Monday News

Some will notice I re-arranged the furniture again. Besides moving some elements around and streamlining others, I dropped the newsfeed from OurSportsCentral.com. In recent days the feed had inexplicably stopped working and was impeding the loading of the rest of the website. I'll also take this chance to remind readers that the blog now has a discussion forum instead of a comments section. The link to the forum can also be found near the top of the right margin. Also, if anyone is interested in advertising on the blog, please let me know. Just an observation, but I find it interesting that two of the three players Dane Litke was trying to trade following curfew violations were with Fort Vancouver last season (and the third was in Fort Van two seasons ago), where rules were like Italian speed limits (merely suggestions). As an aside, they were all scratches this weekend... Marchand deal could be delayed due to storm... Richard Martel wins 500th game as head coach... Get out your road maps, trading period starts in QMJHL... Tornado send Zacharias to Fargo... Traded Tip comes of age in Swift Current... Mix-'n'-match hockey works well for Vancouver... Wolves swap defencemen with Guelph... Christmas break comes early in Everett as Hamill suspended... Billings Bulls look to stay hot as 2nd half approaches... Midterms - Pats have been kind of 'mediocre'... Pats make big donation...

More from Fort Van

Well... The Columbian gives us not one, but two articles today. The first, Transportation costs drive Pioneers out, gives Brian Cheek's version of the story, and sure enough it's more he said/she said. Though while Rick Smith is quoted in the article, he doesn't refute the Pioneers' claim the league was to provide the transportation. I don't know if that's intentional, or just how the article was written. Cheeks also admits that the no-show Friday in Lillooet was a set up as to not allow the WHA to get the gate for that night. The article also lists landing zones for some of the displaced players. The second article, Players, arena lose out as team folds, discusses who will and won't get refunds. In case you are keeping score: Players, the rink, and sponsors are out money. Season ticket holders have been getting refunds, however.

Friday News

Seventeen Dinos receive WHL scholarships. In total, 351 current and graduate players of the Western Hockey League were awarded WHL scholarships, representing a financial contribution of nearly $1 million. Wow, that's a whole $2,850 each. Say what you will about the NCAA's limit of 18 scholarships resulting in some players getting half and quarter schollys, but what's $2,850, half a semester? Hockey player convicted for assault on linesman (SECOND ARTICLE)... You have to love YouTube. With it players can post their highlight videos for prospective teams to view... as is the case with (now former) Fort Vancouver Pioneers goalie Ryan Stanchfield, who along with the rest of the Pioneers roster is now looking for a new home... Fargo arena needs a tax break. Oh boy, here we go... MSF officials lay blame for their hurried timetable on having to scramble for new financing this summer. Furness said the Boston office of investment firm Cohen & Co. reassured the MSF through three parts of a four-step financing process that funding would be in place. But when the subprime mortgage crisis hit the markets, Cohen & Co. didn’t follow through, Furness said. Construction was started "because we were virtually assured" by Cohen and Co. that financing would be in place, Furness said. But things really went into hurry-up mode much earlier. Signing former University of North Dakota hockey coach Dean Blais to coach a United States Hockey League team in the arena moved the timetable up a full year, Hintz said. Instead of completing a five ice-sheet facility in 2009, getting the $25 million arena ready for the 2008 hockey season became the focus. An additional $12 million four ice-sheet facility is planned for 2009. "Everybody was reassuring us," Hintz said. "We took some risks." Financing is being prepped, but it’s not all in place, the MSF officials said. Of $15 million to be supplied by a consortium of local banks, $13 million has been secured, Berning said. The funding for this project has been by the seat of the pants the whole time, putting it in the same category as such failed projects as Kimball Township (Port Huron), Michigan, Sarasota's Lakewood Arena, Cudahy, WI (I have the mock-up jersey designs for the USHL Cudahy Buckhorns somewhere) and Massillon's failed project (scroll down) for their UHL team formerly known as the Saginaw Gears. You don't start work on the project with partial funding, hoping the rest will come through. I've seen these slow-motion train wrecks before. You either have it, or you don't. You're either ready, or you're not. There is no half-way on this... Fighting spirit has Warriors in playoff contention... Minnesota Ice Hawks sign big forward from Twin Cities... Reekie will find out what his future holds soon... Rookie-laden Dauphin won't settle for OK record... Six teams set to bid for 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup... Mooseheads enter bid for 2009 Memorial Cup... Memorial Cup bid process will be intriguing... Lashoff working at becoming a complete defenceman for Barrie... Flyers sign former NAHL Bandit and current London Knight Pat Maroon to entry level deal... Shawn Rogers back as Silverbacks Marketing Manager... Holzapfel anxious to get back... Kings defenceman trades skates for spurs (there's a SWJHL joke in here somewhere)... Moose have found an exception in rookie... Voracek 'a lock' to make the Blue Jackets next season? Sudbury Wolves bowling for Easter Seals... Blame players for Otters' coaching change... Ftorek might boost Otters' gate - for a while... Size doesn't matter to Salmon Arm playmaker... Winter Hawks look into the future as top draft pick Bradley Ross finally suits up...

