F Lynn Loyns (Spokane, 1997-2001) signed a try-out contract with the Ravensburg Towerstars (Germany, 2. Bundesliga). He had one goal and one assist in nine games with Villach (Austria, Erste Bank Liga) and three goals and four assists in 35 games with Dusseldorf (Germany, DEL) last season. . . .
D Logan Stephenson (Try-City, 2001-06) signed a contract for the rest of this season with Sparta Sarpsborg (Norway, GET-Bank Ligaen), six days after his release by Karlskrona (Sweden, Allsvenskan). He had one assist in 21 games with Karlskrona. Stephenson played in the Get-Bank Ligaen last season with Vålerenga Oslo, getting eight goals and 15 assists in 28 games. . . .
F Kevin Saurette (Regina, 1997-99) signed a contract for the rest of this season with Belfast Giants (Northern Ireland, UK Elite) after obtaining his release from Kaufbeuren (Germany, 2. Bundesliga). He leaves Kaufbeuren as the team's leading scorer so far this season with 10 goals and 16 assists in 25 games.
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A news release from CBC-TV regarding a show that everyone who is involved in sports should watch. . . .
“Are hockey and football players risking brain damage from repeated blows to the head? The Passionate Eye presents the World Premiere of HEAD GAMES, from acclaimed director Steve James (Academy Award-nominated Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters). The documentary is a wake-up call for parents and athletes who think concussions are just part of the game. Told through the personal stories of professional and amateur athletes who share their struggles in dealing with the devastating and long-term effects of concussions, and medical experts who want to reduce the risks to young players.
“HEAD GAMES is a revealing documentary about the concussion crisis, an epidemic fueled by the ‘leave everything on the field’ culture so prominent in North American sports. Inspired by events from the book 'Head Games' written by former Ivy League Football Player and WWE Wrestler Christopher Nowinski, the film contrasts the latest evidence and cutting-edge science on head trauma from the nation's leading medical experts with first-hand accounts from the athletes, coaches, and parents who must tread the difficult balance between sports excellence and basic self-preservation.
“Former National Hockey League player Keith Primeau reveals his struggles with the multiple concussions that forced him into early retirement. Former Olympian and U.S. professional soccer player Cindy Parlow Cone, who lives with the aftermath of concussion, is an example of the risk of head injury for young soccer players, especially female players, who are at greater risk from heading the ball.
“Featured in the film is the research of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University. Their latest findings, released last week, identified four stages of a degenerative disorder in the brains of some deceased athletes, including NHL players. It offers a glimpse into the potential long-term impact of brain injuries for athletes. And, earlier this week, a new Canadian study suggested that restrictions on bodychecking in minor hockey could help reduce injuries.
“HEAD GAMES will expose viewers to one of the leading public health issues of our time, raising the question: ‘How much of you are you willing to lose for a game?’ ”
It is scheduled to be shown Saturday, Dec. 22, on the CBC News Network beginning at 4 p.m. PT (7 p.m. ET).
If you can’t be home to watch it, record it. Just don’t miss it.
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THE COACHING GAME:
The OHL’s Peterborough Petes fired head coach Mike Pelino on Thursday. Assistant coach Jody Hull, a former NHLer, has taken over as head coach for the rest of this season.
The Petes were 55-102-14 under Pelino, who is a former Spokane Chiefs assistant coach (1997-99). . . . Earlier in the season, the Petes fired general manager Dave Reid. . . . Peterborough (8-23-4) has the OHL’s poorest record and is 14 points out of a playoff spot.Mike Davies of the Peterborough Examiner spoke with Pelino, who really opens up about what happened. I have a feeling that Pelino’s quotes could belong to just about any major junior coach who gets fired during a season. That piece is right here.
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F Keegan Iverson and F Dominic Turgeon of the Portland Winterhawks will play for the U.S. at the U17 World Hockey Challenge in Drummondville and Victoriaville, Que., Dec. 28 through Jan. 4. . . . Iverson has four goals and four assists in 26 games. Turgeon,
the son of former NHLer Pierre Turgeon, has one goal and two assists in 28 games. . . . They are the only two CHL players on the U.S. roster. . . . This means the Winterhawks will have had seven players off their roster involved in international play this month. . . . F Ty Rattie and D Tyler Wotherspoon will play for Canada in the World Junior Championship, while D Seth Jones is certain to be on Team USA. . . . Earlier in the month, F Oliver Bjorkstrand (Denmark) and D Layne Viveiros (Austria) played in the IIHF’s Division I Group A World Junior Championship in Amiens, France.———
Meanwhile, Jeff Z. Klein of The New York Times profiles Portland D Seth Jones right here. It seems the kid’s pretty good at basketball, too.
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From former Brandon Wheat Kings F Jordin Tootoo (@Jtootoo22): “2 yrs today I became a sober man. How time flys when you enjoy life to the fullest everyday. Thank you for all your support. #onedayatatime”
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