Monday News

Pats to honour franchise builders... Coombs earns 100th victory in Dubuque... Bucs get arena upgrades with new owner... Sioux Falls debates new arena...

Monday News

Hastings sets USHL all-time wins record... Generals to retire Lindros' No. 88, I'm sure the Soo Greyhounds banned the number years ago... Finley an excellent fit for Rockets staff... Francis Filion suspended for one game... Dubuque claims CSHL regular season title... Goin' to the 'Dogs; Niagara Falls fans pack arena to support St. Catharines team...

Saturday News

And then there were five; Attack partner sells his stake... Weyburn's McMillan reaches 1000-win-milestone. Other coaches in SJHL can't fathom so many wins... Was January the worst month ever in Prince George Cougars' history? Owner Rick Brodsky banking on the future... Generals' game in Kingston postponed... Erie Otters suspend Frank Grzeszczak indefinitely for violating team rules... OHL hosts midget showcase in Saginaw... Coombs concerned about complacency in Dubuque... Winnipeg on the short list to host 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship... Windsor, London team up for World Juniors bid... Edmonton and Calgary jointly seek 2012 world junior hockey tourney... Memorial Cup selection committee down to four members... Selection committee looks at Halifax... Schenn brothers taking WHL by storm... Omaha forward looks to be force... Quebec league sold Newfoundland short... Bizzy Bobcats still in NAHL playoff picture... Flying Aces getting results in MinnyJHL... It seems more Frontenacs fans are getting grumpy with owner Doug Springer...

Saturday News

Fargo School Board approves deal on arena. Here's the latest picture of the facility... Mayor must step it up in Kingston... Hockey players worry motel owners (okay, who invited the South Jersey Raptors?!???)... Cochrane: Why such a rush on the Fog Devils? Saint John lucky to retain junior hockey team, president says... League announcement: QMJHL set to return to Montreal next season... Board chair: St. John's Sports and Entertainment never asked to save the Fog Devils... Soo may return to NOJHL... Sting expects to go with short bench for weekend contests... Fargo-Morehead Jets get two players... Mooseheads' Smith out longer than expected... Alex Archibald shoulders big load for Oil Kings... Taylor Hall's success has Spitfires' brass beaming... Ex-Pats giving back by coaching sons' teams... Cousins do well in USHL... No regrets for Hulak in Regina... Sarnia Sting's MacQueen learns from Boyes... Giants perfectly happy to practise... Camrose Kodiak Andrew MacWilliam commits to UND... Hockey to support Tulsa heroes... Andris Dzerins playing with confidence for Fronts... Maday's return benefits Black Hawks... Vancouver Giants not hurt by lack of scoring superstars... Dubuque T-Birds keep foot on (throat of other CSHL teams) accelerator...

Saturday News

Last night's Texas Tornado game drew an announced crowd of just 950. Would someone please explain the benefit to the USHL for adding a team outside their footprint that draws as much as the Chicago Steel when they're playing poorly? CSHL checks ThunderBirds with hard penalties... Blizzard host fundraiser... Knights trade Cesar, add veteran netminder to roster... Berard adds veteran savvy to young Colts roster... Di Salvo ready for the Colts goaltending challenge... Falcons add Niagara IceDogs goalie to roster at trade deadline... Foreman hopes for stronger rest of season for IceDogs... Top Gun in goal; Mavric Parks says Frontenacs a good fit for him... Blue Jackets send Steve Mason back to OHL... Bruins deal veterans for youth... It's wait until next year for London Knights... Otters acquire winger from Kitchener... Hitmen trade d-man Frere to Ice... Robin not leaving the Oil Kings nest... Warriors' Ellerby predicted Wishart deal... Massive changes also address discipline issue for Cougars... The birth and death of a player rumor... 'Greasy' ex-Rebel gives Kings some grit... Deadline passes, trade winds fade... Winter Hawks keep eyes on the future... MJHL teams stock up for stretch run... MJHL trade deadline summary... Good grief... 'Brad Marchand Day' in Halifax... Cougars not out of race with Blazers just yet... Late trades in the SJHL... Optimism in Halifax now high on 2009 Cup bid... Mariners get Chavira at MJAHL trade deadline... Spitfires rethink goals...

