Spitfires win 99th Memorial Cup ... Is it time for a format change? ... Hitmen looking for new head coach

D Ty Wishart (Prince George, Moose Jaw, 2004-08) has signed a one-year contract with Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Republic, Extraliga). This season, he had five goals and six assists in 49 games with Banská Bystrica (Slovakia, Extraliga).

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F Aaron Luchuk broke a 3-3 tie at 5:07 of the third period as the host Windsor Spitfires won the 99th Memorial Cup with a 4-3 victory over the OHL-champion Erie Otters on Sunday night. . . . This was the best game of what had been a rather mundane tournament. . . . The Spitfires, who won the tournament for the third time in nine years, ran the table in the four-team tournament, going 4-0. . . . The Otters wound up 3-2. . . . Also in the tournament were the QMJHL-champion Saint John Sea Dogs, who went 1-2 in the round-robin and then lost 6-3 to Erie in the semifinal game, and the WHL-champion Seattle Thunderbirds (0-3). . . .

Erie held 2-1 and 3-2 leads during the championship game. . . . Windsor F Jeremy Bracco, who finished with a goal and two assists, opened the scoring, on a PP, at 16:07 with his third goal of the event. . . . Erie F Dylan Strome tied it 49 seconds later. He finished with seven goals, one shy of the tournament record. . . . Erie took the lead at 5:35 of the second period, on a PP, when the puck hit F Warren Foegele (2) in the left skate and bounced into the net. The goal call was confirmed after video review, although many observers were left wondering exactly what constitutes a distinct kicking motion. . . . Windsor pulled even 52 seconds later when D Logan Stanley scored his first goal. . . . Erie went back out front at 12:41 as F TJ Fergus, the son of former NHL F Tom Fergus, scored his first goal. . . . The Spitfires tied it again, at 14:53, on another PP goal, this one from F Graham Knott (3). . . . That set the stage for Luchuk’s winner, which was set up by Bracco. . . . Windsor got two assists from each of F Gabriel Vilardi and Logan Brown. . . . Strome added an assist to his goal. . . . Both goalies had great games. . . . Michael DiPietro stopped 32 shots to record the victory over Troy Timpano, who made 18 saves. . . . Windsor was 2-4 on the PP; Erie was 1-4. . . . Announced attendance: 6,519, the tournament’s first sellout in the WFCU Centre, which has a capacity of 6,500. It also was the first sellout of the 2016-17 season in the facility. . . . Steve Papp, who works in the WHL, was one of the game’s two referees. The other was the OHL’s Darcy Burchell. . . .

Strome and F Taylor Raddysh of Erie led the tournament with 11 points each. . . . Strome also led in goals (7), while teammate Alex DeBrincat had a tournament-high eight assists. . . . DiPietro finished 4-0, 2.00, .932. . . . Windsor’s Rocky Thompson is the first head coach to win a Memorial Cup without having won a playoff series. . . . The Spitfires lost out to the London Knights in Game 7 of a first-round playoff series and then were off for 44 days before the tournament opened. . . . The last host team to win the Memorial Cup? The QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes, in 2012. All told, 10 host teams have won it all since the format was adopted in 1983. . . . The 2018 Memorial Cup tournament, which will celebrate 100 years, is scheduled to be held in Regina with the WHL’s Pats as the host team. . . . Erie played in its 95th game of the season on Sunday, while Windsor was playing No. 79. . . .

The OHL now has won three straight Memorial Cups. . . . Windsor joins the Cornwall Royals and Kamloops Blazers atop the list, each with three Memorial Cup championships since the round-robin format began. . . . The New Westminster Bruins/Kamloops franchise won five titles. . . . Warren Rychel, the Spitfires’ general manager, has won three championships, tying Matt Leyden (Oshawa Generals, 1939, 1940, 1944) and Bob Brown (Kamloops, 1992, 1994, 1995). . . . Rychel is expected to leave the Spitfires for a spot in the front office of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche.

Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun has a game story right here.

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Windsor was OHL's 5th-best, lost 1st round, won Mem Cup as host. These embarrassments will stop when CHL stops treating event as cash grab.

— Ken Campbell (@THNKenCampbell) May 29, 2017

Wish people would stop complaining about @MCMemorialCup format. Is it perfect?..No..but just enjoy the event for the showcase & event it is.

— Brent Parker (@Patguy65) May 29, 2017

Every year, it seems, the Memorial Cup format comes under fire once the tournament has concluded.

When the host team wins, which is what happened on Sunday when the Windsor Spitfires did just that, well, the flames seem to be just a little bit hotter.

But, really, is there a better way to decide a Memorial Cup champion than under the present format?

Ideally, it would be decided the way it was back in the day — with the eastern and western champions meeting in a best-of-seven series.

