Chaos by the Creek returns to Regina . . . Victoria and Vancouver combine to bid on 2019 WJC

Grant me a few minutes for some editorial comment on some sporting news from Thursday. If you aren’t aware, I spent 17 years (1983-2000) at the Regina Leader-Post, the last 12 as sports editor.

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Back in the day, the late Bob Hughes, the longtime sports editor of the Regina Leader-Post, would write about the Saskatchewan Roughriders using the placeline CHAOS-BY-THE-CREEK.

As the Roughriders stumbled and bumbled their way from one season to the next, not far from Wascana Creek, Hughes would write often about what he referred to as the Reign of Error and the

Perhaps the Saskatchewan Roughriders could purchase the
Regina Leader-Post building and turn it into a dormitory.
(Photo by Terry Massey)

Loyal Disorder of Rider Priders.

In those days, the Roughriders, a community-owned CFL team, were operated mostly by volunteers. As an organization, nobody seemed to know what they had there or, if they did, they didn’t know how to harness it.

In those days, they held telethons to save the team. Players, coaches, board members . . . they all appeared on camera and basically begged for alms to keep the team from sinking under the weight of its debt.

It wasn’t until 1989 when, under head coach John Gregory, the Roughriders won the Grey Cup — the team’s first since 1966 — that the province of Saskatchewan was covered in joy.

It was after that Grey Cup triumph that the Roughriders’ brand really took off — the Green Bay Packers of the CFL, they were called — until it became something that many NHL teams envied.

All of that came undone this week. There is no joy in Mudville now, only embarrassment. You can bet that Rider Nation is feeling green as members wonder why they keeping forking over the green if it is going to be spent in such a fashion.

Obviously, things are out of control in Regina where the Roughriders were fined $60,000 by the CFL and lost in excess of $26,000 from their 2016 salary cap for assorted roster violations (aka cheating).

According to the CFL, the Roughriders “were in violation of policies which prohibit practising with ineligible players, players participating in practice who are on the six-game injured list and having free agents practise with players who are under contract. Each of these actions constitute a violation of CFL bylaws.”

Justin Dunk of 3downnation.com reported that the team was paying the extra players and had them staying in two Regina houses.

The Roughriders, you understand, didn’t get caught in some accidental mess. No. The amount of planning that will have had to go into this scheme would have been huge. A lot of thought will have been put into this program of cheating by the creek.

(Keep in mind that the Roughriders were fined $15,000 last week for violating the national/international ratio during a 40-27 loss to the visiting B.C. Lions on July 16.)

Also yesterday, Chris Jones, who is the general manager, head coach and vice-president of football operations, refused to take personnel department-related questions at a media briefing. Jones, who has complete control over the football operation, apparently will address these issues today (Friday).

Oh, it also was revealed Thursday that the team, which, remember, is community-owned, has started requiring fans to sign in if they hope to watch practice. It seems that team officials — please try not to laugh — feel someone “leaked” information to the Ottawa Redblacks prior to a July 22 game in Regina. Yes, the Roughriders, who are 1-5, won that game for their only victory this season. No jokes please. But next thing you know the Roughriders will be charging fans to watch practice.

Still, with a glorious, new taxpayer-funded stadium — one with which not all Saskatchewan citizens are enamoured — preparing for its opening, one might be excused for thinking the once-Jolly Green Giants might be at least a little concerned with public relations.

As it is, the CFL’s flagship franchise has turned into a national embarrassment in the seven months of Jones’ reign.

The likes of Al Ford, Phil Kershaw, Gregory, Dave Ridgway, Glen Suitor, Ray Elgaard, Bobby Jurasin, Dick Rendek, Don Narcisse, Roger Aldag, Bob Poley, Eddie Lowe, Tom Shepherd and so many others, along with the members of Rider Nation, deserve so much better.

(Check out this Hughes column right here, from Aug. 18, 1984.)

leaderpost.com/sports/football/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders/the-daily-bob-hughes-column-aug-18-1984

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F Lauris Dārziņš (Kelowna, 2004-06) has signed a one-year extension with Dinamo Riga (Latvia, KHL). Last season, he had 10 goals and 18 assists in 59 games.

