Former WHLer needing some help

THE MacBETH REPORT:
The SM-Liiga had its board meeting on Tuesday at which it discussed the Jokerit Helsinki situation. At 7:50 p.m. Helsinki time, SM-Liiga announced the following via the league website:
“SM-Liiga and Jokerit on Tuesday reached agreement on the terms on which Jokerit has been granted the right to play in the SM-Liiga for the 2013-2014 season. It has also agreed on the terms of the agreement under which the League granted Jokerit the right to play in the Kontinental Hockey League beginning with the 2014-2015 season. SM-League Chairman Hannu Penttilä  and Jokerit owner Harry Harkimo are happy with the end result.”
It was reported to be a contentious meeting that began at 3 p.m., one where Harkimo angrily walked out twice, at 3:45 for about 45 minutes and again at 5:30 for about 30 minutes.
Initial reports are that Kärpät Oulu, HIFK Helsinki and TPS Turku were most reluctant to allow Jokerit to compete in the league under any circumstances, while some of the other clubs were open to a financial settlement from Jokerit.
After the announcement, Harkimo answered “I am not going to comment” when asked how much Jokerit had to pay to stay in SM-Liiga and whether Jokerit had to pay to leave SM-Liiga for the KHL.
When asked again, Harkimo said: “It is what it is.”
Harkimo did say: “Certainly SM-Liiga will survive Jokerit’s departure.”
SM-Liiga Chairman Hannu Penttilä said: “The process was not as it should have been, but everyone is happy now. SM-Liiga will begin as normal in September and there are no other clubs going to the KHL.”
Penttilä later said that the conditions attached to the agreement won’t be made public. It is rumoured that Jokerit must pay 5 to 8 million Euros (US$6.6 to 10.6 million, Cdn$6.8 to 10.9 million) to compensate the league and other clubs for lost revenues.
To put the amount in perspective, Jokerit’s player payroll for last season was about 4 million Euros.
Harkimo also said that the agreement for Jokerit to join the KHL is not final yet; a final decision will be made this fall.
It seems that public opinion in Finland is running against Jokerit playing in SM-Liiga this season.
On Friday, the Helsinki newspaper Iltalehti ran an online poll and 65 per cent of the 13,162 respondents said that Jokerit shouldn’t be allowed to play in SM-Liiga this season.
Another online poll, this one run by another Helsinki newspaper, Ilta-Sanomat, while the meeting was taking place, asked the question: “Should Jokerit be kicked out of SM-Liiga immediately?” Of the 8,046 respondents, 87 per cent said: “YES.”
A second Ilta-Sanomat online poll which ran after the decision was announced asked: “Was it the right decision to allow Jokerit to play in SM-Liiga this season?” Of the 10,475 respondents, 82 per cent said: “NO.”
Finally, a columnist for Ilta-Sanomat said in an editorial posted after the decision was announced that “this season, Jokerit is the most hated team more than ever.”
While we are talking SM-Liiga, here is a look at this season’s ice surface at Oulu's Energia Areena, the home arena for Kärpät Oulu. Try to find the puck quickly here. One Finnish commentator said this really gives a new meaning to the phrase “home ice advantage.”

Moving to central Europe, the Czech Republic Ice Hockey Federation and the Czech Extraliga have announced new roster rules for the 2013-14 season.
They are:
1) teams are allowed to dress for each game a maximum of 15 players born 1990 or earlier (age 23 and older);
2) each team must have at least three players dressed born between 1991 and 1993 (age 20-22); and,
3) at least one player dressed for a game must be born after 1993 (age 19 and under).
Goaltenders are exempt from these rules.
Additionally, each Extraliga team will be allowed six import (non-Czech citizen) licenses. Once an import is listed on a game sheet, that uses up one of the licenses, regardless of whether the import player actually plays in the game or not.
The intent is to try to keep more Czech young players at home and to get them drafted — there were only four Czech players drafted in the 2013 NHL draft and all four played in the CHL last season. The last player to go directly to the NHL from an Extraliga team was Edmonton Oilers D Ladislav Smid, drafted by Anaheim in 2004 from Liberec.
———
Now for Tuesday’s moves . . .
F Ryan Russell (Kootenay, 2003-07) signed a one-year contract with Leksand (Sweden, SEL). He had 10 goals and six assists in 62 games with the Springfield Falcons (AHL) last season. . . .

F Brett Sonne (Calgary, 2004-09) signed a one-year contract with Dornbirn (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). He had seven goals and eight assists in 56 games with the Peoria Rivermen (AHL), three goals and four assists in seven games with the Evansville Icemen (ECHL), and one goal and two assists in six games with the Texas Stars (AHL) last season. . . .