Thursday News

Bump in the road could make Whalers stronger... Weekend of all-stars in Yorkton, rosters revealed... Prairie Junior Hockey League team looking for ride to games... Storm goalie Ian O'Brien requests release to join Mahoning Valley... Black Hawks admitting kids free on Saturday... Silvertips' Bauer knows how to score ugly Trade deadline puts Thompson in the WHL spotlight yet again... Junior Blues’ Wyler goes shopping for goalkeepers... Pierro-Zabotel in no hurry - poised centreman outwits and outwaits opponents... Blueline callup definitely knows what's in a name... Jaw injury sidelines Oil Kings defenceman... Regina Pats GM Brent Parker starts his retooling... Patenaude's puzzle seems to be complete - Mooseheads talent can rest a little easier now... Pats' Kraus relieved despite ear injury... Vancouver D-man's points run a Giant surprise... Canmore Eagles trainer dedicates life to the game of hockey... T-Birds add punch with Stadstad return... Atlanta Junior Knights holding their own... Bold move right one for Sting...

Weekend News

I had fun last night at the Texas Tornado game. The Tornado faced the Topeka Roadrunners, so I was faced with conflicting loyalties. Sure, the Tornado are my local team (if a 65 mile drive to avoid crosstown DFW traffic can be considered "local"), and I was most certainly a fan of theirs from 2000-03. But things changed when the team moved from North Richland Hills to Frisco, and the Lone Star Cavalry were brought in to backfill the vacancy. Of course, I called games for the Cavalry, now the Roadrunners, and still have close ties to the team, so for the most part I was in their camp last night. I spent the first period talking to Roadrunners owner Mary Magdalene Lorang, talking about various items related to the team and league. The rest of the time I shared the broadcast booth with the Roadrunners' Arch Ecker, and for the most part managed to not make a fool out of myself on air. It was nice to meet some of the Topeka fans I've come to know online, and also see some old Tornado friends. As for the game, the Tornado won in a shootout, 3-2. For the most part the Roadrunners dominated, but gave up a couple of early goals. It didn't help that Tornado goalie Thomas Callaghan had a horseshoe in his back pocket, especially in the second period when his team was out-shot 14-2. But the 'Runners finally cracked his armor in the third and forced the game into OT and a shootout. For the Tornado, despite being outplayed most of the night it was a still a good win. The team hasn't had much luck this season and had all the luck last night. If last night was a sign of things to come, I can see them still making a playoff run. Oh, and for those who missed it, I wore my kilt last night. Okay, since I didn't post anything yesterday I have a ton of articles in my inbox... NBA eyes Erie for D-League. Be afraid, Otters fans. The D-League has a long history of going into hockey arenas and snarfing up all their decent booking dates. After a season or two of lagging attendance they bolt, but by then the damage to the hockey team is done, sometimes irreparably. Some of teams have such poor attendance they don't even report it... Frontenacss add Zach Fenwick from D1 Mercyhurst... Plenty of life left in Barrie Colts... Tips sign defenseman Tyler Kieffer from Lincoln Stars... Sexsmith talks turkey in Vancouver... Saskatoon Blades are Struch's team now... Questions facing London Knights haven't gone away... Warrior Broda can handle the U.S. Division of the Dub... 67's won't rush Couture back... Guelph Storm GM Dave Barr pondering his trade options... Chynoweth hands out mid-season grades to Broncos... Optimism abounds for Otters - 2nd half of season opens on heels of playoff guarantee... Victoriaville Tigres acquire winger Steven Cacciotti from the Drummondville Voltigeurs... Kitchener happy with new seamless panes in end zones at Aud... Avino, Jirik earn NAHL call-ups from Dubuque... Family helps Black Hawks' Kessel reach new heights... QMJHL players enrolled in 1,112 courses during fall semester, but not all were college courses (not saying, just saying)... Strait Pirates’ player Stevens dies at home, autopsy ordered... Sticking to the plan is key for the Pats... Blades launch second half with sense of urgency... Sportsnet.ca reviews the CHL season so far... Raiders have half a season to improve... Otters' roster changes for 3-game road trip... Geoff Courtnall assumes Victoria Grizzlies bench duties... Simms hopes to re-ignite the fire for second half in Weyburn... Cloud gets new chance to fly for Giants... Crash course for Seattle T-Birds' O'Brien... Second half a fresh start for Prince George Cougars... Phil Mangan traded to Fog Devils... PEI Rocket return to work... Mazzoleni's preseason proclamation may prove prophetic for Green Bay...

