Hurricanes have their man

The Lethbridge Hurricanes will name Rich Preston as their general manager and head coach at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
Preston, who has spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Calgary Flames, is a veteran of the coaching wars. The 57-year-old Preston spent two seasons as head coach of the Regina Pats (1995-97), compiling a 79-60-5 record. . . . The Hurricanes didn’t renew the contract of head coach Michael Dyck after the 2008-09 season and later fired general manager Roy Stasiuk.
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G Kurtis Mucha of the Portland Winter Hawks won’t be attending the Edmonton Oilers’ prospects camp that starts this weekend in the Alberta capital. The Oilers drafted Olivier Roy, an 18-year-old from the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, in the fifth round on Saturday. That combined with a desire to keep down the numbers in camp cost Mucha a spot in the camp. . . . Mucha lives in Sherwood Park, so it’s not like it would have cost them a ton of money to bring him into the camp. . . . Here’s hoping that Mucha lands a tryout with another team. Because after what he’s been through over the last three seasons in Portland, no one deserves it more.
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If you haven’t had your Tuesday chuckle yet, well, hold on because here it comes . . .
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators will play an NHL exhibition game in Regina on Sept. 21. . . . So, you ask, what’s the big deal? . . . Well, according to a press release, “ticket prices are $79.50 to $109.50 plus applicable service charges.” . . . Geez, Mayor Pat Fiacco and the gang must have that Regina economy really booming. After all, we’re talking about an EXHIBITION game. . . . This was quite a press release that was churned out by the folks at Evraz Place which, I think, used to go by the name Regina Exhibition Park. For starters, it referred to Ottawa’s first pick in the 2009 draft as Jared “Cowan” when it is spelled “Cowen.” The kid’s from Allan, Sask., so the least Prairie folks could do is get it right. . . . And then there was this gaffe: “Regina Pats season ticket holders and 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship package holders will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets prior to the Friday, July 3rd general pubic on-sale.” . . . Who knows? Maybe if you are able to prove you’re a member of the general pubic they’ll give you a discount. Maybe get you a ticket for under $50. Plus applicable service charges, of course.
NOTE: I have been informed that the "folks at Evraz Place" didn't have anything to do with the production of this press release, that it was the work of the promoter who is putting on the game.