D Trevor Johnson (Kootenay, Seattle, Tri-City, 1998-2003) signed a one-year contract extension with Valpellice (Italy, Serie A). He had 10 goals and 34 assists in 42 games as captain of Valpellice last season. Johnson also represented Italy at both the Division 1 world championship and the Olympic Games Qualification Tournament, totaling four assists in eight games. . . .

F Ales Kilnar (Vancouver, 2012-13) signed a tryout contract with Orli Znojmo (Czech Republic, Austria Erste Bank Liga). He had no points in one game with Vancouver, no points in three games with Jokipojat Joensuu U20 (Finland, SM-Liiga A-Juniors), four goals and seven assists in 15 games with Vitkovice Ostrava U20 (Czech Republic, U20 Extraliga), and three goals and three assists in seven games with Poruba (Czech Republic, 2. Liga) last season. Kilnar had a goal for Orli in Tuesday’s 4-1 exhibition game victory against Mlada Boleslav, playing on a line with Ondrej Fiala (Everett, Saskatoon, 2005-08).
———
Jonathan Parker played three seasons (Seattle, Prince Albert, 2008-11) in the WHL. Now 21, Parker, a forward from Solona Beach, Calif., is preparing for his third season in the Buffalo Sabres’ organization. But, as Jeff Cox writes at sbnation.com, this season will be different for Parker because his father, Steven, won’t be there to enjoy it with him. Steven Parker lost a three-year battle with cancer last week. . . . As Cox points out right here, there’s more to the story and now Jonathan Parker and his sister, Charlene, need help. Here’s hoping the hockey community will provide some.
———
F Adam Kambeitz (Red Deer, Saskatoon, Seattle, 2008-13) has decided he’ll go to the U of Calgary and play for the Dinos. Kambeitz is from Coaldale, Alta. He played out his WHL eligibility last season. He was in his fifth season with the Red Deer Rebels when he was traded to the Saskatoon Blades early last season. Then, at the trade deadline, the Blades sent him to the Seattle Thunderbirds. . . . Kambeitz told Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix that it came down to Calgary or Acadia U in Wolfville, N.S. . . . Nugent-Bowman also reports that F Chris Collins (Chilliwack, Saskatoon, 2007-12) also will attend the U of Calgary. Collins, from Calgary, played last season with the AJHL’s Okotoks Oilers.
———
F James Henry (Vancouver, Moose Jaw, 2007-12) has chosen to leave school after one season with the U of Manitoba Bisons. He has signed with the ECHL’s Stockton Thunder. Henry, 22, is a Winnipeg native. He had 22 points in 28 games with the Bisons last season. He earned CIS all-rookie team honours and was named Canada West’s most outstanding freshman. . . . While in Vancouver, Henry was teammates with F Garet Hunt, who is a fan favourite in Stockton.
———
There isn’t a more polarizing sports figure anywhere than Ken (Hawk) Harrelson, the TV play-by-play voice of the Chicago White Sox. He has referred to the explosion of mathematical-based analytics in baseball as “the biggest joke I’ve ever seen.” . . . Ben Strauss of The New York Times has more on Harrelson right here. BTW, Hawk says the only stat that matters is “T.W.T.W.”
———
THE COACHING GAME:
Randy Ladouceur has signed on as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters. Ladouceur, a veteran of the NHL playing and coaching wars, will work alongside head coach Dean Chynoweth. Ladouceur has worked as an assisteant coach for four NHL teams since he ended his playing career in 1996. . . . Ladouceur’s arrival allows David Oliver to return to his role as director of AHL operations. The Monsters are the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. . . . Jock Callander is preparing for his second season as an assistant coach, while Jean-Ian Filiatrault has come on board as the goaltending coach.
———

The ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings have signed Colin Chaulk as an assistant coach. Chaulk retired as a player after last season. He spent 10 pro seasons playing for the Fort Wayne Komets, a rival of the Wings. . . . In Kalamazoo, he will work with Nick Bootland, the director of hockey operations and head coach.