Halloween Boos... err, News...

A bit of a postmortem on this Halloween... As you can imagine, the Pioneers have their own version of the story of why they are rotting corpse on the banks of the Columbia, and sure enough their version blames the league. I think the easiest way to determine responsibility is to examine the arrangement that allowed the Pioneers in the league. To accept the Pioneers the WHA were stepping away from their business model. As such everything needed to be outlined, since as a single entity ownership league they were previously likely operating without the usually necessary constitution and bylaws. Still, based on all this he said-she said confusion I'm not sure there was any physical contract (one demerit to the league if such is the case). But at the same time, I have to ask myself why a team not paying an expansion fee or league dues expected the league to provide insurance and transportation (one demerit to the Pioneers). At the end of the day I think it's safe to say Fort Vancouver and the WHA were probably the unholiest union in junior hockey since Brian Gallagher hooked up with Monte Miron. Such is typical when it's a shotgun wedding... Is Tavares too good for another year of junior? His CHL peers weigh in... Peterborough Petes trade Tyler Sheldrake to Sudbury... Raiders sport new lease on life... U. Windsor Lancers, Spitfires join forces as education program opens new doors for players... Eddie Friesen sent home by Silvertips for disciplinary reasons... Nolan Toigo quits Giants... Matt Marquardt suspended one game by QMJHL... Otters reinstate Grzeszczak, Shaw from suspensions... Storm defender unfazed by trades... And finally, Saw IV pulled in about $31.8M on opening weekend, comparable to previous openings for the franchise. The movie was produced by Oren Koules of the Helena Bighorns, with Mike Butters reprising the role he had in the original movie...

Tuesday News

Well the WHA finally issued a release on their site: FORT VANCOUVER PIONEERS SUSPENDED FROM WHA OCT 29 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Ft. Vancouver Pioneers plans to wilfully not attend their League scheduled games in Lillooet B.C. this past weekend against the Whalers has resulted in their suspension from the WHA. In week 2 the WHA was forced to alter & accommodate the Pioneers as they encountered transportation problems and did not show for their scheduled game in Squamish against the Cougars. Once again it was the Whalers that were asked to substitute and play within a moments notice against the Cougars to ensure fans in Squamish saw their weekend game as promised. This last show of defiance is not only treasonous but undeniably damaging to the WHA, fans in Lillooet B.C., the Whaler players and to their own Pioneer players. Their actions defy all logic and comprehension and certainly is not fair to their own Pioneer players who they used as a pawn in this sophomoric stunt. The WHA has not nor did not charge expansion fees nor monthly league fees to the Pioneers when they joined the WHA and we felt that this was more than fair & just compensation, enough to allow them to get prepared for the season ahead of them. The League was advised as early as week 2 that the Pioneers were having difficulty in their transportation budget, but the WHA could not fathom why, as early as week 2, the Pioneer's had exhausted or were close to eclipsing their overall budget for the season. Asking for help is one issue, but to slam the brakes on your own team, the players' parents & the WHA and all of its players & Coach's is unforgivable. The Pioneers were fully aware of what they were intending to do, as on Thursday of last week they asked what hotels we had booked for them in Lillooet B.C. so their fan's could also book at the same hotel. We have done this for the Pioneers since the start of the season and the WHA has paid for all of their hotels while they played in B.C. Another concern we had is that it appears that the Pioneer's may not be insured. The WHA has a $5,000,000 per team policy for its six teams [the Alberta Team has their own policy and this has been confirmed & documented] and to date we have not seen nor been copied on the Pioneer's actual policy. This is something that is required to be provided prior to the start of the season & is to be supplied to all arena's that we play in. The management & owners of the Pioneers are suspended and this is Irrevocable. The players of the Pioneers are as always welcome to play in the WHA. Robbie Ftorek replaces Peter Sidorkiewicz as head coach of the Erie Otters. I remember Ftorek giving new meaning to "bench minor" a few years back (see below)... Reid MacLeod sees the upside of playing in Flin Flon... Amherst Rambler alumni association celebrating 40 years... Is Jack Connolly the next Stampede star? Is Guelph Storm mascot Spyke getting put out to pasture? Soo Chamber of Commerce recognizes Jim McAuley... Edmonton Oil Kings change their name (for just one game) to promote cow punching... Drayton Valley coach Blaine Gusdal feels the axe... Changes at Rocket's mission control - Serge Savard Jr. and Guy Chouinard have new roles on team...

