Hitmen trim two 20-year-olds ... Rasmussen joins Team Canada's camp ... Ex-Royals coach stays in NHL

The last rays of a setting sun bounce off a cloud over
the Monte Lake fire on Thursday night.

We woke up to a whole lot of smoke on Thursday, but it apparently was coming from the Elephant Hill fire, which is the one that has caused so much damage in the Ashcroft/Cache Creek area, and not the Monte Lake fire that started late Wednesday afternoon. However, by late afternoon on Thursday most of the smoke had moved away from our area, leaving behind a beautiful evening. . . . However, there was quite a bit of air traffic between Kamloops and Monte Lake at the same time, so they obviously aren't out of the woods there just yet. . . . With high winds and high temps forecast -- we've been around 35 and are headed for at least 37 in a day or two -- the summer of fire doesn't appear to be anywhere near its end.

———

THE MacBETH REPORT . . .

F Taylor Stefishen (Prince George, 2010-11) has signed a one-year contract with the Edinburgh Capitals (Scotland, UK Elite). Last season, he had 12 goals and 23 assists in 44 games with Dijon (France, Ligue Magnus). He led his team in assists and points.

———

A LITTLE OF THIS . . .

Cody Porter and Jaydan Gordon have cleared 20-year-old waivers and are now free agents. We wish them all the best in their junior careers! pic.twitter.com/HW9TTFODoW

— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) July 27, 2017

The Calgary Hitmen are left with four 20-year-olds on their roster after G Cody Porter and D Jaydan Gordon cleared waivers. . . . That leaves the Hitmen with G Nick Schneider, F Jakob Stukel, F Matteo Gennaro and D Brady Reagan as the four remaining 20s on their roster. Each WHL team will have to declare a maximum of three 20s shortly after the new season begins. . . . Porter, from North Vancouver, was 14-16-3, 3.46, .888 in 34 appearances with the Hitmen last season. In 117 regular-season appearances, 42 with the Vancouver Giants and 75 with Calgary — he is 52-42-9, 3.30, .887. . . . Gordon, from Cochrane, Alta., had two goals and six assists in 70 games last season. He played his first two seasons with the Swift Current Broncos. In 172 career games, he has three goals and 13 assists. . . . Porter’s departure leaves Schneider as Calgary’s undisputed No. 1 goaltender. At the moment, veteran Kyle Dumba, 19, would appear to be No. 2 on the depth chart. Chance are, however, that the Hitmen won’t want to go into the season with a 19-year-old in a backup role. . . . Schneider, who was acquired from the Medicine Hat Tigers this summer, has signed an entry-level contract as a free agent with the NHL’s Calgary Flames, whose parent company also owns the Hitmen.

——

F Michael Rasmussen has been added to Team Canada’s roster for the World Junior Showcase that is scheduled to begin today (Friday) in Plymouth, Mich. . . . Rasmussen, from the Tri-City Americans, had last season cut short by a broken scaphoid in his left wrist. His addition to the roster would seem to indicate that he now is healthy. . . . Rasmussen was added after F Tyler Benson of the Vancouver Giants was forced to opt out. He apparently hasn’t yet fully recovered from sports hernia surgery in the spring. . . . F Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings, who has had at least two surgical procedures due to sports hernias, also isn’t able to take part. . . . Also unable to take part are F Gabe Vilardi of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and F Adam Mascherin of the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers.

Meanwhile, G Carl Stankowski, who backstopped the Seattle Thunderbirds to their first WHL championship last season, was scratched from Hockey Canada’s U-18 selection camp in Calgary due to an undisclosed injury. His spot was filled by Kevin Mandolese of the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. . . . Team Canada, under head coach Brent Kisio of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, will leave next week for the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Bratislava, Slovakia. The tournament opens on Aug. 7.

——

F Kolten Olynek, who played out his junior eligibility last season, has decided to attend the U of Western Ontario and play for the Mustangs in 2017-18. Olynek, who is from Saskatoon, was a second-round selection by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the WHL’s 2011 bantam draft. . . . He split last season between the Prince Albert Raiders and Saskatoon Blades. During his career, he also played with the Hurricanes, Moose Jaw Warriors and Spokane Chiefs. . . . In 253 regular-season games, he had 32 goals and 45 assists.

——

D Austin Adam, who played four seasons in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips and Moose Jaw Warriors, is transferring to Simon Fraser U after spending one season at the U of Western Ontario. . . . The 6-foot-6 Adam, 22, is from Surrey, B.C. He had a goal and two assists in 28 games with the Mustangs last season. . . . SFU plays in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League.

——

Mike Fraser, a veteran WHL scout who now works for the Brandon Wheat Kings, also has been writing a column for the Brandon-based Westman Journal. Those columns have mostly revolved around the world of WHL scouts and there adventures. However, there has been a change at the Journal and Fraser has chosen to end his column-writing career, at least for now. His last column is right here.

——

Really . . . I mean, really . . . how are we doing in Kamloops in this summer of flames? Well, it seems that old friend Jack Knox of the Victoria Times Colonist paid us a recent visit and he quite liked what he saw, except for the fact that his volunteer services weren’t needed, that is. . . . His last column is right here.