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

SilverBacks need some help

The Medicine Hat Tigers have dealt D Garrett Haar, 20, to the Portland Winterhawks for an undisclosed conditional selection in the 2014 bantam draft. . . . Haar, who is from Huntington Beach, Calif., played the last two seasons at Western Michigan U. Broncos head coach Andy Murray said Haar had been dropped from his program, adding that he had met more with Haar than with any other player in his coaching career. . . . Haar said that he chose to leave the program. . . . Regardless, the 6-foot-1, 198-pound had been declared academically ineligible for the start of the season. . . . Haar was a seventh round selection by the Washington Capitals in the NHL’s 2011 draft. . . . Last season, Haar had nine points in 22 games. The previous season, he had eight points in 36 games. . . . The Winterhawks now have two 20-year-olds on their roster. The other is F Shane McColgan, who was acquired earlier this summer from the Saskatoon Blades. McColgan is from Manhattan Beach, Calif. . . . Haar, who was a 10th-round bantam draft pick of the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2005, had been on Medicine Hat’s college list. When he was dropped from the Broncos’ roster, he tweeted that he likely was going to play for Medicine Hat. . . . After this trade, the Tigers are left with five 20-year-olds on their roster — forwards Dylan Bredo, Jake Doty, Boston Leier and Curtis Valk, and D Zach Hodder.
———
Both the Winterhawks and Tigers announced that the deal was for a conditional selection in the 2014 bantam draft. Neither team was more specific than that and, as of early this morning, the trade wasn’t listed in the transactions on the WHL website.
There was a time, and not that long ago, when the WHL didn’t allow transactions to be made public without more specifics.
Here’s Dylan Bumbarger at oregonlive.com: “Interesting that the draft pick Portland traded for him was listed as ‘conditional.’ Usually the condition is the player reporting but it seems certain that Haar will come here. Given that he seems to be a bit of a wildcard, is there some way to base the pick on how good he turns out to be, games played or something? I've never heard of that before; I suspect it's not legal, or if it was, the secret rulebook just got updated 20 minutes ago.”
———
Meanwhile, over at Small Thoughts at Large, Alan Caldwell has broken down the 20-year-old situation for each of the WHL’s teams. . . . That blog is linked to over there on the right.
———
The 2013 Hockey Coaches Conference in Burnaby, B.C., next month will include Dr. Saul Miller, a performance specialist and sports psychologist, who will present ‘The Five Biggest Mistakes that Coaches Make.’ . . . According to a news release: “In this unique and interactive session, delegates will be asked to share their own ideas on what the biggest mistakes coaches make. Delegates of the 2013 Hockey Coaches Conference and other coaches can share their thoughts through Twitter and on our Facebook page. Comments will be gathered and shared with Dr. Miller prior to his presentation at the conference.” . . . Dr. Miller has written eight books on performance and well-being, and has helped businesses, teams and individuals overcome mental obstacles and offers tools to transform stress and pressure into success. He has worked with professional teams across all levels and sports and is one of North America’s top sports psychologists. . . . The conference is scheduled for Aug. 9-11 at the Delta Hotel & Conference Centre in Burnaby. There is more information at www.thecoachessite.com.
———
Peggy and Rich Victor of Moses Lake, Wash., started attending some Spokane Chiefs’ games because they are big fans of rock legend Rod Stewart and his son, Liam, plays for the Chiefs.
Flash forward to this summer in Las Vegas.
Paul Turner of the Spokane Spokesman-Review picks up the story right here.
———
The BCHL’s Salmon Arm SilverBacks continue to search for a trainer for the fast-approaching season. Troy Clifford, the trainer from last season, has had to step aside due to work-related commitments in his other career as a paramedic.
If you are interested in the position, call Troy Mick, the SilverBacks’ GM/head coach, at 250-938-5459 or send him an email at gm@sasilverbacks.com.
Tell him that I sent you!
———
THE COACHING GAME:

The BCHL’s West Kelowna Warriors have signed Rylan Ferster, their general manager and head coach, to a five-year extension. The Warriors are 52-42-6-16 in two seasons under Ferster.
———



If you’re a baseball fan, you may be wondering what has happened to the Los Angeles Angels, especially with the signing of Albert Pujols in December 2011. Well, Pujols’ season may be over and the Angels are struggling. Tyler Kepner of The New York Times takes a look right here.


There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

The letter . . .

   The Jim Murray Memorial Foundation has received a grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation that will support a 2013-14 JMMF scholarship. The $5,000 award will be presented in August to a second- or third-year undergraduate journalism student as part of the JMMF's annual essay competition.
    “This gift from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation will allow us to assist another journalism student with his/her college education and continue to honor Jim Murray and his ideals of truth-telling journalism," said Linda McCoy-Murray, founder and CEO of JMMF.
    With the addition of the H.N and Frances Berger Foundation to our list of generous contributors, we bring you a Monday's With Murray with a "Thank You" theme.
    In December 1975, Jim Murray wrote ‘It Wasn't The End,’ a column that shared a reader's letter with the audience. It wasn't just any reader, though. It was a former UCLA football player who had been lambasted in a column.
Enjoy!

