Oilers sign potential Rockets coach . . . Tory backs city council candidate . . . Patterson gets married

F Colin Long (Kelowna, 2005-09) signed a one-year contract with Asplöven Haparanda (Sweden, Allsvenskan). Last season, with the Krefeld Pinguine (Germany, DEL), he had seven goals and six assists in 30 games. . . .
G Barry Brust (Spokane, Calgary, 2000-04) signed a one-year contract with Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia, KHL). Last season, with Medveščak Zagreb (Croatia, KHL), he was 2.15, .933 with two shutouts in 19 games; in 22 games with Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk (Russia, KHL), he was 2.70, .916 with two shutouts. . . .
F Dylan Sylvester (Kootenay, 2004-10) signed a one-year contract with Dornbirn (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). Last season, with the Vienna Capitals, he had 10 goals and seven assists in 48 games.
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Bruce Hamilton, the president and general manager of the Kelowna Rockets, thought that Ian Herbers might be his team’s next head coach.
That thought ended Sunday when the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers signed Herbers, until then the head coach of the U of Alberta Golden Bears, as an assistant coach.
On Monday afternoon, Larry Fisher of the Kelowna Daily Courier, who covers the Rockets, tweeted that “Ian Herbers from University of Alberta has been hired by @EdmontonOilers as assistant coach to round out Todd McLellan's staff. “
Herbers, 47, has spent the past three seasons as head coach of the Golden Bears, who have won the last two CIS championships.
“We were very high on him,” Hamilton told Fisher. “He would’ve been a slam-dunk in my mind, but that’s the way it goes.
“Now we’ll go through and dig in a little deeper and try to get as much information as we can on each guy before we start to decide who I want to bring in (for interviews).”
Hamilton is working to find a replacement for Dan Lambert, who resigned last week after one season as the Rockets’ head coach. Lambert, who had been on staff as an assistant coach for five seasons before that, now is an assistant coach with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.
McLellan is preparing for his first season as the Oilers’ head coach. He spent the past seven seasons as head coach of the San Jose Sharks.
McLellan and Herbers’ paths have crossed on numerous occasions.
They were both WHL players and played at the same time for one season, Herbers with the Swift Current Broncos and McLellan with the Saskatoon Blades. Later, they spent one season together with the IHL’s Cleveland Lumberjacks, McLellan as the head coach and Herbers one of the team’s defencemen.
As for the Rockets, Fisher reports that Hamilton has heard from more than 50 men who are interested in the job.
“We’ve got lots of real good possibilities,” Hamilton told Fisher. “I’m working my way through, trying to figure out who we’re interested in and researching them out.
“My first preference is to find somebody with some experience. If we don’t, then we’ll work our way down to the best young guy (who) is available.”
——
The Vancouver Giants made it official on Monday morning -- they have hired Tyler Kuntz to work as an assistant coach under new head coach Lorne Molleken. . . . Kuntz, 36, is from Lumsden, Sask. He spent the last five seasons with the UBC Thunderbirds, serving as head coach last season. . . . The Giants also said that Matt Erhart, who came on board as an assistant coach two years ago, “will remain on staff.”
——
All of this means that there are a couple of high-profile CIS jobs available, what with UBC and Alberta, both of which play in Canada West, in need of head coaches.
The Alberta job will garner a lot of interest because it is the No. 1 hockey school in Canada. There is speculation, however, that Herbers will take, or be given, a one- or two-year leave of absence from the Golden Bears, so perhaps that will cut down at least a bit on the amount of interest in that job.
The UBC job isn’t as attractive, if only because the athletic department there has been in a state of upheaval in recent times. (For more on that, check out this piece right here, from October 2013, by Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun.)
——
It isn’t often that WHL team officials get involved in civic politics, at least not in a fashion that would be visible to the public.
However, Bob Tory, who owns a piece of the Tri-City Americans and is the team’s governor and general manager, has stepped outside that safe zone.
On Monday, Tory tweeted: “I support Matt Boehnke for Kennewick City Council.”
Tory has been stumping for a new arena to replace the Toyota Centre, the Americans’ home arena that is located in Kennewick. It’s likely safe to assume that Boehnke would like to see a new arena, too.
——
They don’t make them like Ken Stabler these days. The former quarterback of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders died last week at the age of 69. . . . In 1980, Pete Axthelm, one of sports writing’s all-time greats, wrote a terrific piece on Stabler. It’s right here.
——
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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The Philadelphia Flyers have signed Scott Gordon as the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Gordon, 52, last coached with the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant coach for three seasons (2011-14). Before that, he spent parts of three seasons as head coach of the New York Islanders. He also spent parts of six seasons as head coach of the AHL’s Providence Bruins. . . . The Flyers also announced that Riley Cote (Prince Albert, 1998-2002) will be back as an assistant coach with the Phantoms. Cote, 33, is preparing for his sixth season with the Phantoms. . . . Terry Murray had been the Phantoms’ head coach before he signed on as an assistant with the Buffalo Sabres.
——
Bill Muckalt was introduced Monday as the new general manager and head coach of the USHL’s Tri-City Storm, which plays out of Kearney, Neb. Muckalt, who played two seasons with the BCHL’s Merritt Centennials before going on to Michigan and then to a pro career, has spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach at Michigan Tech. . . . With the Storm, he replaces Jim Hulton, now the head coach of the QMJHL’s Charlottetown Islanders.
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The NHL’s New Jersey Devils have signed F John Quenneville of the Brandon Wheat Kings to a three-year entry-level contract. Quenneville, 19, was the 30th overall selection in the NHL’s 2014 draft. Last season, the Edmonton native had 17 goals and 30 assists in 57 games.
——
F Chase Lowry, a 15-year-old from Edmonton, has signed with the Red Deer Rebels. He was a third-round selection by the Rebels in the 2015 bantam draft. Last season, Lowry played for the bantam AAA South Side Athletic Club Lions, putting up 36 points, 16 of them goals, in 21 games.
——
The Moose Jaw Warriors, one of four publicly owned WHL franchises, will hold their annual general meeting on Thursday, 7 p.m., at the Heritage Inn. A year ago, the Warriors announced a net profit of $61,566, down from $343,890 the previous season and $394,656 the season before that.
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I meant to post this Sunday night, but it slipped through the cracks. Nick Patterson, a friend who covers the Everett Silvertips for the Everett Herald, tweeted this . . .

