Akiem Hicks Loved His Time As A Regina Ram

Akiem Hicks was leaving the Chicago Bears locker room at Halas Hall on Thursday afternoon when the lone Canadian reporter thanked him for an earlier 1-on-1 interview.

Such an opportunity is rare, given that the coverage, in the estimation of head coach Matt Nagy, has doubled in size since the end of the regular season.

The scrum around players this week has been about 20 media-types strong, as it was for Hicks a few moments after we chatted. I appreciated him inviting me to sit down for a quick visit before the crush.

“Any time, man,” said Hicks. “Any time at all.”

Just before disappearing, the 6-foot-5, 332-pound defensive tackle suddenly stopped and turned.

“Hey,” he said. “You got the exclusive of the day.”

Indeed. And included was a fun little yarn the gregarious seven-year vet from Elk Grove, Calif., has likely never before shared, for public consumption, regarding his two years at the University of Regina.

The hard-hitting question which delivered the big scoop: When you weren’t playing football, what did you do for fun in Saskatchewan?

“Fifty cent wing night,” Hicks answered with a hearty laugh. “Fifty cent wing night with the boys. We had an all day Owl. The Owl was the campus bar. We would go there at noon. And we would drink until there was one guy left. The guy who lasted the longest won.

“One day I drank 40 beers.”

What? Forty? Come on.

“I’ve never drank that many beers in my life,” said Hicks. “But those Canadians got me going, man. The drinking age was 19, so we had guys … oh, maybe this shouldn’t be in the article (more laughter). We had a good time, man. We had a really good time.”

But eight beers shy of two, two-fours? I know a lot of football fans back home reading this and saying “right on, mann, Hicks can hold his suds!”

“I was one of the last ones standing,” he said. “Let’s just say … oh, I’m going to put his name out there, let’s just say Stefan Charles wasn’t so lucky.”

Charles, an Oshawa native, was on the same Regina Rams D-Line as Hicks. He went on play three years with the Buffalo Bills and one with the Detroit Lions.

What happened to Charles that night?

“Oh man, he dropped off about 11, 11:30 p.m.,” Hicks said, with more laughter. “Just before The Owl started to get going.

“I’ll never forget those days, man. It was cool. I really enjoyed my time in Canada.”

For those who didn’t know, Hicks didn’t qualify academically to get a big-school NCAA scholarship when he came out of high school, so he played at Sacramento City Community College. As one of the top junior college players in U.S., he signed to play at LSU, which turned out to be guilty of recruiting violations that made him ineligible for the 2009 season.

He moved to Colorado to live with his sister and took a part-time job while figuring out his next move. The Toronto Argos offered him a contract, but Hicks wanted to continue his education.

Enter Regina head coach Frank McCrystal.

“Frank came down to Colorado and found me, and said ‘hey, I want you to play for my team,’ said Hicks. “First two times he came, I was like, ohh, I don’t know if I’m going to do it. The third time he came I said this man is serious, he wants me to be a part of his team, this is an opportunity for me, I’m going to take advantage of it.”

Opponents “game planned” for Hicks, but he was still selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft. And now, at the age of 29, he is a pillar on a Bears ‘D’ he says is “approaching greatness.”

Hicks remembers the “poutines and pierogies” he devoured during his time north of the border. And the “mushroom stuffs” he had at the Regina steakhouse near Albert St. mostly hanging out with teammates (“I’m the same way here,” he says), including the two who showed up for the Bears game in New York this season.

“I was out there warming up, and they were just going crazy in the stands,” said Hicks. “It was pretty cool.

“The thing about my situation during that time was, everybody knew I wasn’t from there, and I stood out like a sore thumb. The guys on the team did a good job of making me feel included, and just being extra friendly, like Canadians are. That made me feel comfortable and made me feel accepted.”

The cold weather notwithstanding, Hicks will always have a warm spot in his heart for Canada.

“I absolutely loved it, man,” he said. “Is Saskatchewan flat? Are there no mountain ranges? Are there things that other provinces have that Saskatchewan doesn’t have? Yes. But what Saskatchewan has is a football culture. They love football just as much as they love hockey.

“And when the University of Regina Rams step on the field, it’s going to be a show.”