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975, SPORTS
Copyright 1975/THE TIMES MIRROR COMPANY

JIM MURRAY

It Wasn't the End

    I have always blamed it on the fact that the game was one of those twi-night affairs, begun in bright sunlight and finished in total darkness, but in the 1969 USC-UCLA game a UCLA safetyman tackled a pass receiver on a play in which the pass was nowhere near either. Interference was called, the pass was ruled good. Since it was fourth down, it turned the game around. USC won it in the next few plays — on a desperation soap-bubble pass in the corner of the end zone. The Trojans went to the Rose Bowl.
    I happened to mention this in a column a few days ago, recalling that the citizenry chided me for calling attention to this unfortunate but understandable lapse on the part of a fine young athlete. Several cranky letters crossed by desk.
    The other day, I got another letter on this same incident. Here it is:
    "Dear Mr. Murray,
    It seems that one play has caused both of us quite a bit of hassle. The next day following the infamous incident when your article came out, I really didn't know how to take it. The last thing I was thinking about was how your column was going to affect the rest of my life since, at the time, my life had very little meaning after one of my goals in life had been lost on a very stupid play by yours truly. A great many people came up to me and said, 'How could that SOB blame the entire loss on you?' A few other people, one of them being John Jardine, who recruited me to go to UCLA and the coach I was probably closest to, came to me and said, 'That was a pretty nice article Murray wrote about you.' So it went, some for and some against.
    "I, too, received a lot of mail from alums and others saying what an injustice you had done me by your article. Well, I saved all those letters and brought them home. My dad got a gander at them and said, 'That's really nice of all those people, I think you should write them a thank you note.' All the while, I'm thinking these were just fan mail and my being a 'star' and all, why should I say thank you? Dad went out and bought me a couple of extra boxes of Christmas cards and said it would really be nice if you'd send those people a Christmas card with a short note attached.
    "Without wholeheartedly agreeing, I adhered to my father's wishes. I sent each a thank you note with a Christmas card. Today, I'm grateful for my father's advice. Your column, Mr. Murray, didn't make me a star, but it did make me grow up.
    "I found out since there's a lot more to life than playing in the Rose Bowl. Please don't get me wrong. I dearly would've loved to have played in it and am especially sorry for having loused up the season for my teammates and coaches. However, it's not the end of the world. Life goes on. My life and their lives. You were right when you said my life wasn't ruined. I have a beautiful wife and two beautiful daughters and not one, two or 10 columns can detract from that.
    "I have an insurance business and one year left in law school at Loyola. I don't know if I will end up as strong as my counterpart, Barry Wood; but you can bet one thing: I will be trying.
    "Finally, since I don't believe I ever sent you a Christmas card, let me wish you a very Merry Christmas. Thank you, Mr. Murray, and yes, I do agree that you've got to write it like you see it."

Sincerely,
Danny Graham
UCLA 1970

Reprinted with permission by the Los Angeles Times.

Follow the JMMF on Facebook and find event photos, upcoming events and past Mondays With Murray posts.

Jim Murray Memorial Foundation | P.O. Box 60753 | Pasadena | CA | 91116

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

Rematch in Regina

It was Nov. 18, 1994, when Norm Johnston, then the head coach of the Regina Pats, and Al Tuer, who was guiding the Moose Jaw Warriors, discarded their jackets, climbed the glass and met over top of the photographer’s pit between the benches in the Regina Agridome. (For more, check this out right here.)
——————

 Johnston and Tuer were together again on Saturday night at a Regina restaurant to take part in the 60th anniversary celebration for Tuer’s parents.
And just to show that there aren’t any hard feelings, Tuer allowed Johnston to punch him on the chin. Lightly, of course.
This time there weren't any penalties. Just lots of stories.
——————
THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Tomas Plihal (Kootenay, 2001-2003) signed a one-year contract with Tappara Tampere (Finland, SM-Liiga). He had six goals and five assists in 41 games with Kärpät Oulu (Finland, SM-Liiga) last season.
———
So long as he is the goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens, Carey Price will be faced with seasonal challenges. In the offseason, however, he is quite prepared to help others face challenges. Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette details right here how Price plays an integral part in a golf tournament in Richland, Wash.
———
If you aren’t aware, Peter King, who has more contacts in the football than any journalist, is heading up a new website (mmqb.si.com) that is a must visit on a daily basis for NFL geeks. . . . If you are wondering why, well, check out this story right here. . . . Written by Greg A. Bedard, it’s all about rage in the NFL these days: The read-option. . . . More than that, though, it provides great insight into how football coaches share information in the offseason.