I don't often post personal stuff. But yeah, this just happened. pic.twitter.com/NvgK3Cb4Sh

— Nick Patterson (@NickHPatterson) July 12, 2015

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Two fans of the Red Deer Rebels
get married in Mexico.

THE MacBETH REPORT:F Max Brandl (Prince Albert, Portland, 2007-09) signed a one-year contract extension with the Landshut Cannibals (Germany, 2.Bundesliga). He had 11 goals and 19 assists in 47 games for the 2.Bundesliga champion Cannibals. . . .
D Ivan Barenka (Everett, 2003-05) signed a one-year contract with Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia, KHL). He had five goals and 16 assists in 47 games for Spartak Moscow (Russia, KHL), where he was an alternate captain for Spartak this season. . . .
F Tyler Maxwell (Everett, Edmonton, 2008-12) signed a one-year contract with Red Bull Salzburg (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). He had 37 goals and 34 assists in 66 games split between Everett and Edmonton this season. Nick Patterson of the Everett Herald has the story right here.
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The photo at the top of today’s entry was tweeted by Kasla Millar (@kayla_millar), along with this: “My husband and I got married in Mexico and look what we brought with us! #rebelpride”
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The U of Alberta has hired Ian Herbers as its latest hockey coach.
Herbers (Kelowna, Spokane, Lethbridge, Swift Current, 1984-88) is a former U of A player. He takes over from Stan Marple, who now is the program’s general manager. Marple coached one season after replacing Eric Thurston (Victoria, 1981-84).
Herbers has been coaching for nine seasons, the last three with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. He took over as head coach early this season when Kirk Muller signed on as head coach with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.
It was a desire to have the U of A position that ultimately cost Kris Knoblauch his head-coaching position with the WHL’s Kootenay Ice.
Knoblauch completed two season’s as the Ice’s head coach and, in fact, won the WHL’s 2011 championship in Cranbrook. When the U of A posted its head-coaching position, Marple contacted Knoblauch, who expressed an interest but had one year remaining on his contract with the Ice.
Chynoweth provided Knoblauch with a one-week window to explore the situation, but then was led to believe that Knoblauch would fulfil the terms of his contract. Chynoweth later gave Knoblauch a one-year extension, taking him through 2013-14.
It is worth noting that despite the fact Knoblauch was under contract, no one from the U of A contacted Chynoweth to ask for permission to speak with Knoblauch. (I am told that one U of A player has apologized to Chynoweth, via email, for the way all of this was handled.)
However, when Chynoweth learned Friday that Knoblauch was on the U of A’s shortlist and, in fact, was scheduled to be interviewed, he terminated his head coach’s contract.
(Evan Daum of the Edmonton Journal has more right here on how the U of A search for a head coach turned into something of a gong show.
(Robin Brownlee, over at oilersnation.com, says the whole thing doesn’t pass the smell test. That’s right here.)
At this point in time, there are two WHL teams without head coaches — the Ice and Brandon Wheat Kings, whose owner, Kelly McCrimmon, fired Cory Clouston earlier this month.
Clouston, of course, is a former Kootenay head coach, but don’t expect him to re-surface with the Ice.
And while you’re at it, you can scratch Dean Chynoweth, Jeff’s brother, off the list, too. Dean is available, having been fired from his position as assistant coach by the New York Islanders when their season ended. Yeah, that was all his fault, just like the Calgary Flames’ woes last season were Ryan McGill’s fault. The Flames, you’ll recall, dropped McGill as an assistant coach after the 2010-11 season.
McGill, of course, is another former Ice coach. He was out of hockey this season. Might he be interested in a return to Cranbrook? Likely not, but never say never.
The Wheat Kings, meanwhile, aren’t likely to hire a head coach unless Clouston finds work elsewhere. He had a year left on his contract, meaning the Wheat Kings are on the hook for that unless he signs on with another organization.
The leading candidate in Brandon, at least at this moment, has to be McCrimmon. He was head coach for seven seasons prior to hiring Clouston, and the team posted 298 regular-season victories with him behind the bench.
Anyway, just for fun, here’s a look at some potential candidates for head-coaching positions — they are presented in no particular order, other than the first one who will at the top of most lists like this:
