Monday . . .

THE COACHING GAME: As expected, the Regina Pats have signed Shaun Sutter to a two-year contract as assistant coach. The story was first reported Saturday by Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post. Sutter, the son of former NHL/WHL player and coach Brian Sutter, will work with head coach Curtis Hunt. Shaun Sutter spent four seasons as a WHL player before going on to a pro career. He doesn’t have any coaching experience. . . . Leo Luongo has confirmed that he will be back for a second season as goaltending coach with the QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan. He is the younger brother of Vancouver Canucks G Roberto Luongo, who played for the Titan. . . . Bob Leeson of the Sault Star reports that former Ottawa Senators head coach Craig Hartsburg visited Everett on Sunday. However, Hartsburg wouldn’t confirm having visited the Washingon city. “There’s not a lot to tell,” Hartsburg said. Leeson’s story is right here. . . .
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There is a court case of interest to the hockey world taking place in Victoria.
Former WHLer Robin Gomez (Calgary, Seattle, 1999-2002) is on trial, charged with assault causing bodily harm. The charge stems from an incident in an ECHL game played in Victoria on March 1, 2008.
Gomez, who was playing for the Victoria Salmon Kings, is charged with assaulting Chris Ferraro, who was with the Las Vegas Wranglers.
Ferraro testified Monday, which was the first day of the trial.
But there is another WHL angle to the trial. Gomez is being defended by the legal team of Alexander (Sandy) Watt and his son, Jordan, who is a former WHL goaltender (Kelowna, Red Deer, 1998-99).
For Day 1 coverage of the trial, look here or here.
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RW Nick Shore, whom the Kelowna Rockets selected with the 135th pick of the 2007 bantam draft, likely will go the college route. In fact, he is believed to have narrowed his choices down to Denver U or Boston U. . . . His brother, Drew, a centre, was selected by the Chilliwack Bruins with the 22nd pick of the 2006 bantam draft. He has committed to Denver. Drew is one of the 43 players who has been invited to the U.S. national junior team’s evaluation camp.
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An interesting press release from the Saskatoon Blades:
“The Saskatoon Blades would like to recognize the accomplishments of alumni in the professional hockey coaching world.
“Ten individuals who either played with or coached the Saskatoon Blades were in the North American professional coaching ranks during the 2008-09 season. Among these, two were National Hockey League head coaches and two were National Hockey League assistant coaches.
“A Blades defenceman during the 1980-81 season, Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock guided his team to the Stanley Cup final for the second straight season, finishing as runner-up to the Pittsburgh Penguins after beating the same Penguins team a year ago. The Red Wings won the Central Division regular season pennant, finishing second in the Western Conference standings. One of the assistant coaches on the Red Wings staff was former Blades head coach Brad McCrimmon (1998-00).
“The President's Trophy winners, the San Jose Sharks, were led by head coach Todd McLellan, a Blades forward for four seasons (1983-1987). Trent Yawney (defenceman 1981-1985), an assistant coach on the Sharks staff, was a teammate of McLellan's during his time with the Blades. The Sharks were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Anaheim Ducks.
“Lane Lambert (forward 1981-1983), head coach of the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals, led the team to the West Division regular-season pennant, before bowing out in the playoffs to the Houston Aeros in the West Division final.
Jason Christie (forward 1986-1990) was an assistant coach with the AHL's Chicago Wolves during 2008-09. The Wolves finished sixth in the West Division and missed the playoffs.
“Jared Bednar (defenceman 1990-91), head coach of the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays, guided the team to a Kelly Cup championship, beating the Alaska Aces in the final. The Stingrays finished the regular season in second place in the South Division.
“Glen Gulutzan (forward 1991-92), head of the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers, took the team to the National Conference final, losing out to the Alaska Aces. The Wranglers ended the regular season in second place in the Pacific Division.
“Kevin Kaminski (forward 1984-89) was named the CHL’s Coach of the Year after leading the Mississippi RiverKings to the Northeast Division title. The RiverKings lost out in the semifinals of the Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs to the Colorado Eagles.
“Finally, Terry Ruskowski, who served as head coach of the Blades for two seasons (1989-91), finished up his sixth season as head coach of the CHL's Laredo Bucks. The Bucks ended the regular season in second place in the Southeast Division, before losing out in the quarterfinals to the Odessa Jackalopes.”