Riders Sign Two, Release Two

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that national receiver Alex Anthony and national linebacker Ryan Wellman have re-signed with the team. As per club policy, financial details of the contracts were not released.

Anthony (6’2 – 205) will be entering his third year with the Roughriders after originally being selected by the team in the 5^th round (39^th overall) of the 2013 CFL Draft. Through his first two seasons, the 23-year-old has appeared in four games as a backup receiver registering two receptions for 13 yards.

Wellman (6’6 – 235) will rejoin the Riders for his second CFL season. The University of Regina product got into five regular season games during his 2014 rookie campaign. The 24-year-old saw action mainly on special teams where recorded two tackles.

·         The Riders also announced they have released national centre Dominic Picard and national linebacker Tristan Black.

Canada Wins WJHC

The gold medal drought is over!

Canada won the World Junior Hockey Championship Monday night in Toronto defeating Russia 5-4 in what was another classic contest between the two sides. 

The Canadians looked like they were going to make it an easy night emotion-wise on the sold-out crowd at Air Canada Centre as they received goals from Anthony Duclair and Nick Paul in the first two and a half minutes. 

The Russians cut it to 2-1 midway through the first, but Connor McDavid, Mas Domi and Sam Reinhart scored to make it 5-1 with 5 minutes to play in the 2nd when Russia made a game of it as they scored three times before the 2nd period came to an end to make it a one goal hockey game, 

Zach Fucale shut the door in the 3rd period as Canada won their first gold at the World Juniors since 2009 and their first medal since the 2012 event. 

The 2016 World Juniors will be played in Finland. 

NHL Three Stars Of Week

St. Louis Blues right wing T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 4.

 

FIRST STAR – T.J. OSHIE, RW, ST. LOUIS BLUES

 

Oshie paced all players with five goals and shared the League lead with seven points to power the Blues (23-13-3, 49 points) to two wins in four starts. He collected one assist in a 3-0 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche Dec. 29. Oshie then found the back of the net in a pair of losses – a 3-2 defeat to the Nashville Predators Dec. 30 and a 4-3 decision to the Anaheim Ducks Jan. 2. He capped the week by registering his second career hat trick (also March 27, 2014 vs. MIN) and second career four-point performance (also Nov. 14, 2013 vs. COL: 0-4—4), notching 3-1—4 in a 7-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks Jan. 3. He also potted his 19th career game-winning marker (third this season) and eclipsed 100 NHL goals (101-174—275 in 402 GP) in that contest. The 28-year-old Everett, Wash., native has compiled 10-10—20 in 31 outings this season, including 5-3—8 during a five-game point streak.

 

SECOND STAR – ALEX OVECHKIN, RW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

 

            Ovechkin recorded 1-1—2 in all three of his games, totaling 3-3—6 to lead the Capitals (20-11-7, 47 points) to five out of a possible six standings points. He helped the team erase a three-goal, third-period deficit in an eventual 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders Dec. 29, scoring the tying goal with 2:41 left in the third period. Ovechkin then powered the Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Jan. 1, picking up the primary assist on Troy Brouwer’s game-winning marker with 12.9 seconds remaining in regulation. The Capitals captain closed the week with his third straight multi-point performance – the first time he has achieved that feat since March 21-24, 2013 – in a 4-3 triumph over the Florida Panthers Jan. 4. The 29-year-old Moscow, Russia, native shares sixth in the NHL with 19 goals this season (19-15—34 in 38 GP), including 7-6—13 in his past 12 outings.

 

THIRD STAR – CAREY PRICE, G, MONTREAL CANADIENS

 

            Price went 3-0-0 with a 1.33 goals-against average and .952 save percentage to backstop the Canadiens (26-11-2, 54 points) to four straight victories and first place in the Eastern Conference. He opened the week by making 28 saves in a 3-1 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes Dec. 29. Price then stopped 22 shots in a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils Jan. 2, earning his 200th career win in his 400th NHL appearance. He capped the week by recording 30 saves in a 4-1 triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins Jan. 3. The 27-year-old Anahim Lake, B.C., native shares second in the NHL with 22 wins this season, compiling a 2.14 goals-against average, .929 save percentage and two shutouts in 32 appearances. He also has won five straight games, his second such run of the season (also Oct. 16-28), totaling a 1.20 goals-against average and .959 save percentage during the current stretch.