(Don Brennan/Ottawa Sun)

This and That

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

This was the face of a nation Wednesday night as Finland beat Canada 2-1 in overtime in quarter-final play at the World Juniors. Yes, Canada was victimized by two horrible (or fortunate ones if fans of the SUOMI) breaks, but at the end of the day the better team won.  Yes, the better team won!

As has been said over the past couple of years, this tournament no longer is a cakewalk for Canada. There are several good countries and this year that was proven.  One can't even discount Switzerland after their victory over Sweden.

At the end of the day, this team was not an elite one.  You don't need a marquee player to be an elite team, but I don't know if this team had that.  The offense wasn't there.  Two goals in the last two games against quality opponents like Russia and Finland weren't going to cut it.

A lot of unnecessary heat is being placed on Max Comtois. Yes, he had a bad tournament and yes, I don't like the way he plays the game especially when he had the "C" on, but the treatment he received from many on his Instagram feed was simply embarassing and not called for.  Nice job Canada, be proud! Comtois's penalty shot (which shouldn't have been a penalty shot) IMO was atrocious, but would Nick Suzuki, Owen Tippett, Cody Glass or Brett Leason have done any better. We'll never know. We will also never know if Noah Dobson would have tickled the twine had his stick not snapped or if the Finnish goalie would have gotten a piece of it.   What we do know is this team is going home much earlier than anyone thought and they have no one to blame for it but themselves.

--The New Year started right in Regina with word the Heritage Classic was coming.  It shouldn't have come as a real surprise after Elliotte Friedman let it be known there was interest in November and no one should have been shocked once they looked at the CFL schedule and saw the Riders playing three straight road games in October.  As an Oilers fan, I would have loved to had a chance to watch McDavid and Draisiatl twirl around the Mosaic ice, but you can't complain about having guys like Gaudreau, Monahan, Schiefiele and Laine doing it.  It is going to be a great weekend at EVRAZ Place and kudos go to Tim Reid and whoever else helped broker this game and make it reality.

Some are already complaining about ticket prices saying they will be too high if the price at the Heritage Classic in Winnipeg is any indication.  Just stop it! This game is going to sell out so if you want to be there and enjoy the experience than do it.  If not, others will be doing so.  End of story.  It will be a weekend to remember and probably a weekend we won't see again for a long time.

--As you may remember, BUD LIGHT put outlocked  beer fridges all over Cleveland with product inside when the NFL season started. The locks would come off when the Browns won.  There was even one in the press box at their stadium.   Can I suggest Molson's do the same thing in Edmonton and unlock them when Milan Lucic scores.  The Oilers can't buy this guy out soon enough.  You almost feel sorry for him when you see his sloth-like movements on the ice.  The game has passed him by.

--I don't have a problem with Alex Ovechkin skipping the All-Star game.  Yes, the fans voted him to the game as captain of the Metropolitan Division, but you can't blame him for putting the team ahead of the game and saying he wants to take time off to re-charge his batteries for the second half of the season.  The Capitals certainly don't mind.  I am not a fan of All-Star games of any sport so whether he is or isn't there won't change my viewing habits.

--I hope with Mosaic Stadium getting taken over by the NHL in October that the Regina Rams and Regina Thunder are both going to play regular season games at Leibel Field.  It is where both should play unless the Rams have some sort of plan to make their practice field a place to watch and broadcast a game from.

--NFL Wildcard Weekend is upon us.  I obviously think Seattle beats Dallas and am eagerly anticipating that game. I think the Texans may be the only home team that wins.  That being said, I just get this feeling the Patriots are going to another Super Bowl.

--Alabama and Clemson are meeting again for the NCAA Football Championship.  Its clear those two schools are ahead of everyone else.  Would Ohio State or someone else give one of those two a game this year.  I doubt it.  You would like to think so, but I doubt it.

--Will Courtney from the Match.com ads find her true love before the World Juniors end?  God, I hope so!  All she wants is a nice guy!

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

Pats Make Three Trades

1.  Defenceman Marco Creta goes to Kootenay for 17-year old Davidson-born forward Blake Allan

2.  Forward Scott Mahovlich and an 8th round pick in 2019 draft goes to Lethbridge for a 3rd round pick in 2019

3.  An 8th round pick in 2019 draft and a 10th round pick in 2021 draft goes to Spokane for 17 year old defenceman Tyson Feist. 

