Hamilton still hunting for coach . . . 3-on-3 coming to WHL? . . . Kessel won't play this season

G Kevin Nastiuk (Medicine Hat, 2001-05) signed a one-year contract with Eisbären Berlin (Germany, DEL). Last season, with Dresdner Eislöwen (Germany, DEL2), he had a 3.29 GAA with two shutouts in 33 games. . . .
D Juraj Valach (Tri-City, Vancouver, Regina, Red Deer, 2006-08) signed a tryout contract with Medveščak Zagreb (Croatia, KHL). Last season, with Slavia Prague (Czech Republic, Extraliga), he had six goals and seven assists in 43 games. . . .
F Robin Soudek (Edmonton, Chilliwack/Victoria, 2008-12) signed a tryout contract with Olomouc (Czech republic, Extraliga). Last season, with the Stockton Thunder, Rapid City Rush and Evansville Icemen (all ECHL), he had 18 goals and 21 assists in 62 games. . . .
F Jan Eberle (Seattle, 2006-08) signed a tryout contract with Olomouc (Czech Republic, Extraliga). Last season, with Kladno (Czech Republic, 1. Liga), he had 18 goals and 19 assists in 52 games. He was an alternate captain.
D Mitch Versteeg (Lethbridge, 2006-07) signed a one-year contract with Kaufbeuren (Germany, DEL2). Last season, with the Nikko Icebucks (Japan, Asia HL), he had four goals and 10 assists in 40 games. . . .
F Mark Derlago (Brandon, 2003-07) signed a one-year contract with the Nikko Icebucks (Japan, Asia HL). Last season, with Esbjerg (Denmark, Metal Ligaen), he had 65 points, including 25 goals, in 36 games. He finished third in the league’s scoring race and was a first-team all-star. He also was an alternate captain.
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Bruce Hamilton, the president and general manager of the Kelowna Rockets continues to go through the process of hiring a head coach to replace the one-and-done Dan Lambert.
“I’m still waiting . . . there’s one particular individual that I’m waiting to see what he wants to do,” Hamilton told Larry Fisher of the Kelowna Daily Courier. “If he’s interested, then I would bring him in (for an interview) right away. . . .
“I’ve reached out to this guy. Someone who knows me contacted me and said ‘hey, this guy might be interested or might be looking.’ . . . A lot of times you’re dealing with guys who are in jobs right now and trying to decide whether they want to stay there or not.”
Lambert now is an assistant coach with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. He spent five season as an assistant coach with the Rockets, under head coach Ryan Huska. Last season, Lambert helped guide the Rockets to the WHL championship.
Fisher’s story is right here.
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On Monday evening, I posted a ‘Scattershooting’ piece here in which I wrote: “The WHL hasn’t announced it yet, but you can bet it will be going to 3-on-3 overtime in the upcoming season. Why? Because it mirrors the NHL, that’s why.”
It wasn’t long after that piece was posted than a couple of readers were in touch to inform me that WHL commissioner Ron Robison recently was on The Pipeline Show and said that the WHL was going to 3-on-3 OT this season.”
Robison appeared with The Pipeline Show guys on July 14. Asked about “changes on ice” that fans can expect to see, Robison responded:
“We have to take the time to make sure we all are on the same page and want to move forward with what the NHL has adopted. Our agreement with the NHL calls for us to mirror their playing rules. We really like the 3-on-3 overtime rule. I think there are some other areas that we will have some further discussion on. We still have the ability to determine at what stage we implement those new rules, but our thoughts are certainly to move forward for the upcoming season and we’ll take those steps in consultation not only with the general managers within our league but obviously the CHL as well to make sure we’re as consistent with our playing rules across the country as possible.”
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Got a tip or some information you feel could be useful to me, feel free to send an email to greggdrinnan@gmail.com.
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Greg Ireland has resigned as head coach of the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack in order to accept a coaching position elsewhere. However, no one is saying just where that position is. . . . Ireland had been with the Attack since 2011-12. . . . Ireland’s departure leaves the Attack with at least three vacancies on its coaching staff. Earlier this summer, assistant coach Drew Bannister left to become head coach of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and assistant coach Daniel Tkaczuk now is on the Kitchener Rangers’ coaching staff.
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Dave Brown is the new general manager of the OHL’s Erie Otters. He replaces long-time GM Sherry Bassin, who was moved out as the franchise changed hands. . . . Brown has been with the Otters for four seasons, serving most recently as director of hockey operations. . . . The Otters also are working on a contract extension with head coach Kris Knoblauch, whose current deal runs through 2015-16.
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Amanda Kessel, who hasn’t played hockey since the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, won’t play again this season thanks to post-concussion syndrome, meaning her college career is over. Kessel, the sister of Pittsburgh Penguins F Phil Kessel, suffered a concussion while with the U.S. women’s Olympic team. She was injured before the Games, but was cleared to play in the Games. . . . A star with the U of Minnesota Golden Gophers, she didn’t attend school after the Olympics. She won’t return to hockey in the upcoming season, although she may attempt to attend school. . . . Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forts Herald has more right here.
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Congrats to one of the hardest working men in show biz @ChadScharff on his new gig with @BladesHockey

— Morley Scott (@Morley_Scott) July 21, 2015

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THE MacBETH REPORT:

 D Brett Palin (Kelowna, 2000-05) signed a one-year contract with Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg (Germany, DEL). He had six goals and seven assists in 50 games with Chomutov (Czech Republic, Extraliga) this season. . . .




