D Sergei Klimentyev (Medicine Hat, 1993-95) announced his retirement in an interview session with local journalists. He had one goal and three assists in 25 games with Berkut Kyiv (Ukraine, PHL) this season. In the interview, Klimentyev noted that the Berkut players have not been paid their salaries for the last four months. . . .
F Robin Figren (Calgary, Edmonton, 2006-08) signed a two-year contract with Frölunda Gothenburg (Sweden, Elitserien). Figren had nine goals and four assists in 55 games with Linköping (Sweden, Elitserien) this season but stepped up the pace with four goals and three assists in 10 playoff games. Linköping announced earlier this week that they would not offer a contract for next season to Figren. . . .
Adler Mannheim (Germany, DEL) announced they would not offer contracts for next season to five players, including F Yannic Seidenberg (Medicine Hat, 2003-04). He had seven goals and 18 assists in 50 games with Adler this season.———
To the person who sent a note about the troll: “I have had the exact same thought, and on more than one occasion.”
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This has nothing to do with hockey, but is an amazing story.
Let’s say that you have been in something of a coma for five years. When you wake up, what are your first words? In the case of Evie Branan, it was: “I want to go to a Bob Seger concert.” . . . Branan, now 79, is going to see that concert next month. . . . Sarah Schuch of the Flint Journal has that story right here.
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Apologies to F Victor Rask of the Calgary Hitmen. I have been writing that F JC Lipon of the Kamloops Blazes is the only WHL player with at least a point in each of his team’s playoff games this spring. (It is spring, isn’t it?) . . . It turns out that Rask, a 19-year-old from Sweden, has at least a point in each of the Calgary’s 10 games. Rask has put up 13 points, four of them goals, in 10 games. . . .
The Kelowna Rockets announced yesterday that Jeff Thorburn, their veteran athletic therapist, is leaving the organization. He is moving over to UBC-Okanagan, which also in Kelowna. . . .
D Damon Severson of the Kelowna Rockets will finish up his season with the Albany River Rats, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Severson was a second-round selection by the Devils in the NHL’s 2012 draft.
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THE COACHING GAME:
Former NHLer Bob Corkum has been named the interim head coach of the U of Maine Black Bears. He takes over, at least for now, from Tim Whitehead, who was fired this week. . . . Corkum has been the Black Bears’ associate head coach since 2008. . . .
John Olver, a veteran of the coaching game, has been named the general manager of the ECHL’s Bakersfield Condors. . . . For the last three seasons, Olver, 54, has worked as the GM/head coach of the Idaho Jr. Steelheads, a junior A team that plays in the Western States Hockey League. . . . Olver, 54, will have to hire a head coach to replace Matt O’Dette, who won’t be back. . . . Olver spent one season (1988-89) as head coach of the Tri-City Americans. They went 33-34-5 in what was their first season playing out of Kennewick, Wash.———
When the WHL’s conference finals begin next week, Shaw TV will be showing the series between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Calgary Hitmen. That series begins with games in Edmonton on Thursday and Friday. . . . The other final features the Portland Winterhawks and Kamloops Blazers. The first two games are in Portland on Friday and Saturday, April 20.
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The WHL’s playoff situation:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
THIRD ROUND
Edmonton (1) vs. Calgary (3)
Series opens Thursday in Edmonton.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
THIRD ROUND
Portland (1) vs. Kamloops (3)
Series opens Friday in Portland.
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FRIDAY’S GAMES:
No games scheduled.
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CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT (16):
None
CHECKING-TO-THE-HEAD COUNT (5):
None
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