Riders Release Sam Eguavoen

The Riders have released soon to be free-agent Sam Eguavoen.  The move is being done so he can pursue an NFL opportunity. 

The 25-year-old has spent his entire three year CFL career in Saskatchewan.  He picked up 159 defensive tackles, 14 special-teams tackles, four quarterback sacks and one interception in 38 regular-season games. He also added one 30-yard fumble return touchdown.

Eguavoen has worked out for several NFL teams over the past couple of weeks so it would appear as if he is ready to sign a contract with one of those teams.

NHL Three Stars For December

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov, Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of December.

FIRST STAR – NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov topped the NHL with 21 assists and 30 points in 14 outings (9-21—30), averaging 2.14 points per game to power the League-leading Lightning (31-7-2, 64 points) to a 13-0-1 December – franchise records for wins and points in any calendar month. Kucherov, who also set Tampa Bay records for assists and points in a single month, became the first NHL player to register 30-plus points in any calendar month since Jaromir Jagr achieved the feat with the Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2001 (15-16—31 in 15 GP). Kucherov did so by finding the scoresheet in all but one of his 14 December appearances, including 11 straight to close the month (7-16—23). That was highlighted by 1-4—5 Dec. 22 at EDM, career highs for assists and points in a game as well as the 12th five-point performance in Lightning history. The 25-year-old Maykop, Russia, native paces the NHL with 46 assists and 65 points in 40 total games this season. He also sits second in the League with 23 power-play points (8-15—23), 10 of which came in December (4-6—10).

SECOND STAR – JOHNNY GAUDREAU, LW, CALGARY FLAMES

Gaudreau ranked second in the NHL with 11 goals and 26 points in 14 contests (11‑15—26) to propel the Pacific Division-leading Flames (24-12-4, 52 points) to a 9-3-2 December. Gaudreau collected points in 10 of his 14 appearances, including nine multi-point efforts. Among them were two four-point performances (Dec. 4 at CBJ: 2-2—4 and Dec. 31 vs. SJS: 2-2—4); four multi-goal outings, including his fourth career hat trick (Dec. 27 at WPG); and two additional three-point games (Dec. 12 vs. PHI: 1-2—3 and Dec. 16 at STL: 2-1—3). The 25-year-old Salem, N.J., native – who also shared third place in December with a +15 rating – places fifth in the NHL this season with 21-34—55 in 40 total appearances. He is the first member of the Flames with 55 or more points through the team’s opening 40 games of a season since 1992-93, when Gary Roberts achieved the feat (26-29—55 in 40 GP).

 THIRD STAR – CONNOR McDAVID, C, EDMONTON OILERS

McDavid ranked third in the NHL with 8-16—24 in 13 outings to guide the Oilers (18-18-3, 39 points) to points in half of their December games (6-7-1). McDavid found the scoresheet in all but one of his 13 appearances, including four straight multi-point games to close the month (2-7—9) and his sixth career four-point performance Dec. 7 vs. MIN (1-3—4). He also hit a pair of career milestones, becoming the ninth player in League history to reach the 300-point mark (Dec. 13 at WPG) and the sixth player in NHL history to hit the 200-assist plateau (Dec. 22 vs. TBL) prior to his 22nd birthday. The 21-year-old Richmond Hill, Ont., native places fourth in the League with 21-37—58 in 38 total contests this season. McDavid, the No. 1 overall selection from the 2015 NHL Draft, also leads the League with 1.27 points per game since making his debut in 2015-16 (108-206—314 in 247 GP).

Scruffy's Top 10 of 2018

2018 is in the books with many great and not-so-great memories from the playing surface of choice.  What will 2019 bring?  Everyone has their own top 10 lists and yes, there might be some things on here that you don't agree with or wonder where they are.  For me, these are the top 10 stories


10. BACK-TO-BACK FOR BRAD 



When the Tim Horton's Brier opened up in Regina on March 3, it was a different looking event.  16 teams were in the field including Nunavut and the Yukon and it was no longer a round-robin as there were pools.  The defending champ was Brad Gushue.  The Newfoundland rink came in carrying Team Canada colors. He was up against the likes of Brad Jacobs, Reid Carruthers, Mike McEwen and Saskatchewan's own Steve Laycock.  In the end. Gushue thrilled a sold out house at the Brandt Centre by scoring one in the 10th to defeat Alberta's Brendan Bottcher 6-4 to become the first back-to-back winner since Kevin Martin in 2008 and 2009.