There also was a time (1972-82) when the Memorial Cup was decided in a three-team format without a host team. How do you think the 2017 event would have been received had it featured the Erie Otters, Saint John Sea Dogs and Seattle Thunderbirds in Windsor?

Having a host team allows an organizing committee to turn the tournament into a 10-day festival of sorts. Knowing where the tournament will be well in advance also means fans are able to book vacations and make plans to attend.

The one thing the 2017 tournament did was provide more evidence that junior hockey has lost its way to a certain degree. When it comes to ticket pricing, junior hockey needs to realize that it’s just that — junior hockey. Even with the Spitfires playing well and going 3-0 in the round-robin, the only game in Windsor that sold out was the final one.

It will be interesting to see how the Regina organizing committee and the CHL price tickets for the 2018 tournament in the Brandt Centre, which has a capacity of 6,484.

As we prepare for Regina, maybe the thing to do is come to the realization that the Memorial Cup doesn’t mean what it once did. Winning a league championship in the OHL, QMJHL or WHL is what it’s all about; winning a Memorial Cup is gravy, but it’s not the end of the world if a team gets there and comes up short.

While we’re at it, let’s take Memorial Cup week — or Memorial Cup 10 days — for what it is, a celebration of hockey, a time to enjoy being around other hockey people, fans and media (or what’s left of the media), and have a good time.

Now . . . about those ticket prices.  

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The Calgary Hitmen are in the market for a head coach.

The Hitmen announced Sunday that Mark French, their head coach for the past three seasons, has

signed on as head coach of the Fribourg-Gottéron Dragons of Switzerland’s National League A.

Rumblings about that possibility surfaced early this month with reports from Europe that French was to be interviewed by the Dragons.

Under French, the Hitmen went 117-80-19, qualifying for the playoffs each season. This season, Calgary was 30-32-10, grabbing the Eastern Conference’s second of two wild-card spots, before being swept by the Regina Pats in a first-round playoff series.

The Hitmen had signed French to what the club said was a “multi-year extension” on June 20.

French, who is from Milton, Ont., had joined the Hitmen after being head coach of Medveščak Zagreb in the KHL. He also was to have been an assistant coach with the U-18 Canadian team that will play in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in August.

There now are two WHL teams without a head coach, the other being the Spokane Chiefs.

Former Kelowna Rockets coach Dan Lambert, who was fired last week by the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres as head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, has been rumoured to be in the mix in Spokane.

The Hitmen also are looking for a general manager, having promoted Mike Moore to vice-president and alternate governor on May 15. Moore is acting as general manager until a successor is found. Moore, who has been with the Hitmen for 10 seasons, had been Calgary’s GM through the past four seasons.

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Winterhawks land big one ... Tigers deal goalie to Hitmen ... All OHL final at World Series

F Mads Eller (Edmonton, 2013-15) has signed a one-year contract with Rødovre (Denmark, Metal Ligaen). Eller played his minor hockey with Rødovre. This season, with Gentofte (Denmark, Metal Ligaen), he had a goal and four assists in 25 games. . . .

D Renat Mamashev (Moose Jaw, 2000-01) has signed a one-year contract with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (Russia, KHL). This season, with Sochi (Russia, KHL), he had four goals and 13 assists in 47 games.

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F Kieffer Bellows is leaving Boston University to join the Portland Winterhawks. Bellows, who will turn 19 on June 10, is the son of former NHLer Brian Bellows.

Following this Memorial Day long weekend in the U.S., the Winterhawks will introduce Kieffer to the Portland fans and media at a Tuesday afternoon news conference.

The New York Islanders selected Bellows with the 19th overall pick in the NHL’s 2016 draft. A native of

KIEFFER BELLOWS

Edina, Minn., he was a seventh-round selection by Portland in the WHL’s 2013 bantam draft. That pick was made by Mike Johnston, then Portland’s general manager and head coach. Johnston returned to the Winterhawks prior to this season after a stint as head coach of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 6-foot-0, 200-pound Bellows was a freshman at BU this season. He struggled at times against NCAA competition, finishing with seven goals and seven assists in 34 games. However, he was solid with the U.S. national team, with two goals and an assist in seven games, as it won the 2017 World Junior Championship. 

Bellows spent 2014-15 with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede, scoring 33 goals and adding 19 assists in 58 games. In 2015-16, he played 62 games with the U.S. National U-18 team, putting up 50 goals and 31 assists in 62 games. He also played 23 games with the U.S. National Team Development Program U-20 team, scoring 16 times and adding 16 assists.

The Winterhawks see Bellows as a power forward along the lines of graduating captain Keegan Iverson, but with a better scoring touch. Iverson had 26 goals and 44 assists in 55 games this season.