Weekend News

Wolves slog through first half; Playoffs an uphill battle for rebuilding team... Moosehead Daniel Smith out up to six weeks with thumb injury... Sarnia Sting forward Steve Stamkos has so much ahead of him... Are these the top ten picks out of the OHL? NHL director of central scouting E.J. McGuire thinks OHL players could be the first four picks of the 2008 draft.... Here's a Christmas wish list for the Swift Current Broncos... Truro Bearcats are flying under the radar despite being among the Maritime junior A league’s upper echelon... Tri-City Storm Vice President of Business Operations named Executive Director of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce (includes video)... Dubuque T-Bird Matt Langer relieved by knee prognosis... Plenty of reasons for optimism in Plymouth... Ice no longer creeping up on WHL teams... May on a European vacation looking for more Mollers... Dowhay enjoying new beginning in SJHL - Prince Albert product and former Raider comes home Saturday with Ice Wolves... Phantoms enjoy break from grind... Point/Counterpoint: Performance in Prince Albert falls short of expectations, or First half not all bad... Saginaw unlikely to give up Ryan McDonough unless Kitchener deals Nazem Kadri and some picks...

Friday News

Slow news day as teams/leagues wind down for the holidays... NOJHL expansion 'No. 1 priority'; Commish looking at two-fight rule, SAT sponsor. The article mentions a return to Sault Ste. Marie, MI, plus potentially new teams in Escanaba, MI., near Traverse City, MI. (could be somewhere like Peotosky or Kalkaska), as well as Ville-Marie and Rouyn, Quebec... The week before Christmas in the NOJHL... Home ice - Dubuque to host CSHL tournament in March (and why not, they've averaging more fans a game than most NAHL teams)... Former Pats coach/GM Lorne Davis dies at age 77 (second story, penned by Davis' son)... Silvertips have looked both good and inept in the first half of the season... WHL teams are not able to ignore goalie Joey Rewucki any longer... Durham Fury are fighting the injury bug...

Tuesday News

Big trade winds are brewing in the BCHL... Shakespeare with a Sherwood - Winkler Flyer pens newly released children's book (previously covered topic, but a new article)... Weyburn learning to play as a team... Life has been drained from Dub according to Regina's Brent Parker... Cape Breton should be in the market to add veteran players... Sioux Falls Stampede looking for some size... Iron sets sights on job with Raiders next season... Fog Devils look to be among the deal-makers... Major moves mark busy Monday afternoon in the Q... Eagles deal Dorsey for younger Brannon... Now we're all sure about this? Marchand officially traded to Mooseheads (more details)... Bulls go into break in top spot... Dubuque T-Birds enter break with 11-point lead in CSHL... Freeman, Zaremba turning heads in CSHL... Thompson taking OHL by storm, sort of... OHL's mono trend is unsettling...

