D Mike Egener (Calgary, 2000-04) has been released by the Coventry Blaze (England, UK Elite) due to illness. According to Coventry’s press release, Egener, the captain of the Blaze, “has been diagnosed with Guillain–Barré Syndrome, a rare and serious condition affecting the peripheral nervous system. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks part of the nervous system. Whilst his symptoms appear to have reached a plateau, he now faces an extended recovery period as his body gradually repairs the nerve damage that has taken place. The diagnosis was confirmed by a neurologist in Canada earlier this week and after review with the club’s own medical staff, it was determined that Egener was in no condition to be able to take his planned flight to the UK (Friday evening) and that his recovery may well take many weeks. After an extended discussion between Head Coach Matt Soderstrom and Egener on Thursday evening, it was agreed that his focus now needs to be on returning to full health rather than playing for the Blaze at some point this season.” . . . Egener had three goals and 12 assists in 56 games with the Blaze last season.———
Taylor Vickerman didn’t report to the Vancouver Giants’ training camp and speculation was that he wanted to be traded closer to home. Well, he got his wish. Vickerman, 17, is from Kennewick, Wash., and he has been dealt to the Tri-City Americans, who play out of the Toyota Centre in Kennewick. . . . The Giants received a second-round 2015 bantam draft pick in return. . . . Vickerman told Annie Fowler of the Tri-City Herald: “I’m at a loss for words. I’m still kind of in shock. Still in disbelief. I’m just glad they saw the value in me. I know I will play a bigger role here, put up some points and help the team win.” . . . Vickerman, a sixth-round selection by the Giants in 2011, had nine points in 52 games last season. . . . According to Fowler: “Vickerman is just the second Mid-Columbia player to earn a spot on the Americans’ roster. Defenseman Justin Togiai (2001-03) of Kennewick was the first.”———
Mark Johnston is back with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Johnston, a defenceman with the Wheat Kings back in the day (1971-73), was named the club’s head scout on Friday. The move came one day after Wade Klippenstein was named the team’s director of scouting. . . . Johnston, a 58-year-old native of Wawanesa, Man., also has worked as an assistant coach with Brandon. He had been a Manitoba scout for the Kelowna Rockets for 12 years.———
Jamie Novakoski is the Edmonton Oil Kings’ new director of scouting. Novakoski, 41, had been on the Oil Kings’ scouting staff since prior to the 2007 expansion draft. Novakoski takes over the position previously filled by Randy Hansch, who now is the club’s general manager. Hansch was promoted after GM Bob Green moved up to the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers as director of amateur free-agent scouting. . . . Novakoski and Hansch are rather familiar with each other, having spent 11 seasons scouting together with the Kamloops Blazers.———
Doug Soetaert, who did such a good job as general manager of the Everett Silvertips before being fired on Feb. 2, 2012, now is working as a scout with the Austrian team Red Bull Salzburg. . . . Don Jackson, the head coach in Salzburg, spent one season as head coach of the IHL’s Kansas City Blades while Soetaert was the GM there. . . . Scott Fisher of the Calgary Sun has more right here on Eetu Selanne, 15, who is in the Calgary Hitmen’s rookie camp. . . . A pair of undrafted Medicine Hat Tigers forwards — Curtis Valk and Jacob Doty — will go to camp with the St. Louis Blues’ prospects as free-agent invitees. They will be on the Blues’ entry at the tournament in Traverse City, Mich.
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If you’re wondering what has happened to the Los Angeles Angels, you may gain some insight from this terrific piece by Scott Miller, the senior baseball columnist at cbssports.com. . . . It’s mostly about the night last season when Torii Hunter and Albert Pujols almost came to blows.
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One of the biggest stories in sports today involves ESPN ending its relationship with the public affairs TV series Frontline, apparently under some pressure from the NFL. James Andrew Miller and Ken Belson of The New York Times explain right here how all of this came to pass.
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Linda Ronstadt could sing. Oh, could she! And there was timne when a whole lot of males of a certain age — likely a bunch of females, too — were in love with her. . . . Well, Ronstadt revealed on Friday that she has Parkinson’s disease, something that means she won’t sing again.
If you’ve forgotten just what a great singer she was, or if you weren’t aware, check this out right here.
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