DAVE HUNCHAK: Presently the associate coach with the Kamloops Blazers. . . . Has been WHL coach for eight seasons, four as head guy in Moose Jaw. . . . .Gets lots of credit for amazing turnaround in Kamloops this season. . . . Believed to have window in contract from sometime in June into August that would allow him to move. . . . Won’t move just to become head coach. Has been there and done that. . . . Might be more interested in a position like the Milwaukee head-coaching vacancy than a move within the WHL.
JASON BECKER: Assistant coach with the Prince George Cougars since 2009. . . . Played in WHL (Saskatoon, Red Deer, Kamloops, Swift Current, 1990-94). Also played in CIS, WCHL and in Europe. . . . Was a defenceman. . . . Earlier this month was named head coach Team Pacific for the U17 World Hockey Challenge. . . . Eager, energetic, enthusiastic.
GLEN HANLON: Has coaching experience in the NHL and in Europe. . . . Former Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender just finished his first season as an assistant with the Vancouver Giants. . . . For family reasons, he isn’t likely to leave B.C.’s Lower Mainland. . . . Should Vancouver head coach Don Hay leave — let’s just say he signs on as an assistant coach under Ken Hitchcock with the St. Louis Blues — Hanlon would be the leading candidate to take over the Giants.
STEVE HAMILTON: Assistant coach with Edmonton Oil Kings for two seasons now. . . . Was GM and head coach of AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints for four seasons before joining Oil Kings. . . . Saints went 52-4-4 to win AJHL title in 2009-10. . . . A real up-and-coming candidate.
DAVE LOWRY: Was head coach of Calgary Hitmen for one season (2008-09), going 59-9-4. . . . Promptly moved up to the parent Calgary Flames where he spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach before being dumped after this season.
JON KLEMM: Former WHL and pro defenceman has been an assistant coach with the Spokane Chiefs for three seasons. . . . Played 773 regular-season NHL games. . . . He’s from Cranbrook.
CHAD MERCIER: General manager and head coach of AJHL’s Bonnyville Pontiacs since April 2006. . . . Former WHL goaltender with WHL coaching experience with the Regina Pats and Saskatoon Blades. . . . One of these summers his phone is going to ring.
MALCOLM CAMERON: Just complete his first season as an assistant coach under Pat Conacher with the Regina Pats. . . . Was head coach for nine seasons in ECHL, United league and Central league before signing with Regina. . . . Wants to be a head coach again. . . . Gets high marks from Conacher.
DARREN KRUGER: Former WHL defenceman joined the Medicine Hat Tigers’ coaching staff in January 2006. . . . Veteran assistant coach may be ready to take the giant step.
DEAN BROCKMAN: General manager and head coach of SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos. . . . Won four titles in six seasons. . . . Has been with the Broncos for 11 seasons. . . . Would he leave the farm?
GORD THIBODEAU: General manager and head coach of AJHL’s Fort McMurray Oil Barons. . . . Has been with the Oil Barons since 2003-04. . . . Applied for head coaching job at U of Alberta. That position was attractive as he is from Edmonton, his family lives there and he played for the Golden Bears. . . . Perhaps he isn’t prepared to move anywhere other than Edmonton.
MIKE VANDENBERGHE: Former WHL defenceman (Moose Jaw, Brandon, Medicine Hat, 1987-92). . . . Has worked on coaching staffs with Brandon and Moose Jaw. Presently assistant coach with the Warriors. . . . Also has coached at the CIS and junior A levels. . . . Has all the qualifications. . . . But would he leave his home in Regina Beach, Sask., where you can bet that he’s been into Butler’s for fish and chips?
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THE COACHING GAME:
Jomar Cruz has stepped aside as head coach of the MJHL’s OCN Blizzard, a franchise that is based in The Pas. Cruz, a goaltender, played in the WHL with Brandon, Tri-City and Portland (1997-2000). He had been with the Blizzard since 2006.
———
The Chicago Blackhawks made it official Tuesday. They have signed two WHL goaltenders – Kent Simpson of the Everett Silvertips and Mac Carruth of the Portland Winterhawks. . . . Simpson was a second-round selection in the 2010 NHL draft, while the Blackhawks took Carruth in the seventh round. . . . Had the players not been signed by Friday, they would have been made available in the 2012 draft. . . . Both players are 20 years of age, meaning they are eligible to play one more season in the WHL. But they also are eligible to play professionally so could end up anywhere in Chicago’s organization.
Alan Caldwell, over at Small Thoughts at Large, has been keeping track of who from the 2010 draft has signed and who hasn’t.
It appears that the Edmonton Oilers are working to sign D Brandon Davidson, who completed his eligibility with the Regina Pats this season, but will let Kootenay Ice F Drew Czerwonka re-enter the draft. Both were sixth-round selections in the 2010 draft.
———

