Rider Update

I wasn't at practice today, but the gruff and oh so lovable(OK, not so much) Murray McCormick from the LP was there. This is what he filed to the Leader-Post website.

The SJHL This Week

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season is underway, and for four teams, it was a perfect start on the opening week as La Ronge, Flin Flon, Humboldt and Estevan all won both of their games with the Ice Wolves, Bombers and Bruins filling the net as they scored many goals with the Broncos taking a more defensive approach to winning their two games.
The games were also very entertaining as six of the opening 10 games were decided by two goals or less with one game coming right down to the final moments before Kindersley’s Andrew Dommett spoiled the home opener for the Battlefords Stars by scoring with 33 seconds left to go in regulation to give the Klippers a 7-6 win is what was a back and forth contest all night.
Unfortunately for the Klippers, they lost the services of Dommett who suffered a broken jaw and a possible concussion after an incident in La Ronge on Sunday. The loss of Dommett is a big blow to Kindersley. It was thought at the start of the season that Dommett had a chance at leading the league in scoring after being tied for the league lead in goals last year with 36.
The Luke Boechler story had some good news this week. The Yorkton goaltender diagnosed with leukemia had a stem-cell transplant in Calgary last Friday. His father Brian says Luke is doing as well as one can possibly imagine and that the Riders victory made him feel a lot better. If all goes well, Luke will remain in Calgary for a couple of months with hopes he can return to his hometown of Yorkton in time for Christmas.
The first CJHL rankings of the year are out. One SJHL team is in the top 10. That is the Flin Flon Bombers who come in 4th. The Broncos are ranked 16th.
With the first week of the season now in the books, it is time to announce the first SHERWOOD players of the week.
SHERWOOD PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Marc-Andre Carre-La Ronge Ice Wolves. Several members of the Ice Wolves had a nice start to the season. The 18 year old from Baie Comeau, Quebec was one of them as he had two goals and four assists in helping the defending Credit Union Cup champions to a pair of wins.
SHERWOOD DEFENCEMAN OF THE WEEK
Tanner Clark-Humboldt Broncos. The 17 year old Clark was on a Humboldt blueline that limited the Notre Dame Hounds to just four goals in back to back Bronco victories. Clark is considered one player that will not only lead Dean Brockman’s crew this season, but next year as well when the Broncos host the Royal Bank Cup.
SHERWOOD GOALIE OF THE WEEK
Joel Danyluk-Estevan Bruins. Danyluk was picked up by the Bruins in the off-season in the hopes he could backstop the Bruins to a league title the way he did last season as a member of the La Ronge Ice Wolves. Danyluk recorded victories in both ends of a home and home series against Melville stopping 68 of 75 shots.

Awards for Andy

Saskatchewan Roughrider slotback Andy Fantuz has been named the Gibson’s Finest Offensive Player of the Week as well as Canadian Player of the Week. Quarterback Darian Durant was named runner-up to Fantuz as Offensive Player of the Week.



Fantuz had a stellar game on Friday night in the Riders’ 43-37 overtime victory over the visiting Calgary Stampeders. The Western Ontario product had ten receptions for 255 yards and one touchdown.



So far this season Fantuz has tallied a team leading 57 receptions for 875 yards and four touchdowns.



Fantuz was named Gibson’s Finest Canadian Player of the Week in the opening week of the season as well as in week five. He joins teammates James Patrick, Jerrell Freeman, Brent Hawkins, Luca Congi and Darian Durant who have all been named Gibson’s Finest Players of the Week so far this season.

Why Doesn't Ken Miller Get Respect?

It is no secret that I am a fan of Riders coach Ken Miller. He is a good football coach, and he is a better man. He knows more about football than a lot of us put together. Ken Miller made what I believe to be a mistake Friday night. One that could have really set his football team back, but it didn't. Once again, the Riders came through. They won the football game over Calgary which is something a lot of people seem to have forgotten in wake of "The Punt". Miller's decision has been dissected every which way with some defending him and some condemning him. However, the worst treatment of Miller has come from TSN.
Being at Friday's game, I obviously didn't see what the esteemed panel had to say, but I did go back and watch. I didn't see "The Reporters" Sunday morning, but in reading Rod Pedersen's blog, it would seem as if they went a little overboard with Miller's decision.
Dave Hodge asked "At what point does Saskatchewan's coaching issue become a story?"
Dave Naylor claimed "There has to be legitimate reason for concern as to how decisions are being made on the sidelines."
Steve Simmons said "This is one of the most bone-headed things I've ever seen.
There was even a remark made about Miller's age which was certainly not called for. While I don't remember the fallout when Wally Buono tried the same move as Miller and failed a couple of years ago, I know the firestorm wasn't as fierce. Was this because it was Wally and who dares question Wally?

