Taking Note

It seems that this is a big weekend for more than one Tiger.
While Tiger Woods begins his golf season this weekend in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines near San Diego, an emailer early Thursday informs that one of the most popular players -- who at the same time likely was one of the most unpopular players -- in NHL history is about to make a comeback of sorts.
Apparently, Dave (Tiger) Williams (Swift Current, 1971-74) practised with the Herbert Hawks of the Notekeu Hockey League on Wednesday night in preparation for a game tonight against the visiting Mossbank Blades. Game time is 8:30.
Here’s hoping that Tiger scores at least one goal and treats the fans to the riding of the stick through the neutral zone.
The Notekeu Hockey League -- yes, there is more than one NHL -- features nine teams in communities located in the southwestern side of Saskatchewan.
Mossbank and Herbert go into tonight’s game tied for second place.
Williams, if you are wondering, is to turn 57 on Feb. 3.
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You have to assume that all WHL coaches aspire to be running a bench in the National Hockey League; after all, the NHL is The Show to coaches, too.
However, Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post has learned that at least some of the WHL’s coaches aren’t necessarily in a hurry to get to the NHL. Check that story out right here.
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Sean Rooney of the Medicine Hat News has a look at a young player who has scored more than 100 goals in fewer than 30 games. . . . That story is right here.
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Earlier this season, F Jake Trask had trouble getting playing time. Now he’s on a line with two players off Canada’s national junior team. Cory Wolfe of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix has that story right here.
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JUST NOTES: The Spokane Chiefs have played 48 games this season; the Tri-City Americans have played 45. They have met each other four times, which means they will clash eight more times during this regular season. The first of those eight is Saturday in Spokane. . . . D Cason Machacek of the Lethbridge Hurricanes has been suspended for five games for his actions at the end of the second period of what was a 10-2 loss to the host Red Deer Rebels on Wednesday night. It seems he came off the bench at the buzzer and entered into an altercation. He already has served two one-game suspensions this season. . . . F Connor Redmond, who had offseason shoulder surgery, may play his first game of the season for the Vancouver Giants tonight. They are at home to the Kamloops Blazers. . . . Kamloops finishes up a stretch of three road games in four nights on Saturday against the Chilliwack Bruins. The Blazers will meet the Bruins three times in a four-game stretch, with a visit from the Everett Silvertips squeezed in Wednesday. . . . The Kelowna Rockets entertain the Prince George Cougars tonight. That is the first of seven in a row for the Rockets against B.C. Division foes.