Shaw-TV to show Calgary-Kootenay

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Radim Valchar (Portland, Lethbridge, 2007-10) has signed a one-year extension with Gap (France, Ligue Magnus). In 26 games, he had 31 points, including 12 goals. He led the team in assists (19) and points. . . .
F Viktor Gibbs Sjödin (Portland, 2006-08) has signed a contract with the Melbourne Mustangs (Australia, AIHL). The AIHL season runs from April 12 to Aug. 31. This season, with Enköping (Sweden, Division 1), Sjödin had 24 points, including six goals, in 27 games. With Ferencváros Budapest (Hungary, MOL Liga), he had nine points, three of them goals, in 12 games.
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F Tim Bozon of the Kootenay Ice remains in Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon as he battles Neisseria meningitis. . . . The WHL has established a trust fund to help Tim and his family with medical and rehabilitation costs. You are able to contribute at any BMO Bank of Montreal in Western Canada. . . . Should you live outside of that area, please mail donations to
Western Hockey League
c/o Tim Bozon
Father David Bauer Arena
2424 University Drive NW
Calgary AB
T2N 3Y9
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Milan Dragicevic (Regina, New Westminster, Victoria, Spokane, Tri-City, 1986-90) was fired Monday as head coach of the UBC Thunderbirds. With the hockey program among those under fire at the school, Dragicevic spent much time in the second half of the season working to save it. It seems he did that but now he won’t be around to see the fruits of his and others labours. Howard Tsumura of the Vancouver Province has more right here.
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The Moose Jaw Warriors have signed Blake Bargar, a forward from Torrance, Calif., who was a seventh-round selection in the 2013 bantam draft. He spent this season in the Arizona Bobcats 98 AAA program.
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F Brady Ramsay and F Josh Derko, a pair of 20-year-olds from the Lethbridge Hurricanes, are on their way to the ECHL. . . . With the Hurricanes’ season having ended, Ramsay, who has turned 21, signed on with the Stockton Thunder, while Derko is joining the Gwinnett Gladiators. Both signed ATOs. . . . Ramsay had 129 points, including 53 goals, in 255 games over four seasons with the Hurricanes. Unfortunately for him, he never once appeared in the playoffs. . . . A knee injury limited Derko to 42 games this season, including the last five. In 207 career games, split between the Swift Current Broncos and Lethbridge, he had 53 points, including 29 goals.
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D Tommy Vannelli of the Medicine Hat Tigers has signed a three-year entry-level deal with the NHL’s St. Louis Blues. Vannelli, 19, was a second-round pick by the Blues in the NHL’s 2013 draft. . . . Vannelli, from Minnetonka, Minn., had 41 points, including 27 assists, in 59 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
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If you subscribe to Shaw-TV, you will be able to watch the first-round WHL playoff series between the Calgary Hitmen, the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed, and the No. 6 Kootenay Ice. The series opens Thursday night in Calgary. . . . Shaw will televise one series in each of the first two rounds, as well as a conference final and the WHL’s championship final. . . . The opening round will feature Dan Russell calling the play, with analysis from Bill Wilms. The rinkside hosts will be Alanna Nolan and Stu Walters. . . . The telecasts also will feature Andy Neal, Peter Loubardias and Kevin Sawyer.
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TUESDAY’S TIEBREAKER GAME (all times local):
Prince Albert at Red Deer, 7 p.m.
(Eastern Conference one-game tiebreaker; winner finishes eighth.)
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THE FIRST ROUND (best-of-seven):
(x - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
EDMONTON (1) vs. PRINCE ALBERT/RED DEER (8)
Saturday: at Edmonton, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday: at Edmonton, 4 p.m.
INJURIES
Edmonton: F Brandon Baddock, 3-5 weeks; D Blake Orban, indefinite.
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REGINA (2) vs. BRANDON (7)
Saturday: Brandon at Regina, 7 p.m.
Sunday: Brandon at Regina, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26: Regina at Brandon, 7 p.m.
Friday, March 28: Regina at Brandon, 7:30 p.m.
x-Saturday, March 29: Brandon at Regina, 7 p.m.
x-Monday, March 31: Regina vs. Brandon, site TBA, 7 p.m.
x-Wednesday, April 2: Brandon at Regina, 7 p.m.
INJURIES
Brandon: None.
Regina: D Kyle Burroughs, day-to-day; D Tye Hand, indefinite; G Daniel Wapple, indefinite; D Colby Williams, day-to-day.
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CALGARY (3) vs. KOOTENAY (6)
Thursday: Kootenay at Calgary, 7 p.m.
Saturday: Kootenay at Calgary, 7 p.m.
Monday, March 24: Calgary at Kootenay, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 25: Calgary at Kootenay, 7 p.m.
x-Thursday, March 27: Kootenay at Calgary, 7 p.m.
x-Saturday, March 29: Calgary at Kootenay, 7 p.m.
x-Monday, March 31: Kootenay at Calgary, 7 p.m.
INJURIES
Calgary: F Cal Babych, day-to-day; F Radel Fazleev, day-to-day; F Connor Rankin, day-to-day.
Kootenay: F Tim Bozon, indefinite; F Ryan Chynoweth, indefinite; D Landon Cross, 1 week; D Tanner Faith, 3-5 months; D Landon Peel, 1 week.
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MEDICINE HAT (4) vs. SWIFT CURRENT (5)
Friday: Swift Current at Medicine Hat, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: Swift Current at Medicine Hat, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 25: Medicine Hat at Swift Current, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26: Medicine Hat at Swift Current, 7 p.m.
x-Saturday, March 29: Swift Current at Medicine Hat, 7:30 p.m.
x-Sunday, March 30: Medicine Hat at Swift Current, 7 p.m.
x-Tuesday, April 1: Swift Current at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m.
INJURIES
Medicine Hat: F Gavin Broadhead, day-to-day; F Hunter Shinkaruk, indefinite.
Swift Current: None.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE






KELOWNA (1) vs. TRI-CITY (8)
Saturday: Tri-City at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday: Tri-City at Kelowna, 5:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 25: Kelowna at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26: Kelowna at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.
x-Friday, March 28: Tri-City at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
x-Saturday, March 29: Kelowna at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.
x-Tuesday, April 1: Tri-City at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
(NOTE: Tri-City plays home games in Kennewick, Wash.)
INJURIES
Kelowna: F Tyson Baillie, 1-2 weeks; D Jesse Lees, indefinite.
Tri-City: F Phil Tot, day-to-day; F Taylor Vickerman, indefinite.
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PORTLAND (2) vs. VANCOUVER (7)
Friday: Vancouver at Portland, 7 p.m.Saturday: Vancouver at Portland, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 25: Portland at Vancouver, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26: Portland at Vancouver, 7 p.m.
x-Friday, March 28: Vancouver at Portland, 7 p.m.
x-Sunday, March 30: Portland at Vancouver, 2 p.m.
x-Tuesday, April 1: Vancouver at Portland, 7 p.m.
INJURIES
Portland: F Adam de Champlain, day-to-day.
Vancouver: F Tyler Benson, indefinite; G Jared Rathjen, day-to-day; F Jakob Stukel, indefinite; D Dalton Thrower, indefinite; F Cain Franson, day-to-day.
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VICTORIA (3) vs. SPOKANE (6)
Saturday: Spokane at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday: Spokane at Victoria, 5:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26: Victoria at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 27: Victoria at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.
x-Saturday, March 29: Spokane at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
x-Monday, March 30: Victoria at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.
x-Wednesday, April 2: Spokane at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
INJURIES
Victoria: None.
Spokane: F Jacob Cardiff, day-to-day; D Colton Bobyk, week-to-week; F Adam Hascic, day-to-day; F Blair Oneschuk, week-to-week.
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SEATTLE (4) vs. EVERETT (5)
Saturday: Everett at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday: Seattle at Everett, 4:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 25: Everett at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, March 28: Seattle at Everett, 7:35 p.m.
x-Saturday, March 29: Everett at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.
x-Monday, March 31: Seattle at Everett, 7:05 p.m.
x-Wednesday, April 2: Everett at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.
(NOTE: Seattle plays home games in Kent, Wash.)
INJURIES
Seattle: F Connor Honey, indefinite.
Everett: F Kohl Baum, indefinite.
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MONDAY’S GAMES:
No games scheduled.
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From Kootenay Ice athletic trainer Cory Cameron (@coryjcameron): “Amazing to spend the day with @timbozon94 yesterday, and meet @HeleneBozon and Philipe in YXE. #fighter #inspiring #TB20 @WHLKootenayICE”
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From Helene Barbier Bozon (@Helene Bozon), Tim’s mother: “Our most profound gratitude for @coryjcameron @WHLKootenayICE who saved our @timbozon94 #fast #smartreaction.”
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From the Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS): “On behalf of Warriors Fans, $1,000 has been donated to Tim Bozon Trust. Players also donating $200 for a total of $1200 #getwelltim.”