9.  DURON CARTER GETS CUT

Duron Carter's Twitter account is one most Rider fans follow.  On a steamy Saturday night while a CFL game was being played, Carter announced his time in Saskatchewan was up and that he had been released.   The team's 2017 player of the year nominee was expected to be a big-time weapon for Zach Collaros, but after Nick Marshall broke his hand in the season-opener he was sent back to defensive back where he had played the last few games in 2017.  Rider Nation was not happy with the fact Carter was defending passes and not catching them and they wanted Chris Jones out of town on the next rail car for making the move.  No real reason was given as to why Carter was released, but the move seemed to take the Riders to another level as their season took off when DC left.  He went to Toronto where he saw very limited action.  Where Carter ends up in 2019 will be a story.  Don't be surprised if he is AAF bound.


8. HUSKIES STUN CALGARY TO WIN HARDY CUP



When the 2018 Canada West football season started, no one was giving Scott Flory and the U of S Huskies much of a chance.  After winning their first two games in 2017, the Huskies lost their last six and went into 2018 ranked last in the coaches poll.  So much for the coaches poll.   The Huskies went into Vancouver and beat UBC in a semi-final game and then they shocked Canada West and USports Canada football pundits by walking into Calgary and beating the previously undefeated Dinos.  The final score in that game was 43-18.  The Huskies couldn't get to the Vanier Cup as they were defeated by Western, but they let everyone know that football is back at the U of S if there was any doubt.

7.  U OF R KILLS OFF WRESTLING AND MENS VOLLEYBALL 

With the exception of the women's basketball program (more on them in a bit), it was not a good 2018 for Cougar Athletics as a whole.  For the wrestling program and the men's volleyball program, they wish they had a 2018-19 season to deal with.

In a move that created a lot of anger and controversy, a decision was made at the end of April to discontinue the programs.  The move was made with very little notice and was not handled well as athletes affected were told in an e-mail. 

The cuts were made after a report into Cougar Athletics determined that “supporting 16 programs is unsustainable.”

6. PATS FALL ONE VICTORY SHORT OF THEIR GOAL IN 100TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON



When the Regina Pats were awarded the 2018 Memorial Cup in their 100th season, the goal was clear.  They wanted to skate around the Brandt Centre with trophy in hand.  It wouldn't be easy and John Paddock knew it especially after a 2016-17 season that ended with the team losing the WHL title to Seattle.  Moves were made to make the team better as they sloshed their way through the first half of the season.  A first round defeat to eventual WHL champ Swift Current in seven games made for a long break.  When the Pats took to the ice against the OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs on opening night, no one knew what to expect from the host team.  What they got was a win.

Attendance was not great due to apathy over ticket prices and packages, but the Brandt Centre was full on May 27 when Regina took on Acadie-Bathurst in the final.

That final ended with the Pats once again watching the opposition skate around Brandt Centre ice with the trophy as the Titan completely shut down Regina winning the final 3-0 in what was the last appearance of Sam Steel in a Regina uniform as the 100th anniversary season while memorable fell one game short of the desired goal.

5. RAMS SEASON GETS DERAILED 

On September 29, the Regina Rams blew a late lead, but came back to beat the Manitoba Bisons 32-31 in overtime.  The winning touchdown came on a Noah Picton pass to Kyle Borsa that made him the all-time leading passer in Canadian University Football history.  It also had the Rams sitting with a record of 3-2.  With the season winding down, many were thinking the Rams and Huskies would meet in a conference semi-final with the last game of the regular season determining who would have home-field advantage.  On October 5, everything came to a stunning halt.

The U of R found out the Rams had an ineligible player after  "an oversight was made during the University's student-athlete intake and eligibility process."  The three wins the team had were forfeited making them 0-5.

To make matters worse, Picton suffered a foot injury that became serious in nature as septic arthritis set in meaning his season was done as was his University career.

It was not a happy 2018 for the Rams football team.

4. NO COLLAROS, NO WIN IN THE WESTERN SEMI-FINAL 

When Riders head coach/general manager Chris Jones signed a contract extension, the expectations were for the Saskatchewan Roughriders to take the next step and host a home playoff game.  The 2017 season had ended in the Eastern final with a last second loss to Toronto.