You can bet the house that Bellows will get the opportunity to play alongside F Cody Glass, who will be an early first-round selection in the NHL draft next month. Glass, who turned 18 on April 1, is a tremendous playmaker who had a breakout season, with 94 points, including 62 assists, in 69 games.

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BTW, if you want to contact me with some information or just feel like commenting on something, you may email me at greggdrinnan@gmail.com.

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For the third time this week, two WHL teams have been involved in a deal involving a goaltender.

On Friday, the Medicine Hat Tigers dealt G Nick Schneider, who turns 20 on July 21, to the Calgary

NICK SCHNEIDER

Hitmen for a fourth-round selection in the 2019 WHL bantam draft.

This season, Schneider, from Leduc, Alta., went 32-11-1, 3.43, .886. In 142 career regular-season games, he is 76-47-5, 3.30, .893. The Calgary Flames signed him to a three-year entry-level contract as an undrafted free agent in September 2015. As a signed 20-year-old, he will be eligible to play in the Flames’ organization, perhaps with the AHL’s Stockton Heat. But don’t forget that the Flames’ parent company — Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation — also owns the Hitmen.

On the Calgary end, this trade was made by former general manager Mike Moore. He was moved up from vice-president business operations and general manager to vice-president and alternate governor on May 15, but is continuing to act as GM until a successor is found.

Schneider began his career by playing nine games with the Regina Pats in 2013-14. On Jan. 10, 2014, the Tigers traded F Logan McVeigh and G Daniel Wapple to the Pats for Schneider, then 16, and a third-round selection in the 2016 bantam draft.

Schneider joins two other veteran goaltenders on Calgary’s roster — Cody Porter, who turns 20 on Sept. 23, and Kyle Dumba, 19.

Aside from Porter, the roster includes four other 20-year-olds — F Matteo Gennaro, D Jaydan Gordon, D Brady Reagan and F Jakob Stukel.

On Tuesday, the Tigers acquired G Jordan Hollett, 18, from Regina for F Matt Bradley, 20, a second-round pick in the 2018 bantam draft and a fifth-rounder in 2019.

Having traded away Bradley and Schneider, the Tigers still have eight 20-year-olds on their roster, including G Michael Bullion. Others are Swedish F John Dahlstrom, F Zach Fischer, D Brad Forrest, D Jordan Henderson, F Mark Rassell, D Kristians Rubins, who is from Latvia, and D Ty Schultz.

The other trade involving a goaltender came down on Thursday, as the Everett Silvertips dealt Mario Petit, who will turn 20 on July 25, to the Kootenay Ice for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2018 bantam draft.

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D Vojtech Budik of the Prince Albert Raiders has been invited to the summer camp of the Czech Republic’s national junior team. That camp is to run in Rokycany and Salzburg, June 9-16. . . . Budik, 19, had a goal and 25 assists in 56 games with the Raiders last season. . . . He was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth-round of the NHL’s 2016 draft. . . . Budik played two games for Czech Republic at the 2017 World Junior Championship.

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The Buffalo Sabres have fired Dan Lambert, who was the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, for one season. Lambert, a former WHL player and coach, went 32-41-3 with the Americans this season. Last season, Lambert, 47, was an assistant coach with the Sabres. Prior to that, he spent six seasons with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, five as an assistant coach and the last one (2014-15) as head coach. The Rockets won the WHL title in his only season as head coach. . . . A defenceman, he played four seasons (1986-90) with the Swift Current Broncos, helping them to the 1989 Memorial Cup championship. . . . Even before the Sabres fired him on Friday, Lambert’s name had been mentioned in Spokane as a potential candidate for the Chiefs’ vacant head-coaching job.

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Anthony Noreen is the new general manager and head coach of the USHL’s Tri-City Storm. Noreen takes over from Bill Muckalt, the head coach for two seasons, who left to pursue other opportunities. . . . When this season began, Noreen, 43, was in his second season as head coach of the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears. However, he was fired on Nov. 14. . . . Prior to that, the Chicago native spent five seasons with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms, one as an assistant coach and four as GM/head coach. . . . Muckalt spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Michigan Tech before joining the Storm.

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Jessie Leung has stepped down as head coach of the Valley West Hawks of the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League and has joined the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters as an assistant coach. . . . Leung spent six seasons with the Hawks, the last three as head coach. He guided them to a league title in 2015-16. . . . In Trail, Leung will work alongside general manager/head coach Cam Keith.

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On this date in baseball history, the strangest looking play ever, courtesy of Jose Canseco: https://t.co/idcSCneDTQ

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) May 26, 2017

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FRIDAY’S GAME:

The OHL-champion Erie Otters broke a 2-2 tie with a pair of early third-period goals en route to a 6-3 victory over the QMJHL-champion Saint John Sea Dogs in the Memorial Cup semifinal on Friday night in Windsor, Ont. . . . The Otters will meet the host Spitfires in the tournament final on Sunday. Game time is 4 p.m. PT (7 p.m. ET). . . .