Barclay Parneta, Tri-City’s prospect
development coach and head scout,
welcomes Parker Wotherspoon
to the Americans.

The Tri-City Americans have signed D Parker Wotherspoon to a WHL contract. He was Tri-City’s first-round selection, 21st overall, in the 2012 bantam draft. A native of Surrey, B.C., Wotherspoon had 54 points in 55 games with the bantam AAA Cloverdale Colts this season. . . . Wotherspoon is likely to play for the major midget Valley West Hawks nexdt season. . . . He is the younger brother of Portland Winterhawks D Tyler Wotherspoon.
———
An interesting note from James Shewaga, the sports editor of the Brandon Sun:
“For the first time in 19 years, organizers of the Source for Sports AAA Hockey Challenge have suspended a player indefinitely from their spring and summer hockey tournaments.
Tournament director Darryl Wolski handed the suspension to a 15-year-old player from Winnipeg for reportedly slashing a referee with his stick during the championship final of the 1997 age group division on Sunday at Westman Place. The player in question, who was selected in this year’s Western Hockey League bantam draft, was being escorted off the ice following his ejection from the game.”

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It was quite a night at the Rose Garden in Portland where the annual Teddy
Bear Toss was accompanied by a marriage ceremony as Linda (Lulu)
Moonwood and Dr. Robert Murakami exchanged vows.
(Photos courtesy Portland Winterhawks)