Friday News

Frawley a victim of league politics - NOJHL commissioner Mark Seidel says dispute not healthy for league... This is sorta nifty - The Prince George Citizen now has video highlights of Cougars games. This begs the question - with the season the Cats have had, will there be any highlights? Pool tries to keep Bobcats together... CSHL Showcase a bridge to next level... Landing an impact player never comes cheap... Experiments pay off as Otters find right line combinations... Fort Erie Meteors celebrate 50 years... Chris Breen carving out a niche in Saginaw... Jean-Christophe Blanchard traded to Rimouski for Louis-Étienne Leblanc and a draft pick... Prince George Cats fighting for their playoff lives already... Brett Olson back on track with Black Hawks... Sam Finn hoping for injury-free second half of season... Tregunna looking for 'ugly' goal to break ice as a Ranger... Bowmanville Eagles forward has eye on Oshawa Generals... Ben Cruse endured rehab with idea of return to ice... T-Birds hope to enter holiday break on roll... And finally, for those following the sale of the Tampa Bay Lighting to Helena Bighorns owner Oren Koules, a major roadblock was removed this week...

Monday News

Saturday I talked about the NAHL developing Wenatchee, Washington under the radar. Well today it's the USHL in Louisville. Stories have persisted for months that the league was eying the market, specifically that the proposed team would play in the venerable Louisville Gardens. Well, Friday the State of Kentucky approved the tax-incentive plan which is to fund the improvements needed for the Gardens to host hockey. The Gardens were originally opened in 1905, and have been more know for hosting basketball than anything. Topeka RoadRunners forward Josh Kamrass a hockey lifer... Nice article on how the QMJHL has filled in the hockey gap left in the Maritimes by the AHL. I wonder if something similar might happen with some struggling minor league markets in Texas... Regina Pats' play is up after dressing down Rangers GM maintains chat with Saginaw GM was just 'saying hi', not trade talk (but there's still lots of trade talk in this article)... Otters adjust to different roles... Spirit deal 3 to Bulls for Taylor, Pasquale and two picks... Johnathon Roy - Like father, like son... Signs point to Marchand becoming a Moosehead... Column: People shouldn't let sour grapes cloud judgment... Jump to WHL no problem for Zabotel... CSHL event in Quad City gives Jr. Flames chance to spark interest... Depletion of Memorial Cup winner's roster not showing in standings for Giants... Spits make trade for Brampton forward... Winter Hawks face more injury issues...

Saturday News

I got some current pictures this morning of the construction in Fargo. It appears the foundation has been poured and they've begun erecting the steel. I still think they're on a very tight schedule, and can't afford any delays. A Tony Curtale sighting has been reported. He's behind the bench with the Peoria Mustangs as an assistant coach. Tony's kids are in Peoria, so this makes sense. I have to assume this is a side gig while he continues with Next Testing. Dan Peters has been named the assistant coach of the Southern Minnesota Express. Brian Fortin to the position of Interim Director of Hockey Operations... OHA needs to fight midget league head on, says Brill... Meet the Pack night in Prince George has been rescheduled... Bemidji State signs players from Cornwall, Omaha, and North Iowa... Vancouver Giants trade Mike Reich to Saskatoon... Johnny Bower gets hero's welcome in Prince Albert... Ryan Howatt quietly goes about job in Dubuque... Clayton Bauer a wanted man for Silvertips... Oil Kings ready to enjoy the comforts of home... Otters' Kidd out at least one month with Osteitis pubis...

Saturday News

Tri-City Storm to host Ethanol Awareness Night. Somehow I don't think the awareness is geared towards the fact that ethanol is a horribly inefficient energy substitute that has accomplished nothing but increase food prices, but don't tell that to the good folks in Nebraska. (Wow, I never thought I'd be linking to an Ed Wallace article)... Lesson to be learned for young players - Lindros mistakenly thought he was invincible... It's a gusher!!! Arena worker strikes oil, errrr... brine in Kingston. The good news is the Frontenacs now haven't lost a game since October 23rd... Iginla keen to ignite Blazers... Spits' future on upswing... Erie Otters complain about bus legs. Gee guys, come try out the NAHL... Griggs grateful to T-Birds for USHL tryout... Indiana Ice off to sizzling start... Swift Current Broncos raffling shed for good cause... Willy Palov looks at the hot and cold teams in the QMJHL... Kamloops stays within family for interim coach... Unique scheduling creates seven game series during regular season for Alaska NAHL teams... Engele to be honoured for contributions to Broncos... Confidence breeds goals for former OCN Blizzard Donald Melnyk... Green Bay Gamblers goalie Crandall commits to Wisconsin... Red Deer's Watt knows what's what... Broncos continue to search for consistency... Pats goalie Bosch making a case to get more playing time... One more time, Winter Hawks shake-up roster with trades...

