Catching Up #2

Okay, I'm still way behind, and need to get some stuff written. Iain Duncan was officially named head coach of the Toledo Cherokee, as Chris Varga was removed from the position prior to their tryout camp this past weekend. In hindsight, I should have known something was up when I met Duncan in Alpena during the IceDiggers' camp, as it seemed to me he was talking a pretty active role for a Jr. B assistant coach (no offense to any past or current B asisstant out there, just that in my experience their role has been extremely limited compared to Jr. A assistants). And now a brief aside to my disgruntled reader from Dayoupea... Texas isn't in Mexico, yet the ATMs here offer English and Spanish. Yeesh, as Lindsay said, it was poetic license. As someone who has lived and traveled in the state, I can tell you 1) there is a distinct dialect gradient as you head north and 2) the U.P. holds no exclusive title to the term "Up North." Bears, elk, cold, snow, and people with funny accents? Ya, that's up north somewhere.... That was a brief aside to my disgruntled reader from Dayoupea... we now return you to your regularly scheduled blogging... There should be an announcement on the sale of Blue Line next week. I know, I know... but really, I'm pretty bullish about this. Also, expect a name change, and periodic references of "the rink formerly known as Blue Line." Looking at the new NAHL schedule... anyone care to explain how Santa Fe plays a total of TEN games in Alaska, while division rival St. Louis plays none? Ah, the joys of unbalanced divisions... This is old news (months old), and as such I'll leave any ramifications as an excercise to the reader, but what would happen in the junior ranks if Canadian college hockey joined the NCAA? Congrats to John Meissner for landing a gig as the broadcaster for the Tri-City Storm. All those winters (and one summer) in the booth take their toll, but John calls on. I hope Kim likes cold breezes, there's nothing between Kearney and the North Pole but a barbed-wire fence. I think I've mentioned it before, but it would be nice if all leagues provided a report like the one the BCHL distributes... The sale of the NOJHL Soo Indians (formerly Northern Michigan Black Bears) to Charles Perdicaro and Jim Capy is now official... The Guelph Storm were sold, too... but are staying in Guelph... Grapes looking at Niagra Falls for OHL club (second article)... Here's a look at the new education policy in the QMJHL. I need to get Lindsay to look it over... Battlefords North Stars name Gary Clark as their new Head Coach/General Manager... And that's all she wrote... I'm leaving out a fair bit of news... mostly player signings and such... sorry gang, but I just haven't had the time. At least now Im caught up, so I should be able to post a more constant stream of news...