The inaugural Ryan Donaldson Memorial is being played this weekend at the Langley, B.C., Sportsplex (Rink 1). It’s on Twitter at @RDMtournament.
This is more than your average June hockey tournament, though, because it’s all about mental health.
Here’s a note from the website that was written by his sister Kirsten:
“Not only is this tournament to honour my brother Ryan and enjoy the sport he loved so much, but to address mental health and concussions.”
Kirsten’s goals in organizing the tournament are “to raise awareness about the serious side effects associated with traumatic brain injuries and second-impact syndrome.” She also hopes “to set up a specific protocol within minor hockey associations specifically related to baseline testing and post-concussion management/return to play guidelines.” As well, she wants to “address the stigma associated with mental health within the hockey community.”
The website, which is right here, includes links to information on mental health and concussions, as well as baseline testing.
As Kirsten writes, “The more we talk about concussions and depression, the more can be done to help those suffering.”
The website is right here.
If you aren’t familiar with the Ryan Donaldson story, read this piece right here that was written by Gary Ahuja of the Langley Times.
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F Keegan Dansereau (Calgary, Swift Current, 2003-09) and D Kalvin Sagert (Kamloops, Lethbridge, Prince George, 2002-08) both signed one-year extensions with Miskolci Jegesmedvék (Hungary, MOL Liga). . . . This season, Dansereau led the league in goals (33) and points (60), in 41 games. He also was the playoff MVP. . . . Sagert had four goals and 22 assists in 41 games with the league champions.
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#CalderCup champs! pic.twitter.com/XIOpOpfL3h
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 14, 2015
The Manchester Monarchs won the AHL championship on Saturday night, beating the host Utica Comets, 2-1,
in Game 5 of the Calder Cup final. The Monarchs won the series, 4-1. . . . This was Manchester’s first and last AHL title as the Monarchs will move to Ontario, Calif., over the summer where they will become part of the new Pacific Division. . . . The Monarchs are the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, while the Comets are hooked up with the Vancouver Canucks. . . . Former Moose Jaw Warriors head coach Mike Stothers was in his first season as the Monarchs’ head coach. . . . Utica head coach Travis Green was in his second season after working as the Portland Winterhawks’ assistant GM/assistant coach. . . . Last night, the Monarchs got first-period goals from F Adrian Kempe (10:02) and D Vincent LoVerde (13:09, PP). . . . F Cal O’Reilly scored for the Comets at 19:45 of the third. . . . Monarchs G Patrik Bartosak (Red Deer Rebels, 2011-14) stopped 31 shots in his second pro playoff start. He made his first playoff start in Friday’s 6-3 victory. . . . Manchester F Jordan Weal (Regina Pats, 2007-12) was honoured as the AHL’s playoff MVP. He had 22 points, including 10 goals, in 19 playoff games. . . . Attendance was 3,835.——
On Saturday, Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to sign Kim Dillabaugh away from the Los Angeles Kings. He is the Kings’ goaltender development coach and, until now, may have been one of hockey’s best-kept secrets. Dillabaugh, from Duncan, B.C., has worked with Kings’ goaltenders for eight seasons and has been a big part of the organization’s recent successes. . . . Dillabaugh, 37, worked with the Kelowna Rockets since 2004 and played a key role in working with that team’s goaltenders. With Dillabaugh on its coaching staff, Kelowna won the 2004 Memorial Cup and also won WHL titles in 2005 and 2009. Although not on the Rockets’ staff in 2014-15, he played a big part in getting G Jackson Whistle back on track after he was acquired from the Vancouver Giants prior to the 2012-13 season. . . . In the Monarchs’ championship photo above, the bespectacled Dillabaugh is in the upper left corner, just off head coach Mike Stothers’ right shoulder.
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The SJHL’s Flin Flon Bombers have acquired F Jesse Shynkaruk, 19, who finished last season with the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors. . . . The Bombers acquired D Joel Webb and Shynkaruk from the Kindersley Klippers for F Austin Calladine. . . . In 132 WHL games, with the Kamloops Blazers and Moose Jaw, Shynkaruk has 13 goals and 15 assists. . . . There’s more on this deal right here.———
THE COACHING GAME:
Kelly McCrimmon, the owner, general manager and head coach of the Brandon Wheat Kings, apparently has
yet to made a decision on whether to join the front office of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. . . . However, it would seem that at least some readers of this blog don’t expect him to leave the Wheat Kings. . . . Our most-recent poll, asked who would coach the Wheat Kings in 2015-16 and 63 of 94 respondents (67 per cent) suggested it will be McCrimmon. . . . Andy Murray, who is from Souris, which is located a couple of slap shots south west of Brandon, drew 11 votes even though he is the head coach at Western Michigan. . . . Malcolm Cameron, a former Regina Pats head coach who is on staff at the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton, B.C., drew eight votes, while former Brandon Sun sports editor James Shewaga got six. . . . The Wheat Kings’ two assistant coaches, David Anning and Darren Ritchie, drew five and one votes, respectively.——
The 2015 Hockey Coaches Conference is scheduled for July 24 and 25 in Vancouver. Presenters will include at least two NHL head coaches — Willie Desjardins of the Vancouver Canucks and Mike Johnston of the Pittsburgh Penguins. For a look at all of the scheduled presenters, click right here.
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Still putting my money on Lorne Molleken as the next @WHLGiants coach. Think they will name new guy in next couple of weeks.
— Steve Ewen (@SteveEwen) June 14, 2015
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