(NHL Media) 

 

Pats Make Trades With Tigers and Rebels

Regina Pats Head Coach and Senior VP of Hockey Operations John Paddock announced today the team has acquired defenceman Connor Hobbs (’97), a 2nd Round pick in 2016 and a 3rd Round pick in 2015 in exchange for defenceman Kyle Burroughs and forward Dryden Hunt.

Hobbs (6’1”, 187 lbs) was the Prince Albert Raiders’ 4th Round selection (67th Overall) in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft before being acquired by Medicine Hat. Last season with the Saskatoon Blazers, Hobbs registered 23 points (11G, 12A) in 33 games. The Saskatoon, SK native made his WHL debut with the Tigers last season, playing ten games while tallying a goal and two assists. Hobbs caught the eye of Hockey Canada and earned an invite to play for Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament this summer. Hobbs posted two assists in five games as Canada went on to win Gold. In 2014-15 the 17 year old has a goal and an assist in 12 games for the Tigers. NHL Central Scouting has Hobbs listed as a ‘C’ skater (4th-6th Round) for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

“Connor is an outstanding 17 year old as one of the seven defenceman to play for Canada at the Ivan Hlinka tournament this summer,” commented John Paddock. “His future is very bright in the WHL and he should be playing in this league. He was the best defenceman at the World Junior-A Challenge in Kindersley and we’re excited to acquire a player of his caliber to join our core of young talent.”

Kyle Burroughs was the Pats’ 3rd Round WHL Bantam Draft pick in 2010 and has been the captain of the Pats since the 2013-14 season. The Langley, B.C. native played 220 games in the Blue and White (T-36th all-time) while recording 103 points (20G, 83A) and 264 penalty minutes over that span. Since being selected in the 7th Round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders, Burroughs has evolved into one of the top defencemen in the WHL. This season, Burroughs has been a fixture among the league leaders in plus/minus, and currently leads the league at +31. Internationally, Burroughs was a member of Team Pacific at the 2012 World U17 Hockey Challenge. Burroughs made his professional debut last season, playing nine games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers following the Pats’ campaign.

“It’s obviously a very difficult day when you have to trade your captain,” said Paddock. “This is a trade we’ve completed for similar reasons as the Klimchuk-Gabrielle deal. Kyle is as good a captain as there is in junior hockey, an outstanding player and leader. We will miss him, but this is a step we had to take as an organization in order to build for the future and make up for deficiencies in future drafts.”

Dryden Hunt was a list player of the Pats in 2011 and went on to make the team following training camp, playing for the Blue and White as a 16 year old. The Nelson, B.C. product overcame no small amount of adversity in his time with the Pats, missing all but two games of the 2012-13 season due to injuries. Hunt cleared that obstacle and has played 163 games for the Pats while posting 97 points (40G, 57A) in that span. After a breakout year in 2013-14 (40PTS, 62GP), Hunt took his game to an even higher level in 2014-15. The winger sits 12th in the WHL scoring with 47 points (14G, 33A) in 37 games played. Hunt’s play with the Pats last season caught the eye of NHL scouts and he was invited to the Carolina Hurricanes’ summer development and fall rookie camps this off-season.

“Dryden is a tremendous player, hard worker and a great leader in his own way,” Paddock continued. “We’re giving up an outstanding player, but once again, it’s a step we have to take. We wish both Dryden and Kyle well as they move on from our organization.”

The Regina Pats thank Kyle and Dryden for their incredible contributions to both the organization and community of Regina and wish them luck as they move on. Both have been fantastic representatives of the Pats in their time with the team.

