Early Friday . . .

THE MacBETH REPORT: F Byron Ritchie (Lethbridge) signed with Geneve-Servette (Swiss NL A). He was with Vancouver Canucks last season. . . . D Troy Neumeier (Prince Albert) re-signed with Hull Stingrays (UK Elite Hockey League). He had six goals and nine assists in 55 games with Belfast, Coventry, and Hull last season. (Good luck to Garth MacBeth, the veteran WHL scout who helps out around here by keeping an eye on the European scene. This was his last day at his job in Seattle; he is leaving and doesn’t know what the future holds, other than some travel and a lacrosse game on the Lower Mainland.)
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If you’re wondering how long-time scout Ray Dudra went from the Spokane Chiefs’ staff to that of the Prince Albert Raiders, Adam Hawboldt of the Prince Albert Daily Herald has the story right here.
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To say that there is unrest among the fans in Portland would be like saying there is a bit of smog in Beijing. . . . The situation in Portland is such that a poor start might inflict permanent damage to what was once not just the best U.S.-based franchise in the CHL but one of major junior hockey’s flagships. . . . These days, the franchise is stuck in the mud and hasn’t been able to extricate itself. . . . These days, also, there is much frustration among the fans as they wonder what they’re in for in the coming months, especially after the two abysmal seasons they have most recently experienced. Fans being fans this bunch is hoping for the best, but they realize that not much seems to have happened that would seem to indicate things are turning around.
And of late there have been rumours of a big monied man attempting to ride to the rescue. (How much money? Well, I was told to think Jim Balsillie money, but the person who told me that wasn’t about to cough up a name.) The man with the money doesn’t seem to have a name and the story, while full of speculation and innuendo, is short on facts.
But if you want to know how many fans of the Winter Hawks are feeling these days, surf on over to here and check out the entry headlined Confidential to Ron Robison.