second best Canadian athlete all time was giving Wayne the honor of number 1. I always thought "Iron Mike Sharpe" was Canada's greatest athlete.
--Just another month until another season of "Locker Talk" begins on Access 7. I'm sure the promotional campaign will be kicking off very soon.
That's all I got. The summer is winding down and it looks like it will be nice this weekend so enjoy it!!!
Friday, August 9, 2013
Bombers Blow It Up
After an extensive evaluation of the current state of the Winnipeg Football Club (WFC), the Board of Directors today announced that, by mutual agreement, Garth Buchko will no longer serve as President and Chief Executive Officer.
In making the announcement, Board Chair Brock Bulbuck also indicated that, effective immediately, successful Winnipeg business executive, former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Hall of Famer, and community leader, Wade Miller, will assume the role as acting CEO.
“We are empowering Wade to do what he does best and that’s to roll up his sleeves, motivate people and effect positive change that will move the WFC in a new direction,” said Bulbuck. “With his record of success in business, football and the community, the Board is confident that Miller has the right combination of experience to lead the Club positively forward into the future.”
In his first move as acting CEO, Miller announced that he has relieved General Manager, Joe Mack of his duties, effective immediately. Moving forward, one of his most immediate tasks will be to hold discussions with both Assistant GM, Kyle Walters and Head Coach, Tim Burke to determine the critical next steps in football operations.
“Job one for me is football and all the hard work that will be required to strengthen our reputation and turn this organization into a competitive force whose traditions have long been such a critical part of the fabric of our community.”
Bulbuck thanked both individuals for their contributions to the Club with special appreciation to Buchko for his tireless efforts leading to the opening of Investors Group Field.
(Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
In making the announcement, Board Chair Brock Bulbuck also indicated that, effective immediately, successful Winnipeg business executive, former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Hall of Famer, and community leader, Wade Miller, will assume the role as acting CEO.
“We are empowering Wade to do what he does best and that’s to roll up his sleeves, motivate people and effect positive change that will move the WFC in a new direction,” said Bulbuck. “With his record of success in business, football and the community, the Board is confident that Miller has the right combination of experience to lead the Club positively forward into the future.”
In his first move as acting CEO, Miller announced that he has relieved General Manager, Joe Mack of his duties, effective immediately. Moving forward, one of his most immediate tasks will be to hold discussions with both Assistant GM, Kyle Walters and Head Coach, Tim Burke to determine the critical next steps in football operations.
“Job one for me is football and all the hard work that will be required to strengthen our reputation and turn this organization into a competitive force whose traditions have long been such a critical part of the fabric of our community.”
Bulbuck thanked both individuals for their contributions to the Club with special appreciation to Buchko for his tireless efforts leading to the opening of Investors Group Field.
(Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Thursday, August 8, 2013
This And That
Its only week 6, but you would think its the Western Final. There is no doubt the game of this young CFL season will go in Calgary tonight when the Stampeders take on the Riders. In talking about the game this week with Rod Pedersen on "Sportscage", he said the way things are going its imperative the Riders finish first in the West if they are going to play at home in the Grey Cup because it will be a lot easier just getting past either the Stamps or Lions then having to beat both of them as would be the case if they finished 2nd or 3rd. I can't disagree, but while RP thinks its the Stampeders that are the team to beat, I still think if any team is going to throw a monkeywrench into the Riders plans of winning the 2013 Grey Cup that it will be the Lions. That being said, it doesn't diminish the importance of tonight's game as the green-and-white can win the season series if they take the two points out of what should be a feverish McMahon Stadium. Hey, the Riders can't win them all and it wouldn't surprise me to see Calgary win this one, but how can you bet against a team that has looked so good at home and on the road in July. It will be a dandy.
----
I didn't have a problem with the Stampeders giving out horns to the first four thousand fans wearing red, but I do laugh at the fact they are ONLY giving away four thousand. Why not give 15 or 20 thousand away? You are alienating Rider fans and I understand that, but you are also alienating your own fans! That's some smoooooooth marketing there Calgary. What I do find insulting though is this that I take off the Stamps website.
Every Stampeder fan knows that when the Riders come to town, they are in for a night of one of the most intense rivalries in the CFL.
Friday night, as the Stampeders take on the Roughriders at McMahon Stadium in the Wild West Showdown, Stamps fans will be prepared to do whatever it takes to cheer on the Red & White in our house.
In fact, Stamps fans are already on their A-game and have voiced their opinion on what makes Rider fans so annoying. These are the top 10 reasons they came up with:
#10 – Whiners
It seems as though every time the Riders are in the wrong and take a penalty, it’s the referee’s fault for making an outrageous call.
