Something to "Mitch" About

Greetings from Edmonton and the home of the Oilers --Rexall Place--as this blogger has been enjoying himself in the Alberta capital all weekend long.  While the Oilers are playing out their final season at Rexall, the new Rogers Arena is getting closer and closer to being reality much as Mosaic Stadium in Regina is getting closer and closer to being reality.

As one can imagine, there is a lot of excitement in Edmonton over this building especially in the downtown area where many ---including the hotel where I stayed this weekend---are expecting to see an increase in business.  For those who aren't sure where the new building is going to be and you know Edmonton, it is about a Grant Shaw punt or two from Grant McEwan college and just down the street from the Edmonton City Centre shopping centre.

There aren't many Florida Panthers fans, but I found two of them. Upon landing Friday, we were just about to leave the airport on a downtown hotel shuttle when a couple asked how much the trip was into the downtown and if they could go to the Westin. The woman was wearing a Florida Panthers hoodie so I knew they were likely here for Sunday's game. I thought they were perhaps parents of one of the players, but she surprised me when she said they had left Fort Lauderdale that morning to be at the game in Edmonton Sunday and then in Vancouver today. The woman had never seen snow before so she was quite excited to see the white stuff, but I don't know if she was enamoured with the 15 below weather. We had a good 45 minute chat about Panthers hockey in Miami. The couple were part of a booster club that were going to the games and there were six altogether coming with them being the first.  I was told there isn't a lot of publicity for the Panthers in the Miami area which is understood, but there are some loyal fans who turn out for every game although admittedly they said they could have more but with them winning, perhaps there will be.

I did see a lot of Jaromir Jagr fans though....

These guys had everyone talking. I have no idea who they are, but I have seen them before when Jaromir Jagr plays in Western Canada. Were all of them in this pic? Too funny! JJ gave them a nod during the pre-game warmup and then he scored which had many cheering. The guy is simply an icon and is a first ballot hall-of-famer if he ever retires.

On Friday night, I had the pleasure of watching the Tampa Bay Lightning and obviously all eyes were on Steven Stamkos and for good reason. When he wants to turn it on, he can do so. However, the best player on the night was Victor Hedman. This guy showed everyone at Rexall why he is considered one of the best blueliners in the league. You noticed him on just about every shift. A late save on the goal-line at the end of the first period may have been what turned the game around as Edmonton was inches away from taking a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. Hedman was in control for much of the night and when he was, it was advantage Tampa.


To the NFL playoffs and FOX football insider Jay Glazer said it the best on Saturday night when he tweeted out this.

What can you say about the meltdown in Cincinnati? The Bengals snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by simply becoming unglued in the final two minutes. What happened in that game can be put right on coach Marvin Lewis because he couldn't control his players in particular Vontaze Burfict. Burfict was trouble right from the get go and while Lewis tried to keep him in check, it was obvious he couldn't, yet Lewis kept putting him on the field. Yes, Burfict and Adam Jones (although the call on him was somewhat chintzy from what I saw) are to blame, but they were put in that position because Lewis allowed them to be there.

As for the Seahawks-Minnesota game, what an awful time for Blair Walsh to channel his inner Gary Anderson.

 This blogger doesn't mind that faux-pas one bit as Seattle will now head to Carolina. It had to have been cold when Jon Ryan wears sleeves, but he showed he was Canadian tough by coming back from what has to be a broken nose after a botched punt.

 

That just doesn't look pleasant at all!

It is a slow time in the CFL right now, but while Vanstone, Hamilton and McCormick continue to write about the Riders, there was not one sniff of Eskimo news in either the Saturday or Sunday Edmonton Sun. I don't know if the Journal had anything, but there was no CFL news whatsoever in the sun. The Oilers AHL team in Bakersfield and the Olympic volleyball qualifying got a lot of press though as did the Edmonton Oil Kings-Calgary Hitmen game on Saturday night. Of course, there was a lot of NFL talk.

I'm sort of surprised the Moose Jaw Warriors didn't trade Brayden Point. From what I hear, the asking price was simply too high so now Alan Millar will get nothing for the best player in the WHL who won't get the Warriors to a WHL championship. We will see how far they get, but in my mind, the Warriors hurt their future by not dealing away the present. At least he isn't going to Brandon!