Let’s be honest!
The big story from Saturday’s WHL action was in Portland where the Winterhawks took the Teddy Bear game to new heights.
There were 10,947 fans — a sellout for hockey — in the Rose Garden when F Ty Rattie scored the Teddy Bear goal at 2:52 of the first period.
And while they were cleaning the stuffed toys off the ice, a marriage ceremony involving Linda (Lulu) Moonwood and Dr. Robert Murakami took place.
I have looked high and low on the Internet but haven’t been able to find the couple’s names. (If someone has them, please email me at gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca.)
I am told the groom is a local men’s league goaltender. Judging by his wedding suit, he takes his position in the goaltender’s union rather seriously.
By the way, does the groom resemble Denis Lemieux, or what? Come on! Just a bit?
No matter. Congratulations to the happy couple on what certainly was a wedding to remember. ———
In Regina, F Jordan Weal and F Trent Ouellette each had a goal and two assists to help the Pats to a 5-3 victory over the Red Deer Rebels. . . . F Colton Stephenson scored the Teddy Bear goal at 11:05 of the first period. . . . Weal broke a 3-3 tie at 15:36 of the third period. . . . F Tyler Giebel, who had four goals in 60 games over three seasons with the Everett Silvertips, scored in his first game with Red Deer. Giebel, 18, is from Balgonie, Sask. Regina is a suburb of Balgonie. . . .

In Swift Current, F Cain Franson scored twice for Vancouver as the Giants edged the Broncos, 3-2. . . . Vancouver went 4-1-1 on its trek through the East Division. The only other time the Giants won four games on the trip was in 2005-06. . . . Franson has 11 goals. . . . Vancouver F Jordan Martinook got his 17th goal; he has seven goals in his last eight games. . . . F Anthony Ast drew two assists for the Giants. . . . The Broncos had only 11 shots on goal threw two periods. They were outshot 15-3 in the first. . . . Vancouver G Adam Morrison leads the WHL with 18 victories. . . .

In Moose Jaw, the Warriors scored the game’s last two goals and beat the Kootenay Ice, 2-1. . . . The Ice has lost two straight for the first time this season. . . . F Brett Lyon, with his 10th, tied it at 16:55 of the first on the PP. . . . F Quinton Howden broke the tie with his 1with at 18:19 of the first. . . . Moose Jaw G Luke Siemens stopped 26 shots to improve to 15-6-4. . . . Ice F Max Reinhart picked up an assist to run his points streak to nine games. . . .

In Medicine Hat, the Spokane Chiefs scored five straight goals and beat the Tigers, 6-3. . . . F Mitch Holmberg had three goals for Spokane, giving him 10. He has two career hat tricks. . . . Spokane is 2-1-1 on its six-game swing. . . . Chiefs F Steve Kuhn, who is from Oyen, Alta., and played for the bantam AAA Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds, had three assists. . . . The Tigers got the game’s first two goals, but the Chiefs scored once in the second period and added four in a row in the first 15 minutes of the third. . . . F Emerson Etem had a goal, his WHL-leading 28th, and two assists for the Tigers. . . . The team’s captains, Darren Kramer of the Chiefs and Cole Grbavac of the Tigers, did battle at 4:38 of the first. . . .

In Lethbridge, G Damien Ketlo stopped 52 shots to lead the Hurricanes to a 6-3 victory over the Saskatoon Blades. . . . The Hurricanes have won three in a row and six of eight. . . . Lethbridge F Russell Maxwell broke a 2-2 at 10:22 of the second. . . . Lethbridge opened the third with two goals and took it from there. . . . The Blades had won six straight road games. . . . Lethbridge F Reid Duke, 15, picked up an assist.  He was the fifth overall pick in the 2011 bantam draft. . . . The Hurricanes also used F Tyler Wong from the midget AAA UFA Bisons. . . . Saskatoon F Josh Nicholls scored his 20th goal in his 30th game. Last season, he had 34 goals in 71 games. . . . Nicholls later left the game with an apparent injury after taking a hard check. . . .

In Kamloops, G Cole Cheveldave stopped 29 shots, including a penalty shot, as the Blazers ran their winning streak to six games with a 4-2 victory over the Victoria Royals. . . . Cheveldave stopped F Robin Soudek on a first-period penalty shot. . . . The Blazers beat the Rockets for the fourth time in nine nights. All told, Kamloops is 5-0 against the Royals this season, with three games left in the season series. . . . F Ben Walker, who joined the Royals a couple of weeks ago from the Minnesota high school ranks, scored his first goal. . . . Kamloops Ryan Hanes broke a 2-2 tie at 5:08 of the third. It was his fourth goal in 28 games. Last season, he had four in 70 games; in 2009-10, he had four in 51 games. . . . Kamloops last won six in a row in 2006-07. That season, its streak ended at eight victories. . . . The Blazers are 12-2 against B.C. Division opponents. . . . Kamloops also won its 20th game of the season; last season, it won No. 20 on Jan. 7. . . .