Last night, F Dylan Strome broke the 2-2 tie with his sixth goal of the tournament at 2:38 of the third period and F Gera Poddubnyi added insurance at 3:45 with his first goal. . . . F Taylor Raddysh (5) upped the lead to 5-2, on a PP, at 12:31. . . . Saint John D Thomas Chabot (2) chopped the deficit to two with his second goal at 16:28. . . . Erie F Warren Foegele (1) iced it with an empty-netter at 19:26. . . . Erie D Darren Raddysh (3) had opened the scoring at 9:56 of the first period, with F Joe Veleno (3) of the Sea Dogs equalizing at 14:10. . . . Erie went ahead 2-1 when Taylor Raddysh scoring, on a PP, at 10:57. . . . Saint John F Julien Gauthier, who also had two assists, tied it, on a PP, at 19:18. . . . F Alex DeBrincat recorded three assists for the Otters and F Anthony Cirelli had two. . . . Erie G Troy Timpano stopped 20 shots. At the other end, Callum Booth turned aside 31. . . . Erie was 2-7 on the PP; Saint John was 1-2. . . . Announced attendance: 5,410. . . .

When they met in the round-robin portion of the tournament, Windsor posted a 4-2 victory despite being outshot, 35-19. . . . The Otters are hoping to become the first U.S.-based team from the OHL to win the Memorial Cup. . . . Sunday’s final will be the first since 2007 to feature two teams from the same league. In 2007, the host Vancouver Giants beat the WHL-champion Medicine Hat Tigers, 3-1, in the final. . . . This will be the third Memorial Cup in a row won by an OHL team. The London Knights won it last year, with the Oshawa Generals having won in 2015. . . . 

Both head coaches — Windsor’s Rocky Thompson and Erie’s Kris Knoblauch — are former WHL players and coaches, who may be coaching their final major junior game on Sunday. Both are expected to move on to the pro ranks after this season. There has been speculation that Thompson will be the next head coach of the Utica Comets, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. 

Jim Parker of Postmedia has a game story right here.

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Thunderbirds bow out of Memorial Cup ... Sea Dogs win, 7-0 ... Love staying in Everett

F Radek Meidl (Seattle, Tri-City, 2006-08) has signed a one-year extension with Orlik Opole (Poland, PHL). This season, he had three goals and an assist in four games there. He began the season with Frydek-Mistek (Czech Republic, 1. Liga), scoring a goal and adding three assists in 27 games, before joining Dukla Trencin (Slovakia, Extraliga), where he had one assist in 10 games. . . .

F Cody Sylvester (Calgary, 2008-13) has signed a one-year contract with Bad Nauheim (Germany, DEL2). This season, with Dornbirn (Austria, Erste Bank Liga), he had nine goals and 20 assists in 50 games. . . .

F Stanislav Balán (Portland, 2005-06) has signed a one-year contract with Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic, 1. Liga). This season, he had a goal and an assist in 30 games with Vítkovice Ostrava (Czech Republic, Extraliga). Balán's contract has an option clause that extends it by one year should Karlovy Vary win promotion to Extraliga next season. . . .

F Dylan Wruck (Edmonton, 2008-13) has signed a one-year contract with Cologne (Germany, DEL). This season, with the Iserlohn Roosters (Germany, DEL), he had eight goals and 16 assists in 52 games.

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Likely due to yesterday's event in Manchester, but increased security and bag checking at WFCU Centre in Windsor tonight.

— Loosepucks (@loosepucks) May 23, 2017

The WHL-champion Seattle Thunderbirds bowed out of the Memorial Cup tournament in Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday night after losing 7-0 to the QMJHL-champion Saint John Sea Dogs. . . . The Thunderbirds lost all three of their games and were outscored 18-3 in the process. . . . While the Thunderbirds are finished, the Sea Dogs advanced to Friday’s semifinal where they will meet the loser of Wednesday’s game between the host Windsor Spitfires (2-0) and the OHL-champion Erie Otters (2-0). The winner moves on to Sunday’s final. . . . Without the need for a tiebreaker, Thursday is a day off, as is Saturday. . . . 

