Some Thursday notes . . .

Get out of bed this morning and discover that Floyd Landis has confessed to using PEDs. Hey, are we shocked, or what? And he starts sniping at other cyclists for using PEDs. More shock. . . . What is the world coming to? . . . Floyd, go back in your hole.
---
Anyway, some offday notes and a T-shirt offer . . .

THE MacBETH REPORT: F Owen Fussey (Calgary, Moose Jaw, 1999-2003) signed a one-year contract with the Coventry Blaze (UK Elite). He had 35 goals and 31 assists in 49 games for Edinburgh Capitals (UK Elite) this season while winning the Elite Ice Hockey League Newcomer of the Year award. . . . F Dustin Johner (Seattle, 1999-2004) signed a one-year contract with Växjö (Sweden Allsvenskan). He had 18 goals and 29 assists in 35 games with Heilbronner Falken (Germany 2.Bundesliga) after starting
the season on a try-out contract with Ilves Tampere (Finland SM-Liiga), where he had no points in two games. . . . F Brett McLean (Tacoma/Kelowna, Brandon, 1994-99) signed a one-year contract extension with Bern (Switzerland NL A). He had 13 goals and 20 assists in 34 games for Bern this season. . . . F Matt Davidson (Portland, 1993-97) signed a one-year contract extension with Tingsryd (Sweden Allsvenskan). He had 24 goals and 33 assists in 41 games for Tingsryd in Division 1 during the regular season. Davidson was a key performer in Tingsryd promotion from Division 1 to Allsvenskan, getting nine goals and three assists in 10 Allsvenskan Qualifying Series games. One indication of Davidson’s popularity in Tingsryd: the club started selling autographed Matt Davidson t-shirts for 299 Swedish crowns (Cdn$39.89, US$38.06) on Saturday as a way to help raise money so the club could re-sign Davidson. In the first three days, they sold 170 shirts in a city with a population of 2,953 within the city limits and 12,502 in the municipality. The shirts have the club logo, an action photo of Davidson, and his signature on the front. On the back, it reads “Matt is back – Thanks to me.” You can see and purchase one here (in Swedish). Visa and MasterCard are accepted. . . .
G Dusan Salficky (Tri-City, 1990-91) signed a one-year contract extension with Plzen (Czech Republic Extraliga). He had a 1.86 GAA and a .931 save percentage in nine games with Plzen this season. Salficky was loaned to Sparta Prague (Czech Republic Extraliga) for one game (two goals allowed, .956 save percentage) and to Slovan Usti nad Labem (Czech Republic 2.Liga) for 20 games (2.51 GAA, .914 save percentage). . . .
D Jiri Ryzuk (Kootenay, 2007-08) signed a try-out contract with Landshut Cannibals (Germany 2.Bundesliga). He had no points in 33 games with Karlovy Vary U20 (Czech Republic U20 Extraliga) this season.
---
F Cody Gross, 20, who has played with four WHL teams, will attend the U of Regina in the fall and play for the Cougars. Gross, who is from Winnipeg, is friends with former Regina Pats F Matt Strueby, who also has committed to the U of R. The two were teammates with the Pats in 2007-08. Gross also played for the Prince Albert Raiders, Red Deer Rebels and Calgary Hitmen during his WHL career.
---
The QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles have signed GM/head coach Mario Durocher to a two-year contract. The Sydney, N.S.-based club was 41-22-2-3 this season and lost out in the first round to the eventual-champion Moncton Wildcats. Durocher will be heading into his third season with the Screaming Eagles.
---
By the way, the QMJHL released its preseason schedule on Thursday. The first game is set for Aug. 19.
---
Jim Mullin of Vancouver radio station CKNW reports: “It looks like Vancouver Giants general manger Scott Bonner will remain in Vancouver for now. Bonner had meetings with Edmonton Oiler GM Steve Tambellini late last week regarding the assistant GM job with the club. The majority of the job would be managing the Oilers AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City. Kelowna Rockets VP of Business Developement Gavin Hamilton and Tri-City Americans boss Bob Tory are two on the list who the Oilers will look at from the WHL for the position.”
Meanwhile, Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province is reporting that the Giants have given permission to the Regina Pats to talk with Jason Ripplinger about the vacant GM’s position. Ripplinger is the Giants’ director of player personnel. Interestingly, his brother, Todd, is the Pats’ director of scouting and is believed to be a candidate for the GM’s job in Regina. . . . Head on over to Ewen's blog (The Dub Hub) to read his job description for the Oklahoma City GM's position. Hilarious!