Monday News

Well, I'm still waiting for the official statement from the WHA regarding Fort Vancouver. It's obvious from their website that the team is out, and the league has told me they are out (and why), but they have yet to provide their official, public explanation. But I guess they'll get to it when they get to it. Until they do I don't have a whole lot to say about the situation. The Pioneers, however, appear to be painting this as the fault of the WHA... It looks like the local paper has come to realize the Kingston Frontenacs are a troubled franchise. Some fans have also gotten on the ball. Perhaps last week's reference to Matt Millen served as inspiration, but someone has started a Fire Larry Mavety blog. If you go back to the posts of last week, you can get a sense of the frustration felt by the author and his reasons for starting the site. Alaska Avalanche newcomer Kent Detlefsen revels in opportunity to showcase skills... Fans clamour for WHL to return to Victoria (what, they sick of the ECHL already?). See also... ECHL vs. WHL: Pros and Cons... Die-hard Victoria WHL supporters like to complain - at wrong target... Interesting piece on venues and fans around the OHL... Sious Falls' Vanek a superstar in native Austria... CHL - No more head games... Lack of discipline, heart makes for a bad team in Lewiston... Bruins decide to keep Milan Lucic on the roster... Ex-Frontenac Evan Kotsopoulos pleads guilty to impaired driving... Some player nicknames are lame, but these are not... P.E.I. players hoping new coach can get Rocket on winning path...

Fort Vancouver Pioneers kicked out of WHA

And the Pios are gone... I am expecting a statement from the league shortly and will post it (or a link to it) as soon as it is available.

One more coach on ICE...

Well, at least for the time being. Fort Vancouver Pioneers head coach Jon MacWilliams has found himself with some visa problems and unable to return to the USA. Reading the team's body language, there appears to be no timetable for his return. (This is probably asking too much, but keep the comments relevant to the story, folks... we don't need a rehash of last season.)

Monday News

Sorry for the recent lack of posts. I'm in Kansas City for a conference and have been a wee bit preoccupied. Those looking for an announcement on a subject I cannot discuss here (sorry) can expect something late tomorrow or Wednesday. Unfortunately, my time and access will remain limited through then, so if you are looking for it here, I suggest you keep your eyes peeled on other sources. I apologize for the veiled language, but while I don't think the topic is a secret (I *KNOW* it's not among insiders), I did promise the people involved I would not say anything until it's official. This whole affair is rapidly becomming the worst-kept secret in junior hockey. Montreal Nordiques join the WHA. Are the Quebec Habitants next? Commissioner plans league clean-up - Courteau to look very seriously at Q draft process. Riiiiiight... On a related note: Q typically slow to act on problem... Anthony Palumbo named head coach in Traverse City... College coaches sound off on what they look for in a scholarship athlete... Sooke Stingers name Nate Forester head coach... Chilliwack Bruins GM nets contract extension... NorPac releases dispersal draft results for Fort Vancouver...