——

If you’re a regular here, and even you aren’t, feel free to contribute to the feeding of the Drinnan family by making a donation to the cause. You are able to do so by clicking on the DONATE button and going from there.

If you would like to contact Taking Note with information, have a question or just feel like commenting on something, feel free to send an email to greggdrinnan@gmail.com. I’m also on Twitter (@gdrinnan).

———

THE CONCUSSION REPORT . . .

John Urschel sometimes was referred to as the smartest man in football. Urschel, 26, was in line to be the Baltimore Ravens’ starting centre in the upcoming season, that was before he surprised coaches, teammates and observers by announcing his retirement on Thursday. That decision came two days after researchers released the results of a study in which CTE was found in the brains of 110 of 111 deceased football players. . . . There’s more on Urschel’s decision right here.

———

THE COACHING GAME . . .

Ben Cooper, a former WHL assistant coach, has signed on with the NHL’s Florida Panthers as their video coach. Cooper, 40, spent the past three seasons as the Vancouver Canucks’ video coach. Prior to that, he worked two seasons (2011-13) with the WHL’s Victoria Royals. . . . He also has experience with Hockey Canada, and was on the coaching staff of Canadian teams that won gold at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the 2009 World Junior Championship.

———

TWEET OF THE DAY

What a night @theroadhammers @Country103CJKC @tjconnorstweets pic.twitter.com/s8xLOW0FLW

— Joe Hicketts (@Hicksy_2) July 27, 2017

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.

Two former Chiefs on the move . . . Bobylev plays for Spartak . . . Lowdown on Deflategate

F Chris Bruton (Spokane, 2004-08) signed a one-year contract with the Braehead Clan Glasgow (Scotland, UK Elite). Last season, he had two goals and two assists in 52 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL). . . . Braehead head coach Ryan Finnerty said Bruton is "going to take advantage of the MBA course at the University of the West of Scotland." . . .

F Brad Schell (Spokane, 1999-2004) signed a one-year contract with Heilbronner Falken (Germany, DEL2). Last season, with Herning (Denmark, Metal Ligaen), he had 11 goals and 54 assists in 36 games. He led the league in assists, was fourth in the points race and was second in plus-minus, at plus-34. . . .
F Pavel Brendl (Calgary, 1998-2001) signed a one-year extension with Skalica (Slovakia, Extraliga). Last season, he had 13 goals and seven assists in 19 games.
———


F Vladimir Bobylev was in the lineup for Spartak Moscow in a 4-3 exhibition loss to SKA St. Petersburg on Wednesday afternoon in Espoo, Finland. Bobylev, wearing No. 47, was listed as the fourth-line centre. A game summary wasn’t available, other than goals, and Bobylev didn’t score. . . . Spartak’s schedule had it practising in Espoo on Thursday and flying to Moscow today, where they will skate on Saturday. Spartak’s next game is scheduled for Thursday against Amur Khabarovsk in Moscow.
Bobylev, 18, played last season with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, who released him earlier this summer. He then was selected by the Victoria Royals in the CHL’s import draft. They are expecting Bobylev to be at their training camp later in August.
——
The ECHL’s Quad Cities Mallards have signed D Kevin Gibson, a 25-year-old out of the U of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He is the son of former major league baseball player and manager Kirk Gibson. Marc Nesseler of Quad-Cities Online has more right here.
——

Got a tip or some information you feel could be useful to me, feel free to email me at greggdrinnan@gmail.com.
———



If you have been paying any attention at all to Tom Brady, the NFL and Deflategate, you should give this right here a read. It’s a column by Sally Jenkins of The Washington Post and it ties it all up rather nicely and puts a big bow on top. Good stuff!
———

Hey Kids, this long weekend please stay out of the rink and off the ice. Go to a lake, see your family, have fun. It's a long season.

— Ben Cooper (@MrCoopification) July 30, 2015

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.

