F Johannes Salmonsson (Spokane, 2005-06) signed a two-year contract extension with Linköping (Sweden, SHL). He had 10 goals and 11 assists in 53 games last season.
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The Canadian Medical Association, at a meeting in Calgary, has condemned NHL owners for their acceptance of violence in the game.
According to The Canadian Press: “Two-thirds of delegates . . . voted ‘to condemn the complacency of the NHL in regards to violence in hockey.’ ”
The complete story is right here.
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Meanwhile, a study published online in the journal Neurology on Wednesday, deals with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the impact it may have on different people.
Sheryl Ubelacker of The Canadian Press has that story right here, and this is important stuff.
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In their 43-year history, the Prince Albert Raiders have never retired a number. That will change on Nov. 1 when the Raiders retire F Mike Modano’s No. 9. This will happen prior to a game against the visiting Regina Pats. . . . Modano had 295 points in 176 games over three seasons with the Raiders. . . . According to a Raiders’ news release: “A sub-committee of the Raiders Board of Directors extensively researched and deliberated the honour of retiring jerseys by junior hockey franchises, and created a very strict criteria from their findings for the Prince Albert Raiders Hockey Club. Following an evaluation of the criteria, the Board of Directors approved the retirement of Mike Modano’s number 9.” . . . Mayor Greg Dionne has declared Nov. 1 and 2 to be Mike Modano Weekend in Prince Albert. The weekend also will feature the Kinsmen Sportsman Dinner, with Modano as special guest. Former Raiders play-by-play voice Kevin Winters will be the emcee.———
F Robin Soudek, who played in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings, Chilliwack Bruins and Victoria Royals (2008-12), will attend the University of Prince Edward Island and play for the Panthers. Soudek, from Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, played pro in his home country last season but was limited to 11 games by injuries.
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THE COACHING GAME:
The Edmonton Oil Kings have signed head coach Derek Laxdal to a two-year extension that runs through 2015-16. . . . Laxdal, 47, has been with the Oil Kings through three seasons and has gotten them into the last two WHL championship finals. The Oil Kings won it all in 2011-12 and were runners-up last season. . . . In his three seasons in Edmonton, the Oil Kings are 132-64-20. . . . Laxdal, who played in the WHL with the Brandon Wheat Kings and Portland Winterhawks, joined the Oil Kings from the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads, where he was director of hockey operations and head coach. The Steelheads won the Kelly Cup in 2007.———
The BCHL’s West Kelowna Warriors have added Ryan Parent to their staff as an assistant coach and director of scouting. Parent, who lives in Vernon, most recently was general manager and head coach of the AJHL’s Lloydminster Bobcats. . . . Rylan Ferster, the Warriors’ GM/head coach, also announced that Cory Cross, who played more than 600 NHL games, will work with the team’s defencemen. . . . Brent Gough is back as assistant GM and associate coach. . . . Shae Naka, who had been on staff as an assistant coach, now is at Pursuit of Excellence.———
The AJHL’s Grande Prairie Storm has moved Blaine Bablitz from general manager and head coach to strictly GM. He will serve as a full-time general manager and now will have more time to focus on those duties. . . . Matt Hughes, who is preparing for his second season with the Storm, is the new head coach. . . . Jim Lawrence and Adam Manah are the assistant coaches. Manah also is the head coach of Grande Prairie’s midget AAA team.———
The junior B Revelstoke Grizzlies of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League have signed another coach. In fact, Darren Naylor has signed on as the general manager and head coach. . . . Naylor, who also has coached the KIJHL’s Columbia Valley Rockies, is the fourth head coach the Grizzlies have had this summer. . . . Naylor is a former WHLer (Victoria, Swift Current, 1987-90).
Alex Cooper of the Revelstoke Times Review has more right here.
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From Vancouver broadcaster Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff): “Word at WHL Giants golf tournament is that Sportstalk is moving to CISL AM650 starting in October.”
Dan Russell, Shaw TV’s WHL play-by-play voice, is the host of the long-running Sportstalk on Vancouver radio station CKNW. His contract isn’t being renewed when it expires on Aug. 31.
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Later, Russell (@DanRussellST) tweeted: “Rumours duly noted — but nothing official to announce regarding future of Sportstalk. #cautiouslyhopeful”
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