Connor Hobbs makes his Pats debut Wednesday night when the Queen City Kids faceoff with the Everett Silvertips at the Brandt Centre in a 7:00 p.m. puck drop.

----


Regina Pats Sr. VP of Hockey Operations and Head Coach John Paddock announced today the team has acquired top prospect forward Jake Leschyshyn (’99) and a 2017 4th Round Bantam Draft pick in exchange for forward Connor Gay (’95), a 2016 1st Round pick, 2015 2nd Round pick and 2017 7th Round pick.

Jake Leschyshyn (5’10”, 167 lbs) was the Rebels’ 6th Overall selection in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft. In his draft year, Leschyshyn posted 59 points (31G, 28A) in 31 games with the Saskatoon Stallions of the SBAAHL and in nine games with the SMAAAHL’s Saskatoon Blazers, had 6 points (2G, 4A). In his first year playing Midget AAA full time, Leschyshyn has 24 points (10G, 14A) in 25 games with the Blazers. The son of former NHL’er Curtis Leschyshyn, Jake will be a member of Team Saskatchewan at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George February 21st-March 5th.

“In Jake we’re getting an outstanding young player taken 6th overall in the Bantam Draft last year,” said John Paddock. “He has a great hockey pedigree and fits in with the time-frame of us molding a team for the future. Having already added two 17 year olds sitting a year older than the 1998 age group, we’ve now add premiere player to our crop of prospects.”

Connor Gay was a list player of the Pats who went on to make his debut in the 2012-13 season. He went on to play 135 games for the Blue and White while registering 92 points (40G, 52A). After totaling four points in his 17 year old season, Gay broke out for 43 points (19G, 24A) last season and has already surpassed that mark with 44 points (20G, 24A) in 39 games this year. Connor has been an active member in the community Pats and was an exemplary ambassador for the Pats around Regina in his three years wearing the Blue and White.

“In a short time coaching Connor, I can’t say enough about his play, leadership and attitude,” continued Paddock. “We’ll miss him in Regina and we wish him the best in Red Deer. In the end it was a deal we couldn’t refuse as we look to the future.”

Something To "Mitch" About

The first full week of the New Year is upon us and 2015 for the most part gets underway today as the holidays are over. Safe to say the first five days of 2015 and the last couple of days of 2014 were busier than usual around here on the sporting calendar.

The big news was the trade of Morgan Klimchuk. I could swallow Klimchuk being traded to Calgary, Medicine Hat or a team out West, but I wasn't thrilled to see him go to Brandon. At what point will WHL execs just start hanging up the phone when Kelly McCrimmon is on the other line. I'm not going to say Kelly fleeced the Pats on this one, but the fact he got away in getting a talent like Klimchuk for Jesse Gabrielle and nothing else shocks me. Are you trying to tell me Regina couldn't have gotten a 3rd or 4th round pick in the bantam draft or a prospect? Yes, Gabrielle is a good player and he will help the Pats not only in the future, but in the present, but there is no doubt in my mind Brandon wins this trade because of what they didn't give up. I also question why the trade was made with a week to go until the trade deadline, but perhaps John Paddock didn't think he would get a better offer. I think he would have. That being said, the Pats are still a competitive hockey team and should be able to win a first round series for once if all goes well. There is a long ways to go before that happens though.

Not a lot of news has been coming out of Riderville and that's no surprise considering the time of year we have been through. Sportsnet's/620 CKRM insider Arash Madani got tongues wagging suggesting Mike Benavides will be the new DC. I really think Corey Chamblin wants the job and if Benavides is the guy, will he be able to run his defence or what Corey wants. I won't be surprised if Benavides turns down the opportunity.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell must be wishing the NFL could challenge pass interference calls like they do in the CFL. How the hell do you call a penalty on a team and then pick up the flag? If you have any doubt, don't throw it. That made the NFL look very bad. That being said, the Lions should have gambled on 4th and 1 from the 46. Getting a first down there and we might not be talking about that. Its a game that will definitely be debated, but in the end it was a game-changing call that you can't say didn't happen once the flag is thrown.