There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

Colby Armstrong off to Sweden

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Colby Armstrong (Red Deer, 1998-2002) signed a one-year contract with Växjö Lakers (Sweden, SHL). He had two goals and three assists in 37 games with the Montreal Canadiens (NHL) last season. . . .
F Martin Filo (Moose Jaw, 2007-09) signed a one-year contract with Königsborner JEC Unna (Germany, Oberliga). He had one goal and four assists in 26 games with Dukla Trencin (Slovakia, Extraliga) last season.
———
Jerome Bechard was a fierce competitor through four seasons (1986-90) with the Moose Jaw Warriors. He put up 238 points in 284 regular-season games. He also piled up 880 penalty minutes. He has been in Columbus, Ga., since 1996, first as a player with the Cottonmouths and now as the general manager and head coach. On June 6, Bdchard underwent open-heart surgery. Things went well and he now is recuperating and preparing for another season. . . . Kathy Gierer of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer has more right here.
———
Lou Gehrig was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1939. Unfortunately, he was dying of ALS and too ill to be there. What might he have said in his acceptance speech? Jonathan Eig, the author of Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig, tries to answer that question right here.


There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

Expos fans all made it to Toronto

Baron Davis, who may or may not be an NBA player, is telling a wild story about having been abducted by aliens a couple of weeks ago while driving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. “Actually, Davis was relieved,” wrote Brad Dickson of the Omaha World-Herald. “At first when he was grabbed, he thought he’d been traded to the Bobcats.” . . . Davis later recanted, but who knows whether to believe him. . . . “We are proud to say that Los Angeles has one of the lowest crime rates of any major city. You know why?” says NBC-TV’s Jay Leno. “We don’t have an NFL team.” . . .

After hearing rumours that Lady Gaga soon will be married, Richmond blogger T.C. Chong wrote: “If that’s true, then look for her bridal gown to be barbecued and served as dinner to the guests.” . . . Chong, again: “Charles Foley, the inventor of Twister, has passed on. He will be buried with his right foot touching the casket’s top left hand corner and his left hand touching the bottom right.” . . . “A guy just asked me, ‘Did (Ben) Hogan ever wear red pants?’ ” tweeted legendary writer Dan Jenkins while covering the British Open. “Only with a gun to his temple.” . . .

Here’s Seattle Times reader Bill Littlejohn: “A Florida defensive lineman demonstrated his lack of knowledge of history by asking if Bear Bryant was a cartoon. Jeez, what would he say if someone mentioned Yogi Berra?” . . . Last weekend, the Seattle Mariners played the Astros in Houston. In the series opener, outfielder Brandon Barnes of the Astros hit for the cycle. In the second game, Houston’s pitchers gave up just one hit. The Mariners won both games. Hey, you can look it up. . . .

As you may be aware, Canadian Olympian Jon Montgomery — he won gold in skeleton in Vancouver in 2010 — is the new host of the TV show Amazing Race Canada. As RJ Currie of SportsDeke.com noted: “He’s a prime example of the saying: A pitcher is worth a thousand words.” . . . “About 1,000 Montreal fans were at the Blue Jays game,” wrote Janice Hough at leftcoastsportsbabe.com after last Saturday’s game in Toronto, “with the announced mission of trying to get major league baseball back in their city. Amazing that they could still get all the Expos’ season-ticket holders together.” . . .

What’s the worst thing Mickey Mantle ever did? Here’s Chicago White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson, to MLB.com: “He told me, ‘Hawk, the worst thing I ever did in my life was name one of my kids Mickey Jr. But how the hell did I know I was going to grow up to be Mickey Mantle?’ ” . . . Is it just me or are the Toronto Blue Jays in danger of becoming the Chicago Cubs of the American League? Even when the Blue Jays are leading, you’re waiting for the black cloud to engulf them. . . . But, like a car wreck, you can’t take your eyes off them. . . .

The hottest topic of conversation in Regina these days? Whether to hold the Grey Cup parade down Victoria Avenue or Albert Street. . . . Defenceman Corey Fienhage, who played one season (2010-11) with the Kamloops Blazers, has signed with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears, who are affiliated with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs. Fienhage played last season with the ECHL’s Gwinnett Gladiators. He was a third-round pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL’s 2008 draft. . . .