F Rastislav Konecny (Saskatoon, 2006-07) signed a one-year contract with Kosice (Slovakia, Extraliga). He had 21 goals and 13 assists in 47 games for Skalica (Slovakia, Extraliga) this season. . . .




D Robby Sandrock (Spokane, Swift Current, Medicine Hat, Kelowna, 1994-99) signed a one-year contract extension with the Belfast Giants (Northern Ireland, UK Elite). He had 16 goals and 27 assists in 47 games with the Giants this season and was named to the UK Elite second all-star team.
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Ken Dryden, as only he can do, takes a look at the Eric Gryba hit on Lars Eller, breaks down the reaction to it and offers up his interpretation of where we’re going with the game of hockey. It’s all right here.
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The Portland Winterhawks are able to wrap up the WHL championship tonight as they take a 3-1 lead over the Edmonton Oil Kings into Game 5 at the Rose Garden.
Here’s an ad that was spotted on Craigslist:
“Winterhawks Tickets Wanted (Delaying my induced child birth for this) - $30 (Portland/Vancouver)
“I am scheduled to have induced child birth on Friday 5/10. If I can find tickets for the game the doctor has agreed to move it until Monday. Please email if you have 2 tickets available.”
Sheesh, this must be a big game!
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Jack Todd of the Montreal Gazette has an interesting piece right here on Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban and the love-hate relationship with fans.
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By now, you likely are aware of all that went on in social media implying a feud between April Reimer, the wife of Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer, and Elisha Cuthbert, the fiancee of Toronto defenceman Dion Phaneuf. Of course, it’s not true. Dan Robson of Sportsnet has the story right here. Oh, and he also talks with the guy in the North Stars cap.
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Over at The Nation (thenation.com), Dave Zirin has written an excellent piece that carries this headline: The Cesspool: Why Youth Sports Stink. . . . It’s right here and well worth your time, unless you are a parent or a coach who is meeting your needs at the expense of kids, to paraphrase former NFLer Joe Ehrmann, who is quoted in this column.
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THE COACHING GAME:
The Regina Pats will be short two coaches after the Christmas break next season. Regina head coach Malcolm Cameron will be the head coach for Team West at the U17 World Hockey Challenge in Cape Breton. Regina assistant coach Josh Dixon will serve as an assistant coach. . . . The tournament begins on Dec. 29. . . .


The BCHL’s Alberni Valley Bulldogs have signed general manager/head coach Kevin Willison and Adam Hayduk, the assistant director of hockey operations and assistant coach, through 2014-15. . . . The Bulldogs finished the regular season at 29-20-2-5 this season. . . .


Greg Ireland will be back for a third season as head coach of the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack. General manager Dale DeGray announced Thursday that the team has picked up the option on Ireland’s contract. The Attack is 76-47-13 under Ireland.
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The WHL’s playoff situation:
CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Portland vs. Edmonton
(Portland leads, 3-1)
(All times local)
Game 1: Friday — Edmonton 4 at Portland 1 (10,097)
Game 2: Saturday — Edmonton 0 at Portland 3 (10,947)
Game 3: Tuesday — Portland 3 at Edmonton 1 (8,513)
Game 4: Wednesday — Portland 2 at Edmonton 1 (8,400)
Game 5: Today, at Portland (Rose Garden), 7 p.m.
x-Game 6: Sunday, at Edmonton, 4 p.m.
x-Game 7: Monday, May 13, at Portland (Rose Garden), 7 p.m.
x – if necessary.


All games are being televised by Shaw in Canada. They also will be televised in Portland, with Games 5 and 6 on Comcast SportsNet, and Game 7 on Root Sports.
Comcast and Roots will pick up the Shaw telecast that feature play-by-play man Dan Russell, along with Bill Wilms, Peter Loubardias and Andy Neal.
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THURSDAY’S GAME:
No Game Scheduled.
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CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT (21):
None

CHECKING-TO-THE-HEAD COUNT (7):
None
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From Sunaya Sapurji (@sunayas) of Yahoo! Sports: “One person is offering "PS3 for free with controllers and games plus $50" for tickets to the Mooseheads. #CrazyTown)
Sapurji has more on the drive to get tickets right here.

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.