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The Victoria Times Colonist reportsd on Thursday that “Victoria and Vancouver are putting together a joint bid for the 2019 world junior hockey championship.” . . . Hockey Canada has established an Aug. 31 deadline for bids, with a host city to be announced on Dec. 1. The 2019 WJC is to open on Dec. 26, 2018. . . . Edmonton, with a brand new arena, is expected to bid, while the Ontario cities of London and Windsor may combine on a joint bid. . . . According to the Times Colonist, “The B.C. bid would see preliminary pool games played at Victoria’s Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre and at Vancouver venues, with the semifinals and final in Vancouver, likely at Pacific Coliseum or Rogers Arena.” . . . This combined bid likely means neither the Vancouver Giants nor the Victoria Royals will make a bid on the 2018 Memorial Cup. To date, the Regina Pats are the only WHL team to have said they will bid to play host the tournament that will celebrate the Memorial Cup’s 100th anniversary. . . . The Times Colonist story is right here.

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The Lethbridge Hurricanes have scheduled their annual general meeting of shareholders for Sept. 19. A year ago, the franchise was in disarray, with Ron Robison, the WHL commissioner, having

recommended that shareholders sell the franchise, and the shareholders, in turn, voting not to do that. After a successful 2015-16, the Hurricanes are expected to announce a profit at the annual meeting. One would assume that general manager Peter Anholt, who guided the franchise to and then through last season, will be granted at least one standing ovation. . . . At the AGM, the shareholders will bid farewell to board members Rick Braden, Dave Olson and Blair Sanderson. . . . And, hey, if you have ever wanted to own a piece of a major junior team, here’s a note from the Hurricanes: “If you’re not a shareholder, but would like to become one, individual shares are available for purchase for $100 at the Hurricanes office located at the ENMAX Centre. Shares purchased prior to Aug. 29 will be put forth for approval at the next board of directors meeting on that date.”

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F Casey Pierro-Zabotel, a former WHL scoring champion, has signed a one-year deal with the ECHL’s Colorado Eagles. Pierro-Zabotel, 27, helped the Allen Americans to the ECHL title last season, picking up 47 points in 58 regular-season games and adding 16 more in 24 playoff games. . . . He led the WHL in assists (79) and points (115) in 2008-09.

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The QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs fired general manager Darrell Young on Thursday. In a news release, president Trevor Georgie, who has taken over as GM on an interim basis, said only that “we have decided to part ways with Darrell Young and wish him well in his future endeavours.” . . . Danny Flynn is the Sea Dogs’ head coach; he is a former GM of the Moncton Wildcats. . . . Young had been the Saint John GM since March 1, 2014.

I've seen dumb but this has to be one of the dumbest I've seen. Darrell Young, GM of @SJSeaDogs was released today. Has built a top end team

— Craig Button (@CraigJButton) August 11, 2016

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The BCHL has confirmed that the Cowichan Valley Capitals have a new majority owner. Ray Zhang, who is from Beijing, has taken over the franchise in a deal that concluded last week. . . . “This transaction is the first time someone from China has purchased an overseas hockey franchise,” Zhang said in a BCHL news release.“It will open a door for hockey families in China to learn about Canadian hockey first hand. This link to Canadian hockey will prove valuable to encourage all of our young hockey players in China.” . . . Zhang and his family will be moving to Duncan. A source has told Taking Note that there almost certainly will be a Zhang on the Capitals’ roster this season.

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As you may be aware, Vin Scully is into his final season as a play-by-play voice for baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers. To settle in for an evening of listening to him is to spend time in sporting heaven. The other day he enlightened his viewing audience with a story about how he came to know of the bombing of Pearl Harbour. This, friends, is Vin Scully at his best and it’s right here.

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Got a tip or some information you feel could be useful to me, feel free to email me at greggdrinnan@gmail.com.

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The senior Lacombe Generals have brought in a pair of former WHLers as their coaches. Curtis Austring, 33, will be the head coach, with Ken Richardson as the assistant. . . . Austring, from Stewart Valley, Sask., played four seasons in the WHL (Kamloops, Regina, Medicine Hat, 1999-2003). Austring played four seasons at the U of Saskatchewan and has spent the past eight seasons playing for the Generals. . . . Richardson, 43, is from Peace River, Alta. He played with Regina and Red Deer (1991-94). . . The Generals are preparing for their first season in Lacombe, after relocating from Bentley. They are the reigning Allan Cup champions.