It seems that someone from TRU was at last Saturday’s CFL game in Vancouver, thus this tweet from @123wolfpack: “#city of kamloops has big video at lions games promoting tourney capital and fails to show any @123wolfpack sports #ripped off“ . . . That video is part of the deal the City cut with the B.C. Lions involving the team holding training camp here. . . . Some elite female cyclists want to be allowed to compete in the Tour de France, so have put together an online petition aimed at getting them into the all-male race. “Tour de France organizers have basically ignored them. Much as they’ve done with drugs,” writes Len Berman at thatssports.com. . . .

Here’s Ian Hamilton in the Regina Leader-Post: “Commissioner Bud Selig said (during the All-Star break) that baseball ‘is cleaner than it’s ever been.’ He then professed his belief that there was a shooter on the grassy knoll, that the moon landings were filmed in Milwaukee and that Santa Claus is coming to town.” . . . Outfielder Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers will sit out the rest of this season, costing him about US$3 million in salary for whatever it is that he did. But don’t feel too sorry for him. When he returns, he will have seven years and $122 million left on his contract. He won’t have any credibility, but he will have lots of money.

(Gregg Drinnan is sports editor of The Daily News. He is at gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca, gdrinnan.blogspot.ca and twitter.com/gdrinnan. Keeping Score appears Saturdays, except when it doesn’t.)

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

Merry Christmas!

The 2013 edition of The Daily News Christmas Cheer Fund is off and running.
Yes, it’s the earliest start in the fund’s 12-year history, and what a start it is!
As you likely are aware, the local Walmart held its Grand Opening on Friday as it officially became a Supercentre, featuring 142,000 square feet of shopping goodness.
During the opening ceremonies, Walmart manager Tim Labermeyer presented your Christmas Cheer Fund with a cheque for $10,000. Accepting on behalf of the fund were Jenn Rensch, one of the smiling elves around here when ’tis the season, and Rick Major, The Daily News’ director of reader sales and services.
The local Walmart store under Labermeyer’s management is a longtime supporter of the Christmas Cheer Fund. In fact, over the past six years, Walmart, its associates and its customers have donated more than $35,500 to the fund.
The party continues at Walmart today, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with face-painting, live music, refreshments and samples.
Meanwhile, don’t forget that the fund accepts applications from Thursday through Sept. 30. If you are involved with a registered charity in the area that would like to share in the fund, just visit The Daily News’ website (www.kamloopsnews.ca), click on the Christmas Cheer Fund logo and follow the instructions.