Condolences to all who knew Bob Leonard. For those who don't know who Bob Leonard is, he was an icon to the local pro wrestling scene and the Western Canadian scene. Leonard was the ring announcer for Stampede Wrestling in its heyday and he continued on in High Impact Wrestling. He has seen all the greats from Bret Hart to Dynamite Kid to Bad News Allen to the Honky Tonk Man to Wavell Starr to Rex Roberts. The stories that man could tell and the pictures he took from his time at ringside would be enough to keep the attention of any wrestling fan young or old. RIP Bob!

I'm pulling for Clemson tonight, but I won't be surprised to see Alabama win by about 20 in the national championship game. 

That's all I got. Have a great week. I'll talk to you on the Sportscage Tuesday. 

This and That

Welcome to Friday and the usual weekly thoughts running through my muddled mind. As always, they come in no particular order,


--Today's blog comes from you from the Regina headquarters, but the weekend will be spent in Edmonton as tonight, the Edmonton Oilers take on the Tampa Bay Lightning with a visit by the red-hot Florida Panthers on Sunday. The reason for the road-trip is simple, It is one last trip to catch NHL hockey at Rexall Place as the Oilers will leave the only rink they have played at since joining the NHL and move to the brand new Rogers Arena in the Ice District for next season,  Like many of you may be making one last trek to Mosaic Stadium to see your beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2016, I am making my last trek to Rexall. Yes, I might want to go to a playoff game, but realistically that may not happen so the time is now.  Will Connor McDavid play this weekend? It would be nice to see the kid get back in the lineup from his broken clavicle, but if he doesn't, it isn't the end of the world. I will see him at the new arena.

The debate in Edmonton right now centers around the famous sign that you see when you enter the Alberta capital.

Should they come down or should they stay up. The Edmonton Sun's Terry Jones who coined the phrase back in the Oilers heyday is adamant it should stay and has even written a piece in the paper citing his reasons why. Mayor Don Iveson thinks it is time for the sign to go,  While the sign was erected for the Oilers from their Stanley Cup days, Edmonton has been and will be home to many champions both on and off the athletic surface of choice. I think it should stay. Regina is the city that rhymes with fun and Edmonton is the city of champions while Calgary is-------I'll let you finish that sentence. 

--International Ice Hockey Federation president Rene Fasel in speaking about the 2017 World Junior Hockey Tournament suggested organizers could lower ticket prices and that Hockey Canada with the event being in Montreal should have more French-speaking players on the team next year to draw interest. Holy crap on a cracker! Is he serious? Yes, things haven't gone the way Hockey Canada would like them to go at the WJ's over the last few years, but I don't think having a roster that is one third or one half of French players will suffice here. Three words for Mr. Fasel....SHUT UP RENE! I can only imagine the furore that would be caused if the event was held in Western Canada and someone said the team will be 3/4 WHL players because of that. You would never ever hear the end of it.

--A comment was brought up to me near the end of the World Juniors and it is something that had completely gone over my head until it was brought to my attention. We all know how much this tournament means to TSN and Hockey Canada. They have made it bigger than what it really should be which takes nothing away from the quality of the play we see, but did you notice during the tournament that all the rink boards and logos on the ice were Hockey Canada and TSN sponsors. There was not one Finnish company advertising on the rink boards that we could see. Perhaps there were some on the near side of the ice, but if you go back and watch highlights, you will see those ads were pure Canadiana. How much did that line the pockets of Hockey Canada and TSN with?

--I have said previously that I hope John Scott has a great experience at the all-star game and doesn't get embarrassed in the 3 on 3 games which will happen. That being said, the fact Scott is going to be there and Sidney Crosby isn't shows you there is something wrong. I think hockey fans would rather see the skills of Crosby than Scott on all-star weekend and there are many players on the Pacific Division team who would look better on the team than Scott including his teammates Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and the ageless Shane Doan. John Scott isn't going to make me watch the all-star game....then again an appearance by Sid or other more talented players wouldn't really make me watch either.

--Whatever happened to the new rink and stadium proposal for Calgary?  Since Ken King trotted out the idea at the press conference which was met with a big dull thud, there has been nothing else has there. If there has, I've missed it. 