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pic.twitter.com/B4u5Qs94pb

— HerbBrooksFoundation (@HerbBrooksFDN) August 11, 2016

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Someone's interested in buying Pats

THE MacBETH REPORT:

D Cam Barker (Medicine Hat, 2001-06) has signed for the rest of the season with Barys Astana (Kazakhstan, KHL). Last season, Barker had two assists in 14 games with the Vancouver Canucks (NHL) and eight points, three of them goals, with the Texas Stars (AHL).
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The morning dawned damp and dreary in Vancouver yesterday. And it only got worse when the first email to arrive notified me of the death of Bob Hughes, a former sports editor/columnist at the Regina Leader-Post.
He was the sports editor who hired me — I had been in my second stint at the Brandon Sun — in the spring of 1983. He later promoted me to assistant sports editor, and when he moved into the managing editor's office in 1988 he asked me to succeed him as sports editor.
That's when I found out how hard it is to replace a legend.
Hughes was one of the last of the lead sports columnists who also was a newspaper's sports editor. For a lot of his career as THE columnist and THE voice in Regina, the beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders couldn't get out of their own way, as they stumbled from one season to the next. For all of that time, Hughes' columns were must-reads as his thinly veiled sarcasm skewered the footballers, the coaches and the management like so many shish kebabs.
When he became the managing editor, it marked the end of an era as the decision was made to separate the roles of columnist and sports editor.
Still, almost everywhere I went, people would ask me why I was so soft on the Roughriders, never mind that I wasn't the columnist. And, really, it wasn't that the new columnist, Nick Miliokas, was soft on anyone; it was that Bob Hughes' column no longer was there to be enjoyed by a reader with his/her morning coffee.
I always will remember Hughes for always being there for me. When I was the assistant sports editor, he worked during the day and I worked at night. I frequently would drop by during the day to chat, more to find out what was going on with the Roughriders and to learn how he wanted to handle it.
But when he moved up and I moved into the chair behind what had been his desk, he left me alone. Rarely, if ever, did he venture to my little corner of the office. But his door always was open. That is something that I have never forgotten.
He also was the push behind a sports department that at one time included a staff of 12 and was responsible for putting out a tremendous sports section. It was because of Hughes that we often covered a Roughriders home game with the sports editor, four writers and two photographers. The message from him as he left sports was that when it's the only show in town, you can't over-cover it. When it's the only show in town, you make it your show -- let the readers know where to turn if they want the best coverage.
What else do I remember about Bob Hughes? Well, he was the most impeccable dresser I have ever encountered. I can't ever remember seeing him when he didn't look as though he had stepped out of an ad in GQ.
I remember his sense of humour and a laugh that had more than a bit of a cackle in it.
I remember one day when he and I took his oldest son and my son to a home/auto show that was in some of the buildings on the exhibition grounds. On display was one of those expensive cars, a Lamborghini perhaps, with two short-skirted gals standing guard alongside a velvet rail. With Hughes chatting up one of the girls, the boys got under the rail and into the car. They were -- VROOM! VROOM! -- having the time of their lives and Hughes thought it was hilarious. He did manage to extricate both boys between laughs.
That is what I will remember about Bob Hughes. That and Chaos by the Creek.
For more on Hughes, right here is a story that appeared on The Leader-Post's website.
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And one more makes three . . .
D Ryan Pilon, the third overall selection in the 2011 bantam draft, is at home awaiting a trade after leaving the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Pilon, from Duck Lake, Sask., turned 17 on Oct. 10 and was going to be a cornerstone of the rebuild that the Hurricanes' braintrust is working on.
This season, Pilon has seven points, three of them goals, in 17 games. Last season, as a freshman, he had 28 points, including five goals, in 57 games.
Pilon played for the gold medal-winning U-18 Canadian team at the 2013 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament and was Team West's captain at the last U17 World Hockey Challenge.
Pilon is the third player to leave the Hurricanes in recent days. F Jaemen Yakubowski and F Sam Mckechnie, both 19, were traded to the Seattle Thunderbirds after asking for trades.
The Hurricanes are 2-13-3 and already are 11 points out of a playoff spot in the 12-team Eastern Conference.
Will the last one out, please turn out the lights in the dressing room.
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Tweet from Brody Sutter (@Sutts19): "Time for a change in Lethbridge, community ownership is clearly not working. With local investors interested, why wouldn't you #SellTheCanes."
The son of former WHLer Duane Sutter, Brody played three-plus seasons with the Hurricanes. He now is with the AHL's Charlotte Hurricanes. In recent times, at least two of his uncles, Rich and Ron Sutter, have expressed interest in purchasing the Hurricanes.
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F Peter Quenneville, 19, has left the Quinnipiac University Bobcats to join his brother, John, 17, with the Brandon Wheat Kings. . . . Another brother, David, was selected by the Medicine Hat Tigers with the 10th overall selection of the 2013 bantam draft. . . . They are from Edmonton. . . . The Wheat Kings acquired Peter's rights from the Prince George Cougars for a third-round selection in the 2015 bantam draft. The Cougars had selected him in the fourth round of the 2009 draft. . . . Peter was a seventh-round selection by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL's 2013 NHL draft. . . . Peter had four assists in five games with the Bobcats. He played last season with the USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints, putting up 70 points, including 33 goals, in 63 games. He also played two seasons with the AJHL's Sherwood Park Crusaders and was the league's MVP in 2011-12. . . . The Wheat Kings, now with two 19-year-old forwards on the roster, are at home to the Saskatoon Blades on Thursday. . . . Quinnipiac is based in Hamden, Conn.
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Tweet from John Quenneville (@jaquinder88): "One of the best days of my life. Reunited with the big bro @Triple_P_Pete #deadly"
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The Regina Pats haven't been sold. Yet. . . . "Our situation is," Russ Parker, who owns the WHL franchise with his wife Diane, told Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post, "if somebody comes along and the deal makes sense, then it's something we'd probably consider. I've heard this last week that a deal was done. We're talking to someone but that's all it is. I'm not divulging anyone's names or anything. All I'm saying is there's interest in our team and leave it at that." . . . Harder's story is right here.
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OK. Where does it end? The ECHL's Bakersfield Condors have unveiled the sweaters they will wear in a game on Sunday, which just happens to be the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. Check out the wardrobe right here.
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A fan writes with questions for WHL commissioner Ron Robison, who will meet with about 100 season-ticket holders in Kelowna on Thursday:
1. What is the league trying to hide when designating an injury as 'upper' or 'lower' body without reporting the issue? In reporting details of injuries, are you afraid insurance rates will rise significantly as a result of the true scope of the injuries sustained?
2. Doesn't the use of developmental referees in a developmental league exacerbate the issue of injuries when a raw referee who can't quite see the game as clearly as a veteran official could, may miss countless calls away from the puck (be it head shot, stickwork, boarding) and the resulting infraction ends up as a retaliation call?
3. Why doesn't the WHL allow teams to replay penalty calls on their in-house screens for the fans to get a better look at the quality of officiating?
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There wasn't anything on the WHL website last night, but there are reports that D Evan Wardley of the Seattle Thunderbirds has drawn a four-game suspension after taking a charging major in a game against the visiting Portland Winterhawks on Friday. He already has served one game. . . . There also wasn't anything on the WHL website about a suspension to Everett Silvertips F Dawson Leedahl. But he apparently got two games for a checking-from-behind major against the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday. He has missed one game, so will be eligible to return after sitting out a game against the visiting Kamloops Blazers tonight.
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TUESDAY NIGHT:
In Cranbrook, G Wyatt Hoflin came on in relief and stopped 30 shots to help the Kootenay Ice to a 3-1 victory over the Calgary Hitmen. . . . Ice G Mackenzie Skapski left with an undisclosed injury after one period and eight saves. . . . The Ice erased a 1-0 second-period Calgary lead with three third-period goals. . . . F Jon Martin scored the Ice's last two goals. . . . F Jaedon Descheneau notched his 14th goal of the season for Kootenay. . . . Attendance was announced at 1,958, and that's the second straight home game that the Ice played before fewer than 2,000 fans. . . .

