Monday's musings . . .

Be sure to enjoy NHL trade deadline day. Rest assured that more hot air will blow out of the Toronto sports networks on Tuesday than on any other day of the year. . . .

D Riley LaForge, the son of Edmonton Oil Kings governor Patrick LaForge, has made a commitment to Brown University in Providence, R.I. LaForge, 18, is expected to join Brown in the fall and play for the Bears. The Medicine Hat Tigers selected LaForge with the 59th pick of the 2004 bantam draft but dropped him from their list in 2006. He presently is with the AJHL’s Fort McMurray Oil Barons. . . .

The Moose Jaw Warriors, who snapped a six-game losing skein with a 4-2 victory over the visiting Kamloops Blazers on Saturday, are preparing to welcome back team captain Riley Holzapfel. He has missed five games with an abdominal strain but is expected to play Tuesday against the visiting Chilliwack Bruins. . . .

D Theran Yeo (ankle) has missed 12 games but was on the ice Monday with the Brandon Wheat Kings. He didn’t take part in any contact, however. . . . Brandon LW Daniel Bartek (leg) didn’t practise Monday but should play Wednesday against the visiting Chilliwack Bruins. . . .

We close a quiet Monday with a note from blog.oregonlive.com/tailgate/ . . . A reader named Jerry sent an email to the blog:
"How about a game between the Winter Hawks and the OSU Beavers? Then maybe someone could end their long slumps."
Blogger Ryan White added:
“The Winter Hawks have lost 18 games in a row.
“Oregon State has lost 17 games in a row.
“I think this is a great idea. But they can't play hockey or basketball . . . because clearly they've proven they can't play hockey or basketball.
“Here's what we do. We bring Oregon State up here to Portland, let the Winter Hawks pick their top 15, since they've got numbers, let the coaches set up the rosters and let them loose on Pirate Mini-Golf . . . Ryder Cup style.
“Someone has to win. Unless they tie.”
In which case, it says here, it would go to a shootout.