As 2018 started, there was a new look to the green-and-white.  Zach Collaros was the new quarterback and he came with a lofty price-tag.  Collaros could not stay on the field though as he suffered what we learned to be a concussion in the pre-season home game against Calgary and another one in Week 2 vs Ottawa that sidelined him.

Despite an inability to get the ball into the endzone on offense, the defense had no problems putting the ball in the endzone as they scored numerous touchdowns helping the team to a regular season record of 12-6 and second place in the West meaning a home playoff game.

In the last regular season game of the year against BC, Collaros took a wicked head shot from Odell Willis that knocked him out of the game.  While the team had hoped Collaros would return for the Western semi-final, he was declared out less than 24 hours before kickoff meaning it was up to Brandon Bridge.  Bridge could not get the job done and the defence couldn't come to the rescue as the Bombers walked in and won the West Semi 23-18.

Rider Nation is expecting another climb in 2019 with a Grey Cup appearance and a championship.  While that is basically the thought process going into every season around here, there is optimism that under Chris Jones it will happen.

3. CANADIAN HISTORY MADE AT THE WASCANA

The world's best lady golfers came to Regina for the CP Canadian Womens Open, but there was really only one golfer that those who came to the Wascana Golf and Country Club came to see.  Brooke Henderson was the story.  The Ontario golfer at the age of 20 was already one of the world's best and the pressure was on her to win this tournament which no Canadian had done since 1973.  She didn't disappoint.

Those who came out, and there were a lot, had their eyes on Henderson right from the first swing of the tournament.  They followed her and watched every shot with Henderson having a chance on Sunday to win the title and make Canadian history.

Henderson had the lead going into the final round and she wasn't going to let that lead slip out of her fingers as she was aggressive right from her opening tee shot on a cold, rainy Sunday August afternoon.  She finished with a final round seven under 65 that included an approach on 18 that was less than five feet from the hole as she made Canadian history in what I thought was one of the top sports stories of the year in Canada.

The celebration was capped off by the crowd singing O'Canada in what was a moment to remember for all who were there to see it live.

2. THE THREE-BALL KILLS COUGAR CHANCES OF WINNING NATIONAL WOMENS BASKETBALL TITLE

While the Riders, Pats and Rams get their fair share of ink in this city, the team that continues to be the best one and continues to fly under the radar is the women's basketball program at the University of Regina.

Thanks to the likes of Christine Stapleton and Jeff Speedy before him, Dave Taylor has continued the tradition of making the program one of the best ones in Canada.  Appearances in a national championship are no problems for Taylor.  Winning a national has been.   The Cougars tried for a 3rd time to win the national title on their home floor in 2018.

After winning a highly-emotional Canada West championship on their home floor against the rival U of S Huskies,  the two teams met in a national semi-final on the night of March 10 in a night that those who were in attendance won't forget and there were many in attendance.

You could not squeeze another person into the CKHS for the game. People continued to pour into the gym watching it from the stands or from above as they lined the track. Over 2400 managed to get inside.   What a game!

The two teams provided a showcase for the sport to a national audience as it was broadcast live on Sportsnet.

The Huskies went 14 for 28 in three-pointers as they won the game 74-71 to exact some revenge for losing the conference title.   The U of S went on to lose to Carleton in the final while Regina took 3rd beating McGill, but the final two games on the Sunday paled in comparison to what had been seen the night before.


1. THE BRONCOS RETURN TO THE ICE 

There is no doubt as to what the number one story was and sadly, its one I wish never had to happen which I think is the same sentiment you have.

We will all remember where we were on the night of April 6 when we learned of the tragic bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos.  In the days that followed, the Broncos said they would rebuild and get back on the ice.  That is what they did and on the evening of September 13 they did.

The Broncos battled the Nipawin Hawks in a game that won't be remembered for the final score, but for pre-and post-game ceremonies to honour those 16 killed and 13 injured.

The game was broadcast across North America on TSN and the NHL Network.  Some wondered why that would be done, but in a heartfelt speech after the game, Scott Thomas--the father of Evan Thomas who was one of the 13 killed, thanked a country for wrapping their arms around them in their time of need by doing something whether it be little or large in nature.

With basically a new team, the Broncos are competing for a division title and hoping to bring some joy and happiness back to a community that had its heart ripped out.

Happy New Year