Saturday News

Mea culpa... I dropped the ball on this one. For the last few weeks some people have been pestering me about Wenatchee, asking about the USHL or NAHL going there. I dismissed it out of hand as the city is far and away outside the footprint of either league. Well, this morning I get an article out of Prince George on the idea that Williams Lake might return to the BCHL. That article states that after the franchise was shut out of Wenatchee by USA Hockey, the USHL announced plans to place a team in Wenatchee. Well, the article is wrong, as it's the NAHL that's signed a letter of intent to place a team in the new arena. NAHL... in Wenatchee? Are they going to play out of the Alaska division? Apparently, yes. Will Ice Road Truckers have special episodes for the 2300 mile, 43 hour bus ride from Wenatchee to Fairbanks? How many times will they empty the toilets between Prince George and Whitehorse? Actually, it's only 16 hours to Bismarck, but cripes, Wenatchee in the NAHL is the epitome of "you can't get there from here." The team will most assuredly be flying most everywhere, and visiting teams should get used to the 2.5 hour bus ride from Seattle. Interestingly, the NAHL has not made any reference to Wenatchee. They've got an agreement to try an place a team in Global's new arena, but they've got to find an ownership group first. It looks as if the same folks who had conditionally purchased Williams Lake are going to apply for the NAHL team. More interesting developments out of Youngstown this week, as Herb Washington and Bruce Zoldan have joined forces. Herb wants his Steelhounds out of the CHL, that much is obvious, but the $64 question is what shape will hockey take in the Mahoning Valley next season. The article throws around all sorts of possibilities, including OHL, USHL, and ECHL teams playing in the 5,700 seat Chevrolet Centre. Wait and see... In other news... Better late than never, as the NorPac's Rouge Valley Wranglers finally won a game. The Wranglers record is now 1-25, only four points back of Coeur d'Alene. Daniel Erlich's first OHL goal launches avalanche of 5,884 stuffed animals... Knights absent from trade table, but plenty of time remains... Siciliano, Hastings match sterling coaching marks... Plymouth Whalers trade defenseman Zack Shepley to Brampton... Southorn and Gelinas are both playing key roles in the recent resurgence of the P.E.I. Rocket... Dominic Fontaine, Screaming Eagles part ways... Promotions, pizzazz spike attendance for 5-14-2 Alexandria Blizzard... Jesse Messier makes presence count for St. Mikes... Nasty injury literally all in Repik's head... QMJHL sees slight increase in overall attendance figures... Black Hawks' Brett Olson back on track... Volcanoes on the prairie? Pats GM Brent Parker not the most mild-mannered fellow around... Blades' 16-year-old rookie Curtis Hamilton exudes confidence... WHL scouts cast keen eye on prospects... Spits' Mark Cundari pulls a 180...