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

Hockey and a couple of halls of fame

THE MacBETH REPORT:
Shayne Wiebe didn’t know he was getting married until he read it right here.
Whoops!
Wiebe (Kamloops, Brandon, 2006-11), who has signed with Olten (Switzerland, NL B), won’t be reporting until Aug. 12, which is a week after some of the other players.
In translating an Olten news release, an error was made. Rather than reporting that Wiebe would be in a wedding, it was translated and interpreted that he was to be married.
A giant OOPS!
My apologies to Shayne, his girlfriend/wife/significant other (if he has one) and family, his family, any future girlfriends/wives/significant others, et al.
———
The hockey crowd will be fathering in Regina tonight as the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame inducts its class of 2013. In the spotlight will be inductees Red Berenson, Clark Gillies, Bernie Federko and Eddie Shore, along with former on-ice official Mick McGeough, builders Bill Hay and Del Wilson, and Jack Maddia in the grassroots category. Also going into the hall will be the 1914 Regina Victorias, who won the Allan Cup. . . . I have a soft spot in my heart for the Vics, because their roster included Edward Lyman (Hick) Abbott and Joe Potts. Abbott was a star player, while Potts was the team’s manager. . . . The Abbott Cup, which once was awarded annually to the best junior team in the west, was named after Hick Abbott, who was killed during the First World War. That trophy has since been retired.
For more on Potts and Abbott, right here is something that I wrote a few years ago.
While Hick Abbott is in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Vics, it is a travesty that he isn't in that Hall of Fame as an athlete.
———
Matthew Gourlie of the Moose Jaw Times-Herald has more right here about Gillies and his induction into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame. Ålthough the dinner is being held in Regina, the hall of fame is located at the Credit Union iPlex in Swift Current.
———
Still with hockey and halls of fame, the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame in Penticton inducted its class of 2013 on Friday night.
Two Memorial Cup-winning teams — the Kamloops Blazers from 1993-94 and 1994-95 — were inducted, as was Kamloops native Mark Recchi, who played two seasons here and now is one of the WHL franchise’s five owners.
The two Memorial Cup winners were led by general manager Bob Brown and head coach Don Hay, both of whom were in Penticton for the banquet and ceremony, along with a number of players from both teams.
Brown was the club’s general manager from 1986 through the 1994-95 season. He was inexplicably dismissed shortly after the Blazers won the 1995 Memorial Cup on home ice.
Hay began with the Blazers as an assistant coach in 1986 and was head coach from 1992-93 through 1994-95.
Recchi, who was born and raised in Kamloops, played two seasons with the Blazers (1986-88) after being acquired from the New Westminster Bruins.
Selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fourth round of the 1988 NHL draft, Recchi went on to a lengthy NHL career and is a three-time Stanley Cup winner.
He played in 1,652 regular-season games, which is fourth on the NHL’s all-time list. Recchi is 19th in career goals (577), 14th in assists (956) and 12th in points (1,533). He retired after the 2010-11 season and now is an advisor to hockey operations with the NHL’s Dallas Stars, who are owned by Tom Gaglardi, the Blazers’ majority owner.
Also inducted into the Hall of Fame last night were longtime NHLer Paul Kariya, who starred with the BCHL’s Penticton Panthers (1990-92); Marc Crawford, a former head coach of the Vancouver Canucks; and builders Colin Patterson and Nancy Wilson. Patterson is a veteran coach who won a Memorial Cup as an assistant coach with the Kootenay Ice, while Wilson, a longtime player and coach who lives in Summerland, is the first female to be inducted into the hall.
———
The Vancouver Giants have dealt F Riley Kieser, 20, to the Edmonton Oil Kings for a sixth-round selection in the 2014 bantam draft. . . . Kieser, who is from Sherwood Park, Alta., had 35 points, including 13 goals, in 102 regular-season games over two seasons with the Giants.
———
The National Baseball Hall of Fame has its big weekend in Cooperstown, N.Y., starting today. One of the inductees will be Dr. Frank Jobe, who pioneered what is known as Tommy John surgery. Of course, Jobe will be introduced by Tommy John. . . . Dave Anderson of The New York Times makes a case right here for John to be in the Hall of Fame, as well.
———
Roberto Luongo, back again as the Vancouver Canucks’ starting goaltender, switched agents earlier this week, dropping Gilles Lupien in favour of CAA Sports, meaning Pat Brisson and J.P. Barry. If you’re wondering what Lupien thinks of the move, and what he thinks of Luongo’s situation with the Canucks, well, Roy MacGregor of The Globe and Mail has that and more right here.
———
“If the Russian government were passing legislation that discriminated against Jews, Canada would have announced a boycott of the 2014 Olympics already,” writes Adam Goldenberg for MacLean’s, a Canadian newsmagazine. “That we have been so placid about Canada’s looming participation in what will be a massive public relations coup for Vladimir Putin’s gay-hating regime is both shortsighted and historically myopic. Russia’s LGBT community is being openly persecuted by its own government. Those of us whose ancestors once stood in the same line of fire have a moral obligation to be anything but complacent.” . . . Goldenberg’s complete column is right here.
This just might grow into something. Jennifer Saltman of the Vancouver Province reports right here that some Vancouver bars have stopped serving Russian vodka in protest over that country’s treatment of the LGBT community.

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

Feser heads for Europe

THE MacBETH REPORT:
D Mitch Versteeg (Lethbridge, 2006-09) signed a one-year contract with Heilbronner Falken (Germany, DEL2). He had eight goals and 14 assists in 55 games with the Trenton Titans and Kalamazoo Wings (both ECHL) last season. . . .
F Justin Feser (Tri-City, 2008-13) and F Shayne Wiebe (Kamloops, Brandon, 2006-11) both signed one-year-plus-option contracts with Olten (Switzerland, NL B). . . . Feser had 44 goals and 62 assists in 72 games with the Americans and two assists in six games with the Portland Pirates (AHL) last season. . . . Wiebe had one goal and two assists in 25 games with the Connecticut Whale (AHL) and seven goals and five assists in 12 games with the Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL) last season. . . . Feser is expected to arrive in Olten on Aug. 4. Wiebe isn’t expected before Aug. 12.
---
THE COACHING GAME:
Dean Evason, the head coach of the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, has received a contract extension through 2014-15. Evason, a former WHL player and coach, now is signed through 2014-15. The Admirals are affiliated with the NHL’s Nashville Predators. . . . Milwaukee went 41-28-4-3 last season, Evason’s first as its head coach. Prior to that, he spent seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Washingon Capitals.
---
The ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones have signed Ben Simon as their new head coach. Simon is from the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights, so is an Ohio native. . . . He spent the past two seasons as an an assistant coach with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. . . . Simon takes over from Jarrod Skalde, who now is an assistant coach with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals. Skalde spent three seasons as Cincinnati’s head coach.