In Kamloops, G Bolton Pouliot stopped 36 shots to lead the Blazers to a 4-1 victory over his former team, the Red Deer Rebels. . . . Pouliot, 19, was dealt to the Blazers earlier this season, for a sixth-round pick in the 2016 bantam draft. . . . Red Deer plans on riding Patrik Bartosak, so GM/owner Brent Sutter dealt Pouliot to give him an opportunity to play. . . . F Cole Ully had a goal, his eighth, and two assists for Kamloops. . . . The Blazers (6-10-2) have points in their last three games (2-0-1). . . .

In Vancouver, G Tristan Jarry turned aside 37 shots as the Edmonton Oil Kings beat the Giants, 3-0. . . . Jarry has two shutouts this season and eight in his career. . . . This was Edmonton's first victory in six visits to the Pacific Coliseum. . . . Edmonton D Cody Corbett, who missed seven games with an injury, scored his eighth goal of the season in his 11th game. That is tops among WHL defencemen and also is a career high. He scored six goals in 54 game two seasons ago and had seven in 71 games last season. . . . Corbett also had an assist. . . . The Oil Kings are 4-1-0 in their last five games, all on the road. They'll play the next three on the road, too.
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From Victoria Cougars (@victoriacougars): "I wonder if this Marty the Marmot 'attack' is a staged publicity stunt by the Victoria Royals. Only 3500 fans last Friday is disturbingly low."
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From Tommy Carson (@tommycarson): "Front page of Times Colonist 'Police Probe Assault on Royals Mascot'. Page 2, story of scout leader sexually assaulting boys. #bizzaroworld"

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