Thursday . . .

THE PLAYOFF CHASE
Teams in the running for playoff spots, showing games remaining (d — denotes division leaders, who are seeded one-two):
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(top eight advance)
dx-Brandon (11) 41-16-1-3-86
d-Calgary (12) 41-17-1-1-84
x-Saskatoon (13) 40-13-3-3-86
Kootenay (12) 37-18-3-2-79
Medicine Hat (10) 33-21-3-5-74
Red Deer (12) 34-22-0-4-72
Swift Current (10) 31-27-0-4-66
Moose Jaw (13) 28-23-4-4-64
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Prince Albert (12) 28-27-3-2-61
Regina (12) 25-28-3-4-57
Thursday: No games scheduled.
Friday: Regina at Brandon; Calgary at Kelowna; Spokane at Kootenay; Prince George at Red Deer; Vancouver at Saskatoon; Chilliwack at Swift Current.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
(top eight advance)
dx-Tri-City (14) 41-15-1-2-85
dx-Vancouver (12) 36-20-1-3-76
x-Everett (12) 37-19-3-1-78
x-Portland (10) 37-22-2-1-77
x-Spokane (12) 36-20-3-1-76
Kelowna (12) 29-26-2-3-63
Kamloops (10) 27-29-2-4-60
Chilliwack (12) 26-28-1-5-58
x — clinched playoff spot.
Thursday: No games scheduled.
Friday: Seattle at Kamloops; Calgary at Kelowna; Spokane at Kootenay; Vancouver at Saskatoon; Chilliwack at Swift Current; Everett at Tri-City.
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It’s true! It’s true!!
The Scooter is making a comeback. Well, he is for one night.
The Portland Winterhawks announced Thursday that “legendary Winterhawks play-by-play announcer Dean (Scooter) Vrooman will return to the radio broadcast booth Saturday night and join his son Todd in calling the Winterhawks game against the Kelowna Rockets on Freedom 970 AM.
“The Vroomans will be together in the broadcast booth as Andy Kemper, the team’s play-by-play announcer, has a family commitment that night and is unable to attend the game. Todd Vrooman will handle play-by-play for the first and third periods with Dean Vrooman doing color, while Dean will handle play-by-play duties in the second period with Todd providing analysis.
“Dean Vrooman was the play-by-play voice of the Winterhawks for 25 years, and called the action for the team’s Memorial Cup championships in 1983 and 1998.”
You can bet there will be a lot of smiles in the rink Saturday as Scooter patrols his old stomping grounds. Gotta think the start of the second period opens with the fans standing, looking to the broadcast booth and providing an ovation.
Scooter, have a good one!
By the way, this is believed to be the first time a father-son combination have handled a WHL broadcast. There was a time when Dave Sheldon, then the radio voice of the Vancouver Giants, planned on doing a game with his father. But it never came to pass.
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There is going to be an interesting battle for the starting goaltender’s position when the Kamloops Blazers open training camp for the 2010-11 season. Yes, Jon Groenheyde, who presently is in a supporting role to Kurtis Mucha, likely will be seen as the favourite. But should Josh Thorimbert, who has a late-1992 birthdate, decide the WHL is the way for him, he very well could push, and push hard, in an attempt to become the No. 1 guy in the ’Loops. Thorimbert, the 59th pick in the 2007 bantam draft, has had a tremendous season with the SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers. There’s more on that right here.
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There is some injury news as the Regina Pats prepare to visit the Wheat Kings in Brandon on Friday night. . . . The Pats will welcome back F Garrett Mitchell (concussion) after a three-game absence. . . . The Wheat Kings will be without F Paul Ciarelli (hand) indefinitely. He was injured Sunday against the host Medicine Hat Tigers. . . . D Travis Hamonic, whom Brandon acquired from the Moose Jaw Warriors at the trade deadline, is now engaging in full practices. You may recall that he hasn’t played since suffering a shoulder injury while playing for Canada at the World Junior Championship. He hopes to play on or about March 1. . . . Brandon D Colby Robak (leg) didn’t practice Thursday but should play on the weekend. . . . The Wheat Kings visit the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday with the two teams tied for first in the overall standings. What might the over-under be on the attendance?
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The Calgary Hitmen visit the Rockets in Kelowna on Friday. It was just last spring when the Rockets took six games to beat the Hitmen in the WHL’s championship final. . . . The Rockets now are 29-26-2-3 and trying to get healthy and ready for playoffs, while the Hitmen are 41-17-1-1 and poised for another deep playoff run. . . . When the Hitmen visited Kelowna on Oct. 28, the Rockets put up a 4-1 victory. . . . Kelowna D Dallas Jackson (ankle) may not play, while LW Evan Bloodoff, out all season with a knee injury, is getting closer and may play before month’s end. It just won’t be this weekend.
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F Campbell Elynuik of the Everett Silvertips will sit this weekend with a shoulder injury. . . . The Kamloops Blazers will continue to be without D Ryan Funk (ankle) and F Jordan DePape (ribs) as they prepare for home games Friday (Seattle Thunderbirds) and Saturday (Calgary Hitmen). Those injuries mean the Blazers are playing four 16-year-olds on a regular basis -- D Tyler Hansen,
F Colin Smith, F Rhyse Dieno and F JC Lipon.
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The Spokane Chiefs plan on throwing a party on Feb. 26 prior to their game with the visiting Prince George Cougars. On that night, the Chiefs, who are celebrating their 25th season in Spokane, will reveal what they are calling their Top 25 Chiefs in 25 Years.” According to a press release, “A majority of the Top 25 Chiefs in 25 Years will be in attendance and honored at center ice. The ceremony will begin at 7:00 with the puck dropping at 7:30.” . . . The Chiefs moved to Spokane from Kelowna -- remember the Wings? -- prior to the 1985-86 season. . . . According to that same press release: “417 players have worn a Chiefs jersey with 47 of them playing at least one game in the National Hockey League. . . . Chiefs fans had the opportunity to help select the top 25 Chiefs through on-line voting and balloting at the games. Other factors in selecting the top 25 Chiefs included career achievements, honors and team success.”
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Here’s an edited version of a press release that was issued Thursday:
The Canadian Hockey League in association with the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup Host Committee has announced the schedule and start times for the tournament that will be held May 14-23 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon.
The puck drops on Friday, May 14, when the host Wheat Kings take on the champions from the OHL, with the tournament wrapping up with the championship final scheduled for Sunday, May 23. All games will be televised by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS.
2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup Schedule (all times Central):
Round-Robin Game 1 – OHL vs. Brandon, Friday, May 14, 7 p.m.
Round-Robin Game 2 – WHL vs. QMJHL, Saturday, May 15, 2 p.m.
Round-Robin Game 3 – Brandon vs. QMJHL, Sunday, May 16, 2 p.m.
Round-Robin Game 4 – WHL vs. OHL, Monday, May 17, 7 p.m.
Round-Robin Game 5 – QMJHL vs. OHL, Tuesday, May 18, 7 p.m.
Round-Robin Game 6 – Brandon vs. WHL, Wednesday, May 19, 7 p.m.
Tie-Breaker (if necessary) – Thursday, May 20, 7 p.m.
Semifinal – Friday, May 21, 7:00 p.m.
Championship final – Sunday, May 23, 2 p.m.
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A limited number of 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament packages are available for $399 plus GST. If you’re interested, contact the Wheat Kings' office at 204-726-3535 or by email at office@wheatkings.com.