In Kelowna, F Alex Forsberg broke a 2-2 tie just 34 seconds into the third period and the Prince George Cougars beat the Rockets, 3-2. . . . Forsberg has six goals. . . . The Rockets mustered only 18 shots, including three in the first period and four in the third. . . . D Martin Marincin had two assists for the Cougars, who are 7-10-1 on the road but just 2-8-1 at home. . . . Prince George F Charles Inglis, 19, was a healthy scratch. . . .

In Portland, F Ty Rattie scored once and set up three others as the Winterhawks bounced the Seattle Thunderbirds, 7-1. . . . Rattie’s goal, at 2:52 of the first period, was the Teddy Bear goal. . . . The Winterhawks have won nine in a row at home and four straight overall. . . . Portland, which was 4-for-8 on the PP, fired 60 shots on goal, including 29 in the first period. . . . Seattle G Calvin Pickard made 39 stops through two periods. Daniel Cotton stopped 14 shots in the third. . . . Portland F Sven Bartschi? He had three assists. . . . The Winterhawks will play the Cougars in Prince George on Tuesday and Wednesday. . . . F Nino Niederreiter of the NHL’s New York Islanders, whose WHL rights belong to the Winterhawks, suffered a concussion in an NHL game on Saturday. Niederreiter, 19, is to be re-evaluated today. . . . Niederreiter had the boom lowered on him by Dallas Stars D Marc Fistric, a product of the Vancouver Giants. The hit is right here. . . . Discuss among yourselves how many games Sheriff Shanahan will give Fistric, who wasn’t penalized for the hit.
———
In Kennewick, Wash., F Adam Hughesman scored the only goal of the shootout and the Tri-City Americans beat the Everett Silvertips, 4-3. . . . F Jordan Messier scored the Teddy Bear goal at 11:58 of the first period after Everett had taken a 2-0 lead. . . . Tri-City F Brendan Shinnimin forced OT with a PP goal at 11:50 of the third. . . . Everett is 1-5 in shootouts. . . . Tri-City G Eric Comrie stopped 24 shots and three in the shootout as he improved to 9-3-0. . . . Everett G Kent Simpson stopped 46 shots. . . . The Silvertips have lost six straight.
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SATURDAY’S CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT:
D Colton Jobke, Regina
F Mike Forsyth, Victoria
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Josh Cooper of The Tennessean writes on on former WHL D Ian Herbers, who took over this week as head coach of the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. That piece is right here.
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If you have been following the saga involving the scrap between Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca that took place in Vancouver two days before the Grey Cup game, here’s an interesting bit from Greg Douglas, who writes a weekly column for the Vancouver Sun:
“What wasn't caught on camera for YouTube and other Internet coverage was Kapp's hurried exit from the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel after the scrap. He tripped over a set of luggage on the sidewalk on West Hastings and hit the pavement like he'd been sacked, landing on a knee that instantly swelled up to the size of a grapefruit. He scrambled to his feet, looked around hoping nobody would recognize him and limped off into the late afternoon downtown mist.”
———
Steve Simmons, in the Toronto Sun:
“If you’ve been around junior hockey at all, you’ll know the name Jim Cressman. The old umpire and longtime reporter is packing it in with The London Free Press. The industry will be one heavyweight lighter without him.”
All the best, Jim!
———
Today's good read is right here.
The New York Times has started a three-part series examining the life and death, and everything in between, of the late Derek Boogaard. Part 1 of the series written by John Branch is tremendous. You won't want to miss it.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
     
gdrinnan.blogspot.com
     
Taking Note on Twitter

THE MacBETH REPORT:
D Robert Schnabel (Red Deer, 1997-99) signed a contract for the rest of this season with Fassa (Italy, Serie A). He had one assist in nine games with Plzen (Czech Republic, Extraliga) earlier this season. . . .
F Tyler Bouck (Prince George, 1995-2000) and D Chris Heid (Spokane, 1998-2003) each signed a contract extension with Ingolstadt (Germany, DEL). . . . Bouck signed a two-year extension through the 2013-14 season, while Heid signed a one-year extension through 2012-2013. . . . Bouck, who also is the team captain, has eight goals and 10 assists in 22 games this season. Heid has two assists in 13 games. . . . Ingolstadt's head coach is Rich Chernomaz (Saskatoon, Victoria Cougars, 1979-83); the assistant coach is Rick Nasheim (Spokane, Regina, 1980-83). This is Chernomaz's 13th season as a head coach in the DEL.
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F Branden Troock of the Seattle Thunderbirds will miss up to four weeks with an injury suffered early in the first period of Saturday’s 8-2 loss to the Blazers in Kamloops.
Troock was taken off the ice on a stretcher at 1:50 of the first period. He was taken to

