Meeting leftovers. . . .

Some leftovers from the WHL conference call held Wednesday after the conclusion of the board of governors’ meeting in Calgary. . . .
Kelly McCrimmon, the owner/general manager/head coach of the Brandon Wheat Kings, explaining renovations that will be done to the arena in Brandon prior to the 2010 Memorial Cup: “The Province of Manitoba and the City of Brandon both stepped up financially, providing $5 mill for capital expenditures to our building. That will enable us to put in luxury suits, add a video scoreclock, put in an additional press box and refurbish the old press box. The hockey club will get a new dressing room, we will do dressing room renovations to our existing space, and we will put in arena lighting. It’s going to leave a real lasting legacy.”
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Ron Robison, the WHL commissioner, explaining the challenges of dealing with a Memorial Cup bid from an American franchise: “There are issues and challenges, (especially) with Canadian-based sponsorship marketing programs. Events in the U.S. do cause some difficulty with respect to some of our current agreements we’re in. It was a concern and a challenge that we had relative to the Everett bid.
“The Canadian Hockey League is working on a policy in that respect to ensure that all member clubs have the opportunity to host. We’re working through that at the present time. The policy has not been completed but we hope to get to that as soon as we can.”
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Robison, on the controversy involving F Evan Pighin, who wasn’t released by the WHL’s Chilliwack Bruins but is playing with the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies: “We have forwarded it to Hockey Canada for reveiw. We feel that Evan Pighin is a player who is under suspension by the WHL and we have some things we need to sort out before that player is playing.
“We feel it is very important that a meeting be called immediately to discuss the situation because we didn’t grant that release and the player remains under suspension.
“We’ve requested a meeting with Hockey Canada, Hockey B.C., the BCHL and the WHL . . . not only commissioners and presidents, but those who have an ownership stake and a role on the boards of those organizations. Those are the policy-makers who need to come to some understanding moving forward.”
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Bob Tory, the Tri-City Americans’ general manager, to Annie Fowler of the Tri-City Herald, on the Portland sale: “It was time a move was made. The situation as it was wasn’t good for the players, the franchise or the partners in the league. The new owner is very impressive man and very passionate. He will be hands-on from a business standpoint. He understands the job is not an easy one, but he’s willing to take the time. He’s committed to the Portland market and I think he will be a good partner for the league.”
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Bill Bestwick, the operations director, GM and head coach of the BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers, talking about Portland owner Bill Gallacher with Jason Vondersmith of the Portland Tribune: "He's clearly extremely successful and a visionary in respect to his undertakings, and very diverse – sports, oil/gas and other endeavors. He's a wonderful man and true gentleman. Aristocratic, yet down to earth. He surrounds himself with quality people, and he's a wonderful people person. . . . He'll understand what the Winter Hawks mean intrinsically to Portland, as he has with the Clippers and Nanaimo. I would expect him to keep his distance, but he'll be and want to be the best."