Last night, Seattle and Saint John played through a goalless first period before the Sea Dogs exploded for six goals in the second period. . . . F Joe Veleno opened the scoring at 1:14. The next five goals came in the span of 3:09, starting at 14:04. . . . Veleno finished with two goals and an assist, with F Bokondji Imama adding a goal and two assists. F Spencer Smallman, F Mathieu Joseph, D Chase Stewart and F Cole Reginato also had goals. . . . G Callum Booth recorded the shutout with 31 saves. . . . Seattle head coach Steve Konowalchuk went back to G Carl Stankowski after lifting him after he gave up three goals, in 38 seconds, on six shots to start Sunday’s 7-1 loss to the host Windsor Spitfires. Against Saint John, Stankowski was beaten four times on 14 shots in 34:57. Rylan Toth came off the bench to stop 11 of 14 shots. . . . Seattle was 0-2 on the PP; Saint John was 0-3. . . . 

Seattle made one lineup change, inserting F Luke Ormsby and scratching D Anthony Bishop. . . . The WHL champion now is 0-6 in the last two Memorial Cup tournaments, the Brandon Wheat Kings having gone 0-3 a year ago in Red Deer. . . . Announced attendance: 5,062.

Andy Eide of 710 ESPN Seattle has a game story right here.

Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun has a game story right here.

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The number of empty seats at Memorial Cup games in the WCFU Centre in Windsor, which has a capacity of 6,500, is becoming a story in its own right.

They haven’t come close to a sellout through five games in the four-team tournament, this despite the fact the host Spitfires are 2-0 and proving to be highly competitive. The announced attendances, in order, have been: 5,926, 5,259, 5,237, 5,114 and 5,062. Games 1 and 3 featured the Spitfires.

So where are the fans? Well, perhaps junior hockey fans have a problem paying $70 or more for a single ticket.

As pensionplanpuppets.com points out right here, the cheapest adult season-ticket for the Spitfires (34 games) could be had for $425, while the cheapest Memorial Cup pass (nine games) was $672.35, tax included.

The piece at pensionplanpuppets.com is headlined: I love you Memorial Cup, but we need to talk about ticket prices.

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The Prince George Cougars have signed F Tyson Phare to a WHL contract. Phare, from Maple Ridge, B.C., was the 18th overall selection in the 2017 bantam draft. He played this season with the Yale Hockey Academy Lions in Abbotsford, B.C., putting up 18 goals and 22 assists in 28 games.

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The Swift Current Broncos have signed F Ben King, who was the 13th overall selection in the 2017 WHL bantam draft. King, from Vernon, B.C., played this season with the Pursuit of Excellence’s bantam prep team, putting up 16 goals and 30 assists in 22 regular-season games.

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Matt Cockell, the Kootenay Ice’s new president and general manager, is getting settled in Cranbrook and has begun the work aimed at re-establishing the WHL franchise in the area. Cockell, 38, is a former WHL goaltender and is eager to get things rolling. Brad McLeod of the Cranbrook Townsman has a piece on Cockell right here.

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Chase Souto has been named assistant general manager of hockey operations for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings organization. Souto, who is from Yorba Linda, Calif., played four seasons (2010-14) with the Kamloops Blazers before his career was ended by concussion problems. . . . Souto, 22, has been coaching with the Jr. Kings for three seasons. With his new title, he also will work as an assistant coach with three teams from midget to pee wee. . . . There’s more on Souto and his new position right here.

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The Mississauga Steelheads, fresh off their first appearance in the OHL’s championship final, have parted company with general manager James Boyd. He told John Matisz of Postmedia that “we were unable to come to an agreement on a contract moving forward.” According to Matisz, Boyd said the parting was “amicable” and that the decision was “mutual.” . . . Boyd had been the Steelheads GM/head coach for five seasons (2011-16). Prior to this season, James Richmond stepped in as head coach, allowing Boyd to focus on the GM’s duties. On Tuesday, after Boyd’s departure was made public, the Steelheads announced that Richmond now is the GM and head coach, and that he had signed a five-year contract. . . . Boyd is expected to interview with the Ottawa 67’s, who are looking for a GM and head coach to replace Jeff Brown. . . . Matisz reported that assistant GM Jan Egert also is gone from Mississauga, his contract having expired. . . . Matisz’s story is right here.

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The U of Waterloo, Ont., Warriors have commitments from two players who finished up their junior eligibility this season in the WHL. . . . G Trevor Martin, who was with the Calgary Hitmen, and F Markson Bechtold, who finished the season with the Saskatoon Blades, both have chosen to attend Waterloo. . . . Martin, from Androssan, Alta., also played with the Saskatoon Blades and Red Deer Blades. He spent some time with the QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar this season before joining the Hitmen. . . . From Strathmore, Alta., Bechtold was dealt to the Blades by the Spokane Chiefs this season. In 231 career regular-season games, he had 38 goals and 62 assists. . . . Stick tap to Victor Findlay on the tweets about both players. He keeps tabs on the Canadian university hockey scene at @Finder_24.