Ex-player finds light in his life . . . Americans, Royals do some business

An email arrived in the early morning hours of Friday. I was laying in bed at the time and checked my email on my tablet. (Hey, isn’t that we do in this day and age?)
By the time I had finished reading, I had tears in my eyes and it took me at least an hour to fall asleep.
Because, if we need it, this one email is proof that if you are depressed, if you are dealing with anxiety, if you feel that something is wrong but aren’t sure what it is, you really can lighten the load by talking with someone you trust.
Here is the meat of that email as it was written by a former hockey player who remains in the game . . .
“I wanted to thank you for your recent post regarding depression and hockey players.
“After nine years with my significant other, I finally told her about my depression, thanks to the unfortunate passing of my childhood hero Robin Williams and your latest post, both of which made it so much easier. My next step is to speak to a professional and get back my life.
“The last five years, my darkest, are gone and I will never get them back. But the future looks much brighter. More importantly, my loved ones know and we can all begin to move forward from under this weight to how things used to be.
“Whether it is due to the concussions I suffered -- five diagnosed, so it's really probably closer to 10 -- or something else isn’t the issue now. What is done is done.
“But just to get these guys to talk to someone, anyone, if they are just not feeling right is a huge step in a direction to feeling normal again.
“I know it is going to be a long road but I am looking forward to moving forward, and I just wanted you to know you and your recent post have helped me.”
Please, if you are struggling, talk with someone who is close to you. If you look around, you will find more than one person who will help and be your support group.
Please remember that you aren’t alone.
---
If you are a fan of the Prince Albert Raiders, you may rest easy. Well, a little bit easy. F Leon Draisaitl, the German star who was selected by the Edmonton Oilers with the third pick of the NHL’s 2014 draft, won’t be playing in Europe in 2014-15.
There was talk in some corners this week that the Oilers would find a way to place him in Europe if he doesn’t make their roster. That isn’t going to happen.
The CBA that binds the NHL and NHLPA includes this clause: “During the first two seasons next succeeding the draft of an age 18 Player, the Club he signs an SPC with must first offer him to the club from which he was claimed before it may Loan him.”
Draisaitl, who has been training in Edmonton, has signed an SPC (standard player’s contract) with the Oilers, so that takes care of that part.
Barring injury, he will start the season with the Oilers, meaning that he won’t be in the Raiders’ training camp. But should the Oilers’ brass, after taking a prolonged look, decide he would be better off elsewhere, there is but one option and that is Prince Albert. Let’s not forget, too, that the Oilers last appeared in the NHL playoffs in the spring of 2006. Yes, they have failed to make the playoffs in each of the last eight seasons.
You have to think, then, that there is at least some pressure in the Oilers’ offices to make the playoffs. If you are a Raiders’ fan, you also are thinking that it isn’t likely that a German who turns 19 on Oct. 27 would be that much of a difference-maker in his freshman season.
As one observer offered: “Who knows? It might turn into a Dumba situation.”
D Mathew Dumba, then of the Red Deer Rebels, was selected by the Minnesota Wild with the seventh pick of the 2012 draft. Last season, at 19, he began the season with the Wild, but dressed for only 13 games. He played for Canada at the World Junior Championship and then returned to the WHL, by which time he had been traded by the Rebels to the Portland Winterhawks.
Just don’t think for a moment that the Raiders would refuse Draisaitl’s services and allow the Oilers to put him in Europe.
“He’s either playing in Edmonton or he’s playing in Prince Albert,” one hockey official with knowledge of the situation told Taking Note. “That’s it. There’s no other choice.”
The Raiders are in the same situation with D Josh Morrissey, who was a first-round (13th overall) selection of the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL’s 2013 draft. He is a year older than Draisaitl but, as the CBA reads, that clause covers a player’s 18- and 19-year-old seasons. So Morrissey, who was superb in the playoffs with the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps last spring, has to play for the Jets or be returned to the Raiders.
---
As you may be aware, my wife, Dorothy, is preparing to take part in the 2014 Kidney Walk on Aug. 24. She underwent a kidney transplant on Sept. 23 and due to a really nasty infection wasn’t healthy until mid-April. Her recovery since then has been nothing short of amazing.
She has said that she wants to give back to the Kidney Foundation, so here we are. This morning, if the weather holds, she will be on the road, walking 2.5 km for the first time in, well, since I can’t remember when.
If you are wondering how her fund-raising is going, I have had to raise her goal for a fourth time. She hit $1,600 late Friday night.
Dorothy continues to be amazed at the generosity of people, many of whom have come into contact with her through Taking Note.
If you are interested in tracking her donations, you are able to do so right here. The top 10 is on the right side of the home page. Click on her name and a list of donors will appear on a scroll.
---
TRADE WIRE:
THE DEAL: The Tri-City Americans acquire F Steven Hodges, 20, and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2016 bantam draft from the Victoria Royals for a conditional second-round pick in 2016. The picks are conditional on Hodges returning to the WHL.
THE SKINNY: Hodges was selected by the Florida Panthers in the third round of the 2012 NHL draft. He has signed an NHL contract and will go to camp with the Panthers. He very well could open the season with the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage. Last season, he had 47 points, 21 of them goals, in 52 games with the Royals. In his WHL career, he has 75 goals and 82 assists in 247 regular-season games.
THE ANALYSIS: The Americans cut a deal with huge upside and no real downside. If Hodges comes back, their offence gets a real boost. If he does return, he will start by sitting out a five-game suspension left over from the playoffs. . . . The Royals move out a 20-year-old, and a second-round pick is more than a decent return if Hodges returns. They are left with three others on their roster -- D Travis Brown, F Austin Carroll and F Brandon Magee. Of course, Magee has signed a tryout deal with Kometa Brno of the Czech Republic’s Exgraliga. Should he end up back in the WHL, he’s got a 12-game suspension hanging over his head. . . . The Americans have three other 20-year-olds on their roster -- F Lucas Nickles, F Jackson Playfair and D Justin Hamonic.
---