If you are a fan of the Arizona Cardinals and Saskatchewan Roughriders, you got it twice this year didn't you. That was painful to watch. Oh well. it just means Cam Newton and the Panthers come to C-Link to get smoked next weekend instead of the Lions.

Andy Dalton loses another playoff game, but don't hang this on him when he doesn't have AJ Green or Jermaine Gresham to throw the ball to. Bengals fans still have to ask a lot of questions about their team once the playoffs hit though. That's five straight years they've been one and done is it not?

All credit to the Baltimore Ravens for their win, but one wonders if Pittsburgh is moving on if it weren't for the Leveon Bell injury. It just shows you how everything has to go right in order for you to be successful and win the big one.

Why were the powers behind Division 1 US College Football so blind to see that a four team playoff would be perfect when it comes to declaring a national champion. This is something that should have been done years ago. The two games on New Year's Day were absolutely fabulous and when you consider the BCS computer would have had Florida State and Alabama--the two teams that lost the semis in a national final, you see how flawed that system was. Some think 6 or 8 teams should be involved, but how long is your season if you do that. I can see 6---but 8 is too long.

TSN has five channels and yet they couldn't show us every US bowl game? The fact the Outback Bowl between Auburn and Wisconsin was not available on Canadian TV when there are 5 channels is  inexcusable. While Sportsnet has rights to some US College Football, they did not have rights to bowl games so this one falls on TSN's shoulders. If you wanted to give us different programming then do it and don't put a hockey game on four channels. There are some out there who would rather watch a football game than a hockey game between Finland and Sweden.

Vancouver broadcaster Jim Mullin and Saskatoon businessman David Dube are hoping to have a CIS interlock schedule and some TV coverage. I don't know if the idea will fly, but I am pulling for it. I think CIS Football is under-appreciated and that CFL fans should know who the up and comers are much like Americans know who this player and that player is when it comes to the NFL draft because of the TV exposure. I think it would also be tremendous to see the Rams have opposition from schools other than Canada West ones. There would be some excitement and renewed interest if Western came to Mosaic or the Rams went to play the defending Vanier Cup champs from Montreal. Same for the Huskies. I think in the end there may be too many hurdles for Jim and David to jump, but I'm hoping they can pull it off. It will be a win-win for everyone if it comes through.


One person connected to the Rams has told me there are many angry alumni over the fact Mike Gibson was hired meaning there could be no link between the past and the present and that no former Rams were given an opportunity to interview. I have had another person connected with the football team tell me Gibson's arrival is great as it will take the team to the next level. Lets just see where this team goes in the next couple of  years. Gibson said all the right things when on the Sportscage with me this week and in the end, if he can get the Rams program to where the U of C is now, then no one is complaining....at least they shouldn't be. If he can't get it there in the next 3-4 years then start the Marc Mueller for HC talk again. I'm excited at what the Rams might be able to do next year if they tighten themselves up defensively and experience can do that.

Jaromir Jagr had a hat-trick Saturday night at the age of 42. Amazing! Can we just put him in the Hall of Fame now?

Why isn't more attention paid to the play of Jets forward Bryan Little. He might be the most under-rated player in the NHL.

The Winter Classic has lost its lustre as far as I am concerned. All its turned into is just another hockey game played in unusual circumstances. How about making the all-star game an outdoors affair?

The Jon Jones-Daniel Cormier fight was everything I thought it would be. It even had the obligatory Jones eye-poke.

If you didn't see the Raptors play Portland or Golden State this week, you missed some great basketball. You better get ready Saskatchewan because you are going to get more and more Raptors stuffed into your face by TSN, Sportsnet and whoever in the coming months.

Finally, ESPN announcer Stuart Scott lost a battle with cancer at the age of 48 yesterday and seeing guys like Chris Berman, Rich Eisen, Keyshawn Johnson and Dan Patrick eulogize him along with seeing the tweets of many shows the impact of what type of individual Scott was. I remember him getting an award at the 2014 ESPY's where he talked about his battle. It left me a little misty-eyed then and watching it again it still does. I don't think Canadians realize how good this guy was and how he changed the broadcast landscape with his style. This is a very powerful message. but its a long one so give yourself some time.