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In the USHL, F Tyler Gratton scored at 11:30 of OT to give the visiting Chicago Steel a 2-1 victory over the Sioux City Musketeers in the final game of the championship series. The Steel won the best-of-five series, 3-2. . . . That goal was the first point in 14 playoff games for Gratton, a 17-year-old from Pottstown, Pa. . . . The Musketeers had a 46-25 edge in shots on goal. . . . Jay Varady, who is in his fourth season as the Musketeers’ director of hockey operations and head coach, spent eight seasons (2003-11) on the coaching staff of the WHL’s Everett Silvertips. . . . Mark LeRose, in his third season as Sioux City’s GM, was an assistant coach in Everett for three seasons (2007-09, 2013-14).

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Mitch Love will be returning as an assistant coach with the Everett Silvertips, who introduced Dennis Williams, their new head coach, to their fans on Monday. Jesse Geleynse of the Everett Herald reported that Love’s signing to a two-year extension should be announced shortly. . . . Love played five seasons (2000-05) in the WHL, the last two with the Silvertips. He is heading into his sixth season on their coaching staff. He spent four seasons alongside head coach Kevin Constantine, whose contract wasn’t renewed after this season. . . . Geleynse also reported that the Silvertips will employ only one assistant coach this season, a decision having been made not to replace Brennan Sonne, now the head coach of the pro team in Angers, France. . . . Geleynse’s story is right here.

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The OHL’s Sudbury Wolves are in the market for a head coach after parting company with Dave Matsos on Tuesday. Matsos had been with the Wolves since 2013 when he was the associate coach. He took over as head coach in January 2015. Matsos had a year left on his contract when, according to a news release from the Wolves, the parties “mutually agreed to part ways.” . . . Rob Papineau, the Wolves’ vice-president of hockey operations and general manager, said in a news release: “We considered options on contract extensions but we were unable to come to an agreement moving forward.” . . . Assistant coach Barry Smith also is gone. He joined the Wolves in mid-November when assistant coach Drake Berehowsky left to take over as head coach of the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears.

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At my 150th consecutive #MCMemorialCup game tonight. Seattle's goalie was 2 months old when it started. #old pic.twitter.com/UMWLsFRtsI

— Terry Doyle (@Terry_Doyle) May 23, 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.

Otters bury Sea Dogs on record-setting night ... Strome sets points record ... Tulsa time's up for Christie

D Shaone Morrisonn (Kamloops, 1999-2002) has signed a one-year extension with Admiral Vladivostok (Russia, KHL). He had two assists in 11 games there this season. Morrisonn started the season with Medveščak Zagreb (Croatia, KHL), scoring twice and adding four assists in 33 games. He was traded to Admiral on Dec. 25 for cash considerations. . . .

F Igor Bacek (Tri-City, 2005-06) has signed a one-year contract with the Hannover Indians (Germany, Oberliga). This season, with Halle (Germany, Oberliga), he had 20 goals and 31 assists in 44 games. He led his team in assists and points.

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Here you go: Despite all that has occurred, the TBirds are just 3 wins away from a Memorial Cup title. https://t.co/C99OAX07pF

— TBird Tidbits (@TBirdTidbits) May 23, 2017

The OHL-champion Erie Otters spun a few records on Monday as they drubbed the QMJHL-champion Saint John Sea Dogs, 12-5, at the Memorial Cup tournament in Windsor, Ont. . . . The Otters improved to 2-0, while the Sea Dogs fell to 0-2. . . . On Tuesday, the WHL-champion Seattle Thunderbirds (0-2) are scheduled to play the Sea Dogs. The winner moves into a semifinal game; the loser is eliminated. . . . On Wednesday, the Otters will meet the host Windsor Spitfires (2-0). The winner moves into Sunday’s final; the loser will play in the semifinal game. . . . There won’t be a tiebreaker game. . . .

Last night, Erie held period leads of 5-2 and 4-1, outshooting the Sea Dogs 17-4 and 16-8 in the process. . . . The Otters got four goals and three assists from F Dylan Strome, with F Taylor Raddysh adding two goals and four assists. . . . D Darren Raddysh scored two goals and had two helpers, with F Anthony Cirelli and F Alex DeBrincat each scoring once and adding three assists. . . . F Ivan Lodnia and F Kyle Maksimovich also scored for the Otters. . . . F Cedric Pare scored twice for Saint John, which got singletons from F Julien Gauthier, F Spencer Smallman and F Mathieu Joseph. . . . G Tony Timpano stopped 18 shots for Erie. . . . Saint John starter Callum Booth surrendered five goals on 14 shots in 16:27. Alex D’Orio came on in relief and stopped 18 of 25 shots in 43:33. . . . Erie was 5-7 on the PP; Saint John was 0-3. . . . 