F Tim Bozon has told Brenda Branswell of the Montreal Gazette that he feels 100 per cent and that he has worked twice as hard as normal as he works to come back from a scrap with Neisseria meningitis in March that almost killed him. . . . Bozon, who was with the Kootenay Ice when he took ill, is preparing to go to camp with the Montreal Canadiens. They selected him in the third round of the NHL's 2012 draft and he has signed a contract. . . . Branswell’s story is right here. . . . One of these days, perhaps the WHL will issue a news release thanking fans for their donations to the fund set up to benefit the Bozon family and perhaps the league also will include a total.
---
The on-ice part of the Portland Winterhawks training camp is scheduled to begin on Thursday. As usual, prospects will compete in the Neely Cup tournament. Interestingly, the Winterhawks are charging admission to the tournament games at the Winterhawks Skating Center in Beaverton. “As the popularity of the Neely Cup has grown with each year,” reads a news release, “the games will be ticketed this year in order to ensure the organization is in compliance with fire codes. There will be 100 four-day passes available for $20 that will allow access to all games, and 50 additional daily passes for $5 that will allow entry to both games on a particular day.” . . . As well, the release adds, “The Neely Cup will be the only portion of training camp open to the public.” . . . Sheesh, remember Red No. 23?
---
The Lethbridge Hurricanes have signed F Nikita Milekhin, a Russian who was the third overall selection in the CHL’s 2014 import draft. He played last season for a team in the Moscow Dynamo program, putting up 21 points, 13 of them goals, in 26 games. . . . Milekhin, 17, also was a fourth-round selection by Severstal Cherepovets in the KHL’s 2014 draft. . . . Interestingly, his surname is spelled Milyokhin in some spots on the Internet.
---
Due to the political situation in that corner of the world, Ukraine won’t be the host for the 2015 IIHF Division I Group A world championship. The IIHF’s congress had approved Donetsk as the host city. Donetsk is in the eastern Ukraine. The Ukraine federation now has withdrawn its bid. . . . “Unfortunately, we cannot be fully protected against that fact that the political tension in the country is an obstacle for foreign visitors and fans who want to visit the ice festival in Donetsk,” the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine’s President Anatoli Brezvin said in a statement. “It is our priority to find together with the IIHF and our colleagues from Italy, Kazakhstan, Japan, Hungary and Poland a proper solution that will satisfy everybody – from participants to commercial partners and fans. To do so, we take the first step and declare the withdrawal of our responsibilities to organize the championship in Ukraine.” . . . The top two teams from the Division 1 Group A championship get promoted to the top division for the 2016 IIHF World Championship. . . . The Division 1 Group A tournament is scheduled for April A new host city is expected to be announced at the IIHF semi-annual congress that is scheduled for Sept. 18-20. The Polish Ice Hockey Federation has said it is prepared to host the tournament in Krakow at the new Krakow Arena.
---
“Everyone is saying how Robin killed himself, but Robin didn’t kill himself, his disease killed him. It’s like a cancer, only a different type.” That is Jordan Matechuk, the B.C. Lions’ long-snapper, in conversation with Lowell Ullrich of the Vancouver Province. They were, of course, talking about Robin Williams. Matechuk knows of what he speaks, too, as he is bipolar. Ullrich has the story right here of Matechuk and how he copes.
---

To the minor hockey parent who has his kid wear an earpiece during games so he can talk to him on radio.....please stop. #letthekidsplay
— Ben Cooper (@MrCoopification) August 15, 2014

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.

Warriors prospect dies at 16 . . . Former WHL assistant coach to Canucks

F Garrett Festerling (Portland, Regina, 2003-07) has signed a three-year contract extension with the Hamburg Freezers (Germany, DEL). Festerling now is under contract with Hamburg through the 2017-18 season. Last season, in 53 games, he had eight goals and team-leading 29 assists. . . .
F Owen Fussey (Calgary, Moose Jaw, 1999-2003) has signed a one-year contract with the Guildford Flames (England, Premier). Fussey didn’t play the last two seasons. In 2011-12, with the Coventry Blaze (England, UK Elite), he had 68 points, including 37 goals, in 60 games. He led the Blazers in goals.
---

ETHAN WILLIAMS
(Moose Jaw Warriors photos)

F Ethan Williams, a fifth-round selection by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the 2012 WHL bantam draft, has died. Williams, who was from Winnipeg, would have turned 17 on Aug. 22.
“Our entire organization is very saddened with the news of Ethan Williams’ passing,” Warriors general manager Alan Millar said in a news release. “Ethan was a fine young man, and a very talented hockey player. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris and Shannon and the entire Williams family during this difficult time.”
Williams, 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, signed with the Warriors after their 2012 training camp, and he played one game with them in 2012-13. During that 2012 camp, he scored a goal in his first WHL exhibition game, against the Swift Current Broncos.
In his draft season, Williams had 71 points, 25 of them goals, with a bantam AAA team at the Pursuit of Excellence in Kelowna.
Last season, he had eight points, four of them goals, in 23 games with the midget AAA Winnipeg Thrashers.
Williams still was on the Warriors’ protected list and had been expected to attend training camp next month.
“Ethan has all the tools needed to play in the WHL and a great chance to hone those skills to advance to the highest level,” former NHL and WHL forward Darcy Tucker said of Williams shortly after the 2012 bantam draft. “Ethan can use his body, skating ability and hands to create scoring chances almost at will. We are very happy for Ethan’s success, and will be following him closely this season as he progresses.”
Tucker is a partner in Turning Point Sports Management, the firm that represented Williams at the time.
---