To answer Dave Hodge's question about when does Saskatchewan's coaching issue become a story. Well, how about the day Ken Miller was signed to replace Kent Austin.

No one outside of this province has given this man a chance and all this man has done is succeed. Every one said this football team would dry up and blow away after it was blown apart following the Grey Cup win in 2007. Miller took the team to a 12-6 record in 2008 and was rewarded for that with the national media saying the football team wouldn't do well in 2009 with some picking them for last, but low and behold, they finished first for the first time since 1976 and came within an agonizing play of winning the Grey Cup.

Once again this year, the Riders weren't given a chance at succeeding but they are 7-4 and are still nipping at Calgary's heels. Ken Miller is 29-17-1 since becoming the head coach of this team. I think that's a pretty damn good record. He gets the most out of his team, but many across the country don't notice that and some in this province don't either. The anti Ken Miller talk is sickening. Do you want Danny Barrett back? Lets go see if we can pry Marcel Bellefeuille away from Hamilton seeing you loved Marcel when he was here as offensive co-ordinator. Kent Austin isn't coming back so put away that pipedream. Would Bart Andrus maybe like a second shot in Canada? Seeing Matt Dominguez coaches high school ball, lets move him into a head-coaching role. Hell, lets put Jason Clermont, Chris Szarka or Stu Foord in there just because they are Jason Clermont, Chris Szarka or Stu Foord....OK, that's going a little overboard but still.

Ken Miller has had tremendous success as Riders head coach and unlike a lot of people, I still think this team is going to the Grey Cup and will make amends for what happened in Calgary last year. While they won't publicly admit, that veteran team wants to get back there and they can under Miller's guidance and leadership. That is perhaps the story that some should be researching instead of dumping dirt on the man every chance that they can.
Every coach makes a mistake and Miller made one on Friday. THEY STILL WON THOUGH!!
No one wants to talk about John Hufnagel not challenging on the Weston Dressler touchdown or taking a 10 yard penalty for challenging something he knew he couldn't. Where was TSN on that topic? If he had challenged on Dressler's TD (which wasn't), chances are a TD would have been scored, but you never know. Hufnagel's error was far more grievous than Miller's, but no one would dare raise an eyebrow at what John Hufnagel is doing. Perhaps that is the real story of Friday's game and its something that Hodge, Naylor and Simmons should look into instead of just spewing the crap that they did. Perhaps these three should come on next week and look at the state of the Lions and ask if the game has passed Wally by. That won't happen though because they respect Wally and wouldn't dare get on his case. Am I wrong?

Like I said while appearing on "The Sportscage" yesterday. Ken Miller has just taken all the criticism and he has shoved it right back up everyone's you know what. If and when he wins the Grey Cup this year, what will be said then? I'm guessing somehow he will continue to get disrespected and that is a shame because if there is anyone who doesn't deserve the constant negativism thrown towards him, it is someone as knowledgeable and as gracious as the Roughrider boss.

WHL on SHAW

The Western Hockey League and SHAW Communications today announced that SHAW will broadcast 30 games on the full cable network in Western Canada during the 2010-11 WHL Regular Season. The WHL on SHAW will also provide extensive coverage of the 2011 WHL Playoffs broadcasting a full series in each of the four rounds including the WHL Championship Series for the Ed Chynoweth Cup. SHAW is entering its seventh season as the official regional cable broadcaster of the WHL and made huge strides during the 2010 WHL Playoffs when a portion of the Championship Series was broadcast in High Definition.

“Our WHL fans across Western Canada look forward each season to SHAW’s extensive coverage of the WHL regular season and playoffs,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “The SHAW schedule this season will once again feature some great match-ups during the regular season as we build toward the 2011 WHL playoffs in March.”

The 2010-11 WHL on SHAW broadcast schedule will highlight key rivals LIVE every Friday night on ‘The WHL on SHAW Friday Night Hockey’ across Western Canada on SHAW TV and Shaw Direct ‘Channel 299’. The broadcast schedule begins on Friday, October 8th as the defending WHL Champion Calgary Hitmen host the Swift Current Broncos.