That's pretty much all I have to say. Have a great week. Stay warm!

Klimchuk Traded To Brandon

 

 

That picture of Morgan Klimchuk celebrating his overtime goal in Moose Jaw New Year's Eve is the last picture of him celebrating a goal in a Regina uniform. The Pats have traded Klimchuk to Brandon for 17 year old Jesse Gabrielle.  Here's the official release from the Pats...

 

Regina Pats Head Coach and Senior VP of Hockey Operations John Paddock announced today the team has acquired forward Jesse Gabrielle (’97) from the Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange for forward Morgan Klimchuk (’95).

 

A top prospect for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Gabrielle joins the Pats in the midst of a breakout season.  The 6’0”, 214 lbs forward features 25 points (13G, and 12A) to go with 69 penalty minutes in 33 games with Brandon this season.  Last season, Gabrielle posted 26 points (12G, 14A) and 68 penalty minutes in 49 games.  In the 2014 playoffs, the Moosomin, SK product put up 6 points (3G, 3A) in nine games.  In November, the gritty forward was listed as a ‘B’ skater (2^nd/3^rd round candidate) by Central Scouting for the upcoming NHL Draft.  Internationally, Gabrielle was a member of Team West in last year’s World U17 Hockey Challenge where he had a goal, an assist and 16 penalty minutes in five games played.

“We’re happy to welcome Jesse into our organization and look forward to the skilled and hard-nosed style of play he brings to our team,” commented John Paddock.  “We’re excited to add another high end player to our current group of young players.”

Klimchuk was the Pats’ 5^th Overall pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.  The Calgary, AB native made his Pats debut in 2010 and picked up an assist in his first game.  Klimchuk went on to play in 228 games in the Blue and White (34^th all-time) and sits 32^nd on the all-time Pats scoring list with 217 points (98G, 119A).  Klimchuk has been an alternate captain for the Pats the last two seasons while being named the Pats’ Most Sportsmanlike Player in both 2013 and 2014.  A leader on and off the ice, Klimchuk was an exemplary representative of the Pats around Regina participating in programs including Read to Succeed and Project First Goal along with numerous appearances in the community.  On the international stage, Klimchuk won a pair of U18 Gold Medals with Team Canada, twice participated in the Subway Super Series against Team Russia and was invited to this year’s World Junior Selection Camp in Toronto.  In his draft year, Klimchuk skated in the CHL Top Prospects game and was later picked 28^th Overall by his hometown Calgary Flames in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

“It’s a tough day trading away who we consider a tremendous young man and one of the best two way players in the league,” continued Paddock.  “It’s a step the organization believes we have to make to go ahead with our future.  We thank Morgan immensely for his contribution to the team on and off the ice and I personally want to thank him for his play and the leadership he provided this year.”

Gabrielle is scheduled to be in the lineup tonight for the Pats as they faceoff with the Moose Jaw Warriors in a 7 p.m. puck drop at the Brandt Centre.

 

(Photo courtesy Matt Gourlie/MJ Times Herald



Top Ten Moments of 2014

The New Year is upon us and with the new year here, its time to look back at the year gone past to remember the great and the not so great. Obviously, sports--nationally and locally--had its good moments and its not so good moments. Here are some of the things I will remember in 2014.


10. A BRUSH WITH GREATNESS

  When you are in the business I am in and you hear Peter King is going to be in your backyard, you get a little excited. When I heard from the Saskatchewan Roughriders that the popular columnist, who pens Monday Morning Quarterback, and can be seen every Sunday night on NBC"s NFL telecasts was going to be visiting Mosaic Stadium as part of a CFL tour, I thought it was a big deal while others just went who. To have the opportunity to speak with and meet a legend like Peter King was a definite highlight.