The NHL’s Vancouver Canucks will have a new video coach when the new season arrives. A source has told Taking Note that the Canucks have signed Ben Cooper as their video coach. He will work with Willie Desjardins, the Canucks’ new head coach. . . . Cooper has been coaching a varsity team at the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton, B.C., and also was scouting for the Lethbridge Hurricanes. . . . Before that, he was an assistant coach with the WHL’s Victoria Royals. He also has extensive video experience with Hockey Canada.
---
Former WHL head coach Jim Hiller has signed on as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. Hiller, 45, spent the past five seasons as head coach of the Tri-City Americans, but his contract wasn’t renewed after last season. He was the CHL and WHL coach of the year in 2011-12. Hiller also was head coach of the Chilliwack Bruins for three seasons. . . . As an NHL player, Hiller played 21 regular-season and two playoff games with the Red Wings in 1992-93. . . . Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press has more right here.
---
Levi Moon finished his second season of bantam hockey and walked away from the game. He decided he was going to be a baseball player. Moon, 18, attended the Badlands Baseball Academy in Oyen, Alta., and soon he’s off to Niagara County Community College in Sanborn, N.Y., on a baseball scholarship. His father, Cam, is the radio voice of the Red Deer Rebels. . . . Danny Rode of the Red Deer Advocate has more right here.
---
The Prince George Cougars have named Bob Simmonds as their director of scouting. Simmonds, who spent 37 years with the RCMP before retiring, works out of Edmonton. He has been part of the Cougars’ scouting staff for seven seasons. . . . Bill Horton of St. Paul, Minn., has been promoted to director of U.S. scouting. Horton, 27, is preparing for his second season with the Cougars. . . . Cougars GM Todd Harkins also announced the addition of Trevor Sprague of Prince George and Tom Hengen of Vancouver to the scouting staff. Sprague, the head coach of the major midget Cariboo Cougars, will work as a travelling scout, while Hengen will focus on B.C.’s Lower Mainland. Sprague had been scouting for the Portland Winterhawks. Hengen is the father of Michael Hengen, the Cougars’ new assistant coach. Tom spent the past six seasons as head scout for the BCHL’s Penticton Vees.
---
With the news that Vin Scully will return in 2015 for a 66th year calling baseball games, the Los Angeles Times took a look at his movie appearances. That piece is right here.
---

Thoughts and prayers go out today to the friends, family and teammates of Ethan Williams. Gone far too soon... #RIPEthan
— Mike Fraser (@MikeFraser29) July 30, 2014

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.

Oil Kings back in final . . . Voice of Tigers will be back!

F Mikhail Fisenko (Vancouver, Calgary, 2008-11) has signed a two-year extension with Amur Khabarovsk (Russia, KHL). This season, he had six points, including one goal, in 25 games. . . .
D Deron Quint (Seattle, 1993-96) has been traded by CSKA Moscow to Spartak Moscow (both Russia, KHL) for monetary considerations. Quint was traded by Spartak to CSKA on Jan. 15 for monetary considerations. This season, he led all KHL defencemen in goals, with 13. He finished with 28 points in 51 games.
---



1. The biggest (and best) news in the WHL on Tuesday came out of Medicine Hat. Actually, it came late Monday night when Bob Ridley (@BobRidley_CHAT) tweeted: “I wish to thank chat radio and t.v for allowing me to semi retire. Will remain as tigers play by play man.” . . . Yes, the Tigers’ bus-driving play-by-play man will be back for another season, and that’s great news.

2. Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada has his weekly 30 Thoughts right here. Mike Johnston, the GM/head coach of the Portland Winterhawks, as the next head coach of the Vancouver Canucks? Hey, why not?

3. Ben Cooper, who did a turn as an assistant coach with the Victoria Royals, is back in the WHL as a regional scout with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. He also is a coach at the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton, B.C.

4. Attendance at Game 3 in each of the three major junior championship finals on Tuesday night: Val-d-’Or, 2,890 (seats, 2,140; capacity, 3,504); North Bay, 4,248 (sellout); Edmonton, 6,799.