Saturday News

Fargo's USHL team gets a name. Here's the league's release. I think the name and logo are about as weak as the franchise's chances of playing in a completed arena in 2008. Dubuque T-Birds excited about finally returning to nest... Skjodts full of fire and Ice in Indianapolis... Lyon Messier designated for reassignment by Kelowna... Topeka to honour recently deceased U.S. hockey Olympian... Rob Ramage's JLC banner source of debate in London... Saskatoon Blades rookies a good fit... Hartley Miller: Prince George Cougars are headed for one of their worst years in club history... Petkau to meet with Giants Saturday... Santorelli making habit of winning for Bruins... Belleville bullish on goalie Mike Murphy... Giants acquire forward Phil Gervais from Swift Current... Silvertips playing better hockey after horrible start... Taylor looking to get it going in Erie... Butler accepts two-pronged Raider assignment...

Saturday News

The deal in the BCHL to sell and move the dormant Williams Lake franchise to Wenatchee, Washington appears to be dead. While the article says USA Hockey wants more information, during the summer meeting the Junior Council voted to not certify the franchise. The deal to sell the franchise was contingent on a successful relocation. Interestingly enough, this is the first article I've seen that connects the speculating Andy Murray (former Santa Fe/Southern Minnesota/Silver Arm owner) as one of the buyers. With the deal apparently dead, it may be the last time as well... Tri-City Storm ready to become road warriors... Heichman to don the 'C' in Sioux City... Alexandria Blizzard home opener only one week away... Winless Bismarck Bobcats aren't panicking. (This article was yesterday, but the 'Cats finally won last night, against Kenia River, 2-1)... With three days of ice time, Bozeman Icedogs ready for opener... Dubuque T-Birds still consider St. Louis team to beat... Billings Bulls expect improved team from a year... Saskatoon Blades have all angles covered in net... Drumheller Dragons breathing fire early (includes other AJHL news as well)... Giants' Machacek has traits of a good leader... Swift Current Broncos add firepower to calvary (someone needs to tell the headline writer that it's CAV-al-ry, calvary is a depiction of Christ on the cross)... Broncos fans should be thankful... Moose can depend on rookie Travis Randell... Voracek, MacMillan return to give Halifax full lineup for first time this QMJHL season... Pats' Ofukany relieved injury is merely a sprained knee... 67's Matt Lahey can play on one condition... St. Mike.s Majors add some firepower... Apprenticeship officially over for Delmas in Lewiston... W-Hawks need to get more shots on goal... Fond du Lac's Randy Willis signs with SJHL Kindersley Klippers...

