There isn’t any doubt that a community that loses its daily newspaper is poorer for it. And I don’t say that just because I worked at the Kamloops Daily News prior to its death.
It has been 17 months since The Daily News last published and, whenever I am around and about, I still have people asking me what happened.
Even today, I am unable to provide an answer, although I firmly believe it all began when newspapers started giving away their product via the Internet.
What I do know is that I am constantly hearing just how important a daily newspaper is to a community and the important role it plays in the lives of its citizens.
On Saturday, in a conversation with someone who works with the elderly among us, I learned something else about daily newspapers and their role.
This person told me that there are elderly people in Kamloops who struggle with knowing what day of the week it is. Why? Because they no longer have a daily newspaper arrive in their home six days a week. That newspaper always had the day and date in the Page 1 masthead.
Meanwhile, other newspapers continue to fight for survival.
Dave Perry, the editor of the Aurora, Colo., Sentinel has written a really good piece explaining a lot of what is going on. If you care about the newspaper industry, or wonder how it got to this point, give it a read. It’s right here.
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For a while on Saturday, I was the general manager of the NHL’s Florida Panthers. It was part of a mock NHL draft held by the gang at TSN 1260, an Edmonton radio station.Selecting 11th overall, I took F Mathew Barzal of the Seattle Thunderbirds for the Panthers, who should be so fortunate come June 26 when the first round of the draft is held in their home arena.
If you are curious about how it went, click right here.
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THE COACHING GAME:
The BCHL’s Surrey Eagles, who are preparing for the 25th season, have added Gary Nylund to their coaching staff. Nylund also was on the team’s coaching staff from 2010-12. As an assistant coach, he will work with Blaine Neufeld, the director of hockey operations and head coach. Nylund, who is from Surrey, was the third overall selection by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL’s 1982 draft. He went on to play 608 NHL games, also seeing time with the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders. He had played three seasons (1979-82) with the Portland Winterhawks. . . . Nylund has been with the Delta, B.C., Fire Department for 22 years now. He presently is a captain.——
Our latest poll closed yesterday. The question asked about the next head coach of the Vancouver Giants.
There were 117 votes, with 41 (35 per cent) selecting Ryan McGill. Dallas Eakins drew 20 votes (17 per cent), with Ted Nolan and John Tortorella tied with 19 (16 per cent). . . . Ian Herbers, the head coach of the CIS-champion, drew 12 votes (10 per cent), while Elliott Pap, who retired from the Vancouver Sun’s sports department last week, got six votes (5 per cent).
Feel free to take a look over there on the right and check out our new poll. It has to do with the Brandon Wheat Kings.
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In the AHL, F Michael Mersch scored in OT to give the host Manchester Monarchs a 3-2 victory over the Utica Comets in Game 1 of the Calder Cup final. . . . Game 2 is scheduled for tonight in Manchester. . . . Mersch had two goals and an assist, the winner coming 4:10 into OT. . . . The winner withstood a video review as officials checked to see if the net come off its moorings before the puck crossed the goalline. . . . F Jordan Weal, who played for the Regina Pats (2008-12), had two assists, giving him 26 career playoff points, a Monarchs’ franchise record. The previous record (25) was held by F Bud Holloway (Seattle Thunderbirds, 2004-08). . . . F Sven Baertschi had one of Utica’s goals but left later with an undisclosed injury. . . . Jon Rosen, the Los Angeles Kings’ Insider, has more right here.
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My money is on either Molleken or McGill. RT @Arpannnnn: @SteveEwen anyother q. any word on who giants next coach will be?
— Steve Ewen (@SteveEwen) June 6, 2015
Piers Morgan writes that I didn't recognise him in a restaurant in New York.I did.I just didn't want to speak to someone I truly detest
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) June 5, 2015
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