5. Michael Kim won’t be in the outfield or on the mound this spring as the baseball season begins in Mississauga, Ont. But he is an angel in the outfield. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun wrote this story right here in 2006, about a young man who lost his life and whose organs benefited eight people.
---




After 17 years with the Prince George Cougars, general manager Dallas Thompson worked his last day with the organization on Tuesday. With the franchise going through the sale process, he won’t be returning.
Late Monday night, Thompson posted this on Facebook:
“Not much for updates, however, tomorrow will by my last day going to work for the Prince George Cougars. It has been a great 17 years. We did not get to the place we wanted but we touched a lot of hearts along the way. Thank you Prince George! You were kind and I wish you all the best along the way. ‪#‎princegeorgecougars‬ All the best.”
---
The Moose Jaw Warriors have acquired D Cole Wedman, 20, from the Spokane Chiefs for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2015 bantam draft. . . . Wedman, from Edmonton, had 29 points, including eight goals, in 181 regular-season games over three seasons with the Chiefs. . . . He was a sixth-round pick by the Chiefs in the 2009 bantam draft. . . . Wedman’s brother, Matthew, a forward, was selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the second round of last week’s bantam draft. . . . The Chiefs are left with five 1994-born players on their roster -- D Reid Gow, the team captain, F Connor Chartier, F Marcus Messier, F Carter Proft and F Liam Stewart. . . . The Warriors now have four such players on their roster -- Wedman, along with F Scott Cooke, F Tanner Eberle and F Jack Rodewald. . . . The deadline for teams to get down to three 20-year-old players is Oct. 16.
---
If you’re interested in the names of players with ties to the WHL who were selected in Phase 2 of the USHL’s draft on Tuesday, there’s a list right here.
---
THE OHL FINAL:
In North Bay, the Guelph Storm scored twice in the last minute of the third period and beat the Battalion 4-3 to take a 2-1 lead in that series. . . . F Zack Mitchell tied the game at 19:30 of the third period and F Brock McGinn got the winner at 19:49. . . . The Battalion had leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2. . . . Game 4 is scheduled for tonight in North Bay.
---
THE QMJHL FINAL:
In Val-d’Or, the Foreurs dropped the Baie-Comeau Drakkar 5-2 and now lead that series, 2-1. . . . F Anthony Mantha had two goals and an assist for the winners, who scored the game’s last four goals, three of them in the third period. . . . Mantha gave the Foreurs a 3-2 lead 6:41 and added insurance at 16:57. He’s got 20 goals in these playoffs. . . . The Foreurs are scheduled to play host to Game 4 tonight.
---
THE COACHING GAME:
Former UBC Thunderbirds head coach Milan Dragicevic (Regina, New Westminster, Victoria, Spokane, Tri-City, 1986-90) has signed on as director of hockey development for the Richmond, B.C., Minor Hockey Association. Dragicevic, 43, spent 14 seasons as head coach of the Thunderbirds before being fired in March. He was the head coach of the Vancouver Giants in their first two WHL seasons.
---

THE FOURTH ROUND (best-of-seven; all times local):
WHL final, for the Ed Chynoweth Cup
(x - if necessary)
(All games televised live by Shaw)
(All games televised on delayed basis by Root Sports)
PORTLAND (2, West) vs. Edmonton (1, East)
(Portland leads, 2-1)
Season series: Portland, 0-0-1; Edmonton, 1-0-0.
Saturday: Edmonton 2 at Portland 5 (10,947)
Sunday: Edmonton 1 at Portland 3 (10,645)
Tuesday: Portland 2 at Edmonton 3 (6,799)
Wednesday: Portland at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Friday: Edmonton at Portland, 7 p.m. (Moda Center)
x-Sunday: Portland at Edmonton, 4 p.m.
x-Monday: Edmonton at Portland, 7 p.m. (Moda Center)
INJURIES
Portland: None.
Edmonton: None.
---

TUESDAY’S GAME:
In Edmonton, the Oil Kings scored the game’s last three goals and beat the Portland Winterhawks, 3-2. . . . The Winterhawks lead the WHL’s championship final for the Ed Chynoweth Cup, 2-1, with Game 4 in Edmonton tonight. . . . Game 5 is scheduled for the Moda Center in Portland on Friday. . . . F Chase De Leo, at 2:38, and D Mathew Dumba, at 3:30, scored first-period goals for the Winterhawks. . . . Edmonton F Henrik Samuelsson got a PP goal at 4:11 of the second period and F Luke Bertolucci pulled his guys even at 11:04. . . . F Edgars Kulda gave the Oil Kings their first lead of the series at 13:13 of the third period, and it stood up as the winner. . . . Edmonton G Tristan Jarry stopped 35 shots, as did Portland’s Corbin Boes. . . . The Oil Kings were 1-for-4 on the PP; the Winterhawks were 0-for-4. . . . The Winterhawks now are 42-4 since Jan. 11. . . . In Game 1, the Oil Kings trailed 1-0 at 2:50 of the first period. In Game 2, Portland scored at 2:12 and 3:14 of the first period. Last night, the Winterhawks scored at 2:38 and 3:30 of the opening period. . . . Portland has outscored Edmonton 7-0 in the first periods of this series. . . . Portland F Brendan Leipsic had one assist, giving him 30 points in 16 games. He now is tied for the playoff scoring lead with teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand, who leads in goals (15). . . . Portland D Derrick Pouliot had an assist, leaving him at 29 points. He leads in assists, with 25.
John MacKinnon of the Edmonton Journal writes right here that Game 3 looked over early, but now it’s a series.
---

From Fake GAINER (@fakeGAINER): “#Saskie Derrick Pouliot 29 pts in WHL Playoffs - absolutely crazy for a defenseman. Another product of the Weyburn AllUCanEat KFC Buffet.”


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.