Semisportmed.com

Royal Inland Hospital for X-rays and a CT scan, where he was found to have a non-displaced fracture of his first rib. He returned to Seattle on the team bus after the game and was re-examined by team doctors on Monday.
Here is part of the Thunderbirds’ press release:
“Kamloops forward Brendan Ranford attempted to make a check on Troock as he was moving the puck up the ice from the Seattle zone. In the process of the check, the momentum of Ranford's stick swung and hit Troock from behind in the neck. The blow struck Troock along the full vertical length of his neck.
“Troock fell to the ice upon the impact of Ranford's stick hitting him. He attempted to get up and skate off the ice, but was unable . . .
“Because of the graphic nature of this injury to Troock and the many fans who have inquired, the T-Birds feel it is important to let fans and media know the extent of his injury. . . . it has been confirmed that Troock suffered a fracture of the first rib from the force of the blow.
“It is estimated that Troock will miss about four weeks as the rib heals.”
A note from Wikipedia on the first rib:
“The first rib is the most curved and usually the shortest of all the ribs; it is broad and flat, its surfaces looking upward and downward, and its borders inward and outward.”
There is more right here.
The Thunderbirds are to be commended for the way in which they have handled this situation. Trainer Phil Varney was patient in providing an explanation during a trying situation after Saturday’s game. The statement issued by the team late Monday afternoon lets people know exactly what happened.And that certainly beats leaving it until Tuesday and listing Troock as being out for a month with an upper-body injury.
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You won’t read a whole lot here about Canada’s national junior team as there are plenty of other places that have lots of information.
But there were two noteable omissions from the selection camp roster that was announced Monday.
Calvin Pickard of the Seattle Thunderbirds is the WHL’s best goaltender and deserves a spot on that roster.
And you really have to wonder what F Jordan Weal of the Regina Pats has to do in order to get an invitation? His omission is especially glaring.
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Later in the day, Pickard tweeted:
“Congrats to all the invitees to team Canada!! Lots of buddies got invited! Go for gold!”
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Rob Vanstone, in the Regina Leader-Post:
“What does Jordan Weal have to do to suitably impress the Hockey Canada brass? The Regina Pats star has been turning heads ever since entering the WHL as a 16-year-old. He routinely makes amazing plays at high speed and, as such, should have been a mortal lock for inclusion on Canada’s world junior team. Yet, he wasn’t among the 41 invitees to the selection camp. Granted, the CHL is loaded with elite talent, but it is preposterous to suggest that Weal is not among the top 41 major-junior players in the country.”
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JUST NOTES: Don’t look now but this season is starting to shape up a lot like the last one for the Kootenay Ice. The Ice is 18-5-3. Last season, after 26 games, it was 17-7-2. And we all know what happened last season, don’t we? . . . By the way, when the Ice went 5-0 in its trip through the B.C. Division last week, it was the first time in franchise history it had done that. . . . The Ice has won six in a row on the road, tying a franchise record (Dec. 18, 2009, to Jan. 22, 2010; Nov. 11, 1999, to Nov. 26, 1999). . . . Ice G Nathan Lieuwen has played in 141 games played, two shy of the franchise record held by Jeff Glass (2002-05). . . .
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation revealed the preliminary roster for its national junior team on Monday. However, it didn’t include any major junior players. Those players, including perhaps Saskatoon Blades G Andrey Makarov, will be added later in December. . . .
With two NHL teams, the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals, changing coaches on Monday, former WHL D Ian Herbers (Kelowna, Spokane, Lethbridge, Swift Current, 1984-88) became a head coach. He had been an assistant coach under Kirk Muller with the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators. With Muller moving up to Carolina, Herbers, 44, is the Admirals’ new head coach. . . . Herbers’ first game as head coach comes tonight against the visiting Abbotsford Heat. . . . Muller’s AHL head-coaching career lasted 17 games. He took over from former WHL player/coach Lane Lambert, who moved up to the Predators as an assistant coach. . . . Dave Boehler of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the last time Milwaukee went through a mid-season coaching change “was in 1984-85, when Jim Pappin took over for Cliff Koroll.” . . . Boehler also reported: “Martin Gelinas, the current director of player development with Nashville, will help Herbers until a new assistant coach is hired.”
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If you haven’t yet seen it, the Joe Kapp-Angelo Mosca dustup has more than gone viral. It happened Friday at a Grey Cup lunchon in Vancouver. The two, both of whom are only three or four months from turning 74, have had a thing going since the 1963 Grey Cup game.
Anyway, their clip got play prior to ESPN’s Monday Night Football and also got on CNN. Kapp, of course, is a name in the U.S., if only because he is the only quarterback to have played in the Rose Bowl, Super Bowl and Grey Cup.
And, on Monday, there also was this right here in The New York Times. If you haven’t seen it, the video is here, too.
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gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
     