--Ken Griffey Junior was named to Baseball's Hall of Fame on all ballots except for three on Wednesday. Who were the three who left him off the ballot? What were the reasons? In an era where steroids was prevalent, the Seattle and Cincinnati outfielder just did his thing naturally and if he hadn't been sidelined by injuries, he might be baseball's all time home run leader. The kid was a natural at the game --- a game in which others cheated, but he didn't. By the way, kudos to Roy Halladay for his tweet before the announcement was made saying the HOF doesn't need Clemens or Bonds in it. If you put those two in, you have to put in others like McGwire, Sosa and Canseco and you have to explain 100 percent why those individuals put up the numbers they did. If you are going to put those guys in, put Pete Rose in there too while you're at it. I would put Rose in there ahead of the steroid-era guys, as what he did wasn't even close to being as bad as what the others did. 

--The Regina Pats start a six game road trip tonight in Cranbrook, and I think it is fair to say all is not well with the hockey team right now. Head Coach John Paddock was a very frustrated coach in talking with Rod on the Sportscage this week. He should be. This team has been maddening to watch this year as one night they look like the best team in the WHL and the next night, they look like a Junior B team could beat them.  The injury to Colby Williams has been a huge one for the team. I thought the 20 year old defenceman would get traded prior to the deadline, but that obviously won't be happening as he undergoes arm surgery to correct an off-ice injury suffered over the summer. The Pats are a different team when Williams is on the ice and if he returns for the playoffs, he may give them that boost needed, That is if the Pats get to the playoffs and right now, I would say its even money as to whether or not they do. One can only wonder where this team might be if they had someone in the room who did for them what Rick Rypien did when he was here. 

--Back to the Oilers and I can't help but think Peter Chiarelli let one get away on him as the Columbus Blue Jackets sent Ryan Johansen to Nashville for Seth Jones. Nashville was a prime spot to make a trade as they had a surplus of d-men and a guy like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would have made that a good deal in my mind, I have to think Chiarelli is waiting to see what the Oilers will look like with the lineup he thought he would have. Remember Jordan Eberle and Connor McDavid have not played one game together.  I am guessing that needs to be done before Chiarelli makes any decisions as to what to do with the hockey club. I just don't see RNH being a 3rd line center as McDavid and Leon Draisiatl are 1-2. He woSuld seem to be the most expendable guy in my opinion and certainly more expendable than Eberle. 

--NFL picks this weekend are the Seahawks, Packers, Chiefs and Steelers. I don't see Teddy Bridgewater having success in his first playoff game against that Seattle defence. As bad as Green Bay has been, I still think Aaron Rodgers can gut out a win in Washington. Kansas City just continues to roll along with no one paying any attention to them and if Ben Roethlisberger can  play clean football, they seemingly can't be stopped---although tighter coverage on Antonio Brown wouldn't hurt. 

--The 2nd half of the university season begins this weekend with the Cougar basketball teams home to Trinity Western in Saturday and Sunday games and the mens hockey team home to Calgary Friday and Saturday at the Co-Operators Centre, With the Pats out of town, it is a great chance for you to see how good U of R Cougar athletics are so check it out. Speaking of the hockey team, the L-P's Ian Hamilton had a great story on a truck crashing through the office of head coach Todd Johnson this week. There is a major league mess to clean-up, but thankfully no one was hurt. 

--Regina needs to go and look at bringing Waskimo back? Do you remember Waskimo? It was where a boatload of winter activities would happen at Wascana Park from shinny to skating to cross country skiing to just enjoying a winter Sunday at one of the city's jewels which is in far better shape now than it was when Waskimo was a yearly thing.

--That's all I got. Have a great weekend! GO SEAHAWKS!!

Thursday CFL Notebook

The BC Lions Football Club today announced that international defensive back Ryan Phillips has agreed to terms on a contract extension through the 2017 season. Phillips was slated to enter the final year of a previous contract extension in 2016.

“Ryan continues to perform at a very high level and this is an important signing for the club,” said GM and head coach Wally Buono. “He’s an integral part of our team both as a defensive back and a leader away from the field. He still possesses the ability to change a game with one play and his experience is something we value tremendously when it comes to the development of our younger players.”

The 11-year veteran out of Eastern Washington started last season riding a 180 games-played streak before a hamstring injury forced him to the sidelines for three weeks. Ultimately appearing in 14 regular season tilts, Phillips notched six interceptions which tied him for the league lead in the category, including a 49-yard pick-six versus Toronto on July 24th to go along with 29 tackles and a pair of pass knockdowns. The lofty numbers also earned Ryan his fifth career West Division All-Star selection.