THE COACHING GAME:
The Swift Current Broncos have added Andy Schneider to their coaching staff as an assistant. He’ll work with GM/head coach Mark Lamb and assistant coach Darren Evjen. Schneider, 39, played 15 seasons in Europe and is a member of the Broncos Hall of Fame. He played four seasons with the Broncos (1989-93), finishing with 367 points in 300 games. . . . The only other time in franchise history when the Broncos employed two assistant coaches was 1998-2001 when Andrew Milne was in the role as the second assistant. . . . The Southwest Booster has more on Schneider's role right here. . . .
Vladimir Vujtek, 64, is the new head coach of the Slovakian national hockey team. He replaces Glen Hanlon, who was released after the 2011 world championship. Vujtek is the first Czech to coach the Slovakian team, which means this is a big, big story in the world of international hockey. . . . Hanlon now is an assistant coach with the Vancouver Giants. . . .
Hockey Canada has hired Ron Tugnutt as its goaltender coach. Tugnutt will work with the national men’s teams on a full-time basis. Tugnutt, 43, is no stranger to Hockey Canada, having been a part-timer for two years. . . . According to a Hockey Canada news release, “Tugnutt will be scouting for Canada’s national men’s teams as well as working with Hockey Canada’s development department to develop and improve resources for goaltenders and goaltending coaches. Tugnutt will continue to work closely with Canada’s National Junior Team and National Men’s Under-18 Team, scouting and assisting goaltenders for Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence.” . . .
Brian Kilrea, the winningest coach in major junior hockey history, has decided to step aside as general manager of the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s. Kilrea, 76, spent 37 years with the franchise and will continue to do some scouting for them. Chris Byrne, 37, will add the GM’s duties to his role has head coach. He is preparing for his third season as head coach after taking over behind the bench from Kilrea, who won 1,193 games during his coaching career. . . .
The Victoria Royals have rounded out their coaching staff with the hiring of Craig Didmon, who will work home practices and home games. Last season, he was the head coach of the major midget South Island Thunderbirds. . . . He joins GM/head coach Marc Habscheid, assistant coach Enio Sacilotto, who was with the club last season when it was the Chilliwack Bruins, and Ben Cooper, who has worked in video with Hockey Canada and also as an assistant coach with the SAIT Trojans in Calgary. . . .
Bob Dever has signed on as an assistant coach with the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters. Dever spent the last three seasons coaching in Hungary. . . . He has previous BCHL experience with the Vernon Vipers and Merritt Centennials. Dever and Bill Birks, Trail’s general manager and head coach, played together with Merritt back in the day.
———
JUST NOTES: Ben Calkins is the new equipment manager with the Seattle Thunderbirds. He spent last season with the ECHL’s Stockton Thunder. Calkins, 24, replaces Jason Berger, who now is with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades. . . . The Victoria Royals have named Jeff Harris the director of hockey operations and communications, with Parry Shockey coming on board as director of WHL and junior A scouting. Harris, 39, spent the last four seasons as assistant GM and director of media and community relations with the now-defunct Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL. Shockey, 57, is well known across the WHL. He will work out of Calgary. Last season he was head coach of the midget AAA UFA Bisons. He has WHL coaching experience with the Spokane Chiefs, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Regina Pats and Moose Jaw Warriors. . . . The Royals also hired Andy Neal and Matt Human as managers of communications and hockey operations co-ordinators. Neal spent the last two seasons in Prince George doing media relations; last season, he also was the team’s play-by-play voice. Human worked in the media relations and communications department with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