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Wednesday . . .

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Matt MacKay (Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat, Vancouver, Brandon, 2008-11) signed a one-year contract with Kölner Haie (Germany, DEL). He had 29 goals and 51 assists in 71 games with Vancouver Giants and Brandon Wheat Kings this season. Köln CEO Thomas Eichin: "Matt is a top talent. We are glad we were able to get him because he fits into our scheme. Young and hungry. He also has the right professional genes. His father was a very successful player." . .  . Matt's father Mark (Moose Jaw, 1984-1985), who is a Calgary-based player agent, played 12 seasons in Germany and made 50 appearances with the German national team. . . .
D Mike Egener (Calgary, 2000-04) signed a one-year contract with Esbjerg (Denmark, AL-Bank Liga). He had two goals and six assists in 44 games for the Florida Everblades (ECHL). Esbjerg head coach (and former N.Y. Islanders D) Tomas Jonsson: "He's a big, strong guy and he will help us a lot with the game in our own zone. We have long wished for a defenseman of that caliber and Mike comes with some power, so I very much look forward to working with him." . . .
F Garrett Bembridge (Saskatoon, 1997-2001) signed a one-year contract with Valpellice (Italy, Serie A). He had 25 goals and 17 assists in 48 games for Eispiraten Crimmitschau (Germany, 2.Bundesliga) this season. . . .
G Jeff Glass (Kootenay, 2002-05) signed a two-year contract extension with Barys Astana (Kazakhstan, KHL). He had a 2.95 GAA and a .911 save percentage in 23 games for Astana this season.
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JUST NOTES: D Tyler Bell, 17, has signed to play with the SJHL’s Estevan Bruins, unless he sticks with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers. Bell spent the last two seasons with the midget AAA Regina Pat Canadians. Right now, he would seventh at best on the Blazers’ depth chart. . . . The Blazers, by the way, are expected to announce the signing of an assistant coach today. Head coach Guy Charron is heading into the second year of a two-year deal, so perhaps an extension will be in order for him. . . . Kamloops didn’t renew the contracts of assistants Scott Ferguson and Geoff Smith after last season ended. . . . Interesting goings-on in the NorPac Junior Hockey League where officials have suspended four of its 12 teams for next season. Matt Baldwin of the Whitefish Pilot has that story right here. . . . F Taylor Piller, who won four championships in as many SJHL seasons, has decided to attend Simon Fraser University and play hockey there. Piller won two championships with the Humboldt Broncos and two more with the La Ronge Ice Wolves. . . .
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THE COACHING GAME: Pat Bingham is the new head coach of the ECHL’s Elmira Jackals. Bingham (Kamloops, New Westminster, 1985-89) is the ninth head coach in franchise history. He spent the last four seasons on the coaching staff of the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, taking over as head coach in November. . . . Former Prince George Cougars head coach Lane Lambert will be named today as an assistant coach by the NHL’s Nashville Predators. He has been the head coach of Nashville’s AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, for four seasons. . . . Former WHL D Ian Herbers, an assistant under Lambert for two seasons, is a candidate to take over as Milwaukee’s head coach. . . . Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post updates the situation involving the Regina Pats and contract negotiations with a few members of the organization. That piece is right here.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
     
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