Strome set a single-game record with seven points. That broke a record that had been shared by three players — F Joe Contini of the Hamilton Fincups, in an 8-4 victory over the New Westminster Bruins on May 12, 1976, in Montreal; F Guy Rouleau of the Hull Olympiques, who did it twice, in a 7-5 victory over the Portland Winterhawks on May 10, 1986, and six days later in a 9-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers in Portland; and F Mike Mathers of the Blazers, who did it in an 8-3 victory over the host Seattle Thunderbirds on May 16, 1992. Rouleau had three goals and three assists against Portland, and two goals and four assists against Kamloops. Contini and Mathers each had three goals and three assists. . . . 

Strome scored four goals, one off the single-game record that was set by F Bruce Boudreau — yes, that Bruce Boudreau — of the Toronto Marlboros in a 10-4 victory over the Sherbrooke Castors on May 9, 1975, in Kitchener, Ont. . . . 

Erie now holds the single-game record for most goals, a mark that had been shared by the Quebec Remparts and Regina Pats. Quebec beat the St. Catharines Blackhawks, 11-3, on May 10, 1974, in Calgary. The Pats dumped the Cornwall Royals, 11-2, on May 8, 1980, in Regina. . . . Erie and Saint John also set a single-game record with the 17 combined goals. The previous record? The host Kitchener Rangers beat Kamloops, 9-7, on May 13, 1984. . . . OHL teams now have won 12 straight Memorial Cup games. . . . Announced attendance: 5,114.

Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun has a game story right here. He also spoke with D Ethan Bear of the Seattle Thunderbirds, who is trying to play through a hand injury.

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The host Cobourg, Ont., Cougars won the RBC Cup as national junior A champions on Sunday, beating the AJHL-champion Brooks Bandits, 3-2, in overtime. . . . The Cougars forced OT when Ryan Casselman scored with 1:07 left in the third period. . . . Nick Minerva of New Brunswick, N.J., won it all at 8:21 of OT. . . . According to Tyler King, the radio voice of the Bandits, they were 72-6-6 this season. . . . Cobourg had advanced to the final with a 3-1 semifinal victory over the BCHL-champion Penticton Vees on Saturday.

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Jason Christie won’t be back for a third season as head coach with the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers. The team announced Monday that Christie “has decided not to return.” . . . The Oilers were 64-67-9-4 in two seasons under Christie, finishing ninth in the Western Conference in 2015-16 and 11th this season. . . . Christie, 48, holds the ECHL record for most career coaching victories (547). He also has been head coach of the Peoria Rivermen, Utah Grizzlies, and Ontario Reign. . . . A native of Gibbons, Alta., Christie played four seasons (1986-90) with the Saskatoon Blades.

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#Elvis is in the building for #MCMemorialCup action between @ErieOtters & @SJSeaDogs. #Otters lead #SeaDogs 5-2 after the 1st period. pic.twitter.com/lLvFFm1S27

— 2017 MC Memorial Cup (@MCMemorialCup) May 22, 2017

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Host Spitfires open with victory ... Hurricanes need assistant coach ... Giants sign draft pick

F Jordan Draper (Red Deer, 2007-08) has signed a one-year contract with Nice (France, Ligue Magnus). This season, he led Strasbourg (France, Ligue Magnus) in scoring, with 35 points, including 11 goals, in 43 games. . . . 

F Tyler Fiddler (Calgary, 2007-11) has signed a one-year contract with SønderjyskE Vojens (Denmark, Metal Ligaen). This season, with Esbjerg (Denmark, Metal Ligaen), he had 17 goals and 27 assists in 45 games.

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The host Windsor Spitfires opened the 2017 Memorial Cup tournament with a 3-2 victory over the QMJHL-champion Saint John Sea Dogs on Friday night. The Spitfires hadn’t played in 44 days after having been eliminated in the first round of the OHL playoffs. . . . Last night, the Spitfires opened up a 3-0 lead and then hung on as the Sea Dogs scored two goals in the game’s last four minutes. . . . F Jeremiah Addison opened the scoring at 15:53 of the first period, on a PP. . . . F Jeremy Bracco upped it to 2-0 at 18:17 of the second period, and F Aaron Luchuk made it 3-0 at 4:48 of the third period. . . . Saint John made it interesting with late goals from F Nathan Noel, on a PP, at 16:50, and D Thomas Chabot, at 17:14. . . . G Michael DiPietro of Windsor and G Callum Booth of Saint John each stopped 20 shots. . . . The Spitfires were 1-4 on the PP; the Sea Dogs were 1-5. . . . Announced attendance: 5,926. . . . The WHL-champion Seattle Thunderbirds play their first game today (Saturday) when they meet the OHL-champion Erie Otters. Game time is noon PT (3 p.m. ET).