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With the Vancouver Giants in Kamloops on Wednesday night to play the Blazers, it provided an opportunity to sit down and chat with Bill Wilms.
If you have listened to the Giants on radio or watched WHL games on TV, chances are that you are familiar with Wilms’ dulcet tones.
If you are a fan of the Giants, you will be aware that they have gone through radio play-by-play voices this season as though they are a dime a dozen.
“Let’s see,” Wilms says, and then he rhymes of the names of the five men he has worked with on Giants radio broadcasts this season.
It began with Alex Grebenyuk, who disappeared from the Giants’ front office – he was the director of broadcasting and media relations, and was to have done road games on the radio – early in the season. Since then, Wilms has worked alongside Blake Price, Morley Scott, Eddie Gregory – “For one game in Kelowna,” Wilms says – and Jeff Paterson.
Wilms also has done TV games this season, sharing air time with Dan Russell and Peter Loubardias.
During his career in WHL broadcast booths, Wilms says he has worked with 28 play-by-play men.
If you harbour aspirations of working with Wilms, perhaps calling Kamloops Blazers’ games would be a good start. That’s because Wilms says he’s worked games with Kelly Moore, Paterson, Kirk Fraser and Jon Keen, all of whom have done Blazers games.
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Paul Buker of The Oregonian takes a look back at the Edmonton Oil Kings’ 4-3 victory over the host Portland Winterhawks on Wednesday night. Buker wonders if the Winterhawks have the size to deal with the Oil Kings or the Saskatoon Blades if they were to meet up in the WHL’s championship final.
That piece is right here.
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Meanwhile, Evan Daum of the Edmonton Journal spoke with Oil Kings head coach Derek Laxdal on Thursday and has a look back at the same game right here. . . . Daum also adds a note on Edmonton F Henrik Samuelsson having drawn a two-game suspension for the spearing major he took on Wednesday night. That means he won’t play tonight as the Oil Kings close out their U.S. Division swing in Everett.
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F Justin Feser of the Tri-City Americans is about to break a WHL record that has stood since March 17, 1992. Feser is scheduled to play in his 312th consecutive game tonight when the Americans play host to the Seattle Thunderbirds. Annie Fowler of the Tri-City Herald looks at Feser and his record right here. She has even spoken with former WHL D Dwayne Newman, whose record is about to fall.

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When last we saw him, Chris Rumble, the son of Seattle Thunderbirds assistant coach Darren Rumble, was battling leukemia and making an awesome video in Seattle Children’s Hospital. Click right here and you’ll find an update on Chris, who is back skating and doing a whole lot more. In fact, he’s playing NCAA Division 1 hockey. You really should check out this report from CNN.
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The Saskatoon Blades will be chasing their 18th straight victory tonight when they play host to the Brandon Wheat Kings. They also will be looking to land the 600th coaching victory of head coach Lorne Molleken’s WHL career. . . . Only Ken Hodge, who spent 22 years with the Edmonton Oil Kings/Portland Winterhawks, has won more games as a WHL coach. Hodge left with 742 victories and he remains the only coach in WHL history to have won at least 600 games. . . . “I don’t pay much attention to that,” Molleken told Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. “It just tells you how old I am.” . . . You can bet that, despite what he says, this means something to Molleken, 56. Chances are that this will be his final season behind the bench, that sometime after the Memorial Cup ends he will turn the coaching reins over to associate coach David Struch and settle into the general manager’s office. . . . And you can bet that at some point late in tonight’s game, should the Blades appear headed to victory, Molleken’s countenance will sport at least a semblance of a smile. That’s because he will be thinking of the late Muzz MacPherson, who had as much to do with Molleken’s career in hockey as anyone. MacPherson also was responsible for putting a lot of smiles on Molleken’s face.
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Adam Proteau of The Hockey News notes that there some quality NHL players who have suffered concussions this seasons, and he wonders right here whether the league is doing enough to get brain injuries out of the game.
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At least two WHL officials have been selected to officiate at the CIS University Cup national championship in Saskatoon later this month. BC Hockey announced Thursday that Jeff Ingram of Langley, B.C., and Sean Raphael of Victoria, both of whom regularly work as referees in WHL games, will handle some of the games in Saskatoon, March 14-17.
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The matchups, if the WHL playoffs opened today:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Edmonton (1) vs. Kootenay (8)
Saskatoon (2) vs. Swift Current (7)
Calgary (3) vs. Medicine Hat (6)
Prince Albert (4) vs Red Deer (5)

