Thursday notes . . .

If you’ve been wondering how G Tyson Sexsmith and the Vancouver Giants are dealing with his being named the WHL’s most over-rated player in the Tri-City Herald’s Best of the West poll, you can find out right here. . . .

F Adam Basford, who has joined Vancouver after being suspended by the BCHL’s Surrey Eagles, won’t be in the Giants’ lineup this weekend. The Giants signed Basford as an affiliate player (AP) in January so he can only play a maximum of five games until Surrey’s season is over, at which time he can play on a full-time basis. He had been suspended by Surrey for off-ice disciplinary reasons; that suspension has since been rescinded by the BCHL club. He had 54 points in 49 games with the Eagles. The Giants will have Kraymer Barnstable in goal Friday night when they are at home to the Portland Winter Hawks. . . .

With the Scotties Tournament of Hearts (aka the Canadian women’s curling championship) wrapping up Sunday in Regina, the Pats are preparing to conclude a six-game road trip. They’ll play the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday and the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday. The Pats, believe it or not, have lost nine times to the WHL’s poorer teams this season. . . . The Pats and Blades have fought their way through their last three meetings; this is the last time they will see each other this season. It is believed that Don King will drop the ceremonial first puck. . . .

The Kelowna Rockets, fourth in the Western Conference, hold a one-point lead over Seattle as the Thunderbirds visit the Little Apple on Friday. Kelowna gets back LW Lucas Bloodoff from a one-game WHL suspension. . . . LW James McEwan, Kelowna’s captain, has missed 21 games and remains out with a wrist injury. He suffered a bad skate cut on Dec. 29 and could return in two weeks. . . . The Rockets conclude their weekend by going home-and-home with the Vancouver Giants. They play Saturday in Kelowna and Sunday in Vancouver. . . .

D Carter Berg, the 26th pick in the 2007 bantam draft, may make his WHL debut with the Chilliwack Bruins in his hometown of Saskatoon on Friday night. The Bruins will play the Blades, whose roster includes D Mitch Berg, Carter’s older brother. . . . Carter plays for the midget AAA Saskatoon Contacts. . . .

D Paul Sohor is expected to make his WHL debut with the Everett Silvertips against the Chiefs in Spokane on Friday night. Sohor, the 98th pick in the 2006 bantam draft, plays for the MJHL’s Selkirk Steelers. He has nine pints and 45 penalty minutes in 54 games. . . .

G Real Cyr of the Prince George Cougars has a heavy heart these days. Jim Swanson, the sports editor of the Prince George Citizen, has Cyr’s story right here. . . .

And, finally, Brad Rock of the Deseret Morning News has a great column on the state of our sports world. It’s right here.