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

Hitmen get goalie; Royals get assistant coach

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Petr Vala (Seattle, 1997-98) signed a one-year contract with Zell am See (Austria, Nationalliga). He had seven goals and two assists in 35 games with Dukla Trencin and Zilina (both Slovakia, Extraliga) last season. . . .
D Darcy Werenka (Lethbridge, Brandon, 1989-1993) signed a one-year contract with Rouen (France, Ligue Magnus). He had 10 goals and 20 assists in 54 games for Graz 99ers (Austria, Erste Bank Liga) last season. . . .
F Adam Hobson (Spokane, 2002-07) signed a one-year contract with Borås (Sweden, Allsvenskan). He had four goals and 11 assists in 35 games for Rögle (Sweden, Allsvenskan) last season. . . .
D Ryan Constant (Kelowna, 2003-04) signed a one-year contract with Milano Rossoblu (Italy, Serie A2). He had 11 goals and 23 assists in 52 games for the Stockton Thunder (ECHL) last season.
———
One of the highlights of doing this blog is hearing, unsolicited, from so many people. Such was the case over the last couple of days following my mention of the passing of Ralph Borger, the former owner of the MJHL’s St. Boniface Saints. He died Sunday at the age of 81.
Shortly after that post, I heard from Dale Hughesman, who is involved in the ownership of the MJHL’s Selkirk Steelers and is the father of Tri-City Americans F Adam Hughesman.
Dale played for the Saints and sent along this anecdote . . .
I was fortunate to play on Ralph's 1981 St. Boniface Saints MJHL championship team, along with some pretty good  players including Mike Ridley and Darren Boyko.
We won Manitoba and were playing the mighty Prince Albert Raiders (coached by Terry Simpson) . . . I think 11 players from that team went on to pro, including Dave Tippett, James Patrick, Robin Bartell, Bill Watson . . .
Ralph thought it would be a good idea to move our team into the Birchwood Inn (now the Holiday Inn) on Portage Avenue in Winnipeg. At the time, the hotel was one of the classiest places in town and we had the whole seventh floor.
The games were being played at the Winnipeg Arena, which was in close proximity to the hotel.
I can't remember the game but we lost and we ended up in the lounge as Ralph wasn't around but our coach, Joe Cyr, was and he didn't seem to mind us being there.
Well, one thing led to another and we closed the place down and, of course, charged the entire bill to Ralph's account. He was a very frugal man and we knew this would drive him nuts. But at that point
we didn't mind.
Believe it or not, we never heard a word about that night. We thought we had gotten away with murder . . .
Skip ahead 25 years to the night Ralph was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. We were there as we had just bought the Selkirk Steelers. Most of us had played on that team and we were there to honour Ralph.
The induction dinner was at the Birchwood (Ralph's hotel).
Ralph got up to do his speech and did the usual thank yous and so on.
At the end of the speech, he said: "Oh and one more thing . . . I would like to ask the Selkirk Steelers table to stand up as four of them at that table played on the 1981 championship team."
As we stood up, Ralph reached into a pocket and pulled out a receipt that was about five-feet long and unrolled it in front of the entire room.
He looked at us and said: "Oh, by the way, there is an outstanding bill at the desk in the lounge for about $700. . . . if you guys would kindly look after that before you leave."
It was 25 years later and he did know . . .
———
The Calgary Hitmen have acquired G Chris Driedger, 17, from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2012 banta draft.
Driedger, from Winnipeg, was 6-6-1, 3.50, .881 last season, his first in the WHL, as he backed up Drew Owsley with the Americans. Driedger was one of four WHL goaltenders invited to Hockey Canada’s goaltending camp this season.
The deal leaves the Hitmen with three goaltenders as Driedger joins Mike Snider, 20, and Brandon Glover, who turns 19 on Aug. 21, on their roster. . . . Snider has been with the Hitmen since 2008-09, when he got into 12 games. Last season, he was 10-25-3, 3.54, .883 in 41 appeareances. . . . Glover was acquired last season from the Moose Jaw Warriors. In 31 games with Calgary, he was 9-16-2, 3.54, .891.
By moving Driedger, the Americans cleared the way for highly touted Eric Comrie, 16, to back up Owsley. Comrie, from Newport Beach, Calif., was the 13th overall pick in the 2010 bantam draft.
———
THE COACHING GAME:
The WHL’s Victoria Royals have hired Ben Cooper as an assistant coach. Cooper has been with Hockey Canada, where he has done extensive video work. He has been the video coach with the national junior team for three years, the U18 team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament for two years, the U18 team at the 2011 world championship, the men’s world championship team in 2009 and the 2010 men’s Olympic team. He also has served as an assistant coach with the SAIT Trojans. . . . 
Is there a coach out there who will made a bigger move in terms of mileage than Mark Morrison? The Winnipeg Jets have hired Morrison as assistant coach for their AHL affiliate, which is located in St. John’s Nfld. Morrison, 48, spent the last five seasons as head coach of the ECHL’s Victoria Salmon Kings, who now are defunct. . . . Morrison will work alongside St. John’s head coach Keith McCambridge. . . .
The AHL’s Rockford IceHogs have promoted assistant coach Ted Dent to head coach. The IceHogs are affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks. Dent, an assistant coach in Rockford for the last four seasons, replaces Bill Peters, a former Spokane Chiefs head coach, who left to sign as an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings. Peters was Rockford’s head coach through three seasons. . . .
Eric Rud has stepped down as GM/head coach of the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers to return to Colorado College as an assistant coach with the Tigers. Earlier, he spent five seasons on the Tigers’ coaching staff. He also played at Colorado College. . . .
Kevin Dean has signed on as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Providence Bruins. Dean, a defenceman as a player, was head coach of the ECHL’s Trenton Devils last season. Dean, 42, will work alongside Providence head coach Bruce Cassidy.
———
JUST NOTES: F Shayne Wiebe (Kamloops, Brandon, 2007-11) has signed an AHL deal with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets. Their AHL affiliate will operate out of St. John’s, Nfld. Wiebe, who captained the Brandon Wheat Kings last season, finished with 65 points, including 44 goals, in 72 games. After Brandon’s season ended, he joined the AHL’s Connecticut Whale but got into just one game. . . . The U of Calgary Dinos have four former WHLers set to join them for 2011-12. Three of the four — F Tyler Fiddler (Calgary Hitmen), F Max Ross (Lethbridge Hurricanes) and F Taylor Stefishen (Prince George Cougars) — all played in the WHL last season. F David Robinson (Chilliwack Bruins) joined the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers in 2009-10 and helped them two a pair of BCHL titles and one national championship.

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