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

Coaching change in Brandon

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Brent Raedeke (Edmonton, 2007-10) signed a two-year contract with the Iserlohn Roosters (Germany, DEL). He had three goals and six assists in 38 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) and one goal in two games with the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) last season. According to the Iserlohn press release announcing the signing, Raedeke has dual German-Canadian citizenship so he does not count against the Roosters’ import limit of 10 non-EU players.
———
The move that most hockey observers thought would take place a year ago occurred on Wednesday.
Kelly McCrimmon, the owner/general manager of the Brandon Wheat Kings, announced that he is going back behind the team’s bench as head coach.
A year ago, having fired Cory Clouston, many people expected McCrimmon to return to coaching. Instead, he promoted assistant coach Dwayne Gylywoychuk to head coach.
On Wednesday, McCrimmon fired Gylywoychuk and announced that he will be returning to coaching.
Gylywoychuk, who had been on the team’s coaching staff for 10 years but spent just one season as head coach, had one year left on a two-year contract. He also holds the franchise’s career games played record (323 games), having spent five seasons there as a defenceman.
McCrimmon offered him another spot in the organization, but Gylywochuk has chosen to leave the Wheat Kings as he hopes to continue coaching.
The Wheat Kings, under Gylywoychuk, missed the playoffs last season, going 24-40-8.
“After lengthy consideration I decided that this was a necessary change,” McCrimmon said in a statement. “Sometimes in this business you have to make hard decisions on good people and this was one of those times.”
McCrimmon is 294-177-35 as head coach since replacing Mike Kelly in March 2004. McCrimmon hired Cory Clouston as head coach for 2011-12, but fired him after the season and named Gylywoychuk the new head coach on July 19, 2012.
McCrimmon has a 330-260-42 record as the Wheat Kings’ head coach. He is the second-winningest head coach in franchise history, behind only Bob Lowes, who won 370 games during a nine-season stretch (1992-2001).
Darren Ritchie and David Anning will return as assistant coaches. Ritchie is preparing for his seventh season with Brandon, while Anning is going into his second season. Brent Zelenewich is back for a second season as goaltending coach, with Jim Frederickson returning for his 11th season as strength and conditioning coach.
———
A game of Monopoly without jail. . . . Playing a game of Monopoly in as little as 30 minutes. . . . Say it ain’t so, Joe. Say it ain’t so. . . . But it is so. . . . Surely this is a sign of the apocalypse. . . . Check it out right here.
———
It was just the other day when you were asking yourself: Gee, what ever happened to Craig Butz? . . . Well, for starters he now is Dr. Butz. . . . The Tampa Bay Times reports that Butz, 48, is the new principal of Pepin Academies in Tampa, a charter school for children with learning-related disabilities. . . . Butz played two playoff games with the Portland Winterhawks in 1981-82, then played a season and a bit with the Kelowna Wings before going back to Portland for 54 games and playoffs to end the 1983-84 season. He then went to the U of Saskatchewan and played for the Huskies. . . . Phil Morgan of the Times has more right here and this really is a neat story.
———
“Madison Square Garden, home to the Knicks, the Rangers, the Ice Capades, the circus and the ‘Fight of the Century’ between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1971, received an eviction notice of sorts on Wednesday,” writes Charles V. Bagli of The New York Times. . . . Seriously, New York City Council has voted 47-1 to give MSG 10 years to move from its present location. . . . Bagli’s story is right here.
———
THE COACHING GAME:
The OHL’s Sudbury Wolves have hired David Matsos as their associate coach. They signed him to a three-year deal. . . . Matsos had spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach with the Windsor Spitfires. . . . Windsor has moved Jerrod Smith from video coach to assistant coach to replace Matsos. Smith also got a contract extension taking him through 2015-16. . . . Interestingly, Matsos and Bob Boughner, the Spitfires’ president and head coach, are brothers-in-law.
———
The OHL’s Sarnia Sting has added Andy Delmore to its coaching staff. . . . Delmore will work alongside head coach Trevor Letowski. The two once were teammates with the Sting. Delmore, 36, played last season in Austria and Italy but has decided to retire. . . . Sarnia also has hired Dave Rook as its goaltending coach. . . . The Sting will hire one more assistant coach before the season opens.
———

The QMJHL’s Charlottetown Islanders have hired Connor Cameron as an assistant coach, with Paul Drew coming on board as a goaltending consultant. . . . Cameron, the son of Ottawa Senators assistant coach Dave Cameron, has been an assistant with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies for the past two seasons. . . . Cameron and Drew will work with head coach Gordie Dwyer and assistant coach Luke Beck.

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.