Thursday News

Labour issues halt work on Kingston arena... Dave Barr to head coach other Canadian junior team. Boucher and Beaulieu named assistant coaches... Fog Devils bid for 2009 Memorial Cup gains steam. (second article, same topic)... Former Moosheads coach joins Rimouski Oceanic... Lincoln Stars head coach Steve Johnson resigns... Pioneers formally announce move to WHA... Oh, and the NAHL has partnered with B2. I don't have a real link to give folks, because the article is on the front of league's website instead of on it's own press release, and I try not to make it a habit of posting links where the content may not be there the next day.

Wednesday News

BTW, in case I haven't mentioned it... Silly Season is in full force. Man, I hate leading with this... Fort Vancouver held a formal press conference yesterday. Gary Unger and Ricky Smith were present from the WHA to welcome Fort Vancouver into the league. Also present were the usual suspects - Joe Loftgren, Brian Cheek and new head coach Jon MacWilliams. The local paper was there, but given their track record we won't see anything printed until next next week... Craig Hartsburg keeps on as Canada's coach for the junior worlds... Everett Silvertips lose Kevin Constantine to the Houston Aeros... Chilliwack Bruins extend contract of GM Darrell May... Monroe Gladiators? Yeah, sounds like a Federal League team name... QMJHL annual league meetings start today... Drake Berehowsky named Barrie's assistant coach... Fan group rates 2005 Memorial Cup in London still the best... This is where I grouse and lament that I can't offer up a much bigger story this morning. And no, it's nothing to do with Fort Vancouver. Still, I must learn patience and leave you with the words of someone whose name I forget: Norse tax toadstool bed, testicular yen go on...

Wednesday News

Wow... I guess I pushed some buttons in the NAHL yesterday. Some of you might want to scroll down for the regular stories, I'm going to be awhile here... Regarding the Tornado. Word gets around fast considering the last time I checked my blog (to be fair, anything from blogger.com) was blocked by Pavestone's ISP. There's been an official denial and declaration from the franchise that the for-sale listing I mentioned has nothing to do with them. Fine. I never said it was. Speculation, yes... I said it appeared to be for them. Big difference. I also expressed concern as to whether the listing is current. Why is that important? Because there's a discrepancy between the listing stating the franchise for sale is five years old, and the actual age of the Tornado (eight). That's all well and good, except another part of the listing lists the franchise as being founded in 1999, which is when the Tornado were founded. The article linked above mentions the five-year issue, but doesn't address the 1999 statement or anything else. Now, let's discuss why I and many others (whom I'll get to in a moment) thought this listing was for the Tornado... "This... well established sports franchise is considered the best overall franchise in its league." Yup... "The league itself is well established and successful!" Well, a little puffery never killed anyone. "franchise is located in a large pleasant and growing southern city in the south central United States." That narrows it down a fair bit... "The team plays in one of the newest and finest facilities in the south." With apologies to Yogi Berra, it's Deja Blue all over again... "A good portion of (satisfaction) comes from meeting the rising stars in this exceptionally popular sports field and helping them in both their career growth and their personal/professional growth." Junior hockey boilerplate if I ever saw it. "The sellers have directed that we provide detailed information only to those individuals who have a demonstrated net worth of $1 million or companies with a substantive net or cash flow sufficient to support a sale." If I'm not mistaken, this was the net worth requirement of the NAHL three years ago. Now then, if it's not the Tornado, who could it be? It's not another junior or minor league hockey team. There's nothing in juniors going back to 1999 that fit the region, and no CHL/WPHL/ECHL teams fit the profile (Little Rock's ECHL team was founded in 1999 and played in a new arena, but didn't last but four seasons). So let's move on... Basketball - there's nothing in minor league basketball that's lasted in the region, period. Baseball - affiliated teams in the region are all AA or AAA, and would easily be worth more than $2M (for example, a AA team was sold last week for $13.25M). In the world of indy ball, there's not a lot to work with in the region and none of it fits the profile. Arena/Indoor Football - nothing goes back to 1999. So what have we got left? Well, I came to the same conclusion that a lot of people did. I also happened to query about a dozen people in the game (not fans, but coaches/GMs/owners), and got the same conclusions. For the record, it wasn't a leading question, I always got an opinion before I offered my own. I did attempt to contact the Tornado before I said anything, but didn't know my usual contact was effectively out of pocket. In any case, the Tornado are denying it. Fine, I'll take them at their word. End of story. The next happy fun issue on the agenda concerns whoever from within the NAHL is leaking me stuff like the league minutes. As one might imagine, yesterday's comments initiated (or perhaps regenerated) a witch hunt to determine who my benefactor is. I can tell folks one thing, it's not who some think it is. Do I know people in the league, and sometimes they tell me things... but why would they send me huge volumes of things (like meetings minutes tend to be) anonymously? Wouldn't it be easier to just tell me? Oh well, there's not that much interesting in the minutes, anyway. More or less normal everyday stuff. But if folks want to expend a lot of energy with their torches and pitchforks over something that will never see the light of this blog, then so be it. In other news... The Topeka RoadRunners have found their new assistant coach in the form of Mike Aikens. If that name sounds familiar, he's been the head coach for the Rochester Mustangs, Williams Lake Timberwolves, and Billings Bulls, where he logged a couple of AWHL Bourne Cups. More recently he was the head coach of the Russell Stover Midgets in Kansas City. I'd say Topeka made a pretty good choice. Pioneers buy into WHA spot (hey, that's not my headline)... WHA hires Butch Goring as director of hockey ops...