The WHL on SHAW will continue to feature the play-by-play of Dan Russell with analysis from Bill Wilms along with the WHL on SHAW’s eastern broadcast crew featuring play-by-play courtesy of Kirk Fraser and analysis by WHL and NHL Alumnus Jeff Odgers. SHAW’s WHL Central will continue to provide exclusive features and news from across the WHL during the broadcasts and will be hosted this year by Joey Kenward.

2010-11 ‘WHL on SHAW’ Broadcast Schedule

Day Date Visitors Home Local
Friday Oct. 8/10 Swift Current @ Calgary 7:00pm
Wednesday Oct. 27/10 Chilliwack @ Edmonton 7:00pm
Friday Nov. 5/10 Kelowna @ Vancouver 7:30pm
Wednesday Nov. 10/10 Red Deer @ Vancouver 7:00pm
Friday Nov. 12/10 Portland @ Saskatoon 7:00pm
Friday Nov. 19/10 Calgary @ Brandon 7:30pm
Tuesday Nov. 23/10 Regina @ Kamloops 7:00pm
Friday Nov. 26/10 Saskatoon @ Prince Albert 7:00pm
Friday Dec. 3/10 Calgary @ Vancouver 7:30pm
Friday Dec. 10/10 Everett @ Saskatoon 7:00pm
Wednesday Dec. 15/10 Swift Current @ Edmonton 7:00pm
Friday Dec. 17/10 Kelowna @ Calgary 7:00pm
Thursday Jan. 6/11 Calgary @ Swift Current 7:00pm
Wednesday Jan. 12/11 Kootenay @ Edmonton 11:30am
Friday Jan. 14/11 Portland @ Kelowna 7:00pm
Tuesday Jan. 18/11 Lethbridge @ Medicine Hat 7:00pm
Friday Jan. 21/11 Moose Jaw @ Edmonton 7:00pm
Tuesday Jan. 25/11 Medicine Hat @ Regina 7:00pm
Friday Jan. 28/11 Prince George @ Kelowna 7:00pm
Wednesday Feb. 2/11 Everett @ Kamloops 7:00pm
Friday Feb. 4/11 Vancouver @ Calgary 7:00pm
Tuesday Feb. 8/11 Medicine Hat @ Red Deer 7:00pm
Friday Feb. 11/11 Chilliwack @ Kelowna 7:00pm
Friday Feb. 18/11 Seattle @ Vancouver 7:30pm
Friday Feb. 25/11 Brandon @ Saskatoon 7:00pm
Wednesday Mar. 2/11 Lethbridge @ Chilliwack 7:00pm
Friday Mar. 4/11 Kootenay @ Saskatoon 7:00pm
Tuesday Mar. 8/11 Tri-City @ Kamloops 7:00pm
Friday Mar. 11/11 Moose Jaw @ Regina 7:00pm
Friday Mar. 18/11 Brandon @ Moose Jaw 7:00pm

CJHL Top 20

The CJHL Weekly Top 20 as of Monday, September 20, 2010

1. (13) Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL)
2. (NR) Markham Waxers (OJHL)
3. (5) Brockville Braves (CJHL)
4. (9) Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
5. (6) Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL)
6. (NR) Surrey Eagles (BCHL)
7. (NR) Metro Marauders (MHL)
8. (NR) Langley Chiefs (BCHL)
9. (NR) Lloydminster Bobcats (AJHL)
10. (NR) Streetsville Derbys (OJHL)
11. (NR) Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)
12. (NR) Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
13. (HM) Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL)
14. (NR) Upper Canada Patriots (OJHL)
15. (NR) Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
16. (16) Fort William North Stars (SIJHL)
17. (NR) Humboldt Broncos (SJHL)
18. (NR) Okotoks Oilers (AJHL)
19. (NR) Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)
20. (NR) Le College Francais de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ)

Honorable mention goes to the Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL), Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL), Selkirk Steelers (MJHL), Whitby Fury (OJHL), and the Valleyfield Braves (LHJAAAQ).

Riders Continue To Draw Viewers

TSN is reporting their second highest audience for a CFL game this year. TSN says they had an average of 1.2 million people checking out Friday's game against the Stampeders. I believe (and I may be wrong on this one) that the highest ranked game this season was the Bombers-Riders Labour Day game.

At the same time, the football club has announced today that the October 17th game against Calgary is a sell-out. Gee, there's a surprise!