F Matt Keith (Spokane, Red Deer, 1998-2003) signed a one-year contract with Red Bull Salzburg (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). He had no points in four games with Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic, Extraliga) and seven goals and 21 assists in 37 games with Dornbirn (Austria, Erste Bank Liga) last season. . . .
D Ivan Baranka (Everett, 2003-05) signed a one-year contract with Avangard Omsk (Russia, KHL). He had two goals and six assists in 43 games with Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia, KHL) last season.
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Here’s some news you were waiting for: I was in Costco in Kamloops on Friday. Some Christmas wrapping paper is available, as are a couple of Christmas trees. . . . Sorry, shoppers, but no Christmas carols yet.
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Bob Robson, who had a lot to do with the Prince Albert Raiders and their history in that Saskatchewan community, died a week ago. There’s more right here from the Prince Albert Daily Herald.
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The National Post has discovered Liam Stewart of the Spokane Chiefs. Actually, Sean Fitz-Gerald, one of the NP’s writers, has discovered that Stewart’s parents are model/actress Rachel Hunter and singer Rod Stewart. . . . Liam, of course, is a forward with the Spokane Chiefs who has been named to Great Britain’s preliminary roster for the IIHF’s Division 1B world championship tournament in December. . . . “It’s amazing how one guy can get us so much exposure,” a laughing Pete Russell, Great Britain’s head coach, told FitzGerald. . . . That story is right here. . . . While the package includes a still photo of Hunter, along with a music video in which she starred (Fountains of Wayne and the, uhh, catchy Stacy’s Mom), and there is a video of Liam’s Chiefs highlights, sorry, Rod, but there isn’t a photo or video that includes you.———
Here’s a nugget from Greg Douglas’s Saturday column in the Vancouver Sun:“There had been speculation that (Dan) Russell might surface as play-by-play announcer for the Vancouver Giants but that was snuffed out when the Giants let it be known that Blake Price and Brendan Bachelor of Team 1040 would be sharing the team’s broadcasts this year. Bachelor, who did the play-by-play with the Surrey Eagles last season, will work the majority of the Giants’ road games. It appears 1040s Jeff Paterson is the odd man out of the hockey club’s broadcasting mix.”
For Douglas’s complete column, click right here. He spells out the latest changes on the Vancouver sports radio scene.
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F Brenden Walker, who captained the Saskatoon Blades last season, has signed on as a free agent with the AHL’s Portland Pirates. Walker, who is from Brandon, used up his junior eligibility last season. The Blades had acquired him from the Brandon Wheat Kings during the summer. . . . Walker had 76 points, including 33 goals, in 72 regular-season games with the Blades. In his career, he put up 228 points, 93 of them goals, in 269 games.———
From Brent Parker (@Patguy65): “That guys on the call in show sure made some well thought out intelligent comments....said nobody ever! Put the phone down people!”
Yes, Parker lives in Regina. Yes, the Saskatchewan Roughriders lost, 42-27, to the Stampeders in Calgary.
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And now to put everything in perspective, here’s a Friday tweet from Dana Dirks (@chug48), who scouts for the BCHL’s Cowichan Valley Capitals:
“Need a lot of positive thoughts and prayers from you all. We just found out my 3 year old son needs a heart transplant. #prayforkeaton.”
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