That answers that

The announcement some of us have been anticipating - more of a foregone conclusion really... Fort Vancouver is joining the WHA. Also, as an addendum to the policy on FV comments. From here out posts suitable for FV commenting will include the "Fort Vancouver" as a keyword. That should resolve any remaining confusion...

Saturday News

Thanks for all the comments on the NorPac situation... I appreciated the laugh I got from the Kool-Aid drinkers with the Fort Vancouver chapter of the Kill Foster Club. Folks, I have been more than fair to the Pioneers about this. If I wanted to trash them, I would have done it a month ago when I first learned of the allegations, or a few weeks ago when the initial ruling was issued, or when the Pioneers bypassed the administrative process by seeking an injunction. Instead, I have let the case play out in the junior hockey justice system, keeping in close contact with acting NorPac commish Mike Butters throughout. In the end, it's the league's (and USA Hockey's) ruling that matters, not the deflections and counter-claims of the accused or ad hominem attacks on the messenger. Official from the Ralph named GM of Fargo’s UP Center arena... Fargo op-ed: UP Center is a hat trick for F-M area hockey fans. Perhaps so, but the AHL in there is a pipe dream... Victoria Grizzlies banking on Royal Bank Cup bid... Hockey & beer: Expo tapped into team's need... Topeka C-J column: The net's open, just tap the puck in...

Fort Vancouver update

No, it's not over... but we're closer. I just got off the phone with NorPac acting commissioner Mike Butters. There is a tentative agreement between the NorPac and the Pioneers in place that still requires ratification. Unfortunately, it will be early next week (as late as Wednesday) before the ratification is finalized, so the details of the ruling are still unknown. However, reading between the lines of the conversation it appears as though the team will be allowed to complete their playoff run, as the ruling will focus on the organization and not the players. This, however, is only the NorPac side of the potential sanctions. There is still the possibility that USA Hockey will levy their own ruling in addition to what is handed down by the NorPac. In the initial ruling, both the league and USA Hockey handed out their own sanctions. But at this point I have no idea what will happen on the USA Hockey side. Unfortunately, the wheels of justice turn rather slowly sometimes.

Fort Vancouver Ruling

Not much news this morning. Most people are awaiting the final ruling in the NorPac/USA Hockey disciplinary case concerning the activities of the Fort Vancouver Pioneers, which is expected today. I don't want to be a tease, but this case has been simmering for a month and should be rather surprising once all the facts are revealed.