(BC Lions Football Club)

---

Calgary Stampeders general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce that international quarterback Drew Tate has signed a contract extension. As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

A nine-year CFL veteran who has spent the past seven seasons with the Red and White, Tate in 2015 dressed for all 18 regular-season games and both playoff contests. He started the final regular-season game and was 18-of-22 for 231 yards and two touchdowns.

“Drew has been an important contributor to our success over the years and I’m pleased that he has chosen to make this commitment to the club,” said Hufnagel. “Quality and depth at the quarterback position is very important in the CFL and Drew is a big part of that for us.”

After two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in which he did not see any game action, Tate signed with the Stampeders in 2009. In 111 career regular-season games for the Stamps, he has completed 353 of 529 passes (a 66.7-per cent completion rate) for 4,415 yards and 32 touchdowns. He has 157 career rushes for 609 yards and 24 touchdowns. In 2014, he led the CFL with 10 rushing touchdowns.

“This is a great city and a great organization and I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue my career with the Stamps,” said Tate. “I love playing with this group of guys and I look forward to the challenge of trying to get back to the Grey Cup.”

(Calgary Stampeders)

Jordan Weal gets traded to Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Flyers have traded D Luke Schenn and C Vincent Lecavalier to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Jordan Weal and a third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, according to general manager Ron Hextall.

Weal, 23, was selected by the Kings in the third round (70th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with Los Angeles earlier this season and has appeared in 10 games, recording two penalty minutes while averaging 8:07 of ice time per game.

Weal has spent the last three seasons in the American Hockey League following a four-year junior career with Regina of the Western Hockey League. He had a breakout year in 2013-14 with the Kings’ affiliate in Manchester, NH, where he recorded 70 points (23 G, 47 A) in 76 games, which was good for fifth in the league.

Last season, Weal posted 69 points (20 G, 49 A) in 73 games for Manchester, which included an appearance in the AHL All-Star Game. He went on to help the Monarchs win the 2015 Calder Cup, earning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the MVP of the Calder Cup Playoffs with 22 points (10 G, 19 A) in 19 playoff games. He was also named an AHL Second Team All-Star following the season.

Weal is also the Regina Pats 5th all time leading scorer having registered 385 points during his time in Regina,

Schenn, 26, was acquired by the Flyers from Toronto on June 23, 2012 in exchange for James van Riemsdyk. He appeared in 213 games for the Flyers, recording 12 goals and 30 assists for 42 points.

Lecavalier, 35, signed with the Flyers as a free agent on July 5, 2013. He appeared in 133 games for the Flyers, recording 28 goals and 30 assists for 58 points.

(With files from Philadelphia Flyers)

Riders Sign Three

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced national running back Melvin Abankwah, international wide receiver Michael Campbell, and international defensive back Nick Taylor have all signed with the team. As per club policy, terms of the contracts were not released.

Abankwah (5’9 – 190) was originally selected by the Riders in the 6^th round (50^th overall) of the 2015 CFL Draft after playing four seasons at Saint Mary’s University. In 2014, Abankwah totaled 534 yards and two touchdowns on 112 carries in seven CIS conference games.

Last season, the 24-year-old Abankwah attended Riders training camp playing two preseason games.

Campbell (6’2 – 205) joins the Green and White after spending parts of four seasons in the NFL. Originally signing with the New York Jets in July, 2011 as an undrafted free agent Campbell signed with the St. Louis Rams in 2012 before returning to the Jets for 2013 playing four regular season games. 

Campbell was selected by the Riders in December’s CFL waiver draft. The 26-year-old spent most of last season on the Ottawa Redblacks practice roster.        

Taylor (5’10 - 190) signs with the Riders after spending time with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings. The 27-year-old previously signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in March, 2012 before briefly joining the Jets in January, 2014.

Taylor was originally signed to the Riders practice roster last October after spending the 2015 season with the Arena Football League’s Orlando Predators.   

NHL All-Star Game Rosters Announced

 The National Hockey League announced today the full roster of players as well as the head coaches for the2016 Honda NHL All-Star celebration, which will be held Jan. 30-31 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

 

Forty players were selected by the NHL, joining the four division captains elected by fans in the 2016 NHL All-Star Fan Vote: Jaromir Jagrof the Florida Panthers (Atlantic), Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks (Central), Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals (Metropolitan) and John Scott of the Arizona Coyotes (Pacific).