9. WATCHING REGINA BASEBALL CONTINUE TO THRIVE

  I don't know if the amount of great baseball being played in this city can be traced to the Regina team that went to Williamsport and the Little League World Series several years ago, the success of the Regina Red Sox or something else, but the baseball talent in this city is great and we saw that in 2014 when teams from Regina won the Canadian Little League Junior and Senior titles earning trips to Taylor, Michigan and Bangor, Maine. When you win two Canadian titles, you are obviously doing something right and there are some great baseball people in this town that can take credit for it.

8. YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT??? ABSOLUTELY!!!

I've been a wrestling fan forever. I was hooked on it from the days I went in the mid 80's to the old Exhibition Auditorium to watch the Hart family, Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith, the Honky Tonk Man and the legendary Cuban assassin amongst others do their thing. Its why I go and support wholeheartedly the local wrestling group in town known as "High Impact Wrestling". Say what you will about it, but its a solid night of entertainment and yuks. The fine folks at Access 7 got involved with the High Impact gang by starting to televise their matches and when I was asked if I wanted to be one of the commentators alongside Locker Talk co-host Pete Paczko, there was no doubt in my mind. Being a heel broadcaster promoting the ne'er-do-wells and having fun with the ringside crowd known affectionately as "Gronkville" was a riot and there is more to come this year. Can't wait!


7. SASKATCHEWAN AT THE OLYMPICS

  The Sochi Olympics started with Saskatchewan flavor for Team Canada as Mark McMorris gutted out a rib injury to win Olympic bronze in the wee morning hours back home in the wheat province with many glued to the TV hoping he could win a medal after injuring himself just days before the competition.  It ended with Canada's mens hockey team beating Sweden to win gold again. I had no idea how many people would retweet this picture of the three Saskatchewan boys--Patrick Marleau, Chris Kunitz and Ryan Getzlaf--and have me trending for a short time, but it was a shot showing some of our best showing that they are the best. Saskatchewan continued to show how good we are when the Weyburn Gold Wings won the Esso Cup, the Prince Albert Mintos won the Telus Cup in Moose Jaw and the Yorkton Terriers won the RBC Cup.

6. COUGARS AND HUSKY WOMENS HOCKEY TEAM PLAY A SERIES TO REMEMBER

  The 2014 Canada West womens hockey final was maybe the best playoff series played in all of hockey this year and no one really noticed. However, those who saw the "best of three" series in Saskatoon and who played in it know how epic a battle they had waged.
 
  After upsetting Alberta to get to the final, Sarah Hodges' team went to Saskatoon to take on a Husky team that was favoured to win the conference title and go on to the CIS championship.

 Game 1 went to double overtime with Saskatchewan winning the first one 1-0 in double overtime. The next night saw the two teams go to overtime again and then some.  Alexis Larson ended the longest game in Canada West history as her goal in the 4th overtime period gave Regina a 2-1 victory setting up Game 3.

The 3rd game saw both teams get to a level they never thought they could get to after two exhausting games and when the horn sounded at the end of regulation, the two teams were tied again. This one ended in double overtime as well as Kaitlin Willoughby's goal gave the Huskies a 2-1 win, a 2-1 series win and ended a series that saw the two teams play over 287 minutes of hockey turning a best of three into a best of five and then some.

5.  A NEW ERA IN REGINA HOCKEY

After owning the team for 20 years, the Parker family decided to sell the Regina Pats. Regina hockey fans had lost faith in the Parkers and it was showing at the Brandt Centre. The group known as Queen City Sports and Entertainment, led by Anthony Marquart, purchased the team and while Regina hockey fans have not been quick to go back to the rink as they said they would, people are noticing what is a very good Regina Pats team under the leadership of John Paddock.