It seems as though every time the Riders are in the wrong and take a penalty, it’s the referee’s fault for making an outrageous call.
#9 – Watermelon prices
When the Riders come to town, the cost of watermelons increases in our grocery stores. Watermelons are for eating, not wearing!
#8 – Green = ugly
Green is a terrible colour for a football team. It’s also annoying that they leave green face paint on everything; door handles, bathroom faucets and all over the stands.
Green is a terrible colour for a football team. It’s also annoying that they leave green face paint on everything; door handles, bathroom faucets and all over the stands.
#7 – Poor tailgating etiquette
When the Riders come to town, their green John Deere combines take up two spots in the Stampeder tailgating parking lots. It’s really painful to watch them parallel park.
#6 – It’s a football game, not a drinking contest
The Calgary Stampeder Football Club has to hire more security and police when Saskatchewan is in town because Rider fans have proven they do not know their own limits when it comes to alcohol. This is reiterated again in point number one: everyone knows the Riders have a hard time counting.
#5 – Jersey fouls
They wear Rider jerseys to games when the Roughriders aren't even playing, including hockey games. Their fans are like those annoying grasshoppers in Saskatchewan, there are TONS of them and they are EVERYWHERE.
#4 – Their leader is a giant gopher
It’s common knowledge that gophers ruin crops, so it’s quite ironic that the Riders chose a gopher to represent their province’s football team. What do most people do with gophers? Run them over.
#3 – Why are you here?
They shamelessly promote the province they all moved away from. If you love Saskatchewan so much, why do so many of you live in Calgary and why did so many of you leave?
#2 – Like nails on a chalkboard
Rider fans love to hear themselves talk. They have a complete lack of situational awareness. If we wanted to watch trained seals clap and yelp loudly, we would make a trip to Marine Land!
#1 – Terrible at counting
They are more interested in showing everyone they are from Saskatchewan than what is actually happening on the field. Rather than compliment a great play by an opposing player, they’ll say it was "lucky" or a "fluke.” Not to mention, their team can’t count to 12.
Go home Riders.
Is it safe to say that the Montreal Alouettes have slipped into a state of disarray? That performance against Toronto was ugly. You almost have to wonder if Anthony Calvillo is considering retirement before the season is over and if he is re-thinking the decision to keep going this year.
Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel is under the microscope for some off-season activities----some of those that may jeopardize his eligibility. This just proves again to me how the NCAA are such hypocrites. I remember watching the ESPN 30 for 30 on Michigan's Fab Five when Chris Webber was looking inside a store at a Wolverines basketball jersey with his number on it that he couldn't afford. Michigan and the NCAA are making bucketloads of money off his jersey and others on that team and he can't afford to buy one and if someone gives him one it could be against the law. Fast forward to now....I wonder how many Texas A and M jerseys were sold in the last year, I wonder how many shirts advertising Manziel and the Heisman were made and sold. The NCAA profits from that so if they can, why can't the player? Yes, you may want to set some limits for a collegiate player but hypocrisy is well and alive in this case.
25 years ago today, sports changed. At least it did for me. I saw the business side of the game and so did many others as the Edmonton Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky to the L-A Kings. I didn't think the game's greatest player could ever get traded. I was in absolute shock. It was a nightmare. Seeing Wayne in another team's jersey wasn't right and it was all because of economics. It nauseated me. In a way it still does, but the business side nauseates me for so many different reasons now. Money had won out in the battle over talent and building of a winner. It just got worse as the years went on and there is no sign of it getting any better. 25 years later, I wonder what the NHL would look like if Wayne had not gone to Southern California. Would the Sharks and Ducks be around? Would the Kings still be around? Would the NHL had gone into cities like Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Nashville and Columbus? Would Winnipeg have ever left? These are questions you can't answer, but I sure would love to know how many Cups the Oilers could have won and what the profile of the league would be today.
I get the feeling the last two months of the baseball season will be outstanding. There are so many good teams out there and its impossible to make a World Series pairing right now.
Its great watching NFL football again! Soon, college ball will be happening on both sides of the border and then football will truly be back.
One last thing. Andrew Albers became the latest Saskatchewan athlete to make an impact on the sporting scene Tuesday night when he pitched 8 and a third innings of shutout baseball in his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins. He joins a list of high profile athletes like Graham DeLaet, Mark McMorris and Jon Ryan that call Saskatchewan home. Take it a little further and you have guys like Eberle, Getzlaf, Holtby, Kunitz, Labatte, Pouliot and others that I know I'm missing that are reppin this province like its never been repped before. I love it!!!
What I would also love is another Rider win. Here's hopin!!! Have a great weekend!!!
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