Thursday . . .

So much for former NHLer Jon Klemm as an assistant coach with the Spokane Chiefs. It turns out that he has signed to play in Germany with the Straubing Tigers (DEL). Will have to check my list to see else might be a candidate. . . . Hey, just trying to help . . .
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Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News and Observer reports that C Zach Boychuk, the Lethbridge Hurricanes’ sniper, is ahead of schedule as he recovers from surgery on his left wrist. In fact, Boychuk, who was taken by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first-round of the 2008 NHL draft, will go to camp with the Hurricanes and take part in skating drills. "He probably won't be able to handle the puck or shoot the puck, but he can get in all the skating drills," GM Jimmy Rutherford told Alexander. ". . . We're really excited about him. He has such a high skill level." . . . Boychuk will be returned to the Hurricanes at some point, but there still isn’t a date set for his return to contact.
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Former NHL D Jeff Beukeboom, 43, has joined the OHL’s Barrie Colts as an assistant coach. Beukeboom, who retired in 1999, played 15 NHL seasons. He has coaching experience as an assistant with the AHL’s Toronto Roadrunners. Drake Berehowsky, another former NHL defenceman, also is on the Colts’ coaching staff, working under head coach Marty Williamson.
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Eric Duhatschek of The Globe and Mail tackles the story of Stefan Legien in a column that is on that paper’s website. Legien is the 19-year-old second-round NHL draft pick who has said he is quitting hockey and won't be reporting to the Columbus Blue Jackets. . . . Duhatschek points out that what seems to have a 24/7 hockey regimen is putting a lot of strain on teenagers in our society. He also notes that no less an authority than Wayne Gretzky has long been a proponent of having young athletes play as many sports as possible. . . . It does seem that more and more teenagers are walking away from hockey, saying they’ve had enough and that they want to try something else in life. Hopefully, the pooh-bahs who run the game at the lower levels are noticing. . . . Duhatschek’s column is right here.
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Annie Fowler reports in the Tri-City Herald that the city of Kennewick, Wash., is spending almost $300,000 on improvements to the Toyota Centre, the home of the Americans. The improvements include new rink boards and new glass. The boards, Americans’ GM Bob Tory told Fowler, “will be the same as in Pittsburgh at Mellon Arena. We thank the city and the venue for taking the initiative for getting this done.” . . . According to Fowler: “The old tempered glass is being replaced with Plexiglas with stanchions between the panes. When players collide along the boards, the boards and glass will absorb most of the impact, making it safer for the players.” As well, steps are being taken to improve ice conditions.