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Portland (1) vs. Everett (8)
Kelowna (2) vs. Seattle (7)
Kamloops (3) vs. Victoria (6)
Tri-City (4) vs. Spokane (5)
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THURSDAY’S GAME:
In Kelowna, F Dylen McKinlay scored twice to lead the Rockets to a 4-1 victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds. . . . McKinlay, who also had an assist, now has 23 goals this season. He has six shorthanded scores, including one last night. . . . F Myles Bell added his 35th goal for Kelowna, with F Tyson Baillie getting his 23rd into an empty net late in the third period. . . . Kelowna G Jordon Cooke stopped 17 shots, losing his shutout when F Seth Swenson notched his 16th goal at 7:20 of the third. . . . The Rockets are 26-5-0 at home. . . . Seattle lost D Jesse Forsberg following a collision with Kelowna F Rourke Chartier in the second period. According to Doyle Potenteau of the Kelowna Daily Courier: “Forsberg took a stick to the head and immediately fell to the ice. He was briefly motionless, but eventually wobbled his way to Seattle’s bench.” Forsberg went to the dressing room and didn’t return. . . . The victory allowed the Rockets to stretch their B.C. Divison lead to seven points over the Kamloops Blazers. Each team has eight games remaining, and they will meet three times next week.
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CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT:
None

CHECKING-TO-THE-HEAD COUNT:
None
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From Tri-City Americans F Jesse Mychan (@jmychan28): “Can’t wait to head to Prince George Sunday! #SaidNoOne #Ever #SeriouslyNever”


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Kamloops, Victoria to get TV treatment

By GREGG DRINNAN
Daily News Sports Editor

It’s going to be Hockey Nights in Kamloops and Victoria.
The WHL announced Tuesday that the entire first-round playoff series between the Victoria Royals and Kamloops Blazers will be carried live by Shaw TV.
Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-seven affair are to be played at Interior Savings Centre on Friday and Saturday nights.
Dan Russell, the long-time host of CKNW’s Sportstalk, will call the play, with Bill Wilms providing the analysis. Andy Neal, a former radio voice of the Prince George Cougars, will be the program host. Peter Loubardias, a former play-by-play voice with Rogers Sportsnet, also will provide analysis on the telecasts of the first two games.
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Neither the Blazers nor the Royals set the world on fire coming down the stretch, both going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games.
However, Kamloops head coach Guy Charron feels his team played better than that.
“I don’t think we have reason to (be concerned),” he said. “In some ways you want to finish on a good note. But it hasn’t been because our play has been bad.
“I’m not saying, ‘Holy sheesh, we’re going into the playoffs and not playing very well.’ We’re playing well enough to win games but we’re not finding ways to score and the goaltending has been the difference. We’re playing fine . . .”
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Charron said he and associate coach Dave Hunchak have been harping on their players about defensive commitment.
“We’ll get our chances. We’ll score goals,” Charron said. “But it’s the commitment defensively. If we do that, we can have a lot of success in the playoffs. We can’t just play run-and-gun. In the playoffs, if you score, great, but if you don’t, you can get hurt.”
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Charron also is well aware that the Royals, who gave up a WHL-high 325 goals, have the ability to score. After all, they do have five 20-goal men on their roster.
“Just do the things you need to do,” Charron said. “Their defence can be vulnerable, but if you don’t exploit their weaknesses, it’s like anything else . . . you allow the other team to stay alive and they have the ability to score. They have guys who can put the puck in the net.”
Jamie Crooks led the Royals in goals (37) and points (67), with Robin Soudek (27), Brandon Magee (23), Logan Nelson (23) and Steven Hodges (21) also getting more than 20. Soudek missed the last three regular-season games with an undisclosed injury. Magee, meanwhile, isn’t expected to play after being hurt in the Royals’ last game of the regular season.
As well, defenceman Hayden Rintoul struck for 17 goals, 13 of them on the power play.
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There hasn’t been a WHL playoff game on Vancouver Island since 1989 when the Blazers eliminated the Victoria Cougars 5-3 in a best-of-nine first-round series. The Cougars then missed the playoffs for five straight seasons before moving to Prince George over the summer of 1994.
The Royals, of course, are in their first season after spending five winters as the Chilliwack Bruins. In Chilliwack, they qualified for the playoffs in four of those seasons but have yet to advance past the first round, going 4-16 in the process.
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The Blazers won the season series with the Royals, 7-1, outscoring them 39-21.
“Some people are picking them in three games, not just four,” Marc Habscheid, the Royals’ GM/head coach, told the Victoria Times Colonist. “We shouldn't even go to Kamloops, the way it sounds.
“All I know is, we’ll show up Friday when the puck is dropped.”
Habscheid continued: “They are a good team and ranked highly. They have earned that status and are an older team built for this season.
“They've got all the pressure on them.”
Never mind The Hunger Games; in the WHL, the mind games are underway.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
gdrinnan.blogspot.com
twitter.com/gdrinnan

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