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Mike Craig won't be returning to the
Lethbridge Hurricanes.
(Photo: lethbridgehurricanes.com)

The Lethbridge Hurricanes revealed Friday that assistant coach Mike Craig won’t be back for a fifth season. According to the team, Craig “will pursue other opportunities.” . . . Craig, 45, had been with the Hurricanes since August 2013, working alongside head coaches Drake Berehowsky, Peter Anholt and Brent Kisio. . . . From the Hurricanes’ news release: “During his tenure with the Hurricanes, Craig was a key member in helping the franchise build towards success. After a 12-win campaign in his first (season), Craig remained and was a big part of helping the ‘Canes improve every (season) including guiding the Hurricanes to back-to-back 40-win seasons and helping them to the Eastern Conference (final) in 2016-2017.” . . . In each of the past two seasons, Craig was responsible for the Lethbridge defencemen.

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The Vancouver Giants have signed F Justin Sourdif to a WHL contract after selecting him third overall in the 2017 bantam draft. From Surrey, B.C., Sourdif played for the Delta Hockey Academy’s bantam prep team this season, putting up 32 goals and 34 assists in 29 games.

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@tpigulski Who do they think they are? Prince George?

— Regan Bartel (@Reganrant) May 20, 2017

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Sunday . . .

Michael Russo of the Minneapolis StarTribune attended a memorial service for Derek Boogaard on Sunday evening at the Xcel Energy Center. Boogaard’s family was there, as were former teammates, friends, officials from the Minnesota Wild and fans.
Russo’s story is right here, along with a photo gallery.
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Russo, who has done such a terrific job of writing about all that has transpired since Friday, blogged about the memorial service. That piece is right here.
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And there’s more right here from the Hockey Wilderness blog.
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“We shouldn't require reminders. We should know, innately, that death plays no favorites, that not even the strongest escape this planet alive.” . . . That is how Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis StarTribune began his Sunday column.
It’s today’s good read and it’s right here.
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AND IN OTHER NEWS . . .
F Alexandre Beauregard’s first goal was the last one.
Beauregard, a 19-year-old winger, scored his first goal of the QMJHL playoffs at 15:45 of the second OT on Sunday, giving the Saint John Sea Dogs a 3-2 victory over the host Gatineau Olympiques. . . . The Sea Dogs, who went 9-0 in playoff road games, won the QMJHL final 4-2 and have advanced to the Memorial Cup. . . . Former WHL G Jacob DeSerres stopped 36 shots for the Sea Dogs. He will make his second straight trip to the Memorial Cup, having played for the host Brandon Wheat Kings a year ago. . . . The Sea Dogs, who went 58-7-1 in the regular season, forced OT when Jonathan Huberdeau scored his 16th goal of the playoffs with 23.3 seconds left in the third period. . . . Attendance was 4,000.
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Earlier Sunday, the visiting Owen Sound Attack got a goal from F Jarrod Maidens at 3:27 of OT to beat the host Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors 3-2 and win the OHL championship in seven games. . . . Attendance was 5,517 with an estimated 3,000 of those from Owen Sound, which won its first OHL title since the franchise relocated there from Guelph in time for the 1989-90 season. . . . Both teams will play in the Memorial Cup — Owen Sound as OHL champion and Mississauga as the host team. . . . Terry Virtue, a former WHL defenceman who later was an assistant coach with the Tri-City Americans, is on the Owen Sound coaching staff.
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The Memorial Cup opens Friday in Mississauga, with Saint John going up against Mississauga. Owen Sound and the WHL-champion Kootenay Ice get into action on Saturday.
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Matt Coxford of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman has written a piece on how much winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup meant to Jeff Chynoweth, the president and general manager of the Kootenay Ice. That story is right here.
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Jim Matheson, the Edmonton Journal’s Hall of Fame hockey writer, takes a look at Kootenay Ice head coach Kris Knoblauch, who played five seasons with the U of Alberta Golden Bears. It was while playing for Rob Daum with the Golden Bears that Knoblauch first had thoughts of coaching. Matty’s piece is right here.
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If you missed it, Finland won the IIHF world championship on Sunday, beating arch-rival Sweden 6-1 in Kosice, Slovakia. It is Finland’s first world title since 1995. . . . Interestingly, the on-ice officials all were from Canada. The referees were Brent Reiber, a former WHL official who has lived in Switzerland for a number of years now, and OHL veteran Darcy Burchell. The linesmen were Keil Murchison and Chris Carlson, both of whom are WHL officials.
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THE COACHING GAME: Chris Brooks, a native of Stratford, Ont., is the new head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He replaces Wil Nichol, who resigned to accept an NHL front-office position. Brooks was the head coach of the Central league’s Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for the last three seasons.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
     
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