4. I GET TO DO WHAT? ABSOLUTELY---PART 2





Would I want to interview Jose Canseco on stage at the Regina Red Sox annual dinner? DUHHHH!!!! When dinner organizer Sharon Clarke phoned to ask, I couldn't say yes fast enough. One of the most controversial baseball players to ever play the game was coming to Regina. I never ever thought that would happen. It was a great night at the Turvey Centre as Lee Jones of CTV Regina and I grilled the big man on a variety of topics. He was an interesting guy that's for sure and his appearance in Regina was certainly one of the bigger moments for the Regina sports media who had the chance to interact with him.

3.  THE WESTON DRESSLER SAGA

There is no doubt I am a Weston Dressler fan. How can you not be? Yeah, we in the media aren't supposed to say things like that but I don't care because I am just as big a number 7 fan as many of you are. When the Riders released him in March so he could pursue an NFL dream, I was happy to see him go and like Rod Pedersen said on the Sportscage once he had signed with the Kansas City Chiefs "I hope to never ever see him again at Mosaic Stadium unless he is a fan or he is being honored at a game. When he left, he said he had asked the team (later to be discovered it was Kansas City) he had signed with that he wanted to wear 13 as a tribute to Rider Nation in a comment that endeared him to all who were willing to sacrifice green and white for Kansas City's red and white.  Dressler appeared to be doing alright at mini-camps and many were excited to see him do his thing in pre-season action. On a Sunday night, FOX cameras caught him sitting on the bench right beside Coach Andy Reid as a national game between the Chiefs and Carolina would be played. Alas, that would be the last we would see of Dressler that night as he never played a down and soon after he was released. Being a free agent, there was no certainty he would come back to Saskatchewan, but he did and he didn't need the lure of free sandwiches, ice cream treats and car washes. Dressler knows where he wants to play and there is no reason to think he won't end his football career here and become one of the greatest to ever wear the uniform. He certainly had the 2nd best play of the year in my mind....

Of course, the best play of the year belongs to Odell Beckham Junior of the Giants for the catch he made against the Cowboys.

Dressler might also get credit for being a part of the picture of the year....

Methinks Hoppy is happy!

2. A SEASON ENDS ON ONE PLAY

You know where I'm going with this. The Riders were 8-2 and were looking good until the 3rd quarter of the Banjo Bowl when Darian Durant was hit by Winnipeg's Bryant Turner and never got up. Durant suffered a torn elbow tendon and that was it---season over! We hoped Tino Sunseri and Seth Doege would do the job, but I think we all knew it was over and even though Kerry Joseph brought a glimmer of hope to an offence that was pitiful without number 4 under centre, the season ended with a loss in Edmonton where the 42 year old Joseph threw 5 interceptions.  While the Calgary Stampeders were more than deserving of their Grey Cup title, I will always wonder what would have happened had Durant stayed healthy.

1. SEAHAWKS WIN SUPER BOWL

As I returned to Casa de Blair after watching the Seattle Seahawks decimate the Denver Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl 48, I texted Regina born Seahawks punter and friend Jon Ryan to congratulate him and let him know he had made a man in his mid 40's rather misty-eyed. I've been a Seahawks fan since day 1 back in 1976...from Zorn to Largent to Easley to Kennedy to Alexander to Wilson, I have cheered this team on the way Rider fans cheer on their team and on that February afternoon and evening I saw them win. To have someone I know help in that win was just icing on the cake. Obviously, it was something else to have the opportunity to put on and wear the Super Bowl ring when Jon brought it home for his 2nd annual golf tournament this summer.  That may go down as THE all time moment.

There were many other stories and moments. The retirement of three men --Frank McCrystal, Jim Hopson and Dick White---who have been instrumental with the success of their various organizations, the CIS womens volleyball championship and the energy and excitement inside the CKHS on night 1 when the Cougars nearly upset top ranked UBC, the passing of former U of  R basketball star Crystal McGregor and the way the basketball community came through for her with a couple of events, the construction of the new stadium and how it grows and grows with each pass by Evraz Place. I'm sure there are some that have been forgotten.

Thanks for reading this blog in 2014 and keep coming back in 2015. I sometimes wonder if I should keep doing this, but for some reason I do. I guess part of that is the positive feedback a lot of you give and I thank you for that.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!