MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM TAKING NOTE
I know . . . I know! There were a couple of Little Drummer Boy videos here yesterday. But this one right here — featuring Bing Crosby and David Bowie — is exceptional. Enjoy!
———
![]() |
F Denis Tolpeko (Seattle, Regina, 2003-06) has signed a contract for the rest of this season with Spartak Moscow (Russia, KHL). Tolpeko was released Tuesday by mutual agreement by Sochi (Russia, KHL). He had two goals and five assists in 31 games with Sochi. . . .
D Alex Roach (Calgary, 2010-14) has signed a contract for the rest of this season with Eisbären Berlin (Germany, DEL). This season, he had two assists in 12 games with the Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL). . . .
F Brendan Shinnimin (Tri-City, 2007-12) has been released by mutual agreement by Langnau (Switzerland, NL A). He had two goals and seven assists in 12 games. . . .
D Brendan Mikkelson (Portland, Vancouver, 2003-07) has signed a two-year extension with Luleå (Sweden, SHL). This season, he has four goals and five assists in 27 games. He is an alternate captain and leads the team in ice time, averaging 22 minutes 53 seconds per game.
-———
![]() |
Craig Cunningham, the captain of the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners, met with the media on Wednesday. Cunningham had a massive cardiac event prior to a home game on Nov. 19. The fact that he is where he is today is nothing short of a medical miracle. . . . Craig Reck of Tucson News Now has more right here.
On Tuesday, A.E. Araiza of the Arizona Daily Star filed an all-encompassing piece that is right here.
——

In another Wednesday game, the U.S. beat Switzerland, 4-3. D Caleb Jones of the Portland Winterhawks wasn’t in Team USA’s lineup.
F Calvin Thurkauf of the Kelowna Rockets has been named captain of Switzerland’s national junior team that will play in the World Junior Championship. The Swiss begin play on Dec. 27 when they are scheduled to meet Czech Republic.
——
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet filed his latest 30 Thoughts on Wednesday. This week, he opens with an interesting look at the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and analytics. It’s all right here.
——
The MJHL is losing a franchise after this season. The OCN Blizzard, which is owned and operated by the
Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN), are winding things down and will close the doors after the season. . . . A news release from OCN reads: ”The announcement comes after careful deliberations with Opaskwayak Cree Nation representatives from administration and finance, who presented recommendations to the Opaskwayak Cree Nation leadership. Based on the information presented, the decision was made to proceed with winding down on the operations of the OCN Blizzard.” . . . OCN, which is located near The Pas, Man., entered the MJHL for the 1996-97 season.

———
DEC. 19-26:
No Games Scheduled.
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.