Saturday News

A few folks have asked me about the new fundraising strategy of the WSHL Tulsa Rampage. If you go over to their website you'll see in the right margin where you can donate and "sponsor" a player. It's no surprise to me that teams are taking advantage of USA Hockey's (correctly) liberalized interpretation of the NCAA regs regarding scholarships (sponsorships, scholarships --> to-MAY-to, to-mah-to). But I have to admit I did get a small chuckle out of the fact the first team to exploit the philosophical change is the team that sold parents less than a year ago that I didn't know what I was talking about regarding the matter. New coach, new toughness, new promise for Wichita Falls Wildcats. I'll say, last night they strolled into Frisco and whupped the Tornado 4-0... Former Blade Darcy Robinson dies during game in Italy. (second article, third article, fourth article)... The NOJHL website got some new features, including "Ask the Commish"... Majors trade prospect Ryan Green to the Windsor Spitfires. (second article)... Perugini brothers make OHL history in net... Dubuque T-Birds taking basic approach to perfect record in CSHL... Winter Hawks add Kevin Undershute from the Medicine Hat Tigers... OHL hockey returns to the Garden City... Corey Braddick quits Prince George Spruce Kings... Maineiacs work to rebuild championship team... Bismarck Bobcats want to start anew... Pioneers face new challenges in WHA, and loses opener 6-3... New group led by Ottawa 67's owner looks to bring bring CFL back to Ottawa. (second article)... Hitmen, Broncos and Americans hook up for three-way WHL trade...

Wednesday Evening News

My Oklahoma Sooners (ACHA D1 club) released their roster last night... Those of you not from this region will have to bear with me for a moment, but I'm a little fired up about this team. Eleven newcomers join the Sooners this season, including former Texas Tornado defenseman Austin Miller, who has transferred to OU from NCAA D1 Providence, and forward Sean McCauley, who played last season with the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets of the USHL. Five other new Sooners played last season in the NAHL before making the decision to attend OU. Not bad for a club team... There's a Tony Curtale update buried inside the Springfield Junior Blues notes. He's still doing some work with Next Testing. I'm guessing the AHL team in question was the Peoria Rivermen... Peterborough Memorial Centre concessions deal stalled... Moncton's Scott Brannon handed one-game suspension following illegal hit... Kootenay Ice training camp breaks with 28 hopefuls... Flint Junior Generals start season wearing bulls-eye... Former Alberni Valley Bulldog Brad Harding busted on porn charges... Former Moosehead John Michael Bray pleads not guilty to charges... Fabian Joseph joins Moncton Wildcats as associate coach... NHL invitees leave Everett Silvertips in limbo... Michael Lawrence working closely with Oshawa Generals goalie corps... Keaton Turkiewicz wants title with Bulls... South Carolina Stingrays sign former Texas Tornado Bryan Esner... Kyle St. Denis adds flair to Kelowna Rockets...

Monday News

The Joseph Goebbels Award for biggest line of B.S. spewed this summer is going to Ian Ellis, the OHL's Director of Marketing and Special Events, who now claims that while the USHL sits atop U.S. Junior hockey, most consider it equivalent to Junior B in Canada. Really? How many of those Canadian B leagues guided kids directly into an NCAA D1 slot or NHL draft selection? In his next life Ellis is slated to be a farmer, because he's certainly proven proficient at spreading manure. The Bismarck Bobcats have hired former Quad City Express (CSHL) head coach/GM Byron Pool as their new assistant coach. Speaking of the Bobcats, someone might want to let them know they are celebrating their Tenth Anniversary in their eleventh season. Whoops, better late than never! Windsor recreation complex features 6,500 seat arena for the Spitfires... Former Saginaw Spirit GM Bob Mancini returns to the Edmonton Oilers as development coach... The battle over who will own the Kamloops Blazers is starting to get messy... Al Murray dives into job as Hockey Canada's head scout with under-18 team... London Knights keep ticket prices competitive, but bump rates 50 cents across the board... Ajax Attack has hired Trevor Nkiwane as assistant coach... Alan Kerr takes over as Alberni Valley Bulldogs head coach and GM... Portland Winter Hawks voice Dean Vrooman steps down after 25 years...

Friday News

Trois-Rivieres devoting $15 million to renovate and expand the Colisee in hopes of gaining a QMJHL team... Saginaw Spirit land Plymouth Whaler assistant Todd Watson as head coach... Moose Jaw Warrior Garrett Robinson returns to training camp after last season's accident... The Rochester Post-Bulletin converted a couple of their reporters into hockey bloggers, so maybe I'll start getting more news out of the MnJHL... Another Tier III local announcement - Toledo...