 

Below are the complete rosters for each division, comprised of six forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders per team:

 

2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game Rosters

 

Atlantic Division                                           Central Division

F Patrice Bergeron (BOS)                             F Jamie Benn (DAL)

F Jaromir Jagr (FLA)*                                   F Matt Duchene (COL)

F Leo Komarov (TOR)                                  F Patrick Kane (CHI)*

F Dylan Larkin (DET)                                    F Tyler Seguin (DAL)

F Ryan O’Reilly (BUF)                                  F Vladimir Tarasenko (STL)

F Steven Stamkos (TBL)                              F Jonathan Toews (CHI)

D Aaron Ekblad (FLA)                                   D Dustin Byfuglien (WPG)

D Erik Karlsson (OTT)                                   D Roman Josi (NSH)

D P.K. Subban (MTL)                                    D Shea Weber (NSH)

G Ben Bishop (TBL)                                       G Devan Dubnyk (MIN)

G Roberto Luongo (FLA)                               G Pekka Rinne (NSH)

 

Metropolitan Division                                   Pacific Division

F Nicklas Backstrom (WSH)                         F Johnny Gaudreau (CGY)

F Claude Giroux (PHI)                                  F Taylor Hall (EDM)

F Evgeni Malkin (PIT)                                   F Joe Pavelski (SJS)

F Alex Ovechkin (WSH)*                              F Corey Perry (ANA)

F Brandon Saad (CBJ)                                  F John Scott (ARI)*

F John Tavares (NYI)                                    F Daniel Sedin (VAN)

D Justin Faulk (CAR)                                     D Brent Burns (SJS)

D Kris Letang (PIT)                                        D Drew Doughty (LAK)

D Ryan McDonagh (NYR)                            D Mark Giordano (CGY)

G Braden Holtby (WSH)                                G John Gibson (ANA)

G Cory Schneider (NJD)                               G Jonathan Quick (LAK)

 

* Fan-elected captain

 

2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game Head Coaches

 

            The four head coaches for the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star celebration will be Gerard Gallant of the Florida Panthers (Atlantic Division), Lindy Ruff of the Dallas Stars (Central Division), Darryl Sutter of the Los Angeles Kings (Pacific Division) and Barry Trotz of the Washington Capitals (Metropolitan Division).

 

            Under the All-Star selection process, the head coach of the team with the highest points percentage (points earned divided by total possible points) in each of the four divisions through games of Saturday, Jan. 9 – the halfway point of the regular season – will guide the respective All-Star rosters.

 

            Gallant’s Panthers (.650, 24-12-4) are guaranteed of posting the top points percentage in the Atlantic Division through Saturday, while Ruff’s Stars (.714, 28-10-4), Sutter’s Kings (.667, 25-12-2) and Trotz’s Capitals (.782, 29-7-3) similarly have wrapped up first place in the Central, Pacific and Metropolitan Divisions, respectively.

 

More Information

 

            As part of the new format for the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game, the All-Stars will take part in a three-game tournament, played in a 3-on-3 format, and featuring teams representing each NHL division.

 

            The 2016 Honda NHL All-Star celebration will mark the first time Nashville has hosted the NHL All-Star festivities, which will take place at Bridgestone Arena. Live television coverage of the League’s midseason showcase during the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Skills Competition and 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game will be broadcast by NBCSN in the U.S. and Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada. The 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Skills Competition will begin at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT on Saturday, Jan. 30, and the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game will start at 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT on Sunday, Jan. 31.

(NHL Media) 

Riders Add to Coaching Staff

Saskatchewan Roughriders vice president of football operations, general manager and head coach Chris Jones has announced that Markus Howell will join the staff as receivers coach.

Howell joins the Green and White after spending the previous five seasons coaching with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Howell was initially hired by the Blue Bombers in 2011 as a defensive coach and special teams assistant but moved over to coaching the linebackers early in the season. He was named receivers coach in 2012 where he remained for the next four seasons.

Originally drafted by the Blue Bombers in the fourth round (25th overall) of the 2000 CFL Draft, Howell played 11 seasons in the CFL, spending time with Winnipeg, Ottawa and Calgary as a receiver, defensive back and returner. He caught 151 passes for 2,062 yards and nine touchdowns, returned 77 kickoffs for 1,679 yards with one touchdown and also brought back 246 punts for 2,232 yards – including a 96-yard touchdown return in 2007 as a member of the Stampeders.

Howell also added 28 defensive tackles, 21 special teams tackles, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries – one of which he returned for a touchdown.

He won his first Grey Cup in 2008 with the Calgary Stampeders.